Campaign Cash And Special Interests

Background: Originally published May 3, 2006. Douglas County commissioner elections have often been high-stake campaigns where some candidates will spend six figures in order to win an election. This column compares the amount of money spent in one year's election in Douglas County and neighboring Josephine County.

     What's the definition of special interests? During the election season, it's what a candidate calls the people who are supporting his/her opponent. But they never refer to their own multi-thousand dollar donors as special interests.
     It's interesting to compare campaign spending for county commissioner races in adjacent counties. Both Douglas and Josephine Counties have six candidates running for one open seat.
     Douglas County has three Republican and three Democrat candidates, while Josephine County has six non-partisan candidates who all compete for the same votes in the May primary election.
     Taking a look at the campaign spending records for the first reporting period, the largest recipient in Douglas County is Dan Hern, who raised more than $91,000 in campaign donations, including $72,815 in cash contributions.
     The largest recipient among the Josephine County commissioner candidates is Dave Toler, who raised $10,800.
     The biggest contributors to Hern's campaign include four local lumber companies; each donated $6,000. In addition, eighteen other donors have each contributed $1,000 or more to Hern's campaign war chest.
     In Josephine County, the two biggest contributors to Toler's campaign (besides himself) donated $250 and $185.
     In Douglas County, people are raising their eyebrows because Dan Hern brought in more than five times the money as incumbent Dan Van Slyke, who raised just over $16,000 during the first reporting period.
     But the situation is similar in Josephine County. Dave Toler has raised more than twice the amount of the second-highest recipient, Dave Daniel. And, Toler has raised four times the amount than the incumbent, Josephine County Commissioner Jim Riddle.
     Even though Toler has raised more than twice the money as Daniel, Daniel did receive two donations of $1,000 each. Put simply, Daniel (the current Josephine County sheriff) has bigger contributions, but Toler (former Three Rivers school district board chairman) is raising more money overall.
     In Douglas County, one Republican (Ohlsen) and two Democrats (DeVaughn and McDermott) pledge to spend less than $2,000 in their May primary campaign races. Similarly, in Josephine County, two of the six non-partisan candidates pledged to keep the $2,000 spending limit.
     Douglas County used to be like Josephine County. Up through the 2000 county commissioner races in Douglas County, spending was tempered by local contributors who donated cash in the double and triple digits.
     Beginning in the 2002 Douglas County commissioner's race, spending suddenly soared into the tens of thousands of dollars, once special interest groups and statewide political action committees began contributing to local candidates.
     Also new to the scene in Douglas County is contracting the services of polling agencies based outside of Douglas County. Beginning in the 2002 race, candidates who had tens of thousands of dollars to spend would hire pollsters before the May primary, to gauge their strongholds and adjust their campaign strategies accordingly.
     Much of the money to fund high-stakes campaigns comes from special interest groups or statewide political action committees (PACS) that are based outside of Douglas County. While PAC-funded campaigns may be relatively new in the Douglas County commissioner's race, statewide races have been PAC-funded for a long time.
     I know from first-hand experience that PACS will not always support a candidate who best represents their beliefs, but PACS will instead support the candidate who has the best chance of winning a race. The Oregon voters campaign pamphlet reveals some interesting endorsements this year.
     Taking a look at the Republican gubernatorial candidates this year, Kevin Mannix is the only candidate endorsed by Oregon Right-To-Life. I personally have interviewed all six of the leading gubernatorial candidates this year, and I know that Republican Jason Atkinson leans more to the right than Mannix does. But for whatever reason, Oregon Right-To-Life is encouraging its following to instead cast their votes for Mannix.
     On the other side of the fence, the abortion rights league NARAL is endorsing Ted Kulkongoski among the Democrat candidates, even though Kulongoski doesn't mention one word about being pro-choice in the voters pamphlet. For whatever reason, NARAL doesn't endorse Peter Sorenson, one of the most passionate pro-choice candidates around, who states that he is pro-choice, pro-civil rights in the voters pamphlet.
     Statewide PACS often treat local races in the same fashion. In one past race for Douglas County commissioner, only one candidate had previously attended local right-to-life meetings and wasn't embarrassed to stand in life chains along Garden Valley Boulevard. But when it came time for Oregon Right-To-Life to endorse a Douglas County commissioner candidate, the statewide special interest group endorsed a differed candidate who, at the time of the endorsement, had never publicly spoken his views on abortion at a campaign forum!
     While some people may be scratching their heads at such inconsistencies, there's a simple reason for such actions. PACS traditionally endorse the incumbent candidate in a partisan primary election. Other times, PACS will endorse a candidate who has the most money, not the candidate who best represents their ideals.
     Some voters base their decisions upon whom to vote for, based on whether a candidate is supported by a specific PAC. Other voters, like myself, view such endorsements with a grain of salt....and realize a superficial endorsement may not always reveal the complete picture.
     This year in 2006, add to the mix a group of disenfranchised Douglas County residents who are attempting to make the Douglas County commissioner's race a non-partisan office. Because Douglas County commissioners refused to put the measure on the ballot, the residents are scheduled to begin an initiative petition drive some time this month to try and get the measure on the November ballot themselves.
     It promises to be an interesting election year in Douglas County and in statewide races, long after the May primary results are known.

Delilah...Heard Weeknights On Her Hometown Station

Background: Originally published April 26, 2006. Delilah Rene for years has hosted a nationwide advice talk show based in Seattle, known simply as "Delilah." She grew up in Reedsport, getting her start in radio at Reedsport station KDUN-AM 1030.

     For many people, the "golden years" of radio evokes memories of The Lone Ranger or The Shadow.
     For me, the golden years of radio is when AM radio stations actually played music, and announcers broadcast live from local studios. That was when Roseburg's KRSB-FM affectionately promoted itself as "The FM," because it was the ONLY FM radio signal originating in Douglas County.
     Eugene's KPNW-AM was the dominant station that most people listened to, not only in Lane County but Douglas County as well. The coveted 6:00-10:00 morning shift was home to Bill Barrett (now at KUGN-FM) and Mike Guldager (now retired), who announced the news.
     Lee Gordon (now in Portland) was the 10:00-1:00p.m. DJ. Ric Hinrichs (former KMTR-TV weekend news anchor) played music from 1:00-4:00p.m. Bob Bosche (later moved to KUGN) had the drive home shift from 4:00-7:00p.m., while Ray Carnay (after retiring, he was later convicted of molesting boys on his boat at Winchester Bay) announced the evening news.
     DJ Woody Jackson worked 7:00-12 midnight, and Clark Moore (now at KMGE Magic 94) worked graveyard, midnight-6:00a.m. Co-workers nicknamed him "Clark after dark."
     Then there was Delilah. As the "new kid" at the station, she originally worked weekend afternoons, and occasionally filled in during the week when one of the regular staff was on vacation.
     On Saturdays, I would help my mother deliver News-Review newspapers on her motor route (before the News-Review had a Sunday morning edition, it was distributed Saturday afternoons). Therefore, I was a captive audience when Delilah played soft contemporary music during her Saturday afternoon shift.
     I don't remember much about Delilah. Except, after listening to her, I learned she would go home to visit her family in Reedsport. And, she would frequently apologize and blame any on-air mistakes that she made due to an illness. On more than one occasion, Delilah would say on-air that she was "green in the gills." My mother translated for me, and told me Delilah was probably getting over a sore throat.
     One night when I was listening to Woody Jackson announce a contest, I called in to claim some free circus tickets. Those circus tickets must have meant a lot to me, because in order to call in, I walked away from watching Buck Rogers on a Thursday night to call the station. In those days, multi-tasking for me was watching a television program and listening to the radio at the same time.
     Either I was fast on the telephone rotary dial, or else nobody else was listening, but in any event I won the free tickets!
     Our family drove up to Eugene on Saturday, the day of the circus. KPNW's business office was closed, so I had to go around to the back of the building and pound on the studio door. Delilah opened it up. Not only did she give me my free circus tickets, but she also let me take some pictures of her, posing in front of the microphone. That was the last contact that I had with Delilah, until....www.delilah.com.
     In 2006, driving from Medford to Oakland every weekend over the mountain passes, there's one radio program that I continually run across while scanning the radio dial: Delilah.
     It had been 25 years since I last heard Delilah Rene's voice on KPNW, so I didn't think I would recognize it even if I heard it. Curiosity got the best of me, so I finally e-mailed Delilah's syndicated radio program that's now heard across the nation. I simply asked, "Is this the same Delilah who has family in Reedsport and worked at KPNW radio in Eugene?"
     In less than a day, I received my answer. "Yep, it's me." I must admit that I don't listen for long to the Delilah program. She's always asking listeners personal questions that I don't want to answer, such as: "How are you feeling tonight? Are you and your loved one far from each other? Well, just sit back and relax. We'll help you get through this....Let me play a song for you that will let that special someone know that you're thinking of them."
     I'm usually changing to a different radio station by that time, unless a song that I like begins to play.
     But don't think that I'm knocking the Delilah program. The soft contemporary rock to classic oldies format of music appeals to many people.
     And I'm happy to discover that another Douglas County hometown person has made it big. Granted, Delilah may not be as famous as Rush Limbaugh. But while Rush corners the market on conservative talk show hosts, Delilah definitely fills a big niche for late-night listeners who are feeling lonely.
     Here in Oregon, the Delilah program is only heard on four stations. They include KDUN-AM 1030 in Reedsport, and KCMX-FM 101.9 in Medford. The other two Oregon stations are in Astoria and Bend.
     I was surprised that Delilah's early-day employer, KPNW, didn't have the decency to air their former employee's program.
     But I forgot. KPNW, like every other AM radio station, is now into "talk radio." Music programs, such as Delilah, now have a new home on (mostly) FM stations.

[2014 update: According to Delilah's website, her program is now aired on five Oregon radio stations in Portland, Albany, Bend, Burns, and Medford. But it no longer airs on stations in Reedsport and Astoria.]

Missing Family Search Near Galice

Background: Originally published December 13, 2006. This was a sad story of a young family becoming trapped in the snowbound wilderness. This was one of several columns that I wrote on the search effort.

     I have been over the road one time between Galice and Gold Beach. I had just bought a "new" 1991 Ford Tempo back in the early 1990s and I wanted to take it for a nice summer drive. News-Review reporter John Sowell lived in the same Roseburg apartment complex as I, so we both jumped in my car and off we went to enjoy the scenic beauty along the coastal mountain range.
     It was an all-day drive to Gold Beach and back. Unlike coastal highways 42, 38, and 199, the so-called Bear Camp road is nothing more than a BLM-type road with plenty of sharp switch-back curves. It's not meant as a quick route to the coast, but if one wants to see the confluence of the Rogue and Illinois Rivers near Agness, it's worth the drive.
     James and Kati Kim reportedly missed the Highway 42 turn-off at Winston when driving on Interstate-5 south from Portland. Kati Kim told police they spotted the Galice cut-off road on a map, and decided to take that road to reach their lodge destination near Gold Beach. Apparently oblivious to the sub-freezing winter conditions at the time, the family took a wrong a turn on the Bear Creek road, and became stuck in the snow on a side BLM road about 15 miles from Bear Camp road. As the crow flies, they were about 20-25 miles west of I-5 at Merlin.
     Unfortunately for the Kim family, the search was focused further north during the initial days of the investigation. That's because authorities assumed the family would have either used Highway 42 or 38 to reach their destination. The Kims had not notified family members of their change in travel plans.
     James Kim Sr. launched a private search for his family and hired three Merlin-based Carson helicopters to begin looking. On Monday, December 4th, a helicopter operated by another private party spotted the mother and two children with their car. James Kim had left the family on foot to go for help.
     People find themselves lost in the wilderness all the time. But the plight of this San Francisco family became a nationwide story. A family is lost in the wilderness. The mother and two children had survived days of freezing temperatures and are found alive. The father had left the family to go for help.
     The resourceful parents had burned the tires of their car to keep warm and to send up a distress signal....even though no searchers were in the area when the fires were lit. The mother had breast-fed her two children, four and seven months, to stay alive. The dramatic story attracted journalists from Oregon and California.
     Portland's KATU, KGW, KOIN, KPTV, and San Francisco's KTVU, KCBS, KGO, CNN, PSAT, and satellite trucks with a host of other acronyms that I didn't recognize....all camped out at the Merlin Industrial Park next to the airport. Fox News and Northwest Cable News broadcast live press conference updates in their entirety from the search and rescue headquarters. Oregon State Police sent their top public information officer from Salem to coordinate events.
     Josephine County Undersheriff Brian Anderson barely received any sleep. He spent the entire day as the search spokesperson for the media. I don't know if he was able to grant all the media requests; he told me organizations across the country were requesting interviews at 11:00p.m., 4:00a.m., and so on.
     I bumped into Brian Prawitz from KQEN radio in Roseburg. He was on the scene giving live radio reports not only for the Brooke Communications stations in Roseburg, but he also was the stringer for KGO in San Francisco and KPAM and KXL in Portland. At one point, KOBI-TV's team coverage utilized three reporters (myself, Christina Anderson, Wendy Enneking) covering different angles of the Kim family search. The story reached a climactic end when James Kim Jr. was found dead in the snow.
     Reporters often feel like sheep at media events like these. Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass called a twelve noon press conference on December 5th. Reporters began to wonder why the press conference was called, when it became apparent hospital officials were not releasing any information during the press conference about the Kim family's status.
     The answer became obvious when the Kim family was discharged out the back door of the hospital during the press conference. That'll teach the news media to trust hospital officials in the future! The only lesson learned from that incident is that reporters need to camp outside the door, instead of responding to the wishes of hospital personnel.
     But the most important lesson of all from this tragic story is that travelers should not "MapQuest" their way to a destination. That's what the Kim family had reportedly done in this instance: Find the quickest route to get from point A to point B by going to www.mapquest.com on the internet. Two-dimensional maps on the internet don't show the altitude of a road, and they often don't make any distinction between primary roads like Highway 42, and secondary road like the one between Galice and Gold Beach.
     I may be paranoid, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone isn't sued before this story is over.

Commissioner Kittelman's Private Committee Goes Public

Background: Originally published December 6, 2006. This is a column that goes into more detail about Oregon Public Meetings laws than most people would probably care to read about. However, it serves as a reminder that the public, and the news media, need to remain vigilant in order to keep their elected officials accountable to the public.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
     I've used the expression "a rose by any other name" before, during the past three years and eleven months that I've written a column for the North County News. It's an expression that's worth repeating again, based on the current debate over a "private" O & C funding shortfall committee recently created by the Douglas County Commissioners.
     I've seen some clever attempts to circumvent Oregon Public Meetings laws during the fourteen years that I've been a reporter in southern Oregon. Perhaps my favorite incident occurred last year in the Rogue River school district. The school board was in the middle of heated negotiations with the unions.
     In order to avoid giving advance notice of when they were meeting, the school board passed a resolution declaring they would be in "continuous special session." The news media and concerned parties would therefore not know when and where the school board, a publicly-elected body, would be meeting to discuss the issues.
     Douglas County Commissioners currently state (at least none of them have stated otherwise) their newly-created advisory committee is a private group of people with no decision-making power, and are therefore not subject to Oregon Public Meetings laws. Therefore, the advisory committee is entitled to meeting in private without any scrutiny of their actions.
     Douglas County Commissioners have either never read the Oregon Attorney General's public meetings manual, or else they're getting their advice from the wrong attorney. ANY board, panel, committee, or group of people that is selected by a public body falls under the definition of a public body, and if therefore bound by Oregon Public Meetings laws. It doesn't matter if one calls the group a public committee, a private committee, or strawberry pie. A rose by any other name is still a rose.
     Here's where the fine line is drawn. If Marilyn Kittelman had simply selected five people to advise her, there wouldn't be an issue. Just as David Jacques now provides her with political advice, a government official is free to choose as many people as they want to provide them with advice, and they can meet in secret as often as they want. Oregon Public Meetings laws do not apply.
     The current controversy was created the moment that all three Douglas County Commissioners signed off and approved the formation of the committee during a public meeting. The O and C committee is no longer a private group of people giving advice to one county commissioner. The Committee is now a legally-sanctioned public body created by another public body of three county commissioners.
     The pending loss of O & C money poses a grave threat to Douglas County government. It represents a loss of HALF the income for many counties in the region. I don't believe the general public is fully aware of the impact that may have on county services, such as the library, parks, county sheriff, etc.
     In Josephine County, the sheriff's office may have to cease patrols altogether. They currently have only two patrol deputies on duty at any one time in the county. The Josephine County library in Grants Pass is only open three days a week, and is expected to fully close next year. Douglas County is somewhat better off because of a cash reserve; Josephine County has none. But Douglas County's funding dilemma is still only one or two years behind Josephine County's current crisis.
     It would be a shame if the O & C funding crisis in Douglas County becomes muddied itself over the legality of the advisory committee. To end on a positive note, Douglas County Commissioners deserve praise for all the hard work they put into the job. I never thought I'd see the day when the weekly commissioner meetings would be broadcast on local television! Now, there's no excuse for anyone to miss a commissioner's meeting and become better informed of what's going on.
     The weekly meetings are broadcast three different tines on Charter Cable TV: live Wednesday mornings at 10:00, and re-broadcast Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons at 2:00.

[2014 note: I'm sad to say the commissioner meetings are no longer broadcast on public access TV. Supporters say they didn't have the money to continue paying someone to operate the television equipment. Opponents say the move was politically motivated, because some commissioners didn't like the "grandstanding" made my citizens during the public comment portion of the meeting.]

Early Christmas Music, Grocery Good-byes

Background: Originally published November 29, 2006.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC
     I actually remember when the pop music duo Wham first debuted their song "Last Christmas." It hit the contemporary top 40 charts that year. Now the song is destined to forever be a holiday selection on local radio stations, along with Elmo & Patsy's "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer."
     Don't get me wrong. I like Christmas music. But it somehow loses its impact for me when the music is spread over six weeks or more. That's right. I was shocked to discover Eugene's KODZ-FM (otherwise known as Oldies 99.1) playing Christmas songs, while I was making my weekly trip up to Douglas County on Friday evening, November 17th.
     Thus, I wasn't surprised when I heard their counterpart in Medford (Cool 103.5) also playing Christmas music during my return trip south on Sunday evening, November 19th.
     I hate to sound like a Scrooge, but I remember the good old days. That's when radio stations commenced their non-stop Christmas music Christmas Eve around 6:00p.m., and ended the holiday songs 24 hours later on Christmas night. As the years went by, Christmas songs began hitting the airwaves days earlier, then weeks earlier.
     The last I know, the day AFTER Thanksgiving was the official kick-off time when some radio stations began non-stop Christmas songs. This year, I've lost track. All I know is that I was still tracking my Thanksgiving ham on United Parcel Service's website when Christmas songs began playing on the radio this year.
     Wham never had it so good.

GROCERY GOOD-BYES
     I can't remember all of the grocery stores that placed newspaper advertisements back in the 1970s. But being as I was News-Review paperboy, I do remember the number of weekly advertisements that appeared in the paper.
     Back then, only one store (Richard's Markets in Sutherlin and elsewhere ) began their weekly food sales advertisements on Tuesday. Wednesday was the big ad. day. Five different grocery stores had their circulars in Wednesday's newspaper. There were no Sunday grocery advertisements, probably because the News-Review didn't publish a Sunday edition back then.
     Long before Albertson's, Fred Meyer, and Sherm's Thunderbird arrived in Roseburg, there was: Safeway (two locations); Drive-N-Save Market (Garden Valley Shopping Center and Winston); Gove's Market (where the UCC center is now located on Diamond Lake Boulevard); Dee's Market in Sutherlin; and the Thriftway/I.G.A. store on west Harvard avenue.
     I miss the slogans of these "supermarkets" as they were called back then. Gove's weekly advertisement on Wednesday always had the slogan, "No ifs, ands, or buts about it..."in reference to having the lowest prices.
     Looking back at the evolution of grocery stores in Roseburg, it is sad to see two longtime stores closing their doors at the same time in December. They include the only grocery store in the downtown area, Safeway, and the only store on the west of town, the former Thriftway store, formerly Michael's I.G.A.
     Truth be known, my family never went to those stores. But I know people who did. When I was in high school, I visited a retired missionary from Brazil who now lived in downtown Roseburg. Rhiles Malott taught me Portuguese before I spent a year as an exchange student in Brazil. Mrs. Malott was an elderly woman who lived in the Kohlhagen apartment building. She walked down to the Safeway store to buy her groceries. It was the only place within walking distance to buy her food.
     It's ironic the downtown Safeway is closing, when low-income elderly citizens make up a growing percentage of downtown Roseburg. With less competition in town, let's hope we don't see a rise in grocery prices at the stores remaining in business.

Memorial, Springfield News Closes, Oakland Antics

Background: Originally published November 1, 2006. This is another hybrid column with multiple topics. This was a week when all of the news seemed sad or distressing.

     This past week was one of the most depressing weeks I've had in years. No, it wasn't because Jane Wyatt, the actress who played Mr. Spock's mother on Star Trek, passed away. There was enough other sad news locally to fill the week, personally, professionally, and politically.

OCUMPAUGH MEMORIAL
     On a personal note....A public memorial service for 15-year-old Daniel Ocumpaugh was scheduled this past Saturday at the Oakland High School gymnasium. Daniel died in a dirt bike accident the previous Friday, while he was riding a dirt bike on trails near Metz Hill Road. It was just three years ago that Daniel's older brother, Lance, was injured when he fell on to concrete while stacking hay. Also, an uncle of Daniel's died in a drowning accident years ago, while he was an FFA student in high school. The Ocumpaugh family certainly deserves all of the support and compassion the public can offer as the family mourns their latest lost.

SPRINGFIELD NEWS CLOSES DOORS
     On a professional note....After 103 years, the Springfield News published its final edition Friday, October 20th. I must admit that I never read the newspaper during the seven-odd years that I lived in the Eugene-Springfield area. As I recall, I only stepped inside the building one time: Three years ago I delivered the North County News spread sheets one week up to the Springfield facility, which printed the Sutherlin newspaper at that time.
     The Springfield News ceased publishing the North County News earlier this year, when the business shut down their Springfield printing presses and laid off their printing staff. In its final days, the Springfield News was published up the freeway at its sister newspaper, the Albany Democrat-Herald. Company officials said dwindling advertising revenue was responsible for their demise.
     The newspaper ditched its paid circulation list (4,211 subscribers), and became a free publication distributed through the mail. But that effort to increase advertising revenue also failed. In the end, all of the staff had to look for work elsewhere, including Editor Stacy Stumbo, a former News-Review reporter.
     When a city more than twice the size of Roseburg can't supports its own weekly newspaper, it makes one wonder the future of newspapers in general. Hopefully, the residents and businesses of Sutherlin will appreciate what they have in the North County News and support their local paper before it's too late..??..

OAKLAND'S HALLOWEEN TRICKS
     On a political note....Oakland's dirty politics have once again made front page news (the front of City/Region section) of the Eugene Register-Guard, Wednesday, October 25th. Some unidentified person mailed a circular to Oakland residents with the following statement: "There are only two choices for Mayor, Nanci Staples or Wayne Harger. Choose one. There are no other choices."
     When I first opened the letter sent to my family at post office box 3, I quickly dismissed it. I'd seen much worse political tactics employed in past Oakland campaigns by mudslingers who like to hide in the shadows. In the past, vehicles have been vandalized, yard signs have been repeatedly stolen from some homes, scandalous letters with no return addresses were mailed to households, and letters to the editor were printed that I considered to be libelous.
     No, indeed, this year's election has seemed pretty tame when compared to the past. The anonymous "there are only two choices" letter barely caused me to raise an eyebrow.
     However, some newcomers to Oakland who were unfamiliar with how nasty local politics has been in the past, were shocked to see the "there are only two choices" letter.  Not only were the viability of the four mayoral candidates (Wayne Harger, Jackie McCarty, Frieda Smith, Nanci Staples) put into question. But so was the return address that the return letter-sender chose to put on the envelope: 106 Locust is a vacant storefront (formerly the Oaks Cafe) next to the Oakland Tavern.
     According to the Register-Guard article, people have questioned the Oakland Tavern staff, wanting to know if they had sent the letter. Never mind the obvious fact that there is NO street mail delivery service on Locust street, so 106 Locust doesn't even exist as a mailing address.
     The Register-Guard article also claimed some unknown persons had started a rumor that Oakland police reserve officer Mark Wilson was running a write-in campaign for mayor, something that Wilson vehemently denies. All of this finger-pointing and suspicion might be considered funny if it weren't sad. I personally believe there are one, two, or three families in Oakland who are responsible for all of this anonymous mudslinging. While many Oakland residents have become politically involved over the years, there's only a select few who are cowardly enough not to identify themselves before beginning their mass mailings.
     I don't believe the mean-spiriting mailings affect the outcome of an election. They simply reflect poorly on Oakland, especially when it becomes news for the Eugene newspaper. Fortunately, the election will be over next week.

Chicken, Pot, Tubby's Pies, And The Bandon Fire

Background: Originally published October 4, 2006. This is one of my hybrid columns. Instead of publishing a column on one topic, I would write a synopsis of three to six events that occurred in recent weeks. These columns were not intended to be examples of excellent prose, but instead to offer a "neighbor's back fence" column of events taking place.

NEW CELL TOWER
     Returning to Oakland this past weekend, I was surprised to see a new addition on the Oakland landscape. Ever since I was born, tree-covered hills have been the only sight to see along Oakland's south ridge. But now there is a cell phone tower (100+ feet high?) that dominates the Oakland skyline.
     When a new cell phone tower went up years ago near the Oakland garbage transfer site, it blended in somewhat better with the skyline. Perhaps that tower is shorter, or perhaps it's because that tower stands on one pole and not three? But whatever the reason, the new tripod tower along the south ridge is much more noticeable.
     Cell phone towers are distinctive because of their three-sided "candelabra" on top. Knowing how much Oakland prides itself on its historic image, I'm somewhat surprised there wasn't more of a public discussion before this new tower was erected.
     Cell phone towers have created controversies in other communities, but often times there is a way to erect a tower that isn't as obtrusive. On one Jackson County farm, a cell phone tower was built that looks like a windmill. Along I-5 at historic Wolf Creek, a solid green cell phone tower blends into the tree-filled landscape. My favorite of all is a cell phone tower inside the Rogue Valley Country Club at Medford. That tower looks like a Ponderosa Pine tree, complete with places for birds to nest.
     It's a shame that Oakland couldn't have found a unique cell phone tower design that would compliment the town's historic past, instead of the ghastly steel tower that now overlooks Oakland.

OAKLAND GRILL, DELI, AND WINES
     Oakland residents Steve and Jill Marek have applied for a liquor license to operate a grill, deli, and wine shop on Locust street. That building once housed taverns, but my memory can only recall restaurants at the site.
     During the 1970s, The Spaghetti Place operated in town. Then The Little Acorn restaurant was in the same location. The owner of that restaurant had my father do some lettering and painting on his storefront. I remember the owner gave my father a magnet of a squirrel carrying an acorn as a reference for what he wanted painted on the storefront. That magnet still sits on my family's refrigerator.
     After The Little Acorn went out of business, I delivered a News-Review newspaper each day on my route to Ye Olde Steakhouse. Mexican food lovers will remember La Hacienda, which opened their first Douglas County restaurant in Oakland. After La Hacienda, Stephanie Hare, one of my KPIC co-workers who ran a catering business, opened a soup and sandwich deli inside the building. More recent, Paul Tollefson operated a coffee house and pizza business at that site, before he resumed operations at Tolly's across the street.
     The building has had a colorful history of restaurant operators over the years. I can't wait to see what Steve and Jill Marek offer on their menu! May I suggest Chinese, one of the only venues that hasn't been sold yet inside the building?

CHICKEN DEAD AT SCENE
     Perhaps this is one of those stories that only a person in the news writing business would appreciate. After all, reporters can get complacent routinely writing the lines "the victim died at the scene" or "the robber escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash." But the following short excerpt about a Lane County shooting deviates somewhat from the predictable format of writing a script.
     "A Cheshire woman is accused of shooting her husband after he shot the woman's pet chicken. Police arrested 58-year-old Mary Kay Gray for assault. Forty-three year-old Stanley Gray is recovering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The chicken died at the scene."
     Even when I wrote a story two years ago about Speckles the chicken that was eventually killed in front of Ray's Food Place at Murphy, I never wrote the sentence "the chicken died at the scene." I doubt that I'll ever see that sentence in print again.

POT COOKIE SENTENCING
     A forty-three second sound bite is another thing that you don't see too often in the news. But despite its lengthiness, the content of this sound bite was anything but boring. Forty-six year-old Rycke Brown was sentenced to ten days in jail, a five hundred dollar fine, and eighteen months of probation. A twelve-person jury found her guilty of one count of possessing a controlled substance.
     The charge stemmed from Brown handing out cookies laced with marijuana to passers-by in Grants Pass. Brown, who believes agreeing to probation would be an admission of guilt, had this to say about the sentencing:
     MM: "What's your feeling about the sentencing today?"
     Brown: "Well, it was disappointing, but not unexpected. I will have to violate probation immediately because I don't do probation. And we'll see where the court goes from there. I'm also not going to pay the five hundred dollar fine."
     MM: "What about the ten days in jail? Are you going to eat anything?"
     Brown: "Oh no, I don't eat in captivity."
     MM: "Can you last ten days without eating?"
     Brown: "Oh, ten days is easy. I've done nine before the last time I was convicted, but that time I stopped because I was afraid I would mess up my appeal. And I needed to do my appeal. Now I know better than to try to do it from prison."

BANDON FIRE REMEMBERED
     More than 150 people crowded into the Bandon Museum September 24th to remember the Bandon Fire of 1936. The fire destroyed ninety percent of the town and left 1,800 of the town's 2,000 residents homeless.
     One story that drew laughter from the crowd told of a little boy and his pet goat. Citizens were evacuating the town and getting on board a boat in order to safely wait out the fire in the harbor. People kept telling the boy to get on board the boat but he simply sat there crying. When they figured out he didn't want to leave his pet goat behind, the captain of the boat told the boy to get on board and bring his goat with him. After they floated out into the harbor, the boy was still distraught and crying. When adults asked him what was the matter, the boy told them "I grabbed the wrong goat."
     But the most impressive story for me came two days later when I back at the station, KOBI-TV in Medford. Eighty-four year-old Anella Hunt from nearby Talent called me to let me know the Bandon fire story had made her cry when she watched it. Margaret Lange, one of the Bandon fire survivors whom I had interviewed two days earlier had been her teacher! (Yes, I had interviewed the 84-year-old woman's teacher. Back in those days, teachers started out young, and this one had lived to the century mark.)
     Lange was a high school English teacher who arrived in Bandon just three weeks before the fire. Lange told me she and four other teachers had to move to Coquille and drive back and forth each day to Bandon, because all of their Bandon homes had been destroyed. Bandon's elementary school re-located to makeshift classrooms inside the high school gymnasium after the fire. Lange said school was up and running ten days after the fire.

PIE AT TUBBY'S
     Driving back from the Bandon Museum open house, my mother and I stopped at Tubby's restaurant along Highway 42 in Myrtle Point. We learned years go that my late aunt who lived in Coquille would frequent the restaurant with her friends after church to get a piece of strawberry-rhubarb pie.
     I personally don't consider it a favorite pie....it's one notch above mince meat on my ratings scale. But both my mother and I had a piece in memory of Betty Hatcher. For those who enjoy strawberry-rhubarb pie, Tubby's is apparently one of the places you can always find it in stock, along with all of their other fresh baked pies.
     Just don't ask me where a person can find mince meat pie.
[2014 note: Tubby's has since changed its name and I don't know if strawberry-rhubarb pie is still on the menu.]

Recall Firsts - Marilyn Kittelman Recall Effort

Background: Originally published September 6, 2006. In sorting through my columns from this past decade, I've encountered numerous political columns that dealt with a snapshot in time. I felt the columns were important and relevant when they were published, but years later I'm not sure if the columns have any current value.
     I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to publish political columns that only deal with a specific incident in time. However, I decided to publish this column because it not only deals with a political issue...the recall effort against Douglas County Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman...but it also deals with he broader, more timely issue, of how journalists treat recall campaigns.

     The current recall campaign against Douglas County Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman has unleashed some "firsts" in local political reporting.
     This is apparently the first recall campaign against a county commissioner since the 1970s.
     This is the first time that a news report based on third-hand information from an anonymous source, has generated as big an ongoing controversy for as long as it has.
     This is the one of the first times, if not the first, that a local newspaper has endorsed a "yes" vote on a recall.
     And it's also one of the first times in my memory, that a Douglas County commissioner has refused to be interviewed for a news story....but the news media outlet instead offered the individual the opportunity to submit verbatim responses to be published in its place.
     Without offering an opinion on the merits of the recall itself....I repeat WITHOUT offering an opinion on the recall itself....it's interesting to reflect on the circumstances surrounding the recall. While there are many issues surrounding the recall, most sides agree the dispute between the Cow Creek Indian tribe and the county commissioners office is at the forefront. And, one of the incidents that heated the dispute occurred at a Rice Hill restaurant where Kittelman allegedly made racist remarks about the Indian tribe.
     What's interesting to me is that the incident was reported on local radio stations without any attribution from the individuals making the complaint. Because a county commissioner is a public figure, there is a higher standard of libel or slander. A quick glance at the cartoons on the editorial page will prove that anyone can say just about anything they want to about an elected official, without fear of being sued.
     However, as a standard rule of thumb, if a complaint against a public official is the basis of a news story, AND there is no police or official investigation to coincide with the complaint, then it's rare not to attribute the source of the complaint in a news story. Of course, one can find numerous exceptions to this practice on the national level. But it's unusual to see these types of anonymous sources quoted in local county political stories.
     The radio stations did not disclose the name of the person(s) who allegedly heard Kitelman make the racist remarks, and the story quickly spread to the local print media as well.
     Newspapers general do not endorse a "yes" vote on recalls, citing that recalls are divisive, and they often cause more harm than good. After all, if the public doesn't like an elected official, that's what elections are for.
     The only time that I've seen a yes recall endorsement is when an elected official is accused and/or convicted of a crime. The Roseburg News-Review broke its past record of rejecting local recall efforts, and is now encouraging a yes vote on Kittelman's recall. Despite the recall gridlock that now exists among the unfilled Oakland city council seats (the two remaining Oakland councilors could not agree on a single candidate to fill the three vacant council seats), the local newspaper apparently has more confidence in Commissioners Doug Robertson and Dan Van Slyke agreeing on a person to fill Kittelman's position, should she be recalled.
     But what I found most interesting of all was the News-Review's offering a question and answer format for Kittelman to comment on the recall. In my opinion, and not all journalists agree, it is never appropriate to agree to pre-arranged questions. In my opinion, it is a form of prior restraint. In the history of the United States, people have fought and died for a free press. Journalists should have the unfettered ability to question government leaders.
     And, if the government leaders do not recognize their obligation to assist the free press in disseminating information to the general public, then the public figure does not deserve to have their opinion aired, in my opinion. Otherwise, the news media in the United States becomes no different than the news media in communist countries. They become mouthpieces for the government, printing only the information that the government wants the public to know. Pre-arranged questions stop the investigative process; it filters the free flow of information between government and the public.
     At this point, one could point out that a pre-arranged question and answer format is common during elections, when newspapers often give all candidates equal opportunity to respond to questions with unedited answers. The key word here is "equal." If Kittelman is allowed to give unedited responses to questions, then one may wonder why recall petitioner Don Keogh isn't given the same privilege?
     In the News-Review's defense, they may have had no other way to obtain Kittelman's side of the recall. Kittelman has accused some of the local news media of biased reporting. As a courtesy, or a gesture of goodwill, the News-Review may have offered Kittelman the question and answer format as an olive branch or overture to allow her to give her side of the story. In some circumstances, getting a message to the public may be a more paramount concern than temporarily compromising any journalism ethics.
     Kittelman isn't the only government official who has become adversarial with the local news media. I personally have had to deal with a school superintendent and a city manager who also insisted on pre-arranged questions instead of a free-flowing interview. Not wishing to alienate the individual, I've generally tried to "feel" my way with the individual and let them know the general nature of my questions, without specifically agreeing to discuss a set number of questions.
     By making a non-threatening, positive first impression with the individual, they usually forget all about pre-arranged questions for future news stories. I'm happy to say the city manager referred to above had never asked me again for pre-arranged questions, and is always accessible to do an interview when I need one.
     My fear of pre-arranged questions is the dangerous precedent that it sets. If some disgruntled Douglas County public official in the future does not wish to be interviewed, they may instead ask for pre-arranged questions. If the newspaper refuses, the public official will then say that Kittelman was given pre-arranged questions instead of an interview, so why shouldn't he/she be given the same privilege?
     Then there will be accusations of the newspaper's bias, and accusations the newspaper showed favoritism to Kittelman and gave her an unfair advantage. Sound absurd? I've seen similar situations before.
     However, not all media outlets live in a black and white world where rigid rules are adhered to in all circumstances. Some media outlets instead prefer to handle ethical dilemmas on a case by case basis. But when established policies are in place, it sure makes it easier to avoid accusations of favoritism when one person is treated differently than another person in the same situation.
     Experience has shown me that people will accuse the news media of bias and favoritism, even when stringent rules are followed and applied equally to everyone. I've had different people accuse me of favoritism toward the timber industry, AND accuse me of favoritism toward environmentalists, from the SAME news story! I guess the old adage is true: the only way for reporters to know that they're doing the job right, is when people from BOTH sides of an issue are upset with the reporters!

Afterwards: Marilyn Kittelman narrowly survived the recall effort. The News-Review later commented on its editorial page that Kittelman might have lost the recall, if the newspaper hadn't given her the question and answer column. Kittelman ran for re-election for a second term, but was defeated by state legislator Susan Morgan.

Not a column...Arkansas teacher article

In September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a History teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks in her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.
'Ms. Cothren, where are... our desks?'

 She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'
They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 'No,' she said.
'Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

    And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. Kids called their parents to tell them what was happening and by early afternoon television news crews had started gathering at the school to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

    The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the desk-less classroom. Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he or she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

    At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniform, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

    Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. They went halfway around the world, giving up their education and interrupting their careers and families so you could have the freedom you have. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom
to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story. And this teacher was awarded Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year for the State of Arkansas in 2006. She is the daughter of a WWII POW.

      Do you think this email is worth passing along so others won't forget either, that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by our U.S. Veterans? ................... I did.

Let us always remember the men and women of our military and the rights they have won for us.

"Ouch, That Hurts!" - A Visit To The Hairstylist

Background: Originally published July 26, 2006. Thom Martin, otherwise known as "The Fabulous Mr. Thom" is a Medford native who went on to promote himself as the "stylist to the stars." Mr. Thom was a stylist for countless actors and actresses over the years, before he returned to Medford. I had the pleasure of making Mr. Thom's acquaintance when I worked at KOBI-TV from 2004-2007. Mr. Thom operated a hair salon at his South Stage Road bed and breakfast in Medford, before the business burned to the ground.

     Going to get a haircut can be like going to the dentist. You never know when you'll feel compelled to say, "ouch, that hurts." (Even if it is only saying it to yourself.) Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the person who cuts my hair. Just as I know my dentist will give me an honest assessment of my teeth, I can rely on my hair stylist to also tell it like it is.
     I usually have to wait awhile at his salon, but I don't mind. Considering that he's willing to schedule appointments with me after I get off work at 7:00p.m., who am I to complain? Besides, I never know whom I might run into at his salon.
     One day, I met the brother of a Medford-area lady who recently appeared on The Apprentice. Another time, I witnessed the $340 million Powerball winners at his salon; the wife received a makeover, while the elderly husband received his first-ever manicure. During my last appointment, one of the prosecutors from the Jackson County District Attorney's office had been scheduled right before me.
     After I sat in the chair and everyone else had left, my stylist engaged me in a conversation. He told me one of his employees had seen me on the news. The stylist told me I shouldn't always wear white shirts that make me look like I've been wearing the same shirt the past 13 years.
     "Ouch, that hurts."
     But I tried to explain to my stylist there was a reason for that. White went well with anything. It was much easier to color-coordinate dress jackets and ties on a daily basis if I didn't throw colored shirts into the mix.
     "No," that didn't make a difference, according to my stylist. Nobody pays attention to matching ties and shirts nowadays, anyway. I suddenly pictured a checkered tie with a striped shirt, but before I could bring up that point, my stylist told me if there was a problem, then I didn't need to wear a tie.
     "But wait a minute," I countered. Ties convey a sense of professionalism. I can't abandon the time-honored custom of wearing a tie to help add a sense of authority to my presence. Once again, my stylist said it didn't matter. Get some shirts with color and don't worry about the ties.
     "Ouch, that hurts."
     After we exhausted the list of things that I could do to improve my wardrobe, my stylist whipped out a couple of white packets with the inscription "dark sunsation, very dark/tres fonce." (Who can argue about the merits of anything packaged in French?)
     "But wait a minute," I countered. Why did I need a self-tanner? I already wear pancake mix make-up on the air. In fact, it's one of the darkest shades that Max Factor produces.
     "But you need this (self-tanner) all day" so you don't look all washed out in pubic, my stylist responded.
     "Ouch, that hurts."
     To help ease the pain, my stylist offers complimentary glasses of wine to his clients. Too bad I don't drink. But that's okay. I always appreciate candid face-to-face feedback from others. At least my stylist doesn't charge as much as my dentist, who now says I need hundreds of dollars of periodontal work.
     "Ouch, that hurts."

MTV Turns 25

Background: Originally published August 9, 2006.

     I don't know which made me feel older this past week: celebrating my 40th birthday, or learning that MTV turned 25 years old. In an entertainment column published August 1st in the Grants Pass Daily Courier, Copy Editor Todd Wels posed the question, "What happened to the M in MTV?"
     When Music TeleVision was born 25 years ago, the local cable TV system in Sutherlin-Oakland did not immediately put MTV on their system. Indeed, countless years elapsed before north county viewers received MTV. Therefore, the first music video that I saw was in 1984 when I was living in Brazil during my senior year of high school. I'll never forget watching Michael Jackson's "Thriller" while staying with my Brazilian host family. Was this some kind of marketing ploy unique to Jackson? When I returned to the United States, I learned it was not solely a Jackson phenomenon.
     When I returned to Oakland to attend my senior class graduation ceremony, MTV was still nowhere to be found in Sutherlin-Oakland. But when I visited a classmate's home one Friday evening, I discovered the next best thing: TBS Night Tracks. During the year that I had been gone in Brazil, Superstation WTBS from Atlanta had dropped the W from its identity, and they had added several hours of non-stop music videos every Friday night. Michael Jackson was just a voice in the chorus alongside the dozens of other performers who created music videos to augment their audio recordings.
     Night Tracks fell by the wayside, but so did the music videos on MTV. "All music all the time" may have been their slogan when MTV signed on in 1981, but it certainly wasn't what they put into practice. As the years went by, MTV replaced its all music format with special programs and reality shows. They launched MTV2 for the purpose of "all music all the time," but that second channel has also given way to other programs.
     I never developed an interest in MTV. There always seemed to be some other venue to watch music videos, if I felt so inclined. If there wasn't TBS Night Tracks, there were always other sources while living in Eugene. When KLSR-TV signed on the air in 1987 (four years after KMTR-TV signed on the air), it was an all music video station. That wasn't their slogan, but unlike MTV, KLSR at least put it into practice.
     KLSR's first-ever slogan billed itself as "lifestyle television for Eugene-Springfield." Somewhat a hybrid, KLSR resembled a radio station with pictures. Longtime KZEL-FM disc-jockey Al Scott was recruited to host one of the rock video segments on KLSR. Other familiar names from the Eugene radio market were also employed as KLSR VJs (video jockeys) or announcers at different times: A.J. Fenrich, Robert Ragsdale, Billy Pilgrim, Bob Bosche, Dennis Nakata, and others.
     When the Fox network came into existence, KLSR provided the perfect opportunity for the fledgling fourth network to establish itself in the Eugene television market.
     Fox network programs appealed to a younger audience. And when there were no Fox network shows to broadcast, KLSR could always fall back on its music video format to fill the off hours. The music videos, in general, disappeared from KLSR long ago. But some programs, such as the Country Comfort country music program hosted by Bob Bosche on the weekends, lasted well into the nineties.
     But change is a part of television. MTV isn't the only channel to abandon its original mission. VH-1 (which I used to like more than MTV because it showed more music videos than MTV) has given way to other programs. Remember, the VH stands for "video hits!" And, it's difficult to still think of CMT (Country Music Television) as a music video channel when they now air re-runs of The Dukes Of Hazard and other shows.
     Then there was TNN, The Nashville Network, which changed its name several years ago to The National Network, in favor of more mainstream programs. No, TNN was not an exclusive music channel, but neither are any of the other above-mentioned channels that claim to be all music.
     Todd Wels from the Daily Courier asked if he were the only one missing the M in MTV? No, I miss it as well. But because I never watch the channel anyway, I guess I don't even care.

Loose Goose And Roaming Rooster

Background: Originally published August 16, 2006. Our entire group of chickens disappeared last December when I was in the hospital....because no one was around to open the door to the chicken coop in the morning and to close it again at night. Since then, we were able to receive some pullets to replace the birds, but unfortunately the hatchery sneaked in a couple of roosters in the batch. It appears that roosters will never go away!

     Over the years, I've sometimes thought there was an invisible sign posted on my family's yard that said "unwanted animal orphanage." Stray cats would appear on our doorstep. Passing motorists must have had the false impression that Cypress street was a pet-friendly neighborhood.
     The last two next-door neighbors who moved out left their cats behind. The last neighbor who moved out last summer put a bright pink collar on their cat, just days before they left town. It was almost as if they put on the collar for our benefit, as if it say, "Here's our cat. Be sure and take good care of her for us." I emphasize the word her, because the cat had several litters of kittens before we able to catch the feline and take her to the animal shelter.
     Then there was the incident years ago, when a loose goose was found along Oak street on the eastern edge of the Oakland city limits. The Oakland police chief at the time told a concerned citizen the goose belonged to Lucille Muirhead across town....even though there were several families who had waterfowl that lived much closer. For whatever reason, whenever an animal was found, the finger seemed to point our direction even though we weren't missing an animal.
     However, I don't fault anyone for that mistaken impression. Charles "Shorty" McMahon raised animals on seven acres of property behind our family's house. When Shorty passed away in the 1970s, my purchased his barn and small corral that adjoined our property. We didn't put cows and pigs on the property as Shorty once did. However, at different times we kept a BLM Mustang and several goats on the property to keep the brush cleared away. Livestock and poultry on the property pre-dated my family moving to the site in 1966.
     The latest saga began in mid-July when a rooster and hen appeared in the Cypress street neighborhood. I thought some neighbors across the street had obtained the chickens, because I first heard the rooster crow across the street one morning. We were in for a surprise when Oakland city hall called my mother, telling her two neighbors had called to complain about our rooster! (Someone at city hall must have heard the "loose goose" story from years ago and assumed that we also had a loose rooster.)
     My mother politely told city hall that we didn't own any rooster, although we did have some bantam hens on occasion. We later learned that an Oakland resident several blocks away was the rooster's owner. After HIS neighbors complained about the crowing, he moved the birds elsewhere in town, letting someone else deal with the problem....including the rooster and hen that appeared in our neighborhood.
     Several nights later near dusk, my mother heard the rooster squawking, running into our yard, limping, and with blood running out of its thigh. Although my family didn't care if the bird was alive or dead, we DID have a strong objection to any animal that was injured and in pain. I called the Oakland police department wanting to know if there was any recourse for us to help the disabled bird. Two Oakland police officers promptly responded to our property, shotgun available, to see if they could put the bird out of its misery. Unfortunately, it was dark by the time they arrived and they could not locate the rooster.
     In the following days, my mother put feed and water out for the rooster, hoping to keep it in our yard. We thought if we could coax it in enough, we could catch it and move it out of the neighborhood. I had tried to catch it once, but it was much too wild. The rooster still had a limp, but apparently the neighbor who had shot it had not pierced any vital organs, and the rooster had kept his healthy appetite.
     Unfortunately for the rooster, he also had a healthy appetite to wander. Every evening my mother would cringe as the rooster crossed the street and ventured on to other people's property. It was a race against time. Could my mother win over the rooster so that it could be caught and re-located? Or would the rooster meet his waterloo from the neighbor who had no patience with a dumb animal?
     Our question was answered on Saturday, August 5th. My family was gone that day to visit my sister in Portland. Upon our return, a different neighbor asked us if we had seen the rooster. Since the rooster hadn't belonged to us in the first place, we said no. The neighbor told us that during our absence his family had heard a loud noise, which they soon discovered to be from a bow and arrow. (I didn't know that bows and arrows emitted a loud noise?) They yelled out to whomever was in the vicinity that they didn't want anyone shooting in the area, because they had children who were playing outside.
     Having an idea as to what I might find, I looked up Cypress street and saw a bird lying I the ditch near the edge of my family's property line. When I inspected the scene closer, I saw an arrow had completed pierced the chest cavity of the calico-colored, bare-necked "turken" rooster that we had grown accustomed to.
     I was mad. Not necessarily because the rooster was dead. But I was mad because some inconsiderate person had shot an animal on our property, and didn't have the decency to remove the carcass....instead leaving the dead bird for my distraught mother to contend with. I was also mad at how some people deal with conflict. Instead of one neighbor contacting another neighbor directly, to see if they can work together to solve a common problem, some people will instead call city hall to complain about some dumb animal doing what comes natural to it.
     And yet, the same people who have a vendetta against a rooster's crow, will tolerate neighborhood noises that are much louder: dogs that bark incessantly through the night; firecrackers and gunfire going off well past midnight on July 4th and New Year's Eve; train whistles two blocks away that sound their horn multiple times in the middle of the night. People tolerate these noises that are emitted at a much higher decibel level, and tune them out over time. Why are roosters any different?
     I've certainly been tempted over the years to complain over the years at various nuisances that I've heard nearby. But I never have. It would be so easy for me to pull out a 38-special and "eliminate" whatever was bothering me. But I have enough self-restraint and patience to avoid the temptation.
     I haven't seen the free-roaming hen since the rooster met his demise. Now that she no longer has a companion to pal around with, she's probably off setting on a nest somewhere, getting ready to hatch another batch of roosters. My only advice to the hunters who weren't able to get a clear enough shot to kill a rooster the first time around: find out where the rooster sleeps at night. A simple flashlight shone in the bird's eyes will make it easy to pick up the bird in the dark. A flashlight is a more humane way to catch a rooster, unless target practicing in town was the objective in shooting the rooster in the first place?

Cavemen Return To Caves...and other news

Background: Originally published August 23, 2006. One of the few times that I can mention Shirley Temple in a column. This is one of my longest columns. At different times, I would publish "hybrid" columns, which would be snippets of three or four different stories, stories that presumably weren't long enough to justify a column on their own. However, in retrospect, the "Cavemen Return To Caves" column was long enough on its own.
     I haven't decided yet if I will publish more "hybrid" columns. At the time of publication, the topics seemed relevant. But some ten years after publication, the hybrid columns appear somewhat disjointed to me.

CAVEMEN RETURN TO CAVES
     They hadn't been to the Oregon Caves in 15 years. They hadn't even appeared in parades or other public appearances the past three years. But five of the remaining cavemen (and two cavewomen) returned to the Oregon Caves this summer. I was there when they "surprised" a group gathered in the Chateau on the evening of August 7th, watching a power point presentation of the cavemen's history.
     The cavemen organization formed in 1922, the same year that a road was built to the Oregon Caves outside of Cave Junction. Back then, the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce wanted some kind of publicity gimmick to attract tourists to the caves, and consequently to pass through Grants Pass as well. During their heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, hundreds of cavemen promoted the caves. They appeared in parades, traveled to other states for photo shoots with politicians, and "kidnapped" celebrities and prominent people who ventured into Josephine County. "Kidnapping" usually amounted to nothing more than a staged photo shoot of cavemen grabbing some damsel in distress as she stepped out of an airplane, etc.
     Shirley Temple was among their victims. When real kidnapping threats were lodged against the child actress, Shirley's parents brought their daughter to Oregon for a vacation. When the family first arrived in Grants Pass, a group of cavemen greeted their car, waving their clubs, prompting Shirley's parents to roll up the windows of their car. But according to the Oregon Caves park ranger who gave the power point presentation, Shirley was a "good sport" about the incident. Herbert Hoover, John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and the list of people goes on who became "honorary cavemen" over the years.
     The organization that once boasted 300 members is now down to about twelve. In recent years the cavemen have become somewhat of a controversy. Many say they're not the image that Josephine County wants to promote to the rest of the world: local residents are a bunch of Neanderthals? Also, as one member pointed out, grabbing young women and children is no longer socially acceptable, even if it is some type of prehistoric stunt. On the other hand, many people say cavemen are so entrenched in the area's history, with numerous businesses bearing the caveman name, that it's impossible to ignore the role they played in helping build the local economic base.
     All I can say is that I finally overcame my fear of cavemen. My only memories of them from the early 1970s was when they "kidnapped" people along the street during the Reedsport parade. However, on the eve of my birthday this year, an Oregon Caves worker was happy to snap a picture of me and my new friends: the cavemen. I'm glad I had the chance to do so before the cavemen become extinct.

THE RACE GOES ON
     When Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel dropped out of the race last month for Josephine County Commissioner, that left just Three Rivers school board member Dave Toler as the only name that will appear on the ballot this November. Because Josephine County has non-partisan commissioners, there's no mechanism in place for the party to choose a replacement.
     However, the third-highest vote recipient in the May primary, James Rafferty, has said he will run a write-in campaign. And a newcomer to the race, Jack Swift, said he will also run a write-in campaign. In fact, Daniel is even endorsing Swift's candidacy. Toler, Swift, and Rafferty were all at the Josephine County fair last week stumping for votes. Two of them even had their own political booths.

DONKEY AND ELEPHANT MINGLE AT FAIR
     Even though Josephine County Commissioners hold non-partisan offices, I knew that many of them are traditionally loyal to conservative Republican doctrines. That's why I was surprised when I was reading the itinerary of Democrat Congressman Peter DeFazio: Josephine County Commissioners Jim Raffenberg was going to give DeFazio a tour of the fair!
     I had seen donkeys and elephants join forces before, but usually it was for a common goal....never mingling at a social occasion. For example, Senators Ron Wyden (D) and Gordon Smith (R) working together for legislation that would benefit Oregon. Or DeFazio (D) and Congressman Greg Walden (R) teaming up to co-sponsor a proposed five-year extension to the O and C timber safety net payments.
     Nonetheless, I had to ask county commissioner Raffenberg about the subject, while we were sitting on a bench at the fairgrounds awaiting DeFazio's arrival. Raffenberg told me his showing DeFazio around the fair was nothing new. He had done it the previous year. While some Josephine County commissioners in the past have balked at the idea of making a public social appearance with someone from the opposite party, Raffenberg said he had no reservations about it. After all, DeFazio was their elected Congressman for much of Josephine County. Even though he may disagree strongly with DeFazio on a number of issues, Raffenberg said elected officials have to be friendly with one another and work together if they ever hope to accomplish anything for the common good.
     Ironically, the Josephine County fairgrounds is in Congressman Greg Walden's district. But since DeFazio's district lies just a few miles down the road, nobody seemed to notice.

KOBI-TV GOES HDTV
     KOBI-TV is now broadcasting in high definition (HDTV). However, high definition is not a process that happens overnight. Different people will receive high definition at different times, depending on whether they receive television reception over-the-air, on cable, or from a satellite dish.
     KOBI is now broadcasting a high definition picture over the air, in addition to the regular analog picture on channel 5 from their main transmitter site atop King Mountain, east of Glendale. Charter Cable TV in the Rogue Valley is now in the process of adding a KOBI HDTV picture to its channel line-up. However, high definition television still awaits others viewers on other cable TV systems, in addition to over-the-air translators in other areas.
     Remember when stereo sound replaced mono sound on television programs 20 years ago? Not all television stations installed stereo transmitters at the same time. Not all cable TV systems converted to stereo at the same time. And, not all viewers went out and purchased stereo TV sets at the same time. Much of the same scenario will likely play out with the conversion to HDTV during the coming year.
     Converting to high definition is a lengthy, expensive process that will take many television stations months to complete. It's almost like building another television station from scratch, because every piece of equipment that now transmits an analog television signal will need to eventually transmit in high definition. Because analog and high definition are broadcast on different frequencies, over-the-air television viewers may notice differences in reception. Some antenna households will receive a better HDTV picture than they now receive an analog picture, while other households will not.
     It depends on terrain and the geographical area in which a person lives. In general, analog television signals travel farther and can "skip" over hills. High definition television signals are stronger than analog, but they require line of sight between a person's household antenna and the television transmitter.
     The Federal Communications Commission has mandated the conversion to HDTV. For now, television stations may broadcast two separate signals, one analog and one high definition. However, the day will come that all analog transmissions will end, leaving only high definition.
    
    

21 Jump Street

Background: Originally published August 30, 2006.

     The latest trend appears to be making a movie based on the premise of television series from long ago. There was ABC's Starsky And Hutch, CBS' The Dukes Of Hazzard, and most recently NBC's Miami Vice. So I shouldn't have been surprised when I was reading Parade magazine's Q & A page this past week, and discovered Stephen J. Cannell is currently producing film versions of NBC's The A-Team and Fox's 21 Jump Street.
     Part of me is relieved. The few time in my life that I have mentioned 21 Jump Street in conversation, people would give me a bewildered look. It was as if I had mentioned some obscure television show from thirty years ago that nobody had ever heard of, like Lotsa Luck or Aloha Paradise, a spin-of from The Love Boat.
     But 21 Jump Street was different, or so I thought. People have heard of Johnny Depp. And 21 Jump Street was where Depp made a name for himself; the television series served as a springboard for Depp's movie career.
     21 Jump Street was not a favorite show of mine. But it brings back fond memories for me nonetheless. It reminds me of my news internship at Fox-affiliate KLSR-TV at the station's original location at Eighteenth and Oak Streets in downtown Eugene. 21 Jump Street aired every Monday at 8:00p.m. The television series Alien Nation followed at 9:00p.m. A person couldn't ask for better lead-in programs for KLSR's Prime Time News at 10.
     I remember when station workers cheered when the ratings book showed KLSR's 10:00p.m. news pulling in more viewers than KMTR's 11:00p.m. news. And this was back when KLSR didn't have an equal coverage area with the other Eugene stations, and lacked the cable TV penetration in outlying areas, including Sutherlin-Oakland.
     Fox network programs initially aired only on Saturday and Sunday nights. 21 Jump Street was one of the original six programs that launched the Fox network. With the exception of another inaugural series, Married With Children, 21 Jump Street aired the longest of the six original series and the re-runs eventually went into syndication. When Fox expanded to a third night of programming on Monday nights, Fox moved 21 Jump Street from its weekend slot to Mondays, to draw in viewers to the new night or programming.
     The premise of the show was about a group of young police officers who worked a variety of undercover assignments: people in their twenties who looked like teen-agers and could blend in with a group of minors. At least that's how Depp and his fellow actors looked during the first season or two. After that, 21 Jump Street fans just accepted the premise of the show as it was, and still pretended the aging actors looked the part. Kind of makes one think about another eight-year long Fox show about teen-agers, That 70s' Show.
     In one episode, the 21 Jump Street unit infiltrated a group of rich, thrill-seeking teen-agers who committed burglaries and other daring stunts just to relive their boredom. It's somewhat predictable that near the end of the show, one of the teens played Russian roulette with a loaded gun and lost.
     21 Jump Street always had a lesson in each episode. In one episode, the cops went undercover at a high school where a discipline-at-all-cost principal was violating the civil rights of students. And in the episode "A Big Disease With A Little Name," Depp posed as a high school student while he's assigned to bodyguard another teen-ager who had AIDS. One lesson that Depp (and the audience) learned from that episode: It's safe to drink milk from the same carton as someone who is HIV positive.
     As the 21 Jump Street actors grew older, they moved from fighting crime in high schools to college campuses. In the episode "Hell Week," they went through the initiation process at a fraternity, in order to find evidence of fraternity members who were raping girls at campus parties. Such were the bubble gum plots of 21 Jump Street during its heyday in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
     At one point, producers become concerned about Depp, who was becoming somewhat reckless and overbearing with his employers. That's when the writers brought in heart-throb Richard Grieco (who?) and added him to the cast to let Depp know that he was not indispensable. However, Grieco was so successful on 21 Jump Street that writers eventually cast him in his own spin-off series, Booker.
     Yes, I'm happy to learn that a film version of 21 Jump Street will soon come to local theaters. If for no other reason, people will at least know what I'm talking about now, if the name 21 Jump Street should ever come up in conversation. But, I'm also curious to see how they will condense the series into the plot of one movie. Will it take place on a high school campus? An amusement park? A paint ball range? A combination of all of the above? Will Depp make a cameo appearance? Or if Depp wants too much money, will Richard Grieco (who?) be enough of a box-office draw?
     When 21 Jump Street debuts in southern Oregon, I'll probably wander into the theater right before the movie starts, and take a back seat so that nobody else sees me. But more importantly, the question that weighs most heavy on my mind: When will they make a film version of Lou Grant?

Star Trek Turns 40

Background: Originally published September 14, 2006. One of my Facebook friends this past week messaged that he was watching "City On The Edge Of Forever," his favorite episode from the original series. It didn't take long for others to reply that their favorite episodes were "Journey To Babel" and "The Trouble With Tribbles." Not surprisingly, all of those episodes made my top five list of episodes below.

     I ceased calling myself a Trekkie or a Trekker some time between the demise of Voyager and the launching of Enterprise. However, I still look back with fond memories at the original NBC television series that turned 40 years old this past week.
     I chuckled to myself recently while I was googling different actors' names on the internet. Frank Overton played numerous unmemorable roles in different movies and television series over the years. But it wasn't playing the sheriff on To Kill A Mockingbird, or his role of the father on The Twilight Zone's highest-acclaimed episode "Walking Distance" that earned attention for Overton. Instead, one internet website said Overton is best remembered and "famous" for his role of Elias Sandoval on the Star Trek episode "This Side Of Paradise." That 1966 episode was Overton's last acting appearance before he died of a heart attack one year later.
     The television show that was once described as the "wagon train into space" captured a loyal group of followers over the years, including myself. Here is my top five list of the best episodes from the original Star Trek series:
*  THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER
     A deranged Dr. McCoy goes back in time during the depression on Earth and somehow changes history so that the Nazis win World War II. The pivotal point is a pacifist social worker at a New York City mission, played by Joan Collins. McCoy's presence keeps Collins from getting killed, and her pacifist activism delays the United States' entry into World War II. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock travel back in time to allow Collins to be killed, as she was destined to be, and to allow history to evolve as we know it today. Time travel, ethical dilemmas, and nostalgic romance all make this episode the best one ever on many people's lists.
*  BALANCE OF TERROR
     This cat and mouse episode pits the Enterprise against a Romulan ship that can hide behind a cloak. Somewhat reminiscent of an old-time war movie between a ship and submarine, this episode is not only a classic war story, but it is also important for introducing the Romulan race into Star Trek culture.
*  JOURNEY TO BABEL
     Back in the 1960s, before we had special effects, this episode stood out for its introduction of numerous alien species and colorful characters on board the Enterprise while they travel to a diplomatic summit. Add to the mix a plot of sabotage on board, and the estranged relationship between Mr. Spock and his parents (his mother played by Father Know Best's Jane Wyatt), this episode has non-stop action and suspense.
*  THE TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES
     This episode is often considered a favorite by many, simply because of its comical nature. Deep space station K-7 eventually becomes overrun with tribbles, furry creatures that multiply faster than rabbits. At one point, Lt. Uhura informs Captain Kirk that tribbles provide love, something that money can't buy. Kirk replies "Too much of anything, even love, is not necessarily a good thing."
*  THIS SIDE OF PARADISE
     While the four episodes above are often seen on different people's top ten lists, this episode is usually farther down the list of Star Trek's original 69 episodes. The Enterprise is sent to evacuate a colony before harmful radiation reaches the colonists' planet. Unknown by the Enterprise crew, the planet's inhabitants are perfectly safe because of spores from a particular flower that "shoot" themselves into a human host's body.
     This episode is memorable for many Trekkies because the spores infect Mr. Spock and cause him to experience emotions. I like this episode because of another memorable line that Mr. Spock says near the end, after he's freed from the spores' influence: "If there are self-made purgatories, then we all must live in them. Mine can be no worse than someone else's."
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     I never did collect the entire Star Trek series on video, which is good, since DVDs are now making videotapes obsolete. But if Wally World Video in Sutherlin ever offers the original Star Trek series to rent, I'll probably be there on Friday nights paying a dollar to check out an episode.

School Merger Moves Forward - North Douglas and Yoncalla

Background: Originally published November 12, 2003. The issue of school mergers is somewhat of a moot point right now. North Douglas and Yoncalla still have separate school districts and there are no ongoing merger discussions in Douglas County. But, as rural school districts continue to lose students, it's evitable that school mergers will once again become a topic of discussion, as districts struggle to provide a complete education for their students.

     A new school district in northern Douglas County has been delayed one year. The earliest that North Douglas and Yoncalla can form one district will be July 1, 2005....not 2004 as originally projected.
     The reason for the delay is to allow local residents the opportunity to vote on the proposed merger. The Drain election will take place in March, 2004 while Yoncalla voters will cast their ballots in May.
     Statewide budget cuts combined with lower enrollments in both districts have prompted the merger proposal. It's a tough decision, because there remain many unanswered questions.
     Which schools will remain open? Which workers, if any, will lose their jobs? What will be the name of the new district? What will be their mascot? There are obviously no answers that will please everyone in both districts.
     As an outsider with no personal ties to either district, I offer the following observations:
*  NAME OF DISTRICT
     Many moons ago, there were the Drain and Yoncalla school districts. For whatever reason, there was discussion decades ago about merging the districts at that time.
     Discussions were serious enough that Drain changed its name to North Douglas and a piece of property north of Yoncalla near Boswell Road was proposed for the site of a new high school.
     Drain already "gave up" its community name years ago. North Douglas would be a good name for the new combined district. Its geographical reference to the northern portion of Douglas County does not tie itself down to any one town.
*  NAME OF MASCOT
     The easiest solution would be to eliminate both the warrior and the eagle, and let the new combined student body vote on their new mascot. However, IF North Douglas retains its name for the new district, it would be only fair to Yoncalla to christen the eagles as the new district's mascot.
     The North Douglas Warrior has attracted its share of controversy over the years. Even though legitimate efforts have been made to portray the Indian as a dignified mascot, inevitably some student during spirit week one year will draw some caricature of an Indian that is less than flattering. And voila, another controversy.
     On the other hand, the Yoncalla eagle represents a noble bird that pays tribute to the original Native Americans who lived around Yoncalla. Just like North Douglas portrays a geographical reference to the entire area, the eagle is a symbol that also represents surrounding areas.
*  ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
     This will have to be balanced with other decisions that are made. The Drain "castle," a two-story Victorian house with two towers, is a picturesque school administrative building that is expensive to maintain but a pleasure to look at. It would be nice to retain the roomy building for the combined district's new office.
     However, ideally the administrative offices and the combined high school should be located in different communities. A high school serves as a gathering place for sports and other school events. An administrative office, to a lesser extent, serves as a gathering place for school board, budget committee, site committee, and other official meetings.
     Drain and Yoncalla should each retain some type of ownership in the new district. Whoever sacrifices the high school should have the privilege of housing the administrative offices.
*  SCHOOL LOCATIONS
     It goes without saying that both Yoncalla and Drain will keep at least one school in their community. There will only be one high school. But there will be an elementary or combined elementary/middle school in the other town, or perhaps both towns.
     From a geographical point-of-view, Drain potentially could be the best central location for a high school. This statement is made with the assumption that Elkton may one day be forced to merge with its neighbor. Elkton students would face a minimum 14-mile bus ride to Drain, versus a minimum 19-mile bus ride to Yoncalla.
     However, all types of scenarios could play out. Elkton could team up with Sutherlin or Oakland. And if the state legislature ever requires district mergers, even Oakland could be forced to merge with Sutherlin or the new "North Douglas" school district.
     Drain and Yoncalla voters have to decide what's best for them now, and not worry about what may or may not be in the future. Voters next spring may reject the proposed merger, and continue on as they have before.
*  BUS ROUTE REDUNDANCIES
     Schools busses from different school districts pass one another daily on the same road. Both Yoncalla and North Douglas send a bus down Boswell Road. Both Yoncalla and Oakland send a bus down Hogan Road near Elkhead. Both Oakland and Elkton send a bus down Cougar Road at Tyee. The list goes on.
     No district is willing to give up any students, when each student represents money flowing into the district budget. That's perfectly understandable. But now that some districts are discussing mergers, perhaps the issue of boundaries can be addressed as well?
     If North Douglas and Yoncalla do end up merging, perhaps they can talk with the Douglas Education Service District boundary review board about establishing district boundaries that make the most economic sense for everyone?

Ode To The Roseburg Valley Mall

     This isn't an ode in the traditional literary sense. But ode...a sad sense of nostalgia...seemed the appropriate word to use when describing the rise and decline of the Roseburg Valley Mall.
     The mall opened in the late 1970s at the busy intersection of Garden Valley Boulevard and Stewart Parkway. I don't remember what was there before. Probably an open field. I never went to the opening day at the mall, but my father and sister did. I remember them telling me the mall was packed with people in the corridors.
     The mall had sign-up sheets for people to sign, for stores they would like to see in the mall, but hadn't made the decision yet to settle in the mall. My sister told me the Hickory Farms sheet had a lot of signatures. Not as many signatures for Sees Candies. I guess that meant we would have to continue going to Valley River Center in Eugene whenever my father wanted to indulge in his favorite candy store. Hickory Farms never located in the mall, except to offer a holiday store during the Christmas season.
     At least there was an Orange Julius, a favorite place that my father remembered from California. I never did order an Orange Julius with a raw egg added to the drink. Just as well. Orange Julius no longer offers a raw egg as an option.
     As for me, the most glaring discrepancy in the mall was the lack of a pet store. However, they did have a Waldenbooks. If I wanted to get a Hardy Boys book, I wouldn't have to travel to a B. Dalton in Eugene or Portland, or order them through the mail anymore. The mall had a hobby store where I could check out the model railroad merchandise. The Roseburg Valley Mall had something for everyone.
     Weisfelds and Zales jewelers were conveniently located across from each other at the crossroads inside the mall. There was no food court, but the few restaurants inside the mall each had their own seating areas. Skippers Seafood & Chowder House was strategically located inside the front entrance of the mall. Orange Julius was at the crossroads, and Taco Time had a restaurant with an atrium window dining room at the back entrance of the mall.
     When I worked as a Roseburg-based reporter for different television stations, I would often venture to the Roseburg Valley Mall to do holiday-related shopping stories. Unfortunately, the mall security guards/janitors were less than cordial with me. A man with a television camera was obviously looking for a controversial story. Never mind all of the free publicity that a television news story could provide the local merchants. Mall security often attempted to give me the bum's rush.
     If I couldn't take pictures or talk with people inside the mall corridors, then I would try to take pictures inside a store. Some stories cited corporate policy against news media, but occasionally I would find a locally-owned store that would welcome me inside their business.
     Occasionally, the mall management would grant me permission to take pictures inside the mall. The one stipulation was that I was prohibited from taking exterior pictures of Kaybee Toy & Hobby. That restriction always seemed strange to me, until years later when the news broke that the management of Kaybee were selling/dealing drugs out of the store. NOW it made sense why the store didn't want anyone taking pictures outside their business. This incident only reinforced my belief that anyone who tries to bar the media from accessing a public site definitely has something to hide.
     I think the Roseburg Valley Mall had more than 30 stores inside the mall when it first opened. Today, I can only think of two anchor stores and four others stores that were there on opening day and are still in business: Rite-Aid (formerly Pay Less); Macy's (formerly the Bon Marche', formerly the Bon); Radio Shack; Hallmark; Orange Julius; and Regis Hairstylists.
     In its early days, the interior of the Roseburg Valley Mall was more attractive than it is now. The corridors had plants in the middle and comfortable seats around the plants. Today, the hollow corridors seem empty and uninviting with a few uncomfortable round stool-like chairs in the middle of the corridor.
     The mall needs to decide what kind of image it wants to convey to the community. Is it a mall or a shopping center? Since Sears has left the mall, three outside-entrance stores have replaced the anchor store. It's not going to help the traffic flow of inside merchants, if more and more stores have outside entrances that bypass the mall's corridors.
     The mall has made some improvements since new owners have recently taken over. Instead of a bland brown exterior wallscape, some of the businesses now have different colored outside facades. But inside improvements must take place as well. Bring back some plants. Perhaps even think outside of the box. Invite the Umpqua Model Railroaders to build a permanent enclosed railroad display in the middle of one of the corridors. Nothing brings in children, and consequently their parents, quicker than a model railroad display. Invite a pet store or local exotic bird breeder to build a large cage in the middle of the corridor, and bring in an exotic bird; free rent and free advertising for the pet store in exchange for an "attraction" that brings people into the mall.
     I wish the Roseburg Valley Mall well in its future endeavors. I'm sad to say there are no longer any stores in the mall that I need to patronize. I'm not a teen-ager looking for clothes and I already have a cell phone. (Oops, I forgot. Some of the cell phone companies have already exited the mall.) If my mother didn't shop at the shoe store inside the mall, I wouldn't visit the mall at all. Please give me a reason to want to return to the Roseburg Valley Mall!