Why must solution be lethal?
According to a Feb. 23 article, ODFW has hired a "technician" to kill up to 24 cougars in Jackson County in order to thin this predator's population.
The technician hired got his experience from many years of trapping, I'm told by his supervisor. And he will use snares or leg holds to trap the cougars and then shoot them to death. The problem for a cougar, besides being killed, is that for predators the traps do not have to be checked any sooner than every 76 hours.
This time frame makes it obvious any cougar caught will only die after prolonged agony and suffering. Then there is the issue of "non-target" animals that can be caught in these traps, the animal world's equivalent to "collateral damage."
To me, thinning is a way to placate those who have been frightened by others wanting to return to lazy-boy hunting, with dogs. Then, some hunters believe cougars take too many trophy elk and deer (the natural prey of cougars), depriving these safari types of racks-on-the-wall decor.
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Sheriff's plans worrisome
After watching the 6 o'clock news, I am worried. In case you missed it, Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson states that he may attempt to declare a state of emergency within the county due to lack of law enforcement.
If this emergency request is granted by the governor, the Oregon National Guard may be responsible for protecting its citizens. You may be thinking that this is only a scare tactic to get our legislators to extend the O&C funds, but if the extension fails and the request is permitted, I'd be a bit concerned.
I would also assume that other counties would try to replicate this. This is just one more step toward a military state and back to "1984" we go.
It's time for everyone to think about what is materializing daily with your government and where this country may be a few years down the road. I know this is in its infancy, and may be nothing but political pressure to have the folks in Washington think about what the implications of calling up National Guard members would be when they are already overwhelmed. But if not, we're all in for some interesting times. — Adam DeRose, Medford
Rod Show says thanks
The members of Rogue Valley Street Rods wish to thank the people who attended our 30th Annual Rod and Custom Show the weekend of Feb. 17-18. We also wish to thank our many generous sponsors, and the vendors who displayed their products and services in our commercial displays. Thanks also to the car enthusiasts who brought their cars out in the Oregon winter to fill the Expo with beautiful and unique vehicles.
These factors, along with months of hard work by the membership and the assistance of other clubs in our area, combined to make this year's show the most successful ever, and will generate a record amount for donation to the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center at Oregon Health & Sciences University.
Thanks to everyone for all the help with the show. We do this to benefit kids in Southern Oregon, and we couldn't do it without your support. — George Bailey, Medford, president, Rogue Valley Street Rods
Move Interstate 5
ODOT Is out of control! Look at the mess they've made with the Rogue River Bridge, over $10 million; the $38 million fiasco of the north interchange, traffic there is worse than ever, and now they want to do the same thing with the south interchange — another $70 million.
What they need to do is get all that I-5 traffic away from the downtown area. What Medford needs is a bypass starting at the Port of Entry through mostly vacant land to 140, extend 140 through mostly vacant land through White City onto I-5/Blackwell Hill.
That would remove over 50 percent-plus of the traffic off 62 through Medford. That way the north and south interchanges would be able to handle local traffic.
I'm a retired truck driver, 30 years California to Seattle. I recall when Portland built I-205 it reduced traffic through town by half. What they're doing here is just spending taxpayers' money. There has to be a better way! — C.J. Brunelle, Eagle Point
