Phone: 541-474-5456 | 900 Court St. NE, H-391, Salem Oregon 97301
Email: rep.ronmaurer@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/maurer

Health Access Oregon Update

On June 13, Representative Maurer announced Health Access Oregon, a two part health care proposal. The proposal will be introduced in the 2009 Legislative Session. The goal of Health Access Oregon is to expand access to healthcare, especially in the rural areas of the state. The first part of Health Access Oregon would expand access to healthcare on three fronts: first by giving Medicaid eligible families access to health and dental insurance; second by increasing the reimbursement to doctors who serve Medicaid patients; and third by expanding support to school-based health clinic and community health centers.

The second part of Health Access Oregon would provide the funding for the first part. The funding would come from savings on the state’s employment cost. Under the plan employees would be asked to begin contributing to their healthcare costs by paying a small percentage of their insurance premiums. By contributing to their healthcare cost, state employees will help save the state a total $291 million by 2013.

Representative Maurer is still in the planning stages of Health Access Oregon. He would greatly appreciate your questions, comments and ideas so he can continue to improve the proposal.

Relief Nursery in Josephine County

On Wednesday, June 25, a meeting was held in Grants Pass to discuss the possibility of bringing a Relief Nursery to Josephine County. There are currently nine Relief Nurseries in Oregon. The mission of the Relief Nurseries is to prevent child abuse and neglect. The focus of the program is on families struggling with drug and alcohol abuse as well as child safety issues. Relief Nurseries provide services to both the children and the parents. These services include crisis response, alcohol and drug recovery support, peer counseling services, and in-home parent education. The goal is to create safe and loving families for children.

Relief Nurseries in Oregon have been successful. They serve more than 1,000 children and their families every year. Ninety-three percent of the children served have no reports of abuse or neglect. Due to their success, other states are beginning to be interested. Recently, Texas established two Relief Nurseries. Communities in California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Virginia are also working to establish Relief Nurseries.

At the Wednesday meeting, Representative Maurer led the discussion on bringing Relief Nursery in Grants Pass. Dr. Mary-Curtis Gramley, the director of the Medford Relief Nursery, spoke on her experience with the Relief Nursery in Medford.

Relief Nurseries are public-private partnerships. Therefore, they need to support of local businesses and community leaders. If you are interested in being involved, please contact our District office. And to learn more about Relief Nurseries, please visit their website: www.reliefnursery.org.

Rep. Maurer Appointed to the Search and Rescue Policy Commission

Rep. Maurer was honored to be asked by the governor to serve as the House Representative on the Search and Rescue Policy Commission. According to Rep. Maurer “I had the privilege of serving on the Search and Rescue Taskforce in 2007 which laid the groundwork for this commission. Although the taskforce was a result of a family tragedy which took place in our own county, it highlighted the need for our state to become more proficient at utilizing existing resources and introducing new technologies to better serve our citizens.” The commission will begin meeting later this summer and will be the focal point for continuously improving Oregon’s search and rescue efforts.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call Rep. Maurer’s office.

The Grand Prize winning ticket holder will have a choice of one of the following four prizes: $10,000 Shopping Spree at Field’s Home Improvement, $10,000 Arctic Cat ATV Package from Dave’s Outdoor Power Equipment in Cave Junction, $10,000 Shopping Spree at Gates Furniture or $10,000 Shopping Spree at Hart’s Jewelers.

Tickets are $10.00 each, 6 for $50.00, 12 for $100.00 or 18 for $150.00. Only 5000 tickets will be sold. One Grand Prize Winner. Winning ticket will be drawn Tuesday July 22, 2008 after 7pm at ‘Concerts in the Park’ in Riverside Park during Back to the Fifties week. Winner need not be present to win.

Tickets are also available at Logan Design, Blind Georges, Les Schwab Tires 6^th St, and Dave’s Outdoor Power Equipment in Cave Junction. Contributing Gold Sponsors are Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, Women’s Health Center of Oregon & Connie Sloper.

Grants Pass, OR, June 26, 2008: Victoria Emmons, member of The Emmons Sisters band and President of Richard Emmons Consulting and Oregon’s No. 1 HMA Business Growth Expert, will hold a public seminar on “Eight Steps To Grow Your Business” on Thursday, April 24^th from 7 to 8 p.m. in Guild Hall located in the Boardroom of the Guild Building.

Richard Emmons says that “Especially in this challenging economy, every business must overcome three problems to be successful. The first problem is getting your product or service in front of people who are interested. This is the first problem that must be overcome. If you can’t get your product or service in front of interested people then you cannot make money. The second problem is how to get the people who are interested your products and services to buy from you and not from your competitors. Once you have solved the first problem then, of course, those people have to buy from you and not your competitors. The final problem is to get one-time customers to become frequent and continuous customers.” At this seminar, Richard Emmons will explain proven business growth strategies which can solve these three problems.

Seating is limited so please call the Boardroom at (541) 244-2650 to make your reservation or to get directions.

Richard works with small to medium sized businesses to help them maximize their business growth success. He looks at all the business growth assets which are already in place or hidden in a client’s business and finds ways to use them to create dynamic and profitable growth without the client having to invest any extra money in advertising or having to make a lot of significant changes in their business operations.

Richard has 18 years of senior management experience in five different industry sectors. He attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated from California State University Fullerton.

Richard Emmons is Oregon’s No. 1 HMA Business Growth Expert.

For a free, no obligation, “Rapid Business Growth Analysis” of your business, you can contact Richard at (541) 244-2654, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note 1: Richard Emmons Consulting is a business growth consulting company that works with small and medium sized businesses, helping owners find and maximize the hidden growth assets in their business at no extra cost in advertising.

Richard Emmons Consulting helps business owners grow their businesses by 25% to 100% in as little as 3 to 6 months and he guarantees his work!

Note 2: Richard Emmons is available anytime for clarification and interview.

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Press contact:

Richard Emmons, President, Richard Emmons Consulting

1867 Williams Hwy, Suite 205, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527.

Telephone: 541.244.2654 Cell: 541.660.2845

E-mail: richard@richardemmons.com

Oregon State Capitol

900 Court Street NE, S-223

Salem, Oregon 97301

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michael Gay

June 26, 2008 503.986.1950

503.781.8559

Leaders ignore economic warning signs,

grant political appointees massive pay increases

Money comes from state savings

Salem, OR - While Oregon families make sacrifices and find ways to cut costs, Democrat legislative leaders gave their stamp of approval to over $287 million in pay increases to state bureaucrats and political appointees. Governor Kulongoski and legislative leaders have repeatedly said that they think Oregon’s economy is in fine shape, but families feeling the pinch of high gas, food and health care costs think different.

“The absolute wrong time to increase the cost of Oregon government is while Oregon families are seeing the cost of food, fuel and housing spiral out of control, with jobs more difficult to find each week,” said Senator Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls). “We should be saving and finding ways to cut expenses. If legislative leaders think an economic slowdown is the appropriate time to hand out pay increases, they should find a way to pay for it by cutting waste in existing budgets, not spending down the state’s savings account.”

This represents the second pay raise in a year’s time for state bureaucrats, in addition to picking up the tab for a 12 percent increase in health care premiums. Political appointees received over $46.4 million in pay increases, some equaling raises of more than $3500 a month. While the total cost to the taxpayer this budget cycle is over $350 million, the raises inflate to over $650 million next budget cycle.

“Oregon families don’t have an ATM in the sky to make up for rising costs, and Democrat legislative leaders shouldn’t treat taxpayer dollars that way,” said Senator Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day). “It makes me feel uncomfortable to use our safety cushion to fund pay increases in the face of our tough economic climate. I don’t think it reflects the priorities of Oregonians right now. We should be talking about bold steps to create local jobs and get our economy back on the right track, not expanding the size and cost of government.”

Oregon unemployment has grown for three months in a row to 5.6 percent, higher than the national average. The nation continues through an economic slump brought on by the mortgage crisis. Oregon is typically several months behind national economic trends.

Grants Pass, June 25, 2008-A free summer reading program for children of all ages is being offered by Josephine Community Libraries, the nonprofit organization working to reopen the libraries in Josephine County.

The program will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays from July 3 through Aug. 7 at Parkway Village Shopping Center, 1519 N.E. F St. in Grants Pass. The room is located off the courtyard behind the Gooseberries grocery store.

Josephine Community Libraries will kick off the reading program as part of Kids’ Day at Parkway Village on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 10 a.m.

Children may bring one or more books with them to the program and exchange the books with others, although this is not required to participate. Volunteers will help with storytelling. Parents and children are welcome to bring chairs or pillows to sit on.

Members of the public who would like to drop off children’s books to give to participants may do so during the first and last half hours of the program.

For more information about the Josephine Community Libraries summer reading program, contact Sharon McBerty, at 476-9652, or visit the Web site at www.josephinelibrary.org.

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Josephine Community Libraries, Inc.

P.O. Box 1684   Grants Pass, OR  97528

541-660-6531

info@josephinelibrary.org www.josephinelibrary.org

Some people accomplish amazing things with their time. Others are just wonderful and a pleasure to know.

Occasionally, a person is both.

Dick Smith is one of those people who fall into the category of “both.”

His life started out in East St. Louis, Ill., where he was raised and later graduated from high school. When Dick turned 18 he wanted to join the military, but as he wasn’t interested in going to Korea, he joined the Air Force instead of the army. Three months later he was in Korea.

Three years later he found himself in Charleston, South Carolina, as a military police officer. There he met a finance clerk named Nancy and after three daughters, eight grandchildren, fifty years and one quadruple bypass, he is still happily married. He believes she feels the same.

Dick is a man who just doesn’t stop. He retired from his position as a criminal investigator for the Air Force in 1975 and went on to become a civilian investigator, spending a total of 28 years in this line of work. He retired for the second time in 1994, but only because of heart problems. In recent years he has been on too many committees and task forces to list. A couple of these are the Boys and Girls Club where Mr. Smith has been for almost 12 years now and the County Planning Commission. He is Chairman of the Multnomah Sheriff’s Council, where he acts as a link between the citizens and the Sheriff to resolve problems and complaints.

However, his most visible involvement has been as Chairman of the Veterans Walk of Honor at Merlin Park. He was elected to the park’s board in 1995 and came up with the concept of dedicating a portion of the park to commemorating veterans and military personell, but the committee was unsure of what it should consist of and further, they would have to raise the funds themselves. After eight months they decided to use obelisks (upright pillars). The design features nine of these obelisks, each standing eight feet high and featuring over 700 names thus far, with the capacity to hold 3600.

Name inclusion is simple: anyone in Josephine County can donate $100 and nominate any U.S. Veteran from any war. Many nominate family members, but there are also veterans who have nominated people they have served with and want to remember in this manner. Anyone who has served honorably or is currently serving in the armed forces or merchant marine services of the United States or those in active duty, reserves, or guard units are eligible. Twenty-eight names were recently added and the committe looks forward to added more in time for Veteran’s Day this coming November. As it takes at least a week to engrave names, names need to be submitted as soon as possible in order to have them up by this date.

The historical portion of the Veteran’s Walk of Honor remains incomplete. The committee hopes to make this section interactive. Visitors will have the ability to go to a name and view a short video relevant to the veteran they have chosen. For as many as possible, the audio video will include the veteran introducing himself and giving a brief biography of his or her military involvement. The project is still in its infancy, but the idea is there and when Dick Smith is involved, ideas become reality.

On the other hand, the reality of building a stunning Veteran’s memorial is that it takes time, commitment, and cold, hard cash. So far the community outpour has been amazing and includes individuals, small companies, and various businesses. Russ Heater of Sherm Realtors funded the initial drive. Carl Wilson, CFO of KAJO radio, gave the Veteran’s Walk of Honor concept six months of exposure, while Walter Slater of Wildlife Images became highly involved in fundraising efforts. Evergreen Federal gave a very generous donation, and another company provided granite for the obelisks. Continued funding remains an issue. For those interested in seeing the Veteran’s Walk of Honor completed, you can become involved by visiting the park’s website at this link: http://www.merlincommunitypark.org/ Information on sponsorship and name submission is located on the right hand side of the Veteran’s Walk of Honor photograph.

member of the air force office of special invetigations hall of fame 2005

Copeland Landscape Supply

What do you do when you need 2000 square feet of bark?

What happens if you need just five flat stones to go around your mailbox?

The easiest solution is to call up Copeland Landscape Supply. Whether you’re a big business or a homeowner looking to improve the look of your yard or indoor features, Copeland offers products that will fit your vision.

A great idea for any landscaper is the strategic use of rocks and boulders. The newest offering is Three River Slabs. These rocks are between three and four inches thick and carry a look best described as “tiger stripes.” These and other flat rocks work great for making pathways. River rock may be used to create visually pleasing pathways through gardens, while larger rocks are wonderful ways to add depth and texture to any project. Boulder rocks are an item that many homeowners don’t consider, but the strategic placement of a boulder that is partially buries can create a natural, more interesting look for smaller yards. For those who are seeking ways to add beauty to existing or new water features on their property, Copeland offers a wide variety of stone that will appeal to any taste.

For decks, patios, or any other place where one is thinking about using concrete or brick, pavers are yet another option to spice up the chosen area. Made of poured concrete, they can give the look of cobblestone or simply provide a brighter and more professional looking finish. Copeland carries this manufactured concrete in different sizes and color shades.

Another way to add instant appeal to your landscape is through the use of bark. While customers can choose any size or shade they feel best suits their needs and desired look, different sizes are generally used for various needs. For example, small bark looks great around plants and trees, while larger bark is excellent for high traffic areas. Wood fiber is available for use in playgrounds, and isn’t just for parks or schools. While wood fiber is typically used in those locations, it is also a wise choice for use with play sets or swings used in home yards or for home paths and areas used by those at an increased risk for injury due to falls.

Copeland Landscape Supply also carries products such as crushed gravel, different types of sand, topsoil, landscape fabric, materials for retaining walls, and much more. They can deliver to your home or business, and now have some of their products available in small bags for your convenience.

Watch for Copeland’s Grand Summertime Opening, where you are invited to come visit and see what this company is all about. Special prices will be applied to all flat rock, decorative cobbles, and other items. However, you don’t have to wait for the summertime special to get great prices or just look around at different products for your future or current landscaping projects. They are conveniently located at 695 SE J Street in Grants Pass. For hours of operation or for questions, call (541) 476-4441. The fax line is (541) 479-4881. You may also visit their website at http://copelandlandscapesupply.com/ and see a some of the more popular products Copeland Landscape Supply offers for “Beautifying the Community.” - Gina Locke

Unfortunately, too many people acquire a dog, then for whatever reason find they cannot care for it, or it’s too much to handle and they can’t find a good home so it ends up being abandoned. Used to be, Animal Control (formerly known as your friendly neighborhood dogcatcher) would come around and find these strays, take them to the public pound and hold them in that purgatory for a while, safe and well fed.

This is one of those “fat” luxuries that we’ve long since said goodbye to in our county. The local Humane Society, a private nonprofit, still runs the pound but they’ve had their hands full just getting it back on sound fiscal and management footing. And, you have to bring the animal there, they won’t pick up. The good news, though, is that there are enough dog lovers around that they have formed various rescue societies.  Debbie LaMonda, owner of the Dancin’ Paws doggie wash-o-mat, spends much of her free time rounding up abandoned pooches of various breeds and placing them into foster homes. She is one of many such volunteers who’ve stepped in to replace what once was a county service.

Debbie also volunteers with PAWS, a fantastic program that combines animal rescue with social services for humans, in the form of at-risk youth. PAWSitive Changes, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that strives to reach youth and dogs in need.  Its innovative project, The PAWS Program works with incarcerated youth who are paired with shelter dogs in order to care for, train, socialize, and prepare the dogs for adoption into forever homes. These dogs are all second-chance animals that are teaching compassion to youth in your community, at NO COST to the taxpayers..

PAWS’ leaders define their mission as “forming a more compassionate community; one dog at a time.” The principles of compassion, empathy, and positive reinforcement are key to their mission. Angie Sabin-Veek, a Youth Corrections Unit Coordinator at the Oregon Youth Authority in Grants Pass,  runs the PAWS program. They have been operating since June of 2006 with 49 successful adoptions. Angie says “This is the best thing I’ve ever been involved in. Dogs can reach these kids in ways that people can’t.”

100% of donated funds are used to care for the dogs in the program.  While no money is earned by the participating kids, they learn valuable life lessons of compassion, hope, and patience. PAWS dogs receive a combination of Vet Care, Basic Training, Socialization and”Forever Homes.” The incarcerated kids receive a kind of therapy that helps put them back on the right track in life, and it’s all because of the dedication of volunteers and generosity of sponsors that this dual benefit occurs.

In this time of shrinking services and lowered expectations from local government, it is refreshing to run across a program that delivers better and with more heart than any government-run service could hope to achieve. Private sector innovation combined with love and compassion have managed to re-invent the wheel of “animal control” into something beautiful. Now if only the Josephine Community Libraries effort succeeds, maybe we’ll be on the road to community self-reliance without raising taxes beyond an affordable level.