I have been feeling for many months that I have a story that I need to share with all of you, but have not yet thought of a way to share it effectively. My conclusion is this: I just need to get it out there regardless of the way it is told.

This is the story, from my perspective, about the Poll family (of Eagle Point), my sister and her children.

Funds are being collected to help the family of eight-year-old Matthew Poll, of Eagle Point. He is the son of Lesley and Rob Poll. Lesley, her sister, Lisa, and brother, David, grew up in Eagle Point. Young Matthew is the grandson of Dennis and Lori Jordan, well known Eagle Point residents. Dennis spent many years on the Eagle Point Volunteer Fire Department where he was chief and is a captain with Fire District 3.

As the accompanying letter from Lisa Curry indicated, doctors have tried to diagnose Matthew’s illness for nearly eight years. He has been accepted for examination at Children’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Tests will last about a week and then, based on the results, he could be scheduled for future brain surgery.

The family has remained rather quiet about their needs until Lisa took it upon herself to speak out on their behalf. The costs for Matthew’s treatments, hospitalization, and medications has definitely been devastating.

Rob and Matthew are scheduled to have a flight in mid-March on Angel Wings, a non-profit volunteer organization, that flies children with great medical needs. Lesley will have to go on a regular flight. Someone will provide housing for them while they are there. At this point, they are not sure whether the girls will remain in Eagle Point or go to Phoenix, according to their grandmother, Marie Poll, of Shady Cove.

Donations may be made at Wells Fargo to the Matthew Poll Medical Fund.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the City of Shady Cove to contract with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

Approval came after the city council voted to contract with the sheriff's department. The decision came after several months of discussion and public meetings on the proposal. The Shady Cove Police Department was no longer staffed after Feb. 3.

Shady Cove Police employees Julie Denney and Scott Waldon  became criminal deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office effective Feb. 4.

Court will continue in Shady Cove. The sheriff’s department will staff a community policing officer in Shady Cove. Police reports previously sent from Shady Cove Police will become part of the sheriff’s report.

The city police cars will become part of the sheriff’s fleet.

Several have inquired regarding the $15 per month police fee charged by the city. That fee will remain and is a critical part of payment for the sheriff’s department services.

Department employees were recognized at last week’s council meeting.

Please contact police/court clerk Paula Stroop at (541) 878-8206 with any records inquiries. Administrative questions can be directed to Interim City Administrator Dale Shaddox at (541) 878-3757.

The Monday, Feb. 1 Shady Cove Water District meeting was business as usual. Unfortunately “business as usual” for the SCWD tends to involve court dates and law suits, regardless of who occupies the offices.   
The meeting itself was brief, but followed an hour long Executive Session called for the board to meet with their attorney for purposes of discussing current or pending law suits.