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Way to go, Medford Dec 27, 2003 12:00 AM A A Way to go, Medford! You have found another revenue generator. You've really struck it rich. Every storm drain in the city is a potential gold mine. This is even better than the speed camera. Wash your car? Hose off the lawn mower? MPD will be there to charge you with a crime. Better line up a lawyer before you wash the car. What a great use of MPD resources. Keep those dollars rolling in. ' Raymond Smith, Central Point Bright Futures helps I have served for the past year as an Americorps member in the Bright Futures program at Rogue Community College in Medford. My work is doing community education with women and men in the local community and RCC on the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. I have noticed that issues such as domestic violence, poverty and lack of basic education may hamper a student's ability to focus on college. Many students are single parents and the only provider for their families. Poverty and lack of education, coupled with past and present abuse, are factors that undermine confidence and the ability to compete in the job market. I have worked with students who put their lives together after incredibly difficult circumstances and went on to complete college to become successful, productive members of this community ' all because of Bright Futures. Students take classes in career exploration, college orientation and self-awareness. When they are finished with Bright Futures, students are more confident and able to adapt to college requirements. — If anyone is interested in learning more about Bright Futures for themselves or a friend they can contact 245-7538. Financial aid is available for students and winter-term classes begin Jan. 5. ' Alexa A. Priddy, Americorps member, community educator, Rogue Community College Supports Wal-Mart Although I have not had an opportunity to verify any of the good or bad reports, allow me to say that I support the two Wal-Mart superstores that are going up in the area. I, like others, will be impacted by the traffic that any large retail business will bring to my area. However, Southern Oregon does need the jobs and retail seems to be what Southern Oregon tends to recruit. There have been several instances where industrial businesses have come to the valley in attempts to open their businesses and bring employment and money to the valley. However, many continue to rally against big businesses due to their fear of growth. What many of those people fail to realize or ignore is that by doing so, they assist in keeping Southern Oregon in the top 5 percent of states with the highest rankings for unemployment. I am a fair-minded person, but not entirely aware of all the issues at hand at this time with the two proposed Wal-Marts for Medford and Central Point. ' Albert Reynoso, Medford An inauspicious end Lenn Hannon is a longstanding and highly regarded legislator. He will certainly be missed. I'm sorry he's decided to resign. When a citizen runs for office and wins, there exists an ethical responsibility to serve the entire term if possible. To say, Oops, I got a better offer, I'm out of here, you guys figure it out is an inauspicious end to a long public career. What a shame.' Steven K. Sorensen, Medford Please return painting Approximately a year and a half ago, the Central Point City Hall exhibited paintings by local artists. One of the artists was the late Glorene Tiny Kelly, who submitted a beautiful painting depicting rugged cliffs mirrored in a lake with deer in the foreground. Unfortunately, Tiny's painting was removed from the wall without permission. Her husband, Melvin Kelly, does not wish to make trouble for the person who took this painting, but he hopes that whoever took it will have the heart to return it to its rightful owner. Mr. Kelly can be reached at 541-855-9022. ' Louise Glickman, Medford Where's the money going? According to Oregon state budget figures, since 1995, spending for the general fund budget has increased. According to those same budget figures, the dollars spent for education, police, and fire have also increased. Those in authority allege the following: The money spent for education does not provide for classroom supplies, so teachers work at McDonand's to earn money to purchase classroom supplies. The money spent for education does not provide adequate teacher salaries and health benefits, so teachers quit, retire, or are let go. The money spent for education does not provide for school buildings, maintenance, and repairs, so schools are closed and teachers and principals do janitorial duties. The money spent for education does not provide for band and art classes, extracurricular activities, or sports. Each year, parents are instructed to buy their children's paper, pens, pencils, calculators, chalk, crayons, glue, books, etc., and donations are asked for to provide these same items to children whose families cannot afford to buy these things. What is the & 36;5 billion budgeted for education being spent for? According to their allegations as stated above, obviously, it isn't for the children's education. Surtax, anyone? ' Randall Hale, Medford