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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Harney County sheriff meets leader of armed group, tells them to leave peacefully ... Envrionmental groups strike deal over trying to reduce coal use in Oregon ... Mike Rowe-look-alike robber gets national attention ... Harney County sheriff meets leader of armed group, tells them to leave peacefully ... Envrionmental groups strike deal over trying to reduce coal use in Oregon ... Mike Rowe-look-alike robber gets national attention ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, April 29 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Good news for Oregon The majority of Oregonians are concerned, and that is great news. The Oregon Legislature must be listening, as evidenced by the 18 climate bills under consideration this session. An Oregon Values Project survey in 2013 found 72 percent of residents agree that “Climate change requires us to change our way of life ...” According to DHM Research in late 2014, 55 percent of Oregonians supported an outright cap on greenhouse gas emissions determined by best science. House Bill 3470, the Climate Stability and Justice Act of Oregon, modeled on California's Cap and Trade AB 32, comes closest to addressing Oregon's responsibility to its inhabitants and the environment. It could also set an example for the rest of the country. HB 3470 and other greenhouse gas emission bills were evaluated by Oregon’s House Committee on Energy and Environment. HB 3470 is now moving to the Committee on Rules. From there it goes to the Committee on Ways and Means. Our opinions matter, so let's keep the ball rolling by encouraging our representatives in Salem to strengthen and pass HB 3470. Oregonians have often led the rest of the country regarding the environment, and we in Southern Oregon can encourage this again. Diana O'Farrell Ashland Special waiver? With my tongue placed firmly in my cheek, I've come to a realization. Every driver of a German- or Swedish-made luxury automobile must receive a special waiver authorizing them to not use turn signals or brakes when approaching a stop sign or red light. Perhaps the manufacturer could offer a discount if the purchaser waived the waiver. It might make the roads safer. Bob Simpson Central Point Growth costs money Going back to at least the 1990's, municipal officials like former mayors Royal DeLand of Rogue River and Rusty McGrath of Central Point repeated the magical incantation, “growth brings prosperity.” Central Point City Manager Chris Clayton resurrects that same straw-into-gold fairy tale: “… unless you get growth back to pre-2007 levels, eventually there's going to be a systemic problem." (“New fees for parks, school police considered,” Mail Tribune, April 18). Growth equals prosperity is a myth. A single police officer in Gold Hill will cost $160,000 (Mail Tribune, April 12). Over the past 11 years, about half of Central Point’s budget increases went to their police department. Additional costs include a jailer to guard the law-breaker, a prosecutor to present charges, a judge, a clerk, a probation officer and so on (personnel services averaged about 65 percent of Central Point's annual expenditures during those 11 years). If growth brings prosperity, why can’t communities adequately fund public safety? As communities grow, public safety is just one expense that exceeds receipts. To understand the costs of growth, and why most communities struggle to pay them, please visit the Oregon Communities for a Voice in Annexations website , www.OCVA.org . Francis Gilbert Rogue River Redraw the counties The state of Oregon contains 36 different counties. The size and shape was determined, starting in 1843, by politics and geography. Now, over 100 years later, isn't it about time for our government of and by the people to rethink the size and shape and number of counties? Wouldn't it help Oregon in the long run, i.e., the future of Oregon? Maybe this time "they" could just use politics and skip the geography, i.e., rivers and mountains. Curtis Kline Medford MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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