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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 Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Comment By William M. Kirtley MailTribune.com By William M. Kirtley Posted Feb. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM By William M. Kirtley Posted Feb. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Reports of the death of Wes Cooley brought back memories of an evening in 1998 when, during an interview, he told me the story of his life. He admitted that he had a combative, ornery nature. His parents separated soon after his birth. Raised by various aunts and a grandmother, he grew up seeking the attention and approval of a father. He told me, “I carried a chip on my shoulder.” He fondly remembered that he was captain of his eighth-grade basketball team, sold newspapers at 10 cents a copy, and earned enough money picking pole beans to buy his first car. He served two years in the U.S. Army, completing training as a demolitions expert and served in several Special Forces units. After his military service, he attended the University of Southern California and received a degree in business. He worked for a pharmaceutical company for 27 years. In 1980, he and his second wife, Rosemary, bought a cattle ranch in Alfalfa, an unincorporated community 15 miles east of Bend. His first political involvement was an unsuccessful attempt to save the local two-room schoolhouse. His friends and neighbors elected him to the Oregon State Senate in 1992. He recorded more “no votes” than any other legislator. His notable achievement: He championed a law requiring children riding bicycles to wear helmets. The GOP nominated him for representative to Congress from the 2nd District and the voters elected him to that position in 1995. One of his favorite stories dealt with how he met President Bill Clinton. Cooley walked up to the president, introduced himself, and said, “What we need is trees.” Serious ethical questions arose during his campaign for the House. He claimed in the Voters Pamphlet that he served in a Special Forces unit in Korea. He erroneously said that he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After redistricting, investigators reported that his home of record was outside the boundaries of the 2nd district. In response, he moved to a trailer parked at the Bend airport. Reporters also charged that Cooley lied about his marriage date to Rosemary so that she could continue to receive survivor’s benefits from her ex-husband. The Mail Tribune publicized these transgressions in a series of stories, editorials and cartoons. Cooley ran for another term in 1996, but withdrew from the race. In his farewell address from the floor of the House, he compared the media to the propaganda ministry of Nazi Germany. In 1997, an Oregon court convicted him of making false statements in a public document and sentenced him to two years' probation and community service. In 1998, he ran in the Republican primary for his old seat. His wife said Cooley’s probation officer thought highly of him. He offered his military records as proof of his service, stated that a misstatement of one word had caused all the problems, and once again lashed out at the press. His defeat in the primary ended his political career. A California federal court convicted him of money laundering and tax evasion in 2012, sentenced him to prison, and ordered him to pay restitution. Cooley loved to tell stories in a life-long bid for acceptance and friendship. His tragic flaw was that he lost sight of the truth in an effort to sell himself, his brand of politics, or an investment scheme. Despite his rough exterior and myriad “legal problems” many people in the Rogue Valley loved and admired him for his determination and folksiness. Were he here today, Cooley would gladly retell his life story with much laughter and little regret. William M. Kirtley is a political science professor for Central Texas College who lives in Medford. By William M. Kirtley MailTribune.com By William M. Kirtley Posted Feb. 10, 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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