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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 Home News Latest Stories New spring bear hunt nixed by wildlife commission Disk golf course coming to Cave Junction park Bicycle group wants to change Hwy. 99 corridor plan EP school district launches new app Fifth Rogue River mural project is getting underway Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service Barn fire may have been human-caused Emergency services Inmates to get mental health, addiction treatment Missing Medford man found safe in Sweet Home Politics and Elections Commissioner candidates Talbert, Roberts duel for endorsements Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Dotterrer-Bates Senate race goes negative? Education EP school district launches new app Striving to make the grade Fresh produce goes home with Jackson Elementary families State mandates eye exams for kids 7 and younger Eagle Point School District goes silent on gun issue Environment Josephine County ballot measure would ban commercial and government pesticide use Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Wagner Creek work would restore streambank Deer-killing disease won't taint meat for hunters Marijuana growers are threat to salmon, biologists conclude State news Nation - World Obituaries Elizabeth Anne Jones Jesse Jay Gilchrist Lorraine Antcha Death Notices Lester "Les" Nugent Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Rivalry Renewed Macias boosts Pirates to win over KU Phoenix runs Skyline record to 7-0 Colts hold on for 33-28 win over Texans Burke has 22 to lead Jazz past Blazers Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders shut out Eastern Oregon Georgia star Gurley suspended for alleged violation Ducks' defense gets defensive after loss Raiders rally in five sets to deny Owls again Undefeated SOU returns to Raider Stadium Pro Sports Colts hold on for 33-28 win over Texans Burke has 22 to lead Jazz past Blazers It won't be personal for Bryant against Sherman Ryder Cup players get back to work on PGA Tour Kyle Busch takes pole at Charlotte as JGR surges Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: When Life Gives You Lemons... County hopes to spur renewable energy Medford airport has busiest September ever Local homeowners not borrowing against their homes Rental vacancies increase Real Estate News Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Medford's Pixel Productions moves to new quarters Tenants begin moving into One West Main People In Business Transportation Agriculture 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Purchasers praise Harry & David's turnaround Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Matthew T. Mangino: Trials, pleas and the burden of proof: A search for justice Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Mt. Ashland is responding to community concerns Granlund cartoon: Carter faults Obama on ISIS Editorials Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Measure 86 would allow a prudent investment Our View: Top-two primary would empower more voters Another View: Forest Service comes to its senses Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 9 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 7 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 6 Guest Opinions Mt. Ashland is responding to community concerns Siskiyou Plus Spring Bear Hunt: What lies beneath? Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures Is Ashland taking over Jackson County elections? Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Name that wolf Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Blog: BOOK IT! FRIDAY: Layin' Low But Still Layin' Coin Food Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Community blog: Kicking it off, a game, a season, or a pint (How about all the above?) Apples and pears make great autumn duo Community blog: Cardamom makes proverbial pairing with pears New owners bring new philosophy at 2Hawk Home and Garden How to create a fashionable painted floor cloth Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings Harvest your frost-tender tomatoes for storage Fall is a good time to plant certain perennials Start now for a bowl of winter sunshine Health Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Dr. Murray Feingold: Take precautions to prevent home accidents Health Watch: Make TV time workout time Community blog: Do We Need Steps For Health? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion briefs First Church of Nazarene plans cleanup Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals Still stifling laughter 40 years after 'Young Frankenstein' New Arrivals Wedding New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Agave offers tasty tacos Call for musicians Works in progress A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Theater Randall Theatre presents 'Blithe Spirit' A tribute to a great lyricist 'Mrs. Mannerly' is a matter of manners There's no accounting for poor manners Friends of Jim Giancarlo remember Ashland theater icon Music Benefit for Nita Day at The Wild Goose Cafe in Ashland Call for musicians A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Rogue Valley Symphony season debut combines virtuosity, emotion Community Events Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Greater Medford Multicultural Fair Volunteers needed for Downtown Art + Sound Medford's Third Fridays Dining Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Spoons 'Get Giddy' at Porters Jacksonville's Thai House is everything good Thai should be Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... New spring bear hunt nixed by wildlife commission ... Barn fire may have been human-caused ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... New spring bear hunt nixed by wildlife commission ... Barn fire may have been human-caused ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Oct. 6 MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 6, 2014 @ 12:01 am Posted Oct. 6, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News Stark differences During the recent forum between county commissioner candidates Kevin Talbert and Colleen Roberts, stark differences were revealed between Mr. Talbert, running as an Independent, but who is actually a registered Democrat, and Mrs. Roberts, a conservative who believes in small government and has been a successful business owner for over 20 years. Frequently when asked his views on county issues, Talbert admitted he was uninformed on the specifics of the issues or was unaware of the issue at all. When he did answer, most of his solutions involved more government interference. By contrast, Roberts spoke eloquently about the issues. She has been attending commissioner meetings for three years, and has a firm grasp on the issues facing Jackson County.  The citizens of this county deserve a commissioner who has proven that she will be a voice for the people and not the government in Jackson County. Chris Sinclair, Medford Let us decide It's hard to really know who to believe on Measure 92, as information one hears and reads tends to conflict. So as I look into the issue, I learn that 64 other countries have decided it was worth labeling, and this apparently did not make food prices rise. In fact, many U.S. companies sell labeled products to these 64 countries already. China doesn't want our genetically modified wheat. This makes me wonder what they know about eating it. I realize alcoholic products will not be labeled, or food we eat at restaurants. (This might change in the future.) Nor will animals who eat genetically modified grains, or animal products who eat genetically modified foods, as the animals themselves have not had foreign genes inserted into them. We at least have the right to have the foods labeled. This will help us focus on it, and make our own informed decisions. Peggy Elterman, Ashland Bates earned my vote Sen. Alan Bates has earned my vote for his re-election. He listens to people and works hard to make government a beneficial partner in our lives. Look at his positive record on health care, education, support for businesses and our natural resources. A recent mailer from his opponent misrepresents six votes that Senator Bates has made over the last seven years, and gave him an "F" for his record on education. Four of these votes concerned charter schools that receive public funds. Senator Bates voted to give school boards flexibility in approving charters and voted to set standards for virtual charter schools. Closing the School for the Blind, rather than a failure, made it possible for students to receive services in home districts. The website, Oregonlive/Alan Bates, shows his voting record. Details matter. Bates is a straight shooter. He is an independent thinker and I trust him with my vote. Steve Haskell, Ashland GMOs merit labels "Value Size," "Same Great Flavor; New Look," "Redemption Values," trendy ingredients or just improved marketing to challenge the competition. These are only a few examples of why food companies routinely change labels and actually want to change labels. The average length of time a food label stays the same is less than a year. Consumers are bemused by label changes, but there’s no need to fear them because price increases are not associated with them. Reason: Label change is part of doing business and is not a direct price-raiser. This reality renders anti-GMO labeling arguments based on price increase fears as ridiculously fictitious. Further, it’s peculiar that biotech companies would not only favor GMO labeling, but would not want their logo prominently displayed. Is there any difference between GMOs and other "quality products?" If not, why are they bashful? Let’s coax them out by voting yes on Measure 92! Andrew Kubik, Ashland 'Negative' vs. reality Interesting that Bates' supporters think telling people his voting record is "negative" instead of holding him accountable. Here are some actual Bates education votes: For SB 5552 (2011): cut school funding, resulting in layoffs across the state. For SB 5020 (2011): reduced Department of Education funds over 11 percent. For SB 2834 (2009): closed school for the blind. For SB 2185 (2013): imposed fees on career schools. Supported a one-size-fits-all model for education by restricting education options — limiting charter schools in 2014 (SB 1538) at the request of Portland Public Schools and opposing virtual charter schools in 2009 (SB 767). Consider this trend. From 2003-2005, K-12 public school spending was 45 percent of the general and lottery funds budget. For 2013-15, K-12 received only 39.7 percent of the budget. These numbers don't indicate a record of success and lead me to question current leadership in education. James Johnston, Ashland Mailer is misleading A slick mailer from Dave Dotterrer is headlined: “Alan Bates has failed our teachers and students.” That’s negative unless it shows Bates’ failure. The “evidence” in the mailer is a list of six votes cast by Dr. Bates. One of the six is that Senator Bates “Voted to close our only state school for the blind (HB2834-2009)”. How shameful! Or is it? An Internet search (www.votesmart.org/bill/funding-school-for-blind) reveals what that bill really did. It “abolishes the Oregon School for the Blind and uses proceeds from its sale to provide resources to blind students in their home communities.” In other words, Dr. Bates’ vote was admirable — unless you always favor big, impersonal state programs. This bill passed at better than 2-1 in the House and almost 3-1 in the Senate! My vote for Bates will honor his integrity, experience, and compassion — and reject the misleading negativity of Dotterrer’s slick mailer. Roy Sutton, Ashland Vote for Moro Tonia is super qualified! She has served as an attorney in the Rogue Valley for 24 years representing citizen groups, local governments, nonprofits and businesses. Moro knows how to get the job done efficiently and effectively and would like to use her talents as commissioner to help our area flourish in a sustainable manner that provides a superior quality of life for all its residents. I ask you to join me in voting for Tonia Moro for Jackson County commissioner, position 1. Joan Dean, Talent Bates leads on education A recent negative political attack ad appears to be unaware of Sen. Alan Bates’ outstanding record on education. A quick review of legislation Dr. Bates has introduced or supported easily counters this attack. Senator Bates helped: increase job training programs at community colleges; expand the Farm to School Program; make higher education more affordable through the Oregon Opportunity Initiative; leverage Career and Technical Education Grants; extend in-state tuition to veterans; advance educational initiatives in science, technology, math and engineering; increase the safety of school athletes through concussion safety rules for club sports; and, stabilize funding for Oregon’s K-12 public schools. In addition, he served for 11 years on the Eagle Point School Board. I hope our district's voters will understand these attack ads for what they are, and instead, look at the facts. Senator Bates deserves our support and gratitude for the positive leadership he has demonstrated locally and in Salem. Bill Street, Ashland MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 6, 2014 @ 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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