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3 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 Local residents grapple with what a two-tiered minimum wage hike in Oregon would mean ... Since You Asked: Nearly 20,000 hunters still owe ODFW their $25 fine ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 15, 1916 ... Local residents grapple with what a two-tiered minimum wage hike in Oregon would mean ... Since You Asked: Nearly 20,000 hunters still owe ODFW their $25 fine ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 15, 1916 ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Jan. 15 MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 15, 2016 @ 12:01 am Posted Jan. 15, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Trafficking hits home I became involved with efforts to raise awareness about sex trafficking when, in late 2011, local news reported a 14-year-old from Grants Pass had been sold by local men, to local buyers, for months before law enforcement intervened, rescued the girl and put the perpetrators behind bars. Since then, we've lobbied in Salem to pass better laws (it's now a felony to purchase sex from a minor, previously only a misdemeanor), held community events (sex trafficking awareness 101 classes at the Medford Library), and brought the first high-school awareness curriculum to Oregon (The Prevention Project), among many other activities. Thank you to the Mail Tribune for covering the "More Than A Survivor" story on Jan. 12. A partnership of Rotary, Asante, AllCare and other community organizations, this incredible photo exhibit is coming to Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass during January as part of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month efforts. A complete list of dates and times may be found online at www.mtas-roguevalley.com . Please take a moment this month, while the exhibit is in our area, to learn more about this issue, and to celebrate the amazing survivors for their unique talents and abilities, beyond their story of survival. Caleb LaPlante Grants Pass Thanks to Sam Jennings Thank you, Sam Jennings. You’ve been here all these years to keep the heavy equipment in the valley and the surrounding hills to keep on keeping on. From men that built this valley, like Tex Nash, Archie Pierce and Clinton Phelps. The truckers, loggers, orchardists, miners and onstruction workers. Oh, I almost forgot the ranchers, farmers and cairymen! Have you noticed that they just don’t make people like they used to? Please forgive the newcomers and others that want only"eye candy" and sanitized views. There are many more folks that drive by and appreciate Sam Jennings' ongoing service and capabilities! Lorna Erskine Jacksonville Gas leaks happen On the same day as the MT ran a story about protests against the proposed LNG pipeline across Southern Oregon (Jan. 7), there was another story about the massive natural gas leak in Porter Ranch, Calif., that prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to declare an emergency. Gas leaks happen, no matter how many assurances are provided by the companies installing pipelines. I hope the Department of State Lands is paying attention. The LNG pipeline would be a disaster waiting to happen. Betsy Shanafelt Ashland Different narratives Ms. Sommer's letter (Dec. 23) indicates the differences between the narratives of the right and the left. Ms. Sommer feels Americans are so devoid of intelligence we cannot possibly make good decisions by ourselves; we need the government to handle all important decisions in our lives. She mentions education: My child isn't learning anything! So what! We know better. She must attend government schools. No choice! Health care: I liked my doctor and lower premiums. Nope! We know better. Higher premiums and fewer doctors are better for your health. Buy it or be fined! The president? Our enemies have sworn to destroy us in the name of their religion. He cannot face reality and call it "Islamic terrorism." She mentions controlling ammunition and guns after U.S. citizens were murdered in cold blood by radicalized jihadis. She wants to make it more difficult for honest law-abiding people to defend themselves. How does being disarmed make us safer? None of those things make us safer, healthier, happier or wealthier. They make us dependent on government. That is the left's goal: dependency and control. They dislike it when we make decisions on our own; it shows we do not need government controlling everything. Priscilla Vanderlip Medford MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 15, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. 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