Document text
September 27. 2014 12:01AM Election Letters, Sept. 27 You decide Alan Bates is a known person, experienced legislator and doctor whose worldview includes the community of Oregon and the Rogue Valley. His opponent is not well known, and his apparent worldview from his life experience is militaristic, something we should question. So, do you want a senator who is authentically part of the fabric of this part of the state, like Alan Bates, or the other worldview suggested above? You decide, and I hope you think about these comments! Gary Woodring, Talent Talbert has my vote Partisan politics has not served us well. Congress is gridlocked, and the state Legislature isn't far behind. At election time each party squanders multi-millions trying to destroy their opponents. Just look at Wehby vs. Merkley. So, amid this insanity, why is Jackson County commissioner a partisan position? The sheriff's race is nonpartisan. The judges races are nonpartisan. City Council races are nonpartisan. Not only that, we have two candidates for commissioner Position No. 3 who don't clearly represent the parties that nominated them. Kevin Talbert, the Independent Party nominee, is a registered Democrat. Colleen Roberts, the Republican Party nominee, espouses tea party rhetoric and lacks the support of prominent county Republicans. Republican County Commissioners Skundrick and Rachor and former commissioner and sheriff C. W. Smith have all endorsed Talbert, her opponent. Kevin Talbert has my support as well. He wants to make Jackson County Commissioner a nonpartisan position. Jim Beaver, Ashland Selling our democracy You have seen many political ads on TV that are attacking Senator Merkley. These cost many thousands of dollars every day and the question arises, who's paying for them? Most of this money is coming from outside of Oregon, primarily from the Koch brothers and their ilk. Do they really care that much about the people of Oregon? About you, me and our families? Or are they buying our congress for their own selfish needs? Greed comes to mind. Take a look at Monica Wehby's tax proposals and see what you think. Do you want more tax cuts for the rich? They are counting on your not looking. And that's an insult to you and me. This is no longer about Republicans and Democrats. It's about selling our democracy to the rich and powerful. See for yourself. Karen Asche, Medford Vote for Schulman I am writing in support of Steve Schulman for Phoenix City Council. Steve has served as chairman of the Phoenix Urban Renewal Board, is co-editor of the “Phoenix Oregon City Watch” blog, has owned two businesses and has a combined 45 years of retail management experience in various capacities. In 2004, he was elected to the City Council. With this experience, he not only understands the necessities of economic development, but — if elected — can also “hit the ground running” and work to help create the potential Phoenix has for becoming a desirable place to live, work and do business. Please cast your vote for Steve Schulman. Jan DeBritto, Phoenix Support a leader In this economy, we need someone who thinks bigger, thinks smarter, and is willing to do the work necessary to improve employment and increase working class wages. Among the current candidates in the field, I am supporting Dave Dotterrer, a real leader who is committed to taking on the tough issues and the relentless work that is essential to local governing. Dave has the knowledge and the ideas to bring jobs back and get this economy going again. Tom Steen, Medford Ads are not negative It defies logic for  William Coyne of Medford to accuse Dave Dotterrer of going negative in his advertising. Pointing out issues that the candidate — and arguably Southern Oregon — have with the political work and voting record of the sitting senator is not the type of negative, personal advertising that voters — and yes, even Dave Dotterrer — abhor. It’s not personal. It's business, the business of the state and of Southern Oregon. In fact, it's the very reason why candidates — including Dave — choose to run. They believe that they can do a better job representing constituents. Differences of opinion are how you illustrate that. It is a negative, cheap, and unnecessary personal attack for Mr. Coyne to assert that Dave isn’t keeping his word and running his own campaign. Don’t get caught up in Mr. Coyne’s rhetoric. Kevin Wallace, Talent Just say no I am concerned with all of the recent letters to the editor telling people to re-elect Bates, Merkley and the rest of the failed political cadre that have become lost in the political swamp in which they reside. I wouldn’t assume the right to inform someone who to vote for, but as so eloquently stated by Mitch Rofter (letters, Sept. 21) in which he points out that the government right now cannot even run a whorehouse, much less an entity the size Obama has made out of the government. My voting tip would be to vote for anybody on the ballot who hasn’t already served. All of the incumbents from both partieds have failed us. Wake up, and terminate their employ. Mark Bowen, Trail Ankerberg is qualified The primary job of a county commissioner is be the financial manager of the county, so let's look at the position 1 candidates: Tonia Moro worked as a junior staff member of a two-person law firm, then as a public defender. She has no financial or management experience. Curtis Chancler worked as an auto mechanic. He has no financial or management experience. Rick Dyer worked for 20 years selling cars, then he's installed windows for five years. He has no financial experience. Curt Ankerberg is an Oregon Certified Public Accountant, with 30 years experience as a financial auditor, senior tax manager, chief financial officer and owner of a CPA practice. He's managed two of the 10 largest CPA firms in the United States. He's successfully created budgets, solved complex financial issues and managed large entities. The choice is clear. Curt Ankerberg is the only qualified candidate for Jackson County commissioner, position 1. Irvin Hein, Medford http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20140927/OPINION/140929757 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->