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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 Emergency services Dog show highlighted by $10,000 donation toward sheriff's K-9 Land in limbo Since You Asked: Cut to the chase on sidewalk cuts Emergency services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Emergency services VIDEO: Wrap Up: Oct. 31, 2014 Elder abuse consistent in stats, but underreported, officials say First GP police fatal shooting justified, DA says Politics and Elections Election equipment fails, delaying ballot counting Unrest from the ranks? Blue corn seeds stir debate Ads attack Dotterrer and Bates Local gas prices lowest in years Education Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Fire marshal visit prompts cancellation of Sacred Heart haunted house Kids Unlimited Academy awarded $450,000 grant County helps fund RCC job training Environment Local gas prices lowest in years Where do all those leaves go? Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Reintroduction of McCloud River salmon inspires film, tribe Rite Aid bear cub may be released into the wild in spring State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Beulah (Butch) Johnson Robert D. Baehr Death Notices Erma Lu Cauthon Jean Camille Rector Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Takeaways spur SOU to victory over Bears Forest Grove stuns South Medford in sudden death State cross country results Perry, Pernice move into Schwab lead Turnover helps Sheldon pull off victory over North Medford Varsity 541 College Sports Takeaways spur SOU to victory over Bears Embattled Michigan athletic director steps down SOU spoils Yotes' bid for ninth straight title Cal visits Oregon State with both teams struggling Oregon looks to break Stanford’s streak Pro Sports Perry, Pernice move into Schwab lead Gay leads Kings past Trail Blazers Cubs hire Maddon as manager, fire Renteria Hurley repeats 67, leads by two in CIMB Knicks spoil James’ homecoming Community Sports Results / Standings LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories This Bud is for old friends Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Blog: Trick or Treat! UO report shows Rogue Valley economy on the rise Will TV makeover do the trick for Mystic Treats? Real Estate News New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford People In Business People in Business Transportation Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Nov. 1 Granlund cartoon: Election winners Frank Talk: Power to the people Philip Maddocks: Unapologetic Christie frees God from Ebola quarantine Michelle Teheux: My opponent is worse than I am Editorials Our View: Dark money leaves candidates in dark Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Any new gas tax must be equitable Southeast center offers new approach to growth Our View: Cost is a poor excuse for local pot tax Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 1 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 30 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 29 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 28 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27 Guest Opinions Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Guest Opinion: A glimpse into the reality of our elections Lifestyle Latest stories Ashland parade showcases costumed creativity Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing Fishing Report: Friday, Oct. 31 Lloyd Garver: Let the dogs out Frank Talk: Power to the people Food Spices of Autumn Community blog: Seven spooky snacks are savory Halloween fare Can’t get enough pumpkin-pie spice? Living and cooking in pear-a-dise Kitchen Call: A cookbook by its cover Home and Garden 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Recycle plastic at The Expo Friday and Saturday Health Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing Health Watch: Making smart fitness goals Dr. Murray Feingold: Can shingles be prevented? Dr. Jeff Hersh: What causes a canker sore? Community blog: Finding My Roots Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Mormon church acknowledges founder’s teen bride Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Dog show highlighted by $10,000 donation toward sheriff's K-9 Since You Asked: Gull species found inland Ashlanders root for Guthrie in Game 7 Guide promotes better food system Where do all those leaves go? Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Rain damage closes Darkwing Manor 'Glee' star to perform Medford concert Singer and songwriter Gene Burnett follows his bliss Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Theater Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music 'Glee' star to perform Medford concert The Farr Side: On ‘1989,’ Taylor Swift lightens up Singer and songwriter Gene Burnett follows his bliss Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Dining Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Rain damage closes Darkwing Manor ... Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing ... Donor helps Mt. Ashland buy new ski boots ... Rain damage closes Darkwing Manor ... Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing ... Donor helps Mt. Ashland buy new ski boots ... Frank Talk: Power to the people By Frank Mulligan MailTribune.com By Frank Mulligan Posted Oct. 31, 2014 @ 12:54 pm By Frank Mulligan Posted Oct. 31, 2014 @ 12:54 pm GHNS » Social News Editor's note: As a public service, here's a letter tendered in behalf of a mythical utility company as translated by an obviously malcontented weisenheimer: Dearest ratepayer, Boy, we really like you. It's not just infatuation, either. It's a commitment that some might say borders on stalking — but in a good, caring way. If we here at this utility company were a romantic teenage girl, we'd be busy right now doodling hearts with our company name and the name "ratepayer" within. Really. But why are we emailing this missive to you, dearest ratepayer, other than to underline our deep and abiding affection for you? Well, it seems that another winter will soon be upon us. And we all know what that means. Yes, the weather will turn colder. Your need for power will increase. And, yes, our rates will increase dramatically just as your need for power increases. It's a coincidence that occurs each and every year. Go figure. We'll need to go before the state and get an OK on our rate increase, of course. And we'll be told by the state that we better have a darn good reason for increasing those rates by more than a third. A darn good reason. And we'll report back that we have just such a darn good reason. Our response, of course, will be couched in extremely technical, complex terms that only highly trained engineers will be able to follow. And the state will check very thoroughly before acknowledging that we seem to have a darn good reason for the increase. That reason won't involve putting on additional personnel to stem the prolonged power outages that will undoubtedly occur when storms strike this winter. That's a separate issue that need not concern us at this time. As in the past, we'll take a good hard look at that phenomenon in June. That way, your reasoning abilities won't be clouded by the ill feeling engendered by sitting in a dark, freezing cave without hot water for protracted periods of time following a winter snowstorm that we failed to anticipate despite the fact that it's, well, winter. But we digress. The main thing is we're concerned about you, dearest ratepayer. It's come to our attention that a close to 40 percent increase in rates might pose a hardship to some folks. Well, rest assured there are programs available for assistance providing you qualify. In order to qualify, you must be "income-eligible," which means, of course, that you must have no income or very little income. Those without jobs will be, of course, most fortunate in terms of income eligibility. For those of you who manage to remain employed through the winter months, there are other means of saving money on your utility bills. For instance, you can wear extra clothing. Scientific studies have demonstrated repeatedly that adding layers of clothing can make a person feel warmer. It also carries the added benefit of adding extra padding to a person. That way, you will be safer in the event you trip and fall. As an aside, statistics have shown that more people trip and fall in the home than in the workplace unless they work in the downhill skiing or mountain climbing industries. Likewise, adding extra blankets at bedtime can increase a person's feeling of warmth. And, once again, ratepayers will reap the benefit of additional padding should they roll out of bed by accident and land on the floor. Statistics indicate that more people fall out of bed each year than out of airplanes, hay wagons and rickshaws combined! So now you can rest easy. Well, that's all for right now, dearest ratepayer. We'll be back in touch this June. Wareham Courier editor Frank Mulligan can be reached at [email protected]. By Frank Mulligan MailTribune.com By Frank Mulligan Posted Oct. 31, 2014 @ 12:54 pm » 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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