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Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27 Thursday Oct 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM Re-elect Stromberg In Ashland’s mayoral race, John Stromberg deserves re-election. Over his two terms he has grown into the job. He fields an array of issues with compassion and thoroughness while gently pushing meetings along so the lengthy council agendas might be completed. He attends with dignity the many events that call for his presence. These qualities have earned him the respect of his council. Of course Ashland still has problems and controversy, but these can’t be necessarily be laid at the feet of our mayor. Mayor Stromberg has never lacked for trying to engage and include the public in dealing with the many issues brought before the council. John Stromberg should be elected to serve another four years. Brent Thompson Ashland Logic is inept I just read your opinion on the county commissioner election, and your logic is inept to say the least. I have had the opportunity and sometimes displeasure of debating Jeff Thomas on a multitude of levels. Regardless of the outcome, he was always well informed and compassionate for his cause. To suggest that people not vote for him in hopes he will stay on the School Board is insane. As county commissioner he would do a great job. From my experience, he would study issues in depth and would educate himself of any knowledge necessary to present informed opinions at meetings. People should vote for who they feel would do the best job for Jackson County, not to vote against them so they stay in their current board positions. I am a registered Republican voting for Jeff Thomas. Tony Barbieri Medford Comey speaks out At long last, FBI Director James Comey has spoken out on the catastrophic racial divide that, supposedly, exists between the police and black men. In short, Comey said, on Oct. 16, that “a series of videos have been used to create the impression of an epidemic.” He went on to assert that there is no real, solid evidence that police are, in fact, either biased against black men or are killing them in large numbers. Many unfortunate actions by persons with their own agendas have helped create this sorry state, from the cynical exploiters in groups like Black Lives Matter and the NAACP to a president who reacts to many incidents by sending his Department of Justice to “investigate” shootings well before any reliable evidence has been collected. As Comey stated, hard evidence and calm deliberation are the only means by which black communities will be able to view police as the servants and protectors police wish to be. Hubert Smith Jacksonville My endorsements I believe that the role of an elected official is to represent all constituents, in a qualified manner. Accordingly, my endorsements are: State Senate candidate Tonia Moro possesses a balanced background that includes private and public sector involvement, at community, regional and statewide levels. She is also well educated, with a J.D. In combination, she is appropriately suited for statewide office. Her opponent is a proven credible candidate for local or regional office, but does not possess the strongest combination of experience/education for statewide office. Secretary of state candidate Brad Avakian has performed effectively as Labor Commissioner and I applaud his efforts to restore vocational education in Oregon’s high school curriculum. His prior legislative experience underscores his knowledge level. His GOP opponent is experienced and credible, but the GOP has a well-earned reputation for voter suppression. We should prefer to not have a fox guarding the chicken coop. Andrew Kubik Ashland