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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, June 23 MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 23, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Jun. 23, 2015 @ 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" --> Secrecy prevails in Talent At the June 3 Talent City Council meeting, citizens considered a presentation from OpenGov, a Silicon Valley company that offers web-based financial visualization software for state and local governments. The software facilitates taxpayer tracking and understanding of expenditures, promoting government transparency and accountability. Contrast that noble ideal with Councilman Dan Wise's comment on potential real estate transactions between a private developer, the city, the Talent Urban Renewal Agency and the Talent Irrigation District. Wise spoke of possible concessions and real estate deals, saying, "I believe that these are negotiations, much of which maybe should be done behind closed doors." The appalled citizenry vocalized their disapproval of the comment, appearing to prompt Wise to comment about sensitivity of real estate negotiations. His comments were partly inaudible over the disagreeing taxpayers. An elected official proposing that real estate deals, negotiations and concessions be held in secret, away from public view, while legal, may want to question his rationale for public service. While OpenGov offers effective software for tracking expenditures, Talent may need to invest in improvements in the public servants themselves. City Council meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays in the Community Hall. Derek Volkart Talent Deputy's  ticket dismissals I’m sure a lot of time could be spent debating this. We all should know that citations should not be dismissed by the agency that initiated them. Joseph Ward Shady Cove Don't settle for less House Speaker Kotek is pushing a $13 minimum wage. Make no mistake: this proposal would never have happened without the work of 15 Now Oregon. Movements for a $15 minimum wage have captured the public imagination, and it’s clear that lawmakers are feeling pressure to raise the wage. In Oregon, we are pioneers with our proposed ballot measure for a $15 minimum wage by 2019. 15 Now Oregon is working with the Latino union PCUN and the Rural Organizing Project to collect signatures in all 36 counties. This is truly a statewide campaign. There are good reasons for conservatives to support a $15 minimum wage. Public assistance programs for working families cost Oregon taxpayers $1.7 billion each year. Who should pay the workers: taxpayers, or the businesses that profit from their labor? In a state where business is better than ever, but nearly half of new jobs pay poverty wages, it’s time for hard-working Oregonians to collect the living wage they have earned. Senate Democrats will likely block Kotek’s proposal, and Oregon is ready for $15. With the ballot measure, there is no good reason to settle for less. Kristi Wright Ashland Ban fireworks everywhere I read with much concern about the dry condition of the valley and the fact that the valley is a month ahead of schedule for the extreme dry. The fact that only Ashland has imposed a fine for the use of firecrackers/fireworks is appalling for this holiday season, and I assume it's within city limits. I wish more readers would join me in protesting the use of any and all firecrackers/fireworks within the entire valley for this July Fourth celebration. There are other ways to celebrate besides the potential of setting the valley on fire. There was a small ground fire a couple of weeks ago in our area from a small burn. The three fire engines that responded didn't know the exact location and all three went down the wrong road, obviously never communicating with one another about the true location of the fire. In just minutes, the entirety of this area could have been ablaze, everything here could have been destroyed. Is it worth it? Why would we want to have any of this happen anywhere in the valley. Celebration with flame isn't worth it! Make an exception this year, please. There's only so many firefighters to go around! Sharon Hull Ashland MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 23, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( 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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