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2 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 Rogue Community College hosts candlelight vigils for UCC shooting victims ... Mail Tribune Pulitzer among random items almost taken during break-in ... Donors pour $250,000 into relief fund for UCC victims ... Rogue Community College hosts candlelight vigils for UCC shooting victims ... Mail Tribune Pulitzer among random items almost taken during break-in ... Donors pour $250,000 into relief fund for UCC victims ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Oct. 5 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Shame on firebugs On Sunday, Sept. 20, Friends of the Animal Shelter had their first Paws for a Cause dog walk in Medford. The purpose was to raise awareness of the programs FOTAS sponsors at the Jackson County Animal Shelter and raise a little money to support these programs. Some of the programs like The Pit Crew, play groups, fostering and the cat room help dogs and cats become adoptable faster. Other programs like Spay and Neuter Your Pet and Project Street Dogs provide low/no-cost spay/neuter services throughout the county as a preventative measure to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats. it takes a lot of volunteer time and generous donations to make these programs possible. FOTAS staff and volunteers arriving early Sunday morning to set up for the Dog Walk were surprised to see the three rented portable toilets were a mound of smoldering fiberglass and plastic goo. Apparently someone thought it would be "big fun" to set them on fire. It will cost FOTAS $500 to pay for the insurance deductible and that will be money not spent on the shelter dogs and cats. To the "big fun" seekers, I say shame on you! J.W. Lyon Ashland What math are we testing? Regarding "School test results run counter to goals" (Our View, Sept 20): Are we testing the math we are teaching ? Based on my 20years' experience as a secondary school math teacher, there is no "11th grade math" class. Different students follow different paths. Some take algebra 1 in eighth grade, followed by geometry and algebra 2. By 11th grade they are in advanced math classes like trigonometry or pre-calculus. Other students begin the sequence later, taking algebra 1 in ninth grade. I had a few students repeating algebra 1 in 10th grade. Some take "general math" rather than college preparatory math classes. What math are all of Medford's 11th-grade students being tested on in the new Smarter Balanced tests ? What role do the computerized tests play in students' success or failure? One of my children was doing well in calculus, earning high grades on tests. But the homework assignments relied on non-user-friendly computer programs which stymied her, costing both points towards her grade and her self-confidence. I understand the Smarter Balanced tests rely on computer programs that are unfamiliar to the students prior to taking these high-stakes tests. How fair and valid are these test results ? Betty R. Kazmin Medford Responsibility and greed Why do some realty companies feel all that’s involved in earning a commission is obtain the most listings and stick a sign on the lawn? Then the property can go to hell because, after all, they will still earn their commission. All that sign accomplishes is to tick off the neighbors, advertise how little that particular Realtor really cares about its listings, and provides a warning to others in the neighborhood never to list with that company. Doesn’t the company realize it has a vested interest in said property and would benefit greatly by retaining a yard maintenance company to periodically maintain derelict properties listed with them, to upgrade their curb appeal? (Heck, they could even tack on an extra quarter percent commission charge for those owners that don’t, can’t or won’t take responsibility for maintaining their properties.) The excuse that a property is in foreclosure is rubbish. Banks/mortgage companies that originally encourage poor credit risks to purchase properties/Realtors that arrange "creative" financing are just as culpable as the owners. Unfortunately, they suffer no loss, still earn a commission and/or are bailed out by the taxpayers. It’s the neighborhood and the responsible owners that suffer the resulting loss in property value. S. and J. Davey Medford MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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