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October 23. 2014 2:00AM Letters to the Editor, Oct. 23 ELECTION LETTER DEADLINE Editor's note: Because of the increased volume of letters during elections, we cannot guarantee publication of election-related letters received after Sunday, Oct. 26. Dotterrer will be a leader I support David Dotterrer 110 percent with no doubts. He is running for our Oregon Senate. He is a man of integrity and has wisdom on how to improve our community issues. He has a heart for our families and communities. He may have knocked on your door to meet you because he truly cares and knows he can handle the job with excellence. It is time for a positive change. In the next few days we will be receiving our ballots. Please take a moment and vote for Dotterrer. Let's not miss this opportunity to elect a man who will put his all into the job and will prove to be a great leader who works to support us and what will benefit the families who live in Jackson County. We are fellow Americans who need those to represent us that we can trust. Illis Casteel, Ashland Moro is prepared The Jackson County commissioner position 1 race only has one clear choice. Three candidates require training wheels, and one is prepared to do the job. Tonia Moro is a local attorney who has extensive experience in both land-use law and criminal defense. I have known her for almost 20 years and as part of the federal court community I saw her superior dedication to her clients. She has the ability to listen and to lead. Tonia’s main opponent, who obtained his law degree online and has not and likely will never practice law in Oregon, claims to have unique qualifications. That is simply not correct and I for one will not buy that lemon. We need a dedicated, talented, articulate and honest advocate for the citizens of our county. Tonia Moro is the only choice to bring change and move our county forward. Tonia is the right choice. Tracy Chapman, Central Point Moro has proven ability Tonia Moro will bring honesty, integrity and compassion to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. As a fellow practicing attorney, I believe what really separates Tonia is her work experience and ethic. I see the long hours she invests in her commitment to her planet, community and clients through a work ethic that leaves others in the dust. Unlike Mr. Dyer, a lawyer in name only and not in Oregon, Tonia has shown an exceptional ability to successfully work in both the civil and criminal justice environments for more than 20 years. Her endorsements show strong support from those she has worked with practicing municipal law as legal counsel for the cities of Jacksonville, Gold Hill and Phoenix and as a federal public defender working in a difficult, frustrating and often reviled job to protect the constitutional rights of all of us by working to ensure them for the least of us. Robert Stone, Medford Heroin deaths preventable The chilling statistic, "Heroin deaths have doubled across U.S.," was reported in the Mail Tribune Oct. 13, an increase occurring in just two years, between 2010 and 2012. What wasn’t reported is that there is a drug that can reverse a potential overdose death almost immediately if given in time. That drug is naloxone, and Oregon passed a law in 2013 allowing anyone to administer it after being trained. Since naloxone can be given as a nasal spray, training is very easy. Many first responders across the U.S. now carry naloxone. We’re behind the curve here in Jackson County. Let’s urge our local police and firefighters to get this training and start saving lives. And while we’re at it, let’s make sure the families of at-risk individuals are trained and keep naloxone in their medicine cabinets. Claudia Little, RN, BSN, MPH, Oregon representative, Moms United to End the War on Drugs, Ashland Three endorsements As a former county and state elected official, I am often asked what I look for in voting for a candidate for office. Among other pertinent factors, I look for the following characteristics in an individual whom I believe I can support and cast my ballot for: intelligence, good personal values and character, management and governmental budgeting experience, willingness to listen to differing views and with the nicest sense of personal honor. I have known the below candidates for many years, and I know they have each demonstrated the above highly desirable characteristics. It is my personal honor and privilege to recommend Congressman Greg Walden for re-election, Dennis Richardson for Oregon governor and Dave Dotterrer for Oregon state senator. My fellow citizens, you will not go wrong electing these fine gentlemen. They will do a great job for you in the future. Jerry Barnes, former state representative and county commissioner, Medford Talbert makes a difference Kevin Talbert has my vote for county commissioner, position 3. I serve with Kevin on the THRIVE board of directors, and I have seen his commitment to creating a more prosperous and sustainable economy in Jackson County. THRIVE (The Rogue Initiative for a Vital Economy) is dedicated to diversifying the local economy, supporting family farmers and other locally owned businesses in sustainability, preserving farm land and our county’s unique character, and educating businesses and consumers about sustainable foods and business practices. Kevin retired from Southern Oregon University after 26 years directing the successful, self-supported continuing education program. The skills he demonstrated at SOU in the administration of budgets and leading groups to consensus have been very valuable for THRIVE. Those same skills will serve the people of Jackson County as we work together to become a more prosperous and sustainable place. Join me in voting for Kevin Talbert. Chris Cook, Ashland Time for a new team I am supporting Dennis Richardson for governor. What we need is a person who understands the budget and can work with both parties. Dennis is a quiet and effective leader — anyone who has raised eight daughters should get all of our votes. Governor Kitzhaber has been in office for 12 years; the waste of money during his terms should not be supported by your vote. Dave Dotterrer, who understands the budget and finances as well as Dennis, would complete the team. I would like to see the Senate split evenly, forcing both parties to work together, and Dave will work with both sides fixing problems. The U.S. Senate race would best be represented with a person from each party, and I support Senator Wyden and Monica Wehby to join him. Now we have a chance to elect a brain surgeon who isn’t a politician: What a combination! Alan DeBoer, former mayor of Ashland, former Ashland School Board member Remember the positives Alan Bates deserves our support! Now that the campaigns are gearing up to get into strident negative territory, please remember that 95 percent of Oregonians have health care (in spite of tech disasters); Oregon is the envy of 49 states with its declining health costs and a bipartisan plan developed with the guidance of Senator Bates; Dr. Bates really understands how support for health care, social services and education ultimately makes for a healthy society that is financially responsible; and we have a healthier and better educated community. Tax cuts for the sake of tax cuts lead us the way of Kansas and other states that are in terrible shape. Please vote for State Senator Bates. James Hutchinson, Ashland http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141023/OPINION/141029886 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->