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Election Letters, Oct. 21 Friday Oct 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM A mayor for everyone Jacksonville's mayors have aggressively pursued development since an endless(?), water source from Butte Falls became connected to Jacksonville. Building codes were radically changed to allow high-density development that directly violates the historic charter. Now the historic core has pseudo-historic structures towering over historic homes, all with the approval of this city administration. New codes proposed will increase lot development from 50 percent to 90 percent. As a council member, Jocie Wall has singularly questioned and opposed such development, even with risk to her future in politics. Brow-beating and intimidation have not deterred her. Jocie will bring legitimacy and fairness to government. The past has given uniqueness to Jacksonville and a National Historic Landmark designation. Are we to reciprocate by burying it under high density new development? As mayor, Jocie Wall will put us back on track by integrating development that will not overwhelm, distract or diminish our past. Steven A.Gardner Jacksonville Time to check our values As I watch this election process unfold and hear someone talk about supporting one candidate or the other, I try to see how the values of the candidate line up with that voter’s personal values. Integrity and values go hand in hand. People have integrity when they stand by their values. My plea to my fellow voters this fall is to please listen to your personal values. Don’t vote from anger — vote with integrity. Bruce Kelling Medford Hold her accountable In the USAF, I worked for 20 years with classified information at the levels of TS/SCI, TK, Above TS, etc. I knew how to protect classified information. I'm not privy to exactly what was on the Clinton server, but as secretary of state, documents at any of these levels could reasonably have been there. Classified information must not be handled on an unclassified communications system. She and her minions had to know some of the information was classified. For instance, any drone intelligence is classified secret or above. Anyone who handles classified documents should understand paragraph markings, as were noted on some of her emails. There also would have been document markings on the originals. Someone knowingly took them off. The FBI findings should disqualify her from future clearance for classified information. I am saddened that Mrs. Clinton was not held accountable just because she is Mrs. Clinton. Terry McNaught Medford Tonia Moro for Senate Why? One reason is because she supports the Oregon Health Plan and her opponent is on record as opposing it. She is for things to enhance Oregon and will be a positive force in the Senate, replacing our fallen leader Alan Bates. Gary Woodring Talent Ask Walden Greg Walden says he stands against Trump's vulgar language. So is he for Trump's business smarts — not paying taxes, stiffing workers, buying politicians' favor, etc.? Or is Greg for Trumps racial rants? Greg does not seem to be dropping his support of Trump for president of the United States. Why? Call up and ask him. It appears Greg wants it both ways, ride the popularity of the Trump movement and be disgusted with the vicious, flawed Republican nominee. Ralph Bowman Central Point Vote yes on 97 In your recent editorial on Measure 97, you opened with: “The supporters of Ballot Measure 97 say it's high time Oregon started funding its public schools, health care and social services adequately. They also say big corporations doing business in the state don't pay enough in taxes. They're right.” I agree. But then you wrote: “But Measure 97 is the wrong way to fix those things,” listing a litany of mostly spurious arguments against it. M-97 may not be perfect, but neither are our Oregon public schools, which are going to hell in a handbasket. Since M-97 is not a constitutional amendment, the Legislature can improve it, if it passes. Our schools need a huge influx of funding now to hire new teachers, reduce class size and raise graduation rates from near the bottom. If we vote no: deep cuts await. Give our kids a break. Vote yes on 97! Allen Hallmark Talent Nothing nice about Trump I don't remember the Trib ever printing anything nice about Trump. It's all how great the Clinton's are. Yeah, Trump has a big mouth. But a lot of good also comes out of it. Out of Hillary's comes a lot of lies. As far as his sexual comments, at least he keeps his hands to himself. Can you image the fun Bill Clinton would have if they make it back into the White House? All the women would have to be warding off attacks, then having to face Hillary. I know we don't have great choices, but I would rather have Donald Trump than Hillary and Bill. Let's see if this letter gets printed. Judy Westcott Talent Vote yes for history As is usually the case, news about our upcoming election neglects very important local issues and candidates. Measure 15-164 will unite the 15 historical and genealogical societies in our county into the Rogue Valley Heritage District, allowing them to continue preserving countless stories and artifacts about pioneers, Native Americans, clothing, crafts, agriculture, music and literature. Please join me in voting yes for 15-164. This measure will not only preserve this history, but also help expand educational programs for children and adults as well as enhance tourism. And the bottom line? This measure limits the tax rate to no more than 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value — about $8 a year for the median-valued home in the district. Please vote yes on Measure 15-164. Al Densmore Medford Voting for Atkinson The editorial endorsing another candidate for Medford City Council Ward 4 said Michelle Blum Atkinson “is sincere, but would benefit from more experience in government.” These are exactly the reasons why I am voting for Michelle. She will bring a youthful, fresh outlook to the City Council. Already schooled in the processes of government by her leadership in making the Library District a reality, she is also skilled in modern technologies and communications. An honors graduate from the U of O’s journalism school, she knows the importance of doing her homework, digging for detail and verifying facts. Michelle is a “great team member and team leader,” according to a former co-worker. Just what we need on the City Council! I hope others in Ward 4 will join me in voting for Michelle Blum Atkinson. Alex Bellen Medford Measure 97 is right The numbers add up: Measure 97 is right for Oregon. The numbers and math are really quite simple. The burden of taxes corporations pay has gone down by two-thirds in the last two decades. The measure only affects C corporations that do $25 million in annual Oregon sales. And it will generate an estimated $3 billion a year dedicated to health care, education and senior services. However, opponents of Measure 97 like to cite a lot of obscure mathematical models to “prove” their claims that it will hurt Oregon’s economy or punish consumers. To these self-appointed experts, I would like to offer up a simple and straightforward equation: Better resources plus more teachers plus smaller classes equals better outcomes for students. The majority of Oregonians understand this, because really, it’s not all that complicated. Please support our teachers, parents and students by joining me in voting Yes on 97. Maggie Abney Central Point Support outdoor school This November, we have an incredible opportunity to make a real, positive impact on kids, education and the future of Oregon by voting yes on Ballot Measure 99, Outdoor School For All. Take a child out into nature, and their imagination, creativity and learning peak. Every subject, from math to reading, can be taught from the classroom of the natural world. That's not surprising to those of us who take our kids or grandkids out into Oregon's beautiful outdoors. But let's give every middle school student, no matter where they live in our spectacular state, the opportunity to spend a week outdoors, unplugged from screens and tablets. Measure 99 puts lottery funds to good use by creating a stable funding stream that gives our precious children this important opportunity. Please join me in supporting Ballot Measure 99, Outdoor School for All. Diane Garcia Medford Re-elect Stromberg Less than four months after John Stromberg was elected mayor of Ashland, a friend of John's was already complaining that he hadn't muzzled the Chamber of Commerce and hadn't marched the “Developers” to the Plaza for 20 lashes. He had failed to notice that John’s greatest strength, even more than his progressive leanings, is his inclusiveness. I have attended every City Council meeting for years. We have a mayor of affable personality being challenged by a councilor who engages in quarrels with her fellow councilors rather than solving differences with decorum like the other councilors. I don’t question Carol’s sincerity, but have seen her go out of her way to create conflict instead of cooperation. She panders to those who have gripes with the city, promoting the notion of lack of process, which is an insult to those who give time to the process. Re-elect John Stromberg. Michael Dawkins Ashland Dangerous demagogue Interesting to have a satyr running for president who lies about his lies, curses at his "events," states "facts" without any basis in truth, incites crowds to violence, lashes out at anyone who contradicts him, has no idea of the Constitution, denies Russia is hacking emails and thinks that global warming is a hoax; can he set the bar any lower? This buffoon is a dangerous, schizoid demagogue and a clear and present danger to this country and the world. We as a nation have survived many conflicts of interest, but the divisiveness that he has sown is a new low in electoral politics. Please consider his lack of character, judgment, deceit and bigotry when casting your ballot! This is not a soap opera! Yale Sacks Central Point Elect Tonia Moro In the time I have spent with Tonia Moro, I have seen first-hand that she cares deeply about improving the lives of all Jackson County residents, especially our children and less-fortunate neighbors. Tonia is a very hard worker who will do her absolute best for us in Salem. I know she will promote similar policies as our beloved Dr. Alan Bates, including providing quality health care for all. Join me in voting for Tonia Moro for State Senate. John Soares Ashland 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 Vote against Trump Supporters have stayed with him despite the fact that Trump is a bad businessman (lost $1 billion in a single year), a cheat who doesn't pay his contractors, a fraud currently facing racketeering charges, a homophobe, and a women-hater who gropes women. He views both torture (waterboarding) and Russian president Vladimir Putin favorably. He has ridiculed disabled people, fat people, military generals, veterans and their families, reporters and anyone not on his bandwagon, including our current president and, now, members of his own party. Trump’s values are not those of the majority of Americans. We, as voters, must do what is necessary to make sure people who believe as he does do not get into positions of power. That means vote. Get your family to vote. Get your friends to vote. Help people get registered to vote. In Oregon, help people get their ballots dropped off or mailed. Susan Tilley Rogue River Reed for treasurer Five-term Rep. Tobias Read has the experience needed for the next Oregon state treasurer to work effectively with the Legislature to develop programs to assist Oregonians in saving for their future. I urge your support of Tobias Read for Oregon treasurer. William Thorndike Medford We cannot forget In my view, the Republican Party has nominated a dangerously insane person to lead America. Then panic when he proves he's dangerously insane. It has only been 71 years since the concentration camps were liberated. We cannot forget that Adolf Hitler rose to power on a platform of hate. Fear and promises of a better life if everyone fell into line and obeyed their laws only. Propaganda, disgusting and inflammatory ads and raged-filled rallies were his path to success. This is Trump's M.O. as well. Trump has not only legitimized hate, he's made it virtue for his followers. It was once written that all propaganda must be popular and its intellectual level must be adjusted to the most limited intelligence among those it is addressed to. Consequently, the greater the mass it is intended to reach, the lower its purely intellectual level will have to be. Hitler, "Mein Kampf." Michael A. Long Trail Supporting our schools Whether to support our schools is a clear dividing line between Alan DeBoer and Tonia Moro, the two candidates for State Senator. I was a schoolteacher here in Jackson County for years. Many classrooms now have 30 or more students. DeBoer sent a mailing claiming that he would make “funding schools as our first priority.” But he says in every media interview that he opposes making the largest corporations like Walmart or Bank of America pay their fair share for education. DeBoer’s position leaves only three possibilities. Either students will continue to be shortchanged, or increased funding would have to come by raising taxes on the average working family and seniors. Or it could come from slashing the state budget for law enforcement, roads, seniors or other essential services. Tonia Moro will represent students, teachers, and taxpayers — not the big and powerful. She’s the only education candidate. Peter Ware Medford