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Election Letters, Oct. 28 Friday Oct 28, 2016 at 12:01 AM Trump is a patriot This newspaper and others in the media sure have a lot to say about some crude comments from Donald Trump. You have nothing to say about Clintons palling around with the pervert congressman Anthony Weiner? The Clintons tried to get him elected mayor of New York. How about Bill Clinton flying around on Air-pedo with the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Foster? Hillary C. Clinton laughs and brags about having Gadhafi of Libya killed when she was secretary of state. How is that and the Arab Spring working out for us? Donald Trump is a patriot who loves this country and he could never be as rude and crude as the Clintons are. Joe Thomas Brookings A real zinger As a former college president and a Jackson County commissioner I have seen many public servants who have done a relatively good job in serving their communities; however, those who could be recognized as “zingers,” having made massive changes and exercised masterful leadership skills, are fewer in number. “Zingers” have that special mix of intelligence, social skills, vision and attitude that makes them easy to spot. Alan Deboer is a real “zinger!” Stewart McCollom Ashland Cartoon candidate I used to be a tweety bird, I found myself tweeting stupid things at 3 in the morning (when I should have been asleep). That is, until I completed a course in T.A. (tweeters anonymous). Now, I give Donald Trump the bird. I quit. With a last tweet of advice, be aware Mr. Trump, “I tawt I taw a puddy tat!” Kathleen Bryan Medford Vote for Deboer I’ve known Alan Deboer for nearly 40 years. He is honest, trustworthy and able to work across party lines. He served on school boards, was mayor of Ashland and has run several small businesses. As a father and grandfather, he is continually working to make our community a better place to live. Join me in voting for a man of integrity and the right person for state senator. Wayne Christian Ashland Re-elect Stromberg John Stromberg is an exceptional mayor with an amazing list of accomplishments over the past eight years. I urge my fellow citizens to review that list in the voters pamphlet. His ability to bring the council together, provide a vision for our future and seek/listen to citizen views on important issues is what we need in a mayor. Having worked with five mayors during my 28-year tenure as city administrator, I have found John to be one of the most effective and dedicated public officials we have had in the city of Ashland. Brian Almquist Ashland Takes all kinds In response to Judie Bunch’s tirade on Oct. 16, I have some questions. If Hillary Clinton’s reaction to Bill’s “sexual debacle” was the “stupid stance” of not divorcing him, then what can we say about Eleanor Roosevelt, Mamie Eisenhower and Jackie Kennedy, to name a few, for their stances? And, if Bill Clinton is “disgusting,” how would she describe Donald Trump, in light of recent revelations and the avalanche that is sure to follow? Shades of Bill Codby. Abominable cames to mind! M.B Wingfield Jacksonville Voting for D'Alessandro Having known Tim D'Alessandro for over 20 years, I know him to be a person of vision, character and follow through. Tim was instrumental in RVTD changing out a large part of their bus fleet to run on natural gas, making a significant reduction in vehicular pollution in the Rogue Valley. He will bring that same conviction and dedication to the city of Medford. A vote for Tim will be a vote for the best interests of Medford and the residents of Ward 2. Chuck Gates Medford 97 is a sales tax Don’t believe Measure 97 is just a tax on some big corporations somewhere else. I own the local ACE Hardware store and have been informed by my co-op that if Oregon passes this tax, it will cost my store $30,000 more a year to do business with them. This is a fact! Not some hired individual on TV telling you that it is not going to affect Oregon small businesses. The majority of small businesses in Oregon buy their goods and services from large corporations who will pass it along to us and us to you. All Oregonians will pay more for electricity, up to 7 cents more per gallon of gas, more for medicine. The list goes on! Don’t be fooled by this new “back door sales tax” and the statement, “make someone else pay it.” We all will be paying for it! Bill Quitt Medford Hillary’s Emails I don't get it. Why are people so worked up about this? Can someone explain? So what if she didn’t trust the State Department’s server? Maybe she felt her own was actually safer under the circumstances. Who could expect to find something by hacking her server? Maybe it wasn’t so dumb as they say. Maybe she can’t explain why she did it because it would land an adviser or informant in hot water. So she lied. Big deal! I can think of a million reasons to. They are called Republicans! Give the poor woman a break! Nicholas Follansbee Ashland What happened to America I believe many voters choose not to be uninformed and others don’t bother to vote at all. Twice, we elected a man solely because of his skin color. How has that worked for us? We are a country more divided than ever before. This time we must hold our nose to vote. How many people wish Trump and the Clintons would just disappear, so we won’t have to choose between two evils. Maybe then an American hero will step forward and save us. Dream on, dream on. Marilyn Hermant Medford Endorsing Atkinson I endorse Michelle Blum-Atkinson for the Medford City Council. Her energetic attitude and fresh perspective are just what our community needs. The safety of every citizen is Michelle’s highest priority. She promotes new housing and more jobs as strategies to improve our quality of life. Michelle has innovative ideas of how to work together and utilize technology is solving problems. I saw her in action as a tireless leader in organizing the Libraries for All campaign in 2014 that led to the libraries being open full-time today. As a library bookshop volunteer myself, I have seen the long-term benefits. The library provides a safe, central location that promotes education, collaboration and partnership for all citizens. These are the exact things Michelle worked for then and continues to value safety, education, collaboration and partnerships for our community. Ellen Nelson Medford No on 97 Measure 97 is a costly proposal that will affect everyone in Oregon. The tax is on gross sales for businesses doing business in Oregon, often resulting in a tax pyramid. We all purchase food and fuel, and those items will be hit with stacking taxes too. Producer to distributor to retail outlet, 2.5 percent tax added at each step will result in 7.5 percent to 10.0 percent added to each item. This tax will also affect utilities, banking and medical. Some experts say competition will keep the prices down, but with all or most businesses paying these extra taxes, prices will rise. Money generated from Measure 97 will go into the general fund with no guarantees where it will go from there. Just say no to Measure 97. Susan McLeod Eagle Point DeBoer bragged of avoiding taxes Before you vote, see the Mail Tribune story, “Still Here,” from Sept. 22, 2011. It quotes Alan DeBoer on how he evades his share of taxes to support our schools and seniors. The 2011 interview came the year after voters passed Measures 66-67 with small tax increases for the richest individuals and largest corporations. “To avoid paying the extra taxes, DeBoer said he changed the corporate structure of Town and County Chevrolet,” the Mail Tribune reported. “DeBoer said it will mean he can shave $20,000 off his state taxes annually.” DeBoer campaigned hard against the 2010 measures, threatening that businesses would close or leave the state. But the Mail Tribune found that “dire predictions of company failures and a mass corporate exodus from Oregon haven’t materialized.” Sid DeBoer, Alan’s brother, admitted: “I don’t think 66 or 67 tipped anybody to go.” All worth thinking about given current campaign scare tactics. Matt Witt Talent Voting tips First, remember that all politicians are liars and the longer they are in office the more they lie to keep their cushy jobs. Second, if the Mail Tribune is for a politician or a measure it's going to cost you money (remember the "Affordable Care Act" that has raised medical insurance drastically?). Third, whoever has the most yard signs, mailers and so forth has something to gain and couldn't care less about you. Lets bring an end to these dynasties like the Kennedys, the Bushes and the Clintons. Lets remember that Bush brought us to a standstill, Obama took us over the brink, and Clinton will make sure we have a crash landing. Let's get rid of these elites and try something new before it's too late for the future of this nation. Ken Cockrell Medford Don't be complacent M. Warrick's letter of  Oct. 13 points out striking similarities between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler, and warns how dysfunctional political parties unwilling to compromise led to the rise of both men. This is the voice of reason and sanity. The fact that millions of Americans still support Donald Trump and think his words are the voice of reason and sanity astounds me. We must elect every Democrat who is running for office. We need a Democratic presidency, Senate and House if we expect to get anything accomplished in the next eight years. The last eight years have proven this. We cannot be complacent. Those of you who think Donald Trump has no chance of becoming president, think again. We thought the same thing in 1980, and our worst fears became reality. A two-bit actor was elected president, and our country has been paying the price ever since. Marti Hawes Eagle Point Yes on marijuana ban A ballot measure in the upcoming election effects everyone in Shady Cove. As residents, we get to decide if the sale of recreational marijuana would be good for our community. This measure (15-157) does not affect medical marijuana, just recreational sales. I remember reading how the operator of one of the two marijuana dispensaries in Shady Cove had been arrested last May by a California drug task force when he was caught transporting a large quantity of marijuana into California. In my opinion he showed his true character and lack of integrity on that day, and it makes me question the ethics of his business in total. Oregon’s marijuana industry is about providing an alternative to prescription medications, not feeding the black market across the state line. Please vote yes on measure 15-157 and keep marijuana fraud out of Shady Cove. Don Sherwood Shady Cove Becker was rude This week I spoke at the Jacksonville City Council. I read from prepared remarks due to my fear of public speaking. With two sentences remaining, I heard a loud slam and voice saying, "Your three minutes are up!" The gavel slam frightened me and I immediately stopped. Mayor Becker did not acknowledge my citizen concerns nor verbally warn me that my time was ending. His behavior was rude, disrespectful and publicly embarrassing to me. This meeting got even weirder when Mayor Becker immediately proceeded to the "Action/Discussion" agenda item — skipping the prior agenda item of "Staff/Department Reports." The first item of "Action/Discussion" was completed before Mayor Becker was prompted that he had omitted the "Staff/Department Reports" to which he then returned. Jacksonville deserves better. Therefore I am voting for Jocie Wall. Her city councilor experience has shown that she is organized, transparent and respectful of citizen concerns. Dianne Helmer Jacksonville C’mon, man Alan DeBoer was against Measure 97, now he wants Big Oregon Business to “pay its fair share”. In a 2011 interview with the Mail Tribune about the aftereffects of Measures 66 and 67, raising the tax rate on wealthy individuals and increasing the minimum corporate gross receipts tax, he acknowledged the dire predictions he made of the state becoming a business wasteland had not happened. His solution to those attempts to get everyone to pay a fair share was to “restructure” his company so he didn’t have to pay the tax. That may make him Trump “smart,” but it does not assure voters he'll make the biggest corporations or the 1 percent he belongs to pay their fair share. His wants to run as a Democrat “lite,” saying “Democrats would be better off with a Republican in the Senate.” He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. C’mon, man. Robert Stone Medford Another vote for Esquivel Each time Sal Esquivel has run for State Representative he has gotten my vote. It is important that we have people that think beyond the political rhetoric and treat people with respect and remain a true statesman. Sal wants legislation that makes sense and helps Oregonians, without unintended consequences (and regardless of what party wrote it). When he goes to Salem he has always represented Southern Oregon as well as everyone in Oregon. Vote for Sal — I certainly am. Michael Torguson Medford Pay attention This presidential race will be discussed in political science and communication courses for decades for the blatant propaganda techniques used. Propaganda is by definition the use of a variety of communication methods to create an emotional appeal to persuade a target population to accept a particular belief, point of view, or opinion; timing of these communique techniques is also crucial. Don’t overlook the key words here: emotional appeal, because voters seem more intent on following the tabloid-quality campaign reporting than the position of a candidate on issues or a candidate’s track record. You'd best pay attention to the issues; after Nov. 8 there is no"do over." I hope you are past the emotionalism and sensationalism and give careful consideration to where each candidate stands on the issues. You have a decision to make; do not let someone else make it for you. Vote! Louis Glinkman Ashland No on 97 Here's a great example, put in the simplest terms possible. If you're a business that relies on using other local businesses to manufacture or deliver your product to the retail end user, then this tax will end up causing a five, maybe even a tenfold increase because each supplier would be passing along the cost on their materials to the end user. Then, of course, I would add my share of the tax to you the consumers. Just like raising the minimum wage in Oregon, this is only resulting in increased prices to the end user for whatever the purpose. The manufacturers, retailers, none of them are going to absorb that cost so the minimum wage going up will not benefit anybody just like this text will not benefit anyone but the beneficiaries on the receiving end and not the working class, who will always have to bear the load. Paul Strehlow Medford Vote for Todd Kepple I am a longtime Klamath Falls resident and a small-business owner that strongly denounces the manner in which Todd Kepple’s opponent maneuvered himself onto the ballot. This led to the situation that we have in front of us in which a registered Republican is the Democratic candidate as the result of a successful write-in campaign. Please join me in supporting Todd Kepple for State Senate District 28. I have known Todd for almost 20 years and I can say with confidence that he will be the best choice to represent our Southern and Eastern Oregon interests. Todd will bring a balanced and common-sense approach to the position that we all can be proud of. Please visit keppleforsenate.com to see the impressive list of elected officials that have endorsed him. Vote Todd Kepple for State Senate District 28. Kendall Bell Klamath Falls Esquivel really cares In Southern Oregon so many people are dealing with addiction to drugs and alcohol not only within our community but statewide. It seems that the Legislature in Salem finds it hard to fund addiction recovery programs when going through the budget process. I believe Sal Esquivel always had his door open to listen to what is happening locally and has fought many times for the programs that lead to recovery so that people can put their lives back on track. We need Sal in Salem to cross party lines and listen to the people he serves. Vote Sal Esquivel — House District 6. Douglas Gould Medford Vote yes for history It is important to remember that Measure 15-164 will not only support the Southern Oregon Historical Society, but equally and just as important, numerous other organizations that have been saving, sharing and promoting the history of their communities and Southern Oregon. While there has been concern regarding the past leadership and direction of the SOHS, I have noticed over the last couple of years a closer working relationship with SOHS reaching out, sharing, joining in and supporting the work of others. Interest in our history continues to be important to locals as well as visitors and remains an important part of our overall economy. SOHS and other organizations that would benefit directly from Measure 15-164, help us and others do our jobs by providing historical data that we can then share with visitors. A small price to pay for a big win for us all. Dirk J. Siedlecki, president, Friends of Jacksonville's Historic Cemetery Eagle Point Vote for Esquivel Rep. Sal Esquivel has a good track record of positive service in the state Legislature. He has assisted me in the past with issues with state agencies in a win-win way for several years. He is also very responsive to requests for assistance. I urge citizens to vote for Rep. Sal Esquivel . Craig D. Horton Medford Supporting Gordon We have known Dick Gordon for several years, and have found him to be very conscious and honest and he thinks things through thoroughly before acting. We believe he puts the citizens first in all that he does as a councilman. He keeps up on all matters on the agenda. Jim and Tricia Garner Medford Which flag? Personally, I like and respect America's two-party system of government. It was designed this way to insure the checks and balances necessary to function and work out our differences. Now to me, the stars and stripes is the flag that represents the United States of America. The Confederate flag represents some that wanted to secede from and break up the Union. It seems apparent that they still do. Reagan's America enjoyed being involved with and watching the breakup of the Soviet Union. I can only imagine how Putin would enjoy watching the breakup of our United States. Remember the Golden Rule, folks. Steve Sutfin Talent Supporting Dick Gordon Please join me in supporting Dick Gordon for Ward 1, Medford City Council. He has voluntarily served our city very honorably for many years. He researches the issues thoroughly, has always been responsive to questions and thoughtfully votes for the common good. Marjorie Overland Medford Sal Esquivel, champion for immigration Like my family, Sal Esquivel’s family came to the United States from Mexico. His father and my mother came here legally and made sure that their children had every opportunity for a better life. I am proud of my heritage and proud to be an American. Sal fights for a path to legally be in America and he wants the best for those that come here. Join me and vote for Sal Esquivel,  House District 6. C. Susana Perez Medford DeBoer has the experience Alan DeBoer has been elected mayor, city councilor and School Coard member. He's gone to countless meetings. He understands local government and its problems. DeBoer has served on volunteer boards across the spectrum: community hospital and the YMCA, Historical Society, Mt. Ashland, even the Little League. Tap any local organization and chances are Alan DeBoer has contributed his time and energy. Contrast that with the minimal government experience and community service of his opponent. Then factor in the attack ads that come from Tonia Moro's supporters. They have taken the low road precisely because their candidate has no achievements to highlight. Support Alan DeBoer for his decades-long record of local service and his thoughtful approach to community problems. Allen Baker Ashland