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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, July 19 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Unfulfilled potential Having grown up in Medford, I find myself in strong agreement with both your recent editorial regarding locating a convention center in downtown Medford and a guest editorial by Todd McDonald lamenting that Medford is falling behind communities like Bend. Both editorials point to unfulfilled potential. Significant public funding in Medford’s downtown by MURA and private investments in the downtown area by the DeBoers , Neumans, Procare, Rogue Disposal, PRS, and numerous dining establishments, retail shops and offices show a belief in a vision of a more vibrant downtown. The gradual evolution of a civic center complex surrounding the Medford City Hall/Jackson County Courthouse is also providing stimulus for downtown commerce. All have increased the strong potential for Medford to become the type of downtown that attracts unique retail and dining establishments, provides vibrant and diverse commerce, and is a source of pride for all of Southern Oregon. Let’s take advantage of existing assets rather than abandon the work done by donors, private investors, and MURA. The Collier Center and the Holly Theater, both assisted by MURA, can be very strong components of downtown convention facilities, providing venues for large gatherings and offering unique enhancements to the convention experience. John Snider, co-chairman, Holly Restoration Committee Medford Develop the creek Having recently visited Bend for the first time, we read Sunday’s Guest Opinion by Todd McDonald with great interest. We would love to see Medford follow a similar road to revitalization, although it would be useful to make the economic base as broad as possible. Thursday's MT Our View editorial regarding the RCC health care opportunity is a worthwhile direction for building a jobs base that includes technology and research in the health care field as well as developing tourism. But, overall, we wondered why Bend has been able to successfully capitalize on its proximity to the Deschutes River, with boardwalks and bustling shopping areas, while Bear Creek seems to be almost forgotten in Medford. One would think that the property downtown on the creek banks would be a good opportunity for attractive development, much like Ashland has done with its creek. Many freeways have sound walls, which could be put onto the Medford viaduct walls to mask the vehicle noise. This has also been done in other places and shouldn’t limit the potential for shops, restaurants, artist studios and other development along the creek. Jayne Dutra Medford Revise tax for all Gas tax at the pump should be raised substantially, so all who travel within our state help keep the roads and bridges safe. Those who live here would be given a refund when the re-register or transfer the title to their vehicle (register mileage). The proposed tax per mile would be more equitable if the cost per mile is based on the curb weight of the vehicle. Graduated tax per mile at 1 cent, 2 cents or whatever would encouraged better use of our resources and better choices made. I'm sure the huge trucks do more damage to the roadways and our Oregon air quality than does my little old Honda Civic. Let's pay a little more at the pump with savings at the end. Nicki Smith Jacksonville Defend capitalism To the author of “Punish climate destroyers,” (Letters, July 10): You let the cat out of the bag. Thank you! Manslaughter, ecocide, trason, Nuremberg-like trials for being a capitalist profiting from fossil fuels? There is the true soul of the progressive, laid bare for all to see, and for all to resist while you still have the freedom to resist. I volunteer to stand before your Nuremberg-like tribunal. To defend capitalism, I would say this: Begin with the Magna Carta and follow the trajectory of human advancement, culminating in capitalism. The rise of human freedom parallels that rise of capitalism. Wealth, security, longevity, personal freedom. Remove capitalism and the modern use of fossil fuels from that equation, and you are left with the Dark Ages. Capitalism creates. Progressivism redistributes. The progressive cannot survive without the capitalist. But freedom cannot long survive the brute force of the progressive left unchecked. I was born a free man. I will die as a free man. I love my freedom and I want that freedom for everyone. Those are among the reasons that I am a capitalist. Doug Dusenberry Gold Hill MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 19, 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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