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Letters, Oct. 21 By Mail Tribune readers Oct 21, 2022 12:00 AM A A A fear-based campaign The quality of a candidate’s campaign says a lot about the character of the candidate. Jeff Golden refuses to take PAC money, and has run a positive, issues-oriented campaign. His opponent, former chief of police and mayor, Randy Sparacino, is running an expensive, fear-based campaign relying on out-of-the-area money. I have absolutely no idea what he stands for since his ads are uniformly negative. Perhaps Sparacino has lost control of his campaign, letting it be directed by those with little regard for the consequences of running a local election with the worst tactics of modern, win-at-all-costs politics. Jeff Golden has been a thoughtful, results-oriented state senator. His campaign reflects his intelligence, decency and respect for the better traditions of American politics. Ken Chapman Applegate Replace the commissioners Three peas in a pod! This describes the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. As Jackson County Republicans, presumably they follow their local party and endorse Trumps Big Lie (Tribune, July 27) We need commissioners who reject conspiracy delusion and accept reality. When was the last time you saw any one of them hold a town hall to seek constituency input on issues of importance to the county? I have never seen one. Instead, they eliminate advisory boards and drop membership in the Association of Oregon Counties, isolating us from the rest of the state. It’s time for new leadership in the county, leadership that will broaden representation and will work to address the needs of county residents. Independent Al Densmore and Democrat Denise Krause are the way forward that will insert reason and progress into this county. Let’s remove the do-nothing extremists after their eight meaningless years in office. Diana Piels Central Point Vote for Rick Dyer I have known Rick Dyer for about 20 years now. I have watched him grow from a general manager position at a dealership, to owning his own business, to obtaining a law degree, raising a family and now county commissioner. As county commissioner, I have seen Rick maneuver through critical issues such as the Alameda Fire, COVID, and the water shortage in Southern Oregon with sound judgment, authority and grace. Rick has always shown great concern for the residents of Jackson County and is always willing to listen. He’s not afraid to take the reins and tackle the task at hand to do what’s right for our community. Southern Oregon has always been a great place to live and raise families. In order to keep it that way, we need the right people in office. Please join me in voting for Rick Dyer for Jackson County commissioner! Tamara Rodgers Medford Vote for Denise Krause Jackson County would benefit from Commissioners who: Represent the diversity of residents of the county, not just a narrow subset. Will collaborate with state agencies to bring funding to help the county rather than fight with the state. Seek advice from local experts and input from county residents on county issues through town halls. Are smart and informed on the science relevant to county issues. Denise Krause is all of the above. For too long, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners have been divisive as they reject sound expert advice on critical issues, listen to nobody, and represent themselves as infallible experts on everything. To remedy these problems, vote for Denise Krause, Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Position 1. Kathy Conway Jacksonville Supporting Golden I have known State Sen. Jeff Golden for 16 years. He is a man of outstanding character and has weathered the storms of a polarized Senate with remarkable equanimity while moving forward programs supporting affordable housing, fire safety, mental health, education, easing homelessness and has consistently refused to use PAC monies for funding campaigns and is not beholden to monied interests. Dedicated to Oregon and the rights of all people, he is a true patriot. Thoughtful, ethical and down to earth, he supports the rights of women and people of all colors. Jeff’s opponent, Randy Sparacino, appears to have allowed the big out-of-state money to send out vicious attack ads over his name. He seems to have sold his soul to powerful unaccountable sources. Please join me in voting for Jeff Golden for state Senate. Zoe Alowan Kauth Ashland What your vote means A vote for Betsy Johnson for governor is a vote for Republicans. Barbara Mumblo Jacksonville Three strong candidates Several friends and I attended an Ashland City Council candidate forum recently. It was a respectful, informative discussion and three things really stuck in our minds. Candidate Eric Hansen stated that the council needs to find more ways to “get to yes.” A successful small-business owner, obviously Hansen understands that fact-based decision-making and compromise are required to get important work done. Candidate Bob Kaplan stressed that the city, in its laudable diversity and inclusion efforts, needs to do greater outreach to the Latino/Latina community. A Spanish speaker, Kaplan noted several ways to do that. Incumbent Tonya Graham clearly outlined the wide array of complex, interlocking challenges and opportunities facing Ashland, demonstrating a thorough grasp of them and a focus on solutions. I’ll be voting for all three. Vicki Griesinger Ashland Re-elect Rick Dyer Rick Dyer is one of the first people I met when I moved to Oregon. While getting to know Rick, I found out that he has been in Jackson County most of his life. With all the time spent in Jackson County, I could tell that he was very knowledgeable and passionate on the issues, not only locally but within the state as well. He has proven himself time and time again that he is willing to take a strong stance on what is the right thing to do, even if it is not the most popular thing to do. He always has the residents of Jackson County’s well-being in mind. Please join me in voting for Rick Dyer for Jackson County Commissioner, so he can continue to fight for all Jackson County residents. Ken McLean Medford Kaplan is impressive Ashland is blessed with six well-qualified City Council candidates with competitive races in all council positions. For all of us who are looking for respectful collaboration in council decisions I recommend and support Bob Kaplan. I have been very impressed with Bob’s commitment to walking our neighborhoods talking door to door, listening to folks and sharing his own ideas. I really appreciate his long background in nonprofit work for communal benefits for all. And most importantly to me, he has a built-in dedication to collaboration in decision-making. I know he will be both an independent thinker and cooperative, respectful member of our council. Rich Rohde Ashland Elect Dan Davis I have known Dan Davis for almost 20 years. He is a smart, honest and compassionate man who I know will do his best to improve the lives of Medford residents and all Oregonians. He served honorably in the military, had a successful career as an engineer and an entrepreneur and has demonstrated his leadership and commitment to his community by serving on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, Oregon Energy Trust and the Rogue Valley Transportation District. I urge my fellow Medford residents in House District 6 to elect Dan Davis to be their state representative. I know that he will work tirelessly on your behalf to address the critical issues we face as a society in a common sense, rational way that is not tied to any rigid ideology. Claude Aron Medford Selfishness is on the ballot Because you can’t get cheap gas, you’re willing to give up women’s reproductive rights? Because the rich can’t get richer, you’re going to give up workers rights? Because your particular religious beliefs are not the law, you’re willing to end public education? Is that smart? Or selfish? The conservative Supreme Court ruled money is free speech, so now all elections are about money. There are billionaires who want to save the planet, and billionaires who want keep burning oil. Having money does not make you wise, or good. Billionaires are flawed people like the rest of us. Some are giving away their money, trying to help. Others are taking things for themselves. Don’t let the selfish ones fool you. Tom Espinosa Medford