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Letters, Oct. 31 By Gary Nelson By Mail Tribune readers Oct 31, 2022 12:00 AM A A Densmore for commissioner I urge Jackson County residents to vote for Al Densmore for county commissioner this November. Al is a proven leader who is a first-rate problem solver. Al is running as an Independent and will break through the partisan politics that so often stymie collective action. He is a man of integrity and is motivated to find the right answer and then make it become reality. As a physician who watched in frustration while Commissioner Roberts politicized the pandemic and did not support public health recommendations, I know Al will seek the most informed opinions before acting. Please join me in supporting Al for county commissioner. For more info, go to https://www.weloveal.com. Bruce Van Zee, M.D. Medford Jump for Joy Joy Fate is a boots-on-the-ground person. Always involved in the daily happenings of our community, when she sees something that needs doing, she steps up to get it done! She saw a need for a warming (and cooling) shelter for our houseless friends who were truly left out when COVID struck. She somehow materialized what was needed out of what seemed like thin air to provide one! No funding, no institutional help, just her own chutzpah and her unique ability to network and find solutions. And she staffed it herself, with a skeleton crew of volunteers. She’s progressive, informed on city business decisions, budget-conscious, a friend to small business and cares about climate action. She’s approachable and feisty and she’s a voice for people who might not otherwise be heard. I’ve learned a lot from her example! I’d be delighted to have her as a member of our City Council. Marian Spadone Ashland Talent council candidates Thank you for the informative article in the Mail Tribune regarding the city of Talent incumbent council members and their challengers. Not mentioned in the article, however, was the fact that Mark Anderson, who is running for mayor against incumbent Darby Ayers-Flood, changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat days before the deadline for filing to run. I spoke today to the Jackson County Elections Office and confirmed that the rest of the slate, except Jack Lanni, changed their affiliations as well shortly before filing. I believe this is information that the public needs to know. Ginger Rilling Talent Vote for Sparacino Please take the time to vote in this election as we collectively chart the future of Southern Oregon as a place to work, live and retire. As you consider the options on this ballot, please support Randy Sparacino for Oregon State Senate. In my time working in and with the city of Medford, he has been a shining star in terms of contributions towards our community’s success. He is a truly dedicated citizen with our best interests in mind and, simply put, has the skills, tenacity and willingness to get things done! Dennie Conrad Medford Kaplan for City Council Bob Kaplan has impressed me on a variety of levels. I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with him doing volunteer work, and this is what I have learned about his character: He is always curious to learn more, he maintains a positive attitude even when tensions run high, he is willing to speak up for the underdog and to find value in a variety of perspectives. I have seen first-hand his dedication to the truth, the environment, civic duty and fairness. He comes with impressive credentials as well, having a background in both finance and humanitarian work. Bob is the real deal, and Ashland would be fortunate to have his even-keeled, good-natured, logical and positive voice on the council. Aura Johnson Ashland Vote Golden and Yetter We are so lucky to have two such wonderful men running to represent us in the state Senate (Jeff Golden) and U.S. House (Joe Yetter). Both are exemplars of integrity, honesty, intelligence, and care for the common good. Both have dedicated their lives to helping others. Unlike their opponents, both are dedicated to working for all their constituents. Unlike their opponents, both are running local campaigns unfunded by out-of-state PACs intent on subverting our democratic values. Please vote for Jeff Golden and Joe Yetter. Julia Sommer Ashland Exception to the rule Jeff Golden works across the aisle. In this era of partisan bickering, practically nothing gets done. One exception to that is a leader from Southern Oregon who brings bipartisanship to Salem. That is Jeff Golden. He cares more about the community and doing the right thing than taking sides and winning a debate. Jeff Golden seeks community solutions and bi-partisan approaches to legislation, which is rare in this day and age. Golden continues to try to reach common ground with both Republicans and Democrats to protect Southern Oregon from wildfires, improve Oregon schools, and lower the cost of health care. Joe Vaile Ashland A political gift I was fortunate to be in the ensemble of two plays at the Camelot Theatre in Talent — “Judgement at Nuremberg” and “The Grapes of Wrath” — in which Jeff Golden acted. Jeff chose to act in those two plays because they spoke to universal themes of justice and injustice. Through these activities I got to know Jeff well, especially his life values. We are blessed to have someone who is knowledgeable, effective, and principled as a public servant. Knowledge: Jeff is well educated and has direct and applicable experience working in forests, local government and the state Legislature. Effective: Jeff hosted “The Jefferson Exchange” on JPR and was the creator/host of “Immense Possibilities” on PBS. Principled: Jeff opposes dark money’s influence on elections. He is the only candidate in Oregon not using PAC money to fund his campaign. Roy Sutton Ashland