FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016
4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
Opinion
— Letters to the Editor —
Justus will fight for private
rights
To the Editor:
Everyone can see what is happening to
our world and our economy. Who among
us is not burdened with reasonable fears
for the future of ourselves and our chil-
dren? We local people haven’t much hope
to change the world or national policies,
but we can salvage the rural lifestyle and
local economy by controlling our County
leadership!
Individual Counties have tremendous
constitutional power against intrusive and
costly Federal agencies and programs. It
is only those leaders who absolutely rely
on that constitutional power who can
withstand the Federal bullies.
Who among the Commissioner can-
didates has a platform for local control
of public lands and resources and com-
mitments to defend second-amendment
rights?
Only Kody Justus. He is well-qualified
and absolutely committed to restoring
Baker County to its rightful role in the
community. Constitutional government is
less government!
Our future hinges on this upcoming
election. Elect an honorable and dedicated
man to fight for what is true and right.
Trust Kody Justus to never let us down
when the going gets rough.
Ed Hardt
Baker City
Justus understands natural
resources issues
To the Editor,
Kody Justus understands natural re-
source issues because he lives them daily
and these issues are not just words for
him. Justus understands how our public
lands need to be managed correctly to
avoid further catastrophic wildfires which
devastated our county last summer. The
Transfer of Public Lands (TPL) issue pro-
motes local control of our resources.
Many get lost in the weeds wanting the
details of how this could happen.
If you look at history most of the east-
ern and mid-western states had their pub-
lic lands turned over to the state for local
control. Hawaii had its public lands turned
over to their state as part of the statehood
deal. The western states are the only states
who are being treated differently.
Recently both Utah and Idaho passed
bills which define how this transfer will
happen. Canada just spent 10 years trans-
ferring their public lands to their prov-
inces and it has worked well.
The Federal Government is trillions
in debt. How long can this spending
rate continue? What will happen when
the counties quit receiving the Payment
In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) money or the
schools quit receiving the Secure Rural
Schools (SRS) money? Local control of
our natural resources is better manage-
ment and would provide a strong base for
our local economy. The economy in Baker
County is based on agriculture and natural
resources, not federal agency jobs as some
may say.
The Federal government should not be
landlord to the western states. Grassroots
change begins at home and with county
officials who understand the concept and
know how to make it work. Please join
me in voting for Kody Justus for County
Commissioner.
Cindy Frazier
Baker City
Dismayed by trashy tabloid
reporting
To the Editor:
Years ago, I had an outstanding English
professor who impressed upon me the
need to critically examine all aspects of a
story in order to be a responsible writer.
Yesterday, I read a local newspaper
editorial (not in The Baker County Press)
that displayed a real lack of responsible
writing.
This editorial was written in regard to
a Baker County commissioner candidate.
Now, I fully understand that when you
throw your hat into the political realm,
your life seems to become an open book
to the media. But when does campaign
reporting go too far?
Letter to the Editor Policy: The Baker
County Press reserves the right not to pub-
lish letters containing factual falsehoods or
incoherent narrative. Letters promoting or
detracting from specific for-profit business-
es will not be published. Word limit is 375
words per letter. Letters are limited to one
every other week per author. Letters should
be submitted to Editor@TheBakerCounty-
Press.com.
Advertising and Opinion Page Dis-
claimer: Opinions submitted as Guest
To me, when a reporter uses personal
opinions or comments about a candidate’s
children and family to “sway” the audi-
ence’s emotions, and hints of wrongdoing
by use of false innuendo, the writer and
publisher have lost all credibility. Even
more so, I find it highly insulting that
reporting equivalent to that of a super-
market tabloid is coming from a Baker
County newspaper. There is enough
trash coming from the mainstream media;
Baker County reporting should be held to
a higher standard.
Our local media represent all of Baker
County. If they didn’t, advertising and
subscriptions wouldn’t be vitally impor-
tant to their existence.
I hope that as the political season
progresses our local media will step up
to the challenge to stay focused and write
responsibly. You represent all of Baker
County, not just yourself!
Carole Dyke
Baker City
Justus is qualified for the job
To the Editor:
Kody Justus is a man of integrity and
honesty. He has leaned much from real
life experiences.
His willingness to look at all sides of an
issue even when he doesn’t agree, is a real
plus in this world we live in of ill informa-
tion and snap decisions. Like most of you
I would not recommend a person who
would be in a position who I did not feel
was qualified. I, like you, want someone
who will make Baker County and the
people of baker be first when making any
decision about government issues. Kody
will be this person.
This is why I ask all to please Vote for
Kody Justus. I am proud to support him
for County Commissioner.
John Creighton
Baker City
Leftist strategy must be
neutralized
To the Editor:
Once again, a large number of registered
Democrats have been re-registering as Re-
publicans. Why? Obviously so they can
vote in the Republican primary against
conservative Kody Justus. All the liberals
I know are posting Bruce Nichols signs.
And why do they fear Justus so much?
Perhaps it is that he is a natural leader
who has solid values. Perhaps because
he sees how badly this country and this
state have fallen, and knows that a strong
county government is the only salvation
against the socialist agenda. This federal
collectivist agenda does not need to be
explained here, as the reader is surely well
aware of the current state of affairs.
Justus is committed to restore Consti-
tutional government, and to lead Baker
County back to its original authority over
an out of control federal government.
Read for yourself Article 1 of the Con-
stitution and see the strict limitations of
federal powers.
Justus will insist that local government
controls local resources and our economy
here. He stands firm on individual rights.
He’ll fight against the road closures the
Forest Service is forcing on us and cham-
pion our Second Amendment gun rights
here in Baker County. See his website
at www.JustusforBakerCounty.com. He
will demand that federal agencies coor-
dinate with our county commissioners as
equals regarding our rights, welfare, and
economy.
You can count on Kody Justus’ commit-
ment to do right by the people of Baker
County. If that commitment makes the
socialists nervous, so be it. Baker County
must be strong in the times to come. We
are not a lapdog to be kicked around by
unconscionable and insane federal policies
that shouldn’t apply here.
Bottom line: Be sure to sure to vote, as
the strategy of the liberal Democrats to
sabotage the Republican primary must be
neutralized. Encourage all your friends to
vote. Our future here in Baker County is
at stake!
Jake Brown
Halfway
Opinions or Letters to the Editor express
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been authored by and are not necessarily
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— Guest Opinion —
My response
to character
assassination
By Kody Justus
My closest supporters have asked
that I make a comment in response
to some of the numerous negative
articles and editorials in which I have
been the target for one newspaper
lately. Those who know me know that
like most people, I’m not lily white. I
think what is most shocking to those
around me is the eagerness of some to
throw stones at a man and his family
simply because they support a com-
peting candidate or point of view.
I was admittedly wrong back in
1994. I did not seek defense then nor
do I seek it now. I own my mistakes.
Over the years I’ve done everything
Biblically outlined to reshape my life
and make it right. I can do no more
than what God requires to accomplish
this—and yet it seems somehow the
editor of a local newspaper feels she
must require more of me even than
God. What can a person say in re-
sponse to that?
Instead, I believe it far more produc-
tive to focus on my plans for Baker
County. For some reason many seem
to think I acted without thought and
am regretting my decision to visit the
Refuge in Burns. Though I regret my
decisions from 1994, I do not regret
this one. I value the insight I obtained
from talking to those who were there
as well as those who visited. That in-
sight has added to the knowledge and
wisdom I would carry into the position
Submitted Photo
Kody Justus is one of three
candidates for Baker County
Commissioner.
of County Commissioner.
Most recently, a letter was published
from my stepdaughter, Charlie Mata.
Sadly, Charlie has been spoon-fed
hatred all her life. I love all of my
daughters with a parent’s love, no
matter what they do. It is a shame
another candidate’s campaign team is
bent on character assignation rather
than the issues. I would like to see Mr.
Nichols “own” his mistakes in going
down this negative path.
It has been nearly two and a half
decades since that time of shaky judg-
ment in my youth. Since then, I have
gained skills, knowledge and wis-
dom. I have a beautiful family, deep
roots in the community, and a faith I
wouldn’t trade for anything. I have
worked hard to build a solid base from
which to serve Baker County and all
its residents—and if I know anything,
it’s hard work. I ask for your vote for
County Commissioner.
Editor’s Note: All three candidates
have been invited to submit guest
opinions.
— Letters to the Editor —
Editorial was hateful
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to the editorial
written by Gina Perkins, which appeared
in the April 7th edition of The Record
Courier. In this editorial, Ms. Perkins
dredged up an incident in Kody Justus'
life that happened approximately 22 years
ago.
After shaking her finger, chastising Mr.
Justus, and dragging his family through
her "gut wrenching" scandal, Ms. Perkins
goes on to state she attended a sunrise
church service where Mr. Justus was in
attendance, but has "no tolerance for rude
behavior."
Based on her very opinionated, hateful
and "rude" editorial, Ms. Perkins obvious-
ly thinks she is perfect and feels justified
enough to judge her fellow man.
I disagree.
Every person has trials in life and a past.
Except for, of course, Gina Perkins. Per-
haps by attending a year's worth of sunrise
services, Ms. Perkins would discover she
still walks this earth and has yet to be
translated; therefore, has her own closet of
sins to work through.
With such negativity spewing from the
jowls of this "community minded" news-
paper, any candidate or advertiser should
be ashamed to associate themselves with
The Record Courier's version of campaign
exploitation.
It's sad that if you live in Baker County,
you can never grow up and be afforded
the opportunity to repent and seek forgive-
ness, especially if you want to run for
public office.
And since we are quoting “Lonesome
Dove...” Remember Miss Laurena? She
was the town harlot, yet Gus loved her
enough to raise her up above her trans-
gressions to be esteemed as a lady.
Ms. Perkins, kindness and respect go a
long way—maybe it's time to watch that
movie again.
Patty Trost
Unity
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