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 the opinions of their authors, and have not been authored by and are not necessarily the opinions of The Baker County Press, any of our staff, management, independent contractors or affiliates. Advertisements placed by political groups, candidates, businesses, etc., are printed as a paid service, which does not constitute an endorsement of or fulfillment obligation by this newspaper for the products or services advertised. — 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 — Contact Us — The Baker County Press PO Box 567 Baker City, Ore. 97814 Open Monday-Thursday for calls 9 AM - 4 PM Open 24/7 for emails YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS President Barack Obama 202.456.1414 202.456.2461 fax Whitehouse.gov/contact US Sen. 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