BAGE A6, KEIZERTIMES, OCTOBER 19, 2018
Opinion
We recommend Smith
The Keizertimes recommends
Elizabeth Smith for position #5 on
the Keizer City Council.
A longtime resident of Keizer,
Smith, the mother of two grown
daughters, has been in-
volved with her commu-
nity for years. She played
a role in the opening
of Weddle Elementa-
ry School, was a PTA
president and has been a
member of both the Ro-
tary Club of Keizer and
the Keizer Chamber of
Commerce.
It is her work as a mortgage bro-
ker and knowledge of the housing
and commecial markets that give
her a leg up over her opponent
Shawn Lapof. Smith says she is pas-
sionate about her hometown and
is excited at the prospect of being
involved with the future of Keizer’s
growth.
Though Smith has no prior gov-
ernment experience (most fi rst time
council candidates don’t) we feel it
is her background and personal ex-
perience that will make her a hard-
working city couniclor.
Elizabeth Smith has
never been shy about
stating her views. It is that
kind of thinking that will
be a shot in the arm for
the Keizer City Council.
She will vote her con-
science; if elected to the
council, we hope she will
always stay true to her vision and
vote accordingly. We think she will.
A candidate who is a mother, is
involved with the community and
has a strong background in business
is a bonus for Keizer. Vote for Eliza-
beth Smith for Keizer City Council
position #5.
—LAZ
our
opinion
Take a moment and vote
Voting turnout is generally much
lower during midterm elections than
during years with a presidential elec-
tion. It is not a cliche that every vote
counts. There have been very close
elections at every level of government.
Members of the public who claim
that it doesn’t make a difference who
wins, so there is no need to vote,
are not paying attention. Elections
do have consequences—Gov. Kate
Brown operates with a Democratic
state legislature, President Trump rules
with a like-minded Republican ma-
jority in both houses of Congress. We
have seen what one-party rule is like
locally and nationally.
It is understandable why many
people decry politics and choose to
tune out and sit out the election rather
than be a member of our democracy
and exercise their right to vote. It is
understandable but it is not accepted.
In Oregon, our vote-by-mail
system makes it easy to vote, a
vote-by-internet system would not
necessarily increase participation. In
this year’s general election, registered
voters will receive their ballots this
week, there are important races at ev-
ery level. Keizerites will vote on two
contested city council races and a state
House and a state Senate race.
They will elect their Congressman
for District 5 and decided between
Kate Brown and Knute Buehler for
governor. There are state-wide mea-
sures on the ballot, all of which affect
Keizer. The two hottest measures are
103 which would prohibit taxes on
groceries and 105 which some call the
sanctuary measure.
We want every voter to take the
time to go over their ballot, make
their choice and return the ballot. Ev-
ery vote counts and all elections have
consequences.
—LAZ
Will money win?
In the grip of another campaign
season means that if the average Ore-
gon voter’s favorite spectator sport is
staring at a television screen, then he
will most likely see another advertise-
ment for someone who wants to rep-
resent them. Those who analyze these
things will tell anyone who’s interest-
ed that a huge number among us rely
on looks’ impressions for our voting
decisions.
So what enters the
picture poignantly is
not necessarily the
voter’s pamphlet, radio
announcements, news-
paper articles or mail-
ers, but what became
from its earliest days —
and known as the blue
fl ickering tube—has
one of strongest infl uence on deci-
sions before ballots are fi lled out. This
fact argues that the be-deviled TV
beast through repetition after repeti-
tion of message, using emotion rather
than reason, elects our leaders.
If there’s anything wrong with this
way of steering people to one politi-
cian or another it is that TV commer-
cials are very expensive. Hence, they
are almost always beyond the pock-
etbook limits of working men and
women and, unless these folks gather
together, totally unaffordable. In Or-
egon, for example, people united by
common causes gather to contribute
relatively small amounts that add up,
should the donors be large in num-
ber, to a fund suffi cient to have an ad
made and shown times the limits of
their war chest. Examples of them for
Gov. Kate Brown are the Oregon Ed-
ucation Association, United Food &
Commercial Workers, and AFL-CIO.
Recently reported, that treasury
stands at $11 million.
Her opponent, Republican state
Rep. Knute Buehler, has gathered
1 percenters in support of him. Big
name, monied examples are Phil
Knight of Nike, Henry Swigert of
ESCO, and George Austin Jr., a den-
tal equipment manufacturer. Their
contributions and others in their class
recently added up to $10.3 million.
Looking at motives in 2018, one
can conclude that the groups of shared
interests who donate into a lump
sum are typically current and retired
working men and women. They seek
safe and healthy working conditions,
living wages, overtime pay for work
exceeding 40 hours, sick and mater-
nity leave, health insurance
and secure retirement ben-
efi ts. Those of the wealthy
set are manufacturers, in-
dustrialists and professional
service providers who want
their taxes low to none,
unlimited write-off, reg-
ulations non-invasive, and
charitable acts guarantee-
ing tax benefi ts.
Phil Knight and his wife, Pen-
ny, have been generous at giving in
a multitude of ways. However, the
Knights usually require their fami-
ly names on buildings they have fi -
nancially helped to build while his
power presence in decision-making
at the University of Oregon for one,
means that while taxpayers are forced
to support the UO without infl uence
whatsoever, Knight is known to make
a phone call to the president’s or ath-
letic director’s offi ces to have his way.
There’s no balderdash in believing his
$1.5 million to Buehler will be richly
rewarded in Salem.
The bottom line is that money—
and great gobs of it—donated by
those who’ve acquired their wealth
through business freedoms compli-
ments of the U.S.A., corrupt and up-
end what was intended to be demo-
cratic republic securities. The power
behind big money results in a kind
of dictatorship by the haves over the
have nots. Voters who seek justice and
opportunity for all citizens should
keep this matter in mind when they
prepare to cast their votes. When we
ignore serious societal inequities, we
do so at the peril of our rights and
freedoms.
gene
h.
mcintyre
(Gene H. McIntyre hhareh hih opin-
ion frequently in the Keizertimeh.)
Pandora’s Box
To the Editor:
I am disappointed that
the Keizer City Coun-
cil chose to endorse a
no vote on a state issue
(Measure 105) on the
November ballot. To my knowledge
this has not occurred in Keizer until
now and I believe for a good reason.
This action is an invitation to
open Pandora’s Box as to include
anything on the ballot. The rational-
ization that this action was necessary
because it pertained to all of Keizer
is disingenuous in that all things on
the ballot impact all Keizer citizens.
I worry about what is next, now
that the box is open. This slippery
slope could sluice down to endors-
ing a vote on a school or fi re levy, a
state representative or senate race, or
endorsing someone for city coun-
cil or mayor—all impacting every
Keizerite.
As a former city councilor, hav-
ing had the privilege of serving
Keizer for 12 years, I know the pas-
sion and time given by these seven
volunteers and respect and appre-
ciate their work. This time I be-
lieve they overstepped their scope.
Council is tasked to set city policy,
not endorse measures or individuals
on the ballot. If a councilor, inde-
pendent from the council as whole,
wishes to endorse something on
the ballot that is their purview. The
council as a body, on the other hand,
should stick to city policy matters.
Let’s put this action back in the
box with the presentiment it won’t
get out again.
Jim Taylor
Keizer
public servant: among
them, a curious and
analytical mind, a calm
temperament, the ability
to work with a diverse
group of people, and
above all, the strong de-
sire to make the world a
better place, which starts with their
hometown. I saw these qualities in
Elizabeth Smith, and I’m pleased
she has decided to serve her com-
munity in this capacity.
Elizabeth has raised her family in
Keizer, and is well-established in the
business community. She has a thor-
ough understanding of he issues,
and has a strong backing from local
citizens, who know she will always
do what is right for Keizer.
Elizabeth Smith is the best candi-
date for position #5 on the Keizer
City Council.
Brandon Smith
Salem
(The writer is no relation to the candi-
date.)
letterh
Support KFD levy
To the Editor:
The Keizer Fire District Board of
Directors are asking the citizens of
Keizer to vote in favor of continu-
ing the current level of taxes (.59¢
per $1,000 valuation) for fi ve years.
To my mind, this is a reasonable
request and should be support-
ed. The question comes down to
whether we want an ambulance
service or not.
I hope this levy not only passes
but passes by a huge majority to
give this organization the vote of
confi dence they have earned.
Jerry McGee
Keizer
Smith for council
To the Editor:
Elizabeth Smith has raised her
family in Keizer. She has been in
the lending industry for 20 years
and is very familiar with Keizer’s
crisis with affordable housing. She
has the knowledge to work with the
city council on the current issues
of transportation and public safety
that affects the city. She believes in
responsible and effi cient land use
planning; utilizing our resources for
smart and effective growth.
She believes in safe neighbor-
hoods and good quality parks.
Elizabeth is the right choice
for Keizer City Council position
#5. She will be fair and transparent
and will bring new ideas to the city
council.
Vote with me in electing Eliz-
abeth Smith to the Keizer City
Council position #5, she will serve
our city well.
Marlene Parsons
Keizer
Elections can
change things
To the Editor:
Elections are a time for change,
corrections or confi rmation of sta-
tus quo.
If you believe the city, state,
county and federal governments are
getting the results you want, be sure
to vote for the same people and par-
ties back in. On the other hand, if
you’re not pleased with the results
of decades leadership by them, clear
your head and replace them.
Kent McCurdy
Keizer
Yes on 24-432
To the Editor:
Has everyone noticed Keizer
Fire District vehicles on the move?
You cannot go down River Road
without seeing an ambulance or a
fi re engine. The equipment is either
coming or going from a medical
emergency in Keizer.
The fi ve year levy on the No-
vember ballot will be the same as
the past fi ve years. This is very good
news; we have a chance to contin-
ue emergency services by voting yes
on Measure 24-432.
Your vote is very important.
Bill Quinn
Keizer
KFD deserves support
To The Editor:
When I joined the Keizer Fire
Department in 1979, we averaged
about 400 calls a year. In 2009 when
I retired there were 3,868 calls for
service. Last year there were almost
5,500 calls from the citizens of
Keizer. As our community grows so
does the need for our fi re and emer-
gency medical service.
Voting yes keeps the current cost
for service—no increase, just a re-
newal of our fi ve year levy.
Much has changed in the fi re
service over the 61 years KFD has
been serving the Keizer community.
One thing that has not, is the com-
mitment to take care of the people
of Keizer.
I urge you to vote yes on the up-
coming levy renewal to continue
the great service we receive from
the Keizer Fire District.
Dave Bauer
Keizer
Young people:
go vote
To the Editor:
This is the time for young people
to remember their passions of this
past year and their goals of bring-
ing real change to our society. Let’s
hope that they vote and get out
there and support the candidates
who share their dreams and ideals
for the future (Re: Go kids, go, Letter
to Editor, Keizertimes, March 30,
2018.)
Kids, we are counting on you
to help bring about change that
our current leaders and adults ei-
ther can’t or won’t enact. You have
our support. The future is yours to
make. Now go and make it happen!
Jim Parr
Keizer
Keizertimes
Wheatland Bublihhing Corp. • 142 Chemawa Road N. • Keizer, Oregon 97303
phone: 503.390.1051 • web: www.keizertimeh.com • email: kt@keizertimeh.com
Lyndon A. Zaitz, Editor & Publisher
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Web Poll
Results
Do you make personal
efforts to protect the
environment or
conserve resources?
Smith is best choice
Yeh – 72%
No – 28%
To the Editor:
I served as a member of the
Keizer City Council for over seven
years. I know the qualities of a great
Vote in a new poll every Thursday!
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