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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2018)
4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 editor@dailyastorian.com KARI BORGEN Publisher JIM VAN NOSTRAND Editor Founded in 1873 JEREMY FELDMAN Circulation Manager DEBRA BLOOM Business Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN Production Manager CARL EARL Systems Manager GUEST COLUMN Please vote ‘no’ on Measure 105 Unity, inclusiveness are part of our values I am voting “no” on Measure 105 for three main reasons. One, because I am opposed to racial profiling and discrimi- nation. Two, because our local law enforce- ment should not spend money from their limited budgets to do the job of federal immigration agents. And three, because I believe in a united Ore- gon where everyone feels safe regardless of their skin color, background or national origin. If you’re unfamil- iar with Measure 105, it aims to overturn the state’s JORGE GUTIERREZ sanctuary law, which pre- vents local law enforce- ment from using resources to enforce immi- gration law. Removing this restriction is not a good idea, especially when we remember the circumstances that led to its adoption in the first place. In 1977, Delmiro Trevino, a U.S. citi- zen of Latino origin, was one of several men accosted by Polk County sheriff’s deputies and forcefully questioned about his citizen- ship status at a restaurant in Independence. The deputies carried out their actions with- out identifying themselves and without a warrant. Trevino and several other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit to highlight a growing trend of racial profiling by local law enforcement agencies across the state. The lawsuit was dismissed, but it brought attention to the problem and helped pave the way for legislative action. In 1987, Republican and Democratic state legislators came together to over- whelmingly pass the Oregon sanctuary law 58-1 in the House and 29-1 in the Senate. It aimed to combat racial profiling and pre- vent situations such as the one Trevino had to endure. Removing this law would once again open the door for racial profiling. It would indiscriminately target Latinos, such as myself. To my knowledge, Caucasians are not asked about their immigration sta- Christopher Oertell/ Forest Grove News-Times Demonstrators congregated outside the Washington County Courthouse last week to protest Measure 105. They were part of a seven-day march from Sheridan to The Dalles tus; why should I be? Voting “no” on 105 ensures we are all treated equally and that no particular group is singled out. If Measure 105 passes there could also be financial consequences for our communities if local police — already under tight budgets and understaffed — are diverted to immigra- tion work. Voting “no” on 105 ensures that immigration enforcement is left to the fed- eral government and that local police con- tinue to focus on keeping us safe. One of the biggest misconceptions often tied to the idea of a sanctuary law is that it shields immigrants who commit felo- nies and other serious crimes. This is false. A sanctuary law does not protect individ- uals who commit crimes. If you vote “no” on 105, local law enforcement will con- tinue to hold everyone accountable for their crimes, including both immigrants and nonimmigrants. For me, this is an issue of human dignity and compassion for our fellow Oregonians. Passage of Measure 105 would neg- atively impact a lot of good people. This includes people you know, because they are your neighbors and people you work with. They are the families you see at school when you drop off your children, or those you nod to and greet at the supermarket. Some of them are your friends and possibly even family members. Measure 105 would neg- atively affect people from all walks of life directly and indirectly. Some of the impact is apparent, but the most damaging impact is often invisible and only manifested in the psyche of the community. In my five years as executive director of the Lower Columbia Hispanic Council, I have worked with and gotten to know hun- dreds of Latino families who live on the North Coast. Like many of the Scandina- vian families that came before them, Latino families moved to this area to work hard and build a better life for their families. Some have said they initially struggled to find their footing within the broader community, but after years of living here, many have started to feel included. Measure 105 threatens to disrupt that sense of community and replace it with fear. This is apparent when you speak directly with Latino community members. For a high school student from War- renton who identifies as half Hispanic and half Caucasian, the consequences would be felt by her family. “My skin is white, my English is perfect. As you see me Mea- sure 105 would not affect me at all, but I am only 15 years old and have a father who has brown skin. If this measure passes I fear my father could be deported.” Another high school student, a 16-year- old who attends Seaside High School, says, “If this measure is passed it will not only affect me and my family, but also the whole Hispanic community. This measure is cruel and not Oregonian.” A Hispanic man from Astoria — a skilled tradesman, husband and father — adds “there is already a lot of fear within the His- panic community, and if Measure 105 passes this would add to that fear. Some families may be too afraid to send their children to school, or take them to the doctor when they are sick.” A Latina woman from Seaside who works directly with the Latino community says, “It’s heartbreaking to see the fear some immigrant folks are experiencing in the cur- rent political climate. Measure 105 poses a threat not only to the Oregon families it would persecute, but also to the local econ- omies that thrive because of the honest and hard work of the immigrant community.” These are just a few of the many con- cerned voices from the North Coast who are urging the public to vote “no” on 105. I firmly believe that regardless of your background or whether you came from another state or country, if you live in Ore- gon, you are an Oregonian. We should all stand together, united as Oregonians, because unity and inclusiveness are part of our values. Voting “no” on 105 will reaffirm those values and I hope that you join me in standing up for our neighbors, friends and family. Jorge Gutierrez is executive director of the Lower Columbia Hispanic Council. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please don’t remove opponent’s signs Vote ‘no’ on Measure 103 pen letter to Gearhart voters: Though I am continents away, I have heard about my opponent’s signs disappearing. I would like to urge anyone who is involved in this activity to stop immediately and return the signs. This behavior is illegal. It gives our town a bad name, helping no one. Thank you to those who are supporting my campaign in a positive way. Everyone can express their opinions by writing letters to the editor of The Daily Astorian or Sea- side Signal. In hindsight, I would also like to thank Mr. Al Carder, my former oppo- nent, who conducted himself with respect and dignity throughout the entire 2014 campaign. Ultimately, it is you, the peo- ple of Gearhart, who will make your choice through the voting process. I urge you to vote on or before Tuesday, Nov. 6. Gearhart is a special town made up of kind, highly intelligent people, who may or may not have a college degree. The major- ity respect one another, look out for one another, and live together in harmony, though they may have different beliefs. These people are not about telling others how things should be. Gearhart folks like the way things are and that is why they live here. That is why I live here. Please help protect what we have. KERRY SMITH Gearhart A no vote on Measure 103 is not, as the opposition has gone to great lengths to make you believe, a vote to tax food. Nothing could be further from the truth. What a no vote on Measure 103 does do is keep the power to raise or lower taxes in the control of local governments rather than in the Capitol. Of course, any reasonable person knows that taxing food is not a good place to raise revenue. But if a local government decided it needed to do something about the childhood obesity problem in their area, and decided to tax sugary beverages, they should be allowed to make that choice, or any other choice, for the good of their community. JEAN HOOGE Astoria O Jones has what Astoria needs t was 35 years ago, nearly to the day, that I met Bruce Jones. We were two skinny, nervous, twenty-somethings reporting for Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia. With his calm, thought- ful demeanor, Bruce and I quickly became close friends — a friendship that has allowed me to serve with, train with, travel with, and socialize with Bruce. We worked together through the intense OCS training regime before both being selected for U.S. Navy Flight School. Bruce confidently met and overcame every chal- lenge and we both were “winged” in 1985, and began our Coast Guard aviation careers. Unfortunately, we were never again sta- tioned together. But I followed Bruce’s career from afar, as he skillfully rose through the Coast Guard ranks, perform- I ing admirably, not only as a highly skilled helicopter pilot, but as an exceptional Coast Guard officer. As the commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, Bruce faced the nightmare of Hurricane Katrina. His skill set was exactly what was needed to quickly take command and bring order to the government response to the unimag- inable challenges presented by this natural disaster. Now, we here on the North Coast are blessed not only to have Bruce and his lovely wife, Linda, as neighbors, but to have Bruce willing to devote his incredi- ble leadership skills to guide and enhance this fine city. His calm, thoughtful, bal- anced approach to any and all challenges will be exactly what Astoria needs to lead us forward. MIKE DAVIES Warrenton Vote Wev for county commissioner here are important differences in expe- rience and issues which set Pam Wev apart from her opponent in the race for county commissioner, District 3. One issue of distinction is the role of county commis- T sioners and manager. Pam clearly understands the role of county commissioner. Commissioners make policy, which is then implemented by the county manager and staff. In addition, Pam expects the commission to follow up, and hold the manager and staff accountable for putting those policies into action. From Pam’s vast experience working with a variety of county governments, she knows that micromanaging is not useful for staff or county residents. This is a hallmark of Pam’s work ethic, which is to practice civility and respect in all her actions. As a daughter of a Coast Guard captain, and working as an English teacher, Pam val- ues those who serve the public. Combined with her experience as a small business owner, she brings fresh ideas for positive economic growth for our communities. Pam raised two children as a single mother and is delighted to be a first-time grandparent. She is committed to build- ing a strong future for all our children and grandchildren. We shouldn’t look to the past for solu- tions to the challenges of today. We deserve fresh eyes and fresh ideas to move our county forward. That is why I am sup- porting Pam Wev for Clatsop County commissioner. CHERYL JOHNSON Astoria Vote Brown for Oregon governor ave you heard enough misleading statements and lies from powerful men in the last two weeks? It seems we have another one, right here in Oregon. Knute Buehler is saying anything that he thinks will get him elected. He’s trying to paint himself as an environmentalist, while taking over $850,000 from anti-environmental groups (“Knute Buehler says he isn’t taking anti-environment money. He’s gotten more than $850,000,” The Oregonian, Oct. 5). He supports the planned Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in southern Oregon. When I phoned his office to complain about the negative advertising he started weeks ago, I was told that Knute was not responsible — as if he has no input into political action committee (PAC) spending on his behalf. He voted no on HB 3391, which provided coverage for women’s health issues. Now, he is running ads about his support for women and health care. Knute Buehler seems willing to say anything to get a vote. Don’t fall for this. Vote for Kate Brown in November. JOANN WILTRAKIS Astoria H
