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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THuRSDAY, MARcH 14, 2019
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
JIM VAN NOSTRAND
Editor
Founded in 1873
JEREMY FELDMAN
circulation Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
Production Manager
CARL EARL
Systems Manager
OUR VIEW
Make your views known on state budget
O
regon legislators are to be
commended for going out-
side Salem to hear from
real people about the state bud-
get and other issues. But law-
makers should go further, adding
more rural perspective to the urban
voices that seem to dominate at the
State Capitol.
The road-trip public hearings are
a start.
“Your input is critical to how
we make final budget decisions,”
Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose,
told the budget-hearing audience in
Coos Bay last Saturday. “We need
to hear from you about your needs
and your priorities and your ideas
on the way that state funds can be
best used.”
Johnson co-chairs the Legisla-
ture’s Joint Ways & Means Com-
mittee, which will write the state’s
2019-21 budget and has had
numerous hearings at the Capitol
already on budget bills. The com-
mittee will be in Pendleton on Fri-
day and Redmond on Saturday,
wrapping up its four-city tour on
March 21 in Portland.
Those visits are valuable,
although they provide limited
exposure to the “real-people” per-
spective outside the Capitol. Only
a few dozen people can be heard
during the two-hour budget hear-
ing in each city. Each person testi-
fying is strictly limited to two min-
utes. But when people speak from
TIPS FOR TESTIFYING
Arrive early. Sign up to testify before
the legislative hearing starts.
Know what you want to say. Focus on
one or two things.
You don’t have to use all your time, but
know the time limit and don’t break it.
Speak from the heart. Brief stories,
backed by facts, can be compelling.
Be respectful. Alienating legislators will
not help your cause.
Dick Hughes
State Sen. Betsy Johnson, co-chair of the Joint Ways & Means Committee, opens a state
budget hearing in Coos Bay.
the heart, instead of reciting talking
points prepared by interest groups,
their stories can resonate with
legislators.
The Legislature’s Joint Commit-
tee on Carbon Reduction also vis-
ited four towns this year, held hear-
ings at the Capitol, and took remote
testimony by video for an hour
each from Baker City and Newport.
House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Port-
land, said the feedback will result
in changes throughout House Bill
2020, known as Clean Energy Jobs,
while holding true to the concept of
a carbon cap-and-trade system.
Progressive Democratic majori-
ties control both the House and the
Senate. It is not realistic to expect
that a few rural hearings will cause
Democratic leaders to suddenly
reverse course on an issue. But
rural voices can be a moderating
influence, affecting both what goes
into the final legislation and what is
left out.
Urban legislators say they care
about rural Oregon. Their inter-
est and commitment seem genu-
ine. But rural needs and rural per-
spectives often are far different
than those of urban constituents. To
really know rural Oregon, it’s not
sufficient to simply make a few vis-
its every couple of years.
This is the 21st century. Tech-
nology prevails. The Legislature
should make video conferencing
and other methods of remote tes-
timony for individuals a common
practice.
Few farmers, ranchers, commer-
If it is a large crowd and your name
is not called to testify, don’t despair.
Anyone can submit written testimony
by email to the legislative committee
by a specified deadline, although it’s
unknown how many committee mem-
bers read that testimony.
The email address for state budget
testimony is waysandmeans.budget@
oregonlegislature.gov. Include your
town or area of residence in the sub-
ject line.
cial fisherman or other rural res-
idents can afford to make hours-
long drives to Salem, only to testify
briefly. But through technology,
they could step away from work,
home or school long enough to
have their say.
For now, we have the committee
field trips. We are disappointed that
a hearing was not scheduled for the
North Coast. Despite their draw-
backs, we encourage you to attend
if possible.
You’re an Oregonian. It’s your
Legislature. Make your views
known.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Some practical advice
‘N
ever regard something as doing
you good if it makes you betray
a trust, or lose your sense of shame, or
makes you show hatred, suspicion, ill-
will or hypocrisy, or a desire for things
best done behind closed doors.”
That’s something I wish I’d said or
written. But it’s an admonition declared
1,859 years ago by Marcus Aurelius, a
second-century Roman emperor who fell
in love with philosophy.
Marcus Aurelius wrote about everyday
life topics such as learning from mistakes,
minding your own business, and con-
trolling anger. Sound timelessly relevant?
Regarded as the last of the Five Good
Emperors, Aurelius also pondered the
wisdom of keeping the number of our
commitments as low as reasonably pos-
sible, perhaps an early warning about
multitasking.
The Stoic advised us to ask our-
selves: Do I really need to say or do this?
Rather, he suggested, it is better to do a
few things well, and to speak only when
necessary.
I’m convinced that Marcus Aurelius’
wisdom, behind what I’d call “economy
of action,” has not faded in its journey
across the millennia.
And as devoted worshippers at the
altar of consumption, we want more and
to do more, only to eventually realize
how wrongheaded our decisions were.
Yes, Marcus Aurelius’ advice still res-
onates with me. He reminds me that more
is not always better than less. Indeed, less
can give us more of what we really need
— of what really matters.
ROBERT BRAKE
Ocean Park, Washington
Let’s get this done
G
earhart is making a survey of its res-
idents for considering a site for the
new fire station. It is important for all of
us to complete the questionnaire so that
the decision can be made with the most
information on public preference.
The present fire hall is 61 years old,
having been built in 1958 by then fire
chief Bruce Maltman and members of the
Gearhart Firefighters Association, and
constructed mostly of cinderblock. Over
the years, it has deteriorated, and contin-
ues to do so at the mercy of strong winds
and bad weather.
There are three possible sites being
considered: the present location, the park
at the end of Pacific Way, and the High
Point location.
I would like to recommend High Point
because it is the best choice because of
its height and the neighborhood. It can
be constructed while maintaining current
uninterrupted fire safety.
I would like to be clear that we need
this new station badly, and we need need
a vigorous support effort on the part of all
of us to get it.
Our volunteers have worked hard
with deteriorating facilities. We all need
to give this our wholehearted support.
Please return your completed question-
naires. If you don’t have one, please let
them know at City Hall.
Let’s get this done.
KENT A. SMITH
Gearhart
Thanks for support
W
e would like to thank a number
of people and groups that helped
make this past basketball season so enjoy-
able and successful.
It is quite humbling to be embraced by
a whole community, and we can’t begin
to express our gratitude to all our sup-
porters throughout the season and into the
league and state playoffs. As we headed
to state, that support blossomed even
more.
In particular we want to thank our
school leaders and administrators, from
Superintendent Sheila Roley to Prin-
cipal Jeff Roberts, Assistant Principal
Jason Boyd, and our athletic department
of Aaron Tanabe and Kerri Boutin. For
four years or so, we have been adopted by
Kenny and Cathy Hyde, whose kindness
and generosity is amazing.
All of our parents were so supportive
this year, and throughout their daughters’
careers, from team dinners, to goody bags
for state, to financial donations and emo-
tional support.
Special thanks go to Bruce’s Candy
Kitchen and the Truax, Taylor and Ben-
nett families, Cousins’ Restaurant and
Patrick and Lisa Nofield; Mike and Jody
Falleur and Larry and Janice Zagata, who
all donated monies and foods for our jour-
ney to and from Baker.
The cheerleaders’ support is always
awesome, and we would like to thank the
band, as well as Steve and Alice Olstedt
for their support, both behind the scenes
and at the front table.
Finally we want to congratulate our
boys for such an awesome run. Though
we know they’re disappointed, they
made four state finals in four years with
two titles: Quite an achievement. We are
proud to pound the hardwood with you,
and appreciate your support of us. Thank
you all.
MIKE HAWES
MARLA OLSTEDT
Coaches, Seaside High School
girls varsity basketball
WHERE TO WRITE
• State Rep. Tiffiny Mitchell (D): State
Capitol, 900 Court St. NE, H-285, Salem,
OR 97301. Phone: 503-986-1432. Email:
rep.tiffinymitchell@oregonlegislature.gov.
Web: oregonlegislature.gov/mitchell
• State Rep. Brad Witt (D): State Capi-
tol, 900 Court St. NE, H-374, Salem, OR
97301. Phone: 503-986-1431. Email: Rep.
BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov. Web: ore-
gonlegislature.gov/witt
• State Sen. Betsy Johnson (D): State
Capitol, 900 Court St. NE, S-209, Salem,
OR 97301. Phone: 503-986-1716. Email:
sen.betsyjohnson@oregonlegislature.
gov. Web: oregonlegislature.gov/johnson.
District Office: P.O. Box R, Scappoose, OR
97056. Phone: 503-543-4046. Astoria office
phone: 503-338-1280
• U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D): 2231
Rayburn House Office Building, Washing-
War with Venezuela?
T
he U.S. continues its effort to over-
throw the elected government of Ven-
ezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with
the announcement that it is pulling out
its last diplomats. The Daily Astorian has
noted that the U.S. has led an international
effort to replace Maduro. That effort has
included statements that all options are on
the table, signaling that American military
action is possible.
Oregon should be proud that two of our
five U.S. representatives, Earl Blumenauer
and Peter DeFazio, are original co-spon-
sors of House Resolution 1004, which
would prohibit unauthorized military
ton, DC 20515. Phone: 202-225-0855. Dis-
trict office: 12725 SW Millikan Way, Suite
220, Beaverton, OR 97005. Phone: 503-
469-6010. Web: bonamici.house.gov
• U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D): 221 Dirksen
Senate Office Building, Washington, DC
20510. Phone: 202-224-5244. Web: wyden.
senate.gov
• U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D): 313 Hart Sen-
ate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510.
Phone: 202-224-3753. Web: merkley.
senate.gov
• Port of Astoria: Executive Director, 10
Pier 1 Suite 308, Astoria, OR 97103. Phone:
503-741-3300. Email: admin@portofasto-
ria.com
• Clatsop County Board of Commission-
ers: C/O County Manager, 800 Exchange
St., Suite 410, Astoria, OR 97103. Phone:
503-325-1000.
action in Venezuela. With passage of this
act, any military action must be authorized
by Congress before the action starts.
The US Constitution gives Congress
responsibility to declare war. The failure
to observe this constitutional requirement
or to even make a declaration of military
action has resulted in a series of endless
wars made by the U.S. upon the nations of
the world.
We need to demand that U.S. Rep.
Suzanne Bonamici join Blumenauer and
DeFazio in their opposition to unautho-
rized war in Venezuela. Give her a call
today at 503-469-6010.
DAVID DELK
Astoria