A4
THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, ApRIl 28, 2022
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
publisher
Founded in 1873
DERRICK DePLEDGE
Editor
SHANNON ARLINT
Circulation Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
production Manager
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Honest and caring
udge Darleen Ortega is a smart,
hardworking and capable judge
who has served on the Oregon Court
of Appeals for 19 years. She is honest
and caring, and her written opinions
are thoughtful and well-reasoned. We
are lucky to have her. I encourage
you to vote for her reelection.
PAULA BROWNHILL
Astoria
J
Corporate populism
he routine influence of money
in politics has become such a
commonplace that its presence is no
longer shameful, or even remotely
unseemly.
“Timber baron jumps into Oregon
politics” (The Astorian, April 19) is a
case in print. Betsy Johnson’s accep-
tance of campaign donations from
corporations, or any and all comers
from the American oligarchy, should
clearly illustrate whose interests she
will be championing if she is elected
Oregon’s next governor.
These same one-percenters and
corporate donors are the money that
bankrolls the so-called grass roots
“populism” of the #TimberUnity
political action committee. I am not
opposed to living wages, or the live-
lihood of working people.
However, the real cream in this
state’s timber industry is, has been
and always will be floating to the
top. For the plutocracy, support for
“independent” Johnson is a wise
investment that will pay big divi-
dends. Money is the mother’s milk of
politics.
As a maverick in the Oregon Sen-
ate, she played the Joe Manchin
role perfectly. Power, for the sake
of power, and perversity in service
to obstructionism. Imagine how she
might govern, while the public’s real
needs and their possible solutions go
unaddressed.
Vote for Betsy! Vote for stabil-
ity, and the status quo will be grand-
ma’d in!
GARY DURHEIM
Seaside
T
Demonstrates honesty
will be voting for Steve Dillard
for Clatsop County commissioner,
District 5. The main reason is his
past history of successfully working
with homeless issues in California.
He believes that a countywide coor-
dination will play a key role in mak-
ing progress. He is results-oriented,
and ready to get to work.
He has volunteered in youth pro-
grams, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary
and others. He demonstrates hon-
esty, integrity and accountability, and
believes in freedom! Vote for Dillard
for county commissioner!
JUDY HIXSON
Seaside
I
Pam has my vote
latsop County is lucky that Pam
Wev is running for reelection
this May. She has worked hard for
us these last four years, and has the
experience to make a difference as a
county commissioner.
I am a mom of young kids, and I
am grateful to Pam for the work she
is putting in to help expand child care
in the county. This is such an import-
ant issue, and we need smart people
like Pam working on it.
Pam has also been working on
expanding broadband options, which
our rural areas so desperately need.
Plus, Pam cares about affordable
housing, and has helped new housing
projects get off the ground during her
time as commissioner. She has the
expertise and dedication we need to
C
see projects to the finish line.
In my eyes, this election is an
easy choice, and I hope you’ll join
me in voting for Wev for county
commissioner.
JENNIFER RASMUSSEN
Astoria
Needs to go
am Wev needs to go, and Nathan
Pinkstaff needs to take her place.
Why? Because she thought it OK
to spend $56 million on a new public
works facility.
Why? Because she thinks it’s OK
to spend millions on an upgrade to
the county offices.
Why? Because she wants to turn
rural Clatsop County into a transient
resident playground.
Why? Because she doesn’t hear
her constituents asking for day care
centers, nontourist related jobs and
keeping the unincorporated county
rural. Her county of tomorrow looks
like overcrowded Hillsboro.
Preserve rural Clatsop County,
vote for Nathan.
MATHEW PARDES
Astoria
P
Practical experience
t’s always thrilling — and a huge
relief — when good people run
for office. Clatsop County Commis-
sioner Pam Wev sees her position
as an opportunity to do good for the
county. She works at it full time, and
we’re lucky to have such an informed
and energized elected leader.
I especially appreciate Pam’s
knowledge of how government
works, and what the county can and
can’t do under law. She’s a thought-
ful advocate for keeping Oregon and
the county beautiful and economi-
cally sound, despite the challenges of
the pandemic and a changing world.
She’s worked on housing and job
development for years, within local
and state government and as owner
of her own business.
I’m grateful that Pam values com-
munication and coordination with
others who have different opinions
and new information. She has the
hands-on experience and knowledge
that will benefit all of us.
The May election could change
the political and philosophical bal-
ance on the county commission. If
you value experience and informed
decision-making, then please
vote to reelect Wev as our county
commissioner.
Be a voter. Ballots are due May
17. Ballot drop sites are at co.clatsop.
or.us/clerk/page/elections
LAURIE CAPLAN
Astoria
I
Fresh approach
’m writing this letter in support
of Nathan Pinkstaff for Clatsop
County commissioner of District 3.
Being from the area that Pam Wev
used to represent, I found her to be
less than transparent. Her availabil-
ity to our area’s questions, emails and
calls was nonexistent.
I
In fact, when there was a tour of
the possible new public works facil-
ity site, she, as our commissioner,
chose not to attend. It was disheart-
ening, as a constituent, to know that
while the cost of the site climbed to
$56 million, she still supported this
facility.
We need a fresh approach to the
issues of child care, homelessness
and responsible growth of the county.
Nathan is looking for a transpar-
ent government that is accountable
and open to the taxpayers. Nathan
wants to work with the cities on the
big issues, not dictate to them. He
understands that we all need to come
together to keep this county rural, the
reason we choose to live here.
Change is needed. A career gov-
ernment employee and consultant is
not what’s best for our county. We’ve
heard time and time again about the
“experience” that Wev has, and how
you reach out for experience with a
mechanic, doctor or hairdresser.
I know I’ve had a mechanic who
took advantage of my mechanical
ignorance I’ve sought out a second
opinion on a diagnosis and I’ve defi-
nitely had more than one bad hair-
cut. Just because you have the expe-
rience, doesn’t mean you’re the best
person for the job.
SUZETTE BERGESON
Astoria
Speaks volumes
egarding “Timber baron jumps
into Oregon politics” (The Asto-
rian, April 19): Thanks for letting us
know that Betsy Johnson is being
backed by Sierra Pacific Industries,
avid supporters of former President
Donald Trump. Speaks volumes.
SANDY REA
Seaside
R
Best qualified
s a registered voter in Clatsop
County since 1964, I’ve read
about dozens and dozens of candi-
dates for Clatsop County commis-
sion. Some have even become good
friends.
In the 2018 election, Pamela Wev
filed for a seat on the commission. I
read her resume and heard her speak
at a forum. It occurred to me there
had never before been a candidate
so qualified, primarily as Wev had
been consulting with both govern-
ment and private firms. Apparently
other voters took note, and elected
her to the commission.
Here in the 2022 election, Wev
is on the ballot for a second term
in District 3. She has continued her
contacts with other governments
and agencies, written comprehen-
sive plans and zoning ordinances,
supported affordable housing on the
Northwest Oregon Housing Author-
ity Board, promoted public safety
and delights in the historic character
of this county.
Wev is again the best qualified
candidate as commissioner in Dis-
trict 3. Cast your vote for Wev.
JUANITA PRICE
Astoria
A
Please listen
his letter is in response to the
front-page articles (The Asto-
rian, April 21) covering the Amer-
ican Association of University
Women candidates’ forum, which
was not only excellent but, thanks
to KMUN, livestreamed.
However, I’m deeply disap-
pointed at the lack of coverage by
The Astorian for the only 1st Con-
gressional District candidate, Scott
Phillips, who demonstrates great
ability to lead, with a diverse life
experience and strong background
T
in community.
His real-world problem-solving
involvement, with an emphasis on
change and inclusion, is what we
need right now. And, unlike other
candidates, he doesn’t spout errone-
ous conspiracy or ideologies stem-
ming from a false narrative from
the entrenched political side of our
country determined to simply put
those back in charge again who
divide us, not unite us.
Not only was his photo not used,
he wasn’t even mentioned in the
articles. I strongly suggest every-
one take the time to listen to this
candidate. He came to Astoria to be
heard. Please listen.
JUDITH P. NILAND
Astoria
Willing to do the work
’m writing this letter today in
response to the recent article
(The Astorian, April 26) about the
Clatsop County commission race
between Pamela Wev and Nathan
Pinkstaff.
I will start out with my expe-
rience regarding Wev. Recently, I
and my community members raised
some questions regarding the “resil-
iency project” and the construc-
tion of the county road department
in our rural community. We wrote
emails to our commissioner, Wev.
We heard nothing.
She stated in the article that she
has more experience than Pinkstaff,
saying it would be “sad” for him to
be elected. I disagree. Nathan is a
community member, first and fore-
most. He has lived here his whole
life, and has chosen Astoria to raise
his children in.
He may not know everything,
but he is transparent, honest, will-
ing to listen and willing to do the
work. And those attributes mean
more to me and this community
than a million years of government
experience.
COLLEEN LARSON
Astoria
I
Represents our values
recently saw an article in your
paper (The Astorian, April 26) that
referenced interviews with Pam Wev
and Nathan Pinkstaff.
I was surprised to read Wev’s
comments about people with inex-
perience not being qualified to run.
She called it a “shame” and said “cit-
izens lose.” It was shameful of her
to say that, and exclude people like
me from these community elected
positions.
Experience does not just come
from being a long-term govern-
ment individual. Pinkstaff has been
involved in our community, volun-
teers and raises his family here. This
provides the experience needed to
be successful as a Clatsop County
commissioner.
New members are needed to keep
perspectives rooted in the values of
our local area. Each of us is uniquely
qualified and experienced to serve by
the fact that we live and work in this
community. Recently, Nathan orga-
nized a parks cleanup for our kids,
and this last week he volunteered at
the local crab festival, as he has in
the past.
Wev did not show up as a com-
missioner for the controversial pub-
lic works facility site tour. Relying
too much on experience can cause an
elected official to become compla-
cent, and ignore the voices of those
in the community.
I encourage each of you to vote
Pinkstaff for county commissioner
for District 3. He represents our val-
ues and local community.
BRIAN ALLEN
Astoria
I
LETTERS WELCOME
Letters should be exclusive to The Astorian. Letters
in response to other letter writers should address the issue
should be fewer than 250 words and must include the
at hand and should refer to the headline and date the letter
writer’s name, address and phone number. You will be
was published. Discourse should be civil. Send via email to
contacted to confirm authorship. All letters are subject to
editor@dailyastorian.com, online at bit.ly/astorianletters, in
editing for space, grammar and factual accuracy. Only two
person at 949 Exchange St. in Astoria or mail to Letters to
letters per writer are allowed each month. Letters written
the Editor, P.O. Box 210, Astoria, OR., 97103.