4 A
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WEDNESDAY EDITION
❘ OCTOBER 26, 2016
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
This time, voting is more than just a privilege
There have been moments
over the last several weeks
where the thought of casting
my vote for president in either
direction has left me shaking
my head.
If I’m being honest, neither
candidate would be my first
choice under normal circum-
stances. However, I think we
can all agree that these are not
“normal” circumstances — for
our election process, our coun-
try or what will follow in the
four years after Nov. 8.
I’ve spoken with several
people who have told me that
their distaste for these two
candidates has soured them to
the point that they will not be
voting this year. In each case,
they felt that voting “just for
the sake of voting” was
wrong, and that they didn’t
want to be a part of electing
either candidate into the presi-
dency.
I understand this.
Admittedly, the same
thought passed through my
mind during each of the three
presidential debates. But just
like that late-night slice of
chocolate cake before bed, the
thought was a fleeting one.
That’s because I have
always believed that our right
to vote is both a privilege and
an obligation. Most years, it
has simply been a privilege I
enjoy as an American. I have
gone to the voting booth or
mailed in my ballot in support
of candidates for different rea-
sons.
Sometimes it was because I
connected with the ideals of
one candidate over another.
Other times it was because I
privilege I enjoyed because,
no matter who won, I still felt
our country would be in capa-
ble hands.
This time, I’m not so sure.
For that reason, this time
it’s not about enjoying the
From the Editor’s Desk
N ED H ICKSON
felt their vision for our coun-
try was better defined and
suited the temperament of our
changing world politically,
economically or socially.
Over the years, I have voted
for Democrats, Republicans
and Independents.
I even voted for Ross Perot,
whatever he was.
In each case, voting was a
privilege of voting as much as
it is about accepting the obli-
gation I have, as an American,
to educate myself and make an
informed decision. I can’t rely
on spoon-fed rhetoric, head-
lines, carefully staged inter-
views, rants on social media or
even many of the news
sources that claim to be unbi-
ased.
I have to roll up my sleeves,
dig in and do the work so that,
come election day, I can do the
right thing instead of the easy
thing.
I realize it still means vot-
ing for one of these candi-
dates. It still means feeling as
if I’m being made to compro-
mise the level of expectation I
would normally have for
someone who is supposed to
represent my highest ideals as
an American.
And it still means I will
have to accept — and live with
— the results, no matter who
is elected.
However, to not vote would
mean compromising my own
ideals as an American, as well
as the expectation our forefa-
thers had for each of us when
they fought for our right to
vote in a democracy protected
by the Constitution.
As I said, there have been
moments where the thought of
casting my vote in this elec-
tion has left me shaking my
head. But come Nov. 8, when
the votes are tallied and our
next president is elected,
knowing that I took the time to
cast a truly informed vote in
the spirit our forefathers
intended will keep me from
hanging my head instead.
Please take the time to cast
an informed vote. No matter
who it is, I support your
choice — not as a Democrat,
Republican or Independent.
I will support your choice
as an American.
Write Siuslaw News editor Ned
Hickson at nhickson@thesiuslaw
news.com or P.O. Box 10,
Florence, Ore. 97439.
LETTERS
He is there for you
Woody Woodbury is running for Lane
County Justice of the Peace. I have known
Woody for nearly 10 years. His honesty and
integrity are beyond reproach.
I have always found him visible in the com-
munity, approachable in all settings, and
accessible — if you need Woody, he is there
for you. This is exactly what he brings to the
people of Lane County.
As a retired law enforcement officer, it is
critically important to have a magistrate with
those three qualities not only for the communi-
ty he serves, but for local law enforcement
who need an approachable and accessible
magistrate to do their jobs effectively.
Please join me in voting for Woody
Woodbury for Lane County Justice of the
Peace.
Maurice K. Sanders
Retired Florence Chief of Police
If it’s not broken
As election time draws near, I would like to
remind readers that Florence and all Lane
County residents will be voting for a Lane
County Justice of the Peace, serving here in
Florence.
I would also like to remind others that we
have an excellent candidate already fulfilling
the Lane County Justice of the Peace position.
Judge Rick Brissenden has been Florence’s
Municipal Court Judge for the past 18 years.
Due to a vacancy, Judge Brissenden was
appointed Justice of the Peace beginning
March 1, 2016, where he has been handling all
of the JP duties, as well as the Municipal
Court.
He will serve out that appointment as JP
until Dec. 31, 2016, no matter who wins this
election.
There is no reason to remove an expert who
is doing his job, and replace him with a how-
ever well-meaning citizen who will have to be
trained for the position at tax-payer expense.
Plus there would no doubt be a learning
curve, to bring another candidate up to the
speed and expertise of an 18-year Judge.
Judge Brissenden has concrete ideas for
helping bring services to more people in other
parts of Lane County, not just to serve
Florence. And he has the network and know-
how to get the job done.
If it’s not broken, why pay to fix it? Please
join me in voting for Judge Rick Brissenden
for Lane County Justice of the Peace, and help
all of us have access to a just, experienced,
knowledgeable Judge.
Mary Beth Rawlins
Florence
Apples and oranges
L ETTERS TO THE
E DITOR P OLICY
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Write to:
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USPS# 497-660
The writer of the letter “That $17,175”
(Siuslaw News, Oct. 22) seems slightly con-
fused. Measure 97 does not address gross prof-
its.
All levels of imposed taxation are geared to
“sales” as reported on a tax form. The 2.5 per-
cent levy is imposed upon corporations report-
ing sales in excess of $25 million.
They are taxed $30,001 plus 2.5 percent of
reported sales in excess of $25 million. If the
writer’s calculations are accurate, and he
would have to pay $17,175 on a 2.5 percent tax
imposed upon his gross profit, that means that
his gross profit is $687,000 — in which case
he surely wouldn’t need help paying for his
granddaughters’ college or his employees’
bonuses.
Equating his business to a corporation with
sales in excess of $25 million is clearly a case
of comparing apples to oranges.
Bill Durst
Florence
Strong statement
Florence Area Democrats Endorse Measures
97 and 98.
Measure 97 is not a consumer sales tax. It is
Small price to pay
I am urging support for Western Lane
Ambulance District (WLAD) and Measure 20-
266. Having personally required emergency
medical attention in my home following recent
surgery, I experienced first hand the expert and
fine care that was administered to me.
The two EMTs that responded provided
excellent care at a very precarious time during
my recovery. These two men skillfully
assessed my situation, stabilized me and, more
importantly (to me anyway) were able to
assure my wife that I was in good hands prior
to transporting me to the hospital.
Measure 20-266 asks voters to extend the
current levy, due to expire in 2017, in order to
provide this essential service to the residents in
the Western Lane County Ambulance District.
Based on current median household values
it is estimated that the measure would cost the
average household approximately $7 a month
to maintain this valuable service.
In my opinion, $7 a month is a small price to
pay to assure this vital service is available
should you or a loved one need critical medical
attention.
Please vote “yes” on Measure 20-266.
J. Kevin Leverton
Dunes City
Make a difference
Mark Brennan’s Oct. 19 article highlighted
one of Lane County’s finest nonprofit organi-
zations and a great opportunity for volunteers
to help kids in need.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
pairs volunteers (after careful training) with
children who have been abused or neglected. A
volunteer advocate helps a child to navigate
the court system and speaks on behalf of the
child so that he or she can be placed in the best
possible long-term care setting.
I am relatively new to CASA of Lane
County, but I have been deeply impressed with
the professionalism of the organization, the
importance of the work being done, and the
personal satisfaction of doing volunteer work
that is important and appreciated.
The training program, of which I have now
completed the first half, is excellent: well-
organized, thorough and comprehensive. For
the benefit of volunteers who live outside of
Eugene, it is now possible to take many of the
classes locally through a “live” internet con-
nection.
There are children in the Florence area who
are on a waiting list for a CASA volunteer. The
need is great, and the demand for CASA vol-
unteers is growing in Lane County and
throughout Oregon.
I hope that others will consider the engaging
work of CASA through which they can make a
significant difference in the lives of our chil-
dren.
Robert Orr
Dunes City
Shift the power
In my opinion, a vote for Caddy McKeown is
a vote for higher taxes, closing businesses, fail-
ing schools and deteriorating roads.
Her biggest accomplishment while represent-
ing us has been being part of a group of legisla-
tors advocating to bring back the rail system.
I like trains; we all like them.
However, I don’t like the fact that it is the
most subsidized form of transportation and not
fiscally sustainable.
The recent train accident in Mosier revealed
the dangerous condition our rail system is in.
Federal investigators blamed aging equipment
and lack of maintenance on this devastating
crash. Our rails are old and require trains to run
at lower speeds to avert catastrophe.
We also found out that many trains are using
breaking systems that were designed during the
Civil War era.
Oregon deserves better and it starts with
shifting the power in Salem by ending one-party
rule. District 9 has fairly equal voter registration
between Democrats and Republicans.
Electing Teri Grier is a good place to begin
that transition. She has a wealth of knowledge
and can help be a catalyst for change; it would
be a shame if we voted for the status quo.
Albert Einstein said, “The definition of
insanity is doing the same thing over and over
again, but expecting different results.”
If we want change we need to vote for Teri
Grier.
Jacquie Beveridge
Florence
Copyright 2016 © Siuslaw News
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WHERE TO WRITE
Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane County, Oregon. A member of the National
Newspaper Association and Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Periodicals postage paid at Florence, Ore.
Postmaster, send address changes to: Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439; phone 541-997-3441; fax
541-997-7979. All press releases may be sent to PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com.
John Bartlett
Jenna Bartlett
Ned Hickson
Susan Gutierrez
Cathy Dietz
Ron Annis
Jeremy Gentry
a tax that large corporations such as Comcast
and Koch Industries will pay on sales in
Oregon above $25 million. That tax can be
absorbed by their nationwide pricing system.
These companies benefit from Oregon’s
public services while profiting from doing
business in our state.
As for Measure 98, a “yes” vote will send a
strong statement to our legislators that voca-
tional and career-technical programs are
important to keep students engaged and
increase the state’s high school graduation
rate.
Karin Radtke
Florence Area Democratic Club
Chairwoman
Pres. Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213
www.whitehouse.gov
Gov. Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4047
Governor’s Citizens’ Rep.
Message Line 503-378-4582
www.oregon.gov/gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244
541-431-0229
www.wyden.senate.gov
FAX: 503-986-1080
Email:
Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997
541-465-6750
State Rep. Caddy McKeown
(Dist. 9)
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1409
Email:
rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.)
2134 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6416/ 800-944-9603
541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732
www.defazio.house.gov
State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5)
900 Court St. NE - S-417
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1705
West Lane County Commissioner
Jay Bozievich
125 E. Eighth St.
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4203
FAX: 541-682-4616
Email:
Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us