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4 A ❘ WEDNESDAY EDITION ❘ NOVEMBER 2, 2016 Siuslaw News B Y D AVE R OBINSON Special to the Siuslaw News T EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM Dave’s top 10 preparedness tips DISASTER PREP his week’s column begins a series of my Ten Foundational Principles of Disaster Preparedness. Call them core values, immutable truths or life rules, I feel one must develop their own personal “prepper philosophy” so there will be some direction and structure in your planning. Although mine are a work in progress, here they are and you are welcome to copy them as your own: 1. Prepare BEFORE the disaster hap- pens. I am always mildly amused and somewhat bewildered by the ones who run to the store either at the last minute or after the fact. That’s a bit like having a fender bender then calling your insurance man to buy some coverage. In my observations of situations like ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ Opinion P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 (Editor’s Note: This Saturday, Siuslaw News is sponsoring the Be Ready Disaster Preparedness Expo at the FEC from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ) NED HICKSON , EDITOR Katrina and Sandy, I see people who had plenty of advance warning still getting caught empty-handed. The chaos, frustra- tion and desperation that characterizes the unprepared can all be avoided by simply planning ahead. Your family is worth it. A biblical proverb says, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes on blindly and suf- fers the consequences.” (Proverbs 22:3, New Living Translation) Plan ahead. 2. Avoid ready-made kits. There are lit- erally thousands of ready-made kits avail- able for purchase. Almost every disaster preparedness blog (except mine) has a kit for sale. I think some of them are pretty well thought out and actually very cool. However, there is a certain satisfaction in building your own, choosing quality com- ponents and actually designing the kit for your specific needs in your specific neigh- borhood. The person that lives miles out in the hills will have different needs than the person who lives in the city. Some families have babies and their kit will require diapers and anti-rash ointment. Others will have “seasoned citizens” in the household and their needs are unique to their circumstance. Check out the ready-mades to get ideas on what you might need, but make your own list, then fill it to your satisfaction. 3. Have a plan “B” and a plan “C.” Every experienced battle commander knows his plan is perfect until the shooting starts. Most plans begin to unravel as they’re put to the test. This is a huge flaw I see in the National Geographic Channel’s “Doomsday Preppers.” Every featured group I have seen pre- pares for a specific disaster scenario. Just imagine how disappointed they’d be if they prepared for a nuclear attack and got hit with a coronal mass ejection (solar storm) instead. Now I am convinced if you live in hurri- cane country, then plan for a hurricane, but have two or more different evacuation routes. Prepare two or more retreat loca- tions, just in case. If you live along the Oregon Coast, plan for an earthquake- tsunami episode, but always have a plan B. Your first escape route may be blocked with debris or a bridge may be impassable. Make alternate plans. Next week we’ll continue with my Ten Basic Principles. ______________________ Dave Robinson is the postmaster in Bandon, Ore., and author of “Disaster Prep for the Rest of Us.” He may be contacted at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com. Visit his web- site for more disaster preparedness tips, www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com. LETTERS Get involved It must have been 1979 or 1980 when activists from Nuclear Free Missoula chained themselves to the railroad tracks in that Western Montana town in an attempt to stop the travel of nuclear waste through Missoula County. Not wanting to get arrested or run over by a train, I ran sandwiches by bicycle from my apartment a mile away to the protesters and other interested parties. Still, I felt a part of something very important and much bigger than myself. Now that I am calling Florence my home, I felt a sharp pang of recognition when I visited an exhibit at Silver Lining’s celebrating local activism over many years. Annexations, control of the water district, attempts to eliminate racism and build inclusive community, provid- ing books and reading programs to all kids — there have been people here in Florence fighting for those things that are the core of our demo- cratic republic — and they still try to raise our awareness and stir us to action with peaceful presence at major intersections. Featured in the exhibit are obituaries of sev- eral of those who dedicated their time, energy and experience to that “something bigger” than themselves that I recognized from my own past. I wondered aloud, “Where are the young peo- ple? Who is carrying this important work for- ward?” and realized: I need to look in the mir- ror to find the answer. I hope others will consider doing the same. We have a huge opportunity available to us in this community, which is poised at the brink of change. What will the change be like, and how do we make sure it’s what we want? We need to get involved. P.S. The organizers of the event plan to cap- ture it and compile it to an internet locale, for posterity, and for easy access to interested par- ties. Ivy Medow Florence Leaving the ballot blank I’ve been following presidential politics since I sat with my grandfather as he explained what was going on while we watched on televi- sion the 1956 re-nomination of Dwight Eisenhower. From my perspective, this choice we are now facing is the worst I’ve ever seen. I understand the ethic expressed in Mr. Hickson’s editorial on Oct. 26, and I agree the obligation to cast an informed vote is critical to the preservation of a free society. However, when all my reading, listening and considering is done and, thus informed, it becomes clear USPS# 497-660 both choices stink, I think I am perfectly correct in leaving that line on the ballot blank. The least objectionable choice is still objec- tionable and supporting someone I believe to offer less than the job requires is, for me, not acceptable. Fortunately I live in Oregon where my lack of a vote for president will have no impact, so I won’t lose any sleep over my decision. Love her or despise her, Hillary Clinton will receive Oregon’s seven electoral votes. Her polling in the state has her up between 10 and 12 points, about the margin President Obama had over Mr. Romney in 2012. Assuming the turnout is similar, that means nearly a quarter of a million people would have to leave the line blank in order for Mr. Trump to have a chance. Jimmie Zinn Florence Tumult and disorder Tony Cavarno applauds the Founding Fathers’ wisdom in designing the Electoral College to protect against having a president chosen by popular vote. We might not remember that, being fearful of dictators, demagogues and direct democracy, the Founders gave us a representative democra- cy. The only officials elected by direct vote of the people are members of the House of Representatives. Senators were to be chosen by state legisla- tors and, in the election of president, each state would “appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of [its] sen- ators and representatives.” These Electors could not be federal office holders or appointees but only, as Alexander Hamilton put it in the Federalist Papers, No. 68, “men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station, and acting under circum- stances favorable to deliberation … to afford as little opportunity as possible to tumult and dis- order.” The Founders envisioned presidential elec- tions as non-partisan. Things change. So, when Hamilton stated that the Electoral College, if “not perfect, it is at least excellent,” he did not foresee the emergence of political parties, presidential primaries or pledged Electors. These developments obviated the foundational idea of a representative-democra- cy mechanism in electing a president. The Electoral College, Hamilton might lament, has morphed into a direct-democracy Never got back to me I received my umpteenth disingenuous and leading call from Arnie Roblin’s campaign. The last one really riled me. The person wanted to know what issues were important to me. Over the years I have contacted Arnie about issues personally and as a member of numerous county commissions. These were all dealing with items affecting us all, especially financial- ly. He has never got back to me. I had to go to the head of the Senate to make him respond. That’s a lawyers trick; don’t get back to a per- son and it gives you plausible deniability. As a matter of fact, I brought up an item on fees at one of his town hall meetings and he hadn’t a clue as to what I was talking about. Arnie’s a nice guy but totally ineffectual as a Senator. It’s time for a change. We now have a credible candidate for Senator in Dick Anderson. George Goldstein Florence Committed public servant Effective representation in Salem is good for all of us on the coast. That’s why I’m writing to support Arnie Roblan in his re-election cam- paign for Senate District 5. Having known him for many years, and having sent my children to Marshfield High School during Arnie’s time there, I have witnessed first-hand his commit- ment to education. He is a committed public servant. When he retired from his career as an educator, he went on to help pass the largest education funding budget our state has ever seen. Arnie truly cares about all of the people he represents, of all ages, and he understands our challenges. As a former Co-Speaker of the House, he has the chops to maneuver the system, working with Democrats and Republicans to deliver results. He is only interested in what is in the best interest of his district and the state of Oregon. It is reassuring to know we have someone like Arnie representing us. As a city councilor and former mayor, I can say that he is the right person for this job. Sheldon Meyer Dunes City Can’t afford a close election Currently, Trump appears to be losing the election. If he loses, my concern is that he will claim he lost the election because it was rigged — especially if it is close — when the truth will be he lost because a majority of American vot- ers found him to be unfit or undesireable to be President of the United States. Trump’s suggestion of a rigged U.S. national election insults our intelligence, and personally insults thousands of elected officials and volun- teers from all political parties who, together, oversee the American election process — with all its many checks and balances — to ensure fair and honest elections. Trump’s American “rigged election” conspir- acy theory; his unwillingness to condemn Putin and Russia for trying to interfere in an American election despite evidence to the con- trary from American intelligence agencies; his willingness to undermine decades of American treaties and commitments to our allies and other countries around the world that were made in good faith by the United States government; and his attacks against the American media (there’s a reason the founding fathers put “free- dom of the press” in the First Amendment of the Constitution) makes Trump not only dangerous to the future of this country, but in my opinion the most un-American presidential candidate in the history of the United States. This is not the election to stay home or not vote. The American people cannot afford to have a close election this year. Despite the absurdity of claiming a rigged election, close or not, Trump will make this claim, and many of his most fer- vent followers will believe him. Regardless of political affiliation, age, race, sex or education, whether you reside in a red, blue or purple state, you need to vote — because every vote against Trump helps eliminate his excuse for losing should he come up short on votes. This election needs to be a landslide victory, both in the electoral college and popular vote, so a clear message is sent to Trump and the world that Democracy is alive and well in America. Frank Spencer Florence Copyright 2016 © Siuslaw News Publisher, ext. 327 General Manager, ext. 318 Editor, ext. 313 Advertising Director, ext. 326 Office Supervisor, ext. 312 Production Supervisor Press Manager DEADLINES: Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Monday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Monday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Friday 5 p.m. Saturday Issue—General news, Thursday noon; Budgets, two days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Thursday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Thursday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Wednesday 5 p.m. Soundings, Tuesday 5 p.m. NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Lane County — 1-year subscription, $71; 10-weeks subscription, $18; Out of Lane County — 1-year subscription, $94; 10-weeks subscription, $24; Out of State — 1-year subscription, $120; Out of United States — 1-year subscription, $200; E-Edition Online Only (Anywhere) — 1-year subscription, $65. Mail subscription includes E-Edition. Website and E-Edition: www.TheSiuslawNews.com 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 process the Founders, in their wisdom, sought to avoid. The Electoral College will, on occa- sion, “protect” against having a president cho- sen by direct popular vote. (Gore vs. Bush). But, it has not avoided “tumult and disorder” (Trump vs. Clinton). Will it protect against what Hamilton called “talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, alone sufficing to elevate a … can- didate for the distinguished office of President?” We’ll know on Nov. 9. Arnold Buchman Florence 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
