Cottage Grove sentinel., October 19, 2016, Page 8A, Image 8

YO U S H OU
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8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL October 19, 2016
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE | IMPACT
© FOTOLIA
It Makes a Difference
I
t’s Election Day. Do you know where your vote is? If you’re keeping it in
your back pocket, you may be doing yourself and those around you a
civic disservice.
The fact is that your vote could make all the difference in not
only swaying an election, but in fulfilling your duty as a proud
American citizen.
‘BUT, MY VOTE DOESN’T COUNT’
We’ve all heard the claim from nonvoters that their one vote
simply doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things,
especially in the presidential election that is determined by the
Electoral College.
Not so fast, say politicians and pro-voting organizations.
Here are some important events in U.S. history that were
decided by just a few votes, according to the State of Illinois:
• Richard Nixon, not John F. Kennedy, would have become
President of the U.S. in 1960 if one person from each voting
place had voted differently.
• If just one U.S. Senator had voted differently, U.S. President
Andrew Johnson would have been removed from office in 1867.
• Texas might not have become part of the United States in
1845 if one U.S. Senator had voted differently. The vote in the
U.S. Senate was 27-25 to invite Texas to become a state. If it
had been a tie, Texas would not have been asked to
become part of the Union.
process. Coordinate to meet the morning of the election and
head to the polls together.
Voting with a significant other, parent or close friend can
help calm any nerves and also help you from backing out.
Add in a breakfast, lunch or dinner to make the
event a memorable one that you may
turn into a regular occur-
rence.
‘BUT I DON’T KNOW
HOW TO VOTE’
General discomfort can be
a major factor in keeping
many people away from
the voting booth.
If voting intimidates
you or you need
motivation in keep-
ing it on your
schedule,
involve a family
member or
acquaintance in
your planning
© FOTOLIA
Paid Political Advertisement
VOTE JEFF GOWING FOR MAYOR!
I am a Cottage Grove native, Army Veteran, City Counselor for 7 years,
and a 28 year Weyerhaeuser employee. My priorities as Mayor would be
strengthening public safety, fi lling empty buildings, revitalizing historic
down town, and funding for our infastructure. I enjoy talking to people
around town, and soliciting opinions about issues before making decisions.
Paid for by Jeff Gowing
Paid Political Advertisement
Fergus Mclean for House District 7 Independent7th.com
We’ve learned how to manage our forests to preserve 90% of their ecological function while, over the long term, producing
more timber than is possible with historic, destructive logging practices. But Oregon’s timber industry stubbornly refuses to
adapt. They tell us we need to cut more public timber. There are other things they don’t tell us:
• That industrial logging is Oregon’s 2nd largest source of CO2
• That Oregon will lose $1.3 million in federal grants this year because the Oregon Forest Practices Act doesn’t protect our
streams adequately
• That our timber industry has pocketed nearly a billion dollars in tax breaks since 1999
And now the state would rather sell off the Elliott State Forest than comply with federal Clean Water and Endangered Species
laws, while ignoring the huge potential value of the carbon credits Elliott State Forest could generate- which could eventually be
worth more than the timber.
Unless we stop the sale, the Elliott will be in private hands by Christmas. Tell the Governor: Don’t let them clearcut our forest!
Paid for by Independent7th