COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL FEBRUARY 22, 2017
3A
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden holds town hall event
U.S. Senator Ron
Wyden described him-
cmay@cgsentinel.com
self Sunday night as a
fi rst generation Jewish
kid whose father fl ed the
Nazis in the 1930s. Not all of his family, however,
escaped and it was a reality Wyden called upon
in telling a nearly sold out town hall, “Nobody is
free unless everyone is free.”
The line garnered one of the many thunderous
rounds of applause from the several hundred res-
idents who came out to hear the senator mark his
793rd town hall, this time at Lane Community
College in Eugene. As one member of the audi-
ence pointed out to the senator, the reaction was
not completely unexpected. In Eugene, where
over 60 percent of residents identify as democrat,
Wyden acknowledged that he was speaking to
a room that already agreed with him and urged
those in attendance to reach out to those on the
other side of the aisle.
Questions, however, echoed the national dis-
course focusing on President Donald Trump and
the possible consequences of executive orders
and cabinet picks, particularly Trump’s choice to
lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott
Pruitt.
“The head of an agency that relates to some-
thing in the Oregon gene pool, clean air and wa-
ter, has spent his entire life trying to dismantle the
laws he is now asked to carry out,” Wyden said of
the choice.
Pruitt, former Oklahoma Attorney General,
routinely sued the EPA to block laws regarding
the protection of the environment. He was con-
fi rmed by a vote of 52-46.
Senator Wyden also touched on the ongoing
reports that the Trump campaign was in commu-
nication with Russia stating that it was his belief
a special prosecutor would be called on to inves-
tigate possible business ties between Trump and
Russia.
News reports concerning the connection have
been popping up since the last leg of the election
with new allegations taking hold recently after
Trump-appointed National Security Advisor Mi-
chael Flynn resigned. Flynn had previously de-
nied any wrong doing before admitting to speak-
ing with the Russian ambassador concerning
Obama-placed sanctions on the country prior to
Trump’s inauguration. The White House denied
any cooperation between the campaign and Rus-
sia after confl icting reports concerning Flynn’s
departure emerged. Initially, White House staff
noted Flynn resigned. Trump later said he had
fi red Flynn. Most recently, President Trump noted
the media was to blame for its treatment of the
former U.S. National Security Advisor.
Wyden cited newly confi rmed U.S. Attorney
General Jeff Sessions’ support of a special pros-
By Caitlyn May
ecutor for Hillary Clinton during the campaign
and FBI head James Comey’s decision to discuss
a potential investigation 11 days prior to the 2016
election in commenting on a possible investiga-
tion into Trump’s relationship with Russia. “This
cannot be swept under the rug. It’s a security issue
and it speaks to the legitimacy of government.”
Focusing closer to home, Wyden took several
questions concerning health care and the choices
Oregonians would be faced with if the Affordable
Care Act were repealed.
“It’s clear all the promises on the campaign trail
that the plan would be better, it would be cheaper,
he told us it would be great but they called it ‘re-
peal and replace,’” Wyden said of plans to repeal
the ACA. “It looks like, now, it’s ‘repeal and run.’
If you want to see chaos, repeal the Affordable
Care Act.”
Wyden went on to explain to the crowd that 65
percent of the Medicaid budget went to nursing
home costs. "These are the folks who have been
your quiet neighbors," he said. "They didn't go on
vacation, they sent their kids to school, they did
everything right. Growing old costs money and
they exhausted their savings."
Other topics included during the 90-minute
town hall were Supreme Court nominee Neil
Gorsuch, the Trans Pacifi c Partnership, potential
Democratic National Committee candidates and
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden held his 793rd town hall meeting on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Lane Community College in
who Wyden would support for the role and free-
Eugene. The senator spoke on both national and local, issues including the current administration, health care and
dom of the press. In addressing possible DNC
immigration.
chair candidates, Wyden said he had agreed not to
use town halls
to discuss such
things
and
would be hap-
py to discuss
it in the park-
ing lot after
Please support the Crow Middle/High School students, Leukemia & Lymphoma "Pennies for Patients" campaign. It continues
the event. As
through February 27. Contact the offi ce at 541-935-2227 to see how you may donate.
for freedom
of the press,
Applegate Elementary is still looking for volunteers to read with students during Dr Seuss week - February 27 - March 2. It is a fun
he noted that
and rewarding experience. Contact Megan Leturno at 541-935-2100 or email her at mleturno@cal.k12.or.us
outside forces
citing "Fake
If you know of anyone interested in attending school in our district, the open enrollment is happening in March. There is more
news"
and
individual help and smaller class size. The middle/high school has many interesting electives. There is still music and band in our
other contrib-
schools and a great learning environment.
uting factors
could create a
Look forward to seeing everyone at the Lorane Grange spaghetti dinner and bingo evening this Saturday, February 25 starting at
slippery slope"
5:30 pm. Bingo begins at 6:30 pm. The progressive blackout has grown. The last winner was February a year ago. Dinner is $6 for
that would see
adults which includes unlimited beverages and desserts. Children eight and under are $3. Those coming only for bingo may purchase
journalists no
dessert and beverages for only $2. Tell your friends to come out for a fun evening in Lorane, close to home with delicious food and
longer "writ-
lots of visiting and laughter.
ing
investi-
gative pieces
Mark your calendars..Spring Break is March 25 - March 31.
because they
can't afford the
All you talented community members: the RAC/Lorane Grange talent show is coming in April.
legal costs."
NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE GROVE
Submitted by Lil Thompson
Dr. B
Benjamin
j i R.
R Thornton,
T h t
DDS
DDS, M
MS
Locations in both
Encourage
children
to fl oss
Eugene and Creswell!
Give us a call to schedule your
complimentary consultation!
541-686-1732
Children should learn
that fl ossing is just as
important as brushing.
Brent Bitner, DDS
earning to brush their own teeth is a lesson
all children must master. Although parents
ultimately may have children who become
profi cient at brushing their own teeth, getting them
to fl oss is generally more diffi cult.
L
not experience cavities at an early age, and it
can establish practices that promote oral health
throughout life. Despite being so important, many
parents fail to encourage fl ossing or are at a loss as
to how to make it enjoyable and effective.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention found that 41 percent of children aged
2 to 11 had tooth decay in their fi rst teeth. Dental
caries are common among children, likely because
they have not become profi cient at taking care of
their teeth.
Although regular dental fl oss is one of the fi rst
tools for fl ossing, the dexterity required to wind
the fl oss around little fi ngers and then thoroughly
clean the teeth may discourage children.
Parents can look into the wide array of fl ossing
helpers available at the store. In fact, many age-
appropriate fl ossers are now available that feature
fun designs and smaller profi les to fi t into kids’
mouths more easily. Flossers may be attached to
a handle to make back teeth more accessible and
promote more effective fl ossing. Manufacturers
such as DenTek, Butler GUM, Plackers Kids, Dr.
Fresh, Oral-B, and Brush Buddies offer children’s
fl ossers.
Soft, sticky foods are commonplace in young
kids’ diets, and these can promote decay. Even
well-intentioned gummy vitamins can be sources
of dental decay. Oftentimes, these foods become
lodged between the teeth or on the surface of
molars. If left in contact with the teeth for too long,
food particles become a source of carbohydrates
for oral bacteria, and cavities may appear as a
result.
To remove food particles from between the teeth,
children must fl oss, advises the American Academy
of Pediatric Dentists. It is recommended that
parents help their children to fl oss as soon as two
teeth are touching and continue to do so until the
child is around the age of 8, when a child should
have enough dexterity to do it on his or her own.
Flossing is essential to making sure children do
Kids who shy away from fl ossing may be more
likely to use a children’s water fl osser. In lieu
of string fl oss, a water fl osser uses a pressurized
stream of water to dislodge food from between
teeth. Although a water fl osser may be more messy,
children may enjoy the opportunity to “play” with
water and the cleaning sensation provided.
To prevent the buildup of plaque and the
development of dental caries, parents should
educate children about proper fl ossing techniques.
Dentistry with Family in Mind
C ALL U S T ODAY !
541.942.7934
350 E. W ASHINGTON A VENUE • C OTTAGE G ROVE
WWW.CGSMILES.COM
Douglas G. Maddess, DMD
Brightening Lives
One Smile at a Time
douglasgmaddessdmd.com