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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (March 14, 2018)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 14, 2018 7A Betty Kaiser's Chatterbox bchatty@bettykaiser.com I scarcely know where to begin to express my frustration over the outrageous mass killings of school children and others in our country today. I have a lot to say about it (mostly not printable) and I’m sure that you do too. Here’s my story af- ter I chose to email a few of our elected offi cials with my concerns. We live in a terrifying era of homegrown anger and killings fueled by everything negative imag- inable. The situation is serious. Some of our fel- low citizens have become our enemies. We used to worry about inner city gangs or international warfare killing us off. Now we are experiencing the wanton killings of children by classmates for no apparent reason at all. Why in the world is this happening? I don’t know. And the older I get, the less I know. As a child, I had the Golden Rule drummed into me: “Do unto others what you would have them do to you.” Later generations read Dr. Seuss and watched "Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood" or "Sesame Street." Most of us were taught that caring and goodness will prevail. I still believe it but now that children are being targeted for mass murder it’s questionable. Our elected offi cials constantly tell us to get involved and contact them with our concerns about these matters. I did that shortly after the Valentine’s Day massacre at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. I tearfully sat down and expressed my concerns—specifi cally the safety of school children—and requested their thoughts on what can be done to help stop the car- nage. As I sent my emails off into cyberspace I didn’t realize that I was going to learn a lesson in mass communication. My thinking was focused—that the recipients were as anxious as I am to stop the madness. As you will see, my email was the wrong way to get their attention. It’s not that no one cares about the madness. It’s just that they don’t hear from enough of us. And one of the rea- sons they don’t hear is that communication is no longer simple. Initially, I only emailed Senators Jeff Merkley and Sen. Ron Wyden. The response from them was complete silence. Gov. Kate Brown has also yet to respond. Obviously, I thought, I must be barking up the wrong trees. I also emailed Ore- gon’s Representative Peter DeFazio who sent a cgsentinel.com You Can Count on Us! We provide prompt and reliable, public transportation. Our experienced, courteous drivers will take you to appointments on time. Medical Offi ces • Pharmacies ✓Serving the Communities of South Lane County South Lane Wheels 1450 Birch Ave, Cottage Grove www.southlanewheels.org well-thought out response to all residents of the Fourth Congressional. District. Too late, I did a little research and learned that email is the least effi cient way to contact our leg- islators. It seems that my emails (on the required, pre-written form) were useless. Emily Ellsworth, a writer and former congressional staffer, says that they received thousands of emails and it was impossible to read and respond personally to all email correspondence. Impossible. So, is sending a letter via the U.S. mail a more effi cient way? No, it is not. A little more after-the- fact research reminded me of the anthrax scare and because of that, it can take up to three weeks to screen your carefully written letter. One tip: If you do write, send it to the local offi ce not DC. The most effective way to reach your legisla- tor? Drumroll please—the telephone! Huh. Who would have thought? Ms. Ellsworth, reminds us of the not-so-obvious: Members of congress have offi ces in DC, but they also have offi ces in their home district. Target your letters and phone calls locally and you’ll have an easier time getting their attention. Their staff must answer phones and talk to you. That’s their job. In fact, if I had just googled the right question I would have found this information on how to reach all U.S. representatives: Call congressional offi ces directly or through the switchboard. If you LORANE NEWS The Crow Booster Club had a terrifi c attendance at their soup and Bingo fundraiser for the district on Saturday. They thank everyone for coming out to support our schools. Now, the Crow Booster Club; Applegate Group is having a really exciting fundraiser this Friday, March 16. Come out with your student or grandchild to O'hana Dance with 5th grade teacher, Nate Robertson as DJ. Enjoy an evening of Hawaiian Dance with you family from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Only $5 per couple and $10 max per family. Proceeds go towards improvements to AES ball fi elds and playground areas. On Saturday, March 24, Lorane Church ladies are having a Bake Sale at Lorane Family Store starting at 10 p.m. Later that evening, Lorane Grange will have another delicious Spaghetti dinner and Bingo starting at 5:30 p.m. The progressive blackout amount continues to grow, so don't miss the evening. Come out on Sunday, March 25 to Lorane Christian Church for a moving, inspirational experience of "The Last Supper" at 10 a.m. It is an amazing event to share right before Easter; bringing it to life. Remember, all are invited. Walkouts do not have the direct number, you can reach US representatives by calling 202-225-3121, and US senators by calling 202-224-3121. Ask the opera- tor to connect you to the individual offi ce. But what if you want to personally speak with your representative? Ellsworth said if you want to talk with your rep, show up at town hall meet- ings! Get a huge group together that they can’t ignore. Pack that place and ask questions. Some town halls consistently have fewer than 50 people show up. And it is always the same people. So, shake it up! (Her words)! The bottom line is… I must start all over again if I hope to have my voice heard. I hope my expe- rience has been as helpful to you as it has been to me and I hope to see you at some future town hall meetings. Our children depend on us! Still confused? Following are some websites that may be helpful. https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/ write-or-call/ https://www.house.gov/representatives/ fi nd-your-representative https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senate https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_infor- mation/senators_cfm.cfm?State=OR Economic developer to serve rural Lane communities Lane County has selected Austin Ramirez to serve as the new Eco- nomic Development management analyst devoted to supporting rural Lane County communities and the County-led Rural Prosperity Initia- tive. Ramirez will begin his new position on March 12, 2018. “Austin will make a great addition to our organization,” said Eco- nomic Development Manager Sarah Means. “The success of our rural communities is vital to creating a vibrant and healthy Lane County. Austin will be focused on our Rural Prosperity Initiative and helping ensure their economic efforts receive the attention they deserve.” As management analyst, Ramirez will work closely with rural Lane County communities to identify and support the unique economic de- velopment priorities of each area. He will work to promote partner- ships, leverage resources from a variety of agencies and help make connections that further community goals. “I am excited to join Lane County and get to know each of its rural communities,” said Ramirez. “I look forward to advocating for and as- sisting Lane County businesses and community members from coastal communities like Mapleton to the incredible McKenzie River corridor and everything in between.” Ramirez graduated cum laude from California State University, San Bernardino with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in hu- man resource management. Continued from A1 Teachers may participate as well if arrangements have been made with their supervisor in advance of the walkout. “Though staff has the right to freedom of speech and expression just as students do, they are also subject to limitations while they are at work. Staff must remain neutral and use this as a teachable Disclaimer: All vehicles are operated in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. South Lane Wheels complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Information about the transit agency, including information in non-English alternative moment,” the guidelines read. The guidelines also note that if an formats, may be obtained by calling 541-942-0456 or rlinoz@southlanewheels.com instructor's entire class partici- pates in the walkout, the teach- er may also leave the classroom but must stay on campus. A student group of survivors of the Parkland shooting have been vocal in their support of You’re invited to our upcoming events: the walkouts planned between today and April 20, the 19th an- niversary of the deadly shooting at Columbine High School. An additional walkout is scheduled for March 24. Nikolas Cruz, 19, entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, armed with an AR-15. Cruz had been expelled from the school, had been the subject of several law enforcement calls by his mother 541-942-0456 Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living & Memory Care Luck of the Irish Celebration Friday March 16th at 2:30pm featuring a bagpipe player and lots more fun! Wine tasting, Chocolate and Paris art class! Friday March 30th at 2:30pm (21 and over only) 1425 Daugherty Avenue Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 541.942.0054 | magnoliacampus.com and had posted to social media that he planned to take part in a school shooting. He purchased the fi rearm legally a year prior to the shooting. Complete guidelines set by South Lane School District: • Students need to stay on campus. • Remind students they will receive an unexcused absence. • If parents show up they need to remain on the sidewalk • Have you collaborated with your SRO (school resource of- fi cer)? • Review the student code of conduct and let them know it still applies. • Attendance will be taken at the start of the period. • Let students know that attendance will be re-taken upon con- clusion of the walkout. • Though staff has the right to freedom of speech and expres- sion just as students do, they are also subject to limitations while they are at work. Staff must remain neutral and use this as a teachable moment. • Staff who are teaching at the time of the walkout must remain in their classroom with students who are not participating, unless arrangements have been made with their supervisor in advance to secure coverage and for supervision purposes. If the entire class participates in the walkout, staff will be able to accompany the students for supervision purposes (staff must remain on campus).
