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
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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).