The independent., October 17, 2002, Page 2, Image 2

Page 2
The INDEPENDENT, October 17, 2002
ne
INDEPENDENT
Serving the upper Nehalem River valley. Published twice
monthly, on the first and third Thursdays of each month,
by Public Opinion Laboratory Ltd., 725 Bridge Street, Ver­
nonia, OR 97064, as a free newspaper. Editors and Pub­
lishers, Dirk & Noni Andersen. Phone/Fax: 503-429-
9410, e-mail: noni@vernonia.com
Yea'S'Mama
Opinion_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ballot Measures varied in
Nov. 5 General Election
Ballot Measures 14 through 18 were “referred” to the
voter by the state legislature, they are called referendums
(properly “referenda,” but who is proper?)
Measure 14 is a “housekeeping” amendment that
would clean up the state constitution by tossing out now
obsolete, historical racial references. There was no oppo­
sition.
Measures 15 and 16 would amend the constitution to
allow issuing general obligation bonds for seismic safety
evaluation and retrofitting of public education buildings
and public safety buildings. It provides for repayment from
varied sources, including general fund and lottery pro­
ceeds, but prohibits using property taxes for that purpose.
Again, there was no opposition.
Measure 17 would amend the constitution to reduce
the minimum age required to serve in the state legislature
from 21 to 18. This would not guarantee anything, but
would allow people who are old enough to vote, to also
seek election to the state legislature. The measure has
broad bipartisan support and little opposition.
Measure 18 restores a local option that allows voters to
form a split-rate taxing district. Measure 50, approved in
1995, grandfathered in all existing split-rate taxing dis­
tricts, but eliminated local option for the formation of new
districts. This will not increase property taxes unless vot­
ers approve a new district.
The INDEPENDENT recommends approval of Mea­
sures 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
Ballot Measures 21 through 27 are “initiatives,” mean­
ing they were placed on the ballot by obtaining the statu­
torily required number of valid signatures on initiative pe­
titions. (There are no measures 19 and 20.)
Measure 21 is another effort at obfuscation by Don
McIntire, who yelled “taxes are too high” and delivered
only loss of local control over school funding (with Mea­
sure 5 about 1990). This constitutional amendment, which
would allow voters to vote “for” None of the Above, is
equally simplistic in approach, and would deliberately cre­
ate vacancies in judicial positions. This not only wouldn’t
eliminate potentially inadequate judges, but could seri­
ously affect d e fe n d e rs ’ right to trial. It’s true that most
people don’t plan on becoming defenders, but it’s also
true that charges are dismissed against many defenders
when their right to a timely trial is violated. No trial is an
absolute guarantee of no justice.
•* * »
Opinion-Measures, continued
Measure 22 would require judges of the
state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
to be elected by districts, instead of
statewide. Proponents’ arguments that
judges need residency requirements in a
restricted population area just don’t make
sense. The argument by chief petitioner
Steve Doell that “most of the opposition for
this measure comes from trials lawyers in
the Willamette Valley” is equally nonsensi­
cal. Even a quick look reveals opponents
who have never been, and never will be
trial lawyers, among them are Mark O.
Hatfield, Vic Atiyeh, Barbara Roberts and
John A. Kitzhaber. It also reveals a list of
District Attorneys who are supporters and
trial lawyers. The list of DAs raises a
question, too: Would it be easier for them
to be elected to the court if they didn’t have
to run outside of their district? Oregon
needs judges who are the most qualified;
where they live in Oregon has no bearing.
These measures are a deliberate effort
to turn judgeships into political battle­
grounds. That’s no way to run a court. We
recommend a No vote on Measures 21
and 22.
Measure 23 would create a statewide
healthcare finance plan using income and
payroll taxes. There are good elements in
the plan: All residents would be covered
regardless of income or existing condi­
tions, including those who don’t have, and
can’t afford, health care, and reimburse­
ment would be required for procedures
covered by insurance or other programs.
At this time, this plan won’t be approved,
nevertheless, some of the opponents’ tac­
tics should be aired. For instance, most
voters received a letter purportedly from a
“Registered Nurse” who is “Director of
Health Services, Long-Term Care Facility,”
but did you notice there was no personal
address, the name of the “facility” was not
included, the postage was at the presorted
rate and there was a bar code on the en­
velope? Did you wonder how such a per­
son could afford to send this letter to reg­
istered voters all over the state? Did you
wonder why it had a return address in a
commercial zone? If none of these ques­
tions arose in your mind, look more close­
ly at the next unsolicited campaign materi­
al you receive.
It won’t pass, but we recommend a Yes
vote on Measure 23. It is time to look at al­
ternative health care financing.
Space did not allow thorough coverage
of the candidates for office. We recom­
mend using the voters pamphlet, not TV.