Negative ads don’t cut it

After seeing and listening to the political campaigns that have aired this year, we have come to the conclusion that neither of the candidates for U.S. Senate deserves our vote. We have become quite fed up with the mud-slinging from both of the candidates and their respective parties. We feel it is childish to point out the failings of one candidate without actually telling what the other candidate can do for this country and the state of Oregon.

If you want our vote, run a clean campaign. Tell us what you can do for us. Show your past experience and qualifications for the job. We are intelligent enough to make our own decisions. We won’t be swayed by the negative campaign ads. You both have about a week to convince us to vote for you. Tell us why we should.

Mel and Iris Yeager, Albany

A miraculous roof repair

We wrote a letter to the editor to blow off anger and voice our disappointments in the community in which we live. We were convinced Albany’s population of the bad-intentioned outweighed the good-intentioned at an embarrassing rate of nine out of 10. All our dreams, desires, and hopes for the future were just a flicker in a past memory.

To our surprise, on a Monday morning everything changed when Jessica from Maier Roofing Co. of Albany called. She had read my letter to the editor and wanted to see if they could help repair the damage to our roof, and I explained the scam-roofers not only stripped our roof bare but our pockets too.

She insisted on inspecting the damage anyway. The next thing I know she’s calling to say Maier Roofing was donating the materials to get the roof repaired, rotten wood replaced and completely sealed before winter gets here.

And it gets even better. The employees (Don, Travis and Kyle) from Maier Roofing donated their labor on their day off (they did not get paid)! WOW, that is amazing!

We are still in such a state of shock that strangers would give up their personal time just to help us stay dry this winter and stop further damage to the roof.

The goodwill shown to us has impacted us in more ways than the obvious. It brought hope back into our lives, and we can only hope to do that for someone in return one day (pay it forward).

We know how good it feels to know that humanity prevailed in our hometown of Albany. Thank you, Maier Roofing of Albany, and all of your employees for giving us this gift, a life-changing experience.

Deborah Ford-Carlson, Gary Carlson, Albany

Dick Olsen wrong on patients

Dick Olsen, Democratic candidate in District 15, has issued a flier, and among his “concerns” is keeping forensics patients out of residential neighborhoods.

The mentally ill are a cause close to my heart. My daughter-in-law is under the PSRB (Psychiatric Security Review Board); the adult children of two of my friends are also mentally ill offenders; my walking partner is a PSRB client. My work with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) brings me in close contact with the mental health community.

PSRB clients committed a crime once, when they were first stricken by psychosis. They were not, with rare exceptions, persons who had ever been in trouble with the law. Less than 2 percent of them ever will be again. Once stabilized in treatment — as all PSRB clients on conditional release are — they present no danger. PSRB clients, when ready, need to live in the community. Most will find their place in volunteer or paid work, and in a life made satisfying by friends and enjoyable activities. They do not belong locked away in the state hospital.

Fair housing laws, state and federal, forbid discrimination against the mentally ill. If officials try to circumvent the law, government entities may very well be sued, and they will lose and it will cost us, the taxpayers. It is irresponsible to tell the people anything else. Feeding the fear and anger of the neighborhood is not leadership! In District 15 Democrats will have to look to the other Olson — Andy Olson, for leadership!

Dianne Farrell, Corvallis (Dist. 15)

Konopa: Responsible growth

Give me a break. I’ve lived in the Albany area over 43 years, 37 in North Albany. We were Benton County, not inside the city limits and we liked it that way.

We became part of the city limits. How and why that came about, for some of us in North Albany, is still not known for sure. Then suddenly building in North Albany went crazy.

I like what Sharon Konopa stands for — like responsible growth.

I feel her opponent is still somewhat of an outsider. He doesn’t look out for what is best for everyone, only his friends and special interests. I think he is too one-sided and not good for the interests of everyone.

My vote is for Sharon Konopa. She works for everyone.

Arlene Gasperino, Albany

Disgusted over pot incident

I am more than a little disgusted by the article “Pot advocates turned away at Chamber forum” (Oct 24). I know those people (“pot advocates”) who were turned away at the Albany Chamber presentation “The Economic Impact of Substance Abuse and the Need for a Legislative Solution” by Dan Harmon.

Harmon is a man with a mission. Some might call it an obsession. By his words and deeds we know he does not like cannabis (marijuana). We also know his agenda is very-anti-cannabis and if he could he would repeal Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP). Unfortunately for Harmon, science and modern medicine is on the side of the patients.

As an advocate for job drug testing programs, Harmon has said that “the employer’s position is further complicated by the inability to measure impairment with medical marijuana.” Well, no. Actually impairment testing has been around for many, many years and does not require the intrusive and unconstitutional seizure of a person’s very personal property (their urine).

The treatment of those citizens — advocates or not — who paid their attendance fee and showed up at this meeting went beyond reason and included the physical manhandling of a handicapped female. In 1998 Oregon’s citizens passed the OMMA and rebuffed re-criminalizing cannabis possession (by a larger percentage than supported the medical marijuana bill). Enough is enough. We cannot afford to support the anti-pot bigots and their chaotic legislative schemes.

Allan Erickson, Eugene

Good deputy and fine human

We are appalled at the way the sheriff’s department is handling this incident with Deputy John Lovik. He has been a fine, upstanding man in the 20 years that we have known him. He has been an outstanding deputy and a fine human being. We don’t understand why the sheriff’s department is pursuing this matter if the “victim” doesn’t want to press charges.

In all of the media accounts not one of them has brought up the times when he has saved a life. I can’t remember the details due to the length of time since it happened but he made the front page one year when he saved a child who had been in a car wreck. He wasn’t on duty that time either.

This is a private matter between him and the other man that was involved. As for all of you that are making this a big deal, I’ll be willing to bet there are some skeletons in your closet. Sheriff Mueller, you should be ashamed of yourself for making this into such a mess. And to think Deputy Lovik was urging people to vote for you.

Hang in there Deputy Lovik, there are people who believe in you! We all have made mistakes at one time or another. Too bad yours just happened to give ammo to those who have a vendetta against you.

John Birman, Lebanon

Extension could save

I think 4-H is a great program for kids, but I do not feel we the general public should pay for it.

The farmers and the agriculture department get huge subsidies from the federal government. They sponsor the program.

If the Extension newsletter, Update, would go over their finances they would have enough to pay for the 4-H program. We each receive in the mail a copy and also one that is mailed to everyone. That is three copies to us plus every eatery and store that you go to has stacks of them lying around to pass out at no cost to anyone. The waste is certainly enough to sponsor the 4-H program for all kids.

Jean Collins, Sweet Home

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