Common sense vs. suing

Please join me in endorsing Aaron Falotico as the next Ward I city councilor of Lebanon. Aaron currently serves as a member of the Lebanon Planning Commission. Aaron understands the importance of common-sense solutions to complex issues. He believes in controlled growth and economic stability and advocates for sound fiscal controls.

While Aaron has been assisting with the growth in Lebanon, his opponent has been busy suing the taxpayers at a current cost of approximately $80,000. The incumbent claims he watches out for the taxpayers while at the same time he sues them on the very issues approved by you, the citizens of Lebanon, two times (city charter amendment votes).

The incumbent also voted against the new North Gateway Urban Renewal District, which will make possible the new medical university. This facility will in turn provide many new family-wage jobs and will identify Lebanon as a regional center for medical training. Aaron, as part of the planning commission, helped pass this project through the commission and understands the benefits this university will have for generations to come.

Ken Toombs, Mayor, Lebanon

A connection with Lebanon

I've known City Councilman Ray Weldon personally for several years now, and there are some clear traits about him I think people might want to know.

The first is when Ray says he's going to do something, you can count on it. When several of the Lebanon Downtown Merchants and I were working to create a downtown association, Ray rarely missed one of our weekly meetings. He showed a passion to help the small businesses and to preserve the historic buildings in Lebanon.

As with his dedication to the restoration of the Scroggins Mill between Grant and Sherman streets, his actions have always demonstrated to us that he cares about the cultural necessity of historical roots for citizens to feel a sense of connection with Lebanon.

The second is Ray is willing to listen to all sides of an issue. He always seems to want things to work out to what is best for the whole community. I don't think I've ever known him to have turned someone away who wanted to voice some concern on an issue.

The third is Ray is not given to pretenses. He has a friendly disposition and keeps his agenda out in the open.

I am weary of politicians who think their polish can hide a shallow regard for what's in the best interest of the citizens, or a silent greed that underscores their direction. So I hope Lebanon will keep Ray Weldon as a city councilman because I know he holds his promises far above the veil of polish.

Darlene Warner, Lacomb

How to benefit the rich

Voters will soon be asked to decide on one of the nation's more fiscally disastrous ballot initiatives. Measure 59 would eliminate the cap on a personal income tax deduction that state taxpayers can currently take for the federal income taxes they pay (currently $5,600-an amount that is adjusted each year based on inflation). Supporters of Measure 59 don't tell you that the vast majority of state residents would see little or no benefit. In fact, over 75 percent of all Oregon households would see no tax cut whatsoever. Households with annual incomes exceeding $83,200 would receive 97 percent of the tax break.

If Measure 59 is approved, Oregon will be left to grapple with more than a billion-dollar shortfall in next year's budget (a shortfall that would likely grow to over two billion in the next biennium); the same budget that pays for state police, supports K-12 education and provides the state's neediest families with the food and medical assistance that most of us take for granted.

With the current cap, all Oregonians end up paying the top 9 percent income tax rate on all taxable income earned over $14,600 (pretty close to an across- the-board "flat tax"). Because Measure 59 tax cuts only go to the highest income earners, it would tilt the income tax system in favor of the rich. Measure 59 undermines Oregon's progressive tax system, leaving lower income families paying a disproportionate share of the state's costs.

Measure 59 results in taxable income between $14,600 and $39,900 being taxed at 9 percent, while taxable income between $202,300 and $661,800 will be taxed at only 6.2 percent. How does this, as Measure 59 supporters have claimed, make our state income tax system more fair?

Russell and Diane Allen, Albany

About my friend, Sherrie

I read with dismay a negative letter about my friend, our state Rep. Sherrie Sprenger. I have known Sherrie for many years and you can't find anyone more committed than she is to our region. She grew up here, and she and her husband chose to return here to raise their son, and to invest in the area that invested in her when she was young. She is a servant leader with a great heart, common sense and a "get things done" style that will get results for us in the legislature.

I think it's impressive that Sherrie has received such broad support throughout our district: mayors, county commissioners, Republicans, Independents, Democrats, farm groups, business groups, teachers and even people who don't agree with Sherrie on every issue, but who believe in her as a leader standing strong for our region.

I am proud to be standing by Representative Sherrie Sprenger and I encourage all voters in House District 17 to link arms with Sherrie and support her as well. Working together, we can really get things done for our district.

Lisa Yeager, Lebanon

Question of race? A reply

On Oct. 21, Tom Cordier wrote that "much is made of white voters who may not vote for a black - hand wringing and condemnation." Mr. Cordier also cited some "facts" and an Army Times political poll to make a case for - what? Mr. Cordier's apparent reason for writing was to wring his own hands over polls that supposedly show "blacks voting overwhelmingly for blacks."

Blacks have run for president in every race since 1988. None carried a significant portion of either the vote or the electorate. Colin Powell didn't endorse any of them. In fact, Gen. Powell was busy in 2004 still supporting a feisty white president who gave no more thought to dividing the world into "us vs. them" than he did to sock selection.

McCain and Palin continue that "proud" tradition by dividing America into "pro" vs. "anti" American camps. I appreciate Gen. Powell noting, unlike these two office-seeking Republicans, that no one can divide America. We all belong.

Hillary Clinton consistently outpolled Sen. Obama for the black vote in primary states up to South Carolina. That didn't stop Mr. Clinton from shooting off his mouth in an unnecessary act of political desperation for his wife's candidacy. In politics, somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. Character dictates whether the response to those options is craven or honorable. Ask Sen. McCain about that feeling of desperation.

Mr. Cordier, I think your confusion is with conservatives, not blacks. Conservatives, according to campaign opinion, wouldn't cast their votes for someone who's not "one of us." They apply a very narrow litmus test - excluding the "macacas," or the "uppity," or people who don't come from those "pro-America" parts of the country. But that doesn't mean the rest of us, those who have a more open mind, necessarily vote for a candidate simply because he is "one of us."

As for the Army Times poll, not much has changed in the 25 years since I last served.

Sidney Cooper, Albany

Sandee Burbank and the chamber

Upon reading the front page article about Chamber of Commerce forum on Oct. 23, I'm compelled to comment here. That article is completely misleading as to what happened and I feel some things should be cleared up. I called Sandee Burbank right after I read this. I have known her for 33 years. Her character is impeccable, she's one of the kindest, most generous and loving persons I have ever had the privilege to know.

To describe the people escorted out of that meeting as an organized group of marijuana activists is a complete lie. These folks mostly know each other by name, but that is because each has, on their own and from different areas of the state, come to these meetings presented by Dan Harmon.

They do this because Dan Harmon has an agenda to drum up support for rescinding the Oregon Marijuana Initiative. Sandee Burbank attends these meetings in order to watch that this guy does, not mislead people or omit facts to present his case. She tells me that they will raise their hands to ask questions and that often Dan Harmon will refer questions to her in cases where is does not know the answer.

At any rate, all the people removed from the meeting had clearly applied for and paid to attend. The applications they filled out clearly stated they were from out of town. The forum was never presented to be an Albany Area Chamber of Commerce members-only forum. They had every right to attend.

As for any disruptions, one lady, Alice, was a bit upset. She had driven from the coast to attend. When she went back to ask about a refund of her $20 fee to attend, Ed Bock twisted her arm and pushed her out the door. Alice happens to have only one arm to twist. The photograph on the front page of the paper clearly shows the fellow twisting the arm of a one-armed older lady.

As for the article's final comments from Janet Steele, they are clearly not true. All those people, and certainly Sandee Burbank, are members of their area's chambers of commerce. They stated this on their forms, and the $20 fees they each paid were accepted.

Michael Dee, Albany

What I fear Obama will do

If Obama gets to be the next president these are 10 things he will try to change:

1. Ban use of firearms for home defense.

2. Pass federal laws eliminating your right to carry firearms.

3. Close down 90 percent of the gun shops in America.

4. Ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.

5. Ban rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.

6. Increase federal taxes on guns and ammunition by 500 percent.

7. Restore voting rights for 5 million criminals who have been convicted of using a gun to commit a violent crime.

8. Expand the Clinton semi-auto ban to include millions more firearms.

9. Mandate a government-issued license to purchase a firearm.

10. Appoint judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and federal judiciary who share his views on the Second Amendment.

This could end up like the USSR. Is this what we want? A national police state? I guess you could call 911, but by the time help would arrive you most likely would be dead.

This is not the answer to crime. The criminals will always find some way to get guns. We would not be where we are today if we did not have the right to bear arms. I am a registered Democrat. I cannot see how anyone could vote for a man that wants to change the Second Amendment.

Karl Grenz, Lebanon

Listening to veterans

After reading the Oct. 19 letter to the editor, "Poor welcome for a veteran," I had to respond.

I attended Dan Thackaberry's (running for state representative, 17th District) evening with the veterans at the Lebanon American Legion Post. Dan was there to listen to veterans and their families about the problems they face after returning from active duty. Dan said he wanted to be an ombudsman for the veterans and help resolve their problems. As a veteran, I am asking my fellow veterans to cast their vote for Dan Thackaberry.

Elden B. Huntling, Lebanon