In debt to the voters

Voters, please accept my most sincere "thank you" for your support and your patience during this campaign season. I, like many of you, am relieved that it has come to a close.

Thank you so much to everyone who put signs in their yards, donated money, or volunteered at functions to help this campaign and any campaign. Thank you to all the people who wrote letters to the editor about me; your kind comments are much appreciated.

To the folks who attended the fundraisers and the walks, your support means a lot - thank you for your dedication. I am in debt to all of you.

I have really enjoyed the time I have spent running for election to this position. I have learned so much about what it means to run for an office and about your concerns and issues.

I am planning on picking up my campaign signs, or you may drop them off across from the Linn County Republican Campaign Office 321 First Ave. E., Albany, until Nov. 23. Thank you again for your vote!

Will Tucker, Lebanon

Mountains from molehills

Since our son, Deputy John Lovik, was arrested for an alleged assault on our friend, Ed Volkers, we have received dozens of calls of support that we appreciated very much. The nine nasty ones we did not. As I have hearing problems my wife takes the calls. I get angry when someone upsets my wife. This is not a good thing.

People should know that newspapers and TV news programs only report the information they are given. Many times the information is inaccurate and/or incomplete, as in this case.

For example, a TV news program stated that Ed and Pat Volkers were visiting from Kentucky, when in fact they are my oldest son's neighbors. John was visiting his brother when Ed invited him to come next door for margaritas. Bad decision, John. Your body never has tolerated liquor.

Shortly before John's arraignment at least six people were subpoenaed to appear at a hearing. Three of that group were not called in to testify. Of the three, at least one witnessed the two men, both somewhat under the influence, falling down the porch steps. At least two of the three witnessed the two rolling on the ground trying to get untangled, trying to get to their feet. The two witnesses helped them get to their feet and got John loaded into a vehicle to be driven home. There were no angry words, no intent to hurt anyone.

The fact that Ed repeatedly told the responding officers he didn't want charges filed against his friend says a lot. Someone of higher authority made that decision. The situation makes a person think of the mountain, the molehill and the waste of taxpayer money - and to whose benefit?

Not mentioned by the media were the lives John saved during his nearly 20 years of service, nor the many lives he positively affected. Also, not mentioned were the awards he earned such as the two medals of valor, one of which was personally presented to him by then-Governor Kitzhaber. John is a damn good officer, and like other officers, doing an often difficult and frustrating job, sometimes a very nasty job. He is even better a man, but a man who, over the years, developed a problem with alcohol when off duty. I'm happy this problem is presently being corrected.

Lastly, to those few who made the nasty phone calls, now that you have been better informed, make no more calls. You have my phone number so my address should not be hard to obtain. Come to my house, knock on the door and ask to speak to me, not with my wife. You and I can then have a very meaningful, short discussion.

Lloyd M. Lovik, Sweet Home

That sample took too long

I am so tired of sitting and waiting, waiting, waiting to either see a doctor, or get lab work done. It is like my time is not as valuable as theirs. When did that happen? When did it become all right for others to determine just how much time I can afford to give up from my job?

Recently I went to the Lebanon hospital for a simple urine test. After checking in and being told they will be right with me, I sat for 20 minutes. Then I realized that I was going to have to wait for all the people ahead of me who were giving blood to go through, before I could use their bathroom to give my sample.

This is ridiculous. I didn't need assistance. I just needed a cup.

Pam Phelps, Scio

Stuck in VA limbo

I would like to call your attention to a plight of thousands of veterans across this country. Our military and medical records have been tampered with, lost and apparently shredded as a result of the enormous backlog generated by the vast numbers of us who've served our country.

For some time, I've heard stories of bonuses given to claims reps for eliminating veterans waiting for action on medical and post-traumatic-stress claims. I now realize that was only part of the problem. An article on the US News & World Report website provides further scathing information.

I would like to think that the new administration will provide for those of us who've been in VA limbo for so long. I rather doubt we'll ever receive the help we veterans deserve.

Don Anderson, Lebanon