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Clear choice
Patti Smith, the incumbent representative from House District 52, has
voted consistently with those who would strip support for Oregon’s
schools. Although her glossy campaign mailings in the coming weeks
will no doubt show pictures of her with school children or have
statements from her supporting education, Ms. Smith’s voting record
tells the true story.
She voted against full school funding of $5.4 billion (HB 2858); voted
to freeze school funding at recession-era levels, excluding corporate
taxes entirely from the school funding formula (HB 2450A); voted to
cut the capital gains tax by over $200 million — money that should
have gone to our schools (HB2332) — and voted for a handful of
corporate tax giveaways amounting to nearly $300 million in tax breaks
for corporations which already pay a declining share of taxes. This
forces the burden on families to make up the difference or face more
cuts to schools.
The candidate with the best credentials to put Oregon’s schools back
on track for quality education is Suzanne VanOrman. Having worked as a
teacher at the primary, middle school, and high school levels, Ms.
VanOrman served for over 21 years as executive director of the
Mid-Columbia Children’s Council serving children from birth to age 5
in Head Start.
She views excellent public schools as a basic right and a basic
responsibility for all Oregonians. She has vowed to work for closing
tax loopholes to make sure that corporations pay their fair share for
the education of our children. She will work for adequate stable
funding for our schools and will strive for the resources to reduce
classroom sizes so children can receive the individual attention they
need to thrive.
When it comes time to decide which candidate will be better for Oregon
schools, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.
Clearly Suzanne VanOrman is the choice.
John F. Christensen
Corbett
‘Get real, Saxton’
School has resumed with public perception being that students will
learn for the mere fact of being in school. If they don’t it will
be the fault of the teacher regardless of individual learning
capacities or incapacities. Influences beyond the control of the
classroom.
Teachers are often evaluated not for their own performances, but
by what others want the student performance to be regardless of
IQ, motivation to learn, emotional problems, maturity, outside
environment and a host of other factors inhibiting learning.
Issues a teacher cannot control. The reader of this letter can
probably identify with the fact they did not have equal interest
or ability to learn all subjects they were being taught. A fact
not the fault of the teacher but that of the student.
Ron Saxton is now campaigning for teacher evaluation based not
upon teacher performance but upon student abilities, learning
capacities and/or desire. It sounds like a good idea and is
emotionally appealing but is impractical and unworkable. What
would the measurement standard be? Surely a single standard for a
special education teacher and teachers of regular or accelerated
students would not be workable due to the differing academic goals
as dictated by the differing student abilities. Nor could there be
a single standard for physical education teacher and that of an
academic teacher or teachers of music, shop or coaches.
Ron Saxton needs to explain his measurement yardstick. He cannot
expect to “build the house and then invent the inch.” He could
only mandate that the educational system do it and thereby throw
the schools into chaotic turmoil attempting to create such a plan
which would be fair to all teachers and students. Without such a
tool beforehand his political rhetoric is only fooling the voters
by appealing to what sounds good but offers nothing.
It has no value other than that. Teachers are already evaluated by
what they do.
Ron Saxton should remember that he is evaluated upon his personal
accomplishments and not those of his constituents. How would he
feel if he was evaluated not by his performance but that of
others? Get real Mr. Saxton! (I retired after 35 years of
teaching, of which 22 were in special education.)
Gene Erwin
LaGrande
VanOrman, for real
It is almost time to sharpen up our No. 2 pencils and vote. This
year the election is about who is really going to represent us in
Salem and who just says nice things. Suzanne VanOrman has an
excellent record of getting things done for our kids, our
families, and our community. Suzanne understands the needs of the
working people and will fight for lower cost health care coverage,
more school days, and better wages.
I did some research and found that Patti Smith has voted over 95
percent of the time in lock step with the rest of her party. This
type of voting record does not reflect the needs of our rural
community; it reflects the wants of the elite power structure down
in Salem.
Vote VanOrman for Real Representation for Real People.
Joan Fowler
Hood River
Vote for Smith
In my opinion, residents of Oregon House District 52 have an easy
decision to make this coming election. They should return Rep.
Patti Smith to the seat she has held so that she may continue to
be effective on behalf of all the residents of District 52.
Knowing Patti Smith through dealings with her on important issues,
I can attest to her strong work ethic, problem-solving abilities
and keen awareness of balancing multiple interests. I have
observed Patti Smith handle issues concerning transportation,
agriculture and natural resources. I also served with Rep. Smith
on the Northeast Multnomah County Community association. Despite
the fact that she and I belong to different political parties, I
find her to be effective, consensus building and free of partisan
politics.
As a member of the Governor’s Renewable Energy Working Group she
can help advocate for renewable energy for consumers and
businesses, help decrease dependence on oil and help create jobs.
Consumers have also benefited from Rep. Smith’s work in the areas
of identity theft and the meth epidemic. She has been reappointed
to the Governor’s Meth Task Force which will deal with funding of
drug courts and drug prevention, two important topics in this
state.
It is noteworthy that the Oregon Council of Seniors and Oregon
Nurses Association support Rep. Smith. There are compelling
reasons to return Rep. Patti Smith to Salem, and I strongly urge
voters in Dist. 52 to cast their vote for her.
G. Joseph Gorciak
Portland
Meaningless oaths?
Senator Gordon Smith and Congressman Greg Walden both voted in
favor of the military commissions act of 2006.
This act invalidates amendments 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the Bill of
Rights. It effectively gives unlimited power to the president,
eliminates habeas corpus, condones torture, and violates Article
VI of the Constitution with regards to treaties.
Both Senator Smith and Congressman Walden have taken an oath of
office which includes the works, “I do solemnly swear that I will
support and defend the Constitution of the United States against
all enemies, foreign and domestic …”
These Oregon politicians have ignored that oath and I am appalled
that I hear and read support for them. Are oaths meaningless? What
has America become?
Bill R. Jones
The Dalles
Another farewell
As I leave Hospice of the Gorge, I will always remember the
patients, their families and friends whom I have had the pleasure
of knowing.
I have learned so much about life.
You will be forever in my heart.
Debbie Medina, C.A.N.
Home Health Aide
Vote no on 48
Measure 48 is a clone to Colorado’s TABOR act.
Here is what it did for Colorado:
It placed Colorado 50th in average teacher salaries, 49th in
spending on K-12 education, funding for higher education dropped
to 48th, 50th in number of low-income children without health
insurance and 48th in access to prenatal care.
If you want a driver’s license in Colorado, be prepared to spend
four or more hours in line. They have closed many DMV offices and
have minimal staff in others. Other services have also suffered.
Last year people in Colorado said “enough.” They put TABOR on hold
for at least five years.
Measure 48 does NOT set up a rainy day fund. The statement is that
the funds not allowed to be spent can be utilized as a rainy day
fund. In effect, here are fewer dollars, now set up a rainy day
fund with them.
Most of the funding for this measure (85 percent) is from a
wealthy New York developer. He will not have to live with the
consequences of his bill. We will.
I urge all voters to vote NO on Measure 48.
Leonard Hickman
Hood River
Wonderful nurses
This is for the seven wonderful and beautiful women who have left
the Hood River office of Hospice of the Gorge.
I want to thank you all for the dedication and love you have given
the Hospice team, our patients and their families. You all are so
great and it has been an honor and blessing to work beside you.
Some of you have been at Hospice since I came, eight years ago and
have taught me so much! It’s amazing how much I have learned from
you about the death process, and that Hospice is so much more than
just a service. Your compassion, care and love has made a huge
difference in many families here in the Gorge. You have taught me
by your example to give selflessly and do whatever it takes to
make a difference in each home. You have encouraged me to learn
from the dying so I can live more fully. You have touched my life
and have been a support and an encouragement to me. Thank you so
much!
As you leave I pray that you all will know what a difference you
have made. May God rain down many blessings on you all. You are
all the best!
Eve Moore
Hood River
Vote No, CL Fire Dist.
Elected officials and government employees get so caught up in
executing and performing in their positions that the good of the
people and the good of the government become blurred and separated
to a point it tends to serve the sole interest of that government
and not to the people that placed their trust in them to serve the
people’s interest.
We have enough government that is dysfunctional without creating
more layers of government.
We want government that works for the people, not government that
works solely for the interest of the government.
In order to do what is best for a community, every voice should be
heard and respected. Whatever happened to an inclusive governance?
People with different views are what make for a healthy debate in
order to sift through all ideas and options, positive and
negative; the debate needs to be genuinely evaluated, not
manipulated just to achieve a desired result, which often happens.
Don’t put the cart before the horse; we need to pay for what we
can afford.
This is not the time to create an unaffordable Fire District.
Our small rural community already has a very high cost of living.
High water and sewer rates, high electrical rates, high garbage
rates, possibly higher property taxes due to a new fire district;
city infrastructure in badly need of repair. More money is needed
for law enforcement and judicial system, the casino or lack of is
not going to pay for all our needs.
Before we start heaping a bigger burden on property owners and low
income families, shouldn’t we be working on making living here
more affordable?
A new fire hall and equipment is needed, but not at this time; not
this way.
Please vote no for an expensive new bureaucratic fire district.
Richard Randall
Cascade Locks
Thanks, young artists
Thank you Trey, age 5, Rory, age 9 and Cesar, age (?).
You’ve brought vibrant color and design to our home and big smiles
to our faces. At the CASA event, Sept. 30, we purchased “The
Rocket,” “Blue Peace Flower” and “Rainbow” to support the great
work that CASA does for the children of our community.
Don’t miss this event next year! You will find some truly
wonderful and expressive works by young artists from around the
area and you’ll be supporting a good cause while attending a fun
event.
There may still be an opportunity to purchase a piece from this
year’s event at the Westwind Frame and Gallery.
Ellen Shapley
Hood River
Enviro Tour thanks
Columbia Gorge Earth Center hosted its 5th annual Enviro-House
Tour last Saturday.
As director of the Earth Center, I wanted to thank all of the
volunteers who helped out and, of course, the homeowners who gave
up their Saturday to show their homes.
This year’s tour was momentous. Having affiliated into a larger
national tour of solar and green homes, we had visitors from far
and wide come to the Gorge to experience some very inspiring
houses and commercial buildings that feature energy efficiency and
sustainable materials. My house in Mosier was part of the tour
too. I was impressed by the last of some 300-plus tourists. This
couple described how much practical information they digested by
having such rare access to the insights of nearly a dozen builders
and owners of straw, cob, and recycled-polystyrene homes. They
said: “Thank you so much. There is nothing like this in Boise. It
was definitely worth the drive.” Wow!
David Skakel, executive director
Columbia Gorge Earth Center
Saxton and the facts
The apples-to-oranges Ron Saxton TV ad that shows “Cs” for Oregon
school performance — and then has a tiny disclaimer that the
report is actually for “higher education” — is deceptive and
misleading and indicative of this candidate’s character.
The apples-to-apples comparison reported in the Oct. 12 Oregonian,
according to a new state report, shows that “More than half of
Oregon’s public schools earned ‘strong’ or ‘exceptional’ ratings
this year on state report cards. Thanks to rising achievement test
scores, the results are the best since ratings began in 2000.”
And now after his misleading immigration ads comes revelations
that this candidate may have been employing undocumented workers
at his farm in Rickreall.
Bush misled us and look what it got us. Saxton’s cut from the same
cloth.
Lee Weinstein
The Dalles
Wy’east ‘Healthy’
Congratulations to all the sixth graders at Wy’east Middle School
who are helping to advance the cause of science and good health by
participating in a national study of middle school students.
The Healthy Study is trying to find ways to combat the epidemic of
Type 1 diabetes which accounts for 95 percent of the 21 million
cases of diabetes in the United States. Researchers from OHSU are
the principal investigators which includes 42 middle schools
nationwide. Schools were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a
program group that will implement changes in food service and
physical education, or a comparison group. Wy’east is in the
comparison group. In science language Wy’east is the control
group, while a school that receives interventions is the
experimental group.
Sixth graders went through a battery of tests including height,
weight, physical fitness and blood pressure. They answered
questions about their activity levels and diet. And then they
faced the dreaded blood draw. Nine percent of the students signed
up to participate even though they knew that they would have to
let the medical staff poke them with a needle!
The $50 they received for their time and blood was well deserved!
I sat with many of these kids as they faced their fear of the
needle. Sometimes it took a little hand-holding to get through the
process but usually a little distraction was enough. Each and
every one of them stuck with it until it was done and they were
able to finally eat their breakfast and go to class.
We won’t know the results of the study for a long time. The
students will be followed through the eighth grade, when they will
have their blood drawn once more. When the study is done we will
be given the blueprints for implementing the Healthy Study
interventions for food service, behavior modification and physical
education. In the meantime we have the satisfaction of knowing
that the Wy’east kids have stepped up to the plate to advance
science and help a lot of kids live healthier lives!
Betty Williams, school nurse
Wy’east Middle School
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