Letters

Letters to the Editor

, Nov 3, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2

common sense

Vote for Shane Bemis to bring back the business community to Gresham and rework and re-establish policies, codes, customer service and accountability for the people of Gresham.

Carol Nielsen-Hood is also a winner and would help re-establish Gresham’s outlook toward returning accountability to the people. Vote Carol Nielsen-Hood for City Council.

Mt. Hood Community College also needs a yes vote.

Jack Gallagher

Gresham

Business-friendly Thomas deserves vote

Shall we move forward or backward? A City Council can help or hinder its residents and businesses. The difference is whom you choose on election day.

Norm Thomas has a record of promoting Troutdale’s livability for residents. If he hadn’t fought for neighborhood associations, they wouldn’t exist today.

Norm has a record of promoting Troutdale’s business climate. He works to retain existing business and to attract new ones.

Based on public comments, his opponent appears to dislike most of the businesses in downtown Troutdale. Imagine a City Council whose members work against the businesses that provide jobs and taxes for their city.

Troutdale must move forward, not backward. I’m voting to keep Norm Thomas on the Troutdale City Council.

Mike Goss

Troutdale

MHCC needs support, vote for Measure 26-83

I am a retired educator and have lived in Gresham for many years. I remember how proud everyone was when Mt. Hood Community College opened 40 years ago. It showed we had pride in our community and wanted our students to have affordable education within their area. Our college has provided education and personal growth opportunities for all ages through the years, but now it needs our help with a yes vote on its bond measure.

MHCC is asking only 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to do major repairs that will protect the initial investment we have made –that is a mere $34 per year on a $200,000 home. Fiscal responsibility has been shown by the college administrators, but major refurbishments, such as roof replacement and new blacktop require additional funding and safety and security designed for 1966 simply isn’t good enough for 2006. The last bond for MHCC was passed in 1974 and is now paid off, so please don’t say the taxes are too high.

Studies show that education increases lifetime earnings. We now have more than 200,000 students trying to better themselves at our local college. Please join me in supporting these community members plus future students by voting YES on the Mt. Hood bond Measure 26-83.

Jean Russell

Gresham

Bemis has impressive list of backers

Chuck Becker keeps telling us he deserves re-election because of his “proven leadership.” I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words, so that’s why Becker’s recent paid advertisement in The Gresham Outlook caught my eye (Wednesday, Nov. 1). His ad looked familiar, so I pulled out Saturday’s Outlook for comparison.

Shane Bemis ran an ad in The Outlook on Saturday, Oct. 28, and again on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The ad lists more than 170 names of people and organizations that support him for mayor. He has bolded the titles of regional leaders, used bullets between names and concluded the list with “and thousands more!”

Chuck Becker’s ad came out after Shane’s first ad, and lists more than 60 names of those who are supporting him. He too, has bolded regional leaders but their names, not their titles; used the same bullet between names; and even used the word “thousands” to describe his supporters.

When it comes down to the respective endorsements of both candidates, Shane prevails hands down. Shane lists those who work with the mayor and council on a regular basis, those who have direct and personal knowledge of both candidates. Chuck lists mayors from all over the state, none of whom have direct experience or knowledge about how these two perform their duties on a daily basis in this community.

Actions do speak louder than words. When you vote, please think about this: Who is “leading” and who is “following”?

Jennifer Schiller

Gresham

Consider what’s at stake in mayor’s race

I have lived in Gresham all my life, more than 50 years, and have witnessed many opportunities lost because of leadership’s lack of vision, inability to effectively communicate with other individuals or entities, personal agendas or an inability to understand the issues involved. I am a strong supporter of Gresham; I have done business here for more than 27 years as a downtown merchant and as an independent contractor.

As the election draws near, I am thankful that both candidates for mayor are good people and concerned for the well being of our city. However, one needs to consider which candidate can most effectively present Gresham’s interest making the next 15 to 20 years the best possible.

At stake now: Rockwood Urban Renewal, the Justice Center and Court House, possible relocation of City Hall, Springwater Development, Cultural Arts Center, UGB issues, Development Standards and job creation. Gresham once again finds itself at a cross road where choices that will be made on its behalf will affect the way Gresham will look, feel and be for the next 15 to 20 years.

The most crucial characteristics required are the ability to understand the issues, communicate with those involved in the process and build a consensus towards a mutually beneficial result. I look to the endorsements of each candidate and ask how many of those individuals/groups can or will play an important role in moving Gresham ahead. In the time he has served in the public interest, Shane Bemis has won the respect of many more experienced individuals by demonstrating an ability to understand the issues as they are working to change them, when needed, through consensus. In this case I don’t just judge the individual, I judge the individual by those around him or those who endorse him.

For once we have an opportunity to choose the better of two good choices. I look forward to great things for Gresham with Shane Bemis as mayor.

Martin Stone

Gresham

Vier the right candidate for Troutdale

Marianne Vier is the right choice for Troutdale. She is the only one who has the entire support of the Troutdale City Council and The Outlook. I have worked with Marianne on two major projects in Troutdale. She is focused and her follow through is great. Marianne is up to date on current issues facing Troutdale, she will not need to get up to speed when elected.

Marianne has run an honest campaign and has not promised or made statements that she or the city cannot keep. She has no hidden agenda. Troutdale needs someone who will embrace the will of its citizens (Troutdale Riverfront Renewal Plan), not someone who has spoken out against it. Marianne Vier will move Troutdale forward, not polarize it or move backwards. Marianne is the right choice, right now. Vote Marianne Vier to the Troutdale City Council.

John Wilson

Troutdale

Voters are sick of dirty politics

What if an election were held, and nobody voted? Is that what it’s going to come down to before candidates finally “get” that we are sick to death of smear campaigns? That we don’t care if someone’s family member did something umpteen years ago? That it doesn’t matter if someone changed their mind? Oh, the horror in that! It might mean they actually thought about something. It’s downright pathetic to see otherwise rational human beings become petty, mean and spiteful individuals. Is that their true self? They should know it’s the image we’ll remember most.

When will it finally be understood that what we need are leaders who want to do the best they can do for as many people as possible, and not just a few special interest groups? When will candidates spend more time talking about what they will do, instead of what their opponent won’t? How many millions of dollars were spent on, “He said this, and she said that” ads? Listen up, future candidates. This may come as a huge surprise, but most of us do not care! Seriously, we have not become so stupid that we can’t listen, ask questions and then decide for ourselves.

When I marked my ballot last week, if I’d had to choose between Minnis and Brading, I would have left it blank. For all the weeks of bashing and attempts to “one up” each another, it was amazing to see them finally hit equal status – juvenile schoolyard bully.

The only spot I marked with no hesitation was that of Shane Bemis for mayor of Gresham. His silence about his opponent throughout the campaign spoke volumes about his character. He never once questioned or insulted the intelligence of the people he wants to lead. By not wasting his or the voter’s time with personal attacks, we actually got to learn about his vision and ideas for the future of Gresham.

When I began writing this, it was not intended to be an endorsement, but it is what it is. Leading by example is powerful. Which example do you prefer?

Debbie Wingate

Gresham

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit