Letters and Comments for November 9, 2009

MacLeod, Burcart, Lindley

Clarifying accusation

To the Editor:

Regarding Silas Kelty’s Nov. 3 letter interpreting my speech to the Union County Republicans: Mr. Kelty came to videotape. He was told that might be uncomfortable for attendees. Perhaps a record would have provided him better notes.

His youthful idealism might be tempered by the financial realities of trying to run a business, in a recession, with one of the three highest tax burdens in the nation. Business owners know that taxes imposed on any income level in our system ripples through all of us.

His question, “Would I support a tax to save EOU?” incorrectly assumes additional taxes are the singular solution. I made it clear every time he asked, as a Republican, I believe in reducing — not introducing taxes. With businesses closing and unemployment rates in EO counties topping 20 percent, a better question would be, “How do we strengthen the economy that naturally funds services citizens want or require?” I also called EOU a crown jewel that everyone would battle to save.

Oregon is one of the richest natural resources regions in the world, yet state and federal officials repeatedly turn a deaf ear to our cry, “We are losing our rural communities.”

Even more incomprehensible, we elect representatives who actually assist in dismantling our resource-dependent communities. This creates job loss, prevents local workers from providing for their families (potentially sending their children to EOU) and also places a financial burden on the state rather than providing a potential income stream. Another system rippled.

Concerning fees, I’ve a rich history of fee increase resistance. They are usually the result of unfunded, required mandates. We increased planning fees (first time in 20 years), raised building and clerk fees once; all the result of required implementation of complicated state land use, building code and document processes.

Colleen MacLeod

Summerville

Sentence not too light

To the Editor:

As Mr. Humphreys’ attorney, I am responding to your editorial of Oct. 30.

You claimed our DA’s office made “efforts” to “make sure” my client received an adequate sentence, but that Mr. Humphreys “got off” instead.

Such criticism is unfounded: the sentence was imposed by a senior judge, a man respected statewide who’s spent a lifetime sentencing defendants — from small-time violators to aggravated murderers. To me, it was more than necessary, but was deemed adequate and just by the DA himself, and included jail, community service, probation and over $11,000 in fines, fees and restitution.

Under Oregon law, all felonies (except violent Ballot Measure 11 offenses, such as murder, robbery and rape) are governed by the Oregon Sentencing Guidelines, which impose a range of presumptive sentences for all felonies committed after 1989. The presumptive sentence for each of the first-degree thefts to which Mr. Humphreys pled was 10 days jail. That was imposed by the judge. My client also pled guilty to a misdemeanor theft — meaning the amount taken was under $750. For that crime — despite the lesser loss — the law allows jail of up to one year. Judge Morgan sentenced my client to 120 days for that offense. If you find that inconsistent, blame the Legislature, not Judge Morgan, the DA or Mr. Humphreys.

The official misconduct counts were included within the felony theft counts, because that is how the thefts occurred. The “false claims for travel” were made specifically at the direction of his immediate supervisor, Brian Florip.

Instead of criticizing, this newspaper should spend time investigating Florip and his supervisor, former OYA Director Bob Jester, who were forced to resign after my client made a full admission to state investigators, and both of whom now draw six-figure salaries for “consulting” and working for an ESD.

Janie Burcart

La Grande

Get air quality alerts

To the Editor:

As the wood-burning season approaches, we, as citizens of La Grande, should all be well-informed about the air quality in our community.

Air pollution, such as particle pollution, can harm everyone, especially those with respiratory and heart illnesses, the elderly, younger children and people who are active outdoors.

There is a valuable tool available that can help keep our community better informed about air quality. EnviroFlash (www.enviroflash.info) is an e-mail alert system that delivers critical air quality information straight to your inbox.

Subscribers enter their e-mail address and zip code and select the type of message they want to receive. They can receive alerts about the local Air Quality Index (AQI) each day or only when the air quality is expected to be unhealthy.

Many of us feel overwhelmed by our inbox and might be hesitant to sign up for one more thing, but EnviroFlash delivers vital health information in time for you to prepare for what is ahead. To help you stay better informed about the air around you, please visit EnviroFlash at  www.enviroflash.info and sign up today.

Jessica Lindley

Environmental regulatory specialist

City of La Grande