Letters and comments for March 3, 2011

Costly party elections

To the Editor:

Do you know that your county is required by law to pay election costs at every May primary for the Democratic and Republican party precinct committeeperson (PCP) elections?

In May 2010 statewide there were 17,244 PCP positions that were open for election and printed on local ballots. Only 3,478 (20 percent) candidates filed to secure that their names were printed on the ballot; the other 13,766 (80 percent) positions were blank, becoming “write-in” positions. County clerks counted 37,350 write-in candidates, but because a candidate must receive at least three votes to win, only 681 (2 percent) qualified as write-in nominees. The cost for the PCP election to Oregon counties statewide was more than $236,000. Those are your tax dollars, folks!

For example, Union County spent approximately $1,200 to elect people to the Democratic and Republican party precinct committees.

HB 2492 eliminates the requirement that counties conduct PCP elections. The major political parties are a strong lobbying power vowing to make sure that HB 2492 doesn’t get a hearing and doesn’t get to either the Senate floor or the House floor for a vote.

You can help this bill get a hearing on the Senate side by contacting Sen. Diane Rosenbaum, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, at 503-986-1700 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and on the House side by contacting Rep. Paul Holvey, co-chair of the House Rules Committee, at 503-986-1408 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  Ask that they ensure HB 2492 receives a hearing in each of their respective committees.

Next, contact your legislators and ask that they vote “yes” in favor of HB 2492 without amendments.

Dee Berman

Crook County clerk

Prineville

Not about the building

To the Editor:

A recent report on Fox News said, “A growing number of churches nationwide are facing foreclosure or being foreclosed on.”

I am in sympathy with the churches. However,  I have often wondered why so much is spent on lavish buildings and decorations. Some churches and cathedrals I have seen could qualify as grand mansions or palaces. With icons, decorating costs thousands.

Like any organization, it is never the building, but the people in it who make it what it is!

The one time Jesus spoke in his hometown synagogue, they tried to throw him off a cliff! At the Sermon on the Mount, they certainly didn’t have pews, let alone picnic tables.

A snug, secure hall of gathering is essential, but icons are sympbols and symbols are only as strong as the follower or following.

Solid gold or rough wood, the meaning remains the same and begins always in the heart.

Ron R. Fischer

Elgin