January 10, 2003
Poor money management
Regarding a desire of our new sheriff to implement a new paint design on all the department’s vehicles: This "much needed" new design comes at a time of supposed low funding.
At the same time we keep hearing, if the income tax increase does not pass, officers will be laid off. This poor money management is just another reason why many of Oregon taxpayers do not feel warm and fuzzy about supporting a tax increase. — D. Ellis, Medford
What of the muddy brew?
I applaud the vision and efforts of the city toward restoring and celebrating at least the downtown portion of Bear Creek. I hope in this time of reduced spending on public infrastructure, adequate funding is located.
Just one question, though: as we sip our mud along the creek, what are we to make of the muddy brew flowing at our feet all summer long? — John Cates, Medford
Blatantly misleading
Your headline "Bush cut gives typical family about $1,000" is blatantly misleading. As your own figures show, for a family to receive $1,100 they would have to earn well over $75,000.
Half the families in the country earn less than $42,000. The big benefits go those over $100,000. 50 percent of the tax benefits to 13 percent of the population, federal deficits for all. Tax cuts for the wealthy, now that’s typical. — Russ Silbiger, Ashland
Less than McDonald’s
I don’t know about you, but $5.60 would not even buy my family a meal at McDonald’s. Yet that is all it will cost per month if you make between $30,000 and $40,000 a year and vote yes on Measure 28. If you make between $40,000
and $50,000 a year it will cost $9.50 per month.
This is a three-year, temporary increase. Not much in the scheme of life when you look at the horrendous consequences that will befall so many people should Measure 28 fail. The most vulnerable and needy in our communities will suffer most!
I, for one, am willing to give up a night out at McDonald’s to stop the devastation that will be caused if Measure 28 fails. Then I intend to be a loud voice to the Legislature to get to work and do what is right for our state. — June Buck, Medford
Crossroads says thanks
"I just thought that maybe I’d get a set of sheets," was the response I got from that young woman about whom I wrote for the Light One Candle series. Instead, my office was filled with sheets, blankets, clothes for her toddler and herself, learning toys and snow hats.
I do not think I have ever seen eyes like the young 20-year-old on the day we showed her what the community had done for her. It’s because I will never forget her face, her innocent wonder of the innate kindness of people that I want to thank all who gave to her.
From the bottom of our hearts at CrossRoads, we thank you. You changed not only that young woman, but all of us as we face the new, uncertain future of 2003. Your gifts proved that there is hope for our world. — Marlene Mish, Principal CrossRoads School, Medford
Thanks for assistance
I would to thank the Mail Tribune, KTVL Channel 10 and Radio Medford for stepping up this holiday season and forming a partnership in the fight against hunger. I received many phone calls thanking ACCESS for putting together this food drive, but I need to give credit where it is due;
three local media groups organized this food drive on their own.
Held on Dec. 12 in the parking lot adjoining KTVL Channel 10 and Radio Medford, the one-day drive received donations from as far away as Redding and grossed enough food to feed 11 local children and seniors for an entire year!
With the nation’s highest unemployment and hunger rates it takes a concerted effort from everyone to help the 20 percent increase in local families needing food in 2002. Thank you Mail Tribune, KTVL Channel 10 and Radio Medford for taking your responsibility in our community
seriously. — Russ Koehler, resource development officer, ACCESS Inc., Medford
The true price of gasoline
What is the true price of gasoline? Today I paid about $1.40 per gallon at the pump, but that didn’t include several hidden costs: subsidies and tax breaks for the oil industry, military forces to protect the flow of crude, and effects on our environment and health.
If these "externalities" were added, how much would we actually be paying? When the International Center for Technology Assessment did the numbers, they came up with a detailed estimate of somewhere around $10 per gallon. That would be about seven times as much as
I paid at the pump.
Economics tells us that charging a price that conceals "externalities" leads to a level of consumption higher than would be chosen at the true price. What decisions would we be making if we knew that we are paying $10 per gallon?
Would we be more interested in buying "hybrid" vehicles? Four-door sedans are now available that get over 40 miles per gallon.
What adjustments would be possible in our foreign policy if fleet mileage in the U.S. rose toward this figure? Those who say "let the market decide" should be clamoring for a system that would charge the true price for gasoline. — Craig K. Comstock, Ashland
Economic policy
This administration’s idea of economic policy is to go from table to table at the Four Seasons discreetly asking patrons if they need help with the check ... (New Yorker, Dec. 23-30). — Harry L. Cook, Ashland
