Letters in the Editor's Mailbag.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Stein not attacking

"Why should I vote for Bev Stein? She is exactly the same as the other Democrats." That is usually the first thing I hear from people when I ask who they plan to support for governor.

The ad comparing the voting record of Stein to that of Jim Hill and Ted Kulongoski is just that - a comparison. In a primary election, it is critical to distinguish oneself from the other candidates. This ad accomplishes that goal.

There are significant differences between the candidates, but how many people know what they are? The purpose for running this ad is to help the electorate choose a nominee. It offers the audience some concrete proof that not all the candidates are the same.

This comparison ad has been widely criticized as an attack, but that is not the case. The intent is to help voters determine which candidate they will support based on voting record.

This ad is not one that Stein thought up on a whim. Ever since she entered the race, voters have been asking her for a means of comparison. This ad is the answer to the requests of these voters.

The race for the Democratic nomination for governor has been remarkably positive. Most ads have been designed to emphasize the positive traits of the candidates rather than highlighting the negative aspects of the opposition. This relatively benign campaign is the reason that the comparison ad is seen as an attack.

JANNA BERGQUIST Eugene

Saxton knows Oregon

As The Register-Guard so eloquently wrote in its editorial endorsement, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Saxton "offers Oregon Republicans a chance to reclaim their heritage of progressive leadership, and to turn away from a negative and reactive approach to government."

Saxton is the one candidate with the vision of Tom McCall, the fiscal prudence of Victor Atiyeh and the moderate approach of Mark Hatfield. Because he does not pander to extremists, he is the only Republican who can be elected in November - the first Republican governor in 16 years.

Saxton knows Oregon and understands education, business and government. As former Oregon state treasurer and chief investment officer, I endorse Saxton for many reasons - the Public Employees Retirement System is just one example. It takes guts to speak out for reform of PERS. We had, in the late 1970s and early '80s, a well-funded PERS with earnings well above the Dow and S&P indexes and a surplus above pension requirements. Now, Oregon's public pension system is about 20 percent underfunded. Laws that guarantee a minimum 8 percent annual earnings credit when there are no earnings - or even when there are losses - are breaking the system.

Who else has the political courage to join Saxton in asking for fiscal responsibility and reform? As a retired Republican secretary of state and former state treasurer, I enthusiastically endorse Ron Saxton for governor.

CLAY MYERS Tubac, Ariz.

Beware endorsements

The local firefighters' union has really ramped up its political presence. I find it interesting that the union's Eugene City Council endorsements appear to have been made without interviewing any candidates except those they endorsed. I guess that suggests that those endorsements may not have been based on issues "critical to emergency services," as suggested in their recent endorsement advertisement. If they were, it seems they would have taken the time to seek out the positions of other council candidates. They did not.

Rather, closed-door endorsement processes such as those used by the firefighters union suggest to me that they have extracted promises from candidates Kevin Wells, Pat Hadley and Richard Cunningham. Doesn't the local firefighters union contract come up for renewal next year? Do you suppose Wells, Hadley and Cunningham have already made up their minds about raises for local firefighters although the city will face a budget shortfall? If the union were truly concerned about issues critical to emergency services, wouldn't they spend some of their considerable PAC war chest to support the passage of a bond measure for a new safer, downtown fire station instead of television ads promoting Wells, Hadley and Cunningham?

I hope the voters in wards 4, 5 and 6 will have the common sense to see what's going on. I hope that they will cast their votes for those candidates who support our valued firefighters yet are not beholden to a union with a self-serving agenda. Vote for George Poling, Gary Pape and Jennifer Solomon.

GLEN and JUNE JENNINGS Eugene

Keep Bartel on EWEB 

The only way for Eugene to continue to have Peter Bartel's leadership on the Eugene Water & Electric Board is to re-elect him for the at-large position. While both candidates running for EWEB commissioner are currently on the utility board, Bartel has been redistricted out of his former ward.

Sandra Bishop's current term has another two years, regardless of whether she wins this race. Bartel's leadership and vision is apparent through his voting record, as he's helped steer the utility in a sustainable and financially responsible direction. He's consistently voted to increase sources of renewable energy. He has been a strong advocate for a tiered-rate structure. That rate structure has helped keep rates down for most consumers. It was also necessary in the unstable energy climate of last year. Bishop, on the other hand, said she supported tiered rates, just "not now."

Bartel also was a leader in evaluating EWEB's current site to assess how appropriate and functional it is as an operations and maintenance facilities location over the next 50 years. The current location on the banks of the Willamette River is too inefficient to allow for planned growth. Some would also argue that the banks of the Willamette are not the best place to change oil and warehouse transformers. Bishop, on the other hand, was an advocate for an ill-fated gas-fired generator that cost EWEB ratepayers $3.5 million, did not include public input in the decision-making process and never was built.

Vote to retain Peter Bartel on the EWEB board.

PAUL HOOBYAR Eugene

Protect branch libraries

In the excitement over Eugene's beautiful new library, the vital service provided by our recently established branch libraries may be overshadowed. Yet these branches serve many citizens for whom visiting the downtown library is impossible or impractical.

From the time they opened, the Sheldon and Bethel branches have been heavily used by children and adults who never had library cards before, as well as by long-time patrons who find them convenient. When the new downtown library opens, this trend will continue, especially among older people such as myself who cannot easily walk the increased distance to available parking.

The library levy renewal measure on the May 21 ballot will provide funds to increase service at both the downtown library and the branches. But the branches are funded entirely by this levy; if it is not renewed during 2002, they will close.

Though there has been little opposition to its renewal, for that very reason some people may feel their votes aren't needed. To renew it at this election, however, a majority turnout is required. It would be tragic to lose our branch libraries merely because not enough registered voters cast ballots. So if you have not voted yet, please do it now.

SYLVIA ENGDAHL Eugene

Library needs levy

Don't forget to vote for the library. A yes vote on Measure 20-58 maintains important library services, especially Sunday hours downtown and operation of the hugely popular branch libraries in the Bethel and Sheldon neighborhoods.

The four-year levy will also add to books and collections, help cover the cost of operating an expanded downtown library, and add more hours and services to our library system.

Without a growing tax base to support these essential services, the city has to use short-term levies. Citizens approved the original library levy in 1998. Now it's time to renew. Voter turnout is critical in this election - at least 50 percent of registered voters must cast a ballot by May 21. Don't miss this chance to support a great library system for our community. Don't forget to vote for the library.

SHIRLEY PEREZ WEST Eugene

Dwyer speaks plainly

Bill Dwyer is a true Oregonian who speaks plainly and is unafraid to stand up and fight for what is right. He is outspoken and principled, and willing to fight for the rights of his constituents when called upon to do so.

The voters of Springfield and Harlow areas of Lane County are fortunate to have Bill Dwyer to vote for. He deserves to be re-elected as Lane County commissioner.

JOHN HALPERN Jr. Eugene

Back Libertarian in fall

I have lived in Eugene for 23 years now, and I have always felt that I could predict The Register-Guard's political endorsements - until now! It's great to see the newspaper's independence and its willingness to take the plunge and endorse Republican Ron Saxton and Democrat Jim Hill over the local favorites in the gubernatorial race. The Register-Guard's choices are both gutsy and wise. A race next fall between Saxton and Hill would be both exciting and a no-lose proposition for Oregonians.

I hope that the editorial board's independence and unpredictability continues in November, when it will have another excellent opportunity to step out on a limb in House District 13, where no Republican is running and Jay Bosievich is challenging the incumbent as a Libertarian candidate. I know Bosievich to be intelligent, open-minded and hard working. His ideas are thoughtful, reasonable and independent. He owes political favors to no one.

The addition of a nonpartisan, independent thinker to a closely divided, blindly partisan and often nasty state Legislature would be good for Oregon, as well as those of us who live in the Ferry Street Bridge and River Road-Santa Clara areas.

KEN SHULMAN Eugene

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