It's no time for city to seek more money

At a time when people are struggling to put food on their tables, gas in their cars and outfit their children for a new school year, it is unconscionable that the City Council can even consider still another property tax measure on the November ballot. With the school board increasing the levy for 2008 and the county tax measure taking effect in 2008, property taxes are rapidly becoming unaffordable for many in Corvallis. My husband and I bought our home in Corvallis in 2003. Since that time, our property taxes have increased more than 30 percent.

Needless to say, our income hasn't even come close to that. In fact, with the rising costs of almost all goods and services, we actually are seeing a decline in our income. We pore over our budget every month to see where we can make cuts. It seems to me the city, county and schools could do the same. It does not seem to me that the upgrading of the senior center, etc. is an emergency measure and I see no reason why it can't wait until when or if our economy improves.

Barbara S. Curry, Corvallis

DNC satire was full of stereotypes

I read the Aug. 28 commentary titled "Denver Filled with strange Democrats."

Why is our local newspaper publishing journalism that promotes rigid and destructive stereotyping? I am speaking for myself and for people who, regardless of political affiliation, care deeply about the environment and about the current state of social welfare in this country.

Raspberries to the Gazette-Times on this decision.

Martin R. Mulford, Corvallis

Last's words should be his last in GT

I sincerely hope that his Aug. 28 commentary will be the last word we shall hear from Jonathan V. Last ("Denver filled with strange Democrats").

Mr. Last starts by making assumptions (i.e., we readers think that either political convention is glamorous), continues with slurs against the Constitution's freedom of speech and ends with allusions designed to strike the fear of Germany(!) into the hearts of us all. If he is so concerned about Fascism, the current administration provides an excellent example of it. Fascism, after all, represents a conservative, not a liberal, regime.

In attempting to make his case against the Democrats, Mr. Last, lacking any originality, can only repeat the hackneyed mantras of the Republican Party. The same party that has run roughshod over our constitutional rights, flouted the Geneva Conventions by torturing prisoners, perpetrated a murderous and illegal war on a sovereign country, ravaged the economy and our international reputation, while saddling generations to come with enormous debt, if not war guilt.

His editorial is fear-mongering and mud-slinging at its most reprehensible. If, perhaps, he intended to be humorous, he was not. He was offensive.

Mr. Last needs to give his readership more credit for intelligence than he does, get over his blinkered focus on appearances, and work on substantive issues in a more inclusive manner.

Jan Fraser, Corvallis

Not every bicyclist opposes 'sharrows'

The article "Plan Calls for Sharrows on 10th" mentions that there were numerous letters to the city opposing sharrows on 10th street. I wonder if all those letters came from the same place? Perhaps from the bicycle club that was mentioned several times? I was in attendance of the bicycle advisory committee meeting where they voted for sharrows over leaving things they way they were.

I am an experienced cyclist, and I have been nearly doored a few times. It's a frightening experience, and I've been lucky.

I am in favor of sharrows. I would imagine there are lots of others who agree with me. We just haven't sent letters to City Hall. It would have been beneficial to include e-mail addresses so that we, a voice in opposition to Mr. Prichard's bicycle club, could write to city hall in favor of sharrows.

I don't believe that a local bicycle club composed mainly of retirees should be allowed to make the rules for the rest of the cycling population in Corvallis. Even if there are 30 members, they are all from the same place and likely have the same opinion and likely all wrote to city hall at the behest of Mr. Prichard. Why didn't anyone interview those in favor of the sharrows to make a counterpoint? Mr. Upton provided information on sharrows and the change to 10th street, but information from the chair of the bicycle advisory committee is not public opinion.

Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with the reporting

Elizabeth Dewey, Corvallis

'Top Two' system is bad for democracy

The Top Two system touted by the Gazette-Times (editorial, Aug. 19, "'Top two' is fairest of them all"), is bad for democracy and will drastically change Oregon's primary and general elections.

All candidates from all parties will compete in the same primary election in one big free-for-all. There will be no majority vote requirement. Candidates will advance to the general election with the support of a tiny percentage of voters.

Top Two will restrict voters' choices in the November election, eliminate third parties from contention and make campaigns even longer and more expensive than they are now.

Vote no on Ballot Measure 65.

Blair Bobier, Corvallis