Will commissioners now rebate tax levy money?

When the Benton County Commissioners proposed the existing county tax levy, they said it was needed to make up for lost federal timber payments.

The commissioners promised that the tax levy would be reduced or eliminated if the federal government restored the timber payments.

The recent bank bailout bill restored the federal timber payment program for another four years. It is time for the commissioners and candidates for commissioner to tell us if and when they will honor the promise to reduce the county tax levy.

David Grappo, Corvallis

Editor's note: At a meeting Wednesday with the editorial board, the commissioners said they will return money to taxpayers.

Here are some things that conservatives stand for

Here is my definition of conservatism:

Small government and no taxes; no labor unions; no welfare; no Social Security; no restrictions on property; no abortions; no homosexuals; no business restrictions; no taxes on capital gains; no Equal Rights Amendment; like competition, winner-take-all; free use of resources; cheap labor; free enterprise; individual responsibility; education for those who can pay; no special privileges for blacks. To children, women, elders: If you can't compete, you don't get.

One can only imagine the wish to conserve things as they were before the Constitution and government reared their ugly heads.

Sally Bell, Corvallis

Iraq widow's brief stay taught us much about war

Thanks for your Oct. 3 article, "Iraqi family heads to Detroit."

I have been working with Welcoming Iraqis To Oregon and this family. What a privilege. My involvement happened because of the care and concern of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, to which I belong. Last winter the whole congregation wrestled with how we could live our values and act responsibly in this time of war and violence. Ultimately a super majority of the members agreed to a Peace Action Plan out of which our involvement with WITO evolved.

I learned that the synagogue, mosque and churches of Corvallis deeply care and long to make a difference. Individuals care. Our schools and social service agencies care. Corvallis came together, opened its heart and did all it could to respond to the needs of the Wadaa family. Having an Iraqi war widow with three small children in our midst taught me that ordinary citizens care about the wounded of this war whoever they are and will go to great lengths to find a way to make a difference.

They were with us only two months, but that is all it took to make the ravages of this war real and personal. We know it is costing billions of dollars and thousands of lives. We now know first hand what collateral damage looks and feels like.

There is another way. Corvallis citizens and Iraqi refugees alike just lived it. We can make that the norm, the standard, the Peace Action Plan for all.

Jan Ames, Corvallis

Elect Jason Brown as state house representative, HD 23

I have known Jason Brown for a number of years, and I have always respected his values and principles. I know him to be an unusually bright, knowledgeable and decent person.

But it was while I last talked with him that something else surfaced. I have thought about it a number of times since: Jason is one of the most honest people I know. His honesty penetrates the depth of his soul. I know that he will be an outstanding legislator and look forward to him representing me.

Stan Shively, Philomath

Protect our investment in parks, kids, senior center

This letter is to support Measure 02-65. There are many reasons for supporting this measure. It will provide for the renovation and expansion of the Chintimini Senior Center. It will increase, through improved lighting, playing time on two of our public baseball fields, and it will provide better physical access to the center for those people for whom walking can be difficult. I support Measure 02-65 because as a member of the city of Corvallis' Budget Committee, one of my primary goals is to protect the city's investment in its infrastructure. Clearly, these are difficult financial times, but history shows that a delay in construction result in increased costs. Protect our investments in our city by voting for Measure 02-65.

Karyle Butcher, Corvallis

Even in uncertain times, support care of seniors

We attended the Open House held at the Chintimini Senior and Community Center a few days ago.

Exhibits and information were available on Corvallis Bond Measure 02-65, showing how the money raised would be used to benefit a wide segment of the Corvallis population.

The nickname for the Bond issue is "Seniors, Swingsets and Softball," which we think says it all. We need to support this measure to keep Corvallis the wonderful place it is. We believe in sustainability.

Even in uncertain times, we can afford a small amount of money each year to show that we care about making Chintimini Senior Center even more special, and maintaining our wonderful parks in every part of the city. We'll vote "Yes" on Nov. 4, and we hope you do, too.

Betty Miner, Corvallis

Who will hunt golf course now for 'the real killer'?

Well, now that it looks like O.J. Simpson will be going to prison, I would like to know, who is going to be searching the golf courses of America looking for the killers of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman?

Michael Gordon Benge, Corvallis