Raymond more complex than editorial indicated

Your May 8 editorial assessment of Ward 7 candidates ("Ward 7 candidates' differences clear") almost sounded as if the only responsibility of the Corvallis City Council is to support a vibrant business economy. You called for balance in that area and, in doing so, you seemed to create an unbalanced picture.

I know Jeanne Raymond to be much more than your description of her. She not only has supported the business community through her work with "Prosperity that Fits," she also has worked for a better community through the arts, children's programs, parks and recreation programs, food and shelter outreach for those in need, safe neighborhoods, and many others.

In these groundbreaking times, Jeanne's support for the energy trust program and the Sustainability Coalition are just the forward-looking emphasis that Corvallis needs, not as an afterthought but as a vision.

I know that she would bring a great balance of interest to the City Council. What I liked about Scott Zimbrick was that he was much more than an advocate for business. And Jeanne is much more than your description of her. She's done her homework, and she knows her community. Jeanne Raymond would be a terrific addition to the Corvallis City Council.

Linda Paschke, Corvallis

Schroff offers perspective often missing from council

Balance is what the Ward 7 race is all about. I believe that both candidates feel very strongly about helping Corvallis be a vital economic area as well as a sustainable green city, and both are good people. The real issue is which one can add balance to the existing Council. With the sad departure of Scott Zimbrick, I feel the council lost much of that balance. From what I have seen from the current council, I truly believe that Rick Schroff brings that balance back. With the proposed layoffs happening at HP we need a strong business mind to bring us through this tough economic time. My vote is for Rick Schroff.

Todd Washington, Corvallis

Expanding forfeiture law will be good for animals

Heartland Humane Society encourages its supporters, donors and anyone who cares about the welfare of animals to vote "yes" on Ballot Measure 53.

A yes vote will modify provisions governing civil forfeitures related to crimes and allow animal welfare organizations such as Heartland Humane Society to provide proper care and re-homing of seized animals immediately, rather than holding them for months or even years while the case works its way through court. Recently, Heartland Humane Society cared for 109 dogs in a neglect case.

The dogs were in foster care for eight months, unable to be spayed/neutered or adopted. The care and management of these animals cost Heartland more than $25,000. Inanimate property seized by law enforcement can be stored, but animals should not be swept up in this same poorly written law. Please vote "yes" and release the animals to a brighter future immediately.

Andrea Thornberry, Executive Director, Heartland Humane Society

Clinton the best hope to right environmental wrongs

I care about the environment, so I'm voting for Hillary Clinton.

Barack Obama talks a good game about the environment, but he voted for the Bush/Cheney energy bill, which gave millions of taxpayer dollars to oil and nuclear companies and took away Oregon's right to have a say about the placement of liquid natural gas facilities on our coast. Hillary Clinton is the only candidate for president who voted against the Bush/Cheney energy bill.

Obama that says he is a great leader because he told the car companies that they needed to make more fuel-efficient cars. A great leader needs to do more than sit back and tell people and companies what to do.

Hillary Clinton is the only candidate with a detailed, tangible plan for saving the environment and creating jobs with her "Made Green in America" Fund and her Green-Manufacturing Extension Partnership (you can find more information on these plans at oregoncompact.com).

The environment cannot wait. We need someone who is ready with a plan (not just rhetoric) on day one. With additional experience, Barack can make a great President - in eight years. Hillary Clinton is ready now, and we need her.

Judy Fortmiller, Corvallis

Jeanne Raymond is more open to citizens' concerns

I support Jeanne Raymond for Ward 7 city council. She indicated that anything citizens bring before the council should be respected and considered.

I brought the Department of Peace legislation (HR 808) before the City Council, as it is within their scope. The legislation calls for funding of local, community initiatives and programs that work on violence prevention. Such funding could enhance the city's ability to provide services that help to preserve Corvallis' livability for a wide range of people.

I can't imagine anyone would think this offer of financial investment is beyond the City Council's scope, as it would bring tax dollars back to our community for our own benefit.

Yes, I'll vote for Jeanne, who will take the time to listen to everyone and carefully consider everything.

Valerie White, Corvallis

Gender balance is needed on the Corvallis City Council

The editor's comparison of the two candidates for City Council Ward 7 position failed to mention that there is currently only one woman to seven men on the council. Electing Jeanne Raymond would add a better balance to representation of this ward. This is an important issue well worth considering.

Jeanne is extremely well qualified and she has a strong interest in balancing the local economy and environmental and social issues.

Please vote for Jeanne for truer and fair representation of our neighborhood.

Jean Marvell, Corvallis

School district was wrong to host Clinton's speech

The Corvallis School District is guilty of allowing William Jefferson Clinton within 500 feet of Lincoln School. If my memory serves me right, wasn't he dethroned after sexual improprieties in the Oval Office, while serving as president of the United States?

Talk about double standards!

Barbara Crawford, Corvallis

No matter the hour, sound off about noise issues

In response to Terry Weiss' May 12 "As I see it" column, "No laws stop the constant noise, parties":

I have a suggestion for all of us who are similarly disturbed by middle-of-the-night parties. Each call to the police could be followed by a courtesy call, no matter what the hour, to the absent landlords.

Perhaps, after receiving several 2 or 3 a.m. wake-up calls, those landlords will have more interest in the nighttime behavior of their tenants.

Christine Stillger, Corvallis

Is Schroff's Chamber membership a conflict?

Current and past directors of our chamber of commerce have stated that one of their goals is to have the Corvallis City Council be more responsive to the interests of the chamber's member businesses. In its most recent membership drive, a chamber representative stated their need to have "political clout" ("Chamber Coalition Recruits Members," Gazette-Times, April 18, 2007).

The chamber of commerce is an important resource in our community. It serves the needs of local businesses in promoting a healthy economy. Rick Schroff, a chamber member, is running for the vacant Ward 7 City Council position. It really should not matter if a chamber member is also a city councilor. However, Mr. Schroff has been outspoken in support of businesses having hearing and consideration in Corvallis politics (Letter to the Editor, G-T, March 2, 2006). Mr. Schroff and the chamber appear to have the same goals.

Question: Would Mr. Schroff be more likely to make decisions favorable to the fellow chamber members who helped finance his election, or to the residents of Ward 7?

The political fabric of our community should be diverse, with no one group seeking "political clout." In this election, a vote for Rick Schroff would not be in the best interest of Ward 7. It is doubtful that he will be "Working for Ward 7," as it says on his campaign signs. I believe Jeanne Raymond will best represent the citizens of Ward 7.

Elizabeth DeLorenze, Corvallis

Macpherson open to revising past legal mistakes

Since Measure 11 passed in 1994, Oregon's prison population has nearly doubled to 14,000 inmates. Oregon spends more on incarceration than any other state, and we are one of only five states that spend more on incarcerating our citizens, than on higher education.

Greg Macpherson thinks those priorities are skewed. Greg Macpherson is the only candidate who is open to revising Measure 11. His opponent, John Kroger, pledged to the district attorneys that he "supports mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes," and that as attorney general, he would "oppose any effort to water down Measure 11."

That's why I'm voting for Greg Macpherson for Oregon Attorney General.

Harry Demarest, Corvallis

CV and CHS music programs merit more ink, applause

I would enjoy seeing a much more detailed article on the choir, orchestra, and band programs in Corvallis high schools.

I noticed three paragraphs in the "In Brief" section that stated that the CV Choir placed third in state 5A, and first in sight reading; the CV orchestra placed second in 5A and 6A in state; the CV wind ensemble placed second in state 5A; and Corvallis High band placed fifth in state 5A. What a spectacular accomplishment! I applaud all the student musicians and teachers.

Kim Jones, Corvallis