Obviously, the Beaver players and staff are due a ton of congratulations for their great performance this past Saturday. In addition, I want to give a big thumbs up to the "spirit refs" who were patrolling the stands looking for "offenders." These two guys looked pretty authentic except for the long orange sleeves protruding from their stripped referee shirts and the big orange "O" on their white caps. They even had the yellow hankies for tossing when they spotted an "offense" being committed. In our area they called fouls on a guy who wasn't forming the O-S-U shapes well enough with his hands, another on a University of Oregon fan who had the temerity to wear his green cap to the game, and a USC woman for wearing a "Christmas" sweater (a knitted sweater in USC colors). This was all done in a spirit of fun and in a light hearted way, which did a lot to add to the enjoyment of the game. I would hope to see these guys again and would be greatly disappointed if the authorities decided that their actions are offensive and/or unsanctioned and banned them from engaging in their activities. If anything, the Athletic Department should offer them a stipend for entertaining the crowd and contributing to the game day experience.

Daniel Watkins

Corvallis

Sexton clarifies stand on Council 'exclusiveness'

In response to Councilor Ken Schaudt's Oct. 27 letter, "Sexton comments about Philomath council wrong," I must agree.

Schaudt attributed the Gazette-Times headline as my words. I would have preferred the headline "Challenger says council exclusive" rather than "close-minded."

Councilors Schaudt, Bierek and the mayor have used the Oregon Voters Pamphlet and campaign materials to advocate for re-election of all city incumbents to maintain the status quo.

Within the Oct. 18 G-T article, I am characterized as saying the "Council … criticizes people who don't agree with it." It is clear from my actual campaign material and Web site (sextonformayor.org), that I have not criticized the Council, but only the mayor, for his inappropriate use of the taxpayer financed "City News" to criticize citizens voicing concerns in Council (See Spring 2006 and Summer 2006 issues).

The council has been led to fear other opinions by the present mayor. I have the proven abilities and temperament to work with people of all opinions and will protect volunteers and citizens from public ridicule. Those of you who have met me or read my campaign materials know that I will work for inclusive government and that my campaign writings have been entirely issues based with no personal attacks against my opponent or councilors.

Jay Sexton

Philomath mayor candidate

Saxton can't compare to McCall or Hatfield

Ron Saxton has recently compared himself to former Govs. Mark Hatfield and Tom McCall, asking that we ignore his recent transition from left-of-center Republican to a candidate who secured nomination by drifting to the right of Kevin Mannix.

Throughout his career, Mark Hatfield valued consistency, integrity and the common good over partisan politics. While in the Senate, he was a vigorous advocate for refugees and immigrants. Conversely, Ron Saxton now seeks political advantage by bashing immigrants at every opportunity.

The legacy of Tom McCall's leadership is apparent across Oregon - at parks, rivers and beaches, which benefited from his stewardship and positive vision for a better future. Mr. Saxton's promise seems to be that he can somehow do more with less through tax cuts, a partisan pledge which has been proven unattainable by others.

Oregonians of a certain age and all political stripes remember fondly the careers of Hatfield and McCall. Mr. Saxton is neither.

Herb Crew

Corvallis

Students have big stake in district levy's passage

I have noticed many people campaigning on behalf of students for Measure 02-58 that would levy $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value to support instruction for five years beginning in 2007-08.

Thank you all for your support. I want to address the fact that students aren't campaigning for the measure.

Students rarely campaign for their education or show their support for ballot measures such as 02-58 and past measures with similar purposes.

While people may believe that students aren't invested in their own education, but the truth is that we are so busy studying and doing homework in an attempt to take advantage of the gift of free education that we seldom have time to invest in other ways. Most of us share a desire for the best education possible.

Many classes at Corvallis High School have more than 40 students, and it is not uncommon for a class to start out with more students than there are desks!

Although photocopies are inexpensive for many, they are often too expensive for a class to make, and students need to copy their own worksheets/study guides by hand from an overhead projector (a waste of time).

There are so many other examples that people have written about. If everyone in our community contributes, the learning situation could be dramatically changed.

I urge voters to join me in voting "Yes" on 02-58 - a five-year operating local option tax for Corvallis schools.

Nathan Reiman

Corvallis High School

Support of county levy just sound economics

Ever hear the phrase "cutting off your nose to spite your face?" Well that seems to be what is happening here in Benton County.

Loss of forest payments, the effects of initiatives and a myriad of other circumstances have left us (along with many other counties in Oregon) facing significant shortfalls next year.

County officials have openly stated that services will need to be reduced or eliminated - and employee layoffs will occur- if the levy for continuing county services is not successful.

Most county employees understand the problem. County management invited represented and non-represented employees to participate in finding solutions. However, the Deputy Sheriff's Association declined to participate, and now they are trying to blame the Sheriff and Undersheriff for the problem.

The County Budget Committee allocates the dollars to the departments, and it can only allocate the resources the county has.

We all need to support the levy for a better Benton County. It's not hard to figure out: No money; no jobs!

Tanya Shively

Philomath

Robin Brown claims of Democratic support iffy

I'm puzzled by the strange political postcards from an inexperienced candidate for House District 16 that keep arriving in my mailbox.

I wonder why Robin Brown appears to be running as a Democrat. She seems more reluctant that most other Republicans to claim that Republican descriptor during this fourth year of the Iraqi Occupation. Or could it be that because she has no experience in any elected local or state office, she lacks confidence in claiming her party affiliation? And how is it that an unknown, new candidate can be compared to several fine, long-serving political Oregon figures in the same breath?

Seems like some people are grasping at straws or autumn leaves blowing in the wind. Political campaigns bring forth interesting sound bites of dubious value.

I'm voting for Sara Gelser for State Representative, a known local Democrat with high values and proven leadership skills. She values protecting Oregon's economic development that creates good jobs and healthy businesses, as well as protecting our children's education, the quality of our health care, our natural resources and our personal freedoms and basic rights. She's the right candidate for House District 16.

LoErna Simpson

Corvallis