Oregon turkeys would be right at home in this locale

Here's another idea for where those Philomath turkeys could go: One solution for the over-abundance of turkeys in Philomath is to catch them, crate them up and send them to Congress in Washington. They can live out their lives there with the others.

Mike Colling, Corvallis

Five-minute rule keeps public comment within bounds

In his Sept. 29 letter, former mayoral candidate Jay Sexton attempts to summarize his interpretation of a Philomath City Council meeting referenced over a year ago. Mr. Sexton criticizes our council's use of the 5-minute public testimony time limit.

Prior to the implementation of our current public testimony rules, local activists routinely dominated the "Visitors and Petitions" section of City Council meetings in hopes of attracting media attention. Philomath citizens soon became tired of "mob rules" and asked me in 2004 if a fair system of testimony could be enacted at City Hall. Per their request, we studied other Benton County cities and found that a three- to five-minute public testimony limit is common practice.

In 2005, our council opted to implement a more generous five-minute testimony procedure with an additional minute to summarize. In fairness to all, we grant six minutes of unrestricted public testimony to anyone. Upon completion of any public input, all councilors are free to grant an extension of testimony time or ask any individual questions. A citizen request needing additional study is routinely assigned to one of our council's standing committees for further investigation and resolution.

Our current system of government works. Despite any criticism, I will always adhere to the rules of council and the Philomath City Charter. Democracy becomes very messy to do so otherwise.

Chris Nusbaum, Mayor of Philomath

A tax on new construction is 'utterly shocking' idea

There exists some cruel irony in the local debate on raising taxes while our national economy plummets. I find it utterly shocking that, at times such as these, any right-minded person would support yet another tax on our local economy. I read with bewildered shock that the Corvallis School Board is considering an additional tax on all new construction.

Did you know that your local builders already pay upwards of $30,000 per year for permits and local fees? And guess what; those costs are passed right along down the line to all homeowners in the cost of buying ANY house, new or old, as the market bears this out.

Yet, while an industry crucial to our local economy is suffering, there are some in seats of power considering adding more undue and unfair burden. Ironically, this tax that is intended to raise more revenue will have just the opposite effect. Adding an additional $3,000 to the cost of building a house locally will mean that many homes simply aren't built.

When sending out Christmas cards this year, double check your addresses for accuracy because your local plumbers, electricians, painters and roofers will likely be living elsewhere - in a place where they can find work.

Chad Matthews, Corvallis

Conservative Civil Rights? That's an oxymoron

John Brenan, in his Sept. 30 letter "Democrats blocked Civil Rights movement in South," makes the common mistake of confusing liberals with Democrats and conservatives with Republicans in the old South.

Contrary to Mr. Brenan's assertion, it IS absolutely true that "conservatives manned the fire hoses and police dogs" while "liberals were fighting for civil rights." The terms Republican and Democrat mean nothing without the context of time and place. However, by definition, those struggling to fundamentally change an entire society are NOT conservatives. Mr. Brenan isn't the first to try to pass off the accomplishments of liberals as the work of conservatives.

Marc Stewart, Corvallis

Departing 'Entertainment' editor will be missed

We are truly sad to lose Jake "Night Rider" TenPas to the "big city." What a delight his wonderful, informative columns were to us in the Gazette-Times' Friday "Entertainer." His unique take on life in Corvallis and environs was truly magical - and sometimes, laugh-out-loud hilarious. He told us about places near and far that we probably would dare not visit, but were still happy to know were in existence. He sent us to places we would have never tried (or even, known about) but for his excellent and entertaining prose.

Thanks, Jake. "Good on you" and best wishes in any new endeavor that may catch your fancy. We wouldn't be too surprised to see his byline someday in Rolling Stone.

Barb Boudreaux, Corvallis

We can't postpone reform of ill health care system

Have you heard friends talking about the need to postpone health care reform until we see a brighter economic picture? I, for one,refuse to go there!

Health care is a major economic issue!

It's more important that ever that we keep pressing public officials at the state and federal level to control health care costs, make the health care system more efficient so that we get optimum value for every dollar we spend on health care.

Health care costs are a very significant economic issue for individuals, families and businesses.

Securing affordable health care is second only to rising gas prices as the top economic concern of voters.

Fixing our broken health care system can help reduce our medical expenses and put money in our pockets for other essentials.The economy is exactly why we need health care reform NOW. Making health care more affordable can make real improvements in the economy.

Check out what state and federal candidates are proposing to fix our broken health care system. See the Web site for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation at www.health08.org for information on federal candidates or attend local candidate forums at the Corvallis-Benton County library in October.

Betty Johnson, Corvallis

Wild turkeys are not native Oregon wildlife

A recent letter to the editor stated, "The turkeys have been here long before we arrived and tried to convert their habitat to suit us."

Actually, turkeys are native in eastern North America. They were introduced to Oregon by people who wanted to hunt them. They have thrived and moved into diverse habitats including our towns.

Turkeys are indeed "wonders to behold" as the letter writer said, and I have no idea how or if Philomath should attempt to control them, but turkeys are not a natural part of Oregon.

Barbara L. Wilson, Corvallis

Lots of transplanted turkeys now inhabit Oregon

To quote the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife turkey brochure: "Wild turkeys are not native to Oregon but were first successfully introduced in 1961. Since then, more than 10,000 turkeys have been transplanted to locations all over Oregon. In recent years, these transplants have been the result of moving nuisance turkeys to other parts of the state. As an aside, the first attempt to introduce wild turkeys was in the 1890s."

Perhaps we should contact ODFW about their "Nuisance Turkey Capture program."

Tom Loveday, Corvallis

Support city's levy for sake

of seniors, the community

Re: Corvallis' "Seniors, Swingsets, and Softball" tax levy:

Corvallis is a community of concerned citizens.

Corvallis faces a growing population of older citizens.

Corvallis cares for its toddlers as well as its seniors by providing healthy life styles and recreation facilities for all its citizens.

Corvallis now needs to upgrade, maintain and enlarge its Senior Center, parks and facilities to meet the needs of its growing community.

Corvallis, please join me in supporting the "Seniors, Swingsets and Softball" which is Measure 02-65. It's intergenerational, it promotes healthy life styles, it maintains much-needed facilities and makes Corvallis a more attractive, environmentally friendly community. For more information, see the corrected Web site, www.seniorsswingsetsandsoftball.

com.

Warren Hovland

Corvallis

Growing Corvallis senior population argues for levy

One of the most important developments in Corvallis in recent years has been its growing popularity with retirees and other seniors.

The reasons for this would include the following:

• It is a university town.

• It has a mild climate.

• It is an outstanding medical center.

• It has a variety of retirement villages, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Also particularly important is our extremely popular Senior and Community Center. In fact, it has become so popular with seniors and other members of the community that it already has been enlarged twice.

Now the city is proposing to add 8,500 square feet of space to the building, including more classrooms, a new dining area, an enlarged computer lab and a new fitness room.

Of special importance for the general public, the proposed city bond issue also would fund Chintimini Park improvements, including new playground equipment, a covered play area, night lighting for the north softball field and a much-needed new restroom.

It has been suggested that the city postpone this project because of the national financial crisis. However, it already has been postponed once and, as in the past, every time we do so, the cost of a proposed project increases. Let's not make this mistake again.

Please join us in voting "Yes" for Corvallis Bond Measure 02-65.

Patty and Tom McClintock

Corvallis