Wild turkey auction idea a simplistic Corvallis solution

In response to Patricia Parcells' letter Sept. 25 about the wild turkey overpopulation problem, "Don't just kill Philomath turkeys; auction them first":

I'm sorry, but you don't know what you're talking about. Turkeys come in flocks, not herds. A wild turkey is usually a tough bird and not palatable except for those who are experienced in cooking wild meat. It has a lot of tendons, so carving it and eating it are not easy. Property owners who have been affected directly by the turkeys would likely think that the gift of one of the wild turkeys would be an insult.

Simplistic solutions abound in the Corvallis area as people with very fertile minds see a problem, think up an answer and put it out for all to see. What all usually see is the ignorance and inexperience of the writer, often with an unusual amount of hatred expressed.

Of course that same attitude applies to bigger problems like electing a president and the war on terror. There is a lot of arrogance in deciding these issues if you don't have real-life experience to apply to them.

Dreamers need not apply!

Gobble, gobble, gobble.

Lee Findley, Corvallis

It's unfair to put a tax on new Corvallis homeowners

We moved to Corvallis in June, after I retired from my job in Massachusetts. We purchased a rather run-down manufactured home, where we currently live. We've looked forward to using some of our limited savings to replace it with a small, energy-efficient home.

I was shocked to learn that the school district is considering a huge special tax that would target one and only one segment of the population - those who will be buying new homes. Although the tax would be assessed directly on the builders, of course it would just be passed along to the buyer as a higher purchase price. For us, this would amount to around $1,500!

Meanwhile, the vast majority of the population, who won't be buying a new home, would pay nothing! How discriminatory can you get?

I support a fair, broad-based tax increase, if needed for education. Everyone should pay to support good schools. Why put the entire financial burden on just a few folks?

I strongly oppose this unfair, discriminatory tax.

Christine Robins, Corvallis

Nusbaum's leadership in Philomath sometimes petty

You can tell a lot about a person by how he wields power.

On Aug. 13, 2007, I attended a Philomath City Council Meeting with a public hearing regarding possible siting of a disc golf course in Marys River Park. One person offering testimony was Ted Gregg, an active, long-time supporter of Philomath, who contributed to the establishment of the Marys River Park and to the city library project.

Mr. Gregg began by passing out a printed version of his statement of support. He then began reading his statement and, at the five minute limit, Mayor Chris Nusbaum interrupted and demanded Mr. Gregg stop speaking.

Mr. Gregg politely asked if he might finish his statement. There were only a few people in attendance. Everyone could see by the printed statement that Mr. Gregg had only a few sentences remaining.

The mayor showed no compassion, no respect for the contributions of this elder citizen and brutishly refused any extension of speaking time. Later in the meeting. Mr. Gregg's son read the remainder of his father's statement into the record. The council meeting was adjourned 40 minutes after it began, having little business.

Witnessing this petty tyranny against a city elder deserving of respect was disturbing.

Please join me in re-electing Annabelle Jaramillo to County Commissioner and reject the candidacy of Chris Nusbaum for this important office. We need commissioners with heart, wisdom and balance.

Jay Sexton, Philomath

Driver's license renewal was a nightmare for this woman

I have had an Oregon driver's license since 1976. To renew it I took my birth certificate, marriage license, Social Security card and an envelope addressed to me at my current address. All these documents have my first and middle names: Terryl Jean.

I was married in 1963, divorced in 1975, and my current marriage certificate has my first married name on it, not my maiden name, so the clerk rejected my documents.

I went home and found the divorce decree from 1975. Two clerks went through every page (after checking to see if it was certified - no copies!) and since my maiden name is not mentioned, rejected it. They took away my license and gave me a XEROX COPY of it and a yellow piece of paper saying it's a 90-day temporary license.

I'm living in a nightmare. This system isn't "protecting" me from terrorism, it's terrorizing me. I need help - please, someone, do something sensible!

Terry Weiss, Corvallis

Editor's note: The DMV has promised that from now on, fewer documents will be needed to establish identity. For a complete list, see http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/idproof.shtml#LName.

We're drowning in debt; How can we bail out banks?

There is a lot of craziness associated with the $700 billion bailout. How the federal government, which is in debt by more than $10 trillion, already can bailout anything is truly amazing.

The plan is that the feds will buy the bad debt at a discount and then sell it in the future is absurd. It's bad debt, no one wants it now, expecting the debt to get better in the future is absurd.

But by far the most amazing thing is Congress is going to rush some bill through in just a few days. Congress has never produced a decent bill when it's ramrodded through.

Oh yeah, remember when spending $35 over five years for health care for kids was vetoed because it was too expensive?

Let's not forget the $10 billion a month we are spending in Iraq.

Bob Hazleton, Corvallis

Konopa best of qualified Albany mayor candidates

Albany is fortunate to have two very qualified public servants running for mayor.

Each has a special set of personal skills and experience to offer.

How does a voter decide? There is no one way. People have their own criteria. I can only share my way of deciding.

To use a medical analogy: Who do you go to if you have a medical problem? It all depends on the specific medical concern. You wouldn't turn to a brain surgeon if the problem was with the heart.

What are the issues facing Albany, and who could provide the needed leadership? Who has the most practical, inclusive and compassionate community understanding? Who has the ideas, concern and thoughtful approach to solutions on difficult issues facing our community? Who has the community's interest as the number one priority? Who is willing to confront special interests who don't? Who has a vision that deals with 21st Century realities? Who has demonstrated that all Albany citizens are equal and all concerns worthy of a fair and just hearing at City Hall?

Who will be the most effective advocate for the common good of Albany?

I will vote for Sharon Konopa.

David Anderer, Albany

Will the real Gordon Smith please come forward?

Who is U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, and what does he stand for, really? Is he a regular guy from eastern Oregon, or did he grow up in Washington, D.C., inherit a multi-million dollar business, and own a $3.5 million mansion in D.C.?

Does he want "harsher financial punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants," or does Smith Frozen Foods routinely hire illegal immigrants? Does Smith really share close ties to Barack Obama and his policies, or has he been a loyal foot-soldier for Bush, voting for Bush policies 90 percent of the time?

Is Smith a fiscal conservative unwilling to pay for new state office furniture, or did he give oil companies billions in tax breaks, despite their already-soaring record profits? Has he ever voted for a balanced budget? Does Smith really support low taxes to help the average voter, or does he expect us to wait 28 more years for the benefits to finally "trickle down"?

Does Smith really think continuing the Iraq war is "absurd" and possibly "criminal", or did he vote for the war before 2006 and against every attempt to wind it down ever since?

Remember when Smith insisted he was against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during the 2002 election, but voted to open it to drilling after he was elected? Maybe we shouldn't pay much attention to what Gordon Smith says, and look more closely at what he's done instead.

Susan Hirsch, Corvallis