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Minnis wrong for district

by: , Two letter writers take issue with the Tribune’s endorsement of Karen Minnis (left) and urge a vote for her Democratic opponent, Rob Brading.

I was extremely disappointed with your endorsement of Karen Minnis (Editorial: Minnis is right for east county, Oct. 10).

Minnis represents everything that is wrong with east county. Her divisive political agenda, poor public image and backward conservative nature continue to propel the image of east county in a negative manner.

East county needs a new voice, a new perspective, one that is inclusive of all - one that brings our community together. East county needs a voice that will bring new, progressive changes and a better image.

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in the east is like Minnis. Many east county residents reject Minnis and her right-wing agenda.

East county residents of sound mind: Let's all stand up and not follow the Tribune's endorsement - vote against Minnis in November for the overall good of east county.

Allen Russell

Northeast Portland

Brading, not Minnis, would help Oregon

What a cop-out to claim 'Minnis is right for east county' in an Oct. 10 editorial because she uses her influence as speaker of the House to benefit her district, not because she benefits the states, the schools, the county or the larger community.

Indeed, measure any of these criteria, and Minnis would rank far below Rob Brading on forward-looking progressive ideas for the larger community.

So, if Brading is elected, 'Republicans still would control the House.' How can you be so sure? Isn't that why Brading's election is so important?

'There are times we disagree with Minnis,' you say, but how and when you disagree is not apparent. Minnis has been nothing but an obstacle to progress in the Legislature on the critical issues facing our state. Replacing her with Brading would be helpful to the larger community, as well as to those living in House District 49.

Shame on the Portland Tribune for supporting someone simply because they bring home the bacon.

Paul Meyer

Southwest Portland

Let Chasse's be the city's last such death

I'd like to respond to the Oct. 13 editorial 'Mentally ill need help.'

James Chasse Jr. was one of us - one of the many suffering with mental illness, striving for a calmer life far from psychosis and mania.

His death was not just a tragedy, it was a painful blow to those who knew him. He was a quiet, gentle soul who brought harm to no one. There couldn't be a more effective shock to the community than to lose a member in such a pejorative way.

A better understanding by the public of the daily problems the mentally ill face is a necessity. Mental illness will not be solved by again locking the disturbed away on some ward far removed from the unforgiving 'normal' world.

That kind of thinking produced the wretched history of the mental health system - barbaric lockups and chains, straitjacket confinement and pharmaceutical experimentation.

The Band-Aid remedy - a new drop-in center with social services - is a start to fulfill the needs of all people: the mentally ill, the homeless and the general public. A drop-in center could be an oasis in the parched desert of ill will.

What's tragic is that these issues have come to light at the expense of human lives. Chasse was not the first to go, but for the common good, let him be the last.

Yvonne Ingram

Southwest Portland

Love the library? Then love the levy

I'm getting ready to vote in favor of the levy for Multnomah County Library (Measure 26-81) on Nov. 7.

I'm obviously not the only library supporter. Last year, Multnomah County residents borrowed 19.4 million items from the libraries. That amounted to 28.4 books per person. Whenever I visit the Gresham library, I note that generally all computers are in use.

Before moving here, our family lived in Seattle. We loved the library system there, but in many respects the King County libraries were no match for our system here in Gresham.

'To filter, or not to filter, that is the question.'

Filtering library computers is clearly a free-speech issue. The policy regarding whether to filter is set by the county commissioners.

If library computers are filtered, a good deal of information would be inaccessible to me. There is much art that I wouldn't be able to view. I wouldn't even be able to call up some segments of the Bible.

However, it's comforting to know that when I take my 7-year-old granddaughter to the library, I'm assured that all of the computers in the children's section are automatically filtered.

When my granddaughter uses a computer in the main section of the library, I can request that it be filtered while she's using it.

I understand that this levy is not a 'tack-on' tax. It simply renews the current five-year levy and adds 13.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for the next five years. I estimate that I will pay $8 per month, or less, in library tax for my cozy condo - a bargain price for what is provided to all of us.

So, you bet I am going to vote for the library levy. Won't you join me?

John Selmar


Multiple school bonds spur questions

Everything the Portland Tribune says about why we should vote yes on the local option levy for Portland Public Schools (Measure 26-84) may be correct, but voters have memories and at least one question (Help schools go the distance, Oct. 20).

They remember that just four months ago, the Portland Public Schools board imposed a three-year, $15 million property tax bond measure without a vote from the people.

Why, then, a new levy so soon? If there are valid reasons for the two tax raises, why not explain them?

Do they think voters have forgotten the earlier bond action? I think not - just look at our property tax bills arriving in the mail this week.

James Shand

Southwest Portland