Daylight Saving Time would be better on a permanent basis

An article in the RV Times described Oregon lawmakers letting die a bill that would ditch Daylight Saving Time and make Standard Time permanent. The change would have been contingent on similar measures being adopted by Washington and California.

Everybody hates turning their clocks back and forth, but we suspect there would be more support for getting rid of the four months we spend on Standard Time, based on the fact that we’ve already agreed to it.

California voters approved a measure in 2018 making Daylight Saving Time permanent. In 2019, Washington legislators overwhelmingly passed a bill to stay on permanent Daylight Saving Time and that same year, so did the Oregon Legislature.

And for good reason: No sooner does it already get dark too early in the fall than we have to turn the clocks back and make it get dark an hour earlier. No wonder people get Seasonal Affective Disorder.

The complicating factor is that states can decide on their own to remain on Standard Time, but remaining on Daylight Saving Time literally requires an act of Congress, which can hardly agree to keep the government open much less do anything useful.

In spite of the difficulty, we believe that pursuing what people actually want and have already agreed to would be worth the effort.

Michael and Barbara Steely / Medford

Experience on a five-member county board proved its value

Here’s a personal perspective on the current effort to restructure the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

Before moving to Medford, I was honored to serve as an elected county supervisor (commissioner) in York County, Virginia. The board had five members. I was able to converse with other supervisors on any issue without violating posted public meeting requirements.

Both political parties were represented on the board, and partisanship was never a concern. Many issues were resolved because we could communicate easily.

My “office” was the conference room next to the county administrator’s office. My support staff was the administrator’s assistant, and my salary was $400/month.

Clearly, public service was a greater motivation than compensation.

I believe a five-member board is appropriate and highly efficient, and salary does not impact the ability to make decisions. I encourage your Yes vote on all three Jackson County for All ballot measures on May 21.

Mary Sinclair / Medford

Paycheck Fairness Act would help close existing gender gap

March 12 is Equal Pay Day; however, this year isn’t a celebration. Despite the Equal Pay Act’s introduction more than 60 years ago, gender and racial pay gaps persist.

There’s no debate about the enormous value women bring to the U.S. economy. Yet thanks to systemic sexism and decades of discrimination, women still are paid, on average, 84 cents for every dollar paid to a man. This gap worsens when we include women working part-time or seasonally — widening to 77 cents.

This gender pay gap follows women throughout their lifetime, making it harder to pay back student loans, save money to buy a house, and plan for retirement.

Fortunately, there are steps to take: Congress could pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill would update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act so all workers take home a fair paycheck and employers have incentives to comply with the law.

We urge Congress to ensure that women are fairly and equitably compensated for their work by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act now.

Claire Berger and Lisa Verner /

American Association of University Women of Oregon

Rogue Valley does play a part in Klamath River water wars

If letter writer Joel Wallace would look carefully at a map, he would discover that the water flowing from Hyatt, Howard Prairie (and Four Mile) reservoirs would, if not diverted into canals, flow into the Klamath River, not into Emigrant Lake and the Rogue River.

We are removing water from the Klamath River drainage before it reaches the river. Our valley is indeed playing a part in the Klamath water wars, though it has not yet been called to account.

Thomas Keevil / Ashland

‘Bly Manor’ provided welcome addition to theater scene

What a superb performance by the actors of The Modern Prometheans, the new Phoenix theater (run by Paul Cosca) of the play, “Bly Manor.”

Although it was cold inside (I wore my black hat, coat and gloves) it was more than made up by the amazing acting of four young actors. As the governess (in this adaptation of the Henry James’ classic “The Turn of the Screw”), how did Abby Brown so eloquently memorize so many lines? And Nathan Reeder did an excellent job of being both the distant uncle and teacher of Miles. Ella Diaz nailed the British accent as the maid, and a very young Riley Beazeale was delightful as the quick-change artist playing both boy and girl roles as the two orphaned siblings.

And last but not least were the delicious chocolates made by the director, Paul Cosca, and available during the intermission. I was so impressed. And thank you to the Rogue Valley Times for your write-up about new playhouse or else I never would have attended. Keep up the good work!

Susan Brown Bolt / Phoenix

Measures not the same in Jackson, Josephine counties

I would like to offer a correction and clarification to an issue addressed in a letter to the editor. The writer, an opponent of the Jackson County for All measures, stated that with the current system, “We get to vote for three commissioners not just two. Each commissioner represents all of Jackson County.”

This incorrectly describes the change that Jackson County for All measures would make. None of these measures establish districts, which would be the only way that voters would not be allowed to vote for all the commissioners.

Jackson County would be left as an “at-large” community, where residents vote for all commissioners.

It is possible that the writer conflated the Josephine County measure with that of Jackson County. Indeed, the Josephine measure allows for some district seats. The Jackson County measures do not.

Michael Sawicky / Ashland