Support commissioner measures

The proposed election Measures 15-224, 15-225 and 15-226 are intended to change the office of county commissioner from a partisan office to a nonpartisan office, change the number of commissioners from three to five and reduce the salaries of commissioners to $75,000 per year.

The existing commissioners and county administrator apparently do not support these measures. Two commissioners will make taxpayer-supported salaries of $150,000, while the third has decided not to run for re-election.

The $150,000 salaries exceed the Oregon governor’s salary of $98,600, as well as every county commissioner’s salary in the state. The county administrator has provided inflated cost projections for the implementation of these measures, and it appears that he has been rewarded by the commissioners with the best performance appraisal he has ever received.

Some would call this a quid pro quo. Vote Yes.

Harry Foster / Medford

DA candidate’s ad is unfair

Patrick Green’s new commercial warning against electing Alyssa Bartholomew because she is a defense attorney is disingenuous, desperate and deceptive.

We have many judges in the valley who were defense attorneys, and they are not soft on crime. The DA’s office has also hired public defenders and has tried to recruit public defenders.

I know Ms. Bartholomew and Mr. Green. Each will be tough on crime. But to try and poison voters’ minds by painting Ms. Bartholomew as someone who will be soft on crime because she happens to be presently working as a “defense attorney” is misleading and not true.

She has been a prosecutor before. There is a reason she is so well-supported by many in law enforcement.

Vote for who you want, but please don’t be deceived by “the sky will fall” argument.

Colin M. Murphy / Central Point

Retired judge backs Herbert

Christine Herbert has my support in her race for the Circuit Court. She has been a respected fixture in the legal profession in Jackson County for many years.

She has a varied background in all aspects of the law, civil, criminal and juvenile. Because of my own experience on the bench for 20 years, I believe equally importantly, she has the kind of temperament, intelligence, common sense and compassion that are necessary for the job.

The Voters Manual outlines her qualifications in detail, but I think it is as vital that the voting public hear from those who know both candidates with a recommendation.

I have no hesitation in enthusiastically encouraging a vote for Christine Herbert for Circuit Court Judge position 5.

Patricia Crain / Medford

Retired Circuit Court Judge

Davis for Circuit Court judge

Jackson County is fortunate to have Joe Davis on the ballot for the position of Circuit Court judge.

Joe is a Medford native with a diverse professional background as a deputy district attorney, corporate in-house counsel, and as a lawyer in private civil practice in Medford.

Joe has the respect of his peers, as evidenced by the recent Jackson County Bar Association poll of practicing attorneys, in which nearly 60% voted him the preferred candidate. Aside from the fact Joe has demonstrated his proficiency as a practicing attorney, this result was certainly influenced by his substantial experience in civil (as opposed to criminal) cases.

Joe’s opponent in the election has little or no experience in civil matters. Joe will bring necessary balance to the local judiciary if elected.

I urge Jackson County voters to vote for Joe Davis for Jackson County Circuit Court Judge.

Darrel Jarvis / Ashland