Voting a right, and a duty

We read a lot of election letters for this candidate or that, this measure or that one. We have candidates with amazing relevant experience, and others who are just plain whackadoodle.

But aren’t we blessed to live in a country, in a state, in a county where we CAN vote? Where we can speak our minds. Where we can argue politics, culture, morality, religion — without fear.

Billions of humans on this planet cannot do that. As Americans, as Oregonians, we not only have the right to vote, but also the duty. We owe it to those who came before us and struggled to ensure that we could choose our own leaders.

So, fill out your ballots. Vote in the good ones, and (just maybe) throw the bums out. You don’t even have to get up off your own bum to do so. Just mail in your ballot. It’s easy.

John Enders / Talent

Support commissioner measures

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners needs restructuring for fair, effective representation of all voters. So make it nonpartisan.

Commissioners are responsible for land use planning. Yet Almeda fire survivors, who have lost homes, found razed lots blocked by new buildings, without notification required by code.

I witnessed the county administrator refuse to accept the photographic evidence of severe code violations that multiple hearing officers and judges ruled substantial. Give the people a voice.

Commissioners make decisions on air quality. Medford/Grants Pass is listed as No. 8 in the U.S. for poor air. Private citizens must matter.

Commissioners are responsible for emergency management. The COVID-19 emergency was mishandled. Care and protect us.

Commissioner undermining of the animal shelter increased euthanasia, lowered adoptions, affected poorer care and supported an exploding feral cat population. Meet our needs.

Voting Yes on 15-224, 15-225 and 15-226 is for fixing what’s broken.

H. Sirah / Ashland

Green for district attorney

Patrick Green should be Jackson County’s next district attorney.

A district attorney should be a hard-working public servant, with a demonstrated passion for seeking justice and accountability. I work with Patrick on a daily basis and I know Patrick’s experience and unparalleled work ethic make him the best candidate for the job.

Patrick has spent his entire career as a deputy district attorney and he is the only candidate with prosecution experience in Oregon. He’s been a relentless advocate for victims and has fought to hold dangerous offenders accountable, becoming known for his unmatched work ethic and integrity. Patrick has dedicated his career to making our community safer and he’ll do the same as your district attorney.

There’s no doubt Patrick is the best candidate for district attorney and I hope you join me in voting for him.

Brannon Schwab /Medford / Deputy District Attorney

Bartholomew for district attorney

Vote Alyssa Bartholomew for district attorney for Jackson County. She is a person of high moral character, sound judgment and accomplished as a lawyer. She has the life experience necessary to do this job.

Alyssa and her husband are very involved in the community and in the lives of their children. Alyssa’s experience in dealing with many cases of those afflicted with mental health and substance abuse issues are in line with the most important and common challenges facing our community.

Having worked closely with people suffering from those issues, she knows that true solutions will require a combination of holding offenders accountable, as well as helping deal with the underlying medical and psychological issues that they may be facing.

She is well suited to bring these critical skills to the table. She has my strong support and I encourage your support as well.

Donald Scales / Medford

Green for district attorney

I am writing in support of Patrick Green for district attorney. As a prosecutor, I look up to Patrick’s work ethic, professionalism and dedication to the District Attorney’s office.

Patrick, as our chief deputy, is a leader in our office and serves as an example for myself and other prosecutors in the office. I have seen first-hand that Patrick prosecutes cases with integrity and ensures that justice is served in each case.

Importantly, Patrick is the only candidate with recent experience as a prosecutor and the only candidate with experience prosecuting cases in Oregon. Patrick has my full support, and I believe that he is the only candidate who can fulfill the role of district attorney.

Patrick will tirelessly serve our community, and I urge you to vote for Patrick Green for district attorney.

Samantha Blount / Ashland

Bartholomew for district attorney

Alyssa Bartholomew, Jackson County district attorney candidate, is my lifelong best friend. We met in gym in 1988; her locker always contained well-loved Keds and Shakespeare’s works.

Like Shakespeare’s characters, as a prosecutor and current public defender, Alyssa is forced to grapple with universal human experiences daily. Crimes driven by love, loneliness, jealousy, ambition and betrayal are on full display and require an incredible ability to cope, display courage and practice restraint, while defending our constitutional rights and fostering trust in our legal system.

Alyssa’s uniquely qualifying experience cannot be matched by a green career prosecutor. And the deep support Alyssa has received from law enforcement, the legal community, mental health advocates and trauma response teams illuminates their faith in her succeeding as your district attorney.

Serving Rogue Valley couldn’t have been written better by Shakespeare himself. Please vote Alyssa Bartholomew for district attorney. Your vote matters!

Amanda Renfrew / Scottsdale, Arizona