Rural Oregonians deserve better representation

By joining their federal counterparts in thwarting democracy whenever convenient, local Republicans also tried to throw rural Oregonians under the bus.

As Oregon’s Republican senators jockeyed to find the lamest excuse possible for walking out of the Legislature, they abandoned a large suite of bills that were designed to allow state agencies an opportunity to gain tens of billions of federal dollars to protect us from fire and drought.

Fortunately, Democrats in both chambers were adequate to the task of undoing most of the damage that Republicans sought to impose.

When the Republican walkout threatened to undermine hundreds of important proposals, Democrats packaged the most critical climate efforts into a series of bills that were approved by Joint Ways and Means despite further Republican delay tactics. These then successfully passed both chambers and are heading toward Gov. Kotek’s desk.

Championing these packages were local legislators Pam Marsh (House, District 5) and Jeff Golden (Senate, District 3).

Meanwhile, trying desperately to thwart efforts to help rural Oregon with absences or votes against these packages and funding for rural Oregon were Art Robinson (Senate 2), Court Boice (House 1), Virgle Osborne (House 2), Lily Morgan (House 3), Christine Goodwin (House 4), and Kim Wallan (House 6).

Rural Oregonians deserve legislators who will serve their economy and best interests, not legislators who would undermine their economy, environment and future whenever possible.

It is time rural Oregonians realized that Democrats promote freedom, liberty, democracy, and their way of life while Republicans consistently lack ideas or integrity and vote against rural Oregon.

Trisha Vigil / Medford

Trying to check on credit after the DMV breach

After learning about the data breach at the Oregon DMV and the possibility of identity theft, I followed the advice in the media and tried to check my three credit reports.

First I called on the phone, only to spend 20 minutes on hold waiting for a response. Frustrated, I hung up and went online.

The process was complicated but I finally got the report.

I only have two credit cards, so I wondered why the report stated that Bank of America had asked about me a few years ago. I’ve never done business with them.

Nothing jumped out as being amiss in 2023, but I decided to print it out for closer review. According to my computer, it was 75 pages long and I didn’t want to waste that much paper. I contemplated briefly trying to call again, but I already knew that wouldn’t work.

I’ve decided to go to my bank and talk to a person. For now, I’m hoping I don’t lose my life savings to identity theft. I’m 76 years old.

Jessica Bryan / Ashland

Times’ headline misled readers about cause of fire

The headline of your recent article “EV fire on I-5…” was a great disservice to your readers, to honesty in journalism, and to the education of the public about electric vehicles.

The text of the article does not blame the fire on the electric vehicles being hauled on the truck, and even implies that it may have been caused by overheated brakes on the truck.

You instead called it an EV fire, implying the EVs caused it. EV fires are dramatic and difficult to put out, but internal combustion engine fires occur at over 1,500 per 100,000 vehicles, whereas EV fires occur at 25 per 100,000 vehicles.

As one who tries to educate the public about electric vehicles, I don’t know why people continue to try to make EVs a bad thing. EVs aren’t perfect but they are still way better than the ICE alternative.

With our climate changing rapidly, we need to focus on alternatives to the elements which are adding to it.

Pete Jorgensen / Ashland

Surveys show jet boats aren’t wanted on Rogue River

Multiple public opinion survey efforts over the last 15 years regarding jet boat use on the upper Rogue River have registered strong majority disapproval.

The latest RV Times online poll found 70% of respondents feel they are dangerous to other river users, damage the environment, and degrade the quality of their river experience.

Where are the public agencies who are responsible for defending and protecting our public interests? They appear to be promoting private interests at significant public expense without public support

Greg Layton / White City