Board of Commissioners needs to have more voices

I read the article regarding the Jackson County Commissioners approving an $81,800 agreement with the non-profit Lines for Life to offer after-hours services for those experiencing a mental health crisis. 

I am not saying that I agree or disagree one way or the other with this decision; however, this article highlights clearly why Jackson County needs two more commissioners.

The article stated that two of the commissioners approved this decision with minimal discussion and the third commissioner did not attend the meeting. This is possible because, with only three commissioners, two make a quorum. 

Herein lies the problem. Just two people can set the policy for a quarter-million people. With five commissioners, three would make a quorum, allowing commissioners to have discussions on important issues, such as this, amongst themselves.

Three ballot measures are being circulated to restructure the Jackson County Commission. One is to increase the number of commissioners from three to five, and another redistributes the salaries of three to five.

Five for the price of three! Currently, our commissioners are the highest-paid in the state, and make substantially more than our governor!

Locations where you may sign petitions are posted on Jackson County for All’s website, jacksoncountyforall.org. Another option is to sign at home jacksoncountyforall.org/signathome. 

The third measure makes the county commissioners position non-partisan so all voters can participate in the election. 10,500 signatures are needed to get the three measures on the November 2024 ballot.

Bev Vondra / Talent

Stop publishing misleading letters about climate change

I am alarmed about climate denialism and falsehoods in two recent letters to the editor. 

Along with many others, I am heartened and relieved that the RV Times filled the hole left in local journalism created by the shutdown of the Mail Tribune. By and large, you do a good job with the resources you have. 

The letters by Central Point and Medford residents included false and widely debunked claims that global warming is not only not bad for the planet, but that it’s good for agriculture.

One called climate activists “alarmists.” The other claimed that 200 years of warming has “greatly benefited agriculture and the world’s civilizations.” And it fretted that our children might be frightened by learning about the climate crisis.

Here are the facts, agreed upon by 99% of the world’s scientists and climate experts: The planet is warming, and much faster than we thought just two years ago; The causes include greenhouse gases, including CO2 and methane; The fossil fuel industry (coal, oil and gas, primarily) is the main cause. 

The results? Drought and floods, Arctic and Antarctic ice shelf melt-off leading to a dramatic rise in ocean levels, and more and increasingly intense and quick-forming hurricanes and other violent storms.  

Deniers can lie and mislead all they want. But these are the facts. If you’re not frightened and concerned, you aren’t paying attention. 

I urge Times editors to stop publishing information clearly intended to mislead its readers.

John Enders / Talent