Grateful that doctors spoke out on Asante

Thank you to Dr. Van Zee and the other physicians who sent their letter of support for Asante.

Having worked in contracts and compliance at Asante for 10 years, I am also well aware of Asante’s dedication to providing the absolute best in patient care, and providing that care with the highest integrity.

I, too, have Dr. Carmeci to thank for my husband’s life-saving surgery several years ago. We couldn’t think more highly of him or his skill as a surgeon.

Asante was a wonderful organization to work for. I am sure the people I worked with in administration and patient care must be extremely distraught over the actions of one rogue employee — one accused of causing death or damage to some patients entrusted to their care, and who has done a terrible disservice to the outstanding reputation of this highly respected hospital system.

I appreciate the physicians’ comments regarding the importance of Asante in our community, and echo their concerns that negative conclusions can be made without all the relevant facts.

I also appreciate that the Rogue Valley Times is being circumspect in their reporting only the facts, and not unproved allegations. I hope the community will join me in continuing to support Asante as they go forward providing the critical health care we all need.

Leslie Hall / Medford

Asante deserves praise for the work it does

I have read the Guest Column from Dr. Van Zee and his colleagues and want to agree with his many words of praise for Asante and its staff.

My husband, Michael Mace, was in ICU from December 14, 2023 until January 5, 2024, and received the kindest and most professional care any family would appreciate.

He had difficulty communicating but the staff listened and with humor were able to make him feel like someone heard. The nurses and CNAs were there for us as well, always helpful and keeping us informed of what was happening at any particular time.

And, they did it all as the headlines and stories came out. I applaud their ability to just keep working and taking professional care of their patients.

All of us in the Rogue Valley should be proud of our hospital and all of its staff. We need to remember how lucky we are to have the resources of this excellent medical community.

Mary Webster / Medford

Legislature needs to increase funds to aid children at risk

I applaud the priority being put on addressing addiction and homelessness at the state level.  

What concerns me, however, is that in the last full legislative session, the funding for CASA programs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is $500,000 less than what is needed to maintain current operations. The Legislature approved $5.9 million in state funding rather than the $6.4 million requested.

CASA volunteers, who are supported by paid CASA staff, go through significant training before being assigned by a judge in juvenile court to advocate for the best interests of the child. In the vast majority of cases, the child has been removed from their home due to abuse and/or neglect that interferes with their parents” ability to safely parent their child.  

Nationally, children who have been a part of the child welfare system are at high risk for experiencing homelessness and one-fifth of the prison population has been in the foster system.

Studies show that children who have a CASA assigned to their case have better outcomes than those who do not.  

Please join me in encouraging our local representatives in the legislature: Sen. Jeff Golden, Rep. Kim Wallan and Rep. Pam Marsh to advocate for the additional funding in the upcoming short legislative session as a companion to the addiction package.

Adrienne Simmons / Ashland

Measure 110 needs to be overturned to restore order

Destruction of public spaces and degradation of public life in our valley increased dramatically with cannabis legalization. Each new drug and each new hurdle for law enforcement has added to social decline.

More people refuse to work and refuse to live by any rules. People move to the state without work so they can openly do drugs and take advantage of Oregon services.

Today’s crisis is primarily a lack of personal responsibility.

The problem is underscored by the extremism in both political parties.

Think more houses will fix the greenway? Look at California, the state that perfected sprawl. The level of poop and needles in public areas is much worse in California despite unlimited home construction.

Turning the Rogue Valley into Los Angeles by building on every square inch of soil will not solve the problems on the greenway or our streets.

The Legislature is meeting now. Please write all legislators immediately and push for Measure 110 to be overturned. We need some rules in society. Behavior will not change without enforcement of some rules.

Remind legislators that this is Oregon, not California, and we care about maintaining the quality of life and the environment as our communities grow.

Change will not be easy because a lot of people make money on legal drugs, including the social service industry. Fighting 110 is not a new war on drugs, it’s fighting back, because 110 itself is a war on communities.

Fight extremism in Oregon public policy. Contact legislators now.

Dan Van Dyke / Ashland

County commissioner changes could have negative effects

Regarding current efforts to change what a recent letter writer called the three-person “partisan, over-worked, & overpaid” commissioners to five positions, would someone identify other Oregon county boards with five commissioners. What are their salaries?

It sounds good that the current budget for three salaries will be divided for five. However, how will future cost-of-living increases be formulated for five commissioners. Will property taxes also need to be increased?

What about “nonpartisan” candidates? The present structure is helpful because voters can make a decision based upon a candidate’s up front philosophy and background.

Requiring nonpartisan candidates could be a subtle way to elect someone who keeps their real positions hidden.

We attended a commissioners’ public hearing several years ago. At that meeting, comments were made which changed one commissioner’s mindset from thinking the issue was property rights to land use. This indicated a flexibility we appreciate in our public servants.

The current county commissioners seem to be an efficient and effective way of overseeing Jackson County.

Joanne Wilcox / Central Point

Crater Lake could be symbol for new Oregon flag

The guest opinion about the Oregon State flag caught my eye. Do we need to change it? No, probably not.

However, if this idea were to be seriously entertained, let’s think of its design. Just about every state in this country has beavers, snowy peaks etc. What is one thing that stands out as exclusively Oregonian that no other state could claim?

Crater Lake.

It is in the center of our wonderful state and is our only national park. There are many graphic designs already in use depicting this gorgeous icon to choose from.

Just food for thought.

Linda Graham / Jacksonville