Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated October 28, 2009
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.)
Typed, double-spaced letters are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered. “Thank you” submissions are not accepted as letters.
‘Illegal council’ comment
From Rycke Brown
Grants Pass
Grants Pass is in a pickle. We have an illegally seated council because Judge Baker ruled that an illegal council is better than none at all, and allowed Mayor Murphy’s five appointees to be sworn in, citing “exigent circumstances” — a term more normally used when cops break in to save a life.
An illegal council is not better than none at all; a council of doubtful legality is just as bad. No one can be certain that their rulings will stand; anything controversial will be appealed.
We have a way out of this pickle that can give us an undoubtedly legal council quorum right away. Section 2 of ORS 221.160 provides that, if all seats of a city’s governing body become vacant, the county commissioners “shall immediately appoint a quorum sufficient to conduct city business.” The appointed councilors then appoint enough people to fill out the council, and everyone serves until people are elected to replace them in regular elections; no special election in March is necessary.
At this point, the best way that the new councilors, old councilors, and the mayor can serve the city and its citizens is to resign en masse, and allow the commissioners to appoint a legal quorum. The mayor should lead the way out of the pickle he put us in by resigning first — if he really wants to serve the people of this city, rather than rule them until he is deposed.
Support Jack Brown
From Lorraine Rafferty
Selma
It’s high time we decide. Do we want to be free Americans or controlled, enslaved socialist?
In Josephine County, Jack Brown, a free American under God and the Constitution of the United States is running for county commissioner. He believes in our Constitution and our unalienable rights given us by God.
To be free we must elect people who truly believe in and will fight for freedom. A house divided cannot stand. I say that we need to rekindle the American spirit and stay the course by supporting Jack Brown.
Another Brown backer
From Jerry Moody
Cave Junction
I heard Jack Brown speak when he addressed the 9/12 meeting in Kerby. He’s campaigning for Josephine County commissioner for the 2010 election.
This man has been living in Josephine County his whole life and has been active in fighting for our property rights since the ’70s.
Brown continued his talk about his ideas to bring prosperity to our valleys as well as the entire county. This guy has common sense solutions.
He’s a plain-spoken man who knows what he is talking about. I bet that he is available to speak to groups.
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