Last modified: Sunday, November 2, 2008 1:36 AM PDT Letters to the editor Support Wayne Fuller Editor, Before I get around to my main objective of endorsing the sacrificial Democrat, Wayne Fuller, in the District 9 Idaho Senate race, I’d like to say how disappointed I am that Judy Boyle, the Republican nominee in another District 9 contest — that for House Seat B — articulates such a safe and unimaginative role for herself as Rep. Diana Thomas’s successor in the Legislature. Judging from the interview that recently appeared in the Argus Observer, Boyle has queued up again that old get-government-off-our-backs mantra — the one the GOP intoned to such mind-numbing and discourse-dousing effect throughout the party’s long ascendancy starting with Reagan. Admittedly, Boyle — an experienced D.C. hand who cut her teeth in hands-off governance under the late Helen Chenoweth-Hage, one of the cause’s truest believers — commands considerable knowledge about natural resources regulation. I just question, however, whether her continuing exclusive focus in this area can serve us well in these more generally chaotic times.        Certainly I had hoped Boyle would offer the district a more responsive agenda after taking the trouble this past spring to oust Thomas, one of the best public servants Weiser has produced in decades. This Republican incumbent was perhaps taken down by a bogus inference that she might support the Transportation Department’s crummy Indian Valley Route project. More pertinent, though, Thomas holding office represented a real inconvenience to a manipulative political clique made up of Boyle, former District 9 Senator Ric Branch and current District 9 Senator Monty Pearce. Like any other dedicated political group, the trio seeks to increase its power and influence. The truth is that we’re a depressed area with plenty of pressing problems right inside our cities and in the immediately surrounding row-crop lands. Hence, a lawmaker should only spend part of her time supporting remotely sited grazing operations. So why is it that Payette County voters, in particular, continue to hand the lion’s share of their state-level power over to a narrowly focused contingent? I wonder if they’ve even given the situation all that much thought. If they did, they might be inclined to drive a harder bargain with the politicians who have been benefiting from this dispassionate support. I hope that citizens interested in ending the clique’s free pass will at least consider voting for one of the opposing Democrats (I wouldn’t dream of suggesting that a proud Republican should vote for two). A good choice is Wayne Fuller for State Senator. Among other worthwhile legislative pursuits, he’ll present a forceful case for ending the tax on groceries, a measure previously advocated by longtime Washington County Commissioner Roy Mink, a Republican, during Mink’s unsuccessful bid for Legislature several years back. In any event, please vote. It’s a good way to show that you care. Rob Ruth Weiser Get involved with Idaho Power proposal Editor, The new power line project meeting conducted by the Oregon Department of Energy and the BLM, held Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the FRCC, was the first time many Malheur County residents became informed about the proposed 2-mile-wide corridor of 500 kilovolt transmission lines running from Boardman, to a proposed Sand Hollow substation and then to Hemingway in southwest Idaho. Idaho Power seeks to be granted a 250-foot-wide right of way somewhere in the original or alternate 2-mile-wide swath, that may eventually include a 42-inch natural gas pipeline. The proposed corridor, while crossing forest and BLM land in other counties, has identified a route crossing prime farmland, country residential and valuable scenic, aesthetic and historic resources in Malheur County, even though BLM land is available not far away. While I am not opposed to strengthening the power grid, it seems ironic that after abiding by the stringent demands of Oregon’s land use laws for the past 35 years, our dairy farm will now be subject to Idaho Power’s rather cavalier eminent domain, our property values lowered and our ability to farm hampered because of what appears to be a desire to expedite the siting process by avoiding potential lawsuits and environmental impacts hazarded when crossing public lands. Evidently, crossing and recrossing the Snake River is preferable in order for Oregon residents to bear the brunt of the impact rather than the eventual beneficiaries of the transmission lines in Idaho. The end of the comment period for the siting of these transmission lines is Nov. 14. I suggest that anyone who may be in the path of this corridor go to the http://www.boardmantohemingway.com  Web site and find the Appendix G map. While you’re there, make an online comment, e-mail or write a letter to the names listed, including specific reasons why the rationale for siting are flawed. A number of citizens’ groups are beginning to coalesce, so there may be strength in numbers. Please also contact the Malheur County planner’s office in Vale with copies of the comments you send to the BLM. They are our first line of defense and need whatever public comment is available. Patty Kennington Kennington Farms LLC Points to ponder Editor, Some valid points to ponder: 1. Why am I a racist if I don’t vote for Obama, but someone who votes for Obama for the sole reason of “I want to vote for the first black president” is not? I am voting for an ideal/person/president — not a color. Colors don’t make a decision. 2. I’m tired of hearing “spread the wealth.” I haven’t got much, but what I have I busted my fanny for. Those on welfare, food stamps, etc. have received their share for years. Those that are physically fit should be working and not having babies. If you can’t afford to take care of the children you have, don’t have anymore. And that goes for whites, blacks, browns, greens, purples and blues! 3. How can you give tax refunds to persons who do not pay taxes? Poor people do not pay taxes, employ people or meet payrolls for employees. There are those who simply cannot work, and I understand that, and there are those who simply will not work. 4. When tax incentives on business are removed, outsourcing will increase, causing a reduction of jobs within the 50 states. 5. I have more respect for an illegal alien who is working to better the life of his family than a person who does nothing but continually holds out his hand and says, “Give me more.” 6. America was founded on hard work — and those that worked hard. And if those same workers made money, turned around and re-invested in their businesses, put people to work and improved the lives of people along the way, they deserve the money they made. Those people who are griping that they don’t get enough of the pie didn’t grow the pumpkins. Ann Fitch-Schiemer Ontario School plan is wrong Editor, Here we go again. The 8C administration and the school board are preparing to take more of your hard earned dollars for buildings that are not needed or deserved. What part of NO don’t they understand? The voters have told them before to concentrate on teaching and not on raising taxes. Their job is to teach our children, and it is clear that they still are not teaching well enough as 8C again fails to meet the achievement standards that all schools must meet. The reason that they fail to meet the standards is simple. They are focused on raising your tax bill and building more monuments to themselves. They haven’t had a task force on improving education — just on building. Why? Because they are the education experts, and they don’t believe that you know anything about education. If they are experts why can’t they meet the standards? And if you try to dig into the question you will be blocked and frustrated at getting facts and answers. Voting NO will put their focus on education and not on building. Tell 8C to stop blaming others for their low achievement. If Nyssa can meet the standard, there is no reason 8C cannot do the same. 8C has more resources than Nyssa, yet they always blame someone else. Step up and take your education responsibilities serious and take your focus off of building and taxing. Here’s a suggestion that will motivate you: Cut administrators’ salaries by $10,000 every year the standards are not met. You will get your focus on education then. The Facilities Task Force did a fine job but note that their mandate was to build one way or another. Look closely at their slick mailings promoting this tax increase. There is NO mention of the next two additional bond levies planed for another $13,700,000 and $15,400,000 in addition to the $18,500,000 they are demanding at this time. The failure to tell you the whole story is dishonest. They also promise “an investment with a virtually certain return.” Based on past performance, that return will be continued failure to meet standards and waste. Waste like the $50,000 penalty they paid on the last failed effort to build their secular temple. They have an impressive list of supporters for raising your taxes, but remember this: The Argus Observer does not get to vote and all of the others only get one vote each — just like you. Cancel their support with your NO vote on raising your taxes, your rent or your house payment. Vote NO on Measure 23-47. Make it clear that you mean NO when you say NO and that you want them to concentrate on education. Howard A. Heminger Ontario, Oregon A breath of fresh air? Editor, Did Roy Hicks’ “Breath of Fresh Air” get hoodwinked? I don’t see Sarah winking any more. What happened? Maybe she winked enough to get $150,000 worth of new clothes. Santa came early. Instead of the North Pole, he came to St. Paul and New York. I taught my grandson how to wink when he was 4. She perfected it at 45. How was your day, Roy? I even winked! P.S. I just tried Listerine to get my “Breath of Fresh Air,” and I liked it much better. Urban Schmidt Nyssa Sali should be the pick for area voters Editor, As we narrow in on Election Day, it is important that your readers know exactly who the candidates are in this year’s Congressional race. Walt Minnick, Democratic challenger for the First Congressional District, has been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars so far on advertising that highlights his so called “conservative” takes on the restrictions placed on logging of old growth timber at the expense of the Idaho logging industry. Minnick is a dangerous candidate. Did you know Walt Minnick served on the Board of Directors for the Wilderness Society for many years? Did you know a major focus of the Wilderness Society is to create more wilderness, all in an effort to lock you out of your public lands for all but the most primitive of uses? However, the message I am trying to deliver in this letter is one of hope. Bill Sali is a member of the Natural Resources Committee in the House of Representatives and, in that capacity, has taken an active approach to ensuring that federally owned lands are kept open for public enjoyment. He stands firmly opposed to legislation that would limit responsible access to public lands. Unlike Minnick, Sali believes that the great lands of this country belong to the people, and his actions during his 18 years as an elected official are completely consistent with this view, and I am excited to offer him my endorsement for reelection. Steve Frisbie Eagle Want socialism? Vote for Obama Editor, Recently, while watching a John McCain pep rally, I observed a concerned citizen pleading with McCain to stop the socialist takeover of this country. I have heard since then that this individual has been harassed and threatened by Obama’s left-wing goons. In a more recent incident, the Obama campaign and NBC News have been trying to destroy another concerned citizen for asking their fair-haired boy a pertinent question which he inadvertently answered with the truth (the first truthful statement he has made no doubt). Joe the Plumber should sue Obama and NBC News for every penny they own for invasion of privacy and defamation of character. A vote for Obama is a vote for a socialistic government in this country, as far as I’m concerned. Our founding fathers and the brave souls that died to keep this country free are at the thought of an Obama presidency. Give it some thought. W.D. Kennedy Huntington Don’t vote for Obama Editor, Wake up freedom-loving Americans as all aspects of personal freedom are in danger. We are rapidly becoming a socialist country with government ownership of insurance, real estate and banks and control over energy production by excessive regulation and taxation. Socialists are using our tax money to confiscate our economic freedom. Socialism always results in the loss of freedom and slavery. In order to accomplish their goal of world government, international socialists have worked for years to destroy our economy so that we can merge with other poverty, socialist-controlled countries. They are succeeding. We are about to vote ourselves into slavery as Senators Obama and Biden, the most liberal socialist senators in Congress, will increase our taxes, increase government control over our lives and decrease energy production. We must build new energy capacity, or rationing is inevitable. Presently, only hydrocarbon and nuclear methods can produce the needed energy to grow our economy. We must stop unfair trade agreements that are destroying our jobs and manufacturing economy. We can only stop the destruction of our country by electing people that support constitutionally limited government where the people are free to produce and keep the fruits of their labor. Adrian L. Arp, Ph.D. Twin Falls Scoping meeting prompts second-thoughts Editor, The scoping meeting for the proposed 500 KV power line, the largest power line permitted in the United States, through our agricultural valley was held Oct. 22.  These lines consist of huge metal towers supporting a multitude of wires.  They will cross U.S. Highway 20-26, either east or west of Malheur Butte, U.S. Highway 20 and other locations in the western Treasure Valley.  Although routes have been proposed, the actual need for the line by Idaho Power has not yet been determined by the Oregon Public Utility Commission. We encourage all citizens to participate in the needs assessment process.  Contact Matt Muldoon via e-mail at Matt.Muldoon@state.or.us in Salem for information regarding how to become involved. Route selection is also critical. We are forming a Treasure Valley citizens’ coalition to propose alternate routes and to discuss citizen options.  We encourage any interested parties to contact us at  rogerfindley@q.com for meeting dates and places.  Roger and Jean Findley Ontario Ticket those who park in the wrong place Editor, One of the letters to the editor printed recently rattled my cage, and I feel the need to address it. Perhaps the reason for parking in van accessible-designated parking spaces can be attributed to ignorance, as in my case! I carry a current placard for handicapped parking displayed on my rearview mirror. However, I did not know it was against the law to park in a space designated van accessible. After reviewing a current Oregon Driver’s Manual, I still don’t see it clearly outlined. Perhaps my reading comprehension is not what it should be, but I am guilty as charged, and ignorance is no excuse, as I’ve been told many times. I would suggest warning tickets for first offenses and then stick it to them for repeat offenders. (Now that I am better educated, that is.) Patsy McConkey Ontario