OPINION
DIRECTOR OF NEWS SAMANTHA SWINDLER ••••• SSWINDLER@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET
HEADLIGHT HERALD • NOVEMBER 14, 2012
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EDITOR’S NOTE
We want to hear from you, and encourage you to write letters to the editor. Because of space limitations, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. Letters longer than 350 words will be edited. Thank-you letters are limited to mentioning individuals and non-commercial organizations. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednesday’s paper. We also encourage your longer, guest editorials. These might be columns written by newsmakers, public officials or organization representatives. These can run a little longer in length. To verify authenticity, all guest opinions must be signed and include your address and daytime phone number. We won’t print your street address or phone number. Submissions may be emailed to editor@orcoast news.com or sent via mail or dropped off to Headlight Herald, 1908 Second St., Tillamook, OR 97141. Any guest opinion may appear on the Headlight Herald’s website.
Let’s invest in each other for Christmas
T
his week the Headlight Herald is proud to present a “shop locally” section featuring Tillamook County businesses and highlighting ideas for holiday gift giving. We hope that you’ll make it a point to shop locally this holiday season because it is good for the entire community. It is astounding how much money we spend that leaves our community. A hundred dollars spent online goes out into the world and never comes back to Tillamook County. A hundred dollars spent locally will be circulated an average of six times: you’ll be supporting local business owners and their employees. If those businesses grow, they’ll be able to employ more local people. The owners and employees of those businesses use your shopping dollars to make their mortgage payments, pay rent, buy groceries, buy shoes for their kids, pay their PUD bills, and purchase gas for their vehicles, which is pumped by local people. They use your shopping dollars to donate to the food bank, and adopt needy families for holiday food baskets and to buy presents for their own families. They go out to eat in local restaurants and tip their servers, who in turn spend that money on their bills. The money you spend locally circulates and the entire community benefits. Every dollar that we spend we are investing; wouldn’t you rather invest in your neighbors than strangers in another state? Your shopping dollars can and do make the difference between a local business succeeding or going bankrupt, and a local business owner paying their bills, or losing their house. That is the power of your dollar. Shop locally because it is the right thing to do. You won’t be disappointed. There are wonderful businesses in our area that offer a broad range of gifts, including one-of-a-kind items that you couldn’t find anywhere else. Linda Machuta, at Latimer Quilt and Textile noted, “Anyone can buy mass produced items at Target, that money leaves our community and
never comes back.” Whereas, you can find unique, affordable hand-made gifts at Latimer Quilt Mary Faith Bell and TexEditor tile, as well as fabulous original art, quilts and tapestries, heirloom gifts that your family would treasure for generations. Your purchase supports the museum, a community asset that draws visitors from far and wide; as well as supporting the artisans and craftspeople that consign there. The Pelican Pub and Brewery, a thriving concern in Pacific City and an economic driver in Tillamook County recently took over Five Rivers coffee roasters in Tillamook, across 101 from the cheese factory. Why not buy a pound of award-winning coffee beans roasted on site for the coffee lovers on your list this year? It is a more personal gift than mass-produced coffee, the price and quality are comparable, and you’re supporting the local economy. I loved doing the research for this feature. I learned that Anderson Florist is also your old-fashioned hometown toy store. They have gorgeous retro tricycles in their window that made me wish I had a young child to buy for. I learned that Sunflower Flats is also a gallery for local artists, and they have a great collection of greeting cards. I learned that Salon Coquillage uses all organic natural ingredients, including hair color, and the shop is full of original art. Speaking of local businesses, the Headlight Herald is a local business, and we appreciate your patronage. Thank you to all of our advertisers and subscribers: you are the reason we’re here. Check out the businesses featured in this issue and consider spending your shopping dollars in Tillamook County. Let’s invest in each other for Christmas.
CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS U.S. Senators: • Ron Wyden (D) 516 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-5244, Fax: (202) 228-2717 e-mail: use form at http://wyden.senate.gov/ • Jeff Merkley (D) B-40 Dirksen Sen. Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-8845 e-mail: senator.merkley@senate.gov U.S. Rep., Fifth District Kurt Schrader (D) 1419 Longworth Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5711 Fax: (202) 225-5699 e-mail: use form at http://schrader.house.gov/ State Senator, District 16 Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) Room S-318
State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97310 Phone: (503) 986-1716 sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us State Rep., District 32 Deborah Boone (D-Cannon Beach) 900 Court St. NE H-375 Salem, OR 97310 Phone: (503) 986-1432 rep.deborahboone@state.or.us County Commissioners: Courthouse 201 Laurel Ave. Tillamook, OR 97141 Phone: (503) 842-3403 Fax: (503) 842-1384 • Tim Josi, chair; tjosi@co.tillamook.or.us • Mark Labhart, vice chair; mlabhart @co.tillamook.or.us • Charles Hurliman; churlima@co.tillamook.or.us
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Write to us
by Dave Coverly
READERS’ OPEN FORUM What happened to toughness? How history repeats itself: A whole army could not defeat Petraeus, but it only took one woman to bring him down. Remember the story of Sampson? A group of politicians in Washington can make it harder to do business, but no group can stop the American spirit to achieve. Whatever happened to American toughness? Roger Tracey Beaver
Will FEMA help Sandy survivors? Americans view companies and their products by their “track record.” A requested review of FEMA, for a needed overhaul, has been ignored. Oregonians know firsthand the slow, ineffective, tax eating abuse this organization has exercised in the past. Sadly, the east coast will now realize what we’ve known since the 100year flood of 1996. Katrina victims learned the degrading disappointment of FEMA mishandling of an emergency. We’ve survived many storms of all destructive types to witness good people band together with respect, kindness and determination with colossal restoration to normalcy while waiting for FEMA to take action. We survived, as will our eastern neighbors, and be stronger and better citizens for it. The question for our eastern friends isn’t whether they will survive the destruction, but whether they will survive FEMA. Jeannie Ferguson Nehalem
Students donate blood in memory of David Cheney I sponsored a blood drive Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the United Methodist Church in honor of David Cheney. I thought I would send a letter to thank all of you who helped me and talk about what a great experience it was. I would like to tell my mom Gayle Lawlis and my close friends Leslie Holmen and Sue Strohmaier how much I appreciate their help and support with the blood drive. I also would like to thank Joanne Thompson for handling all the announcements and questions at the high school; you are awesome! Thank you to the United Methodist Church for letting us have the drive there and also to Dee Upton for sending out emails to all of School District 9 and getting a few more donors at the end of the day (Outdoor School kids, that’s you). But my biggest thank you goes to the people who came out and donated blood, especially all of the students. These kids were what made a difference for me through this whole experience; they were so brave. One girl said she kept thinking of David when they took her blood so she could get through it. These kids are our future blood donors and every time they donate blood they will save a life. One young girl,
Mackenzie Cook, gave a double red blood donation, which is so cool! Two girls we had to turn away because their weight was below the guideline; but we appreciate that they came and tried. They were disappointed they couldn’t give. And last but not least, Chris Jacobs came with 10 minutes to spare and gave blood after football practice. I am proud of all the kids who gave blood. I hope in the future you decide to keep on giving in honor of David Cheney because in another six weeks or so I will be calling some of you to see if you want to come along to donate with me at the next blood drive (that means you Alexis). Never give up! Kelly Hiatt Tillamook
Election complaint a ‘smokescreen’ Just a few words, I believe Mr. Spidal needs to be a little more informed about legal matters, and the character of Andy Long. First of all if he knew anything about the man he would realize he would never break the law. He has been involved in Sheriff elections for over 20 years and has seen how it is handled. He also knows that once a person is arrested, it is the courts and a jury of your peers who determines if you are guilty or not guilty. Not the arresting officer or the Sheriff. Or the District attorney. I believe our Secretary of State has enough on her plate to waste her time with frivolous accusations that are unfounded. You were not qualified to run for this position, and creating smoke screens was not going to change the outcome. Helen Wright Bay City
Lisa Phipps thanks supporters I would like to thank so many of you for all of your support and effort during the campaign. Although we did not win, there are other ways to measure success. During the campaign, we were able to bring people together from all over the county – whether it was to break bread, share ideas, or just learn more about what was happening. We were able to meet so many new people and grow our circle of friends. And, we were able to remind ourselves and everyone about all of the great things happening in this great place. Now that the elections are over, it is time for people to come together and work toward solutions. We have a lot of tough issues facing our county and, especially at this local level, it is critical that you stay involved. There is more to our responsibility to government than voting – important as that may be. In order for your elected officials to do the job right, they have to hear from you. Stay involved, make your voice heard, and love this great place. I was privileged to run for office and honored and
humbled by those who supported me. I hope everyone will now join me in wishing the best to Commissioner-elect Bill Baertlein. Lisa Phipps Tillamook
Thanks for electing Baertlein commissioner Thank you , thank you, thank you citizens of Tillamook for electing Bill Baertlein to the County Commissioner position! We voted early as we spend the winter in Arizona, so I was really delighted when we went online to find the election results. I think Bill will be an excellent and fair Commissioner. Congratulations to Bill and to our residents for a wise choice. Ruth Lehman Tillamook
Teens made Rockaway fundraiser a success Rockaway Beach Oregon to Rockaway Beach New York was a great success. As a volunteer, what really impressed me were the dozen young adults (teens) from the NeahKah-Nie School District who gave their Saturday to this event. I was amazed. Kristine Hayes and Rodney Breazile’s three daughters Selena, Ariel, and Isis arrived by 10 a.m. to help set up. They went to work without any instructions, as if they had done this a thousand times. I just assisted the girls. In the evening, the group of teens (most of them belong to Future Business Leaders of America) came in to help serve. At the end they put chairs and tables away and cleaned the hall. We older adults ,who were very tired, were very thankful for their help and seemingly endless energy. I don’t know all their names. Thank you NeahKah- Nie teens for a wonderful commitment to our community. Marilou Bowman Rockaway Beach
The impact of United Way October was United Way month in Tillamook County. It is the month that United Way campaigns for new funds to support its member agencies. As a member agency, Tillamook Bay Child Care Center would like to thank the community for its ongoing support of this important community agency. Tillamook Bay Child Care Center is just one of the member agencies that support children and their families. The funds that TBCCC receives from United Way assists families that could not otherwise afford to keep their children in a fun, safe, and educationally based environment while they work. These families work hard to pay their bills and make ends meet and your donations to United Way help to provide their children with a positive and supportive environment while they do so. Our staff and volunteers work hard to support children in learning something
new every day. They are excited about learning and excited to help their families, friends and neighbors. One only has to read our newspaper or look around town on any given day to be consistently reminded of the generosity of our small community. Businesses and schools help to raise funds for charitable causes. Families run ads to thank others for support in times of their greatest need. Non-profits train volunteers that provide regular support for their mission, vision and values. I believe all too often, as individuals, we think, “What do I know about helping with these different and sometimes overwhelming needs?” “I don’t have the time to help.” or “My small donation won’t help enough.” Giving to United Way takes very little time and has the potential to help a great number of people. If we all made small contributions, if we all to gave something, the cumulative effect would be great! I watch the Tillamook County United Way thermometers on the lawn of the courthouse with great interest to see how many will give just a small amount and see how great that cumulative effect can and will be. Eva Manderson, Executive Director Tillamook Bay Child Care Center
United Way supports chaplains The United Way began in 1887, when a priest, two ministers, a rabbi and a woman in Denver, Colorado saw a need to respond to the city’s welfare problems. Since then United Way has grown throughout our nation, even to Tillamook. The vision of Tillamook County United Way is to have a better community by caring for kids, strengthening families, assisting people in crisis, promoting self-sufficiency, health and wellness. Tillamook County United Way is an independent and locally controlled volunteer organization. The funds collected stay right here in Tillamook County. Tillamook County United Way provides support to the youngest of our citizens to the oldest through Healthy Start and Meals for Seniors. TCUW strengthens families through the YMCA, Tillamook County Food Bank and CARE. It also funds programs for our citizens with special needs through Faith in Action, Marie Mills and CASA. Tillamook County Public Safety Chaplains and Women’s Resource Center also benefit from TCUW funding. With funding from TCUW, we are able to provide compassionate care for citizens after traumatic incidents, whether it is a traffic fatality, a suicide, a rape or domestic violence. Thank you, Tillamook County United Way, for caring for our community! Together, we can make a difference! Carol & John Elms Tillamook County Chaplains Bay City