OPINION
DIRECTOR OF NEWS SAMANTHA SWINDLER ••••• SSWINDLER@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET
HEADLIGHT HERALD • NOVEMBER 7, 2012
PAGE A4
COMMENTARY
SPEEDBUMP
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Thoughts on an election complaint
C
andidate for Tillamook County sheriff, Bill Spidal, has filed a complaint with the Secretary of State Elections Division over a campaign ad paid for by Sheriff’s Office staff. If you subscribe to the newspaper, you can read the nuts and bolts of the complaint here: http://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news_paid/article_0fb68548-205e-11e2-8f77-0 019bb2963f4.html But here’s my two cents. First off, Andy Long wasn’t involved at all in these ads. He couldn’t (wouldn’t) be, because that would be violating Oregon statutes that prohibit elected officials from pressuring public employees to vote a certain way. That was one of Bill Spidal’s first complaints on the Headlight Herald online message boards, but he soon dropped that argument and it does not appear in his official elections complaint. If Long had been involved, it would be a much bigger issue than the complaint we’re currently discussing. I see no validity to the argument that Long should have known something was wrong. This is not the first time Sheriff’s Office employees have gotten together to stand behind their sheriff. They did it for Todd Anderson back when he was running for office, too. Then – as now – I believe the staff thought they were doing everything by the book. The candidate wasn’t involved, didn’t pressure them or ask them to do it. The staff didn’t do it “on the clock” or at the office. And – a key point here – they signed their names to the ad. Campaign finance laws exist so that people can know who is funding campaigns. Clearly, there was no intent to break the law – the staff wanted everyone to know who funded it. That’s the whole point of the ad. I can understand why the deputies were confused. I read the ORS about campaign funding three times (it’s pretty darn long) and came away with a different understanding after each reading. It’s complicated. Nowhere does it specifically say that a non-candidate group of people spending any amount of money needs to register as “political committee.” They should
add that to the FAQ. I only gleaned that information from a media spokesperson. So, technically, if you and your sister go in together for a $50 cusSamantha tom campaign Swindler Director of News sign in support of your neighbor who’s running for City Council – on your own, without your neighbor’s knowledge – you need to register as a political committee. Or maybe not. The law is confusing. That’s the only issue up for review by the elections division – did a group of people spend money to fund a political campaign (clearly, yes) and did they fail to register as a political committee (clearly, yes.) I predict the group will be found in violation of the law, for the simple fact of not filing the right paperwork. And the “penalty,” if any, will be insignificant. Certainly, there was no intent to break the law by hiding who contributed to the ad – while intent probably won’t be a mitigating factor considered by the Secretary of State in determining whether the law was broken, it might be when assessing a penalty. Spidal also complains that the group didn’t keep accurate records of exactly how much money was contributed by each person who signed the ad. I’ve been told the amounts ranged from $5 to $20 – some folks likely signed and didn’t chip in any money but wanted to show their support. I have no doubt that the people who signed that ad thought they were abiding by the law, and because the individual contribution amounts were so small, they figured detailed record keeping wasn’t necessary. And because the law is so difficult to understand, I’m still not sure if it was. But I am sure that we shouldn’t miss the most important message in all of this. Sixtyeight people who work or volunteer with the Sheriff’s Office put their name to that ad, and they want you to know they support Andy Long.
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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READERS’ OPEN FORUM I enjoy Quinn’s quirky letters Hats off to Quinn Pender! I am glad you’ve got a job doing something you enjoy. Not everyone is as lucky. I enjoy your quirky, clever letters. They are funny. Also it’s good to see some fine citizens willing to step up and help someone out who is less fortunate! Hooray for R&R dairy! Jeremy Anthony Mastriano Tillamook
Rainy Day Books, you will be missed When I first moved out to the coast, I didn’t even know it existed. My father (who was visiting) discovered it... and ever since I was glad he found it. I still remember the day I stumbled across a two-volume book set that I hadn’t seen since childhood. I lost count of the hours spent as a kid meandering through them; I thought they were gone forever, and yet there they were, sitting on a shelf in the back, on the lower level. They now sit securely in my bookshelf here at home, a guilty pleasure that I indulge in on occasion. The best part is, that place is positively packed with books that can very easily distract a man (or woman, or...) for years on end. It’s sad that they’re going to close. All Good Things, I suppose... This stands as a reminder to get my butt down
there, post-haste. To the fine folks who have tended the wee store for so long? Thank you. While I wish you wouldn’t close, I want you to know that you’ve done a superb job of things, and you have my fondest wishes and regards. Tom Miller Rockaway Beach
YMCA readies for fundraising campaign It is again time for the annual United Way Fundraising Campaign. We, at the Tillamook County Family YMCA encourage you to support our local United Way’s annual fund raising campaign. The funds raised are used to support a number of local agencies who share a combined vision providing a better community by caring for kids, strengthening families, assisting people in crisis, promoting self-sufficiency, and promoting health and wellness. These criteria are taken from the Vision Statement of our local chapter of the United Way. As a member agency, the YMCA receives funding from the local United Way and has done so since the inception of the United Way in Tillamook County. These funds help us to provide the many services for children and families and to provide opportunities to improve health and wellness for all ages. Some examples of the services provided are: youth sports, childcare, pre-school, swim lessons, recreational after
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school programs, and adult fitness classes. At our YMCA in Tillamook, participants are able to take advantage of two pools (one warm, one cool), a full gymnasium, a walking track, and a well-equipped fitness center . Our YMCA serves all of Tillamook County with programs for youth available from Cloverdale in the south to Rockaway in the north. The YMCA provides much needed scholarships / financial support for kids and families who may otherwise be unable to participate in Y programs. Overall our YMCA continues to strive to meet the many physical and social needs of the people though out Tillamook County. Partnerships with the Tillamook United Way help the our Y continue to do so. Don Schmidt Executive Director Tillamook County Family YMCA
Beware of debit card scammers This is not a Halloween story but it can be just as scary. We have scammers amongst us. ”Jackie” phoned me to inform me that I had a refund of approximately $1,100 coming and needed my debit card number to deposit it into my account. I was excited and did not heed to my inner voice until later. She wanted a debit card if for drawing from my account, not for deposit! If I had a refund from the Oregon Department of Rev-
enue I would receive a letter and two or three weeks later would receive the check. Realizing this, I cancelled my debit card. I was informed by my tax consultant of “no refund” from state or fed’s. I contacted the Sheriff’s Office with all the info. Along with her name, address, phone number and partner in crime. My credit is so bad that I don’t believe I need to worry, but beware, don’t let it happen to you. Dora West Tillamook
Meals for Seniors thanks United Way Meals for Seniors of Rockaway Beach (MFS) would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tillamook County United Way for their generous financial support of our feed the seniors program. It is organizations like this, with their benevolent donations and grants, that enable our program to continue. MFS not only feeds the local seniors but also offers a “convivial” location to meet and enjoy the lunchtime meals. We also deliver meals to the homebound citizens in need of a nourishing meal. MFS meets each monday, wednesday, and friday at St. Mary’s dining hall at 11:30 a.m. Sioux Dempster and the Board of Directors of the Rockaway Beach Meals for Seniors program
Making giving easy by Jon Carnahan, President Emeritus and Executive Director of the TBCC Foundation We recently had our annual Mildred Davy Memorial Luncheon to recognize our donors and scholars and to thank those who have contributed to the success and support of student scholarship at Tillamook Bay Community College. We were able to recognize Allison Hinderer and Aaron Bumbach, who received the Mildred Davey Endowed Scholarships for 2012-13 and twelve other scholarship recipients who attended. A total of 49 students this year received scholarships. We were also able to announce the newest Endowment Scholarship program, the MilneSears Endowment from South County. Through your gifts the Foundation is able to support these students. As we complete our Annual Campaign at the end of this year, please consider the follow. Giving before year-end packs a double punch. First, you will be supporting the works and dreams of Tillamook Bay Community College or your charity of choice. Second, tax incentives may enable you to do more than you realized was possible, even improving your own financial position in the process. The availability of the income tax deduction helps a charitable person be even more charitable.
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by Dave Coverly
Here is How It Works If you itemize deductions, a gift is deductible in the year you make it. Generally, the effect of the deduction is
that the higher your income tax bracket, the more you will save in taxes. Many states also allow an income tax deduction for charitable gifts, so the total tax savings are often higher than those generated by the federal income tax deduction alone. If you have had to take the standard deduction in past years, giving more may increase your deductions above the standard. This qualifies you for a greater tax benefit. You Can Give in a Variety of Ways Gifts of Cash: Nothing is as simple and direct as giving cash. You can make an unrestricted donation, and we will use the gift to meet our greatest current need. Or you may designate a gift for a specific Endowment Fund or purpose. A gift of cash may be deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income, and gifts in excess of 50 percent may be carried over as deductions into the next five years. Gifts of Securities: Stocks or other investments that have grown in value and that you have owned longer than one year can become a substantial gift with a low net cost to you. You receive a charitable deduction for the donation, which is based on the stocks’ fair market value on the date of the gift. And, there is a bonus—you eliminate all federal capital gains tax that would otherwise be owed on a sale of the assets.
Gifts of Real Estate: Perhaps your first thought is that you do not own property near our location. The fact is, almost any real estate—developed or undeveloped—is potentially a charitable gift. If you have owned your home or other real estate for a long time, it likely has significantly increased in value. Donate the property outright, place it in trust or retain the use of it for life. All of these methods will enable you to enjoy financial benefits while supporting our work and our future students. Effectively Timing Your Gift If you are issuing a check to a charitable organization, the effective date of your contribution is the date it is hand-delivered or mailed. Stock that is held in electronic form can be transferred through your broker to an account in the college foundation or another charitable organization’s name. The value and date of the gift are determined by the date of the transfer, which is generally the date the securities are received in our account. The actual date of a gift of real estate is the date you deliver the signed deed. For more information, please feel free to me at the college. I can help you plan and implement a year-end charitable gift that takes advantage of valuable tax benefits and reflects your generous spirit.
This column is paid for by the TBCC Foundation