tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post540650182768467125..comments2023-09-27T01:25:34.993-07:00Comments on DAWG Oregon: The Plight Of A FarmerDavid McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023134941731366721noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-4241378463966641512009-12-04T20:09:29.492-08:002009-12-04T20:09:29.492-08:00Some ways to start that I've found... Pass it...Some ways to start that I've found... Pass it on, folks!<br /><br />Together, we can promote tax fairness and support vital programs. Here’s a couple of simple ways to do it:<br /> <br />Sunday Dec 13th | 5:30 – 8:30 pm<br />Dinner and phonebank for tax fairness<br />6401 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206 <br />Come have dinner with activists in community human services and educate voters about the tax fairness special election.<br /><br /><br />Saturday Dec 19th | 1 – 4:30 pm<br />Screening of subCITY video, discussion, and phone bank<br />6401 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206<br />“The producers of subCITY have delivered a powerful, insightful and factual portrayal of the condition of mental health in Oregon. It’s a reminder why we cannot repeat the past decades of disinvestment and why we must assure that all who need mental heath care get it.”<br />—Dr. Bruce Goldburg Oregon Dept. of Human Services.<br /> <br />This event is co-sponsored by Oregon Action, Partnership for Safety and Justice, Portland State AAUP<br /> <br />For more information call 503.772.5846 <br />http://www.EmpowerOregon.org/Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08230715242560669068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-56469574568843724392009-12-03T04:02:37.724-08:002009-12-03T04:02:37.724-08:00I work with people who have developmental disabili...I work with people who have developmental disabilities, and are attempting to become more a part of their community. Yesterday, one of the folks I work with received "the letter" and I got to explain what's REALLY going on with the anti- service people. It felt very good...David McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023134941731366721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-68831919289115612782009-12-03T03:58:30.393-08:002009-12-03T03:58:30.393-08:00Suzanne... feel free to use this blog for your eff...Suzanne... feel free to use this blog for your efforts. We are definitely on the same page.<br /><br />Daniel... I love what you wrote!David McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023134941731366721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-14114873292400431382009-12-02T23:31:28.295-08:002009-12-02T23:31:28.295-08:00Here is my response to Carol Leuthold:
Carol Mari...Here is my response to Carol Leuthold:<br /><br />Carol Marie Leuthold<br />Leuthold’s Wilsona Dairy<br />2425 McCormick Loop Road<br />Tillamook, OR 97141<br /><br />Dear Carol,<br />Pardon the late reply to your letter dated November 16. You did not include a return address, so I had to do some research. <br /><br />By the tone of your letter: “small businesses like mine,” and “it’s harder than ever to keep our business afloat,” I expected you were out at five a.m. in your galoshes to milk ol’Bessie. I was relieved to find pictures in your profile of your trips to Europe and Asia. One can only imagine the hijinks you get up to when milk prices are up.<br /><br />Your letter stated that economists estimate the tax increases of Measures 66 & 67 will cost 70,000 Oregonians their jobs. You did not include the names or credentials of any of these economists, so it is a difficult argument to refute. I wonder if any of your economists warned you about the plunging milk prices of which you complained? Are these the same economists who stated in the Wall Street Journal, Augst 11, that the recession is over?<br /><br />Curiously, you stated that state government has not tightened its belt. Perhaps you were travelling through Europe when Oregon furloughed state employees without pay, or school districts cut teacher positions and shortened the school year.<br />State employee salary increases were a cause of concern to you. While jetting over the Pacific on the way to Hawaii, it is difficult to imagine why a police officer or prison guard on the ground should receive a yearly cost of living increase. <br /><br />Since you plan to pass the cost of taxes on to the consumer anyway, you will be relieved to know that I will willingly bear the burden. I am more concerned that my money goes to Oregon schools than to french culinary academies. I am more concerned that Oregon parks and recreational opportunities remain available than the Swiss Alps.<br /><br />In these tenuous economic times, I prefer to spend my limited disposable income in a manner that benefits my neighbors, my state, and my nation as a whole. I guess we just express our patriotism differently.<br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Daniel LathamAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999917656246898870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-63693067084668390042009-12-02T23:19:39.937-08:002009-12-02T23:19:39.937-08:00PS The people working hard to avoid paying their f...PS The people working hard to avoid paying their fair share in taxes are well organized and well funded. Can we use this blog to communicate about efforts we can support to get the facts out? <br /><br />(BTW, I am not a state employee, but a citizen deeply concerned about potential reduction in vital services to our seniors and people with disabilities.)Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08230715242560669068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-32118036217597928132009-12-02T23:00:41.367-08:002009-12-02T23:00:41.367-08:00This is the reply to my message telling TCCA why I...This is the reply to my message telling TCCA why I'm boycotting Tillamook products:<br /><br /><br />Dear Suzanne,<br /> <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your comments regarding the letter you received from Carol Marie Leuthold. While Carol Marie and her family are one of the more than 110 dairy farm families who are members of the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), producers of Tillamook dairy products, her letter was not sent on behalf of TCCA or our other dairy farm families. <br /><br /> <br /><br />The letter you received from Carol Marie reflects her personal views on Measures 66 and 67. There is no clear consensus among our member dairy farmers regarding these measures. Consequently, TCCA has not taken a position on Measures 66 and 67. <br /><br /> <br /><br />For the past 100 years, we have been committed to providing consumers with the best tasting, highest quality Tillamook dairy products, and this remains our mission today. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br /> <br /><br />Heidi Luquette<br /><br />Corporate Communications Manager<br /><br />Tillamook County Creamery Association<br /><br />www.TillamookCheese.com<br /><br />-----<br /><br />This week many of us have heard that once again Oregon Project Independence is on the line, and you can read the mean-spirited response to proposed cuts from Pat Mc Cormick here:<br /><br />http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20091201/LEGISLATURE/912010316/Lawmakers-release-spending-cut-options<br /><br />Peace, <br /><br />SuzanneSuzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08230715242560669068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-10505776460323510682009-12-02T04:35:08.429-08:002009-12-02T04:35:08.429-08:00Randy... I'm sensing some REAL "sour grap...Randy... I'm sensing some REAL "sour grapes" on your part here. Because the State takes care of its' employees (as it should) you, along with your Republican pals, want to take cheap shots at those who get what we all deserve. As for your other 2 lengthy comments... start your own blog.David McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023134941731366721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-73846083471610300202009-12-01T19:37:29.469-08:002009-12-01T19:37:29.469-08:00Mike Beagan,
Here are the real State Employee Fact...Mike Beagan,<br />Here are the real State Employee Facts.Could'nt make it in the real world, now your living in fantasy world working for the State, which is going to change in the near future. Read and Learn.<br /> Oregon public employees are being paid more to work fewer hours according to calculations by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. <br /><br />Oregon has tens of thousands of state employees. Over the past several months, the news media has stated that these “dedicated” Oregon public servants are experiencing budgetary cuts that will result in lower pay and reduced hours. They suggest that the budgetary cuts must in turn reduce services to the public. As a member of both the Ways and Means Committee and the Emergency Board, I have first hand information regarding the cost of employee salaries and benefits. That knowledge leads me to question the accuracy of some of the news releases. <br /><br />For that reason, I requested the Senate Republican staff to ask the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to determine and compare the average compensation paid to state employees, as well as the average time off from work, between 2008 and 2009. The short answer from DAS is that the average Oregon state employee received both an $897 increase in compensation and several more days off in 2009 than they did in 2008. <br /><br />According to the DAS figures, in 2008 the average state employee was paid $47,724 in salary and $20,407 in benefits for a total compensation of $68,131. In 2009 the average state employee will be paid $48,459 in salary and $20,569 in benefits for a total of $69,028. The $897 increase in average compensation is after an average of $2,682 was subtracted for mandatory time off without pay called furlough days. <br /><br />The bottom line is that the Oregon taxpayer will pay more for receiving less service because the average Oregon state employee will earn more for working several days less in 2009 than they did in 2008. <br /> Randy Yates<br />Creswell, OregonRandy in Creswellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-13431337175817132102009-12-01T04:32:30.603-08:002009-12-01T04:32:30.603-08:00Hey Mike... the address you are using is where the...Hey Mike... the address you are using is where the letter was sent from... probably an office of some type. Carol's address is on the blog post.David McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023134941731366721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-34291375775925912512009-12-01T04:21:49.312-08:002009-12-01T04:21:49.312-08:00Well Robyn, whether or not you and your family thi...Well Robyn, whether or not you and your family thinks Tillamook cheese is the best, what's at stake here are programs set up to protect the general public.<br />For far too long the wealthy have been driving the bus here in Oregon. I, and apparently MANY others, believe it's time for that trend to end.David McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023134941731366721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-7785882845925108572009-11-30T22:26:13.367-08:002009-11-30T22:26:13.367-08:00Dave I got the Carol Marie Leuthold form letter an...Dave I got the Carol Marie Leuthold form letter and I am now searching for links that will help me express my appreciation. I found the Tillamook fan club, and left my sentiments there. You know if all of us stop buying Tillamook we can help reduce Carol's tax burden quite considerably.<br /><br />http://www.tillamookfanclub.com/contactus.cfm<br /><br />"Please inform Carol that because of her greed and indifference to anything but her own bottom line I will be avoiding all Tillamook products for good. I will tell everyone that I know not to buy Tillamook products ever again. Please stop sending out rich welfare letters, they are disgusting, deceptive and bare no resemblance to the truth. Thank you."John in Tigardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04976088033952330547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-39726147154228011702009-11-30T21:38:59.265-08:002009-11-30T21:38:59.265-08:00I received my letter today and wrote an angry resp...I received my letter today and wrote an angry response within 10 minutes. I will not be buying any more Tillamook Creamery products (after many years as a loyal customer of an Oregon business) if they in any way condoned or permitted use of their associationin this despicable campaign.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02706343751213054330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-36488254283206275192009-11-30T19:33:07.205-08:002009-11-30T19:33:07.205-08:00I received a letter from Carol. If she is worried ...I received a letter from Carol. If she is worried about her finances she shouldn't have wasted that postage mailing me. If this is from Carol a Tillamook County Dairy Farmer why is the return address with her letter?<br /><br />3421 Del Webb Ave NE, Salem, OR 97301<br />Bedmart North Salem - (503) 391-1575Jacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-62019920800461752032009-11-30T18:39:02.865-08:002009-11-30T18:39:02.865-08:00I am concerned with the comments that were generat...I am concerned with the comments that were generated by David McDonald’s comments.<br />My family enjoys Tillamook cheese, as we think it is the best. <br />We live in a depressed area of Oregon. Yet, there are people here who have the money to do much of the same traveling that Carol and Dan enjoy. The issue here is that the government keeps taking more of the people’s money than they can wisely use. The government acts as though the people are using its hard earned money. The money was taken by force from the hard working citizens. It is then used anyway the lords in government choose even when it is not in the taxpayer’s best interest.<br />This is not about whether someone has money to blow, but about whether the government has the right to keep taking it.<br />RobynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-13412685296850320512009-11-30T16:23:37.692-08:002009-11-30T16:23:37.692-08:00Carol Marie Leuthold
3421 Del Webb Ave NE
Salem, O...Carol Marie Leuthold<br />3421 Del Webb Ave NE<br />Salem, Or 97303<br /><br />Carol,<br /><br />I received your letter dated November 16th, 2009 regarding your campaign against Measures 66 and 67. <br /><br />As a state employee, I take issue with your lack of knowledge of the facts. State government has indeed tightened our belt. Perhaps you have heard on the news or read in the newspapers or online about the state mandated furlough days for state employees. These are days when all state employees are forced to stay home and take UNPAID LEAVE to help the state get through the budget crisis. Perhaps your numbers are in error, because I know for a fact that my agency, the Oregon Department of Corrections, has had to reduce our spending and our budget by almost a BILLION dollars. If that isn’t tightening our belt, I don’t know what is. I took the opportunity to find your dairy online and was amazed to find out that you make enough money to travel the world. Most state employees don’t make that kind of money and I personally do not make that kind of money where I can travel the world. YOU don’t appear to be suffering much from the down economy!<br /><br />Your letter also has the ring of cynicism in that you, like so many others, forget that state employees are just as much tax payers as you are. Everyone seems to forget that little nugget of information when they lambast us like you did. Not only am I a state employee but I was a small business owner myself whose business failed in this down economy. In fact I was forced to close the business due to the economy. So before you label state employees the ‘bad people’ you should probably do a little research.<br /><br />Since you have a large mailing list, I would ask that you retract your statement about how bad state government is and apologize to the state employees you have insulted in your mailing. Your letter, while attempting to sway me to vote against these measures has had quite the opposite effect and I will most likely vote FOR these measures due to your crass opinion of your states employees.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Mike Beagen<br />State EmployeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-26930414500561562592009-11-30T10:23:00.249-08:002009-11-30T10:23:00.249-08:00How about asking The Oregonian (and if they won...How about asking The Oregonian (and if they won't Willamette Week) to run an expose on her? Here's a good summary of the facts: http://www.rop.org/files/Measure%2067%20Flow%20Chart%20from%20OCPP.pdfSuzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08230715242560669068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-20311283292340145482009-11-30T09:10:10.831-08:002009-11-30T09:10:10.831-08:00I'm thinking that perhaps we should put up a p...I'm thinking that perhaps we should put up a page on Facebook where folks could comment on Carol's letter. Anybody with me on this?David McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023134941731366721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-84918984901880471882009-11-30T00:30:05.519-08:002009-11-30T00:30:05.519-08:00Good response. I'm joining you in sending her ...Good response. I'm joining you in sending her a letter with the actual estimates on who will pay what. Thanks for researching.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17976115885207644106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-82208090056895513432009-11-29T14:02:26.521-08:002009-11-29T14:02:26.521-08:00Outraged by Leuthold's contribution to the ant...Outraged by Leuthold's contribution to the anti-Measure 67 misinformation campaign, I sent the following letter to the Tillamook Creamery Association:<br /><br />I am writing to protest the political activity of one of the Creamery Association's members, Carol Marie Leuthold. I have just received a mass-mailed letter urging us to oppose Measure 67, citing false and distorted information and serving an obviously partisan political agenda. <br /><br />But I am not writing to debate or refute the letter, rather to protest it and its association with the Tillamook brand. As a lifelong Oregonian whose wife grew up in Tillamook and whose uncle was once the principal of Tillamook High School, For more than fifty years I have had a loyalty to the Tillamook brand at the dairy case, choosing it whenever there was a choice. Now, however, I will avoid the brand as a funder of a defective ethic I utterly despise. I realize that her dairy represents only a small contribution to the Tillamook product. Still, she has chosen to use the brand to further her political interests, or worse, she has been co-opted by others' political interests. Whatever the case, she has tainted the Tillamook product as surely as a bacterial contamination, and I will avoid it the same way. And I will urge my family and friends to do likewise.<br /><br />This makes me sad and angry at the same time, sad to discontinue consuming a brand of native products I was fond of, and angry that this ignorant or corrupt business person makes it necessary.<br /><br />Yours truly,<br /><br />Gerald Greenfield<br />Wilsonville, OR 97070Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06211762667435204643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361785784498692060.post-21089292638596588632009-11-29T13:40:02.550-08:002009-11-29T13:40:02.550-08:00Thank you for the background info on this wealthy ...Thank you for the background info on this wealthy farmer. I arrived at your site when I googled her name because I received the same letter.Alan Cordlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00683196759001581768noreply@blogger.com