Letters to the editor

Fahlgren shows consistent traits and character

When you live near someone, you see them at their worst and their best. You see them day in and day out. You see them in the middle of the night, when you wake them up for an emergency, and at 5 in the morning, helping you chase a cow down the road. You see them in grief when their parents pass away and in elation on their retirement day. You see them when their child is injured. You see them in crisis when something goes wrong.

I have been seeing Ken, as a neighbor for more than 20 years, be consistent any time of day or any season of the year. And when you get Ken Fahlgren in any of these situations, you always are seeing the same person show up. The same character. The same consistency. The same intentionality. The same caring. Day or night. Thick or thin. Emergency or celebration. You get the same Ken Fahlgren. Consistency of character. Reliability. Intelligence. Wisdom.

Having Ken Fahlgren as a resource is having a calm, wise, levelheaded, intelligent advisor at your fingertips. Ken is a problem solver, critical thinker and will be an excellent addition to our county commissioner board.

Laura Wild Binder

Prineville

What happened to using common sense?

Did everyone ignore common sense?

Common sense is defined as good sense and sound judgment on practical manner matters. Where did common sense go? I am not finding it when I look at media these days.

When a person is born with XX chromosomes and they attempt to change it, then subsequently do additional testing to find out that they still have tested with XX chromosomes. What sense did it make to try to change things?

When a city goes soft on crime in order to reduce crime and they find out that crime has actually increased, does it make sense to continue with that policy?

When a critically ill person goes to a surgeon for life-saving care and the surgeon’s credentials are substandard but his skin color is excellent, does it make sense to go through with the surgery?

Let’s face it, the emperor has no clothes. He is, for all intents and purposes, undressed. The simple truth is that when you see intellectual nudity, call it out and force the ones espousing this nonsense to put on the garment of truth.

Eric Clayton

Prineville

Crawford has proven dedication to preserving, prioritizing our community

I want to share a story of community revitalization spearheaded by Commissioner Seth Crawford. Four years ago, the iconic CC on the hill had fallen into disrepair. Recognizing its significance, Commissioner Crawford reached out to the property owners to secure access and restore the CC to its former glory.

Originally a Boy Scout project by Josey Moss, Commissioner Crawford worked to ensure its continuation for all to cherish. This year, alongside Travis Garner, Commissioner Crawford led efforts to weed, repaint and maintain the CC, preserving its sharp appearance. The high school NJROTC eagerly joined the tradition this year, contributing to its upkeep now and in the future.

When we gaze up at the CC, I would like to express the devotion and fortitude that Commissioner Crawford took into the pivotal role in its preservation. His dedication to maintaining this symbol of community pride speaks volumes about his commitment to our town. As we prepare to vote, please consider supporting Commissioner Crawford, who has repeatedly proven his dedication to preserving and prioritizing our community.

Daniel Brandau

Powell Butte

Trump is not the savior of the major issues we face

Leadership change to deal with national debt?

“For most of us, things get foggy at the mention of federal debt and federal deficit”?

I don’t think you give the average person very much credit. It’s just like a checkbook and a credit card, which most people are very familiar with.

“Current leadership appears inexplicably unconcerned. Doing nothing but more of the same is obviously their process of choice”?

How is this, obviously? Logic does not lead to that conclusion. What do you think those debates in both the Oregon and federal Congress are about? One of Trump’s campaign promises was to reduce the national debt. Didn’t happen! According to Propublica and Committee for a Responsible Budget, he added $7.8-$8.4 trillion - trillion - to the debt. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, that is almost twice what Americans owe on student, car and credit card loans and every other type of loan combined, except for mortgages.

According to Eugene Steuerle, co-founder of Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, Trump’s addition to the national debt ranks as the third highest ever, relative to the size of the national economy. Unlike George W. Bush and Abraham Lincoln, the number one and two debt increasers, he didn’t have a civil war and/or two foreign ones to fight during his administration. The only war Trump fought was the political one!

Economists agree that we needed massive debt spending to ward off an economic cataclysm due to the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. By Trump’s own administration’s admission, the national debt situation pre-pandemic was a quote “crisis” and “grave threat.” This despite a booming economy and an historically low unemployment level.

Trump’s 2017 tax cut and lack of spending restraint sent the debt and deficit soaring. After he took office, Trump bragged that his tax cuts would allow us to pay off the deficit and begin to pay off the debt. Didn’t happen either! The corporate tax rate reduction from 35% to 21% took a massive bite out of federal revenue. You can’t pay off more when you are taking in less, a whole lot less.

The Congressional Budget Office predicted a 2-3% increase in our national debt during Trump’s term. In 2018, it was 4% and in 2019, 4.6%. In an interview with the Economic Club of New York, Trump was asked if the “entire economic debt will be able to be paid off in a sensible way.” Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. was starting to pay off the debt before the pandemic. Just another lie he habitually tells - only one of about 30,000 he’s told as of 2024 according to factcheck.org.

When Congress finally passed a $900 billion economic stimulus bill that is being financed with debt, Trump challenged them to “spend and borrow even more.” Then he went golfing! Trump the savior of our major issues now confronting us? Trump “probably the only person on the planet who could solve the major issues now confronting us”? Not even close and given the above FACTS, I hardly think so.

Mark Maboll

Prineville

Fahlgren has demonstrated experience, character to lead county

Ken Fahlgren is just the citizen we need as a county commissioner here in Crook County. He exemplifies what is best about all of us who live here.

Although I have lived in Crook County for only 25 years, my father’s family has been here since the 1930s. I grew up in small rural towns on the east side of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington, so I appreciate what is unique about our way of life and am eager to preserve the potential that uniqueness provides while addressing the challenges of the future.

Ken Fahlgren has demonstrated he has the experience and the character to lead Crook County.

Ken has been a small business owner. As owner of Prineville Motor Supply, he has had to face the real issues facing real people. As a business owner, he had to meet the payroll, he had to pay taxes, and he had to comply with regulations. He had to work cooperatively within the Prineville business community as a peer of other business owners and managers. He has done real work and has been a success.

Although it has been a few years since Ken has been a Crook County commissioner, he has stayed involved in local and regional concerns. Since leaving the County Court, his work with the Association of Oregon Counties as the Local Public Safety Council Coordinator for Crook and Jefferson counties has given him knowledge and context to help Crook County navigate the future. Ken has developed relationships with state and regional officials and employees that can only benefit us.

Ken has respect and compassion for all the citizens of Crook County. He does not fail to put his faith into action by showing up to do the work. Whenever asked, Ken shows up with his truck and trailer, his appliance dolly and his work gloves.

Experience and character - that’s why Ken Fahlgren is the best choice for Crook County Commissioner, Position #3. Join me in voting for Ken Fahlgren this May.

Kristi Hiaasen

Prineville

Measure 7-86 effort will only deepen the divide in Oregon

Last evening, I attended the Greater Idaho meeting that was promoted as Crook County Open Q&A. It was held at the Crook County Library and, while I didn’t count noses, my best guess is that there were approximately 30 people in the room including the presenters and press.

My takeaway from this meeting is that the proponents of moving our state’s border don’t have answers. To nearly every question asked, the response was that it would be worked out between the states once both legislatures agree to discuss the issue. That response applied to water rights, women’s health, LGBTQ+ issues, minimum wage, property taxes, etc., etc.

The rhetoric included “state borders get moved all the time.” While it may be true that small adjustments between states have been made along existing boundaries – the example given was adjusting the Washington/Oregon border along the Columbia – nothing as dramatic as what they are proposing has been achieved in modern history.

While it is true that the impacts of statewide voting can cause some people in Eastern Oregon angst, that is what democracy is all about – the majority rules (except in the case of Presidential elections, where the electoral college can, at times, overrule the majority). And yes, while there is a divide in the thinking of the people in our state, talk like this deepens the divide instead of bringing us together.

Please join me in voting NO on Advisory Question 7-86. Let’s get past this effort and learn to listen to each other’s concerns, then work toward healing the rift.

Priscilla Smith

Prineville

Trump is not the only one who can prevent financial disaster

On April 23, this paper published a letter under the heading: "Leadership change needs to deal with federal deficit, debt." The writing about the growing national debt was clear. However, later in the letter, the writer takes a political dive, suggesting that Democrats are irresponsible spenders, while Republicans, and in particular Mr. Trump, are our only hope to stave off financial disaster. This calls for correction.

The national debt has been on a fairly straight upward curve throughout several administrations, both Republican and Democrat. There really is no material difference. President Trump spent a lot of money to keep our economy afloat through the COVID pandemic, a policy which President Biden continued. The measures of both presidents have had positive effects. Compared to other major economies, ours came out of the pandemic in better shape and continues to do quite well under Biden.

More difficult to explain is the reasoning behind Trump's tax cut. If we are rightly worried about a growing national debt, why a massive tax cut? Economists agree that it helps big business and the very wealthy almost exclusively, while the benefits for working people expire. However, it made sense as political payback for financial backers of the GOP. This tax cut added $2.5 trillion to the national debt.

The writer asserted: "Trump is probably the only person on the planet who could solve the major issues now confronting us." Really, in the light of 91 criminal charges against the former president, presently in court under multiple indictments? A jury-convicted sexual offender? A defamer who has had to pay tens of millions as punishment? A business manager with four bankruptcies to his credit? A creator of a university that failed under multiple lawsuits for deceptive business practices, all of which he lost? A "billionaire" who has to rely on a shady bond company to keep the courts from attaching his properties? A person who is well known to stiff his contractors? A man who lives in a world of his own making and constantly invents his own "truth"? Is entrusting such a man with solving our national problems really an adult choice? Would you want him as a teacher of your kids?

A little more about the national debt: Long ago, some smart people put forward the idea that the federal government does not need to run up a debt at all. As the constitutional sovereign agent of our currency, it can create money as needed. In other words, the spending of the federal government should not be checked by income. Rather, it should spend money when needed for proper functioning of the economy and shrink it via less spending and taxes when too much money circulating threatens inflation. The practice of controlling the money supply by constraining federal spending with federal income is outdated. To understand this, read “The Deficit Myth,” by economics professor Stephany Kelton. The subtitle: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy. Wouldn't that be a nice change?

Can we expect better results from doing the same stupid things over again? Obviously not. It seems to me that solutions of our national problems lie with responsible forward thinking and electing true patriots with the good of the nation at heart.

Al Baensch

Prineville

Fahlgren has shown good leadership, financial skills

We heartily endorse our friend Ken Fahlgren in his race to become our Crook County Commissioner. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership and financial skills during his years as a business owner and in service to Crook County.

Ken will work harmoniously with his fellow commissioners, and he is highly respected by our city and county employees and leaders. He has developed good relationships with officials in Central Oregon, as well as state and federal officials. Ken will seek common-sense solutions to the many issues that lie ahead as our county continues to grow.

When you vote for Ken Fahlgren, you will be voting for a commissioner you will be proud of - he will work for you, the citizens of Crook County.

Please cast your vote for Ken Fahlgren for Crook County Commissioner

Lawrence and Carol Weberg

Prineville