The Newberg Graphic’s readers weigh in on important issues of the day and more
People unmasked at the gym
To the editor:
I am a senior citizen who has lived in the Newberg area for 30 years. Finally, restrictions on gyms and restaurants were relaxed. It took a long time for me to feel safe going to our pool. I missed and needed the exercise. I have gone to exercise now for seven weeks.
After the first two visits I inquired about masking and was told the mandate was enforced as well as possible. I started making noises in the weight room about the non-compliance after I received little response to complaints of people not following the mandates and not disinfecting the equipment. If the facility is open it should keep everyone safe and not merely give lip service to people.
Administration seems oblivious to the lack of compliance. Each visit I have, there are 50% to 100% unmasked in the gym and weight room. I feel like they do not believe in COVID.
But I continue to be told how much is being done to enforce the mandate. I have yet to see anyone go through the facility to check on compliance.
Only about 40% of Yamhill is vaccinated so this says to me that anywhere people gather should make enforcement a priority to remain open.
Jean Markell, rural Newberg
Berschauer doing a good job
To the editor:
Yamhill County is a great place to live. We’re not Portland and, I hope, never a suburb of Portland. I enjoy the rural lifestyle, beautiful scenery, mild climate, and relative safety for my family. Neighbors talk to each other and our interactions with the local police and government officials has been positive.
I voted for Lindsay Berschauer because I trusted her intent to maintain the core values and livability of our county. I believe she has done this to the best of anyone’s ability in these difficult times. The challenges of the COVID epidemic and the questionable directives from the federal and state governments would test anyone.
There have been many attempts by liberal groups to attack our basic constitutional rights and they try to punish anyone who opposes their viewpoint. In my opinion, anytime our freedom of religion, right to bear arms, parent’s rights to supervise their children or our right to free speech is attacked, the potholes in our county’s roads takes second place.
I believe Lindsay has been a good commissioner and has performed the daily functions of a commissioner while standing strong on the big issues. She has not pleased everyone, but being a good manager is not a popularity contest.
Please vote no on the recall.
Steve Wozniak, Newberg
What happens if Berschauer is recalled?
To the editor:
Like many of us, I want to know what happens when the Recall Berschauer vote is successful. How will it change the business of the county? There have been some inaccurate rumors passed around. So here is what is true:
n With a successful recall, the last day of office for the recalled commissioner will be probably April 18.
n The law is that the recalled commissioner must step down immediately.
n The date is determined by the county clerk and the verification of vote results.
n Once the position is vacant , the two remaining commissioners would appoint an individual to serve in the vacated position.
n Any interest person may submit an application for appointment five days after the vacancy occurs.
n The two remaining commissioners now form a quorum and can conduct county business. It is not true that the county will come to a halt without the third commissioner.
n The law is that the position will be filled at the next election, which is Nov. 8 general election.
If you have heard or hear something different, please take a minute to check with Brian Van Bergen, county clerk.
Beth Caster, McMinnville
Look at the facts before voting on the recall
To the editor:
Since sworn in as commissioner Lindsay Berschauer has used her position irresponsibly — attempting to influence private litigation affecting her husband, berating county employees just for doing their jobs, demanding the county health department post on its site medically unproven home Covid-19 treatments, forcing taxpayers to foot an outside attorney’s ongoing legal bills incurred due to Berschauer pursuing a personal agenda outside the scope of county purview, and much more.
There are videos, witnesses, transcripts. Confirmation. Facts matter.
Berschauer’s term does not end until December 2024. Too much damage has already been done.
Maya Angelou famously said “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Vote yes on the recall.
Susan Karp, Amity
We have the power to be informed voters
To the editor:
As a citizen of United State of America, I have always felt that voting was both a privilege and honor that I was fortunate to have. The history of our country’s efforts to develop a democracy, the fight for the voting rights for women and people of color has compelled me to vote in every election, even the “small” elections. Voting is the simplest way to have a voice in the democracy of our country.
I ask the voters of Yamhill County to make a serious commitment to vote in the recall election of Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer and future elections. As citizens we need to be more invested in our nonpartisan offices because they impact us more than our national elections.
Please do your research on the issues and candidates. There has been a ridiculous amounts of money poured into our local nonpartisan campaigns, often from sources outside our county. Realize that the hundreds of big signs blanketing the county and glossy mailings do not mean that a candidate has widespread support. It typically means they have a huge amount of money from donors which may or may not be part of our county. And with the large donations a candidate is beholden to the donors to grant special favors or push through an agenda that may not be in the best interests of our communities.
We continue to see large donations coming into campaigns in Yamhill County. Be mindful that this flow of money for a nonpartisan seat is suspicious and dangerous for a community.
Grassroots organizing around an issue and/or a candidate typically is made of local citizens that have a vested interest in what is best for the majority of individuals in the city or county. These groups are made up of local unpaid volunteers and many small individual donations to get the word out about the issues and/or the candidates. Recall elections involve gathering a minimum number of signatures based on the number of voters in a city or county to get the recall to the ballot.
A push for a recall election campaign is a serious undertaking — coming from voters who see an abuse of power, poor financial stewardship, an unwillingness to collaborate with others and a disregard for the well-being of constituents. This is why Save Yamhill County, the grassroots coalition, would like to bring the recall of Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer to the voters.
Be an educated and open-minded voter. Look at both sides of an issue, read up about all candidates running for offices. Go to websites, watch or attend local city council, school board meetings and county commissioner meetings, and talk to friends, neighbors and family members who may have a different take on an issue or candidate.
Tease out the many lies; don’t get caught up in the drama of conspiracy theories, hearsay and extremist viewpoints. Vote based on truth, common sense, the good of the entire community and the knowledge you gained by your personal research.
I have done my research, teased out the lies, watched the Board of Commissioner meetings and will vote on what is best for the people in our county. I am voting yes to recall Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer by March 22.
Susan Delventhal, Newberg
Recall petition volunteer speaks out
To the editor:
I have watched the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners meetings every week for a year. I became concerned with our new commissioner, Lindsay Berschauer, within a few months. I became troubled because of her disdain for and encouragement of distrust for our county staff and her fixation to push items on the agenda that had nothing to do with county business. A Second Amendment sanctuary ordinance that left our county open to being sued by the state to insisting what would be placed on the county public health website, rather than supporting the respected director of county public health.
After six months, I decided to join with others to work to place on the ballot the option of recalling this commissioner. Since August I have been gathering petition signatures, helping people accurately register to vote, hanging door hangers reminding folks to vote and being an observer during the signature validation process. This has all been volunteer work through blistering heat, pouring rain, hail, tromping through mud and ice puddles. It’s been door-to-door volunteering as the sun went down and the light dimmed. Working with a flashlight to show someone how to use an app on their phone to register to vote with the wind whipping behind me off of their porch.
I was never paid one red cent to do this volunteer work. I did all of this because I believe in this county and the people who live here. I believe we need to put a hole in the corruption Lindsay Berschauer has inflicted on the proud office of county commissioner.
Her latest lie that recall volunteers were paid is a slap in the face of democracy. It upsets me greatly to be libeled. I am 69 years old and proud to be considered someone of merit. I will use this pent-up energy to be even more active in the recall effort.
Sheila Barnes, Newberg
Time to go, Ms. Berschauer, time to go
To the editor:
There have been a multitude of well-written letters recently in support of the effort to recall Yamhill County Commissioner Berschauer. I feel I must also speak up in much the same way that I was compelled to vote and return by ballot the same day it arrived in my mailbox.
Ms. Berschauer has not, in good faith, supported Yamhill County as an elected official. Her actions have indicated a personal agenda, not that of her constituents. This is evident in her trying to use her position to influence the district attorney, Brad Berry, in litigation involving her husband and when Mr. Berry recused himself, the Benton County district attorney that he asked to take over.
Likewise, in the gun sanctuary ordinance the district attorney and the sheriff objected to some language in the ordinance. Both she and Ms. Starrett agreed to remove that language, but when the district attorney and sheriff were both absent at the next meeting, seized the opportunity to add the language back and voted to pass the ordinance 2 to 1. We are now being sued by the state.
The list of examples is long, but space is limited. Simply put, she is unethical and self serving.
Time to go, Ms. Berschauer, time to go.
Patrician Carlson, McMinnville
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Originally Appeared Here
Whilst the governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi is looking out for the safety of its people, bandits are busy working to launch new attacks in the state.
