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Letters to the Editor: April 4, 2025

Keep it natural

As a resident of McMinnville living near Quarry Park, I am appalled the city is considering destroying a beautiful natural area by turning it into a BMX pump track. I notice other writers referring to the plan as a simple “bike trail,” but that is decidedly NOT what the plan is doing.

This park is a peaceful and serene setting, filled with old-growth trees. It hosts many forms of wildlife, including deer, raccoons, owls and woodpeckers.

Apparently, the city wants to develop this lovely area, paving over parts of it for parking and putting in paved “pump tracks” for BMX riders. All of that comes at the expense of the residents living nearby and members of the larger community who enjoy walking their dogs or enjoying the solitude found there.

If people are worried about activities for their children, perhaps a better idea would be leaving the park in its natural state, but enhancing it with natural benches, more native plants and additional foliage; providing a clean footpath through the park with signage teaching visitors what the various plants are; adding more plants serving to attract more birds and butterflies to this beautiful spot.

This is one of the few, if not the last, remaining natural areas in McMinnville. Paving over most of it and limiting anyone who wants to walk the park to the perimeter is absolutely not what this town needs — especially when existing parks are already suffering from lack of funding and maintenance. Quarry Park is an asset to the McMinnville community just as it is.

Peggy Kneller

McMinnville


Whose vintage?

I enjoy the vintage photos in the News-Register, but they seem to be from a very specific time period. Perhaps they’re intended to appeal to readers in a particular age group.

I hope that there is a plan at some point to begin sharing “vintage” photos from other eras. Just as the definition of what is a musical “oldie” shifts over time, photos from a more recent time period may be nostalgic to other readers.

I for one would be interested in seeing photos from the ’80s in this section. Perhaps you could include photos from multiple time periods, as with the text elements in the “Memory Lane” column.

Rob Leslie

Newberg


Male voting

I’m sure y’all heard the stir recently about Senate Bill 210, a proposal to end vote by mail.

More than 9,000 pieces of testimony were submitted, and I heard it ran 7 to 1 against. Clearly, the populace supports voting through the mail, as do I.

But please tell me that someone is double-checking our county books.

One piece of testimony that stood out was submitted by our county treasurer, Paulette Alexandria. She said, “I support this bill, as I believe male and voting is subject to fraud and corruption.”

Yep, you read that right. “Male and voting.”

Did she use voice to text without checking it afterward? Is this the quality of work we should expect from her? If so, I sure hope someone is checking the books behind her.

Yes, I’m male and I vote. You should vote, too.

Marvin Bernards

McMinnville


Bikes not welcome

The March 28 edition included a letter headlined “Healthy and wholesome,” regarding a proposal to upend a beautiful natural spot in this town and turn it into a bike fest. It would require hardened surfaces and porta-potties that could eventually be replaced with actual bathrooms.

This area is surrounded by homes. It constantly floods, with residual water finding its way onto the properties of these homeowners.

If such park was not developed, Katie Kulla seems to suggest in her letter that young people would be exposed to phone addictions, unhealthy ways and socialization deficits. That is one strange expression.

Such a facility already exists in Newberg. What a wonderful bike trip that would make.

Quarry Park should stay a park. The writer should worry about what happens in Dayton, not here.

Bill Green

McMinnville


Voting under attack

Republican attacks on voting rights have begun in earnest right here in Oregon, with the introduction of Senate Bill 210. This bill would begin the process of ending universal vote by mail in Oregon.

Why are Republicans so focused on mucking about in our election process? They will claim it is to prevent fraud, but actual voter fraud is virtually non-existent.

As has been said previously, no one in their right mind would risk the consequences of voting illegally. Republicans simply don’t want most people to vote.

That has been explicitly stated. Some Republicans would probably like to go all the way back to the good old days when only rich white men could vote.

With all the malicious chaos being created by Donald, Elon and Project 2025, don’t lose sight of this important state issue. Defend your right to vote.

You can sign up to follow the progress of bills at www.oregonlegislature.gov.

Alisa Owen

McMinnville


Have you noticed?

1) The people who want to mess with Social Security don’t need it or depend on it.

2) The people who are defunding our national parks have never visited them and don’t appreciate them.

3) The people who are trying to abolish the Department of Education send their own children to private schools.

4) The people wanting to abolish or diminish funding for food stamps and Medicare have never been hungry or poor — or known anyone who was.

5) The people getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion seem to care nothing for people who have been marginalized, are being discriminated against or are disabled.

6) The people defunding VA hospitals claim to support our veterans, but actually treat them with utter disrespect.

7) The people calling most loudly for making America a Christian nation seem to have none of the attributes of a Christian — you know, feeding the poor, welcoming the stranger, loving the neighbor, making sure widows and children were cared for, and giving people a second chance.

8) The people out to defund crucial family support programs like PBS, Head Start, NPR and SNAP operate under a party banner of “family values.”

9) The people who claim to love our troops are putting them in danger with their careless security procedures.

There is so much more, but you get the picture. If you are noticing these things too, it’s time to do something about it.

Please find your voice, find your courage, and show your love for America. Otherwise, we will lose our Democracy — one that countless people have fought and died for.

I want to be proud of our country and what it stands for. I bet you do, too.

Gloria LaFata

McMinnville


Honor and protect

In response to Katie Kulla’s letter “Healthy and wholesome,” I would like to clarify that those opposed to high speed bike trails, asphalt pump tracks and gravity zone biking in Quarry Park do not do so in the interest of denying children or biking adults an opportunity for mental, emotional or physical improvement.

The goal is to maintain the wide range of activities currently taking place in this open greenspace park, which already serves the community well. Examples include jogging, dog walking, trail strolling, photography and videography, wildlife and flora observation, mushroom foraging, scenic viewing, picnicking and passive bike riding.

These activities are suitable for such a space and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and socio-economic status. They serve to enhance the mental, emotional and physical health of those participating. And let us not forget the obvious benefit of just having a place to relax and recharge.

Creating a bike facility in Quarry Park would curtail or eliminate these activities, as almost the entire interior would be dedicated to biking features, relegating pedestrian traffic to an outer rim surrounded by homes and Calvary Church. Additionally, the wide range of plants and wild animals that inhabit the park would certainly be negatively impacted.

We suggest the city consider enhancing the park’s botanical nature through the clean-up of deadfall, mitigation of noxious plants and introduction of more native plants. Educators, parents and biking enthusiasts in our group are excited by the prospect of inviting school and community groups to participate in the planting, thereby offering a fun educational experience.

Please do not mistake our enthusiasm to protect Quarry Park as anti-biking or dismissal of the benefit of physical and social activity. We simply believe that this wonderful natural area should be honored and protected for the benefit of the community-at-large and generations to come.

Paula Lang

McMinnville


Angry and intolerant

The only point Mr. Sommerfield and I agree on is deportation of violent illegal aliens. Even then, it should be done humanely — not by arbitrarily transferring them under dubious circumstances to a horrific prison in El Salvador.

We have always been people of compassion, acceptance, understanding, tolerance and empathy. MAGA has made us hard, angry, intolerant, even cruel. We should cut wasteful or fraudulent spending, but there is no place for the chainsaw approach of Musk and DOGE.

We need to control our border, but not close it. We need immigrants; without them we would not have the best economy in the world.

Prohibiting men from competing in women’s sports is such an overreaction. The NCAA president has revealed there are fewer than 10 transgender athletes in all of U.S. college sports.

The basis for gender dysphoria is not fully understood, but is generally believed to result from hormonal, genetic and neurobiological factors during prenatal development. It is a REAL condition, so families confronting this issue should feel our understanding and support, not our hate and exclusion.

Defunding universities appears to be based on their efforts to protect speech. I don’t see any significant terrorist activities on campuses.

The administration seems to think any support for Palestinians in Gaza constitutes terrorism, but it does not. And DEI programs are designed to promote the fair treatment and full participation for all, a worthy objective.

The CHIPS and Science Act has already funded more than 25 projects, creating up to 45,000 new jobs, and the Inflation Reduction Act has fostered 400,000 new jobs in 2 ½ years. Will Trump match that?

RFK has been a disaster. Texas reports 400 new measles cases since mid-January. Instead of promoting aggressive vaccination, he has recommended vitamin A as treatment of measles, resulting in liver damage.

Rep. Salinas and I obviously suffer from the same syndrome.

Les Howsden

Amity


On the menu

Question: Who do you hire to steal a diamond? Answer: A jewel thief.

Question: Who do you hire to steal a democracy? Answer: A con man.

History will mark 2025 as the year the world’s richest man hired America’s most notorious fraudster to promote the notion that our democracy is so riddled with fraud and abuse that it should be dismantled and offered up as a feast for their billionaire buddies.

Elon didn’t grow up around here. He took his social studies lessons in private Afrikaner schools in South Africa, and he doesn’t care about us any more than his hired hand in the White House.

They want to flush 250 years of democracy down the toilet, along with the health, security, and hopes of ordinary people. They want Americans to be hungry, sick, dirt poor and desperate enough to shut up, stand back and stay out of the way.

They want to shatter America’s reputation for promoting democracy, health, science, and human rights around the world, and turn us into a rogue state on par with Russia, China, and North Korea. They will turn our “indispensable nation” into just another bully on the block, and they believe this is their moment.

To attain this lofty goal, they are literally breaking our government to deprive Americans of the security and stability they expect, and to create enough civil unrest to give them an excuse for voter suppression and/or martial law before the mid-term elections. They know that voters will reject their treachery once they feel the effect, so they can’t let that vote happen.

Did you get Social Security this month? Is the VA, Medicare, or Medicaid helping you or your family? Do you have a tax refund coming? Can you afford to wait a while?

They are not waiting. We are on the menu.

Bill Johnson

McMinnville


Fighting for everyone

I am writing in response to two negative opinions about Congresswoman Salinas’ town hall. I was also at this town hall.

Yes, she did, very calmly, express outrage. And most of the attendees, including me, resonated with it.

If the writers had paid attention, they would have heard Congresswoman Salinas say she was fighting for ALL constituents who are suffering from actions of Trump, Musk and Congress. Congresswoman Salinas said she was very concerned how these actions were affecting Oregon rural communities where constituents include ranchers, farmers, veterans, children, the elderly and working families.

Congresswoman Salinas is not afraid to hold town halls. She answers questions honestly and to the best of her ability, unlike many of her Republican colleagues.

If these writers had been paying attention, they would have heard all the actions she has taken. Go to her website and you’ll find them listed.

Finally, Congresswoman Salinas responds to phone calls and e-mails. She is fighting a cruel, unjust and illegal regime, and I support her 100 percent.

You should, too, if you value veterans, women, children, working families, the elderly, immigrants and most importantly, our Democracy.

Emily Kerrigan

McMinnville

Comments

treefarmer


Yet more thoughtful letters from concerned citizens! I wonder if I was privileged to walk among some of you at the Hands Off gathering in McMinnville Saturday. If you couldn’t be there, rest assured you were well represented. The traffic on Adams was heavy and the supportive responses from passing cars were inspirational. There were only a few middle fingers but for the most part everyone appeared to consider the single digits to be a crude but nonetheless rightful expression of free speech. Ironically, we sincerely believe that we are advocating for the rights of EVERYONE – even those who don’t yet see it that way.

Besides the participation in all 50 states, additional inspiration was on display across the globe as folks turned out en mass to support the American people from many other countries as well. They see what is happening to us, and even though the chaos is harming them too, it appears they are able to separate good citizens from bad administration.

I hope to see some mention of our local Hands Off events in the N/R. Saturday was a powerful example of peaceful (and dare we hope - productive) civic engagement.


aim

@ treefarmer
Sorry you didn’t get to see me. I headed to Salem. It was great turnout over there.

treefarmer


I did see photos of the turnout in Salem. !! WOW !!

Moe

Good review from Lionel Nation:

Greetings, Honored Patriot:

The “Hands Off” Soros Protest: Astroturf Rage for the Terminally Deranged

https://mailchi.mp/lionelmedia/the-hands-off-soros-protest-astroturf-rage-for-the-terminally-deranged?e=6bca73318f

treefarmer


Uh oh - somebody needed to put the middle finger in writing? (But as previously noted, free speech is guaranteed even when it is delusional and/or fact-free.)

Bigfootlives

Tree farmer. Fighting for everyone is it? Does it ever occur to you that the more sane people right of center are not out screaming and flipping people off for Saturday afternoon entertainment? Based on my opinions that are not popular on this liberal, progressive paper (no matter what Jeb seems to think) some may think I’m slamming puppies in car doors and fender checking grannies into gutters. Sorry, no. That is liberal schtick. At least a full election cycle before Trump, so probably 2012 ish. Out holding a sign a few hours a week for a republican congressional candidate right here in town. Our fair liberal neighbors in McMinnville threw a pretty steady stream of F off, middle finger, drop dead, all kinds of good stuff. A couple in my face confrontations to top it off, and mind you, this was a quote, normal election. So if you walked a beat with the bat sh*t crazy squad, don’t be surprised if you were of little danger to their fragile existence.

Bigfootlives

And yes, the bat sh*t crazy squad spilled off the street right into the letter to the editor section. I guess the policy of no personal attacks no longer stands…?

Just kidding, I knew you got rid of that policy with your fair and balanced treatment of our former county commissioner. I’m sure the policy stands for Bubba.

Lulu

The First Amendment guarantees the absolute right to assemble and protest. If We the People hadn't taken to the streets in the '60s, more drafted kids (FNGs) from this country would still be slogging it out and dying in the nasty, stinking jungles of Vietnam. And, no, this is not the time to play pattycake in the sandbox.

Otis

I was there for the last hour in Mac.
Supportive responses from the majority of folks.

April 19th is another protest day for:
https://www.fiftyfifty.one/

May Day is the next hands off protest:
https://handsoff2025.com/

The possible Insurrection Act implementation on April 20th might complicate the May Day protests so pay attention to news/events and stay safe out there.

treefarmer

Just read the Monday e-edition, many thanks to the N/R (our highly-valued even-handed voice of Yamhill County) for the front page coverage of the Hands Off event. It can only help to raise awareness in these troubling times. GRATEFUL!!

In response to that bitter and caustic “opinion” posted earlier, EGAD! I am genuinely at a loss to understand how anything I posted (which was alleged to be inappropriate “spill-over”) could be interpreted as a “personal attack.” HOWEVER…… calling folks “bat sh*t crazy” and denigrating the N/R definitely DOES appear to qualify in that category? (Some might find that a tad bit hypocritical, but let’s not go there.)

I don’t recall anyone here suggesting abuse of puppies or grannies, or even so much as jay-walking – can’t help but wonder about the origin of such bizarre conjecture. And re those events described from long ago, if accurate they are inexcusable – then, now, or ever. I am unable to imagine one single person in our “squad” remotely inclined to act so reprehensibly. Seniors, parents, kids, students, a few sweet dogs - we were a diversified group expressing urgent concerns in a peaceful and civilized way. You know.......the AMERICAN way.

If you aren’t a Veteran kicked to the curb, or a senior citizen struggling to exist on your threatened Social Security savings, or you don’t worry about decent health care, or if a financial meltdown doesn’t affect you in any way, or if life in chaos suits you just fine - well – all righty then. Got it. Total trust in trump, perfectly happy to live under autocratic one-man-rule, no worries about the Constitution or the rule of law......in that case, absolutely nothing would be helpful from us horrible pro-active progressive folk except for us to shut up? (But surely this forum is helpful! It does provide a place to share opinions about how horrible and bat sh*t crazy your fellow citizens are.)

treefarmer


Otis ~ good to know you were there, and thanks for the additional info. Challenging times ahead!

Moe

From above Letters:

"... but actual voter fraud is virtually non-existent."

Really?

https://joehoft.com/breaking-exclusive-shocking-report-results-indicate-that-one-fifth-of-the-voters-in-the-2024-election-in-orange-county-ca-were-non-citizens-invalid-or-phantom-voters/#google_vignette

Moe

From above Letter:

"RFK has been a disaster. Texas reports 400 new measles cases since mid-January. Instead of promoting aggressive vaccination, he has recommended vitamin A as treatment of measles, resulting in liver damage."

Hilarious.

Unfortunately, Bobby IS promoting the MMR vaccine.
Which he knows IS linked to autism, among other harms.

Just leave those babies & kids alone.
Measles is a vague rash & some vague symptoms.
Who knows the cause.
No healthy kid is going to be harmed.

Lulu

Maybe you could kindly share your measles misinformation with the dead children along with their parents.

treefarmer


Conspiracy theories, as ludicrous as they are, will continue to be spread by hapless faithful adherents to fantasyland. All we can do is hope to minimize the harm with facts and common sense. As noted above, toxic misinformation has dire consequences. Always consider the source.

Moe

MEDICAL TRUTH NOW

Judy

We are slowly losing our democracy Every day another order, another person's rights taken away or they are jailed for a made up reason. Luckily the upper courts are starting to respond but getting the administration to comply or even respond is another issue! We all have to interfere (if we can) and do all we can to not accept these very negative changes in our government and in our beloved country!

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