Letter: Price right for job
Monday, May 15, 2006
Daily Astorian
The is a personal recommendation for Cindy Price in her quest to become a Clatsop County Commissioner.
I firmly believe Price is fully qualified for the County Commission. She is an alert and active listener, is fair-minded and thoughtful, studies issues carefully and speaks articulately. She is respectful of others even when she does not share their opinions. She is well educated and has a wealth of professional experience in mass communications, including service on the board of directors for radio stations KMUN, KTCB and KCPB.
If our county is to address and solve its current problems, we need commissioners who are open-minded and honest, who are responsive to the residents of the county and who can develop immediate as well as long-range approaches, and who can think and plan beyond the limits of “the box.” Price demonstrates these attributes and more.
Dan Crockett
Astoria
Letter: Ethical, reliable
Monday, May 15, 2006
Daily Astorian
Cindy Price would make an excellent Clatsop County Commissioner.
I’ve worked closely with Price on the Board of the Tillicum Foundation for many years and greatly appreciate her ability to mediate and negotiate resolutions in difficult situations, which is an invaluable asset for decision making bodies.
Price is a good team player, willing and able to take leadership and responsibility. She’s also ethical, reliable, articulate and, to my constant delight, gifted with a fine sense of humor.
I hope residents of District 3 will elect Price to represent all of us in Clatsop County.
Carol Newman
Astoria
Letter: Price is independent
Friday, May 12, 2006
Daily Astorian
I support Cindy Price for Clatsop County Commissioner. She best understands how our county government can be supportive to the quality of life issues that are essential for attracting and keeping the young and old who vitalize our local economy. Price is a political independent, who will listen well to all her constituents. This is how county government works best – independent from party politics.
Vote for Cindy Price.
ROBERT C. STRICKLIN
Warrenton
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Letter: Price supported
Friday, May 12, 2006
Daily Astorian
We are pleased to support Cindy Price for the District 3 Clatsop County Commission seat.
As rural landowners, we are concerned about the effects of Measure 37, unregulated development of farm property and the encroachment of “big-box” businesses. As Clatsop County residents, we support a strong and open county government that treats Clatsop County’s issues, from judicial and public safety concerns to the county roads to preserving and supporting our county fair and fairgrounds, as serious matters. We urge a vote for Cindy Price.
Cathy Peterson
Richard Rudolph
Astoria
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Letter: Need for vision
Friday, May 12, 2006
Daily Astorian
As I read a recent editorial in The Daily Astorian, (“Richard Lee for County Commission, May 1), endorsing incumbent Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee over candidate Cindy Price, I was struck by what I see as a disturbingly narrow, yet widely held, conception of the role of the elected official in local government.
Emphasis tends to fall almost exclusively on maintaining the status quo. Missing is an awareness of the critical need for vision, energy, creativity, new ideas, and commitment to the common good. Having worked with the indefatigable Price in her capacity as a Tillicum Foundation Board member and volunteer during my tenure as manager of KMUN Community Radio, I can attest that she has what it takes and more to provide outstanding leadership for Clatsop County.
I believe the editors of The Daily Astorian erred by underestimating the considerable strengths and promise of candidate Price while overestimating the contributions to date of incumbent Lee. If local government is to exercise its responsibility to the future of Clatsop County, indeed to the future of the entire Lower Columbia-Pacific region, voters must ensure that hard-working, forward-thinking, civic visionaries such as Price are elected to office.
LISA C. SMITH
Seaview, Wash.
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Letter: Victim advocates support Price
Monday, May 08, 2006
Daily Astorian
After my 12-year-old daughter, Lisa, was murdered in 1992, my life changed and I became an advocate for the rights of crime victims and their families. I am currently president of Oregon’s victim’s rights group, Crime Victims United.
Only after careful consideration does CVU endorse a candidate for political office and we are proud to endorse Cindy Price for Clatsop County Commissioner, District 3. Unlike her opponent, an incumbent who doesn’t even bother to conceal his contempt for law enforcement, Cindy Price knows that government’s No. 1 job is protection of the public.
Her opponent has taken every chance to slam the district attorney’s office and the sheriff, including a ridiculous plan to spend millions of Clatsop County tax dollars to build a jail in another county. It is well known that the incumbent doesn’t think he and his friends have to follow the rules and laws that we all respect. Whether you agreed or not with his puppy-mill operation a few years back, many remember that he refused to follow the county’s basic rules.
It is for these reasons that we believe Clatsop County residents have a choice between a good-old-boy who wants to see law enforcement slashed or a fresh bright voice like Cindy Price, who’s not looking to line her own pockets, but to serve the people who elect her. CVU respectfully encourages the voters of Clatsop County to support Cindy Price in this election.
There is no question that Price is right.
STEVE DOELL
Lake Oswego
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Letter: Feet on ground
Monday, May 08, 2006
Daily Astorian
I would like to add my name to the supporters of Cindy Price who is running for Clatsop County Commissioner.
I have known Cindy Price personally for a number of years and worked with her closely as the station manager of KMUN radio where she was a community volunteer and board member. Price’s strength in group decision making comes from an ability to cut through the bull and get to the essence of an issue. Yet she is fair, open-minded, and is entirely devoted to encouraging community and participatory democracy.
She has an excellent grasp of budget philosophy, a deep understanding of the politics of personnel issues and, best of all, she has a great sense of self-deprecating humor – absolutely essential for elected office.
There will be a lot of issues confronting the commissioners in the next few years including development proposals from a variety of sources both in and out of the county. Price has a background in national and international politics but has her feet firmly on the ground of the North Coast of Oregon. She will be an excellent well-rounded, articulate, and knowledgeable commissioner if given the chance by Clatsop County voters.
It is my recommendation that you give Cindy Price that chance.
DOUG SWEET
Portland
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Letter: Price matters
Friday, May 05, 2006
Daily Astorian
I am writing from Los Angeles to express my support for Cindy Price in her candidacy for Clatsop County Commissioner. My husband and I have a home in Astoria and are in the process of making our permanent move.
Unfortunately, I am not yet a voter in Oregon. I still live in a huge city where one person’s vote, particularly in local matters, seems nearly insignificant. I look forward enormously to being part of a community where people have the privilege of electing people whose values will have an impact, and of knowing that their vote really counts.
I’ve known Price for the five years that I’ve known Astoria, and the area couldn’t have a better representative. She is acutely aware of the need and potential for sustainable economic development in keeping with the community’s character, the county’s growing diversity, the importance of support of the arts and education, and the benefits of having an open mind about any number of issues. While we love the climate of Astoria, letting some “sunshine” (in the form of frank and unbiased debate) into local politics can’t be anything other than welcome. Cindy’s intelligence and integrity are going to serve the county extremely well.
Hopefully, the voters will respond to Cindy’s rational and down-to-earth approach, as well as her utter dedication to the region, and let their votes make a difference by supporting Cindy Price for County Commissioner.
ANN E. LEDERER
Astoria and Los Angeles
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Letter: Dismay
Friday, May 05, 2006
Daily Astorian
I am dismayed at your editorial support of Richard Lee over Cindy Price, who I believe is the better candidate for Clatsop County Commissioner (“Richard Lee for county commission,” The Daily Astorian, May 1). Your support seemed directed to the success of this board, rather than at Lee’s record itself.
With the construction of the Fort to the Sea Trail, the whole community now sees the wisdom of the county’s transfer of land to the state for a lasting legacy enjoyed by all of us. Lee opposed the Sunset Beach transfer for well over a year, supporting instead the interests of a developer. Once an election had occurred, he “counted the votes” and went along with the commission majority. This will be a “new” board with two members replaced. The public interest focus of the commission would be better served by the election of Cindy Price.
Chairman Lee has a record of disdain for county regulations as it applies to his own property, and that has influenced his attitude toward public servants on more than one occasion. He has a history of complaints regarding code compliance and resulting county investigations. He backed off from a questionable and widely reported business in the ’90s only because of vocal community pressures, not his own independent judgment or ethical sensibilities. How would he guide the county in crucial land-use and economic development decisions?
Lee’s role as a successful businessman in the Lewis and Clark area could certainly have earned him a pivotal role with the sewer district and the fairgrounds issues. Did we see him actively working on solving those problems? Having been voted in as chair does not make one a leader.
Clatsop County and its cities are in a time of critical change. When land values are climbing and our North Coast could be changed to Anywhere USA, it is particularly important that we have people in decision-making roles that do not sell our souls to the next well-spoken developer, but who serve the public interest. It is crucial that our public officials understand and embody our best aspirations. We deserve the integrity, intelligence and openness offered by Cindy Price for District 3 Commissioner. I urge your readers to vote for her.
JAN MITCHELL
Astoria
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Letter: Ease and grace
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Daily Astorian
It was a tough choice between two friends, and I’m giving my support to Cindy Price.
I have worked with Cindy making tough decisions on the board of the Tillicum Foundation. I have found her decisive and informed, two of the most important qualities of a county commissioner. She comes to a meeting prepared – prepared with background and prepared to listen to any new information and arguments for and against a position. That’s the kind of person we need in a county commission seat. Her no-nonsense, focused style in meetings combines with respect for the thoughts and opinions of others.
Cindy Price will certainly get a lot done for Clatsop County with the ease and grace of a professional.
DAVE AMBROSE
Astoria
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Letter: Fresh energy
Friday, April 28, 2006
Daily Astorian
I support Cindy Price for Clatsop County Commissioner, District 3.
In every context I have seen Price, she has always performed with enthusiasm and energy. She has demonstrated an ability to listen and to take all views into account fairly, and has the ability to cultivate cooperation and outcomes that work toward the best for all involved. She has taken an active part in community affairs since coming to Astoria and Clatsop County. She is definitely a very capable, ethical and responsible individual. The County Commission needs this kind of fresh energy to represent all of us in District 3.
ANNE PHILLIPS
Astoria
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Letter: The Price is right
Friday, April 28, 2006
Daily Astorian
After listening to and reading about the candidates for District 3 county commissioner, I’m struck by the clarity of choice available to voters. Rather than two think-alikes out to win a popularity contest, Richard Lee and Cindy Price offer significant differences in how they would serve current county needs and long-term interests.
Long-term, economic growth is one key concern: healthy growth, instead of a continued stretch between “haves” and “have nots.” Lee has cited his own businesses – a family-run nursery, for one – as examples of his commitment to helping the economy. That’s a good thing. But I’m more impressed by Price’s intent to help attract new companies to the area, which will provide more living wages for more families. In support of that intent, she’s ready to participate strongly at both local and state levels to bring resources – money, ideas and people – together where they’re needed. And where they’re needed has to be defined by clear priorities and budgets to match.
For that matter, clarity demands more openness in our county commission’s undertakings. We need to know more about what’s going on, why and for whose benefit. Price wants to make sure that kind of public openness is priority number one.
We’ve all seen her lawn signs, heard her in public meetings, and on the radio. Her message is, “Price is Right.” I think she’s right.
PAUL DECKER
Astoria
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Letter: Independent
Friday, March 17, 2006
Daily Astorian
I found that Bob Green’s March 6 letter made some assumptions that I think are unfounded (“Conflict of interest,” The Daily Astorian).
He asserts that Cindy Price and her husband, the district attorney, come as a set.
I have had several conversations with Price about a wide variety of subjects concerning the county and I will share the following with you readers. Price is a registered independent for a reason. She is her own person. She has proven to me that she is pursuing the commissioners’ race on her own and not as a second voice for her husband. I don’t think that Josh Marquis needs the help anyway.
I also would like to take on the conflict of interest charge to task. Everyone who serves as commissioner is a private citizen first. What, or who they are, or who they are married to shouldn’t necessarily exclude them from office.
An example of this is: Commissioner Richard Lee has extensive land holdings in the county and serves on the body that decides Measure 37 challenges. Price is thoughtful, intelligent, intuitive and very well-read, and I have no doubt she will do an outstanding job, should she be elected.
Please don’t let a well-qualified candidate be dismissed because of who she’s married to. Before you make the mistake of assuming that she has an agenda, do as I did. Talk to the lady first, and I’ll bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
GARY WINLUND
Astoria
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Letter: Ready for change
Friday, March 17, 2006
Daily Astorian
Commissioner Richard Lee, while sitting behind Tom Freil’s “golden microphone of nearly no truth,” suggested that Cindy Price’s candidacy for County Commission District 3 would be morally and ethically tantamount to “conflict of interest” because she is married to the county’s elected district attorney.
Later I read a letter to the editor written by former commissioner Bob Green. He states that there is a conflict of interest for the spouse of our district attorney to be a potential member of the board of commissioners. (“Conflict of interest,” The Daily Astorian, March 6).
In both cases, the suggestion of supposed impropriety is just that – supposed. There is a great difference between real and perceived conflict of interest.
I am ready for a change.
I intend to support Cindy Price for County Commission District 3. A change is gonna do us good!
JAMES COUGHLIN
Lewis and Clark
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Heavens! A woman thinking for herself
Why are Richard Lee and his minions so afraid of Cindy Price?
Daily Astorian editorial
Monday, March 13, 2006
It is good news whenever a person of quality files for public office. It is especially good news when an exceptional person with a history of volunteering and public spirit becomes a candidate.
So why has the candidacy of Cindy Price become so controversial? Former Clatsop County Commissioner Robert Green, in a letter published here March 2, says Price is disqualified because of whom she is married to. Price is running for the Clatsop County Commission. Her husband Josh Marquis is District Attorney. Green says that is a conflict of interest.
Many of us are old enough to remember Dick and Maurine Neuberger who jointly served in the Oregon Legislature in the 1950s: Dick as a state senator and Maurine as a state representative. The Neubergers were ahead of their time, and their political marriage announced to Oregonians that a certain boundary had been broken.
Certainly we are past the point when we expect women to leave decisions to their spouses, or to deny themselves the opportunity for public service because of their husbands’ roles.
There is a saying that if you live in a small town and you don’t have a conflict of interest you aren’t doing much.
Look around Clatsop County and you’ll see quite a few couples whose public and professional lives intersect. Clatsop County Circuit Court Judge Paula Brownhill is married to Blair Henningsgaard, who is counsel to the Clatsop County government and a member of the Astoria City Council. The wife of the news editor of The Daily Astorian served on the Astoria City Council 1981 to1985. When Nancy Merriman was appointed to the council, becoming the first woman councilor in Astoria’s history, the newspaper declared that her husband, Todd Merriman, would not direct coverage of the City Council or edit those stories.
The gist of how conflicts of interest are handled in a county commission or city council is straightforward. They are announced, and occasionally a member does not participate when legal counsel rules there is a conflict, as defined in state law.
It is revealing that Commissioner Richard Lee and his surrogates have failed to keep Price out of this race. Lee and his minions seem only to want to talk about Ms. Price.
If Price is all that Richard Lee has got to talk about, he must not have done much during his four-year term.
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Letter: What law?
Friday, March 10, 2006
Daily Astorian
I say to Bob Green and Richard Lee as well: Show us the statute that states that because Cindy Price is married to Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis she is in a “conflict of interest.” (“Conflict of Interest,” The Daily Astorian, March 6.) If he and Richard Lee are going to accuse her, then show the specific violation.
PATRICK McGEE
Astoria
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Letter: Apologize now
Friday, March 10, 2006
Daily Astorian
Bob Green’s letter of March 6 (“Conflict of Interest,” The Daily Astorian), implies that Clatsop County Commissioner candidate Cindy Price is nothing more than Josh Marquis’ puppet.
Wake up. Long gone are the days in which a wife’s political beliefs are dictated by her husband. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most women can and do think for themselves. We are able to form our own opinions and ideas. If it were suggested that I lack enough personal strength, intelligence and integrity to think for myself, I would be deeply offended.
Green owes an apology to Cindy Price and every other woman in Clatsop County.
JENNIFER BUNCH
Svensen
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