Editor:

Lest you believe that I am a transplanted “Big-City Liberal,” I should introduce myself and my background.

I consider myself to be a “middle of the road” progressive. I was raised rurally, most of that time on an Oregon farm, and served four years in the military during the Vietnam conflict.

I knew, and know many people who made their living in the timber industry, and several who died in that line of work (including my wife’s uncle Rex). I am sensitive to the needs of rural and semi-rural Oregon communities. I am a relative newcomer to Sweet Home, having moved here 5 y...