Dear Editor,
My high school civics teacher taught the class to beware of "glittering generalities" and "pious platitudes" when considering which candidate in an election deserved our vote. The buzz word of this political season is "change". The question is "What kind of change?" Will the change bring better results? Before I would vote for a candidate advocating "change", I either want to see details of the proposed change or know well the values of the candidate proposing change. With that principle in mind, I will cast my vote for the candidate who has spent over forty years working on behalf of local citizens. I will vote for Dick Jones for Columbia County Commissioner. I value experience over unknown change.
Marcene Hendrickson
Dayton

Dear Editor,
I worked closely with Richard Jones when he was a member of the Dayton School District Board of Directors. Dick dedicated 20 years of time and effort to promote and improve the educational system in Dayton. I see Dick giving that same dedication and careful planning to Columbia County in his role as commissioner. One of Dick's many strengths is that he is a good steward of the tax dollar. Dick budgets thoughtfully and carefully. He makes spending decisions looking at both current need and how that need or expense might impact future budgets. He knows that a sound financial base is a must for enacting good policy.

I have always found Dick approachable and willing to discuss issues. He listens carefully, gathers information and asks clarifying questions. Dick does not have a personal agenda. He is a team player, working with others to implement and improve policy, whether it was school board or is now county based. Decisions are made based on what is seen as best for the county as a whole and what will protect the safety and health of the community now and in the future.

Commissioner Jones is an active member of this community where he has resided since graduating from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in the early 1960s. Dick has been and continues to be dedicated to making Columbia County a place where people will want to come, to establish a home, to work and raise a family in a safe, caring environment, just as he did. He is a proven leader who has shown by his actions that he has the interest of Columbia County at heart.

Susan Bell
Dayton

Dear Editor,
I am asking the voters of Columbia County to support Dick Jones in his bid for re-election as County Commissioner this fall. Dick has been an excellent commissioner during his years in office as well as a long time county resident. He listens to each side of every situation and makes his decisions based on what is best for all the residents of Columbia County. Our current commissioners, Dick Jones and Dwight Robanske, have dealt with some extremely challenging issues, leaving them with valuable knowledge. The most recent examples are two wild fires in a short amount of time in which they worked with state officials for the safety of all citizens. These same commissioners have managed to bring expansion and stabilized school enrollment all while Seneca was drastically decreasing employment. Because of this outstanding track record, along with years of experience and knowledge, I feel we should retain rather than retrain. Please join me in supporting Dick Jones for County Commissioner.

Mark Lambert
Dayton