Gov. John Kitzhaber could have created a more credible Commission on Public Safety had he and legislative leaders randomly picked names off the state’s voter rolls.
Instead, they ended up with Chief Justice Paul J. De Muniz, who most recently distinguished himself by vacating a Death Row inmate’s execution date – even though the inmate wanted no further appeals or mental examinations.
There’s also former Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who had eight years to work on public safety and spent much of it trying to undo Measure 11 and Measure 57, which have been supported by solid majorities of the state’s voters.
There’s Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) who, in the most recent session, authored legislation creating a new felony targeting people who sell “helium hoods” for those who want to die with dignity. This is a favorite pastime of certain Democrats when someone they care about is a victim: Complain about all the people in prison, and then pass a new felony law to create more felons. (Prozanski only got interested in the helium hoods after the son of a federal court judge in Eugene bought one.)
There’s Sen. Jackie Winters (R-Salem) who voted for HB 3508, which severely weakened the voter-mandated Measure 57. Among other things, HB 3508 increased the amount of earned time prisoners could knock off their sentences from 20 percent to 30 percent. In explaining her vote, she cited the “expert” in her life – her late husband Ted Winters, who was sentenced to “life in prison” in 1963. Only four years later he was in a work-release program. After getting out of prison, Winters worked in state government for 15 years, including serving on the staffs of Govs. Tom McCall and Bob Straub.
There’s no doubt how these four commissioners are going to approach the task of saving money on public safety: Blame the law-abiding citizens who keep voting for honest and meaningful sentencing.
The other two members of the commission – Rep. Chris Garrett (D-Lake Oswego), an attorney with Perkins Coie, and Sen. Andy Olson (R-Albany), a retired State Police lieutenant – will have to assert themselves.
Olson already has shown that he can. In January 2008 he wrote an opinion piece for the Albany newspaper noting that even when the Oregon Legislature gets a 20 percent increase in revenue, it’s still not enough.
“That’s $2.4 billion more than state government was expecting. … The majority in the legislature still voted to raise your taxes and fees by over $620 million. Even worse, the legislature added $923 million to the backs of Oregon taxpayers in new state debt …,” Olson wrote. “Just within the last few months, Gov. Kulongoski gave $12 million in pay raises to his political appointees and $20 million in pay raises to smooth sour relations with union employees.”
No wonder that in his final month as governor, Kulongoski signed an executive order creating this Commission on Public Safety. He was clearly looking for ways to override the voters.
“You cannot have these measures on the ballot every two years that add more and more costs to the system,” he said in The Oregonian.
Especially if those measures force him to consider that some of his most cherished political beliefs have been wrong all along. He would rather sacrifice a few ordinary citizens.
Guys like Kulongoski and Kitzhaber and De Muniz and Prozanski don’t worry about being crime victims for good reason. They’re not in the lower socio-economic classes where many crime victims live.
If Kulongoski’s car gets stolen, or somebody breaks into De Muniz’s house, these guys have options. Buy a new car. Install a first-class alarm system. Buy new stuff. File an insurance claim and not worry that their rates will go up.
Perhaps the seventh commissioner – to be chosen by the other six members – could burst this comfortable bubble. Somebody like Gert Boyle.
The chairwoman of Columbia Sportswear was the victim of an attempted kidnapping and ransom last year that she may never recover from.
Unfortunately, she may not be up to the task or interested in spending time with Kulongoski, De Muniz and the others. But she could force them to consider a fate they don’t think will ever visit them.
Mrs. Boyle could point out that an ex-governor or a Supreme Court Chief Justice might be considered a lucrative target – just as she was – to three men from Central America, looking to make money in tough economic times.
– Pamela Fitzsimmons
I’ve got a family member who knows Jackie Winters. She’s all right for what she is and could be worse. YOu got to wonder about a politician though who brags that she created a new license plate to advertise the state’s wine. That ought to be a big comfort to anyone whose ever been hit by a drunk driver.
What did her husband do to get himself in prison? My family member wasn’t for certai8n on that and said it’s not something Jackie talks about. She does talk about her husband like he’s a saint. She doesn’t go into his particulars.
I am not sure why Sen. Winters’ late husband went to prison. When I was working on this post, that information was not readily available (which says something). There was a lot of information about a building named after him at Western Oregon University, and a memorial tree planted in his honor at the state Capitol. I may read his book “Lifer.” Over the years, I’ve interviewed quite a few men with criminal records. Often they are less than truthful.
As for the special license plate, the funds from those are supposed to pay for promoting tourism in Oregon. The intent is to advertise the state’s attractions, including the vineyards, to draw people here. But, yes, you do raise a good point. I’m not sure the plates will be that popular, since they will probably cost more than regular plates. I declined to buy a salmon plate for that reason.
Pamela
Gert Boyle, great lady. I’ve got a better idea for Kitz’s stupid commission…Gary Haugen. De Muniz can wipe his nose and tie his shoelaces and give him a reason to live … The taxpayers won’t mind.
My grandfather usexd to talk about Wayne Morse. Before my time…I don’t think he was anything like the C-listers we’ve got running things. How the hell did we get here? I don’t w ant to raise my kids in this state.
Jackie Winters ought to ask why most Oregonians can’t afford Oregon wine. Go to TJ’s and see how much Two Buck Chuck they move.
Your comment reminded me of something. When I was a student at the University of Oregon, my friends and I would occasionally buy Oregon wine. I remember Eyrie vineyards in particular. I could afford it then, not now. This will sound sacrilegious, but I think some Washington and California wines are just as good and are often cheaper.
Pamela