fbpx

Letters: Jan to Feb 2020

Mayor sidelined, but still in game  

Editor: 

 I recently had major spinal surgery from which I am currently recovering at home. The surgery was successful, and the doctor is pleased with my progress and healing thus far.

 As a part of my continued recovery, my doctor has ordered specific precautions over the coming weeks. One of these precautions prohibits me from using my wheelchair at this time, which unfortunately also prohibits me from attending events for the time being. 

Since the surgery I have been, and will continue to be, carrying out my duties as the mayor of Lebanon. I would like to express my gratitude to Council President Jason Bolen for attending public events and meetings in my place during my recovery. 

I am fully involved in all aspects of my position as mayor, including preparing the council agenda, meetings via teleconference, and working on the selection process for the city manager position. I cherish the Lebanon community and my role as mayor, as well as all of the support I have received from residents. 

In addition to my mayoral duties, I successfully put together the ninth year of Cascade Christmas Lights! It is a project I am very proud of and I hope you all will have (had) a chance to see our lights display. I also continue to work diligently as President of the Lebanon Museum Foundation. 

I am excited to share my progress and full recovery soon! I look forward to seeing you all when I am back out in the community in the spring. Thank you to those who have expressed concern and well wishes. I wish you all a wonderful, safe holiday season and a happy new year! 

Paul Aziz

Lebanon

Voters: consider government waste  

Editor: 

While most of us in our great little valley are trying to make ends meet every month, our freedoms are slipping away faster than a lot of us are aware of.

Take, for instance, the $1.4 trillion budget that passed this last Dec. 16. A 2,313-page bill was distributed to Congress two days before they were to vote on it. 

You can bet if most of Congress didn’t read the 448-page Mueller Report, they sure didn’t tackle this monster.

The fact is most of that legislation was written by its sponsors, the industries that gain the most, and who contribute the most to the four congressional leader PACs. The tax giveaways ($375 billion) went to the health industry; that was a tax that was to help pay for Obama Care.

Billions went to what has become known as “pork” – giveaways to special projects, mostly just waste.

Here are four examples of huge government waste:

n Mistaken and improper payments distributed by 20 federal agencies: $1.5 trillion (FY 2004-2019), as reported by the Office of Management and Budget.

n Dead people received mistaken and improper payments: $921 million (FY 2018).

n Improper Medicare payments: $491 billion (FY 2004-2019) H&H Services.

n Authorized by Congress and unspent by agencies ($15 billion: FY 2018).

Let’s get our legislatiors to pay attention or vote them out!

Bob Uriarte

Lebanon

Mayor sidelined, but still in game  

Editor: 

 I recently had major spinal surgery from which I am currently recovering at home. The surgery was successful, and the doctor is pleased with my progress and healing thus far.

 As a part of my continued recovery, my doctor has ordered specific precautions over the coming weeks. One of these precautions prohibits me from using my wheelchair at this time, which unfortunately also prohibits me from attending events for the time being. 

Since the surgery I have been, and will continue to be, carrying out my duties as the mayor of Lebanon. I would like to express my gratitude to Council President Jason Bolen for attending public events and meetings in my place during my recovery. 

I am fully involved in all aspects of my position as mayor, including preparing the council agenda, meetings via teleconference, and working on the selection process for the city manager position. I cherish the Lebanon community and my role as mayor, as well as all of the support I have received from residents. 

In addition to my mayoral duties, I successfully put together the ninth year of Cascade Christmas Lights! It is a project I am very proud of and I hope you all will have (had) a chance to see our lights display. I also continue to work diligently as President of the Lebanon Museum Foundation. 

I am excited to share my progress and full recovery soon! I look forward to seeing you all when I am back out in the community in the spring. Thank you to those who have expressed concern and well wishes. I wish you all a wonderful, safe holiday season and a happy new year! 

Paul Aziz

Lebanon

Voters: consider 

government waste  

Editor: 

While most of us in our great little valley are trying to make ends meet every month, our freedoms are slipping away faster than a lot of us are aware of.

Take, for instance, the $1.4 trillion budget that passed this last Dec. 16. A 2,313-page bill was distributed to Congress two days before they were to vote on it. 

You can bet if most of Congress didn’t read the 448-page Mueller Report, they sure didn’t tackle this monster.

The fact is most of that legislation was written by its sponsors, the industries that gain the most, and who contribute the most to the four congressional leader PACs. The tax giveaways ($375 billion) went to the health industry; that was a tax that was to help pay for Obama Care.

Billions went to what has become known as “pork” – giveaways to special projects, mostly just waste.

Here are four examples of huge government waste:

n Mistaken and improper payments distributed by 20 federal agencies: $1.5 trillion (FY 2004-2019), as reported by the Office of Management and Budget.

n Dead people received mistaken and improper payments: $921 million (FY 2018).

n Improper Medicare payments: $491 billion (FY 2004-2019) H&H Services.

n Authorized by Congress and unspent by agencies ($15 billion: FY 2018).

Let’s get our legislatiors to pay attention or vote them out!

Bob Uriarte

Lebanon