Gordon Clay here. Our state Senator and Representative, the Republican and Democratic Central Committees, all three newspapers, two commissioners, two school boards and one Chamber of Commerce, while not seeing it as a perfect solution, are backing the Measure 8-71 Law Levy.

Yet, there are many in the county who have said they won't vote for a tax increase of any kind. They seem to be willing to give up local control and happy to have the Democratic controlled legislature and Governor's office decide what's good for us. Doesn't seem like a wise strategy, plus it could become a much more costly one. And, so far, under that strategy, there's no five year limit to get our county back from Salem.

People are dying to leave Curry County. Our largest population happened in 2008 and every single year since then, more people have died or left than were born or moved here - not a very good trend for real estate, home building, retail sales and our schools.

You might think this is a scare tactic. It's not a tactic. It's simply telling the truth. You want to be legitimately scared, read the bills concerning this issue that are before the Oregon legislature.

I, for one, would prefer not to pay more than a Dollar-A-Day so that's why I support 8-71. We'd still have the 4th lowest combined tax rate of all Oregon counties. If 8-71 doesn't pass, chances are we'll be paying a whole lot more.

8pm on May 21st is the latest you can get your ballot in to be counted. We are in a state that values the independence of its countys and with that independence comes great responsibility. The future of Curry County's independence depends on you. Keep Control Local. Vote! And when you do, Vote Yes on 8-71.