Bob's Note: April 2004 This is the letter that I'm passing around on Brian's behalf. He hasn't asked me to do this. I just think it's the right thing to do.
Hi there,
I’m your neighbor, Bob Schatan, RN in Willamina. I’d like a quick word with you to advocate for a guy that’s earned my respect. Brian Hewitt is a farmer. Brian is running for County Commissioner for Polk County, Position 1. It doesn’t matter to me that he’s running as a Republican. I’m a Libertarian but I want to vote for the best man for the position, regardless of the party. Recently I had a chance to discuss local issues with him as well as Stan Butterfield.
Here’s what I’ve figured out: Brian is a very bright guy who’s in excellent touch with the issues and he won’t be paid off, manipulated, or mislead in pursuing issues that affect YOU AND ME. Specifically, for example, the horrible traffic mess down at the Grande Rhonde Indian Casino. Last summer my wife and I tried to come back home up Hwy. 18 and the traffic was stopped for 20 miles. We thought it was an accident but it wasn’t, it was just the Casino’s traffic trying to merge onto the highway! In the Casino’s contract they were supposed to improve the traffic flow YEARS AGO if the Casino’s traffic caused backups.
Nothing’s been done in all those years and what’s got me angry is that Mike Propes, Republican’t, has been the Polk County Commissioner for 15 years and hasn’t done a thing to get the Casino to live up to its’ contracts. In my opinion that makes Mike Propes unsuitable for the job; he’s taking your money and not doing anything about this problem. Stanley Butterfield is also running for the Comish position but he’s got a couple strikes against him, in my opinion. First is that he was a journalist and second is that he’s a lawyer. My experience with journalists and lawyers has been that they use “moral relativism” when considering ethical issues and fancy language to hide their biases. In other words I personally won’t vote for a lawyer or a journalist unless there is no alternative available. Period. Stan’s a nice guy, he’s smart but I’d worry that he’d just be another beurocrat since he’s already put in 11 years with the DOJ. Seriously, do you really want another career beurocrat to take the spot?
Brian Hewitt hasn’t held elected office; he doesn’t have nice sounding college degrees and papers on the wall in calligraphy. But in the many years I’ve followed and participated in political issues there are very few people who’ve demonstrated more knowledge of and commitment to solve our local problems than this man from humble origins. He’s got the fire-in-the-belly to get the job done and not just the standard “go-along to get-along” attitude that is so typical of elected beurocrats.
Brian also told me that he only wants to run for 1 term because he’s got a farm to run and a family with children to raise. Stan Butterfield and Mike Propes have both demonstrated they view the Commissioner of Polk County as a permanent forever position in big government, that’s what they’ve both done for years. Frankly, I don’t want ANYBODY in any government position for years and years. Hell, Propes has had the Polk County Commissioner spot for 15 years! It’s time for him to get a real job again.
I’m a Registered Nurse professionally and I’ve worked in the healthcare field since 1971. I deal in reality every single day and I’m a fair judge of character. In my opinion there is no other choice than to vote for Brian Hewitt for the County Commissioner of Polk County, Position 1. You’ve gotten your Voter’s Handbook this week, go to page 28, and read about Brian Hewitt. He’s the Un-Politician and he’s right for the job.
Thanks for your time,
Bob Schatan, RN
Bob's Note: Here is the campaign literature in the Voter's Handbook:
County Commissioner, Polk County, Position 1
Brian Hewitt
Republican
Occupation: Farmer.
Occupational Background: Fifth generation farmer on family owned farm, commercial fisherman, volunteer fireman, wholesale and retail grocery.
Educational Background: Graduate, Dallas High School; home-studied business marketing.
Prior Governmental Experience: None as elected official; past Chairman of Agriculture for Rickreall Watershed Council.
Personal: Brian's roots run deep in this community. The Hewitt family were among the first pioneers to settle the Willamette Valley in 1843 and have called Polk County home since 1872. His wife, JoHanna, and five children own and operate their fifth generation family farm. Their farm produce market has provided Brian with great insight into what the people of Polk County need and expect from local government.
A VOICE! Give the public a voice. Listen, hear and act on citizen input through open door access and town hall type meetings,
GOOD WATER! Protect our current water resources and develop an abundant supply of clean, affordable water for all citizens.
SAFE ROADS FOR ALL! Resolve, once and for all, the roadway issues in this county. Improvements must meet the needs of all aspects of our community - municipalities including police and emergency services, urban and rural residents, business and industry, agriculture and tourism. This would ensure the future of Polk County's economic viability as well as the safety of its citizens.
Brian also stands for sound land use policies; a strong criminal justice system and believes in fiscal responsibility.
We are all in this together. Polk County is what we make it. A house divided against itself cannot stand. YOUR VOICE MATTERS TO BRIAN!
(This information furnished by Brian Hewitt).