Dear Editor:

I am writing to express my support of Cliff Bentz for State Representative, District 60.

 

Most of my life, before moving to Oregon to serve as a manager at the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), I was a veterinarian in Montana and Idaho, and a manager of a registered Angus cattle ranch in Western Montana. In addition, I was a Republican senator in Montana before retiring from ranching and attending law school.  (You might say I was an “older” student).

 

Cliff Bentz’ performance on the Oregon Water Resources Commission can be summed up by the following phrase: “Poor Cliff, he is a hardworking, lonely voice in a sea of rabid environmentalism.”  I recall many times that Cliff was the only advocate for water policies that would attempt to secure the stability of Oregon’s agriculture industry.

 

My most vivid recollection of the Commission’s debates was Cliff’s efforts to seek compromise in the overwhelming environmental stance of the other Commission members.  However,  his gentlemanly leadership, his personal knowledge of water policy,  and his constant effort to sway Commission members toward, at the very  least, a middle ground  has served Oregon’s rural community in ways that could never have otherwise been achieved.

 

There is no question that Oregon’s politics are dominated by urban areas of the Willamette Valley.  If rural residents, especially those in eastern Oregon, hope to have a voice in this ugly arena, they need proven leaders like Cliff Bentz in the legislature.

 

While I do not hail from District 60, I do  know the water fight, and the many other legislative battles that lie ahead for Eastern Oregon.  Cliff Bentz is a proven leader who will get things done. I know. I have watched him do it for many years.

 

Sincerely,

 

Reed Marbut

Retired Water Rights Manager, OWRD

Practicing Attorney

Bend, Oregon  

 

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As the Executive Director of the statewide association of irrigation districts (OWRC) for 16 years, I was present, representing the association, at most of the Water Resource Commission meetings held during the 8 years that Repr. Cliff Bentz served on the Commission.  Repr. Bentz was a very effective advocate for agriculture and for protection of water rights and not only represented Eastern Oregon well, but agricultural interests statewide.  He had the skill, patience, and background needed to explain the nature of irrigation to commission members from urban areas and often provided leadership to bring people together in support of agriculture.  He would be a major and important asset to irrigation interests in Oregon if he is able to return to Salem as your Representative.  I also served in the legislature, and I know that as a Representative, Cliff Bentz can and will be a guardian and advocate for your water rights at the legislative level.

 

 Jan Lee, General Manager
Swalley Irrigation District
64672 Cook Avenue, Suite One
Bend, Oregon 97701
(541) 388-0658 office phone
(541) 389-0433 fax
(541) 410-8623 cell