Re-elect Rep. Greg Walden

The better measure of a congressman is not how many town halls he schedules, but what he does when some of his constituents are suffering from the worst flooding in a quarter century.

When Baker County’s Eagle and Pine creeks topped their banks in early June this year, Rep. Greg Walden was here before the water had receded. Walden met with flood victims and pushed regulatory agencies to streamline the permitting process so landowners could quickly repair irrigation ditches.

That’s his job, sure. But Walden did it well, just as he’s done during his 12 years in Congress. We urge voters to re-elect Walden and give him two more years in Washington, D.C.

Walden has been a consistent advocate for Baker County on vital issues such as a reasonable policy for managing public lands, and the federal government’s obligation to compensate counties for declining timber revenue. He is a staunch supporter of Ash Grove Cement Co.’s Baker County plant, which is in jeopardy due to new federal mercury emissions limits.

Walden could become an even more effective legislator if the Republicans regain control of the House, as many pundits predict.

Voters should give Walden that chance.