2 notes sum up deep thanks for all who helped on historic gas tax petition

By Jason Williams,
Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

While working on the gas tax referendum, the Taxpayers Association of Oregon received these two notes that spoke volumes.

One was from an Oregon WWII Navy veteran who gathered 10 signatures.   This reflects our nation’s Greatest Generation who saw the world plunge into darkness and helped rescue it and never forgot that experience because that very generation has had the greatest involvement in public service, charity and community involvement of any other American generation before or after.  This is why even at age 100, this Oregon veteran still went out and gathered signatures.   It was an honor to have them join this effort.

Also, an elderly woman on disability sent us in one signature by mail.  She was disabled and unable to gather more.  This touched my heart deeply.   Many disabled people and seniors on limited income are afraid of this massive gas tax increase because they know that it will raise grocery prices and other essential items she buys on the shelf that requires a truck to deliver.  The fact that so many volunteers stood out in the Oregon rain to gather signatures shows that they did it for hurting disabled people like her who could not do it for herself.

I applaud every single brave volunteer on the gas tax referendum who took personal time to gather signatures.

You helped give a voice to the voiceless. 

I cannot express how thankful and touched I am by your heroism.

I know I speak for all the Chief Petitioners on this referendum (Senator Bruce Starr, State Representative Ed Diehl, Jason Williams, Taxpayers Association of Oregon) in our awe and gratitude for the volunteers who made this little miracle happen.   200,000 signatures gathered in just 30 days.  You make us proud.