Based on the Register-Guard’s front page (Nov. 20) on Oregon’s economic health and the loss of 14,100 jobs in Oregon in September, it is time for all ports to let the governor and legislators know that not only can we not afford to fund marine reserves, we should demand at least a five-year moratorium on the topic.

The governor will take the next big step on Dec. 1 in setting the fiscal course for the 2009-11 budget indicating he plans on squeezing health care, human services, corrections and state police. The state’s recession is expected to last well into 2010.

With those funding cuts being planned and executed there is no possible way funding will be found for reserves, and money needed to fund these sites should absolutely not come from the existing Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife operating budget. This, of course, leaves outside special interest group funding. Even with outside funding it will require a certain amount of state dollars being spent to “protect” already healthy areas of Oregon’s Territorial Sea while jobs, the ability to put food on the table everyday and health care are lost. It is time to take a stand, please let your representatives and governor know funding reserves or any lack of access to a food resource will not replace lost jobs, groceries, health care, human services, corrections and State Police cuts.

Wake up Oregon. This is serious. To put preferential treatment of  an already healthy resource in front of the wellbeing of Oregon citizens is ludicrous.  Please take action now.

Gina Dearth, general manager

Port of Bandon