A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
submitted photo / Clackamas Review
Linda Flores and Brent Barton
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State Rep. Linda Flores took the unusual step of sending a letter to her constituents last week that discussed her personal financial woes.
The letter, sent to voters in Flores’ House District 51, stated that Flores’ husband, Armando Flores, ran into troubles with his lawn care company when a business partner left, and has “had trouble keeping up with certain bills which were turned over to a collection agency.” The letter further states that while Linda Flores is not “an officer or shareholder” in the business, she shares a joint checking account with her husband, so her wages have been garnisheed.
Linda Flores had prior financial issues she said were related to her husband’s business problems. She had her legislative wages garnisheed twice in the past six years. In 2002, Ford Motor Credit Company repossessed her car when she couldn’t make payments. Court documents from 2007 show that a collection agency had a claim against the Flores for unpaid medical bills. That collection agency, Asset Systems, Inc., garnisheed her wages from Nov. 2007 until Feb. 2008 to the tune of $3,900.
“I felt it was important to explain to the voters what our current situation was in light of the fact that my opponent has been mischaracterizing a number of my votes in the Legislature and somewhat twisting the facts,” Linda Flores said in an interview. “I thought I would just be honest and up front with voters in the event that it would become an issue. Yes we have problems just like a lot of other families.”
Her opponent, Democrat Brent Barton, said that while two Democratic fundraising committees had released direct mail pieces questioning Linda Flores’ votes, none had broached the topic of her personal finances.
“We didn’t have any plans to talk about her personal life,” Barton said. “I really don’t want to see any personal attacks, I don’t want to go there. But I have no trouble at all discussing my opponent’s voting record.”
Linda Flores said the response to her letter from voters has thus far been positive.
“The response has been very affirming. They understand and they appreciate my forthrightness,” she said, adding that she doesn’t think her personal problems affect her ability to manage the state in troubled financial times.
“I think there are two separate categories there. While yes, we’re struggling, I understand the importance of putting our state in a sound position, and I don’t think that affects my judgment in that regard.”
People hit hard times, we understand that. But not paying your employee taxes is concerning. I do appreciate Barton's statement that he is not interested in hitting Flores personal life. Her voting record plainly demonstrates how beholden she is to the Oregon Republican party.
(email verified)
Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Seriously, we pay our legislators sub minimum wage and expect they work full time plus for us. And we get upset when they can't pay their bills?
I'm not supporting Linda Flores because she had her wages garnished. I'm not supporting her because she doesn't know how to cast a vote unless the Republican leaders tell her how.
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 07:26 AM
Representative Flores has been an outstanding legislator in representing our views in Clackamas. She has taken courageous stands on important issues in education, protecting our families, public safety and has always taken a stand to protect our families from higher taxes.
She has served us well and deserves another term.
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 08:58 AM
She has served the homebuilders, the realtors, the healthcare insurance industry and the far right very well.
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Barton is too slick for me. His liberal lawyer sugar daddy is bankrolling his campaign. Barton has little clue about what goes on in real life and less so in politics. He doesn't tell the truth (He belongs to the Mormon church but says that he doesn't) and just says what people want to hear.
Flores at least understands the average Joe Q. Voter. She has her own problems (too bad she doesn't have her own sugar daddy) but at least she has a record that voters can look at before the election. I'd rather go with the tried and true than with someone who really couldn't recognize the truth if it bit him in the.......um.........hand.
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Flores is an airhead on par with Sarah Palin and is a radical right-winger who does not represent the majority of her district.
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Rep. Flores has represented the voters in her district well. She has stood up against tax increases and illegal immigration, while embracing government reform and fighting back against perverted teachers. Barton, on the other hand, is relying on money from rich trial lawyers.
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Gosh, in the room full of people I was in, supporting Brent Barton, not a single one was a rich trial lawyer. They were "regular" folks who were excited to support a candidate who knew we needed solutions to problems that affect all of us: healthcare, jobs, education, vocational training, positioning our district to be part of new energy alternatives...
(email verified)
Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 08:00 AM
It's amazing what rich trial lawyer money can buy and the 'regular' people that can be 'persuaded'. Barton is a smooth talker without much content. Barton's daddy and the other trial lawyers will demand repayment. This once noble profession has become a lot less noble.
(email verified)
Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 09:06 AM
To:"I'm voting for Flores."
What are you talking about, he has a Sugar Daddy funding his campaign. Stop being lazy and realize that you can't go to the Secretary of States Website and see contributions received. I don't see any any huge amounts for Mr. Barton.
But I do see Ms. Flores receiving money significant money from Wayne Scott who didn't mind getting free trips from Lobbyists. In fact Ms. Flores has taken Tens of thousands of dollars from lobbyists in just the past couple of months.
So who does Ms. Flores really represent, us, or the lobbyists? I think it's time for a change.
(email verified)
Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 05:04 PM
To: Change
Wow! A liberal who actually pretends to do a little homework. I'm impressed. You think for one second that Barton's Sugar Daddy is going to have his name plastered all over the political filings. Yeah, right! Barton is trying his darndest to appear like a man of the people. Barton is getting money in every way that the dishonest know how.
Let's pretend we're in a fairy tale and Barton actually funds his own campaign -- It doesn't change the fact that Barton is still completely clueless about what the average voter has to deal with. Sugar Daddy got him into the right schools (hopefully not his grades?). Sugar Daddy got him his job. Sugar Daddy bought him his apartment in district 51. (What a coincidence.)
Barton is a run-of-the-mill socialist. He thinks that government can solve all of our problems. And, in order to pay for the corrupt government (i.e. Merkley et.al.), Barton wants in increase taxes again and insert government into everyone's daily lives. (By the way, all of the lobbyists funneling money to Barton -- Scary.)
For Barton, it's all about power, influence, and MONEY!
For Flores, it's about doing what's right even when it's unpopular.
Change for the sake of change doesn't do anyone any good. Hopefully, voters will see through Barton's slick charade and go with the tried and true.
(email verified)
Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Integrity is not a word that is frequently used in association with Flores.
If you have a question for Brent. Call. Seriously.
votebrentbarton.com
(email verified)
Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Go ahead. Call Brent Barton. He'll just give you the same slick spin that he's giving to anyone that will listen.
Regardless what you say or what he says, Barton will STILL raise your taxes, increase the size of government, take away your private union vote, and STEAL your kicker! The Barton that shows up AFTER the election will look a lot different than the one before.
He doesn't have the experience necessary to be an even mediocre legislator. He is bought and paid for by the trial lawyers. He's never been an average Joe Q. Voter. He's always had a silver spoon in his mouth.
Linda Flores at least understands what most of us have to deal with all the time -- taxes, children, medical bills, groceries, and car payments.
Linda Flores has stood up for the average Joe Q. Voter in the past and will continue to do so in the future!!
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 02:54 PM
I agree with one one of the earlier posters, every election cycle we hear about how Linda Flores has tax problems, or payroll problems, or problems with money.
She fails to pay bills on time and as far as I'm concerned, she has failed to represent me, instead she prefers supporting extremist right wing agendas. I'm voting for Barton.
(email verified)
Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 08:29 PM
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Re: Flores outlines financial woes
I would not normally think this was an issue but it's gone on since 2001 and every election cycle it has been the same excuse. Everyone falls on hard times but this seems to be an issue with a lack or responsibility.
Ms. Flores may not be an office or a share holder but if there is any lease property or equipment involved with his business she may have had to sign a personal gaurantee as his spouse. This holds that individual equally liable for any unpaid debt.
What did her husbands company have to do with her car being repossessed?
I appreciate Mr. Barton's not turning this into a personal attack. That speaks volumes to his character. Now Ms.Flores' character could be a little in question.
"Concerned in Clackamas Co."
(email verified)
Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 03:52 PM