Recently, there has been much discussion about the structure of public higher education in our state. While I do agree that a dialog about organization is important, I firmly believe the conversation must focus on how we can better serve our current and future students and the citizens of Oregon.

I view these discussions of organizational structure through the lens of continuing to foster growth at EOU; serving Eastern Oregon and rural communities to the best of our ability; and controlling our resources and destiny and not following the ideas of, albeit well-meaning, individuals who have never set foot in Eastern Oregon, let alone on our campus in La Grande or on one of our 16 sites around the state.

I grew up in the ’50s and ’60s, a relatively simple time compared to now. The technological breakthroughs I remember include the transistor radio. Wow, a small portable radio that allowed you to take the likes of Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, The Everly Brothers and Fats Domino with you anywhere you went.

My first experience with color television was in the eighth grade when visiting a friend’s house. I watched “Star Trek’’ in living color and was awestruck by the vivid colors flowing forth from the television.

The increasing number of weather events deviating from the normal pressure state and county governments into a new phase of planning.

Record-breaking storm events in parts of the United States coupled with drier and warmer winters in our area are, according to climatologists, going to be occurring with increasing frequency. El Nino and La Nina conditions, which are mainly responsible for weather extremes, can be expected to occur regularly because of the gradual increase in ocean temperatures.

WASHINGTON — While terrorist bombs were blowing up in the Moscow subway, Washington, D.C., was enjoying the fact that Congress was in recess and the tumult and shouting were blessedly muted.

Newspapers that pursued various members of the House and Senate through their town hall meetings found an oddly mixed reaction, with the accolades and brickbats coming from predictably partisan corners and no consensus about the accomplishments or outrages of this historic session.

It has started.

The businesses in Union County that stand to gain financially from the Antelope wind project in my view will not act or behave necessarily in the best interest of Union County citizens since it is all about money.

The wind factory developer will be soliciting businesses while requesting their support and endorsement of the project. Endorsements, therefore, will come from businesses that are in a position or are receiving revenue from the project.

Public encouraged to attend, ask questions

As most people in Union County know, Horizon Wind Energy — the owners and operators of the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm near Telocaset — has proposed a second wind farm known as the Antelope Ridge Wind Farm.
Horizon’s operating Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm provides jobs, significant taxes and fees, and economic investment for Union County. Horizon’s proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Farm will provide more jobs, additional revenue for local services and greater economic investment for Union County.

A recent Observer editorial on the nation’s economic recovery effort asked, “Where is the investment in small towns and rural regions?” Speaking for the Forest Service, it’s all over Northeast Oregon.

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has received $12.3 million in American Re-investment and Recovery Act funds. These funds include:

Gambling has become part of the Oregon landscape, culture and economy. Oregon has more forms of legalized gambling and offers easier access to gambling than most other states. This week has been proclaimed Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Week, and our state joins a national campaign to promote the benefits of problem gambling prevention and treatment.

Problem gambling remains a hidden issue that can have devastating effects on individuals, families and the community. Some people become addicted to gambling in much the same way a person can become addicted to drugs or alcohol.

It isn’t about environmentalists. It is about ecology but only as it serves economics. Both terms have the same root, the Greek word oikos, which means home. Before we can manage our home (economics) we need to understand it (ecology).

Forest stands cascade off of Mount Emily, fingering down through shaded draws and eventually merging to form the forests that cover the benches above the Grande Ronde Valley. Those benches were originally covered with old-growth Ponderosa pine. The Union County Museum hosts photos that show log decks in Imbler from the turn of the last century. Those decks are filled with giant Ponderosa logs that were most likely taken from the immediate vicinity of Mount Emily.

Dear Neighbors of Union County,

I encourage the taxpaying citizens of Union County to continue to question your Union County commissioners about the benefits of the proposed wind farm(s).  Maybe they’ll be wonderful, with all the benefits promised. And maybe they won’t.

Take it from us in your sister county of Wallowa: two of your commissioners have been very effective in decisions ruining our rural beauty. The hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of parked rail cars we look at 24/7 from Joseph to Minam are a manifestation of a failed business plan. While the original mutual county effort to save the rails was noble and with hope, the continuation of this plan beyond anything but paying down the debt we took on in 1999 is akin to keeping clipper ships alive in the face of steam.