>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

We are writing in response to the front-page story in the April 10 Observer, "North Powder grapples with nuisance ordinance enforcement."

It is true, as with all small communities, that many properties need to be cleaned up and enforcements made to do so, but we are offended that Carolyn Flynn targeted Second Street.

Many of us who live on Second Street take great pride in keeping up our homes. We feel that Flynn did a very poor job of representing our good city council in her public statement.

If Flynn was gone for 10 years and returned to exactly what it was when she left and now finds it a "mess" and "disgusting," she should have stayed where she was. We certainly didn't see any petitions being passed around to get her to move back to North Powder.

We are thankful she didn't win the mayor position she ran for in our last election.

Mr. and Mrs. David Ables

North Powder

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In response to Greg Smith's statement about homosexuality in The Observer, 18 April, I'd like to say that there are some of us, unfortunately not in the majority, who view discrimination, stupidity, narrow-mindedness, willful ignorance and bigotry in all of their forms as sins.

Tim Hoffnagle

La Grande

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Jackie Fitzgerald's call for accountability about the resignation of the city manager (April 19 letter) bears seconding. I have been watching for additional coverage in The Observer but so far nothing has appeared.

What happened and why? If the rumors flying around town that the manager refused to follow orders from the La Grande City Council are true, then I suggest that public money can be saved by dispensing with the position all together.

If we must have a city manager, then perhaps a local person in need of employment can be found, one who agrees to be a yes person to the council, saving tax money spent in unnecessary costly searches and new hiring.

I'm wondering why the mayor, who has had a reasonably successful career, would endanger her reputation by this mess?

Why would a recent addition to the council fall in with this plan?

Who is the (unelected) civil servant at City Hall who is helping to call the shots?

What did it cost us taxpayers to send the city manager on his way?

It is time for The Observer to provide some answers.

Linda Elegant

La Grande

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I am so busy pondering the city manager situation I am losing sleep. I wonder if our mayor, Colleen Johnson, would help me get some much needed zzz's.

You and your associates spent a lot of time and public dollars making your selection. You then presented him to us on a silver platter. Introduced us to his family and their interests. Then, with no warning or reason, you snatched him away. Why, Mayor Johnson?

Oh, that's right, you aren't talking. Well, here are some questions you may be able to answer for us all instead.

Isn't it true that executive sessions of the city council are required only for personnel issues? Isn't it true that every time you have one, the city attorney, Jonel Ricker, must attend at exorbitant expense? Isn't it true that the public cannot attend these sessions?

Would you please share with us how many executive sessions there have been since you have been in office?

I invite you, Mayor, to look at Baker City's web site with its up-to-date meeting minutes. Our city recorder, Sandy Lund, appears to be two years behind in this, her job.

I wonder if Mr. Singel will remember his time in La Grande as one of intimidation, harassment, coercion and ultimately defeat. The council didn't get their yes-man and were disappointed that he had an intelligent mind of his own.

Of course there are some who speculate that it was more fun for you and Ms. Lund when the position was unfilled.

Cheri L. Scott

La Grande

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A recent editorial in the Washington Post, according to News Max, reminds me of

1938-39 and peace talks in Europe.

Joseph Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to England, after a visit to Germany told PM Neville Chamberlain, "Hitler only desires peace, not more land."

Chamberlain visited Hitler and returning to England said these same words to the English people. In just a few months the peace-seeking Hitler invaded Poland, and the world was plunged into World War II, during which I served in the Army in Asia.

The Post editorial covered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Israel and Syria. In Syria, she told dictator Assad that she had visited Israel and that Israeli PM Olmert said, "Israel is ready to engage in peace talks with Syria." Olmert immediately issued a statement saying he had not told Pelosi any such thing.

Syrian President Assad said, "Syria is ready to resume the peace process with Israel."

Appears to me someone is lying, and that the someone who is lying stands is second in line for the presidency should catastrophe strike the White House.

Roy Hills

Island City

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This coming Saturday, April 28, at 9 a.m., folks will gather at the Parks Office, located at Pioneer Park, to plant 50 trees throughout our neighborhoods. The saying "many hands make little work" applies this year. We have a record number of trees.

My family has had the pleasure of participating in this program for many years now. Our 18-year-old son can point to multiple handfuls of trees that we've had fun planting. This event is one of our family traditions that ties us to this beautiful city that we call home. It lets us give back to our community and lets us think about future generations who will benefit from our plantings.

I still fondly remember my 6-year-old daughter saying, "Look, Mom, new growth!" as we walked by a city tree we'd planted the year before. It's an education, too.

So, bring the kids, some shovels and start a new tradition in your family. Stay for an hour or two — or more.

See you there!

Shelley Cimon

La Grande

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We are writing in response to the front page story in the April 10 Observer, "North Powder grapples with nuisance ordinance enforcement."

We also live on Second Street and take great pride in keeping up our place. We only wish that everyone in our community would take pride in their places and the town in which they live. There are a lot of people who take pride in their places in this community, but there are also those who don't, so we commend our city council for taking action.

If Carolyn Flynn was the instigator of this ordinance being enforced, we say "Bravo" to her, but as we understand it, the whole city council voted for it and agreed.

As far as starting with Second Street, you have to start somewhere, and it is our main street for outsiders passing through our community, so it's only natural to start there. Anyone passing through town will not feel like returning if it looks like we don't even care for our own community.

We say "Bravo" to our city council and "Keep up the good work — don't let any negativity get in your way." We as a community should all get behind you and support and help in any way we can as we all live here. This is our community, not just the city council's.

Lauren and Debbie Olsen

North Powder

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If you have been hearing the sound of a steady drip, drip, drip lately, it's because every time this administration gives another tax cut to the rich, it's the poor people who bleed.

Bill Dougherty

Enterprise

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I am outraged at the story in this week's paper about animal cruelty — the dragging of the dog Tuck. I can't believe anyone would have the nerve to do such a horrible act. Animals are a very important part of many people's lives, and no one has the right to do what they did to that dog. The person or people who committed that act should get the maximum sentence, because if they would do it to a defenseless puppy, what would they do to another person?

I would also like to comment on the vicious dog attack that occurred in Elgin. The city council will be addressing the dog ordinance in Elgin in the very near future — don't be surprised to see some serious changes in the way we handle the "vicious dogs" in our community.

Carmen Gentry

Mayor of Elgin

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This letter is in response to Tim Hoffnagle's letter in the April 23 Observer. First, the good news for you and your ego, Mr. Hoffnagle: You and your belief system are in the majority. Greg Smith's biblical declaration is, unfortunately, in the minority, especially in the state of Oregon.

The bad news for you is that your definition of sin falls short of God's. And worse yet, "You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting."

Bob Martin

Summerville