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

Having known Trooper Larry Purdy for more than 10 years, I cannot, and never will, believe the charges against him. There is no one, trooper or anyone else, that I would feel safer protecting me.

We have been fortunate to have had him patrolling our area the past decade. Larry has demonstrated his dedication to his chosen profession, high moral standards and integrity to me over and over again.

He is trustworthy, honest and loyal.

Wanda Lowe

La Grande

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I'm sure you have already received many letters from angry Union residents.

The reason is the rather upsetting article regarding Paul Harder's opinion of Colt Haney's electric guitar version of "The Star Spangled Banner." Yes, this is not something you would hear on a regular basis. However, the way Harder put it, it could not have been more repulsive than anything else he has heard before. Would he rather have listened to a raunchy and profane song?

I certainly think Mr. Harder took this subject way too far. By saying that Colt butchered the piece, and that Francis Scott Key would have rather drowned than listen to it, Harder insulted Colt and the entire Union High School more than he knows.

One of Mr. Harder's statements was, "Young people today have plenty of ways to express themselves without coming after ‘The Star Spangled Banner.' " Please allow me to disagree with this. For one, Harder makes it sound like by using a modern instrument to play our nation's anthem Colt ripped the heart and soul out of freedom itself. Rather than this being young people just expressing themselves, isn't it more of a call to modern teenagers to respect and love their country?

How many teenagers these days have their hearts stirred by the classical notes of an overly familiar song? Young people would have been drawn to Colt's rendition, and most people I spoke to loved it. Why? Because it takes modern music to stir up the courage and respect in the heart of a young person.

Anna Maxwell

Union High School Freshman

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In an Oct. 17 letter Dennis Wilkinson compared the Cove School District to a child who misspent his allowance and is now asking for more money in the form of a bond levy proposal.

Mr. Wilkinson cites high administrative and associated PERS costs as the main reasons not to support the levy. He suggested that if the school superintendent would eliminate the position of principal, assume his duties and implement a few other unidentified cost-cutting measures, a bond levy would be unnecessary.

If it were only as simple as Mr. Wilkinson suggests. In the past 15 years, having the superintendent perform both functions has been discussed by both the Cove Budget Committee and Cove School Board on more than a few occasions. At one point, the principal position was modified to half-time, but this was found to be ineffective due to the amount of responsibilities. Some of the principal's current responsibilities include supervising and managing the FFA and vocational ag programs, teaching two class periods, attending and managing extracurricular activities (usually on weekends when school is not in session) and serving as the assistant varsity football coach. These duties are in addition to the daily responsibility of managing the high school staff and students.

Mr. Wilkinson also wrote that the district secretary is paid $68,536.60 annually, $24,045.60 of which is benefits. This is incorrect; the district secretary is paid $35,001.35 annually, including benefits.

I do not believe that the Cove School District is administratively overstaffed, that its employees are excessively overpaid or that the district is acting like a child who misspent his allowance and is now asking for more — and as such I have no problem voting yes in support of the proposed bond levy that will expand, improve and upgrade the building.

Scott Johnson

Cove

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The dictionary defines the word "radical" as coming from a root word meaning "dedicated true believer." The radical terrorist Muslims whom the United States is at war with use the Koran as their guidebook. It instructs Muslims how to live their lives.

If you go to the library and get on the computers you can Google on "Quran" or "Koran" and read for yourself what it says in this "holy book." It instructs its followers to eradicate Jews and Christians.

Some of the laws included in their "five pillars of faith" are that if a person steals, he is to have his right hand cut off, or if he curses Allah, he is to have his tongue cut out. Murderers get their heads cut off, and on and on. These laws are carried out regularly in some radical Muslim towns. If a man's wife commits an "infidelity," he is instructed to kill her. If the daughter marries an "infidel," the family is instructed to kill her also. These laws are decreed by their religious leaders.

America, as a democracy, guarantees rights to all men and all faiths, but this radical Muslim faith seeks to kill me, eradicate my faith and destroy democracy. I do, and will always, oppose those who promote it. I vote not to cut and run.

John Petersen

La Grande

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I'm not a politician. I am a person of principle, integrity and honor, who believes passionately that community service is a duty, who loves his country, his community and his family.

Please recall our community accomplishments. I've been a part of: the Cook Memorial Library, the NK West Building, the new fire station, a business park with vital infrastructure, a beautiful urban forest and athletic and recreational parks. I can't claim total responsibility for these things, because many of you were integral in making them happen. I am eternally grateful for that help.

Please think about what I would like to accomplish: steady and workable economic development, family-wage jobs to fill the business park, a new look and feel for downtown and a envisioning process that needs your input on what La Grande should be.

I've made La Grande my home. I've sacrificed time with my family to help this community become what it is. Many evenings my 6-year-old son asks me if I have a meeting. When I respond "no," he gives a little whoop and we settle into a game, a book or watching TV snuggled in the chair. He is, and you are, why I work to make La Grande a great place to live. I need your help to continue that process.

Steve Clements

La Grande City Councilor

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Once our family lived in a home with a very leaky roof. In a heavy storm, buckets were strategically placed throughout the house to catch the streams of rain. The game, of course, was to accurately predict when the buckets were about to spill and replace them before they overflowed.

We are in a similar predicament concerning our schools. While we can keep on replacing buckets, at some point in time, we must accept the responsibility and "put on a new roof."

Now is the time to invest in our school facilities.

We encourage this community to work together to provide schools that are safe, secure and efficient. Let's fix our schools.

Vote yes on the bond measure 31 - 59.

Glen and Vicki Herman

La Grande

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In the fall of the year, the one holiday for our children is Halloween, a great time for them to have an evening of fun, costumes and handouts as it has been in years past and hopefully will continue.

We have noticed in the past few years that many homes are not welcoming trick-or-treaters, which only puts down what these kids look forward to — a classic night for the Halloween tradition. We often take pictures and send them to the kids, because we enjoy them so much.

We hope that those of you who can will share this once-a-year evening, for only a couple of hours, with these young people. They appreciate it more than you know.

Arnie and Marcia Bergstrom

Union

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Many people don't realize that one-third of our fighting force is made up of 18-to 20-year-olds. These are young men that our government thinks are mature enough to make life and death split-second decisions. They have not had years of experience but come right out of high school. They are old enough to be the defenders of our country, and they have done a good job of it.

Just because someone is 18 does not mean he is too young to hold office. Many young people have more responsibility, knowledge and decision-making skills than 40-, 50- or 60-year-olds. They are quick to learn, more open-minded, less judgmental and more willing to listen. They have a fresh approach to matters and do not have hidden agendas and have not gotten into little groups telling them what to do. This is their generation coming up, and there is a young man ready to lead it.

We support our 18-year-old troops. Let's support a young man who, in a different way, is trying to do good for his city and country. Write in Kyle Corbin on your ballot for mayor.

Butch Boettcher

Union

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The placement of a cell tower on the Marr property was opposed by the Nez Perce in an emotional charge that the terrain was sacred. This tower was to be 80 feet tall and aesthetically designed as a pine tree that would have fit into the existing natural surroundings. The site location was 1,600 feet (approximately a quarter mile) from the Old Chief Joseph burial site. Due to the opposition by the Nez Perce Tribe, US Cellular canceled its plans for placement in this location.

This is very disturbing since the same Wallowa band of the Nez Perce tribe had already negotiated and been approved for a second cell tower in Wallowa overlooking the Tamkaliks grounds. This tower happens to be 180 feet high and is located 500 feet from an active Indian burial ground. The Wallowa Nez Perce will receive $750 in monthly royalties for their generosity in providing a landmark location that can be seen for miles in all directions.

There must be a sliding scale for sacredness in the Nez Perce spiritual concept and is negotiable for the right price.

As in all situations, there are winners and losers. In this case, the winner is the Wallowa Nez Perce band, whose coffers will be enriched each month, Wallowa and Lostine, who had something given back to them, and finally a technological landmark marvel. The losers are the Joseph public schools and the Wallowa Lake fireworks display, as Paula and Steve Krieger were prepared to donate the monthly royalties from US Cellular if the tower had been placed on their property.

Sacredness is also a loser, as it is apparently a political football and for sale if the price is right. Loss of property rights by false claims and intimidation is a big loser.

Dale Potter

Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.)

Enterprise

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I encourage a yes vote on bond measure 31-59, which would provide funding to modernize and refurbish La Grande School District physical structures.

Opponents have generally acknowledged the need to implement some of the repairs but base their opposition on disagreement with one or two specific proposals for the use of the funds. Outlining a list for use of the funds is always vulnerable to opposition because of the opportunity for disagreement with any specific line item expanding to oppose the entire proposal.

We may not agree on each and every one of the funding needs, but the bottom line is we need to perform a long overdue upgrade of our school facilities to provide a quality environment in which to educate the students of our community as they prepare to be productive citizens of the 21st century.

C. Joseph Grover, DMD

La Grande

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I read with some concern Dora Cohen's letter to the editor published Oct. 23. I recently spent a year wearing brown boots in Iraq and so I know something about our current war.

In the 1992 film "Unforgiven," Will Munny (Clint Eastwood) says, "It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. You take away all he's got an' all he's ever gonna have."

War, though sometimes a necessary choice, remains proof of man's incivility. One's patriotism or loyalty should never be confused with one's goal for peace.

We fail the very people we aim to protect if we do not allow open dialogue regarding our engagement in Iraq or Afghanistan. Though we may not all agree, to ridicule those with whom we contest the solution to our security is shortsighted.

This old soldier, whose grandfather fought in World War I and his father in World War II, agrees that there is no glory in war, only the sometime necessity to end the violence begun by others. It is indeed the "necessity to fight" that we must debate. Perhaps if we had slowed down and had more debate in 2002, we would not be where we are today, mired in something more akin to a civil war in someone else's country than in protecting our national interests.

So to Ms. Dora Cohen I say, carry on. For those yelling obscenities or making rude gestures, have a little respect. Ms. Cohen has a right to voice her concerns; it is one of the very reasons I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

John Hash

Staff Sergeant (Ret.)

Army National Guard

Gresham

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I've known Steve Clements for the past 10 years, and I've seen him work as a city councilor and as a community volunteer. Steve values the importance of education, economic progress and quality of life here in

La Grande.

He is an authentic, civic-minded person who works to make La Grande a better place to live, work and raise a family. And he has the experience and the talent to get things done.

I trust Steve to continue working for all of us here in La Grande, and I encourage you to join me in voting for Steve Clements for the La Grande City Council.

Brian Kelly

La Grande

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I hope that everyone eligible to vote in

La Grande will take the opportunity to do so, and that, when they do, they will consider voting Chris Perry onto our city council.

Chris is a dedicated advocate for affordable housing. He is well informed about the housing situation in our town and has a basketful of good ideas. Above all, he understands that cities can take the steps necessary to affordably house everyone who makes a living there. It's that sort of action that turns cities and towns into

communities.

A vote for Chris Perry is a vote for

community.

Norm Cimon

La Grande

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While current City Councilors busily congratulate themselves for their accomplishments, such as building a new library and then locking the door to the parking lot, I'd like to suggest we add a new member who has committed herself to making a difference in a timely and significant way to the improvement of our city.

I have seen Carol Summers in action. She has boundless energy, time to devote and the desire to bring her fresh ideas back to the community in which she was raised. She'll do her own research, speak up and tactfully lead. I've observed her tackle needed projects and follow them through to successful completion. Instead of sitting back and criticizing, she decided to get involved. Carol has been the fly on the wall at city meetings for months, is informed and prepared to go to work.

She has the savvy and good judgment not to have gone on a witch hunt after business leaders who volunteer their service and personal treasure to serve on the Industrial Development Board and contribute to doing everything possible to bring more viable businesses and economic growth into our valley.

Like many other widows of former business leaders in this town, I have a stack of worthless Industrial Development stock certificates that were issued as a token of thanks for the hundreds of dollars our spouses voluntarily gave to help recruit potential commerce to our valley and support fledgling businesses. We never expected to get anything back but a more viable community.

I am embarrassed for some members of our current city commission who don't understand the role private enterprise and business leaders can play outside the bureaucracy to support economic development in our county. We could use some fresh air and independent thinking. Carol Summers can provide it.

Audrey Carey

La Grande

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The Cove School District is proposing a bond levy for facility improvements that include the addition of two new classrooms at the high school. Why are two new classrooms needed? Is enrollment up? District enrollment has been trending upward over the last five years and currently stands at 257. However, in 1993, district enrollment peaked at 280. So, why is more space needed now? Here are a couple of reasons why.

Within the last few years, mandates from both the federal (No Child Left Behind Act) and state governments have required computerized testing for all third through 10th grade students, two to three times a year. In addition, the district is now required to have one computer for every two and a half students. In order to meet these mandates and secure federal and state funding, the district has had to develop two computer labs and increase computers in the classrooms. The computer labs now occupy classrooms previously used for course instruction. This has put the squeeze on the facilities and created an additional problem for the district, which brings me to my second point.

High school math and history, both required courses, are currently held in the basement classrooms of the elementary building. The stairways leading to these classrooms do not meet ADA requirements. Fortunately for the district, none of the current high school students requires ADA assistance, but that could change at any time.

The two new classrooms will be ADA compliant and will house the high school math and history courses. This will help relieve the crowding in the elementary building and allow the two basement classrooms to be utilized for elective courses as well as special education and related services.

Vote yes for the Cove school bond levy.

Shawn Reddington

Cove Bond Levy Committee

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Have you received your ballot to vote yet? If not, you may need to go to the courthouse to pick it up. My aged mother didn't get her ballot, even though my wife and I had received ours. When we called the courthouse about this, they said she was "inactive."

We live in Union and have no car, so a friend took us in to La Grande to get her ballot. When we arrived at the courthouse and asked for her ballot they found it in a drawer, apparently along with several others. Since then we have heard of others, of the same party, who had not received their ballots.

So if you haven't received your ballot, you may need to check with the courthouse.

Merv Kline

Union

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A danger to our state's health, environment and economy has prompted me to endorse gubernatorial candidate

Ron Saxton.

During past summers, we have watched the West Nile Virus spread across the United States by mosquitoes. Unprepared states have experienced devastating effects from this disease for individuals and economies. Oregon is now faced with this imminent threat, yet still most of our state has no way of controlling its spread, due to no directed funds and poor communications between health departments and vector control officials.

Our current governor and state administration have apparently chosen to ignore this serious progressive problem. What will happen next summer, when people, horses and birds become sick or die from WNV in unprotected areas?

Practices for combating this disease need to be in place by April. State money must be made available for battling mosquitoes carrying this potentially deadly disease.

Because the only way to control WNV is to minimize mosquito numbers, vector control has proven to be the essential element in this battle. Environmentally friendly tools can be used to keep us all safe. Products such as larvicides are scattered in standing water and kill only mosquito and black fly larva, without endangering fish, birds, mammals or other insects. However, some products approved in many states cannot yet be used here, due to our slow approval procedures. People charged with protecting us in this vector battle need more cooperation within our state agencies.

Ron Saxton has expressed his desire to demonstrate attentive leadership. We need a new governor who will award us the opportunity for reform and teamwork in our state government. I encourage you to vote for Ron Saxton.

Ellen Stevenson

Haines

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The decision of the La Grande City Council to conditionally support the UCEDC financially is a huge step in the wrong direction. Placing unrealistic conditions on the funding was not a decision to solve the issue; it was an attempt to redirect the attention away from the city council.

Holding the money "hostage" is wrong. The city has four appointees on the UCEDC board that are to represent the city's interests and desires. The city should work through those appointees to make changes.

If the city requested its appointees to vote in favor of a bylaw change, they should present that desire. They would then have to get a majority of other members to agree for that change to occur. If the majority is against the city, they do have the right to withhold their funding. However, wouldn't that just be throwing a tantrum for not getting their way?

The city council must realize that the ID Board is the parent of the UCEDC and has invited the city and county to participate — not the other way around. The ID Board is the one that developed the organization into what it is today. To ask the ID Board to withdraw itself from its own organization is ludicrous.

However, the UCEDC Board should better represent its constituents by allowing its members to have a clear voice in the decisions affecting their membership. Give the dues-paying members of the UCEDC a voice on their board just like the other partners of the organization.

How can the city say they are in support of economic development when they withhold funds from the organization that

is responsible for the biggest economic impact in the county today? Stop this tantrum and continue to fund effective economic development.

Jacob Pilling

La Grande

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I believe the issues are clear in the La Grande City Council race between Steve Clements and Carol Summers.

Here is what I know about Steve Clements: He has worked hard for years to improve the economy in La Grande supporting development of the business park, the new library, NK West building and other projects. He helped to develop curbside recycling, the urban forestry program, downtown beautification and other things to make city government and the town more attractive and work better. He is a fundraiser for local charities such as Shelter From the Storm. He is scrupulously ethical and a strong advocate for open government — the kind of person we want working for us and the public interest in La Grande.

Here is what I know about Carol Summers: She will say the Pledge of Allegiance at council meetings, and she wants dumpsters available for downtown beautification (an issue already proposed by the city council to the Downtown Development Board, by the way). She has no record of public service in our community or elsewhere that I have seen.

Steve is currently taking a lot of heat over his decision to remain silent during the Pledge of Allegiance. I do not know exactly what motivated his decision, but I am sure it is not disrespect for the flag or those serving under it. I do admire his courage to take this unpopular stand and see it as further proof that he is a good and strong person.

Vote for Steve Clements for city council.

David L. Felley

La Grande

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In recent letters to the editor several statements need responses.

First, discussions at Union City Council meetings are often intense. Those who criticize our councilors must realize that our elected officials are volunteers with families and jobs who attempt to serve the public as best as they are able. They are not professional politicians and so will make errors from time to time. This should not be surprising, nor should it result in attacks upon the integrity of their character as was the case in a letter against Scott Morrison, who is an honest man.

Nothing good will ever come from personal attacks and recalls upon our volunteer politicians — witness the fact that so few are willing to run for office and subject themselves to this type of abuse.

Second, to suggest that a person's age would disqualify him or her from office is no less mistaken than to suggest that their gender, race or religion would impair their ability to make fair decisions. I can state unequivocally that age is not a necessary qualification for the job of mayor. Specifically, Kyle Corbin has my endorsement for mayor.

Third, the passage of Union's charter amendments 30-60 and 30-61 will restore the voters' trust in the financial integrity of Union's City Hall. I believe that our amateur politicians have fought with each other over the past few years not because the politicians were bad people, but because they were struggling with a budget that has drifted out of the control of the voters. Utility fees in the amount of about $1.2 million were misspent over the past 15 years on remodels, recreational projects and the like, instead of going into sewer and water improvement reserves. The passage of the charter amendments will lay the budgetary foundation for Union to prosper.

Willard Bertrand

Union

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Observer, June 5: "$45 million school bond levy''; June 12: "Board scales back school bond''; Oct. 24: "Bond includes funds for land''; Oct. 24: "District sees K-5 enrollment gains in coming years;" letters published: this writer's Oct. 23; Frasier/Bruce letter Oct. 27.

The district is using number of births at the only hospital in Union County to anticipate increased kindergarten enrollment. The county has five school districts plus two or more private schools. Using raw data assumes that all children born at the hospital will attend La Grande schools. This data has little value unless births use school district addresses.

Frasier/Bruce letter: "(He) doesn't know all that has transpired." The results of what transpired is what counts. Fact: Individual classroom doors were recommended in the high school, but not the middle school.

Why? Safety concerns are the same in each building.

New high school heating system: Frasier and Bruce write, "Fact: the current steam system has many components that wear out due to corrosion." Yes, this does happen. However, the system is using an auto feed of corrosion-preventing chemicals that can and does stop corrosion.

It was stated that I "(object) to plans for the addition of air-conditioning in the ... high school and middle school." Not so. All air-conditioning equipment is SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rated) equipment using the same amount of electricity and equivalent SEER ratings and are equally efficient. Individual air-conditioning units do not have to go into window frames. Any exterior wall will do. Electronic equipment produces additional heat directly related to amount of electricity consumed. These rooms require cooling when other rooms do not. A problem for a central air-conditioning unit.

Spend tax dollars wisely. Require cost-effective solutions. Vote no until this is achieved. Then vote yes in two years.

Stephen Donnell

La Grande

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I am upset about Sen. Kerry's comments about our soldiers serving in Iraq. He seems to think that only drop-outs and losers serve in the military.

Well, as the mother of a soldier, 2nd Lt. Stephanie Noell, I can tell you that our daughter, like most of the other members of the Armed Forces, is not only an Elgin High School graduate but also a graduate of Eastern Oregon University.

The men and women who serve this nation are educated, motivated and intelligent individuals who chose to serve.

For the most part, the members of the National Guard are in their mid-20s and older and leave behind families and jobs in order to help make this world a better and safer place for us at home.

To even intimate that these young men and women are anything less then brave and intelligent is to slap them and their families in the face.

Sen. Kerry needs to pull both his feet out of his mouth and apologize to the members of all branches of service as well as their families.

Nancy Noell

Elgin

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In response to Linda Boettcher's Oct. 23 letter, I'll set the record straight again. I did not stand up nor shake my finger at the mayor at the Sept. 11 council meeting. The mayor affirmed that Boettcher's allegations did not happen, shortly after her original letter appeared and again after the Oct. 24 City Council special meeting in front of a witness.

First, I believe it bears pointing out that although Ms. Boettcher continually says she is from Union, implying the city of Union, she lives in the county, not the city of Union.

I said, in response to Boettcher's first letter, that "this councilor never stood up nor shook his finger at the mayor," although I certainly agreed to being impassioned in discussing the importance of the safety of children entering and exiting buses at our local elementary school.

Three of the other four councilors attending the Sept. 11 meeting, during which she alleges these things happened, also signed my first letter, certifying that my statements were accurate and that I did not stand up nor shake my finger at the mayor. One councilor, a supporter of Ms. Boettcher's 18-year-old grandson in the race for mayor of Union, refused to sign. I guess that's understandable. The Observer didn't print the statement from the three councilors.

Ms. Boettcher is wrong in what she alleges. As a candidate for mayor myself, I hoped this campaign would be positive, honest and aboveboard, but it appears she is willing to try to discredit me, hoping it will help her grandson's campaign.

Scott Morrison

councilor and candidate for mayor

Union

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The stories in the Oct. 20 Observer regarding the La Grande School District Bond was informative and enlightening. There are a couple of issues that deserve comment.

First, regarding the section on "what the bond would buy." Only $27.46 million was listed. It seems odd for there to be $2.54 million not accounted for in a full-page article detailing this bond measure's projected expenditures. Evidently that kind of budget "cushion" is needed based on the Oct. 27 article explaining that we suddenly have an unexpected $732,000 hole in our current budget.

Second, the last paragraph quoting Superintendent Jay Rowell, was quite revealing. Mr. Rowell was asked what would happen if voters rejected the bond. He stated, "We would look at why it didn't pass, have a community conversation and then bring it back. We cannot afford to wait. We have to get this done."

I would interpret that quote in this way — We can't believe the public could be so stupid. We will simply have to educate these idiots and tell them that we refuse to take no for an answer, because if they fail to agree with us, we will simply bring it back until they do.

I believe that our community is actually quite well educated as a whole and feel that we have the ability to make reasoned decisions. However, when we do make decisions, we expect this administration to listen. If the bond passes, the administration will have successfully argued their case and we will have agreed to bail them out of their current budget fiasco. If the bond fails, they need to begin doing a better job of managing our money and make do with what they have because we don't like to be asked time and again.

Don't blame our teachers.

Shannon Perry

La Grande

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Bob Stacey of 1000 Friends of Oregon held a meeting in La Grande as part of Oregon's "Big Look," which is supposed to advise the Legislature about how Oregonians feel about statewide land use planning.

A little historical background is in order. Overpopulation and its destruction of the environment was the reason Oregonians bought into Senate Bill 100 in 1973, the enabling legislation that created LCDC, the agency that controls land use. And overpopulation is tied directly to immigration and national politics.

I think it was 1965 when immigration quotas were lifted. Population then was around 200 million. By 1973 it was around 210 million. Tom McCall was right about what growth does to the environment, but rather than address the problem — rapid population increases, 87 percent of which was due to immigration — we decided to zone almost everyone into a city.

Not so in rural Oregon. In 1976, just three years after statewide land use laws were enacted, Measure 10, which sought to repeal statewide land use laws, was on the ballot. Metro Portland saved LCDC.

Rural Oregon voted heavily in favor of repeal. In 1982 Measure 6 sought to repeal statewide land use laws in favor of local control. In 2000 measures sought compensation as a constitutional amendment for people harmed by land use laws. In 2004 Measure 37 passed.

However, the urban elite are persistent, and it looks like those hard-won rights won't be transferable because of 1000 Friends' legal action. This year Measure 39, which limits the power of state eminent domain, is on the ballot.

If we would have been smart enough in 1973 to have addressed the real problem, a national policy of constant and unrelenting legal and illegal immigration, we would have topped out at around 250 million people and would have been on a population decline (Numbers USA).

As it stands now, we are headed for a nation that resembles China or India.

So let Stacey and his urban elites know you object. Property rights is a fight worth fighting if you care about your grandchildren ever living in anything but an overcrowded urban

ghetto.

Steve Culley

Baker City

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On Oct. 6 students from the ODS School of Dental Hygiene in La Grande traveled to Honduras as part of a trip organized by Northwest Medical Teams to provide dental care to people in need.

The journey was made possible by support from community and local dentists. The trip was a wonderful learning experience for everyone who participated. In all, we were able to examine 388 children during the two weeks we were in the Opimuca region of Honduras.

With assistance from the students, dentists from Honduras provided restorative work to repair more than 900 cavities and treated other serious dental problems.

Being able to help alleviate the pain these children were experiencing was extremely rewarding for our students. The children were also provided with tips for taking care of their teeth at home and given fluoride treatments to prevent future cavities.

The ODS School of Dental Hygiene is committed to helping improve awareness of oral health needs in Eastern Oregon and is grateful to everyone who supported this worthwhile trip and our mission as an organization.

Debra James

Executive Director

ODS School of Dental Hygiene

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The morning of Nov. 2 the Union County Commissioners considered a renewable energy proposal that would have dedicated 25 percent of tax revenue paid to the county by renewable energy projects in Union County to fund a renewable energy grant program dedicated to stimulating further renewable projects in the county.

The meeting room represented democracy in action. It was filled to overflowing with folks from all walks of life and across the age spectrum. Each had taken the time to attend and to eloquently speak in support of the proposal.

Had this public input been heeded, the proposal would have passed unanimously to great applause. Instead, Colleen MacLeod and Steve McClure refused to sign the proposal. Perhaps their decision simply reflects their animosity toward John Lamoreau who was spearheading the proposal. Or perhaps they feel a need to maintain control of all renewable energy taxes in order to continue plowing tax dollars into the golf course and excursion train.Of course it may simply reflect lack of vision.

Mary McCracken

La Grande