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Opinion Letters Letters and Comments for December 28, 2009
Letters and Comments for December 28, 2009
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Troyer, Winter, Turner, Fielding, Leitch
Help make a difference
On Jan. 19, the day following Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a variety of Union County organizations are offering a link to various volunteer opportunities. This is an event that offers community members the ability to shop different local organizations to learn about their mission, services and how they utilize volunteers. With the information provided, individuals will have an easier time deciding what volunteer services best fit their personal needs and interest. Union County Court-Appointed Special Advocates’ organization is based on the generosity of our volunteers. Without them we would be unable to serve the abused and neglected children of Union County. We are hoping that every able member of the community will take the time to stop by the Volunteer Link event to see all the wonderful organizations that serve the citizens of Union County. We feel that if one volunteer is linked with an organization suited for them, then this event has been successful. As someone once said, “We cannot do everything, but we all can do something.” That is just what we are looking for, someone to do something. If it is not with CASA and we are not the right fit, it may be with someone else. So, we hope to see a lot of community members there and we hope that in this time of economic strife and hardship, we can all come together as a community to help those who need it. “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” — William James Toiresa Troyer and Amy Winter Union County CASA directors La Grande
Hunting and trapping have long been a way of life for many Americans. We all have a responsibility to manage our wildlife resources, to control our pets and protect our families. Educating yourself is vital to your safety and the safety of your pets. It is not our intent to drive out visitors, but to educate them on how to maintain control of and keep pets. Pets need to be in sight or on a leash to protect them from large predators, traps and snares. The sole responsibility in protecting a pet is yours and yours alone, not that of the ODFW or OSP. Presently, hunting and trapping are legal endeavors controlled by strict regulation. We, as hunters and trappers, are the thin line between maintaining control of predation on our big game, domestic livestock and family pets. Many of us in Oregon subsidize our income by harvesting big game and fur-bearing mammals. It may be a surprise to some that trapping is going on within the city limits of Portland to protect personal property, pets and city improvements. We as trappers offer a free service at no cost to the taxpayers. In the event that you do lose control of a pet and it gets caught in a snare or trap, you’ll need heavy leather gloves and side cutters. Talk to your pet and help it calm down. If this is not possible, use a heavy outer garment to cover the pet and protect yourself. Depress the springs to relieve pressure on the pet’s foot. If your pet encounters a snare, you must get immediate control. Clip the snare loop at the back of the neck and not the anchor cable. This will release your pet. Your pet is your sole responsibility, wherever travels may take you. Kip Turner La Grande Majestic event
We attended the nativity presentation Dec. 18 at the Seventh-day Adventist School and highly praise the many who volunteered from various churches. It was a majestic event and truly brought Christ back into Christmas for our community. The artistic presentation of the village of Bethlehem with the authentic shops and authentic costumes, the inn and humble stable. The angelic chorus serenading the crowd, the Roman soldiers, the census taker and adding to the production was Clyde, the magnificent camel. Clyde’s gentle stature added much to the event as did the llamas and the sheep. We missed the donkey. We commend all who took part in bringing the true spirit of Christmas to our community. We were especially impressed with the message on the rough-hewn cross: “He came For You!” We hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. Pat and Delores Fielding Summerville
I would like to express my heartfelt feelings for the Cove Senior Citizens Association, Calvary Baptist Church in Cove and the Episcopal Church’s Kimsey Commons at the Ascension Grounds. They put on a very wonderful Christmas dinner a few weeks ago. I hope they will have it again next year and maybe a Thanksgiving or Easter meal in the future. Great job to you all. Jeff Leitch La Grande
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