Letters and Comments for May 9, 2009

Need responsible citizenry

To the Editor:

The news media, advertising and general discourse blast out the message that we are oppressed by our government. Slamming government is something that sells. Our people have forgotten Abraham Lincoln’s words describing the United States government as a government “of the people, for the people and by the people.” We who are of voting age are responsible for our government whether we vote or we don’t vote. We choose our representatives to the government; therefore, we deserve what we get.

What we need is a citizenry that is responsible and accountable. We need people who are willing to pay for the services, the initiatives and the “pursuit of happiness” that we demand for ourselves. We need citizens who understand that we are all dependent upon each other for the lifestyle we enjoy.

I don’t enjoy writing out the checks to the IRS, but I understand that it is my responsibility as a citizen of this great country and I can even feel a small sense of pride for doing my part. I would prefer not to pay for pointless wars, but I am happy to pay for services and benefits for those who have sacrificed and fought the wars. My health is better when the people around me are healthy. Living in a world with people who are educated, who read, who think issues through and who can navigate the knowledge bases is a definite advantage to me.

Yes, we want responsibility and accountability in government, but we will never have that without a responsible and accountable citizenry who accept the fact that we are all in this together.

Evelyn Swart

Joseph

Vote the ‘wolves’ out

To the Editor:

It distressed me in viewing the gleeful expression of Russ Morgan, ODFW wolf coordinator, while handling a drugged wolf shown in the May 5 issue of The Observer. This wolf was responsible for killing more than two dozen livestock in Baker County recently.

This whole situation is an example of what we have in our country today. Anyone who has a job connected to an overbearing bureaucracy, reliant on taxpayers is just relishing their propped up jobs at the expense of independent, hard-working Americans.

This wolf was a known livestock killer and should have been euthanized on the spot instead of being collared and turned loose to kill again. State government officials are promoting this program of wasteful spending of taxpayer money on a program which destroys animals on private property. It also destroys the means for private citizens to make a living. (The state will not reimburse livestock owners for losses.) How much money will be required to monitor these collared animals 24/7, let alone the four packs of wolves that the state officials are calling for?

I wonder if Mr. Morgan would have a smirk on his face if he had lost some of his taxpayer-funded salary or wage, along with his paid perks? Mr. Jacobs, the sheep owner, had not only experienced financial loss, but also the even more important loss of not being able to deal with threats to his livelihood on his own private property.

In short, a problem wolf needs to be dealt with by getting rid of it. The same goes for those politicians and employees of a system destroying the rights and means of Americans who actually make a living by producing something.

Wake up, Oregon, the true wolves threatening your livelihood are dwelling in public offices in Salem. We need to “vote” the wolves out.

Tom Schaafsma

Joseph

Tremendous asset

To the Editor:

It is with great pleasure that I submit this letter of recommendation for Mike Berglund to serve on the La Grande School Board.

I have known Mike for nearly seven years. Mike served five years as sheriff of Columbia (Wash.) County. During his tenure, Mike was very involved in the Dayton community outside his position as sheriff. He was active in Kiwanis where he served as president for two years. He served for many years at Project Timothy, a volunteer organization providing help with food, shelter and utility payments to people in need.

Mike brought a great amount of experience and professionalism to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department. He “beefed up” the department with more personnel and applied for and received many grants targeting drug education, alcohol information and other crime-preventing activities. The department improved tremendously during his five-year tenure.

During Mike’s term of office as sheriff, the Dayton area experienced a large, devastating fire that required a great amount of organizational skills and leadership under stress. He handled the entire situation with decisiveness, grace and dignity. Mike and his wife, Sheila, and their children were a tremendous asset to Dayton and have been sorely missed since they relocated to your community.

Mike has the willingness and ability to be an excellent school board member for your community.

Craig George

mayor, Dayton, Wash.

ODOT responds quickly

To the Editor:

This is a note of recognition to ODOT for a job well done!

Several weeks ago I went into the ODOT office and told them I would like them to put up a sign in Cove for the cemetery. Unless you knew where the cemetery was you could drive around for a long time before you would find it. I said it would be nice if they could do that before Memorial Day weekend.

Well, yesterday I noticed they had not only put up one sign but two. Now if you come in from Union or La Grande on Highway 237 there is a sign on the post by the school directing you in the direction of the cemetery. Thanks, guys, for a job well done!

Don Severin

Cove Cemetery sexton

Story debunked

To the Editor:

“Where are we headed as a nation?”

Where indeed, if the schools neglect to teach critical thinking along with a healthy dose of skepticism. The story that Ms. Fleshman repeats, without attribution, never happened. Sixty seconds of research with Google could have determined that. It’s amazing and amusing to see what people will repeat as fact, one of the cautions taught in Journalism 101.

Mike Crawford

La Grande