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Opinion Letters and comments for July 10, 2008
Letters and comments for July 10, 2008
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Sebestyen, Drake The La Grande School Board is proposing a “Safe, Secure and Dry” facilities bond for the November ballot. What would this bond do? The repairs and alterations to the physical facilities of the district would bring energy efficiency, protect the taxpayers and be an investment in the buildings. Learning spaces would be expanded to relieve crowding at the elementary schools. In the past, bond proposals and ballots have been very controversial and brought much heated discussion both in the community and within the La Grande Education Association. As past president of the LEA, I would like to invite our members to a public hearing to be held at 7 p.m. July 16 at Cook Memorial Library. We have had a role in the development of the bond proposal and this would be an opportunity to hear the board’s ideas and reasons for different projects. In addition to the public hearing, there will be a reception to meet the new superintendent at 6 p.m. at the same location. I encourage our members to attend these events in order to get to know the new superintendent and learn more about the proposed facilities bond. Jerry Sebestyen, past president, La Grande Education Association The swastika and crosses burned into Don and Evelyn Swart’s front yard are horrifying and shameful. Intimidation and fear of retaliation have kept local residents from coming forth with knowledge of past hate crimes and vandalism. As a community we need to stand united against any kind of hate crime. We will not condone or tolerate this kind of behavior. A reward fund has been started at Community Bank in Joseph. If you would like to contribute to this fund, stop in or send your check with the notation, “Hate Crime Reward Fund,” to Community Bank, P.O. Box 817, Joseph, OR 97846 We hope this fund will lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the swastika and crosses on the Swart’s front lawn. Undersheriff Steve Rogers is handling this case. If you have any information, he may be reached at 426-3131, ext. 2402, or you may also contact Sheriff Fred Steen at 426-3131, ext. 2401. Kathy Drake Joseph |
