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

Hayes, Gentry, Hills, Johnson, Almquist, Erwin, George, York, Mooney, Cole, Farnam, Wimer, Morningstar, Gornick, Farnam

Did you know that you have 11 amazing people in your community?

These are the dispatchers working for the La Grande Police Department 9-1-1 center, serving Union County. These incredible women live, work and play in this beautiful community and are proud to serve the citizens of Union County. In addition to keeping their “second family” of emergency responders safe and out of harm’s way, they each have their own personal lives and families to care for.

Working for the 9-1-1 center isn’t just about answering the phone when it rings. During an emergency, they stay on the line, providing life-saving instructions when needed. The 9-1-1 center dispatches for 22 different law enforcement, fire and medical agencies in Union County alone. Most people would be amazed at the amount of additional paperwork and collateral duties these dispatchers take care of during their working day.

Your local 9-1-1 center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For these wonderfully talented dispatchers (and my co-workers) this means working during holidays, family functions, school and social events.

This is National Dispatchers Week. Please take time this week to say thank you to your local emergency dispatchers for the job that they do for Union County.

Alicia Hayes

9-1-1 Dispatch

Elgin

At our city council meeting, all city councilors (one not confirmed due to absence) resigned as of April 14 due to ethics laws.

This law is new to more than 60 cities in rural Oregon. Two members (counting myself) were willing to stay. However, without a quorum, business couldn’t be conducted.

The only option was for everyone to resign and have the county commissioners appoint council. All our members stated that family members refused to be listed on this form and wanted to protect their family’s privacy rights. Their only choices: not complete the form, face fines or resign.

I’m extremely upset I had to give up my position as mayor because of this law. It has tied the hands of elected volunteers and forced them to resign. When you take the oath of office, you agree to give up certain pieces of your privacy and agree to uphold the current ethics laws, but what you don’t say under oath is, “I forfeit the right of privacy to my family members, even the ones not residing in my household.”

With such a movement against this “new” law, it is going to be a fight just to get people to run for these volunteer elected positions.

In our community we struggle with just keeping afloat and now have all been stricken down by a choice of violating our family’s privacy rights, or facing the fines for returning an incomplete form. I agree with ethics, but believe that it will be a huge undertaking to get anyone to volunteer to run for any rural elected position.

Our community has made a statement to protect the rights of privacy of their family members who refuse to be listed on this new ethics form as citizens of this state and the United States of America.

Carmen Gentry

Mayor of Elgin

until midnight tonight

Great letters from Mr. Fiorito and Mr. Candler. Mr. Fiorito, I believe you visited First Baptist Church in Union while I was the pastor.

Some 20 years ago I read a book by or about a Dr. Peavey (I hope that is correct), a strong supporter of evolution who spent a lifetime attempting to prove man evolved in the region of Lake Victoria in Africa. In the book he told of being able to find and date ice ages and the warming ages of the earth. During the ice ages the ice flowed or extended south of Victoria Falls. During the warming ages temperatures ranged in the hundreds of degrees and covered the planet.

So what? There were no humans heating up the world with their auto exhausts, factories belching heat and poisons in the air. This time, man may be a contributor; but sorry, Mr. Al Gore, man is not the cause. If the good doctor was right, the warming has happened hundreds maybe thousands of times, if you accept the Godless theory of evolution and earth age.

Which I don’t.

Roy Hills

Island City

What a pleasure to attend the opening performance of “Beauty and the Beast” at the Elgin Opera House. I want to thank Terry Hale for taking that “leap of faith” and bringing this production to the community.

All the cast members did a great job along with the talented musicians in the orchestra pit. The costumes and set designs were outstanding, displaying the time and energy put into the production.

Congratulations to all who worked so hard, sharing your talents and bringing audiences an evening of enjoyment.

The future looks bright for the Elgin Opera House and the Hales.

Mary Jane Johnson

Cove

Regarding Susan Briggs’ letter on April 8, “Don’t Vote for Corbin,” in the conversations overheard around town, the consensus has been not that Mr. Corbin has his “head in the clouds” but rather that his feet are planted firmly on the ground.

Indeed, if anyone has her “head in the clouds,” that would be Ms. Briggs.

Kathleen Almquist

Union

Union County ownership of Mount Emily may not be such a bad thing.

There are several county services and projects that may have been obscured in some minds by a railroad and a golf course. Many are projects beginning with grants and given to the county. The county in turn appointed advisory boards to run them.

Most of them have been in existence so long that they are taken for granted and forgotten as county owned. Following is a listing:

• Solid Waste District — operated by a commissioner-appointed advisory board

• La Grande/Union County Airport — operated by a commissioner-appointed advisory board (contains industrial park funded by district board and created 400 jobs)

• Union County Fairgrounds — county appoints the fair board

• Buffalo Peak Golf Course — board appoints an advisory committee.

• Union-Wallowa Railroad — a separate authority owns the land and runs the railroad, no general fund support.

• Three county parks: Thief Valley, Pilcher Creek and Wolf Creek reservoirs — county pays a portion of caretakers’ salary.

• Animal shelter — county-owned, operated by shelter’s own board.

• Riveria School — county-owned, run by Riveria Activity Center.

Mount Emily could also be successful at little or no cost to the county. The Oregon State Park and ATV has averaged annual contributions exceeding $211,000 to Morrow County for maintenance and operations of the ATV area in Morrow County. If Union County does not take benefit of these available funds, some other county will and Union County residents will be the loser.

Gene Erwin

La Grande

Why is it ODFW needs to raise fees? Might it be because there are fewer hunters?

Statistically speaking, there are a great deal fewer hunters in Oregon than there were 10 or 20 years ago, but why? TV, video games, Internet — the list is long.

The one driving force behind it is there is no ability in Oregon to enjoy what used to be something for everyone. You have to be worried about breaking this law, or offending this group; you can’t just go out and enjoy what God created for us.

Instead of upping the fees on the few who are left, let’s open the woods back up and let folks enjoy the Oregon of old, where people were allowed to be free-thinking individuals who made decisions based on common sense instead of the sign posted on the road telling them what they could or couldn’t do. I’ll bet you my weight in gold you’ll get more hunters back out there and generate more revenue.

As a parting thought, why does the ODFW need more funds? I tried to get my bull scored this winter and on three attempts I was told no, they didn’t do it, and “I was as well to do it on my own.”

Only after being treated like dirt by an ODFW employee and having to stand up for myself (saying things to him I very rarely say to anyone) did they mail me the form so I could do it myself. I drove all the way from Richland, Ore., to La Grande to be told no, after I had been told yes twice on the phone.

Do we really need to be funding such poor public service? I think not.

John D. George

Cut Bank, Mont.

Northeastern Oregon born and raised

I would like to use this forum to publicly recommend Dr. Charles Hofmann for the OTEC board position representing Baker County.

Having worked alongside Chuck for a number of years on the Baker City Council and watching his involvement in several other capacities, I feel he is a clear choice for this position.

There are a number of reasons to support his candidacy, but the one thing that stands out consistently for me is his commitment to keeping our area on the map, so to speak, and leveraging the most from the resources we have at hand.

Everyone may not always agree with Chuck, but that is why you have more than one person on any given board — so that they can have discussions that ultimately lead to the best solution. Chuck is understanding of opinions different than his own, and he is not afraid to think outside the box and break away from the “but this is how we have always done it” mode.

In visiting with Chuck about the OTEC board, I was impressed by his desire to get OTEC more involved in economic development, which includes helping to bring more family-wage jobs to our area. I think this is important for Northeast Oregon and our future and is one example of how Chuck thinks broadly about making a difference.

Please join me in voting for Dr. Charles Hofmann for the OTEC board.

Paul York

La Grande

It’s disturbing that a number of elected officials have resigned for some personal reasons. Most of them ran for office to better their communities. Now, they’re resigning in droves because they have personal issues complying with ORS 244, and disclosing information.

These resignations are leaving the communities they supposedly support without a quorum to conduct city business. They promised to do their part to make their communities a better place, and to do what is best for the communities. Now, citing personal reasons against ORS 244, they quit. How is that in the best interest of their communities?

I agree parts of ORS 244 aren’t necessarily fair, and should be changed. But, why didn’t anyone fight or say anything about it until now? All of them knew it was coming, yet did nothing until now. (Measure 244 was passed last year.)

Any of them could have resigned in the months since it was passed. Under most city charters, community leaders could have replaced them by now. And, some of them will end terms at the end of the year anyway.

Instead, they all chose to leave their community high and dry with no officials to conduct city business, or at the very least no quorums.

They certainly weren’t thinking about what was best for their community. Like so many other politicians, they backed out of that promise, for selfish, personal reasons. Shame on them!

Their voices have been heard within their communities, making tough decisions to make things better. They have been challenged and even ridiculed by citizens when making those decisions, and they stood their ground. Overall, most of them have done a good job within their communities, making them better overall.

Why none of them seem to care what is in the best interest of their community now is a real puzzle to me.

Jimm Mooney

North Powder

It is incomprehensible that Congressman Greg Walden has come under attack for an alleged lack of support for the development of the renewable energy industry.

An Eastern Oregon-based organization has recently initiated a negative campaign directed at Congressmen Walden based upon the very narrow issue of one piece of legislation — which happens to contain a major tax increase, would significantly harm American jobs and the president will veto — and has ignored the very broad benefits over 10 years that Congressman Walden has consistently supported for renewable energy and every other important industry and issue to our part of the state.

I have a personal interest in a renewable energy company that has relied on the expertise and positive influence of Congressman Walden. He is highly informed and works hard to serve our best interest.

I doubt that there is even one of this nation’s 435 individuals serving in the House of Representatives that works harder on behalf of his constituents and sets aside partisan differences like our congressman, Greg Walden.

Thank you, Greg. Keep up the good work!

Brian D. Cole

Baker City

If you’ve enjoyed the social and political atmosphere of the past seven years, you probably won’t be interested in this letter. If, however, you’ve felt a sense of hopelessness, futility and dread about our country’s direction, read on.

I need hope for the future for the vulnerable people in our country. We’re the leaders of the free world and the world looks to us. We are failing our children, our poor, our people with mental illnesses and our sick. We are putting unheard of, unprecedented and overwhelming burdens on American families, without meaningful relief or support.

When discussion among candidates began, I listened to the blather with disinterest, only relieved that Bush would be replaced, but knowing that whoever wins will be overwhelmed with the international and domestic challenges created by his administration. I didn’t see significant differences between Clinton and Obama — and certainly not between Clinton and McCain — and hey, McCain doesn’t look like an evil person, so it was easy to be apathetic.

Clinton has moved from my first choice (all things being equal, she is a woman, after all) to my last choice as she has demonstrated such lack of integrity through vicious campaigning and outright lies.

On the other hand, Obama has moved from someone whose name I couldn’t get straight, to my man.

He speaks with heart. He’s smart. He has solid ideas for helping poor people, families and vulnerable populations.

For example, he wants a “Green Job Corps,” to engage disadvantaged youth in energy efficiency opportunities to strengthen their communities while also providing them with skills. (Sound like the WPA?) I’m ready.

We need vision and inspiration. He won’t be perfect. But he gives us hope. Check his website. It’s easy to access, informative and inspiring. And join us in for an Obama barbecue from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at 1802 Third St. Bring a pie.

Julie Farnam

Summerville

Last Saturday I attended a meeting at the senior center. It was called “Impact 100” and represented a group of women who pooled together to help the needy in our community.

Each puts in $100 or more and by themselves could do very little but together they can accomplish a great deal. It was started here in La Grande in 2004. The first year they raised $7,500 and this year they raised $19,000.

There were 17 needy causes that were all helped. Can you imagine that? They were for medical, dental needs, books, clothes, shoes, groceries, bus passes and money for some who couldn’t work due to illness, divorce, bad living conditions and for even medical exams for high-need children. There were 55 women who attended the meeting and not all were there as some couldn’t make it.

There was so much love and caring in that room, it is hard to believe that the whole town hasn’t joined in. If you are the kind of person who wants to help and feels they couldn’t do enough by themselves, then this group is for you. You will surely get more out of it than you give. It is so rewarding, especially when you think your help can change a person’s life.

You can contact Susie Harris at 963-3038 or 663-3367 or drop off a check at the Community Bank. They know what to do with it.

Carol Wimer

La Grande

This letter is written in response to John Petersen’s recent charges that Eastern Oregon University is “promoting one-sided peace and change through what (he) consider(s) socialism.” As a student of social sciences at EOU, I can offer some firsthand information regarding the curriculum.

Many of the classes I have taken at EOU stress the importance of critically analyzing what we as Americans (and further, as humans) take for granted. This sort of questioning is expected and appropriate in an effective liberal arts college curriculum. The point of this type of education is to see issues from as many angles as possible, and the end goal is to promote independent thought among students who may have never before had the chance (much less the encouragement) to do so.

Because this is extraordinary in societies that work hard to present one-sided (from far right to left-leaning) media coverage, people like Mr. Petersen often view this as liberal bias. In reality, promoting multiple sides of an issue and encouraging students to think for themselves instead of following popular opinion is not partisan. It is simply what responsible citizens in a democracy do to develop an informed opinion.

Brynne Morningstar

EOU student, La Grande

We urge you to join us in support for Chuck Hofmann in his election to the OTEC Board. We have known Chuck and his family for almost 30 years as our neighbors and friends. We also know him professionally; we have watched not only his practice grow, but also his commitment to this community. We trust him to tell us the truth whether we like it or not. That means a great deal.

Others have written about Chuck’s experience. We will focus on alternative energy: Chuck “recognizes the need for and supports the concept of developing alternative energy resources. At the end of the day, such resources need to be evaluated on their beneficial effect on the environment, their financial impact on OTEC members and their reliability in terms of electric service delivery to OTEC members.”

He will be accountable to this community. We believe his election to this position will benefit us all.

LeRoy and Barbara Gornick

Baker City

Earth is warming, oil’s in short supply, our economy’s on shaky ground and our military is over-taxed.

We need serious changes to move beyond gasoline with the same quality of life. What will it take to change sources of energy and production of goods?

We should come together, shrug off the profiteering system that worked for most while the energy was cheap but won’t as oil production declines. We should engage the world, demand an end to violence and collaborate resources and knowledge to calm this environmental upheaval and prevent famine.

The alternative: a deadly race for remaining resources.

The last two administrations haven’t prepared us for the disaster we face. We need to change the president and the way we elect them. Barack Obama’s campaign has engaged people at a grassroots level.

Likewise, the people have engaged the campaign, giving it life it needed to soar from an unlikely long shot to near victory.

I’m inspired by Obama’s message of international engagement, national cooperation and limiting corporate influence on elected officials. Obama speaks to all of us. Reminiscent of Roosevelt, he speaks not of what he is going to do for the country but what we are going to do as a nation.

We’ve had presidential candidates with ideas to change Washington, but their messages were galvanizing. Those who waver the least from the status quo win. Obama represents a powerful new vision. What we need in a leader is intelligence, charisma, clarity and vision for the future. If we back the person who challenges dogma of war, profiteering, unilateralism and skepticism, we will be able to lead the world to a new type of prosperity.

Obama said, “We must neither retreat from the world nor try to bully it into submission — we must lead the world, by deed and example.”

Skye Farnam

Summerville