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

Larsen-Hill, Mecham, Bigler, Leckey, McAuliffe, O’Brien

Since the announcement of plans for the La Grande Festival, I’ve been approached by a dozen people with specific questions.

They want to know if the festival replaces Celebrate La Grande. My definitive answer: “Absolutely not!”

The block party, created in 1995 by La Grande Sgt. Scott Franks and myself to remind folks of all the great things we have to celebrate, serves a different purpose than this new festival. We’ve resisted any effort by outside forces to enlarge, recreate or enhance our block party because it is designated solely for locals.

The new event hopes to become a tourist attraction, much like Pendleton’s Round-Up and Joseph’s Blues and Brews. They want to showcase the local arts.

Celebrate La Grande, which now attracts over 1,500 citizens, in my opinion, is a darn fine signature event for La Grande. With the generous sponsorship of Pepsi Cola Seven-Up Bottling Co. of Eastern Oregon, Safeway and Meadowgold Dairies, as well as other businesses and individuals and an amazingly small sponsorship fee of $400 from the City of La Grande, we’re able to put on a spectacular September party that everyone in town is invited to. There’s free hot dogs, ice cream, soda pop, fantastic local entertainment and a great venue for local nonprofits.

We do that with a steering committee of eight people and dozens of enthusiastic volunteers who show up that day, work one hour and get the thrill of being part of something spectacular.

The other big question folks seem to have on their minds is whether or not I will continue to make the famous sauerkraut relish for those Celebrate La Grande hot dogs, and the answer is most definitely yes.

I wish the new festival best of luck.

See all of you Sept. 4, 5 to 8 p.m., at Max Square for Celebrate La Grande XIII.

Di Lyn Larsen-Hill

La Grande

The Union County commissioners have been spending money like it is going out of style. They bought a railroad that benefits only the lumber industry and they bought a golf course that will never pay its way, then hired a golf pro to manage the course for $56,000 a year starting in 2009 if he meets certain benchmarks this year.

The recent commissioners’ fad is the Mount Emily Recreation Area. Their claim is for hiking, horseback riding and ATV trails. How do you mix horses and ATVs?

Who’s going to pay for building these trails and for the upkeep? What about the proposed parking lot?

Recently, some representatives from Morrow County told of their ATV recreation area that had grown to 172 miles of trails and had 32,000 people in attendance. That is a lot of racket that Mount  Emily’s environment cannot sustain.

We in Union County can see the beauty of Mount Emily, from the valley floor, but that is not like the top side.

Years ago, I hunted Mount Emily for deer and elk. I cut my firewood there. There were lots of trees, but now it is nearly barren. The trees were logged — clear-cut in many places. Only the deep western draws that support creeks of the Umatilla River have trees. Of course there are those trees on the eastern slope that the Forest Service tried to salvage, but they were opposed by those people living lower down.

We have to think about wildlife and the environment that has been there before the white man came. ATVs will certainly drive the animals away.

Of all the action sports, there are more injuries and deaths from ATVs than any other sport, per capita. I own an ATV but it has no time for thrills — it only works.

I vote no on the Mount Emily Recreation Area.

Cecil E. Mecham

Summerville

 The Observer recently published two political advertisements showing support by the governor and a state legislator for former Union County commissioner John Lamoreau.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that these two highly elected people would openly show support for Mr. Lamoreau if they were aware of his pacifist background and the fact he co-authored a book showing people how to avoid the draft (Vietnam).

As a veteran of WWII, I refuse to accept, support or help in any way the election of someone who refuses to defend his right to free speech but is willing to let someone else put their body on the line to defend his right of freedom of speech.

On the contrary, I will do everything I can to defeat his candidacy.

L. Harry Bigler

La Grande

Did you know you have someone who has protected all your rights with every vote in his 20 years in Congress? Check out presidential candidate Ron Paul for yourself. Discover why the mainstream media has tried to hide him from the American people. Hint: It has to do with big money interests and empire-building objectives.

If you find you are fed up enough with the deception and the way that the country is headed, it is up to you to help turn it around. It is the only way. All power is vested in us — the people. When we give our power away to the money interests, we end up in this mess. Ban together in using our power and join us to see how it is working.

So, if you are a red-blooded American, no matter what party, consider that we need Ron Paul to win the Republican nomination. (Yes, the mainstream media has lied on this one too. The nominee will be voted for at the Republican National Convention in September. Ron Paul can win the nomination like Abraham Lincoln did.)

If you want Ron Paul for president, be willing to register Republican by Tuesday at the county clerk’s and shout loudly to the Oregon delegates on your ballot: “We want Ron Paul!” This is what our vote is for.

Joni Leckey

Imnaha

The Republican Party still has a choice. Ron Paul will be on our primary ballot. He is a viable presidential candidate.

He defends the Constitution with every vote and voted against going into Iraq without a declaration of war.

Note this statement from Ron Paul: “I share our founders’ belief that in a free society each citizen must have the right to keep and bear arms. They ratified the Second Amendment knowing that this right is the guardian of every other right.”

His statement for life: “As an OB/GYN, I have assisted women in delivering over 4,000 babies. That experience has made me an unshakable foe of abortion. Much can be understood about the civility of a society in observing its regard for the dignity of human life.”

Many people are angry or apathetic about this election.

With the passage of the Ethics Reform Bill and proposal of more road closures it is easy to see how fast we are losing our rights. Imnaha was the first taken in the National Recreation Area. We are always fighting for our water, then we lost our logging along with our tax base, etc. Our backs are against the wall and it is time we dropped all the good old boys and considered Ron Paul, who has always had the courage to fight for the Constitution of the United States of America.

Those from other political parties also unhappy with their choice, have until April 29 to change to the Republican Party and vote for Ron Paul in the primaries.

Sharon McAuliffe

Enterprise

As one of those who delights in calling Wallowa County their home — no matter where I currently live — I want to encourage people to vote for Dan Ousley for judge in the upcoming election.

I worked as a full-time intern in the Wallowa County District Attorney’s office as part of my training to become a lawyer. That meant that for the summer of 2005, I basically shadowed Dan through his workdays.

I gained the utmost respect for his fairness and the sense of responsibility with which he approached his work.

He possesses those qualities required of a judge like thorough preparation, approaching each case with an open mind, knowledge of the law and careful deliberation.

I urge voters to take advantage of Dan’s willingness to serve in this capacity by casting their vote for him.

Julie DeBoie O’Brien

Kenmore, Wash.