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

Boy, will I get into trouble with this letter, but, I just really want to say this.

Our town, La Grande, and our county is so blessed with ladies of great talent.

La Grande has been so blessed with Mary Ann Miesner, Colleen Johnson and Judy Loudermilk.

Sue Briggs of Union — the years I spent pastoring the Baptist church in Union, I saw and heard much of this very talented and committed lady.

Judy Rigg of Island City — how many times she has done some small thing that helped me so very much.

Phyllis Saunders of Cove recently passed away.

And we are blessed that our University is once again in good hands with Dixie Lund.

And then there are dear ladies who have kept Imbler, Elgin and Summerville running smoothly.

To the wonderful ladies I have missed, forgive me.

Roy Hills

Island City

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I am writing in regards to the comic strip the Observer runs titled "Mallard Filmore." To put it bluntly, I find the strip to be just plain stupid. The creator of it obviously has an "ax to grind" with most of American society.

However, his or her recent series about teachers is downright offensive. Given all the social problems that face us, we have placed many burdens on our educators. They can't just teach anymore. They have to be social workers, police and even surrogate parents. Many parents blame problems their child might have on teachers not doing their job all the while ignoring the fact that they, the parents, aren't doing theirs.

I'm all for free speech, but I respectfully ask that The Observer discontinue this comic strip or move it to the editorial section. It is neither funny nor is it entertaining. It is, however, insulting to the tens of thousands of educators in our country who, in my opinion, have one of the hardest jobs there is.

Kathy McGuire

La Grande

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The recent article on the Cove Library was very nice.

There are a number of very dedicated volunteers, but one special one was not mentioned — Arleen Goodson. Arleen has been there every day the library was open for at least 15 years with her big smile and friendly welcome. She makes everyone comfortable at the library especially small

children.

She recently had an operation and was gone when the pictures were taken and the interviews were done. I believe this is the first time she has ever missed more than one day.

This month, she had her 89th birthday. We all plan on her being with us for many more years.

We are so grateful for all Arleen does.

Alice Alexander

Member, Cove Improvement Club

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We suffer from the onslaught of vehicles from 5 a.m. until after 10 p.m., and from these machines being built near our once-peaceful homes. They're on the hillside behind my house. They seem mean-spirited.

This was supposed to be a farming community. The railroad was here, but they provided us with water and were here long before we settled this area. The railroad is not blocking our main roads and endangering our lives with threats of being labeled a terrorist if we happen on their property.

We are getting nothing from these turbines, but lack of sleep and lack of the beauty that once surrounded us. We're disgusted with the way the land is now an industrial place.

Those who say there is nothing out here don't understand that we're here. We once hiked the hills freely, walked our project animals on the roads and rode horses up the hills. We had a feeling of being free and safe from the pollution and industrialization of the city.

We are just a small handful of people in Union County, but we are people who have helped raise money by being a part of FFA, 4-H, Rodeo and other organizations that help shape our youth and give them the opportunity to grow up to be good citizens. We are very upset and sick of this wind generator business.

We are praying that someone will protest the destruction that is going on, the lack of environmental protection and the destruction of land and animal and plant life. What we had is gone. These machines are not like "sail boats" as they were described in the Oregonian, but are monsters.

Fay Stein-Swanson

Telocaset

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The Hells Canyon Preservation Council should prove that their wildlife biologists and scientists within the Forest Service, state agencies and private sector exist. Then, since we are managing for multiple use, let's bring foresters, range and soil professionals to the site to ensure all the biotic components are looked at — not just wildlife. When that's completed, let's talk to the 58 families out of work in Wallowa County. How's that for starters?

There is no doubt that the agencies in charge of public lands had better make sure their data is correct, but there is serious doubt whether the "Hells Canyon Preservation Society" and others like it have an agenda that is anything but separatist propaganda that comes at the expense of many that have every right to make a living from the land. Are they willing to reveal every litigation and dollar amount they have managed to manipulate under the umbrella of environmentalism?

My great-grandfather ran cattle on the Idaho side of Hells Canyon in the 1930s and guess what, grass still grows there. It didn't get destroyed. Imagine that. We have management because we as a society have needs. Where do you think this stuff comes from? The store?

Why doesn't the council reveal its stance on grazing as a management tool? How about telling us how that canyon has managed to withstand decades of grazing, logging, recreation and fishing and still be viable? What exactly are they trying to save it from?

It is time for our communities to fight back against the very people who seem to think houses, fuel, utilities, granola bars and rubber rafts come from someone else's backyard. If it wasn't for farmers, loggers, cattlemen, miners and many others, we wouldn't exist as we do now.

David Brock

La Grande

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After reading the last article on Union's Police Levy, I can't help but think that everyone is missing the point, which is the safety and future of Union.

I think the city is doing this right. They can't afford to hire, train and equip their own police department. By hiring the sheriff, we can get a daytime and nighttime officer 365 days per year — which is something we haven't had in a long time. As other cities crack down on drugs and other crimes, the offenders will be pushed to those towns where they can hide from law enforcement. I think people would be astonished to find out who is already living in our little town. We need a police presence.

The sheriff will provide us with ordinance enforcement and animal control. Right now there is no one to call if your neighbor has barking dogs, stores trash in the carport or is building a junkyard next door.

We own several properties in town, so the levy won't be cheap for us. However, this is a huge quality of life issue. I want my granddaughters to be safe here. I want to see a deterrent to the theft and vandalism going on and I want to see the ordinances enforced to make sure property values don't go down. This isn't a permanent solution, but it gives us three years to find one. I'm voting yes, because we need this.

Debbie Clark

Union

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Here is the wording from the flyer that was reported in last week's Observer: "All in favor. After intense discussions, after disagreements and compromise, this measure [31-65] to contract with the Union County Sheriff's Department for our local law enforcement is supported at the most recent meetings of (name of organization)..."

The Observer reports that there were meetings with me asking for public support from the members of each of the groups. Each group has stated in the paper that they have members who voice support for a police department (that would require a levy to create). I do regret and apologize for the amateur political oversight that I did not think to include a simple and clear disclaimer statement that these organizations themselves could not, by their nature, support the levy. I assure the voters that it was my primary intention to accurately represent the fact that members from each of Union's civic organizations did favor passage of Measure 31-65 at their meetings — some even helped distribute the flyers.

The fact remains that the majority of the leaders of the community that I have talked with support a police levy. The flyer's wording accurately relays to the public that, if the community vote reflects the support at the meetings of the members of these organizations, measure 31-65 should pass.

This is our last chance for passage of this levy. I respect these great people working as volunteers to bring our community vital services for our kids, our elderly and our sick.

What's my motivation for bringing this information to the citizens of Union? Simply this: Our community's police protection may depend entirely upon the voter's knowledge that the majority of Union's civic leaders are in favor of passage of the levy to fund police protection, Measure 31-65.

Willard Bertrand

Union

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It's inappropriate that one man in Washington, D.C., can so easily determine that more roads in our national forests should be closed.

Additional time has been granted for public response, but who believes that local sentiment will win out over bureaucracy? This whole matter is being run from the wrong starting point. The head office has prejudiced the decision-making process and has pressured local managers to fall into line.

The process itself is not in keeping with their own environmental assessment policies. Each road is unique and should receive its own resource analysis. To lump them all into a single decision is not acceptable. Such environmental assessments should not begin until local resource managers identify a specific road that they believe may be presenting resource difficulties. In the last few years local managers have not proposed more road closures.

I'm pretty familiar with portions of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. I believe there are relatively few roads posing soil or watershed problems. Most old spurs are already closed off. I've seen more erosion caused by ripping and water-barring of old roads years ago than would have occurred if they had been left alone.

I don't know any individuals who intentionally harm roads with off-road vehicles. I suggest spending a few dollars for educational or enforcement contacts rather than millions obliterating roads.

I think it's appropriate for our forest supervisor to end this nonsense by declaring that upon further review, a true resource problem does not exist. It would be a welcome exercise of authority and an act of courage seldom displayed. It would also be the right thing to do. There is no problem, only an illusion caused by one man.

Ray Randall

Union

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The recent wire service article about Custer wasn't completely accurate. Custer didn't have three brothers at Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. He had only two. Younger brother, Tom, was a Bvt. Colonel commanding C company. Baby brother, Boston, was a civilian wanting to go along with his brother for the ride.

Company L was commanded by Lt. James Calhoun, Custer's brother-in-law. Eighteen-year-old nephew, Harry Armstrong "Autie" Reed, had never been in an Indian fight and wanted to become a reporter. Both expected to watch their relatives cut a swath through the 6,000 to 10,000 Indians. They died next to each other.

Custer divided forces into three groups, going to battle with five companies. None of the five companies survived The Last Stand.

Custer dispatched Maj. Marcus Reno and seven companies to charge into the valley, scatter and distract the Indians.

Reno's charge was overwhelmed. To advance, the column would have been demolished in a few minutes. Losses were substantial, his troops frightened, bloodied and irresolute under Reno, whose leadership ability failed when his chief scout, Bloody Knife, was shot between the eyes next to him. The marvel is that as many of Reno's men escaped as did.

Capt. Frederick Benteen, commanding remaining companies, was ordered to proceed away from the fight to block other attempted escapes from the valley. Had Benteen not turned back, Reno's depleted, bloodied column would have been wiped out.

Custer, renowned for bravery during the Civil War and previous skirmishes with Indians, felt continuous need to bask in honor and glory. Instead of waiting three days as he'd been instructed to do by the War Department, for Gen. Terry and Bvt. Gen. Gibbon's column, Custer's only concern was success would not be his alone.

Custer was never one to proceed cautiously when an impetuous move could win him glory. He was being touted for a presidential nomination, but some considered him an arrogant and dangerous fool.

Gen. Crook, proceeding north toward Little Big Horn with a column and having been in a major battle with roughly 1,200 warriors eight days previously, on June 17 at Rosebud, 40 miles south, might have saved the 7th with reinforcements. Crook however, loathed Custer and his braggadocio, so was in no hurry.

Historian and author of "Son of the Morning Star," Evan Connell, is an authority on the subject.

Gary L. Webster

La Grande

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It has taken four months for Waters Consulting, the search company the city hired to find our next city manager, to develop a position "profile" and get it posted on their web site.

Take a look. The web address is: http://www.watersconsulting.com. Click on "Executive Search," then "City of La Grande" and then "View Brochure" to see the profile.

You may find it interesting to see the kind of person being recruited to take La Grande into the future and what is expected of that person in return for an annual salary range of $92,000 to $110,000 plus benefits as well as the cost of

relocation.

Josey Fast

La Grande