Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2016)
A4 Opinion Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, December 28, 2016 Winter a time for good Samaritans S ome days weather makes for nice small talk. Whether it’s hot, cold, rainy, windy or just perfect, you can always strike up a conversation with an acquaintance or even a total stranger. It’s a shared experience. Other days, especially days with snow, ice and sub- freezing temperatures, weather must be a shared experience. We must look out for one another, and especially the most vulnerable among us. It starts on the roads, one of the most dangerous places to be when winter hits hardest. We always worry about the “other guy” on the roads, but remember you are the other guy to other motorists — take it slow, signal early and, as always, get rid of all distractions while you’re behind the wheel. And when that “other guy” loses control, or gets lost, or simply gets stuck, it’s time to put on your good Samaritan boots and help out. We’ve seen many examples of this in the past weeks, and know the kindness of strangers is alive and well in Eastern Oregon. That’s the obvious, but we implore our readers to consider the less obvious as well. Check in on your elderly or otherwise susceptible neighbors, maybe with a plate of cookies or thermos of hot chocolate. It can be hard to ask for help, but if a friendly face shows up to ask how you’re doing you might be willing to express a personal need, if only for groceries, a shoveled sidewalk or an extra blanket. For those who may be harder to reach, the sheriff’s offi ce has offered to provide welfare checks for people who cannot be reached by phone or under normal conditions. Just provide the name and location to the sheriff’s offi ce, 541-575- 1131. With winter underway with no signs of stopping, abundant opportunities exist to make a positive impact on your neighborhood and those around you. Try not to let the “other guy” on the roads bother you too much and be a good Samaritan. T HE B ACKROADS The strength of our community By Sean Hart Blue Mountain Eagle 2016 was a turbulent year — in Grant County, throughout our na- tion and across the world. From protests to heated election rhetoric, the year was full of events that divided us. Issues pitted neigh- bor against neighbor and carved chasms through our communities. Yet, through the vitriol and po- larization, the resilience of our rural community and the genuine com- passion for others could not be ex- tinguished. Despite the negativity that per- meated Grant County, much as it spread throughout the country, the true strength of the communi- ty shone through when people put aside differences and pulled togeth- er to support each other and the common good. From volunteerism — such as Jim Jerome of John Day, who was named the January volunteer of the month for Boise’s Veterans Affairs Medical Center — to the support of local causes — such as December’s Carrie Young Memorial that raised $24,000 for local seniors in need — the positive spirit of the community was evident in almost everything that was accomplished. When people worked for the com- Sean mon good, they of- Hart ten achieved it. Countless stories of camaraderie grace the Eagle’s pages from the last year, such as when the Grant County Fair staff, board and volunteers stepped up to fi ll the large shoes of manager Mary Weaver during this year’s event af- ter her cancer recurrence. When leaders from the cities of John Day and Canyon City sat down at the same table and listened to each other’s concerns, they were able to reach an amicable agreement for water and sewer services. These stories of success, tran- scending trivial disputes and diffi - culties, are what separate communi- ties such as ours from places where people merely live in close proxim- ity. In large cities, lost in the ano- nymity of bustling crowds, people may rarely see their own neighbors or feel the bonds of common experi- ence that unite a community. But in rural America, where even those who disagree share almost everything in common — from schools to stores, from entertain- ment opportunities to economic op- portunities — we are forced to inter- act with each other. Seeing the faces and hearing the stories of those with whom we share the community pro- vides a greater foundation for empa- thy and understanding. In Grant County, it is clear this is what makes the community such a great place to live — in 2016 or any other year. Not everyone will agree on ev- ery issue, on the best way to over- come any particular obstacle. But when everyone agrees to work together, we can overcome every obstacle. As we turn the page on another year, I hope we all remember the common bonds we share and what makes Grant County great. I hope we all remember the strength of our community is our community. Sean Hart is the editor of the Blue Mountain Eagle. G UEST C OMMENT New Year’s resolutions strategies W HERE TO W RITE GRANT COUNTY • Grant County Courthouse — 201 S. Humbolt St., Suite 280, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0059. Fax: 541- 575-2248. • Canyon City — P.O. Box 276, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0509. Fax: 541-575-0515. Email: tocc1862@centu- rylink.net. • Dayville — P.O. Box 321, Dayville 97825. Phone: 541-987-2188. Fax: 541- 987-2187. Email:dville@ortelco.net • John Day — 450 E. Main St, John Day, 97845. Phone: 541-575-0028. Fax: 541- 575-1721. Email: cityjd@centurytel.net. • Long Creek — P.O. Box 489, Long Creek 97856. Phone: 541-421-3601. Fax: 541-421-3075. Email: info@cityofl ong- creek.com. • Monument — P.O. Box 426, Monument 97864. Phone and fax: 541-934-2025. Email: cityofmonument@centurytel.net. • Mt. Vernon — P.O. Box 647, Mt. Vernon 97865. Phone: 541-932-4688. Fax: 541-932-4222. Email: cmtv@ortelco.net. • Prairie City — P.O. Box 370, Prairie City 97869. Phone: 541-820-3605. Fax: 820-3566. Email: pchall@ortelco.net. • Seneca — P.O. Box 208, Seneca 97873. Phone and fax: 541-542-2161. Email: senecaoregon@gmail.com. SALEM • Gov. Kate Brown, D — 254 State Capitol, Salem 97310. Phone: 503-378- 3111. Fax: 503-378-6827. Website: www. governor.state.or.us/governor.html. • Oregon Legislature — State Capitol, Blue Mountain EAGLE P UBLISHED EVERY W EDNESDAY BY Salem, 97310. Phone: (503) 986-1180. Website: www. leg.state.or.us (includes Oregon Constitution and Oregon Revised Statutes). • State Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario (Dis- trict: 60), Room H-475, State Capitol, 900 Court St. N.E., Salem OR 97301. Phone: 503-986-1460. Email: rep.cliffbentz@state. or.us. Website: www.leg.state.or.us/bentz/ home.htm. • State Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R — (District 30) Room S-223, State Capitol, Salem 97310. Phone: 503-986-1950. Email: sen. tedferrioli@state.or.us. Email: TFER2@aol. com. Phone: 541-490-6528. Website: www. leg.state.or.us/ferrioli. • Oregon Legislative Information — (For updates on bills, services, capitol or messages for legislators) — 800-332-2313. WASHINGTON, D.C. • The White House, 1600 Pennsylva- nia Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500; Phone-comments: 202-456-1111; Switch- board: 202-456-1414. • U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D — 516 Hart Senate Offi ce Building, Washington D.C. 20510. Phone: 202-224-5244. Email: wayne_kinney@wyden.senate.gov Website: http://wyden.senate.gov Fax: 202-228-2717. • U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D — 313 Hart Senate Offi ce Building, Washington D.C. 20510?. Phone: 202-224-3753. Email: senator@merkley.senate.gov. Fax: 202- 228-3997. Oregon offi ces include One World Trade Center, 121 S.W. Salmon St., Suite 1250, Portland, OR 97204; and 310 S.E. Second St., Suite 105, Pendleton, OR 97801. Phone: 503-326-3386; 541-278- 1129. Fax: 503-326-2990. By Bryan Golden To the Blue Mountain Eagle Almost 90 percent of Americans will make at least one New Year’s resolution. Less than 20 percent will suc- ceed in accomplishing even one. The beginning of the year is a great time for life-improving resolu- tions. Common resolutions include losing weight, giving up smoking, maintaining a budget, saving mon- ey, fi nding a better job, getting healthier, becoming more organized and spending more time with fam- ily. Whatever your resolutions, here are some specifi c strategies to help you succeed. First and foremost is to take the fi rst step, which is to start. Without action, there will be no success. Action creates results. Intention alone will not work. Have written goals stating what you want to accomplish. If you want to lose weight, how much and by when? If you want to live with- in a budget, what is the amount? If you want to continue your educa- tion, what school will you go to and which classes will you take? Take small but consistent steps. Habits are formed by frequent rep- etition over time. Change occurs by the same process. A resolution is not all or nothing. Partial change is OK. Any progress in the desired direc- tion, regardless of how small, is a success. Accomplishing a resolution is a process, not a one-time effort. Positive goals are more effective than negative ones. Rather than say- ing you will eat less, resolve to have a healthier diet. Instead of spending less time at work you can endeavor to spend more time at home. Bad habits can’t just be eliminated; they have to be replaced by good ones. Identify potential obstacles so they don’t surprise you. If you ex- perience a setback, don’t give up. Don’t blame yourself if you stum- ble. Failure only occurs when you stop trying. Diffi culties are an op- portunity to learn. If you slide back- wards, get back on track, get back in gear and resume your progress. Don’t keep your plans a secret. Develop a support system utilizing friends and family. Visualize how great you will feel as you succeed. Take credit for all accomplishments. It doesn’t matter if your progress is slower than you would like. Don’t try to change too many things at once or you risk becoming overwhelmed and discouraged. You can have a long list of resolutions so long as you realize all of the items don’t have to be addressed simultaneously. Each accomplish- ment can be followed by another. Change can begin at any time, not just on Jan. 1. Believe in yourself and your ability to change. Change can feel diffi cult, uncomfortable or painful, but you can do it. Become deter- mined to succeed. Don’t procrasti- nate. Although doing nothing is of- ten an appealing alternative, it leads to frustration. Each day is a new opportunity to work on your resolutions. If you were successful yesterday, fantas- tic, keep going. If yesterday was a disappointment, today is a new chance to make progress. Replace the word “try” with “will.” Do whatever it takes to get the results you want. Bryan is the author of “Dare to Live Without Limits,” a self-devel- opment expert, syndicated colum- nist and professor. Contact Bryan at Bryan@columnist.com or visit DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com. Copyright 2016 Bryan Golden. L etters policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for Blue Mountain Eagle readers to express themselves on local, state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer letters will be asked to be contained to 350 words. No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person. No thank-you letters. Submissions to this page become property of the Eagle. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters for length and for content. Letters must be original and signed by the writer. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include a telephone number so they can be reached for questions. We must limit all contributors to one letter per person per month. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Send letters to editor@bmeagle.com, or Blue Mountain Eagle, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845; or fax to 541-575-1244. Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper P UBLISHER ............................... M ARISSA W ILLIAMS , MARISSA @ BMEAGLE . COM E DITOR .................................... S EAN H ART , EDITOR @ BMEAGLE . COM A DMINISTRATIVE A SSISTANT ........ J ACKIE O SBORNE , JACKIE @ BMEAGLE . COM R EPORTER ............................... R YLAN B OGGS , RYLAN @ BMEAGLE . COM C OMMUNITY N EWS .................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM S PORTS ................................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM M ARKETING R EP ....................... K IM K ELL , ADS @ BMEAGLE . COM O FFICE M ANAGER ..................... L INDSAY B ULLOCK , OFFICE @ BMEAGLE . COM 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including online access) Grant County .....................................$40 Everywhere else in U.S. .....................$51 Outside Continental U.S. ....................$60 Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Email: www.MyEagleNews.com Phone: 541-575-0710 Periodicals Postage Paid at John Day and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER send address changes to: Blue Mountain Eagle 195 N. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845-1187 USPS 226-340 Copyright © 2016 Blue Mountain Eagle All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means — graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping or information storage and retrieval systems — without written permission of the publisher. www.facebook.com/MyEagleNews @MyEagleNews