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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 21, 2017)
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon DYING: Oregon has dismal ranking in suicides Continued from page 23 political rumor floating around the capital on June 8. The gist of it was that MSG Petry was only there as a Republican stooge for the res- urrection of SB1054, which Representative Anthony Meeker’s Chief of Staff con- firmed to Greg Walker has been “sent to die in the rules committee.” What he didn’t say, but what he could just as well have said, is that Oregon’s deserving and honorable vet- erans have been sent there to die, too. “I hope the veterans of Oregon realize the demeanor of their elected representa- tives,” MSG Petry told me. “The only reason I went there was to give veterans a voice. If they (Governor Brown and Senator Manning) had just talked to me they would have known that. I volunteered to be there. I was there of my own accord.” In other words, in the manner befitting a Medal of Honor recipient, he was no one’s political lackey. He was there in the continuing effort to take care of his peo- ple, who are dying for lack of leadership — and cynical stonewalling — by hyper- partisan politicians. If any single issue should rise above the miasma of Salem swamp gases, given the life-or-death nature of the problem, men- tal-health care for veterans is surely it. But even if MSG Petry had been there solely to advocate for a bill that the Governor et al. happen to disagree with, what minimal historical appreciation and political grace does it require to step outside and offer a liv- ing Medal of Honor recipi- ent the professional courtesy and acknowledgement he so richly deserves? In Manning’s case — the same man who admitted in front of Greg Walker and Will Naugle’s sister, Julie Terry, that he “hadn’t read the bill closely enough” (it is scarcely over a page long) then supported it, then sud- denly retracted his support — it appears that hiding in his office was the result of sheer political cowardice. The topper? Manning is a retired Army Sergeant Major. Senator Manning’s office also refused my request for comment. SB1054 isn’t the entire answer. But given the fact that we have been at war for 16 years it’s a long-overdue step in the need to deliver critical, life-saving care to veterans who are dying each and every day. Those deaths aren’t polit- ical hyperbole, they are real human beings dying because they can’t get care, and because certain politicians in Salem are, in the words of a seasoned source in the state- house, more concerned with “holding Oregonians hostage for tax-hikes.” On a personal note, on Saturday, June 10, I rode in the veterans’ float during the Sisters Rodeo parade. It was a singularly humbling experi- ence. Hundreds of our friends and neighbors turned out, and as our modest float rolled along through the cheer- ing crowd, countless people offered heartfelt “Thank- yous” to those of us riding by. Deeply moved, I had to bite my lip. Oregonians care about and deeply respect their veterans. Some of our elected represen- tatives in Salem seem to have forgotten that. Or maybe they never knew it to begin with. A successful climb... 25 The Nugget Newspaper Crossword By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service — Last Week’s Puzzle Solved — This Week’s Crossword Sponsors Special Event ~ Mon., July 10, 2-3:30 p.m. Flash Beauty Treatments Essentials Skincare By Annie Hill-Adler, LE, CWC, Éminence Professional Space is limited to 6 guests for mini facials, wine, special gifts, plus 10% off products! $25 per session. Call to book, 541-480-1412 Karen Keady Esthetician/Owner | 541-480-1412 | 492 E. Main Ave. | www.SistersEssentials.com WELL PUMP SERVICE Pump & Electrical Contractor PRESSURE TANKS • CONSTANT-PRESSURE SYSTEMS FREQUENCY DRIVES • MOTOR CONTROLS • PUMPS A Division of 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE Sisters Owned CCB#178543 Zach 541-420-8170 DECK FORECAST PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK Cyclists enjoyed a perfect day to summit McKenzie Pass. Sunny, happy times with our lunch & dinner items! Fun around the firepit, pitching horseshoes and cornhole. 425 Hwy. 20 W. (Next to Bi-Mart) 541-549-8620 • Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Fri. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Sat. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Sun. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Lounge Open Later
