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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2020)
4A MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020 The Observer OUR VIEW Why public records law matter There couldn’t be a clearer case about both the value and fl aws in Oregon’s public records law than the current one in Douglas County. The Oregonian, having spent about $2,000 to obtain records of how the county spent some $43,000 in federal Secure Rural Schools Act funds, reported this week on what it found. The newspaper has since been billed another $693.77 to have a county offi cial spend 13 hours reviewing it so the county could answer questions about records the newspaper received. The newspaper found plenty. Some of the $43,000 went to pay a $75 fee to Sunriver Resort to allow County Commissioner Tim Freeman to keep a dog in his room. Another $205 went to the Brix Chill, a Roseburg cocktail lounge and restaurant. The receipt was not itemized, as county policy requires, making it impossible to tell if he had purchased alcohol as part of the meal. County policy forbids the purchase of alcohol with public funds. Freeman also fl ew fi rst class to Washington, D.C., in 2019 because he was invited on short notice to hear a speech by President Donald Trump. Federal funds paid for part of the upgrade from the standard coach seat that Oregon offi cials usually use. A county spokeswoman said no coach seats were available for the fl ight. If private businesses want to spend their money that way, it’s one thing, but for public offi cials from a poor county in rural Oregon to do so, it’s unconscio- nable. We don’t know what voters in Douglas County will do about the situation, but one thing is clear. Had it not been for this state’s public records law and The Oregonian’s willingness to spend nearly $3,000 get- ting information that’s supposedly available to the public, voters may never have found out about the commission’s free-spending ways. That brings up a problem with the current law. It allows a requester — in this case, The Oregonian — to appeal proposed fees to the local district attorney, Richard Wesenberg. Wesenberg refused to reduce or cancel the fees, arguing the newspaper’s parent com- pany could well afford them. That’s despite the law, which says reducing fees is what should be done if making the record public benefi ts the general public. It’s hard to see how spending of government funds doesn’t qualify as information that meets that test. Lawmakers may not have time to change the law so that getting records is both fast and relatively inexpensive in the coming 30-day session. If not, it should be put at the top of the 2021 to-do list. The law does not require means testing to determine if fees should be waived, and public interest, not a re- quester’s fi nancial statement, should be the standard by which the request is judged. Your views Teenager inspires nation to show that it’s united There is a 14-year-old young Ameri- can man who is getting this nation to wake up. His name is Charlie Hecht and he is on a mission to get all Ameri- cans nationwide to buy an American fl ag and fl y it with its blessings on their front porch. There is much evil in the world and it is a spiritual war. For we wrestle not against fl esh and blood but against chief rules, against authority in high places, against the rulers of the darkness of the world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). In other words, we are in the time of all Christians to unite in spirit and get ready to fi ght Satan’s one world government and Satan himself. He will control the four dynasties of the world. What are the four dynasties? Politics, economics, education and last but not least, religion. America, listen up, united we stand, divided we fall. Thank you, Charlie Hecht, for standing united. Fly your fl ag and show the world that this Chris- tian nation stands united, with the one true God of everything. Gary Robinson Baker City Hansell should back climate legislation Sen. Bill Hansell, I am an Oregon grandfather writing on behalf of my kids and grandchildren — and yours — and children and grandchildren everywhere. While, as an 80-year-old, I will not live to see the full impact of Write to us LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Observer welcomes letters to the editor. Letters are limited to 350 words and must be signed and carry the author’s address and phone number (for verifi cation purposes only). We edit letters for brevity, grammar, taste and legal reasons. We do not fact check. We will not publish poetry, consumer complaints against businesses or personal attacks against private individuals. Thank-you letters are discouraged. Letter writers are limited to one letter every two weeks. Email your letters to news@lagrandeobserver.com or mail them to La Grande Observer, 1406 Fifth St., La Grande, Ore., 97850. the climate crisis, I am committed to bequeathing a habitable planet to our children and grandchildren. We are in a climate crisis that demands strong climate action. Oregon’s oceans are becoming more acidic and wildfi res are growing more frequent and massive. Senate Bill 1530 is a good framework but currently is too weak to meet the demands of the climate crisis. It pro- vides too many giveaways to the fossil fuel industry, allowing these corpora- tions to continue polluting as usual, harming our health and the climate. SB 1530 needs to be stronger to reduce pollution from fossil fuels and increase investments in a clean econ- omy. It needs to be stronger to reduce greenhouse gases from oil companies all across the state. Investments in commu- nities most affected by climate change — rural, low-income, tribes and commu- nities of color — need to be guaranteed. Oregon’s young people need strong climate action. They need leaders to pass strong climate legislation that will Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: 900 Court St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301; 503-378-4582. Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno: 136 State Capitol. Salem OR 97310-0722; 503-986-1523. Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Reed: 350 Winter St. N.E., Suite 100, Salem, OR 97301- 3896; 503-378-4329. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosen- blum: Justice Building, Salem, OR 97301- 4096; 503-378-4400. State Sen. William S. Hansell (29th District/Pendleton): Salem offi ce: 900 Court St. NE., S-423, Salem, OR 97301; 503-986- 1729. Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/ hansell. Email: sen.billhansell@oregonleg- islature.gov. State Rep. Greg Barreto (58th District/ Cove): Salem offi ce: 900 Court St. NE., H-384, Salem, OR 97301; 503-986-1458. Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/bar- reto. Email: rep.gregbarreto@oregonlegis- lature.gov. State Rep. Greg Smith (57th District): Salem offi ce: 900 Court St. NE., H-482, Salem, OR, 97301; 503-986-1457. Heppner offi ce: P.O. Box 219, Heppner, OR 97836; 541-676-5154; Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/smithg. Email: rep.gregsmith@oregonlegislature.gov. Oregon Legislature: Legislative docu- Subscription rates per month: By carrier...............................................$11.80 By mail, all other U.S. .............................. $15 A division of ments and information are available online at www.leg.state.or.us. City of La Grande: Mayor Steve Clem- ents, City Manager Robert Strope; P.O. Box 670, La Grande, OR 97850; 541-962-1309; fax 541-963-3333. Union County Commissioners: Donna Beverage, Matt Scarfo and Paul Anderes; 1106 K Ave., La Grande, OR 97850; 541-963- 1001; fax 541-963-1079. Wallowa County Commissioners: John Hillock, Todd Nash and Susan Roberts; 101 S. River St., Room 202, Enterprise, OR 97828; 541-426-4543, ext. 11; fax 541-426- 0582. STAFF Phone: SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE Stopped account balances less than $5 will be refunded upon request. Bill Whitaker La Grande YOUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION NEWSSTAND PRICE: $1.50 You can save up to 34% off the single-copy price with home delivery. Call 541-963-3161 to subscribe. protect the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the soil that grows the food they eat. That’s why Oregon’s youth have been taking to the streets in record numbers in all parts of the state. They are calling for leaders to pass strong policies that will give them a future free from devastating climate disasters and collapsed economies. Oregon’s most vulnerable popula- tions need strong climate action. People in poverty have the most to lose under climate crisis disasters. Rural Oregon needs strong climate action. We are on the front lines of cli- mate change. From ranchers in Union County to tree farmers in Clackamas County to farm workers in Hermis- ton, there are strong voices from rural Oregon calling for action. Please listen to our voices. Please build upon the work you have started by strengthening SB 1530 and passing bold climate legislation in 2020. 541-963-3161 An independent newspaper founded in 1896 (USPS 299-260) The Observer reserves the right to adjust subscription rates by giving prepaid and mail subscribers 30 days notice. Periodicals postage paid at La Grande, Oregon 97850. Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except Dec. 25) by EO Media Group, 1406 Fifth St., La Grande, OR 97850 (USPS 299-260) COPYRIGHT © 2020 THE OBSERVER The Observer retains ownership and copyright protection of all staff-prepared news copy, advertising copy, photos and news or ad illustrations. They may not be reproduced without explicit prior approval. 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