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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 28, 2020)
Opinion LABEL 4A Saturday, March 28, 2020 Th e Observer OUR VIEW Two words for COVID-19 e’ll have something more to say Tuesday. But for now, two words about sum up the COVID-19 outbreak, the path all of us have to take to “fl atten the curve,” the consequences for us, our communities and local businesses, and, yes, The Observer, too: W This sucks . Your views Sheriff election is not a popularity contest The current primary race for Union County sheriff has four indi- viduals competing for the most important job in Union County gov- ernment. The citizens of Union County need to take heed of the seri- ousness of this position. The sheriff is responsible for a budget of nearly $5 million of your money. The sheriff is required to supervise more than 30 employees in the department and the jail facility. The sheriff is responsible for your and your family’s safety and security and is required to maintain law and order in our county. The requirements outlined above are a big deal to all of us. The sheriff must be a mature, solid, dedicated leader with the experience and training to be in a command position over his charges. Not their buddy. The current sheriff has demon- strated to me that he lacks command authority. One of the other candidates is an approximately nine-year deputy and one has returned to our com- munity after a career in the military. These three have an understandable desire to retain or win this position that pays more than $125,000 per year with benefi ts. This is a nonpartisan position, as it should be. The most qualifi ed can- didate is the one who should prevail. Unfortunately, the public does not take the time to understand the scope of the sheriff’s responsibilities and it becomes quasi-political where the most visible candidate prevails. This is not a popularity contest. You should not be swayed by the candidate with the most yard signs. The fact that a handful of deputies identifying as a union have switched their endorsement from the incum- bent to their former union president is a concern. I believe it demonstrates a breakdown of authority within the department and necessitates a need for new leadership. In my mind there is only one can- didate with the experience, certifi - cation and, more important, the life experience to be in command of the most important department in Union County government. Join me in sup- porting and voting for Bill Miller for Union County sheriff. John E. Coote Island City Bill Miller is dedicated to public service and law enforcement Citizens of Union County, I urge you to go about choosing who to vote for as if you own your own company and you are trying to hire someone to manage it for you. I’m certain your company will do best with someone who will mentor your employees, lead them by example and ensure they produce the best possible product for your customers. Hire someone who knows the ins and outs of the business and who has been there and done that. So, if the sheriff’s offi ce is your company, take the time to research the person applying for this very important job. After all, whomever is chosen, will be working for you. Each candidate published an announcement when he decided to run for sheriff, and each has a Face- book page with a great deal of infor- mation available. They are also expected to have a candidate state- ment in the voter’s pamphlet. Treat these items like the candidates’ resumes. When you do, you will fi nd that Bill Miller is the only logical choice. Bill’s vast knowledge and experi- ence in corrections, patrol, drug task force, swat, major crimes, parole and probation, and internal inves- tigations make him the most well rounded and best choice in this race. In his 20-plus years in law enforce- ment, he spent fi ve years on the sheriff’s command staff as a detec- tive sergeant. Bill has received many commendations and endorsements that are testaments to his diligence and dedication to public service and law enforcement. Not only that, he is also a veteran and a graduate of Eastern Oregon University. You won’t fi nd anyone more capable of leading the Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce than Bill Miller. Bill is the right choice for Union County. JoJean Nelson La Grande Mike Barry is an extremely good fi t for Union County I’m writing this letter in support of Mike Barry for Union County Com- missioner. I’ve known Mike Barry for quite awhile now and I couldn’t SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Subscription rates per month: Union & Wallowa Co. .........................$11.80 By mail, all other U.S. .............................. $15 A division of Never leave an injured animal to suffer I hope I am not writing this letter too soon, as I am still very angry. A couple hours before this writing, as I drove down N Avenue between Sev- enth and Eighth streets, I saw what I fi rst took to be a bag blowing around in the street. As I got closer, I saw it was a cat that had obviously been recently struck by a vehicle and was still suffering. I quickly parked and went to see what I could do, but it died as I reached it. I moved it off the street and went on an unsuc- cessful search to locate the owner. I understand that animals will sometimes run out in a way that makes them impossible to miss, but there should always be an attempt to reach the owner. And, you should never leave an injured animal to suffer as this one was. I’m going to do the perpetrator a favor and assume that you didn’t realize the full extent of the problem. Because, if you did and left anyway, that makes you something I would never want to be. Somebody is going to be heart- broken at the loss of their pet and the way it was left. I just hope it wasn’t a child’s. Gary Lillard La Grande STAFF Phone: SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE NEWSSTAND PRICE: $1.50 You can save up to 34% off the single-copy price with home delivery. Call 541-963-3161 to subscribe. be happier that he is running for county commissioner. Mike is a well-educated, experi- enced candidate. In addition, he is a common-sense and down-to-earth man. Most, if not all of the time I’ve known Mike, he has served the com- munity in some form or another. His dedication to the citizens of Union County and his openness will be unwavering, as it has been in anything he has done to date. Mike Barry is a good man and an extremely good fi t for Union County Commissioner. This time of quarantines and orders from our governor has put a hardship on any candidate running for any position because there can be no forums, rallies or public gath- erings. I encourage you to reach out to these candidates and get to know them. I feel if you reach out to Mike Barry, you will vote for him just as I plan to. Mike Moran La Grande 541-963-3161 An independent newspaper founded in 1896 (USPS 299-260) Periodicals postage paid at Pendleton, Oregon 97801. Published Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (except Dec. 25) by EO Media Group, 911 Jefferson Ave., La Grande, OR 97850 (USPS 299-260) Toll free (Oregon): 1-800-781-3214 Fax: 541-963-7804 Email: news@lagrandeobserver.com Website: www.lagrandeobserver.com Street address: 911 Jefferson Ave., La Grande POSTMASTER COPYRIGHT © 2020 THE OBSERVER Send address changes to: The Observer retains ownership and copyright The Observer, protection of all staff-prepared news copy, advertising 911 Jefferson Ave., copy, photos and news or ad illustrations. They may La Grande, OR 97850 not be reproduced without explicit prior approval. Periodicals postage paid at: Pendleton, Oregon 97801 Publisher........................................Karrine Brogoitti Classifieds ........................................ 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