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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 2020)
Opinion 4A Thursday, April 30, 2020 Th e Observer FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK EOMG forums off er chance to make informed decision E lections are important. They are the bedrock of our democracy, the foundational element to our political system and are the body politic’s way to continue with a series of lawmakers or make different choices. That’s why I believe the upcoming online candi- date forums, sponsored by the EO Media Group, are so important and, if you allow, necessary. Especially now, an opportunity for voters to con- nect with candidates is crucial. This isn’t a typical election season. That’s why the online forums, which will be lives- treamed and will not have a PHIL WRIGHT live audience OBSERVER EDITOR because of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, are essential for voters. The forums broadcast Friday, May 1, for Dem- ocratic candidates for Oregon’s 2nd Congres- sional District and Saturday, May 2, for Republican candidates. There are 16 candidates running for the seat. The EO Media Group sponsorship of the forums is an important public service. We believe one of our core missions is to inform readers regarding issues that affect their lives. Elections — who wins and who does not — have an effect at the local level. The candidate we choose to represent us in Wash- ington, D.C., is crucial to nearly every facet of our lives. That’s why we must choose wisely and the forums will allow area voters to gain some perspec- tive on all the candidates. Normally, as we all know, by this time in an elec- tion season there already would have been numerous open debates, fundraisers for candidates and other opportunities to list and ask questions of the candi- dates. Because that just isn’t possible now, the forums will help democracy. They furnish a platform for all of us to hear what the candidates have to say, their goals and their views on specifi c subjects. Election time is near. Ballots went out Wednesday and the pri- mary election is May 19. So that means time is at a premium. That’s why I hope you all tune in, if you can, and watch. La Grande-based Eastern Oregon Alive TV is live streaming the forums, which also will run on The Observer’s Facebook page. If you are unable to watch the events live, the forums will available for later viewing at your convenience on the The Observer’s website or on EOAlive.tv. The forums are being moderated by Chris Rush, the regional publisher of EO Media Group’s east side publications, including The Observer. Viewers can submit questions to CD2forum@eomediagroup.com in advance of the forums or on Facebook Live during the event. The only way voters can make an informed deci- sion is to hear what the candidates have to say. So, if you get the chance, please go online and watch the forums. It isn’t only a good way to be informed, but it is important to our democracy. OTHER VIEW Don’t put off addressing medical needs A s medical staff president for Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics, I’d like to share some thoughts on our current situ- ation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most challenging issues a physician faces during this trying time is fi nding the balance between providing preventive health care while practicing social distancing. On one hand, care provided now may prevent future health care prob- lems; potentially avoiding hospital- ization, surgery, etc. On the other hand, because there currently is no offi cial cure or treatment for COVID-19 coming from the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Pre- vention, the best defense we have today is to limit our exposure to the coronavirus. Our attempt to practice social dis- tancing, however, should not limit communication between you and your provider. Many of our providers are already using Virtual Visits to consult with those patients for whom it is appropriate. So, if you need to be seen, we have the option of inter- acting with you via video conference if that makes sense. In addition, we are still providing urgent and emer- gent care every day. We continue to work for the overall health of our ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Andy Pearson is a general surgeon and the presi- dent of the med- ical staff at Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics, La Grande. patients, so please contact your pro- vider with any questions you would normally ask before the advent of COVID-19. One of the greatest concerns my colleagues and I have is that medical needs that should be taken care of now, and could be taken care of now, if not addressed will only exacerbate over time. If you are unsure whether you should see your provider, please call and discuss it with your provider directly. If you have MyChart, you have the option to direct message your provider to ask questions, as well. Remember, there is always the option of making an appointment if you and your provider determine the visit should take place in person. We are taking the utmost precautions to keep our employees and our patients safe from exposure to COVID-19. Rest assured that our hospital is prepared to handle a disaster of monumental proportions at this time. Our incident command team has been thorough in their plan- ning. Preparations in nearly every department (pharmacy, surgery, critical care, outpatient clinics, life fl ight, telemedicine, etc.) have focused on preparing to care for an infl ux of very ill COVID-19 patients. Although it is too early to know for sure, we are hopeful that a massive infl ux of patients will pass us by. In this case, our services should return to normal as soon as possible. In anticipation there could be a high demand for health care services once this event is over, we are currently exploring ways to extend our normal daytime operating hours to meet your needs. On a fi nal note, for more infor- mation on current recommendations regarding social distancing, provi- sion of health care, and the status of our infection rate in Oregon, I would encourage you to visit the CDC and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) websites, in addition to our own website. Be cautious about accepting health care information from a source that is not credible. Thank you for trusting us with your health care. As a provider, that is the highest compliment. Your views Draper right for OTEC board I am writing this letter in sup- port of Laurie Draper for the position of District 3 — Harney County for the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. Laurie is well grounded in the issues of electric co-ops with her husband, Rex, employed for 32 years as Harney Electric Co-op’s Serviceman in its northern Harney County territory. She can recall the days before cell phones where there was no cen- tral dispatch and outage calls were taken directly at the line- men’s home, usually by the spouse after he went out to cor- rect the problem. I have known Laurie for nearly 40 years and fi nd her to be exceptionally intelligent, resourceful and interested in her Write to us The Observer welcomes letters to the editor. Letters are limited to 400 words and must be signed and carry the author’s address and phone number (for verifi cation purposes only). Email your letters to news@ lagrandeobserver.com or mail them to the address below. community’s well-being. It is highly unusual to have someone of her caliber willing to serve on a board, especially one as important as Oregon Trail’s. Not being an OTEC member, I have no axe to grind or expec- tation of some favor down the road by supporting Laurie for the board position. I live in Harney Electric Co-op’s service territory and served as its General Man- ager from 1983 to 2002. Have also known Bob Car- gill for nearly as long as Laurie. I feel he has done a fi ne job on the OTEC Board. No one will ever accuse me as a champion of diversity or change for their own sake. These are both quality can- didates. However, if casting my ballot, I would choose Laurie Draper. Thank you for considering my views. Jack Heaston Rural Harney County Choose wisely when it comes to OTEC board There are three members of the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Board of Direc- tors up for reelection this year. Many of our electric cooper- atives are facing challenging and demanding decisions in the coming few years, and this will impact the membership’s ability to benefi t from the affordable power that OTEC provides. Key issues relating to fed- eral and state legislative actions could have major damaging effects on OTEC members, while still providing reliable and constant power needs to meet demands. Ongoing infrastruc- ture issues and the effects of the pandemic are creating for the fi rst time in years many chal- lenges that the board of direc- tors are managing in conjunc- tion with the leadership of the OTEC organization. Typically it can take up to two years for each new board member to complete training, get certifi ed and to gain the knowledge needed to address the current critical issues facing the OTEC leadership. Can we afford this training time given the current circumstances? Therefore I ask you to take time to carefully consider your choice in selecting which indi- viduals you think can provide our cooperative with strong, consistent and experienced lead- ership in the years ahead by casting your vote to re-elect board members. The investments we have made as members of this cooperative in trusting and depending on these individuals to continue to provide our com- munity with reliable power will be achieved if we chose to main- tain the board’s current level of knowledge and expertise. Julie Riel Hines
