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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 17, 2017)
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017 4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Opinion / Politics — Editorial — Complaints about Walden’s absence seem fishy It’s interesting to us, the sudden post-inauguration rash of protests, letters to the editor and complaints across our Congressional District (CD2), including Baker County, alleg- ing that Rep. Greg Walden has been an absentee elected offi cial. We also fi nd it interesting that a web site was launched suggesting just such a rash of complaints by George Soros- funded www.indivisibleguide.com. Walden has established offi ces across our District, staffed to fi eld calls, emails and visits, and these of- fi ces report that hired protestors—not constituents—come out in droves during protest activities to tie up the phone lines so that actual constituents really can’t communicate as needed. They’re the telephonic equivalent of hecklers. Apparently these folks are attempting to create the situation for which they then complain. CD2 is the largest Congressional District in Oregon, composed of 20 counties. Walden makes the plane ride back and forth from Washington D.C. to one county or another in his District nearly every week—a lot of frequent fl ier miles! Below are his visits—and this list probably isn’t comprehensive—of the in-person visits to our county and those surrounding us just over the past few years. While we don’t always agree with how Walden has voted— though usually we do—we strongly agree that an 80% friend is not a 20% enemy, as Ronald Reagan put it. Walden’s presence in his District, however, is certainly not an area in which we see any criticism warranted. The numbers speak for themselves. Baker: 1. February 10, 2017 – Meeting with Chaves Consulting Call Center 2. June 20, 2016 – Baker City Town Hall 3. July 16, 2016 – Miner’s Jubilee Parade 4. January 19, 2015 – Baker County Commissioners Meeting 5. February 21, 2015 – Baker City Town Hall 6. September 15, 2015 – Baker City Wildfi re Town Hall 7. April 25, 2014 – Baker County Lincoln Day Dinner 8. April 26, 2014 – Baker City Town Hall 9. November 2, 2014 – Baker City Town Hall 10. February 20, 2013 – Baker City Town Hall 11. May 24, 2013 – Synergy Data Center Tour 12. June 21, 2013 – Oregon Cattle- men’s Association 100th Anniversary Dinner 13. November 7, 2013 – Meeting with veterans advocates of ORE/IDA 14. February 21, 2012 – Baker City Town Hall 15. July 13, 2012 – Rock Creek Power Plant Tour 16. September 5, 2012 – Memorial Service for Specialist Mabry Anders Letter to the Editor Policy: The Baker Coun- ty Press reserves the right not to publish letters containing factual falsehoods or incoherent nar- rative. Letters promoting or detracting from spe- cifi c for-profi t businesses will not be published. Word limit is 375 words per letter. Letters are lim- ited to one every other week per author. Letters should be submitted to Editor@TheBakerCoun- tyPress.com. Advertising and Opinion Page Disclaimer: Opinions submitted as Guest Opinions or Let- Malheur: 1. February 21, 2017 – Ontario Town Hall, tour of snow damage in Ontario 2. April 3, 2016 – Jordan Valley Town Hall 3. July 16, 2016 – Ontario Agricul- ture Town Hall 4. January 16, 2015 – Ontario Town Hall 5. February 18, 2015 – Malheur County Onion Growers Meeting 6. September 15, 2015 – Malheur County Wildfi re Town Hall 7. April 26, 2014 – Malheur County Veterans Town Hall 8. November 2, 2014 – Ontario Town Hall 9. February 21, 2013 – Ontario Town Hall 10. April 24, 2013 – Nyssa Town Hall 11. June 21, 2013 – Malheur County Onion Growers Food Safety Meeting 12. November 7, 2013 – Ontario OSU Extension Food Safety Meeting 13. February 22, 2012 – Nyssa Town Hall 14. July 13, 2012 – Malheur Agri- culture Leaders Meeting Union: 1. February 21, 2017 – La Grande Rotary 2. February 16, 2016 – Union County Town Hall 3. June 20, 2016 – La Grande Vet- erans Meeting 4. October 21, 2016 – EOU Veter- ans Program Meeting 5. January 18, 2015 – La Grande Town Hall 6. September 15, 2015 – Eastern Oregon Counties Association Forestry Meeting 7. March 16, 2014 – Elgin Town Hall 8. August 7, 2014 – Union County Chamber of Commerce Roundtable 9. January 26, 2013 – La Grande Town Hall 10. May 24, 2013 – La Grande Health Care Providers Meeting 11. November 8, 2013 – Union County Veterans Coffee Meeting 12. February 21, 2012 – Barreto Manufacturing Tour 13. March 23, 2012 – Elgin Town Hall 14. July 13, 2012 – La Grande Chamber of Commerce Roundtable Wallowa: 1. October 21, 2016 – Enterprise Veterans Lunch 2. April 2, 2016 – Enterprise Town Hall Dinner 3. January 18, 2015 – Enterprise Town Hall 4. September 15, 2015 – Wallowa County Town Hall 5. November 14, 2015 – Wallowa Hospital Foundation Dinner 6. March 14, 2014 – Wallowa County Lincoln Day Dinner 7. August 8, 2014 – Enterprise Town Hall 8. January 27, 2013 – Enterprise Town Hall and Wallowa County Chamber Banquet 9. July 27, 2013 – Chief Joseph Days Rodeo 10. March 23, 2012 – Enterprise Town Hall 11. July 13, 2012 – Wallowa Forest Service Compound Conveyance Act Event Finally, the last angle we’ve heard from the “Walden is never here” crowd is that well, maybe he was here, but they were simply unaware of his visits, that they just weren’t publi- cized. For them, we recommend a sub- scription to a local newspaper. —The Baker County Press Editorial Board ters to the Editor express the opinions of their authors, and have not been authored by and are not necessarily the opinions of The Baker County Press, any of our staff, management, independent contractors or affi liates. Advertise- ments placed by political groups, candidates, businesses, etc., are printed as a paid service, which does not constitute an endorsement of or fulfi llment obligation by this newspaper for the products or services advertised. — Letters to the Editor — Mental health should not still carry a stigma To the Editor: In reference to the letters to the editor about mental illness. The fi rst thing is to know, it is not contagious. I am bi-polar and have been for many years. I was able to have a job, enjoy my family, go shop- ping and out for dinner on vacations, and be in a marriage of 35 years etc. It is a treatable condition and I fi nd it very sad that in our world today the sub- ject is still considered taboo. Aren’t there many more problems in the world today? Mental illness is an illness like diabetes, arthritis, heart conditions—and other organ problems. We are approachable and more than willing to educate you. Suzette Polley Baker City For Rep. Earl Blumenauer To the Editor: This is in response to information con- tained in another newspaper concerning Representative Earl Blumenauer’s intend- ed preparation for possible impeachment of President Trump. I would suggest to Rep. B. that those who live in glass houses should be very cautious regarding the throwing of stones! His political house appears to be about 90 percent glass. The U.S. Constitution, the one Rep. B. wants to amend is also the one that he has sworn to obey in the exercise of his du- ties in government. Therein lies his glass house. The July 16, 2016 issue of the New American lists all members of con- gress and how they voted on each of ten measures involving constitutional issues. Rep. B. got only one correct. And yet he proposes to impeach president Trump as mentally unstable for keeping his cam- paign promises. Admittedly, keeping a promise is very uncommon in the political world of today, but not a true indication of mental problems. Wouldn’t it be great if more politicians had that problem after being elected today? There is a bright side to Representative Blumenauer’s proposal. It brings to light the problem we have in the current politi- cal world. The vast majority of persons elected to congress take an oath before God and man to uphold the Constitution, the law of the land, when they have no intention of doing so. How can we believe any thing they say? There appears to be a strong political,business movement attempting to discredit our new president before he can destroy their illicit profi t establishment. One must wonder whether Representative Blumenauer’s early attack on President Trump is part of that effort. President Trump was elected according to the law of the land. He has an obliga- tion to attempt to accomplish what he campaigned to accomplish. Those who attempt to prevent his achieving this, by force, no matter who they are need to be held accountable. All seated politicians face reelection, as will Mr. Blumenauer. Jasper Coombes Baker City Cattlemen to assist ranchers due to fires Submitted by the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association It is with heavy hearts that we continue to wit- ness the mass destruction and devastation caused by wildfi res that continue to rage across the Southern Plains, affecting ranching families in Texas, Oklaho- ma, Kansas and Colorado. Not only have these ranch- ers lost beloved horses, full herds of magnifi cent beef cattle, but many have lost family members while try- ing to save their homes and livelihood from these fi res. We ask Oregon ranchers to come together and sup- port their fellow ranching families in this time of need. If you would like to donate to the wildfi re relief for the Southern Plains, please go to our Steward- ship Fund at orcattle.com/ products-page/donations/ donation-oregon-cattle- mens-stewardship-fund/ and include the memo “Southern Wildfi re Relief.” Funds raised will be given to a wildfi re relief fund effort. The surviving cattle and ranching families are in desperate need of essen- tials like hay and fencing. If you would like to make a donation of fencing, material, hay, trucking or time, please email OCA Communications Director, Katie Schrock, at katie. schrock@orcattle.com. We are working hard to build a relief effort team and would appreciate any assistance we can get. “The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association takes serious efforts in helping not only their own members but also our fellow ranchers across the country in times of crisis. Please consider making a donation to the Oregon Cattlemen’s As- sociation’s Stewardship Fund for the Southern Wildfi re Relief donation efforts,” said Jerome Rosa, the Executive Director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association. Help OCA help these ranching families and their livestock! About The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association was founded in 1913 and works to promote environmentally and socially sound industry practices, improve and strengthen the economics of the industry, and protect its industry communities and private property rights. Subscribe today! See page 9 for how! — Contact Us — YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS The Baker County Press President Donald Trump PO Box 567 Baker City, Ore. 97814 202.456.2461 fax Open Monday-Thursday for calls 9 AM - 4 PM Open 24/7 for emails 202.456.1414 Whitehouse.gov/contact US Sen. Jeff Merkley 503.326.3386 503.326.2900 fax Merkley.Senate.gov Phone: 541.519.0572 TheBakerCountyPress.com US Sen. Ron Wyden 541.962.7691 Wyden.Senate.gov Kerry McQuisten, Publisher Editor@TheBakerCountyPress.com US Rep. Greg Walden Wendee Morrissey, Advertising and Sales Wendee@TheBakerCountyPress.com 541.624.2402 fax David Conn, Advertising and Sales David@TheBakerCountyPress.com Published weekly every Friday. Subscription rates per year are $29.95 all areas, e-mail delivery. $39.95 print issue, home delivery, Baker City city limits only. $49.95 print issue, mail delivery, outside Baker City city limits only. Payment in advance. A division of Black Lyon Publishing, LLC 541.624.2400 Walden.House.gov Oregon Gov. Kate Brown 503.378.3111 Governor.Oregon.gov State Rep. Cliff Bentz 503.986.1460 State Sen. Ted Ferrioli 541.490.6528 Baker County Commissioners Bill Harvey; Mark Bennett; Bruce Nichols 541.523.8200 Copyright © 2014 -2017 541.523.8201