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OPINION
East Oregonian
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Founded October 16, 1875
KATHRYN B. BROWN
DANIEL WATTENBURGER
Publisher
Managing Editor
JENNINE PERKINSON
TIM TRAINOR
Advertising Director
Opinion Page Editor
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MIKE FORRESTER
STEVE FORRESTER
KATHRYN B. BROWN
Pendleton
Chairman of the Board
Astoria
President
Pendleton
Secretary/Treasurer
CORY BOLLINGER
JEFF ROGERS
Aberdeen, S.D.
Director
Indianapolis, Ind.
Director
OUR VIEW
Your vote,
your voice
Your ballot should have arrived
in your mailbox by now. Hopefully
you’ve opened it and looked over
the myriad races you have a say in.
The exact number depends on
whether or not you are an afiliated
voter. Because of Oregon’s closed
primary, if you are not registered as
Democrat or Republican you have
many fewer bubbles to choose from.
But if you are feeling
overwhelmed by the number of
those bubbles, we’re here to help.
No matter how informed you try to
be, it is likely that some races that
have snuck by you.
Here’s some advice on local
issues.
School bonds and levies
We feel a little bit like Meg Ryan
in that classic scene in When Harry
Met Sally. On school levies for the
Echo, Milton-Freewater and Athena-
Weston districts, we’re screaming:
YES, YES and YES.
And it’s not because we’re some
tax up-tickers and apologists for
Oregon’s dismal education system
— which remains among the lowest-
performing states in many metrics.
We support all three because
each of these districts is hamstrung
by Oregon’s tax system, yet they
have been gifted opportunities to
bring in millions of outside dollars
into local school districts. If voters
don’t approve the levies this time
around, those dollars will have to
be excised from a much smaller pot
— local pockets — the next time
around. These districts won lotteries
of different sorts. If you vote against,
you’re just sending those lottery
winnings back.
We recommend a vote to have
what they’re having.
Umatilla County Fire District
#1
The district is taking a proactive
look at how to keep Hermiston and
west-county ire response at the top
of its game.
We appreciate its backers
have thoughtfully considered the
OTHER VIEWS
Pendleton at a tipping point
measure’s defeat on the last ballot,
and have come back with a lower
price point and a more coherent
message. This bond will add full-
time stafing at the Diagonal Road
station, beef up stafing in Stanield
and, as a result, provide better
coverage for the rural areas.
Hermiston’s department hasn’t
seen an increase in funding in quite
some time, and as a stand-alone
district this bond is the best way to
keep the ireighters and paramedics
best equipped to handle the growing
number of emergencies in our
growing community. We suggest a
YES vote.
Pendleton city council
There could be as many as seven
new faces on the Pendleton city
council in just a few months. This
represents a remarkable opportunity
to reform and refocus the council
and put the city on a new path. The
members we’d like to see lead that
change is mayor John Turner, Becky
Marks in Ward 1, Scott Fairley in
Ward 2, Dale Primmer in Ward 3
and Paul Chalmers as an at-large
councilor.
Umatilla County Commissioner
The editorial board chose not
to make an endorsement between
incumbent Bill Elfering and
challenger Tom Bailor.
Circuit Court Judge
We plan to speak with circuit
court judge candidates Jon Lieuallen
and John Ballard, but won’t make
an editorial endorsement until we’ve
given them a chance to make their
pitch to us. This may be the tightest
and most interesting ballot question
this year in Umatilla County.
And remember: the ballot is
not a standardized test. While
we hope voters take the time to
educate themselves on the issues
and candidates before illing out
and returning the ballot, if you feel
unsure about a particular race, or just
want to vote for a single candidate,
your vote will be counted just the
same.
Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East Oregonian editorial board of Publisher
Kathryn Brown, Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, and Opinion Page Editor Tim Trainor.
Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not
necessarily that of the East Oregonian.
W
hen I purchased the Brown
and a strong commitment to under-
Building in November of
standing we are in an era when we
have to do more with less. There is no
2005, my wife Gail and I
pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
were considering several possible
nor is there a golden egg hidden under
property development locations
city hall. We simply need to tighten
across the country. We settled on
our belts and do the best we can
Pendleton because of its immense
with what we have until such time as
possibilities — possibilities that I
the community regains trust in city
believe continue to exist although
Al
government and commits the funds
the climate has changed in the last 11
Plute
necessary to improve the streets and
years.
Comment
other aspects of our infrastructure.
I commuted to Pendleton for four
It is always easier to be a spectator
years before we actually moved here
than to take the ield just like it is easy to
full-time in September of 2009. Along the
identify a problem; it’s inding the solution
way, I also purchased the St. George Hotel
that is dificult. The best way to survive
and the Bowman Building. During our years
in government leadership
in Pendleton, we have had the
positions is to keep your head
privilege of renovating and
down and avoid change. We
re-purposing all three of those
need to create an environment
aging but historical facilities.
in which those with something
They now have a new life,
to offer feel comfortable
which will continue long after
iling for elected positions
we have moved on.
while those on the sidelines
Those irst years in
understand their role is to cheer
Pendieton were exciting times
rather than simply jeer. More
and out-of-town developers
and more qualiied individuals
were applauded for making a
will avoid running for ofice if
difference — particularly along
they realize attempts to offer
a Main Street that has been
solutions will be met with
struggling to keep the lights
resistance, risk, recall and rancor.
on. Those were the years when Hamley’s
There is evidence throughout Pendleton
became a major attraction, when storefronts
that the early leaders of our daily newspaper
were modernized, and when old buildings
were once active participants in the process
came back to life. New entities like the
Prodigal Son are further examples of how old of shaping the community. It too has taken on
the role of spectator more prone to lobbing
buildings can experience rejuvenation.
grenades than becoming visible contributors
Pendleton still has a number of major
to our collective well-being.
buildings that are vacant for lack of a tenant
I realize I am an individual with a
or empty shells because of ire and decay.
penchant for pushing the envelope and
Or, in some cases, prime business locations
engaging in spirited conversations on
without a business. In a way, Pendleton is at
subjects about which I am passionate. As
a tipping point like many other communities
a result, a variety of events have caused
that are struggling to maintain the status quo
our family to conclude our lives would be
while not understanding there is no such
happier on the banks of the McKenzie River
thing as the status quo — we either move
in Springield rather than in a community we
forward or backward.
thought once would be our permanent home.
While Pendleton has a rich heritage, it is
As a result, while I will be returning
important that in celebrating our past, we do
to Pendleton monthly to handle business
not imperil our future. As Pendleton seeks
matters, as soon as Pendleton completes
to deine what lies ahead, it is important the
the budget process, I will be resigning as a
community comes together to embrace new
member of the city council.
ideas, divergent opinions and the importance
All of that being said, I still believe Pend-
of welcoming newcomers. There are two
leton is a city full of possibilities and Gail
societies co-existing here — those who
and I have enjoyed meeting many people
represent four, ive and six generations and
who will likely remain lifetime-friends. I
remain here, as well as those who have
am, irst and foremost, an incurable optimist
consciously chosen to make Pendleton their
and I am conident there are people here who
home. Both groups have something to offer.
will be able to promote ideas for which I was
I am hopeful the city council will be
unable to secure support.
able to infuse a new sense of direction and
■
excitement into this community. I’m told
Al Plute is a Pendleton City Council
they intend to start by clearly deining their
goals and focus and then sticking to the plan. member and a local property owner. He will
resign from the city council May 17.
That’s exactly what Pendleton needs — that
There is no
such thing as
the status quo
— we either
move forward
or backward.
YOUR VIEWS
Circut court judge
needs integrity
Voters in Umatilla County
have a crucial decision to make in
the upcoming May elections —
who should succeed retiring judge
Ronald J. Pahl as our next circuit
court judge. This position is so
important because of the respon-
sibility that comes with deciding
the fates of so many people in our
community: domestic violence
victims, children in dependency
cases, those convicted of crimes,
parties to contract disputes, adults
who are mentally incapacitated,
and the list goes on.
Moreover, sitting judges are
rarely opposed or defeated in
elections so they typically preside
until they retire or decide to do
something else. For these reasons
we should take great care in
choosing who will be the next
judge to handle these important
affairs for us.
You might think about it this
way: If you, or a loved one, were
facing a circuit court judge in
a divorce, small claims case,
restraining order case, or any
other legal matter, would you
want the judge staring back at you
to be one of integrity, fairness,
and compassion, or a judge
lacking in those important traits?
We are lucky to live in a
democracy where we get to
choose our local judges, so
please vote and choose someone
who you believe embodies the
personal character beitting a
judge.
hard worker. Cody is the type of
person who will speak up and
make a difference.
The city of Pendleton needs
the younger generation to get
more involved and Cody is
the right person to do this. I
know Cody will be devoted and
committed and take this opportu-
nity very serious.
Vote Cody Cimmiyotti — we
won’t be disappointed.
Arron Guevara
Pendleton
Fire bond necessary to
keep up with needs
Cimmiyotti the right
choice for Ward 3
This is the irst time I have
written a letter to the editor, but
I feel very strongly that Cody
Cimmiyotti would be the right
person for the Ward 3 seat on
the Pendleton City Council. He
is very dedicated to whatever he
chooses to do as well as a very
Be heard!
Kelly Knight
Pendleton
We have been residents of the
Hermiston area since 1975. Over
the years I’ve not only seen the
excellent work and dedication of
the local emergency services but
have been the recipient of their
response and emergency care in
both ire and medical situations.
They are asking voters to
allow them to form a new ire
district that will allow them to
Comment online at eastoregonian.com
or submit a letter to the editor
increase their tax rate a total of
55 cents per $1,000 of assessed
value. As the cost of doing
business rises this increase in
revenue is necessary to keep up
with personnel and equipment
needs. The facts are available on
the website at www.hermistonire.
org.
The new district will help
meet future equipment costs and
add needed personnel to staff
the station on Diagonal Road
24 hours a day. To make this
happen we must vote to dissolve
the existing ire district and to
form and fund the new district,
Umatilla County Fire District
#1. I’m voting YES on both and
asking you to do the same.
Bryan and Lou Ann Wolfe
Hermiston
Lindsay for Morrow
County Judge
We have watched Melissa
Lindsay grow up here in Eastern
Oregon. Her time spent in
Heppner schools, college, the
Bank of Eastern Oregon mortgage
department, ranch bookkeeping
skills and raising two children has
made her who she is today. She
can do it all!
Melissa is very open-minded
and works well with others. She
is a great organizer and whatever
job she does, it is 100 percent.
Her knowledge of how this
county runs is due to her energy
and attending meetings for the
last year doing research to see
what this position involves. She
is a great example of what citizen
government should look like. She
is successful in every endeavor
she does and will bring that to the
county. We feel she is extremely
qualiied for the job and would be
a huge asset to Morrow County.
Please cast your ballot for
Melissa Lindsay for Morrow
County Judge if you want to see
this county maintain an excellent
operation done right.
Marvin and Tanna Padberg
Ione
LETTERS POLICY
The East Oregonian welcomes original letters of 400 words or less on public issues and public
policies for publication in the newspaper and on our website. The newspaper reserves the right
to withhold letters that address concerns about individual services and products or letters that
infringe on the rights of private citizens. Submitted letters must be signed by the author and in-
clude the city of residence and a daytime phone number. The phone number will not be published.
Unsigned letters will not be published. Send letters to Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, 211
S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 or email editor@eastoregonian.com.