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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2019)
A4 East Oregonian Saturday, June 15, 2019 CHRISTOPHER RUSH Publisher KATHRYN B. BROWN Owner ANDREW CUTLER Editor WYATT HAUPT JR. News Editor JADE McDOWELL Hermiston Editor Founded October 16, 1875 OUR VIEW Tip of the Hat, kick in the pants A tip of the hat to the individ- uals representing the state’s logging industry who con- vened at the Capitol last week to pro- test two climate bills — House Bill 2007 and HB 2020 — now under consideration by Oregon lawmakers. HB 2007 would compel trucks and other equipment in three Oregon counties to be switched out or mod- ernized to reduce carbon emissions. HB 2020 is designed to cut the state’s carbon dioxide emissions. Both bills are contentious and at least one — HB 2020 — will get the green light from lawmakers. Timber industry workers and rep- resentatives appeared at the capi- tol riding a convoy of logging trucks to express their displeasure. While impressive, the demonstration was peaceful and ordered. The people who participated in the civic-action ses- sion exercised their fundamental right under the Constitution to peaceably assembly and air their grievances. Instead of shouts and rock throwing these individuals met and made their intention clear without violence. That is a solid, common-sense way to exercise their fundamental rights. It’s too bad common sense is not evi- dent in either of the two climate bills. A tip of the hat to Judge William D. Johnson for his distinguished career on the Umatilla Tribal Court. He was the first CTUIR member to graduate from law school and pass the Oregon Bar, and has been chief judge since 1988, now serving his fourth and final term. Johnson was also instrumental in getting the Violence Against Women Act authorized on the reservation, which gives tribes jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators of domes- tic violence against Indian women on tribal land. A tip of the hat to Lamb Weston and the firm’s new investment in Hermiston. The 300,000-square-foot processing plant not only helps the company but is a sizeable economic development investment, adding 150 full-time jobs. Those new worker slots will also pay well, symbolizing how much Lamb Weston believes in Capital Press Photo/Sierra Dawn McClaini A fleet of about three dozen logging trucks converged on the state fairgrounds as part of a demonstration by dozens of loggers, millers, truckers and their families who continued to the Oregon Capitol steps to protest two climate bills they say will devastate them and their industry. the Hermiston — and greater Colum- bia Basin — economy. A kick in the pants to the state of Oregon and its beleaguered fos- ter care system. While consultants are now working to create change, the truth is the system has been haunted with persistent problems for years. Plagued by abuse and operating with sparse public surveillance, the foster care system has become a cautionary tale when it should be one of the most valued aspects of our state. A tip of the hat to the new — and long-awaited — Wallowa Band Nez Perce Visitors Interpretive Center in Wallowa. The center opened May 25, and it is filled with artifacts and showcases the rich history of the Wal- lowa Band of the Nez Perce. The new facility is an excellent way to recog- nize and celebrate a key piece of our shared Northeast Oregon culture. Kudos to those who pushed for the center’s creation. OTHER VIEWS Union won’t let members leave when they want Bend Bulletin J oining the Oregon Education Associ- ation is simple for the approximately 44,000 educators who want to be members. Leaving is not. The union lets members leave only in September. The OEA apparently believes there’s nothing wrong with pirating dues for months from members who want to leave, trampling their First Amendment rights by forcing them to continue to pay to support causes or speech they oppose. Three school employees in Oregon are suing the OEA to end the practice. Justice demands they win. The employees claim the seizing of dues against their wishes violates their constitutional rights. The amounts at stake for the three employees vary. One pays about $992 a year, another about half that amount. Two of the employees signed the agree- ment to join the union with the fine print that says they couldn’t leave except during September. A third refused to sign and was told he would have to keep paying through September anyway. The three are repre- sented by the Freedom Foundation, which works to fight unions. Do all those conditions and specifics matter? Is the OEA being fair by taking money from people for months who don’t want to belong? It’s not. The question in this lawsuit fol- lows from the Janus decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled that pub- lic-sector unions must stop forcing non- members to pay fees without their con- sent. The “First Amendment is violated when money is taken from nonconsent- ing employees for a public-sector union; employees must choose to support the union before anything is taken from them,” the court said. Public-sector unions have been fighting Janus ever since. If the OEA can’t force people to join the union and pay dues, it just won’t let them leave when they want. YOUR VIEWS Translation not a job for young children A recent article promoted the use of children to interpret for their parents during medical appointments, at govern- ment offices, and at school. In my dual capacity as a parent and a Sworn Trans- lator (owner of VerbioGroup.com), I am appalled at the cavalier attitude toward relying on youngsters to explain serious and complex medical diagnoses or legal situations to their parents. I would never put my middle-schooler in a position to explain to a parent that one of us has a severe illness or needs to complete cer- tain legal proceedings. Children often lack the correct under- standing of the technical terms in any language. Situations like this can be challenging, even traumatizing for adults. Why place a child in the mid- dle? Government agencies and school districts have contracts with trained and Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East Oregonian editorial board. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily that of the East Oregonian. professional interpreters. Private hos- pitals are expected to apply parallel requirements by Oregon Health Author- ity and the Affordable Care Act. Failure to offer services in a language that some- one can understand is a violation of the Civil Rights Amendment (Section V for the Deaf community or Section VI for limited English speakers). Interpreting services are available 24/7 on-demand by phone and/or by video conference to serve less populated areas (like Pendleton) where fewer inter- preters reside, especially for less com- mon languages spoken in the region (Karen, Burmese, Tigrinya, etc.). Profes- sional interpreting requires formal train- ing in technical jargon in two languages, procedures, ethics, privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA and FERPA), and how to cope with traumatic situations. Not a job for young kids. Virginia Joplin Beaverton Greg Smith is a man of integrity I have known Greg Smith for 25 years. He is one of the most optimistic and hard working people I have ever known. He obviously has value to his clients or his private sector business would not have grown and become successful. He has value to his constituents or they would have stopped sending him to repre- sent them and their interests in Salem long ago. He apparently has value to the House of Representatives or he would have been denied an impressive list of committee assignments. His list of personal and professional accomplishments, accolades, awards, degrees, diplomas, certificates, honors, and formal recognition is impressive by many standards. The longevity and loyalty of his staff (if Organizational Behavior research is a reli- able indication) seems to be evidence of decent compensation, satisfactory work- ing conditions, and opportunities for per- sonal and professional growth and devel- opment that his leadership avails others. He is indefatigable in his work ethic and seems oddly exempt from normal fatigue. His years of service in the public and private sector have uniquely suited him for success. It is as if he has been conditioned to be a multitasking, bilingual, ambidex- trous, undaunted, and unflappable force of nature. I know him to be a man of integrity. In public and in private settings he com- ports himself with honor. He doesn’t swear, gossip, malign, belit- tle, tell off-color jokes, or speak ill of oth- ers behind their back. I vouch for his character and I am hum- bled to be his friend. Kim B. Puzey Hermiston 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. Letters must be signed by the author and include 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 the editor to editor@eastoregonian.com, or via mail to Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801
