A4
East Oregonian
Thursday, July 25, 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
Recall message should linger in Salem
B
y now most area voters
know about the two efforts
to recall Gov. Kate Brown
and as the effort gains steam law-
makers on both sides of the aisle
should take notice.
The recall effort is serious and,
while it is directed at Brown, the
underlying theme is simple: Many
voters don’t feel their concerns are
being addressed.
That’s not a good thing for a
democracy. It is especially trou-
bling because the recall — which
is legitimate and proper — will
take attention away from import-
ant matters that lawmakers, and the
governor, need to address.
Local recall organizers are
already out in force, and judging by
the current dominate political cli-
mate, they will probably get plenty
of signatures. Eastern Oregon,
after all, is a rational Republican
stronghold.
Organizers justify the recall
effort on Brown’s support of cap-
and-trade legislation — which
evaporated during the last legis-
lative session — a new law that
gave undocumented immigrants
Statesman-Journal Photo via AP/Anna Reed
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks during a rally in support of HB 2020, a greenhouse gas
emissions cap-and-trade bill, and demands Republican senators return to the Legisla-
ture at the state Capitol in Salem.
the ability to get a driver’s license,
and Oregon’s status as a sanctuary
state. The list, of course, doesn’t
stop there but readers can get the
gist of the underpinning philoso-
phy of the effort.
We don’t oppose the philosophy
of the recall effort. We support the
ability of citizens to seek redress
for their perceived grievances.
However, the more important ques-
tion is why residents of this great
state are so eager to kick off such
an effort.
Clearly, many do not feel their
concerns are being addressed by
their elected leaders. Like it or not,
Brown represents the entire state,
not just special interest groups or
voters in three of Oregon’s most
populous counties.
The same holds true for the
Democrats that hold a supermajor-
ity in the Legislature. Yes, they are
beholden to their constituents —
we get that — but they also should
put a much higher priority on their
obligation to the entire state. Doing
that, we understand, can be a pretty
difficult maneuver, especially when
voters who elected you are clam-
oring for action, regardless of the
consequences.
Yet the founders designed our
system to be one where lawmakers,
the Legislature, perform in a way
to cool down the often-angry senti-
ments of the body politic. Lawmak-
ers should always take to heart the
concept they work for all the peo-
ple, not just a select few.
The effort to recall Brown may
not gain as much traction as sup-
porters hope. However it shakes
out, we hope the message that lin-
gers is lawmakers — and the gov-
ernor — need to listen carefully to
voter concerns.
OTHER VIEWS
Dollar stores: Do you know
the tricks of shopping there?
“W
Foster care improvements
coming, but slowly
Bend Bulletin
I
f Oregonians were expecting to see
problems in the state’s foster care
system disappear overnight, they’re
in for a disappointment. As the Depart-
ment of Human Services’ July report on
child welfare demonstrates, some things
are improving; others, not so much.
The foster care program certainly
needs to improve. A secretary of state’s
2018 audit of the program made clear
Oregon’s foster care system was in dis-
array, putting children’s safety at risk.
A follow-up issued in 2019 showed that
while improvements were being made
in some areas, serious problems remain.
DHS has been issuing monthly
reports to Gov. Kate Brown on its prog-
ress. The July update says:
• The agency is still short of fos-
ter homes, though the numbers show a
mixed bag.
• The total number of foster homes
is actually down from a year ago,
though it has ticked up each month
since March.
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.
• Fewer children are being sent to
out-of-state facilities than were a year
ago. It will take time to create programs
to serve specific groups of children, and
the state is working to improve the way
it deals with kids who must go else-
where to receive the services they need.
• Though the agency is working to
hire and keep new caseworkers, it’s still
losing about half as many as it brings
on. It has created a series of videos to
give potential hires a realistic view of
the job.
• The statewide child abuse report-
ing line is up and running, though it’s a
24/7 operation in only nine of the agen-
cy’s 16 districts. The remaining six will
be added as improvements to the sys-
tem and Child Protective Services are
made.
The July report is based on results
before the agency’s budget was
increased by the Legislature. The new
money could help speed improvements
up, and that’s good. After all, the well-
being of some of the state’s most vul-
nerable residents is at stake.
hat to buy (and not to
putting on a community theater pro-
duction of “The Wizard of Oz,” can you
buy) at the dollar store,”
really pass up spending a buck to have
blared the headline for
a realistic portrayal of someone with
a Washington Post analysis of retail
green skin moaning, “I’m melting, I’m
chains such as Dollar Tree and 99 Cents
melting”?
Only.
Toys can be particularly lacking
Although my own experiences
in sturdiness. (“Stop crying over that
have been mostly positive (clean, well-
busted paddle ball or I’ll give you some-
stocked, easily navigated stores with
thing to cry about — a sack of dollar
friendly employees), I can under-
stand the need for the Post, Consumer
yo-yos!”)
Reports and other periodicals to offer
Skeptics say some fly-by-night sup-
pliers are lacking in transparency, track
pointers for maximizing the shopping
record and accountability. On the other
experience.
hand, the vaunted name-brand manufac-
First, the good news. Dollar stores
turers can afford the best lob-
have been a reliable source of
byists and lawyers. (“Battery
snacks, party supplies, gift bags
spewed acid down your esopha-
and toothpaste for my family. I
gus? We have this bunny that just
was tickled to find perfectly ser-
viceable reading glasses for my
keeps going and going and going
mother at one-fifth the price I
... back to court. Don’t spend your
had encountered at other “every-
settlement in one place. Aw, you
day low prices” stores. I am
splurged on gum.”)
especially grateful for the name-
Dollar stores have been con-
troversial in some communities.
brand “two for a dollar” greet-
D anny
T yree
ing cards offered at dollar stores.
They are accused of driving
COMMENT
I had always felt stupid empty-
grocery stores out of business
ing my wallet for “one and done”
and reducing access to fresh
cards that should really say, “I
food. Tulsa, Oklahoma, and
can’t believe you’re 6 years old — and
other cities have imposed restrictions on
that this bleepin’ card cost more than the
the establishments. Because, you know,
obstetrician who delivered you.”
consumers who would invest a dollar in
On the other hand, consumer advo-
an extension cord are going to live long
cates advise checking the package
enough to reap the health benefits of
weight, ingredients and expiration dates
kale and mangoes.
on “too good to be true” bargains. The
Finally, no kidding, home pregnancy
date on processed meat should contain a
tests are among the top selling items
month and year, not a reference to Car-
at dollar stores. Sales really spike after
bon-14! And, regardless of the adver-
some Lothario stocks up on dollar bottles
tised SPF level, you probably won’t get
of wine. Perhaps those Lotharios should
much protection from sunscreen with a
toss in an appropriate greeting card. (“I
dusty label proclaiming, “When you run
can’t believe this wine is 6 days old —
out of children to sacrifice, this offers
and cost more than my vasectomy.”)
last-ditch protection against that giant
———
ball of fire in the sky.”
Danny Tyree wears many hats (but
Critics warn that “you get what you
still falls back on that lame comb-over).
pay for” and should be willing to shop
He is a warehousing and communica-
tions specialist for his hometown farmers
for high-quality versions of certain
cooperative, a church deacon, a comic
items at actual hardware stores. You
book collector, a husband (wife Melissa
know the old saying: “When the only
is a college biology teacher), and a late-
tool you have is a dollar hammer, every
in-life father (6-year-old son Gideon
problem starts to look like the head fly-
ing off and coldcocking your spouse.”
frequently pops up in the columns.)
Cosmetic products may be watered
Danny welcomes email responses at
down or contain harsher ingredients
tyreetyrades@aol.com and visits to his
than other brands. But in case you’re
Facebook fan page “Tyree’s Tyrades.”
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