ANDREW CUTLER
Publisher/Editor
KATHRYN B. BROWN
Owner
WYATT HAUPT JR.
News Editor
JADE McDOWELL
Hermiston Editor
TUESDAy, DECEMBER 8, 2020
A4
Founded October 16, 1875
OUR VIEW
Projects are
important
to county
U
matilla County received some good
news recently when Gov. Kate
Brown’s proposed budget included
funding for two local projects, an indoor
rodeo arena with agriculture and veteri-
nary classrooms for Blue Mountain Com-
munity College and money to renovate the
Umatilla County Jail.
Ironically, both projects already
received approval from the Oregon Legis-
lature in 2018. However, funding for both
projects was tied to Oregon Lottery rev-
enues. The COVID-19 pandemic forced
most video poker machines across to state
to close, and that crushed the lottery fund
stream.
Area lawmakers, though, were success-
ful in persuading the governor to add both
projects back into her proposed budget. In
the governor’s budget, $13.7 million is ear-
marked for the FARM II agriculture build-
ing for the college and $1.8 million for the
jail renovation.
Both projects are important, with, argu-
ably, the jail renovation taking center stage
because planned renovations include infra-
structure for individuals dealing with men-
tal health issues.
The number of people lodged in jails
across the state with serious mental health
issues has continued to grow for the past
decade. Once seen as another arm of the
judicial system, local jails have evolved
into multi-use centers where often law
enforcement personnel are tasked with
treating people who face a bewildering
array of mental heath challenges. There so
far has been no answer as to how to turn
off the faucet regarding the number of
people with serious mental health issues
reaching county jails, but a renovation
project — such as the one proposed for
the local jail — to help an individual with
mental health needs is crucial.
The college project is important as well
to diversify the campus and attract more
students over the long term.
The projects are now in the budget
but there is no guarantee either will sur-
vive through another legislative session,
though the chances are good both will.
That’s because, according to state Sen. Bill
Hansell, R-Athena, there is already talk
among lawmakers to prioritize projects
that already received approval from the
Legislature.
Elected lawmakers like Hansell and
Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, did a good
job ensuring both projects did not just fade
away, but their work isn’t finished.
They need to continue to push for both
projects because both are important to the
local area. The easy part may have been
greasing the skids for the governor to put
the projects in her proposed budget. The
hard part will be safeguarding both proj-
ects through the next legislative session.
We hope our lawmakers will continue to
focus on these key projects that will help
Umatilla County.
EDITORIALS
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.
LETTERS
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:
editor@eastoregonian.com,
or via mail to Andrew Cutler,
211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801
Let’s find reasons to give thanks
DICK
HUGHES
OTHER VIEWS
T
his is the year of “for better or
worse.”
And despite the human rav-
ages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ore-
gon has much to be thankful for.
We found that essential workers
come in all types, from the nurses, doc-
tors and technicians directly caring for
COVID-19 patients, to the housekeep-
ers and custodians diligently sanitizing
hospital rooms, to the clerks keeping
grocery stores humming and the truck-
ers keeping supplies arriving.
And many more. Never again should
society take any job for granted or con-
sider it humbler than one’s own.
We learned that schools are essen-
tial not only for education but also for
life-building social interactions among
students and child care for working
parents.
We missed the traditional moments
of graduation season, but found joy in
drive-thru ceremonies and other such
as-best-we-can substitutes.
We discovered that schools can hold
online art exhibitions, displaying pho-
tos of chalk art created on driveways
and sidewalks around town.
We unwrapped our creativity. Dis-
tilleries learned to produce hand san-
itizer that chambers of commerce
distributed for free. Dude-ranch expe-
riences and fire-station tours went vir-
tual. Older youths offered free online
tutoring for younger and less tech-
savvy kids.
Government agencies developed
ways to remotely conduct some build-
ing inspections. Streetside dining
became a reality, at least temporarily,
as cities closed car lanes so restaurants
could set up tables on sidewalks and
in parking areas. From car dealers to
farmers markets, businesses of all types
upped their online presence and pivoted
to curbside pickup and home delivery.
We showed Willamette Valley law-
makers what it was like to live in the
rest of Oregon, where long travel dis-
tances often make it impractical to meet
in person with state officials in Salem
or testify at the Oregon Legislature.
With the Oregon Capitol and most gov-
ernment offices closed to the public,
everyone has had to meet by phone or
videoconference.
We learned much about public health
and expanded our vocabulary. We even-
tually realized that “social distancing”
was not our communal goal, because
humans need connections to thrive,
but “physical distancing” could keep
the coronavirus at bay while allowing
opposite-sides-of-the-driveway conver-
sations with neighbors.
We witnessed the adaptability of
the Oregon National Guard. This year
saw the guard being deployed overseas,
fighting wildfires in Oregon, deliv-
ering personal protective equipment
and answering phones for the Oregon
Employment Department.
We set aside political differences as
Oregonians fought those wildfires, res-
cued neighbors and sought to protect
one another’s homes and businesses.
We shared a common sorrow at the
social, economic and educational losses
from the pandemic. We grieved the loss
of loved ones to COVID-19, to depres-
sion and suicide, and to conditions that
went unnoticed or untreated.
We lost businesses and income, or
knew others who did. We found that
online learning and distance education
work for some students and teachers,
but not for others, as the pandemic laid
bare the inequities in urban and rural
Oregon.
Most of all, we rediscovered
community.
Bus drivers delivered meals to home-
bound Oregonians. Schools converted
their now-vacant buildings into rest
stops for truckers. Musicians banded
together for online concerts, and people
found ways to support these same musi-
cians, concert workers and others out of
work due to event cancellations.
Residents sewed face masks and
gave them away. Cities, counties and
the state launched loan programs for
businesses. Residents stepped up to
support their favorite restaurants via
takeout and delivery, often adding extra
tips in recognition of the staff’s lost
workdays. Auto dealers purchased gift
cards from local restaurants to thank
customers for taking a test drive.
Police officers and sheriff’s depu-
ties connected with children by read-
ing stories to them on video. We wor-
shipped in different ways, adapting
to small-group settings — when they
were allowed — and to online religious
services.
Compelling research shows that
expressing gratitude can boost mental
and physical health. In this year of great
sorrow and profound trauma, let us also
find reasons to give thanks.
———
Dick Hughes has been covering the
Oregon political scene since 1976.
areas, possibly 30-by-100, in appropri-
ate city parks. Dogs and owners can
shut the gate and dogs can run like
crazy for a fair amount of time. They
can’t fight with other dogs, they don’t
bother walkers or picnickers, and the
dogs love it.
In fact, I am suggesting the forma-
tion of the first chapter of DLM (Dogs
Lives Matter). Dogs have rights too. I
will suggest one additional idea — the
area should be designated the Scott
Fairley Memorial Bark Park as an
honor to one great guy who is gone too
soon. I know Robb liked my idea, but
it never hurts to call City Hall or your
favorite councilperson and tell them
how much you like the idea, and that it
should be made a priority.
David Burns
Pendleton
deprived us freedom of religion, life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
She can not decide on which science to
follow. She has acted without legislative
approval on many of her mandates.
I have a notion that all those who
believe in liberty should declare all the
property they own or rent an autono-
mous zone. One could also have a sanc-
tuary zone. If it is good enough for
Antifa, it should be good enough for all.
One last thought: Maybe Joshua
Walker should check his ancestry to
see if he has any family history during
the Civil War who may have fought on
the Confederate side and died in any
of those horrific battles. Look to see if
any are buried on those fields. Then he
should go and desecrate the tombs.
I have been to Gettysburg. I had
family that fought on both sides,
some members from the same family,
splintering them. After the war, they
reunited.
Ignoring history will repeat it.
Roesch Kishpaugh
Pendleton
YOUR VIEWS
Homeless sleepers should
clean up after themselves
How sad to think we now have to
provide sleeping space for homeless
people in our parks. I walk in the city
park with the cattle by the freeway.
I have seen the homeless guy who
begs on the comer at the cannabis store
sleeping there a number of times. The
hole he has carved out at the south end
is always littered knee deep in trash
and beer cans. His pooping station is
just east of there a few yards. The city
grounds crew mows there, but seldom
picks up the garbage left.
Today, actually about half of it was
gone, so that is an improvement. I can
understand the sleeping, I guess, but I
don’t understand the constant littering.
Some of it remains for weeks at a time.
Regarding parks, I have a great idea
that I have shared with Robb Corbett.
I think Pendleton needs a bark park. I
understand the need for leash laws, but
most dogs love to run and chase the
ball. I am suggesting a series of fenced
Where is our liberty?
It has come to my attention that we
now have two kings and one queen
on the West Coast. Our queen has