OPINION
Saturday, May 8, 2021
YOUR VIEWS
Port of Morrow
commissioners deserve
extra scrutiny
The upcoming Port of Morrow Commis-
sion election has three candidates, Jonathon
Tallman, John Kilkenny and Rick Weiss,
who have all questioned the integrity of
some current commissioners regarding
conflict of interest.
The conflict of interest revolves around
port commissioners that oversee and ratify
the Columbia River Enterprise Zone board
that distribute tax funds “to their businesses
and to their budgets” (Tallman, April 28,
2021). “There is a some sense of distrust in
what the Port is doing. When the commis-
sioners are also business owners the poten-
tial for conflicts of interest are always
present” (Weiss, April 28, 2021).
John Kilkenny is calling for a special
legal council at every port meeting, includ-
ing executive session meetings, to deal with
these problems. This is the quality of leader-
ship John Kilkenny will bring to the port.
Windwave Fiber Optics is owned in part
by one Morrow County commissioner, two
port board members, and the father of port
CEO Ryan Neal, a board member of the
Columbia River Enterprise Zone. Windwave
Fiber Optics has grown from a startup in
2004 to a $20 million company because they
do all POM optics. According to ORS 279C
335, “A public improvement contract shall be
based on competitive bids.” ORS 279C 365
(4) requires bids “available for public inspec-
tion.” The port needs to produce evidence of
a competitive bid process of honoring ORS
law regarding Windwave Fiber Optics and
end special deals for Windwave.
Port-contracted businesses receive up to
an 85% tax reduction, which is distributed
by Columbia River Enterprise Zone board
members. This process is open to conflict
of interest, lack of transparency, special
interests and cronyism where those that
play the game get the money. Amazon in
Morrow County uses up to a million gallons
of water per day, per campus (four build-
ings) at 35 cents per thousand, and Board-
man businesses pay 84 cents per gallon
from water paid for with a $20 million bond
financed by the citizens of Boardman. Is
there any wonder Amazon intends to double
the number of new buildings in Morrow
County?
POM has done nothing of consequence
for the south end of Morrow County. POM
provides jobs but close to three-fourths
of the employees live outside of Morrow
County and do not contribute to the county
tax base.
Make a statement for our heritage, profes-
sional integrity and overburdened taxpayers
with your vote for Port of Morrow commis-
sioners.
Stuart Dick
Irrigon
One BMCC board
candidate supports another
As a candidate for the Blue Mountain
Community College Board of Trustees, I
participated in a candidate forum sponsored
by the BMCC Faculty Association. Carrie
Sampson-Samuels is also a candidate and
likewise participated.
I listened to her responses to various ques-
tions and have rarely been so impressed at
the grasp of the issues and ability to articu-
late personal perspectives and positions as in
her presentation. I hope my strong endorse-
ment will not negatively impact her candi-
dacy.
The college will be well served by her
unique skills, talents, abilities and perspec-
tives.
Kim B. Puzey
Hermiston
Let’s find common ground
instead of walking away
As a proud Oregonian, I feel the need
to respond to the recent column by Mike
McCarter (Why voting to join Idaho is the
right choice for Eastern Oregon, Thurs-
day, April 29). Thank you for laying out the
reasons that inspire such a radical proposal.
The problem this change is to solve, it
seems, is that we East-siders don’t have
enough say in state government. We are too
scattered to have any more influence than a
fence line of thistles has on the wind.
The proposed solution is to pick up our
skirts and walk out the door. But it’s not just
enough to walk through the door, this plan
would have us haul most of the house along
with us. If we are going to live among like-
minded folks and have controlling say in
what goes on, this is one way to do it.
Let me offer my response. Moving to a
more compatible state is good for now. But in
my lifetime Oregon has been under leader-
ship of Republican senators and governors,
including control of both Senate and House.
In this same span, Idaho has had several
Democratic governors and national leaders,
as well as a majority in the Legislature.
We might move the state lines only to
have the voters (in either state) decide to
change parties. Do we then petition to join a
compatible Nevada? Or gerrymander coun-
ties across Idaho so we can connect with
Montana?
Most states are fixated on taxes. Would
we bring Idaho enough new revenue to pay
for our upkeep? The quoted comparisons
between the two states on tax and school and
employment make clear that Idaho is doing
better than Oregon. Would the state accept
two-thirds of Oregon, dragging down their
successes?
LETTERS DEADLINE FOR MAY 18 ELECTIONS
The East Oregonian does not run endorsements of more than 400 words.
The East Oregonian will institute a deadline for letters to the editor, so we can be fair with all
the letters we receive and allow for responses before Election Day, if necessary.
We run local letters of endorsement on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit your
endorsement letters to the editor by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 7. You can email them to editor@
eastoregonian.com, or mail them to East Oregonian, c/o Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave.,
Pendleton, OR 97801.
We will publish our last letters on Saturday, May 15. Any letters received after the deadline will
not run. Election Day is May 18.
“It’s our culture,” you say, and urban
Western Oregon has a different take on most
things because their situation demands a
different response. We all try to meet the
need. It can be a clash of cultures or a feeding
of new ideas from culture to culture. Truth
is, our national culture for generations was
based on agriculture, but is now based on the
city, on urban life.
I guess I could get used to reading the
Southwestern Idahoan instead of the East
Oregonian, and walking among the open
carriers of sidearms. I know I don’t want my
grandkids learning to hate those who don’t
agree with them on everything. I would like
them to argue and discuss and debate all the
issues of the time without turning tail and
walking away.
We are in a common state of drought.
We have common challenges. We have been
finding mutual solutions since 1859. Let’s
pray for rain.
Don Reese
Echo
School board must reflect
the community it serves
Briana Spencer will be an outstanding
Pendleton School Board member. She knows
how to bring people together and get things
done, while elevating any conversation with
civility and respect.
She is a dedicated, productive, solu-
tion-oriented leader with the community’s
best interests at heart. Early on there was
some confusion about her simultaneously
serving on the board of Nixyaawii Commu-
nity School, but that has been resolved. If
elected, Spencer will serve on the Pendleton
School Board with the unanimous, enthusi-
astic support of Nixyaawii, CTUIR Tribal
leaders and elders. She brings a broad-based
understanding of community issues and will
provide valuable representation at the highest
level of our school district.
Patrick Gregg is a solid candidate. At
this time, however, we need a school board
which more closely reflects the community
it serves. Please join me in voting for Briana
Spencer for Pendleton School Board, Posi-
tion 7.
Mary Hallman
Pendleton
ton School Board. I got to know Pat profes-
sionally before knowing he was a family
man. We’ve work together on Real Estate
transactions and I’ve always appreciated his
expertise, level head and professionalism.
In several conversations that I have had
with Pat, he has demonstrated not only his
knowledge of the law, but also his insight
and ability to interpret the law to those who
may not have experience or full understand-
ing. He’s kind and patient in dealings with
my office and our mutual clients. I’ve always
appreciated that about him.
It was later at a community event when
I met Pat’s wife, Jill, and their three boys. I
don’t know them intimately, but it’s obvious
by just being in their presence that they’re
a great family. I admire them as parents —
involved, loving, real, all things that I feel
are key in navigating parenthood and life in
general.
It is without reservation that I endorse and
fully support Patrick’s bid for Position 7 on
the Pendleton School Board.
Genna Banica
Pendleton
Sherman is dedicated to
Hermiston schools
I am pleased to see Karen Sherman is
again running for the Hermiston School
Board.
I first met Karen when she came to teach
at the junior high in 1970. I quickly real-
ized she was an effective teacher with a lot
of empathy for the kids. When she retired in
2001, I asked her what she was going to do.
She responded, “I am not giving up on the
kids because I am planning to run for the
school board.” She was elected in 2001 and
has served continuously since then, many
times as board chairman.
There have been few board members
who have been as dedicated to this district as
Karen has been. We need her experience at
this time to lead us through the state COVID-
19 mandates placed on the schools. We also
need her experience in directing the schools
through the construction of two new elemen-
tary schools. She has been there and done
that.
Carlisle Harrison
Hermiston
Retain Pitney for his expertise Spencer’s skills make
It is great to see so much interest in our
her the best choice
Hermiston School Board. In the 12 years that
I have served on the board, I have never seen
so many candidates run to serve the students
and families of the Hermiston School
District.
Even though each candidate brings their
own strengths and qualifications, I believe
Brent Pitney has earned another term. He has
a strong background in construction at a time
when our school district is heavily involved
in building new schools, and his expertise is
highly valuable.
It would be unfortunate to lose his expe-
rience and training as our district moves
towards normalcy again.
Ginny Holthus
Hermiston School District Board of
Directors
Spencer values diversity
In this era of lifting up youth voices,
recognizing the value of diversity and build-
ing full community representation into our
institutions I feel that Briana Spencer fits the
bill, and the time. She embodies all of those
characteristics, and brings a fresh, youthful,
yet wise and experienced perspective that is
needed in this multi-generational scholastic
organization.
She has proven her dedication to commu-
nity service through service on the Nixy-
aawii school board, in regional efforts for
social justice, public education and more.
Briana has a clear voice and vision for the
betterment and support of all.
Give this generation its place in decision
making for the future: Vote for Briana.
Karen Wagner
Pendleton
Gardner will be a
voice for students
Over the past four years I always spoke
up as a school board member on matters the
public held. I thank you for the chance to
serve. It has been an honor. I support Dain
Gardner for the school board. I could not
think of a better person to take my place.
His independent ideas on reopening our
schools and keeping them open impressed
me. He will be an advocate for the people.
Dain attends board meetings, so he knows
the issues. He ran for the budget committee
just weeks ago. He has shown me that he will
be a voice of the community for the better-
ment of our children’s education.
I support Dain Gardner for the school
board and I hope you will give him your vote.
Mark F. Gomolski
Hermiston
Gregg is professional and
knowledgeable
I am excited to see a great guy like Patrick
Gregg running for Position 7 on the Pendle-
I urge voters living in the Pendleton
School District to join me in voting for
Briana Spencer for Position 7 on the Pendle-
ton School Board.
I have lived in Pendleton for almost 21
years. In that time, I am unable to recall any
school board candidate who possessed the
unique combination of accomplishments
and experience that she would bring to the
board. The endorsements by numerous
others, including our former police chief,
Stuart Roberts, speak to her ability to work
productively with people who have differing
perspectives to obtain tangible results that
benefit us all.
People often give lip service to “work-
ing collaboratively,” but in my experience,
few have the skills to actually accomplish it.
Briana Spencer has these skills.
These skills will be especially useful to
our board, given the heightened tension of
the present time. She also has served on the
Nixya’awii Community School Board, the
Washington State Indian Board of Direc-
tors and the CTUIR Education and Training
Committee. This experience would also be
asset to our board. If elected, she will hit the
ground running.
I do not endorse Briana Spencer lightly,
as I have tremendous respect for Pat Gregg,
both professionally and personally. However,
the skills and experience offered by Briana
Spencer persuade me that she is the better
choice for Position 7 on the Pendleton School
Board.
Kit Morgan
Pendleton
A vote for Gomez is
a vote for the future
I am writing this letter in support of Lili
Gomez for Hermiston School Board Posi-
tion 3.
I have known Lili for over 20 years, both
as a classmate and a respected friend. Lili
and I both attended Rocky Heights Elemen-
tary, Armand Larive Middle School and
Hermiston High School together. Lili is
a strong, experienced and compassionate
leader.
Lili understands the challenges that
students who grow up Hermiston face,
because she was a student who grew up in
Hermiston. Lili understands the complexities
and challenges that first-generation college
students from Hermiston face, because she
herself was a first-generation college student
from Hermiston. Lili’s unique lived expe-
riences allow her to relate to the growing
challenges that so many young people in
Hermiston are impacted by.
There is no question in my mind that Lili
Gomez is the most prepared, most experi-
enced and most willing to do the work for
all of our students. A vote for Lili Gomez
is a vote for representation, a vote for our
East Oregonian
A5
students’ future and a vote for a Hermis-
tonian. Please join me in supporting Lili
Gomez for the Hermiston School Board.
Mitch Thompson
Hermiston
Spencer has a
unique perspective
I am writing in support of Briana Spencer.
I was honored to be the language arts
teacher at Nixyaawii Community School for
12 years. Briana was a student of mine in the
early years of the school but later transferred
to PHS. She has certainly made her mark in
the years since then!
Teaching at NCS, I got to know many
Native American students. Culture often
plays a big part in the lives of students of
color, and respecting one’s elders is an expec-
tation. There’s a deference implied that an
older adult knows more than the young
person and has knowledge and expertise
to impart. By listening, he or she can learn
valuable information. Briana is a good exam-
ple of someone who has learned to listen first
and then to take action.
Learning styles can also affect how well
students do in classes, a fact of which I’m
sure Briana is well aware. The majority of
my students were Native American. I often
received heartfelt and well-written essays,
but the student might not speak up in class.
I noticed more introspection and a need for
more time to really think through what a
student wanted to say, rather than to blurt out
something just to be heard. Often, in tradi-
tional classrooms, a quick response to a ques-
tion is expected, leaving students little time
to recall information. In crowded high school
classrooms, my students might not sit up
front, might not speak up first, but they were
listening and thinking.
Briana Spencer knows about students of
color because she is one. Those who know
her describe Briana as a sincere, hard-work-
ing, committed, and enthusiastic young
woman who’s continually working to make
this world a better, more inclusive place for
all students. Briana is knowledgeable about
the culture not only of Native students but
also of the Latino and African American
cultures.
Minority students are often the students
who fall by the wayside and don’t gradu-
ate. She can offer insights and advice from a
personal perspective. Briana is in a unique
position to make a huge difference because
she has experienced being a minority student
at PHS, understands some of the challenges,
and has lived in the area all her life.
Briana will care about and represent all
the students at PHS. I am proud to endorse
Briana Spencer for the Pendleton School
Board, Position 7.
Mary A. Green
Pendleton
Gregg will bring his
many skills to the Pendleton
school board
I write in support of Patrick Gregg for
Position 7 on the Pendleton School Board.
Having served on a number of boards
myself, including the Northwest Power Plan-
ning Council, Oregon Environmental Qual-
ity Commission, Oregon Fish and Wildlife
Commission and the Oregon State Board
of Higher Education, I know the skills and
dedication required of a good board member.
I have known Patrick Gregg for over 10
years and believe he is an excellent choice
and would serve our community well as a
member of the school board. He is intelligent,
thoughtful, and will research and analyze all
sides of a particular issue before reaching a
decision. In addition, his position as a parent
of school-age children and a business owner
in our community is a valuable voice to have
on our school board.
One of the key attributes of a good board
member is the ability to work well with
others and to consider viewpoints other than
their own. By virtue of his legal training
and experience Patrick has these skills, and
I have seen him put them to good use in his
practice. He is fair minded and level headed
in his dealings with others. I am confident he
will apply these same skills if he is elected to
the Pendleton School Board.
Please join me in voting for Patrick Gregg
for Position 7 on the Pendleton School Board.
Henry Lorenzen
Pendleton
Governor uses flawed
science to corral us
The definition of science is objective
observation — measurement and data (possi-
bly using although not necessarily using
mathematics as a tool). Evidence. Experiment
and/or observation as benchmarks for testing
hypotheses. Induction: reasoning to establish
general rules or conclusions drawn from facts
or examples. Repetition. Critical analysis.
Verification and testing: critical exposure to
scrutiny, peer review and assessment.
“Logical absolutes” refers to what are
also known as “laws of thought.” Classical
philosophers took these laws to be as follows:
The law of identity — all things are equal to
themselves. The law of noncontradiction —
no proposition can both be and not be (the
case).
Our governor has use flawed science and
logic to intimidate and corral us. So has the
federal government. Notice the word reason-
ing. There is no reasoning in her mandates,
only platitudes.
If the vaccine works, why wear a mask? If
one has had COVID, why get a vaccine? And
finally, our so-called vaccine is not a vaccine.
It has not been defined as one. All we get
from government is propaganda.
Roesch Kishpaugh
Pendleton