KATHRYN B. BROWN
Owner
ANDREW CUTLER
Publisher/Editor
WYATT HAUPT JR.
News Editor
JADE McDOWELL
Hermiston Editor
TueSDAY, MAY 11, 2021
A4
Founded October 16, 1875
OUR VIEW
Fire season
making
an early
entrance
I
t is dry out there.
That is usually a common occur-
rence in Eastern Oregon as the summer
heat scorches the high desert and Blue
Mountain canyons.
Yet, we are not that far into spring and
local and regional fire officials are already
concerned about fire conditions.
Two recent fires — one near Perkins
Avenue and another behind the Red Lion
Hotel — are the best cases in point regard-
ing just how dry conditions are becoming,
and a very troubling preview of what could
be the norm for this summer.
While conditions in the mountains may
not be as treacherous fire-wise as they are
in the lowlands, the fact that so many fire
managers are concerned this early in the
season should give readers pause.
Those types of dry conditions do impact
the entire region because of the big draw
outdoor recreation is to our piece of the
heartland during the summer months.
Thousands of people enjoy recreational
activities — from boating to fishing to
camping — all through the spring and
summer and that means those dry condi-
tion could impact the usual weekend
campout.
Most people expect dry conditions in
the summer and, usually, take measures to
prevent an accidental fire. Yet, this year is
already unusual, which means those who
are used to taking precautions in mid-July
need to be aware the landscape is as dry
now as it would be in August.
Fire seasons can be and often are incred-
ibly destructive. Last year, more than 1
million acres were scorched in Oregon
and the cost to battle those blazes easily
exceeded $300 million. That money is not
coming from the sky. It is taxpayer dollars.
That means those fires we see on television
or read about are essentially taking cash
out of our wallets.
As always, there is hope that wet
weather patterns will change the dynamic.
It has happened in the past, but residents
who want to visit and recreate in the area
should not count on it.
With dry conditions so prevalent, recre-
ationists need to take extra precautions.
That means paying far better attention than
usual this year to the actual conditions of
the landscape. It also means checking in
with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau
of Land Management or your local fire
department to get an accurate read on what
types of precautions will be necessary.
Lightning notwithstanding, we can
avoid large, destructive wildfires but we all
must work together and ensure our actions
don’t create a costly, man-made disaster.
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
College is here for the long haul
CONNIE GREEN
JANE HILL
OTHER VIEWS
B
lue Mountain Community College
is still here, still employs hundreds
of community members and still
serves students all across the region.
We’ve got our share of critics and tough
revenue forecasts to work with, but we are
working hard to pave the way forward and
not look back.
In fact, over the last two months, the
college approved a revised organiza-
tion that has communities at the center
supporting students. This reorganization
addresses three key areas — right size,
right direction, right growth.
The right size comes with organiza-
tional changes and a focus on a balanced
budget. After much evaluation, examina-
tion and careful review of BMCC’s enroll-
ment, class fill rates and program interest,
we had to make difficult decisions. The
cuts — though heartbreaking — were
identified to not only balance the budget,
but put the college on a path toward
sustainability. The Board of Education
addressed expenditures by approving the
reduction of staff on Friday, April 30. On
Monday, May 10, the Budget Committee
began the process to approve a budget that
is stable and flexible for growth.
These decisions were not easy, but
essential to create a stable budget and
predictable staffing for the next four years.
We are working with the resources
we have, not those we wish we had. Our
work has resulted in a budget that has been
reduced by $1.9 million for 2021-22. That
means the budget — revenue and expendi-
tures — is now balanced for the next four
years and we have sustained the programs
offered in 2018. With nearly $4 million in
reductions in the budget — $2 million in
2020-21 and $1.9 million in 2021-22 — the
result is a stable budget.
Next is the right direction. Students are
at the forefront of all decisions made at
the college. We need strong wraparound
support to increase retention and comple-
tion. By elevating best practices in curric-
ulum, instruction and support services at
the college, we will be better positioned to
help students achieve their goals.
Our search for a new college president
is vital to moving in the right direction.
The college began the search for a new
president in April and candidates’ materi-
als will be reviewed in late May with final-
ist interviews the second week of June.
The college is ready for a new president
to lead the growth and opportunities that
exist in Eastern Oregon.
So what does right growth look like for
a college with a predictable, yet smaller
budget and a brand new president coming
on board? We need to bring in more
students. We’ll do that by providing more
support to high school students to help
them get a head start on their future. And
we are streamlining the process to transfer
to a university and easily map out techni-
cal degrees and workforce skills.
The staff, faculty, administrators,
students and the board are on the path to
a shared goal — become stable, predict-
able and move into growth to better serve
students and the community.
BMCC is here for the long haul to
support workforce needs and help students
achieve their educational, career and
personal goals. We’re just going to look a
little different while doing it. Come check
us out — we are ready for you.
———
Connie Green is the interim president
of Blue Mountain Community College,
and Jane Hill is chair of the Blue Mountain
Community College Board of Education.
YOUR VIEWS
Pendleton schools need
Spencer’s gifts
Briana Spencer has the qualities of
an effective and caring leader. She has a
passion for helping others that is evident
by her many volunteer efforts throughout
our region. Our schools need someone
like Briana to help create that shift in the
belief that all voices matter.
She has utilized her life experiences
to become an outstanding advocate for
youths and to address the needs of our
community. We are very proud of her
organizational abilities and the way she
inspires us all to be better humans.
Please join us in voting for Briana
for Pendleton School District Board
Member, Position 7.
Robby and Wendy Bill
Pendleton
PSD needs Spencer’s
perspective
I endorse Briana Spencer for the
Pendleton School District Position 7. I’ve
had the opportunity of meeting Spen-
cer at various community events. She is
a persistent presence and involved with
pretty much everything.
Throughout my time as a college
student and Confederated Umatilla
Journal intern, I have witnessed Spencer
participate in various community events,
which includes food distributions, advo-
cating for social justice, virtual commu-
nity events, and even a virtual discussion
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 dead-
line will not run. Election Day is May 18.
with Nolan Bylenga hosted by Blue
Mountain Community College (BMCC)
Arts & Culture committee.
While the Black Lives Matter (BLM)
March was undoubtedly one of Spencer’s
hugest debut, she has always been an
active community member. The Pend-
leton School District needs Spencer’s
perspective, leadership skills and overall,
representation.
And to note, Spencer is a familiar face
and has obtained momentous support
from the surrounding communities in
Pendleton.
Spencer has the capability and will-
ingness to create change in the school
system. Additionally, Spencer is a prom-
inent advocate for BIPOC students at
any educational level. I have faith that
Spencer will contribute great strides and
improvements in this position.
Megan Van Pelt, BMCC Associated
Student Government president and
BMCC Native American Club member
Pendleton
Let’s shape the future for
all students
I cannot think of anyone better suited
to serve Pendleton School District and
its students than Briana Spencer. She
gives freely of her time to numerous local
organizations and is passionate about
making the world, as well as our local
community, a better place, both now and
for future generations. This is an excel-
lent mindset for a school board member,
as the entire purpose is to help shape the
best possible experience for our students.
In addition to her drive and commit-
ment, I absolutely think that Briana’s new
perspective and fresh ideas would benefit
the school district. Organizations and
especially leadership should be represen-
tative of those they serve. Briana Spencer
is the clear choice for Pendleton School
District Position 7. I hope you will join
me in voting for her this May 18.
Melissa Shumake
Pendleton