ANDREW CUTLER
Publisher/Editor
KATHRYN B. BROWN
Owner
ERICK PETERSON
Hermiston Editor/Senior Reporter
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022
A4
Founded October 16, 1875
OUR VIEW
Take the
time to
fill out
the ballot
M
idterm elections have a habit
of collecting less than stellar
results in term of voter turnout,
but we hope this year, at least, residents
make becoming involved in their democ-
racy a priority.
This year’s election is of course Tues-
day, May 17, and many probably already
have cast their ballot in the local and state
election.
Elections, especially off-year elec-
tions, tend to be regulated to a kind of
weird purgatory where there is a sense
they don’t matter as much as a year when
American voters choose a president.
Yet, every election matters.
That’s because our system of govern-
ment only functions as well an array of
different mechanisms work in concert.
One of those mechanisms is the press.
There must be an active, free press that
functions to hold elected leaders and
others accountable. Another mecha-
nism is interaction between voters and
elected officials. Voters need to be able to
talk and, at times, even debate with their
elected representatives.
Voting and elections represent one of
the key pillars of our democracy. When
we, as a nation, do not exercise our right
to vote we are short-changing democracy
and sending a subtle message of indiffer-
ence.
Democracy doesn’t function well
inside a pool of indifference.
Granted, the May primary doesn’t
have — at least on the surface — any
flashpoint, controversial issues. Oregon’s
primary is a closed one, which means
voters must choose along party lines
when they cast ballot. So, in a sense,
choices may seem limited but they are in
reality not so.
Every citizen of the nation, state and
county carries a sacred obligation to cast
a ballot. That privilege — and make no
mistake, it is a privilege — isn’t some
obscure, pie-in-the-sky type of concept.
Our right to vote is the single key element
to our democracy and a down payment on
that right has been put down by millions
of men and women of our armed forces
over our 200-plus year history.
If you have yet to vote, dig out that
ballot and spend a few moments going
over the selections and then take the
ballot to a drop-off box in your town.
Oregon has made voting extremely easy,
so don’t pass up a choice to participate in
our system of government.
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
YOUR VIEWS
I endorse
Michael McNamee
I endorse Michael McNamee for
Morrow County commissioner. Mike
has lived, worked and built a life in
Morrow County for decades. He is a
proud farmer, husband, father, grand-
father and all around great guy.
I have known him for 30 years.
He is a good businessman, a faith-
ful church member, a local guy who
knows how our Morrow County should
work for the people. He is an indepen-
dent thinker. He listens to people.
We need his voice in county govern-
ment. He knows how to budget, how
to look forward, how to cut waste,
how to care for the people and do what
is right. I believe thats what Morrow
County needs. A man of the people.
He decided to run because he sees
the need for a change as you know as
well. Please vote for Michael McNamee
for Morrow County commissioner.
Jack McWhinnie
Umatilla
Sen. Wyden let the
whole state down
It is with controlled emotion that I call
out the opinion of the East Oregonian
regarding Sen. Ron Wyden’s representa-
tion of everyone. It is a falsehood that is
supported by factual history.
Having resided in this state for 70
years and active in everything that has
been intended to make Oregon the best
that it can be, Wyden’s commitment to
the full state has not only waned but is
none existent. Town halls and routine
visits are simply a facade.
I whole heartedly agree there was
a time when Wyden was an ally to the
things that make Eastern Oregon tick.
His choice to be supportive changed
drastically when the U.S. Senate posi-
tions for Oregon were all filled by the
Democratic Party. His allegiance to noth-
ing represented by conservative views
and democracy is best demonstrated of
late by his inability to condemn the total
destruction of democratic values repre-
sented by the attacks on the Mark O.
Hatfield Courthouse in downtown Port-
land. Yes his actions throughout the state
demonstrate his commitment to Oregon
and his failure to call out the destruction,
chaos and life-threatening acts of a band
of thugs reflects his true colors.
He cares less about the state of
Oregon than his own political career
that flows with the political currents that
keeps him in his senatorial chair safely.
In my sincere opinion Sen. Wyden has
not only let Eastern Oregon down he has
let the whole state down.
Carl R. Culham
Athena
Bower is the type of
professional we need
I have known and worked with
Susan Bower for a number of years on
numerous levels. Susan is the type of
professional we need in county govern-
ment because of her fantastic leader-
ship skills and talent. She demands
accountability, and that’s just one of
the traits I appreciate from her. She
has no axe to grind like other candi-
dates and stays focused on the prior-
ities with results-oriented actions.
It’s crucial that we replace the
strong leadership we’ve enjoyed with
another strong leader and that person
is Susan Bower. I urge you to cast your
ballot in a direction that will count
for a continued progressive county
administration and government.
Arne L. Swanson
Pendleton
‘We will look back —
ask for forgiveness’
A documentary from the 1940s tells
of German citizens who have been
invited to tour an incinerator that had
operated in their neighborhood. As the
people file toward the entrance, they
talk, smile and look around, perhaps
curious about the black smoke that had
billowed from the chimney for months.
As they exit the build-
ing, they do not smile or chat or
look up. Some are weeping.
If Americans today could tour
the abortion clinic in their neighbor-
hood to find out what exactly happens
there, would they exit the building
unchanged? Would they continue to
vote for candidates who promise to keep
the purveyors of “choice” in business?
Two centuries ago, William Wilber-
force devoted his career in Parlia-
ment to ending the British slave trade.
In 2008, his great-great-grandson,
Fr. Gerard Wilberforce, wrote:
“I truly believe we will look
back in years to come, repent and
ask forgiveness for what we let
happen to the unborn child.”
Mary K. Maley
Condon
Susan Bower for Umatilla
County commissioner
I would like to express my support
for Susan Bower for Umatilla County
commissioner.
I have had the opportunity to work
closely with Susan over the last several
years at Eastern Oregon Business Source
— her small business. During this
time we have developed and facilitated
Umatilla County’s award-winning profes-
sional development program, conducted
hours of one-on-one leadership coaching
sessions with leaders across the region,
helped countless organizations develop
strategic plans to help guide them into
the future and train members of local
nonprofits in fundraising and grant writ-
ing so that they are ready to raise money
to support their organization’s goals.
Something that all of these tasks
have in common is that they are about
developing people and putting them in a
place to succeed. This skill set is partic-
ularly important in an organization
like Umatilla County where each of the
commissioners are responsible for direct-
ing — and ideally developing — about
one-third of the county’s departments.
Commissioners are not simply elected
decision makers for the county. County
department heads each report to one of
the three commissioners. Susan has the
experience necessary to help direct any
department head at Umatilla County, to
help them develop as leaders and to put
them in a position to succeed.
Nick Nash
Pendleton