Wednesday, May 26, 2021
A4
OPINION
VOICE of the CHIEFTAIN
Eckstein’s
superhero
efforts
should be
applauded
H
e was almost instantly dubbed
by some in the city of Joseph as
a superhero.
While Brock Eckstein more than
likely won’t be donning a red cape any-
time soon, his efforts — and the speed of
them — to get the city back on track are
ones to be applauded.
On Thursday, May 27, Eckstein will
unveil the individual or individuals
responsible for the harassment that has
been alleged — actions that led to the
resignation of former city Administrator
Larry Braden and put Parks Supervisor
Dennis Welch on the sideline for about
two months. Actions that have landed the
Joseph City Council on the front page of
this publication almost weekly for more
than a month. He and city attorney Wyatt
Baum also will propose punishments for
those accused.
Truth always comes out. Sometimes it
is a long, drawn out, arduous process.
Sometimes, like this, it is a lot faster.
That Eckstein was able to find enough
evidence in relatively short order — he
was hired as the city’s interim admin-
istrator not even three weeks ago — is
stunning. It makes one wonder if the evi-
dence was right under the noses of those
looking all along.
Or if they weren’t looking all that
hard.
Eckstein, in his position, cannot force
any charged individuals to resign, though
that is a punishment he can recommend
that the council choose.
And it is the action we have said
repeatedly should be made, and we
repeat that refrain here.
If the evidence presented is, indeed,
enough to peg this allegation on any
person or people beyond a reasonable
doubt, the correct thing for those indi-
viduals is for them to, indeed, step down
from their post.
In order for there to be healing in the
city, whoever has been the cause of the
discord needs to step away.
Our hope is that this brief, but rough
chapter in the history of the Joseph City
Council can be put to bed. This has been
a messy past couple of months in the
town.
Perhaps, finally, the cloud that has lin-
gered can be lifted.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
A different course of action
for vaccines
It seems lately that our government
is indecisive as to how to best adminis-
ter the oversupply of COVID-19 vac-
cine resource nationwide due to individu-
als refusing the procedure. Distribution to
populations in India, where the pandemic
is out of control, is a good plan.
My solution, accompanied by lift-
ing economic embargoes of food, fuel
and medicines to our adversaries, specif-
ically Iran, North Korea and Cuba, is to
provide this surplus of COVID vaccine to
these nations, using U.S. military medical
personnel, amongst others, to administer
them, and without preconditions.
My Christian faith demands this course
of action: “Do not take revenge, my
friends, but leave room for God’s wrath
for it is written, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will
repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If
your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him water to drink...’ Do not
EDITORIALS: Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the
Wallowa County Chieftain editorial board. Other columns,
letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions
of the authors and not necessarily that of the Wallowa
County Chieftain.
LETTERS: The Wallowa County Chieftain 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@wallowa.com, or via mail to
Wallowa County Chieftain, 209 NW 1st St. Enterprise, OR
97828
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good.” (Romans 12:19-21)
Perhaps our politicians could learn a
thing or two: kindly words of advice spo-
ken by the ancient Hebrews and Chris-
tians (and Muslims likewise) before con-
tinuing hellbent on a reckless arms race,
where our military spending as percentage
of our national treasure, is now the high-
est, “in the history of the universe” (Mario
Cuomo). They might be pleasantly sur-
prised by the results.
John Walker
Enterprise
3), apathy toward spirituality and scoff-
ing as the end draws near (2 Peter 3:3-4).
All of these conditions will take place just
before the return of Christ.
Will there be more pestilence? If
the Bible is correct, and we, of course,
believe it is, then the answer is yes. Jesus
knew that wars, famines, earthquakes and
pestilence would exist more frequently in
the end times. He wanted to warn us that
these are signs of the end and of the near-
ness of His return.
Roger Weishoff
Enterprise
Signs point to the nearness
of Christ’s return
I’ll have only muskets when
the government does
May 6 was the National Day of Prayer.
Not one church or preacher held any kind
of service that I know of in the county.
How sad is that?
The Bible predicts that there will be
more crime (Matthew 24:12), a break-
down of the family unit (2 Timothy 3:2-
To Evelyn Swart, I will agree to your
position in your letter in the May 12 issue
of the Wallowa County Chieftain as soon
as the government, state and federal, also
only have muskets.
Kurt Swinburnson
Eagle, Idaho
CONTACT your REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. PRESIDENT
Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
U.S. SENATORS
Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244
La Grande office: 541-962-7691
Bobby Levy, District 58
900 Court St. NE, H-376
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1458
Rep.BobbyLevy@state.or.us
Member Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
Published every Wednesday by: EO Media Group
USPS No. 665-100
P.O. Box 338 • Enterprise, OR 97828
Office: 209 NW First St., Enterprise, Ore.
Phone: 541-426-4567 • Fax: 541-426-3921
General manager, Jennifer Cooney, jcooney@wallowa.com
Editor, Ronald Bond, rbond@wallowa.com
Reporter, Bill Bradshaw, bbradshaw@wallowa.com
Multimedia Journalist, Alex Wittwer, awittwer@eomediagroup.com
Advertising Assistant, Cheryl Jenkins, cjenkins@wallowa.com
Designer, Andy Nicolais, anicolais@eomediagroup.com
• • •
Contents copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
To submit news tips and press releases, call 541-426-4567
or email editor@wallowa.com
SENATOR
Greg Smith, District 57
900 Court St. NE, H-482
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1457
Rep.GregSmith@state.or.us
Wallowa County’s Newspaper Since 1884
VOLUME 134
Cliff Bentz
1239 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6730
Medford office: 541-776-4646
REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR
Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, OR 97301-4047
503-378-4582
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753
Pendleton office: 541-278-1129
Bill Hansell, District 29
900 Court St. NE, S-423
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1729
Sen.BillHansell@state.or.us
Periodical Postage Paid at Enterprise and additional mailing offices
Subscription rates (includes online access)
Annually
Monthly (autopay)
Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery
See the Wallowa County
Chieftain on the Internet
Wallowa.com
facebook.com/Wallowa
twitter.com/wcchieftain
1 Year
$51.00
$4.25
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to
Wallowa County Chieftain
P.O. Box 338
Enterprise, OR 97828