Wednesday, September 8, 2021
A4
OPINION
OTHER VOICES
The next 10 years
of elections will be
decided by you
T
he process of redistricting is well
underway this year, and by the
time it’s done, some of our state
legislative districts could look com-
pletely different. We’re also guaranteed
to have a brand new congressional dis-
trict somewhere in Oregon.
Required by the Con-
stitution once every 10
years, redistricting ensures
that political boundaries
reflect population changes.
The major development
Rep. Bobby
this year is the new, sixth
Levy
congressional seat, which
will increase Oregon’s representation in
Washington, D.C.
We don’t know what these new legis-
lative districts will look like yet, but we
know one thing for sure: your involve-
ment can change everything.
For residents in Congressional Dis-
trict 2, you have a chance to voice your
concerns during virtual public meetings
that will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8,
starting at 1 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 10,
starting at 8 a.m.
If you miss these times, anyone can
sign up to testify on Monday, Sept. 13,
between 1-4 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m.
It’s important for Oregonians to par-
ticipate in the process of redistricting
because of the impact it has on a variety
of issues, including where to put Ore-
gon’s sixth congressional seat and possi-
ble changes to who your elected officials
can be.
That’s why you’re encouraged to take
part in these virtual public meetings.
You can influence how maps are drawn,
and without your voice it will be harder
to draw district lines that reflect your
interests.
Oregon is at a high risk of gerryman-
dering this year, according to reporting
from sites like Axios. This would favor
one political party over another. Strong
public participation can greatly reduce
this risk.
You will get to weigh in during these
public meetings, and you can even draw
your own maps using the tool at the
state’s redistricting website, found here.
As you consider what is important to
you regarding redistricting, a collection
of different criteria used across the coun-
try can be found at this link.
I look forward to hearing about the
strong public participation from our
community on this extremely import-
ant issue. For this or any other topic, feel
free to reach out to my office for ques-
tions or concerns.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Many value ‘freedom’
to infect others
Local educators need
our support
The people of Wallowa County are
known for their warmth, kindness, and
generosity. My personal experience
has borne that out — at least until the
pandemic reached its current level of
lethality. Now, going to Safeway, where
about half the folks are unmasked, it
has become increasingly apparent that
what many of my fellow citizens value
more than the lives of their friends and
neighbors is their “freedom” to infect
others.
I just hope that the day never comes
when the leaders of one of our two
major political parties and their partisan
media surrogates declare drunk driv-
ing to be an inalienable individual right.
At that point, our roads will become
as dangerous as our grocery stores are
now.
Stephen Ducat
Joseph
There is conflict occurring within
our communities pertaining to COVID-
19 protocols and masking mandates
and it is negatively affecting our school
districts and our kids’ education.
Through the governor’s mandates,
agencies are providing direction to
every school district in the state per-
taining to COVID-19 protocols. There
is no choice in the manner as school
district are required to follow the laws/
policies.
There are people who have threat-
ened to turn in schools in for not fol-
lowing the mask mandates. Con-
versely, there are folks who are
condemning the schools for following
state law because it conflicts with their
rights.
Personally, I understand both sides.
My concern is the “energy” is being
applied to the wrong entity. The man-
dates/rules are not coming from the
school districts. None of it. The school
districts are required to abide by them
or be subject to fines and/or loss of
teaching credentials.
Our teachers and administration are
getting “brow beat” from all angles.
All they want to do is teach. They care
about our kids and their future. They
want to prepare them as best they can
for the life that’s ahead of them. There
are tremendous distractions keeping
them from doing this to their fullest
extent.
My hope is people redirect their
energy to the root cause of these issues.
The school districts have supported
“local control” and I truly believe this
is in alignment with the community in
general. We, collectively, need to sup-
port them in educating our kids. Not
tear them down.
Matt Howard
Wallowa
Think of others if you
decide not to mask,
vaccinate
To those who oppose the use of
masks or receiving a vaccination, please
realize that the ICU bed that you may
occupy could be used for a child who
has been in an automobile accident or
is fighting a serious illness other than
COVID. Also, please think of the hos-
pital staff that you are putting at risk.
If you have the guts to take on
COVID, more power to you, but could
you please not be so selfish and do oth-
ers a favor by having the guts to take it
on in your own home.
Jeff Irish
Enterprise
———
Rep. Bobby Levy represents House District
58, which includes all of Union and Wallowa
counties and a portion of Umatilla County, in
the Oregon Legislature.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Do you have a point you’d like to make or an
issue you feel strongly about? Submit a letter
to the editor or a guest column.
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
MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the redistricting process
and sign up to testify, visit oregonlegislature.
gov/redistricting.
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Contents copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
The coronavirus pandemic, hurri-
canes and flooding, wildfires and the
plight of refugees are fueling the divi-
sion and political unrest in the United
States, as well as the entire world. It
is tempting to join in with the weep-
ing and wailing and anger and blam-
ing. And it tempts those of good will to
sink into overwhelming depression and
helplessness, not knowing how to deal
with the suffering of so many human
souls.
We forget to reflect on the coura-
geous health providers who work long
hours, sometimes unceasing, to care
for the tragically sick and dying in our
community and across the country. We
forget to be thankful for the majority of
citizens who care for the welfare of oth-
ers in the community enough that they
get their vaccinations and wear masks
in public in order to stop the spread of
the coronavirus.
The astounding bravery of those
people working to save the stranded in
floods and devastation and to recon-
struct the communities that are suffer-
ing is worthy of thankfulness, gratitude
and praise. The tireless firefighters fac-
ing the wildfires life-threatening danger.
The American service men and
women, grateful for their assistance
facing the enemy in Afghanistan, are
providing an example of human com-
passion and brotherhood. Those work-
ers and volunteers serving homeless
refugees all over the world attempt to
soften the suffering of so many without
food, clothing and shelter.
I thank God for the compassionate
people who work for the welfare of oth-
ers and provide hope for us all.
Evelyn Swart
Joseph
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.
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VOLUME 134
We need to remember
courageous health
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