Wednesday, February 23, 2022
A4
OPINION
VOICE of the CHIEFTAIN
Funding,
process is a
win-win for
the county
T
he Wallowa County Fair-
grounds are going to get some
needed repairs.
And, local government handled the
funding reception the proper way.
To us, that is a win-win.
As was reported in the Page A3
story this week, the county commis-
sioners approved the receiving of a
$500,000 federal grant through the
American Rescue Plan Act — money
that state Rep. Bobby Levy allo-
cated from her allotted portion for
the county to use in repairing some
of the worn down structures at the
fairgrounds.
It almost seems like a no-brainer
to take the money and run, and one
might wonder why there was a delay
in getting to this point. After all, the
announcement of the funds to Wal-
lowa County was first reported on last
June.
But a couple things are at play
here. One, the wheels of govern-
ment grind ever so slowly. The com-
missioners had to approve a grant
application process, which they did
in early November. It originally was
supposed to be simply passed along
to local entities, but was then turned
into a grant process, we reported in
November.
Commissioner Susan Roberts
smartly asked then: “What’s the state
asking of us?” Oftentimes, mon-
ies from the government don’t come
without any strings attached in the
form of a certain way they must be
spent or certain things those receiving
it must adhere to.
Even as recently as a couple of
weeks ago, acceptance of the funds
was tabled because of concerns over
the state’s involvement in how the
county received the funds.
The pause allowed for those ques-
tions to be answered, and once the
commissioners and county coun-
sel were satisfied, the money was
accepted.
This is very wise on the part of the
commissioners and those advising
them, including counsel Paige Sully.
Be certain of what you are getting
and what is required of you, if any-
thing is.
In this time of everyone grabbing
everything handed to them by the
government and not worrying about
if there are requirements or even con-
sequences (even if it is needed, as it is
here), it is a breath of fresh air to see
our local government take the time to
make sure every I is dotted and T is
crossed before accepting a chunk of
money that will cover roughly two-
thirds of the repairs.
It will benefit the county in the
long run with improved grounds, and
shows we have local leaders who are
wise about money.
It is, truly, a win-win.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
In support of the River
Democracy Act
Like many of our Northeast Oregon
friends and neighbors, we support the
River Democracy Act proposed by Sens.
Wyden and Merkley. We offer here a few
of our reasons:
Meaningful action addressing
life-threatening climate change is over-
due. Our waterways pay a heavy price
for our drive to squeeze every last penny
from natural resources. Centuries of
destructive practices have damaged every
ecosystem on earth and threaten planetary
life itself.
Our full speed ahead enterprise
destroys plant and animal species at mass
extinction rates, canceling them from
our intricate web of life. In light of cli-
mate change and biodiversity collapse,
destructive “business as usual” practices
are worse than senseless. We know bet-
ter. Passing the River Democracy Act is
a modest, yet important, step toward pro-
tecting and restoring our natural world.
The River Democracy Act does not
“lock up” our public lands. They remain
as accessible as ever. Wild and Scenic
designation allows restoration of these
waterways and protects them from future
degradation. Sen. Wyden and his staff
have carefully listened to stakeholders
and specifically addressed their concerns
in the bill.
Maps abound. A statewide map depict-
ing all of the proposed stream reaches
is found at tinyurl.com/rdamap. The
River Democracy Act itself forms an
atlas, its stream names and geographic
details easily found on any map or GPS
device. Acquiring ourselves a detailed
map of Killamacue Creek, we find its
reach length is indeed 4 miles, contrary
to a public official’s complaint it was but
2 miles, as printed in the Feb. 2, 2022
Baker City Herald.
We need long-range thinking to pro-
tect the natural systems on which all life
depends. Two years ago local citizens,
businesses, and organizations answered
the call for nominations, did their home-
work, and made their recommendations,
since reduced to protecting just 4% of
Oregon’s waterways. The River Democ-
racy Act represents local knowledge and
expertise in managing local resources for
a sustainable future.
Thank you, senator. Now is the time
to pass the bill. Our kids, grandkids and
future generations will thank you, too.
Mike Higgins
Mike Beaty
Halfway
Vote to save democracy,
but investigate, too
Please vote in the 2022 election!
Whether Democrat, Republican, Indepen-
dent or nonaffiliated the American gov-
ernment is under attack and you must
be heard. American elections have been
challenged with unjustified claims to
question their validity. Voter suppression
is common in many states through purg-
ing registrations and making it physi-
cally difficult to cast a ballot. The forces
behind this effort to overthrow the Ameri-
can government seem willing to go to any
lengths to accomplish their purpose. What
is the purpose of armed poll watchers?
The “foot soldiers” of this group are
the “Oath Keepers,” the “Proud Boys”
and associated groups of “white suprem-
acists.” Now comes the Republican
National Committee who have defined
the riot of Jan. 6 at our nation’s Capitol
as “legitimate political discourse.” These
groups have not shown a desire for peace-
ful discussion, just the opposite.
When completing the election ballot,
it is important to know the background
of our candidates and not just their rhet-
oric. Unfortunately for those of us with
Republican leanings, endorsement from
the RNC, which is sympathetic to a vio-
lent takeover of the government, should
be “red flag” and further research would
be justified. Don’t just vote the party line.
Investigate.
The extremists on both sides count on
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
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Recent letters provide
needed information
I believe two of the best Opinion
views I have ever read are in the Feb. 9,
2022 Wallowa County Chieftain.
Connie Dunham did a very admira-
ble job of promoting debating. That is, the
classic style of debating where politicians
and students in debating competition give
their side of an issue and then judges or
the public decide for themselves who’s
side has the most merit. Ms. Dunham
stresses truthfulness in writing or oral
debating and teaching children to take
propaganda and dissemble it to discover
what is valuable information and what is
questionable information and move on
from there.
Mike Eng taught us about Oregon pri-
maries. Many people are upset about our
state government and this could be a solu-
tion. I was shocked to read that 1,600 reg-
istered voters in sparsely settled Wallowa
County cannot vote in Oregon’s prima-
ries. Primaries are so important to guide
the political parties into choosing candi-
dates for the general election. In the spirit
of the old-fashioned “get out the vote”
value, this is a key movement in Oregon.
Mr. Eng’s contact information for signing
this important petition is at the end of his
political opinion in the Feb. 9 edition.
Lastly, as I am always a cheerleader
for positiveness, and would thank Mr.
Terry Jones for his positive interview
on Chief Joseph Days. He admitted the
financial trouble, but stated the CJD com-
mittee will continue, not despair and
carry on. Likewise Mr. Tom Birkmaier
reminded us of all the good work the Wal-
lowa County Stockmen do for the cattle
industry and asked us to move on and not
dwell on the cattle issue on the Imnaha.
Marilyn DeGrofft Hulse
Wallowa
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
Wallowa County’s Newspaper Since 1884
VOLUME 134
the majority in the middle failing to vote.
Save American democracy. VOTE!
David Ebbert
Enterprise
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