Wednesday, August 31, 2022
A4
OPINION
VOICE of the CHIEFTAIN
Work
crew lends
a helping
hand
T
he recent epic hailstorm did a lot
of physical damage to the county,
but it also created a scenario
where average people stepped up to help
and there was no better example of this
than the employees of Global Electric,
of Portland, who seemingly came out of
nowhere to lend a hand.
Several members of the crew under
contract by the Oregon Department of
Transportation to complete an ADA
sidewalk ramp upgrade project showed
uncommon courtesy by helping guide
a pedestrian to safety, furnishing basic
medical care and helping clear debris for
emergency service vehicles.
What was especially gratifying
was these individuals — as far as we
know — were not from the county but
imported contractors. They had, really,
nothing on the line in terms of connec-
tions to the local population. They didn’t
have to lend a hand, but they did.
That kind of behavior should be
lauded but it was nothing out of the ordi-
nary across the local area in the after-
math of the storm.
The actions of these contractors show
that they were willing to make a sacri-
fice and to step up at the right time when
their assistance was most needed.
The state often invites such contrac-
tors into communities across our region.
We all see them, but we go along with
our lives. They have their jobs to do, and
we have our lives to live. Interaction is
most likely sparse and cursory.
On face value, they could have just
ducked out under cover as the storm
raged across the region, then focused on
their work. Yet they did not and in doing
so shined a bright, positive light on
themselves and their company. ODOT
should also feel a certain sense of pride
that the people they hire to go into small
communities showed a willingness to
help during the most trying time.
We, as a community, are thankful for
their help and hopeful that they recall
their time here in our great county with
fondness. They performed very well
during the hailstorm and we are grateful.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Something to
make you smile
Most of us couldn’t care less if Mr.
Kliewer attends the rodeo or not, but must
we threaten your readers with trash? Why
is it that “the liberals” get so upset? Are
they afraid of Trump? Just what does it
mean when he wants Mr. Jones to address
this “meaningfully”? Maybe agree with
his opinion? Perhaps since he finds it nec-
essary to tell us that he is a minister and
a mental health therapist he feels that his
occupation has some bearing. Get over
yourself.
Now let’s tell something that should
bring a smile to someone: Last week I
hobbled into Safeway to get a grand-
daughter a plant for her birthday, threw a
package of raspberries and a cookie into
the electric cart and went to the check
stand where this nice lady offered to place
the things on the counter for me. How
nice of her, I am thinking. She tells the
checker that she is camping at the lake
and is from Southern Oregon. She puts
my things back in the cart and when I am
ready to put my debit card in, the checker
says to me, “See you next time. That lady
just paid for your purchase.”
She probably has better things to do
than write to the editor.
Nancy Cannon
Enterprise
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Hatred has
no place at a rodeo
Years ago, when our group of county
and Nez Perce folks got together and
started the CJD’s Friendship Feast and
Dance at the Indian campgrounds by the
rodeo, I was aghast at the racial slurs and
degrading language about the Nez Perce
tribal members that were liberally used by
the rodeo announcer. It drifted across and
into the Indian’s encampment. Really, it
was shocking. How could such language
be entertaining to anyone? I stopped
attending the then ironically named Chief
Joseph Days Rodeo because of it.
Mr. Bradshaw’s recent article about
the 2022 CJD rodeo announcer and clown
was insightful. I closely read the section
where he interviewed the clown and the
announcer. Both seemed to justify the
hateful and prejudiced language and jokes
they relied upon as rodeo “entertainment”
by referencing their followers’ evident
support of such language.
In my mind, having followers should
not give justification to their brand of
entertainment. Jesus had followers, and
so did Hitler. One preached love and
saved souls; the other preached hate and
murdered people.
From the emotional response of some
attendees of this years CJD rodeo, hate
seemed to be intertwined in the language
of the rodeo announcer and the clown.
It was a terrible message of “hate of
the other” (i.e., Democrats, liberals and
“Those Who Don’t Support our Previous
President”). As a practicing Christian, I
support the message of love.
I therefore encourage my thoughtful
neighbor Terry Jones to also support the
message of love and hire someone else
next year. I would recommend this year’s
Spray Rodeo announcer. He was fun,
inclusive and wholesomely entertaining
for everyone there.
June Colony
Lostine
Rodeo should be
a safe place for all
I should have predicted it. The response
to those people who didn’t like the nation-
alistic, authoritarianism extremism of the
rodeo announcer from those who are ideo-
logically atune to such a message is simply
this. We don’t respect you, we don’t want
you around, just be quiet and go away.
This “us/them” language is the narra-
tive of the American right, which wants
all the power and privilege and screams
for respect, while showing no respect to
others, and taking away their privileges.
Before you tell me to go back from where
I came, I was born in Eastern Oregon.
I was raised here. Graduated from high
school in Lakeview. I have spent most of
my life as a pastor and a mental health
therapist serving people in Eastern Oregon.
I am currently working hard to get care
to those hit by the storm in Wallowa. I
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am not asking you to change your politi-
cal beliefs. I am asking you to respect my
beliefs. As a follower of Jesus I found the
words and attitude of the announcer inap-
propriate. The rodeo should be a safe place
for all, not just extreme nationalists.
If you claim Jesus, as at least one writer
did, then put on the attitude of Christ.
“Consider others more important than
yourself” It’s in Philippians 2. You might
read it.
Stephen Kliewer
Joseph
Why isn’t Joseph’s noise
ordinance being followed?
I admit I enjoy concerts and loud
music. But the noise level at the Back
Country Bash seems a bit excessive. I live
over a mile from the rodeo grounds and
can clearly hear the bass pounding at my
home. Friends who live near the venue
complain about windows rattling and
noise until 11 p.m. and later.
Joseph has a noise ordinance. Why is
it not being followed? The following is
taken from the list of ordinances listed by
the city:
(1) Residential Zone. No person may
produce or permit to be produced, noise
as described in policy, between the hours
of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
(2) Commercial Zone. No person may
produce, or permit to be produced, noise,
as described in policy, between the hours
of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Whether the rodeo grounds are consid-
ered commercial or not, it is surrounded
by homes and apartments. My heart aches
for the residents at the Alpine House
Senior Living. They have to endure all
the noise, traffic and crowds for a week
during Chief Joseph Days. And within
days, BCB starts. Do the organizers have
any kind of consideration or empathy for
them?
Perhaps move that event out to the
fairgrounds. It would show respect for the
seniors in our community. And no doubt,
they would breathe a sigh of relief like
many others who live nearby.
Christina Knecht
Joseph
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