Opinion
Platforms offer
insight into
key ag issues
T
he two major political
parties have approved
their 2016 platforms.
While presidential candidates
of both stripes have in the past
freely diverged from specifi c
points in their party’s platform —
and we would expect the same
of Hillary Clinton and Donald
Trump — the documents provide
a point for comparison of the
policy priorities of each party.
Have a look.
Each party promises to protect
and advance the interests of
farmers.
The GOP says it will change
capital gains and estate tax laws
to ensure farms can stay in the
family. Republicans favor ending
direct payment programs in favor
of risk-management programs,
such as crop insurance.
Democrats promise
unspecifi ed programs to “protect
and enhance family farms,
a cherished way of life....”
Democrats say they’ll do more
to support young farmers and
ranchers, and will promote
“environmentally sustainable
agricultural practices.” It favors a
“focused” safety net for farmers.
Republicans say they want
to rein in the Environmental
Protection Agency. The platform
demands “an end to the EPA’s
participation in ‘sue and settle’
lawsuits, sweetheart litigation
brought by environmental
groups to expand the Agency’s
regulatory activities against
the wishes of Congress and the
public.” It supports legislation
giving the states a larger role in
protecting the environment.
Democrats take note of
EPA programs, particularly the
Agricultural Worker Protection
Standard, but say more needs to
be done. The Democrats want
to enlist farmers as “partners
in promoting conservation and
stewardship.” Republicans
want regulators to shift from
punitive enforcement to “a spirit
of cooperation” with producers,
processors and the public.
The Democrats promise more
and stronger regulation on just
about every front. The GOP
says it will reduce government
regulation, and wants Congress
to approve any regulation that
will cost consumers more than
$100 million.
The Democrats oppose
any attempt to “weaken” the
Endangered Species Act.
Republicans want to block
attempts by the EPA and the
Corps of Engineers to “expand
jurisdiction over water, including
water that is clearly not
navigable.”
The Democrats’ platform
wants to expand access to
public lands, and at the same
time “strengthen protections for
natural and cultural resources.”
It supports the creation of a
trust fund to expand outdoor
recreational opportunities. The
Democrats want to create more
jobs and billions of dollars in
activity by doubling the size of
the “outdoor economy.”
Republicans want Congress
to explore transferring to
ranchers, timbermen and miners
some public land, arguing that
private owners are the best
stewards of the land because
conservation serves their
economic interests. It favors
maximizing timber harvest on
public land.
We think the GOP platform is
better for farmers and ranchers.
But we urge caution.
Platforms are gauzy
documents long on ideology
and short on specifi cs. They are
points of departure for candidates
up and down the ticket who are
free to put their spin on policy.
By what mechanics will either
party deliver its vision?
Details are important. Even
ideas we agree with can turn
sour if they are realized through
objectionable means.
W HERE TO W RITE
GRANT COUNTY
• Grant County Courthouse — 201
S. Humbolt St., Suite 280, Canyon City
97820. Phone: 541-575-0059. Fax: 541-
575-2248.
• Canyon City — P.O. Box 276, Canyon
City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0509. Fax:
541-575-0515. Email: tocc1862@centu-
rylink.net.
• Dayville — P.O. Box 321, Dayville
97825. Phone: 541-987-2188. Fax: 541-
987-2187. Email:dville@ortelco.net
• John Day — 450 E. Main St, John Day,
97845. Phone: 541-575-0028. Fax: 541-
575-1721. Email: cityjd@centurytel.net.
• Long Creek — P.O. Box 489, Long
Creek 97856. Phone: 541-421-3601. Fax:
541-421-3075. Email: info@cityofl ong-
creek.com.
• Monument — P.O. Box 426, Monument
97864. Phone and fax: 541-934-2025.
Email: cityofmonument@centurytel.net.
• Mt. Vernon — P.O. Box 647, Mt.
Vernon 97865. Phone: 541-932-4688. Fax:
541-932-4222. Email: cmtv@ortelco.net.
• Prairie City — P.O. Box 370, Prairie
City 97869. Phone: 541-820-3605. Fax:
820-3566. Email: pchall@ortelco.net.
• Seneca — P.O. Box 208, Seneca
97873. Phone and fax: 541-542-2161.
Email: senecaoregon@gmail.com.
SALEM
• Gov. Kate Brown, D — 254 State
Capitol, Salem 97310. Phone: 503-378-
3111. Fax: 503-378-6827. Website: www.
governor.state.or.us/governor.html.
• Oregon Legislature — State Capitol,
Salem, 97310. Phone: (503) 986-1180.
Website: www. leg.state.or.us (includes
Oregon Constitution and Oregon Revised
Statutes).
Blue Mountain
EAGLE
P UBLISHED EVERY
W EDNESDAY BY
• State Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario (Dis-
trict: 60), Room H-475, State Capitol, 900
Court St. N.E., Salem OR 97301. Phone:
503-986-1460. Email: rep.cliffbentz@state.
or.us. Website: www.leg.state.or.us/bentz/
home.htm.
• State Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R — (District
30) Room S-223, State Capitol, Salem
97310. Phone: 503-986-1950. Email: sen.
tedferrioli@state.or.us. Email: TFER2@aol.
com. Phone: 541-490-6528. Website: www.
leg.state.or.us/ferrioli.
• Oregon Legislative Information —
(For updates on bills, services, capitol or
messages for legislators) — 800-332-2313.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
• The White House, 1600 Pennsylva-
nia Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500;
Phone-comments: 202-456-1111; Switch-
board: 202-456-1414.
• U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D — 516 Hart
Senate Offi ce Building, Washington D.C.
20510. Phone: 202-224-5244. Email:
wayne_kinney@wyden.senate.gov Website:
http://wyden.senate.gov Fax: 202-228-2717.
• U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D — 313 Hart
Senate Offi ce Building, Washington D.C.
20510?. Phone: 202-224-3753. Email:
senator@merkley.senate.gov. Fax: 202-
228-3997. Oregon offi ces include One
World Trade Center, 121 S.W. Salmon St.,
Suite 1250, Portland, OR 97204; and 310
S.E. Second St., Suite 105, Pendleton, OR
97801. Phone: 503-326-3386; 541-278-
1129. Fax: 503-326-2990.
• U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R — (Second
District) 1404 Longworth Building, Wash-
ington D.C. 20515. Phone: 202-225-6730.
No direct email because of spam. Website:
www.walden.house.gov Fax: 202-225-5774.
Medford offi ce: 14 North Central, Suite 112,
Medford, OR 97501. Phone: 541-776-4646.
Fax: 541-779-0204.
L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR
Out-of-context
statements distort
original intent
To the Editor:
Grant County citizens recent-
ly received an unsigned flier de-
manding a yes vote on the recall
of County Commissioner Boyd
Britton. If one takes the time
to investigate each of the docu-
ments purported to substantiate
their claims, you find many dis-
crepancies and gross manipula-
tion of the written word, extract-
ing sections of writing from their
context and thus allowing for the
meaning to be misinterpreted.
There are no minutes listed
that support the allegations. The
minutes of the Sept. 18, 2014,
meeting of the Public Access Ad-
visory Board are prepared by one
of the petitioners, which make
it difficult, at best, to determine
what actually happened and what
could possibly be substantiated
by those particular minutes.
In reference to the ORS cita-
tions, all are general in nature and
do not address a specific concern.
At the town hall meeting on
Jan. 26, 2016, Mr. Britton was
in attendance. Shortly after the
meeting was to begin, one of the
organizers announced there would
be no meeting that night. How can
any statement about intentions be
inferred, let alone be judged?
Commissioner Britton did
not support a demand to call for
an investigation of the Canyon
Creek Complex fire from a pub-
licly elected group who did not
comply with public meeting law
when preparing their request on
behalf of that group. They also
did not offer a budget of the po-
tential costs.
In short, the people who are
demanding a recall have made
unsubstantiated claims, backed
them up with statute numbers and
references to minutes that don’t
apply. They have taken state-
ments out of context to distort
the original intent, with the hope
you will believe their claims at
face value. Do not fall for such
tactics. Listen to the many com-
munity people who are standing
up to this agenda. It is in the best
interest of all the people of Grant
County to vote no on the recall.
Beth E. Spell
John Day
‘Keep the mustache
in offi ce’
To the Editor:
I am writing in support of Coun-
ty Commissioner Boyd Britton in
the recent recall effort against him.
Although I have only had a close
relationship with Boyd for four or
fi ve years now, I can honestly say
that recalling him as county com-
missioner would be a massive mis-
take. Even at the local level, it is
truly unreasonable to expect to fi nd
a representative who is anywhere
near perfect in their decision mak-
ing or policy preference.
When making a decision as an
undecided voter on an issue as con-
tentious as this recall is, it is incred-
ibly important to look beyond the
Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper
P UBLISHER ............................... M ARISSA W ILLIAMS , MARISSA @ BMEAGLE . COM
E DITOR .................................... S EAN H ART , EDITOR @ BMEAGLE . COM
A DMINISTRATIVE A SSISTANT ........ K RISTINA K REGER , KRISTINA @ BMEAGLE . COM
C OMMUNITY N EWS .................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM
S PORTS ................................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM
M ARKETING R EP ....................... K IM K ELL , ADS @ BMEAGLE . COM
O FFICE M ANAGER ..................... L INDSAY B ULLOCK , OFFICE @ BMEAGLE . COM
political issues at stake and instead
turn one’s focus to the person of in-
terest. Anyone who actually knows
Boyd knows that his determination
to serve this county and steer it in a
positive and prosperous direction is
unquestionable.
His love for the county and his
desire to help the people in it are
both very evident and unmatched
by any others who have held his
position. Boyd has always, and I
believe will always, act in what he
believes are the best interests of the
people that his decisions impact the
most.
He is focused on creating an
environment right here in Grant
County where future generations
are able to succeed. I know this
because I have experienced it fi rst-
hand. Mr. Britton could truly care
less about petty politics. His real
concern is improving the lives of
his constituents and the economic
situation of the county. I am very
aware that once an individual has
had their mind made up about a
political issue it is very diffi cult to
change it. For those of you whose
decision has not been made on the
recall, I ask you to look beyond the
issues and look instead at the man
in front of you.
When I do this, I fi nd it very easy
to vote no on the recall. Keep the
mustache in offi ce.
Tucker Billman
Prairie City
‘Why spend all of that
money for a recall?’
To the Editor:
Vote no on the recall of County
Commissioner Boyd Britton. I have
known Boyd for a long time, both
as a friend and a businessman. He
has always been honest and forth-
right with me. I haven’t always
agreed with the moves that the com-
missioners have done, but I believe
they were done in the best interests
of the majority of the citizens of
Grant County.
When the petitioners are asked
for their reasons to recall, they
come up with some vague ones. I
don’t know what their agenda is,
but I believe it to be self-serving.
Why spend all of that money for a
recall? Wait for the next election.
Then, if valid reasons are present-
ed against Boyd, let the voters de-
cide whether to re-elect him or vote
someone else in.
Joe Clarke
Long Creek
Is Sheriff Palmer
above the law?
To the Editor:
Is Grant County Sheriff Glenn
Palmer above the law?
Palmer ordered the arrest of
an innocent Grant County citizen
for reporting a crime in progress,
which was corroborated by an in-
dependent third party. The citizen
was forced to spend the night in jail
because of Palmer’s professional
conduct.
The Grant County prosecutor re-
fused to prosecute the arrest, which
Palmer ordered. Was that because
the professional conduct of “Con-
stitutional Sheriff” Palmer violated
the constitutional rights of this in-
nocent Grant County citizen? The
citizen began legal proceedings
against Grant County, which set-
tled with the citizen for $12,000.
Was that because the professional
conduct of “Constitutional Sher-
iff” Palmer violated the constitu-
tional rights of this innocent Grant
County citizen? Will the insurance
policy premium for the liability in-
surance policy of the Grant County
Sheriff’s Offi ce increase because
of Palmer’s professional conduct?
If so, will the hard earned tax dol-
lars of Grant County taxpayers
have to pay for it?
Is Sheriff Palmer above the
law?
Palmer created as his offi cial
policy as Grant County Sheriff to
delete emails sent to him and re-
ceived by him in his public offi cial
capacity as sheriff. OAR 166-005-
0000 states that “unlawful destruc-
tion of any public record, regardless
of medium or physical format, is a
crime punishable under the provi-
sions of ORS 162.305.” Did Palm-
er commit a crime by destroying
emails sent to him and received by
him in his public offi cial capacity as
sheriff? Is the Grant County prose-
cutor investigating Palmer for the
possible crime of violating OAR
166-005-0000? If it is not, why not?
Will the Grant County prosecutor
investigate Palmer for the possible
crime of violating OAR 166-005-
0000? If it will not, is it because
“Constitutional Sheriff” Palmer is
above the law?
Is Sheriff Palmer above the law?
Brian McDonough
Bennington, New Hampshire
‘Vote for Todd
McKinley’
To the Editor:
I have lived in Grant County for
approximately 60 years, where my
wife and I raised a family of four
who still reside here with many
grand- and great-grandkids. My
employment was agriculture (cat-
tle) and a couple of years of log-
ging, which is the type of occupa-
tion my family is involved in.
For about 10 years, I worked as
a certifi ed sheriff deputy for Grant
County, covering all duties con-
cerning this job.
Due to half-truths and hyperbo-
le regarding the coming election
for sheriff, I believe my experience
qualifi es my opinion. I worked for
three sheriffs from 1979 on. I be-
lieve that Tom Negus was the most
qualifi ed sheriff we ever had since
he retired years ago.
Todd McKinley was raised on
his parents’ ranch between Mt. Ver-
non and Dayville. His parents and
uncle were morally the best. He
inherited this quality from them.
When the ranch sold, he went to
logging for O’Rorke Logging Co.
and was excellent there, too.
He had experience in the real
world. I believe that Grant County
needs a sheriff that possesses hon-
esty, integrity and ability in its le-
gal system, and so does America.
My vote is for Todd McKinley for
Grant County sheriff. Vote for in-
telligence. Vote for Todd McKinley.
John Aasness
John Day
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