Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2016)
A4 Opinion Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, October 19, 2016 In governor’s race, Pierce has the edge D emocrat Kate Brown and Republican Bud Pierce are squaring off to become the next governor of Oregon. Brown has fi lled the chair since John Kitzhaber stepped down less than two years ago. The winner of the November election will only serve for the remainder of Kitzhaber’s original term, and will be back up for election in 2018. Brown has done some good work in her short stint at the top post — shepherding a 9-percent bump to state education funding, pushing through a tiered minimum wage hike and increasing the number of registered voters thanks to her previous work as Oregon Secretary of State. It’s clear that she has a soft spot for Eastern Oregon and Pendleton in particular, which is where she made her fi rst out-of-Salem visit as governor and has often been at the top of her mind at debates all around the state. But last session Brown failed to wrangle the legislature into passing a much-needed transportation package, her leadership was lacking during the creation and initial explanation of Measure 97, and she has been unable to make satisfactorily clear statements regarding her position on important but controversial issues such as the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership and a possible national monument in the Owyhees. The only real legislative compromise she reached with Republicans at the capitol was signing House Bill 4040, which ratifi ed the decision of ODFW to remove the gray wolf from the state list of endangered species. It was tossing a proverbial bone at the end of a session where the Democratic agenda was steamrolled through both chambers and into law. Pierce has long stood out to us. Although he has never held public offi ce, he is the intelligent, private-sector focused Republican that Eastern Oregon has been crying out for. And Pierce steers clear of social issues that have tripped up previous GOP candidates. He has no harsh views on issues that aren’t signifi cant to the health of our state, which should make him a viable candidate for Willamette Valley voters who realize change is needed. Pierce’s worst moment in the campaign came in enemy territory — the City Club of Portland — where he clearly misspoke about domestic violence. He was jeered and booed when he said “A woman that has great education, great training, a great job, is not susceptible to this kind of abuse by men, women or anyone.” It was wrong and he deserved to be chided. But unlike the Republican candidate for president (who Pierce thankfully disowned, although it is unlikely he will be able to run far enough from) Pierce made a straightforward and meaningful apology, listened to women and domestic violence professionals, and emerged from the scandal a more enlightened and complete candidate. His ardent desire for improving Eastern Oregon is clear, his stance against Measure 97 is in the best interest of the state, and his tax plans and budget show the fi scal responsibility that Oregon needs to have when the economy is humming along. We’re constantly looking for ways to break the single- party rule that currently exists in Salem. A Republican at the top of it all would certainly do that, and Pierce is a smart, capable candidate who would handle the job and bring some balance to the tilted capitol. 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 The coming election To the Editor: It’s time to think long and hard about your future or the potential lack of one. Our country is on the brink of an economic breakdown. When this happens, your job or source of income will be lost or seriously diminished. This didn’t just hap- pen. It is the result of 40 years of short-sighted, wrong-headed think- ing. The world has been bombarded by the environmental movement. It is a noble thing to be concerned for the environment around us, but if a little is good, never-ending move is not better. The slogan “Save the Earth” has swept the Earth, but few know or think of the other half of the equa- tion: No life can exist unless we use the earth and harvest its produce and resources. Thus, the industries that har- vest our food, timber and minerals are the foundation of our economy. You must know that no business, in- dustry or job can continue without these resources. Also know that all new wealth comes from the ground. There is no other source. Every time we enact a new reg- ulation that restricts access and use of the land and set aside another area to just look at or protect some bird, bug, fi sh or animal, we stop some productive use and take an- other bite out of our economy. We have over-extended our reg- ulations and land withdrawals to the point our country can no longer support itself. Those economic re- strictions are bringing on our eco- nomic troubles and perhaps the end of America as we know it. Our area is in the unique position to blunt some of these troubles if we act and think right. The mineral re- sources of our area are suffi cient to provide jobs that will allow many miners to support their families and many local merchants. If we are to survive this crisis, we must change the actions and thinking of our government to al- low the workers of our country to produce the necessities of life. So use your vote carefully. Kenneth Anderson Baker City Unacceptable campaign behavior To the Editor: This election year is not like any other I have witnessed, from the national presidential to the coun- ty sheriff. The constant smearing and degrading remarks are leaving wounds across the United States that I am not sure we will bounce back from. It’s so sad that it takes devastating blows for us to come together. We used to be able to cam- paign and back our pick for offi ce without defaming and constant, nasty remarks being published. The world has become a very scary place over the past 16 years with terrorism becoming a daily event. To think it could not or will not touch our small county would not be a wise thought. The use of the internet and social media sites have allowed us to become vicious titans 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 ........ J ACKIE O SBORNE , JACKIE @ BMEAGLE . COM R EPORTER ............................... R YLAN B OGGS , RYLAN @ 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 because we don’t have to look those we are attacking in the eye. My family was among the fi rst citizens to help settle this county. I have never lived anywhere else; this is my home. I have seen many chang- es, some good and some bad, over the years. What I have seen lately is unacceptable; the taking of cam- paign signs, the smearing remarks published on the internet and in our local paper, the smearing campaign set forth by the Oregonian reporter. Smearing one another is very un- becoming and will not serve in our best interest in the long run. Not one of us is perfect. Long after the elec- tions are over, we will need to con- tinue being neighbors and help each other through rough times and cel- ebrating the good. Don’t tear each other apart with false accusations and berating comments that will lead to harsh feelings that cannot be forgiven. Rusty Clark Monument Palmer not performing duties in sheriff job description To the Editor: Here is part of the job descrip- tion for Grant County sheriff, as supported by the Constitutions and constitutional law of the United States and the state of Oregon. The full description is available from the County Clerk’s offi ce. “... 6) As Emergency Services Director, develops, maintains and administers plans and programs to ensure emergency preparedness in the County; maintains liaison with fi re departments/ districts, police agencies, public works departments, schools, public utilities and other or- ganizations in the County useful in limiting the effects of disasters. 7) Negotiates and administers contracts for service with other juris- dictions/agencies. 8) Coordinates with other law enforcement agencies to insure ade- quate, quality service to the public. 9) Maintains and/or oversees the maintenance of appropriate records and prepares reports related to depart- mental programs and activities. ...” Sadly, Sheriff Palmer has de- clined to fulfi ll these duties on mul- tiple occasions. To name a few: • In 2011, he left 7 and 8 unful- fi lled by refusing to work with USFS and spreading baseless stories about USFS workers; when he was fact- checked by his opponent at election time, he denied the John Day police access to his offi ce, further damag- ing interagency cooperation and po- tentially endangering the public. • He let those same duties go undone during the takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Other law enforcement organiza- tions sent offi cers to assist Sheriff Ward. Palmer sent none, and sup- ported the illegal occupiers so bla- tantly that other LEOs didn’t dare inform him of their attempts to en- force the law. • This pattern of non-cooper- ation with other agencies has led many to doubt Palmer’s ability to fulfi ll point 6, and our county may be less able to respond to disasters as a result. • Recently, with his confl icting claims about destroying public re- cords and his refusal to comply with public records requests, he has cast doubt on his fulfi llment of point 9. Someone who refuses to perform any of the clearly defi ned duties of a job should resign or be fi red; some- one who will perform those duties should have the job. Todd McKin- ley has promised to perform all the duties of the Grant County sheriff. I’m voting for him. Janine Goodwin Prairie City Measure 97 ‘bad for business, bad for Oregon’ To the Editor: I oppose Measure 97, gross re- ceipts tax. Passing the measure will tax corporations with gross reve- nues over $25 million at a rate of 2.5 percent. Supporters of the mea- sure would have you believe that this only impacts corporate giants. Wrong! Basic economics and more importantly basic common sense tells you costs associated with tax will be passed along to customers: you and I. Supporters want you to believe the revenue this thinly veiled sales tax puts in Oregon’s coffers will be used for education, emergency and senior services. Don’t be fooled; the measure doesn’t say that it will go to these areas. It goes into the general fund and is discretionary funds for legislators. M-97 supporters claim it will add $6 billion per biennium to the state coffers, above the existing $18 bil- lion budget. Does it make sense to increase by 1/3 the funds available for the legislature? No! If the state needs 33.3 percent more revenue to remain viable, it’s not an income is- sue, rather a spending issue. Fiscal problems aren’t solved by piling taxes (expenses) on the citizens and businesses of Oregon. M-97 would have the heaviest im- pact on those least able to afford it. According to OPB, “The Legislative Revenue Offi ce estimated the mea- sure would cost households $372 to $1,282 annually, depending on in- come level. Most would be in higher prices, some would represent lost wages.” The average LRO estimate is $600 annually per household. M-97 limits economic growth. Why would a company looking to expand or add jobs to a region come here when their costs will be at least 2.5 percent higher (more considering vendors along the supply chain) than locating elsewhere? They won’t. More critically, what keeps existing corporations from leaving Oregon? No matter your frustration with the political landscape — how tired you are picking between candidates that don’t refl ect your ideals — don’t ignore your ballot. The fi ght against M-97 cannot be “someone else’s” issue. It’s an issue for every Oregonian. Join me in voting no on Measure 97. It’s bad policy, bad for business, bad for Oregon. Jeff Bailey Heppner 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including online access) Periodicals Postage Paid at John Day and additional mailing offi ces. Grant County .....................................$40 Everywhere else in U.S. .....................$51 POSTMASTER send address changes to: Blue Mountain Eagle 195 N. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845-1187 Outside Continental U.S. ....................$60 Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Email: www.MyEagleNews.com Phone: 541-575-0710 USPS 226-340 See LETTERS, Page A5 Copyright © 2016 Blue Mountain Eagle All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means — graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping or information storage and retrieval systems — without written permission of the publisher. www.facebook.com/MyEagleNews @MyEagleNews
