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
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