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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 2018)
A4 Opinion Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Everyone should help prevent child sexual abuse R eading Wade Cates’ firsthand account as a survivor of child sexual abuse is a sobering reminder that more needs to be done to protect the children of the community. Today’s front page story points out that child abuse and sexual assault are serious problems. And they’re not someone else’s problems. They’re happening here. At an alarming rate. While the extent of child sexual abuse may be difficult to believe — or easy to ignore because victims rarely tell their stories publicly — Cates’ courageous decision to speak out provides a face to represent the often anonymous victim. By telling his story, he regained not only his voice, which he said was silenced by his abuser, he also acted as a voice for other victims. It’s much easier to believe and harder to ignore when a problem is voiced by someone familiar, and Cates describes what he went through in a way that should make everyone want to prevent it from happening again. To help community members recognize and prevent child sexual abuse, Prevent Child Abuse Oregon and Blue Mountain Hospital District are sponsoring a free training for county adults from 2-4 p.m. Friday, April 27, at the Canyon City Community Hall. This is an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about how they can help. The more people who are trained, the better chance the community has at protecting children. Nationally, the statistics should be a wake-up call. One in 10 children will be sexually abused before age 18. Victims know the abuser in 90 percent of the cases. Most child abuse victims, 60 percent, never tell anyone. And, remember, that one child out of 10 is not just a statistic. That one child is someone like Cates. Grant County proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. April is also National Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. Friday’s training provides community members a chance to learn more and do something about these problems plaguing the community. For all the victims in Grant County — known and unknown — we urge everyone in the community to do everything possible to protect the children. Our future depends on it. And they depend on us. L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR Larson has experience To the Editor: I support Gordon Larson for coun- ty commissioner. The responsibilities of our county court require broad administrative experience. Gordon has that experience. Gordon’s experi- ences on the school board give him a unique perspective into the needs of our students to have access to the lat- est technology to give them the tools to be successful in today’s technolo- gy-based work force. Gordon recognizes the divisive- ness that exists in this county and will use his experience to foster a cli- mate in which we can work togeth- er in a positive direction, a positive economic direction. He recognizes that we will still have differences of opinion, and those differences will be respected. Yes, I support Gordon Larson for county commissioner for these rea- sons and more. I hope you also will support Gordon Larson for county commissioner. Eva Harris Canyon City Larson for the future 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@cityoflong- 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. USPS 226-340 Blue Mountain EAGLE Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper Email: www.MyEagleNews.com Phone: 541-575-0710 John Day, Oregon MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION I NTERIM P UBLISHER E DITOR & G ENERAL M ANAGER R EPORTER C OMMUNITY N EWS S PORTS M ARKETING R EP O FFICE M ANAGER O FFICE A SSISTANT Kathryn B. Brown, kbbrown@eomediagroup.com Sean Hart, editor@bmeagle.com Richard Hanners, rick@bmeagle.com Angel Carpenter, angel@bmeagle.com Angel Carpenter, angel@bmeagle.com Kim Kell, ads@bmeagle.com Lindsay Bullock, office@bmeagle.com Alixandra Perkins, office@bmeagle.com PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY EO Media Group Periodicals Postage Paid at John Day and additional mailing offices. 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including online access) Grant County .....................................$40 Everywhere else in U.S. .....................$51 Outside Continental U.S. ....................$60 Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery POSTMASTER — send address changes to Blue Mountain Eagle 195 N. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845-1187 Copyright © 2018 Blue Mountain Eagle All rights reserved. No part of this publication cov- ered 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 To the Editor: It’s time for a new conversation in Grant County — a conversation focused on our future instead of our past. I believe that Gordon Larson is the candidate to lead our county in having a new, positive conversa- tion focused on our future. I have seen Mr. Larson in action during his 12 years of service on the District 3 School Board. He listened to all sides of an issue, and was dedicated to representing all parts of the school district. His positive and collabora- tive leadership gets results. Because of his years of public service, he has common sense experience in work- ing constructively with both private and public sectors, as well as expe- rience in management and budget- ing. Please vote for Gordon Larson — the candidate for county com- missioner who emphasizes working together to restore and revitalize our county’s economy! Adele Cerny Bear Valley Myers ‘hard working and dedicated’ To the Editor: Hard working and dedicated are the words that I would use to de- scribe Scott Myers. Being the coun- ty judge isn’t an easy job: There are more than 30 boards and committees that the position of county judge is obligated to fulfill, and at the same time, he is the CEO of the county plus the county administrator. Scott succeeds in all these roles, build- ing positive relationships across the county and the state. Scott has been willing to step up time after time to be in a leadership position in Grant County, from being councilman and mayor of Canyon City and then county commission- er and now judge. He’s willing to do it again. He has history with ev- ery other set of commissioners and council persons in Eastern Oregon. He has a wide network of partners, stakeholders, state agency staff that he is willing to call to get a ques- tion answered. He gets answers if he doesn’t know. He is non-partisan and looks at both sides of an issue. I am voting for Scott Myers because I believe Grant County will benefit by re-electing Scott Myers as county judge. Keep a good man working for us! Mark Cerny Bear Valley Blessed by generous neighbors To the Editor: I am always amazed how Grant County steps up to help individuals and or groups in need. Grant County Senior Center is replacing their con- densing units for their walk-in cooler and freezer. We had no place to store our perishable foods. I approached Pete Teague, owner of John Day Dairy Queen and Figaro’s, about using his refrigerator truck. Even though the truck hasn’t been used since the eclipse last year, Pete got it up and running for us. We will be using the truck for at least a week, while the units are installed by a lo- cal business. We are truly blessed to have individuals, such as Pete, step- ping up to help our fellow neighbors. Chris Labhart, president Grant County Senior Center Public safety To the Editor: Come on, folks. Do you really believe initiative 43 and 44 that may show up on the ballot this Novem- ber are about public safety? Are we the people really that naive or that gullible? Do we think gang mem- bers, common criminals or mass shooters are going to register their arms or disable them with trigger locks? Nice thought, but most of those folks are already felons, so don’t try to frighten them with that threat. Have we become so afraid now that we will vote away our own rights and allow the criminal element free access to those rights? They will not be controlled by these initiatives for public safety, because they aren’t concerned about the safe- ty of the public. These initiatives, if they become law, will only infringe on those who are harmless not on the harmful. “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable de- termination to do the job at hand.” — Harry S. Truman Michael R. Christensen John Day ‘Who really has the background and experience?’ To the Editor: In looking at the decisions to be made by voters for the May election, it comes to mind individuals like Jim Maple, George Hansen, Francis Cole, Lorene Allen and others who were the governing body for Grant County in years past. Matters be- fore the court were important but seemingly insignificant compared to issues facing the court now. Money was not so much of a challenge, as the county was blessed with interest from forest receipts. Those days are history, money is limited and issues before the court are much more nu- merous and complicated with vari- ous individuals having interest and a suggested “how to” address these issues. The recent Blue Mountain Eagle provided candidates for commis- sioner and county judge an oppor- tunity to comment on their position on various matters. While each feel qualified and likely hope to have a quick fix to pressing matters, it is yet to be seen if their qualifications and thoughts will adequately pro- vide solutions to the many pressing matters. Commissioner Britton will be leaving an empty seat at the court, and I ask voters, who really has the background and experience to replace Boyd? While each commissioner candidate stated their position on various issues, being right or wrong, none have the governing experience as Gordon Larson. He will prove to be the best candidate worthy of your vote. It is also fair to state Scott My- ers has demonstrated a commitment for the welfare of Grant County, and there is no basis for change in that position. Jim Spell John Day ‘Do not vote for Jim Hamsher’ To the Editor: As a resident of Prairie City, I have watched Jim Hamsher reign as mayor for two terms. He has proven himself to lack the leadership skills it takes to run a small population like Prairie City. Our struggle for a sufficient sup- ply of water stems back to bad deci- sions made when Jim was mayor 15 years ago. Bad decisions made under his leadership are exemplified in Iron Triangle’s new log deck based in Sen- eca. Iron Triangle first approached Prairie City with the opportunity. Instead of accepting a reasonable offer for the surplus city property, the council led Mayor Hamsher in a counteroffer of $50,000 over the appraised value. Iron Triangle then took their job opportunities to Sene- ca, where they were welcomed with open arms. Jim Hamsher has failed us on a city level and county level when he led his council to a no vote for the opportunity to better our internet in Prairie City (and the county). He fails to realize a better internet connection to the outside world would bring the much needed internet-based educa- tional and employment opportunities that our community needs. Mr. Ham- sher is unable to see valuable oppor- tunities. On Jim Hamsher’s Facebook page, he likened the position of a county judge to that of a mayor. To see how Jim has done as mayor, take a look at Prairie City. Our lack of wa- ter, empty storefronts and inefficient internet is a prime example of how Prairie City has sat idle during his terms as mayor. The same will hap- pen to Grant County if Jim Hamsher is appointed county judge. Do not let yourself be swayed by the black hat and smile. There is too much at stake. The position of county judge should not be filled by a popularity vote, but instead should be filled with someone who has shown himself to have the leadership skills that Judge Scott My- ers has demonstrated. Do what is best for Grant County and do not vote for Jim Hamsher. Re-elect Scott Myers for Grant County judge. Susan Harris Prairie City Larson for commissioner To the Editor: I have known Gordon Larson since I moved with my young family to Grant County in 2000. While no longer a resident, I continue to own property and have many family and friends there, and am invested in the success of the county. I first began my association with Gordon through my work as a defense attorney while he served the community as an Oregon State Police sergeant. That associ- ation continued while I served for two terms as the elected district attor- ney of Grant County. Gordon and I worked on the school board together, where he was the acting chair. Final- ly, I spent a fair amount of time stand- ing on the sidelines with Gordon at various youth sporting events where we watched our children participate. Through my many years of work- ing with and observing Gordon in ac- tion, it became clear to me that he is a man of integrity. He is committed to the success and safety of the com- munity, and has a drive to make it a good place to raise our families, work or retire. He is thoughtful and deliber- ate, collecting the evidence first and then making an informed decision. He is respectful of those who offer differing opinions and seeks to un- derstand their positions. He is a true collaborator, working to help those who might have differing approaches come together for the common good. Gordon is a natural leader. Gordon is a good man, and the right person at the right time, for the job of Grant County commissioner. Ryan Joslin Corvallis See LETTERS, Page A5
