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
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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