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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 2, 2018)
Letters & News Blue Mountain Eagle LETTERS Continued from Page A4 Vote for integrity To the Editor: For the open county com- missioner position, our com- munity needs a person who has been a positive contributor to the community in numer- ous ways, is kind and highly competent and speaks and acts with integrity. Vote for Gordon Larson. Victoria Thompson Mt. Vernon Myers for county judge To the Editor: Scott Myers is the most qualified, experienced candi- date for the position of coun- ty judge. The voters of Grant County have expressed that view over the past 17-plus years, and it remains true now. His commitment is evident in his steady, fair, nonpartisan conduct and thorough under- standing of legitimate issues. During each of his four terms, his knowledge, expe- rience and dedication have continued to grow in depth and value. Those are assets too important to cast aside in the coming election. It takes time to develop the working knowledge and relationships necessary to conduct the county’s business efficiently and effectively — time Grant County doesn’t have to waste during this critical point in our history. The list of responsibilities is long and complicated: a complex landscape of bud- gets, public safety, human re- sources, labor laws, emergen- cy management, infrastructure issues, critical boards and committees, communication and public meeting laws. Myers’ long-term invest- ment in learning and stead- fastly applying himself to fulfilling those responsibilities is essential to the viability of our county. At the local, state, regional and national lev- els, Judge Myers represents our county in our best light — honoring our rich history while looking forward to a sustainable future. This position is so much more than a persona; it is a se- rious undertaking and should be entrusted to the most quali- fied, most prepared candidate, Scott Myers. Lindsay Rausch Prairie City Are you aware of John Day’s Urban Renewal District? To the Editor: Are you aware that the John Day City Council has approved an Urban Renewal District (URD) and estab- lished an Urban Renewal Agency (URA) and they have scheduled to adopt the URD during their June 12 city council meeting? The URD is being adopted under the guise of increasing growth, increas- ing property tax revenue and increasing available housing stock. The URD includes a hous- ing incentive program for new homes (7 percent) and remod- els (up to 15 percent) within the URD’s boundary. This is my primary cause for concern as I explain below. There must be clear and firm criteria established to when and how these new homes/remodels will quali- fy for the incentive. The first qualifying criteria must be having a building permit is- sued after the city’s adoption of the URD to eliminate the appearance of favoritism or conflict of interest. The incentive is paid by the city of John Day taxpayers with the expectation to recoup the funds over a six- to sev- en-year period. Once the qualifying new home/remodel is placed on the tax rolls, property taxes collected will go directly to the URD to refund the city and only then be distributed to other county taxing entities provided this is addressed in the final charter. The county, Blue Moun- tain Hospital, Extension Ser- vices and 4-H, Mid County Cemetery, John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation District, ESD, School District 3, and the city of John Day General Fund will lose their opportunity to collect their share of property taxes on the qualified home/remodel until the city of John Day recoups their funds. As you can infer, this has the elements of both a no-cost loan and rebate program. This will increase tax as- sessor’s office workload as well as that of the city of John Day. The city will lose the op- portunity to earn interest and availability of these funds to achieve other needs. Please address all inquiries regarding the URD to the John Day City Council as they will be approving the adoption of the URD. Louis E. Provencher John Day Vote for Hamsher To the Editor: Jim Hamsher grew up be- lieving community service was a good thing and also his responsibility. Now Jim wants to serve the citizens of Grant County as county court judge. As the third-term mayor of Prairie City, he took on major problems, and worked with the people to solve them in the way that was most beneficial to the community. Jim and the council have recently awarded an almost $2 million dollar contract for their sewer proj- ect with no increase to sewer rates. They have doubled the vol- ume in one of the wells and are currently drilling a new well, with no water rate hike to the citizens this year. A new cell tower will help pay those water rates. Every home has fiber op- tics with Prairie City having the best internet in the county. School enrollment is increas- ing, a new business is opening up and there is new housing. Jim has been president of the rodeo for many years and was instrumental in bringing bull fighting to the county fair, a real crowd pleaser and fill- ing the stands. Jim started Hay For Grant County to help burned out ranchers feed their livestock and to this day is still operat- ing, even sending hay out of state for victims of fire. Jim Hamsher believes a strong voice is needed to counter- act legislation coming from Salem that adversely affects Grant County’s agriculture and timber industries. He wants to put our peo- ple back to work. Jim is pas- sionate about our veterans and is an outspoken advo- cate for them. Jim Hamsher has proven he can tackle the big prob- lems, bring diverse people to the table and work together for the common welfare of Grant County. My vote is for Jim Hamsher. Patti Yellow Hand Bull Monument Hamsher for county judge To the Editor: I attended the candidate forum and was struck by a remarkable difference in the way the county judge candi- dates introduced themselves. Jim Hamsher does not need copious notes to speak in front of a large crowd of Grant County residents. He did not have a prepared speech with a list of his ac- complishments to tell us ev- ery committee he has served on. Jim simply stood and spoke from the heart of his concern for the survival of our communities and way of life. Since Jim does not toot his own horn, here is a list of some of his accomplish- ments: He is a Grant County commissioner and has served three terms as mayor of Prai- rie City; former Prairie City councilman; Prairie City Budget Committee; Asso- ciation of Oregon Counties Federal Lands Management Steering Committee mem- ber; Association of Oregon Counties Veterans Affairs Steering Committee member; G.R.E.A.T board member; chairperson of the League of Oregon Cities, Small Cities Council; Prairie City Senior Center board member; and president of the Grant County NPRA Rodeo Committee and longtime Grant County Ro- deo Committee chairperson. Jim organized the hay drive to help those who had livestock and the forage was destroyed by the Canyon Creek fire. Jim wants to see “a new start for Grant County. Our residents cannot afford the status quo. The American Dream and Grant County cus- toms and culture are at risk. The return of honesty, ethics and common sense is critical and the minimizing of regula- tions, taxation and litigation.” Jim Hamsher knows the county, understands the cus- toms and culture and he will be proactive to protect this. Jim will be a voice for all of Grant County, not just the people who live within the city limits of John Day and Canyon City. Jim Hamsher has my en- dorsement for county judge. Elaine Smith Prairie City Larson’s neighbors support him a strong voice in our county court that isn’t preoccupied with tired old issues that have no bearing on the important business of moving our coun- ty forward. Please join me in voting for the man who can get it done. Vote for Gordon Lar- son for Grant County com- missioner. Carla Zinn Canyon City Not out of commissioner race To the Editor: I apologize for leaving the candidate forum as abrupt- ly as I did, but I received a call that had to be responded to immediately. I am a para- legal and an airborne elec- tronics expert and am being used with these skills. I am working with a person con- fidentially who cannot be unmasked at this time. It’s important to know now that I quit the candidate forum but most definitely not the county commissioner race. Richie Colbeth John Day Many positive stories about Hamsher To the Editor: I read a post from Jim Hamsher after the fire. He posted a kind of prayer that we could help each other survive that event by find- ing our usual loving com- munity spirit. As he was the underdog of underdogs in his political race, I naturally wanted to help. The first day I met him, he told me he be- lieved in these things: “Each citizen deserves to be heard, and treated with respect in the county court. I take my oath of office seriously. I am committed to implementing the will of the people I rep- resent.” And this: “This is a time to come together, not a time for divisiveness.” “As Grant County judge, I see this as an opportunity to pull together.” Researching him, I dis- covered he has served the cit- izens in a variety of voluntary jobs, including being three- time mayor, for no money. No money ever. He took over a failing water system, which he had opposed at the time it was proposed, survived a disastrous wind storm and is bringing it back on line at no cost increase. There are a lot of these stories. He also is still providing disaster re- lief— hay — for families af- fected by the fire. If any of this is something you care about, please vote Jim Hamsher for Grant Coun- ty judge. Katy Nelson John Day Wednesday, May 2, 2018 and ethical way in which Scott conducts the matters of the court, while also careful- ly following open meeting regulations. He does his homework and is very knowledgeable about local needs, our econ- omy, legislation and govern- mental matters. He travels all over the county and region to advocate for Grant County. Although both men are, in my opinion, good men and have the best intentions for Grant County, I believe Jim Hamsher could use another round as commissioner be- fore potentially being elevat- ed to judge. We need a balance of opinions instead of a one- way street. Scott Myers has provided that balance with clear thinking. Oftentimes he has made the right deci- sion, even though he would never win a popularity con- test doing so. He is a strong advocate for all the people of Grant County. This election should be about the most qualified people to lead our county forward and not some name recognition contest. Keep Grant County moving for- ward with sound financial and ethical decisions. Re- elect Scott Myers. You’ll be glad you did. Elaine Mezzo John Day Sex abuse victim ‘hero’ for speaking out To the Editor: I’ve never met Wade Cates, but after reading “Regaining a voice silenced by abuse” in the April 25 edition, I came to consider him a hero. To have spoken out as he did must have taken the courage of a combat soldier. His life expe- riences, intelligence, journey through therapy and with the assistance of professionals, he has accumulated a wisdom of sexual abuse that is remark- able. In addition to relating his history, he has moved on to formulate solutions. It is significant that in his remarks to the Eagle, he mentioned “silence,” or the opposite, “speaking out,” 27 times. His rationale is valid, and our community should listen. What has caused this de- structive behavior of sexual abuse to become a taboo that both victims and responsi- ble citizens can’t report or discuss? Thank you, Eagle, for publishing Wade’s story. This could be encouragement for victims to come forward with their voice and for Grant County people to speak out in education of children and in profound support for others like Wade. Vic Pike John Day A5 Man killed after crashing into river EO Media Group A Stanfield man was killed Thursday when he drove off a cliff into the North Fork John Day River. According to Oregon State Police, Randy Jones, 53, was traveling westbound Thurs- day morning on graveled Tex- as Bar Road when his vehicle left the road for an unknown reason. It tumbled down into a roughly 400-foot ravine be- fore coming to rest on its top in the North Fork John Day River. Jones was killed in the crash. According to OSP, he was wearing a seatbelt and was not ejected. Speed is be- ing considered as a possible factor in the crash. La Grande truck driver found safe Blue Mountain Eagle A missing La Grande truck driver was found safe Satur- day. After walking more than 14 miles at elevations of 5,000-6,500 feet, Jacob Aar- on Cartwright flagged down a passing motorist at the 270 interchange of Interstate 84 about 9 miles south of La Grande, according to Oregon State Police. The motorist gave him a ride to his home in La Grande before Cartwright was taken to Grande Ronde Hospital for medical evalua- tion. Cartwright told OSP he en- countered snow and mud on Forest Road 5125 April 24, and his commercial vehicle slid toward a steep embank- ment. When the vehicle was unsafe to move, he continued traveling on foot down Forest Road 5125 and then northeast until he reached the interstate four days later. The initial investigation revealed Cartwright may have encountered a problem with his navigational GPS system and was routed off of State Route 244 onto Forest Road 51 where he traveled approxi- mately 12.5 miles before turn- ing onto Forest Road 5125. Cops and Courts will return next week. T HE L AW O FFICE OF D ONALD J. M OLNAR A General Practice Law Firm To the Editor: One of the best judges of a person’s character are his or her neighbors. Drive up south Highway 395 toward the Ber- ry Creek Ranch and count the number of signs displayed by Gordon Larson’s neighbors up and down the canyon. People who know this man as a neighbor and fellow citi- zen realize the value Gordon could bring to the table as your Grant County commis- sioner. We need a new voice and Re-elect Scott Myers To the Editor: There are a lot of good rea- sons to re-elect Scott Myers as county judge. If you’ve attended county court meet- ings, you know the patient • Wills, Trusts, and Estates • Divorce and Family Law • Contracts, Real Estate, Business • Personal Injury • Criminal Defense 118 S. Washington Street, Canyon City, OR 97820 (541) 620-5127 54384 VOTE FOR Leonard “Archie” Osburn Common sense and integrity. Paid for by Leonard “Archie” Osburn for Grant County Commissioner 47878 55390
