Letters
Blue Mountain Eagle
LETTERS
Continued from Page A4
Look at Walden’s
voting record
To the Editor:
Before you reflexively
mark your ballot for Greg
Walden, please look closely
at how he has voted over the
last 20 years. We did. What
was apparent was that he has
consistently voted against the
majority of his constituency,
be they children, the less ad-
vantaged, seniors or veterans.
His votes to strip health
care from everyone, and his
no votes on legislation to help
veterans are especially appall-
ing.
Now you can add his sup-
port for tariffs that directly
hurt agriculture in his district.
There is a good chance if you
do your research that you will
vote for Jamie McLeod-Skin-
ner instead, as we are.
Sandy and Mark
Murray
Prairie City
‘I will not
tolerate’
To the Editor:
“I will not tolerate” —
Gordon Larson, Grant Coun-
ty commissioner candidate,
Prairie City meet and greet.
To me, a strange way for a
candidate for county commis-
sion to talk about public dis-
course, or public participation
in county matters. I know Mr.
Gordon Larson, currently run-
ning for Grant County Court,
has stated how he “would not
tolerate” a lack of “decorum”
in the county court if elected,
so I wonder, just what does
that mean?
1) If I want to simply
speak, is that a lack of deco-
rum? 2) If I roll my eyes si-
lently in protest, is that a lack
of decorum? 3) If I question
the court on a matter, is that a
lack of decorum?
I’ve seen personally with
my own two eyes what I deem
as a lack of decorum.
On Jan. 26, 2016, when
Gordon Larson angrily told a
woman and her children from
another state to go home,
simply because they want-
ed to express their feelings
on public lands management
issues.
He very tersely informed
them that they didn’t speak
for him, and he didn’t need
people from another state
speaking for him. The sad part
was, they weren’t; they were
speaking for themselves, and
since he “wouldn’t have it,”
he belittled them to the point
of silence.
I’ve listened to Mr. Lar-
son’s “meet and greets” and
heard him repeat that he is not
“authoritarian” (controlling)
numerous times, but in the
same talk how he “will not
tolerate” certain actions or
speech if elected county com-
missioner. If you “will not
tolerate” some things, but you
will others, and you project
that out before you are even
elected, that by its very defini-
tion is the signs of an author-
itarian personality telling you
one thing and saying another.
I know this: I will not cast
my vote for Gordon Larson
after listening to him speak.
As, while he states he not
“authoritarian” in his talks,
he clearly shows he would be
“authoritarian” in the state-
ment of “I will not tolerate”
and in his actions.
“Will not tolerate” equals
“authoritarian.”
Billie Jo George
Bates
Larson has ‘long
history of civic
involvement’
To the Editor:
Gordon Larson is the no
nonsense leader Grant County
needs. He will not waste his
time grandstanding. He will
focus on the real issues facing
the county.
Most of it is not glamor-
ous — budgets and such. I
truly appreciate that someone
with such a long history of
civic involvement and lead-
ership (and simple decency)
is willing to do this. Vote for
Gordon!
Jim Kelly
Kimberly
No debate by
candidates is a
loss for all
To the Editor:
We have two candidates
asking for votes to become
our county commissioner. The
Grant County Chamber of
Commerce, with our interests
at heart, invited Gordon Lar-
son and Sam Palmer to hold a
public meeting to debate local
issues and share their visions.
Gordon responded he was
eager to participate and he’s
willing to debate with Sam
about local issues any time.
What was Sam Palmer’s
response? No debate.
Realize what is lost be-
cause Sam is denying voters
the opportunity to compare
candidates’ ideas. Candi-
dates would express oppos-
ing viewpoints and points of
agreement. Debating, they
would flush out the nuances
of policies and reveal the best
and worst ideas. We would
have the information we need
to choose the candidate who
will impact our future. As it
is, we are voting half-blinded
because one candidate, Sam
Palmer, will not participate in
public discussions that would
strengthen our understanding
of issues and direct us in pol-
icy choices tested by debate
and built on consensus.
A candidate debate could
be an example of “being one
in spirit” (Philippians 2:2-4)
— coming together to eval-
uate local issues, rather than
adding to partisan divide. We
all could applaud both can-
didates for putting the com-
munity first, above their own
personal interests (vulnera-
bilities). Some defend Sam
Palmer’s choice not to debate
with Gordon Larson, saying
it would just be “argumenta-
tive.” To argue points, not per-
sonalities, is a good thing. We
are about to choose a commis-
sioner to represent us on mat-
ters and in places reaching far
beyond the county. Shouldn’t
we have a chance to evaluate
each candidates’ ability to de-
fend our interests?
Both love Grant County,
and both want the commis-
sioner job. Gordon Larson is
the one who has worked for it.
He has held 13 public meet-
ings in every corner of the
county. Another is scheduled
Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. (Canyon
City Community Hall). We
hear he has had good dis-
cussions with supporters and
challengers. Amazingly, he
gets nods of approval across
the political spectrum. This
happens when people and
policies matter more than par-
tisan politics.
Vote for Gordon Larson
— his skills and openness are
impressive.
Kay Steele
Ritter
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Larson has
spoken of
his ambition
To the Editor:
Gordon Larson has spoken
of his ambition to become an
Oregon state senator. Is being
a Grant County commissioner
a stepping stone towards that
goal?
Gus Ballard
Mt. Vernon
Larson ‘will
make solid,
informed’
decisions
To the Editor:
I support Gordon Larson
for county commissioner.
Gordon has a reputation of
always having our county
and its citizens’ best interests
in mind. I am confident that
Gordon will make solid, in-
formed, fair and caring deci-
sions and will be an asset to
our county.
Elaine Mezzo
John Day
Larson best for
the job
To the Editor:
It is time to vote for our
new county commissioner.
We believe Gordon Larson is
the best man for the job. We
went to one of Gordon Lar-
son’s meet and greet meet-
ings. At that meeting a great
variety of questions were
asked of Mr. Larson. We were
extremely impressed with his
answers to the questions.
He has experience and un-
derstanding of law from his
state police career. He has
experience with budgets and
government agencies from
his time spent on the school
board.
He was open to listen-
ing to changes that people
thought needed to happen in
the management of the court.
We believe that he has the
temperament to work with
others.
Over 70 percent of the
land in our county is owned
by the federal government.
We believe that Gordon has
the experience to work with
the government agencies in a
positive way.
When selecting our new
county commissioner, vote
for Gordon Larson.
Tom and Sandra Sutton
John Day
Larson ‘will
make an
excellent county
commissioner’
To the Editor:
We have known Gordon
Larson for over 20 years and
know that he will make an ex-
cellent county commissioner.
He will bring knowledge and
fairness to the court.
Nancy Chase and
Dwayne Timmons
Canyon City
Honesty, integrity
more important
than experience
To the Editor:
A prepaid ad for the Blue
Mountain Eagle was refused
publication even though it
was later rewritten at the ed-
itor’s request.
The truth will be avail-
able when federal and state
agencies reveal their findings.
Documentation will be avail-
able to satisfy the doubtful.
Choose carefully when
voting for a Grant County
commissioner. Honesty and
integrity is far more import-
ant than “experience.” County
citizens cannot afford to go
backwards to commissioners
that “go along to get along”
or favor decisions that benefit
themselves and their ideolo-
gies.
When that happens, Grant
County gets the short end of
the stick. We cannot afford
those attitudes or actions
again.
Dave Traylor
John Day
A5
Larson served
well on school
board
To the Editor:
We support Gordon Lar-
son’s candidacy for county
court. My wife, Crish, is a
retired school teacher from
this area, and Gordon Lar-
son used to be on the school
board.
She felt he did a really
good job on the school board
and could do a good job on
the county court. We both
support him.
David Hamilton
Mt. Vernon
Regarding
Gordon Larson
and Sam Palmer
To the Editor:
I feel strongly that it is
imperative to vote for a can-
didate that has actual experi-
ence in citywide issues and
direct participation in county
governing and organization
and decision-making.
Gordon Larson has that
with 25 years in the state po-
lice as an officer and trainer
both, 12 years on the school
board, a business man and
rancher who has direct un-
derstanding of the issues
with both ranching and the
forestry issues, as well as
the immediate concerns and
issues of the community at
large, both with the coun-
ty and the towns of Grant
County.
Sam Palmer is the broth-
er of the county sheriff and
a nurse with the hospital, a
clearly honorable profession,
but hardly qualifications to
now jump into being a county
commissioner.
Gordon Larson has the
experience, the skills and the
knowledge to provide a pos-
itive influence on our county
court.
Need I say more? Need
there be any further consider-
ation?
Jim Bay
John Day
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www.eomediagroup.com
Hello Grant County,
Our Installation Dinner was a success!
Thanks to all who attended and a special
thanks to everyone who donated items for
our silent auction and raffle.
77206
Monday - Thursday
7am- 6pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Mendy Sharpe FNP
Apppointments
available
People have asked me recently why a
business should join the Chamber. Well,
this is what I tell them –
National Survey says the Chamber is the
#1 contact point on the web, by email, by
phone or visiting in person to gain
information about the area. We get calls all
the time for names of and phone numbers
for businesses in Grant County; Chamber
members always get first referral.
Chamber members are listed on our
website and member businesses get their
own page.
VOTE ‘YES’ ON MEASURE 104
Oregon’s Constitution requires a 3/5ths majority in both state
houses to pass legislation that raises revenue, a threshold designed
to encourage a bipartisan approach to raising taxes. Recent
interpretations of this law have created new loopholes allowing the
legislature to get around this important constitutional provision.
This means the legislature can, by a simple majority vote, eliminate
important deductions for things like federal income taxes,
mortgage interest, property taxes, or charitable contributions, in
addition to other beneficial tax treatments Oregonians have
supported in the past. Each of these changes would directly impact
the taxes you pay.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT!
We join with our neighbors, customers, and local communities to
close these loop holes and end easy tax increases that hurt families
and small businesses.
YES ON 104
We urge you to protect every
Oregonian’s constitutional right
for fair taxation.
The Chamber offers its members
opportunities to promote their businesses
or services with cooperative marketing
and advertising which gives the business
exposure and advantages that are cost
effective.
National survey shows that the public
tends to trust and look for businesses that
are members of the Chamber of
Commerce.
Chamber membership means that you are
welcome to attend meetings, work on
Chamber projects and get involved as a
board member if you desire.
All new businesses will receive a
membership sticker and four 30-second
spots on KJDY.
So, if you’ve been thinking about joining
the Chamber, give us a call!
The October business meeting and
Chamber Luncheon will be Thursday, Oct.
18. The board meets at 10:30 a.m. at the
Chamber office and the No-host Luncheon
is at noon at the Outpost. Please join us!
This month’s Guest Speaker will be Paula
Gunther, district ranger of North Fork John
Day Ranger District, Ukiah. She will be
talking about ideas to move forward for
potential uses of the site at the Forest
Service Compound at Dale.
VOTE YES on Measure 104.
See you soon!
Tammy Bremner
Chamber Manager
beobank.com
Member FDIC
84486
84030t