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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 2019)
A4 OPINION Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Say no to drug decriminalization O regonians may be asked next year to approve a ballot measure that would decrim- inalize the possession of illegal drugs. That in itself is a bad idea. Worse is the way the measure would finance improved drug treatment programs. Initiative Petition 44 is the baby of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national organi- zation that hopes to change the way Americans deal with drugs. It recently turned in to the Secretary of State’s Office the 1,000 signatures needed to begin work on a ballot title. While Oregonians love their legal marijuana, they may be far less willing to decriminalize everything from heroin and other opi- oids to methamphetamine, and with good reason. Those drugs are both addictive and dangerous, and decriminal- ization could make it easier for children to access them. Perhaps the real point of IP 44 is the way it expands treatment for those with drug problems, and the way it finances that expansion. Initial estimates are that in its first year, the pro- gram envisioned in the mea- sure would cost $57 million, most of which would come from taxes imposed on rec- reational marijuana sales that now go to cities, coun- ties, state police and var- ious health improvement efforts. In succeeding years, costs are expected to grow, and again, marijuana taxes would be used to finance the program, along with funds redirected from savings on prosecution and incarcera- tion costs. Only after all of that would the state police, cities and counties receive the tax dollars voters were promised they would receive when marijuana was made legal in Oregon. While it’s probably not surprising that some in the criminal justice system are opposed to the measure, some treatment provid- ers oppose it, as well. They point out they’re already working with the state to improve treatment options and worry that, among other things, the ballot measure includes no way to push those with addictions toward treatment programs. Oregon voters, if they’re asked to approve IP 44, should just say no. The cur- rent system may need fixing, but wholesale decriminaliza- tion is not the answer. Nor is it appropriate to short-cir- cuit local efforts to improve drug treatment measures in Oregon, as this measure no doubt would. GUEST COMMENT Working together helps ensure success A ll entrepreneurs and busi- ness owners need to have a solid team in place working toward the same goal. There are many hands which can help a business be success- ful. This may include a spouse or partner, suppliers, a lender, accountant, attorney, employ- ees or even a webmaster. Local government, economic develop- ment, business advisers or other agencies are often behind the scenes team members and can play vital roles. Like any other type of rela- tionship, there is an inner cir- cle which has the most direct influence. Carefully deciding exactly who to include in your inner cir- cle and making sure those clos- est to you are on the same page are critical first steps. This may seem obvious, but there are many married couples or part- ners who find out one of them is not supportive of the decision to start a business or are hesi- tant to expand, pursue financ- ing, resent the unforeseen com- mitment of time or the fact regular paychecks can no lon- ger be counted on. Managers may not fully understand what is expected, and employees are sent mixed mes- sages. Not only does this cause strife, but cre- ative energy and Greg Smith effectiveness are compromised and may lead to the ultimate demise of a business. An effective team requires good leadership. The person at the helm must demonstrate first and foremost honesty and integ- rity. Being a clear communica- tor and excellent listener who inspires others by demonstrat- ing commitment and passion is key. Delegating and empow- ering others helps ignite pas- sion in those around them and encourages creativity and inno- vation. After receiving informa- tion and input from others, the leader should have sound deci- sion-making abilities, and there must be accountability when things do not go as planned. Identifying strengths and weak- nesses or even making the tough decision to replace an ineffective or uncooperative team member who causes discord is essential. Working with a team is some- times difficult for those with an entrepreneurial mindset. Entre- preneurs are often willing to take risks others do not feel comfortable with and make deci- sions quickly. Consulting oth- ers with different areas of exper- tise and experience often slows the process down but allows for brainstorming and collaboration. Having more than one person to solve problems and complete complex tasks increases produc- tivity, creativity and chances for continued success. In addition to accountabil- ity, the willingness to “share the win” is an important part of being a strong team leader. Peo- ple who feel appreciated and see their ideas implemented are apt to continue making positive and meaningful contributions. The common acronym “T.E.A.M. (together every- one achieves more)” is very accurate. Greg Smith is the direc- tor of the EOU Small Business Development Center and can be reached by calling 541-962- 1532. Email eousbdc@gmail. com to schedule a one-on-one, free, confidential business advis- ing session. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WHERE TO WRITE 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@ centurylink.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@ cityoflongcreek.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: governor.state.or.us/governor.html. • Oregon Legislature — State Capitol, Salem, 97310. Phone: (503) 986-1180. Website: leg.state.or.us (includes Oregon Constitution and Oregon Revised Statutes). • Oregon Legislative Information — (For updates on bills, services, capitol or messages for legislators) — 800- 332-2313. • Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario – 900 Court St. NE, S-301, Salem 97301. Phone: 503-986-1730. Website: oregonlegislature.gov/Bentz. Email: Sen.CliffBentz@oregonlegislature.gov. • Rep. Lynn Findley, R-Vale – 900 Court St. NE, H-475, Salem 97301. Phone: 503- 986-1460. Website: oregonlegislature. gov/findley. Email: Rep.LynnFindley@ oregonlegislature.gov. WASHINGTON, D.C. • The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500; Phone-comments: 202- 456-1111; Switchboard: 202-456- 1414. Blue Mountain EAGLE Published every Wednesday by Sheriff should just come to work and do his job To the Editor: I am a frustrated Grant County taxpayer. On Sept. 25, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that Mor- row County Sheriff Ken Mat- lack and our own Sheriff Glenn Palmer would be off to Wash- ington, D.C., that week. The trip was being paid for by The Federation for American Immi- gration Reform, an anti-immi- gration group, so that they can attend a press conference titled “Badges and Angels” together with relatives of people killed by undocumented immigrants. However, in an OPB inter- view, Sheriff Palmer states that in the two decades he has been sheriff there has never been a non-citizen booked into the just this year. Nor do I appreci- ate having to pay to defend the sheriff’s own ethics complaints. Meanwhile, the Blue Moun- tain Eagle reports that County Commissioners Palmer and Hamsher just went to Wash- ington, D.C., to lobby for rural funding vitally important to Grant County. Actually rep- resenting our interests! Now that is what we want. Thank you! Glenn Palmer spends too much of his time grandstand- ing on issues that are not very important locally, like this Washington, D.C., trip, and doing things like quitting one day and changing his mind the next, meanwhile regularly pro- viding entertainment for the whole state. Is having a sher- iff who just comes to work and does his job too much to ask? Jim Kelly Kimberly L ETTERS POLICY: Letters to the Editor is a forum for Blue Mountain Eagle readers to express themselves on local, state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer letters will be asked to be contained to 350 words. No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person. No thank-you letters. Submissions to this page become property of the Eagle. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters for length and for content. Letters must be original and signed by the writer. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include a telephone number so they can be reached for questions. We must limit all contributors to one letter per person per month. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Send letters to editor@bmeagle.com, or Blue Mountain Eagle, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845; or fax to 541-575-1244. Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper Publisher............ ......................................Chris Rush, crush@eomediagroup.com Editor & General Manager ...............Sean Hart, editor@bmeagle.com Reporter ...................................................Rudy Diaz, rudy@bmeagle.com Community News .................................Angel Carpenter, angel@bmeagle.com Sports ........................................................Angel Carpenter, angel@bmeagle.com Marketing Rep .......................................Kim Kell, ads@bmeagle.com Administrative Assistant ..................Makenna Adair, office@bmeagle.com Office Assistant .....................................Alixandra Hand, office@bmeagle.com MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Grant County Jail. Obviously, crimes committed by illegal immigrants are not a big issue for us in Grant County. We can all agree that the sheriff is entitled to his political opinions, whether we agree with him or not. Many in this County strongly support “Glenn” because they see him as repre- senting their values and politics, which is, of course, the way pol- itics work. But we should all keep in mind that the job also requires a full-time focus on the real basics of the job: keep- ing citizens safe and not wasting taxpayer dollars. I just wish he would prioritize his job. Time spent hiring high- er-quality deputies that can manage to stay out of jail them- selves would be a good start. As a taxpayer I don’t appre- ciate paying for deputies on administrative leave, and we have already had two on leave Online: MyEagleNews.com 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including online access) Grant County .........................................$45 Everywhere else in U.S. .......................$57 Outside Continental U.S. ....................$60 Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery Periodicals Postage Paid at John Day and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address changes to: Blue Mountain Eagle 195 N. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845-1187 USPS 226-340 Phone: 541-575-0710 Copyright © 2019 Blue Mountain Eagle All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered 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. facebook.com/MyEagleNews @MyEagleNews
