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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2020)
A4 OPINION Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Newspapers should be included in stimulus efforts A s the world has been divided into essen- tial and nonessential businesses, local newspapers providing credible information in this public health crisis fall firmly into the essential camp. The industry is facing an unusual paradox, however. Some essential businesses, such as grocery stores, tele- commuting software compa- nies and manufacturers of med- ical masks, have seen increased revenues as demand for their products spikes. But while the appetite for local news is at a high, newspapers across the country have been forced to lay off a significant percentage of their staff and cut salaries, or in some cases close altogether. From a revenue standpoint, it doesn’t matter how many thousands more people are viewing a story on a newspa- per’s website if the newspaper is removing the paywall from stories with important pub- lic health information about COVID-19, and no one is will- ing to buy advertising to go with it. In a time of canceled events, closed businesses and economic uncertainty, advertis- ing is one of the first line items organizations cut from their budget. This confluence of the need for credible local news and plunging revenues for the com- panies reporting that news means Congress must make sure newspapers are included in stimulus efforts. The Paycheck Protec- tion Program, which received a refill after the president signed a $484 billion bill Fri- day, allows chain restaurants to count each individual restau- rant as its own “small busi- nesses” for the purpose of qual- ifying for a forgivable loan to cover payroll, rent and utilities. Congress should provide affil- iation waivers for newspapers, allowing local newspapers owned by larger parent com- panies, such as Gannett/Gate- house, to qualify as a “small business” too. Those news- papers may have a larger par- ent company, but they are still expected to support themselves through local advertising and subscription revenue. Community members are getting information about COVID-19 testing, local cases, closures, cancelations, resources for the newly unem- ployed, grants available for businesses, food giveaways and other crucial updates from news outlets, which often have a far greater reach into peo- ples’ homes than a government agency’s website. That’s a vital public service that needs to continue. Congress should also look at other grant options that will help newspapers weather this storm. Federal, state and local governments also need to set aside advertising dollars to put out public service announce- ments through newspapers and other local outlets. If the state of Oregon can pay Face- book and Twitter to put spon- sored “Stay Home, Save Lives” posts into your newsfeed, they can pay Oregon businesses that are helping give Oregonians the specific local and statewide information they need to stay safe. News outlets were already doing “more with less,” and now they’re being forced to do less with even less. That hurts everyone. Call or email your federal and state elected offi- cials and ask them to provide the rule change, grants and advertising dollars necessary to protect a vital public service. 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). Blue Mountain EAGLE Published every Wednesday by GUEST COMMENT EOMG forums offer chance to make informed decision E lections are important. They are the bedrock of our democracy, the founda- tional element to our political system and are the body politic’s way to con- tinue on with a series of lawmakers or make different choices. That’s why I believe the upcom- ing online candidate forums, spon- sored by the EO Media Group, are so important and, if you allow, necessary. Especially now, an opportunity for voters to connect with candidates is crucial. This isn’t a typical election season. That’s why the online forums, which will be livestreamed and will not have a live audience because of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, are essential for voters. The forums are slated on Friday, May 1, for Democratic candidates for Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District slot and Saturday, May 2, for Repub- lican candidates. There are 16 can- didates running for the congressio- nal positions. The EO Media Group sponsorship of the forums is an important public service. We believe one of our core missions is to inform LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Jim Carpenter for Sheriff’s office should Support current circuit court judge comply with state law OTEC directors To the Editor: After a great deal of deliberation on our circuit judge race in the upcom- ing election, I have chosen to back Jim Carpenter. I was on the grand jury for a short stint, and he kept the discussions on the facts of the case as per the laws involved were concerned, and he was well prepared. At a town meeting here in the area where all three candidates were present, he answered the ques- tions as a judge would, nothing more and nothing less. In today’s air of judi- cial activism, I thought long and hard on the subject and come up backing Mr. Carpenter. Mr. Lamborn, while I am sure is a fine person, answered the questions with a lot of trivial dribble and ended up on a completely differ- ent subject. Mr. Raschio had a weak- ness of “candor” with me personally in one of the Grant County Court meet- ings about his involvement with the city of John Day being on their budget committee. This set off warning buzz- ers in my mind. After an individual brought me information on his cam- paign donations in the past, I cannot as a small-town conservative vote for this person. The candidate made donations to the “Kate Brown Committee” and “The Friends of Jennifer Williamson” organizations. (Jennifer was the House majority leader on the state level from 2015-2019.) For those of us in the bat- tle of politics, that session of the legis- lature brought forth onerous gun con- trol and cap and trade, the job killer for all of us. “A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity” — Baltasar Gracian. Yes, I urge voters to vote for current District Attorney Jim Carpenter in this election cycle. Everyone be safe in your journeys. Bob Pereira John Day 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 Reporter ...................................................... Steven Mitchell, steven@bmeagle.com Sports ........................................................sports@bmeagle.com To the Editor: This letter addresses the same issue described in the Feb. 19 Blue Moun- tain Eagle: request for viewing/inspec- tion of a clearly defined set of pub- lic documents. I was advised by Grant County Sheriff’s Office that a CD has been prepared in response to my pub- lic records request, which I can pur- chase. But I wish to see the originals. Oregon law gives me a right to do so (ORS 192.314). Then I was informed that I may indeed view the original documents, contained in files and other formats — after paying $288 for time spent to research, compile, organize and other office related chores, plus time for someone to supervise my inspection of said records. At $36 per hour, that’s eight hours total. They’re allowed to charge for extra time related to doc- ument viewing, but how much addi- tional time is needed on top of the time they have to spend to categorize and file complaints on a running basis? It seems rather subjective and a “punish- ment” for a legitimate request. (The Eagle’s $1,200 bill, cited in the Feb. 19 issue, breaks down to 33.33 hours. A week’s workload.) I therefore requested to view the 19 files only. Referred to as “files,” I assumed them ready for viewing. I have yet to be advised of a date. Point is: State law requires compli- ance with lawfully and officially des- ignated duties. Keeping records and making them available to the public is one of those duties. This falls mainly to the undersheriff and office staff. In putting a price on compliance, the pub- lic is asked to pay again for services already paid for through taxation. Vega Nunez Ritter 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 Marketing Rep .......................................Kim Kell, ads@bmeagle.com Online: MyEagleNews.com Phone: 541-575-0710 To the Editor: There are three members of the cur- rent OTEC board of directors up for re-election this year. Many of our elec- tric cooperatives are facing challeng- ing and demanding decisions in the coming few years, and this will impact the membership’s ability to benefit from the affordable power that OTEC provides. Key issues relating to federal and state legislative actions could have major damaging effects on OTEC members, while still providing reli- able and constant power needs to meet demands. Ongoing infrastruc- ture issues and the effects of the recent pandemic flu are creating, for the first time in years, many challenges that the board of directors are managing in conjunction with the leadership of the OTEC organization. Typically it can take up to two years for each new board member to complete training, to get certified and to gain the knowledge needed to address the current critical issues facing the OTEC leadership. Can we afford this training time given the current circumstances? Therefore, I ask you to take time to carefully consider your choice in select- ing which individuals you think can provide our cooperative with strong, consistent and experienced leadership in the years ahead by casting your vote to re-elect board members. The investments we have made as members of this cooperative in trust- ing and depending on these individuals to continue to provide our community with reliable power will be achieved if we choose to maintain the board’s cur- rent level of knowledge and expertise. Julie Riel Hines 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 Office Assistant .....................................Alixandra Hand, office@bmeagle.com MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION mium. That’s why I hope you all tune in, if you can, and watch. The forums are being livestreamed by La Grande-based Eastern Oregon Alive TV, a local internet TV station, and on the Blue Mountain Eagle’s Facebook page. And if you are unable to watch the events live, the forums will be archived and available for viewing at your convenience on the Eagle‘s website or on EOAlive.tv fol- lowing the events. The forums are being moderated by Chris Rush, the regional publisher of EO Media Group’s east side pub- lications, including the Blue Moun- tain Eagle and East Oregonian. Voters can submit questions to CD2forum@ eomediagroup.com in advance of the forums or on Facebook Live during the event. The only way voters can make an informed decision is to be able to hear what the candidates have to say. So, if you get the chance, please go online and watch the forums. It isn’t only a good way to be informed, but it is important to our democracy. Andrew Cutler is the editor of the East Oregonian. readers regarding issues that impact their lives. Elections — who wins and who does not — make an impact at the local Andrew Cutler level. The candidate we choose to repre- sent us in Washington, D.C., is cru- cial to nearly every facet of our lives. That’s why we must choose wisely and the forums will allow area vot- ers to gain some perspective on all the candidates. Normally, as we all know, by this time in an election season there already would have been numerous open debates, fundraisers for candi- dates and other opportunities to list and ask questions of the candidates. Because that just isn’t possible now, the forums will help democracy by furnishing a platform for all of us to hear what the candidates have to say, their goals and their views on specific subjects. Election time is near. Ballots go out April 29 and the primary elec- tion is May 19. So that means time is at a pre- Copyright © 2020 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
