OPINION
Blue Mountain Eagle
A4
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Exercise
your right
to vote
T
he online candidate
forum sponsored by the
EO Media Group is over,
and we are all pleased it proved
to be a success.
A gathering of candidates
during an election to answer
questions and present their
views is always good news
and should help voters who are
undecided to make an informed
choice. You can still watch the
videos on our website or Face-
book page.
To make an informed choice,
though, one must actually vote.
Ballots are already out, and
many voters will not be able to
exercise their fundamental right
to choose who they want to rep-
resent them.
There is no other more
important element to democracy
than the ability and the privilege
to vote.
We harp on the importance
of voting from time to time for a
good reason — it is important.
Especially now as the entire
nation staggers under the impact
of the COVID-19 virus, our
ability to exercise our right to
vote is crucial.
The virus has changed our
lives in fundamental ways and
going forward our nation will
be different until a vaccine can
be discovered, and then admin-
istered on a widespread basis.
Until then, we will be subjected
to a new paradigm, but what
will continue to remain is our
basic building block of govern-
ment — voting.
Voting — even vote by mail
— can end up being a chore.
The ballot can sit on the kitchen
table or on the couch or chair
for days, seemingly forgot-
ten as we all try to find a way
to respond and overcome the
challenges presented by the
COVID-19 virus. This election
there are not a long list of can-
didates vying for positions, but
there are some important races
that voters should give more
than a passing glance too.
First and foremost is the race
for Oregon’s 2nd Congressional
District. As longtime lawmaker
Greg Walden prepares to leave
that position, a sizable group of
people is trying to gain his con-
gressional seat. The position
is an important one. The win-
ner will be the direct representa-
tive for the people who inhabit
Eastern Oregon in Washing-
ton, D.C., and therefore should
be someone that voters believe
understands our unique values
and culture well.
So, voters should not shrug
off the primary election. A lot
may not seem to be at stake but,
especially regarding the 2nd
Congressional District race, the
importance of this election is
huge for the future of not only
Oregon but our little piece of it.
So, don’t forget to vote.
Exercise the right so many for
so long on foreign shores sacri-
ficed for our democracy.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
communities and our state. He will
Laurie Draper for
Carpenter has
serve with integrity. Not only will he
protect our rights and uphold our laws,
OTEC board
‘knowledge,
but he will do so with transparency
integrity, work ethic’ and accountability to us, the citizens of
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter in sup-
port of Laurie Draper for the position
of District 3-Harney County for the
OTEC board of directors.
Laurie is well grounded in the
issues of electric co-ops with her hus-
band, Rex, employed for 32 years as
Harney Electric Co-op’s serviceman
in its northern Harney County terri-
tory. She can recall the days before
cellphones where there was no central
dispatch and outage calls were taken
directly at the lineman’s home, usu-
ally by the spouse after he went out to
correct the problem.
I have known Laurie for nearly 40
years and find her to be exception-
ally intelligent, resourceful and inter-
ested in her community’s wellbeing. It
is highly unusual to have someone of
her caliber willing to serve on a board,
especially one as important as Ore-
gon Trail’s.
Not being an OTEC member, I
have no ax to grind or expectation of
some favor down the road by sup-
porting Laurie for the board position.
I live in Harney Electric Co-op’s ser-
vice territory and served as its general
manager from 1983 to 2002.
Have also known Bob Cargill for
nearly as long as Laurie. I feel he has
done a fine job on the OTEC board.
No one will ever accuse me as a
champion of diversity or change for
their own sake. These are both qual-
ity candidates. However, if casting my
ballot, I would choose Laurie Draper.
Jack Heaston
Hines
‘We are the
beneficiaries’ of
WWII sacrifices
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.
Blue Mountain
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To the Editor:
VE Day, victory in Europe, was 75
years ago when on May 8, 1945, the
Allies forced Germany into an uncon-
ditional surrender, ending the war in
Europe, six years of misery, death and
destruction. Nations were in ruins with
cities obliterated and many millions
dead, displaced and in terrible plight.
The war was two years old before
America was drawn into the fray after
the “infamous surprise” attack on Pearl
Harbor by Japan on Dec. 7, 1941. Hit-
ler declared war on the U.S. just days
later. We were in a war on two fronts,
the Pacific and Europe. Japan ran wild
in the Pacific Ocean, capturing huge
areas. Germany’s blitzkrieg seemed
unstoppable as first one country, then
another, fell to the Nazis. England held
on by a thread with support from our
Lend-Lease effort. Hitler could not
defeat the Royal Air Force and turned
his attention on Russia where war-
fare was fearsome and brutal with the
Russians finally beating Germany into
retreat.
We fought on the seas, in the air
and stormed beaches from Normandy,
North Africa across the Mediterranean
up through Italy into the heart of Ger-
many. It was total war and a costly
victory as the Allies finally defeated
aggressor Germany. Sixteen mil-
lion Americans served in the war, and
186,000 died in the European conflict
with many thousands more wounded.
At home a civilian populace rolled up
their sleeves, tightened belts a notch or
two, often went without, but in doing
so, built an infrastructure that had the
world in awe. Ships, planes, tanks and
armaments poured from our factories
as we fed, clothed and trained a fight-
ing force like the world has never seen.
The veterans from that era are
dwindling with fewer than 400,000
left, and they die nearly 400 a day.
Search one out and thank them for
their service. Perhaps talk with some-
one that worked in a war plant. Learn
something of what it was like during
those uncertain days of World War
II. For it certainly was a time of hard-
ship and sacrifice, and today we are the
beneficiaries of that time 75 years ago.
Be thankful.
Dave Traylor
John Day
To the Editor:
I have known Jim Carpenter and
his family for over 20 years, both per-
sonally and professionally, and believe
he would be an outstanding judge. I
had the opportunity to work with Jim
when I worked in the District Attor-
ney’s Victim Services Department. His
work ethic and family values, his pas-
sion for the profession and compassion
for all those involved in court cases
define him. An example of this char-
acter showed in his concern for child
witnesses. As a defense attorney, Jim
understood how frightening the judi-
cial system can be, especially for chil-
dren, and he frequently worked with
the Victim Services program, to help
introduce child witnesses to the court
system. Being familiar with the court-
room, knowing where they will be sit-
ting and what to expect helped alle-
viate some of the fear and anxiety the
witnesses were feeling. This genuine
concern for others, problem solving
and purposeful service are core char-
acter traits that reflect in his interaction
with others.
Jim has both defense and prosecu-
tion experience making him the most
qualified candidate for this position.
He started his career as a defense attor-
ney where his experience ranged from
traffic tickets, juvenile, civil and crimi-
nal cases. Since 2015, when he became
our district attorney, his focus changed,
and he learned the judicial system from
a prosecution perspective. He devel-
oped skills in evaluating the facts of a
case judiciously, fairly and impartially.
He stays current with ever-changing
case law and applies that knowledge to
charging decisions, prosecuting or set-
tling cases, as well as keeping abreast
of the rights of the victim and the
accused. As the district attorney he is
responsible for both juvenile and adult
cases from charging decisions through
case disposition and post-conviction
issues; oversees the victim services
department; presides over the child
abuse multi-disciplinary team; and
works closely with law enforcement.
All this experience and knowledge will
serve him well as a judge.
As a longtime resident of Grant
County Jim understands and embraces
the uniqueness of small rural commu-
nities and advocates for their best inter-
ests. Vote for a leader with the knowl-
edge, integrity and work ethic that will
keep our community safe and strong.
Karen Johnston
Canyon City
Raschio has
‘experience,
integrity, character’
To the Editor:
I am supporting Rob Raschio for
circuit court judge. I urge the voters of
Grant and Harney counties to vote for
Rob for three main reasons: experi-
ence, integrity and his deep connection
to our communities.
Rob has been practicing law in
Eastern Oregon for nearly 20 years.
He started in Canyon City, and sub-
sequently made partner in law firms
in both Burns and The Dalles before
moving back to Grant County to open
his own private law practice in John
Day in 2014.
Rob has deep roots in our commu-
nity. His wife, Sena, grew up in Burns
and teaches in John Day. Rob has
always fully committed himself to the
communities where they have lived.
When in Harney County, Rob served
on the Burns City Council. In Grant
County, Rob served as an appointed
county commissioner, and while in the
role, he wrote Grant County’s objection
to the U.S. Forest Service Malheur for-
est plan. As commissioner, he supported
the sheriff’s office reorganization, and
he created a permanent deputy district
attorney position to improve the func-
tioning of the DA’s office.
Rob shares our core values. Rob is
fair, balanced and thoughtful. He truly
cares about our laws, the people of our
Harney and Grant counties.
Rob Raschio is the type of leader
we need and that we deserve.
I know that Rob will serve this
community as our next judge with
experience, integrity, character and
commitment to us. I hope that you will
join me in voting for Rob Raschio as
circuit court judge before May 19.
Gretchen Bates
Rural Burns
Support Beth Spell
To the Editor:
We support Beth Spell for state rep-
resentative, 60th District.
Sandy and Mark Murray
Prairie City
Circuit court judge
considerations
To the Editor:
At the candidate forum on Feb. 28,
Rob Raschio was professional and pre-
sented himself as a serious judicial
candidate. His answers assured me he
is knowledgeable in a wide range of
legal areas and would be unbiased and
effective. He exhibited a fair-minded
and compassionate approach. He pre-
sented a good understanding of mental
illness, options for treatment and how
to improve services in the community.
I have been unimpressed with
Mr. Carpenter’s knowledge and con-
duct in the courtroom. A 2004 Oregon
Supreme Court opinion found that Mr.
Carpenter “engaged in conduct involv-
ing dishonesty” and that he “lacks
aspects of trustworthiness and integrity
that are relevant to the practice of law.”
Now his campaign information implies
that he will be a good judge because
he hasn’t supported Gov. Kate Brown.
This is prejudicial and inappropriate
when running for a nonpartisan judi-
cial position. His lack of judgment and
integrity seem unchanged.
Mr. Lamborn lacks the stature
and comportment that a judge needs
to command respect and order in
the courtroom. During the candidate
forum, he said he would make sure
offenders got a spanking and referred
to his use of a crystal ball. These state-
ments are not professional and are dis-
missive of the seriousness required
in a judicial position. I have seen him
admonished in court for not presenting
himself in a professional manner.
Vote for Rob Raschio! He is clearly
the best candidate, with the knowledge
and integrity to be our circuit court
judge.
Victoria Thompson
Mt. Vernon
Beth Spell for
House District 60
representative
To the Editor:
I support Beth Spell for House
District 60 representative. As a life-
time Grant County resident, an edu-
cator and a parent, Beth understands
the financial challenges working par-
ents face and will advocate for greatly
increased state support for child care
and increased access to early educa-
tion. Beth has personally experienced
the sacrifices that a family has to make
to provide daycare for their children so
the parents can work to support them.
Child care workers and preschool
teachers earn less than many other pro-
fessionals, yet their jobs are critical
to the well being of our children. Our
local economy will be boosted by bet-
ter pay for those workers and by allow-
ing working parents to pursue better
job opportunities. Beth understands
the links between affordable child
care, early education and a strong and
vibrant rural economy and will support
current efforts in the Oregon House of
Representatives to address these criti-
cal issues. Please vote for Beth Spell.
Adele Cerny
Bear Valley