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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 23, 2021)
A4 OPINION Blue Mountain Eagle Problems with state accounting, again T he Oregon Secretary of State’s Offi ce audits tell us what we know but need to be reminded about: State government makes mis- takes with money. Every year there’s a roundup of these mistakes. And it’s clear it’s necessary. For the fi scal year 2020, state auditors found $6.4 billion in accounting errors. That’s right, $6.4 billion. Those were unintentional mistakes. It’s not like some- body was trying to abscond with $6.4 billion. They were mistakes. Basically, numbers were put in the wrong column and later caught, thanks to state audits. What can be more import- ant is when the audits uncover weaknesses in the policies for handling money. For instance, the Depart- ment of Consumer and Busi- ness Services is a state agency dedicated to consumer protec- tion and business regulation. It failed to properly follow new accounting rules required for fi scal year 2020. Other state agencies got it right. The department misinterpreted the new rules and reported about $400 million incorrectly. That department also failed to have required documentation explaining how it made deci- sions about handling money in two areas, such as determining what is uncollectible money. And there’s more. When state auditors tested some spending to ensure proper pro- cedures are followed so fed- eral funds may be used to pay for them, it found mistakes. The biggest problem was in the child care and devel- opment fund. That is a fed- eral grant program that helps provide child care services for low-income families and improve child care overall. Auditors found $4.2 million in errors. Numbers were miscal- culated, provider copays were off , there was a lack of doc- umentation to back up pay- ments and more. New report. Similar con- clusions. Without state audi- tors peering over the shoulders of other state agencies, even more mistakes would be made. Fortunately, they caught these mistakes, all $6.4 bil- lion of them. It does make you wonder, though, what wasn’t caught. Wednesday, June 23, 2021 FARMER’S FATE Muscle car marriage M y husband and I recently hiked to some natural hot springs to celebrate 16 years of wedded bliss. After a plea- surable 2-mile hike, we were soak- ing in a beautiful spring in the middle of a snowy forest. While laying with our backs against some large rocks, breathing in the mountain mist and watching our two boys splashing and building dams, we reminisced... “Hard to believe it’s been more than 20 years since we met,” I said. “Hopefully you’re not ready to trade me in for a newer, younger model,” I teased, splashing water in his direction. “Not a chance,” he said, reaching for my hand. “I have a classic muscle car — that’s a keeper. You don’t trade those off for a new Geo Metro.” We laughed, but as I closed my eyes and leaned back to soak in the soothing hot water, his words kept rat- tling around in my head, “I have a classic muscle car...” Relationships are like cars. Are you getting one that will last the dura- tion? Or are you planning to upgrade every few years? Everyone says, “they don’t make ‘em like they used to,” a phrase I think can be applied to both women and cars. In some ways that’s an advan- tage — I mean, I love my heated seats in the winter — but vintage cars had a certain style and class that satellite radios and heated seats just can’t make up for. They had distinct body lines, and the extras were more than just apps on a digital dashboard. There was substance to the women and cars of yesterday. They were beautiful and functional. They could churn the butter, wash the laundry, raise the kids, tend the animals, cook a lovely dinner for their husband all while wearing a dress with their hair in a lovely up-do. From hand cranks to push button starts, women and cars have defi nitely changed. Gone are the white gloves and calling cards, and no longer do we have a foot dimmer switch or dual fuel tanks. Kids today prob- ably have no idea that most cars used to come equipped with Brianna cigarette lighters and Walker ashtrays — although most of the ashtrays I ever saw, were just a place to store loose coins and gum wrappers. The ashtrays have been replaced by USB ports and 12-volt outlets much like the gloves and netted derby hats have been replaced by tattoos and low rise jeans. There is just something beauti- ful when a well-cared for muscle car drives up. It’s like watching Audrey Hepburn step onto the stage or Jackie Kennedy Onassis elegantly poised next to her husband — Lady Gaga in a raw meat outfi t just can’t compare, just as a Ford Pinto holds no glory next to a Chevy Chevelle SS. The classics had their hood orna- ments — rockets, marlins and jag- uars. Once these multidimensional hood ornaments and decorative trunk badges doubled as latches and tag lights. They were the brooches of yesteryear. Today, emblems have become little more than a bunch of logos trapped inside trapezoids and circles. Whitewall tires were like slipping into a pair of heels, while the tail fi ns — the most recognizable staple of American muscles cars — acted like a set of earrings to complete the ensemble. Spare tires were full size, not little doughnuts, and in many old cars were actually used as part of the decor — form and function. Let us not forget those great little wing-win- dows — when you wanted just a bit of fresh air blowing through the car — perfect for car-sick kids. And the chrome ... on everything. I admit it, I just can’t get into the “blacked out” look of today’s gener- ation of wheels and bumpers. Maybe I’m part magpie and attracted to spar- kly things — but there is just some- thing about chrome wheels and acces- sories that really make a car pop. Guess my husband’s beard really isn’t turning gray — he’s just accessorizing with a little chrome, all in the name of timeless classic. All of these thoughts were going through my head while I soaked in the hot springs. “You’re lips are twitching,” my husband commented. “What are you thinking about?” “Just thinking how lucky you are to have a classic car instead of a low mileage, metric-mobile.” “Yup,” he teased, “they run hot- ter, louder, have diff erent timing than everything else and never worry about emissions.” I rolled my eyes. Then with just a hint of a smile he said, “And then there’s the wood pan- eling that could be reminiscent of var- icose veins...” “Guess it’s a good thing you bought a Shelby GT and not a wood paneled station wagon!” I stuck out my tongue. Our trip ended, but I still haven’t been able to shake the thought that marriage is much like taking care of a car. It’s so important to pick out the right one, and then with the right care, it can last your lifetime. In our mar- riage we have hit a few unexpected potholes that have caused minor dents and dings — but we were quick to fi x them, and over the last 16 years, I think the value of our classic car mar- riage has only increased. Pulling into a parking lot, there are times the rumbling engine and white wall tires draw a few looks of envy — but it’s no secret. It’s just love and maintenance and an air freshener that smells like freshly cut alfalfa! Brianna Walker occasionally writes about the Farmer’s Fate for the Blue Mountain Eagle. EDUCATION CORNER Keep them writing 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@cityofl ongcreek.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, oregonlegislature.gov. • Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale — 900 Court St. Blue Mountain EAGLE Published every Wednesday by NE, S-301, Salem 97301. Phone: 503-986- 1730. Website: oregonlegislature.gov/fi ndley. Email: sen.lynnfi ndley@oregonlegislature. gov. • Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane — 900 Court St. NE, H-475, Salem 97301. Phone: 503-986- 1460. District address: 258 S. Oregon St., Ontario OR 97914. District phone: 541-889- 8866. Website: oregonlegislature.gov/fi ndley. Email: rep.markowens@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. • U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D — 516 Hart Senate Offi ce Building, Washington D.C. 20510. Phone: 202-224-5244. Email: wayne_kinney@ wyden.senate.gov. Website: http://wyden. senate.gov Fax: 202-228-2717. • U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D — 313 Hart Senate Offi ce Building, Washington D.C. 20510. Phone: 202-224-3753. Email: senator@ merkley.senate.gov. Fax: 202-228-3997. Oregon offi ces include One World Trade Center, 121 S.W. Salmon St., Suite 1250, Portland, OR 97204; and 310 S.E. Second St., Suite 105, Pendleton, OR 97801. Phone: 503- 326-3386; 541-278-1129. Fax: 503-326-2990. • U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R — (Second District) 1239 Longworth Building, Washington D.C. 20515. Phone: 202-225-6730. No direct email because of spam. Website: walden.house. gov Fax: 202-225-5774. Ontario offi ce: 2430 SW Fourth Ave., Suite 2, Ontario, OR 97914. Phone: 541-709-2040. Medford offi ce: 14 N. Central Ave., Suite 112, Medford, OR 97501. Phone: 541-776-4646. Fax: 541-779-0204. • Pending Bills: For information on bills in Congress. Phone: 202-225-1772. I t’s hard to believe school is out for the summer or soon will be. There was no in-person school- ing all year in some places, and oth- ers had all diff erent modes of learn- ing happening. No question, as far as education goes, this was one atyp- ical year worldwide, and here we are back to summer vacation and that age-old question, “How do I keep my child/children engaged in academics?” Writing is the highest form of lan- guage processing we have in com- munication, making it one of the most challenging skills for some stu- dents, and also why children often resist it. Writing is a learned skill, not a natural skill like eating. There- fore, it requires more brainpower and work. The question becomes how do we keep children writing over the summer or other times when they are not in school? One thought might be through letter or note writing during the summer. They can write one or two notes each day. They can write to family and friends or even members of your household. The objective is to have them write. Having children write cards to oth- ers, no matter what age, forces them to use multiple cognitive skills they will need in their adult life. Because it’s hard, you can expect some possible resistance because they have to recall information, tran- scribe that informa- tion into words and then write it. Taking the time to tell you Dr. Scott who they are writ- Smith ing to and what they are writing about fi rst scaff olds the skills to assist them in writing to the person. Their card or note should be at least three to fi ve sen- tences. With young children, you can have them draw a picture and then tell you about their image, while you write it out for them, but older students need to write their own. Also, having them tell you and writing it out for them can be benefi cial for younger children. They can read it back and, better yet, copy it to their card or paper. Over this past year, with the pan- demic, most everyone has felt dis- connected at some point or on some level. It has been an emotional time for everyone, from kids to the elderly. Steven Petrow states in his column that handwritten notes and cards have a more signifi cant impact not only for the person receiving but also for the person writing the message. This cre- ates a multi-purpose use of this time to have your children write notes to oth- ers over the summer. Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including online access) Editor & General Manager ...............Sean Hart, editor@bmeagle.com One year ..................................................$51 Monthly autopay .............................. $4.25 Outside Continental U.S. ....................$60 Reporter ...................................................... Steven Mitchell, steven@bmeagle.com Sports ........................................................sports@bmeagle.com Multimedia ............................................................. Alex Wittwer, awittwer@eomediagroup.com Marketing Rep .......................................Kim Kell, ads@bmeagle.com Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Online: MyEagleNews.com Periodicals Postage Paid at John Day and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER send address changes to: Blue Mountain Eagle 195 N. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845-1187 USPS 226-340 Offi ce Assistant .....................................Alixandra Hand, offi ce@bmeagle.com Phone: 541-575-0710 Reading is not left out in this pro- cess either. Once written, have them read it back and edit as needed or as you wish. Don’t stress over mis- takes because as they continue writ- ing cards, their writing will improve, and friends and grandparents will love cards in any condition. Hand-written notes are the best if possible. There is research showing that handwriting is linked to higher brain function. Younger children’s manuscript is excellent. Cursive pen- manship can help struggling students’ brains process to connect the letters and focus attention. Hopefully, they will also receive notes from people they have writ- ten to, which will engage their read- ing and comprehension skills when those notes come. This type of passive learning will have a more educational impact on your children than trying to have them read and write as if they were in school every day. Dr. Scott Smith is a Umatilla County educator with 40-plus years of experience. He taught at McNary Heights Elementary School and then for Eastern Oregon Univer- sity in their teacher education pro- gram at Blue Mountain Community College. He serves on the Decoding Dyslexia — OR board as their par- ent-teacher liaison. Copyright © 2021 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