A4
OPINION
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
OUR VIEW
Money is
nice, but
integrity
has no price
E
verybody loves getting money in the mail, right? Well,
sure. Except sometimes the money comes with strings
attached. And that can create problems.
The Blue Mountain Eagle recently received a letter com-
plimenting us on some of our government watchdog coverage
and urging us to investigate some goings-on at a certain local
government body. So far, so good. We are, we must admit,
susceptible to fl attery, and we always appreciate a good story
tip. What’s more, this tip came with some solid, verifi able
documentation.
It also came with a tidy sum, in cash, to help defray the
costs of our investigative journalism.
And therein lies the problem.
Over the years, American newspapers have carved out a
vital niche in our democracy as independent watchdogs of
government conduct. The key word there is “independent.”
Our eff ectiveness as watchdogs depends on our integrity, and
that integrity will quickly be called into question if we are per-
ceived to be picking and choosing the targets of our investiga-
tions for fi nancial reasons.
Don’t get us wrong. Newspapers these days face signifi cant
fi nancial challenges, and an increasing number of news orga-
nizations are turning to new business models that include char-
itable donations. But we must be extremely careful to make
sure those donations come with no expectation that we will
cover stories in a certain way or cover some stories and not
others.
As journalists, we are called to report the news without fear
or favor – fairly, accurately and impartially. One of the pil-
lars of the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics,
which we strive to follow at all times, is to act independently.
Among other things, that means we can’t accept gifts, favors,
fees or special treatment, because to do so could compromise
our impartiality and damage our credibility. We can’t aff ord
to let that happen — no matter how much we might need the
cash.
So, to the generous soul who sent us the money, thank you
very much, but we can’t accept it. You did not sign your name
or put a return address on the envelope, but we’re guessing you
still have a copy of your letter on your computer. We’d like to
ask you to bring a copy of your letter down to our offi ce so we
can confi rm your identity and return your well-meant donation.
And then we can have a face-to-face discussion about the con-
cerns that prompted you to write us, and how best to address
them.
COMMENTARY
Prosecutors back Measure 114
s law enforcement pro-
fessionals, we know too
well the consequences
of devastating and rampant gun
violence, and that’s why we’re
speaking out in favor of Measure
114.
We have seen the carnage
again and again throughout our
careers. Senseless murders.
Tragic suicides and unneces-
sary, preventable deaths. Lives
destroyed by people who should
never have had access to firearms
in the first place. Mass shoot-
ings are made exponentially more
deadly by the easy availability
of military-grade, large-capacity
magazines.
This November, Oregon vot-
ers can pass Measure 114 to make
our communities safer. It’s sim-
ple and effective. It will save
lives. Each component of Mea-
sure 114 addresses a different part
of the problems we have seen in
our work. Researchers at Johns
Hopkins University estimate that
a similar permit-to-purchase law
passed in Connecticut reduced
firearm homicide rates by 28%
and firearm suicide rates by 33%
over a 22-year period.
Currently, a person may pur-
A
10 rounds. It ends the sale
of military-grade mag-
azines that can allow a
shooter to spray 30, 40,
or 50 rounds. States that
limit the sale of large-ca-
pacity magazines expe-
rience fewer mass shoot-
Brown
Ellis
Hummel
ings and the shootings
that do occur are less deadly.
chase a gun if the state does not
This safety measure is already in
finish a background check within
three days. This measure requires place in our neighboring states
of California and Washington,
a completed background check
and we need it here in Oregon
before every purchase, closing a
as well.
critical loophole that allowed a
Measure 114 will undoubt-
mass shooter in Charleston, South
edly help save lives, while also
Carolina, to purchase a danger-
ous weapon of war that he should remaining in line with our Sec-
ond Amendment rights. The laws
have been denied. A law like
apply to future purchases and no
Measure 114 would have stopped
one has to turn in any gun.
that gun purchase.
Measure 114 is a simple and
Safety training will ensure that
people learn the basics about han- effective way to make Oregon
safer. We urge you to learn more
dling, using, and storing firearms
at voteyeson114.org.
before making a purchase. Sol-
John Hummel is the district
diers go through extensive train-
attorney for Deschutes County.
ing before they get their hands on
James M. Brown served as both
weapons. And Oregon requires
Oregon attorney general and Ben-
safety training and the ability to
ton County district attorney. Matt
pass a test before getting a driv-
Ellis is the district attorney of
er’s license. It’s just common
Wasco County. This opinion piece
sense.
was signed by 10 other current or
Finally, this measure limits the
former prosecutors.
size of ammunition magazines to
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Can we aff ord the
luxury of a pool?
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.
Blue Mountain
EAGLE
Published every
Wednesday by
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.
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.
To the Editor:
America’s and our individ-
ual wealth, as good as it may be
or seem, cannot pay for every-
thing we may want. Especially
when our strengths and lifestyle
depend on our financial stability
and economy. We must also rec-
ognize that many of our fellow
citizens are struggling finan-
cially. Consider all the finan-
cial commitments and other gov-
ernment programs that are in
place to help those with limited
income.
Unfortunately, many of our
governmental representatives as
well as many of us make deci-
sions on emotions and don’t nec-
essarily think about what we
can afford or whether or not the
expenditure is necessary. Con-
sider as a nation we are over $31
trillion in debt with no plans to
pay this off. There are also all
the entitlements commitments
and expenses at all levels of
government.
We all must live within our
means and the government must
stop just printing money, bor-
rowing money and increasing
taxes. The 60% or so who do
pay taxes cannot nor should we
absorb all the cost.
When it comes to the 20-year
bond levy to construct a sea-
sonal pool at a questionable cost
which could increase, those of
us within the John Day/Canyon
City Parks and Recreation Dis-
trict must consider the estimated
cost and future costs.
It has been stated the increase
in property taxes only amounts
to a cup of coffee or a pizza a
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 two letters per person per month. Deadline is 5 p.m.
Friday. Send letters by email to editor@bmeagle.com; by mail to Blue Mountain Eagle, 195 N. Canyon
Blvd., John Day, OR 97845; or by fax to 541-575-1244.
Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper
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send address changes to:
Blue Mountain Eagle
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MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
week. It may also represent the
cost of a prescription, a meal or
contribution to other costs such
as groceries, rent, water and
sewage, transportation, etc.
Many of us enjoy the Seventh
Street Complex. Are we ready to
trade off the open space enjoyed
for the construction of a new
pool? Will there be future con-
struction in the area closing off
more open space?
Consider the current eco-
nomic climate and all the irre-
sponsible spending by our gov-
ernments and how increased
costs will affect our financial
stability. Consider the necessary
future financial needs of our cit-
izens, cities, county, state, and
country.
Let your voice be heard by
voting.
Louis E. Provencher
John Day
Phone: 541-575-0710
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