Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1998)
Letters to the Editor Editor's note Letters to the Editor must be signed The Gazette-Times w ill not publish unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone number on all letters for use by the G-T office. The G-T reserves the right to edit. States Forest Service position on camp To the Editor: In recent days the Heppner community has been well occupied with debate and discussion regarding the proposal to site an Oregon Youth Accountability facility here. I felt I should write to clarify my position as the agency administrator for our local Forest Service office and to provide information that will address at least one concern that has been brought forward. To begin, as the administrator for the Forest Service here, my role includes being responsive to the inquiries of our elected community leaders, such as the mayor and county court. When the proposal for the OYA facility was first brought to my attention by community leaders, I ex pressed my feeling that it was inappropriate for me to express an opinion one way or another on something that should be determined by local citizens and has no direct tie to us at the Forest Service as a federal entity. Our community leaders did ask if I would provide information as to my hiring experiences and the possibility of work experiences for the "cadets", and this is what I have done. Some have extrapolated from my statement that we may be able to provide some work experience, to the conclusion that this may take employment opportunities from our local "good kids". Let me say that "work experience" and "employment" are not the same. Every summer we hire 30 to 50 temporary employees to assist the permanent workforce. These are not unskilled labor jobs. All of these employees must be over 18 years old. The age requirement is there as most of these jobs require the ability to travel independently, sometimes use chain saws, and to be available for off-site fire fighting duties. These employees need to be available for the entire field season, be extensively trained, able to travel on short notice, keep records, use data, and be disciplined and independently responsible. Obviously, 14 to 18 year olds that are in a juvenile correction facility cannot meet these job requirements. We continue to be committed to our YCC program which provides an eight-week educational/work experience opportunity for four younger stu dents each year. We consider this an educational program and, although the students accomplish much good work, we don't rely on it for "target" accomplishment. The work experience that I envisioned might be possible for the OYA cadets would be sporadic and work that would otherwise not get done at all. When you manage over 200,000 acres, there are always weeds to pull and trucks to wash. In conclusion, let me reiterate that as an agency we have no position on the OYA facility. Our employees have their individual opinions, as does everyone else. I hope the factual information provided here is useful to the community in its deliberations. (s) Delanne Ferguson District Ranger Heppner Van Arsdale just the man for the job To the Editor: I’ve known Guy Van Arsdale for 2 # years. I haven’t always agreed with him, but the one thing that is-certain is that I never have to $jess what he is thinking or what he means. He says what he thinks and he means what he says. If he disagrees with you, he will tell you so straight out. He will listen to you and consider things from your point of view, but if he still disagrees, you never have to worry about him telling you one thing and then doing something else. I ’m not much of a letter writer, but I’ve been around long enough to know an honest man when I find one. We’d all be better off if we had a lot more people like Guy in government and I’m going to cast my vote to put him there. (s) Mane Key lone All will benefit from Lewis' election To the Editor: I am writing in support o f Keith Lewis for Morrow County Judge. As a resident of Eastern Oregon, having lived all my life in either Umatilla or Morrow county, and as an operator of a family farming business with lo cations in Umatilla, Morrow and Gilliam counties, I believe we need the sort of honest partner ship between the public and our local government that I know Keith can provide. Keith has six years experience as a State Lottery Commissioner where he was a member of the budget and audit committee. He has had a 27 year career with the Oregon State Police in Eastern Vote For Oregon, retiring as the lieutenant in charge of investigations in the Baker district. He has built a suc cessful real estate business. These are all unique qualifications which highlight his abilities in budget and finance, public admin istration and leadership. As our rural way of life is be ing challenged more and more by urban interests, we need a person in Eastern Oregon with a proven “can do” track record. Keith is the man for the job. We will all b enefit from K eith ’s election as M orrow County Judge. (s) Bob Hale, Jr. Hermiston To the Editor: May 19 is almost here. Many have voted absentee, but the polls will be open, so please vote. And please, Republicans, mark your ballot for Tan Hermens House of Representatives, District #59. Chances are that the winner of this primary race will be the winner in November, so this is your opportunity to have a representative at the state legislature who will work for the needs of this district. Tan knows this district, from the water issues on the John Day River, to the frontage issues on the Snake River, from the difficulty of keeping our small schools and communities viable, to the constraints of public transportation to move our goods and services, from the lack of economic diversity to the need to To the Editor: I want to take this opportunity to urge the voters of Morrow County to cast their vote for Keith Lewis in the race for county judge. I have known Keith for 20 years and have found him to be honest, sincere, and trustworthy. He cares very much for Morrow County and its citizens. He has the background in dealing with youth, government budgets, as well as overseeing a large number of employees. He is to be admired for coming forward with his views of the Youth To the Editor: I would like to voice my support for Patty Wehrli in her bid for Morrow County Commissioner. She is, in my opinion, a remarkably articulate and astute young woman who can bring to the county court a political sophistication that will give Morrow County an edge in Woods responsible, formidable To the Editor: I listened, first with disbelief, then disgust, then amusement at the yowling accusation that Earl Woods is not aggressive enough in the prosecutor's office. Was it really so long ago that we were all laughing and cheering when Earl chased down an escapee who bolted out of the courtroom, caught up with him at the creek and nailed the guy? In the courtroom Earl’s performance is a bit more civilized but no less forceful. He has served as D.A. for six years and I can state without qualification that he is a formidable trial attorney. He also has the good sense to know the difference between responsible prosecution and a social crusade, a distinction his opponent doesn't seem to grasp. Sound judgment, reasoned discretion and a solid command of professional skills balance in this man what is otherwise the heart and soul of a badger. Anybody who disputes this is trying to sell you snake oil. I will be voting for Earl on May 19 and encourage you to do the same. (s) Valerie B. Doherty Lexington ingness to put forth an extra ef fort in whatever he does. Rod Osgood has his priorities in the proper perspective and he’s con cerned about the welfare of Mor row County and all of us that live here. Let’s take this opportunity to replace our current “stale” justice system with a “common sense” form of justice Let’s all vote for Rod Osgood for Justice of the Peace on May 19 and enjoy this “breath of fresh air” in Morrow County. (s) Paul R. Lienig Imgon Get out the vote For a man of note. Guy has the skill / To fill the bill, Paid for by And give the county some hope Jim A Cork Norene Accountability Camp. It sho me that he will always be n. touch with the wants and needs of the people of Morrow County and will ask them before he allows large sums of taxpayer monies to be allocated to any project. Keith is a hard worker and has all of the qualifications that we need for our judge. I urge you to go to the polls on May 19 and cast your vote for the best person for the job, Keith Lewis. (s) Judy Buschke Heppner the legislative halls at Salem. In these times when our lives and livelihoods are threatened by long-distance, higher-level decisions, our need for that kind of advantage has never been greater. Patty is a person who couples a young, fresh outlook with old, traditional values and who got herself to college on a basketball scholarship. If this doesn't personify Morrow County, I don't know what dbes. (s) Valerie B Doherty’ Lexington"I CITIZENS OF HEPPNER BEWARE! Another teenager will be on the roads as of May 17, 1998! HAPPY 16 th Stephanie Ann Clough! Love you, Mom & Lindsey $ io o for in fo rm a tio n le a d in g to th e a r r e st and c o n v ic tio n o f a n y o n e v a n d a liz in g th e D ay P a rk at th e W illow C reek D am . Call th e M orrow C ou n ty S h e r iff’s O ffice at 6 7 6 -5 3 1 7 . The identity of the person giving information will be kept confidential. - v Gee, I'm sorry, Lynn! Dear Lynn, I guess I owe you an apology. I didn't realize, until you called me a "horse-fly" in the local papers, what a negative person I am. But there I am in the Bend Bulletin, the Baker City Herald, the Central Oregonian, yadda, yadda, yadda ... the Tan Hermens "phony negative campaign" has accepted help from sinister outsiders ... worse yet, from Portlanders! I deeply regret asking Don Mclntire to help me with my campaign. I didn't understand that employing someone who’s worked most of his adult life to fight the growth of government and reduce our taxes would pose such a danger to us. I just figured it was okay to hire Don because I heard you had hired a Portland public relations firm for your campaign. I didn't know that taking financial support from "motel mogul" Mark Hemstreet would make me his puppet. I'm really sorry! I didn't think it would be a problem because he has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to other Republican candidates, and you have asked for and taken money from him for your own campaigns. You and the newspapers warned us that these two fellows were out to control the district. I'm not too sure how that would work. Does that mean if Don and Mark were in control, we'd all be forced to pay lower taxes? Now, that's really scary! Youth Involvement: * Little League Coach * High School Basketball Coach * Junior & Senior High Youth Group Leader * Past President Heppner Little League I hope you accept this apology in the spirit with which it was intended. Education: * Associate Degree in Accounting Q o m o w m <**..*.*— « business decisions A be good stewards o f not only our county tax dollars, but also the state A federal money we also receive I have the background in youth work to under stand what ou r young people are facing in today's world It is im portant that we elect some one who has that kind o f active youth back ground in order to handle the duties o f county judge. To the Editor: Finally, after 10 years as a resi dent of Morrow County, we have an opportunity to see common sense applied to our justice sys tem. What a breath of fresh air. You c a n ’t teach common sense. Some have it, some don’t, and some have more than others. Rod Osgood is gifted with more than most. I met and had dealings with Rod and his wife Wendy, shortly after they moved to the Irrigon area. I’ve had the utmost respect for his integrity, honesty and will I'm confused, Lynn, but I want to learn. If I shouldn't take money from outside the district, how come you get to cash checks from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.? And, if I take contributions from certain people, it means they want control. So could you explain what it means when you take contributions from the teachers union, the AFL-CIO, trial lawyers, commercial banks and tobacco companies? I know from your campaign material what a straight-shooter you are, so I have no doubt that you'll enlighten us before May 19. * 20 years as a professional banker * Analyzed & prepared hundreds of financial statements & budgets * Worked with all levels of county, state & federal governments, such as SBA, Port of Morrow, Oregon Dept, of Economic Development Since Morrow County has a $14 m illion bud - Osgood has common sense W ehrli astute, articulate Work Experience: ROLLIE MARSHALL strengthen value added agriculture, and much, much more. Recently, Tan was late to a meeting because she was in the bam with a mare who had foaled. She drove an extra five hours to spend time with her daughter for the campus Mother’s Day celebration. Tan, with husband Stan, work to keep their ranch successful for their son and daughter. They work to keep business opportunities for young people here, where our kids can come home and make their future. Tan Hermens listens to the people in her district. She speaks when she has facts and she is always learning. I know Tan Hermens will represent me, I hope you will vote to let her represent you on May 19. (s) Stan McGough Spray Lewis best person ROLLIE MARSHALL for Morrow County Judge Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 13,1998 - THREE Hermens listens * Heppner Coordinating Council * Heppner Christian Church * Morrow County Home Rule Committee * Heppner Chamber of Commerce * Heppner Advisory Board, Morrow Co. School Board * City of Heppner Budget Committee P a * t/ò rb y k o llit H tn km ll P O Box 72*. Hi -, O k *712* Sincerely, P ari tor by M *m srv tor • » H oum • MC82 Bo* 208 K rrio H y 0 « 97848
