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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2008)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 15,2008 ~ Letters to the Editor ~ rhe Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the bditor with the following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name o f the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you pros ide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the right to edit The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks" at a cost of $10. Sample is your man Letter of support for Ken Matlack Sample can create a cohesive team To the editor: Bringing criminals to justice involves more than simply chasing and apprehending “bad guys.” In fact, that is only the beginning. Holding offenders accountable in a court o f law' requires legally sound investigations by law' enforcement working in close cooperation with the District Attorney’s office. During my tenure as a Morrow County prosecutor. I’ve had the unique opportunity to work with both candidates for Morrow County Sheriff, and I can tell you without a doubt, that from a prosecution perspective, Larry Sample is your man. While each candidate boasts a large number o f years o f experience, Larry Sample's experience culminates in the kind of leadership skills and high quality police work that help to ensure successful prosecutions. At least as valu able as the ability to perform the job functions, is Larry’s character. Credibility is everything in the law enforcement community. We can confidently place our trust in what Larry says. Because Larry operates with a high degree o f professionalism, I’ve never had to be concerned that the priority he gives a matter, or the way he handles a case may be influenced by personal associations or agendas. We can rely on Larry to use his position to treat everyone fairly, instead o f acting as though some are more equal than others. Phil Morris, Larry’s choice for undersheriff, shares the same quality characteristics and solid values that Larry exemplifies. We can be assured that Larry and Phil will protect and serve all o f Morrow County. Many politicians are skilled orators that special ize in delivering flowery speeches. We should base our choice for sheriff not on who can talk the talk, but rather the individual with a proven track record who has the personal and professional integrity to do the job fairly and effectively. Please join me in voting for the candidate with a demonstrated ability to partner with prosecution for the common good. Please vote for Larry Sample. Elizabeth Ballard, Morrow County District Attorney Heppner To the editor: Ken Matlack is running for re-election to continue serving the citizens o f Morrow County as Sheriff. Since being elected in 2004, I have seen many positive changes in the Morrow County Sheriff’s Depart ment. One change is the increased presence o f the sheriff, the undersheriff and his deputies in Morrow County. Ken is definitely a working sheriff, I constantly see him out on patrol. I like the idea o f the sheriff out doing exactly what he expects o f his deputies. I have been very impressed by the professional ism o f his deputies, from what 1 see, the Morrow County Sheriff’s Department is working efficiently and providing excellent service to the public. Ken has been very active in his community serving on the Morrow County School Board, Irrigon City Coun cil and is a current member o f the Irrigon Knights Pride Booster Club. Ken puts community first and is always willing to serve. Why would we want to change the management of the Morrow County Sheriff’s Department when it’s per forming better than I have seen in years? We already have a hardworking, experienced, professional sheriff that the community reveres and respects. I truly believe that Ken cares for our community and is very passionate about the w ork he is doing for our county. Ken is the type o f sheriff that is always accessible and knows that his position as sheriff is a 24/7 job. 1 urge every citizen in Morrow County to support our current Sheriff Ken Matlack and join me in re-electing him as Morrow County Sheriff. Greg Barron Irrigon Dear Editor: Many letters that you have read have spoken of accomplishments and years o f experience and all o f them are equally important as the date to place your vote moves ever closer. However, this letter will address the importance o f leadership, character, and integrity. While it remains true that no one is perfect, as a human race, we are easily offended and when things do not work out exactly as we think that they should be w e’ll often choose to place blame where it is undeserved espe cially when we don’t have the ability to see the complete picture. Some choose to use that human response to their advantage. Some may even choose to plant seeds o f dis- sention or to allow mistruths to be believed in order to further their gain. Nowhere in my research on leadership did I find that manipulation is a quality o f good leader, in fact, it is instead identified as an ineffective leadership style, and that leader was identified as a hustler. A good leader was identified as an ineffective leadership style, and that leader was identified as a hustler. A good leader was identified as an advocate, one who works in coalition to build not destroy or divide. When we discuss the importance o f leadership as it pertains to the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office we are opening up a discussion o f great magnitude for this one body governs the majority o f law enforcement response within Morrow County. Whether the request for assistance is large or seemingly “insignificant” the importance to each o f us in this county is high and should not be taken lightly, nor should we allow ourselves to be deceived. I, as a past employee o f the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, have always been very proud o f my service and whom I served. As an employee I worked with a team and as undersheriff, Larry Sample, was a very integral part o f that team. He used common sense and practical knowledge to administrative and problem solve. Larry spent his years gaining the respect o f a very large number in his field, including mine. The respect was gained because you can trust Larry and could easily see his desire to protect and serve, not just do what he wants, but what is conducive to making the sheriff’s office a better team and help the system work as a whole. I have worked with Larry during critical incidents and I have witnessed first hand his care and concern for those that are in his charge, even those that were injured while protecting our country, as well as the public that may be experiencing the crisis. I have also observed how Larry has investigated and disciplined when necessary. It was fair and just and never to my knowledge have I been privy to him requiring any employee to do something that may be unethical or against what is right. I always knew that his door was open if, as a team member, I needed to ask for his expertise or counsel. The reason that I point this out to you as voters is only to confirm for you that when Larry speaks to you about his desire for input from you as the public that he means it. All will have a voice instead o f a few. It is very easy to note one’s accomplishments in a broad way that allows for interpretation and not full facts. It is another thing to have people standing behind you sup porting you because o f your belief system. Integrity is the acting on one’s personal commitment to honesty, living by and for one’s standards. Integrity is not based upon your ability to talk, or your ability to promise, it is based upon your follow through. It is based upon your every day life and what people say about you when you are not there to defend yourself. Do they question your ethics, what you stand for, or what you stand to gain? Do they feel threatened or concerned for the decisions that you are making? Or do they stand behind you, trust you, work with you toward your goal? It takes courage to stand for what is important to you and what you believe in. Courage is a quality that I want to see in our next sheriff. I want the sheriff and his deputies to protect us, to stand up for what is right, and to treat us with respect. A true leader leads by example and expects a reflection from those that are serving under them. That reflection should be one o f trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship, for ac cording to the Josephson Institute o f Ethics these are the six-pillars o f Character. I only know o f one candidate that exhibits these characteristics. Larry Sample, in his desire to find a second in command that shares these characteristics, has chosen Phil Morris to serve as his undersheriff. One again, it is my experience that Phil adds expertise, ability, respect for and from others and character to the position that Larry has asked him to serve in. Perhaps you feel as though I am being idealistic, however, as I have continued to work closely with victims within our criminal justice system I have witnessed first hand the importance o f well governed law enforcement and the need for that to be returned to Morrow County. It is my opinion that Larry Sample brings not only the return o f solid administration but refreshing ideas that will address important issues such as community input, more practical animal control, personnel incentives and common sense management that gets the job done and creates a cohesive team. That is why I believe that your vote to elect Larry Sample the next Morrow County Sheriff will give us the “Working Sheriff” that we so desperately need. Samarra D. Van Doom Heppner Obama’s record on guns scary To the editor: Obama voted to allow prosecution of people who use a firearm in self-defense (Illinois Senate S.B. 2165 vote 20 3/25/04). Obama supported increasing taxes on firearms and ammo by 500 percent (Chicago Defender 12/13/99). Obama voted to allow lawsuits designed to bank rupt the firearms industry (U.S. Senate, S 397 vote 219, 7/29/05). Obama endorsed a ban on all handguns in Sep tember 1996 and again in March 2008. Obama voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting (U.S. Senate, S 397 vote 217 on 7/29/05). Obama supports gun owner licensing and gun registration (Fact Check Obama campaign website 12/11/07). I could go on with more o f his opinion on the Second Amendment but most o f us know where it’s go ing. Check it out; this information is available at www. GunBanObama.com. Obama, if elected, would be the most anti-gun president in American History. W.J. Taylor Baker City Re-elect Ken Matlack as sheriff Letter to the Editor: 1 have known Sheriff Ken Matlack since he was a young Oregon State Policeman in Hermiston. I was Ken’s District Criminal Lieutenant and one o f his supervisors when he made detective at the Hermiston office. He was a hard working detective and made a lot o f criminal cases in Umatilla and Morrow Counties. He was known to be a self starter and made good decisions. He was respectful o f people and wanted to make a difference. When he became sheriff o f Morrow County, I saw those same traits ad watched as he began to make positive changes in Morrow County. He campaigned on being a “Working Sheriff' and he has done that. He and Under sheriff Myren are very active in the field working with their deputies. Ken is always trying to find better ways to get the job done and provide a better service to the citizens of Morrow County. There has been a better response to calls for serv ice now than in the previous administration. It should be noted that Ken’s opponent was the Undersheriff in the last administration. If you want to go forward with positive changes you should vote for Ken. A vote for his opponent is a choice to go backwards. I urge you to re-elect Ken Matlack Morrow County Sheriff. Keith Lewis Heppner R e a l E s ta te W a n te d I have qualified buyers looking for the following property: Home near downtown Heppner. Good condition with garden space. If you have property like this to sell please contact me. David Sykes Real Estate 541-676-9228 office 541-676-9939 home 541-980-6674 cell You will not be ignored by Sample To the editor: With all the news media concentrating on our state and national elections, our local election sometimes are forgotten. The elected offices in Morrow County are often overlooked and we may forget that we have a race going on for the position o f Morrow County sheriff. As a retired law enforcement officer, who served the people of Morrow County for over 20 years, I have a rather strong opinion as to the importance o f having the right person as our Morrow County sheriff. I am supporting Larry Sample for the following reasons. Larry has been a friend and co-worker for almost 20 years. He understands that being sheriff is not about where you live or what your name is, but as sheriff you represent all citizens o f Morrow County equally. You do not let your feelings or opinions, cloud your judgment and you treat all the people the same. 1 have worked with Larry on his campaign over the last several months and have been present during his meetings throughout the county. I have not heard Larry make any promises to get your vote. The only promise he has made is to do the best job he can for all the citizens of Morrow County. Larry will listen to what you have to say, take it under consideration, and if he disagrees with you, at the very least, you will get a response to your issue. You will not be ignored. Please join my family in voting for Larry Sample for Morrow County sheriff. Mark G. Calbick Irrigon Keep the community safe and se cure: Vote for Matlack To the editor: This letter is in support o f Ken Matlack for another term as Morrow County sheriff. During Ken’s term as sheriff, our North Morrow County has noted the visibility o f patrol cars around our schools and businesses. As I travel to the towns o f South Morrow County the patrol cars are also visible. Irrigon has been my home for many years and I have served on many commissions and boards to make improvements for all o f Morrow County. Without safety for the citizens o f the community, my efforts would be of little importance. Under Ken M atlack it has been noted that the Morrow County Sheriff’s Department has had a greater presence in North Morrow County than ever before. Since we have successfully returned our high school to Irrigon, it is comforting to see the Sheriff’s patrol car drive by at intervals keeping a watchful eye on our youth and keeping them safe. I have read in the newspaper on several occasions where the Morrow County Sheriff’s Department has joined forces with the Oregon State Police and also worked with neighboring county sheriff’s departments to bring about law and order. Keep our communities safe and secure and vote for Ken Matlack for our Morrow County sheriff. Dan Creamer Irrigon M.C. Health Department schedule The monthly schedule for the Morrow County Health Department Offices is as follows: Thursday, Oct. 16: Heppner clinic, 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1-4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20: Boardman clinic, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30, 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21: Boardman clinic, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30, 1-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23: Heppner clinic, 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1-4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27: Boardman clinic, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30, 1-4:30 p.m. Artifactory Craft Fair to be held in November The Artifactory Craft Fair will be held on No vember 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heppner Senior Center. Tables will be reserved on a first paid, first served basis. A table along the wall is $22 and a table in the center is $20. The deadline to register is November 7.
