Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2010)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon ~ Wednesday, April 28,2010 Oregon Council of Police Associations endorse Rep. Smith Letters to the Editor ~ The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you provide your address and a phone number w here 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 o f Thanks” at a cost of $10. Vote Nelson for Morrow County District Attorney To the Editor: As Umatilla County District Attorney and direct supervisor for Justin Nelson, I have had the unique op portunity to watch Justin work as a prosecutor on a daily basis. After supervising Nelson for the past several years, I can say without hesitation that he has the experience and character necessary to become Morrow County District Attorney. As a courtroom deputy district attorney, Nelson has successfully prosecuted serious crimes, and he has the know-how and energy to help law enforcement deal with the growing gang activity that is so concerning to Umatilla and Morrow County residents. He knows all of the local judges well and can work with them to secure just outcomes and keep our community safe. Nelson has good ideas to help reduce crime by bringing in more train ing for local law enforcement and being available for any questions and concerns by law enforcement. No doubt that is why he is endorsed by the local law enforcement who best know the community: SheriffKen Matlack, Morrow County Sheriff; City of Boardman Police Department AFSCME Local 3742-3; Roy L. Drago, Retired Morrow County Sheriff (1983-1998); Earl Woods, Morrow County District Attorney (1991-1998). Nelson has a passion for this community. Nel son is a lifelong resident of Morrow County and current Morrow County Planning Commissioner. His wife is a local teacher. He chose to make his legal career in public service here where he grew up, instead of taking a higher paying job in western Oregon. He has always loved Morrow County and being district attorney will be more than just a job to him - it will be about keeping his community safe. While I will be sad to lose one of my most expe rienced prosecutors, I believe Morrow County will ben efit from the experience, energy, and character of Justin Nelson as Morrow County District Attorney. Dean Gushwa Umatilla County District Attorney No to Greg Smith Letter to the Editor Letters and ads touting Greg Smith’s return to Salem (he “Brought the money home” and “Knows his way around”), pinpoint the exact reason I could never vote for him. Money he “brought home” comes from each of us, our friends, our neighbors, small businessmen, family farms, farm co-ops; and everyone who pays auto registra tion and buys gasoline. In a state deep in recession, already famous as business unfriendly and “a tax-hell”, the 1-5 Corridor oligarchy who benefits from this largest, permanent tax increase on Oregon individuals and businesses in history thanked Greg by funding several token local projects, no democrat running against him, and State Employees Union offering “campaign assistance”, whatever that means. Ironically, Greg now claims his opponents, our natural resource and public representatives tasked with defending rural Oregon in the Legislature, are driven by “Salem special interests”. Yes, he has really “learned his way around”. Eastern Oregon has few legislators, why re-elect one who represents the 1-5 Corridor? They’ve almost enough votes to take anything they want (or force on us what they don’t) already. We need legislators who represent the conservative fiscal and social values of rural Eastern Oregon. Greg is not that person. Pay-off with token funding is not representation. Robin Hood may have been popular when the King of England ruled with armed tax collectors, but Rural Americans elect representatives. Anyone who believes several hundred dollars a year tax increase on those who build and fuel our economy is not a big deal represents special interests, not the people. That’s why I’m supporting Colleen MacLeod. I know her from when we were both county commission ers, and I know she will represent Eastern Oregon Rural Values, not the 1-5 Corridor. Ray Grace Heppner Republicans, we have a problem in Oregon House District 57 Letter to the Editor Republicans, we have a problem in Oregon House District 57. Our Republican representative is voting with the Democrats. He was the only Republican to vote with the Democrats to increase personal income taxes. He was the only Republican to vote with the Democrats on early release of criminals. He also voted to increase gas taxes and car registration fees. Now is the time to vote for a Republican candi date who actually believes in less taxes and less govern ment intrusion in our lives. I am voting for a candidate who believes in property rights and will support rural Oregon. I am voting for Colleen MacLeod in the Repub lican primary. Doran Hopkins Summerville Support for Greg Smith To the Editor: As a port industry professional with over 30 years of direct involvement in economic development, job cre ation and job retention, I have appreciated the opportunity to work with our state representative, Greg Smith over the past 15 years. During that period of time, Greg has played an important role in the establishment, growth and maintenance of industries and jobs throughout our region. Representative Smith serves the citizens he represents with great passion and commitment. His intense personal efforts and endorsement of key legislation have brought millions in capital fund dollars to our region in support of economic development and education improvement projects. I am proud of the accomplishments and jobs he has brought to Eastern Oregon. Please join me in voting for Greg Smith as our state representative so that he can continue to focus on job creation and provide the same great service his past records show. Greg Neal Boardman The Oregon Coun cil of Police Associations (OCPA) has announced the endorsem ent o f Oregon State Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) for the 2010 Republican primary election. “ R ep resen tativ e Greg Smith has maintained an excellent voting record on OCPA priority bills during the past sessions,” said President Dan Weber. "We’re pleased to report to the citizens of Oregon that Rep. Smith not only cares about keeping the streets and highways safe, but he cares about keeping our public safety officers safe as well. We believe Greg Smith is the best candidate for House District 57.” This endorsement follows an earlier press release of the Oregon Anti- Crime Alliance’s 2009 leg islative scorecard where R e p r e s e n t a t i v e Smith earned an outstanding 94% voting record and voted in accordance with the al liance 18 out of 19 times. For five terms, Representa tive Smith has also earned the endorsement o f the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police. “Representing the citizens who serve as police officers, deputy sheriffs, corrections officers, parole officers, probation officers as well as public safety sup port personnel is important to me,” said Rep. Smith. “I am honored to receive this endorsement, and look forward to working with OCPA in the future.” Co-queens crowned at Heppner Prom Support for Nelson for Morrow County District Attorney Letter to the Editor: 1 am supporting Justin Nelson for Morrow Coun ty District Attorney. I have gotten to know Justin over the past couple of years since his move back to Morrow County to start his position as a deputy district attorney in Umatilla County. Justin grew up in Morrow County, attended Heppner High School, and upon completing law school he began looking for an opportunity to move his family back to Morrow County. Justin is a very hard working deputy district at torney and is in the courtroom nearly every day handling a wide range of criminal cases in the Umatilla/Morrow 6th Judicial District. He has worked with and gotten to know all the judges of the 6th District. He literally works hundreds of cases a year. We have discussed on many occasions the mutual needs and issues of local law en forcement and the District Attorney Office. He strongly supports the efforts of the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office. Justin understands the close partnership that his office and law enforcement must have to create the best public safety impact in our local communities. He is very approachable and is interested in your opinion. He has expressed a sincere interest in partnering with all the public service interests in the county. Justin wants to dedicate many years of public service to the citizens of Morrow County. I encourage you to support him in that effort and cast your vote for him as the next Morrow County District Attorney. Kenneth W. Matlack Morrow County Sheriff Support Justin Nelson for DA To the Editor: I am writing today to encourage your support of Justin Nelson for Morrow County District Attorney. I have been working in and around the criminal justice system since 1987.1 have worked with a dozen or more district attorneys and deputy district attorneys. After 20+ years, I have learned to recognize when a person that has the talent, the drive, and the passion to not just do a good job, but to do an excellent job. Justin is just this kind of person. I first met Justin Nelson a couple of years back. At the time, I was impressed with his enthusiasm for the job. Each time I saw him I noted that he was motivated and energetic. I began to pay attention to how Justin conducted himself and how he relates to those around him. I spoke to the district attorney he was working for. The DA was very pleased with Justin and told me that day that he felt that Justin would go far. I have spoken to other law enforcement officers who have worked directly with Justin and I am pleased with the feedback that I have gotten from them as well. In the criminal justice system, you are not always blessed with the best of cases when they arrive on your desk. Sometimes they are clear enough that a violation of law has occurred, but there is not quite enough direct evidence, conflicting witness statements or some other issue that may detract from the strength of the state’s case. I have known other district attorneys and deputy district attorneys that would dismiss these cases rather than taking the chance of having a “loss” on their record. Justin is willing to take on the tougher cases and see them through. Justin has also been willing to help new and/ or lesser experienced law enforcement officers as the struggled with cases. He is always willing to talk about cases and give suggestions to officers that call. Justin is familiar and has worked with all of oui Circuit Court judges which is a huge benefit in terms ol credibility as well as knowing how each judge prefers tc operate in their court. Morrow County needs a strong, aggressive, anc hard-working district attorney. Morrow County needs Justin Nelson and 1 en courage you to cast your vote for him. Steven L Myren Boardman Top Photo: B rynna R ust an d C herisse Lem m on w ere crow ned Prom Q ueens d u rin g the H ep p n er High School Prom on S at urday, A pril 17. B ryan H olland was nam ed the Prom King. Bottom Photo: stu d en ts enjoyed the Night in Vegas them ed prom . -Photos by Autumn Morgan Essay and Artwork Contest winners announced O regon and M orrow C ounty Fam ily an d C om m unity E du cation m em bers recently sponsored an Essay an d A rtw o rk C ontest for fourth grad e students. C ounty w inners w ere first place, C a ra A rhogast, and honorable m entions D iana Healy an d Nichole Shaw. A rhogast also received th ird place in the state com petition. T his y e a r's them e was “ F airness,” one of the “Six P illars of C h a ra cter.” -Contributed Photo ' V etera n s ' Benefits Conference/ Health & Wellness Fair Thursday, May 20th 10 a.m- 3 p.m. j PORT OF MORROW Riverfront Center, Boardman, OR I All veterans are invited to attend! 1__________I l k TERRY ^ •n 1 FELDA A Justice of the Peace that combines Comm on Sense and The Law values and ideals. I am: A Hardworking Farmer, A Business W oman, (ii H appy 60 th B irthday P apa ! , Government Experienced, L o v e , M o r g a n , M att , Educated, M adi & M aso n Qualified T o r i & K y l e Get information & learn how to negotiate the Uft system! 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