FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon
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Wednesday, April 28,2010
Oregon Council of Police
Associations endorse Rep. Smith
Letters to the Editor ~
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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,
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T o r i & K y l e
Get information & learn how to negotiate the Uft system!
Veterans will have an opportunity to network with representatives from
various programs & to connect with the appropriate service providers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER JIM WILLIS • OREGON DEPARTMENT
OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS PLUS MANY OTHERS
All Day Event • Lunch will be served!
.
Please confirm your registration Today!
Vycall 541-922-6420 Leave your name and num ber^