Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 27, 2019 -- THREE
~ Letters to the Editor ~
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Hybrid wolves released
To the editor:
In 1995, without the
approval of Idaho state stat-
ute, the Idaho legislature or
Idaho citizens, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife released Rocky
Mountain grey wolves and
the next year brought in
Canadian wolves. “New
research shows the wolves
now living and hunting (in
the Pacific NW) are differ-
ent from those that lived
more than a century ago.
These wolves are hybrids.”
(Rebecca Heisman, Hakai
Mag. Aug. 10, 2018).
The introduction of the
Canadian Grey Wolf was
in direct violation of the
Endangered Species Act.
The impact of these wolves
on elk, deer, cattle and the
destruction of natural re-
sources and the economy
of associated businesses in
the Pacific NW has been
increasingly undermined.
These hybrid wolves are
apex predators. They have
severely undermined big
game hunting and the cattle
industry.
In Idaho, environmental
activists thwarted through
the courts every attempt to
manage these killer wolves
for well over a decade after
their introduction. Today
in Idaho you can purchase
five tags to hunt wolves,
there is a bounty up to
$1,000 dollars, they can be
trapped and baited and still
these wolves proliferate
out of control. This fiasco
is coming to Oregon unless
we force a change of policy,
immediately.
These wolves now have
inhabited and colonized
much of eastern and south-
ern Oregon and in due sea-
son the entire state. They
kill three to five ungulates
for every one eaten. They
have extremely high rates
of fecundity producing five
to nine pups per year begin-
ning at age one.
In eastern Oregon, our
forefathers were the first pi-
oneers to inhabit and there-
in bring productivity to
the Blue Mountains. They
eliminated the wolves from
the mountains so they could
prosper and their fami-
lies and livestock would
be safe. Rocky Mountain
elk were introduced and
along with deer hunting.
Big game industry in east-
ern Oregon brings in tens of
millions of dollars to the lo-
cal economy. The improper
and illegal introduction of
wolves is forcing big game
out of the national forests
and has irrefutable under-
mined the heritage and
way of life of the citizens
that depend on our national
forest for hunting and cattle
allotments.
In the Heppner unit, as
all eastern Oregon units, the
impact of elk being hunted
and killed by wolves has al-
ready forced most of the elk
off the national forest. Our
cattle and deer population
will be next. Wolves have
colonized the Heppner unit
and the elk forced to private
range land has significantly
undermined cattle forage,
costing our ranchers tens
of thousands of dollars.
The cattle on forest grazing
allotments are no longer
safe from wolf depreda-
tion which will cause great
stress to our ranchers, their
cattle dogs and undermine
cattle health and produc-
tivity.
Our forefathers estab-
lished our heritage with
their blood, sweat and tears.
The big game belongs to
the American people not
the U.S. and Oregon Fish
and Game. The national
forest belongs to the Amer-
ican people, not the Forest
Service. These agencies
work for us. Our forest
and big game are not being
managed properly. These
hybrid killer wolves cannot
be managed by govern-
ment agencies or environ-
mentalists and must be
removed from our forests
and heritage. An example of
environmental stupidity is
illustrated by Southern Or-
egon Defenders of Wildlife,
a nonprofit environmental
group. They donated two
neon green and yellow
waving tubes to stand guard
over a rancher’s cattle. We
need to be reminded of the
example of our forefathers.
They understood they could
not co-exist with wolves
that would destroy their
way of life.
I will be producing a
documentary, with the sup-
port of like-minded citi-
zens, called “Pacific NW
wolf depredation” to illus-
trate why we must act with
urgency to save our heri-
tage, and protect our cattle
industry and our belabored
elk and deer herds.
Stuart Dick, Irrigon
Bank of Eastern
James Harold Smith Oregon opens new
branches
Obituaries
James Harold Smith, of grandchildren; 14 great
76, died at his home in Hep- grandchildren; sisters, Dor-
pner on November 17, fol- othy Sinclair and Dee Dee
lowing a seven-year battle Allen; and brothers, Carl
Smith, Terry Allen
with cancer. He was
and Larry Allen.
born August 6, 1943
He was preceded
at Coos Bay, OR.
in death by his par-
James was an
ents, brother Dan
Army veteran, for-
Smith and grandson
mer police officer and
Patrick Stiles.
former wildland fire-
At his request
fighter. He loved mu- James Harold
there will only be a
sic and the outdoors. Smith
small private cere-
He is survived by
his wife, Donna Smith; mony. Memorial contribu-
daughters, Dana Westfield, tions may be made in the
Darla Smith, Shannon name of his wife, Donna
Boor, Tracy Smith and Mar- Smith, at the Bank of East-
cie Millerick; sons, James ern Oregon. Sweeney Mor-
Smith, Richard Stiles, Ter- tuary of Heppner is in care
ry Whitten, Andrew Scott of arrangements.
and Shane Cady; dozens
The Bank of Eastern
“Since our beginning in
Oregon has opened a new 1945, Bank of Eastern Ore-
branch in Hermiston at gon has focused on provid-
1475 N First St and another ing quality banking services
in La Grande at 2514 Cove to the rural communities
Ave. Both branches will be of eastern Oregon,” stated
open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jack Wright and Melissa
Monday through Friday. Samms, the new branches’
The phone number for the local operations manag-
La Grande branch is 541- ers. “We look forward to
624-5040 and the Hermis- meeting and making new
ton branch can be reached friends with the residents,
at 541-303-8274.
business owners, farmers
The La Grande based and ranchers of Hermiston
lending team of David and La Grande.”
Stirewalt, Kristy Nelson
Bank of Eastern Ore-
and Craig Nightingale also gon is a full-service com-
have new quarters in the mercial bank specializing
La Grande branch. The in agricultural and small
Hermiston based commer- business lending, munic-
cial lending team of Lucas ipal and special district
Wagner and Jared Lathrop deposit services and offers
and mortgage officer Kait- a wide variety of consumer
lin Orcutt, also have new and business accounts and
Barbara Ann Harnett of lasagna feeds for Balloon quarters in the branch.
services.
Walla Walla, WA, died No- Stampede/Mother’s Day
vember 16, at the age of 80, weekends for family and
surrounded by family. She friends; sometimes having
was born November 16, up to 60 people attend. She
always kept busy and
1939 in Brooklyn,
moving even when
NY to Helen Stew-
she did not feel well.
art Pike and Arthur
Personal-use firewood live or dead western larch, a
According to her fam- cutting on the Umatilla highly prized firewood also
William Pike.
ily, “She was loved National Forest will end known as tamarack. Larch
Barbara gradu-
by all and loved her Saturday, Nov. 30. Fire- needles turn yellow and fall
ated from William
family fiercely. She wood permits will not be off at the end of the growing
H. Maxwell Voca-
tional High School Barbara Ann was small but feisty. available again until May season, which can cause the
She will be greatly 2020.
June 25, 1957. She Harnett
tree to appear dead when in
missed.”
married Melvin Joel
The public is asked to fact it is only dormant. Tips
She is survived by her take additional precautions on identifying live larch
Harnett October 6, 1962
in Brooklyn, NY and they husband, Melvin Joel Har- when cutting firewood late are located in the firewood
were married for 57 years. nett; daughters, Dawn Har- in the fall when road and guide that accompanies
Barbara was a trustee and nett and Sheree Lobdell soil conditions become each firewood permit.
part owner of the Harnett and son Sean Harnett and slick, soggy and saturated.
Firewood permits can
Ranch at Upper Creek his wife Darcie Harnett. Firewood cutters should be be purchased at any Umatil-
She has four grandchil- prepared for winter weather la National Forest office or
Road.
She worked at McDon- dren, Madeleine Lobdell, conditions. Mountain travel at several local businesses
alds in Walla Walla for 17 age 24, Luke Lobdell, age will require extreme care to in the community. Permits
years and was considered 19, Alexa Harnett, age 14 avoid getting stuck in the cost $5 per cord with a
a valued employee. Bar- and Colby Harnett, age 11. mud or snow and causing minimum purchase of four
bara loved to read, bake She had three siblings and resource damage to the land cords for $20. A maximum
and spend time with her is survived by her brother and vegetation.
purchase of 12 cords total,
children and grandchil- William Pike. Her other two
Another concern for per household, is allowed
dren. She participated in siblings were Jean Wilkens late season firewood cutting from National Forest lands
Amvets Post 1111 women’s and Arthur Pike.
is the misidentification of during the calendar year.
A celebration of life
auxiliary, planted flowers,
worked on latch hook rugs, will be held on Saturday,
Tri-chem painting, was the December 7 at 3 p.m. at
bookkeeper for the family the Veterans Memorial Golf
trust and loved traveling Course, 201 E. Rees Ave,
Walla Walla, WA 99362.
and visiting friends.
In lieu of flowers, do-
Barbara made friends
wherever she went and she nations may be made in
The Celebrate Heppner throughout the evening.
was always doing things for memory of Barbara Harnett
others. She loved to bake to either the American Can- Christmas event, organized Tickets will be sold for the
cookies at Christmas and cer Society or Ronald Mc- by the Heppner Chamber penny board and raffle priz-
pass them out to friends Donald House Children’s will be held Thursday, De- es. Rewards cards can be
cember 12 at the Gilliam placed in prize bags for the
and neighbors. She had Charities.
and Bisbee building in Hep- prizes a person would like
pner. Doors will open at to win. Scrooge will be in
5:30 p.m. Rewards cards the crowd being his grumpy
can be collected through old self but will have $10
December 12 to be re- rewards cards for those who
deemed at the event.
can talk him out of one.
A meal consisting of
Pictures with Santa,
The next lunch meeting date presentation by Larry
of the Heppner Chamber Lutcher, OSU Extension. spaghetti with meat sauce, Mrs. Claus and the elves
of Commerce will be held It will also be all entities sweet corn and garlic bread- will be held on the stage
stick will be available for from 6 to 7 p.m. for $5 each.
Thursday, December 5 from reports.
Lunch will be provided purchase for the first 120 Drawings for rewards, pen-
noon to 1 p.m. in the Hep-
pner City Hall conference by Tacos Hometown for guests. The meal, prepared ny board and raffles will be
room. The meeting will $10 per person and RSVPs by Gateway Café, will cost held at 7 p.m.
For additional informa-
include a short crop up- are required. Lunch will $7 per person for adults
consist of a chicken or beef and $5 for children 10 and tion contact the Chamber at
541-676-5536 or heppner-
burrito, chips and salsa and under.
Cookies, water and chamber@centurytel.net.
dessert.
The meeting location is coffee will be available
in the Willow Creek Basin.
accessible
to persons with
Advance notice of
disabilities.
A request for an
the test was distributed to
interpreter
for
the hearing
area residents so as to not
impaired
or
for
other ac-
surprise or cause alarm
commodations
for
persons
to citizens. The test was
Come See us at Pettyjohn’s
with
disabilities
should
be
considered successful and
for
the sirens are in perfect made at least 48 hours be-
fore
the
meeting
to
Sheryll
working order. The two
Holiday Gift
organizations plan to repeat Bates at 541-676-5536.
and
the test on an annual basis.
Barbara Ann
Harnett
Firewood season
ends for the winter
Heppner Celebrate
Christmas event
schedule announced
Chamber lunch
meeting scheduled
Flood siren test successful
The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers and Morrow
County Emergency Man-
agement conducted a live
siren test of the Heppner
flood evacuation warning
system last Thursday, Nov.
21, at noon. The test was to
ensure the sirens are func-
tional at the two locations
in Heppner.
The sirens are a part
of a basin-wide flood ear-
ly warning system which
collects rainfall and stream
data from Balm Fork and
Willow Creek above Wil-
low Creek dam as well as
Shobe and Hinton Creek,
which flow through Hep-
pner downstream of the
dam. The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers works close-
ly with Morrow County
Emergency Management to
monitor flooding potential
Wheatland is hosting our annual food drive. We will
be accepting donations of non-perishable food items
until December 17th. Please stop by your local
Heppner and Ione offices and help us help our
neighbors in need. All donations will be donated to
the Neighborhood Center and distributed
throughout South Morrow County.
Office hours 8 – 5 Monday – Friday
DEADLINE:
MONDAYS
AT 5PM
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Sykes Publishing
541-676-9228
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PettyJohn’s Farm & Builders suPPly
424 W linden Way, hePPner, or 97836
(541) 676-9157