Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 22, 2020 -- SEVEN
~ Letters to the Editor ~
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Support Joel Peterson
for Morrow County
Commission
To the editor:
I have known Joel Pe-
terson for over 30 years.
Joel was born and raised
in Morrow County. He op-
erates a dryland farm near
Ione, has irrigated land in
the county and has raised
cattle as well. His farming
and ranching activities give
him firsthand knowledge
relating to the ag economy
of our region.
Joel’s leadership has
served many organizations
well. The long list includes
community and ag industry
boards and committees
along with 16 years serv-
ing on the Morrow County
Planning Commission. Joel
is a valued board mem-
ber for a community bank
which originated in and
remains, a Morrow County
fixture.
Public service comes
naturally to Joel. His grand-
father, Oscar Peterson, was
a Morrow County Judge
and founding member of
the Port of Morrow. Joel
is a thoughtful, objective,
fair and honest person who
cares about the citizens of
Morrow County. He will
be an excellent county com-
missioner who understands
the needs and diversity of
all of Morrow County.
When you get your
ballot in the mail at the end
of April, mark it in favor of
Joel Peterson. You will be
glad you did.
Gary Neal
Retired Port Manager
Positives and negatives
as public servant
To the editor:
There is both a posi-
tive and clearly a negative
as a public servant. The
negative, that regardless of
the valiant work and com-
mitment one pours in daily
as a commissioner, those
that seek to defame you,
know no shame. They band
together and misconstrue
your record. One positive is
that there is a record.
I had not intended to
craft a response to the dis-
tasteful diatribe penned
by the henchman of my
detractors; however, when
my eldest brother called the
other night and he said he
didn’t recognize the person
they described, I felt com-
pelled to defend my honor
and my record.
So for the record, the
closest I have ever come
to voting in opposition of
development in the “north
end,” was when I proudly
took a stand against con-
verting forty acres of farm
ground in the center of
8,500 of the same, into un-
supported industrial proper-
ty. There has never been, to
my knowledge a discussion
on the agenda about Rural
Residential Zoning, much
less a vote.
In regard to the Justice
of the Peace position, I was
given some credible infor-
mation by a constituent. I
passed my concerns to the
clerk, who gave me some
advice that I subsequently
followed. I made no attempt
to forward that knowledge
into the public sphere. In
fact, were it not for the letter
to the editor it would have
remained with the proper
authorities.
Next were allegations
that I have taken trips to
Alaska, DC, Las Vegas
and Nashville on the coun-
ty’s dime. As president of
the Association of Oregon
Counties these trips to DC
and Alaska were covered
by the state association. My
additional journeys includ-
ed a trip by Amtrak, saving
the county nearly $800 on
airfare. My trips to Las
Vegas and Nashville, were
on a greyhound out of Stan-
field and saved the county a
fortune and doubtless cost
me years of my life. Please
Google Commissioner rides
bus to NACo.
The notion that I
stopped on main street Hep-
pner to unleash a tirade of
profanities at Mr. Sweek
and Mr. Healy is repulsive.
I am happy to have you visit
with Greg Sweek to get a
measured version of reality.
Please bear in mind that Mr.
Healy is a primary donor of
my opponent. So, the “grain
of salt” thing.
I am not likely to con-
tinually refute the mali-
ciousness of my opponents.
However, I feel it necessary
to give folks a reference, as
they seek to besmirch my
reputation, much the same
as they did the Honorable
Ken Grieb in past elections.
A more upstanding citizen,
you will not find in Mor-
row County. I told my dear
friend George Murdock
that the only thing they
got right was my name. He
responded, “Still hurts and
keep your chin up.” I shall.
Jim Doherty, Board-
man
Just stay home
To the editor,
I wish I was bored at
home. I wish I didn’t have
to go to work again today.
I wish I didn’t have to see
coworkers on ventilators
and hear of others’ deaths. I
wish I didn’t know that my
mother’s good friend had
just come down with his
deadly virus. I wish people
would just stay home.
I have heard the screams
of families who have just
heard that their loved one
didn’t make it. I have seen
40-year-old men begging
for their life, begging for
breath. I have helped drag
a body up a makeshift ramp
to a refrigerated trailer in
the back of our hospital and
lay that body on a heap of
other bodies. I wish people
would just stay home.
You don’t need to play
golf with your buddies.
You don’t need to go visit
your BFF. You don’t need
to hang with your crew on
a street corner. What you
need is to stay home.
If you knew who you
were exposing when you
went out, would it make a
difference? If you know a
child would be orphaned
because you went out,
would it make a difference?
Please just stay home.
Lori Niedswiecki Her-
man.
St. Joseph’s Wayne
Hospital
Wayne, NJ
(Lori is a cousin of
April Sykes)
People are living in fear Vote Joe Armato for
To the editor:
same governor and press Morrow County
This letter is written supported and encouraged
from Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- their mayhem as their con-
Commissioner
vania where you cannot buy stitutional protected right.
or sell without a mask over
your face. Many of the peo-
ple are living in fear, afraid
of people that could be a
carrier, afraid of a flu virus
that the press, media and a
Democratic Governor have
turned into mass paranoia.
Many epidemiologists
caution all individuals will
eventually be exposed to
the Covid-19 virus and
social distancing only pro-
longs the process and actu-
ally makes the virus more
deadly. Quarantining sick,
elderly and immune com-
promised has been a wise
medical precaution, exhort-
ed from biblical days.
Quarantining healthy
productive individuals and
denying them opportunity
to work, to support their
families, denying them
constitutional liberty to
worship, to go to the beach
or park or fishing on the
river is tyranny. Many
Oregonians will soon be
exercising their constitu-
tional liberty to protest this
government overreach and
oppression. I exhort my fel-
low Oregonians to support
them. Expect the Oregon
Governor and press and
media to brand these Ore-
gonians as right-wing zeal-
ots that threaten the health
and safety of their fellow
citizens. When Antifa and
Black Lives Matter violent-
ly shut down Portland, the
This Covid-19 pan-
ic is media and left-wing
liberal government manip-
ulation to “fundamentally
change America” and take
down a conservative pres-
ident. The essential work-
ers (bless their hearts) at
Walmart, Safeway, Home
Depot, gas stations, etc.,
etc., are not coming down
with this virus more than
anybody else. 98.5 percent
of those that contract the
virus will recover, some
will not even know they
had it, and they will build
up an immune protection.
The chance of dying of the
virus is .0000069 percent in
America.
80,000 died of the flu
last year in America and
not one person was quar-
antined or lost their job.
22 million Americans are
now out of work, and the
shutdown will kill more
Americans than the virus.
The truth is the Covid-19
deaths are inflated to make
the crisis more effective.
Hospitals receive $13,000
for C19 deaths and an extra
$39,000 if on a ventilator.
No wonder the rising C19
deaths continue to plaster
the headlines, while all
other causes of death are
miraculously plummeting.
Time to stand up against
this tyranny and go back to
work fellow Oregonians.
Stuart Dick, Irrigon
Support Glen Diehl for
Justice of the Peace
To the editor:
I have known Glen Die-
hl for more than 30 years.
During that time, Glen and
I have worked in neighbor-
ing jurisdictions. I watched
Glen as his career grew
from patrol deputy and
progressed through various
assignments and culminat-
ed in his being promoted to
LT with Umatilla County
Sheriff’s Office. I know
Glen has had first-hand
experience in patrol, in-
vestigations, narcotics task
force, parole and probation,
corrections and ultimately
administration with the
Sheriff’s Office.
Glen has always
demonstrated an excellent
grasp of the Criminal Jus-
tice System. Not just en-
forcing laws but providing
law enforcement services
with compassion and com-
mon sense. This is what
experience brings you when
examining a candidate for
Justice of the Peace. The
ability to meld law with
compassion when appro-
priate and exercise judicial
prudence and the latitude
that comes with the position
when the law allows.
Glen retired from
UCSO seven years ago
and bought the old family
property south of Heppner.
As his wife still works for
Umatilla County and has
not yet retired, Glen has
maintained two households.
His permanent residence
in south Morrow County
and the home in Pendle-
ton where his wife resides
during the work week.
Three years ago, Glen
took the full-time position
as Morrow County Parole
and Probation Work Crew
Supervisor where he again
broadened his knowledge
base and experience in the
practical application of the
criminal justice system.
ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE:
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
This past year when
Justice of the Peace Ann
Spicer announced her im-
pending retirement, I sug-
gested the position to Glen
because I felt he would be
perfect for that spot. I talked
to JP Spicer and she agreed.
Glen and others applied
for the position, all the
candidates were examined,
background checks were
performed, qualifications
were confirmed and ulti-
mately Glen was appointed
by the State of Oregon to
complete the remainder of
JP Spicer’s term.
When your ballots ar-
rive in the mail in the next
couple weeks, I strongly
encourage you to support
Glen Diehl for Justice of the
Peace. He is the right candi-
date at the right time. He has
demonstrated his first-hand
broad-spectrum knowledge
and background. I still be-
lieve he is the perfect per-
son for the job.
Respectfully,
Steven L Myren, re-
tired Undersheriff, Morrow
County Sheriff’s Office
Boardman, OR
To the editor:
Joe is very aware of the
needs of Morrow County,
both at the north end and the
south. Joe is aware that the
north end of the county is
experiencing development
of businesses and contin-
uous growth opportuni-
ties that brings along large
problems with housing and
maintenance issues. He also
knows the challenges of
south Morrow County with
lack of jobs and businesses
struggling, while it is home
to many young families that
want to stay and raise their
children in the south part of
the county.
Joe is active in the com-
munities. He volunteers
at the local schools as a
chess instructor and assis-
tant coach of the football
teams. He is a member
of the Howard and Beth
Bryant Foundation and
the Heppner Community
Foundation.
I believe that Joe will
make good decisions for our
county. He is interested in
all aspects of the north and
south county. He has taken
the time to educate himself
on the issues at hand and
where Morrow County is
headed in the future. There
is so much happening in
Morrow County that many
people are unaware of. Take
a look around from the
north to the south, things
are happening. I believe
that Joe will be interested in
educating himself about the
facts surrounding the issues
at hand before making deci-
sions that affect everyone.
Skip and Sandy Mat-
thews, Heppner
Joel will represent all
citizens
To the editor:
I am writing in support
of Joel Peterson for Morrow
County Commissioner. I
believe Joel will repre-
sent all citizens of Morrow
County by viewing the
north end of the county as
one of, if not the largest
employment center of our
county. It is necessary to
continue to encourage new
employers while sustaining
those currently in place.
The Port of Morrow has
done a remarkable job in
attracting businesses which
has benefited the county as
a whole in creating well
paid jobs.
Over the years, chang-
es have occurred in south
Morrow County leaving
fewer job opportunities
which led the three cities to
become more like bedroom
communities as employees
travel to jobs. The need for
additional housing in these
three cities is very apparent
and will continue to be stud-
ied closely by both city and
county government.
Joel has served sev-
eral years on the Bank of
Eastern Oregon board of
directors. During his tenure
he has witnessed economic
ups and downs, which have
given him knowledge of
the good as well as difficult
times and how to best man-
age through those issues.
Joel continues to be
a successful farmer and
rancher making him a
strong resource when deal-
ing with the needs and
issues of Morrow County.
In my opinion, Joel’s
most important trait is that
he a good listener. He will
research to assure a good
understanding of current
and future Morrow County
issues and needs, both in
the courthouse and county-
wide.
Linda LaRue, Ione
Support Joseph Armato
To the editor:
I support Joseph Arma-
to for Morrow County Com-
missioner. I have known
Joseph for many years. He
is currently a member of
the Heppner High School
football coaching staff in
his seventh year of service.
Joseph is well known
for his community service.
He has volunteered in the
schools, 4-H, church and
he serves on several boards.
Joseph understands the im-
portance of supporting our
communities.
Joseph is thorough and
will take the time to learn
about the issues that im-
pact our county and its
residents. He has the ability
to be a team player and he
understands the importance
of working together. That
alignment and collaboration
is the best way to success-
fully get things done.
Please join me in sup-
porting Joseph Armato for
Morrow County Commis-
sioner.
Greg Grant, Heppner
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