Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 30, 2020 -- SEVEN
Spiritually Speaking
~ 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 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.
A working sheriff
To the editor:
I started my law en-
forcement career in 1969
and was hired by the Mor-
row County Sheriff’s Office
in 1987. I held the positions
of Patrol Deputy, Detective,
Detective Sergeant and
retired as Undersheriff in
2005.
With my law enforce-
ment experience, I know
what it takes to run a sher-
iff’s office when it comes to
budgeting and supervising
employees. I personally
think Sheriff Matlack is
doing a fine job as Mor-
row County Sheriff. I also
know he is one of the few
sheriffs that actually goes
out and works the streets.
I’ve seen Ken work traffic,
take complaints and work
calls. Ken actually listens
and cares about what people
have to say.
Sheriff Matlack has
my full support for election
2020.
Larry Sample, Board-
man
Retired Morrow Coun-
ty Undersheriff 2005
Vote to re-elect Matlack
To the editor:
To Ken Matlack, up-
holding the Constitution of
the United States of Amer-
ica and the Bill of Rights
is a way of life. Ken has
a history of upholding the
Constitution and defending
the rights of all people. Ken
is not afraid to take a stand
on difficult issues, even if
it’s not popular at the time.
Ken always tries to do
what is right by the people
and is an ethical man with
integrity.
Sheriff Matlack ex-
pects the best out of his
staff and leads the way by
serving with sympathy,
empathy and compassion.
He promotes the concept
of Succession Planning to
make sure he always has a
well-trained staff and will
mentor, train and cultivate
that growth.
Sheriff Matlack has
the knowledge, experience,
integrity and a proven track
record of serving the citi-
zens of Morrow County at a
high level. He has emplaced
a command staff that has
taken his lead and goes
the extra mile to serve and
protect the public. Sheriff
Matlack continually raises
the bar of excellence, to
insure his staff is providing
the best service possible.
In this election race,
Ken Matlack is the quali-
fied and proven candidate
for sheriff. Sheriff Matlack
has my full support and in
November 2020, please join
me in re-electing Kenneth
W. Matlack for Morrow
County Sheriff.
John A. Bowles, Hep-
pner, Morrow County
Undersheriff/Emergency
Manager
Windows and Patio Doors!
BUY
ONE
GET
ONE
%
40
Doherty has proven
leadership ability
To the editor;
I confidently endorse
Jim Doherty for reelection
as Morrow County Com-
missioner. During his first
term serving Morrow Coun-
ty, Commissioner Doherty
has proven his leadership
ability not only for Morrow
County, but as serving as
President of Association of
Oregon Counties. The last
time a first term commis-
sioner served in that role
was 1905. The ability to
lead his peers shows Com-
missioner Doherty’s assets
in areas critical to that role;
organization, mediator and
strength of character.
Commissioner Doherty
serves Morrow County
from the viewpoint of care-
taker. He was born and
raised in the south end of
the county. Jim and Kelly
have raised their family and
built a life in the north end.
Morrow County holds their
family history, memories
and hearts. Their lives re-
volve around this beautiful
corner of Oregon that we
all call home. If something
impacts Morrow County,
it impacts Commissioner
Doherty.
Commissioner Doherty
has demonstrated his deep
love and concern for our
citizens by seeking out
those among us who need
help. He assisted the Board-
man Food Pantry in the
beginning stages of its es-
AN D
OFF
1
$0 Money
Down
$0 Interest
$0 Monthly
Payments
for 12 months 1
Minimum purchase of 4. Interest accrues from the date of purchase but is waived if paid in full within 12 months.
4.7 out of 5 BASED ON 95,000+ REVIEWS
“ My overall experience was great. I love the window, and from sales to
scheduling, the experience was very good. The installers are highly
skilled professionals and I would recommend Renewal by Andersen to
all my contacts.”
LYNN F. | RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN CUSTOMER
70 %
MORE ENERGY
EFFICIENT IN
SUMMER 2
KEEP THE HEAT OUT AND THE COOL IN!
Solving your window problems and having a comfortable home is
easy and enjoyable when you choose Renewal by Andersen. With this
great offer, you save money on your window project – and you’ll also
save on high energy bills for years to come!
SmartSun
glass
Helps keep
the heat
out and the
cool in.
Offer Ends October 31
Call for your FREE in-home consultation.
888-351-9341
1
DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 10/31/2020. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or patio door, get one (1) window or patio door 40% off, and 12 months $0 money down, $0 monthly payments, $0
interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or patio doors between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020. 40% off windows and patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or patio door in the order. Subject to credit
approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period, but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky ® consumer loan programs is provided by
federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available
at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License MN:BC130983/WI:266951. Excludes MN insurance work per MSA 325E.66. Los Angeles License
#992285. Orange County License #990416. MHIC #121441. VA License #2705155684. DC License #420215000125. All other license numbers available upon request. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and
operated. 2 Values are based on comparison of Renewal by Andersen ® double-hung window u-factor to the u-factor for clear dual-pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 International
Energy Conservation Code “Glazed Fenestration” Default Tables. "Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. © 2020 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. rba12288
*Using U.S. and imported parts.
tablishment by advocating
and seeking funds for a per-
manent location. In May,
when the windstorm ripped
through Boardman, Com-
missioner Doherty stepped
up to the plate when resi-
dents needed help, not only
getting out from under the
chaos that ensued, but also
a voice.
My family and I have
lived down the road from
the Doherty family for
about 10 years. We have
done business with them
and admire the ethics that
Jim Doherty has exhibited.
As neighbors, we have
called on them when we
needed help. Jim has al-
ways shown up when we
needed him. He was also a
4-H leader when our oldest
son first ventured into the
show arena at fair. Through
our experiences with Jim
Doherty over the years,
we have seen compassion,
responsibility and a strong
belief that each of us needs
to do our part to make
Morrow County the best it
can be.
Morrow County is ex-
periencing rapid growth
and change. Decisions are
being made that will impact
every single one of us for
many years. Jim Doherty
has the vision and integrity
to carry Morrow County
through the growth and
changes while preserving
the honor of our county. His
commitment to our way
of life and the insight he
brings to the development
of our county is worthy of
our vote in November.
Please join me in vot-
ing for Jim Doherty in
November.
Thank you,
Mary A. Killion
Support
Peterson
for com-
missioner
Bear the fruits of love
and service
By Fr. Thankachan Jo-
seph SDB, St. Patrick
Church
Day-to-day we measure
the worth of so much by
its results or by the fruit
it produces. For example,
anyone who plants any-
thing always expects the
best result from that plant. Fr. Thankachan Joseph
Similarly, we can evaluate
our lives by looking at the
fruits we produce. If God has blessed us with many gifts
and talents and capabilities, what has been the output of
our lives? Can we say that we have made the best use of
all that we have received, for ourselves and for others?
Are we bearing the fruits of loving and serving God and
one another? Are we grateful for His bountiful gifts? May
His words challenge us:
Composed during the early years of his ministry, the
prophet Isaiah (5:1-7) sings a ballad about his friend who
has a vineyard and does everything possible that it might
bear good fruit. He compares Israel to the well-cared-for
vineyard that fails to produce fruit, in spite of the fact that
the owner (God) has lavished the utmost care and attention
on it. Only the best is good enough for his vineyard; he
spares no time or effort to give it the best. Yet all that it
produces is sour grapes. God’s grief and disappointment
rather than the people’s tragedy is the theme of Isaiah’s
song. “What more could I have done for my vineyard?”
asks God. The fault definitely lies with His people; they
must own responsibility for yielding poor fruit. The re-
sponse psalm re-emphasizes the theme, “The vineyard of
the Lord is the house of Israel.”
In St Paul’s letter to Philippians (Philippians 4:6-9) he
offers a good picture of the kind of fruit we should produce
in the vineyard of the Christian community. Paul does not
simply tell the Philippians to stop worrying, he gives the
antidote for anxiety: prayer. In any and every situation we
can bring our requests, our needs and our problems to God
in prayer and leave them, with gratitude, in his capable
hands. God cares for you and he cares about you. Peter
understood this when he wrote, “Cast all your anxiety
on him because he cares for you.” The pandemic that we
face is a good time to test our trust in the Lord. Do you
trust God completely to always do what is in your best
interest? Do you trust that God has the power to lovingly
guide your life and intervene in every situation? Do you
trust that God can take care of you in this pandemic time?
In Matthew 21:33-43, the stage is set for further
confrontation between the religious leaders of His time
and Jesus. The Jews had to make a choice between Jesus
and His kingdom or rejection by God. The parable in this
Gospel is of the vineyard, clearly referring to the ballad
of Isaiah and the vineyard that is Israel. The Jews knew
Isaiah’s ballad and were familiar with the symbolism
of the vineyard standing for Israel. But the parable as
told by Jesus contains a further point not mentioned by
Isaiah: the sending of the son, presented by the phrase,
“They will respect my son.” The parable is known as the
parable of the murderous tenants, because of the slaying
of the tenant’s son.
What are the fruits that are predictable of the vine-
yard? In the song of the vineyard to which the parable
refers, Isaiah tells us that the Lord “expected justice but
saw violence, righteousness but heard a cry.” The es-
tablishment of justice and righteousness is one of God’s
major directives in the Old Testament. This was the way
the chosen people would express fidelity to the covenant
between God and His people. God wanted justice to rule
in the midst of His people and He wanted the rights of
everyone, especially the poor, to be appreciated. These
are the fruits that the vineyard should have produced, but,
alas, the tenants failed to live just and righteous lives. The
tenants not only did not produce fruits but did worse, by
killing the prophets and the son of God Himself. In the
Bible oppression of the poor is often presented as homi-
cide. Thus, the tenants are not only murderers because
they killed the messengers, or even the son, but because
they oppress the poor and violate their rights. In the eyes
of God, we too become murderers when we do not live
just lives and we destroy the poor and deprive people of
their rights and human dignity. In the parable, the mur-
derous tenants are warned that they will be punished for
their crimes and the vineyard will be taken away from
them and given to others. In the history of Israel, the
chosen people rejected and put Jesus to death, yet God
had mercy on them and continued to give them another
chance because of His unconditional love.
Through the parable of today’s Gospel, we are con-
fronted with the questions: How do we carry out the
obligations God has given to each of us? Do we bear the
fruits of loving and serving God and one another - the
fruits God expects of us? Let us bear these fruits.
To the editor;
I am writing in support
of Joel Peterson for Mor-
row County Commission-
er. Joel Peterson has been
an involved member of
the Morrow county com-
munity his entire life and
has seen serving in public
service as the right thing to
do rather than something to
pursue for his own wants.
In an upside-down world
having leadership dedicat-
ed to doing the right thing
is needed more than ever,
even on a local level. I
know that he will continue
his spirit of service as a
commissioner and would
always put the needs and
concerns of the community
and folks involved in any
particular issue first.
I highly encourage
voters to consider their
vote for this outstanding
individual.
William J. “Bill” Brehaut – William J. “Bill” Bre-
Debbie Radie, Irrigon haut was born on February 25, 1932 in Fossil, OR. He
died on September 27, 2020 at his home in Condon, OR
at the age of 88 years.
Arrangements are pending. Please share memories
of Bill with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
Death Notice
Nazarene church to
host event
A celebration of the life
of the Church of the Naza-
rene in Heppner will be held
October 4 at the church lo-
cated at 335 Gilmore Street.
The District Superintendent
for the Northwest Nazarene
District will also be at-
tending to celebrate Pastor
Norman Lee’s retirement.
Everyone is invited to
attend. Service will start at
10 a.m.