Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2021)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 28, 2021 ~ 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. Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Impressed with Stokoe Stokoe for Port To the Editor: His goal is and continues Eleven years ago I was to be, “to contribute to Commissioner very impressed by Rick Stokoe when he went through the interview pro- cess for the City of Board- man Police Chief position and was pleased when Rick accepted the position. He has proven himself to be a tremendous commu- nity and regional leader since that time. Rick is a true public ser- vant, an active volunteer who has served on a va- riety of committees and helped with many com- munity activities. He is a dedicated family man, married to wife Shari for 28 years. His two children are also Morrow County residents and continue to call Boardman their home. the betterment of Morrow County in order to provide the best possible future for our citizens, children and future generations”. A thoughtful, insightful per- son, Rick has contributed greatly these past six years as a commissioner for the Port of Morrow. Please support and vote to re-elect Rick Stokoe so that he may continue his service as a Port of Mor- row Commissioner, work- ing along with all of the commissioners to keep the Port of Morrow moving forward in a positive and proactive manner. Gary Neal Retired, Port of Morrow Executive Director Stokoe deserves your vote To the Editor: The Port of Morrow is the second largest port in the State of Oregon and is the site for diversified in- dustries that provide em- ployment for some 8,400 employees. Rick Stokoe, resident of the board of commission- ers of the Port of Morrow, is running for reelection. He deserves your vote. His name will appear on your primary election ballot which you may have al- ready received by the time you read this letter. If the Port of Morrow Commissioner race is the only position for which you vote, please vote to reelect Rick Stokoe. Since the port embraces all of Morrow County it is im- portant to maintain geo- graphic diversity on the commission. Rick is employed full time as the chief of police in the City of Boardman where he supervises 10 employ- ees, keeping the peace in the city and assisting the county sheriff in Irrigon and elsewhere when re- quested. Rick has been the chief in Boardman for 11 years, during his 31-year career in law enforcement. He was appointed to the Port of Morrow Commis- sion six years ago and has been elected to a four-year term since then and was elected president by his peers. Your vote to reelect Rick Stokoe to the Port of Mor- row Commission is im- portant. Ed and Frances Glenn Boardman Support re-election of Stokoe To the editor: We have known Rick Stokoe since he inter- viewed and was hired as the Chief of Police for Boardman in 2011. Rick immediately became in- volved with the Board- man community as more than just the Chief. Rick has exhibited strong fiscal policies in all the entities he is involved with. It is very important the Port Commission continue the policy of equitable repre- sentation for all of Morrow County. Please support the re-election of Rick Stokoe for Port of Morrow direc- tor. Ray and Carol Michael San Luis Obispo, CA Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! 877-557-1912 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! Off er valid February 15 - June 6, 2021 Special Financing Available *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. Subject to Credit Approval BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 15 % OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE * + 1-855-536-8838 10 % OFF SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST + 5 % OFF TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS! ** | Promo Number: 285 *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. ** Offer valid at estimate only. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114 To the Editor: Rick Stokoe is a man of dignity and honor. As the Boardman Police Chief, he is a trained leader. That leadership has helped him serve as a port commis- sioner since 2015. He is a man who cares and re- spects others. He is a fair man who wants what is best for Morrow County as a whole. Rick has a very busy life with his family and work. That does not stop him there. He volunteers in the community as a coach with our youth, Morrow Education Foundation, and even as an ambulance driv- er. He cares about Board- man but also feels strongly about developing and pro- moting Morrow County as a whole. Rick has strong values. He is a fair and honest man. He speaks for all and will represent Morrow County with fairness, respect, and with no hidden agendas. If you want a Morrow Coun- ty Port Commissioner who will work hard, stand up for the little guy, develop Morrow County fairly, and be a respectful and digni- fied leader, Rick Stokoe is your man. As the City of Boardman Mayor, I strongly recommend Rick Stokoe as Morrow County Port Commissioner Posi- tion 1. Paul Keefer, Mayor, City of Boardman Stokoe for POM To the Editor: Rick Stokoe has my vote for Port of Morrow Com- missioner. He has a prov- en track record for serving the community with high integrity and professional- ism. Since 2015 he has served as a commissioner and supported the activities at the Port. The Port has continued to grow and support the opportunities for our local communities to prosper as a result. We have more jobs, higher than average wages, more diversification of indus- try. The prosperity of our county has seen enormous impacts due to the work that Rick Stokoe, along with the other commis- sioners have supported and watched over as the Port team continues to serve this county and region. I appreciate that Rick has settled into our communi- ty along with his family and chosen to commit his time and energy into our community. His volunteer efforts are so appreciated and felt. As a volunteer myself, it has been my pleasure to work alongside Rick on many occasions. I ask that you vote along- side me for Rick Stokoe. If you have any questions please feel free to reach me at debbieradie@gmail. com. Debbie Radie Boardman Wyden to hold three online town halls Senator Ron Wyden has scheduled three live on- line town halls May 1-2 for residents of Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Wasco counties Wyden has held 970 in-person town halls state- wide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. “Wyden has postponed in-person town halls until there are clear-cut pub- lic health guidelines that a large open-to-all public meeting poses no unusu- al health risk for Orego- nians. After the pandemic in March 2020 required Wyden’s town halls to go virtual, he has continued to hold regional and county virtual town halls,” said a Wyden spokesperson. “The ‘Oregon Way’ is all about conversations with Oregonians statewide and while precautions re- quire a temporary hold on in-person town halls, I’m eager to throw open the digital doors of democra- cy to residents of Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Wasco counties,” Wyden said. “Big thanks to People’s Town Hall for helping these discussions to continue online with Oregon communities large and small to hear direct- ly from Oregonians about their priorities and to an- swer their questions.” The virtual town hall schedule is as follows: Morrow County, 3 pm, Saturday, May 1; Umatilla, Union and Wallowa coun- ties, 11:30 am, Sunday, May 2;Wasco County, 3:30 pm, Sunday, May 2 "Town halls are essential to our democracy,” said Na- than Williams of People's Town Hall, a virtual town hall series from the found- ers of Town Hall Project. “But during this global pandemic, we strongly encourage all lawmakers adhere to current health guidelines -- including holding town halls virtual- ly as long as necessary for public safety." “People's Town Hall invites all of Senator Wyden's constituents to this town hall -- all parties welcome, no issue off lim- its.” Williams said. “We expect another substantive, vigorous discussion of the issues that matter most to Oregonians." Kindergarten roundup May 5 Heppner Elementary School will be hosting Kindergarten Roundup for incoming 2021-22 school year Kindergarten stu- dents at the HES Gym on Wednesday, May 5, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Students must be 5 years of age by August 31, 2021 to enroll at HES. “This will be an in-person event with COVID-19 regula- tions strictly followed,” said school personnel. “Masks and social distanc- ing will be required.” Parents need to bring their child’s birth certif- icate and immunization record. Parents are asked to check the HES website to pre-register students or contact the HES office at 541-676-9128. Mushrooms are free up to the legal limit, if you can find them Mushrooms are re- turning to the forest floor. If you know where to look, and what to look for, mushrooms are available to pick for personal con- sumption within the daily legal limits: one gallon in Oregon and five gallons in Washington. No permit or payment is required to harvest, possess, or transport up to these legal limits, pro- vided the mushrooms are not sold or traded but en- joyed by the picker. The 2021 Mushroom Guide is available in three different languages on each Forest’s website and includes im- portant rules and helpful tips regarding harvesting mushrooms off National Forest lands. Those seeking to har- vest mushrooms beyond the legal limit, or for com- mercial purposes, will first need to obtain a commer- cial permit. Permit sales began Monday, April 26. Commercial pickers who plan to camp in the Nation- al Forest will also need an industrial camping permit. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. Please contact the nearest National Forest office to discuss your permit needs. Office contact informa- tion may be found on the lower-left sidebar of the following websites which also include information about mushroom permits: Malheur National Forest; Umatilla National Forest; and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. To help care for the land while picking mush- rooms recommendations include: • Use a knife to cut your mushrooms at their base. This reduces distur- bance to the soil and can help mushrooms to con- tinue growing in that loca- tion. • Carry your mush- rooms in a net bag, which better preserves them and allows spores to spread for future production. • Give wildlife plenty of space and leave new- borns alone. • Practice “leave no trace” ethics, and please take all your trash home with you. • Remember that com- mercial mushroom picking is prohibited in wilderness areas, research areas, or any areas that are currently closed. Please report any violations promptly to the Forest Service. Be aware that many forest roads are still not accessible due to mud and snow. Traveling on wet mountain roads and terrain can be dangerous. It can also cause resource dam- age, which can be illegal. Contact the nearest district office for up-to-date infor- mation on road conditions and current closures. To improve your per- sonal safety in the woods, please plan ahead, pack the “Ten Essentials,” and travel with others. Also be sure to tell a friend or family mem- ber where you are going; stick to your plan and let them know when you will confirm your safe return. Keep in mind that many wild mushroom varieties are poisonous. When in doubt, leave it out. It is the responsibility of the picker to properly identify a mush- room and determine wheth- er it is edible. There are many guidebooks available to assist with identification. The local library, county agricultural extension of- fice, and local mycological society are good sources of information. Mushroom pickers of- ten contact National For- est offices to learn where wildfires and prescribed burning have occurred in recent years. For every- one’s convenience, those locations are now identi- fied in an interactive pre- scribed fire map for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman Nation- al Forests. To locate recent wildfire activity, refer to the National Interagency Fire Center’s interactive wild- fire map. Recently burned areas present unique risks to visitors, including falling snags, hidden tree wells, and damaged or closed roads and trails. “Please be aware and prepared. Enjoy your National Forests and take care out there.”
