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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2022)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 11, 2022 -- THREE ~ 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. Sykes is knowledgeable Success in rural government for the benefit To the editor; For the past 40 years, of all citizens. He has the education Nitrates in the upstream aquifer To the editor; The nitrate issue in the Columbia Basin has always haunted me. When I was elect- ed five years ago, I crafted a list of goals and it certainly made the list. Shamefully, that is where the ambition ended relative to the work. But in this occupation, the best time to have done something was years ago, the next best time is now. So, when the notice came out earlier this spring ringing the call of alarm, I heard it to my core. The notice was relative to the over-application of ni- trates in the upstream aquafer. Almost immediately the dis- cussion ensued, as it had for the past 30 years – was this regulatory overreach? Who were the primary suspects? Would we come together to craft a message of solidari- ty? Here I stumbled, it was suggested in the meeting of the “esteemed” that all the community was on board and prepared to speak as one. In my view, the greater commu- nity were the only ones not present then, nor at any time in the past, and I surmised, potentially bearing the biggest burden – that of real and pres- ent health concerns. I opted to let the folks on the front-end of the equation contemplate digesters and expanded appli- cation acres and chose instead to test the end results at the kitchen faucets. As the Local Public Health Authority, the Board of Commissioners is first and foremost tasked with elimi- nating all barriers to a long, happy and healthful life. I reached out to my colleagues at the county and asked them for the blessing to spend some resources ensuring that we were adhering to our mission. Thankfully, they gave way to my persistence and allowed up to one hundred expedited, if cursory, tests. Commis- sioner Melissa Lindsay, in fact, partnered with Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran on a bi-county effort to secure a more long-range effort. I wasted little time in reaching out to Ana Pineyro our Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator who has helped me in the past and shines most brightly as a community outreach liaison. Morrow County is approach- ing 50 percent Hispanic rep- resentation and as such, it is vital to have someone like Ana who can bridge that cross-cul- tural divide. With sample kits in hand we hit the streets, knocking and walking. I was hopeful as the first small set of samples were sent off to Kuo testing labs in Umatilla. They indicated that they would email us the results in the ensuing days so I was a bit surprised when the lab reached out directly to my mobile phone. The lab technician indicating that if, and when, the results pose an extreme and immediate health concern, that they are duty bound to reach out and forewarn the unsuspecting consumer, that they might suspend any usage of the water for fear of medical concerns. I sadly have received that dreaded call for every sample submitted. The majority of the homes we were welcomed in had nitrate filters, albeit not generally the more expensive ones that work, but instead the more disposable, more affordable variety. Environmental justice is a concept that speaks to the notion that if a subset of folks, perhaps those less fortunate or more recent immigrants, are unduly affected by the processes around them that affect the air they breathe, or water they drink, that they must have a voice. These are the exact families that we rely on so heavily for our labor force but heretofore have been discarded from the environ- mental discussions. This is the missing community; this is a barrier that we must eliminate. Having kissed the blarney stone and a people-person by nature, I love standing on someone’s porch and asking everything about them. That is until Ana armed me with a questionnaire that asked folks if they had experienced any of a short list of nitrate-related health concerns. It is almost impossible to correlate the responses to the question with the extremely high nitrate results. That said, I still think it abundantly fair to suggest that in those numbers, the re- sponses we got could certainly be attributed to the increasing prevalence of high nitrates. For a small sample, 70 tests to date, I was quite taken aback by the prevalence of persistent headaches, dev- astating cancers and failed pregnancies. This weighs in- credibly heavy on my heart as I search my soul and wonder if I had only started earlier, could I have made a difference in these things. In policy making we are endlessly faced with squaring off on any given issue and are driven to question to what de- gree does this challenge rise. Do I take my stand here or live to fight another day? This cer- tainly is, “a hill I am willing to die on,” if only that my friends and neighbors don’t face that literal peril. Jim Doherty Morrow County Com- missioner David Sykes has become knowledgeable about Morrow County. He has served on many county wide boards and committees and has insight on challenges and found positive solutions. He identifies that each community has individual and shared county goals. He recognizes the role of county Are you angry yet? To the editor; There’s a popular new moral mantra being touted today. Lots of new lingo has been created to make it sound viable and rea- sonable. It’s not. It’s a lie, and many are falling for it. Why? Because nobody wants to be called a hater, bigot, racist, or “homo- phobe.” Sticks and stones will break my bones, but apparently, if you call me the right name, I will melt into a quivering mass that sputters apologies and ex- cuses. It seems we’re no match for terms like “in- clusion, diversity, gender reassignment, and gender- affirming surgery.” This is all for the “safety” of the children, we’re told. Who doesn’t want children to be safe? Go ahead, give double mastectomies to 10-year-olds and mutilate their genitals. I’m sure the drugs used to chemically castrate sexual offenders won’t really do any harm to children. We’ve been assured hormone “therapy” is totally safe for kids. But don’t worry, if it’s your child that’s “gender-con- fused,” you may not know about their “treatment” until the damage is done .... because obviously, parents are clueless, and teachers know best. BTW, if your child needs a Tylenol at school, better send a note. So as little children have become the latest Woke victims, parents are to be happy with being the cool parents. If you can claim more than one child as trans ... hey ... you’re even cooler. Plus, you have the added bonus of your child becoming a banner for the LGBTIQQ folks. Kids do love rainbows, don’t they? Meanwhile, ask a six- year-old if he would like to be a puppy and most likely he’ll get down on all ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. 348 N. Main St. Heppner Potential Abounds! Hard to find commercial oppor- tunity in the Heart of Heppner! Bring this diner back to life and enjoy the residential conversion at the same time! Large garden lot included. MLS#22283279 Destiny George 541-980-1148 Destined Realty Group Keller Williams Realty Portland Central 503-548-4848 qualifications needed to be an effective county commission- er. Morrow County needs the experience and know-how that David Sykes possesses. Please join me in electing David Sykes, Morrow County Commissioner. Marcia Kemp Lexington 53802 Hwy 74 Heppner Looking for space? Look no further! Seated on 11.4 acres overlooking the 5th hole of Willow Creek Country Club, this 3900+ square foot home is ready for your creative touches! Featuring spacious living area, 4 bedrooms, office space, tons of storage and oh so much more! Attached carport PLUS large shop. Bring your creativity and make this house your HOME! Property has potential of being divided. MLS# 22069012 fours and start barking. You don’t respond with “Oh Jimmy, that’s wonderful. We will get you your own little doghouse and a collar with your name on it, and we’ll give you something that will make you grow a tail. Now ... would you like some Kibbles and Bits?” NO. You say, “That sounds fun, doesn’t it? But you’re a little boy and that’s a wonderful thing to be. Now please go pick up your toys.” The sexualization of children is a sinister, evil plot meant to make them easy targets for predators. Please, keep a close eye on your kids and guard them against the demons that prey on them. Speak out, because if what is being aimed at lit- tle children today doesn’t make your blood boil, I’m getting the AED .... because you have no pulse. “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6. Susie Crosby To the editor: Pioneer Utility Resourc- es, publisher of Ruralite, is taking its readers on a year- long journey to highlight success stories in rural edu- cation. Chick Tech, through a program called Advancing the Careers of Technical Women, “helps professional women, nonbinary adults and allies ad- vance their careers, move into leadership positions, celebrate diversity, build technical skills and create community…ac- knowledging the need for di- versity, equity, and inclusion.” (Ruralite, May 22, p. 15) Chick Tech has a fail- ing rating of 68 percent for finance and accountability from Charity Navigator. Per- haps Ruralite did not consider financial accountability in commending Chick Tech as a success story in rural educa- tion. Just what is Ruralite ex- alting as “education heroes?” (Ruralite, Dec. 21 p. 3) A nonbinary adult is nei- ther male nor female. Allies of nonbinary adults are lesbians, bisexual, queer, transgender, questioning, two spirit, lib- eral news media, progressive Democrat Party, Globalists, Marxists, atheists, socialists, Disney World, Hollywood, etc., etc., etc. The goal of Chick Tech and their nonbi- nary allies is to indoctrinate young students and their com- munity to attain positions of authority in schools, school boards, industry, media, gov- ernment, judicial, etc., to re- quire “action to those words” (diversity, equity and inclu- sion) (op. Cit. p. 15). Celebrate diversity means to force nonbinary and LBQT values on schools, communities, medical practic- es, churches, media, govern- ment, etc., to the degree that anyone who objects is vilified, slandered, fired, humiliated and forced to apologize. Cel- ebrate diversity means your children can be persuaded to reject their biological sex by peers, teachers and counsel- ors they grow to trust without your consent or knowledge. Celebrate diversity means great anguish for those trapped by actual decisions to change their biological God given male or female body…and greater anguish for their par- ents and loved ones. The Chick Tech definition of creating community means mandated diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) indoctri- nation training at every level of community in America. DEI mandatory education is a metastasized cancer upon Americans. DEI means all white Americans are guilty of racism by birth, Bible believ- ing Christian’s are bigots and the root source of white su- premacy and patriotic Ameri- can citizens are intolerant and suppress minorities. Why would Ruralite be- come an advocate for the ‘woke’ agenda? Contact your local Ruralite office. I have and I have found the local of- ficer in charge to be receptive and responsive and I have confidence that the electric cooperatives will not continue to promote this woke agenda if the public will communicate their concern. This ‘woke’ agenda is an attack against our creator who created male and female with a commitment to honor his creation as written in His Word. That is our charge. Let us honor our heavenly Father, our creator, in word and deed. Stuart Dick, Irrigon E T O V Jeff Wenholz for County Commissioner Position #2 Morrow County Resident for 49 years Member of local boards and commissions for over 20 years Morrow County Solid Waste Advisory Committee - 2001 Umatilla Electric Cooperative Board Member - 2004 Morrow County Budget Committee - 2017 Morrow County Planning Commission - 2002 Umatilla Chemical Depot Advisory Commission - 2001-2002 Good Shepherd Hospital Board - 2019 Irrigon Multi-Cultural Arts Center - 2004 Endorsed by: Don Russell Greg Smith Larry Burns Karen Pettigrew Gary Neal Travis Hyder Rod Taylor John Wenholz Junior Drago Dean Kegler Paul & Phyllis Danielson Barb & Wayne Huwe Jr. Phil Hamm Gibb & Stephanie Evans Lee & Pam Docken Dan Shoemake Mike & Carol Allison Don & Donna Eppenbach Dave & Charlene Cooley Chris Brown Burrel & Karen Cooley Gary & Shirley David Jerry Healy Kevin Gilbertson Dan Daltoso Juan Reyna Angie Burke Wes & Linda Wise Marv Padberg Greg Sweek ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
