Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 26 , 2022 -- THREE
~ Letters to the Editor ~
Spiritually Speaking
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Property tax, or
‘wealth tax’?
of Independent Business)
showed that she voted 50
percent of the time against
the needs of independent
business.
She served on the Board
of Directors of Planned
Parenthood Columbia Wil-
lamette from 1987 to 1993.
OPB interviewed her on
July 14, 2022 on her current
stand on abortion.
Question: Why did you
serve on PP board. “It is a
fundamental right, I don’t
need to be asked why, I
left the Republican party
over it.”
Do you support any
restrictions on abortion-in-
cluding late term abortions?
“No.”
Would you support a
constitutional amendment
enshrining the right to ac-
cess abortion in Oregon’s
constitution? “Yes.”
She claims to be against
violence, yet late term abor-
tions are precisely that.
(Anyone wanting to see
pictures of our one-pound
baby boy, Brian, born in
1985 at 26 weeks and alive
for five months—they are
saving those babies at that
size now—please send me
an email and I will send).
I cannot support any-
one who doesn’t support
our basic right to Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness as stated in the
Declaration of Indepen-
dence as unalienable rights
given to us by our creator.
The tide is changing.
Biden is campaigning
for Kate Brown’s replace-
ment, Tina Kotek.
Nike co-founder Phil
Knight just switched his
support from Betsy Johnson
to Christine Drazan (10-10-
22), donating $1 million to
her campaign. (ABC news
and Oregon Live).
Be part of the change.
Create a new direction for
Oregon.
Vote Christine Drazan
for Governor.
Sincerely,
(s) Ann Lindsay Mur-
ray
Heppner, OR
I am writing to you
today to express some con-
cerns I have about the le-
gitimacy of my property
tax assessment in Heppner,
where I currently reside.
Recently I had the unpleas-
ant experience of opening
my property tax assessment
statement issued by the
assessor’s department in
Morrow County for 2022.
Fortunately for me I was sit-
ting down and did not have
any sharp objects nearby.
A 23.5 percent increase
in one year in property
taxes due on my Heppner
residence that I thought I
owned—three times the
official consumer price
inflation rate. That is what
prompted a telephone call
to Mike Gorman last week,
wherein he explained that
property prices in Hep-
pner have increased this
year, supposedly justifying
this egregious increase in
property taxes. I expressed
to him that this may be an
interesting point to some,
but I didn’t sell my property
in Heppner, in which case
this becomes an unrealized
capital gains tax, not a prop-
erty tax—for which I did
not receive a corresponding
increase in income in order
to pay this unsupportable
tax increase, if you follow
my drift.
Did the services pro-
vided by the county sudden-
ly increase by said amount
this year? Is the county
facing bankruptcy? I have
not improved the property
recently. I’m confused. If
the answer to these ques-
tions is no, then this be-
comes a permanent form of
“wealth tax” levied against
property owners for the
privilege of living in Mor-
row County. Or is it that
a group of political elites
in Morrow County have
decided to take advantage
of the current boom in real
estate prices to expropriate
money from property own-
ers because they can do so
without consequences? I
remain unconvinced that
this move by the county is
justified.
Dear editor,
Yours truly,
We are writing in sup-
(s) Paul Marbry
port of Jo Rae Perkins for
Heppner, OR
U.S. Senator. Oregon, and
our nation, are in desperate
need of a change in leader-
ship. Voting Jo Rae Perkins
for U.S. Senate is a step in
the direction of positive
change.
Senator Ron Wyden is
the
incumbent
in the race.
To the Editor,
He
currently
lives
in New
Vote Christine Drazan.
York.
He
came
to
Oregon
to
Oregonians have a real
pursue
a
law
degree,
and
has
chance to create a positive
been in Washington, D.C.,
change for Oregon.
Christine Drazan is the since 1981. He has been
clear choice to lead that one of Oregon’s Senators
since 1996. At that time,
change.
Democrat Tina Kotek, he was selected to fill a par-
and former Democrat (until tial-term U.S. Senate seat
last year) Betsy Johnson, by the then-governor John
have very similar voting Kitzhaber. Senator Wyden
records. They both support- has recently supported ev-
ed Kate Brown’s agenda. ery piece of legislation the
Both voted for the CAT Biden Administration has
(corporate activity tax) that requested. Much of this
taxes businesses on their legislation and spending
gross sales instead of net has put the United States
profit. This includes farms into a position of complete
and ranches. Oregon has collapse. The only way to
been anti-business since it stop this unnecessary de-
has been controlled by the cline is to vote out of office
democratic party. Pro-busi- those who are supporting
ness policies create jobs and the policies that are leading
provide access to the goods to failure. Forty-one years
and services we need. Why of agreement with poor
are so many businesses policy is enough. It is time
leaving for states like Idaho for Ron Wyden to be retired
at the ballot box.
and Texas?
The Republican nomi-
Please study Betsy
nee
in the U.S. Senate race
Johnson’s voting record
is
Jo
Rae Perkins. For those
before voting for her in this
who
do not know Jo Rae
tight three-way race. NFIB
Perkins,
she is an Orego-
(Independent Federation
Vote Perkins
for U.S. Senate
Unite to
create a new
direction for
Oregon
nian who lives in Albany,
OR. She was educated in
Oregon, and holds several
degrees in political science
and business form Oregon
universities. Jo Rae believes
in the U.S. Constitution and
all of its amendments, lib-
erty and life, law and order,
fiscal responsibility, wise
management of natural
resources, educational free-
dom and choice, election
integrity and transparency,
support of the U.S. military
and veterans, and secure
national borders.
This November’s ballot
provides Oregon voters a
new choice for our repre-
sentation and leadership in
Washington, D.C. Oregon
and our nation need a Sen-
ator who values responsi-
ble, Constitutionally-based
principles. Jo Rae Perkins
is an Oregonian committed
to representing all Orego-
nians. A vote for Jo Rae
Perkins is a vote for new
possibilities and direction.
Vote Jo Rae Perkins for
U.S. Senate.
(s) Clint and Sarah
Carlson
Ione, OR
Good News Only by Doris Brosnan
Pierce’s dream came true when he got to ride on a real
garbage truck with “Garbage Granny” Melanie Wilson.
-Contributed photo
By Doris Brosnan
At times, finding the “good news” might seem a chal-
lenge, but, fortunately it does surround us, sometimes in
wee events, sometimes in what appear to be “wee events”
but are quite huge for some people:
Recently, when Pierce came to visit his “YaYa”
(grandmother), Molly Rhea, he didn’t know that she had
arranged for a dream of his to come true: He rode in the
garbage truck with “Garbage Granny” (Melanie Wilson).
Pierce’s mom, Macy, explained to Melanie in a thank-you
note that Pierce’s number one current dream for when he
grows up is to drive a garbage truck. (His number two
dream is to play guitar at rodeos at night—having heard
what he thought was live music at the rodeo.) Macy re-
ported that after returning home, when asked about his
trip, the first thing Pierce always answered was that riding
in a real-life garbage truck was the best part of his visit.
Elaine Laird McGann, HHS graduate in 1961, was
delighted to learn that she could join classmates for the
reunion in Heppner, thanks to Allegiant Air. Elaine had
not been aware since moving from Woodburn to Las
Vegas several months ago that the airline flies a direct
flight from Las Vegas to the Tri-Cities. Once informed,
she made plans that also included a visit with her brother,
Tom, and his wife, in Pendleton, whom she hadn’t seen
since before the pandemic restrictions.
The creative Halloween displays in some local yards
have been entertaining. Some are extremely elaborate.
And viewing these decorations has reminded me that
when we moved back to Heppner 28 years ago, I was
astounded on our first Halloween after returning. Unfor-
tunately, at that time in Salem, vandalism of yard dec-
orations was not an uncommon frustration and expense
for homeowners. I was impressed, consequently, when
I realized that in Heppner the decorations seemed to re-
main unscathed, even though left outside overnight. This
respect for others’ property seems to continue, generally.
So, a thank-you to everyone except the few who ignore
this common decency. And thank-you to everyone who
got into the spirit of a fun-filled Halloween.
Rain! Need more be said?
And speaking of rain, admitting that, yes, “It’s silly,”
but it is worth a smile, Shirley George reports: Their
garage was about to flood when that recent downpour
was coming so heavily. She could tell when she stepped
out into a puddle of water. Shirley grabbed what turned
out to be “multi-purpose” Sears plastic bags and, using a
screwdriver, shoved them tightly under the garage door.
It worked, a problem averted. Pat yourself on the back,
Shirley.
When you experience moments that bring smiles,
please share by sending to dbrosnan123@gmail.com or
calling 541-223-1490.
Here’s hoping that some good news comes to every-
one reading this!
Please Consider
Karen
Pettigrew
Boardman City
Council
Paid for by Karen Pettigrew
Father Thankachan Joseph
St. Patrick Catholic Church Heppner
Acceptance of Christ brings
salvation to every house
The book of Wisdom (11:22-12:2) reminds us that
God’s almighty power includes His strength to be mer-
ciful. God mercifully waits for sinners to repent. He
“rebukes the offenders little by little,” “warns them of
their sins,” and reminds them to “abandon their wick-
edness.” God continues to love us even when we do not
love God in return. And the Gospel reading from Luke
explains the benign mercy of God towards sinners and
the repentance, conversion and renewal of life expected
from every one of us.
When the question arises, “Why doesn’t God do away
with evil men?” the answer is that, unlike men, God is
benevolent toward all His creatures. God, in His strength,
can deal mercifully with all men. The Book of Wisdom
makes clear that we could not even exist if we were not
loved by God. Through His gifts of faith and love, God
graciously calls each and every one of us. Through Divine
Mercy, we see the fulfillment of the promise, “For I will
forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more”
(Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12). The Book of Wisdom consoles
us, saying, “You overlook people’s sins so that they may
repent” (11:23).
Luke 19:1-10 presents the story of the tax-collector
Zacchaeus’s conversion, led by God’s grace. Jesus exactly
recognized Zacchaeus, a lost sinner in need of a Savior,
and God’s grace led him from idle curiosity to repentance,
conversion and restitution.
It is good to know the background of tax collectors
of Jesus’s time: Jericho was a wealthy commercial town
in the Jordan valley, famous for date palms and balsam
groves. One of two major highways went through Jeri-
cho. Hence, Jericho was one of the great tax centers of
Palestine, and its tax collectors were rich and notorious.
Zacchaeus, as chief tax-collector, was probably a man
of much wealth and few friends. From the time of Julius
Caesar, collection of Rome’s taxes was auctioned off to
the highest bidder in each county. The winning bidder
would have to pay to Rome in advance all the taxes due
in his locale. Then, he would hire agents to help collect
the taxes. The tax collectors extorted sizable amounts of
interest in addition to the taxes fixed by Rome, to recoup
their initial investment, pay their agents, and make gen-
erous profits as well. They were despised by their own
townspeople. Since Zacchaeus had reached the top of
his profession, he was the most hated man in the district,
considered a traitor, a thief and an outcast.
How would we respond to Jesus’s demand, “I must
stay at your house today”? Would we be ready to welcome
Jesus into our home? Indeed, Jesus has visited the homes
of each and every one of us who receives the indwelling
compassion and mercy of Christ through Reconciliation.
Through the Holy Eucharist, we receive the Divine Pres-
ence of the Lord. Besides, if we love one another, God
lives in us, and His love is perfected in us (1 Jn. 4:13). For
those of us who have not yet received the Lord into our
homes and lives, it is never too late to repent and welcome
Him. Our Lord is a God of love, grace and mercy. He does
not wish to see anyone lost. If we allow Jesus to enter our
lives, our lives will change, as happened for Zaccheaus.
First and foremost, we need to accept the divine
invitation for repentance. To refuse to admit that we are
sinners is a fundamental impediment to mercy and grace
of God in our hearts. A more common impediment is to
refuse to listen to the call to repentance, which God so
frequently sends us. We are all sinners to a greater or
lesser degree. Jesus is inviting each one of us to total
conversion. Let us remember that God loves us in spite
of our sinfulness.
Secondly, we need to love others as Jesus loves us.
Jesus loved Zacchaeus—the greatest of sinners—and by
that love Zacchaeus was transformed. Sometimes we are
tempted to withhold love from people we consider sin-
ners. For example, when our children make disappointing
choices, and we become frustrated by the consequences
of their poor choices, we may withhold our love from
them. Our boss may be unlovable and autocratic, or we
may hate our neighbor because of his incessantly barking
dog. But just as Jesus loved Zacchaeus even though he
was the worst of sinners, so we must love others in spite
of their sins.
OTLD to meet
Oregon Trail Library
District will hold a board
meeting Wednesday, Oct.
26, at 6:30 p.m. at the
OTLD Irrigon Branch, 490
NE Main St, Irrigon. The
meeting will be in person
with a Zoom option for
virtual attendees.