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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2022)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 2, 2022 -- THREE ~ Letters to the Editor ~ Spiritually Speaking Father Thankachan Joseph The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the St. Patrick Catholic Church Heppner 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 Our scripture readings are leading us to the theme 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. of eschatology, having to do with the end times. I am Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. reminded that just two weeks ago sixth-grade catechism We Are to Live as People of the Resurrection I will say thank you In regard to Jim Doherty’s recall and re- marks made in a letter to the editor sarcastically asking us to “Thank Jim Doherty for being a self proclaimed Environmental Warrior,” that is a title he proudly accepts. The issue of nitrates in our groundwater and local aquifer is an age old and complicated issue, and the Port of Morrow is cer- tainly not the only one to blame. Agriculture plays a huge role. Commissioner Doherty has never denied that. I’d like to ask citizens if they think ignoring the problem is the answer? The Port of Morrow has done just that, violating DEQ permits 2,155 times, costing the Port (i.e., tax- payers) $2.1 million in fines. If citizens don’t care about the $$$s, what about the horrendous findings in regard to the health risks of high nitrates in drinking water, especially for infants and pregnant and nursing women? Do we not care and ignore that also? Because of Jim Doherty’s efforts, the Low- er Umatilla Basin Ground- water Management Area (LUBGWMA) committee was reformed. Local busi- nesses and farmers came together and started work- ing with DEQ to attempt to find solutions to this complicated but serious issue. I, too, am a farmer and do not want this issue to effect costs and cause complications for farmers, businesses and the general public. However, the prob- lem is not going to go away on its own. So I will thank Jim Doherty for his efforts in addressing the problem. I think a good commissioner should be doing just that. Caring about the health of all citizens of Morrow County and not continuing to ignore this problem will benefit all of us instead of costing us dearly in more ways than one. (s)Cheryle (Shelly) Ri- etmann Ione, OR Do Democrat leaders represent If you’re a Democrat, do your leaders really rep- resent you? Are you really okay with the high prices that cutting off our own energy supplies have at least con- tributed to? With depleting our reserves to temporarily lower gas prices, but put- ting our national security at risk? Are you really okay with the rising crime rates that come with more com- passion for the criminals than for the victims? Are you really okay with rising homelessness that doesn’t demand change and offer help for that? (I don’t know where people who refuse help should go, but it shouldn’t ruin the lives and neighborhoods of the rest of us. I advocate an approach of: We’ll help you get out of this mess if you’re willing and motivated [of- ten requiring addiction and mental health services], but if you’re not, you can do this, but not here.) Are you really okay with schools teaching CRT, that whites are all suprem- acists and people of color are all victims? Or that trans-women should com- pete with women born as girls in sports, or enter their restrooms, or use their lock- er rooms? Or that kinder- gartners should be learning about multiple genders? Even if you don’t want to become a Republican, maybe it’s time to send a message to your leaders that they are the ones who have become extremist. Maybe you don’t have to flip the state red to clean up the mess, but can you count on it? (s)Sandra Johnson Heppner, OR Drazan is for real To the Editor: I had the opportunity to meet Christine Drazan at the ice cream social spon- sored by the Morrow Coun- ty Republican reps. I have always had faith in my judgement when I can look into a person’s eyes and watch body language. This lady is for real. She is strong, energetic and loves Oregon. She is also well spoken, determined and has a plan to make Or- egon what it can be again. Please vote on Nov. 8. This could be our last chance to bring Oregon back to us. Remember, this state was founded by pioneers. In 163 years we still have that in our hearts. God Bless America. (s)Evelyn Carroll Heppner, OR Search continues for missing woman As of Tuesday, the search continues for missing woman Tina Williamson. Morrow County Sheriff’s Office reports that it has followed all leads it has received but with no results. Williamson, 51, was last seen on foot in Heppner on Saturday, Oct. 22. She is de- scribed as 5 feet, 4 inches tall and 90 pounds with thin/frail build and long brunette hair. She was last seen wearing a long gray cardigan, tie-dye t-shirt, jeans and gray Vans or Keds shoes. If you have any infor- mation, please contact our 24-hour dispatch at 541-676- 5317 or email investigations@ co.morrow.or.us. students asked about life after death. The main theme of this week’s readings is the reality of life after death and the relationship between our lives on earth and the life of glory or punishment that will follow. We are invited to consider the true meaning of the resurrection in our lives and to reflect on our lives. How do I live my Christian life? Do I expect to meet Christ face to face one day? The Second Book of Maccabees, 7:1-2, 9-14, de- scribes the first century B.C. Jewish theology of martyr- dom and resurrection of the just. The intense sufferings to which good Jews were subjected brought them to the conviction that God’s justice would reward the faithful in the afterlife and punish the wicked. This passage de- scribes a Jewish family of a mother and her seven sons who refused a Syrian command to eat pork (forbidden as “unclean” by Jewish law). Because of their faith and obedience to God, they endured suffering and accepted martyrdom. The conviction that the dead would be raised on the last day had not become widely accepted at that time, nor even by the time of Jesus, but three of the broth- ers speak, and each of them finds strength in believing that he will eventually be raised by God. One says, “You may discharge us from this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up.” Another says that he hopes to receive his severed limbs again in heaven. The fourth says that he is “relying on God’s promise that we shall be raised up by him.” The Gospel of Luke, 20:27-38, affirms the victory of God’s love over death. Jesus speaks of God as God of the living who promises that those who will rise to life in Heaven are His children. We see how Jesus cunningly escapes from a doctrinal trap set for him and explains the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which was supported by the Pharisees but denied by the Sadducees. Jesus also explains that heavenly life with God in glory is totally different from earthly life and that there is no marriage in heaven in the earthly sense. The theological difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: The Pharisees were a religious group that accepted both the Torah and the Prophets as authoritative scripture and relied heavily on oral tradition to understand scripture. They observed all regulations and rules of oral and ceremonial law, such as Sabbath laws and laws about ritual hand-washing. The Pharisees believed in the Messiah and in the resurrection of the dead, angels, spirits and fate—man’s life planned and ordered by God. The Sadducees constituted a party of wealth, power and priv- ilege, which controlled Temple worship. They were few in number, but most of the priests were Sadducees. They believed in unrestricted free-will, control of our destinies through personal actions, not in fate or providence. They rejected the idea of the resurrection because it was not found in the Torah. They did not believe in the Messiah. Jesus tries to teach us through this story: 1) We need to live as people of the resurrection, not lie buried in the tomb of our sins and evil habits. We are to live joyful, peaceful lives, constantly experiencing the real presence of the resurrected Lord. A beautiful prayer we recite during the funeral Mass: “Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.” 2) We need to come together as a community of believers each week and pray for the needs of the com- munity, share the Word and break the Bread because we have faith and hope in a living God who loves us. If God is God of the living, does not worship of this God also have to be alive? Our worship services and relation to God must be life-giving. That God is God of the living has to mean something positive. It should affect our lives every day. Our participation in prayers and songs during worship should be active and our behavior in church reverent, though not gloomy. Let us give thanks to Almighty God for this foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet that awaits us in the place God has prepared for us. Over 300 subscriptions to the Gazette-Times go to individuals who do not live in this area. Impressive. Also impressive is that some of those individuals have been in touch to explain how much they look forward to reading names they are familiar with. One person who called said, “I don’t know a lot of the first names now, but I still recognize last names, and I enjoy reading what is happening in those families.” The reverse is oftentimes true, as well, which is why out-of-town readers are en- couraged to submit their good news, for local individuals who remember them or their families and enjoy reading their updates. And speaking of the Gazette-Times brings to mind Jeanne Daly, who is an advocate of actually hand writ- ing—yes, with a pen in hand—letters and notes. Jeanne had for years ordered cardstock for her personal corre- spondences but no longer finds it readily available, proba- bly, she assumes, because so few people actually practice the art of hand writing. (Much history used to come from the recovered personal letters and journals of people who witnessed that history in the making.) Jeanne’s good news is that she discussed her dilemma with Chris Sykes, of the Gazette, and learned that he can and will get the card stock she wants, in half and full sheets, can supply envelopes, and has suggested companies from whom she can order a variety of stamps for enhancing her correspondences. John Lennon is credited with the birthday advise that includes “count your age by friends, not years….” Using that as a gauge, on Oct. 1, Archie Ball would surely have been over 300 years old. This is based on the Oct. 14 celebration of his life that must have included at least that many people. Diana shares the family’s warm feelings experienced when they saw friends and relatives arriving from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California. Such a tribute. Grandparents Bob and Sheree Mahoney are doubly proud and doubly excited for two good reasons: Grand- daughters Jaiden Mahoney and Savannah Wirth, who graduated from their respective high schools in 2018, both “received white coats” two weeks ago, meaning that both have been accepted into their chosen medical programs. Jaiden is attending Washington State Uni- versity Veterinary College. To become a large-animal veterinarian has been Jaiden’s goal for many years, the grandparents remember. Savannah is at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine. Savannah’s plan to become a physician was bolstered by her recent three-plus months’ work with a doctor in Africa, with her specialty to yet be determined. Jaiden is the daughter of Mike and Nicole Mahoney. Savannah’s parents are Damon and Trisha Wirth. The Heppner Mustangs’ football team, ranked fourth in the conference, will hit their home gridiron again this Saturday for the first round of state playoffs. The Mus- tangs are scheduled by OSAA to play Monroe, beginning at noon. Good luck, Mustangs! And on Saturday, the Mustang women’s and men’s cross-country runners will be at Lane Community College in Eugene for the state championships. Listed by OSAA as entries for the women are Riley Archer, Sierra Greenup, Saige Jensen, Irelynn Kollman, Ariana Worden, and Lily Nichols. For the men, Mustang entries are Owen Cun- ningham, Jacob Finch, Grady and Carson Greenwood, Trevor Nichols, Kristian Takagi, and Cooper Wight. Good luck, Mustangs! So, apparently, the perky puppy, Lily, has been ac- cepted into the family. The melancholy collie, Katie, has actually engaged in some rounds of play with the newbie, the last three times initiated by Katie. Unfortunately, Lily doesn’t distinguish between play-biting Katie and doing the same to the owner, sometimes snagging clothing or thin skin. The rain didn’t seem to dampen Halloween enthu- siasm about town. What fun to see the costumes on the little people and on several of the fun-loving business employees. You can contribute your reason to smile by sending a tidbit to dbrosnan123@gmail.com or calling 541-223- 1490. Here’s hoping that some good news comes to ev- eryone reading this! Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. County Republicans to hold organizational meeting The Morrow Coun- ty Republicans will hold their biennial organization- al meeting at 6 p.m. next Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Bartholomew Building in Heppner. Precinct Com- mittee Persons (PCPs) and anyone interested in the county Republican Party are encouraged to come and join the discussions. This will be the official Morrow County Republi- can Party biennial organi- zational meeting. All officer positions will be open for nominations. Officers will Good News Only by Doris Brosnan be elected by the PCPs who are present at the meeting. The party will also cele- brate officers, activities and progress during the 2020- 2022 biennium. The Republican Party is open to individuals who are interested in conserva- tive ideals and values. The Republican Party platform can be found at https:// oregon.gop/. For more in- formation on the Morrow County Republican Party, contact mocoreps@gmail. com. Morrow County Health District is recruiting for the positions listed below. More information, complete job description, and employment application are available at www.morrowcoun- tyhealthdistrict.org. Applications are also available at Pioneer Memorial Hospital, 541-676- 9133. Pre-employment background check and drug screen required. EEOE. •FT Home Health & Hospice Clerk, $19.12 - $21.14 Heppner, OR •FT Maintenance Director, $62,774 - $69,056 Heppner, OR •Temporary Clinic Receptionist (3 months) $23.01 - $26.04 Heppner, OR •Float Medical Assistant $19.15 - $27.37 Heppner, Irrigon, Boardman, Ione •Home Health & Hospice RN, $40.44 - $60.14 Morrow County •Pioneer Memorial Hospital RN, $40.44 - $60.14 Heppner, OR •Maintenance Technician I or II, $22.75 - $26.65 Heppner, OR •Clinic Referral Coordinator, $19.12 - $21.14 Heppner, OR •Director of Quality & Risk Management, $105,893 - $119,829 Heppner, OR •Dietary, Central Supply & Envir. Services Director, $65K or DOQ Heppner, OR •CNA, LPN or Certified Medication Aide, $ DOQ Heppner, OR
