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
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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!
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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