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Veterans
celebration a
job well done
I would like to thank
the people of Heppner and
the staff and administrators
at Heppner High for the
Veterans Day event they
organized on Nov. 10. I
was extremely impressed
with the planning, the exe-
cution, the talks by the Vets,
the reception, etc. Jeanne
Collins and others—great
job! I think this is a great
tradition for the Veteran
community, HHS, and for
the community in general.
While I was at the
school I saw some pretty
amazing things, from the
student body and from the
faculty. I saw a respectful
student body that listened
and reacted with the veter-
ans, as well as sat quietly
while they were telling their
stories. This level of respect
seems rare in today’s world
from our youth, and Hep-
pner should be very proud
of that.
Bravo Zulu! A job well
done.
Scott McEwen
San Diego, CA
Lindsay
earned respect
and trust
“One’s philosophy is
not best expressed in words.
It is expressed in the choices
one makes. And the choices
we make are ultimately our
responsibility.” ~ Eleanor
Roosevelt
Please join us in voting
no on the recall ballot. Me-
lissa Lindsay has dedicated
the past six years to the
citizens of Morrow County.
Her dedication, service, in-
tegrity and perseverance are
unparalleled. Her tireless
effort for the county she
calls home and is devoted to
is rare, and we are grateful
for that service. Commis-
sioner Lindsay has done her
job, is ready to gracefully
pass her seat to the newly
elected commissioner in
January and will undoubt-
edly continue to serve her
communities in various
ways. She has earned our
respect and our trust...and
our vote. We ask that you
show your support for her
and her work by voting no
on the recall.
The Grieb Family
Lexington, OR
Keep Doherty,
Lindsay as
commissioners
Ballots are arriving in
Morrow County for the
recall of Jim Doherty and
Melissa Lindsay. I strong-
ly urge voters in Morrow
County to vote to keep these
individuals. Lindsay served
the county in good faith, so
terminating her on her way
out is an unearned insult.
Doherty has done his best
to help find a true course for
the community. The county
has few people in it relative
to the amount of industry,
and we need leaders who
are unafraid to take a stand
for the folks who are too
busy making things happen
to speak up for themselves.
Jim Doherty is doing his
job. He may step on some
toes, but that’s a lot better
than having a representative
who sits on the sidelines
and rubber stamps what-
ever is presented in pretty
wrapping.
I’ve lived all over the
Northwest, and Morrow
County is the only place
where I couldn’t walk over
to a hose connected to a
well and drink out of it.
There are a lot of people
who are upset with Jim for
trying to start to solve this
problem, but he is right to
have raised the red flag.
Using taxpayer money to
pay DEQ fines for years
and continuing to pollute
taxpayers’ wells is wrong.
Thank you, Jim. I hope
folks will vote to keep you
doing your job.
J Fletcher Hobbs
Boardman, OR
Hypocrisy and
lies continue
The hypocrisy and lies
just continue with Doherty
and Lindsay.
I just read the flyer
from Jim Doherty that says,
if re-elected, he will con-
tinue his work with the
“Loop Program.” I just
read the minutes for special
transportation for the last
two years and could not
find where he has been to a
meeting. No wonder the de-
partment head just resigned.
I also read in Melis-
sa’s justification statement
where she is taking credit
for bringing in millions of
dollars to fund fairgrounds
and 4-H. Our State Rep-
resentative Greg Smith is
responsible for this. All
36 counties received fair-
ground funding. Melissa is
also taking credit for fund-
ing infrastructures for cities
and grants for housing.
These programs are funded
by the CREZ and were in
place before she was ever
elected.
What Jim and Melis-
sa are responsible for is
threatened lawsuits against
the county clerk’s office
for doing the legal require-
ments of her job. They are
also responsible for retali-
ating against anyone who
opposes them.
From the County
Clerk’s webpage:
“Voting is Confidential,
if asked for a list of who
voted their ballot, they will
know that you returned
your ballot, but will never
know how or who you
voted for.”
If you feel like you are
being harassed or threat-
ened in any way, you may
call the Secretary of State
office to file a complaint
at 971-369-4846 or email
stepahanie.l.darcy@sos.
oregon.gov.
Don’t be intimidated.
Send them both packing.
John Wenholz
Irrigon, OR
Lindsay has
earned respect
and gratitude
Dear Editor,
As someone serving
in planning capacities in
Eastern Oregon, I appreci-
ate one of the lesser-known
state appointment commit-
tees Commissioner Lindsay
serves on, the Local Offi-
cials Advisory Committee
(LOAC), an advisory group
to the Land Conservation
and Development Commis-
sion (LCDC) of the Dept. of
Land Use in Oregon.
As the only elected of-
ficial from eastern Oregon,
Commissioner Lindsay has
advocated for issues im-
portant to Morrow County.
Commissioner Lindsay’s
experience on the Morrow
County Planning Com-
mission gave her valu-
able technical perspective,
which she adeptly shared
on LOAC. One example
was her ability to educate
LCDC about unique bar-
riers to new housing de-
velopment faced by small
towns in remote areas. She
is well respected by her
peers on LOAC, as well
as the LCDC. She has my
respect and gratitude for the
positive contribution she
made on LOAC as well as
her many other accomplish-
ments as a county commis-
sioner. Please join me in
voting no on the recall.
Wayne Seitz
Heppner, OR
Lindsay is
asset to the
county
To the Editor,
We are writing this let-
ter in support of Commis-
sioner Melissa Lindsay and
a “no” vote on the recall
election.
Melissa Lindsay is an
integral member of the
Heppner community and
Morrow County as a whole.
Morrow County residents
have benefited from her
work and advocacy over
the years, whether they
realized it or not. We would
like to highlight just a small
portion of what she does
for our communities. She
spends hundreds of hours
of her free time organizing
funeral dinners to comfort
grieving families out of
the kindness of her heart.
In work with the Heppner
Community Foundation,
she was instrumental in
helping to obtain the Gil-
liam and Bisbee building to
give Heppner an incredible
place to host events and
bring the community to-
gether. As another example
that is not widely known,
she recently obtained
$50,000 in grants for the
Heppner Daycare, blow-
ing previous grant raising
marks out of the water to
help this vital community
resource. Commissioner
Lindsay is an incredible
asset, and we are lucky to
have her. We are saddened
to see residents of this coun-
ty, witnesses to and bene-
ficiaries of her work over
the years, alienate another
community member and
waste thousands of much
needed tax dollars on this
recall.
Sincerely,
Keenan and Emily Jack
Stephen Thompson and
Charlie Dimke
Heppner, OR
Lindsay strong
advocate for
Morrow
County
I would like to thank
Commissioner Lindsay
for her eight years of ser-
vice as Morrow County
Commissioner. I grew up
in Morrow County and
much of my family still
resides there. I spend much
of my time in the county,
as a business owner, pro-
viding insurance services
to hundreds of clients. My
agency’s primary focus
is serving the agricultural
market, and in this I have
seen Commissioner Lind-
say’s strong advocation for
farmers, ranchers and the
businesses who support this
important economic and
cultural facet of our region.
I was also very appreciative
of her response in fight-
ing to re-open business-
es during the COVID-19
pandemic. Commissioner
Lindsay worked hard to
unite all Eastern Oregon
counties and commission-
ers in a common voice,
which helped neighboring
counties open as well. I feel
she did a great job for Mor-
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 16 , 2022 -- THREE
row County. Commissioner publisher of the East Or- of Melissa Lindsay.
Lindsay, thank you for your egonian, I have had the
Thank you,
service.
Steve & Lisanne Currin
opportunity to meet many
Luke Swanson
Heppner, OR
wonderful Morrow County
Hermiston, OR
residents. Perhaps this is
Speaking of
Morrow
County Ethics
No one wins in
a recall
why I find myself disap-
pointed and shocked that
something like this could
While never personally be happening.
The East Oregonian’s
George Murdock
being the target of a recall
article
on Nov. 9 about
Pendleton, OR
election, I have had re-
Morrow
County’s recall
calls touch my life through
election
raised
some se-
friends and family. My
rious
alarm
bells
for me.
cousin was the target of a
Why
is
our
county
clerk
recall when he served on
fielding
phone
calls
from
the Athena City Council.
citizens
concerned
about
What I have observed
Our tax dollars have
is that no one wins in a already been blown paying whether or not their vote is
confidential? Are Morrow
recall, especially in small- for the recall ballot.
er rural communities. The
I would like to see County voters being intim-
hard feelings, animosity, something positive come idated about voting in this
broken relationships be- out of this disgrace. Any- election? If so, that is both
tween families, can cause one who has ever had the a federal and state crime.
According to the Ore-
wounds that may never toughness to put themselves
gon
Justice Resource Cen-
heal. It doesn’t get to the in front of the public will
ter
(ojrc.info),
unlawful
level of the Hatfields and tell you it can be thankless,
voter
intimidation
can be
the McCoys, but sometimes but this time it doesn’t have
committed
by
anyone,
at
it feels like it.
to be. Melissa has shown
any
time
or
place.
It
in-
Which brings me to strong leadership in the
the reason for this letter to face of opposition many cludes the following guide
the editor, concerning the times. She never gave up to determining whether you
have been a victim.
recall efforts in Morrow on us—never.
“How Do You Know If
County of commissioners
Please join me in vot-
you’re
experiencing voter
Jim Doherty and Melissa ing no on the recall for
intimidation?
Lindsay. Both are members Melissa Lindsay and Jim
There are many differ-
of multi-generational Mor- Doherty. Melissa is at the
ent
forms of illegal voter
row County farm families. end of her term in January,
intimidation.
As a rule of
With less than two months lets send her off with a big
thumb,
if
you
are
unsure of
left in her term of office, Thank You for her unselfish
whether
someone
is illegal-
a recall of Commissioner service to the citizens of
ly
targeting
you,
use your
Lindsay seems to me to be Morrow County.
best
judgement
and ask
mean-spirited and unnec-
Vote no on recall.
yourself
these
questions:
essary.
Jerry Gentry
• Is this person making
Unless there is criminal
Heppner, OR
you
feel afraid to vote, to
behavior, or total neglect
register
yourself or others
of duty, which I believe
to
vote,
or to support or
the recall provisions were
advocate
for a candidate?
created to address, the bal-
What
a
shame
two
of
(This
includes
signing re-
lot box is the way to elect
our
hard-working
commis-
call
petitions
and
voting in
or unelect those in public
sioners
are
facing
recall.
recall
elections)
office. In the case of Com-
• Is this person harass-
missioner Lindsay, the vot- Melissa Lindsay and Jim
Doherty
have
worked
tire-
ing
you about voting or
ers have already made that
lessly
during
their
years
of
your
voting activities?
decision. Morrow County
service
to
Morrow
County.
•
Is this person threat-
voters would have the same
It
is
never
easy
to
please
all
ening
you in some way?
opportunity for Commis-
constituents,
but
it
is
indeed
•
Would
others also feel
sioner Doherty in the next
a
sad
thing
when
petty
and
scared
or
coerced
by this
election.
personal
grievances
rise
to
behavior?
Both Commissioners
If the answer to any
are hard-working individ- the level of a recall which
will
cost
thousands
of
dol-
of
these
questions is YES,
uals, with deep roots in
lars
to
the
taxpayers.
it’s
likely
that the person
Morrow County. Have rea-
Our
community
will
engaged
in
unlawful voter
sonable people disagreed
miss
the
long
hours
of
ser-
intimidation.”
on actions or decisions
If you believe your
made? Undoubtedly. Do vice and commitment to
the
betterment
of
Morrow
rights
have been violated,
they rise to the level of a
County
these
two
have
you
should
document it,
recall? I think not.
contributed
during
their
then
contact
the Oregon
Bill Hansell
tenures.
Secretary
of
State
Elections
State Senator District
Join
us
in
voting
no
on
Division
at
501-986-1518.
#29
the recall of commissioners This is not okay.
Hermiston, OR
Lindsay and Doherty.
Lisa Rietmann
Terry & Karen Thomp-
Ione, OR
son
Heppner, OR
People doin’
good things for
good reasons
Recall is a
shame
Nothing good
can come from
recall
Recall not the
Melissa Lindsay is one
of the most well-qualified, answer for
successful and well-regard-
ed county commissioners in Morrow
the State of Oregon. I am County
dumbfounded there could
possibly be a malicious
effort underfoot to slap her
in the face when she is less
than two months away from
leaving her position.
This is a Morrow Coun-
ty native who had a distin-
guished career in banking,
is engaged with her hus-
band in a major farming op-
eration, and who has been
involved in a wide variety
of community events.
I’m not sure how many
generations of Turners and
Lindsays have been part of
Morrow County, but I do
know they are a family who
deserve far more respect
than is currently being ac-
corded them.
I just read an article
about the desperate need
for public officials who are
truthful, capable and have
the courage to make the
difficult decisions on behalf
of the common good. It
has been Morrow County’s
good fortune to have had
Melissa and at this point
she should be accorded the
opportunity to step down
with dignity.
Nothing good can come
from this recall effort.
During my career with
the ESD, as acting super-
intendent of the Morrow
County and Ione School
districts, and as editor and
Support For
Lindsay
Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter
to show my support and
appreciation for Melissa
Lindsay. I’ve known Me-
lissa for many years and
am writing to highlight the
positivity she brings and the
work she does for others in
the Heppner community.
In addition to an in-
credibly busy schedule, she
has taken on the important
and sometimes daunting
task of planning and orga-
nizing meals for memorial
services for the families of
members of the Heppner
Elks Lodge. Two years
ago, when my dad passed
away, Melissa sat down
with our family to discuss
options and then took over
the planning of the meal for
the service. In doing so, she
relieved a heavy burden for
our family during our time
of personal loss.
The community of
Heppner has benefited from
the generosity and count-
less hours Melissa has put
into her community. She is
valued and appreciated by
so many. The Ward family,
along with many others,
are eternally grateful for
her efforts.
Yours sincerely,
Sandra Ward Rice
Hermiston, OR
Please join us in voting
no on the recall of Melis-
sa Lindsay. Melissa has
worked tirelessly for Mor-
row County for many years.
We truly believe she has put
her heart and soul into the
job of county commission-
er, and as such has achieved
numerous “wins” for all of
Morrow County. She has
been wholly committed to
the job and thankfully she
has been willing and able to
ask hard questions, gather
pertinent information and
make hard and difficult
decisions. Isn’t that exactly
what we should want in our
County Commissioners?
While we’ve been
blessed to have some great
elected officials serve our
County, at times it has
been difficult to get qual-
ified candidates to run for
all elected offices. If they
have to live under the threat
of a recall when some-
one doesn’t like decisions
they’ve made, it will get
more difficult, not less, to
find qualified candidates to
run for office.
Melissa is passionate
about Morrow County and
-Continued to PAGE SIX
its citizens. Please don’t
punish a qualified, intelli-
gent, honest, loyal, hard-
working elected official for
doing her job! Please join
us and vote no on the recall Call Chris 541-215-2274