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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2023)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 3, 2023 -- 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. Vote for independent port commissioners The Port of Morrow has a strong history for recruit- ing and developing industry and jobs in the county. This has in many ways been pos- itive for the tax base in the county, leading to growth and diversification of the economy. The development of the industries at the Port has very much helped im- prove Morrow County’s future. But the Port and commissioners have many obligations, aside from re- cruiting and development of business. First obligation is, once industry is located here, it is the Port who is responsible for developing a wastewa- ter plan/system and then abiding by the terms of their DEQ permit to dispose of the wastewater created by Port industry. The Port has had close to 20 years to plan, build and improve infrastructure to assure that the wastes can be safely disposed of. Now because of this lack of planning and action, Marv Padberg dis- closed at the Heppner can- didate forum the Port is now required to spend between $500 and $600 million to build the infrastructure that they chose not to begin 15 years ago. According to the DEQ report, the Port of Morrow intentionally and negligently ignored the terms of their permit. We know had the commission- ers been proactive, the cost of new infrastructure would have been a fraction of what it will be going forward. Due to over 1,000 DEQ wastewater violations in just three years, this leads to the role of the Port in contributing to the nitrate issue in private wells and the groundwater. The Port also talks very little about their role in contributing to the nitrate issues and possible serious health is- sues in regard to people and animals drinking the contaminated water. The Port points their finger and says the responsibility lies instead with other entities in the county, even though they are the only one with the DEQ permit. This lack of foresight not only has serious, negative health consequences for people living here, but the cost of the improvements will be placed onto Port-located industries doing business now and in the future at the Port. A second obligation of the Port is to increase the tax revenue to the county by new business locating here. I am and have been in favor of the location of data centers in the county. The taxes they pay and jobs they create have helped diversify the economy in the Ag-dependent region. A significant troubling is- sue has been the numerous conflicts of interest sur- rounding the recruiting and location of the data centers. While I have been extreme- ly disappointed by what appears to be the insider purchase of Windwave by past and acting Port com- missioners and employees, my biggest concern has been those commissioners’ unwillingness to remove themselves in the past and present from any Port busi- ness dealings with granting tax abatements, easements and land sales involving the data centers. I strongly believe that once these port commissioners purchased Windwave, the proper and ethical thing to do would have been to resign or not run for reelection. The in- come to Windwave that results from the location of the data centers is frankly too much of a temptation for the commissioners to be a part of the discussion to entice location of data centers to Morrow Coun- ty. Over 60 percent of the recent decisions of the Port for new companies involve data centers, and yet the Windwave owners who are also Port commissioners continue to be a part of those negotiations. A third obligation of a Port commissioner is to be an independent thinker and voice. Another issue that highly concerns me is the current culture at the Port commission that all deci- sions need to be unanimous. Marv Padburg said during the Boardman candidate forum that he was extreme- ly disappointed by a recent vote by John Murray about the change of the CREZ 3 because John voted against the remainder of the Port commissioners. Marv said it was the first vote in his 28 years as a commissioner that was not unanimous. If differing opinions are not welcome on the Port, what is the point of electing com- missioners? When I vote for someone, it is because I want them to be inde- pendent thinkers. I want them to use their foresight, individual perspectives, and have the ability to listen to other points of view. I want them to recuse themselves from voting when they have a conflict of interest. Port commissioners are supposed to represent Morrow County citizens’ interests. This is why I strongly support both John Murray and Kelly Doherty for Port commissioners. I know John and Kelly will be independent voices and do what is best for all of Morrow County. The port has grown so large that it is essential that we have smart, independent, ethical thinkers without financial agendas to lead the Port to a better future. The tax base and the health of our county residents require these at- tributes in Port leadership. I hope you will join me in voting for John Murray and Kelly Doherty. John Kilkenny, Heppner, OR Support Marvin Padberg for Port commissioner As a former county commissioner, I had the op- portunity to work with and observe Marvin Padberg in his role as port commission- er. During Marvin’s time on the Port commission, there has been tremendous growth in both jobs and tax base in Morrow County. Some of the businesses that have come here during Marvin’s time on the Port include Tillamook cheese and whey plants, Ama- zon, Lamb Weston, Pacific Ethanol, Calbee Foods, WindWave, Hanley Energy, Tread-it, NW Container, a couple of cold storage facil- ities and many more. These companies represent thou- sands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment. The Port of Morrow has been able to do this by being a collaborative partner in our regional economy. The Port of Morrow has become the second largest port in Oregon. The average wage in Morrow County has continually increased be- cause of these efforts. This translates into a healthy retail business opportunity in our county. Marvin’s opponent has a track record of an- tigrowth. She filed an ap- peal with LUBA to stop the proposed speedway. It was thrown out by the state, and the racetrack never came, but trying to deny them the opportunity was just wrong. She has also shown up at county commission meetings to stop employer-sponsored housing, and often shows up at the Boardman council and planning commission meetings as a disrupter. Join me in voting for Marvin Padberg, commis- sioner, Port of Morrow. John Wenholz Support David Boor for Port of Morrow In a crowded field Da- vid Boor rises above the rest and deserves our vote for commissioner, Port of Mor- row. David is an educator and coach and has taught in Boardman for 23 years. He has relatives in South Mor- row County. His dad lives in Heppner, his sister lives in Ione and his brother lives on Rhea Creek. David will represent the whole county. One of his opponents is Johnathon Tallman. I worked closely with his father, Judge Terry Tall- man, for eight years. Hard for me to believe they are even related. John Murray tried his hardest to try and stop the Dollar General and their multi-million-dollar investment from coming to Heppner. That’s not who I want in charge of economic development. David will listen when spoken to and do his own research and homework to make the most informed decisions. I like his philos- ophy on how to treat people with respect, and not tear them down just because your opinion differs. Join me in voting for David J Boor. John Wenholz Irrigon, OR Silence isn’t golden Have you ever just looked at something and thought… how the heck did that happen? Like when you find a pair of jeans from a few years back and try them on…and it’s like trying to fit a whole ham into a sandwich bag. How did I not notice this happening? That’s pretty much how I feel about the current state of our country. The other day I saw a video of a drag show where a little girl around age seven was dancing seductively and adults were smiling and giving her dollar bills. Re- ally? It’s come to this? Are these adults nuts or just plain stupid? And where are the “women’s libbers” who repeatedly made it clear back in the day that they were not going to be looked at as “sex objects”? I guess it’s ok for their daughters. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next after-school activ- Good News Only by Doris Brosnan ity being offered to second graders was Beginning Pole Dancing. So what happened? Well, Satan isn’t stupid. He knows that our desire to be liked is a powerful thing. Turns out most peo- ple will do anything to be accepted in one group or another, even if it means sacrificing their kids on the altar of perversion. So, he uses the highly effective name-calling technique to silence us would-be Tattle Tailers. If we dare to point out evil, we’re made to feel that we’re the bad ones. It started with “Goodie Two Shoes,” “Holier Than Thou” and “Hypocrite” and has moved to “Right Wing,” “Homophobe,” “Transphobe,” “Racist,” and the latest… “Christian Nationalist.” Oh yes…and you’re most likely on the “Terrorist” list. Then there’s the “If you don’t agree with me, you hate me” mantra. That’s been working well. We’ve had a long spell of good men doing nothing and saying nothing. The results have been devas- tating and the speed of progression has been stag- gering. We’ve gone from a society that feared God and knew right from wrong to a society that mocks God and glorifies sin. And it’s happened under our noses. Here’s a suggestion. Let’s throw caution to the wind and say, “Watch your mouth. There are ladies present,” and, “Pull up your pants. You look ridiculous,” or maybe even, “You are not wearing that to school young lady! Now go put on something decent.” A few episodes of Andy Griffith wouldn’t hurt either. He had more wisdom in a brief monolog than we’ve been able to muster in the last two decades. And the next time someone points a finger at you for defending what’s right and accuses you of being judgmental… re- member this. Jesus said to get the board out of our own eye so we can see to get the splinter out of another’s eye. He didn’t tell us to ignore either one. So, speak up when you see evil being promoted. Keeping my mouth closed in front of Snickers bars might have made those old jeans fit, but keeping your mouth closed in front of evil won’t do a thing toward keeping our society fit. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch your- selves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Susie Crosby Heppner, OR One reader last Sunday reported that her good news was, “The sun is shining, the sun is shining! And it’s warm!” Well… hang in there and look forward to that same bit of good news’s return soon, right? Mary Kay Bellamy was so pleased that she was able to spend April 11-25 in Venice, FL, for her first visit there with her son Travis, his wife Hannah, and her two grandchildren, Kate Liza and Paul. Kate is six years old, and Paul is only two. Readers might recall that Paul nearly drowned on Thanksgiving Day last year and was hospitalized and in therapy for two months. Have you noticed the lines on the side streets? Gale Street, for instance, now has crosswalks at every inter- section and yellow dividing lines from end to end! These additions will help us to know how far from the end of a block we are jaywalking and will be strong reminders to stay on our side of the street when driving. Another “Crafty Night” for adults is coming to the Heppner Library on May 10 at 6 p.m. This craft will be the making of giant paper roses, an example of which is featured on the library’s website, otld.org, which is where one needs to go to register in advance for this class. Looking around the site is also an eye opener to the vast variety of services and “things” available at the library! What has seemed like long inhospitable months for outdoor yard work, delayed Derek Swanson’s work at the Willow Creek Terrace, so kudos to Jim and Steve Lank- ford, kind souls who came to the Terrace last weekend to help Derek take control of the run-away landscape surrounding the Terrace. Many hands, muscle, and know- how made quick work of the catch-up job. Of course, the weather has not delayed the return of dandelions, as well as healthy-looking weeds. One of our young readers has pointed out that dandelions are an important source of pollen and nectar for bees, especially until late May, when more flowering plants provide these. A walk about town reveals that some lawns are far friend- lier to bees than are some others, providing a plethora of pollen and nectar! Walking Melancholy Collie and Perky Puppy recently brought to mind the image of “newspaper rocks” seen in various places on travel through the southwest. Indige- nous people camping and traveling through particular places apparently left messages carved into the rocks for other travelers who would follow. Well, these walks are truly just strolls, as the two canines seem to find many “bits of news to sniff out” along the way. And if one stops to “read a message” that the other one missed, quickly they return to share a read! Some stops take much longer than others, apparently more is imparted. And once in a while a sudden yank on a leash results if a message was at first missed but does catch one’s attention late. Yes, that world of the canines is one filled with messages that “So-and-So was here” and who knows what else! In time for good-weather planting, this weekend is the HHS plant sale. And on the 10 th , the school spring concert will fill the air with great sounds! Thanks again to everyone who contributes to this column that is intended to bring smiles to faces. Only because people share, this column continues. To in- crease contributions, a suggestion based on three facts: 1) Explaining one’s tidbit of good news takes time and thought. 2) Many people post such tidbits on Facebook. 3) Not all Gazette-Times readers also read Facebook, and not all Facebook readers have access to the same posts. Would this work to share one’s good news with a wider reading audience: Copy the Facebook post and paste it to the “Good News Only” column at dbrosnan123@gmail. com. As always, calling 541-223-1490 is another source for contributing your good news. Here’s hoping that some good news comes to every- one reading this!
