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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 2023)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 6, 2023 -- THREE ~ Letters to the Editor ~ Good News Only by Doris Brosnan Father Thankachan Joseph St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wasco 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. Forgive and Forget: For the Sake of the Community Problem solved I have a great idea. I don’t know why this hasn’t been thought of before. It’s a simple solution to an ongoing and very dis- turbing issue. Illegals are pouring into our country at an alarming rate, putting our own citizens at risk and threatening to destroy the very fabric of this country. And since securing our southern border doesn’t seem to be something this current administration can accomplish, we need to consider other options. So, I’m proposing something that is certainly attainable and easily accomplished. Let’s call Mexico our own. Yes, let’s move that southern border south. Let’s replace their crooked government with our own crooked government, take out the drug cartels by threatening them with our own highly effective justice system and initiating severe penalties (six months in jail and offering them free re- hab). No more China sneak- ing drugs across the border, since dealing with Hunter directly would be much easier. We could virtually eliminate sex trafficking by renaming it “Minor Attract- ed People Exchange.” No more bussing “immigrants” to our northern cities. In fact, we could start bussing some folks south…like Lib- erals, for instance. Then there’s the beau- tiful, rich, fertile Mexican earth. Avocados, tomatillos, jalapenos, bananas and other wonderful produce would be at our fingertips for just pennies, thanks to the beneficial effects of Bidenomics. And just imagine all the farmland we could sell to China. We could also claim the tourist industry as our own. Mexico has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and, with the exception of a few kidnap- pings and shootings, the tourist industry is booming. And the best part? Biden could spend the rest of his presidential days in Los Cabos, with his toes in the sand, sipping margaritas and sniffing senoritas. Be- sides, money laundering might be easier right there on the beach. Yes, there may be a bit of a language barrier. But that’s really ir- relevant since you can’t un- derstand what he’s saying most of the time anyway. With a little effort on the part of the Biden ad- ministration, this proposal could become a reality. And though I know they’re momentarily busy with the important task of putting in- nocent political opponents in prison, I believe they should find the time to make this happen. If you like this idea, please show your support for my “Crosby for Presi- dent” campaign. I apologize for not participating in the recent Republican debate. I had a cow to milk, and I’d rather do my manure sling- ing in the barn. Besides, I’m voting for Trump. Susie Crosby Prineville, OR Minor takes OTPR all-around Jordan Crossley Minor from Ellensburg, WA was the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo All Around Winner last month. She won the saddle sponsored by Bank of Eastern Oregon, presented by OTPR President Tanner Britt and OTPR Vice President Terri Gentry. -Photo Credit: Eagle Eye Photography, Sam Cambell Abigail Wenberg, Sherry Ewing, JoAnne Burleson, Jan Huddleston, Doris Brosnan, Diana Ball, Nancy Propheter. -Contributed photo When the weather cooperates, at least some of the above women can be found on the tennis courts—some- times playing doubles, sometimes singles, sometimes even rotating single-doubles sides. Over the past 13 (at least) years, one had to quit because of injury, another has become busier with another sport so cannot play often, but the core group continues play as often as weather and schedules allow. However, JoAnne Burleson recently announced that she is retiring her racket, reluctantly, at the age of 92. (She taught tennis for years, has offered the others advice, and still might continue that from the sidelines.) Recent- ly joining the group aged in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, Abigail Wenberg, at the age of 17, brought a new energy that has the others needing to step up their games! They all dream of courts in good shape but enjoy the sport so much, they contend with the cracks and weeds, and they all wish other persons would join them! They have several extra rackets, they say. Cynthia Wenberg is sharing with the G-T readers the post she published on Facebook: “No, we are not mov- ing…. Yes, I am hanging up my full-time design apron…. I feel God is leading me…to relook at my college degree and finish it. I set it aside 27 years ago to be a mom…. Erik and I always agreed that sometime I would finish. I am going to do the EMT course first and then do the classes in Lifestyle Medicine…. I will be at our local community college to start and, hopefully, doing a lot online…. I am not exactly sure what I will do at the end of this journey. I pray I do God’s will ultimately…. You might see me back at Murray’s filling in and helping but right now not full-time. Thank you for letting me create arrangements that have been sent with love and joy over these years. I have loved it! And love each of you…a new chapter…a college student at the age of 47!” Last Thursday evening, three HHS alums came to Heppner to visit friends until heading back through the mountains on Sunday afternoon. Ethan Holmgren lives in Longview, WA. Carson Brosnan and Alyse Wentz live in Corvallis. Last Sunday evening Scott Healy (of Hillsboro), David Backen (of Roseburg), and their families hosted a gathering for a barbecue at the Backens’ Thorn Creek Ranch. This was an opportunity for locals Kit and Shir- ley George and Doris Brosnan to meet Scott and Gina’s twins, James and Jillian, who are eight years old, and to share the evening with the Gundersons, Lynne and Sage Calvert, and several relatives of the Backens. On the 13 th , the library will hold another Adult Craft Night, beginning at 6 p.m. The participants will create Wood-Block “Bee” Décor. Sign-up is at otld.org. While at that site, exploring the many offerings of the library could be worthwhile. One that comes to mind because school has just started is the tutoring service available through the library! Good news for someone who wants a small apartment that comes with a staff of individuals who will help you with daily living activities that have become too chal- lenging for you on your own: one apartment is available at Willow Creek Terrace, 541-676-0004. A note to dbrosnan123@gmail.com or a call to 541- 223-1490 is all it takes to add your good news! Hope good news comes to everyone reading this column! CREZ III board approves Lamb Weston agreement By Andrea Di Salvo The Columbia River Enterprise Zone (CREZ) III approved an agreement with Lamb Weston regard- ing additional investment at one of the food processor’s Boardman plants. The ap- proval came at a special CREZ III board meeting Aug. 31 in Boardman. The agreement is for a 15-year Long Term Rural tax abatement for Lamb Weston to expand and modernize its 50-year-old Boardman facility on Co- lumbia Ave. The company said in its application that the $230 million investment would include a 25,700 square foot expansion of the existing facility, as well as upgrades and additions to machinery and equipment within the plant. The $160 million in machinery and equipment is supposed to allow the plant to automate and to add different product lines at the facility. Lamb Weston staff said they expect to create an additional 50 full-time jobs at the plant. The plant cur- rently employs around 500 people, while all of Lamb Weston’s Morrow County enterprise zone properties employee 1,222 people. Under the agreement, Lamb Weston will make a $1.2 million annual fee payment each year of the 15-year agreement. Of that, $200,000 may be used as a discretionary payment reduction. That is, the company can use that money to benefit local char- itable organizations direct- ly, and that amount will be deducted from the overall payment. If Lamb Weston uses the entire $200,000, its remaining payment to the county would be one million dollars per year. Also included in the agreement is payment of 100 percent of bonded debt for any new bonds passed by voters in an affected taxing district beginning July 1, 2025. Even though the CREZ III board has approved the agreement, zone sponsor Morrow County will need Spiritually Speaking to adopt a resolution to authorize the agreement before it can take effect, as will the City of Boardman, since the property falls within the city’s Area of Influence. The Port of Morrow is the other zone sponsor but does not require an offi- cial resolution to move the agreement forward. Print & Mailing Services *Design *Print *Mail Sykes Publishing 541-676-9228 DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM This Sunday reminds us of the problems in the kingdom of God arising due to undue expectations of ambitions, pride, craze for power, etc. We reflect today on the problem of faithful believers going astray when such things happen and the corresponding obligation the co-members have to get them back into the community. The reading from Ezekiel (chapter 33:7-9) is all about personal, individual responsibility of the city guardian. The watchman stood on the Palestinian hills and blew his trumpet to warn of invaders. The prophet speaks about the pros and cons of taking watch of the city. Any failure on the part of the watchman would often result in death, either death for many or all the members of his city, or his own death because if he failed to do his job he would be executed, considered liable for the lives of the people. Prophets like Ezekiel saw themselves as watchmen over the spiritual dangers that threatened God’s people. The prime qualities expected of a watchman were mean- ingful presence to others, alertness to possible dangers and personal responsibility to sound a warning, irrespective of whether people heeded it or not. If a sentry fails to warn, he bears grave responsibility for other people. In our role as lookouts, regardless of how well or ill others receive our message, we, like Ezekiel, keep our integrity by speaking out. The Gospel of Matthew has predominantly five basic teachings about God’s kingdom. The Gospel reading of this Sunday deals with the relationship of members in the kingdom of God. In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus addresses a common incidence among the community of believers— this is even prevalent in present-day situations in most of the Christian communities—how to handle a dispute be- tween two members of the Church. Jesus outlines practical tips for settling such issues impartially. The victim or the primarily accused should privately address the offender with an attempt to resolve the disagreement without outside involvement. If that fails, then the victim should bring two or three witnesses and confront the offender again. If the dispute is still unresolved, the matter should be brought to the attention of the entire community. If the offender refuses to obey the recompenses prescribed by the community of believers, then Jesus suggests that the delinquent may be excluded from the Church. The key point in this passage we need to notice is that Jesus does not discourage disagreement within the community of believers of the Church. He acknowledges the reality of conflict and error and offers His disciples a means for addressing such matters. It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the message of hope is found: If de- cisions are taken in prayer, then the community can be assured of God’s assistance, not through one’s influence or muscle power. Two aspects of Jesus’ teaching here are outstanding: He has standards and He uses a wise procedure. The first step of the measure is to go to the offender and speak di- rectly to the person rather than to anyone else, not behind him. “If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves.” (18:15). So often, everyone gets to hear about the problem except the person concerned. Gossip can destroy relationships and a person’s good name. Christians are called to deal with one another honestly and personally—no anonymous complaints to authorities, no whisper campaigns. The Gospel says that the offended party, not the offending one, should first seek compromise. If the first step does not work, the second step is to bring one or two others along with you, not for the pur- pose of proving the other person wrong, but to help in the process of settlement. Only if that does not work do you proceed to the third step, which is to refer it to the local community of faith, the Church. The whole process should be inspired by a spirit of forgiveness, not to attest who is right and who is wrong. When all these systems fail, there is always something that we can do individually and in common—a short prayer for each other. United prayer is more powerful, sensible and effective than resentment towards one another. “I tell you solemnly, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.” WWW.HEPPNER.NET Equipment Purchases • Operating Lines Committed to AG Lending See AMBER and SHANE for Equipment and Farmland AMBER SCHLAICH 270 N. 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