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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2023)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 13, 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 $15. Email to editor@ rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Empathizers? Another humorous let- ter from Ms. Crosby - but she forgot to mention a couple of the biggest em- pathizers of all time. The first is with the per- son who says, “my prayers are with you.” Until they later admit they don’t pray and don’t even know the words to one prayer. The second missing empathizer of all time is the one who threw rolls of paper towels to flood/storm victims, which was credited to a human empathizer, in response to those people in trouble. And then, wow, she outdid herself the follow- ing week. It was so funny and enjoyable to read. She threw in so many humorous remarks that it is not possi- ble to mention them all. Yes, maybe she should enter her name as a Repub- lican running for president. It isn’t like we have that many good choices. Too bad about the debate, she would have fit right in. (I am glad she got to milk that cow as they can get cross if not milked at the right time.) Robert H. Davidson Milwaukie, Oregon Lack of transparency on proposed courthouse I was unable to com- ment during the Morrow County Commissioners meeting September 6, 2023, as I was experienc- ing technical difficulties. I wanted to clarify some points that my husband, Tim Collins, had made re- garding the location of the new proposed courthouse in Heppner. Tim went through our neighborhood the night before the meet- ing and visited with our neighbors. He stated that the overwhelming major- ity were NOT in favor of the proposed site for the new courthouse and they were concerned with the lack of transparency that seemed evident since a few of them never even knew there was a courthouse being proposed in their neighborhood. Tim men- tioned that the majority of our neighbors had signed the petition but not all of them. The neighbors who didn’t sign it, was not be- cause they didn’t want to; it was because they were not home. I feel there was a mis- understanding between the commissioners and my husband, Tim. The com- missioners have assured Tim and I that there will be transparency and that this project is just starting. However, that is not the transparency that I am re- ferring to. The lack of trans- parency that our neighbors and ourselves are feeling is due to not having a say or even knowing anything about the proposed site of the courthouse which is dangerously close to our elementary school. We were not given any warn- ing that this site was being proposed or even looked at until it was a “Done Deal”. We are told that nothing we say or do will change the location. This is the lack of transparency that Tim mentioned at the meeting. There has been no public comment or open meetings where we, as Morrow County voters and Heppner residents, can voice our concerns. When Tim and I at- tended the Heppner City Council meeting in July we were told that the city came up with nine differ- ent sites for the commis- sioners to choose from with the property near the fairgrounds being as a last resort and only because the county owned the proper- ty. The City Council told us after providing the loca- tions to the County Com- missioners that the City Council had no more say in the matter. When my son and I attended the County Commissioners meeting in July, we were told that it was the City Council members who had decided the location of the court- house in Heppner, and not the county commissioners. I have that statement re- corded on video. So whom do I trust? Tim and I asked for the feasibility study done on the proposed sites in and around Heppner which the county was authorized to spend up to $10,000 for; however, no one can seem to find it or know where it is. Some of the city coun- cil members did not even know there was a feasibili- ty study done at all. School board members asked in July for a record of the County Commissioner meeting minutes where the courthouse locations were being discussed and they are still waiting for those minutes since those min- utes are not on the website and not easily accessed. No one seems to want to take the initiative and be upfront with the ques- tions and suggestions that TIm and I have proposed and have just seemingly “passed the buck”. I would like the commissioners to halt all progress and go back to the beginning and open the proposed court house sites to the public for comment. This Is after all a County Court House. I know that we, as mem- bers of Morrow County, can come up with a better solution that will not need- lessly expose our children to felons and traffic, nor endanger the cancellation of the century-old Morrow County Rodeo. This is where the transparency needs to hap- pen. NOW. Not after the major decisions have been made as to the location of the courthouse in Heppner and then the public is asked what color to paint the courthouse trim because the commissioners want to be “transparent”. Let’s have real, honest, heartfelt discussions and dialogue open to the public and to- gether come up with a bet- ter solution than putting our children in danger and discontinuing a 101-year- old rodeo that has been the backbone of our fine com- munity. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Jeannie Collins Heppner, OR A Criminal’s Dream Well, it looks like New Mexico is out to be- come the safest state in the USA…. for criminals, that is. Can you imagine? Thanks to Governor Grish- am, they now have a 30-day reprieve from the threat of their victims turning a gun on them. Thirty days of no concealed or open carry for the law-abiding citi- zens. Yep, no more good guy with a gun…which leaves lots of room for the bad guy with a gun, but that’s okay with the gover- nor. She’s all about safety and eliminating blood- shed. I’m sure that will end New Mexico’s gun vio- lence, especially since all those murderers, rapists, and thieves will be lining up at her door with their weapons. They’ll probably throw in their knives too. Funny how you hear about “gun violence” and never hear about “knife violence”, “baseball bat vi- olence” or “boot violence” or even “car violence”. Know why? Because it’s a narrative with a purpose... and I believe those who use it are more concerned with eliminating your right to protect yourself than the violence they claim to ab- hor. And honestly, if end- ing violence was the mo- tivating factor, they would be concerned about all vio- lence against all people.... including the unborn. Why the big push to eliminate the Second Amendment? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that defenseless peo- ple are easy to control…. especially since COVID Round One didn’t have 100% efficacy. Have we re- ally not learned from histo- ry? The result of a corrupt government with power over a defenseless people can be seen throughout world history, and it’s not a pretty picture…just ask the Native Americans and the Jews. But it seems to me that most people just fall in line with the current mantra of their party. Instead of fol- lowing their own common sense, they follow their peers.... repeating what- ever it takes to fit in. The need for acceptance is a powerful motivating fac- tor. It blinding and it’s dan- gerous. Truth is, you can blame guns, racism, men- tal health, bullying, or low self-esteem...and then try to fix it. Ban guns, ban ma- cho white guys, build more mental facilities, and be sure to give students good grades, safe places, and hand out stuffies. You still haven’t addressed the real enemy. Because the real ene- my isn’t a tool or the ac- cess to one. The real ene- my is a heart that’s gone bad.... that no longer cares about doing what’s right, but cares about satisfying hatred, anger, and revenge. It’s a heart that’s given over to evil. There isn’t a man-made law on earth that can fix that. The answer to vio- lence isn’t a changed cir- cumstance. It’s a changed heart, one that knows there is a just God that judges and requires payment for evil. It’s also a heart that knows that there is forgive- ness after repentance. True belief and hope in Jesus is more than a deterrent. It’s the only fix that works. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 Susie Crosby WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription Good News Only by Doris Brosnan “At least five years,” Rick Drake says when asked for how many years hasn’t the Methodist Church bell been sounded on Sundays. Rick remembers being allowed to pull the rope to ring the bell many years ago, and he expects to be the person pulling that rope again now that the decision to renew its function has been made. For years, the Methodist, Episcopalian, First Christian, and Catholic churches all began their Sunday services at 11 o’clock, and someone would ring the bell early enough to re- mind listeners to put on their Sunday best and head for their churches of choice. “To- day,” Rick explains, “the Episcopalians begin at 10, the Methodists begin at 10:30, the Christian Church at 10:45, and the Catholics still begin at 11, so the bell will ring at three minutes before 10.” Every Pendleton Round-Up season brings Bob Fetsch and his wife, Pat, to that city. An HHS alum, Bob’s family has been involved with the Round-Up for gener- ations, and he and his sister, Marlene Currin, continue to support the week events. While in Pendleton, Fetsches stay with Marlene and her husband, Tom Currin, both also HHS alums who now live in Pendleton. The Fetsches call Great Falls, Montana, and Yuma, AZ, home, six months at a time. Last Thursday, Diana Ball and Doris Brosnan were fortunate to catch the Fetsches free and to catch up on their news over lunch at the Great Pacific restaurant in Pendleton. Many Ione residents join Betty Rietmann in her praise of Chris Cave for his maintenance of succulent plantings in front of the Ione post office. “He has planted a wide variety of succulents, many of which bloom all summer. This, plus large pump- kin leaves vining around the building add a cheery note to Main Street. In winter, the area has a Wild-West look with branding irons and other embellishments.” Last Saturday evening on the grassy shore of the serene Columbia River in Boardman, 250 guests gathered at 5:30 to witness Kyle Harrison and Makayla Brock’s becoming man and wife. Kyle, son of Travis and Kirsten Harrison of Lexington, and Makayla were applauded as they playfully returned down the aisle after the meaning- ful ceremony officiated by Kyle’s uncle Trent Harrison and then the guests joined the couple for an evening filled with a buffet dinner followed by traditional toasts, dances, and cake-cutting. The patio of the Port of Morrow Center became filled with dancers – including Kyle’s great grandparents Bob and Sharon Harrison – until the midnight hour. Home for Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Harrison is Pendleton. David and April Sykes celebrated their anniversary last week by traveling to Ashland for the annual Shakespearean Festival, where they honeymooned forty-sev- en years ago. While there, they saw three plays, Twelfth Night, The Three Muske- teers, and Romeo and Juliet. While on their honeymoon there is 1976, the newlyweds saw King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, and Henry VI, Part II. They also spent time enjoying the sights and sounds of Ashland by visiting Lithia Park, where they had a drink of the famous Lithia Water, tried out some of the numerous great restau- rants, and April did some browsing in the many small shops located in the downtown area. After three days, they headed home and along the way stopped first at Crater Lake for some sightseeing and then the Peter Skene Ogden Viewpoint, where bungee jumpers were diving off the 300-foot Crooked River Bridge. Owners of the company providing the jumps said the cost was $149 per jump, with subsequent dives only $49. Neither David nor April found the urge to participate in that activity! Last Thursday, Charlie and Marcia Anderson headed for the Walla Walla car show in their 1969 AMX (produced by AMC), which, Marcia reports, moves right along but does not have air conditioning…. As usual, their AMX was one of a kind in this show that drew its largest number of vehicles ever – over 700. The Walla Walla show is one of the latest in the season and one to which many Heppner area aficio- nados travel. While in the area until Sunday, the Andersons enjoyed some touring, wine-tasting, and shopping, and adding to their perfect weekend was their 50th anni- versary-dinner at TMACS that their daughter, Claire, planned for them and friends. Claire not only planned a delicious dinner but also arranged for two of Marcia’s dear- est friends, Judy Gentry Towner and Marie VanMarter Land, to surprise her at dinner. Many, many thanks to everyone who contributed stories this week. 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. Parks committee plans lucheon meeting A regularly scheduled meeting for the Morrow County Parks Committee will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Morrow/Grant County OHV Park This meeting will pro- vide an opportunity for committee members and attendees to have lunch at The Landing located at the OHV Park, which is op- erated by Off-Road Trails and Treats, with a tour of the OHV Park facility and trail system. Lunch will be at members’ and attendees’ expense with meal options as follows: bacon cheese- burger, club sandwich or chicken strips with a side for $14.95. Soda and juice are extra. The tour will be held after lunch and there is a limited number of ma- chines for those who may not have their own ma- chine to ride. Committee members will have priority should there be more need for machines than what is available. The public is wel- comed and encouraged to attend. “We would love to hear your input about parks and take a tour of one of the facilities. If you have an ATV, motorcycle or side-by-side to bring along and join in on the tour.” Those who would like to join are asked to RSVP no later than Thurs- day, September 14, by 12 p.m. and let them know if you would like to join for them for the lunch, the tour or both. Those joining for the tour are asked to let them know if you do not have a ATV, motorcycle or side-by-side so that they “can do our best to accom- modate all those that wish to attend and partake in the tour.” Applications for the 2024 Morrow County Cultural Coalition grant are now being accepted through October 1. Proj- ects supported in the past have included quilting, art displays, historical library books, cultural entertain- ment and events, kids’ activities in the parks and schools and drama and musical workshops. For complete guide- lines and application forms contact Jaylene Papineau, 541-676-5630, or jpapin- eau@co.morrow.or.us or complete the online appli- cation by visiting the Face- book page, Morrow Coun- ty Cultural Coalition. Anyone interested in making a donation to the Oregon Cultural trust or participating in the com- mittee, may contact Andrea Nelson, 541-720-4399, or Papineau, 541-676-5630. The local coalition is ac- tively seeking volunteers for the committee. Cultural Coalition grants open
