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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2025)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 15, 2025 -- 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. How to build a fire Sometimes trying to start a good fire can be frustrating. So if you’ve ever had that issue, here are a few tips: Make sure the area is super dry and start with good, dry tinder. You’ll need a good igni- tion source…torches work great. Be sure to fan the flames; good air movement is a must. In fact, if you can wait until a windy day to start your fire, you’ll find it will grow much quicker. If you need someone to monitor your fire, Gover- nor Newsome is a great choice…especially since he may be looking for a new job soon. And remember, water is detrimental to a good flame. But if you hap- pen to be in Southern Cal- ifornia, don’t worry about fire hydrants…they’re just for looks. Please know, I’m not trying to make light of the horrific California fires, and I pray for those who have lost so much. The devastation is sickening. But the idiocracy of those responsible for the safety of the people of LA is un- believable, maddening, and deserves to be mocked. I used to think there wasn’t anyone worse for this country than Biden. But he and Newsome are tied for first place at the moment. Newsome has put millions of people in danger and made it impossible for firefighters to do their jobs by making valuable water resources unavailable…be- cause saving Smelt fishies are a bigger priority to the Climate Change god. Then there’s the DEI/ LGBTQ worship. So… question…how many of you would like to see me responsible for saving your house during a fire? Ya…. me neither. I’m old, small, and struggle to pack the airway kit to a scene. I don’t currently identify as a 22-year-old buff male, but I bet if I did, I’d be a shoo-in for Fire Chief….especially if I was “of color.” So, I just wonder how many quali- fied firefighters have been passed up to make the DEI folks happy? And I wonder how the fire victims feel about funds being redirect- ed from their fire depart- ment to a “Midnight Stroll Transgender Café” and an all-gay men’s choir. And maybe they would even like to have those anti-vax firefighters back. All this while 60 Oregon fire trucks sit in Sacramento waiting for “smog clearance” so they can help. It’s time for the “Woke” to wake up and admit their agenda is not working. When I think of the anti-God, Liberal agen- da, including the pure evil coming from Hollywood, I wonder if God is trying to get our attention. Ignoring Him has consequences… Sodom and Gomorrah ring a bell? We will all spend eternity in heaven or hell. Our last day may be today, or in 20 years, but all our “stuff” will mean nothing then. Jesus died in our place as payment for our sins, but we need to pray, repent, believe and surrender to Him. God loves us enough to give us a choice…the decision is ours. Can He still bring something good out of devastating fires? Yes, He can. Let’s look to the one who can calm the wind (and make more fish). “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of re- freshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Mes- siah” (Acts 3:19-20). Susie Crosby Prineville, OR Death Notices Harold H. Holtz— Harold H. Holtz, 95, of Ione, OR, passed away on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Kennewick, WA. A funer- al service will take place at the Ione Community Church at 11 a.m. on Sat- urday, Jan. 25, 2025, with a concluding graveside to follow. Sweeney Payton Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements (sweeney- paytonmortuary.com). Judy Campbell—Judy Belle Maime (Alexander) Campbell, 87, of Hep- pner, OR passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. A memorial service will be announced later. Sweeney Payton Mortuary is entrust- ed with the arrangements (sweeneypaytonmortuary. com). First baby of the new year -Continued from PAGE ONE the family is so blessed in the coming year; it makes me tear up thinking about it,” Wilson said. Clabaugh is now a stay- at-home mom, and Warren does commercial construc- tion, specializing in HVAC systems. In their spare time, the parents enjoy being togeth- er outdoors and exploring in their Jeep. “We loved the cart that was gifted to us by the Family Birth Center,” said Clabaugh. “We can’t wait to take Waylon in it on our adventures.” Farm Bureau says new farm worker housing rules will force out farm workers, shutter family farms Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Admin- istration has made changes to the state’s farm housing rules—changes that have some in the ag industry concerned for the fate of family farms. Last week, OR-OSHA adopted updates to its Divi- sion 4 – Ag Labor Housing (ALH) rules. This rulemaking is a result of a multi-year stake- holder engagement process beginning in 2018, when a rulemaking advisory group began meeting to discuss changes to Oregon OSHA’s agricultural labor housing rule. The group consisted of growers, employer rep- resentatives, agricultural associations, housing oper- ators and worker represen- tatives, as well as agency personnel. The COVID-19 pan- demic delayed rulemaking activities, which Oregon OSHA resumed in 2021 and has continued through 2024. “The adopted rule changes substantially raise the protective standards for indoor and outdoor fa- cilities that operators must include when they provide housing,” Oregon OSHA stated in a summary of the changes. Changes run the gamut from site require- ments to electrical outlets to driveway signage. While the changes made last week mark an end to regulatory uncertainty after a tedious and emo- tionally draining, six-year process, they also signal the beginning of a new chapter of what many fear are un- sustainable state policies for farm workers and farm families alike. “Small and mid-sized farms are being pushed to the brink—faced with an impossible choice: spend $400,000 to $1.5 million per operation on new hous- ing to meet these require- ments, or risk losing their workforce,” said Angela Bailey, President of the Or- egon Farm Bureau (OFB). “After years of devastat- ing crop losses and brutal market conditions, taking on massive loans isn’t just unrealistic—it’s operation- ally fatal. “Meanwhile, off-farm workforce housing is vir- tually non-existent in many OR-OSHA has ex- rural areas,” she added. “So, pressed a commitment to where exactly does OR-OS- provide “technical assis- HA expect workers to live tance” to support the Ore- during the critical harvest gon Department of Agricul- season? This is a disaster ture in providing $5 million in the making for family in grant funds to registered agriculture in Oregon.” operators for existing on- OFB’s Executive Di- farm housing compliance rector Greg Addington with the rule change. said that his group and In addition, Oregon other agriculture organiza- OSHA says it will support tions participated in good additional funding for in- faith for years during this frastructure improvements rulemaking. once the existing grant “We are not just disap- funding is exhausted. pointed—we’re outraged by Meanwhile, though, OR-OSHA’s shortsighted Oregon agriculture is fac- and heavy-handed approach ing a crisis. USDA data to these rules. This isn’t shows net farm income is just bad policy; it’s outright projected to drop another hypocrisy,” Addington said. 4.4 percent in 2024, follow- “While the governor claims ing a massive 19.5 percent affordable housing is a decline in 2023 compared priority, OR-OSHA’s reck- to 2022. less decisions will, without Over just two years, question, eliminate access U.S. farms have lost $40 to safe, low or no-cost hous- billion in revenue—the ing for farm workers near largest two-year drop ever their workplaces. recorded. Addington also said the On average, farmers rules will create workforce are losing between $97 shortages during peak har- and $373 per acre across vest periods. all crops. For example, “The outcome of this Oregon’s 720,000 acres process confirms a blatant of wheat are seeing losses disregard for stakeholder of about $125 per acre, concerns,” he said. amounting to $90 million OR-OSHA eventually in 2024 alone—and that decided against prohibit- doesn’t even include the ing farmworker housing steeper losses from 2023. within 500 feet of livestock Multiply this impact facilities, so long as certain across Oregon’s 200-plus conditions are met, which commodities, and it is clear, prevents upheaval of local states the OFB: local farms dairy farms and ranches. simply don’t have the re- OFB states that may be the sources to rebuild worker only positive outcome of housing that OR-OSHA has this rulemaking, which all previously deemed safe— Bank of Eastern Ore- ute to these student body but ensures the end of many but now doesn’t—and al- gon has announced that its accounts in support of fu- family-based farms that ready meets federal housing grow famous Oregon crops. standards. school mascot debit card ture activities.” program contributed more than $7,261 to participating area high schools in 2024. “The school mascot cards provide much needed extra funding for these stu- See AMBER and SHANE for dent body programs,” said AMBER SCHLAICH Becky Kindle, EVP and 270 N. Main Street Equipment Chief Operations Officer. Heppner and Farmland Initiated in September Purchases (541) 676-9125 2013, the Bank of Eastern Ag/Commercial Loan Officer Operating Lines Oregon mascot debit card program serves the high school associated student body programs of Heppner, Riverside, Irrigon, Ione, SHANE LAZINKA Condon and Weston-McE- 280 Main Street wen in Oregon, and Colfax, Ione WA. Three new area high schools will be added in (541) 422-7466 2025. Ag/Commercial Loan Officer The program generates $0.05 per transaction per- formed with each school mascot card to that school’s PERSONAL BANKING • BUSINESS BANKING • LENDING program. The annual re- newal fee of $10 for each card also goes directly to the ASB after the first year. “Bank of Eastern Or- MEMBER FDIC egon is committed to sup- porting our rural communi- ties and their schools. The mascot cards are a great way for fans to show their If you or someone you know: mascot spirit and help gen- erate funds for local high • Is 55 or older or school ASB accounts,” said Kindle. 18 and older living with “We encourage ev- a disability eryone in the surrounding communities of Heppner, • Feels isolated or alone Ione, Boardman, Irrigon, Athena and Condon to • Lacks technology sign up at their local BEO branch for a mascot card,” • Wants to be more Kindle added. “It’s easy and a great way to contrib- connected to others BEO partners with high schools through mascot card program Help to connect! Find out if you qualify for a free laptop, tablet or robotic pet. Call 855-ORE-ADRC (673-2372) ADRCofOregon.org
