Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 5, 2025 -- THREE
A View from the Hill
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MCHD
Concerns
Continue
To the Editor,
Once again a front-page
article in the Gazette-Times
covering the Morrow Coun-
ty Health District’s board
meeting has made for in-
teresting reading. We al-
ready know that the board
doesn’t have to entertain
public comments. How-
ever, in November, board
members stated that they
wanted to continue to hear
them, but said there doesn’t
have to be a record of them.
This sounds contrary to
me to how the ORS reads,
but OK. That said, after a
statement by their attorney
concerning publishing doc-
uments created by the pub-
lic, they have recently re-
moved the website links to
two positive comments that
were made at the Septem-
ber board meeting, while
there was no record of the
nine concerning comments
brought forth.
Last week’s article re-
ports that the board stated
that there have been many
public meetings where pub-
lic comments were dero-
gative and demoralizing
toward the staff and board.
To my knowledge, the gen-
eral MCHD staff has never
been demoralized or tar-
geted. That said, as we all
know, public boards and
executive staff are often
scrutinized by the public
when they have concerns.
We see it all the time. Not
many of us want to attend
a public meeting and reit-
erate problems that have
been previously brought to
the board, and I know that
a number of us had met
with and or notified board
members privately of con-
cerns before taking them to
a board meeting. However,
when the public doesn’t feel
they are taken seriously and
problems don’t improve,
they show up at meetings.
The concerns that con-
tinue to be voiced include:
a lack of doctors, not just
providers, but doctors at
the clinic in Heppner, while
doctors and medical per-
sonnel who live in Heppner
are working out of town;
patient care concerns at
Pioneer Memorial Hospital
(it seems privacy violation
litigation would be un-
likely in these instances);
and a revolving door of
doctors, other providers
and staff—never mind the
turnover rate, let’s see the
hard number of employees
who have left in the last
almost three years. It’s not
just the small group of local
residents who have been
showing up at meetings
who are alarmed. While not
everyone attends a board
meeting, many have just
quietly transferred their
medical care out of town.
Part of the board wants
to limit comments to items
on the agenda and choose
who is allowed to address
them at meetings. Two
board members feel it’s
important to hear from the
public. Thank you. Wheth-
er the board members allow
concerns at meetings or not
is yet to be determined, but
I think as long as the pub-
lic feels action is needed,
I’m sure they will state
their concerns one way or
another.
Sincerely,
Patti Allstott
Heppner, OR
Port committed
to local control
The Port of Morrow
Commissioners have ex-
pressed opposition to Rep-
resentative Smith’s House
Bill 2797, which propos-
es granting the governor
the authority to appoint
two commissioners to our
board. After careful consid-
eration, the commissioners
have collectively decided
not to support this bill.
While I understand
and acknowledge the rep-
resentative’s intentions,
and recognize that there
may be valid arguments
in favor of his proposal, I
firmly believe that this bill
undermines democratic
principles and the critical
right of local control.
The Port of Morrow
remains unwavering in its
commitment to preserv-
ing the autonomy of local
governance, ensuring that
decisions which impact
our community are made
by those who are directly
accountable to, and directly
affected by, those decisions.
I am pleased to report
that Representative Smith
has reconsidered his po-
sition and has decided to
withdraw the bill. We sin-
cerely thank him for his
willingness to engage in
constructive conversations,
and we look forward to
continuing our work in
prioritizing local control
and community-based de-
cision-making.
Rick Stokoe
Boardman, OR
Port of Morrow Commis-
sioner
Fight,
Fight!
I tried to watch the con-
firmation hearings. I really
did. I think my maximum
watch time per nominee
was seven minutes. And
it took restraint to watch
that long. I felt like I was
watching “Mean Girls Go
to Washington.”
I wonder how you pre-
pare for that kind of on-
slaught. Is there a Mean
Girl Defense Course these
days? I think President
Trump would be a good
coach. He’s been dealing
with it for a while now.
I’d really love to res-
urrect Ronald Reagan. He
had some great defensive
one-liners…like, “The trou-
ble with our Liberal friends
is not that they’re ignorant;
it’s just that they know so
much that isn’t so.”
And another good
one…“Too often character
assassination has replaced
debate in principle here
in Washington. Destroy
someone’s reputation, and
you don’t have to talk about
what he stands for” (ok, it’s
two lines, but it works).
It appears that the point
of that profound statement
was missed by many of
our confirmation hearing
interrogators and was in-
stead perceived as great
advice. Truth and accuracy
be danged…just come up
with some damaging accu-
sations and you’re on your
way to sure destruction of
your opponent. I’m a little
surprised nobody came
up with the, “Are you still
beating your wife? Yes or
no question.” But the night
is still young, so to speak.
Maybe a more mature
and productive approach
might be to ask questions
about the nominee’s plans
and ideas on how to handle
the situations he or she may
face…while leaving your
evil agenda out of it. And
didn’t your Mama teach
you not to interrupt? Maybe
even stop bloviating and let
them speak.
But I do have to say,
kudos to Trump’s picks.
They displayed incredible
patience and restraint. I
know this might come from
watching a little too much
Gunsmoke, but I thought
for sure I was gonna witness
a bar fight or two. Kristi
Noem vs Elizabeth Warren,
or Hegseth vs Shiff? I’d
have watched more than
seven minutes of that. Is
that wrong?
Well, it’s probably a
good thing that never oc-
curred, but one can’t help
but ponder it a bit. And
It’s a good thing I’m not a
nominee.
I could hear it now…
Senator Snarky: “We have
evidence of an event in the
State of California that re-
sulted in your being issued a
citation for driving over the
speed limit. Will your obvi-
ous propensity for reckless
behavior and disregard for
the law be a problem in
the job for which you’ve
been nominated? Yes or no
please.”
Me: “Senator, I was
16.”
Senator Snarky: “This
is a yes or no question. I
will not accept that answer.”
Me: “Well, we’re even
then because I will not ac-
cept your stupid question.”
It actually might be kin-
da fun, but I doubt I’d walk
away with any Dem votes.
And I doubt I’m any match
for Warren or Shiff. I bet I
could take Pelosi though…
just have to catch her after
a night cap or two.
In all seriousness,
Trump made great choic-
es…no Rhinos in the
bunch…which probably
scares the dickens out of
the Left.
“Blessed is the one who
perseveres under trial be-
cause, having stood the test,
that person will receive the
crown of life that the Lord
has promised to those who
love him” (James 1:12).
Susie Crosby
Prineville, OR
Not So
‘Good
News Only’
I have been meaning
to write this letter for quite
some time, wanting to ex-
press me and my wife,
Diane’s, appreciation to
the Heppner Gazette-Times
and Doris Brosnan for the
weekly article, “Good
News Only.”
We spent our childhood
years in Heppner, graduat-
ing with the HHS class of
1962. Some years later, we
took out a subscription to
the Gazette-Times and have
continued it now for over 50
years. We have continued
to view Heppner as our
hometown, with friends
and family members still
living there which we visit
on a regular basis, as well as
make our annual Memorial
Day visit to decorate fam-
ily graves in the Heppner
Cemetery.
The “Good News
Only” weekly article was a
wonderful source for us to
hear about old friends and
community members’ visits
and life events, not only for
those living in Heppner, but
also for those living else-
where. We recently learned
that the article will no lon-
ger be published, which we
were very sorry to hear, but
understand due to the time
and effort it must take to
produce. We will miss very
much not seeing it in the
future but greatly appreci-
ate reading about familiar
names and happenings for
the past few years.
Bruce Moyer
Lolo, MT
By Doris Brosnan
The Community at the Terrace views the kindnesses
of John Gould and Jason Patterson with awe: John, who
manages Les Schwab, was instrumental in getting tires for
the Terrace van at a truly minimal cost. Jason donated a
servicing of the van and parts that may have been needed.
Such huge, critical gifts!
Speaking of “gifts,” two residents will be celebrat-
ing their birthdays this month: Rita Bowman will be 97
years young on the eighth, and Alex Camarillo will top
that when he turns 100 on the 11 th ! Happy birthday to
both celebrants, who will surely be sharing their favorite
lunches with guests.
Those lunches will surely be delicious, as are Chef
Shawn’s lunches every day. “Amazing meals” is one
description often repeated. (An additional position for
a cook continues to be posted and more information is
available by visiting or calling.) Praise also goes out to
Cynthia and AnnaGrace Wenberg for their desserts, es-
pecially for their great pies.
In time for these eating pleasures and the in-house
activities, Pat Prock moved into the Terrace two weeks
ago, happy to be back in Heppner. Pat was a long-time
Heppner resident until she moved several years ago to
a small condo in Pendleton. And now she has returned,
welcomed by several friends of many years.
Another newer face at the Terrace is that of Taryn
Dominguez, who has joined the staff as a trainee. Taryn
brings 16 years of experience to the position.
Some residents are gearing up for Super Bowl Sun-
day, and some will select the lucky, winning numbers
on the board as the game progresses. Some residents are
working on a Valentine’s Day craft for their doors and
will enjoy the Valentine’s Day lunch that will feature
decorated cupcakes for dessert. Another craft they will
soon be learning is how to make “cake pops.” This craft,
though, does not make a decoration. Instead, it results in
a yummy cake treat on a stick!
These activities, as well as Bingo and morning
exercises, can be enjoyed by everyone who is avoiding
the flu- and cold-season “bugs” that have isolated some
unfortunate residents in their rooms for recovery. Their
neighbors miss seeing them while they fight off those
contagious viruses, but everyone views the steps taken
to protect others with great appreciation, and they know
they will see those neighbors again soon.
CREZ Disbursements
-Continued from PAGE ONE
Economic Development
Group (WCVEDG) re-
ceived $504,004. The City
of Ione received $143,761
and the Town of Lexington
came in at $102,566.
Another large chunk of
the disbursement went to
community infrastructure
for the county’s five com-
munities. Each received
an equal share of the $2.6
million at $539,484.
Seniors Matter February Menu
Feb 4 - Pork and Hashbrown Casserole
Buttered Carrots
Dessert
Feb 11 - Mini Pizzas
Garden Salads
Dessert
Nearly a million dol-
lars went to public safe-
ty disbursements. Board-
man Fire Rescue District,
Boardman Police Depart-
ment and Morrow County
Ambulance each received
$240,975, while Morrow
County Health District,
Irrigon Fire and Morrow
County Sheriff ’s Office
each received $80,325.
The remaining
$571,500 went to the Mor-
row Education Foundation.
Upcoming Events
Feb 7th, Feb 21st Mar 7th Music by Joe &
Andrew Lindsay w/Western Dance
Lessons. Dinner is off the menu. Dinner hours 5
to 8 Music at 7:30.
Feb 9th Super Bowl Party. Bring your favorite
finger food or snack. Lodge opens at 2pm.
Feb 15th Elks Annual. Ladies Tea 2pm, Lodge
4pm, Prime Rib Dinner 6pm.
March 6th Old Timers Night
March 15th St. Patrick's Day. Cornbeef and
Cabbage Dinner 5pm
Feb 18 - Beef Stroganoff over Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Dessert
Feb 25 - Tacos on a Plate
Dessert
Feb 12 - Vets Meal
Chicken Pot Pie, Peach Cobbler
Ad sponsored by Bank of Eatern Oregon
Lodge Hours:
Wed 4pm to close with dinner at 6pm
Thurs 4 pm to close (Lodge at 8pm)
Fri & Sat 4pm to close with dinner from
5pm to 8pm
Members and their Guest
YOUR AD
COULD
BE
HERE!
See AMBER and SHANE for
Equipment
and Farmland
Purchases
Operating Lines
AMBER SCHLAICH
270 N. Main Street
Heppner
(541) 676-9125
Ag/Commercial Loan Officer
Call
541-676-
9228
SHANE LAZINKA
280 Main Street
Ione
(541) 422-7466
Ag/Commercial Loan Officer
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