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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 2025)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 16, 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 $16 Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Rhea is Dedicated to C o m m u n i t y, County Healthcare Molly Rhea’s whole life has been dedicated to the people of our communi- ty along with the health care system in Morrow County. Molly knew early on in life that serving our people was her priority. She began her education in the direction of health care while still attending Heppner High School. Molly has put her heart and soul into caring for all our families and friends. I know that while addressing my parents’ health issues, I was always glad to see Molly walk into the room to help guide us through many difficult times. Molly has covered all the bases in every depart- ment in the Morrow County Health District under new and old administrations. With her many years of experience, I am certain she knows what works and what doesn’t work between faculty and administration, as well as rules and regu- lations that have to be fol- lowed. Molly has the best communications skills and will not guard her opinions and ideas because of who is sitting in the room. She will have an open communica- tion between the adminis- tration, board and the rest of the team members that are employed by Morrow County Health District. Our community is fac- ing difficult times, and I want to see people on the board that will fight to keep our health district alive; people that have a solid understanding of what it takes to run the district and to ask the hard questions. Molly will have the time that it takes to be there in this crisis and withstand the troubles that may arise with dealing with unsatisfied people. How can you ask for anyone better than someone who has lived her entire life in Heppner, raised her family here, dedicated her career to the caring of our community and people and now chooses to run for a board that is in need of leaders to keep our health district alive? I ask you to please consider voting for Molly Rhea, position number 2, on the Morrow County Health District Board. Sandy Matthews Heppner, OR Rhea will bring Workable Solutions to Health District I am writing to express my support for Molly Rhea’s candidacy for the Morrow County Health District Board. Molly brings a thoughtful, com- munity-centered perspec- tive to the table—one that we urgently need as our county navigates growing healthcare challenges. Molly is a natural team builder who leads with respect and integrity. She doesn’t tear others down to push her own agenda. Instead, she takes the time to understand people’s strengths and challenges, using that insight to bring folks together and find real, workable solutions. Molly understands the issues facing Morrow County. From provider shortages and transpor- tation barriers to an ag- ing population and limited funding, she has a clear vision for how we can work together to build a stron- ger, more accessible health system. Her commitment to listening to patients, staff and community and advocating for practical, long-term solutions sets her apart. She is not only passion- ate but prepared. Molly has shown a genuine dedication to the well-being of our communities and has the work ethic and integrity to be an effective board mem- ber. I have no doubt she will be a thoughtful steward of our health resources and a strong voice for the people. Please join me in voting for Molly Rhea for the Mor- row County Health District Board. We need leader- ship that listens, plans, and cares—and that’s Molly. Sincerely, Jackie Alleman Heppner, OR Wolf Reintroduction is a Disaster In light of the recent article “Wolf kills calf on Upper Rhea Creek,” I would encourage everyone to purchase the book, The Real Wolf, by Ted B. Lyon and Will N. Graves, and read it. It is full of documented research on what a disaster the introduction of wolves has become. “Everything you need to learn about the truth concerning wolves can be found in ‘The Real Wolf,’ which is destined to be the encyclopedia of wolf facts....” a quote from Tom Remington, author, writer, researcher. The Real Wolf, ISBN 978-1-59152-122-8. Go to YouTube and search for a speech delivered by Ted B. Lyon – The Real Wolf. The speech itself is a real eye opener. Yellowstone Park is a disaster to wildlife. There were 19,000 elk in the park in 1995 and since the wolf introduction the numbers moved to 6,000 in 2009, and just over 4,000 in 2012. There were around 1,000 moose in Yellowstone in 1995 and now no moose can be seen at all, thanks to the introduction of wolves. Lolo National For- est in western Montana had 12,000 elk in 1995; in 2011 the elk numbers had dropped to 2,000. Hunting outfitters in Montana is becoming a dying business, if it isn’t al- ready dead. If wolves were eliminated today, it would still take years and years to restore wildlife numbers. As the wolves run out of wildlife to kill, they turn to ranchers’ livestock. In August 2009 near Dillon, MT wolves went on a kill- ing spree and killed 120 sheep in one night. Nation- wide, wolves are costing ranchers $60,000,000 an- nually—60 million dollars annually. For every verified “wolf kill” of livestock, there are another six to seven head destroyed by wolves that are never re- ported or found because wolves hid the evidence by total consumption or bury- ing the animal to consume later. These are expensive losses to deal with by the livestock industry, ranchers that spend money locally. And the wolves do not mind killing people found in the woods hiking; fight- ing off one wolf may be possible, but wolves work in packs. Outdoorsmen know that when they see tame, inquisitive wolves, they should get out of the area quickly, but without undue haste, while being prepared to defend them- selves. President Teddy Ros- evelt called wolves “Beast of waste and desolation.” And he would call our cur- rent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Dept., over the wolf issue, “nature fakers.” Randy Hughes Lexington, OR Support Molly Rhea for MCHD Board I am writing this letter in support of Molly Rhea for the Morrow County Health District Board. Molly Rhea has lived in Morrow County all of her life and has been an advocate for the best health- care for the entire county for many years. Molly has served on many boards, she is a nurse and she has also been the Chief Nursing Of- ficer for the health district. She is a good mediator, good listener and a strong leader. She knows the laws and statutes that govern healthcare, and she has a high regard for patient confidentiality and is a good problem solver. Molly also started the hospice program in Morrow County. I was in the first hospice volunteer class and Molly was a great teacher. She is well respected and has received many awards from the state association for her work with hospice. Hospice is a wonderful program, and because of Molly, we are so grateful to have it going strong in Morrow County. As the Home Health and Hospice Director, Molly has served patients across all of Mor- row County and formed valuable relationships with many other community health care partners. Molly provided ex- cellent nursing care to me through our home health program after I had surgery. She was kind, compas- sionate, professional and helpful. Molly is experienced with rural healthcare bud- gets and she has had many years of working with dif- ferent agencies in Morrow County and across the state. She has clinical experience, she is honest with high ethical standards, she will represent all of Morrow County because she has worked for the best interests of healthcare in the whole county her entire career. Molly is retired now and will be able to dedicate the time necessary to be a good board member for Morrow County Health District. Please join me and vote for Molly Rhea because she is the most qualified candidate. Sherree Mahoney Heppner, OR Questions It’s been a rough week for this little communi- ty. It seems that it’s been one loss after another, and many have had to endure so much heartbreak. Why does a young family have to lose their mom? Why is my friend in the hospital fighting for his life? Why do people have to lose their children, mates and parents they love so much? Why does there have to be such pain? I wish I had the kind of faith that could just say “God’s will” and never ask why. But I do ask. I ask why God doesn’t step in and prevent disease or stop a wreck from happening. Doesn’t He love us enough to stop tragedies like these? I’ve asked this often. But I can’t ask those questions without looking at what I know about Him. Yes, I’ve seen miracles, healing and protection that I know only came from Him. And I’ve seen blessings so unde- served when the opposite would be just. So, how does God choose who to bless with protection and even miracles? Is He up there just randomly pitch- ing blessings like rocks to see where they land? Not a chance. Consider this…. I know there is a God who does love us, even though He doesn’t always do things the way we want Him to. God’s view isn’t our view. He sees things from beginning to end. He knows the result of every scenario. So am I, who can barely see the moment, to question His actions or mo- tives? God reminds us, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). When things make no sense to us down here, we can still be sure that we have a God who is in control. We can trust Him to bring about our ultimate best because His love is even greater than we can imagine. I hope we can remember this…especially in the midst of heartbreak. As we celebrate Easter, let’s really think about the meaning of what happened on the cross, and in the tomb. Let’s learn why Je- sus had to die and why his resurrection was so import- ant. Without it, there is no redemption, no heaven and no hope. But the tomb was empty. Death was defeated, and sin was paid for. If we ask and believe, we will be redeemed. I pray for every broken heart in this little community. Healing, comfort, hope and a future in heaven with…no death, no tears and no more good- byes. Because He is risen! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16). Susie Crosby Prineville, OR Vote Molly Rhea for Hospital Board To the good people of Morrow County: I have been thinking about the future of the Pi- oneer Memorial Hospital healthcare board. Growing up in Morrow County, I have always been loyal to our medical ser- vices. Until the last three years, I have been greatly disappointed with the hos- pital and its staff manage- ment. We have been sent home with nothing wrong, only to transport ourselves to Kadlec. We have had our labs lost or sent to the wrong doctor. This is not the way to run a hospital. When looking at the people wanting to run for the board, I do strongly recommend Molly Rhea. She has always been there when questioned regarding medical issues. Please keep her in mind when casting your vote. Thank you, Sandi Richardson Ione, OR We Should Work Together as a County over a large area. It is well known that certain personalities will set the agenda, then recruit the uninformed to further the agenda. The disciples have no access to the true facts. This has affected the whole county the last four years in many ways. Instead of creating hav- oc, we should be working informed and together to- wards a county to be proud of. Thank you, Stephen Munkers Irrigon, OR Letter to the Editor: This letter is written as a private citizen. As a long-time resident of Mor- row County, I am ashamed of our citizens that react and condemn without true facts. The reputation of the county at turmoil is known Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 2 Lots Approx 38 acres Price Reduced $170,000 Bare land to build! Expansive 38-Acre Property Heppner with Two Tax Lots – Endless Possibilities!Unlock the potential of this remarkable property, offering approximately 38 acres of prime land ready for your vision. 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