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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 30, 2015)
OPINION A4 HERMISTONHERALD.COM SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015 EDITORIAL • COMMENTARY • LETTERS HermistonHerald VOLUME 109 ɿ NUMBER 31 -(66,&$.(//(5 EDITOR MNHOOHU#KHUPLVWRQKHUDOGFRP 541-564-4533 6$0%$5%(( 6($1+$57 .,0/$3/$17 JEANNE JEWETT SPORTS REPORTER sbarbee@hermistonherald.com 541-564-4542 OFFICE COORDINATOR NODSODQW#KHUPLVWRQKHUDOGFRP 541-564-4530 REPORTER smhart@hermistonherald.com 541-564-4534 MULTI-MEDIA CONSULTANT jjewett@hermistonherald.com 541-564-4531 To contact the Hermiston Herald for news, advertising or subscription information: • call 541-567-6457 • e-mail info@hermistonherald.com • VWRSE\RXURI¿FHVDW(0DLQ6W • visit us online at: www.hermistonherald.com ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES 'HOLYHUHGE\FDUULHUDQGPDLO:HGQHVGD\VDQG6DWXUGD\V ,QVLGH8PDWLOOD0RUURZFRXQWLHV ......................................................................................... $42.65 2XWVLGH8PDWLOOD0RUURZFRXQWLHV ...................................................................................... $53.90 7KH+HUPLVWRQ+HUDOG8636,661LVSXEOLVKHGWZLFHZHHNO\DW+HUPLVWRQ +HUDOG(0DLQ6W+HUPLVWRQ25)$;3HULRGLFDO SRVWDJHSDLGDW+HUPLVWRQ253RVWPDVWHUVHQGDGGUHVVFKDQJHVWR+HUPLVWRQ+HUDOG (0DLQ6W+HUPLVWRQ25 3ULQWHGRQ recycled $PHPEHURIWKH(20HGLD*URXS&RS\ULJKW newsprint Fixing immigration “ A federal appeals court on Tuesday denied the Obama administration’s request to lift a hold on the president’s executive actions on immigration, which would have granted protection from deportation as well as work permits to millions of immigrants in the country illegally.” (“Federal Panel Lets Injunction Against Obama’s Immigration Actions Stand,” New York Times, 27 May 12) Ouch. It hurts when your own court system won’t support you. The immigration issue has been a problem for $PHULFDQVVLQFHWKH¿UVW Patuxet said, “What the heck were we thinking?” There is, however, a way to cut the Gordian Knot irony of immigrants and descendants of immigrants denying entry to other immigrants. It simply involves taking everybody at his word. Realize that every person on this continent is either an immigrant, or descended from immigrants. Whether they got here by leather- shelled coracle, steamship or jet airliner (or Asian land bridge, depending on what you believe about the ice ages), we — or our ancestors — all came from Somewhere Else. Presumably all or mostly all left for a better life, because who in his right mind leaves home for the unknown if he doesn’t believe the new place will be better? Which is why we have people immigrating illegally today — they want a better life, just like my ancestors. So let’s accept that that’s what they want. What, then, is wrong with setting up something like the bracero program of the last century? Someone wanting to work in the U.S. goes to his nearest U.S. consulate, demonstrates a clean criminal and medical history, posts a return bond — requirements far less costly than paying a coyote — and is given something we’ll call a Q visa. Upon arrival, he’s given a Tax ID Number, and off he goes into the labor pool as a regular employee. +HUH¶VWKH¿UVWFDWFK² a Q visa would be nothing more or less than a work permit. It conveys no rights to eventual citizenship and no rights to social safety net programs. Those would 7+20$6&5($6,1* OFF THE BENCH Herald columnist be reserved for citizens and those on a citizenship track. After all, the Q visa applicant supposedly is just looking for a job, right? Normal protections as enshrined in the Bill of Rights would be preserved, of course, as would access to emergency services and the justice system. The second catch would be that children of Q visa holders would also be ineligible for citizenship unless or until they completed a formal application process through the home country of the Q visa holder. Most nations have waiting lists of people wanting to enter America for more than just employment purposes, and there’s no reason why Q visa children should leap to the head of that line. The children would be eligible to apply for Q visa status of their own, should they so desire, but while holding Q visa status they could not apply for citizenship. What’s not to like? Conservatives can stop complaining about nefarious schemes to get those who’ve immigrated illegally into the voter ranks. Liberals can stop complaining about the criminal implications for people who are just here to work. Free marketeers can take comfort in the free movement of peoples and employment thereof, and taxpayers VKRXOGEHVDWLV¿HGWKDW the new Q visa workers can never become a “burden on society.” I foresee disgruntlement among those who DO have nefarious schemes to increase their own voter base, and those who would prefer to keep labor expensive will also not be terribly happy. But you can’t cut a Gordian Knot without some pain, after all. That’s just the “knotty” opinion of an opinionated guy. Share your opinions in response! Letters to the editor or by email to hermistonherald offthebench@gmail.com. Names of the terminally shy will be withheld on request. — Thomas Creasing is a Herald columnist and the Hermiston Municipal Court judge OP-ED: Eastern Oregon needs representation on ODFW Commission BY SEN. BILL HANSELL FOR THE HERMISTON HERALD O ne of the duties of the Oregon Senate is to FRQ¿UPRUQRWFRQ¿UP the governor appointees to the many state boards and commissions. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is one of those commissions, and I believe one of the most important citizen boards we have in all of state government. Bobby Levy of Echo has served with distinction on the ODFW Commission for the past eight years including time as the chair. But she was term limited and unable to be reappointed. Her position along with three others on the commission were recently up for consideration and FRQ¿UPDWLRQ%HFDXVH ODFW plays a critical UROHLQ¿VKDQGZLOGOLIH management, there was a tremendous amount of interest in who the governor would nominate, and if the Senate would Hansell FRQ¿UP Four positions were up for consideration — two new and two reappointments for a second four-year term. Gov. Kate Brown appointed former state Sen. Jason Atkinson to replace Mrs. Levy, and %UXFH%XFNPDVWHUWR¿OO an empty position from northwest Oregon. Many sports ¿VKHUVYLHZHG%UXFH Buckmaster’s appointment as controversial, and others viewed the appointment of Jason Atkinson with apprehension. When WKHJRYHUQRU¶VRI¿FH contacted me about these two appointments, I PDGHLWFOHDUWKDWP\¿UVW priority was representing the interests of eastern Oregon. During that conversation and over the next few weeks I learned the following: Gov. Brown ¿OOHGWKHWZRYDFDQFLHV as a package deal and if one failed, both would fail. Both individuals had opposition, and both had strengths, and both were unfairly represented at times by their opposition. All of the Indian Tribes of the Columbia River, including the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, endorsed Mr. Buckmaster. I believed it was important for eastern Oregon to have someone familiar with wolf issues, someone who is a land owner and someone who understands livestock production sit on the commission. The governor heard my concerns about the lack of representation for ranchers and landowners and chose to defer on the two reappointments. Those positions will be considered in September. I have been assured by KHURI¿FHWKDWVRPHRQH from northeast Oregon ZLWKWKRVHTXDOL¿FDWLRQV will be considered for the board at that time. I voted in support of the governor’s package — the two new appointees — with the assurance our part of the state will be considered for a new appointment in September. Bobby Levy was an excellent advocate for eastern Oregon on the ODFW Commission, and come September, I anticipate a new commissioner who has KHUTXDOL¿FDWLRQVZLOOEH DSSRLQWHGDQGFRQ¿UPHG — State Sen. Bill Hansell, a fifth genera- tion Eastern Oregonian represents District 29, a seven-county area from Hells Canyon to The Dalles Dam. He and his wife, Margaret, live in Athena, where he was raised and where they raised their six chil- dren. THANK YOU Me and My Prince Ball a success because of community go to the dance. We would also like to thank the businesses and individuals who do- nated items that were given as door prizes. Moreover, we would like Editor, to extend a huge thank you to 60 The volunteer members of the Minute Photo for taking hundreds Me and My Prince Ball Committee of portraits of our guests, Serenity would like to take this opportunity Sisters for working diligently to to express our deep gratitude for the provide refreshments for every- unprecedented support we received one and 60 Minute Photo and the from our community this year. We Hermiston Chamber of Commerce had the most sponsors we have ever for selling the tickets. We are had for the ball — 21 in all — and grateful for the Girl Scouts, Girl more than half of them were for the Scout volunteers, friends of Girl top two levels of sponsorship! It is Scouts, the Umatilla High School because of all of our sponsors that we Key Club and Umatilla Robotics are able to keep the tickets prices the Team for helping us set up before, same in our 11th year of the ball as host during and clean up after the LW ZDV DW WKH ¿UVW RQH 6RPH RI WKH dance, as well. All of their sup- sponsors even donated their comple- port helped to provide an elegant mentary tickets to our family assis- evening for girls of all ages in our tance fund, so that those who are ex- community and their fathers or fa- SHULHQFLQJ ¿QDQFLDO GLI¿FXOW\ FRXOG ther figures. Finally, we would like to show our appreciation to the men who brought their girls to the Me and My Prince Ball this year. We were amazed when our tickets sold out nine days before the big event! It is very touching to see the beaming faces of both the young ladies and their “dates” as they walk in the door, and watch as the men give their undivided attention to their special “little girls” for an entire evening. We hope you took away many wonderful memories of the evening that you will forever hold dear. On behalf of the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, Service Unit 22, thank you for mak- ing the 11th year of the ball so spe- cial. MICHELLE KANE ME AND MY PRINCE BALL COMMITTEE MEMBER ELECTED OFFICIALS STATE District 29: Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Umatilla Co., 900 Court St. N.E., S-423, Salem, OR 97301, 503-986-1729. 101 S.W. Third St., Pendleton, OR 97801 (541) 278- 1396. E-mail: ssen.billhansell@ state.or.us. District 30: Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day; 900 Court St. N.E., S-223 Salem, OR 97301, 503-986- 1950. 750 W. Main, John Day, OR 97845, (541) 575-2321. E-mail: ferrioli.sen@state.or.us. District 58: Rep. Greg Bar- reto, R-Pendleton; 900 Court St. N.E., H-480, Salem, OR 97301, 503-986-1458. E-mail: rep.greg- barrento@state.or.us. Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/ barreto District 57: Rep. Greg Smith, R-Morrow, 900 Court St. N.E., H-280, Salem, OR 97301, 503- 986-1457. P.O. Box 215, Hep- pner, OR 97836, (541) 676-5154. E-mail: smith.g.rep@state.or.us.