WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2018
OPINION
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Pullen best choice for county commissioner
This county election is an easy choice.
This election is an easy decision for my family. Rick
Pullen is one of us. Rick is not a candidate who will sit
back and coast like his competitor. This man truly loves
Umatilla County, not just a select group or city whom he
can benefit from. You can see this example as you drive
around the county. He is out meeting with all constituents
and hanging his own signs. Working closely with Rick Pul-
len on past projects, I can tell you that this candidate will
not shy away from hard issues and will vote for the peo-
ple of Umatilla County. He gives his all and is not afraid to
challenge the status quo.
Umatilla County as a whole has coasted for far too long
with our current elected officials. Results have been few. A
perfect example showing lack of effort is with our current
County Health Department. Please tell me Commissioner
Murdock, why this county cannot keep a director under
your supervision, cycling through three within the last five
years? Aside from budget, why have we lost programs due
to staffing under your supervision? Please explain to me
why we cannot provide much needed services to the Herm-
iston community and keep the Hermiston Health Depart-
ment office open full time under your supervision? It starts
at the top with you sir. Stop with the band aids and fix
the issue. Rick Pullen is the change that we need to move
Umatilla County forward. Rick is the person who will lis-
ten to the “everyday person” and strive to fix issues, not
just replace band-aids! I encourage Umatilla County resi-
dents to join me and vote for Rick Pullen, Umatilla County
Commissioner.
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7
It’s time to read up on the issues
Election season is always
and Kavanaugh hearings has
exciting for journalists.
made you throw up your hands
There are candidate forums
and say “I’m sick of politics!
to attend, passionate people to
No more.” That’s an under-
standable feeling, and there
interview about ballot mea-
sures, extra letters to the editor
is nothing wrong with pulling
and of course, the age-old tradi-
back from the breathless, 24/7
tion of newsroom pizza on elec- Jade
updates to protect your mental
tion night, which is pretty much McDowell health.
the Super Bowl of politics.
That being said, we hope
We understand there are
that you take some time
plenty of people out there who
between now and Nov. 6 to
don’t feel as fascinated by county educate yourself about the people and
commission races as we do, but we issues on your ballot and then vote.
hope there is something this election Voting is a precious gift, a right every
season that piques your interest.
bit as important as the right to free
Maybe you’re passionate about speech and the right to bear arms. It is
abortion access and want to follow a right people have died for through-
Measure 106, which if passed would out history, from the soldier protect-
ban the state from using taxpayer ing democracy to the 31 people killed
by a bomb at a polling place in Paki-
money to fund abortions.
Or maybe you really, really hate stan this summer.
You may feel your vote doesn’t
taxes and want to learn more about
Measure 103, which would amend the matter, but anyone in the political
state’s constitution to ban all taxes on arena will tell you that elections are
decided as much by who doesn’t turn
groceries.
Maybe an endless flow of news out as they are by the choice of actual
stories on the Trump administration voters.
Local city council races have
come down to fewer than 10 votes
on many occasions, and city coun-
cilors can have a major impact on
your life. They’re the people who
decide what your water rates will be,
whether the pothole in front of your
house should be fixed and what busi-
nesses are allowed to operate in your
neighborhood.
If you aren’t registered to vote,
you have until Oct. 16 to do so. It’s
free, it’s easy and you can do it on the
Secretary of State’s website from the
comfort of your own home.
We plan to make next week’s
Hermiston Herald a special election
edition, with stories discussing local
candidates, statewide ballot mea-
sures and more. Our sister paper the
East Oregonian has been providing
in-depth coverage and will continue
to do so.
We hope you read what we have to
offer and look forward to participating
in democracy come November.
Jade McDowell is a reporter for
the Hermiston Herald.
TOM & TERI PHELAN
PENDLETON
Vote for McLeod-Skinner for Congress
I am writing this letter to you in support of Jamie
McLeod-Skinner for Congress.
We need new ideas and new blood in this very important
position. The present congressman has for a very long time
not been responsive to the voice of the people and their
needs. The latest attempt in leading the charge to do away
with The Affordable Car Act is a case in point. Thousands
of Oregonians have signed onto this healthcare insurance
and it is keeping their financial boat afloat. So many have
the prospect of bankruptcy if they are not covered with
health insurance when a health problem arises and hospital
stays and even minor surgeries are needed.
There was no new legislation to replace this healthcare
lifeline that so many families depend on, so they would
have been without the protection. Students are covered up
until age 26, pre-existing conditions are covered. These are
only a few among many other helps built in to the Afford-
able Care Act.
The present congressman has had 20 years to prove him-
self to the people, so far he has failed in that endeavor. As
President Trump says, let’s clear the swamp. It’s time for a
new Congress!
Vote Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congress.
JANET BEITEL
SMARTPHONES
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UMATILLA
Davis should retain her city council seat
I would like to recommend a vote for city councilwoman
Lori Davis in the November election. She is a longtime res-
ident and a friend of mine. Lori is known to be truthful and
reliable. She’s an excellent decision-maker and one who
does so by listening and weighing all the facts. Although I
am no longer a resident of Hermiston I live nearby where
I have had opportunity to watch the city grow and change.
These changes have been very good and many have come
about during Lori’s eight years of service to your council.
Lori loves her community and is committed to bettering the
lives of its residents. Vote yes for Lori Davis!
OFFER ENDS OCTOBER 14
ALICE LOOMIS
KENNEWICK
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. SENATORS
Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate
Office Bldg., Washington,
DC 20510; 202-224-5244
La Grande office:
541-962-7691
Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office
Bldg, Washington, DC
20510; 202-224-3753
Pendleton office:
541-278-1129
U.S.
REPRESENTATIVE
Greg Walden
185 Rayburn House
Office Bldg, Washington,
DC 20515; 202-225-6730
La Grande office:
541-624-2400
GOVERNOR
Kate Brown
State Capitol, 900 Court
Street, Salem, OR 97301-
4047; 503-378-4582
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