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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2019)
OPINION/NEWS A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 LETTER COLUMN Hermiston needs a recreation center ermiston is a fam- ation center. This cen- ily-friendly place ter could include an open to live. There are gym for athletes to prac- parks, a bowling alley, tice year-round, an indoor a roller rink, and in the pool so swimmers no longer summer an incredible have to travel to Pendleton aquatic center. But with an or Boardman to practice, ever-growing pop- maybe even a rock ulation of younger wall for simple rec- people, Hermiston reation purposes or is falling behind in an ice skating rink activities. so Hermiston could According to the add a hockey team. Hermiston School The possibili- District, more than ties are endless, and Nadine 5,300 students it would positively Ferguson attend the public add to our commu- schools in Hermis- nity, not just in the ton. That’s 5,300 students fun it would provide, but in between the ages of 5 and the possible jobs. A facil- 18 whose favorite phrase — ity like a recreation center as any parent would know would need employees to — after school or on week- run it, clean it and control ends is, “I’m bored.” safety, thus creating even So how can Hermiston more jobs in Hermiston’s make our town become a growing community. A rec- more kid and teen-friendly reation center would cre- place to live? One idea ate a perfect place to hold would be adding a pub- birthday parties, fun family lic and affordable recre- gatherings, and even gradu- ation parties. The possibili- ties are endless. This facility could even offer specials on certain days creating more demand and economic opportunity. A recreation center could open up a world of pos- sibilities for new activi- ties and sports previously not offered in Hermiston. This center would encour- age more physical activ- ity and get teenagers off their phones for a while to go have fun with their friends in a safe and excit- ing environment. Boardman recently added a recreation cen- ter that could be a model for Hermiston. Hermiston already has an incredible pool that provides aquatic fi tness, swimming lessons, lifeguard training, and a very fun experience, but it is only open in the summer. The recreation center would easily fi x this problem and H continue the fun and oppor- tunity for economic stimu- lation that the aquatic center provides in the summer. By providing a recre- ation center in Hermiston, the community of students would have a safe and fun place to relax after a gruel- ing day of school or hang out with friends on week- ends. It would provide new jobs, a place for kids to play and exercise, and better access to new sports. Add- ing a recreation center may seem to be a daunting task that seems far away, but if plans started now, it is a possibility for Hermiston’s future. So Hermiston, let’s really open our arms to the youth in our commu- nity and provide a fun and safe place for them to spend their days. Nadine Ferguson is a member of the color guard at Hermiston High School. it “criminal.” Actually, we know of a single mother in Hermiston who already uses bath water three times be- fore draining the tub, yet in one city vote her bill increased 50 percent! Seriously? We believe that when our city leaders make asinine mistakes, they deserve a chance to make it right. We sug- gest that they imme- diately go back to the drawing board, and re- fi gure an increase that is closer to the infl a- tion rate, and consider a credit refund as well. Failure to do so should result in removal from offi ce. We don’t need a frivolous dictatorship, or oligarchy, in Herm- iston. Life here should be “sweet” — not bitter, right? More- over, we need leaders with integrity, who realize this fee hike is unacceptable, and are willing to fi x it ASAP! Jerald Carlson Hermiston Hermiston fee hikes should be refunded A century ago, any brazen leaders who had the audacity to raise fees a whopping 50 percent would have been tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail. So imagine our shock when we opened our Hermiston water/sewer bill on March 11, and discov- ered that our rates had skyrocketed a whop- ping 50.9 percent in one month! You’ve got to be kidding! As retired senior citizens, whose re- tirement wages may (or may not) receive a modest wage increase of 2 percent per year, due to infl ation, this crazy increase real- ly blew our minds. Indeed, if someone raises fees above the infl ation rate, we call it “greed.” If the rate is 25 times more than the infl ation rate, we call PHOTO OF THE DAY Bridge Replacement Contributed photo by Heidi Sipe Umatilla High School teachers wear “Red for Ed.” Umatilla teachers wear Red for Ed Each Tuesday for the rest of the leg- islative session, Umatilla School Dis- trict’s teachers will be wearing “Red for Ed.” Staff and school board mem- bers will be wearing red shirts to sup- port stable and adequate funding for schools, and to encourage others in the community to learn about school funding and help advocate for more resources for schools. The district is calling for a $10.37 billion investment budget to be approved by the legislature, includ- ing a $1 billion school improvement fund. With its share of the funds, Uma- tilla School District would implement smaller class sizes, a variety of classes to give students a well-rounded educa- tion, student physical and mental health services and increased learning time. The school district sent out a press release saying that in the past several years, teachers in Umatilla have made many sacrifi ces due to the struggling economy. Contributed photo by Heidi Sipe Teachers at Clara Brownell Middle School wear red every Tuesday to bring awareness to the need for adequate education funding. “Over the years, Umatilla cut posi- tions and reduced expenses due to budget constraints,” the press release stated. “Employees at every level vol- untarily took pay freezes and cut paid work days to create the best opportu- nities for students possible in tough economic times. Today, Oregon’s economy is strong, yet Oregon is still ranked 29th in the United States for per-student funding.” The district said that local sup- port for schools is strong, with voters passing a facilities bond in 2016, and often donating to student fundraisers. But at the state level, it said, funding is not where it should be, and Umatilla schools still haven’t been restored to pre-recession staffi ng levels or supply budgets. The district recently did a survey with staff and community members to identify what they think should be pri- oritized if additional funding is received from the legislature. Umatilla schools are also hosting an event on May 8, called “Walk in their Shoes.” Commu- nity members can sign up and complete a background check, and will be able to hear budget updates and spend the day with a student. The goal of the event is to have community members help administration identify the strengths and needs of Umatilla schools. MEET ALVIN! 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