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.
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PET OF THE
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A large boom crane is being used to install a new
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