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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 2020)
OPINION READER’S FORUM Founded in 1906 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 A4 EDITOR’S DESK A small survey makes a big difference I f you have received an invitation from the U.S. Census Bureau to fi ll out the 2020 Census and have not yet done so, stop what you’re doing and go do that now. It may seem like a small thing, but that fi ve minutes of your time is a huge service to your community. Census counts are Jade used to determined your McDowell NEWS EDITOR representation in gov- ernment, including how many seats your state gets in Con- gress. Oregon is one of seven states projected to possibly snag an addi- tional seat in the House of Represen- tatives, taking one away from a slow- er-growing state, such as California or New York. A low turnout of cen- sus responses in Oregon could hurt those chances. Census data will also be used to divide up representation in the Ore- gon Legislature. Right now, accord- ing to the U.S. Census Bureau, 69.7% of Multnomah County house- holds have fi lled out the census, and 72.1% in Clackamas. Out here, only 52.2% of Uma- tilla County households and 42.9% of Morrow County households have responded. That’s good news for Portland res- idents who are hoping to see the Leg- islature remain controlled by a super- majority of Democrats from mostly metro areas. It’s not so good news for Staff photo by Jade McDowell, File Hermiston’s population will be counted along with the rest of the country’s during the 2020 U.S. Census. the people who wish there were more state legislators who understand East- ern Oregon. Census data also helps determine the distribution of more than $800 billion in federal grants through more than 300 different programs, such as Medicaid. According to an analysis by George Washington University, in 2015 Oregon lost $1,169 per per- son who had not been counted on the 2010 Census. When a community has a lower rate of participation in the census than other communities, making its popu- lation seems smaller than it actually COLUMN is, that community gets less than its fair share of funding for everything from Head Start to Section 8 low-in- coming housing to highway improve- ments. Federal grants using census data have made many local proj- ects possible, including the $2 mil- lion Community Development Block Grant to build Hermiston’s new senior center, and the $1.7 million Echo recently received to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. The private industry often uses population growth data as well, to make decisions about where to locate stores, restaurants, offi ces and LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Pandemic creates Pepsi panic I recently had a déjà vu moment with my soda of choice. This past spring when the coronavi- rus turned my world upside down, I told my friends that John and I would be fi ne as long as I had my Pepsi Zero Sugar. Part tongue-in- cheek, part serious, it’s now getting real. It started several weeks ago when I couldn’t fi nd half-racks of Pepsi Zero at Safeway. In retrospect, I wish I had bought the 6-pack bottles. A couple of days later, I placed a Walmart pickup order and did just that — I should have bought more. Tammy I sent a message to my bestie, Malgesini Carol Greene, telling her I was in the middle of a crisis. While she laughed, she’s well aware of my need for Pepsi. She suggested I look on Amazon (been there, done that and not willing to mortgage the house to buy and have it shipped). Several years ago, I went through a sim- ilar panic, which I wrote about in a Janu- ary 2016 column. At the time I was drinking Pepsi Next, which was taken off the market. As I mentioned then, I didn’t want to go back to the added calories of regular Pepsi and I didn’t care for the aftertaste of Diet Pepsi — that’s when I discovered Pepsi in the black can. In addition to no sugar or calories, it has twice the caffeine ... perfection! After again fi nding an empty space on the shelf where my beloved black can should have been, I asked customer service at Safe- way when the Pepsi distributor would be restocking the shelves. She said he had been there earlier that day and proceeded to tell me that there was an aluminum can shortage due to the pandemic. It was her understand- ing that Pepsi was going to concentrate on producing its primary products, which didn’t include Pepsi Zero. As my supply dwindled, I understood the desperation that leads addicts to places they wouldn’t normally go. I donned a hazmat suit to enter Walmart in search of the elu- sive black can. I also went to Rite-Aid and Bi-Mart, as well as a handful of convenience stores. I fi nally returned to Safeway, only to fi nd 6-packs of 7.5 ounce cans. Who, pray tell, only drinks that small of an amount? It doesn’t even feel right in my hand. I bought them all. Before judging me, there were only fi ve — during normal times, it would be nothing for me to buy eight or 12 half-racks when they’re on sale. I told my husband I was likely just putting off the inevitable. It seems that eventually, I’d have to leave the dark side of the black can and make the switch to the silver Diet Pepsi can. And then, Sunday afternoon my bestie called. Carol found four 6-packs of Pepsi Zero and did I want her to buy them. The answer was a resounding “Yes!” She told me they were on sale but I didn’t really care — even full price, it would be much cheaper than what I found on Amazon. Carol later messaged me saying she was afraid I was in my little pool and wouldn’t answer the phone and she wouldn’t know what to do. I told her, “For future reference, always buy the 6-packs and half-racks.” I’m OK ... for now. But if you see Pepsi in the black can, don’t hesitate to buy it and drop it off at my house — help a desperate addict in need. --- Tammy Malgesini, the former Hermis- ton Herald community editor, enjoys spend- ing time with her husband and two German shepherds, as well as entertaining herself with random musings. COVID isn’t just spread by Hispanics Well, Dr. Jeremy Anderson, so you blame the Hispanic community for the high number of the COVID-19 cases in Hermiston? Did you do a thorough sur- vey of all the people in Hermiston, all the other provider offi ces? Does it seem to you that all the Hispanics spread the virus in Hermiston? I’ve got news for you, doctor: A lot of people in our community think they won’t get the virus. I’ve seen whites and Hispanics go into a store with no mask on. They think it won’t happen to them. Call the Oregon governor and tell her to open the town again, that you will see that all Hispanics leave town. Maybe then you’ll have no more virus in town. Minerva Bethel Hermiston Editor’s note: This letter is in reference to an article that appeared in the Aug. 6 East Oregonian titled “Skeptic faces push- back from community members.” Try a proven method for combatting COVID The photo of the Will Not Comply Protest in Pendleton graphically demon- strated why we are unable to get the COVID-19 virus under control. The photo shows a woman holding a sign say- ing “I will not lose my business because you lose your mind”. The woman is not wearing a mask and appears to be in close proximity to other demonstrators. All over the world, the wearing of masks and social distancing have demon- strated success in lowering the incidence of the virus in their population, with the subsequent opening of their businesses. This includes Third World countries. I have always maintained if you are CORRECTIONS Printed on recycled newsprint VOLUME 114 • NUMBER 31 Andrew Cutler | Publisher • acutler@eomediagroup.com • 541-278-2673 Jade McDowell | News Editor • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536 Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531 Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538 To contact the Hermiston Herald for news, advertising or subscription information: • call 541-567-6457 • e-mail info@hermistonherald.com • stop by our offi ces at 333 E. Main St. • visit us online at: hermistonherald.com The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN 8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838, (541) 567-6457. factories. If political power and money aren’t good incentives, how about patriotism? Filling out the census is a civic duty enshrined in the Constitu- tion, right up there with paying your taxes or jury duty. The idea of a census dates back to biblical times, but the fi rst U.S. Cen- sus was taken in 1790, when Thomas Jefferson was president and the entire United States had fewer residents than Oregon does now. Since then, it has charted the growth of our nation a decade at a time, shaping the deci- sions of our leaders. If you haven’t fi lled out the cen- sus yet, it only takes a few moments of your time. Simply fi ll out and mail back the paper copy your house- hold has received, visit 2020census. gov or call 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish. If you don’t do one of those things before Sept. 30, taxpayer dollars may be used to send someone to your door to ask you to fi ll one out in person. The census only asks for each household member’s name, birth date, sex and race and whether the home is a single-family dwelling or apartment. There are no questions about fi nances, citizenship, political party, religion or other things people sometimes don’t like to talk about, and your answers are confi dential. Do it today. Your country and your community thank you for doing your part. Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR. Postmaster, send address changes to Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838. Member of EO Media Group Copyright ©2020 It is the policy of the Hermiston Herald to correct errors as soon as they are discovered. Incorrect information will be corrected on Page 2A. Errors commited on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also are noted in the online versions of our stories. Please contact the editor at editor@hermistonherald.com or call (541) 564-4533 with issues about this policy or to report errors. SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Letters Policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for the Hermiston Herald readers to express themselves on local, state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer letters should be kept to 250 words. No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person. The Hermiston Herald reserves the right to edit letters for length and for content. doing something and getting the same bad results, do something different. I suggest trying something that has proven to work. As a retired junior high teacher, I recall we always had a small percentage of our student body who loudly proclaimed “they had rights” but were vague on the responsibilities these rights implied. It appears these me-me-me kids have grown big. Carlisle Harrison Hermiston Change is possible; work together Dear Mr. President, As it appears to be for you, I was upset when NFL players knelt during the national anthem. However, at this time I think we should all kneel for the anthem, as a statement against improper and ille- gal police actions and in memorial to all past, present, and future victims of police brutality. In this we must agree to disagree. I am as big a patriot for this country as anyone ever (retired U.S. Navy, ballistic missile submarines), but sometimes things become more important than the pri- mary symbols of this country. Right now, I believe all Americans should shout with one voice, “No more bad police.” You do know what they say about one bad apple. Unfortunately, we have always had bad apples as police, politicians (can name a half a dozen right now), military, and any other job you can name. We probably will always have them. Perhaps now is the time to say something and generate real change. This is our chance to make Amer- ica truly great. Please join me in this. Fair winds and following seas. William Laffen Umatilla Letters must be original and signed by the writer or writers. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include a telephone number so they can be reached for questions. Only the letter writer’s name and city of residence will be published. OBITUARY POLICY The Hermiston Herald publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can include small photos and, for veterans, a fl ag symbol at no charge. Expanded death notices will be published at no charge. These include information about services. Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctuation and style. Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at hermistonherald.com/obituaryform, by email to obits@ hermistonherald.com, by fax to 541-276-8314, placed via the funeral home or in person at the Hermiston Herald or East Oregonian offi ces. For more information, call 541-966-0818 or 1-800-522-0255, x221.
