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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2022)
OFF PAGE ONE Wednesday, april 13, 2022 HerMisTOnHerald.COM • A9 JILLI Continued from Page A1 her, helping her lead an adult life, Kristi Smalley said. Kristi Smalley is on a board that oversees the EOSSB. As such, she helps watch over the decisions of that organization, which is a per- sonal matter to her because her daughter receives assistance from it. Four EOSSB personal service workers supervise Jilli Smalley on activities, including her regular walks and her employment. EOSSB helps people live regular lives Laura Noppenberger, executive director, and Kristi Avery, Umatilla County lead personal agent, said EOSSB exists to help people with intellectual disabilities who are 18 and over. They receive assistance in their own homes and communities. “We advocate for services and COUNTY Continued from Page A1 put in their bodies as ask- ing about whether vaccina- tion mandates were right. They largely agreed they were not. “No. No. No,” Timmons said. Beers and Bonifer ref- erenced the Nuremberg tri- als and a necessary stand against tyranny. Oth- ers said it was an issue of choice, with some variation in regards to the need for choices to benefit society. The other questions were met with the same amount of agreement, most often with each candidate giving opinions that related back to stances of per- sonal freedoms and limited government. Speaking to their opin- ion on critical race the- ory, for example, candi- dates were unified in their opposition, with Beers say- ing that it “causes segrega- tion” and Bonifer stating it “causes division.” They all said parents should have the right to teach on this topic, not schools. They also sided on indi- vidual or local choice when it came to where children would attend school, and whether vouchers should be given to families. Some candidates pointed out that this and the question about critical race theory were not really a county commis- sioner issue. More relevant to their campaigns, candidates were asked for their opin- ions on the most import- ant issue or role for county commissioners. Bonifer emphasized transparency, speak- ing on the need for offi- cials to stand up for what is right. Addressing mental health and drug use are two important issues, he said. Bower spoke on the importance of workforce development, as well as tackling redundancy in government. Nelson said family was the most important thing, and government needs to promote efforts that will support families. Timmons said govern- ment needs to make sure people are getting the ser- vices they require. Elder care and veteran services, for instance, are needed, she said. Young argued for the need for infrastructure, medical services and bet- ter roads. Beers said there was need for the county to address drug use, mental health, veteran care, home- lessness and crime. Pullen spoke of farmers and the importance of help- ing ease burdens created by excessive legislation. Shafer stated there are problems of drug use and homelessness that need to be solved through new and existing services. Barton said he wished for programs that would encourage youth engage- ment, giving young people opportunities to learn and stay out of trouble. At the end, they met each other and visitors to the forum, nodding as can- didate Young said, “We have the same agenda” and they all want to do what is best for Umatilla County. Kathy Aney/Hermiston Herald Jilli Smalley, who has autism and a seizure disorder, loves her job at the Hermiston Pizza Hut where she has worked as a dishwasher for 11 years. resources for those people we serve,” Avery said. “We help people live bet- ter, more positive lives. It’s interesting, and there’s something new every day. And the people we help are great.” Noppenberger said she has worked for the EOSSB since it began, two decades ago. Among the many things she had done for others, Noppenberger said helping a person obtain a ramp for her home was one of the most satisfying. Avery said she has helped many people during the 20 years she has been with the organization, including helping one Milton-Freewater resi- dent move out of her parent’s home and into her own place. People, they said, can receive a wide range of assistance. A helper may, for example, go to a person’s home to set up medication, aid in laundry, create meal plans or go to the store. EOSSB helpers also may assist with employment, as with Jilli Smalley, they stated. “A lot of the people that we serve have jobs in the community, so they might need support with getting to work, staying on task, being dressed appropriately for the job, getting ready to go and being successful,” Noppenberger said. “We help them work if they want to work,” Avery said. “They learn how to handle money, work on being health- ier and navigate health matters. And if they want to travel, see things or do activities, we help with all of that.” Each person’s plan, Noppen- berger and Avery said, is tailored to meet specific needs, as each person’s needs will be different. “Essentially, we’re navigators, cheerleaders, helping to connect peo- ple with the resources in their com- munity to be successful,” Noppen- berger said. Noppenberger said that the EOSSB is one of 14 brokerages in Oregon, paid for with state tax dol- lars and federal funds. It serves 471 people in the counties of Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Morrow, Umatilla, Grant, Harney, Union, Baker, Wallowa and Malheur. The organization has 30 staff members, who are mostly based in their homes, near the people they serve. The EOSSB’s one office is in Hood River. As EOSSB employees live near the people they serve, they said, they are better able to assess their needs and help them. The Smalleys said they are grate- ful for this help. Chamber of Commerce PO Box 1 • 101 Olson Rd. • Boardman, OR 97818 • 541-481-3014 www.boardmanchamber.org • email: info@boardmanchamber.org This newsletter proudly sponsored by the following businesses:
