A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022
OPINION READER’S FORUM
Founded in 1906
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022
A4
OUR VIEW
Non-presidential elections matter so please vote
P
lease vote. Ballots went out
last week for the May 17 pri-
mary election, giving us
options for who we wish to represent
us at various levels of government.
In the 2020 election, 71.95% of eli-
gible people in Umatilla County voted,
according to the county elections
offi ce. A representative of that offi ce,
though, said the vote total is smaller in
non-presidential elections, like the one
ending later this month.
We have choices up and down the
ballot for various positions, including
city councilor, county commissioners,
governor and U.S. senator.
These positions matter. When they
assume offi ce, these people will make
decisions that impact us, our families
and our money. The people should,
then, align with our values and share
our interests.
One example of how offi ceholders
respond to us came in a recent meeting
of the Hermiston City Council. At that
meeting, local landowners approached
the council and pointed out an issue
related to a city project. The landown-
ers said it was unfair that their required
Ben Lonergan/Hermiston Herald, File
A voter places a ballot into a drop box on Nov. 3, 2020, in Hermiston.
payment was as high as it was.
In this example, the council heard
them and pressed the city to contribute
more to the project, thereby reducing
fees to landowners.
The council deliberates on many
COLUMN
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Living as a lefty leaves me soaked
Recent surgery leaves
columnist fumbling
through using tools
with her off hand
I
TAMMY
MALGESINI
IN MY SHOES
’ve recently been forced to use
my non-dominant hand for
everyday tasks. I have min-
imal skills with being ambidex-
trous, however, after having sur-
gery on my right hand/elbow,
I have learned a number of life
hacks (as well as things not to do).
I’ve utilized voice-to-text as
much as I can. Since I don’t like
to talk into my phone in normal
conversational tones, I use what
friends call my “golf commenta-
tor” voice. I talk quietly, so as not
to blast my private communica-
tions to everyone within earshot.
One problem — I don’t always
enunciate my words. While it’s
easy to make corrections before
hitting send, I don’t always do
that. Luckily, my friends have a
sense of humor. We’ve chuck-
led over some of the communi-
cations, which aren’t appropriate
for the newspaper.
Often referring to myself in
the third person in texts to my
husband, I use an abbreviated
form of my nickname, Bwana.
“The Bwan” is often transcribed
as “The blonde” (which is accu-
rate, thanks to my hairdresser) or
“The One” — making it sound
like I have an overinfl ated sense
of self-importance: “The One is
ready to be picked up.”
John also has been my chauf-
feur. While I can’t readily put the
rig into gear, the bigger issue is
getting in my Jeep. Utilizing a
step stool, I climb onto the run-
ning board, grab the “oh my god
bar” and pull myself in. However,
the stool remains on the ground.
I’m thinking of tying a rope
around it so I can reel it in.
Although I’m far from ambi-
dextrous, I might qualify for
being amphibian. Unlike for-
mer Oakland Athletics baseball
player Pat Venditte, who was
once referred to as an “amphibi-
ous pitcher,” some of my eff orts
have left me drenched.
While trying to open a bottle
of water, I had it situated between
my feet. As I attempted to turn the
cap, my feet clenched the bottle
ever tighter — resulting in a gey-
ser reminiscent of Old Faithful.
Upon hearing this story, my
co-workers check to see if I need
anything before leaving for the
day. Although, Hermiston Her-
ald editor Erick Peterson thought
I was off ering him a Pepsi when I
merely wanted him to open it.
While the help is greatly appre-
ciated, they are gaining a more
intimate knowledge of my hab-
its. Multimedia consultant Angel
Aguilar asked how many Pepsis I
consume daily. “Enough,” I said.
“Don’t judge me.” Since I also
drink a lot of water, my massive
liquid consumption results in fre-
quent visits to the facilities. And
that makes choosing my attire
very important.
A friend recently suggested
that I looked “gangster.” I can’t
help it — baggy shorts are eas-
ier to manipulate than tight-fi t-
ting pants. And with limited abil-
ities to style my hair, my hat
collection is coming in handy.
And I often prefer wearing them
backward.
Fortunately, Sen. Ron Wyden
wasn’t dressed to the nines when
Printed on
recycled
newsprint
VOLUME 115 • NUMBER 18
Andrew Cutler | Publisher • acutler@hermistonherald.com • 541-278-2673
Erick Peterson | Editor • epeterson@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4536
Angel Aguilar | Multi-Media consultant • aaguilar@hermiston herald.com 541-564-4531
Audra Workman | Offi ce Manager • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • community@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4532
To contact the Hermiston Herald for news,
advertising or subscription information:
• call 541-567-6457
• email 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.
other issues in every meeting. Other
boards and offi cials, likewise, decide
on other important issues. Power lines,
roads, buildings and more rise and fall
on the decisions of our representatives.
By choosing candidates who are most
favorable to us, we increase the likeli-
hood of getting more satisfactory out-
comes from their decisions.
The Hermiston City Council, alone,
has four seats up for grabs. Three of
those open positions give us a choice
of candidates; only one incumbent is
running unopposed.
For many of us who live in Hermis-
ton, the candidates are familiar faces.
Incumbents and challengers are our
neighbors, friends and acquaintances,
and we know where they stand on
issues.
When any candidates are unknown,
we have the opportunity to do
research. We can look up their back-
grounds, see what they have done,
read of what they want to do and then
vote accordingly.
Our elections are too important to
do otherwise.
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 ©2022
he visited the newsroom recently.
He, too, was wearing a baseball
hat, although not backwards. We
shared a laugh about how the late
Hermiston Mayor Frank Harken-
rider used to wear his caps pre-
cariously perched on the top of
his head.
I’d like to provide a public
service announcement for those
who might have surgery where
they utilize a nerve block. While
I received a printout from the sur-
gical center about the risks asso-
ciated with taking prescription
opioids, they didn’t stress the
importance of getting some pain
medication on board in advance
of the nerve block wearing off .
I’d never had one before, so
I didn’t know what to expect.
I literally went from zero pain
to off the charts approximately
24 hours after surgery. And evi-
dently, some nerve blocks last
longer than others. Annie Fowler,
the EO sports reporter, called my
nerve block “wimpy,” as the one
she had during shoulder surgery
lasted three days.
In addition to preparing my
meals, John also cuts my food
into bite-sized pieces. Don’t
worry, there isn’t a risk of
starving.
Back during my college days,
my roomies and I ate T-bone
steaks with our hands because
we forgot steak knives. I happily
reported in our Tuesday news-
room meeting that I ate 25% of
my dinner with the fork in my
right hand. While the road to
recovery is slow — my surgeon
said nerves regenerate at a rate of
one inch per month — I’m look-
ing forward to when I’m able to
grip a pen and hold a camera.
█
Tammy Malgesini, the Hermiston Herald
community editor, enjoys spending time with
her husband and two German shepherds,
as well as entertaining herself with random
musings.
Susan Bower will do what’s best for all residents
Please join us in voting for Susan Bower for Umatilla County
commissioner Position 1. Susan is a dedicated, hardworking profes-
sional who will always do what is best for all the residents of Uma-
tilla County.
Susan is a great communicator with the background and skill-set
to ensure that Umatilla County is front and center when it comes to
economic growth and a business friendly environment.
Susan has a passion to see that Umatilla County expands and
grows to its potential. As a county commissioner, we believe she
will use that passion and knowledge to benefi t our county.
Please vote Susan Bower for county commissioner.
Colleen and Dennis Hunt
Pendleton
Reelect Lindsay for Morrow County Commissioner
Please join us in voting to reelect Melissa Lindsay for Morrow
County commissioner.
Melissa has worked tirelessly for the last fi ve-and-a-half years as
a Morrow County commissioner; she has been present and commit-
ted to the job, spending countless hours representing and working
on behalf of the county.
Growing up on the family farm and spending the majority of
her adult life here, she understands Morrow County’s uniqueness,
its strengths, weaknesses and its complexities. She is honest, trust-
worthy, not afraid to put in the work and is always striving to do
what’s in the best interest for Morrow County and its citizens. She
listens, is intelligent, wants to learn about issues and more impor-
tantly she is willing to ask tough questions in order to fi nd a solu-
tion that works.
Melissa lives and breathes her commitment, which we think
makes her an excellent choice for the job of Morrow County
commissioner.
Steve and Lisanne Currin
Heppner
Susan Bower has Umatilla County’s best interest at heart
Susan Bower is a strong candidate for county commissioner
Position 1.
She is a highly competent individual with a vast business and
economic background, which will help her understand the com-
plexities of county government. Her expertise in workforce devel-
opment and fi rsthand experience in reducing redundancy in govern-
ment and business operations add to her qualifi cations.
Susan has the desire and tenacity to research and familiarize her-
self with the full aspect of the commissioner position be it infra-
structure, required services, homelessness, drugs, vaccines or men-
tal health issues. She is a team player, but one who is willing to take
charge and work in a transparent method when the situation merits.
In the best interest of Umatilla County, I invite you to join me in
voting for Susan Bower.
Bonnie Douglas
Pendleton
CORRECTIONS
It is the policy of the Hermiston Herald to correct errors as soon as
they are discovered. Incorrect information will be corrected on Page
A2. Errors committed 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
541-278-2673 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. 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; death notices
and information about services are published at no charge.
Obituaries can include small photos and, for veterans, a fl ag
symbol at no charge. Obituaries and notices may be submitted
online at hermistonherald.com/obituaryform, by email to obits@
hermistonherald.com, 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 800-522-0255, ext. 2211.