HERALD
OPINION
and
reader’s
forum
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
OUR VIEW
Amazing
people
lined up
to join the
council
J
ackie Linton’s recent election to the
Hermiston City Council is the latest
of many proud moments for the city.
Events like this one are exciting, as they
showcase and promote the diversity of
our local government. As we celebrate
this historic moment, however, let’s not
lose sight of just one of the positive as-
pects that already exist about the council.
Take note of the quality people who
have lined up for a chance to be on the
council. The council has eight members,
and four of the seats were up for grabs.
Three of four of the seats were contested,
with only Councilor Jackie Myers run-
ning unopposed.
In many cities, there aren’t such races.
Here, not only did Hermiston citizens get
choices, they received good ones.
During the council candidate forum
before the election, then-candidate Da-
vid McCarthy said that any one of them
would do a good job. And we believe
him. McCarthy, an active member of the
community, is ubiquitous in town, he
knows everyone and is likely to know a
good egg from a bad one.
Councilor Lori Davis, who lost her
seat to Linton is a professional and
thoughtful member of the council.
Elected to serve on the council start-
ing in 2010, she is a respected member
of the body. Likewise, council member
Phillip Spicerkuhn is praised by people
throughout town. His professionalism
and willingness to press for answers
during meetings will be missed.
Then there is Stan Stradley, who lost
his election to Councilor Roy Barron.
Stradley, a former executive director of
the Housing Authority of the County
of Umatilla, likely would’ve brought
important insights to a city struggling
with housing. Barron, though, is a
known and highly esteemed council
member. It would be difficult for any-
one to unseat him.
A council of the people who lost the
latest Hermiston City Council races
would be a great start to one in most
other cities. Hopefully, they will find
some other way to contribute to the town.
Meanwhile, Hermiston goes forward
with a dutiful and bright group that is
terrifically diverse. We wish Linton and
company the best as they face the chal-
lenges of the coming year.
COLUMN
We must act now on gun legislation
W
hen most people are asked about
their greatest death-related fear, they
say cancer. I agree that it is a worry;
I am also afraid of cancer. But I have been
thinking of another fear lately, as I look at the
tragedy that happened in Uvalde, Texas.
Nineteen elementary school children and two
adults were gunned down. This is the most fear-
ful evil I can imagine. This is a terrible way to die,
suffering such fear and pain, caused by a weapon
designed for war.
This is an event that has put our country in de-
spair. It also has affected the world.
Until we have effective gun laws that are going
to protect and Congress makes a move to pass
new gun law reforms, we will not be protected.
Schools, shopping malls, concerts, entire com-
munities are not going to be safe.
Guns are terrible killers in America, and I
think many gun owners don’t realize the cause
for concern. Our children need a cure, and they
need it soon.
█
Jose Garcia is the chair of the Hispanic Advisory Committee
in Hermiston.
Safe schools start well outside the classroom
W
e are heartbroken by the tragedy at
Robb Elementary School in Uvalde,
Texas. Though the events unfolded
many miles away, we all feel the impact of vio-
lence when it touches a school. Our thoughts
extend to the families, students and community
that is in so many ways similar to our own.
The Board of Directors and I want you to know
that Hermiston School District works hard every
day to keep students safe. When these tragedies
occur, it is understandable that parents put them-
selves in the shoes of those dealing with the after-
math of horrific events. We feel that deeply.
Our best protection is a community that looks
out for one another and cares for those who are
struggling, combined with daily vigilance, pur-
poseful planning and clear protocols at every
school. The process doesn’t start when tragedy
strikes and doesn’t end when the national spot-
light on school safety fades.
When it comes to facilities, the Hermiston
community has consistently invested in upgrad-
ing and maintaining buildings with clear lines of
sight at entries and exits and modern security sys-
tems in place. We have specific measures in place
HERALD
Volume 115 • Number 23
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 | Office Manager • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • community@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4532
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HERMISTON
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JOSE
GARCIA
We need to put this issue before our local and
state representatives. What are they doing about
this problem? How will they take action on their
promises to enact gun control?
This is an issue that requires we act peacefully
as a community. We want to send a clear message
that we want our children to be safe. We must
practice love and caring relationships with our
children, we must start the talks about resent-
ments and hate.
To make a commitment for everlasting love
and friendship as parents, we must start now.
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TRICIA
MOONEY
OTHER VIEWS
for the safety of all students and staff across the
district that are specified for each building, and
we work continuously to improve those measures.
The Hermiston Police Department is immediately
alerted for any non-planned fire alarm, and staff
and students are trained on how to respond in any
kind of emergency.
But safety planning goes beyond drills and se-
curity cameras. It takes thoughtful, well-trained
staff to provide support for our students, includ-
ing counselors, our student services team, safety
support specialist, mental health specialists, cam-
pus monitors, teachers and many others. We tell
every student who walks through the doors that
they are important and cared for, and we take that
promise seriously.
Our partnership with the Hermiston Police
CORRECTIONS
Printed on
recycled
newsprint
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
Department is not just as an emergency response
team, but to build relationships day in and day
out. Resource officers are an integral part of our
schools and, along with teachers, counselors and
other staff, help mentor and watch over students.
Hermiston schools must be safe, welcoming
places for all students and staff to learn and thrive.
It’s our commitment to provide both. You can
read about our safety and security measures on
the school’s website at www.hermiston.k12.or.us.
We don’t always know how a student will be
affected in a crisis like the one in Uvalde and
the news coverage and conversations that fol-
low, but parents know their children the best of
anyone. We ask that you talk with your students
and remind them that their school is a safe place
and that we are united in our commitment to
the safety of our schools, staff and students.
Thank you for the care you give to our commu-
nity of children.
We join together as a community in grief and
in solidarity with Uvalde. We are shaken but
not shattered.
█
Tricia Mooney is the superintendent of the Hermiston
School District.
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
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notices and information about services are published
at no charge. Obituaries can include small photos and,
for veterans, a flag 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 offices. For more
information, call 541-966-0818 or 800-522-0255, x2211.