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April 17, 2008 Opinions |
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Letters
Changes To Come To Annual Blood Draw
To The Record-Courier:
Spring time is the season for health fairs throughout the Eastern Oregon region. For more than 20 years St. Elizabeth Health Services has offered reduced fee laboratory tests during the annual Blood Draw. The Administrators of St. Elizabeth and the Medical Staff took a hard look at national standards for community health screenings and made the decision to provide the same lab services we always have for this year’s draw, and prepare the community for changes next year, which will reflect national standards.
The $50 charge for the lipid panel, CBC, CMP, TSH, LDH and Uric acid was set by the hospital. The Health Fairs in La Grande and Halfway set their own blood draw prices. These two sites offer fewer lab tests which lowers the cost of the services. We have taken extra steps to ensure that our screening prices, when compared to others are of value to our customers.
St. Elizabeth Health Services aims to provide an annual community health screening that is clinically recommended and that meets the unique needs of our population. This year’s Health Fair will address the three main causes of death in Baker County, provide opportunities for free screenings, education for disease prevention and highlight resources for the needy.
We are excited about the improvements we have made to provide the best health care for our community. We appreciate the opportunity to provide quality health screenings.
Amy Dunkak
St. Elizabeth Health Services
Baker City
Stop Wasting Public Money
To The Record-Courier:
When will city and county government realize that the economic development “emperor has no clothes?” In the 10 years I have been back in my home community, well in excess of a million dollars of public funds have been spent on inventing and reinventing economic development efforts with little or no result. In addition to this vast amount of public spending, hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours have been expended serving on one new “rat or bat” committee after another. In that time, streets, roads and other infrastructure of the city and county have suffered an accelerating decline, and the costs of dealing with that decline is increasing exponentially.
I would suggest an entirely different approach. I believe the city and county should get out of the economic development business entirely. I would not fund any staff positions, no further studies and no further “consultants” and reassign and reallocate city manager and other city staff members away from largely unaccountable and unproductive “economic development.” City and county staff should focus their entire attention to attending to public infrastructure improvement including a big focus on grant writing to support and enhance the community. They should be judged on tangible results in this area.
Baker City has no natural advantages as a manufacturing center. We just need to recognize that. Our natural advantage is the beauty of the historic city and surrounding area and the pristine lifestyle it offers. By drawing new residents seeking a quality lifestyle, we help to preserve it for all of us. I would increase funding assistance to HBC, who conducts virtually all the civic events drawing new people to Baker City. HBC has such a record of success and operates on a shoe string budget. I would also see that TRT funds are spent on outside advertising, as it was intended. In that way, Baker City will draw new eyes, and new residents, to our lovely city. Taking care of bad streets and other infrastructure needs will only make the area more attractive to residents seeking a location based on the quality of life it offers.
Let those of us who own commercial property, and our outstanding cadre of local real estate brokers and outstanding merchant base, do the “economic development” of seeking new customers and new users of the available commercial and industrial properties. The skill and incentive to do so clearly lies within the private sector.
Let’s bag the newest “42 point plan”, stop the waste of public money and staff time on “economic development” and have city and county government focus their efforts on essential governmental services, and evaluate their performance on the basis of those tasks.
Pamela C. Van Duyn
Baker City
Walden Supports Renewable Energy
To The Record-Courier:
It is incomprehensible that Congress-man Greg Walden has come under attack for an alleged lack of support for the development of the renewable energy industry.
An Eastern Oregon-based organization has recently initiated a negative campaign directed at Congressmen Walden based upon the very narrow issue of one piece of legislation—which happens to contain a major tax increase, would significantly harm American jobs and the President will veto—and has ignored the very broad benefits over 10 years that Congressman Walden has consistently supported for renewable energy and every other important industry and issue to our part of the State.
I have a personal interest in a renewable energy company that has relied on the expertise and positive influence of Congressman Greg Walden. He is highly informed and works hard to serve our best interest.
I doubt that there is but even one of this nation’s 435 individuals serving in the House of Representatives who works harder on behalf of his constituents and sets aside partisan differences like our congressman, Greg Walden.
Thank you Greg. Keep up the good work!
Brian D. Cole
Baker City
Support The Weed Levy
To The Record-Courier:
I am writing this letter to give my total and unconditional support for the upcoming Weed Levy in May. As a weed fighter and Weed Board Member, I can confidently say that we are making significant progress in the battle against noxious weeds in Baker County. Baker County voters must remain committed to the weed fight by voting “YES” on the ballot. It would be a tragedy if we decided to forego our weed fight, and allow invasives to once again dominate the landscape.
With the help of Arnie Grammon at Baker County, the Lower Burnt River CWMA (Cooperative Weed Management Area) has organized an effective campaign to minimize noxious weed impacts in the Durkee area. Unlike the past, we are making excellent progress on whitetop. We are also gaining in our fight against leafy spurge, another tough species found in the greater Alder Creek area. We also rely on Arnie’s technical assistance on riparian weed and restoration management. Simply put, his advice is solid and highly effective.
Unproductive, weedy land represents considerably less economic returns for all of Baker County’s citizens. We must keep our crop and pasture land in efficient, cost-effective production. Otherwise, extensive weed invasions increase the risk of these lands being taken off the tax rolls. The end result will likely leave a greater tax burden to those still able to pay.
Again, vote “YES” on the County Weed Levy. Thanks for your support.
Ted Bloomer
Durkee, Ore.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day Was Successful
To The Record-Courier:
I wanted to thank everyone who helped with the three tables we set up for the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day at the Y gym this past Saturday. Also, we all thank the Y staff for arranging an event to bring kids and their parents out together.
The Kid's Day Highland Games table activities were directed by Bob Nelson and Roxanna Swan. Roxanna offered information to the curious and ran the "Shoot King Edward" trebuchet game, awarding the title of "Protector Of Scotland" to the cork ball shooters until the short supply of award cards was exhausted. Those kids could fling the cork missiles with great accuracy. Bob had the kids turning the (cardboard tube) caber with many getting perfect scores. He also had a "Weight for height and distance" event. The results suggest that when the Highland Games open in August we will see some young and skilled athletes on the field. Bagpipe music from a small CD player helped set the mood and even had people dancing across the floor.
Baker City Blades fencers were represented by, Penny Rienks, Mitch and Crystal Bulthuis, and Howard Zwanziger. Penny and Crystal demonstrated the clashing swords of Sabre fencing. The kids loved the noise and flash of the blades. Mitch gathered small groups and put foils in the kids hands and showed them the basics of holding the foils while advancing and retreating. We had an audio-visual display: a computer showing the DVDs of last year's competition.
Manning the Astronomy table were Sue Blair and George Zimmerman. They answered questions, described the sights to be seen and distributed star charts to the people stopping by. They were so popular that George ran out and had extra star chart copies made to meet the demand. Sue and George also helped host our Sidewalk Astronomy presentation on Main St., in front of the Geiser Grand Hotel.
We showed the passers-by the "Mysterious X" on the moon, Saturn and its moon Titan, and Mars. A large number of people were on the streets and all who stopped by were friendly and truly amazed at the sights we were able to show them.
Ryc Rienks
Baker City
Chuck Hofmann For OTEC Board
To The Record-Courier:
I would like to use this forum to publicly recommend Dr. Charles Hofmann for the OTEC Board position representing Baker County. Having worked alongside Chuck for a number of years on the Baker City Council and watching his involvement in several other capacities, I feel he is a clear choice for this position.
There are a number of reasons to support his candidacy, but the one thing that stands out consistently for me is his commitment to keeping our area on the map, so to speak, and leveraging the most from the resources we have at hand. Everyone may not always agree with Chuck, but that is why you have more than one person on any given board - so that they can have discussions that ultimately lead to the best solution. Chuck is understanding of opinions different than his own and he is not afraid to think outside the box and break away from the “but this is how we have always done it” mode.
In visiting with Chuck about the OTEC board, I was impressed by his desire to get OTEC more involved in economic development, which includes helping to bring more family wage jobs to our area. I think this is important for Northeastern Oregon and our future and is one example of how Chuck thinks broadly about making a difference.
Please join me in voting for Dr. Charles Hofmann for the OTEC board.
Paul York
La Grande, Ore.
Earth Day
To The Record-Courier:
April 22 is Earth Day, a time when many American people and organizations celebrate by vowing to reduce their carbon footprint and perform other measures that reduce damage to our country and planet Earth. While most of these are noble vows, the root cause is often ignored. That cause is overpopulation.
Earth Day was founded in 1970 by the late U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI). In a review of a booklet titled “Forsaking Fundamentals: The Environmental Establishment Abandons U.S. Population Stabilization” by Roy Beck, executive director of NumbersUSA, and Leon Kolankiewicz, Nelson made the following statement.
“My hope is that - as happened at the first Earth Day-this year’s Earth Day (2001) will see a renewed pledge to move toward full environmental protection that can be achieved only by U.S. population stabilization. This monograph shows what went wrong the previous 30 years and points the way to what must be done if we are to avoid the present trajectory that will double our population again this century.”
Here are quotes from Numbers USA, who in their own words are, “a non-profit, non-partisan organization that seeks to reduce legal and illegal immigration to more traditional numerical levels and to carry out immigration-reduction recommendations from two national commissions of the 1990s: Barbara Jordan’s bipartisan U.S Commission on Immigration Reform and the President’s Council on Sustainable Development chaired by Tim Wirth.”
“At the first Earth Day celebration, in 1970, environmentalists heartily embraced stabilization of America’s population as a core objective of their movement, without which they believed no amount of legislation or spending could stop and reverse the harm being done to the natural world. But as of Earth Day 2001, no national environmental group works for an end to U.S. population growth. This, despite the fact that the 2000 census showed that the 1990s saw the largest population growth in American history, larger even that the peak of the postwar Baby Boom. What happened? This monograph analyzes a series of developments that led to the environmental movement’s retreat from population advocacy.”
According to NumbersUSA, 86% of U.S. population growth from 2000-2002 was due to immigration.
As we celebrate the 38th anniversary of the first Earth Day I recommend that readers avail themselves of the information contained in this monograph plus other books and pamphlets by Roy Beck. Information about them may be viewed at their Web site, www.numbersusa.com.
Val Don Hickerson
Bandon, Ore.
Hofmann For OTEC
To The Record-Courier:
We urge you to join us in support for Chuck Hofmann in his election to the OTEC Board. We have known Chuck and his family for almost 30 years as our neighbors and friends. We also know him professionally; we have watched not only his practice grow, but also his commitment to this community. We trust him to tell us the truth whether we like it or not. To us, that means a great deal.
Others have written about Chuck's experience. We will focus on alternative energy: Chuck "recognizes the need for and supports the concept of developing alternative energy resources. At the end of the day, such resources need to be evaluated on their beneficial effect on the environment, their financial impact on OTEC members, and their reliability in terms of electric service delivery to OTEC members."
He will be accountable to this community, and we believe his election to this position will benefit us all.
LeRoy and Barbara Gornick
Baker City
Tell The Truth
To The Record-Courier:
How do you write a letter without offending someone, when God says tell the truth anyway? So if you are offended by what I say, don’t waste words on me, take it up with the Lord!
Warren Jeff is no prophet of the Bible. In fact he’s no prophet at all. Prophets are not picked by men, they are picked and ordained by God. Warren Jeff is led by the devil, and his followers by false teaching. Jesus warned us in these last days things like this would happen! Jeff should be rated along with Jim Jones and the thousands he murdered in that far away island or Karesh in Waco, Texas. Think about the many this false teaching sent to a flaming hell. All under the guise of religion.
If I was, which I’m not, in any LDS church I would be in favor and voice strong action against Jeff and ALL the sex perverts in this cult. How many young lives have been ruined or scarred for life by these so called “spiritual marriages?” There is no Bible Scripture for this! Seems every cult we deal with, sex in one way or another becomes their god. Jesus said, “let the children come to Him,” not to any leader of a so called church that abuses them. He also said, “my people perish because of LACK of knowledge.” You are to know the differences between facts and lies. There is no such thing as “spiritual” husband or wife, especially old men and children. It’s called RAPE in this country, and it’s against the law. God said in His word, to obey the laws of the land, with one exception, only when it clearly goes against His law, but you best be right!
There are some views in other churches also that are not scriptural. Purgatory as some teach is not in the Bible. You cannot pray for the departed. All choices must be made before death. Others teach that Jesus doesn’t heal everyone, speaking in tongues is not for today. All in Scriptural error.
In closing, real Christianity is not a religion as some teach, but it is a relationship with a living, loving God. He’s a believer’s Heavenly Father, not a mortal man. In fact, He said to call no man father. God is jealous of that title, and He gives His glory to no mortal man. Any church that says they are your father, or husband, get out fast. All false teachers hide the truth, so that they can control the lives of their followers. God also said, “study (for yourself) to show yourself approved.” Why? So false teachers can’t lead you into false teaching. God sent His Living Word (Jesus) to show us the truth and the way to Heaven and how to avoid a real Hell. The choice now belongs to us.
One thing to remember, God wants to give us ALL, false teaching cults want to take ALL. It’s time for the real Bible believing church to stand up against ALL false teaching and preach the Gospel to those outside church walls.
Richard Fox
Baker City
Support Hofmann
To The Record-Courier:
Dr. Charles Hofmann is the right choice for the board of directors of OTEC. I admire people who devote their precious time to public service. Dr. Hofmann is at the top of my list. His adult life has been a legacy of volunteering to a variety of boards, committees, and special projects. Two of the many reasons Dr. Hofmann has my vote for the board of directors are as follows:
First of all, as a Baker City Councilman, Dr. Hofmann was fiscally responsible with our taxpayer dollars. He understood a budget and knew how to responsibly manage that budget. He was a friend to the taxpayers. I know that Dr. Hofmann will continue that fiscal policy as an OTEC board member.
Second, Dr. Hofmann is a good listener. A trait that is not that common in elected officials. Dr. Hofmann listened to the people before making decisions. He listened, analyzed the facts, and then made informed votes based on logic and common sense, not emotions.
Dr. Hofmann, you have my vote, and I applaud your legacy of public service.
Michael R. Nelson
Baker City
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