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May 1, 2008 Opinions |
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—Letters—
Heroes Breakfast
To The Record-Courier:
On April 24, my husband and I were fortunate enough to attend the Red Cross Heroes breakfast at the Elks Lodge in Baker City. I would like to congratulate all the heroes who were honored at the breakfast. The food was wonderful and I would like to encourage everyone to patronize the Oregon Trail Restaurant as they did a great service in donating their time and the food for this event. Greg and Jo Hinrichson were busy little server bees and were responsible for the beautiful decorations for the tables.
Doyle Perry did a great job as MC and the keynote speaker, Fred Warner Jr, was well received.
I would also like to take this time to thank all of the Red Cross staff, board, and volunteers, many whom I have had the pleasure of working with. These people put in an extraordinary number of hours to make sure the when a disaster hits, there is a plan in place to supply items and man power necessary to met the needs of disaster victims. They also provide numerous training programs such as CPR and first aid.
I am sorry more people didn’t make the effort to get out and show their support.
You missed a grand breakfast and an opportune time to mingle with some of the finest people in Baker and Union county.
Thank you so much to all who nominated, voted, and got out bright and early to support their Hero. I was honored to be a part of your day.
Laurel Olmsted
Baker City
Support Cliff Bentz
To The Record-Courier:
I am writing to voice my strong support of Cliff Bentz for our State Representative. Cliff is the candidate who is going to go to Salem, be well-respected, and get things done.
Cliff’s family has been in Eastern Oregon for more than 90 years. He was raised on a ranch and understands what hard work means. He and his wife are raising their two children here, in Eastern Oregon. They participate in and support numerous local efforts.
Eastern Oregon has taken some pretty tough knocks. It isn’t hard to get frustrated about government when it seems no one in Salem is listening. Cliff has the experience and the know-how to be taken seriously in Salem. Now, more than ever, Eastern Oregon needs that to happen.
Folks can talk tough rhetoric. that’s easy. I am tired of it. It is results I want. I want a representative who can get past the tough talk and the political rhetoric. I want someone who can get us to the table, and make sure we are still there when decisions are being made about Eastern Oregon’s future. That’s leadership. That’s Cliff Bentz.
When you listen to Cliff, you can tell he is proud to be from Eastern Oregon. You know he will fight for all of us on rural issues.
I support Cliff Bentz for State Representative. I encourage others to support him, too.
Sandy Wood
Haines, Ore.
Support Vicki Walker For Secretary Of State
To The Record-Courier:
In Oregon’s May 20th primary, I am voting for Sen. Vicki Walker to be our next Secretary of State. As Chair of the Senate Education and General Education Committee in 2007, Senator Walker increased K-12 funding by 18% - the largest increase in nearly two decades. In addition, I personally experienced Sen. Walker make herself available to a community coalition that was fighting to protect both the quality and integrity of Oregon's Special Schools for the Blind and for the Deaf.
Sen. Walker took input from members of both the Deaf community and Blind community, and stood strong on principled issues. She demonstrated the best qualities that a Salem community would hope for in their elected leaders.
I know that as Secretary of State, Walker will deliver consistent revenues for schools so that during financial slumps we will not see a dramatic reduction in school funding. She will make the federal government turn over the 2,673 acres of state trust land they have owed us since statehood so we can make smart investments to fund our Common School Fund. It is simple: Vicki Walker will not only increase public school funding, but will fight to maintain that funding in the coming years. I have seen her withstand political pressure for the sake of principled fairness. Of all the candidates, Vicki is our children’s best hope.
Timothy Welp
Salem area resident
Supporting The Weed Levy
To The Record-Courier:
The funding of Baker County’s Weed District through the Weed Levy is more important then ever. The introduction of new exotic invasive weed species and a long list of existing weeds require regular monitoring, containment or control.
Over many years Baker County residents have supported the Weed Levy and hopefully will continue to do so. The Weed District is respected statewide for its work in education and implementing a creative and aggressive weed program.
Volunteer weed board members have put in countless hours in advising the county on matters of noxious weeds and their dedication is well known.
My 25 years associated with weed programs in Baker County convinces me of the necessity of continuing the weed fight. Those of you who saw the recent OPB program on invasive species saw some of what weed managers are up against. I’m asking you to get out and vote and to support the Weed Levy.
Dave Clemens
Richland, Ore.
The Cookie Jar
To The Record-Courier:
While I was out having lunch one day at one of the local restaurants, besides people watching, conversations, etc., I amused myself with the issue of how many of us have ever been caught with our hands in the cookie jar, and how fast we were able to come up with an answer to cover the issue of the matter. I am sure most of us have.
I couldn’t help but wonder on the latest events in the manner of politics, where I saw Obama at the bowling alley; on the other hand here Hillary is challenging him to play all 10 frames so to speak until the end…well I wonder in my wonderful imagination for what it represents. Would she find herself in a bowling alley seeing whether or not she or Obama would actually strike all 10 frames with a perfect score?
I wondered if she were to play the game holding the bowling ball so to speak, how many times her fingernails would get struck in the holes and have to stop to do a professional manicure on them. I wonder how many times she would play on, before she gave up having to repair the damage on them with sheer frustration setting in just on her nails alone. Now just imagine, kinda of like, catching your fingers in the cookie jar. Have they met their match yet? Will it be a toss up between spares or strikes? It is pretty rare to have strikes all the way, that I know, unless you’re an expert with hands on and know what it takes. Reality or fiction?
Will we see the two of them actually playing the role itself to see who can really handle the ball and which direction it will go? There are such things as gutters on both sides of the lanes. I couldn’t help but see that Obama hit the gutter without being really serious about it…so I guess we shall see which way the ball bounces.
Coffee anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
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