Illegal To Grow, Share, Trade, Sell Homegrown Food?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Following is my interpretation of federal bill S-510, entitled, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. It exudes management and federal control over every aspect of food production, distribution and consumption. Other bills rapidly in progress and/or already in effect also are designed to control land, food, water and natural resources all basics of human life. S-510 could seemingly make it unlawful to grow, share, trade, or sell homegrown food. . . unbelievably inhumane, un-neighborly, un-Christlike, un-American. What would even happen to our farmers markets? I urge everyone to read this bill and arrive at your own conclusions. Read more
Letter: Wolves at what economic cost to Wallowa County?
To the Editor:
As of December 2009, according to an article and pie chart in a December 2009 issue in the Chieftain, over 43% of the working people in Wallowa County are government employed in one form or another. Couple that with above 15% unemployment (also from the Chieftain article), this adds up to over 58% of the work force being supported by taxes, or should I say government indebtedness. Read more
Letter: One Person’s Discourse in Local Government and Prevention Dollars
by David E. Bruce, Chairman of the Wallowa Valley Together Project Board of Directors
When I was growing up smoking was ‘the rage.’ The “Marlboro Man” was a part of daily life – whether you saw him on a billboard, on the television, or in a magazine advertisement. Smoking was not only socially acceptable, it was encouraged. Just watch the movies from the 50′s and you’ll find people lighting up their cigarettes. Read more
Editorial: Reality Check Grabbing the gavel “The State of Oregon vs. The People” Oregonians have no rights to defend personal property against wolves
Reality Check I:
April 2009, Baker County – 27 sheep [all lambs], one goat, and one calf on two private ranches had to die before the State of Oregon would issue a permit to kill the wolves that were responsible for the loss. One wolf was [radio-collared] in response to earlier depredations. Read more
Letter: In support of Representative Greg Smith
Submitted by Dixie Lund, Retired EOU President
I am pleased to write a letter in support of the re-election of Representative Greg Smith. Representative Smith has proven to me, countless times, his dedication to higher education, to the value of having an institutional member of the Oregon University System located in eastern Oregon, and to the employment that Eastern Oregon University specifically brings to Union County. This dedication is in addition to the allegiance I have seen him display toward many of the vital, rural programs we all use and depend upon. Read more
Letter: I have worked with Colleen and will endorse Greg Smith
Letter: In support of Greg Smith vs. MacLeod
Primary ballots will be coming soon, and most have the voter’s pamphlets in hand. I write to share some information and may be helpful in deciding for whom to vote in the House District 57 race. In early Feb. Colleen MacLeod came to Wallowa County to present her candidacy to a small group, in a closed meeting.
She explained that during the last Legislative session a group of special interest persons met with Rep. Smith pressuring him for a no vote on a tax measure. Not getting the outcome they wanted, they told him that they would have his job. The group, according to Macleod, then recruited her. As I recall, I was the only person to ask questions of Ms. MacLeod. I asked whether anyone in the state Republican Party had recruited her, she answered, they had not. I also asked for her stand on life. Her answer revealed that she is on both sides of the debate.
At issue here, for me, is a person’s integrity. I wasn’t in favor of the vote Rep. Smith made. However, I do understand that on a bill that was going to pass without his vote, he obtained a tangible good for people in Eastern Oregon.
I also understand that he is a man who will stand up to special interests and to his best ability, represent the folks in his district. For me, it’s a matter of looking at the big picture, not staring a small piece. Smith has voted on literally thousands of bills and while we may not always agree with each vote, he has been a consistent, conservative voice.
When big lobbyist pressured Rep. Smith he stood up to them. When they came calling Ms. MacLeod, she said count me in.
I will be voting for Greg Smith.
Annette Lathrop
Joseph
A Decision Made on Prevention Dollars
Submitted by David Bruce
Wallowa Valley Together Project Board Member
On Wednesday, April 14, the Board of the Commission on Children and Families met. The new conference room in the courthouse was filled with individuals who wanted to witness the board’s discussion and approval of a proposal for prevention monies for the 2009-2011 biennium. Two proposals were presented to the board for their approval. One was put together by the Wallowa Valley Together Project, an agency devoted largely to prevention work. The other was put together by a coalition of Building Healthy Families, Safe Harbors, the Center for Wellness, the Juvenile Justice Program, and the Department of Public Health. Read more
Wolves vs. weasels
The film, “Lords of Nature,” and the letters that followed are geared toward special interest groups that want cattle off public land, – just be honest. These letters have not mentioned mule deer or elk population, only that the rancher has come to a “fork in the road.” Wallowa County cannot and should not be compared to Yellowstone. Our mule deer population is already greatly depleted from extensive cougar population.
The USFS as well as the ranchers are very diligent in caring for the land here. We have many areas where cottonwood and aspen trees are thriving. The ranchers who have permits on public land take care and pride in this land. We leave enough grazing for the deer and elk to feed throughout the winter as well as early spring for our cattle before new grass comes on. My husband and his son recently went on an 86-mile ride through the Eagle Cap Wilderness and did not see one deer.
Our modest herd feeds 40,000 Americans. We are producing a healthy, natural product here in Oregon. Would you prefer to buy your beef from South America? Possibly you have come to a fork in the road. Do you want to stimulate the Oregon economy and healthy food production or do you just want to have this romantic spiritual connection with a wolf you will never see until it’s drugged or dead? Maybe we need to get a pack of wolf hounds – what do you think?
Also, the wolf eats its prey while it’s still alive. How can that possibly be palatable for these groups who “love nature” so much? Due to the depletion of deer and elk, these wolves are hanging out right on the edge of town looking for an easy food source when they have over 3 million acres of Wallowa County.
Angie Nash
Enterprise
