Scheeler cares

Northeast Oregon has an opportunity to elect a state representative that shows no reluctance to meeting tremendous challenges. A woman, running as a Democrat, with no financial support from high dollar special interest groups, shows she really cares about our children, our communities, and above all, the quality of life of all the people in Northeast Oregon.

Please join my wife and I in supporting Elizabeth Scheeler for state representative, District 57.

Mike Farmer

Wallowa

Stop your engines

With our country gearing up for another war over oil, I humbly submit this modest proposal to drivers of diesels: kindly turn off your engines when not in use. On any given week day, it’s not unusual to encounter a dozen diesel engines idling simultaneously -on Main Street, in parking lots, on street corners – while their drivers engage in errands and conversations.

I’ve heard all the mechanical arguments. Here are some human ones: nerve-wracking noise, noxious fumes, waste of resources. Patriotism comes in many shapes and forms, including weaning ourselves from Mideast oil dependence.

“Tanks” a lot.

Cathy Sterbentz

Enterprise

Moving on

As our children move forward with their lives, and are all in college; it causes me to reflect a little (actually a lot) about their “growing up” years here in Wallowa County. There are many people to thank for the success my children have experienced thus far in their young lives, and who have helped shape them into the young adults they are today, and what they will become tomorrow. I would like to recognize a few of those people now.

Mrs. Towne – thank you for instilling in my children the importance of creative and serious learning, along with the importance of respect to oneself and others. They carry this with them still today and will always. To other teachers such as Kathy Willet, Dale Story, Dave Duncan, Terry Crenshaw, Karen Lawrence, Doug Steele, Cassie Weaver, Val Nesemann, Mary Davis, Jess Turner, Jeri Ottem, and many others; thank you for helping them believe in themselves and strive to be better. Coaches Amy, Gregg, Warren, Dawn, Terry, Mitch, Jess, Gerry, John N. – thanks for the countless hours spent with all our young athletes/students. Lee and Carol Lee, Charley, Eva, Cindy, Gail, 4-H leaders, the Olsons, McDaniels, Soares, St. Pius X Church, Kit & Kim Phelps and all the other senior parents, and the Wallowa County Chieftain, who have also contributed to the growth and wellness of these children through friendship and support – thank you.

Graduation day was bittersweet for all of us senior parents, also a day I will remember with regret as I was caught up in my own family and failed to think of others on that day. Please accept my apology for this (especially Randy and Patsy – but other families as well that may have been affected by my thoughtlessness).

The old saying “It takes a whole community to raise a child” will always be one of my firm beliefs, as our children are testimonies of this concept. In this case, the community is Wallowa County and I will be forever grateful that we chose this community to raise our children in.

Teresa Smergut

Wallowa