Letters to the Editor for July 6, 2009

Recall unfair to many taxpayers

To the editor:

With Baker County unemployment around 12 percent, local home foreclosures, the state of Oregon promising tax raises, federal taxes and inflation looming, it is not the time to waste our tax dollars on a recall.

This letter is aimed mostly at “born again believers in Christ.” I didn’t vote for two of the four, but where is our testimony? We are not of this world. We have one purpose, which is to lead others to Christ. We are commanded to love God and others as much as we love ourselves. One commandment is no greater than the other.

As a general rule our City Council has been in harmony on their decisions. The two that you want to recall at this time only have one year to go. God chooses all leaders; are you going to usurp authority over God? You are doing so at the cost to county taxpayers that don’t get to vote. Is Christ the leader of your house? Or have you joined with the Pharisees, crying ‘recall them! We are right! Their decision is wrong.’ ”

If you have already signed a petition, I beseech you, go have your name removed. Incidentally, my fellow brothers and sisters, you should have looked at our church roster before you spoke. One of the first two to be recalled goes to church with us. What a great testimony you are to him, and to the unsaved taxpayers of this county.        

George Wilder

Baker City

Ready to forgive a thief

To the editor:

Is there any trust and honor any more? I had an item stolen from my house just days ago. I won’t mention any names because you know whom you are! And what you took, if you have any decency just bring it back and we’ll just chalk it up as a dumb mistake, OK? How ’bout it?

Item taken: A 1958 original Zorro lunch box. It has very little cash value, just sentimental value. Is losing a good friend over this worth it?

It is very important and sentimental to me so if you find it in your heart to return it please do so. Thank you very much.         

Manny Gutierrez Sr.

Baker City

Stand up for your road 

To the editor:

July 9 is a very important date in the lives of the people in our surrounding community. For all of us that enjoy the outdoors your comment at the meeting with the Forest Service in Baker City is of vital importance. They are currently deciding which roads and trails to close in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. This could amount to 6,000 miles of closed roads. Many believe this pertains only to ATVs but in reality it is all motorized vehicles (Editor’s Note: The decision will not affect snowmobiles).

A recent article in The (La Grande) Observer pointed out the green benefits of quiet recreation, and all the opportunities we now enjoy. I believe the article cemented my opinion that we should not change anything. This study brought out the financial gains we have by leaving the forest the way it presently exists.

If we close roads we will be putting all recreationist in the same area and the quiet will be gone forever, that is if you are successful in obtaining a reservation. We may as well stay home and I am sure this is the hope of some. The green benefits will shrink, not increase. With the reduced area we will be putting more strain on our national forests, not less.

If this road closure takes effect, whether you hike, bike, walk, hunt, fish, pick berries, harvest mushrooms, cut wood, photograph, camp or simply go for a drive, your activities will be immensely affected.

For me, recreating in our national forest is my right and most importantly my way of life. We are facing a terrible time in our present national economy and this is no help. They have stopped logging and starved us out and now with no access to heating wood they will freeze us out.

Stand up for your rights before you and your children lose them forever.         

Hank Rodman

Union

American remains a Christian nation

To the editor:

My family and I were blessed enough to be able to attend the God and Country Festival in Nampa, Idaho, recently. When I hear our elected officials in Washington make comments that this country is no longer a Christian nation I worry what the future will bring for our children.

For those that were not able to attend this event I have some good news to which we have not heard lately given the economical and torn condition of our nation. I went to this festival feeling hopeless and somewhat lost with respect to the future. I left feeling revived and feeling once again proud of my country and the men and women who have made the choice to serve their country.

As I watched some 40 to 50 new recruits that have joined the various armed forces walk across that stage and be sworn in I got rather choked up with the feeling that not all is lost, that there is still hope. After seeing the some 7,000 people who attended, all the veterans, police, firefighters, and various public service people and volunteers from the some 20 Christian-based organizations I realized, well the best way I can sum it up is to those in Washington who believe this is not a Christian nation, you’re wrong, I’ve seen the works of God today and he’s very much alive — in all those volunteers, armed forces personnel, public servants and all who attended the event.          

Preston Wright

Baker City