In the most recent issue of the Hermiston Herald, we profiled local resident Jilli Smalley. Smalley has autism and a seizure disorder. Also, she is one of the best people I have ever interviewed, and that is saying a lot.

She certainly had the best quote I have ever heard, which came after a mundane question from me.

I asked her if she had many friends.

“Even Grumpy likes Snow White,” she said.

It seems that Jilli is very popular, and she knows it.

Her mother and a few other people confirmed that, yes, she does have a lot of friends. Some of these people are also co-workers with her at the Hermiston Pizza Hut. Jilli, a dishwasher, gets along well with other workers, they said. Her manager said that she “lights up” the workplace. They all said they are happy to have her.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES

The race for county commissioner is on. With two seats available, candidates dropped by Hermiston for a forum. Community members were able to ask them a variety of questions. They spoke on the Greater Idaho movement, homelessness, vaccination mandates, government spending and more. Candidates pointed out that not all of the questions related to the positions they were seeking. Still, they answered anyway, usually relating their answers to their beliefs in personal freedom.

HERMISTON CITY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO PUBLIC

Property owners at the South Hermiston Industrial Park had been angry when the city announced their intentions to rescind on a promised $250,000 contribution to an infrastructure project. This decision would have raised the required contribution to the project.

At last week’s council meeting, however, the city reinstated the contribution, satisfying the property owners.

Hermiston Mayor David Drotzmann complimented the city and councilors for listening to the public and responding with a fair decision.