Letters to the editor: May 8, 2024 (print version)

Published 4:00 am Wednesday, May 8, 2024

In November 2000, Greg Smith was first elected to represent District 57 in the Oregon State House of Representatives. In the years since then, Greg has demonstrated himself to be honest, positive and extremely hardworking on behalf of the residents of his constituency.

Greg has shown time and again his dedication to represent a portion of the state that is often overlooked and disregarded. He has demonstrated a commitment to representing all entities regardless of their circumstances. His keen commonsense insight into the strengths and challenges that face his region and his continual can-do attitude set him apart from others.

Greg is a good listener. He demonstrates a willingness to learn and grow. When he does not know or understand a point of view or concern, he will ask questions and seek to learn facts. He has shown time and again that he has not only the desire to lead and represent the people but the ability to do so well.

Greg has taken a leadership role in the region to help its cities grow and develop. This is especially apparent in Hermiston, as this city has shown strong continual growth and economic development.

I strongly encourage you to join me in support of Greg Smith’s reelection bid as state representative of House District 57.

Cathy Lloyd

Hermiston

As a retired veteran who proudly served my country, it’s my honor to stand behind Todd Nash for Senate. Todd’s unwavering commitment to serving our veterans, combined with his dedication to upholding conservative values and defending our constitutional rights, distinguishes him as the undeniable choice to represent us in the state Senate.

A father of two sons who have served, Todd understands firsthand the sacrifices made by our service men and women, and by their families. He will ensure veterans receive the support they deserve, advocating for increased access to jobs, housing and mental health resources to address the specific challenges they face during their transition back to civilian life.

Todd has 15-plus years of experience testifying, advocating and working with the Legislature on behalf of our issues and has built relationships on both sides of the aisle. He prioritizes local decision-making and smaller government. He recognizes the most effective solutions often originate from those intimately familiar with the issues at hand, and he empowers our local leaders.

Todd will protect, defend and advocate for our constitutional rights and freedoms in Salem, including the Second Amendment, which is important to me and many others in our community. He already has a proven track record including testifying numerous times before the Legislature, whereas his opponents do not.

I urge my fellow citizens to join me in supporting Todd Nash. With Todd as our senator, our voices will be heard, our values protected and our veterans honored as they deserve.

Chuck Wilcox

Hermiston

Hoping to continue in Position 5 for the Judge of the Circuit Court for the 6th Judicial District is Joanna A. Marikos of Hermiston, whose family, the Reeders, hails from Helix.

A graduate of Willamette Law School, and a lawyer with over 20 years of experience, Marikos was appointed circuit court judge earlier this year. She has shown herself to be an invaluable resource in her knowledge of the law, her breadth of experience and her service to our communities.

Please join me in voting for Joanna Marikos, the incumbent, for circuit court judge serving Umatilla and Morrow counties.

MaryAlice Ridgway

Pendleton

Voting for a Umatilla County judge is an important decision. It’s my opinion that John Ballard does not have the high moral standards or judicial temperament that we expect of our Umatilla County Circuit Court judges.

Here is what a panel of three judges wrote about candidate John Ballard in 2014. “… the Trial Panel unanimously disapproves of Ballard’s conduct. … An attorney snatching and holding the opposing party’s sole means of transportation reflects poorly on all lawyers. … The Trial Panel found it offensive for Ballard, as an attorney and officer of the court, to be directly involved in surreptitiously taking and holding the vehicle used by wife. …” Finally, the panel wrote that it “disapproves of Ballard’s actions as rude, sharp, and in bad form.” If you’d like to read the entire opinion you can find it at www.osbar.org/_docs/dbreport/dbr28.pdf (starting on page 22).

I represented the wife in that case. See also the East Oregonian article dated April 22, 2016, and the opinion letter of Kittee Custer published in the EO on April 29, 2016. Despite the dressing down by the trial panel, in the EO article Mr. Ballard doubled down and stood by his conduct.

I have been an active member of the Umatilla County legal community since 1998. I am familiar with attorneys’ work and reputations in this area. It is my opinion that Mr. Ballard’s moral compass did not change after 2014.

Arron Guevara

Hermiston

I’m writing in support of Dave Drotzmann’s campaign for the state Senate seat in District 29. I’ve known Dave in his capacities of small business owner, medical provider, community servant and neighbor for the last 30 years.

Dave is extremely intelligent and willing to investigate and comprehend complicated issues, applying what he learns in fair, reasonable and realistic ways.

He has a keen ability to articulate complex issues and educate others. He is a leader who thinks outside the box and looks beyond what’s already being done for solutions.

Because of Dave’s medical experience, he has a well grounded understanding of social issues and the need for a social safety network. He understands the health care challenges we are all affected by. He recognizes the stark lack of mental health resources available and how that relates to our state’s unhoused population crisis.

Dave’s experience as a small business owner, his leadership on the local school board and his service as the mayor of the largest and fastest growing municipality in Eastern Oregon make him remarkably qualified to make decisions for the good of our district. He understands the process and operations of government and how to make things happen. He has already established nonpartisan relationships across the state. Once elected to the Senate he can immediately begin to cooperatively work across the aisle to meet the needs of Eastern Oregon.

The lack of affordable housing and Oregon’s high cost of living challenges are particularly troubling to him and he is determined to work to provide a positive future for ourselves and generations to come.

Please join me in voting for Dave Drotzmann for state Senate District 29.

Julie Puzey

Hermiston

Drotzmann is the kind of leader we need

Having served on the Hermiston City Council for many years — the last 12 with Dave Drotzmann as mayor — I feel I can accurately attest to both Dave’s heart for Eastern Oregon and his leadership skills.

Dave has proven himself to be an excellent leader. In Hermiston, he has been at the helm during these past few years of tremendous growth and has continuously advocated for the good of all the community.

Dave has also been in a leadership role for the League of Oregon Cities for the past several years. He currently serves as president of the league, which serves cities of all sizes throughout our state.

Dave is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and pro-personal responsibility, which I wholeheartedly support!

He believes in local control, which encourages needed housing development, smart use of our natural resources and well-funded public safety.

Dave believes we need to rein in government taxes and spending. He believes spending should be focused on projects and programs that make the state a better place to live and do business.

I believe the leadership that Dave has brought to Hermiston would serve District 29 well. Please join me in voting for Dave Drotzmann, Republican for state Senate District 29.

Rod Hardin

Hermiston

Nash is endorsed by pro-life advocates

Todd Nash has my enthusiastic support in the upcoming Senate District 29 election. Todd is honest, trustworthy and firm on his principles, making him the best candidate to be our voice and protect our values.

Todd leads with integrity, and his dedication to upholding ethical standards is clear to anyone who has the opportunity to meet him and get to know him.

I am particularly impressed by Todd’s endorsement by pro-life advocates, as he is the only candidate to receive an endorsement from the Oregon Right to Life PAC. This speaks volumes about his values and his dedication to defending the sanctity of life.

Todd’s children serving in our military reflect the strength of character and values instilled in them by their upbringing. It’s clear that Todd leads by example, nurturing a sense of duty and service in his family.

Todd’s approach to governance is refreshingly realistic. He doesn’t make empty promises. Instead, he offers practical solutions and a pragmatic outlook on what can be achieved in Salem.

In Todd Nash, we have a candidate who embodies integrity, family values and a realistic approach to governance. I wholeheartedly endorse Todd for Senate and urge my fellow citizens to join me in supporting him for a brighter future for our community and casting their vote for Todd Nash this May.

Penny Ottmar

Hermiston