Oregon allowing a 500-kilowatt transmission line to Idaho is a big oversight. Someday Oregon will need that power for itself, probably for a commercial enterprise, or for a growing population. Idaho, on the other hand, is tapping so it can grow in the future. Now they are asking for a half mile width addition amendment to their right of way (278 miles).

I think Oregon should just reverse the permit and think of its own growth and needs ahead of Idaho. A lot of property owners lost a lot of land and were pretty helpless battling against the two states. Now they are going to lose even more. Idaho Power is hopeful this request goes under the radar.

The state of Oregon already declared that hydroelectricity is non-renewable energy. So why is the state giving away so much power it cannot replace? Idaho is getting cheap power while we in Oregon will have to pay more for alternative sources. Another failure of bureaucrats to protect and provide for the people they work for.

Randy Holman

Pendleton

I note the ongoing saga of the Greater Idaho movement. Every six months, forever, until a more promising outcome appears, the Wallowa County commissioners are required to discuss the possibility of joining the county to the state of Idaho.

This outcome is likely an impossibility. The state of Oregon has no interest in it and neither has the state of Idaho. Wallowa County is one of six “frontier” counties in Oregon (U.S. defines “frontier” as counties with populations of six or fewer people per square mile). These counties represent less than 1% of the state’s population. Idaho has a similar population statistic with 16 “frontier” counties that make up less than 1% of the population. With that narrow representation in the state Legislature, it will require representatives with superior negotiating skills or a friendly government body to protect the interests of these “frontier” counties.

Wallowa County and likely most “frontier” counties consider themselves conservative. The state of Oregon and the Oregon Legislature is primarily Democratic and not recognized with a strong conservative history. While the Republican Party comes from a conservative background, it is now known for its obstructionism. By continuing to send Republican representatives to a Democratic Legislature whose negotiating skills are limited to walking out of negotiations, very little is accomplished for “frontier” counties and obstructionism wins again.

If the purpose of Greater Idaho is to make improvements in Wallowa County, it would seem logical to send a Democratic representative who could negotiate the unique issues and problems common to “frontier” counties with the majority of the Legislature and relieve the antagonistic atmosphere common to opposing parties. Perhaps we could save the “conservative” and “progressive” monikers for larger issues.

On the other hand, if the Greater Idaho movement is to provide opportunities for corporate farming or mining interests, they are on the right track.

David Ebbert

Enterprise

Donald Trump was found guilty by a jury of everyday Americans on 34 felony counts. His conviction is a reminder that no one — including a former president — is above the law. And it’s another reminder that Trump still poses a major threat to our democracy.

Donald Trump still faces three additional indictments and 54 criminal charges for a litany of crimes, including federal charges for his efforts to incite violence and overturn the will of voters after he knew he’d lost the 2020 election. And on top of all that, he’s still running for president.

Our fundamental freedoms are on the line. Don’t let a convicted fraudster hold the highest office in our land. It’s up to us to stand up and defeat Trump at the ballot box this November.

Bruce Raffety

Baker City