On Nov. 1 the Union County commissioners voted down a resolution that would have created a Renewable Energy Grant Program funded from taxes and fees obtained from renewable energy businesses in Union County.

What was remarkable about the meeting was the diversity of those supporting this resolution. Well-known members of the local agricultural community, two school superintendents, a former Union County commissioner, members of Oregon Rural Action, business owners, retired people, professors, students and many others came together to advocate for a visionary concept.

This broad support is no coincidence nor something that should be wasted. Encouraging renewable energy development using financial incentives is a good idea because it strengthens the economy by reducing energy bills and making local businesses more competitive. It is a good idea because meeting our energy needs with clean sources of power helps our environment. It is a good idea because it increases our stability and security by enhancing our energy independence.

Since that original vote, County Commissioners Steve McClure and John Lamoreau and county employees have worked with the Union County Renewable Energy Committee to rework the resolution to create a more clearly worded proposal and a more easily managed program.

On Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. in the Joseph Annex conference room at 1106 K Ave., the Union County commissioners have a chance to be leaders in our community and the state of Oregon. Join us Wednesday morning to encourage the creation of the Renewable Energy Projects Grant Program.

If you cannot attend the hearing, please call Commissioners Lamoreau, MacLeod and McClure at 963-1001 to add to the chorus of support.

Carol Lauritzen, Ph.D.

La Grande

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The Health Network for Rural Schools is an innovative and important program that delivers a wide variety of health services to students in the Cove, Elgin, Imbler, North Powder and Union School Districts.

Unlike other school health programs in Oregon that are stationary (located in one school), this program employs a team of health professionals who travel to each of the outlying schools to provide much needed health services. These services include education about disease prevention and health promotion, immunization clinics conducted in partnership with the Center for Human Development, flu shot clinics, cholesterol screenings conducted in partnership with Grande Ronde Hospital, health screenings, coordinated health and social services, referral services, acute treatment of common childhood diseases and mental health education and counseling services. All of these services are provided at no cost, so that every child can receive the health care attention he or she deserves.

The Health Network for Rural Schools has been in place since 1997, and each year it has reached more than 1600 students in grades K-12. The ongoing success of this unique program would not be possible without the financial support of the five rural school districts, Union County, Grande Ronde Hospital and the Union County Commission on Children and Families. OHSU provides the program administrative support.

Please take the time to thank these organizations for their ongoing support and for their concern about our kids.

Michelle Jones, Director

La Grande

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Christmastime is a religious and cultural tradition for most Americans.

But somehow the words "Merry Christmas" have been replaced with the less "offensive" phrases such as "Happy Holidays" and "Happy Sparkle Season." Frankly, it’s ridiculous that Americans have to think twice about whether it’s okay to say Merry Christmas.

As Christmas approaches, I anticipate buying gifts, preparing food and planning celebrations with family and friends. Christmas is a time for goodness, giving and hope of a positive outlook on our beliefs not fear, intimidation and

disinformation.

Christmas isn’t what it used to be, and I think it’s time to repair the damage organizations like the ACLU have done to America’s favorite holiday.

It’s a sad day in America when you have to retain an attorney to wish someone a Merry Christmas.

I would like to remind elected officials that 95 percent of their constituents celebrate Christmas, according to a recent Gallup poll, and we have the right to do so both in private and in public. The Supreme Court has never ruled that saying or having a Merry Christmas is illegal in any way. The Alliance Defense Fund, for example, has a Web site on which all these things are fully explained by legal experts (www.saychristmas.org).

After all, if we can’t call Dec. 25 Christmas, what should we call it?

Merry Christmas to all.

Sandy Mendenhall

Cove

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I would like to thank County Commissioner John Lamoreau for taking the time to write his letter that was published in the Observer Nov. 29 about Buffalo Peak Golf Course.

I found it very interesting that we the people of this county continue to bury our heads in the sand while money meant for economic development is used for golf course debt. A lot of people in this area don’t have family-wage jobs that’s what this money is supposed to help change, yet if it’s being used to pay golf course debt, it can’t be used to bring in jobs that will let our children raise their families here instead of having to leave the area to make a decent living.

It is amazing that we can’t fund the sheriff’s office to fight drugs or other crime full-time, or have the county plows out on Fridays if needed, yet we do

have the golf course staffed full-time. Go figure.

Personally I would like to thank Commissioner Lamoreau for the time and effort over the years in trying to inform the public on what’s going on in this county and trying to make it better for all of us and our families.

However, we now have a "team player" to take his place so now everybody can bury their heads back in the sand and not worry about someone coming along and trying to show them how their money’s being wasted.

The next time you start crying about not being able to make a living here, look in the mirror first.

J.R. Kauffman

La Grandee

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I would like to say thank you to the Sheriff’s Department for all that they have done for me. On Aug. 15 I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and was informed by my oncology team that I would have to take a leave of absence from the Corrections Department until all the treatments were concluded.

Too often we hear only the negative side of the law enforcement in our community, but this department stepped right up to bat by getting in our winter supply of wood. Not only did they go up and get it; they split it and brought it to our home by the truckload and unloaded and stacked it for us. One officer even made lunch and brought it to feed the crew.

There are too many names to mention, but each of you know who you are. I cannot express my gratitude for all the kindness you have shown.

Tom Carpino Jr.

Corrections deputy

La Grande

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I was involved in economic development in this county all of my working years until retirement. My employer was one of the original shareholders in the Industrial Development Corporation, and I am a past president of that organization. I also served two terms as president of the Union County Economic Development Corporation and several years on the I.D. Board and UCEDC Board.

Many people in these organizations have worked hard to bring economic development projects to the county.

Some of these projects have been successes, some have not, but all were pursued with the best interest of the community in mind.

I can’t help but take issue with the apparent shortsightedness concerning funding of the Buffalo Peak Golf Course. A good comparison can be drawn by looking at other projects and asking some simple questions. Let’s look at the La Grande Swimming Pool project. Did everyone vote for or approve the project? No! Does everyone use it? No! Is it good for the community? Certainly!

Did everyone approve the purchase of the golf course? No! Does everyone use it? No! Is it good for the community? Absolutely!

The point is the city subsidizes the swimming pool and the library with several thousand taxpayer dollars each year. So why is there controversy over the county subsidizing the golf course for a few years until it can break even?

The golf course is an appreciating asset, which means it will gain in value over the years. At this time no general fund monies are being expended on the golf course, only economic development funds.

Even so, I have no problem with my tax dollars supporting the purchase of assets or projects that have a payback and are good for the community.

Gerald A. Sherman

Island City

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I appreciate your recent editorial highlighting the importance of the wood products industry to this area.

In your editorial and in a previous article, however, the Observer mistakenly stated that the Umatilla, Malheur and Wallowa-Whitman national forests, also known as the Iron Triangle, grew almost 800 million board feet during the 10-year period between 1996 and 2005. This amount is actually the average annual growth during that 10-year period.

To be clear, statistics from the USDA Forest Service indicate the Iron Triangle National Forests grew 765 million board feet per year, or 7.65 billion board feet between 1996 and 2005. During that time slightly less than 1 billion board feet of timber was removed.

With the knowledge of these correct statistics our community can better understand why the following is so important. Forest Service data shows mortality was 50 percent (3.84 billion board feet) between 1996 and 2005.

This represents a significant and growing accumulation of hazardous fuel contributing to an increased risk of catastrophic fire. Already, 73 percent of the Iron Triangle’s 5.5 million acres are at moderate to high risk of catastrophic fire, according to Forest Service data.

The Iron Triangle is in desperate need of sound management to end the decline in overall forest health and reduce the risk of wildfire.

This is not merely a wood products industry supply issue. Wildlife habitat is not created or enhanced by catastrophic fires. Water quality does not improve as a result of wildfires. Rural community infrastructure and schools do not benefit from wildfires.

We are blessed to live in an area surrounded by a wonderful renewable resource that can support multiple purposes on a sustained basis. The wood products industry is an important partner in creating this future.

Tom Insko

Region manager, Inland Region,

Boise Cascade

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This letter is in response to your column "Small Business Happenings" (Nov. 29) entitled "Red Cross United Drug gets major expansion." Kudos to Mr. Coulter for his vision of continued success for his business. It is with this vision that his business has continued as one of the oldest surviving businesses downtown.

Quoting Mr. Coulter, "When Wal-Mart started its massive expansion program across the nation, many small pharmacies went by the wayside. We repositioned ourselves, remodeled the store and kept trying to stay one step ahead with a greater focus on personal care. It’s worked well for us."

It is a sad cry when some small businesses in the past have simply thrown in the towel and surrendered to the big-box store giant leaving a vacant storefront. Although it may not at times be easy, if store owners downtown maintain the same attitude of "staying one step ahead" as Bob Coulter has, the city of La Grande will have a downtown area we all could be proud of (as well as shop at that is, if we can find parking spaces).

David Riley

Union