LA GRANDE — The setting was one of undeniable irony.

The Union County Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the Joseph Building annex to take public input from the community on the possibility of moving Idaho’s border west into portions of this state.

The early evening meeting was conducted on Oregon’s 165th birthday, an irony not lost on many of those participating in the session, individuals who expressed opposition to the Greater Idaho movement, while embracing the state.

“Just another Oregonian celebrating Oregon’s birthday and Valentine’s Day by promoting all of Oregon staying Oregon,” said Maxine Hines, of La Grande, in a letter read at the meeting by Shelley Burgess, the administrative officer for Union County.

Hines said Oregon has flaws, but not enough to warrant something as drastic as changing its boundaries.

“We have an awesome state with some problems, of course, but certainly not enough to tear up so much of who and what we are and what we have voted for and stand for,” Hines said.

She added the administration of Gov. Tina Kotek, who is beginning her second year as this state’s leader, is taking steps to boost Eastern Oregon.

“The new administration is clearly making an effort to bring us together and consider the east side of the state. We love this place, our town, our county, our state and our country, and we want to take good care of it and we can,” Hines said in her letter.

A pair of La Grande residents — Vivian Matthews and Jean McKern — both spoke of Oregon’s birthday and how they hope the state will be able to celebrate many more just as it is.

“I grew up here and I love this place,” McKern said. “I want it to stay Oregon.”

She said though that there is a divide between the east and the west in Oregon.

“We need to address this problem because everybody does not feel like they are on board,” McKern said.

Polly Helm, a Union County resident, also made reference to Oregon’s birthday in a letter read at the meeting.

“The auspicious birth date of our state is fitting and confirms my long-held sentiment that Oregon is really for lovers,” she said. “Lovers of beauty, of nature, of freedom, of aspiration and innovation … to name a few.”

Helm said Oregon’s birthday was a good time for its supporters to strengthen their resolve to protect the state.

Not all opposed to Greater Idaho

About eight people attended the meeting in person, in addition to the commissioners and staff members.

Curt Howell, a Union County resident, along with Matthews and McKern, was one of three people who spoke in person to the board of commissioners at the meeting. Howell said Eastern Oregon would be better off becoming part of Greater Idaho because of the direction the Oregon Legislature is moving in.

“While no state is perfect, including Idaho, Oregon seems to be headed down a direct path of destruction,” he said. “Personal liberty and a friendly business environment are very low on the priority list in Oregon government.”

Howell said Oregon’s counties need to take action.

“Counties must exert their sovereign rights to protect, honor and promote the general well-being of citizens within,” he said. “It is past due that counties in Oregon exert their powers to just say no to the many bad rules and laws coming from Salem.”

Howell cited House Joint Resolution 201 and Senate Bill 1583, which have been introduced into the current legislative session, as examples of bad legislation being considered by state lawmakers.

HJR 201 calls for a statewide property tax.

“This bill would hit everyone in their pocketbooks,” he said. “Do you think we pay enough property taxes as is?”

Howell noted the bill as a new tax would have to be referred to the state’s voters. Howell doesn’t think this should be necessary.

“Why let it go that far?” he said.

Senate Bill 1583 would prevent school boards and district personnel from banning textbooks and library books on the basis of content related to race, LGBTQ+ identities, religion, disability or other protected group. The bill was introduced by Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland, and has drawn more than 500 testimonies.

Howell said more legislation like HJR 201 and SB 1583 is likely on the horizon.

“There is more oppressive legislation coming. Just wait,” he said.

Union County Commissioner Donna Beverage said near the end of the meeting that she believes many of the needs of Union County and all of those in the state can be met without taking drastic measures but instead by focusing on working together.

This can work even for counties with differing issues and resources. She said, for example, that two counties, one with few trees and one with an abundance of them, can work together and help each other in the process.

Union County voters in 2020 passed Ballot Measure 31-101, requiring the board of county commissioners to meet three times each year to discuss Union County’s interests relating to the county becoming part of Idaho.

The Union County Board of Commissioners’ next Greater Idaho meeting is scheduled for June 12.