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I am writing to express my support for Dave Drotzmann for District 29 state senator. During my time as athletic director at Hermiston High School, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand Mayor Drotzmann’s dedication to our community and tireless efforts to improve the lives of our kids.

Dave’s role on the HSD Board of Directors has been instrumental in the development and enhancement of our athletic facilities, such as Kennison Field/Bulldog Stadium and the construction of seven full-size elementary gyms with public seating. These facilities have not only provided our student-athletes with state-of-the-art venues to compete, but have transformed our community into a hub for athletic events, generating significant revenue for our local economy.

The addition of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center has also expanded opportunities for our youth, particularly through programs like 4-H and the HEROs project. The increased capacity in our events center allows us to host a wide range of events, providing our community with valuable resources and fostering a sense of pride and unity among residents.

Dave’s tenure as president of the Sports Boosters for over a decade further underscores his commitment to supporting student-athletes. Under his leadership, the Sports Boosters have raised substantial funds to reinvest in sports programs, keeping students engaged in activities and on track to graduate.

I have no doubt that Dave will continue to be a strong voice for our region, fighting to improve the lives of all Oregonians.

Larry Usher

Hermiston

The East Oregonian will run endorsement letters of no more than 400 words. We institute a deadline for letters to the editor so we can be fair with all the letters we receive and allow for responses before Election Day, if necessary. We run local letters of endorsement on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit your endorsement letters to the editor by 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. You can email them to editor@eastoregonian.com or mail them to the East Oregonian, Attn.: Andrew Cutler, P.O. Box 1089, Pendleton, OR 97801. We will publish our last letters on Saturday, May 18. Any letters received after the April 30 deadline will not be published in print or online.