Police Chief Jason Edmiston is the right choice for Hermiston.

City Manager Ed Brookshier named Edmiston during a council meeting Monday. While there was no search and no other viable candidates on the horizon, it’s still a good decision.

Brookshier made his decision based on a consultant’s report that cost the city more than $9,000. The city — and specifically Brookshier — didn’t really need a report to know the best person for police chief was Edmiston.

The report was more of a public relations assurance for city leaders and residents who were embarrassed by the previous police chief’s power-hungry and dictatorial rule.

Enough of the past.

Hermiston can now look forward to a positive, new period for its police force.

Edmiston is ready for the challenge. He exemplifies the core of an outstanding police officer: He is there to serve and protect.

A long-time resident of Hermiston told us there is a strong, extremely positive sentiment among current and former police officers about HPD’s new police chief.

First and foremost, Edmiston is home-grown.

East Oregonian Reporter Anna Willard gave us a biographical glimpse of Edmiston:

“Edmiston’s parents both graduated from Hermiston High School, raising their five children in the community, with Edmiston as the youngest. He played baseball and football in high school and has served as a Little League baseball coach for the past five years. He and his wife Angelique have been married for 14 years and have two children, Hayden, 13, and Shaelynn, 18.”

Edmiston is a highly-visible and positive individual in the community, even when he’s not in uniform. That’s important, as well as the fact he’s extremely approachable.

After becoming a police officer, Edmiston gained and maintained respect from his fellow officers as he moved up through the ranks. That he was able to do that in the midst of the humiliating tactics of former Chief Dan Coulombe speaks volumes about Edmiston.

Another critical element of Edmiston’s leadership style is that he is not condescending. He does not view the public, the media or other police agencies as adversaries.

In our relationship with Edmiston, it is clear he understands the public’s right to know. That right, under Oregon’s open records laws, is critical in helping law enforcement to be more effective.

Dean Hackett, a pastor at the Living Faith Church in Hermiston, also noted in a recent East Oregonian story that Edmiston has a vested interest in the community — perhaps the most important need for the HPD and city.

“He is very humble and he cares about the community very much,” Hackett told the EO’s Willard. “From the very first time I met Jason, he talked about his care for the community. He grew up here and he wants to see Hermiston be the best city it can be.”

We certainly believe Edmiston — along with newly-elected Mayor David Drotzmann — will move Hermiston forward in a positive, effective way.

Congratulations, Chief Edmiston. Your promotion in your hometown is well deserved.

With the upcoming recall election, the city of Hermiston is at a crossroads and the citizens of Hermiston must decide just what type of city we will become.

Do we maintain the path of a progressive, livable, friendly and economically viable community that we are or do we choose another path?

The other path, the one promoted by the recall committee, puts our city in peril of losing what we are and becoming a community of squabbling special interest groups that have no vision other than their own. Our way of life, our reputation and the future of this city is at stake here and careful thought should be made before ballots are marked.

There is no doubt that mistakes were made concerning the Hermiston Police Department and those mistakes have been addressed. The city and the police department are moving forward and changes have been put in place to prevent this from happening again. It is time to let the healing process take place and move on. Unfortunately, the focus of the recall committee, spearheaded by spouses of former disgruntled Hermiston city employees, want to use this event to promote their own agenda. No solutions have been offered by this group, no candidates from this group have come forward with any ideas or initiatives, it is simply a vehicle to seek revenge and cause more pain and damage.

Recall elections were originally enacted to rid ourselves of elected officials that committed malfeasance, illegal or immoral acts during their tenure. It has since morphed itself into a wretched tool of those that do not believe that the democratic process should be allowed to work. You do not like someone elected to a position because they have ideas counter to yours, run a recall petition and stymie government from governing. Use up tax dollars to run special elections, create an atmosphere of mistrust and watch good leaders depart with no new prospects to take their place. Then take no responsibility when the system fails, and if you are lucky you can move away while the remaining residents suffer from your actions. It is insidious, counterproductive, selfish and cruel and shows disdain for democratic government, the governing body, the electorate and, in this case, the city itself.

Cities that have come under the recall blanket get mired and the citizens suffer because of it. Bond ratings go down for these cities, making it difficult and more expensive to manage debt and finance capital expenditures and projects. Banks will not lend money to cities having recall elections. Businesses looking to expand and create jobs cease looking at these cities and will not return phone calls, and economic growth and viability stagnates. Established businesses delay expansion and investment due to the political uncertainty, further halting economic progress. When the economy stagnates property owners suffer because their values go down and personal wealth and financial security is jeopardized. Vision is lost and infighting and squabbling take the place of civil discourse and legitimate discussion, and the city suddenly finds itself lost and crumbling. These are not just dire predictions — they are the reality, all you have to do is look in our own area and see what this does to a community.

Hermiston is better than this! In the 34 years I have lived here I am proud of what the people of this community do and their ability to see the forest for the trees. During the last twenty years we have secured a reliable water source, experienced tremendous economic growth, created a municipal power system and developed livability projects such as parks and recreation. The future looks bright with the development of a regional economic center, much-needed improvements to our wastewater treatment and continued recruitment of new businesses and industrial development. We are growing and new people bring vitality and wealth to our area. Hermiston is the envy of and model for small cities all over the Northwest.

Do not let this recall election tear us apart. Let the democratic process work. If you feel that certain councilors need replaced then vote them out in the next election. Come up with candidates that are willing to run and put them on the ballot. Let the electorate do its job and let us maintain and continue to grow our great city. Do not let yourself to be persuaded by a small vocal group that offers no solutions and is backed by people that would destroy this city for their own financial, political and personal gains. I urge you to vote no on the recall election and I urge you further to get involved in positive ways that will maintain our city and promote and shape its future for the betterment of all. The future of Hermiston is in your hands.

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Gary Quick is a Hermiston resident.

What do your friends call you?

Pat or Chief, but the best is when my grandkids call me Grandpa!

How old are you?

60

Where do you live?

Hermiston

Where did you go to school?

High school in Pendleton (don’t spread that around, heh, heh), one year at Oregon State University (that’s another story for another time) and an accounting degree from Blue Mountain Community College; also Executive Fire Officer (EFO) graduate from the National Fire Academy’s (NFA) four-year program in Maryland.

What do you do?

Fire Chief with Hermiston Fire District. My job is to make sure that my firefighters and EMTs have what they need to do their job. It has been a great career spanning over 28 years (so far) getting to do what I love to do and get paid besides.

What’s the best thing about your work?

I get to help people on a daily basis. I also get to work with some of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever met.

Who is the historical figure you most admire?

I would have to say all of our founding fathers (and, of course, their families who stood by them and endured hardships with them). They made very difficult decisions that threatened not only their livelihoods and futures but their very lives in standing up for their rights (and ours) so many years ago.

The living person you most admire?

There are so many people who have been a part of making me who I am today and so many throughout the world who have done great things to shape our world and their own communities that it is difficult to pick one. If you’ll allow me to do so, let me just say that I admire anyone who will set aside their own needs and desires to give their talents and time for the betterment of others. There are those who do so in a way that pushes them into the spotlight with significant events or accomplishments but there are others who work every day to do something special for someone else, often unnoticed by even the recipient. It is really the second group that I admire most (not to take away from the first group whose accolades are often well deserved) because they do what they do and have no expectation of (and sometimes even shun) recognition or payback. It is wonderful to live in a community where so many help so many.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I could easily say having married a wonderful woman (going on 40 years now) and raised two great children (won’t give their ages, but they are no longer ‘children’) but I really don’t feel that those are my accomplishments, more like blessings that I had little control over and did little to deserve. So, I will say completion of the EFO Program at the NFA in Maryland. It is a difficult program to be accepted to (I applied three times) and then it is a four-year commitment with four significant research papers due. There were times I really wanted to quit but was always encouraged by my better half (Karen) to keep at it. It is a memory and a (very nice) certificate on the wall now but I think I learned a lot about the fire service and about being a leader both in the service and in life in general. I hope I have encouraged others in the process (my assistant chief is waiting for the results on his fourth paper now).

What is the most difficult challenge in your life these days?

Trying to set the emotions aside when I have to make unpopular decisions and deliver that news to an individual.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’ve taken up landscape photography and love to go looking for great (or potentially great) outdoor scenes. Of course, playing with the grandchildren is high up on the list as well.

What type of electronic equipment do you carry around with you?

Smartphone (sometimes it isn’t very smart, or maybe it’s just me) and a new Toshiba Tablet.

If you had to live in another country for a year, where would you go?

England has recently interested me because of my photography. When you pick up photography magazines, England seems to be a part of the world that has a significant number of classes and workshops besides being a beautiful area to photograph. Australia would be a close second.

If you could change one thing in your community, what would that be?

Some of our citizens need to turn their focus outward to see the community for the potential it has. It seems recently that we (the community) have begun to lash out at others, sometimes because of personal hurts and disappointments. Not to imply that Hermiston is perfect, but there is so much good we could do if we focus on how we can help others and less about what we can do to promote ourselves. Might be a good time to remind readers here that these opinions are strictly mine and are not in any way reflective of or endorsed by the organization or leadership here at Hermiston Fire.

What is at the top of your bucket list?

Right now a three- or four-day photo workshop in some exotic location.

What is your favorite beverage?

Coke Zero, but I have to have my coffee every day.

Tell us about the best book you’ve read lately

Nothing too scholarly, I’m sorry to report. I was just on vacation and had lots of time so I bought an Armchair Reader (about 3 inches thick) and have read most of it. I did just order “It’s Your Ship.”

Your most prized possession?

This is a difficult question because possessions are so temporary and are really just things. People and relationships are so much more important. But, in response to the question, I’d have to say my camera setup. Not terribly expensive as cameras and lenses go but not a point and shoot either.

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you?

My wife and daughter (Stacy lives in Olympia) flew to Maryland for my fourth-year graduation ceremony from the Executive Fire Officer Program. She conspired with people here in the fire department and with the Maryland program for admission to the secure facility and totally surprised me. I think the whole class knew about it before that day and no one spilled the beans. She has a picture that I’m sure she’d like to include, however, since I’m answering the question and choosing the picture, I’ll claim I couldn’t find that one. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

I love food, most any kind. I really enjoy it when I can sit down to eat something that I want (which varies from time to time), and eat all I want, not because I’m hungry but because it tastes good, and not worry about carbs, fat, salt, calories, sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides … yada, yada, yada.

What’s the one question we didn’t ask that you’d like to answer?

To whom am I grateful? To my wife and family who have supported me all these years through many times that it would have been easy to not do so; to the people I work with at Hermiston Fire for all they do every day for the citizens we serve and to support the District and me; and to my friends, neighbors and fellow members of groups that I am associated with. You all are the ones who make my life so blessed and rich. Thank you!

To the citizens we serve: I cannot begin to say how exciting this opportunity to serve you as the chief of police is, not only for me personally, but my entire family. Though I do find it uncomfortable to talk about myself, I believe it is noteworthy to highlight I was born and raised here and have absolutely no desire to live anywhere but here. My wife (Angelique) and I choose to live in Hermiston and even though we are about to watch one of our children leave the nest upon graduation, we love the opportunities this community has provided to/for our kids.

Specific to the Hermiston Police Department, I continue to be amazed with the support our agency has received over the years from the citizens and from city leaders. This department has grown in professional training, meaningful programs, and currently has more employees continuing their formal education than we have ever experienced. We know that working smarter (not necessarily harder) is the prudent thing to do, especially in the tough national economic times.

Fortunately, for our community we are in a position to continue to be able to survive the challenges with conservative and consistent decision making at all levels of our local government.

The last eight-plus months in this agency have been exciting, rewarding, challenging, and just about every other adjective one could muster into thought. One thing, however, has remained consistent: the desire of the employees to continue to serve and operate at high levels of performance to ensure the job is done. Each of us has chosen this profession to serve, and each of us (I believe) takes that seriously. I am a firm believer in surrounding yourself with top-notch people and I have been afforded the opportunity to be able to watch and learn from each of these servants, be it council members, the city manager, other department heads, other department employees, or members of the Hermiston Police Department. We are all working in unison and that truly is an awesome feat.

Though I try to view things as half-full, this is not to say we do not have some significant challenges on the horizon, because we do.

For me, though I feel I have a decent grasp on how to perform in this role, I am not always going to get it right, I may not always say the right things, and I may at times offend people with what I say.

One thing is for certain, I will always make decisions based on what I believe best serves our community, our department, and our employees. I will leave myself out of that equation as this truly is about “we, not me.”

City Manager Ed Brookshier and I have been working on some information that is relevant to the recent organizational review conducted by Greg Willeford. In that review, Mr. Willeford talks about the necessity of “Keep doing what you’ve been doing for the last seven months” with regard to flow of information (communication).

I believe the document and plan is well thought out, continues to keep us on this path of exceptional information flow at all levels, and provides opportunities for you the citizens to attend the public safety committee meetings, which will continue to be held regularly.

These are exciting times for our department and for our city. If there are any concerns or questions, feel free to contact me directly.

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Jason Edmiston is chief of police for the city of Hermiston. He can be reached at 541-667-5107.

Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a proclamation declaring May 20-26 as Oregon Parenting Education Week. Umatilla Morrow Head Start has joined a unique collaboration to make parenting education more available, convenient and fun.

The Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative is a partnership between four of Oregon’s largest foundations, the Oregon Community Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, the Meyer Memorial Trust and the Collins Foundation, in addition to Oregon State University. OPEC promotes an expansive view of parenting education, to include schools, child care, health care providers and other family-serving organizations.

By 2020, OPEC wants all Oregon parents to have access to high quality parenting education programs and for parenting education to be a community norm.

The parenting education collaborative in Umatilla and Morrow counties, which is referred to as a “Hub,” is a partnership of agencies which all bring education skills to the table. They include the Oregon Department of Human Services, Intermountain Education Service District, the Umatilla and Morrow County Commissions on Children and Families, Blue Mountain Community College, the Morrow and Umatilla County Public Health Departments, Oregon State University Extension Service, Pioneer Relief Nursery, Good Shepherd Health Care System, the Oregon Child Development Coalition and Greater Oregon Behavioral Health.

The parent education Hub uses evidence-based programs. Some are taught in group settings, while others are based on home visits. Topics include setting limits on children’s behavior, building self-esteem, family communication and good health. Most sessions are available in Spanish and English. The classes are available to everyone, regardless of income level, and many are free.

Why is parenting education so important? Isn’t raising children an instinctive skill? Parenting skills are learned. Humans have always sought support in raising their children, regardless of their income level, education status or culture. Historically, parents obtained this support from their family network. Families today are more mobile, and many no longer live near extended family members, the people who traditionally provided informal support, advice, and assistance. As families have become smaller and separated by distance, the ease of passing on child-rearing wisdom has decreased.

Effective early parenting contributes to later development of cognitive and social skills, positive peer relationships, and prevention of delinquency, risky behaviors and school failure. There is strong evidence that parenting skills are critical to children’s optimal well-being and development, and that parenting skills can be enhanced by effective parenting education. High-quality parenting education is not only possible, but also definable and replicable.

Of all the things that influence a child’s growth and development, the most critical is reliable, responsive and sensitive parenting.

Benefits accrue to the parents themselves. Effective education programs enhance parents’ child-rearing skills, competence, and confidence. Programs that seek to build parents’ social networks, social support, and community ties act as buffers against stressful life circumstances and transitions. The benefits can be multi-generational, as parenting practices are significantly influenced by one’s own upbringing.

Why does this matter to our communities? Isn’t raising children a private matter? Economic analysis demonstrates that for every dollar invested in early childhood programs, savings of $3.78 to $17.07 can be expected. These savings occur as early interventions promote school retention, improve the quality of the workplace, help schools to be more productive, raise earnings, strengthen social attachments, and reduce crime, teenage pregnancy and welfare dependency.

Parent education opportunities in Umatilla and Morrow Counties can be found on our website, at www.umchs.org. Click on the child’s wagon logo, and view our monthly calendar pages with details on each class. Interested parents can also call our office at 541-564-6878.

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Cathy Wamsley became a Head Start teacher in 1979, and has served as the executive director of Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. since 1987. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, and a masters from Eastern Oregon University. She is a resident of Hermiston.

Mayor Severson and councilors Myers, Hardin, Harn and Harkenrider, councilors Davis, Anderson, Hardin, Misner, Calame and former councilor Springer deserve the support of Hermiston residents for the accomplishments the council has achieved, both independently and in cooperation with other groups and agencies of our region.

Hermiston would not have the following if it were not for their efforts:

Upgraded and relocated Umatilla County Fairgrounds (room for high school expansion); the Hermiston Hispanic Advisory Committee; the Hermiston Higher Education Center; the Pioneer Hybrid/DuPont facilities; the Hansell County Government Center; Home Depot, Big Five Sporting Goods and the Walmart Distribution Center; the Hermiston Aquatic Center; state offices at Village Port; the Oregon National Guard Armory; the city electric utility (reduced rates); the Hermiston Conference Center and the regional water system.

I moved here in 1985 to become superintendent of Oregon State University’s Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Hermiston has been the most pleasant of all the communities in which I have lived. The effectiveness of our mayors and councilors, our city manager and our city employees has made Hermiston a great place to live. Voting to recall Mayor Severson and councilors Myers, Hardin, Harn and Harkenrider — all honorable, devoted and generous citizens — can only reduce our quality of local government. Are you willing to degrade the quality of Hermiston and the services that city government provide? These individuals have greatly served the city of Hermiston and its citizens. Let’s show our appreciation by resoundingly voting “No” on the recall ballot.

Dr. Gary L. Reed,

OSU emeritus professor

Hermiston

What a drama queen! I’m glad that extremists like Kaye Killgore, Portland, who recently wrote an editorial opposing the construction of a horse slaughter plant in the Hermiston rural area, will not sway the opinions of rational, agricultural-minded folks in this area.

Her most outrageous statement was that “people who harm animals are more likely to engage in violent crimes against people.” Well, gee, those of us engaged in the livestock industry, be it cattle, sheep or hogs, know that these animals will end up on the killing block. But we don’t have murderous thoughts about other people. Perhaps Killgore is a vegetarian, but gosh, most of us like our T-bones, hams, bacon or lamb chops.

As to the humane slaughter of horses, it’s a lot more conscientious to kill these unwanted animals than to turn them out to starve or die of disease. Or how about the abuse of trucking weak or crippled horses on a non-stop trip all the way to Mexico to be slaughtered there?

So many comments she made are bogus, but “do-gooders” also forget that the overpopulation of so-called feral horses being held and fed by the government is costing the taxpayers a fortune.

No one is forced to eat horse meat, which is favored in other countries, but think of the tremendous amount of red meat that it takes to feed all the animals such as lions and tigers that are caged in zoos throughout the U.S.

A well-managed, inspected slaughter plant in this era is a clean facility and not a stigma for an area. So like any livestock production, there needs to be a way to humanely dispose of unwanted or crippled animals.

Merlyn Robinson

Heppner

St. Mary’s Outreach, Inc., is thankful for the recent 2012 grants received from the Pacific Power Foundation and the Wildhorse Foundation to help us carry out our objective of providing food for those in need. Smith Foods also helps by donating 10 boxes of frozen food each month.

Our clients are very fortunate in regards to the continued help they are able to receive to meet their needs. We are indeed very grateful for all the funding and various donations, big or small, received from everyone. Thank you.

Mary Jane Peterson, co-director

St. Mary’s Outreach, Inc.

Pendleton