It seems there is a small group of people who seem to promote only their own agenda instead of what is best for the entire community. They seem to be trying to tear Hermiston apart. There has been a lot of negativism from these people as well as from the media. Perhaps some of the positive happenings in Hermiston should be mentioned.

Hermiston has become the largest city in Eastern Oregon. This has not happened overnight. It took a lot of people working together to accomplish what we have done. The people of the west end of Umatilla County pay the largest share of the taxes to the County. The City of Hermiston has a population of 16,745. Despite the overall downturn in the economy, the City has a balanced budget and carries a positive reserve.

The City of Hermiston has its own electric utility with one of the lowest rates around, if not the lowest, and will be able to maintain those rates for many years into the future.

The community has built a new convention center that is in constant use. A new library was built by the community with no public funds.

We have a state-of-the-art aquatic center that has been enjoyed by thousands of patrons each year. Our park system is beyond compare. Riverfront Park, for example, is used by countless people daily, as is Butte Park.

We have a regional water system for the City capable of handling a growth to 50,000 people. The City is working on a recycled water treatment plant that will be able to handle our growth for 50 years.

The City worked with Eastern Oregon University and Blue Mountain Community College to bring the Eastern Oregon Higher Education Center to Hermiston. Our youth will can now receive four-year degrees without having to leave home.

The City is happy to be working with the school district, Umatilla County Fair Board, and Farm Fair to move the fairgrounds and create a trade and event center on property near the City airport. This is another project that will benefit all. It will allow the fair to grow, the school district to expand, and the rodeo to continue and to expand, also.

This, and much more has been accomplished by past and present councilors in the last 20 years under Mr. Ed Brookshier's guidance. We are going through a very critical time right now. It is difficult to listen to the media and others call the City government either incompetent or liars. Does anyone really believe that, if we had been aware of the problems, the situation would have continued without being addressed? If the general public, who elects our council, is unsatisfied, they can come forward. As noted, a very small group of agitators make the most noise and draw attention to themselves.

Are we as a City and a community going to allow those few individuals to destroy all that has been good for us? I am extremely proud of the people in our community and all the positive things I have seen happen. We need to pull together, not against each other. We have shown what can be done when people pitch in and work for the good of the entire community.

Bob Severson, Mayor