To the Editor:

Recently, there has been several articles written on the appointment of state Sen. Ted Ferrioli to a federal board that oversees huge amounts of money and Rep. Cliff Bentz taking over Ferrioli’s senatorial seat. What has not been fully explained is the importance that both of these moves has on the well being of rural Eastern Oregon communities.

Ferrioli’s job will be to direct how money is appropriated from sources such as the Bonneville Power Administration. Who knows, maybe some of the money may be directed to the actual cause of environmental problems. If the truth finally comes out, it could really help the resource industries.

Rep. Bentz would be an excellent replacement for Ferrioli. He has firsthand experience in the issues that greatly effect rural Oregon. He is very accessible and, most important, listens to the concerns of his constituents and acts on it. A very intricate part of saving Malheur County from the federal government would be just one example. His staff is very professional and always has time for his constituents.

What all this boils down to is that an opportunity like this does not happen very often for the people of rural Oregon. Hopefully all of these pieces fall together.

Loren Stout

John Day

Editor’s note: State Sen. Ted Ferrioli has been appointed to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Council, but the Senate Rules Committee must confirm the appointment and was scheduled to take up the matter Nov. 13-15. If confirmed, Republican precinct committees in his district will submit the names of three to five candidates to the county courts or commissions in his district. The commissioners will then choose Ferrioli’s replacement, with the votes apportioned by the total number of electors in each county.