If Harrison Butker had spoken at my college graduation, I also would have wildly cheered him on as did the crowd at graduates at Benedictine College. But I didn’t hear the speech at my college graduation: I skipped my college graduation to be at my oldest daughter’s dance recital.

Read Butker’s full speech here:https://www.ncregister.com/news/harrison-butker-speech-at-benedictine

To most other moms it is not shocking that I would choose to skip my college graduation to be at an important event for my child. Neither is it infuriating that a man would stand in front of a graduating class and tell men and women that placing family above careers will bring them the greatest joy in life: Albeit it would be a pleasant surprise to the typical platitudes of graduation speeches. But for those who are horribly offended at Butker’s statements, my choice may seem unfathomable. I believe this is especially so given the context of my college graduation. It is for both my mom friends and my fellow deceived females that I explain why missing my college graduation was not a burden nor a loss.

In retrospect, I should have known that the culmination of my education thus far would result in missing graduation. In truth my graduation experiences peaked in 8th grade., for which I was showered with many academic and music awards. All my teachers gushed about how I was going to do great things. I am sure some of them were disappointed in later years when I did not meet their expectations, but I am nevertheless grateful for the devotion and patience of my grade school teachers.

My high school graduation did not prove to be as impressive. I graduated in the top three of my class, missing salutatorian by a few one hundredth of points. My best friends, the valedictorian and salutatorian, fully deserved their awarded titles: They had worked tirelessly to earn them. But I had gotten distracted and was graduating four months pregnant. My pregnancy was not a cause of my falling behind my friends academically. Although my morning classes during the last quarter were difficult to attend due to puking every day for 3 months.

Any regrets I had were the lagging guilt of not obeying my own standards of conduct or working harder to earn better grades. I had no plans to attend college at the time. I was quite happy to have a good job, a seemingly supportive husband, and a growing healthy pregnancy. I left high school with a decent education and the realization of most of my hopes. I had been able to perform as the co-lead in our spring musical and was chosen as a princess for the Prom Court. I graduated with honors and had been selected by my classmates to introduce our graduation speaker. My only hurts were those of a few friends (my best male friend was quite angry with me) who insisted I was wasting my mental abilities by not attending college immediately.

I gave birth to my first son and returned to work within 6 weeks. He was healthy and mostly thriving. My lovely mother-in-law was his full-time babysitter. I was working in retail management at the time at Carter’s. Despite all my skills I found it quite difficult to see mothers with their infants constantly. I frequently made mistakes, and my manager was losing her patience with me. However, after a friend recommended me to a higher position at Levi’s, my retail management career was fast tracked. In less than 3 years I was promoted to manager, the youngest in the company at the time. I had a lot of support from my upper management, almost all males. In fact, my direct manager for two years was an extremely fair and patient man. I am sure within a few years I would have been making close to six figures. But instead, I gave birth to a second child, a girl, and I chose to stay at home with both children.

If you are keeping score, I was now in my early twenties. I had set aside college and a promising career. I was at home changing diapers, breast feeding, teaching my older child preschool skills, and basically homemaking. All these things were a joy to me. The smiles and giggles, the training and disciplining, the endless hours of cleaning. It was others that were disturbed at my choices. It was former coworkers asking, “What do you do all day?” It was some other working moms who did not understand why I didn’t want to send my children to daycare. And unfortunately, it was also an unhappy husband who did not want to provide or care for a family, that threatened my contentment.

Indeed, one of the greatest threats to my happiness was not being a mother or wife but losing my first marriage to an unwanted divorce. As I attempted to gain my bearings (and confidence) God again brought many amazing men and women into my life. Every single person that encouraged me, helped with my children, or provided financial assistance were people living out their roles as husbands, fathers, grandparents, wives, or mothers. It never occurred to me to wish I did not have the burden of my children, but I fought to retain them with me as much as possible.

During this life change, I enrolled in college. Given the time since my high school days I had to begin with pre-collegiate math. For my first several semesters I only took one math course. It was all I could afford due to finances and time constraints. Eventually, I was able to take two courses at a time., and finished math with calculus, my only B grade in college. Who was my college math teacher? A man that was committed to provide for this family so that his college educated wife could homeschool. Again, this man did everything he could to ensure his students succeeded. While I was able to graduate from community college with honors my very high GPA did not count toward valedictorian or salutatorian positions because the majority of my degree was not earned as a full-time student

By the time I began full time at the university level, I was married. I was homeschooling one child, working on my husband’s family farm, and performing all the mom and wife duties. I loved every minute of it. I sometimes brought my youngest child to my classes, which were about 60 miles away. In fact, I had given birth to my third child before I graduated college. I graduated college with honors and the exact GPA of my high school years.

But, as I explained, I did not attend my college graduation. Technically, I had the option to walk twice, because I finished my final class during the summer. It was not even a consideration, when I realized that my daughter’s annual dance recital was on the same day as my graduation. Other people were disappointed for me. I appreciated the sentiment, but I had no thoughts of commiseration.

It was not just my college graduation that I missed. I again set aside a possible career, this time in teaching. After giving birth to my fourth child, it became apparent that our toddler was quite capable of manipulating every babysitter and her older siblings. I had been frequently substituting at our local school district, and our two older kids were homeschooling. It is not that it was impossible for me to work, but that my children needed my attention at home. Neither my husband nor I, have ever regretted our decision to forgo a full-time professional second income.

I hope all women (and men) who read this hear what I am trying to convey: Living out my God called roll as a wife and mother is what has brought me the greatest joy and fulfillment. I have faced imminent death twice, once due to an ectopic pregnancy. In those moments, I had no fleeting thoughts concerning fame or fortune. My thoughts (and flare prayers) were toward my husband, children, and the Savior, Who I was quite sure I was about to meet.

It is true that God calls individuals to different roles. I have several times in this short writing referred to individuals that invested in my well-being. The heart work that my mom friends and mentors have spent working in me made an eternal impression. But it was also many strong and virtuous men who respectfully protected me, provided for me, and patiently taught me that helped me realize my own calling. These people were not focused on themselves or the world’s vision of what they should be. It is they that continue to inspire me to do my best. They are also some of the happiest, most fulfilled people I know.

Butker made many references to Catholic doctrine which I cannot affirm, but he has every right to believe and say those things. I can affirm, that women have been sold a lie that professional success will bring them more happiness than a home with a husband and children. Yes, there are a few that can manage both, especially in different seasons of life. There are also a few women who are not called to be wives or mothers, but these women have other callings to service. So lean into your calling of God, not the desire of the spirit of the age.

Butker spoke the truth, a thing rarely spoken at college graduations. The media, and those who have lived in the deception of the media’s lies hate the truth. I can testify that they utterly hate women that speak and live the truth. The only people the media despises more than women unashamed to live primarily as homemakers, is the men strong enough to praise them. So bravo, Butker.

Many business owners affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns have filed lawsuits against state and federal entities. However, counties have not been exempt from these lawsuits as exhibited in “Mankins Family LLC Pacific City Inn) versus Tillamook County, OR” This lawsuit alleges that the Tillamook Board of Commissioners’ resolutions from March-May 2020 concerning the closing of the transient lodging caused unnecessary financial harm to the Mankins due the questionable wording of the resolution. The Tillamook County Commissioner that testified in this hearing is Mary Faith Bell. Mary Faith Bell has been a Tillamook County Commissioner since 2019, and is currently running for re-election.

Specifically, this deposition covers whether the county had enforcement power to close businesses in unincorporated portions of the county. The deposition presents a strong case that the County Commissioners knew they had no legal power to “shut down” businesses, but that they purposefully crafted their order to sound as if they had the authority and ability to enforce business closures.   For reference the March 22, 2020 Resolution# R-20-006 In the Matter of the Continuance of a Local State of Emergency Within Tillamook County stated:

 The following closures shall go into effect no later than 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020: a. Closure of all county, state, and federal parks within Tillamook County. Current park hosts and employees of the park are allowed to remain in the park; b. Closure of all county parking lots, beach access, and certain parking areas along road rights-of-way; c. Closure of all county public boat launches to non-commercial users that do not commercial fish for the purpose of providing a retail food source; and d. Closure of all transient lodging facilities including, but not limited to, motels, hotels, short-term vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, RV parks, and campgrounds.[Emphasis mine].

Mary Faith Bell makes it clear in her deposition that the intent of the Board of Tillamook County Commissioners was to compel compliance. For example, when asked if the commissioners had the authority to close state and federal parks Commissioner Bell replied, “We —we wanted to—again, to present a front that Tillamook County is closed. And —and to encourage our partners in outdoor recreation via the OPRD—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department—-and your—United States Forest Service to —to ask them to partner with us in this united front that Tillamook County is closed to visitors. And so —so we included that in the resolution. But they didn’t have to comply.” (pg. 33 “Deposition of Mary Faith Bell 30 (b) (6) Tillamook County, OR Designee August 12, 2021, In the Matter of: Mankins Family LLC and Pacific City Inn v. Tillamook County, Oregon”).  Contrary to this statement under oath during the March 22, 2020 emergency meeting of the Tillamook Board of Commissioners that “to the extent that we CAN [emphasis mine] close transient lodging, we should. So I again would like to hear from legal counsel about what we can do about short-term rentals because these are private residents . . . could we prohibit air B and B’s?” County Counsel Joel Stevens replied, “I believe we can.”

So what did the Board of Commissioners believe they were acting legally or not? Under oath Mary Faith Bell asserts that they knew they did not have the authority to enforce or actually close any businesses, but during the public meetings she makes assertions such as “it is time to take bold action.” So while under the threat of perjury Bell clearly indicated the Commissioners did not have the authority to enforce closures, but in public, including on the Tillamook County website, Bell has presented the Commissioners as the “county health authority” and affirmed they do have the power to enact all kinds of legally questionable orders.

 This claim of being in health authority is echoed in Bell’s later testimony of this deposition. When asked if there was a “specific reason why the County chose not to make that fact clear to lodging owners that their compliance was completely voluntary” here was Bell’s response:

We were managing the pandemic. The county commissioners are the public health authority for the County. And we were trying to prevent people from coming to Tillamook County and bringing the virus with them. So we were looking for voluntary compliance. And we issued the resolution, as you know. And there—it wouldn’t have been in the best interest of the public health for us to say, But you can do this or not, if you want to. (Pg. 59)

Commissioner Mary Faith Bell makes it clear in this statement that she did not trust the citizens of Tillamook County, or at large (there was a concern about outside tourists) to make their own health decisions.  In fact, when the original March 22, 2020 Resolution # R-20-006 was passed there were zero COVID-19 cases in Tillamook County. This resolution was renewed monthly until June 10, 2020. Of course, the county has since stepped back from their original lockdown measures to merely keeping our county in a “state of emergency” on December 29, 2021 until June of 2022, unless they choose to renew the state of emergency, again. These state of emergencies have been unanimously voted on and signed by every current commissioner.

            Tillamook County was not held liable, in that on a technicality they won the law suit filed by the Mankins. However, this is not to say Tillamook County was not liable or that they acted on legal authority based on the testimony by Commissioner Bell or in the reality of the consequences of their decisions. Nor has history vindicated their decisions as Suzanne Weber affirmed it would when the Tillamook County Commissioners passed their original Resolution on March 22, 2020.

Remember the original reasoning of all lockdowns and closures was to “flatten the curve.” How did Tillamook County perform in that area? Mostly well, but then again COVID-19 had a survival rate of over 99%. In fact, the only “life-threatening surge” Tillamook County ever experienced was in late August/early September 2021, during which most of the 64 reported deaths in our county occurred. In other words, the Commissioners had a year and a half to help the county health providers for treatment of patients. To be fair, Oregon as a state has the least amount of hospital beds per capita and current data from OHA suggests that 93% of those that died in Oregon had underlying conditions. So perhaps we mustn’t judge our local leaders too harshly. However, any who personally lost a loved one to COVID-19 will have their own feelings on how our local leaders prepared for our belated surge. But in case you missed it the head administrator of Tillamook Adventist Hospital, Eric Swanson, just endorsed Mary Faith Bell for re-election as Tillamook County Commissioner.

            As we look toward the future and consider who should be making county resolutions, state or federal laws, we must look back on the record of those who have made those decisions. If hindsight is 20/20 let us not forget the lessons of 2020. Courageous leadership is required for trying times. Likeability will not save during a pandemic or foster economic stability. Freedom should be affirmed over fear.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:6

The world is on fire.

The United States in on fire. I speak not of the literal fires in cities across our great country, but of the fires swelling in our hearts and bursting out on our social media accounts. The fire aimed at one another through harsh words and worldly division. This fire is not staying without the church or family of believers: It has worked its way inside the doors of our hearts. Fire can be good, but if left unchecked it will certainly consume us.

“Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” Proverbs 6:27

What is the source of this fire?

Most of us have been on some kind of stay at home gubernatorial edict for almost 90 days. For nearly 90 days our contact with one another has been limited. Now, as it has opened up, we find ourselves behind masks, following arrows, and being reminded every five minutes by friendly public service announcements to wash our hands and keep 6 feet away from everyone. My initial feeling of being herded like a cow through the parking lot of Costco complete with crates for fences outside, and roped off areas inside has not abated.

Unfortunately, the above paragraph is just the background setting. Over 40 million  fellow citizens have lost their jobs. That is like the state of California becoming unemployed. We are told over 100,000 people have lost their lives from a virus shipped to us from a country that calls itself our enemy. Apparently, many of these deaths could have been avoided with better policies. More on that later, but in the mean time sit on that number. If the death count is correct that is the population of Bend, Oregon, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States (30% growth in the last ten years), wiped off the face of the earth.

It gets worse. Enter in the politicians. Never mind that the many of people that serve in all three levels of government (city, state, federal) are paid for by our hard earned tax dollars and hold their position only by the electorate. Many of these officials have now imagine themselves to have power. They do not legislate or enforce laws, they make edicts that are generally against their state constitutions and challenge the Constitution of the United States. It doesn’t really matter what your political persuasion is, there has been plenty for all to be frustrated or angry about.

If you weren’t bothered in general by our representative government, no worries the media found plenty of wood, hay, and stubble to throw on the rubble pile of our emotions. The media also only exist at our pleasure, but we just stare idly as they pile on the fuel and pour on the gasoline. They will report on the results of the fire, too. Either way the media retains their positions of employment and continue broadcasting from their elegant homes or state-of-the-art recording studios without suffering the consequences of the financial ruin of their fellow countrymen and profiting from reporting on the fire they started.

Thus far, the last 90 days has separated us physically, emotionally, politically, and spiritually. Yes, apparently the virus spreads mostly at houses of worship. This is why even though most churches have presented and initiated the most strict plans to operate that can be imagined, many governors have arbitrarily decided churches cannot meet. If they do meet then they must only worship with in certain prescription given by our benevolent rulers. Sure we can still read our Bibles,pray, and watch church at home. However, as a person that has attended church multiple times a week for over twenty years, it is not the same. In fact, a few weeks ago I struggled to attend online church: Despite an amazing online service it just seemed fake.

All of the above is so overwhelming that most of us have become numb to it. We pretend we will all get through this together, even though we are not together.  Even though we are about to be ripped apart by what the media constantly presents to us as a raging race, class and political ideological war. It is as if the media’s mantra is, “Burn baby, burn.” And for some of them, it is. You don’t even have to guess at their motive. They printed it in their premier publications as the 1619 project (1619 Project, NY Times),and awarded the author it’s highest honors, the Pulitzer Prize( 1619 Project Pulitzer Prize).Even as someone who knows the inaccuracy and the audacity of this hatred-filled document, I have to admit it has been successful. Just look at the ashes across the United States of America.

But, our great country is of the people, and by the people. We cannot eternally play the blame game. The personal attacks are becoming worse than ever. Social media is more like a school yard full of mean children. Anger is now burning up ties of family and friendship to a crisp. Probably the only way to salvage personal relationships is to unplug completely. Hopefully it will be more difficult to call each other names if we have to see the pain it causes splashed across each others’ faces.

However single driving factor of the fury is based an eternal truth placed in your heart by the Creator, the shedding of innocent blood. This is what finally, ignited the fire and allowed it to keep burning.

It is not an accident that we are disturbed by photos, audio, and video that shows what can only be interpreted as the destruction of the life of innocent people. None of us want anyone to fear being gunned down by neighbors while they are out on a run. None of us wants a single person to be killed while submitting to an arrest. It should scream through our souls that these are outright injustices. They are. And, we should want the perpetrators to face the just consequences through due process.

It is good and right to demand justice through legal means. What is interesting is that is exactly what is taking place. Everyone is horrified, everyone wants justice. Justice is currently working through the process. Yet the anger remains.

Why not the anger at governors who ordered elder homes to take in patients with the virus from the hospital? Please do not tell me they did not know it would kill elderly people (they sent extra body bags). Cuomo sent over 4,300 recovering Covid patients to nursing homes

Why not be angry that while all “non-emergency” and “elective” medical procedures being suspended, abortions continued–especially in black neighborhoods?(Planned Parenthood Targets Black Neighborhoods )Margret Sanger would be proud of her legacy of eugenics through Planned Parenthood. (Margaret Sanger and Eugenics)

Where is our angst against the Communist Party of China? Is it too hard to care about Hong Kong, Chinese Christians and human right activists, Uighar Muslims (The Fate of Uighur Muslims in China), and a virus that has had terrible world-wide consequences ? (China let 5 Million People Leave Wuhan ) How very convenient for China that our country is turning on itself at this time.

This is not to insinuate we should be more angry, it is a plea to get balanced. It is a gentle reminder, every life is precious and has purpose.

Why is there still so much anger?

The power of the story of one, such as Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, can be far reaching. We should all be horrified at their loss of life,and what their families are suffering. The grief has been multiplied by the endless replaying of their deaths. This is not to mention the hurt the rioting and looting, supposedly done in protest of their deaths, is causing their families and communities.

As we obsess over these ones are we forgetting the millions?

My faith in Christ demands an even approach. I do not suggest here that we do not follow what God has put in us to be passionate about. I believe there may be God-given reasons for one to personally care more about one situation than another. However, if we leave our passions unchecked, we will be part of the problem and not the solution.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice . . .” Ephesians 4:31

Our focus on racism is diminishing our real need for moral fortitude based on the solid foundation of God’s Word. It is distracting from a deeper sin, the shedding of innocent blood, that is rampant around us through abortion, despicable actions by governors concerning nursing homes, the killing of George Floyd, and many others.

In the end, those who claim Christ should ask three questions: What is the purpose of my anger? How does God view the situation I am angry about? What would God have me do that will change things for the better?

Perhaps most important we should remember, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath; For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

Christians, there is enough fire in the world. It is time to throw some water on the fire. But, let us not make peace on false pretenses: Spraying just enough water to keep the fire at bay. This fire must drenched by the Living Water, Jesus Christ. Let us cleanse our own hearts before the Lord, and spread the good news of the gospel to every person. Finally, let us lead the way, fellow believers, in love for one another without preference or unnecessary division.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  Philippians 2:3

And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted , and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18: 2-3

“Do you have some change, ma’m?”

This was probably the third or fourth time in a week I had been approached by a stranger with the same question. I try to be prepared with something to give these needy souls: Small amounts of money or snacks, and a tract containing the message of salvation. I am not always prepared, and, quite honestly, there are rare occasions I just don’t want to bother with the interruption to my day. But, I try.

“I think I have some change. Just give me a moment here, ” I responded while I rummaged through my very full purse. How is it that you can have several pockets and a purse organizer and still not manage to keep your purse in order?

I prayed as I dug to find something to give this woman for the right words to speak to her. As I pulled out my coin purse (it had been stuck under my purse organizer), I realized I only had a few small coins on me. I looked apologetically into her electric blue eyes, and said, “I am sorry. This is all I have.”

As I handed the change to her she thanked me. She would have walked away, but I stopped her. I wanted to give her more. I had something worth more than all the treasures in the world to share with her: I had Jesus. While I can’t say it was the most successful gospel presentation, before the lady walked away I was able to share some truth and some of my own personal testimony of Christ. She was open enough to let me pray for her, and some of her immediate needs. Then we parted ways. As I write this I wonder if she is safe, if she is suffering out in the heat of the high desert, and whether she truly understands the way of salvation.

This woman that stopped me in the parking lot of Walmart on a hot Southern California day did not hide that she was in physical need. But, she was quick to hide behind an experience that may be masking her spiritual need. There was no difference between her and all the other people in the parking lot that day, except her physical need put her in a position to hear about the ultimate remedy for her greatest need–spiritual life through Jesus Christ.

As I ponder this seemingly incidental happening, I am again reminded that it is only when we understand our own desperate need for salvation that we are willing to look outside of ourselves and up to the outstretched hands of God.

I was pretty desperate when I came to Christ. I am sure both my parents loved me and wanted to meet my needs, but they were just as lost as I was with a hundred times the responsibility. As a result our home life was tumultuous. I was about five years old and I was starving for stability.

Somehow I got invited to a vacation Bible school in a gospel preaching church in my hometown of Mountain Home, Idaho. I wish I knew the name of the church, or the bus driver that drove the bus, or the pastor, but I have not a clue who were these faithful servants to the Lord. All I remember is that on the last day we all sat out and heard a full sermon by the pastor. When he gave an invitation to come forward to receive Christ, I went. I went because somehow I knew that a Heavenly Father was waiting to make me His child, and I wanted that enough to step out in front of total strangers. I lady came and talked to me about asking Jesus into my heart, and I did so immediately.

I wish I could say I have always responded to the Holy Spirit that obediently, but anyone who knows me, believers and unbelievers, knows that is not true. But, I do know this: That seemingly incidental happening changed the course of my life and my eternal destiny. And while I cannot boast a life not scarred by my own willful sin, I can boast that Jesus has never turned is back on me.

As a result, I am not the same. I am not the same person I was before I got saved. I am not the same person I was before I committed my life to following Christ. I am not same person I was ten years ago: I am not even the same person I was ten weeks ago. Christ has been patiently drawing me more to Himself, and I would not have it any other way.

Do I have change? More than you could imagine, dear one.

I hate alarm clocks. Lamentably, they are a necessary evil. Having a very full schedule I have to wake up 6 days of the week earlier than I would prefer. So I must have an alarm clock. Of course, most of us use our phones as alarm clocks now days, and can pick from a variety of alarm sounds. We can even create our own alarm jingle. For a while I tried to use the song “Overcomer” by Mandisa for my alarm. It’s a fun, positive, peppy song. That lasted about two months: Now I hate that song. I don’t even allow it to play on my radio.

Know what I hate more than an alarm? Snooze settings. What wicked person ever thought of such a thing? Who wants to be reawakened every ten minutes to the same horrible racket when you were obviously too tired to wake up the first time? It doesn’t help that I am married to man that has been both a farmer and a truck driver who legitimately needs that snooze option. But it is fair to say my affection for snooze alarms is not growing any stronger.

Imagine my horror at realizing I am the snooze alarm. Even worse, I may have contributed to the lullaby that put us all back to sleep in the first place. Nevertheless, there is a time that someone has to be willing to step up and sound the alarm. I have looked for someone else. I have nudged a few. I have downright dared a few to take up the mantle. But, at the end of the day I was the one left alone with the knowledge, personal experience and responsibility to sound the alarm.  So with much regret,  I am going to play my jingle again–only louder.

I recently wrote a blog about several policies the Nestucca Valley School Board passed that undermined the First Amendment rights of teachers ( Teaching on Religion IGAC) and parental rights (Human Sexuality, AIDS/HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Health Education IGAI) What is that smell in our sleepy Nestucca Valley? At the time of that blog I was completely oblivious to Nestucca Valley School District’s current gun free zone policy (Weapons–Students JFCJ). However, I have since come to a full understanding, and I am awake.

While I was originally misinformed about this policy, I was also duped by the June Nestucca Valley School District Board agenda with a lot of “mistakes” as to what was a “Policy First Reading–Proposed Adoption” and was a “Second Reading of Policy/Policy Adoption–Deletion.” I should note to the reader that these policies are not read out loud as these lines suggest by the board at the meeting, unless there is a grammatical error. Grammatical errors demand the policies be read in part, not in full. Also, I had only received electronic copies of the policies a few days prior and had very little time to peruse through them, let alone thoroughly inspect them. Finally, the board was referring to page numbers in a document I did not possess. I confess that I was struggling to follow the progression of the meeting.

However, the most pertinent happening that led to my confusion was a comment by Superintendent, Misty Wharton.  I had been alerted to some possible weapons policy changes by a comment at the May meeting by board member Diane Boisa. Therefore, I went ahead and voiced concerned about making our school district a gun free zone 24/7, year round, on all school property and at every place the district holds an event given that 98% of mass shootings occur in Gun Free Zones (Crime Research Center ) at the June 10th meeting. I received a lot of interesting looks from board members, but not one bothered to point out that they had already established Nestucca Valley School District as a Gun Free Zone (Former JFCJ Weapons-Students). However, Ms. Wharton did comment that the board was not voting on that policy that night. Several minutes later the board voted to approve all their proposed and deleted polices I-K/L, all 684 pages, in one swoop. There was not a nay or a even a question by a single board member: Next agenda item, moving on. And, yes, JFCJ Weapons in Schools–Students was one of those policies.

In all fairness to Ms. Wharton, she may have been referring to the Weapons policy for staff members Weapons –Staff GBJ. I did not reference that policy, but made my comments based on a quick review of the above referenced Weapons–Student policy. Furthermore, the board secretary noted in the minutes for that meeting that my public comment was concerning JFCJ (these minutes are not available online at this time, but can be requested at the district office).  Does that make Ms. Wharton’s assertion after my public testimony that the board would not be approving a new gun policy a lie? I don’t know. However, I can tell you that when I realized the worse of the two policies had already been passed I felt lied to. I felt deceived. I felt totally hoodwinked by my school board members and the superintendent. I will leave the sorting out of motives and intentions to the only True and Righteous Judge.

So how has the Weapons in Schools–Student policy (JFCJ) changed? Not a lot, with the exception of giving the superintendent to the power to refer “all other policy violations” to law enforcement. Prior to this the policy was rather vague about punishment “other persons” or non-student violators may face. So what kind of violations did our board just give the superintendent the right to report to law enforcement? For one, “possession of a firearm within 1000ft. of school property.” Full reading of the weapons policy leaves one to wonder if their can have certain fertilizers, a taser, or bear spray in their home or on their person within 1000ft. of school property. And, by the way, staff members must  report if you have such items within the Gun Free Zone up to 120 days after you violated the policy.

And, so now we have a school district that demands teachers renounce their personal convictions on faith and family. We have a school district that requires teachers to spend a specific amount of hours teaching “health” that includes transgenderism. A school district that readily provides minors with access to abortion on demand at all stages of pregnancy without parental notification. A school district that requires for staff to report if they see people in their homes next to the school with firearms, pepper spray or fertilizer up to 120 days after the fact that they noticed these items. Is this the school district your taxes pay for, you send your kids to, and that 3 generations of your family has graduated from? The school district funded by your property taxes and local timber sales? Why, yes it is.

So how did this happen? How do you ruin a school district in 3 years?

1. Don’t go to board meetings. They are boring. They don’t listen to the patrons. They are not scheduled at convenient times.
2. When you hear of your school board doing some strange things, rather covertly, and suddenly there is a new superintendent, don’t question it. Just go with it. Now the kids can play dodge ball again. Life goes on.
3. Be so excited and trusting of your temporary superintendent because they are “local” that you become more entrenched about #1 and less questioning about anything.
4. Don’t question how the interim superintendent suddenly became the permanent (3 year contract) superintendent even though the job offer was never on a meeting agenda. Then refer back to #3.
5.  Assume that the board members are more interested in representing you than seeing through their personal agendas or those of the superintendent.
6. If you begin to question the motives of the board or administration never call, question, or email them. Just re-elect them. They will get it right eventually.
7. Assume that the board and the superintendent know more than you do. They are the experts on all the educational laws and regulations. You are just the parent or community member, you don’t understand all these complex issues
8. Let the superintendent answer all statements and questions to the board members. Sure, they’re your elected officials responsible to you, but she is the one taking charge. Just roll with it.

Now, you understand why I called myself the snooze alarm. This is not pleasant to the ear. Especially if you are tired of hearing about it. And some of you have probably tried to voice concerns to the superintendent or the board members, but felt defeated or ignored. Trust me, I have tried to deal with many of these issues with them privately. They are not budging .

I have been guilty of all of the things on that list. If you feel that I am pointing a finger at this community, then rest I assured I know I have 3 fingers pointing back at me. I am quite possibly more responsible than anyone other than our board members and superintendent. Why? Because I knew the truth. I knew how the superintendent got her permanent job offer (3 year contract) in April 2017, and I did not make it public. I knew that she would have conflicting worldviews with most of the community, but hoped she would set those aside to be a true public servant. I even did a very flattering interview for the current superintendent for the Tillamook County Pioneer soon after her job offer. I have been responsible for leading the public to trust Misty Wharton.

Unfortunately, she has proven herself unworthy of our trust, and our elected school board members have refused to do their job of supervising her. In fact, it was Superintendent Wharton that gave newly elected board member, Bill Haggerty, his oath of office. In case, you missed the gravity of this happening: Mr. Haggerty is her boss, but she gave him his oath and shook his hand. Who’s the boss?

So the snooze alarm has sounded again. Are you willing to get out of bed this time? Is there not a cause for this community to come together and say enough is enough. People came from all over the state this year to protest cap and trade, gun restrictions, and mandatory vaccination bills proposed in Salem. Our we willing to fight for our constitutional rights in our own backyard? If you don’t, then expect a fight in a courtroom near you soon, paid for by you on both sides of the litigation. Or perhaps we are willing to let our schools be one more site for a school shooting in a “gun free zone?”

Let’s do what small, rural communities do best: Wake up early, go to work and support one another in a worthy cause. This is our school and our community. Let’s own it.