We the undersigned retired Morrow County commissioners, having 24 years combined experience
 serving as Morrow County commissioners and more than 164 years as lifelong residents of
 Morrow County, enthusiastically endorse Joel Peterson for the position of Morrow County
 commissioner.

The Peterson family has a long history serving the residents of all of Morrow
 County. Joel’s grandfather served as county judge and was an original organizer of the Port of 
Morrow.

Joel knows the county from the Blue Mountains in the south as a generational cattle rancher, to 
mid-county as an operating wheat farmer, to north county as a family involved in irrigated 
agriculture. This countywide involvement in multiple areas of agriculture gives Joel knowledge 
of the agriculture needs throughout Morrow County.

Joel is a leader who puts others in the best position to succeed, and as a commissioner would do 
this by letting well-skilled county staff use their expertise to the fullest, while providing guidance
 and transparent policies rather than a forceful hand.

He will be a thoughtful deliberator at the county court, will always be prepared, will be 
inclusive of all views and will work for the success of all residents of Morrow County.

Joel has years of experience serving as president on countywide organizations, including
 Morrow County Planning Commission, Bank of Eastern Oregon, Valby Lutheran Church, MC 
Wheat League, Jordan Elevator Corp., ICABO, the school board and the lone School Foundation,
 as well as serving on the budget committees for the Port of Morrow and lone Fire Department.
 This extensive list of community service gives Joel unique and broad-based experiences all
 across Morrow County, and the tools necessary to be an exceptional commissioner for Morrow 
County to keep Morrow County moving in the right direction, deal with new challenges and 
keep the Morrow County economy growing.

Please vote Joel Peterson for Morrow County commissioner.

LeAnn Rea, Heppner

John Wenholz, Irrigon

Raymond Grace, Heppner

The East Oregonian does not run endorsements of more than 400 words.

The East Oregonian will 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 the letters on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please submit your endorsement letters to the editor by noon Friday, Oct. 23. You can email them to editor@eastoregonian.com, or mail them to East Oregonian, c/o Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton, 97801.

We will publish our last letters on Saturday, Oct. 31. Any letters received after the deadline will not run. Election Day is Nov. 3.