I write to show my wholehearted support for Patrick Gregg in the upcoming election for the Pendleton School Board Position 7.

I have had the opportunity to get to know Patrick professionally over the last few years and have been able to see firsthand his ability to analyze and navigate tough situations. His work ethic and his dedication to the city of Pendleton are unparalleled. Patrick shows up for Pendleton every day.

Patrick has three beautiful children with his wife, Jill, who are attending, or soon will be attending, school in Pendleton. Patrick has always expressed his passion about the importance of education. With all three of his children soon attending school, I believe it is in his nature as a person to do what is most important, not only for the future education of his children, but for the Pendleton School District as a whole.

I trust that Patrick will make informed and well thought-out decisions for the Pendleton School District, and I trust that Patrick will make decisions that directly benefit the education of our children, create a safe and diverse educational setting, and to support and protect the livelihoods of our teachers.

If elected to the Pendleton School Board Position 7, I have no doubt in my mind Patrick will fill the position remarkably.

Eva Smith

Pendleton

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 local letters of endorsement on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit your endorsement letters to the editor by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 7. You can email them to editor@eastoregonian.com, or mail them to East Oregonian, c/o Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801.

We will publish our last letters on Saturday, May 15. Any letters received after the deadline will not run. Election Day is May 18.