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Ready to drive into the future



Fruitland School Board member Galen Lee drives a tractor spraying a sugar beet field Thursday in Fruitland. Lee first joined the board in November 2003 and is running for re-election for Zone 4 in Tuesday’s election against Mike Knee.
Fruitland - Four years is not enough for sitting Fruitland School Board member Galen Lee.

“I think I’ve done a good job while I’ve been on the board, and that’s why I’m running for re-election,” he said. “I think things are running pretty smooth. We’ve had a lot of growth, and with that there have been changes, but we’re having growth because Fruitland is a great place to live and a great place to raise kids.”

Lee is running against Mike Knee for the Zone 4 position on Tuesday, while Jim Smith and Wayne Snavely are competing for the Zone 1 Fruitland School Board slot.

Kelly Henggeler is running unopposed for Zone 5.

“I just want to encourage people to get out and vote,” Lee said. “People need to get out and get the people elected they want. That’s what our country is based on.”

Lee described himself as a farmer, working with his family to grow asparagus, sugar beets, hay and grain as well as managing a dairy and beef cows.

“I’m a farmer, I work with my family,” he said. “I enjoy it. I love farming, that’s why I do it.”

Lee said he also enjoys working with the Fruitland School Board, where he has served since November 2003.

“It’s been rewarding and challenging,” he said. “There’s always issues coming up, and what I’ve found is you have to hear both sides before you make up your mind. We act as the hearings officers. We listen to both sides, and in the end, we have to do what is best for the kids.”

While the mediation can be the most challenging part of serving the board, Lee also said it also has positive aspects.

“My favorite experiences (with the board) are when the groups come in and tell us where they’ve been,” Lee said. “FFA, band, math council at the middle school. All those, when they come back from conferences or competitions and tell us how they’ve done, that just speaks well for Fruitland and how we’ve done.”

Lee said he attended Fruitland schools for all 12 years of general education before he left the area for college. After working out of the state, he returned to Fruitland.

“I was raised here, I’ve been a part of the community my whole life,” he said. “I plan to stay that way. I definitely have a vested interest in Fruitland. I farm here. We plan to keep doing whatever we can to help the community.”




Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’


I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.


Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"


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