Among the four dozen or so people in the audience for this week’s Hermiston Hispanic Advisory Committee meeting were two of Umatilla County’s commissioners.
Bill Elfering and George Murdock stopped by the meeting after receiving an invitation from the committee. Elfering liked what he saw.
“I’m impressed to see the turnout and participation,” the commissioner said to the crowd. “We welcome your participation not only in Hermiston, but in the entire county.”
Murdock said the commissioners welcomed the opportunity to get to know the committee as well as those in the Hispanic community.
“We want to take an interest in what your needs are and make sure you have an opportunity to be heard from us,” Murdock said, who told the crowd that while he served as superintendent of Pasco schools, he was the only non-Hispanic ever to serve as grand marshal for the city’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Elfering spent a couple of minutes speaking Spanish to the audience, a gesture appreciated by those in attendance. He also told the committee specifically and the Hispanic community in general that they serve as a great example of community involvement.
“You are a model for the entire county for bringing the community together,” he said. “Continue to do good work. You’ve come a long way. Keep doing that and keep us informed of any way we can be of assistance.”
