Betty Oppenheimer said it as she saw it

Once in awhile I see a name I recognize in funeral notices and obituaries. That happened again recently when I saw a Yuma Sun obituary for Betty Oppenheimer, who died Aug. 21 at 83.

I met Betty in 1984 when she ran for the Yuma County Board of Supervisors. And while she didn't win that race, she did get elected to successive terms of the Yuma Union High School District's governing board.

What impressed me about her was her plainspokenness, whether she was campaigning or serving in office. She said what was on her mind, but not so as to offend people. She believed in being frank, and I think constituents appreciated her for that.

And I don't doubt constituents and YUHSD faculty liked her commitment to education.

Aside from the school board, she served youths in another way as a hunter safety instructor, teaching them responsible gun-handling practices.

Betty will be missed.