Wednesday, March 24, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
HABITAT: Hammond
and Weed took part
in annual lobby day
Continued from page 6
policies and create sys-
tems that increase access to
affordable homes.
The Habitat group spe-
cifically lobbied for the
legislators9 support of
three bills currently before
the Oregon Legislature:
House Bill (HB) 2009; HB
2551; and Senate Bill (SB)
282-1.
House Bill 2009 extends
the moratorium on all resi-
dential mortgage foreclo-
sures through September 1,
2021 and gives the Governor
the ability to extend the
moratorium through
December 31, if needed.
In addition, small land-
lords with up to five quali-
fying properties would be
protected.
HB 2009 also disallows
foreclosures during the mor-
atorium period, which under
HB 2009 would be retroac-
tive back to January 1, 2021.
Lenders must grant for-
bearance, and move any
missed payments to the
end of the loan. To qualify,
homeowners will have to
attest that they have lost
income due to circum-
stances arising from the
pandemic.
Senate Bill (SB) 282-1:
After the eviction mora-
torium ends on June 20,
protects against landlord
retaliation and manufactured
for-cause notices.
House Bill 2551 moves
to fully fund the Oregon
IDA Initiative. IDAs are
matched savings accounts
that improve the financial
future of Oregonians with
lower incomes. In addition
to matched savings, IDAs
help build hope and stabil-
ity by providing information
about financial systems and
coaching that supports sav-
ers9 unique financial goals.
Critically, 34 percent of
Oregonians with IDA sav-
ings use this program to
help pay for the down pay-
ment on their first home
purchase.
HB 2551 reauthorizes the
IDA Initiative Tax Credit
for the next six years, while
making several smaller pro-
grammatic changes to allow
IDA providers to deliver a
more equitable and positive
saving experience for IDA
account holders.
In addition to HB 2551,
the IDA Initiative is request-
ing an appropriation of $7
million to fund the Initiative
through the next biennium
as more Oregonians seek to
participate in this important
program.
All of the participants in
the day9s discussions felt
that it was a positive expe-
rience that it was beneficial
to Habitat for Humanity9s
mission, and helpful to
Oregonians struggling to
afford housing.
PHOTO PROVIDED
American Legion officials recognized second-place finisher Viti Eachambadi, winner Kalyn Lafayette, and Tanner
Stenkamp in a state-level oratorical contest. Sisters American Legion Post 86 participates in the program.
American Legion awards scholarships
The Oregon American
Legion conducted its 2021
state-level oratorical contest
last month at Santiam Post
51, Lebanon, Oregon and
awarded $11,000 in scholar-
ships to the top-placing high
school students.
The state-level contest
in Oregon is an extension
of The American Legion9s
National High School
Oratorical Contest, which
is now in its 84th year. The
annual competition exists
to develop a deeper knowl-
edge and appreciation for
the U.S. Constitution among
high school students. The
orators, high school students
in grades 9-12 and under the
age of 20, prepare and give
speeches at post- and district-
level competitions, with win-
ners advancing to the state-
level contest.
American Legion Post 86
in Sisters participates in the
program.
This year9s contest saw
three district-level contes-
tants competing for the top
award of a $5,000 academic
scholarship. Second through
third place finishers receive
scholarships of $3,500 and
$2,500, respectively.
Additionally, given ongo-
ing restrictions due to the
pandemic, the National Finals
Contest held in Indianapolis,
Indiana, has been canceled.
In lieu of the contest opportu-
nity, an additional $5,000 aca-
demic scholarship is awarded
to each state contest winner.
That scholarship is awarded
from The American Legion
Child Welfare Foundation
and The American Legion
Winning this year 9s
Oregon American Legion
Oratorical contest is Kalyn
Lafayette, represent-
ing Travis Moothart Post
184, Brownsville; Viti
Eachambadi representing
John Kalmbach Post 90,
Banks, took second place;
and Tanner Stenkamp, repre-
senting Ray Johnson Post 44,
Redmond, finished in third
place.
Your Sisters Country Fire Departments would like to wish you a
Safe & Hoppy Easter
In lieu of our traditional Community Easter Egg hunt co-sponsored by Cloverdale and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Districts,
please enter for your chance to win a visit with the Easter Bunny and an Easter basket, by participating in our coloring contest!
Color the picture below and submit it by April 2 via postal mail to Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, Attn: Easter Contest, P.O. Box 1509,
Sisters, OR 97759, deliver to the drop box in front of the main station at 301 S. Elm St. in Sisters, or snap a photo of your finished picture and email to
info@sistersfire.com. Four lucky winners will be chosen to win an Easter Basket hand-delivered to you, at a pre-arranged time, by the Easter Bunny!
Review the important
safety messages on the
Easter eggs with
your family!
15
Test smoke
alarms
monthly
Know your
address...
________________________
Close
your door
before
you doze
Never
play with
fire!
Have an
escape
plan
Name __________________________________ Age_______
Phone or email __________________________________________