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Guess new History Mystery | A5 TD boys on a roll | A9 ▶ Weekend $1.00 January 18-19, 2020 The Dalles, Oregon www.thedalleschronicle.com Vol. 229, Issue 6 Revised charter filed for May 19 ballot Gibson ■ By The Mark Dalles Chronicle Voters in the city will be asked to approve a revised City of The Dalles charter on the May 19 primary election following unan- imous approval of the proposed charter by the city council Jan. 13. The revisions were recommend- ed to the council by a subcom- mittee tasked with reviewing the charter provisions and city attor- ney Gene Parker assisted by Dufur attorney Keith Mobley. Under the proposed charter, council members would no longer be nominated by district, but would be nominated and elected “at large,” meaning a citizen living anywhere in the city could be elected to any one of five council positions, all serving four-year terms. The practice of staggering terms for councilors and the mayor would continue unchanged. Beginning in 2022, the mayor, currently elected for a two-year term, would run for a four-year term. Subsequently, councilors and the mayor would be elected to staggered four-year terms. The council and mayor would continue to serve as volunteers. However, language specifically prohibiting the paying of council- ors or the mayor for their service would be removed. The proposed charter reads, “The Council may prescribe a plan for reimbursing city personnel and councilors or mayor for expenses that they incur in serving the city.” Current language regarding the appointment of a city attorney would be changed to allow the council to consider having legal services provided to the city by contract with a local attorney or law firm. In addition to changes in lan- guage related to the above, the new charter also allows the city clerk to provide notification of city business by “the method of social media determined to be the most effective in communicating with the public.” Niki Lesich, a former mayor of The Dalles, said she wanted the council to reconsider increasing the mayor’s term from two to four years. “I would like to see the public remain having the opportunity to recommit their vote for city lead- ership at a 2-year term,” she told the council. She also suggested the council consider adding term limits for the mayor, limiting an individu- al to only two two-year terms. Councilor Rob Runyon, a member of the subcommittee that reviewed the charter, said that the committee believed a two- year term was too short, espe- cially during the budget process, which can be lengthy. “We felt the position needed three years, minimum,” he said. Mayor Richard Mays agreed, and added that he didn’t see why term limits would be applied only to the position of mayor. Councilor Linda Miller, who was also on the subcommittee, said that a two-year term for the mayor simply didn’t work. “I had suggested a three-year term for all positions, but we decided on four because of the election cycle and the need to be able to stagger terms,” she added. The council unanimously See CHARTER, page A2 INSIDE The Dalles community members begin voting for the city Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, as they gather at the Neon Museum downtown for a televised announcement of the city’s nomination as one of the “top five” cities in the running for a season with Small Business Revolution, an online small business makeover show. Pictured are, left to right, The Dalles Mayor Richard Mays; City Councilor Tim McGLothlin; Charlotte Palmer, a The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce volunteer; and Beverly and Tom Krueger. Mark B. Gibson photo TD among ‘Final 5’ for ‘Small Business Revolution’ The show, whose tagline is “on a mission to revitalize small towns, one small business at a time,” highlights why small businesses are critical to local economies. The The Dalles is one step closer to being the featured town on Season winning city will get help to revital- 5 of Small Business Revolution, an ize their main street with a $500,000 online video program. The city is investment for six local small busi- competing against four other U.S. nesses and the community. towns: Benicia, Calif.; Fredonia, “This is an incredible opportu- N.Y.; Livingston, Mont. and nity for The Dalles. Our charming, Spearfish, S.D. historic downtown area has made To win, The Dalles must receive huge strides in the past decade with the most votes during the pub- a variety of unique new business- es—from boutiques to breweries— lic voting period, which is open which have joined longtime busi- through Jan. 21. People can cast one vote per unique email per nesses such as Klindt’s Booksellers, the oldest bookstore in the West,” device per day. For more on how to vote, visit lovethedalles.com or said Don Warren, President of The vote directly at smallbusinessrevo- Dalles Main Street. “We’re so proud of our wonderful small business lution.org. owners, who are the heart of The TD supporters hope to garner Dalles, and we would love to have at least one million votes, which is what the Season 4 town, Searcy, Small Business Revolution help Ark. (population: 22,000) received. bring our downtown to the next lev- The Dalles’ population is 15,600. el. I hope everyone will show their Online vote open through Jan. 21 TIME TO VOTE Vist www.deluxe.com/small-business-revolution or www. lovethedales.com and follow these steps: 1. Click on “vote now “ 2. Click on “the dalles” 3. Enter your email address 4. Uncheck the marketing boxes if you want or leave them checked 5. Submit your vote Go back and do it again with additional email addresses, switch devices and do it again. Wake up tomorrow and repeat process! love for The Dalles and its small businesses by voting for our town every day.” “Small Business Revolution has recognized both The Dalles’ charm and potential, and it’s time to get us over the finish line, so let’s all get voting!” said Lisa Farquharson, President/CEO of The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. The winning town will be an- nounced on January 28. Small Business Revolution is an online series available on Hulu and Amazon Prime co-hosted by Ty Pennington of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “Trading Spaces.” New, repaired ramps completed at Pine Hollow Reservoir Gibson ■ By The Mark Dalles Chronicle base rock, reinforced concrete and riprap. Both sites have new trench- drain systems to prevent pollutants from vehicles and watercraft from flowing into the lake. The project was funded by grants from the state marine board and fish and wildlife departments, with donations from the Wasco County Commissioners, the Wasco County Public Works Department and a host of pri- vate supporters. SWPRD is a Special District government agency that was not contain adequate fund- ing to meet the contractors low bid. On the third try, Legacy Residents, visitors and busi- nesses alike are looking forward to Contracting of Stayton spring in Wamic, when fisherman presented a bid that allowed the project to move forward. can launch from new boat ramps “It was finally approved with on the shores of Pine Hollow adequate funding to repair Reservoir. and replace the two boat The new ramps were a long ramps,” said Manning. “The time coming, with three rounds end product is outstanding.” of grant applications over three The South Boat Ramp and one-half years, said Brian was repaired via concrete Manning, board president of the South Wasco Park and Recreation replacement, grouting of voids between the existing ramp and the District (SWPRD). base material underneath it, and “The first two applications failed,” Manning said. The first was the installation of riprap to forestall denied by the Oregon State Marine future erosion. The North Boat Ramp is a totally new installation of Board (OSMB), and another did Community calendar Opinion History A2 A4 A5 See RAMPS, page A2 Obituaries Comics Sports A7 A8 A9