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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021
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APPEAL TRIBUNE
Bill would restructure emergency management system
Connor Radnovich
Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
A bill that would create independent
agencies for the State Fire Marshal and
Office of Emergency Management is
back for the third consecutive legisla-
tive session, aiming to streamline and
refocus the responsibilities of those in
charge of responding to disasters.
Proponents said the crises of last
year have created greater awareness of
the issues the bill is trying to solve, and
they hope that will generate momentum
to get the bill through the Legislature
this year.
These issues include at times ineffec-
tive coordination and communication
between state agencies with overlap-
ping responsibilities, particularly in re-
sponse to the emergence of the corona-
virus pandemic.
“2020 provides us, quite frankly, an
opportunity as well as a challenge. We
have to look at the voters and the people
of Oregon and tell them, point-blank:
‘You’re going to be safer, or you’re not
going to be safer,’ “ said Rep. Paul Evans,
D-Monmouth, a chief sponsor of House
Bill 2927.
The bill is scheduled for its first pub-
lic hearing at 3:15 p.m. Thursday. The
Capitol remains closed to the public due
to the pandemic, but the hearing will be
live-streamed and available for replay
on olis.oregonlegislature.gov.
What it proposes
HB 2927 is unchanged from the pre-
vious versions of the bill in 2019 and
2020. Evans said the crises of 2020
didn’t reveal any structural problems
they hadn’t already identified several
years ago, but those challenges received
more attention.
Despite the bill being somewhat
lengthy at 90 pages, Evans said its in-
tention is simple: to streamline and op-
timize the emergency management bu-
reaucracy so each agency can focus on
its core mission.
Currently, the Office of Emergency
Management is within the Oregon Mil-
itary Department and the Office of the
State Fire Marshal is within the Office of
the State Police.
Evans said that doesn’t make sense
because the core mission of the Military
Department is not to prepare or respond
to emergencies, and the fire marshal
and state police sometimes have con-
flicting priorities.
Certain offices lacking independence
can also impact communication be-
tween various state agencies, leading to
duplicative actions.
“What we have seen — between the
pandemic and the wildfires — is that the
current structure is not as efficient as it
could be. And before we have another
catastrophic event, we should fix that,”
House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland,
who will testify in support of the bill on
Thursday, said.
HB 2927 would also upgrade the
state’s Homeland Security Council into
a commission and move it from within
OEM to within the Governor’s Office.
The bill envisions this commission to
serve as a coordinating hub for state
agencies and political leaders.
Support and opposition
Evans said he recently had a meeting
with Gov. Kate Brown on his bill, and
while they are not in total agreement on
its provisions, he described their con-
versation as “constructive.”
Spokespeople within the Governor’s
Office declined to describe Brown’s
thoughts on the bill as of Wednesday
evening.
As far as opposition, Evans said he
anticipates pushback from different
parts of the current bureaucracy be-
cause of natural inertia with respect to
change.
“If we don’t get it right this time after
what we’ve seen this past year, then
really the blame’s on all of us,” Evans
said. “That said, change is hard, and you
have to explain to people why change is
necessary.”
Amendments are expected, but the
bill does have bipartisan support.
Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, began
working on the bill with Evans a couple
years ago while Findley was still in the
House of Representatives.
He said the emergency operation
system is not as efficient as it could be,
and giving emergency operations more
autonomy is the first step toward
achieving that.
“This is not a partisan issue. Typical-
ly, Republicans like smaller govern-
ment, more efficient government,” Find-
ley said. “Efficiency is the trump card
over size.”
Reporter Connor Radnovich covers
the Oregon Legislature and state gov-
ernment. Contact him at cradnov-
ich@statesmanjournal.com or 503-
399-6864, or follow him on Twitter at
@CDRadnovich.
Ways to taste Oregon's most prized mushrooms
topped with mozzarella, Italian herbs,
truffle oil and honey. Honey Pie Pizza 112
1
⁄ 2 S. College Street Newberg (503) 554-
6750 honeypie.pizza
Emily Teel
Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
Not much is growing in the Willam-
ette Valley at the moment, but in the
woods it's the best time of the year for
hunting those elusive and prized mush-
rooms: truffles.
Typically, the early months of the
year bring mushroom enthusiasts to the
area for the Oregon Truffle Festival and
the Joriad, Oregon's annual truffle dog
championship, the only one of its kind
in North America.
Though in-person events like these
have been impacted by the coronavirus
pandemic, there are still ways to appre-
ciate the local truffle season.
For the first time ever, Newberg is cel-
ebrating Truffle Month throughout Feb-
ruary, and businesses throughout the
Newberg and Dundee area are offering
ways to taste the prized mushrooms.
Here's where you can try truffles in
Newberg, and a couple of options closer
to home, too.
Oregon Truffle Popcorn
A new store devoted to popcorn has
opened in Newberg and February's pop-
corn of the month features locally-for-
aged truffles. Miss Hannah’s Gourmet
Popcorn
200
Highway
99W
misshannahspopcorn.com
Want to try cooking with fresh truffles
yourself? Local truffle hunter Will
Craigie and Oregon Truffle Traders
have you covered. The business sells
foraged fresh truffles online, both
black and white, and also truffle butter
($12 to $28) already infused with the
mushrooms. Lively Station is stocking
the truffle butter in their market area.
COURTESY OF JESSICA COBB
Oregon white truffles grow
throughout the west. For the first time
ever, Newberg is celebrating Truffle
Month throughout February, and
businesses throughout the area are
offering ways to taste the prized
mushrooms. COURTESY OF TASTE NEWBERG
brewery’s beer garden or in 500mL bot-
tles to-go for $13. Wolves & People Farm-
house Brewery N. Benjamin Road
Newberg
(503)
487-6873
wolvesandpeople.com
Fresh Truffles & Truffle Butter
Black Truffle Gruyère Fondue
Want to try cooking with fresh truf-
fles yourself? Local truffle hunter Will
Craigie and Oregon Truffle Traders have
you covered. The business sells foraged
fresh truffles online, both black and
white, and also truffle butter ($12 to $28)
already infused with the mushrooms.
Lively Station is stocking the truffle but-
ter
in
their
market
area.
oregontruffletraders.com
Fresh Truffle Mac-N-Cheese
Besides operating her food cart,
Gumbo YaYa, owner Lisa Brosnan trains
dogs to hunt for truffles. While the sea-
son lasts, food cart visitors can add
freshly shaved truffle to their mac-and-
cheese, Ya Ya pasta, or roasted marrow
bones for just $5. Supply may vary, so
Brosnan asks people to keep an eye on
the business' Facebook page for up-
dates. Gumbo Ya Ya 4106 State Street
(503) 791-1462
Local Truffle Oil
Most truffle oil sold on the mass mar-
ket contains no truffles at all. Instead,
they are flavored with synthetic aroma
compounds. A locally-made exception
Vaccine
Continued from Page 1A
Authority Director Patrick Allen said in
a release . “But it may not be tomorrow,
this week or even two weeks from now.”
The program is now one of four ways
to get local vaccine information.
Residents also have the option of us-
ing an orange chatbot on the
covidvaccine.oregon.gov website to find
out if they’re eligible for a vaccine in
Oregon or get answers to other ques-
tions about vaccines.
Those who are vaccine-eligible in
Clackamas, Columbia, Marion, Multno-
mah or Washington counties to sched-
ule vaccine appointments through
scheduling tools hosted by local health
care providers.
Eligible Oregonians can also text OR-
COVID to 898211 to get text/SMS up-
dates about vaccination clinics (this op-
tion is available in English and Spanish
only). Or email ORCOVID@211info.org or
call 211 or 1-866-698-6155, which is open
is the truffle oils made by Jack Czar-
necki at the Joel Palmer House in Day-
ton. These oils, infused with real Oregon
black and white truffles, are pricey,
about $8 per ounce, but a little goes a
long way in terms of adding truffle flavor
to dishes like risotto or pasta. Available
for sale directly through Oregon Truffle
Oil. Chapters Books & Coffee, Newberg’s
independent bookstore, also stocks
them. Chapters Books & Coffee 701 E. 1st
St.
Newberg
(503)
554-0206
oregontruffleoil.com
Truffle Fries
When truffles are in season, New-
berg’s
farm-to-fork
restaurant
Ruddick/Wood offers hand-cut truffle
fries ($7) available to-go or for patio din-
ing. Ruddick/Wood 720 E. 1st Street
(503) 487-6133
Truffled Hazelnut Stout
Each winter, in collaboration with the
Oregon Truffle Festival, Wolves & Peo-
ple Farmhouse Brewery makes La
Truffe: a truffled hazelnut stout. The
2021 edition of the beer will be released
in late February, available to enjoy in the
from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Officials said wait times may be long
due to high call volumes. The Oregon
National Guard will help 211 answer
phone calls.
Residents and staff at most licensed
facilities for older adults and people
with disabilities are receiving on-site
vaccinations through pharmacies en-
rolled in federal vaccination programs.
Residents or their family members can
ask their facility operator when their
residence is scheduled for a vaccination
clinic.
Additionally, Oregon has opted into a
federal retail pharmacy program that
will offer seniors the option to get vacci-
nated at retail locations across the state.
The Get Vaccinated Oregon tool is
available on the Oregon Health Author-
ity’s website at oregon.gov website, or
at getvaccinated.oregon.gov.
Virginia Barreda is the breaking
news and public safety reporter for the
Statesman Journal. She can be reached
at 503-399-6657 or at vbarreda@states-
manjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter
at @vbarreda2.
Adelsheim Vineyard is offering truf-
fled fondue, made by the Newbergun-
dian Bistro, available as a $40 addition
to any wine tasting. Comes with fresh
bread, fruit, poached fingerling pota-
toes and a spoonful of black truffle cavi-
ar. Adelsheim Vineyard 16800 NE Cal-
kins Lane Newberg 503.538.3652
adelsheim.com
Truffled Charcuterie Board
Throughout February, Good Compa-
ny Cheese Bar & Bistro is featuring a
truffle-themed cheese and charcuterie
plate. The board features truffled Brie,
Boschetto al Tartufo, Parmigiano-Reg-
giano with truffle honey, truffle salami,
duck prosciutto with Oregon white truf-
fle oil, marcona almonds and crostini for
$25. Good Company Cheese Bar & Bistro
602 E. 1st St. Newberg (971) 832-8942
goodcompanycheese.com
Truffled Cheese Flatbread
Honey Pie Pizza, Newberg's trendy
pizza shop in a former garage has added
a truffled cheese flatbread ($15) to the
menu in honor of Truffle Month. It's
DIY Truffle Hunt + Lunch
Black Tie Tours owner Stefan Czar-
necki and his trained truffle dog Ella
take guests on foraging adventure for a
native Oregon truffles. $250 per person
includes a 1-2 hour truffle forage, truffle-
themed lunch, truffle education and cu-
linary tips, and a truffle take-home gift.
Black
Tie
Tours
971-832-0436
blacktietours.com
Wine, cheese, truffle dinner
Need a staycation? Book the “Truffle
Love” package at Chehalem Ridge B&B.
The package includes an in-room truffle
dinner, cheese from Briar Rose Cream-
ery and wine from Et Fille, and breakfast
in-room the next morning. Starting at
$335 per night for 2 guests. Chehalem
Ridge B&B 28700 NE Mountain Top
Road
Newberg
(503)
538-3474
chehalemridge.com
Three Course Truffle Tasting
For Newberg's Truffle Month The Al-
lison Inn & Spa is offering a one-night
truffle package for up to two guests. The
package at the luxury resort includes a
three-course truffle-themed dinner
served in-room. The $500 package,
available Friday and Saturday nights
only, includes tax and gratuities (ex-
cludes Valentine’s Day weekend).
Guests can book an additional night for
$395 plus tax. Use the code TRUFFLE
when booking. The Allison Inn & Spa
2525 Allison Lane Newberg (503) 554-
2525 theallison.com
Emily Teel is the Food & Drink Editor
at the Statesman Journal. Contact her
at eteel@statesmanjournal.com, Face-
book, or Twitter. See what she's cooking
and where she's eating this week on In-
stagram: @emily_teel
A patient receives their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at
the Salem Health Covid-19 vaccination clinic at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in
Salem, Ore. on Feb. 5. BRIAN HAYES / STATESMAN JOURNAL