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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2020)
BUSINESS & AG THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 RESPOND RODEO Continued from Page 1B Continued from Page 1B what could help with long- term recovery: “Don’t overreact. Con- tain areas of infection. Keep the areas uninfected healthy. Let the uninfected areas keep producing while the infected areas are quar- antined. We should have closed the state borders instead of waiting until we had to close people in. We could have done trucking transfers at the borders to keep business running.” The fl ooring company reported it laid off 30% of its 25 employees but 90% of its workforce was working fewer hours. And recovery, according to the response, could take half a year. “All businesses need to be allowed to re-open,” business answered in the question section. “Govern- ment needs to announce encouraging and scientifi c statistics (this is NOT as bad as was predicted, not as bad as the fl u, being open will NOT increase your chances of dying from it, isolating will weaken your immune system, etc.) so that people are not afraid to go to work, to have people in their homes, and visit businesses.” The owner of a small digital marketing company in La Grande shared the lockdown has “delayed or impinged” on family health care his family needs. “Lifting these orders (allowing ‘non-essential’ medical visits/treatments) is essential for the health and safety of my family,” according to the response. One business applied for a federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan but did not receive funding. Most of the businesses reported they did not know about the program that can provide funding to businesses experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Three of the local busi- nesses applied for and received federal Paycheck Protection Program loans, which aims to help busi- nesses keep employees on the payroll. However, the fl ooring company stated the additional $600 a week in unemployment benefi ts is incentivizing people not to work. “A 20% increase would have made sense,” the response states. “An EXTRA $600.00 a week is ridiculous. Those people are getting more money than the employers who are trying to keep them at work. They’re getting a lot more money than loyal, hard- working employees who stay, willing to see this time through to keep a good job.” You can access the survey and responses at the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce website, www. oregonchamber.org. year or postpone it until 2021. That will depend on whether the state is opening and what the governor’s phased guidelines specify. They are cautiously opti- mistic the show can go on as it has for 74 years. “We’re not trying to endanger the community. We’re not trying to bring in the virus. We’re just trying to ride this out in the hope that we can have a rodeo and support the commu- nity,” Jones said. The board has wres- tled with the decision to cancel or hold the rodeo since early March when it became apparent lots of public events were likely to be scratched due to state-mandated COVID-19 social distancing require- ments and stay-home orders. “The fi rst thing we thought of was that we would have to cancel this year. That would have been the easy thing to do,” Jones said. But directors considered the economic and social repercussions of cancel- ation, it became evident the “easy” solution was rife with complications. For one, Jones said, 18-25% of the total tourism revenue for businesses in Wallowa County, espe- cially restaurants, bars, and lodging, is generated during Chief Joseph Days. If the event was canceled, especially this year, Jones said he thought the eco- nomic consequences could be a potential disaster for business. “You might just as well hit ‘em over the head,” he said. “I think this year a lot of people are looking at the revenue from Chief Joseph Days visitors as their profi t for the year, like my family did when they ran Russell’s THE OBSERVER & BAKER CITY HERALD — 3B at the Lake long ago.” For another, Chief Joseph Days is more than a rodeo. For many, it’s a time when family and friends visit. It’s time when former Wallowa County residents return home for a week. “For the economic impact alone, we just couldn’t cancel,” Jones said. “Then we began thinking of all those other things, and we just had to hang on and hope.” The Chief Joseph Days directors are sticking with the traditional, last weekend of July dates. And keeping their fi ngers crossed that by then the state will be more open., allowing generous crowds to fi ll the grandstands, the riders, ropers, and per- formers to assemble, along with the broncs, bulls, and steers. Beth Spell House District 60 Ballots Due May 19 Working together for renewal and revitalization of our District I am the descendant of early settlers of Baker and Grant Counties who came to Oregon in the late 1800s. I want to see our quality of life maintained with good stewardship of our natural resources while providing leadership in seeking ways to still preserve the livelihoods of those who depend upon the land. CBD rich hemp oil & treats for pets. ORGANIC pet foods, raw or lightly cooked. (406) 380-2729 Vote for Beth Spell, Democrat, for Oregon House Distrtict 60 607 Adams Ave, La Grande OPEN FOR BUSINESS Paid for by Beth Spell S186973-1 Let Your GRADUATES’ Accomplishments SHINE! VOTE LAURIE With college commencements being canceled and uncertainty with high school graduations, DRAPER OTEC HONOR YOUR SENIORS Board of Directors Position 3 Harney County in this special way with a custom 18” x 24” corrugated plastic, double-sided yard sign! 2020 SENIOR Raised in Grant County and a Harney County Resident for 37+ years, my entire working career has been in customer service (US Bank, small business owner, and ODFW). I hope to continue that service for the member-owners of Oregon Trail Electric. Now retired, I have the time and energy to work with the OTEC Board and offer a fresh perspective to continue to provide reasonable, reliable power for you. SAMANTHA BACON Order by May 8th and we’ll deliver to your door before Memorial Day! ENTERPRISE HIGH SCHOOL 2020 SENIOR I ask for your vote. SCOTT DAVIS LA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL 2020 SENIOR Just $ 9 each 2 $ 9 4 / 2 or SHANE ADAMS BAKER HIGH SCHOOL Call to place your order today! Try the SHIP TO STORE feature at millershomecenter.com 3815 Pocahontas Road, Baker City 541-523-6404 3109 May Lane, La Grande 541-963-3113 541-624-6008 C lassifieds Published by The Observer & Baker City Herald - Serving Wallowa, Union and Baker Counties PLACING YOUR AD IS EASY...Union, Wallowa, and Baker Counties Phone La Grande - 541-963-3161 • Baker City - 541-523-3673 On-Line: www.lagrandeobserver.com www.bakercityherald.com Email: Classifieds@lagrandeobserver.com Classifieds@bakercityherald.com 110 Announcements PULL TABS ACCEPTED AT THE FOLLOWING BAKER CITY LOCATIONS ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ Baker City Herald Dollar Tree Black’s Distributing Ryder Bros VFW Baker Elk’s Lodge Main Event Lefty’s Tap House Little Bagel Shop Baker City Fire Dept. Haines Sell-Rite Idle Hour Salvation Army Fax: La Grande - 541-963-3674 Baker City - 541-523-6426 110 Announcements 110 Announcements You too can use this ATTENTION GETTER! Ask how you can get your ad to stand out like this! THE DEADLINE for placing a CLASSIFIED AD is 11:00 A.M. ONE BUSINESS DAY BEFORE PUBLICATION Publication Days: Tuesdays Thursdays Saturdays CHECK YOUR AD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION We make every effort to avoid errors, however mistakes do slip through. PLEASE check your ad(s) the first day of publication and call us immediately if you find an error. Northeast Oregon Classifieds will cheerfully make your 114 Self-Help Group Meetings 114 Self-Help Group Meetings AA MEETINGS Wednesday Nights, 7-8:15pm. Fort Union Grange Hall, corner of McAlister & Gekeler Lanes. For more info, call 541-786-1222 AL-ANON, Cove. Keep coming back. Mondays, 7-8pm. Calvary Baptist Church. 707 Main, Cove. AL-ANON Attitude of Gratitude. Wednesdays, 12:15-1:30pm. Faith Lutheran Church. 12th & Gekeler, La Grande. 541-786- 2051 Check out our classified ads. 114 Self-Help Group Meetings correction & extend your ad 1 day AA HOTLINE Questions: Call 541-624-5117 www.oregonaadistrict29.org Whether you’re looking for a job or looking for a change, there’s a paycheck out there with your name on it. Find it with the help of The Observer Classifieds! When the search is serious – go to the classified ads. There's a variety to choose from in our paper. DEADLINES: LINE ADS: Monday: noon Friday Wednesday: noon Tuesday Friday: noon Thursday DISPLAY ADS: 2 Days Prior to Publication Date BINGO Sunday ∙ 2 pm - 4pm St. Frances DeSales Social Hall 2235 1st St., Baker City Info: (541) 523-2114 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Monday, Thursday, & Friday at 8pm. Episcopal Church 2177 First St., Baker City. Classifieds get results. DO YOU HAVE.... HURTS, HABITS and/or HANG UPS? 12 Step Biblical Support Harvest Church 3720 Birch St. Baker City Thurs., 6:30 - 8:30 PM LA GRANDE NOW HAS A GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS MEETING! Every Friday Night @5pm, 2107 Gekeler Ln, LG, Church of Christ basement. For more info please call 971-219-8411 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Goin’ Straight Group Meetings: Mon., Tues. Thurs. & Fri. Start at 8 PM Episcopal Church Basement 2177 1st Street, Baker City
