Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2020)
Wallowa Dam upgrades E XPERIENCED TO L EAD HHHHHHHHHHHHHHH In Business, 1B Write Me In! For a Safer Future Paid for by committee to elect Bill Miller for Sheriff. Follow us on the web THURSDAY • • $1.50 October 1, 2020 LG city councilors fend off accusations GOP website criticizes three council members Good day to our valued subscriber Ryland Hardman of Cove Back to school K-3 LG School District students to be back in their schools Oct. 5 By Dick Mason The Observer By Sabrina Thompson The Observer LA GRANDE — La Grande city councilors Nicole Howard and Corrine Dutto and Mayor Steve Clements are defending themselves against criticism from what they believe are baseless accusations from a member of the Union County Republicans. Lanny Hildebrandt posted a rant on the Union County Repub- licans’ website Sept. 8 accusing the councilors and mayor of sup- porting Black Lives Matter, Antifa, violent riots and looting, and defunding the La Grande Police Department. The post was gone Wednesday morning, Sept. 30, but was republished to the website within a few hours. Hildebrandt is an accountant in La Grande and the treasurer for the local political action com- mittee Americans for Liberty. He did not return messages for com- ment before deadline Wednesday, Sept. 30. Union County Republicans Chair Laura Eckstein said the post is an opinion piece because Hildebrandt published his name and contact information. “The post in question was made by a private citizen, and was clearly marked as his opinion, not that of the (Union County Repub- lican Central Committee). The UCRCC strongly supports free speech, questioning candidates for public offi ce on their views on important issues, and voting for/ recommending votes for candi- dates that refl ect or align with our values, as refl ected in our county party platform.” She compared the post to a letter to the editor, and said Hil- debrandt posted it because he has access to the website as the former party chair. Hildebrandt in the post claimed the mayor and councilors would be in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Antifa occupa- tion and defunding the police. Dutto said the accusations made against her and the other councilors are unfounded. “(Hildebrandt) is jumping to conclusions based on my regis- tration (as a Democrat),” Dutto said. “The decisions we do get to See, Attacks/Page 5A LA GRANDE — The atmosphere at Island City Elementary School, La Grande, is ticking up a beat — and for good reason. Monday, Oct. 5, will be a red-letter date for all elementary schools in the La Grande School District, marking the fi rst time since mid-March, when all of the district’s schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that some students will be attending classes at their schools. The school district has met state safety standards allowing for students in kin- dergarten through third grade to return to classes in person. This means K-3 students no longer have to take classes via distance learning, which they and the rest of the students in the district have been doing. First-year Island City Elementary prin- cipal Brett Smith said there is a heightened sense of anticipation in his school. “There is a buzz in the building, a very positive one,” Smith said. “There is a feeling of hope and optimism.” The principal said teachers are excited, and he feels good about the students returning. “Kids are not meant to be in front of a computer for hours and hours,” Smith said. Central Elementary School principal Suzy Mayes said in an email that her staff also is delighted students will be returning soon. “All of us are excited to welcome our students back to school. Our staff have been preparing their classrooms all week for the day we all have been waiting for,” Mayes said. Many precautions will be in effect to protect children from COVID-19. For example, all students will stay in their classrooms throughout the day except when they go outside for recess. “It will be a family unit,” Smith said. Rather than students going to a cafe- teria for breakfast and lunch, meals will come to their classrooms. And restrictions will keep students from certain portions of Dick Mason/The Observer Dale Read, a member of Island City Elementary’s custodial staff, sanitizes a surface at the school Thursday, Sept. 30, 2020. The La Grande School District is preparing for its all its K-3 students to return to classrooms Monday. “Kids are not meant to be in front of a computer for hours and hours.” See, Schools/Page 5A — Brett Smith, Island City Elementary School principal Fresh faces seek to lead Island City Island City has two candidates running for mayor By Sabrina Thompson The Observer ISLAND CITY — Island City residents will vote in a new mayor in November, and two candidates are vying for the seat. Dale Hanson stepped in as Island City’s interim mayor when Robb Rea resigned to move to Parma, Idaho, in August. Hanson, who previously held the position until 2019, is not run- ning for reelection. Margaret Spence and David Comfort are looking to fi ll the role instead. Margaret Spence Spence lived in Portland prior to her move to Island City in 2014. She said her family came to the area as a way to give their children a better life. Since coming into town, Spence has been involved in the Union County Fair Board as the fair’s INDEX Business ....... 1B Classified ...... 3B Comics .......... 7B Crossword .... 5B ELECTION INFORMATION • Voters soon will decide several local races, including those for mayors of La Grande and Island City. Ballots for the 2020 election will be mailed Oct. 14 and must be returned by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 13. Spence Comfort manager and worked in the La Grande School District as the Union County Safe Communities Coalition coordinator. “It is now time for me to focus on my city and my neighbor- hood,” Spence said. “My expe- rience has given me the oppor- tunity to get to know Union County and now I’d like to con- centrate on making my commu- nity a better place.” Spence has leadership expe- rience through her positions on numerous nonprofi t boards and has helped write grants and plan major events. Her role as the Safe Communities Coalition coordi- nator gives her the opportunity to work with community partners on several projects that assist res- idents across Union County with their needs. WEATHER Dear Abby .... 8B Horoscope .... 5B Letters ........... 4A Lottery........... 2A SATURDAY Obituaries ..... 3A Opinion ......... 4A Spiritual ........ 6A Sudoku ......... 7B Spence said she aims to bring the residents together, foster gov- ernment transparency and help clean up the community. “The advantage of being a small town is that we have the opportunity to get to know our neighbors as a tight-knit commu- nity,” she said. “Unfortunately, we don’t always take advantage of that. I believe we can bring people together to accomplish great things. With goals come the need for resources, and a small town struggles with revenue and budget. It will be necessary to conservatively prioritize and carefully plan our revenues and expenditures.” Spence said she hopes as mayor her role would provide new energy and growth in the community. Friday 43 LOW 83/44 Mainly clear Partly sunny SEPTEMBER’S COVID CASES Comfort, a longtime resident of Union County, came to La Grande in 1979 with his family. In 2011, he and his wife built a home in Island City. Now, Com- fort said, he wants to help his neighbors through COVID-19 and beyond the pandemic. “Being the mayor during these upside-down times is of para- mount importance,” Comfort said. “Coronavirus has touched all aspects of Island City, and I believe I can assist the staff and the community to stay safe and also productive.” Comfort joined the Island City Budget Committee in 2018. He also is the assistant coach for La Grande’s American Legion Baseball program, which he said See, Mayors/Page 5A Full forecast on the back of B section Tonight David Comfort CONTACT US 541-963-3161 Issue 117 3 sections, 18 pages La Grande, Oregon Email story ideas to news@lagrande observer.com. More contact info on Page 4A. Online at lagrandeobserver.com
