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February 12, 2022
SPORTS, A7
WEEKEND EDITION
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Union County meets on Idaho border issue
a dialogue started about the
possibility of shifting the
Idaho border to encompass
most of Oregon and form the
new state of Greater Idaho.
Mike McCarter, of La
Pine, the leader of Move Ore-
McCarter
gon’s Border, told the board
of commissioners that its
members should take steps to get more
people talking about the proposal. He said
that once this occurs it could help get the
Proponents of moving Oregon’s
border say commissioners need
to do more for the effort
By DICK MASON
The Observer
LA GRANDE — The Union County
Board of Commissioners was asked on
Wednesday, Feb. 9, to work harder to get
Fair board,
county tackle
sewage line
project
Oregon and Idaho legislatures to begin dis-
cussing the Greater Idaho issue.
“Until it gets in that arena we are not get-
ting anywhere. There has got to be a pro-
cess between the Idaho and Oregon legis-
latures,” said McCarter, who appeared by
Zoom.
Move Oregon’s Border is a nonprofi t that
wants to transfer Oregon’s southern and
eastern counties into Idaho. Union County
is required to discuss moving the borders
following the passage of ballot measure
31-101 by Union County voters in 2020.
The measure requires the commissioners to
meet three times each year to discuss pro-
moting Union County interests relating to
Union County becoming part of Idaho.
McCarter said there is a need for the
Greater Idaho movement because the needs
of Eastern and Southern Oregon are over-
looked by the state.
“Most legislators do not care at all about
See, Border/Page A5
Friendship is the key
By DAVIS CARBAUGH
Wallowa County couple of
71 years recalls decades together
The Observer
LA GRANDE — Local
entities are working toward
acquiring funding for an
essential project in Union
County.
The Union County Fair
Board and Union County
Board of Commissioners
are pushing to fi nd funding
for a project that would
connect the sewage lines
from the Union County
Fairgrounds to the city of
La Grande’s system. After
the septic system went out
several years ago, the lack
of working restrooms has
become a crucial problem
at the facility.
“We think it would be
huge,” Union County Fair
Board member Deb Corn-
ford said. “We would be
able to have some bigger
events. The board is very
motivated to get the project
underway.”
The sewage project is at
the top of the board’s list
of 17 priorities for the year.
Without a sewage system
in place, money spent on
portable toilets for events
has been a fi nancial hinder-
ance. The potential project
involves two new func-
tioning restrooms as well
as running water at the
fairgrounds.
“An option, maybe our
only option, is tying into
the city of La Grande’s
water system,” Union
County Commissioner Matt
Scarfo said. “We really
need that sewer project
funded.”
The fairgrounds’ septic
system went down sev-
eral years ago, rendering
By BILL BRADSHAW
Wallowa County Chieftain
E
NTERPRISE — Friend-
ship is the key to a long,
successful marriage, say
Bob and Shirley Crawford.
And they would know,
having recently celebrated their
71st wedding anniversary.
“She’s been my best friend
since we fi rst met,” Bob said.
“The defi nition of a friend is
someone who knows you and
still likes you.”
Shirley had another key to
success.
“I agree it’s about being
best friends, but also keep
your sense of humor,” she said.
“It’ll take you through a lot of
things.”
They both agree that having
much in common also helps.
They both enjoy the outdoors,
Bob and Shirley Crawford/
Contributed Photo
Bob and Shirley Crawford, shown here on their wedding day, Jan. 25, 1951,
graduated from Wallowa High School together and have lived in Enter-
prise since 1996.
reading, camping, hiking and
having hobbies. Shirley quilts
and used to draw and paint.
Bob likes woodworking,
fi shing and golf.
“We still do most of the
things we’ve always done, but
much more slowly,” Shirley
said.
First meeting
The pair met while
attending Wallowa High School
in the 1940s.
“I have to say that when I
fi rst noticed you early in the
school year, you were wearing
lipstick, a dress and high heels,”
Shirley said to her husband.
“But all the other boys were,
too.”
“That was for our freshman
initiation,” Bob quickly
See, Couple/Page A5
See, Fair/Page A6
Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain
Bob and Shirley Crawford look over an antique wood-fi red cookstove in the kitchen of their Alder Slope home Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. The Crawfords have
been married since Jan. 25, 1951.
WEATHER
INDEX
Classified ......B2
Comics ...........B5
Crossword ....B2
Dear Abby ....B6
TUESDAY
Horoscope ....B4
Local...............A2
Lottery ...........A2
Obituaries .....A3
Opinion .........A4
Outdoors ......B1
Sports ............A7
Sudoku ..........B5
Full forecast on the back of B section
Tonight
Sunday
27 LOW
42/33
Mainly clear
Mostly sunny
MODERN METHODS PROMISE IMPROVED LITERACY
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Issue 19
2 sections, 14 pages
La Grande, Oregon
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