10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015
Local
Sumpter Valley Community
Volunteers have annual meet
• GROUP NOW
HAS NONPROFIT
501(c)3 STATUS
BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH
Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com
“We’re an enthusiastic
bunch with big dreams,”
said LeAnne Woolf,
secretary of the new(ish)
organization Sumpter Val-
ley Community Volunteers
(SVCV).
The group received
501(c)3 status in June of
this year.
They dissolved their
steering committee and
elected regular officers in
their first Annual Meeting
on September 19th.
Woolf, who dealt with
the IRS and State and
wrote the articles of incor-
poration and the bylaws
for the group, said they
have a fairly broad mission
statement.
Woolf explained that
the IRS has 10 exempt
purposes for charitable
organizations and that
SVCV used three of them:
erection or maintenance of
public buildings, monu-
ments, or works; lessening
burdens of government;
and combating community
deterioration.
John Young, who served
as president for the Steer-
ing Committee, said the
purpose of forming SVCV
was to form a totally non-
political organization and
have an organization that
“encompasses the entire
historical area of Sumpter
and the people in it.”
He said SVCV is happy
to have any interested
people get involved.
Members of SVCV
and the Sumpter area held
a work day in August
tightening and refinishing
Breakfast Club benches
that sit in various places
Photo courtesy of Sumpter Valley Community Volunteers.
Volunteers stain benches during one community-wide work party.
around town.
After completing the
work, they enjoyed a pot-
luck lunch together.
Woolf said SVCV is
working on a project to
clean up around a histori-
cal building that was the
original steam plant for
Sumpter.
The building provided
electricity for the town for
several years.
They are also looking at
restaining sign boards for
Sumpter’s walking tour.
Woolf said folks would
also like to see SVCV get
involved in assisting with
clean up in the historic
portion of the Sumpter
Cemetery.
SVCV will also be able
to hold fundraisers for
community organizations,
including local museums
and both rural fire depart-
ments and will support
such community events as
Music in the Meadow.
Young invited members
or any interested persons
with ideas for improv-
ing the area to bring the
information forward so
members can get a list of
project ideas.
Woolf explained that
project areas can eventu-
ally include Sumpter,
Lockhart, Salisbury, and
at least as far down as
the dam. She shared her
vision for possible future
endeavors of SVCV, in-
cluding museum expansion
and interactive exhibits.
SVCV is membership-
based with dues of $25 per
individual or $40 for two
adults with children under
18.
However, as their
website states, “this does
not mean you are required
to be a member to be
involved. We would like
to invite all residents of
Sumpter and the Sumpter
Valley to become in-
volved.”
Business meetings,
New Sumpter Council
looks to future
BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH
Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com
As of the end of last
month, Sumpter not only
has a full roster of City
Councilors, but a new
mayor as well.
Leland Myers was ap-
pointed mayor at a City
Council meeting on Sep-
tember 22nd.
Myers is a long-time
resident of Sumpter and
served on City Council
some years ago.
Myers also has a long
and varied history of
volunteering in the area,
including as a charter
member of the Sumpter
Valley Railroad Restora-
tion in 1971.
Regarding current issues
facing the Council, Myers
remarked, “We need to
walk into problems care-
fully and get them solved.”
He said he is looking
forward to “getting as
many problems resolved as
possible and having peace
and harmony” in town.
Myers joins Councilors
Ann Oakley, Robert Arm-
bruster, Cary Clarke, and
Samantha Rowan.
Clarke and Rowan were
sworn in as Councilors on
September 8.
Clarke had previously
served on the town’s Plan-
ning Commission.
Recall elections were
held earlier this fall for
Sumpter mayor Me-
lissa Findley and Council
members Ann Oakley and
LeAnne Woolf. Woolf
was recalled by one vote
in an election concluding
September 15th.
Armbruster said the pre-
vious administration under
Findley was dedicated to
“transparency, holding in-
dividuals accountable, and
doing things right.”
He expressed concern
that things in the City may
go back to the way they
have been in the past, but
said he wants to hang in
as long as possible on the
Council.
He said there are a few
things he would like to see
addressed, including secu-
rity of personnel files.
Other City Councilors
either had no comment or
could not be reached in
time for this article.
Sumpter’s next City
Council meeting will be
October 13th at 7 p.m. at
City Hall.
Dutch Oven cookoff ahead
at Interpretive Center
The National Historic
Oregon Trail Interpretive
Center and Trail Tenders
volunteer group are host-
ing a Dutch Oven Cook-off
on Saturday, October 10,
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. at the outdoor Wagon
Encampment.
The Cast Iron Chef
Cook-off is a fun team
competition celebrating
open air cooking, commu-
nity, and the local harvest.
Ten teams of up to
three people each will be
assigned an open fire cook
space at the Trail Center
outdoor wagon encamp-
ment.
All equipment and in-
gredients are supplied, and
teams have three hours to
produce a meal.
Teams can find more in-
formation and register for
the cook-off at trailtenders.
org or by calling 541-523-
1852.
held the third Saturday of
the month at the Masonic
Lodge, are open to the
public.
Work days are also non-
exclusive and nonmembers
are welcome to join in.
Young emphasized that
SVCV is a very friendly
group that wants to benefit
Sumpter.
More information and
membership applications
can be accessed at http://
sumptervolunteers.word-
press.com.
The group also has
a Facebook site under
Sumpter Volunteers. The
next meeting of SVCV is
October 17th at 10 AM at
the Masonic Lodge.
Obituaries
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
Leland U. Fortner
In retirement, Lee and Dee traveled extensively, taking
part in many Elderhostel programs, learning about the
history and culture of many different places in the US, as
well as extended journeys to Australia and Europe. He
and Dee also played active roles in their children’s and
grandchildren’s lives, traveling often to visit them all. He
stayed active physically, playing golf and bowling for
many years.
Lee is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Diona,
and their three children, Raymond (Ann), Douglas
(Kathy) and Roxane Frostad (Mick). He is also survived
by his younger brother Ross and nephews James Fortner
(Kay), and Richard Fortner (Nancy), and their families.
Surviving grandchildren are Aidan Fortner, Mark Fort-
ner, Clair Fortner, Noah Fortner, Michael Frostad, and
Ryan Frostad (Kirsten).
Lee touched and affected many lives during his life, and
will be sorely missed by all who knew him. A memorial
service will be held Saturday, October 10th, at 2:00 pm at
Kennewick First Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Kenne-
wick Avenue, Kennewick. The family asks that, in lieu
of flowers, a donation be made in Lee’s name to Trail
Seekers of Kennewick, 1035 Pattyton Lane, Richland,
WA 99352.
Names released
in fatal crash
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the
investigation into this morning's fatal crash on highway
82 near milepost 5, just North of La Grande in Union
County.
Upon arriving on scene, emergency crews found two
vehicles had collided head-on and were still in the road-
way. Preliminary information indicates that on October
5th, 2015, at approximately 6:40 a.m., a red in color 2005
Dodge Durango operated by Jason Tyler Parsons, age
18, of Elgin, had been traveling westbound on Highway
82 when the Durango crossed over the center line for
unknown reasons and struck an eastbound green in color
2000 International commercial motor vehicle, operated
by David Lamont Zemmer, age 29, of Baker City, nearly
head-on.
Zemmer reported minor injuries and Parsons was pro-
nounced deceased on scene. Highway 82 was shut down
for over four hours, with intermittent one lane openings.
OSP is being assisted by the Union County Sheriff's
Office, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT),
Island City Fire Department and La Grande Fire Depart-
ment. Highway 82 was closed for several hours as the
investigation was conducted and the wreckage removed.
MOVI NG
AUCTI ON
Horse Draw n Vehicles-
Antiques/ Collectibles-Tools-
Misc. Shop
Saturday Oct. 17th, 2015
Time:10:00 A.M. PDT • Sale Located
at: 73972 Hw y. 82, Elgin, Ore.
Sale Located at: 73972 Hwy #82. East on Hwy #82 to the intersection of Hwy
82/ Hindman Rd. (mile post 25.6) Terms: Cash or bankable check day of sale.
No merchandise removed prior to settlement. 10% buyers premium.
Concessions available on site.
Auctioneers Note: Cliff and Judy Tschirgi have been business owners/ranchers in the
Grand Rhonde Valley for more than 35 years. With a change in direction, they are down-
sizing their nice, clean property at auction. Plan on attending this unique auction sale.
Horse Drawn Vehicles: late 1800's Surrey
w/fringe top; late 1800's Dr.'s buggy w/ new old
stock runners included, both have new uphol-
stery and are restored, shaves and tongue avail-
able; 4 seat sleigh w/original shaves and original
mohair upholstery.
Carriage Horse: Good looking registered
Morgan Palomino gelding, 14.2H, 900 lbs.(ap-
prox) 9 yo. Professionally trained to drive and
ride. Point earner is different shows.
Collectibles: 3-wood burning stoves,
Colonial cook stove (Portland Iron works), Dow-
agic stove, Great Western Duplex wood stove;
3- cast iron bath tubs; Stanley # 35 rabbit plane,
#6 jack plane; Prairie #2 25 lb. Brass spring
scale; vintage logging tongs; nice 24 slot oak
letter rack; Maytag wringer washer; one-lunger
washing machine engine; antique tools; dual can
dispenser 7-up vending machine w/key; 1920's
G.E./Hotpoint automatic electric range (very
clean); Duncan-Pfiffe table and chairs; nice faint-
ing couch (ready to be re-finished); 7 ft. buffet
(probably oak); 1920's bridge lamp; 5 gal. And
2 gal. Wearever cast aluminum stock pots; Ruby
Red punch bowl set; 6 pt Elk mount; Black Bear
head mount; neat and clean steamer trunk w/
original drawers and hangers; vintage bat wing
chaps;
Saddles and Tack: 15 1/2” bench made
cutting saddle (D. Cunningham-G. Von Dohns
maker, Union, Or.), 15 1/2” Herford by Tex Tan
(old style); 3- 13 and 13” saddles, good quality;
3 sawbuck saddles; 1 pr. Ralhide back boxes; 1
pr. Pack bags; 2-Australian stock saddles; 1 pr.
Saddlebags; more to find.
Furniture and Appliances: White
Kenmore 400 washing machine; white Kenmore
18 cu. ft. double door refrigerator; maroon Laz-
E-Boy couch w/dual recliners; beige 4’ round
great chair/couch; Hamilton-Beach convection
oven; central vacuum system, new in box; like
new NordicTrak Tread Climber exercise ma-
chine; wrought iron style patio furniture; wicker
furniture;more to find.
Shop and Misc.: Bark Buster (P.T.O. Wood
splitter); P.T.O post auger w/12” bit; 16 ft. Pow-
der River Classic gate; misc. panels; Lincoln 225
Amp arc welder; a good selection of Craftsman
power tools to include, 20 gal., 2hp air compres-
sor; 12” table saw w/extensions; Radial arm saw;
6” joiner; 12” band saw; Shaper; 5 hp single
phase pump; John Deere RX75 riding lawn
mower; 20+ 4 X 4 X 8 pressure treated posts; ap-
prox. 22 7' mid-weight T-posts; partial roll Red
Brand barb wire; 134A Freon w/ hoses; Echo PB-
1010 leaf blower; McCullough Silver Eagle 3420
chain saw; high wheel lawn mower; Hi-Lift jack;
new deep sink; 4 rolls 1 1/2” fire hose; frost free
hydrants; broadcast spreader; locust firewood;
new Camp Chef 2 burner gas stove; new Cole-
man 2 burner propane stove; Coleman 2 burner
gas stove; Misc. camping and fishing equipment.
more to find.
Partial list only: As we find more during set up we will post those that warrant advertis-
ing on our web site. For pictures to to www.snakeriverauction.com. To arrange absentee
or telephonic bidding call Roger at (541)212-5918. Preview Friday Oct. 16th. 12-4:00 p.m.
Sale Conducted by
Snake River Auction L.L.C.
P.O. Box 672 Payette, I d. 83661
( 541) 212-5918