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About Columbia Gorge news. (The Dalles, OR) 2020-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2021)
Columbia Gorge News www.columbiagorgenews.com Wednesday, January 13, 2021 B5 THE CITY COUNCIL: A SERIAL NARRATIVE OF RURAL LIFE IN THE AMERICAN WEST Episode 152: Remembering a Tootie and Gus Debate By Jim Tindall ■ Governance debates be- tween Tootie McDaniels and Gus Chapman were lively and entertaining, but sadly, short lived. These verbal duals of the council cham- ber could land somewhere between rams butting heads, strident, obstreperous — and Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley, Jr, who could, at times, be jocular, sparing, articulate wits from political poles. Tootie and Gus were both Republicans, but Tootie had fervent Libertarian leanings, which made her myopic in the support of funding long range infra- structure improvements. Gus had once muttered to her after a meeting when the chamber was empty of constituents, half in advice, half as a taunt, “Generally, when one says something flip or stupid in this cham- ber, maybe in all places for all cases, you’re generally screwed, maybe not with your mother, but certainly with constituents.” Her response, ‘Go kiss a frog.’ She once squawked about the sex education program in the schools, funded in part by the city, part by the state, and part from the giving of the DuMont Foundation. She blurted that this instruction was socialism. Gus sighed. “No, Ms. McDaniels. Socialism is public education itself. You know, like Medicare and the United States Postal Service.” She stared at him, made cross-eyes, speechless. Tootie had little concern for things like garbage and wastewater, aspects of city life best left to someone else, a philosophy that would get under Gus’s skin. She preferred to focus on the health of the economy, on the outward appearances of government, not the neglect of the skeletal elements of the town. Yet, as Gus was quick to point out, “You let the digestive tract go, and there goes everything.” There was a meeting in which the Public Works Department came to the council asking for money because of a sewage line break between Uptown and Downtown, creating an odiferous hazard and an actual public health danger. The figure foe repair was astounding to every city councilor. Tootie coughed and sput- tered. “You mean to tell me we have to pay millions to repair that leak?” It was in the written report, which apparently Tootie neglected to read, and that irritated Gus, who could get haughty when his ire rose. “Ms. McDaniels,” he be- gan. “The heartbreaking cost of this repair is due to the corrosion of old pipe stretch- ing from the intersection of Upriver Road and Beech Street down to Mt. Rushing Highway and Albatross Street, quite a stretch.” “Can’t we just patch that?” she asked. “Patching is what you do to dungarees and bicycle tires. That would not be the way we do things here, in fact. We’re talking of over a mile of new pipe and intakes and all of the work done by union labor.” “Unions!” she exclaimed. “What have unions done but undone the Republic?” Mayor Orin Holman let the give and take proceed. Not only informative, it was clearly entertaining to every- one in the room, unionists aside. Gus rebutted, “While you may not appreciate unions, they made America great. I am in business too; I understand your position, but often the worker needs protection, and in numbers there is strength, but that is not the real point of this agenda item. We have a broken sewer, and unless we make a thorough repair and — and improve our monitoring of existing lines, we shall be living this state of incredulousness again.” Tootie rolled her eyes. “Oh, Mr. Chapman. You slay me. Incredulousness? That’s a twenty-dollar word! Now, I want a healthy world of wastewater as much as the next person, but this is a lot of money.” Gus nodded, “And there are federal and state grants for which we may apply, but regardless, this matter is Warhaven’s responsi- bility to solve.” He smiled. “Remember, Tootie, Small government is good government.” She smiled, knowing Gus had struck her on her libertarian funny bone. “I suppose I see your point, Gus, but what do we cut from the budget to make this repair?” Orin struck the gavel to the tabletop. “That will be a matter for the Budget Committee to wrestle with next Monday evening. I will ask members of the Wastewater Committee to be in attendance and partici- pate. Have we exhausted this debate?” Gus and Tootie signaled that the bantering was over. again. The male was advised he would either be mov- ing along tomorrow or be trespassed. Jan. 5 — E. Ninth. 1900 block — Vehicle reported stolen out of Clark County found and towed. Jan. 5 — E. 10th, 300 block — Theft of a security system reported. Jan. 5 — W. Verdant Street, 1000 block — Possible car prowl reported. Jan. 6 — E. 10th, 1400 block — Stolen packages from a porch reported. Jan. 6 — Taylor Lake — Stolen vehicle recovered. Jan. 6 — W. Sixth — Stolen firearms reported. Jan. 7 — W. Sixth, 3800 block — Gas was siphoned from a truck. an agency assist for a stolen motorcycle. The suspect was later found by KCSO and the motorcycle retrieved. Jan. 3 — Wamic Grade — Oregon State Police attempted to pull over a vehicle without lights on. The vehicle passed at a high rate of speed with no lights. After eluding law enforce- ment, a subject was lodged at NORCOR. Jan. 4 — Lane County — Springfield Area Command notified deputies regarding the warrant arrest of a male (attempt to elude, assault IV, possession of methamphet- amine and theft II). The male was given a court date in Wasco County. NORCOR on a valid circuit court warrant for failure to appear (driving under the influence). Jan. 7 — W. Highway 30, 5500 block — Male cited and released for a misdemeanor failure to appear warrant out of Clackamas County. Other: Dec. 31 — Oak Hill Drive, 1300 block — Cows at large reported. Jan. 5 — Celilo Village Road — A dog was reported to have been shot by a neigh- bor with a BB gun. were picked up and placed in a sharps container by law enforcement. Jan. 1 — E. Highway 216, 82000 block — Disorderly conduct reported. Jan. 2 — Highway 197, 1500 block — Trespass reported. A hole was cut in a fence and copper wire taken. Jan. 3 — Oak Park Lane, 300 block, Tygh Valley — Disorderly conduct reported. Jan. 6 — Dry Hollow Road, 2600 block — Criminal mischief reported. Someone drove through an orchard and caused damage, leaving behind beer bottles and a license plate. Jan. 7 — Fifteenmile Road — Unwanted subjects reported. There were three different camps set up in the area. POLICE REPORTS CONTINUED block — Male returned to a property from which he had been previously trespassed. Jan. 7 — Lincoln Street, 300 block — Male cited for criminal trespass II. Jan. 7 — W. Sixth, 1200 block — Transient with card- board laid out in front of a business reported. The male refused to leave at an offi- cer’s request and was cited and released for trespassing. Jan. 7 — W. Sixth — Disturbance reported. A female was counseled regarding not yelling and threatening people. She was later reported to be having a mental crisis and damaged several items in a room where she was staying. She was trespassed from the property. Driving under the influence of intoxicants: Jan. 1 — E. 11th and Dry Hollow Road — Female arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants and lodged at NORCOR. Methamphetamine was found on her person at NORCOR and she was cited and released for driving under the influence of drugs and possession of methamphetamine. Jan. 2 — W. Sixth, 1200 block — Male arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Jan. 3 — W. 10th, 900 block — Male arrested and lodged at NORCOR for driving under the influence of intoxicants. BAC regis- tered .12 percent. He was cited and released to a sober driver at NORCOR. Motor vehicle crashes, incidents, offenses and impounds: Dec. 31 — W. Sixth, 3300 block — Vehicle in a ditch reported. The vehicle was towed. Jan. 1 — W. Sixth, 1200 block — Traffic crash report- ed. A subject requested an officer to assist with infor- mation exchange. When law enforcement arrived, both vehicles were gone. Jan. 1 — Cherry Heights Road, 600 block — Motor vehicle accident reported. Jan. 3 — W. Sixth, 1400 block — A vehicle stalled and died in a business entry- way. The vehicle owner ap- proved an officer to call for a tow but said he did not have the money for the tow and that the tow company could keep the vehicle. While wait- ing for the tow driver, the vehicle owner left the scene. The tow company loaded the vehicle. The officer returned to explain what the owner had advised. Jan. 4 — W. Sixth, 3300 block — Hit and run reported. Jan. 4 — W. Sixth, 3900 block — Non-injury traffic crash reported. Jan. 6 — W. Sixth, 1300 block — Officer requested a tow for a female locked out of a vehicle. Jan. 7 — Sixth Street — Motor vehicle crash reported. Jan. 7 — W. Second, 100 block — Hit and run report- ed. The subject was located and stated they were un- aware they had hit anyone. Outstanding warrants, parole, probation or terms violations: Jan. 4 — Webber Street, 200 block — Male cited and released for a parole violation warrant (unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawfully importing/ex- porting marijuana items). Jan. 5 — E. Seventh, 400 block — Male cited and released on a failure to appear warrant out of Wasco County. Jan. 6 — W. Sixth — Female arrested on multiple Wasco County warrants and lodged at NORCOR. Jan. 6 — Union Street, 400 block — Male cited and released on a probation violation warrant. Theft, burglary or robbery: Dec. 31 — W. Sixth, 1300 block — Theft of services reported. Someone filled a business dumpster with boxes. Dec. 31 — Federal Street, 900 block — Theft of tools reported. Dec. 31 — Mt. Hood Street, 500 block — Theft of grapes and juice reported. The suspect came back 10 minutes later and returned the items. Jan. 1 — W. Sixth, 1200 block — Male reported to have stolen an ear-piercing kit and earrings. Jan. 1 — W. Sixth, 3600 block — Theft of a generator reported. Jan. 1 — E. 10th, 300 block — Theft of lightbulbs reported. Jan. 2 — W. Fifth Place, 1100 block — Stolen vehicle reported. Jan. 2 — W. Sixth, 300 block — Burglary reported. Jan. 3 — E. Second, 3500 block — Stolen vehicle reported. Jan. 3 — W. Seventh, 3100 block — Stolen vehicle reported. Jan. 4 — W. Sixth, 1200 block — Shoplifting report- ed. A male was cited and released for theft III and ad- vised he is no longer allowed on business property. Jan. 5 — Cherry Heights Road, 500 block — A male was reported to be yelling and screaming outside a business, later laying on the ground after having a small scuffle with an employee who had asked him to leave. The male was reported to have been found in one of the employee’s vehicles. A report was taken for theft I. Jan. 5 — W. sixth, 3500 block — Theft of services reported. Several marijua- na plants were found in a recycling bin. A male was contacted regarding trash being disposed of in the recycling bin. He apologized and said it wouldn’t happen Dec. 31-Jan. 1 — The Dalles — Law enforcement took six calls regarding fireworks. Officers observed illegal fireworks and several subjects were contacted and counseled. Dec. 31-Jan. 7 — The Dalles — Officers responded to 77 welfare and/or mental health calls. Jan. 1 — E. 14th, 300 block — A citation was issued for minor in possession of alcohol. Jan. 1 — The Dalles — Attempted suicide reported. The subject voluntarily went to the hospital. Jan. 1 — W. Sixth — Male given a ride to the hospital at his request due to a manic episode. Jan. 1 — W. Sixth — Unaccompanied minor reported. The minor was returned home. Jan. 3 — W. Seventh — Male cited for endangering the welfare of a minor. Jan. 3 — The Dalles — Possible suicidal subject reported. Jan. 4 — W. 10th, 2700 block — Death reported. Jan. 5 — Mt. Hood Street — Male cited for drinking in public. Jan. 6 — W. Sixth, 1200 block — Male cited and re- leased for drinking in public. Jan. 6 — The Dalles — Officers assisted a female who requested a mental health evaluation at the hospital. WASCO COUNTY SHERIFF Animal calls: Assaults, harassment, menacing and domestic violence: Dec. 31 — Wallace Street, Wasco — Domestic dispute reported. Jan. 3 — Oak Park Lane, Tygh Valley — Disturbance reported. The parties were separated. Jan. 3 — E. 14th — Male arrested and lodged at NORCOR for violation of a release agreement, domestic assault IV and strangulation. Jan. 4 — W. Chenowith Creek Road — Domestic dispute reported. Jan. 4 — W. McDonald Way — Harassment reported. Jan. 5 — N.E. Aikin Street, Dufur — Disturbance reported. Controlled substance violations (non-DUII): Jan. 2 — Celilo Park — Male lodged at NORCOR on the charges of unau- thorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of heroin and theft III. In the same incident, a female was cited and released for possession of heroin and possession of methamphetamine, and was dropped off at the hospital for a medical condition. Agency assists: Disorderly conduct, mischief, criminal trespass and vandalism: Jan. 1 — E. Second, 800 block, Biggs-Rufus — Deputies assisted another agency with a customer causing a disturbance. A male was arrested and phys- ical force used. Jan. 1 — Warm Springs — Report of a vehicle stuck in three feet of snow/mud reported. The call was transferred to Warm Springs dispatch; the subjects were located (agency assist). Jan. 3 — Sevenmile Hill Road — Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office requested Dec. 31 — Fifteenmile Road, 4200 block — Twenty tires dumped on the side of the road reported. A second pile was located about five miles past the first pile (of- fensive littering). Jan. 1 — W. Chenowith Loop Road, 800 block — Criminal mischief reported. A key was found in a vehi- cle’s ignition broken off. Jan. 1 — Carroll Road and Digger Road, Mosier — Dumped garbage by the road reported. The garbage contained five syringes that Dec. 31 to Jan. 7 Identity theft or bank/ credit card fraud: Dec. 31 — W. Murray Drive, 1200 block — Theft of checks from a mailbox reported; the checks were altered and cashed (bank fraud). Jan. 2 — Longview, Wash. — Possible identity theft by a Wasco County resident reported. Jan. 5 — W. Highway 30 — Theft of social security and stimulus money reported. Jan. 7 — Reservation Road, Maupin — Fraud reported. Jan. 7 — Highway 216, 82000 block — Theft of checks and tools reported to have happened in October. A report was taken for forgery and theft. Motor vehicle crashes, incidents, offenses and impounds: Jan. 3 — W. Chenowith Creek Road, 4100 block — A vehicle went over an embankment and hit a tree. One occupant reported an injury. The vehicle was towed and a property owner advised of the damage to a fence. Jan. 4 — W. Emerson Street, 1300 block — Male and female warned for improper equipment for two motor bikes. Jan. 7 — Sixth Street — Two vehicle, non-injury traffic crash reported. Outstanding warrants, parole, probation or terms violations: Jan. 1 — W. Cherry Heights Road, 5600 block — Report taken for a probation violation. Jan. 1 — Wasco County — Restraining order violation/ domestic reported. Jan. 2 — W. Cherry Heights Road — Male lodged at NORCOR for a parole violation. Jan. 2 — Foley Lakes — Male issued a criminal citation for an outstanding warrant and released. Jan. 4 — Wasco County — Male served with a restrain- ing order. Jan. 5 — Hood River — Male transported to Search and rescue: Jan. 2 — Bonney Meadows Road/Forest Service Road 4891 — Vehicle reported to be stuck in the snow. Hood River County Sheriff’s Office was also notified. The subjects left the vehicle and were walking on foot; all were accounted for and no search and rescue was need- ed. The vehicle was towed. Theft, burglary or robbery: Dec. 31 — Threemile Road, 2500 block — Theft of $200 worth of raw clay and damage to a kiln reported. Dec. 31 — Washington Street, 500 block — Theft reported. Dec. 31 — Carroll Road, Mosier — Stolen package from a mailbox reported. Jan. 2 — Columbia View Drive, 3900 block — Theft of items reported. Jan. 2 — Root Road, 900 block, Mosier — Prowler reported. Jan. 3 — Boyd Loop Road, 66000 block, Dufur — Prowler reported. Jan. 4 — Wasco County — Stolen license plate out of Portland recovered. Jan. 4 — Boyd Loop Road, 66000 block, Dufur — Car prowl reported. A subject took off on foot. Jan. 5 — Bakeoven Road, 90000 block, Maupin — Theft of fuel reported. Jan. 6 — Old Dufur Road, 4600 block — Mail theft reported. Jan. 6 — Highway 197, 1400 block — Pile of mail located in a ditch. A postal employee noticed the mail and picked it up. Deputies advised bringing the found mail to the sheriff’s office, and that deputies would return it to rightful owners. Jan. 7 — E. Wapinitia Road, 82000 block, Maupin — Theft of pigs reported. Jan. 7 — Highway 30, 5500 block — Report taken for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (stolen vehicle). Other: Dec. 31-Jan. 7 — Wasco County — Deputies re- sponded to four welfare and/or mental health calls. Dec. 31 — W. Chenowith Creek Road, 4100 block — Death reported. Dec. 31 — Tygh Valley — Deputies received five fireworks complaints. Jan. 2 — Digger Road, Mosier — Four needles reported as found, as well as a credit card. Jan. 4 — Dufur Valley Road — Death reported.
