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About Sandy post. (Sandy, Oregon) 1938-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 1977)
a 1 * ^ o Sandy suggested seat of rural county 5 The City of Sandy has been suggested ax the county seat of a proposed rural county which would be formed from portions of Multnomah and Clackamas counties East Multnomah County Hep Kick Gustafson. Chief sponsor of HB 3284, said tile bill would create a new county covering the Portland metropolitan area and would merge the rural parts of Mult nomah and Clackamas counties into a single county Rep. Glenn Otto. D-Troutdule, has been appointed chairman of a special com mittee on county reorganisation to con sider the proposal for the 37th Oregon county. The committee will conduct hearings on the new county legislat ion at four locations in the tri-county area Gustafson, a Democrat, said the measure, if passed, would place the burden of paying for metropolitan services with those who the services benefit. The taxes in the rural county would be reduced, Gustafson said. Taxpayers there no longer would pay services such as Tri- Met. To offset the loss in property taxes, the rural county established under the legislation would receive the Oregon and California timber funds. Currently, rural areas of the tri-county pay for services such as Tri-Met, although the buses do not run to communities such as Governm ent Camp, W em m e, Damascus, Corbett or Springdale. The City of Sandy could contract with Tri-Met for the continuation of services if the residents there felt it necessary, Gustafson said. If approved by the legislature, the proposal would be placed before the voters in the area in the May 1978 prim ary election. The new urban county would generally follow the boundaries of the Metropolitan Service District. The cities of Portland, Gresham. Milwaukie, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Hillsboro and Forest Grove would be included in the 37th county. Another sponsor of the bill, State Rep. Mike Ragsdale, R-Beaverton, described the “ ancient arbitrary county lines" as ridiculous. Although Oregon City is currently in cluded in the proposed urban county, Ragsdale said the bill would be given*‘a serious look at redrawing boundaries to pull Oregon City out of the urban a r e a ” According to a spokesman from Rep Gustafson's office, Clackamas County would be abolished by statute if the bill passed. Since Clackamas County is the only one of the three counties under general rule rather than home rule, the people of the county would not have an opportunity to vote on the change, the spokesman said Presumably, the rural county made up of Clackamas and Multnomah counties would be the “ new” Clackamas County under the proposal “ We’re working very hard and are hoping it will pass,” said the spokesman from Gustafson’s office. “ The main thing untried is the feeling of the people af fected " If voters adopted the concept, a charter commission would be formed with representation from each county and one representative from the most populous city in each county. The charter commission would submit the charter for the county to voters at the 1978 state-wide general election. The bill requires M ultnom ah, Clackamas and Washington counties to pay one cent per registered voter residing within boundaries of new county for purposes of paying expenses of the charter commission Subject to voter approval of the new county, there would be an election of county commissioners at i960 state-wide prim ary and general elections. The operative date for the county and its charter would be Jan 1,1961. The hearings on the proposal are scheduled for: —Thursday, April 28, at the Multnomah County Courthouse, room 602 —Tuesday, May 3, at Mt. Hood Com munity College. —Thursday, May 5, at the Portland General Electric Western Division office in Beaverton -T u e s d a y , May 10, at Clackamas Community College Each of the hearings is scheduled to begin at 7 :30 p.m. Members of the committee in addition to Otto, Gustafson and Ragsdale include representatives Ted Achilles, R-Newberg; Howard Cherry, D-Portland; Mark Gardner, D-Hillsboro; Phil Lang, D- Portland, Rod Monroe, D-Portland; and Glen Whallon, D-Clackamas County. See map on page 7 tSandy ¡¡¡bi G reat Way To The Mt. H ood Playground Single Copy 15c SANDY, OREGON, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1977 No. 17 For Mt. Hood Corridor Sewer plan aired by Douglas Gantenbein staff reporter X ine ooys or summer YOUNG ROBBIE Copher and a friend enjoyed the sun and the action as Sandy High played Estacada Friday. For scores and details, see Sports. Photo by Douglas Gantenbein SUHS board approves teams at urging of patrons by Sue Lafky Sandy Post editor There was smooth sailing for backers of girls' basketball and ski teams at the Monday night meeting of the Sandy Union High School Board The board unanimously approved funding for both in the 1977-78 budget proposal, which is slated to go before voters on Tuesday, June 28 A public hearing on the proposed budget is set for Monday, May 9. The high school budget committee had allotted $6,500 for girls' basketball and $1,000 for the ski team, subject to board approval The $1,000 for the ski team will be used for paying coaching fees, some trans portation and buying some equipment such as ski wax and racing helmets The $6,500 for girls’ bask« tball will be a first year expense for that pi ogram. “ This is the cost for th? first year,” Sandy High Principal William McFarlane told the board During the second year, the school won't need to spend money on uniforms and equipment. The board was told that the district would eventually have to start a girls' basketball program in order to conform with Federal Title IX regulations which require equal opportunities for both sexes in educational programs. In addition, district staff surveyed the feeder elementary districts and reported there would be adequate interest in girls* basketball Board member Wayne Johnson pointed out that if girls knew the basketball program would be available at the high school level, there would be more par ticipation in the elementary school levels Sandy is the last school in the Coast Valley League to fund a girls' basketball program, according to Sandy Athletic Director Mike Koatrba. The program should be large enough to accommodate anyone who wants to participate, suggested hoard member Earl M eier. That’s the general philosophy of the athletic department wherever possible, replied Kostrba Hoodland resident Patti Griffin ad dressed the board to urge them to approve a ski team, saying that such a program would be “ a natural" for a school located at the base of Mt. Hood. Mrs Griffin said a group of ski program supporters last year had presented a petition to the high school administration with the names of 114 students who had indicated an interest in some aspect of the sport. A Ski Club was formed at the high school in November 1976 That group, under the advisement of SUHS teacher Peggy Lambert, placed fourth in the state competition held at Mt Hood this year. Lynn Harris, activities director for the high school, said he would support funding for a ski team. The Ski Club, he said, had served a year of trial and had been successful. Harris asked the board to differentiate between Ski Club and the ski team, in allocating the funds. “ There are 40 clubs which would like to have $1,000,” he said. It has not been the practice of the district to provide funding for club activities. Some fears were expressed that high school racers would forego high school competition during key races to par tic ip a te in P acific Northwest Ski Association (P NS A) races Bud England, a district parent and resident of the Government Camp area, discounted that fear and told the board that peer recognition gained through high school racing was very important to students He added his children “ have never once foregone a high school race for a PNSA race.” A letter from Bud Nash, director of Timberline Lodge Ski School, said Sandy High School “ could easily have one of the most successful ski programs in the state.” Nash supported a program offering re c rea tio n a l and com petitive skiing through the high school and also suggested that arrangements be made to offer skiing as a physical education credit. High school music teacher Don Tucker also spoke out in favor of the program, citing the personal development of the individuals involved with this year's fourth ranking Ski Club Tucker and Mike M iller, SUHS hall and campus supervisor, also appeared before the board requesting funding for a com petitive ice hockey club. The board postponed a decision on the request, noting that it came after the district's budget document had already been published However, the board didn’t rule out the possibility that funding could be found at a later date. Tucker would serve as advisor for the competitive club, with M iller donating his time as coach. Tucker said the club would be working to raise money for uniforms, equipment and ice time at Silver Skate Ice Rink. Portland. The men said equipment purchased would not wear out for many years. The main funding would be needed for the club's first year of existence. City Council moots Monday The Sandy City Council will hear the budget message for the 1977-78 fiscal year at 8:30 p m Monday, May 2, in the Council Chambers Also on at 7:30 is the enforcement of juvenile curfew laws, off-street parking in the city and a city beautification project. Copies of the budget proposal will be available at the Sandy City Hall Sewer proposals ranging from multi million dollar systems to $600 home units were discussed at a sometimes heated hearing on sewage alternatives for the Mt. Hood corridor area Monday night at Welches Grade School. At stake is the future development of the Wemme-Welches area and a possible $1.8 million in federal funding. Dave Abraham. Clackamas County U tilitiesdirector, said the areas affected by the proposed sewage alternatives in clude Timberline Rim, Zigzag Village. Rhododendron. Wemme and Welches. Briefly, the four sewage alternatives proposed by the county are as follows: 1) Plan 1 restricts use of the existing Timberline Rim sewage plant to the Rim area use only. A new plant to serve Welches would be built near Wemme. and either connection lines or sewage trucks would link the Rhododendren commercial area to the Welches plant. The present Zigzag Village treatment plant would remain unchanged During the high flow winter months, effluent from the Welches and Timberline Rim plants would be pumped into the Sandy River. At low water levels, the sewage residue would be spray irrigated on golf course land and on a possible location near Timberline Rim. Among the hazards of this and other plans utilizing the Timberline Rim plant is that plant's location on a floodplain. Extensive diking would be required. 2) In Plan 2 the Timberline Rim plant would be used to treat sewage from both Welches and Timberline Rim until the plant reaches its quarter million gallon per day capacity. At that time it would be closed and a new plant built in Welches to serve both areas. In this project's initial stages, a force main would carry sewage from Welches to the Timberline Rim plant After the new plaflt is built, that line would be reversed to carry ’’Rmberline Rim sewage to Welches. As in Plan 1, the Timberline Rim plant would require flood protection. Some modifications on the plan would also be needed as it is not in operation. 3) Plan 3 resen.bias Plan 2 in its Initial stages. However, it allows for expansion rather than future shutdown of the Tim berline Rim plant. Total capacity of the Timberline Rim facility would be in creased from one quarter to three quarter million gallons a day. Common to both Plans 2 and 3 would be a force main to move treated sewage to the Welches area golf course land for spray irrigation during the summer months. County spokesmen said drawbacks to this plan include an inability to meet future needs beyond 20 years despite expansion of the Timberline Rim plant. Also, the location of a plant this size on a floodplain m u ltip lies flood control problems. 4) In Plan 4, the Timberline Rim plant would not be used at all Instead, a single plant would be built at Welches with an initial quarter million gallon per day capacity, to be expanded as needed. A force main would transport sewage from Timberline Rim to the new plant. This plan would have the highest initial price tag. However, it would cost less to maintain and would not present a flood hazard Approximate cost estimates for these .proposals are for Plan 1, $2.46 million; Plan 2, $1.94 million; Plan 3, $2.18 million; and Plan 4, $2.55 million. For all of these alternatives, the Environmental Protection Agency would pay 75 per cent of the cost. The balance would be raised locally. David Jochin from the engineering firm of Stevens, Thompson and Runyan, outlined the impact of any sewage con struction. Jochin said he expected short term adverse conditions such as water tur bidity, noise and dust due to construction and increased traffic. However, he said that “ short term ef fects can be mitigated through proper construction procedures ” Jochin added that he foresaw a long term benefit from sewer construction through improved water quality and reduced public health hazards. In the public discussion that followed, it was brought out that the American Guaranty Life Insurance Co., which is planning a large development near Bowman’s, is willing to forego federal funds and build a treatment plant com patible with county Plan 4 if it is allowed to begin construction on a hotel, con dominium and convention center Carl Bright, developer for American Guaranty , refuted other testimony regarding odor problems caused by sewage treatment plants, and claimed that /page 8 MHCC to try again for budget levy okay by Tony Kneidek staff reporter Another problem, Gustafson said, is that students and staff from the college are not getting out and voting. “ If they would have can cut the $1.4 million by laying people voted, the levy would have passed over off. although that’s an option we don't like whelmingly.” to consider. The point is that if the voters The reasons for the levy election defeats say no six times, then we may have to become more difficult to analyze. make some drastic changes " Gustafson said the college is caught in the Gustafson, who also serves in the Oregon middle of voter arguments about cutting House of Representatives, said he is at back programs or expanding tempting to have the state's capital funds “ We can put on a show for the folks out allocation to MHCC used for operational there and cut out the football program and costs However, he said he is not optimistic save about $22.000, but that isn't going to about the chances of such legislation saveany taxes," he said. passing In addition, if football or other programs Optimism is scarce at MHCC. “ I t ’s are cut, Gustafson said more people are really demoralizing.” Gustafson said of lost than gained from the action. the five consecutive setbacks. “ It's hard "The more we cut, the more people we for us to inititate and support any program turnoff. It's an impossible situation ” that costs money. Bob Scott, college business manager, “ How can we look at a new program said the college has cut 19 positions since when we know the money won’t be there?” last year, when the financial difficulties in staff and personnel “ We have a $12 million budget and we Mt. Hood Community College President Dr. Stephen Nicholson will ask the district board to file for another levy election. “ W e’ll review the budget and have proposals for the May 11 meeting.” Nicholson said following the college’s fifth consecutive levy setback at the polls April 19. “ I ’m going to recommend another election for June 28.” Nicholson said he will be reviewing the budget with college faculty and staff and with representatives from the community to determine if cuts can be made before placing it on the ballot again. MHCC District board Chairman Rick Gustafson said the amount of the June levy request is “ up in the air. We have very little choice than to go back and ask the voters again.” However. Gustafson said if the levy fails in June, he may not support another election. " If we lose in June. I would be reluctant to go back again.” Gustafson said the alternative to another levy election, should the voters fail to pass the June proposal, is to make further cuts I Gustafson said the cutbacks in the budget have been difficult on staff and d epartm ent heads. “ W e’re facing tremendous voter dissatisfaction I t ’s demoralizing to the staff. They've made a real effort to cut down on their budgets. “ But this has had no discernable effect on the voters. Apprently we have not struck a cord there ” began. Six administration positions and 13 service and support positions were cut In addition, the college raised tuition by 15 per cent this year and has cut back on the number of times a course is offered. “ Not having the funds to provide the programs that we've had in the past puts the college in a precarious position,” Scott said
