Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 2015)
Page 8A OFF PAGE ONE East Oregonian First lady’s $118,000 fellowship overlapped state energy policy work By HILLARY BORRUD Capital Bureau 6$/(0 ² 2UHJRQ ¿UVW lady Cylvia Hayes was paid $118,000 for communica- tions work for a clean econ- omy organization at a time when she was advising the JRYHUQRU¶V RI¿FH RQ VLPLODU topics. The job is another in- VWDQFH LQ ZKLFK WKH ¿UVW OD- dy’s paid private sector jobs overlapped with her role as a policy adviser to Gov. John Kitzhaber, a situation that prompted ethics complaints against both Hayes and the governor. Hayes appears to have been the only paid fellow at WKH QRQSUR¿W :DVKLQJWRQ D.C.-based Clean Economy Development Center. It’s un- clear what Hayes did for the organization because neither WKH ¿UVW ODG\ QRU LWV H[HFX- tive director responded to re- TXHVWVIRUVSHFL¿FV .HQW 5HG¿HOG D SROLWLFDO science professor at the Uni- YHUVLW\RI,OOLQRLV6SULQJ¿HOG said tangible evidence of Hayes’ work for the Clean Economy Development Cen- ter is important, because there DUHH[DPSOHVDFURVVWKH86 in which entities sought to in- ÀXHQFHSXEOLFRI¿FLDOVE\RI- fering no-show jobs WR WKH RI¿FLDOV RU their family mem- bers. “If there’s no work product and you’ve got a situa- tion where you’re hiring the gover- nor’s spouse or someone with a close personal re- Hayes lationship with the governor, then you can cer- WDLQO\ KDYH IUDXG´ 5HG¿HOG said. The Clean Economy De- velopment Center’s stated purpose is to help public RI¿FLDOV ODXQFK UHQHZDEOH HQHUJ\ DQG HI¿FLHQF\ SURM- ects that create jobs, but it also worked to shape public policy. In 2014, the group conducted polling and orga- nized a coalition to push for an Oregon low-carbon fuel standard. That policy has the support of Kitzhaber and Democratic state lawmakers. ([SHUWV RQ JRYHUQPHQW ethics and the intersection of SROLWLFV DQG QRQSUR¿WV VDLG Hayes’ job in particular rais- es questions, such as whether her compensation was rea- sonable given the amount of work she did and whether Hayes’ em- ployer sought to use the connection to in- ÀXHQFHVWDWHSROLF\ Hayes was on the Clean Economy Development Cen- ter’s payroll from 2011 to 2012, at the same time she served as an un- paid adviser to the governor on energy and eco- nomic development policies. )RU H[DPSOH WKH ¿UVW ODG\ was a named member of the governor’s policy team that produced a 10-year state en- ergy action plan in December 7KHSODQOLVWVWKHDI¿O- iations of other private sector advisers, but it does not men- tion Hayes’ connection with the Clean Economy Devel- opment Center. 5HG¿HOG VDLG +D\HV¶ HP- ployment with the Clean Economy Development Center could create a real or SHUFHLYHGFRQÀLFWRILQWHUHVW even if Hayes and Kitzhaber already agreed with the orga- nization’s policy positions. “It may have been the po- sitions were already there, but you should avoid creating situations where people ques- tion whether you’re doing something because it’s good public policy or because it EHQH¿WV \RX ¿QDQFLDOO\´ 5HG¿HOGVDLG While Hayes is vague as to the details of her work, she lists the fellowship in her RI¿FLDO VWDWH ELRJUDSK\ DQG included the center’s logo in her email newsletter through early 2013. In a response to emailed questions in December, Hayes wrote that the nonprof- it paid her $30,000 in 2011 and $88,000 in 2012, and that her “primary work was to implement communications strategies promoting clean economy development.” A spokeswomen for the governor also did not respond to questions about whether Hayes used the governor’s mansion for an event associ- ated with the Clean Econo- my Development Center. On April 9, 2012, a “Clean Econ- omy dinner meeting” was scheduled at the governor’s mansion, according to public records. Contributed photo Kayla, Elijah, Ezra and Casey McKinstry pose for a family photo several months before Ezra had a stroke and was rushed to a Phoenix hospital. EZRA: ‘Within 10 minutes, he was moving his right arm’ only hope and pray. “I realized the last time he The family, which also said ‘Mama’ could have been includes 23-month-old Eli- the last time,” Kayla said. jah, moved from Pendleton Ezra’s neurosurgeon said WR3KRHQL[WKLVVXPPHUWREH the window was still open near a pediatric vascular sur- for use of a clot-busting drug geon who specializes in very known as tPA (tissue plas- young children. Ezra had minogen activator), which if been diagnosed prenatally administered within several with hypoplastic right heart hours can improve chanc- syndrome, which means his es of recovery by restoring right ventricle and atrium are EORRG ÀRZ WR WKH DIIHFWHG H[WUHPHO\ XQGHUGHYHORSHG part of the brain. About 25 The little boy has already minutes remained in Ezra’s endured one open heart sur- window. gery. Casey McKinstry de- In recent months “he’d VFULEHG ZKDW KDSSHQHG QH[W been doing great,” Casey in a gravelly voice that re- said. “When you have a child ÀHFWHGKLVODFNRIVOHHS with a heart condition, you “It was pretty crazy,” he are aware of it all the time, said. “There were all sorts of but he was gaining weight specialists in the room and and acting healthy — it was about 12 or 13 people in all.” easy to forget. This is a real- Neurologist Dr. John ity check — anything could &RQGLH H[SODLQHG WKH ULVNV happen at any time.” of hemorrhaging and inter- With Sunday’s stroke di- nal bleeding. When the drug agnosis, the couple could works, however, it is a mir- Continued from 1A acle of science. Casey and Kayla gave the go-ahead and the drug was immedi- ately given intravenously to an unhappy Ezra. The drug worked quickly. “Within 10 minutes, he was moving his right arm,” Casey said. “In 15 to 20 min- utes, he started sucking his binky. Everything was look- ing a lot better.” “Seeing that was a mira- cle,” Kayla said. The 30-plus electrodes stuck to Ezra’s head and monitoring his brain activ- ity delivered encouraging data. Both medical personnel and parents breathed sighs of relief. When the danger was past, Dr. Condie shared a shocking bit of news. To his knowledge, Ezra was the youngest person ever to get tPA in the state of Arizona. 7KHZKROHH[SHULHQFHOHIW Casey and Kayla both shell- shocked and grateful. They are only now starting to re- OD[ “We’re breathing a little easier now,” Casey said. “It was probably one of the most terrifying moments of both of our lives.” Ezra’s health issues have VWUHVVHGWKHIDPLO\¿QDQFLDO- ly. Casey, a contracted post RI¿FH FDUULHU LQ 3HQGOHWRQ now works for the 2M Com- pany, a wholesale supplier of irrigation equipment, turf, wells and other water-related products. Kayla, who once did home daycare, keeps busy taking care of her boys. Those who wish to donate to the McKinstry family can visit www.gofundme.com/ kv8hcg. The GoFundMe site, created by family friend Emily Beason, has so far raised is $825. ——— Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastoregonian.com or call 541-966-0810 PARKS: Fetter suggested adding a picnic shelter to Riverfront Park Fetter said the department has a few ideas for new park SLHFHRISURSHUW\QH[WWR6XQ- locations. A piece of land set Park on Northeast Fourth near Theater Lane and Eighth Street, one of only three small Avenue has been promised parks east of Highway 395. to the city as part of a new Fetter said his department housing development. Fetter plans to use the property to VDLG WKH ODQG LV QRW ÀDW DQG double the park’s size, add QRWFRQGXFLYHWREDOO¿HOGVRU play equipment, a picnic shel- a playground, but could pro- ter and half-court basketball. vide 7 acres of wildlife view- “Typical of Hermiston, I ing and nature trails. wouldn’t be surprised if a ser- Another option is 10 acres vice club wants to help out,” of property for sale along the Fetter said. bank of the Hermiston Ditch He said the parks depart- behind Wal-Mart. ment tends to get a good On the west end of the amount of volunteer help not city, Fetter said the irrigation only from service clubs but district has been interested in also from the Boy Scouts, getting rid of part of a 40-acre ZKR SHUIRUP IRXU RU ¿YH parcel off Elm Street near the Eagle Scout projects a year Umatilla River and the north for the department. The HQGRIWKH2[ERZ7UDLO7KH most recent one was a wood- old Steelhead Park property en bridge to cover a pipe south of Riverfront Park, now stretching across the canal in owned by the Department of Belt Park. Fish and Wildlife, could also Continued from 1A be an option. There is a demand for play equipment and more soccer ¿HOGVLQ+HUPLVWRQEXW)HW- ter encouraged the city to look at specialized parks as well. He said a good skate park like the ones in Pendleton and Irrigon can be a “point of pride” and create a sense of ownership for a population that sometimes clashes with the city. A high-visibility area like the gravel parking area DFURVVWKHVWUHHWIURPWKH¿UH station and police department would discourage crime and vandalism. Fetter said there is also a demand for a dog park where people can play with their dogs or let them run loose without running afoul of leash laws. “When they’re managed well they can be very attrac- tive,” Fetter said. He said the city also needs to build more picnic shelters and suggested adding a large one to Riverfront Park. “We have four of them and they’re booked starting in January for some of the more popular times in the summer,” Fetter said. Mayor David Drotzmann thanked Fetter for his work on putting together the pre- sentation and said as the city headed into budget-planning season it was important to keep in mind how new parks and improved amenities FRXOGEHQH¿WWKHFRPPXQLW\ “The Parks and Recre- ation department is such a critical component to the suc- cess of our city,” he said. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4536. Wednesday, January 28, 2015 WOLVES: Phase II allows ODFW to consider killing after two livestock predations of the Wolf Depredation Compensation and Finan- producer’s own property or cial Assistance County allotment. Block Grant Program. Non-lethal deterrents But Nash has previous- DUH VWLOO HPSKDVL]HG ¿UVW ly said compensation is and foremost by ODFW. a Band-Aid for ranchers, Ranchers are not allowed and not a solution to the to bait wolves, and must problem. The Cattlemen report any lethal take with- Association passed a reso- in 24 hours while making lution at its annual meeting all reasonable attempts to in December that supports preserve the scene for in- lethal control of wolves in vestigation. three cases: livestock loss- Todd Nash, a Wallowa es, human health or safety County rancher and chair- and when game popula- man of the Oregon Cat- tions dip below manage- tlemen Association wolf ment levels. committee, said it is highly Rob Klavins, northeast unlikely for producers to 2UHJRQ ¿HOG FRRUGLQDWRU actually catch a wolf caus- for the conservation group ing trouble in the pasture. Oregon Wild, said mov- The rule does, however, ing into Phase II of the make them wolf plan is feel a little a positive more em- “We should look sign o`f the powered than at these numbers species’ re- they were be- covery, while in context, and the popula- fore. “ W e realize wolf re- tion remains didn’t want “relatively wolves to covery is moving small.” begin with,” O r e - Nash said. in the right direc- gon had 64 “We’re try- tion. I think, at wolves at ing to get the end of along as best this point, killing 2013. The we can in the 2014 pop- wolves should ulation will political cli- mate we live still be an option be updated in.” ODFW’s of last resort.” in Another annual wolf change in — Rob Klavins, field co- report, slated Phase II low- ordinator for Oregon Wild for March. ers the re- And, de- quirement for spite reach- ODFW to consider lethal ing the conservation control of problem packs. benchmark for breeding Previously, the department pairs in Eastern Oregon, QHHGHGWRFRQ¿UPIRXUDW- Klavins said that does not tacks on livestock within mean their work is done. D VL[PRQWK SHULRG DQG “We should look at each of those incidents had WKHVH QXPEHUV LQ FRQWH[W to satisfy an additional set and realize wolf recovery of criteria in order quali- is moving in the right di- fy. No pack ever reached rection,” he said. “I think, the threshold, though the at this point, killing wolves Umatilla River wolves should still be an option of came close last year. last resort.” Instead, Phase II allows The transition into ODFW to consider killing Phase II also marks the ini- wolves after just two live- tiation of de-listing wolves stock predations without in the eastern third of Or- a set time limit. Nash said egon. Wolves remain fed- lethal control is critical for erally protected in western livestock producers as the Oregon. wolf population continues ODFW will begin con- to grow. ducting a full status review “Dealing with problem DQG SUHVHQW LWV ¿QGLQJV wolves is an absolute must to the Fish and Wildlife moving forward,” he said. Commission in April. The Ranchers are currently commission could make its compensated by the state decision as early as June, for livestock losses caused following input from the by wolves. The Oregon public. Department of Agriculture ——— awarded $150,830 in 2014 Contact George Plaven — along with $63,125 at gplaven@eastorego- from the U.S. Fish and nian.com or 541-564- Wildlife Service — as part 4547. Continued from 1A MARIJUANA: Kitzhaber opposed Measure 91 other qualifying conditions under the law and patients Recreational use will can indicate multiple rea- be legal July 1, although sons for medical use. OLCC licensing of retail Kitzhaber supported the VDOHVLVH[SHFWHGLQDQRWK- 1998 ballot measure but er year or so, after it starts opposed Measure 91. Al- accepting applications though he called legaliza- Jan. 4, 2016. A special tion “inevitable,” Kitzhaber House-Senate committee said during the campaign also will focus on legal- that Oregon should await ization, which voters ap- lessons from Washington proved as Measure 91 on and Colorado, where voters Nov. 4. approved legalization mea- Kitzhaber said he favors sures in 2012. a merger of systems for Among the questions medical marijuana and rec- Kitzhaber will raise is the reational marijuana. number of plants the law Measure 91 made no allows someone to grow changes in the 1998 law al- for personal use — four — lowing marijuana for medi- weighed against the eight cal uses, but some lawmak- ounces under the law that ers have said they want to someone can possess at consider changes. home. Public possession is “I think you need to put limited to one ounce. them together,” Kitzhaber “Allowing homegrown said. “It’s easier to ask simply seems to be out of questions when you do not sync with a regulated mar- have two separate systems ket,” he said. operating.” Kitzhaber also wants Kitzhaber said lawmak- OLCC and lawmakers to HUVKDYHVLQFHH[SDQGHGWKH show how a regulated mar- list of conditions that qual- ket will reduce the black ify for medical marijuana market for recreational use. Among the conditions marijuana, and what can in the initial law were glau- be done to devise a test — coma and nausea associat- comparable to a breath test ed with chemotherapy. for alcohol — for deter- “It’s strayed quite a bit,” mining whether a driver is said Kitzhaber, a former XQGHUWKHLQÀXHQFHRIPDU- emergency-room physi- ijuana. cian. Supporters have said the Of the almost 70,000 VWDWH WD[ VHW E\ 0HDVXUH patients registered with the 91 should be low enough Oregon Medical Marijuana to encourage conversions Program as of Jan. 1, more from the black market, and than 64,000 use it for se- that the measure requires vere pain; 9,379 for nausea, RI¿FLDOVWRVHWXQGHUWKHLQ- 3,633 for cancer and 1,074 ÀXHQFH WHVWLQJ UHTXLUH- for glaucoma. There are ments. Continued from 1A
