Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2016)
REGION 8PDWLOOD&R)DLU%RDUGQDPHVQHZIDLUGLUHFWRU Friday, January 8, 2016 By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian The Umatilla County Fair has a new director. Don Slone, director of the Harney County Fair for the past 25 years, will take over management of the Umatilla County Fair starting Feb. 1. Slone is also the pres- ident of the Oregon Fairs Association, which county commissioner Larry Givens said made him an ideal candidate. “He’s got a vast amount of experience not only with the Harney County Fair, but with fairs around the state,” Givens said. He said Slone has visited the Umatilla County Fair- grounds and worked with local fair staff in his capacity as president before. Slone is replacing Peggy Anderson, who announced her resignation in August in order to take a job as fair director in Josephine County, where she grew up. At the time, the fair board announced that the position would likely be reduced from full-time to part-time in light of the planned move to the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, where business manager Heather Cannell could take on some duties previously associated with the fair director. On Thursday Givens said the decision to use the current fairgrounds for an additional year means Slone’s position will be full-time for 2016. After that, Givens said, it is undecided exactly what the position will look like while Slone helps the fair transi- tion to the EOTEC grounds. Slone is a graduate of Eastern Oregon University. According to a news release, during his tenure at the Harney County Fair he helped attract 34,000 volun- teer hours at the event. Givens said Slone is a respected leader in the county fair world and the county commission and fair ERDUG DUH FRQ¿GHQW KH KDV the experience necessary to take on the challenges associated with moving the Umatilla County Fair to a new venue in 2017. “We’re just excited to have Don with us,” he said. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4536. East Oregonian Page 3A PENDLETON BMCC to host safety summit East Oregonian Dozens of government entities and community organizations from across Eastern Oregon have been invited by Blue Mountain Community College to discuss security at the Pend- leton Convention Center. According to a press release, the upcoming regional safety summit was spurred by the Oct. 1 Umpqua Community College shooting in Rose- burg. “That tragedy hit very close to home for us since UCC is another Oregon community college and many of our staff have colleagues who work there,” BMCC President Cam Preus said in a statement. “We’ve learned from that incident that there is a big reliance on the community to step forward to provide assistance and resources, so BMCC wants to make sure we have those partnerships in place ahead of time throughout our district.” BMCC has invited school districts, law enforcement agencies, emergency personnel, city and county governments, hospitals and health districts, prison personnel and other interested parties from across Umatilla, Morrow and Baker Coun- ties to the event. Attendees will hear a speech from Mary Schoen- feldt, a Marysville, Wash., specialist in school system emergency management and crisis response. At a more local level, Umatilla County Emer- gency Manager Jack Remillard and Oregon State Police Sgt. Mark Banks will hold a discussion the 2013 tour bus crash on Cabbage Hill. After those talks, orga- nizers will break attendees into regionally-based JURXSV ZKHUH RI¿FLDOV FDQ identify resources and draft formal safety partnership agreements. The safety summit be held at the Pendleton Convention Center Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. BRIEFLY 6KHULII¶VRI¿FHWR VHHNORFDOELGVIRU QHZYHKLFOHV Staff photo by E.J. Harris Grass-fed gobblers A rafter of wild turkeys forage for food in a stand of tall grass near the Umatilla River on Thursday outside Rieth. ENERGY: Wind prices have dropped by two-thirds since 2009 and strong group of folks who have come together in of their energy mix by agreement on this,” Schwark 2030. That’s no small feat, said. “It was relatively swift since coal makes up nearly coming together.” one-third of PGE’s energy The legislature won’t have portfolio and two-thirds for much time to consider the 3DFL¿F3RZHU bill during this year’s short A coalition of environ- session, which convenes Feb. mental groups and clean 1 and adjourns March 6. If it HQHUJ\ DGYRFDWHV KDV ¿OHG passes, clean energy advo- ballot measures to make cates said they will withdraw Oregon coal-free by 2030. their ballot measures for 5DWKHUWKDQ¿JKWDFRVWO\DQG November. contentious battle at the polls, 3DFL¿F 3RZHU LV DOUHDG\ 3DFL¿F3RZHUVSRNHVPDQ5\ moving toward more clean Schwark said parties came to energy and less coal in its the table to negotiate. most recent long-range The result, Schwark said, energy plan, though oppo- is a policy that accomplishes nents of coal said the tran- the same renewable energy sition wasn’t happening fast goals while including safe- enough. guards to protect rates and Schwark said the trend has reliability for customers. The been aided by falling prices plan is supported by envi- of wind and solar, along with ronmental groups such as the utility’s involvement in the Sierra Club and Oregon a shared energy market with Environmental Council, as California and other Western well as the Citizens’ Utility utilities. Board, the state’s primary ³2QH RI WKH NH\ EHQH¿WV advocate for residential of regionalizing the grid in ratepayers. the West is the volatility of “We have a very broad renewables can be smoothed Continued from 1A out over a wider footprint,” Schwark said. The new clean energy plan also includes safety valves to SURWHFW DJDLQVW VLJQL¿FDQW jumps in power rates for customers. The plan main- tains a 4 percent incremental FRVWFDSPHDQLQJWKDW3DFL¿F Power and PGE won’t have to add renewables if the cost is more than 4 percent higher than the cost of developing non-renewable power. Steve Corson, spokesman for PGE, said the plan’s schedule also provides a more balanced path and JUHDWHUÀH[LELOLW\IRUSKDVLQJ in renewables and phasing out coal plants. “We feel comfortable we can do this,” Corson said. “This is a path we’ve been on for a little while.” Brad Reed, spokesman for Renew Oregon — the coalition behind the ballot measures — said wind prices have fallen by two-thirds since 2009, and the price of solar panels has gone down 85 percent over the same time frame, making those projects more cost-competitive than ever. Reed said negotiations were not easy, but the agreement ultimately moves Oregon closer to its clean energy goal, which by 2050 calls for reducing carbon emissions to 25 percent of 1990 levels. “I think the bottom line is this is what Oregonians want,” Reed said. “It’s become increasingly clear to people the effects carbon pollution are having on our way of life.” In particular, Reed pointed to last summer’s drought that hurt agriculture and raised water temperatures in rivers enough to kill some popula- WLRQVRI¿VK “These things are in the DNA of the Northwest,” Reed said. “People see the EHQH¿W RI UHQHZDEOH HQHUJ\ going forward.” ——— Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastoregonian. com or 541-966-0825. %$,/287Ongoing investigation into agency’s handling of tax credits Wheeler asked Brown to suspend the loan program begin in 2019 and could so the state can review it cost taxpayers at least $15.3 and issue recommendations million, according the Trea- to the Legislature on how to sury. The cost could increase proceed. if more loans go into default. The state created the small “As a result, to cover scale energy loan program in loan payments, money will 1981 to provide low-interest be allocated away from loans to governments and vital public services such as businesses. The program’s education, public safety and problems are not new and human services programs,” despite its name, the loans the Oregon State Treasury were not what many people wrote in a press release. would consider small. Brown’s press secretary Wheeler pointed to the Chris Pair said Thursday that default several years ago of WKH *RYHUQRU¶V 2I¿FH ZDV an $18 million loan to an examining the loan program ethanol plant in Clatskanie, as part of a broader review of which went bankrupt, as an the Department of Energy. example of why the program “Governor Brown has now requires a bailout. Other concluded that lingering large loans have since gone residual issues have inter- into default and been written fered with the Department of off as non-collectible, “which Energy’s ability to focus on has further deteriorated (the Oregon’s future energy-re- program’s) balance sheet and lated needs,” Pair wrote in an reserve balances,” Wheeler email. “The agency review wrote in the letter to Brown. currently being conducted The State Debt Policy E\ WKH *RYHUQRU¶V 2I¿FH LV Advisory Commission, assessing the Small Scale which includes members Energy Loan Program and, of the Oregon House and along with the Legislature’s Senate, repeatedly raised recently-formed joint committee, will ensure that SALE IN these issues are addressed PROGRESS responsibly and carefully. SAVINGS As Governor Brown has said UP TO 50% before, while we want to AM-6 PM Mon.-Sat. • 12 PM-4 PM Sun. move expeditiously, we must 8 613 N Main St., Milton Freewater, OR 541-938-5162 • www.saagershoeshop.com ensure that we do it right.” Continued from 1A concerns about the loan defaults including last year, when the commission warned in a report that payments by loan recipients might not cover debt. Wheeler said in his letter to Brown that he asked former Gov. John Kitzhaber three years ago for money to offset losses from defaults in the program. “In 2012, after a review of projected loan payments versus debt service require- ments, I recommended to Governor Kitzhaber that the program’s depleted loan-loss reserve be replenished to safeguard the State against future potential defaults,” Wheeler wrote. “Instead, the program continued without augmented reserves.” Wheeler, who is an H[RI¿FLR PHPEHU RI WKH commission, will formally present recommendations on the energy loan program at the commission’s scheduled Jan. 19 meeting. 7KH 7UHDVXUHU¶V 2I¿FH sent the letter to the governor DZHHNEHIRUHWKH¿UVWVFKHG- uled meeting of a new legis- lative committee which will consider whether to overhaul or eliminate the Department of Energy, following years of news reports about problems at the agency. The governor also announced in December that she planned to pursue a review of the agency. The Oregon Department of Justice has an ongoing criminal investigation into the energy agency’s handling of tax credits. In September, a top administrator at the Department of Energy who was brought in to run the loan program and other renewable HQHUJ\DQGHI¿FLHQF\LQFHQ- tives resigned. Tonia Mulcare PENDLETON — The Umatilla County Sheriff’s 2I¿FHZLOOEX\WZRQHZ SUVs. But the department will have to ask local dealers to bid on a pair of other vehicles. Sheriff’s Capt. Dave Williamson told the county board of commissioners at its Dec. 30 meeting the patrol division needed two 2016 Ford Explorer all-wheel drive vehicles, the marine patrol needed a 2016 Ford F-250 super cab pickup and the civil division needed a pair of 2016 Ford Fusions, all to replace older vehicles. The Explorers would cost $60,999, the F-250 would be $28,991 and the Fusions totaled $36,384. The vehicles would come from a Gresham dealer via a state contract and the money would come from the county’s vehicle replacement fund. Commissioner Bill Elfering pointed out the county has no obligation to use the state contract, and while the state might be able to offer a better price, WKHVKHULII¶VRI¿FHQHYHU asked local businesses to offer bids. County counsel Doug Olsen said local dealers do not carry the required vehicles, so commissioners voted 3-0 allow that purchase. Then they voted 3-0 to have the sheriff’s RI¿FHVHHNELGVIRUWKH other vehicles. During the same meeting, the board also gave authorization for the Community Justice Department asked to spend $28,884 on a 2016 Ford Sedan police car. /LEUDU\RIIHUV ZHHNO\FUDIW SURMHFWV PENDLETON — People of all ages are invited to participate in craft activities each week at the Pendleton Public Library. Crafternoons is offered Tuesdays at 4 p.m. at the library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. It’s free and advance registration Hermiston/Pendleton • stratton-insurance.com HERMISTON — A selection of American art masterpieces will be on display throughout the month at the Hermiston Public Library. Provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the collection seeks to introduce Americans to their artistic heritage and inspire them to become more informed citizens. The organization carefully selected the masterpieces as a starting point to learn more about our nation’s artistic legacy. Well known artists such as John James Audubon and Norman Rockwell are among the many American artists whose works are included in the collection. The library is open Monday through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s located at 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. For more information, call Marie Baldo or Jodi Hansen at 541-567-2882. 1HZFOXEIRFXVHV RQSKRWRJUDSK\ HERMISTON — Shutterbugs of all skill levels are invited to join the Hermiston Public Library’s photography club. Anyone with a passion for photography or an interest in improving picture-taking ability is invited to attend the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. There will be photo assignments, guest speakers DQG¿HOGWULSV7KHFOXELV free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jodi Hansen at 541-567-2882 or jhansen@ hermiston.or.us. SUBMIT COMMUNITY NEWS Submit information to: community@eastoregonian. com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541- 966-0818 with questions. 9:00 PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 Tonia Mulcare 541/289-3300 • 800/225-2521 /LEUDU\GLVSOD\V DUWPDVWHUSLHFHV Live Music Auto Health Home Life The Stratton Agency isn’t required. The public is invited to drop in for different activities each week. Sometimes the craft will be a group effort and other times it will be an individual project. For more information, call 541-966-0380 or visit www.pendletonlibrary. weebly.com. Family Insurance Agent 8 S.E. COURT, PENDLETON 541.278.1100 Evan Egerer
