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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 2017)
REGION Saturday, March 4, 2017 East Oregonian Bill would give rural gas stations self-service option By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian If you’re a born-and-raised Oregonian who doesn’t know how to pump your own gas, you may have to learn. The state legislature is considering a bill that would allow for 24-hour self service at gas stations in counties with less than 40,000 people. If HB 2482 passes, everyone could soon be serving them- selves at stations in cities like Boardman, La Grande and The Dalles. A second bill being considered, HB 2458, would allow the public to fill up at 24-hour cardlock stations that are currently open to commercial vehicles. The state took its first foray into self-service last year, when the legislature passed a bill allowing people to pump their own gas in counties with less than 40,000 people between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The purpose of the law was to allow small stations in small rural towns to stay open overnight, after Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, heard stories of people arriving at towns like John Day only to EO file photo Love’s Travel Stops opened in Boardman in 2016 and could allow self-service fuel 24 hours a day if HB 2482 passes. find that they would need to spend the night because the only fuel station had closed for the night. He told the Bend Bulletin that it was about necessity, not convenience. “The whole concept was to allow self-service so we would have access to fuel. It was never about convenience,” Bentz said. “It was about having the fuel available if we would not otherwise have it.” Although the rule was meant to keep travelers from being stranded in small towns, some larger, less remote stations such as Love’s Travel Stop outside Boardman have also taken advantage of the exception, allowing drivers to serve themselves at night if they prefer. As with the current exemption, Umatilla County is one of the few counties east of the Cascades that would not qualify for self-service under HB 2482 because it has more than 40,000 residents. The Transportation Policy Committee has held two public hearings so far on both bills and has a third one planned for March 8. Rep. Greg Barreto, R-Cove, is one of the committee members. PENDLETON City council will consider water main bid East Oregonian The city of Pendleton is on the verge of receiving a large loan to fix and replace many of their water lines, but the replacement of a water line under Westgate might come sooner than that. When the Pendleton City Council meets Tuesday, members will consider awarding a $510,819 bid from Jesse Rodriguez Construction of Silverton to replace a water main on Westgate. In a report to the city council from city engineer Tim Simons and public works director Bob Patterson, they wrote that the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund has approved a 30-year loan of $14.9 million to improve the city’s water infrastructure, the largest amount ever granted to a single applicant. The council will consider approving the loan in the “near future.” What’s driving the city to move quickly on the West- gate project is the Oregon Department of Transpor- tation, which is planning a asphalt overlay of Westgate and wants the city done with its water project by May 1. Given the tight timeline, Patterson and Simons wrote that Jesse Rodriguez Construction plans to start work next week so that workers could finish the project by late April. Although the money for the Westgate water main would come from the water fund, staff reported that the loan could be used to reimburse the city. Patterson and Simons wrote that the replacement project was needed for the airport and Blue Mountain Community College’s longterm needs. The council will meet at 7 p.m. at the council chambers in city hall, 500 S.W. Dorion Ave. BRIEFLY UmCo looks to Uni-Tech for phone system upgrade Umatilla County plans to upgrade its phone system for almost $142,000. The county sought bids to replace the five phone systems it uses. Eight proposals came in on time and the winning bid of $141,633 was from Pendleton-based Uni-Tech Communications. The county board of commis- sioners will consider awarding the bid during its meeting Wednesday at 9 a.m. in room 130 at the Umatilla County Court- house, 216 S.E. Fourth St., Pendleton. The county board also will consider approving the following special transpor- tation fund grants for the 2017-2019 biennium: $6,000 to the Hermiston Senior Center; $9,096 to Foster Grandparents; $35,157 to Clearview Mediation; $37,480 to Community Action Program of East Central Oregon; $39,032 to Care Van; $70,000 to Milton-Free- water; $73,865 to Hermiston $126,001 to Pendleton. The total comes to $396,631. Umatilla hosting family night to gather feedback on downtown Umatilla wants to hear from its residents about what they think their community should look like. The city is hosting an interactive event on March 10 from 3-7 p.m. in the Umatilla High School commons to gather feedback on a downtown Council will look into assistance in applying for grants East Oregonian The old adage says that you need to spend money to make money, an approach the city of Pendleton could take toward grants. At a meeting Tuesday, the Pendleton City Council will consider a $50,000 annual contract with CFM Strategic Communications of Portland, a consulting firm that would help Pendleton secure federal grants. According to a report from city manager Robb Corbett to the city council, Fire Chief Mike Ciraulo originally approached Corbett about contracting with CFM a few months ago when the fire department was applying for federal grants that would provide funding for more emergency staff, equipment and training. Ciraulo previously worked with CFM when he was the mayor of Battle Ground, Washington. The city eventually invited CFM representatives to Pendleton, where they made a presentation and spoke with department heads. In a summary of its experience, CFM states that it has working relationships with Oregon’s congressional delegation including Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, and more than a dozen federal agencies. With offices in both Portland and Washington, D.C., CFM highlighted the millions of dollars it brought to Marion County, Tigard, Longview, Washington, and other public agencies across the Northwest. Corbett expects the city to receive a 10-to-1 return on their investment on CFM. The council will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the council chambers in city hall, 500 S.W. Dorion Ave. Old West Federal Credit merging with Union Wallowa Baker East Oregonian Two Eastern Oregon banks are merging. Union Wallowa Baker Federal Credit Union members voted last week to merge with Old West Federal Credit. Old West will assume all assets and liabilities of Union Wallowa Baker on March 1, according to a news release. Old West Credit Union serves eight Eastern Oregon counties, including branches in Pendleton and Hermiston. Union Wallowa Baker Federal Credit Union covers three counties with a single branch in La Grande. The new, combined institution will include 12,000 members and $164 million in assets. Union Wallowa Baker branch manager Mike Howton will continue to manage the La Grande location, and the rest of the staff will remain as well, joined by new staff offering commercial and agricultural loans and accounts. “The ability to offer home loans, ag and business loans and deposit accounts will be a tremendous opportunity for our members,” Howton said in a statement. “When Main Street can do business with a local financial institution, great things can happen in our communities.” Old West president and CEO Ken Olson said in a statement that Old West is excited to “bring more members into the fold.” He said that a recent economic analysis by EcoNorthwest showed that not-for-profit, member-owned credit unions in Oregon had a positive $2.2 billion impact on the state’s economy last year. “Those are not Wall Street dollars,” he said. “That impact is created when you have locally owned, locally accountable cooperative financial institutions oper- ating for the benefit of your local community.” Members of Union Wallowa Baker can expect to do business as usual as the merger takes effect over the next several months, and should look for further information in the mail in the coming weeks. revitalization plan in the works. The event is a partner- ship between Umatilla, Umatilla County, Umatilla School District and Portland State University graduate students who have taken on creation of a downtown revitalization plan for Umatilla as an academic project. The students, according to a news release, are “looking for the participation of community members to share the history and identity of the city, build upon existing efforts and set the direction for the future of Umatilla.” The event will be family-friendly, with childcare, Spanish transla- tion, free food and a free professional photo booth. Those who participate will be entered into a raffle for various household items. Xplore Pendleton features day camp PENDLETON — A three-day camp allows youngsters to spend time at the Pendleton Recreation Center, Pendleton Center for the Arts and the Children’s Museum during Spring Break. Xplore Pendleton is March 28-30 from 8 a.m. to noon. Staff will escort kids between the three locations. Sessions are available for kindergarten/ first graders and second- fourth graders. Space is limited and the camp is expected to fill quickly. The fee is $40 and includes all project supplies and a snack. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 17. To register, visit www. pendletonparksandrec. com or stop by the parks office, 865 Tutuilla Road. For more information, call 541-276-8100. COMMUNITY CALENDAR SATURDAY, MARCH 4 PENDLETON Page 3A AAUW, 11 a.m., Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub, 230 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton. Free. No-host lunch will be followed by a presentation of National Histo- ry Day documentary films by Griswold High School students. Everyone welcome. (Kathy Chaney 541-379-9997) PENDLETON EAGLES STEAK AND LIVE MUSIC, 6-11:30 p.m., Pendleton Eagles Lodge, 428 S. Main St., Pendle- ton. Dinner from 6-8 p.m., music from 8 p.m. to midnight. Mem- bers and guests welcome. (541- 278-2828) SUNDAY, MARCH 5 PENDLETON EAGLES BREAKFAST, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Pendleton Eagles Lodge, 428 S. Main St., Pendleton. Open to members and guests. (541-278- 2828) PFLAG PENDLETON, 4 p.m., location varies, Pendleton. Free. No-host lunch followed by meeting. Everyone welcome. (Vickie Read 541-966-8414) MONDAY, MARCH 6 IRRIGON MOOSE LODGE TACOS AND BINGO, 6-9 p.m., Irrigon Moose Lodge, 220 N.E. Third St., Irrigon. Tacos from 6-9 p.m., bingo from 6:30-9 p.m. Open to members and guests. (541-922-1802) GREATER HERMISTON AREA TEA PARTY, 7 p.m., Stafford Hansell Government Center, 915 S.E. Columbia Drive, Hermiston. Free. OREGON EAST SYMPHO- NY CHORALE REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Pendleton High School music department, 1800 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. The OES Chorale will rehearse for the March 11, 2017 concert of Ola Gjeilo’s “Sunrise Mass.” Call the OES office to receive a vocal score. (J.D. Kindle 541- 276-0320) INLAND NORTHWEST MUSICIANS CHORALE RE- HEARSAL, 7-9 p.m., Harris Jr. Academy gymnasium, 3121 S.W. Hailey Ave., Pendleton. Free. No tryouts; all welcome. No rehearsals June-July-August or Christmas-New Year. (RaNiel Dunn 541-289-4696) HERMISTON CLASSICS CAR CLUB, 7 p.m., 31120 Bag- gett Lane, 31120 Baggett Lane, Hermiston. (541-571-5960 or 541-571-3252) PENDLETON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, 7 p.m., Pendle- ton City Hall community room, 501 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pend- leton. (Michael Califf 541-276- 8132) HEPPNER GARDEN CLUB, 7 p.m., St. Patrick’s Se- nior Center, 190 N. Main St., Heppner. AMERICAN LEGION POST 37, 7:30 p.m., Hermiston VFW, 45 W. Cherry Ave., Hermiston. Members, transfers and inter- ested veterans welcome. (Bob Daniel 541-571-5882) UMATILLA COUNTY WEED DEPARTMENT 3920 WESTGATE PENDLETON, OREGON 97801 OFFICE: 541 278-5462 FAX: 541 278-5427 NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 2017 The Oregon State Weed Board awarded Umatilla County Weed Department $15660.00 to treat Common Bugloss in the Walla Walla watershed For More Information: Umatilla County Weed Department theodore.orr@umatillacounty.net • (541) 278-5462 This Monday and every fi rst Monday you can enjoy a free cup of hot coffee and a one-on-one discussion with Pendleton’s city manager Robb and a few of his key staff in a conversational setting. Drop in any time between 8 and 10 am. Mar. 6 Salem- The Oregon State Weed Board (OSWB) awarded $15660.00 to Umatilla County Weed Department (UCWD) for common bugloss control at their February 9 and 10, 2017, board meeting in Salem. The award was one of 50 grants totaling $1.24 million provided to local organizations statewide to fund projects that restore, protect fish and wildlife habitat, watershed function, water quality and overall watershed health from invasive noxious weed impacts. Umatilla County has two known sites of common bugloss; One in the Walla Walla river drainage in the Milton Freewater area and the other in Meacham Canyon. It was first discovered in Meacham Canyon and traced back to Milton Freewater. “Common bugloss is a perineal weed that poses a threat to our agricultural community. Once established in an alfalfa field it is difficult to control and will mold hay from the inside out” says Teddy Orr UCWD Supervisor. The 2017 Common Bugloss grant will survey approximately 2500 acres of the Walla Walla river drainage and treat around 200 acres of farm and residential land. It is expected to begin April 1st and be completed by November 1st. Letters will be mailed to the landowners requesting permission to access and treat common bugloss on their property within the next few weeks. If you suspect you have common bugloss on your property you are encouraged to contact the UCWD for identification and control options. OSWB grants are funded through partnership with OWEB from Oregon Lottery funds. Since 1999, the Oregon Lottery has provided over $500 million to OWEB’s grant program that helps restore, maintain and enhance Oregon’s watersheds. Combined, the Lottery has earned over $9 billion for watershed enhancements, public education, state parks and economic development. For more information about the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org For additional information about this project contact Teddy Orr at theodore.orr@uma- tillacounty.net. For additional information about OSWB Noxious Weed Grant Program, contact Tristen Berg at tberg@oda.state.or.us.