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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 14, 2017)
REGION Tuesday, March 14, 2017 UMATILLA Grad students gather feedback from residents on downtown revitalization By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian Walking trails along the river, a marina and a nation- ally recognized robotics team were all strengths listed by Umatilla residents at an open house Friday night. The event, held at Umatilla High School, encouraged residents to draw pictures, write on posters, put stickers on maps and add to a photo album to show what are their favorite things about Umatilla. The information is being gathered by Portland State University graduate students who are writing a downtown revital- ization plan for Umatilla as a final project. “We’re working really hard to create a document by the community, for the community,” PSU student Laura Voss said. “We have our own ideas, but we want to hear from people who live here.” Voss said the plan might focus on the Sixth Street area, but the group wants to tie the best parts of Umatilla to downtown and help the community be more cohe- sive. They plan to follow the open house up with focus groups and interviews that reach out to various demo- graphics in the community Amber Ayers, project manager, said the students have been working with city staff to look at what work has already been done, and they got an extensive tour of the city. “I spent my morning walking around Umatilla, taking photos,” she said. “What a beautiful site.” One of the stations that people were encouraged to stop at on Friday was a large map of the city, where stickers were available to place on favorite locations. “Definitely the marina Staff photo by Jade McDowell Matt Tsui makes a collage about his favorite parts of Umatilla during an open house event Friday. Staff photo by Jade McDowell Sam Roberts, left, shows Umatilla residents a map where they can place stickers to indicate their favor- ite place in the community. park is a popular choice,” technical lead Sam Roberts said, pointing to the map. “We have Java Junkies, and we’ve got a lot of runners marking the trail.” Umatilla resident Tina Ridings said she attended Friday’s event because she is “highly vested in the community.” She said some people have a negative perception of Umatilla. “We are so much more,” she said. “Robotics has put us on the map. Our after- school programs are used as a model for the nation.” City councilor Mark Ribich was one of several city officials who attended. He said he was pleased with the event’s turnout and hoped the Portland State students were able to get “mass involvement” as they work on their revitalization plan over the next few months. “This is going to happen,” he said. “We are going to make changes to downtown one way or another, so we want it to be something the community wants.” At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the council approved a contract with the students, all pursuing a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, making the relationship official. City manager Russ Pelleberg said the group, under the name Confluentis Planning, is the only group of students that chose a city in Eastern Oregon to focus on. He said their work will dovetail with downtown revitalization work that he and Ribich have been doing, and with a future community development department. “We’re pretty excited about it,” he said. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4536. Steelheaders call for Buckmaster’s removal from fish commission By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — In the latest develop- ment in the feud between sports anglers and commercial fishermen over the use of gillnets in the lower Columbia River, a sports angling group is peti- tioning the governor to remove a state fish and wildlife commissioner who voted with three others to continue to allow the practice in late January. The Association of Northwest Steelheaders submitted a petition last week signed by nearly 6,000 people calling on Gov. Kate Brown to remove Commissioner Bruce Buckmaster. Buckmaster, a Brown appointee, has served on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission since 2015. Detractors argued at the time he was a lobbyist for the commercial gillnetting industry, a claim which Buckmaster denied. Buckmaster, who is described as an advocate for “equitable use of natural resources” in his biography on the commission’s website, declined to comment on the petition Monday. The Governor’s Office also declined comment on the petition. The petition also calls for Oregon’s commission to adopt rules that align with a previous plan to phase out gillnetting altogether, as Those on the commer- Washington’s commission cial fishermen’s side voted to do in January. — including the Coastal Bob Rees, executive Caucus, a collection of both director of the Association of Democratic and Repub- Northwest Steelheaders, said lican state lawmakers Monday that his group was — say that the legislation “not opposed to the commer- also called for optimizing cial fishing industry” and economic benefits to the recognized that the industry state and maintaining played a role in Oregon’s Buckmaster the economic viability of economy. commercial fishing as well “The Steelheaders want to grow as sports fishing. sport-fishing opportunities all across Recreational anglers are repre- rural Oregon, and Buckmaster has sented on the commission, but the shown he is not committed to that by Steelheaders say that the body is still attempting to derail the reforms,” Rees “unbalanced.” Jim Bittle, who was praised by the wrote in an email. A gillnet is a net that traps fish by Steelheaders in their petition as “an the gills and capable of drawing in effective voice for recreational anglers throughout Oregon,” was appointed to large hauls. The commission voted in late the commission in late December. Gov. Brown warned the commis- January to allow commercial gillnet- ters to continue to capture a certain sion in a letter Feb. 9 that she expected percentage of the hauls of certain the members to adopt rules in line with species, with those portions depending the bi-state agreement by April 3. However, it is not explicit what the on the season. Sports anglers and environmental consequences for the commission are groups argue that gillnets can’t distin- if they vote otherwise — a spokesman guish between wild and hatchery fish, for the governor did not respond when and that state legislation passed in asked if the governor would remove 2013 called for eventually disallowing Buckmaster from the commission if commercial gillnetting in accordance they did not adopt rules in accordance with the bi-state agreement. with an agreement with Washington. Send resume and cover letter stating salary requirements to: EO Media Group PO Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 or fax: (503) 371-2935 or email: hr@eomediagroup.com. Benefi ts include Paid Time Off (PTO), insur- ances and a 401(k)/Roth 401(k) retirement plan. Send resume and letter of interest to EO Media Group., PO Box 2048, Salem, OR 97308-2048, by fax to 503-371-2935 or email hr@eomediagroup.com EO Media Group PO Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 by fax to 503-371-2935 or e-mail hr@eomediagroup.com Pendleton man arrested for rape, child abuse East Oregonian subjected to physical abuse for the last 10 years,” Roberts said. Roberts said it’s difficult A 49-year-old Pendleton man was arrested Friday by to estimate how many cases Pendleton police for rape in the of abuse have occurred as first degree and several other the family has moved around Oregon and to other charges related to states. rape and assault. Roberts said The case against Calvert physically John Harmon abused all the chil- Calvert began dren, but directed March 3, according more at one of them. to Pendleton police “Striking the kids chief Stuart Roberts, with hands and feet, when a third party throwing objects to contacted the Depart- inflict physical inju- ment of Human ries,” Roberts said. Services concerned Calvert “He went so far as to about the potential physical abuse of five children, allegedly threaten to kill them.” Roberts said the Pendleton all in Calvert’s custody. Roberts said DHS went to Police Department has had the home where the alleged a history with Calvert since abuse was occurring and deter- 2010, but did not have prior mined the children should be records of this type of abuse from him. put in guardian care. “He had a restraining order The children were brought before a grand jury on Friday in place, but the person who and a warrant was issued for had the restraining order, his Calvert, who was arrested on wife, never reported that he charges of assault, criminal was in violation,” Roberts said. mistreatment and menacing of He said children also don’t the children, as well as rape, always know to report abuse. unlawful sexual penetration “As egregious as (these acts) and assault of his significant may seem, for young kids, this other. Calvert also was found is their ‘normal’ — they’re not to have a .22 rifle in his posses- always (aware) it’s not right.” Roberts said the report of sion, and was arrested as a felon in possession of a firearm. suspected abuse came from one The children range in age of the local schools. Calvert is currently lodged from five to 12, Roberts said. “They have allegedly been in the Umatilla County Jail. BRIEFLY Agape House hosts parking lot sale HERMISTON — A parking lot sale is planned at Agape House. The event is Saturday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at 500 Harper Road, Hermiston. Clothing, offered inside, is three items for a dollar, though the first five items of children’s clothing are free. Outside, weather permitting, a selection of furniture, bicycles, office furniture and books will be priced as marked. Knick-knacks, also outside, are you-name-the- price. Agape House serves individuals and families in need. For more information or to volunteer or make donations to Agape House, contact Dave or Jodene Hughes at 541-567-8774. BMCC choir presents concert, seeks members PENDLETON — A free concert featuring a series of pieces evoking the idea of home or returning home from a journey will be performed Friday by the Blue Mountain Community College Concert Choir. “Homeward Bound” will be presented at 7 p.m. in the college’s Bob Clapp Theatre, located in Pioneer Hall on the BMCC campus, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave. Featured soloists include Alanna Ellis and Hillary Edwards. Audience members are encouraged to wear green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. If you like what you hear during the concert, consider joining the choir, which is looking for new members. The concert choir meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon in room 122 in the McCrae Activity Center. While choir experience is preferred, it is not required. For more information, email choir director Jami Moore at jmoore@bluecc.edu. Website features Sherman County history A former Sherman County commissioner and volunteer for the Sherman County Historical Society wants to get the word out about a new website that highlights history of the area. Sherman County, Oregon: A Historical Collection — www.shermancountyoregon. com — recently introduced by Sherry Kaseberg, shares her 1965 cemetery survey and stories, time lines, photographs and information about businesses, churches, government, military service, places and towns. The website honors the people who lived in Sherman County, kept the records, preserved the stories and encouraged Kaseberg’s interest in the county she grew up in. Kaseberg said the information presented is “truly the work of many, and will appeal to history enthusiasts and genealogists.” The result of a lifetime journey with local storytellers and record keepers, Kaseberg said it doesn’t include everything. She encourages people to also visit the historical society’s museum, which is located in Moro. Open May through October, it features interpretive exhibits, publications and collections. For more information, contact 541-565-3232 or info@shermanmuseum.org. Request for Qualifi cations Great work environment. Super awesome team. Good pay. Retirement plan. Weekends off. Interested? Architectural Design Charrette East Oregonian has an opening for multi-media sales. No multi-media experience? That’s fine, as long as you understand the importance of customer service, working hard and a desire to enjoy your job. Could this be you? Send resume and letter of interest to Page 3A MULTI-MEDIA SALES Press Position Press person need- ed at East Oregonian newspaper. Our operation prints an array of weekly, bi-weekly and monthly publications. To join our team, you’ll need web press operation skills, an eye for color, mechanical ability, be a good com- municator and work well with others. Must be able to lift 50# and go up/down stairs on a regular basis. East Oregonian Base wage plus commissions, benefits and mileage reimbursement. Benefits include Paid Time Off (PTO), insurances and a 401(k)/Roth 401(k) retirement plan. For Historic Buildings in Pendleton’s Downtown The Pendleton Development Commission is seeking an architectural fi rm to provide design and consulting services for resto- ration work on up to 13 historic buildings in downtown Pendleton. The Commission has funding to support building owners with design and construc- tion services and is assisting owners in fi nding the services they need. For a copy of the RFP document please contact the Development Commission at 541-966-0233 and leave your contact information. The RFP will be emailed to you. Pendleton Development Commission Pendleton, Oregon
