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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2017)
REGION Wednesday, April 26, 2017 East Oregonian HERMISTON Page 3A HERMISTON Pro-bond signs swiped as election nears School budget comes in about $1 million less than expected PAC raised $22,000 to promote bond By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian Several signs in support of the upcoming schools bond measure were stolen recently from front yards around Hermiston. “We first found out about three weeks ago on Face- book,” said Ginny Holthus, a school board member and co-chair of the bond measure’s political action committee. “Then we got calls from several people we’d delivered signs to, saying their signs had been stolen and asking us to bring them new ones.” Holthus said in total, they received calls about 12 to 14 stolen signs. Holthus said the police department was apprised of the thefts, but that was all the board could do. “It’s disappointing,” she said. “I respect people not having the same views, but they should probably get their own signs.” Hermiston police chief the district will be able to close the gap created by the budget shortfall. Maiocco said the district would find ways to make things work. By JAYATI “We will be fine,” he RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian said. “I do not anticipate that we will have layoffs.” Maiocco said the district As the Hermiston School District looks to will respond to the shortfall build its budget for the next by increasing some class biennium, it will have to sizes, and reducing posi- work with less than origi- tions, not through layoffs but through attri- nally planned. tion and position At a work vacancies. session Monday, The district’s superintendent b u s i n e s s Fred Maiocco manager, Katie announced that Saul, said this the state had is the first chosen to go with time in recent the co-chair’s memory that the framework for legislature has school budgets. selected budget That decision Maiocco parameters lower means the state school fund will total about than those selected by the $7.8 billion for the 2017- governor. Saul said the projected 2018 school year, as opposed to the $8.4 billion the district $7.8 billion state schools budget will generate an had hoped for. “We’re confident we’ll estimated $50.8 million be able to meet those for Hermiston schools, but requirements, but it is not quickly noted that number could change based on a good news,” he said. At the district level, number of factors, including Maiocco said, Hermiston enrollment throughout the will come up about $1 state. The district will have million short. Maiocco said while the its first budget meeting on district will have to adjust, Monday, May 1, at 6:30 the school board has been p.m. in the district office. prudent in setting aside At the meeting, Maiocco reserve funds and setting will deliver the district’s budget parameters that budget message, going over planned for the possibility the parameters the district of decreased funding. plans to use, and the recent and Between the $500,000 from accomplishments the district’s PERS reserve budget challenges ahead fund and a slight reduction for the district. The public of the district’s ending fund will also have a chance to balance for its general fund, comment at the meeting. Superintendent says no layoffs Staff photo by E.J. Harris Signs supporting the upcoming schools bond measure have been reported missing from front yards in Hermiston. Jason Edmiston said the police department has seen this kind of activity around elections before. “Where this is related to the schools, we have no information to indicate this is a prank of any kind,” he said. “That’s one avenue we’re looking into.” Edmiston said his depart- ment is aware of the problem and has an officer looking into it. Holthus said the political action committee spent about $2,500 on signs. That committee raised about $22,000 to promote the bond, which will go to a vote May 16. The $104 million bond would support the construction of a new elementary school, as well as capital and safety improve- ments to several of the district’s schools. Hermiston residents are still paying off two other bonds passed by the school district. PENDLETON Housing developer makes pitch to council asking for more time to pay off liens By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian Developer Saj Jivanjee will have to wait for an answer from Pendleton City Council on his proposal to restructure a deal to build 100 townhouses off Tutuilla Road. Jivanjee told the council during a work session Tuesday night he is carrying most of the risk and the city is reaping most of the rewards of the Pendleton Heights subdivision. Occupants are in all but one of the 32 rental homes, he said, including several families with children who moved there from out of town. The city provided the land, worth $150,000, and $1 million in infrastructure funding. The city also placed $320,000 in liens on those units. But Jivanjee said he needed to build 100 units to better recoup his investment, and the city placed $480,000 in liens against that phase. Jivanjee told the council he needs the city to transfer all the liens to the final phase so he can continue the project. That would allow him to use the first 32 units to qualify for financing, he said, and make it easier to pay off the debt. City manager Robb Corbett told the council Jivanjee paid $100,000 of that on Tuesday. Councilors generally spoke favorably about the Pendleton Heights development, but some also expressed caution. Councilor Dale Primmer said he wanted some of the “math wizards” to better explain the deal because it sounded a little sketchy. “If I take money from my left pocket and put it in my right pocket, can I get a loan for my left pocket?” asked Primmer. Jivanjee contended the issue was about equity between two partners — he and the city — and right now the relationship is not so equitable. “If you want a good looking property, there are costs going both ways,” he said. Mayor John Turner said the council would wait for a staff report and a recom- mendation before making a decision, then adjourned the meeting. ——— Phil Wright can be reached at 541-966-0833. BRIEFLY Victim identified in Rieth Road crash PENDLETON — Matthew Gone, 21, of Pendleton, has been identified as the victim of a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning on Rieth Road west of Pendleton. Gone died at the scene and the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, Angela Salemme of Pilot Rock, was flown to Kadlec Medical Center, Richland, where she was in satisfactory condi- tion Tuesday. According to the sheriff’s office, the vehicle was westbound when it missed a curve, hit a rock outcropping Matthew Gone and came to land upside-down in the middle of the roadway. Gone graduated from Nixyaawii Community School in 2013, competed in football and won the 2013 Language Knowledge Bowl championship with his ability to speak fluent Umatilla. He worked at Wildhorse Hotel. His full obituary is on Page 5A. IONE Shooting contest aims to raise money for celebration East Oregonian Hunting and gun enthu- siasts are invited to point their crosshairs at a 27-inch metal gong during the Ione Thousand Yard Shoot. The event, in its 17th year, raises money for the Ione Fourth of July cele- bration. Each year, people come out to show off their skills, compete for bragging rights and a cash prize. And the biggest reason — the event helps raise money to cover the costs of free children’s activities during Ione’s Independence Day event. The Thousand Yard Shoot is Saturday, May 6 beginning with registration from 8:30-9 a.m. at the Frank and Joe Halvorsen Farm, 64686 Halvorsen Lane, located seven miles southwest of Ione. The cost is $20 per shot. Contributed People are invited to take aim during the 17th annu- al Ione Thousand Yard Shoot. The May 6 event, held at Halvorsen Farm, raises money for the Ione Fourth of July celebration. Participants may purchase multiple shots but will draw random numbers to prevent any back-to-back shooting. There are three rifle classes, including elk or deer rifle, heavy target or bench guns, and open site 500 yards. Each class winner will receive a cash prize — a shoot-off will take place for any tiebreaker hits. The event also includes a gun raffle, door prizes and complimentary coffee and donuts. Lunch will be avail- able for purchase. In addition to the shoot, there will be Psdchological Services of Pendleton, LLC Dr. Stephanie Evans 541.278.2222 135 SE First Street, Pendleton 8 - 6 pm Mon – Th ur 8 - 5 pm on Fri Psychological Services of Pendleton LLC welcomes Dr. Stephanie Evans, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist to our clinical staff . Dr. Evans completed her doctorate at the Washington School of Professional Psychology in 2014, her Psychology Internship at Monroe Correctional Complex in Washing- ton State, and her Psychology Residency at Psychological Services of Pendleton LLC. Dr. Evans provides diagnosis i i including l di anxiety, i d and evidence-based treatments for both adult and adolescent issues, depres- sion, relational challenges, and trauma. She is comfortable working with clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ community. Her scope of practice includes evaluating competency, psychiatric diagnoses, behavior problems, and personality. She joins Drs. Terry Templeman, Connie Umphred, and Natalie Kollross at Psychological Ser- vices of Pendleton LLC. separate range areas set up for clay pigeons and pistols. Those attending are asked to park in the designated area and proceed to the registration area with their rifles unloaded. To ensure safety, those in attendance need to follow directions of organizers and safety offi- cers. Also, people are asked to leave pets at home. For questions, including how to become a sponsor or donate items for the event, contact info@ionethousand- yardshoot.com or 541-989- 9808. For directions and additional information, visit www.ionethousandyard- shoot.com. McKay to rise with reservoir release PENDLETON — The banks of McKay Creek are filling to near capacity this week as the Bureau of Reclamation increases the release of water from McKay Dam south of Pendleton. The release began Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the rate of 1,200 cubic feet per second which is expected to remain the flow through Wednesday and possibly longer. The move is to make room in the McKay Reservoir for additional water. LOCAL RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL ENROLLING NOW FOR SPRING 2017 Sunthurst Energy, LLC Turning Sunlight to Savings Your Trusted Consultant & EPC PARTNER (310) 975-4732 sunthurstenergy.com OR CCB 201975