REGION
Friday, June 2, 2017
East Oregonian
Page 3A
Wheelchair charging station first at state capitol
By KATHY ANEY
East Oregonian
The
ribbon
cutting
Monday at the Oregon State
Capitol won’t celebrate a
new business or building,
but rather a gray, metal box
mounted to the wall.
A blue sign above the box
explains all in large block
print — “WHEELCHAIR
CHARGING STATION” —
illustrated with the symbol of
a person in a wheelchair and
an electrical plug.
Two Umatilla County
residents
—
Darrin
Umbarger and Sen. Bill
Hansell, R- Athena —
championed the charging
station. Umbarger, the unit’s
inventor, will participate
in the ribbon cutting from
his power wheelchair with
Hansell at his side.
The two men say the
station is the first installed in
a capitol building anywhere
in the country. Umbarger,
whose multiple sclerosis
keeps him in a wheelchair, is
downright giddy. The Pend-
leton man knows personally
about the fear of losing
power. He navigates the
world in an iBot wheelchair
capable of climbing stairs
and cruising uneven forest
trails. When the battery dies,
however, he is stuck.
“The number one fear that
people using wheelchairs
have is running out of
juice,” Umbarger said. “We
are limited to the life of our
battery. When the battery
goes dead, we can’t get up
and walk away.”
He said a brand-new
battery allows for about
20 miles of power, but the
distance dwindles with the
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Darrin Umbarger plugs a charging cable into his wheelchair at a recharging sta-
tion in February 2016 at Community Park in Pendleton, the first public wheelchair
charging station in town.
Contributed photo
Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, holds a sign just before it
was installed above a wheelchair charging station at
the Oregon State Capitol. Hansell pushed for installa-
tion of the charging station, which was invented by
Darrin Umbarger of Pendleton.
battery’s age.
Funded by an $18,000
state grant in 2015, Umbarger
and his wife, Carol, created
a five-amp unit with air
cooling that could recharge
both wheelchairs needing
a 24-volt charger and also
those with onboard chargers
that simply require an
outlet and extension cord.
The couple runs Clearview
Mediation and Disability
Medical Center, which
has the mission of helping
people with disabilities live
a more complete life. Eight
of the Umbarger’s charging
stations found homes last
year in various Pendleton
parks. The city soon will
install two additional units at
the town’s aquatic center.
“We were the first in
the nation to put charging
stations in our parks,” said
Pendleton Parks Superinten-
dent Donnie Cook.
While visiting Umbarger
about a month ago, Hansell
wondered about the possi-
bility of installing one of
Umbarger’s units at the
Capitol.
“I told him, ‘I want
Oregon to be the first
capitol in the United States
with a wheelchair charging
station,’” Hansell said.
Umbarger, who often
travels to Salem to testify for
disability-related bills, loved
the idea. He has already sold
charging stations, retailing
at $350 each, to a county in
Ohio, which placed units in
county buildings. Hansell,
armed with photos, arranged
a meeting with the facilities
director at the Oregon State
Capitol. Questions arose
about whether using Umbarg-
er’s charging stations would
put wheelchair warranties in
jeopardy, but since the unit
is composed of unmodified,
pre-made components, the
concern was quashed. The
Ohio county already using
the unit provided positive
reviews. Senate President
Peter Courtney agreed to
fund the station and install it
near his second-floor office.
The charging process takes
15-20 minutes.
Hansell said he has already
gotten positive feedback
from a disabled lobbyist who
recharged her wheelchair
battery at the station.
“She said the last time she
was here, she barely made it
home,” Hansell said. “Now
we have the ability for her to
recharge here.”
HERMISTON
BRIEFLY
Mark Gomolski to join school board
Chicago transplant
quickly involved
in community
By JAYATI
RAMAKRISHNAN
East Oregonian
Come July 1, the Herm-
iston School Board will
have one new face. Mark
Gomolski won his write-in
campaign to the vacant seat
with 14 votes, and will join
six other board members as
they prepare for a year of big
decisions.
Gomolski said he became
interested in the position after
attending several sessions
this spring about the bond
issue, and coming away with
more questions than answers.
“When I got my ballot,
I noticed position 3 was
vacant. I thought, maybe
I can help out, figure out
what’s really going on,” he
said.
Gomolski said he wants to
support schools in any way
he can, but did not vote in
favor of the bond.
“I’m very pro-education,”
he said. “But I want to make
sure the money is going to
the right place.”
He said one of his concerns
was when the district
discussed the increased
capacity
new
schools high school.
would provide. Each of the
He said he also wants to
existing schools the district discuss more career-based
had planned to rebuild were classes for students.
scheduled to be increased by
“A lot of students may
a certain capacity,
not be looking for
but Gomolski said
higher education,
he was interested
but maybe voca-
in finding out why
tional
schools.
the district wanted
There’s a need for
to build new build-
trades across the
ings for existing
country, and even
schools,
rather
here.”
than building a
He noted the
larger school on the
student-built
new Theater Lane
homes on Angus
Gomolski
property.
Court.
He also said he
“Those are great
was concerned about main- opportunities for kids,” he
tenance issues at the school.
said.
“I
understand
Though this is Gomolski’s
Milton-Freewater just got a first time holding elected
new bond to replace a school office, he has worked in
close to 100 years old,” he public service for many years.
said. “Why is maintenance He moved to Hermiston three
not keeping up with schools years ago, after spending
only 30 to 50 years old?”
most of his life in Chicago.
He said he was aware He worked under the Cook
that there were likely other County commissioners and
factors, but said more than found himself in Hermiston
anything else, he’d just like in 2008, when he was part
to find out some answers.
of a team seeking candidates
“I’m sure I’m not alone,” for their police force. Several
he said. “Maybe I can find officers from Hermiston
out and share.”
applied, and Gomolski came
He said while on the out to interview them. While
board, he also looks forward here, he made friends and fell
to learning more about in love with the area.
Hermiston’s
graduation
“When it came time to
rates, and the alternative plan my retirement, this was
school program that was where I wanted to come,” he
recently absorbed into the said.
“I look forward
to doing all I can
to help. Maybe
bringing fresh
ideas or a different
perspective.”
— Mark Gomolski,
elected Hermiston
School Board member
He has wasted no time in
getting involved locally. He
volunteers at a book club at
the high school, and for the
Our Lady of Angels soup
kitchen. He’s a member of
Rotary, Hispanic Advisory
Committee, the Chamber of
Commerce and the Knights
of Columbus. He also ran for
city council last year, a bid he
lost. But he said he’s open to
trying again.
“I believe in citizen
participation,” he said.
Gomolski said he looks
forward to working with the
board, and anyone else in the
public.
“I look forward to doing
all I can to help,” he said.
“Maybe bringing fresh ideas
or a different perspective.”
–——
Contact
Jayati
Ramakrishnan at 541-564-
4534 or jramakrishnan@
eastoregonian.com
PENDLETON
Car chase leads to round up of three local offenders
East Oregonian
Three local offenders
ended up in the Umatilla
County Jail after trying to get
away from police.
Oregon State Police
reported trooper Ryan Sharp
was northbound on Highway
37 outside Pendleton around
10 p.m. when he saw a teal
Acura Integra heading south
near milepost 28. The Acura
went out of sight, and Sharp
made a U-turn to follow.
“When I could see the
vehicle again, it was signifi-
cantly father ahead of me
than before,” Sharpe noted
in the written statement. “I
attempted to overtake it and
was able to obtain a speed
reading of 99 mph.”
Sharp hit his lights and
punched the gas to catch
the Acura, which entered
Pendleton, turned right and
headed toward the campus of
Blue Mountain Community
College. Sharp saw the car
pull into the parking lot of the
Mountain View Apartments,
2410 N.W. Carden Ave., and
four people got out and fled.
Sharp
caught
one
passenger, Amos Mitchell
Burton, 28, of Pendleton,
and called his probation
officer. Burton, according
to Umatilla County Circuit
Court records, is serving
two
years
probation
after pleading guilty last
September to third-degree
robbery.
Officers from the Umatilla
County Sheriff’s Office and
Pendleton Police Department
helped find the others.
Deputies found one
person on Northwest Gilliam
Avenue, and Sharp identified
him as the driver, David
Nicholas Johnson, 24, of
Hermiston.
“He told me he just
panicked,” Sharp reported,
“I also observed indicators of
impairment. He admitted to
drinking and smoking meth
‘for the first time.’”
Sharp arrested Johnson
on a warrant as well as for
felony and misdemeanor
attempt to elude, reckless
driving and driving under the
The senator said he
believes people who depend
on wheelchairs will be more
inclined to visit the Capitol.
“It gives those citizens an
opportunity to participate in
state government,” he said.
Umbarger hopes the
charging stations catch on
and pop up in shopping
malls, stadiums, theaters,
amusement parks, court-
houses and other places.
He said the peace of mind
experienced by people who
depend on wheelchairs is
priceless.
“It takes fear away,”
Umbarger said. “People will
get out of the house.”
———
Contact Kathy Aney at
kaney@eastoregonian.com
or call 541-966-0810.
influence of intoxicants.
And Pendleton police later
found another passenger,
Joseph William Johnson,
22, the driver’s brother, and
arrested him for possession
of meth and contempt of
court.
Stanfield
offers ala carte
breakfast
STANFIELD — Have
the breakfast items of your
choice during the monthly
community breakfast at
the Stanfield Community
Center.
Served ala carte, guests
can pay for a breakfast
combination of their
choosing. Open to all
ages, breakfast is served
Saturday from 7-10 a.m. at
225 W. Roosevelt.
For more information,
call 541-449-1332.
Birding field trip
includes potluck
picnic
PENDLETON — The
annual picnic of the
Pendleton Bird Club is this
weekend.
A birding field trip
is planned before the
meal. Those interested in
participating are invited to
meet Saturday at 8 a.m. in
the parking lot at Safeway,
203 S.W. 20th St.,
Pendleton. Anyone with an
interest in birding is invited
to attend the field trip and/
or potluck picnic.
Those who only plan to
attend the picnic can meet
at noon at Battle Mountain
State Park, which is located
approximately 25 miles
southwest of Pilot Rock.
People need to bring their
choice of meat to barbecue
(and buns or condiments, if
required), beverages and all
table service. Ice water will
be provided. Also, those
attending are asked to bring
a salad, dessert or other
food items to share.
For more information,
contact Jack Simons
at 541-276-8566,
pendletonbirdclub@
gmail.com or visit www.
pendletonbirders.org.
Car show cruises
into downtown
Pendleton
PENDLETON — An
annual car show cruises
into town to benefit
Washington Elementary
School.
June Cruisin’ is
Saturday with registration
from 8-10 a.m. on Main
Street in downtown
Pendleton. The vehicles are
on display from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. There is no fee for
spectators.
Presented by Premium
Tire and Lube and Olsen’s
Auto Parts, the event
was originally organized
by Chris Roop, a former
educator at Washington
School.
The vehicle entrance
fee is $20 and the first
150 registered will
receive a dash plaque.
Other activities include
a poker walk (10 a.m. to
noon), $100 roll (noon to
1 p.m.), a marshmallow
spitting contest, a hubcap
toss (1-2 p.m.) and prizes
will be awarded at 3 p.m.
Spectators can vote for the
people’s choice, which is
due by 2 p.m.
Registration forms
are available at www.
premiumtireandlube.com/
june-cruisin-car-show. For
questions, call 541-429-
8784 or Premium Tire and
Lube at 541-276-2443.
“Celebrating Small Town Heritage in a Big Way”
125th ANNIVERSARY
UMATILLA COUNTY PIONEER DAYS PICNIC
HISTORIC WESTON, OR
June 2nd & 3rd 2017
FRIDAY JUNE 2ND
6:30 P.M. - Memorial Hall
• Queen’s Coronation
• Grand Marshall Introduction
10:00 A.M. on Water St
• Main Parade
11:00 A.M. at Elliott Park
• BBQ Beef Lunch
6:30 P.M. Memorial Hall
• Alumni Dinner
ELLIOTT PARK EVENTS
؏Served until 1:30 P.M. or sold out) 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
SATURDAY JUNE 3RD • Queen & Grand Marshall
5:30-9:30 A.M.
Presentation
at Elliott Park
(At the park pavilion)
• Fireman’s Breakfast
11:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
9:45 A.M. on Water St
• Car Show
• Kid’s Parade
(On Water St. in front of the park)
•
•
•
•
Vendors & Concessions
Live Entertainment on stage
BBQ Cook Off
Kid’s Games & Activities
“Honor the past • Celebrate the present • Embrace the future”