REGION
Saturday, July 14, 2018
East Oregonian
MISSION
Feds charge former officer with theft
By PHIL WRIGHT
East Oregonian
A former Umatilla Tribal
Police officer has pleaded
not guilty to stealing from
the Confederated Tribes
of the Umatilla Indian
Reservation.
James Currey retired
from tribal police on March
31, according to Chuck
Sams, spokesperson for the
tribes. Currey was a fish and
game officer. He worked
for tribal police since July
2004.
Less than two months
after retiring, a federal
grand jury indicted Currey
on the single count of theft
from an Indian tribal orga-
nization. According to the
indictment, Currey stole
tribal property for his own
use between Jan. 21 and
Feb. 14, at least six weeks
before he left the job.
The U.S. Attorney’s
Office for Oregon arraigned
Currey on the lone charge
on June 22 at the federal
courthouse in Portland. He
pleaded not guilty, accord-
ing to court records.
The indictment does not
specify what the govern-
ment alleges Curry stole.
The FBI investigated the
case. Bureau spokesper-
son Beth Ann Steele said
the only information she
could release was in the
indictment. Kevin Sonoff,
spokesperson for the U.S.
Attorney’s Office, was not
available Friday.
The court set a two-day
trial for the case beginning
Aug. 21.
Currey remains free from
jail on a conditional release.
The East Oregonian was
not able to contact Currey.
According to the online
Oregon Criminal Jus-
tice Information Records
Inquiry System, Currey’s
police certification from the
state lapsed July 1.
Staff photo by Brittany Norton
No power, no problem
Precious Byrd plays on Main Street on Friday as part of the Party in Pendleton ahead of Saturday’s Pendleton
Whisky Music Fest. Power was out for much of downtown starting at about 4 p.m. Friday until about 8 p.m.
Pacific Power reported the outage affected 775 customers, and the cause wasn’t known as of press time.
Meacham gets new storage unit business
MEACHAM — A col-
lection of storage units rep-
resents a watershed moment
for the hamlet of Meacham.
Co-owner Margo Herd
recently opened Meacham
Mountain Storage at 64183
Old Oregon Trail Road, a
business she said is the first
in Meacham in more than a
century.
Despite
Meacham’s
sparse population, Herd
said there’s a demand for
storage services in the area.
With many vacation cab-
ins in the area, Herd said
part-time residents need
a safe place to store their
all-terrain vehicles, snow-
mobiles, and other valu-
ables when they’re away.
“I know so many people
who have lost things,” she
said.
The first new business
since Oregon Trail Store &
Deli, according to Herd, the
Meacham Mountain Stor-
age offers ten 10-by-20-
foot units and six 10-by-10
units.
Herd said security fea-
tures include fencing and
security cameras that oper-
ate 24/7.
Photo courtesy of Margo Herd
Believed to be the first new business in Meacham in
more than 100 years, Meacham Mountain Storage
was opened to accommodate cabin owners looking to
store their recreational vehicles in a safe place while
they’re away.
Page 3A
MILTON-FREEWATER
Communication
agreement requires
respect among all
members of council
By ANTONIO SIERRA
East Oregonian
The members of the Mil-
ton-Freewater City Coun-
cil are free to express their
opinion, but under a very
specific set of conditions.
At a meeting Monday, the
council unanimously voted
to reaffirm the mayor/coun-
cil communication agree-
ment, a code of conduct that
sets parameters for how and
when councilors commu-
nicate in public meetings,
and with their fellow council
members, the community,
and staff.
The agreement includes
provisions that require mem-
bers to differentiate between
fact and opinion in public
meetings, work toward con-
sensus on city issues, and
listen and respond to “well
founded and constructive
criticism.”
One of the longer rules
involves how councilors can
speak about past decisions.
“(I) will, once a vote is
taken, publicly support all
decisions made by Coun-
cil, even if I voted against
them,” the agreement
states. “I will not publicly
criticize Council or individ-
ual members of Council.”
Milton-Freewater City
Manager Linda Hall said the
agreement isn’t meant to be
used as a gag order for coun-
cilors with contrary opin-
ions. Under the rules, Hall
said she thinks it would be
appropriate if a councilor
explained why they were
voting against a resolution
or ordinance.
Hall said the provision
was meant to be interpreted
as a way of preventing coun-
cilors from engaging in per-
sonal attacks. She added
that an acrimonious council
made it difficult to conduct
regular business and would
be “hell on staff.”
Hall said the agree-
ment originally came about
several years ago after
Councilor Ed Chesnut
attended a League of Ore-
gon Cities conference and
went to a discussion on
communication.
When he returned, the
city formulated the com-
munication agreement and
passed it. Chesnut did not
return a request for com-
ment as of press time.
The council must approve
it again each time a new per-
son joins the council, and
with Councilor Jose Garcia’s
Monday appointment, mem-
bers followed through and
reaffirmed the agreement.
Despite all the specific
language meant to regu-
late council behavior, Hall
said the council has worked
well together and has never
needed to invoke it.
If a councilor ever did fall
out of line, Hall said the city
charter could give the coun-
cil the ability to take action,
although she wasn’t sure
what the exact action would
be.
The agreement said all
violations of the agreement
would be dealt with in a
“direct, appropriate, private,
and timely manner.”
While many Oregon cit-
ies use codes of conduct to
instruct council members
on communication, Mil-
ton-Freewater’s agreement
shares much of the same lan-
guage as a code approved by
the city of Milwaukie.
One of the key differ-
ences is the language on
council criticism.
While both agreements
bar members from criticiz-
ing individual councilors
or council decisions, Mil-
waukie provides some lee-
way to councilors who want
to “respectfully disagree
with a decision.”
Before the Milton-Free-
water
communication
agreement enumerates the
rules, it admits that the
council won’t be able to
anticipate all the applicable
situations.
“The agreements have
one common behavioral
thread — mutual respect,”
the document states. “Thus,
if the list does not anticipate
a situation, a response that is
respectful of all concerned
should suffice.”
———
Contact Antonio Sierra
at asierra@eastoregonian.
com or 541-966-0836.
BRIEFLY
Pilot Rock
considers 3 percent
pay raise
PILOT ROCK — The
Pilot Rock City Council
votes Tuesday evening on
giving city employees a 3
percent bump for cost of
living.
The raises for the 11 city
employees total $12,442 a
year, according to the staff
report. The chief of police
is the highest paid employee
with an annual salary of
about $74,900, so that raise
comes to about $2,247. And
a part-time public works
employee has the lowest pay
at about $12,800 a year. That
raise will amount to $384.
The
2018-19
bud-
get includes a 3 percent
increase, and one employee
is waiving medical cover-
age, which saves the city
$16,000 a year and leaves a
balance of $3,578 with the
raise.
The increase would help
retain city workers, accord-
ing to the staff report, while
the city pays its work-
ers less than other cities in
comparison.
The council meeting
starts at 7 p.m. at the coun-
cil chambers in city hall. The
council also will consider
purchasing manhole risers
and lids for $4,500 to make
the covers level with asphalt
on roads and could approve
receiving a $100,000 grant
from the Oregon Depart-
ment of Transportation for
repaving projects.
BottleDrop Give
fundraiser to
benefit Agape
House
HERMISTON — For
Hermiston residents who
have accumulated a large
collection of cans and bot-
tles while staying hydrated
this summer, the Agape
House and Hermiston Bot-
tleDrop are providing a way
for those items to go to good
use.
On July 31 from 1-4 p.m.
people can drop off their
cans and bottles at the Bot-
tleDrop, 740 W. Hermiston
Ave., and ask that the pro-
ceeds from the deposits go
toward the Agape House’s
weekend food program that
sends local children in need
home from school with a
bag of food each weekend.
Pickups for large amounts of
cans and bottles can also be
arranged by calling Agape
House director Dave Hughes
at 541-567-8774.
The Hermiston Bottle-
Drop is part of a network of
redemption centers run by
the Oregon Beverage Recy-
cling Cooperative. Bottle-
Drop Give offers a num-
ber of ways customers can
give back to local nonprof-
its — they can participate
in fundraising days like the
one for the Agape House,
they can log into their Bot-
tleDrop account online and
CONCEALED CARRY
PERMIT
CLASS
Valid in Washington
J ULY 17 TH • 6 PM
Best Western
2255 S Hwy 395, Hermiston
$80 multi-State, Oregon included no-fee. $45 Oregon-only
Required class to get an Oregon or multi-State
Required class to get an Oregon or multi-State
permit. Class includes:
• Fingerprinting & photo
• Oregon gun laws
• Washington gun laws
• Interstate travel laws
• Interaction with law enforcement
• Use of deadly force
• Firearm / ammunition / holster selection
360.921.2071
FirearmTrainingNW.com : FirearmTrainingNW@gmail.com
transfer the money in their
account to a nonprofit or
they can pick up the blue
bags marked for specific
nonprofits and then drop
them off at the site filled
with cans and bottles to be
redeemed on behalf of that
nonprofit.
Kick up your heels
for Round-Up
dance lessons
PENDLETON — Par-
ticipants can learn the basic
moves of swing dancing in
just four lessons during a
class offered through Pend-
leton Parks & Recreation.
Step it Up! meets Tues-
days from July 17 through
Aug. 7 from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
in the Vert Club Room, 345
S.W. Fourth St., Pendleton.
The sessions are open to
ages 16 and older. The reg-
istration fee is $26.
Dances taught include the
1-step swing, 4-step swing,
and East Coast swing. The
class is aimed at begin-
ner levels and those need-
ing a refresher. No partner is
required.
To register, visit www.
pendletonparksandrec.
com or stop by the parks
office, 865 Tutuilla Road.
For more information, call
541-276-8100.
7/13-15
Cineplex Show Times
$5 Classic Movie • 7/18 • 12pm
Singin’ in the Rain
$5 Children’s Classic Movie • 7/18 • 10am
Madagascar
Free Small Popcorn & Small Soda
SKYSCRAPER (PG13)
1:40* 6:40
4:20 9:20
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP
(PG13)
1:50* 4:30 7:10 9:50
JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN
KINGDOM (PG13)
1:00* 4:00 7:00 10:00
INCREDIBLES 2 (PG)
1:30* 4:10 6:50 9:30
THE FIRST PURGE (R)
12:00* 2:20* 4:40 7:20 9:40
* Matinee Pricing
wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216
985 N First St ● Hermiston
www.hermistonhomes4sale.com
TRACY HUNTER
541-561-5846
Broker, GRI, ABR, SRS, RENE
LINDA SEAVERT
541-571-3788
Principal Broker, CRS, GRI
7/16-17
Cineplex Show Times
$5 Classic Movie • 7/18 • 12pm
Singin’ in the Rain
Interior has custom built home charm!
A full wall of built-in bookcases & enter-
tainment center in the large family
room. Kitchen boasting quartz counters
with subway tile backsplash. Large
backyard with garden area, fully fenced
and deck. A MUST SEE HOME!!
This home will WOW you with it’s floor
to ceiling FP & hearth, it’s wall-to-wall
windows for a spectacular view and the
trex deck! 3bdrms, 2 baths, and den on
main level, PLUS bonus room above the
garage w/living area, bdrm and bath.
This all sits on 3.78 acres!
MLS#18586822 — Giant home with 3124 sf, 4 bdrms, 2.5 baths,
sitting on a big .28 acre city lot, full 3 car garage, covered patio with
misting system and more — $359,900
MOTIVATED SELLER REDUCED PRICE! MLS#18568554 —
Beautiful .74 acres with 6 bdrms, 4.5 baths, gourmet kitchen, and a
stones throw away from the Umatilla River — $519,000
JUST REDUCED!!! MLS#18162429 — Looking for a private
$5 Children’s Classic Movie • 7/18 • 10am
Madagascar
Free Small Popcorn & Small Soda
SKYSCRAPER (PG13)
6:40
4:20 9:20
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP
(PG13)
4:30 7:10 9:50
JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN
KINGDOM (PG13)
4:00 7:00 10:00
setting? This .70 acres feels like a secret hideaway. Covered patio,
gardens, fruit trees. Home has 4 bdrms and 2.5 baths — $319,000
INCREDIBLES 2 (PG)
4:10 6:50 9:30
MLS#18325470 — Enjoy a cuppa joe on the deck of this well cared
for Skyline triple wide. Panoramic view of the Columbia River, 30x50
shop, remodeled kitchen w/island and lots of storage — $314,900
THE FIRST PURGE (R)
4:40 7:20 9:40
MLS#17412417—Wake up to the view of the Columbia River when
you build on this 4.02 acre land. Full water rights. Could subdivide
property into (2) 2 acre parcels — $112,900
wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850
* Matinee Pricing
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216