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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 26, 2018)
REGION Thursday, July 26, 2018 East Oregonian HERMISTON BRIEFLY City to borrow $4.5 million for water tower Tower will hold 1 million gallons, open up residential development By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian The Hermiston City Council only had four of its eight council members pres- ent, plus the mayor, on Mon- day, but was still able to con- duct some business. Two ordinances on the agenda — a new noise ordi- nance and an ordinance reg- ulating accessory dwell- ings — were tabled until the council’s next meeting on Aug. 13. The council was able to authorize the mayor and city manager to sign a $4.5 million loan, however. The funds will be used to build a 1 million gallon water storage tank north- east of town off Punkin Cen- ter and add approximately two miles of transmission mains. According to infor- mation provided by the city, the project will increase the city’s water storage capac- ity by 25 percent and make housing development less expensive on more than 300 acres of developable resi- dential land. Assistant city man- ager Mark Morgan said the 15-year loan will be paid off much earlier than 15 years because the city and Umatilla County have pledged to each contrib- ute their $500,000-per-year payments in lieu of taxes from Lamb Weston’s expan- sion (which should start in 2019). The county will con- tribute $2 million over four years under that plan and the city will cover all expenses beyond that, estimated at about $2.5 million. County commissioner George Murdock couldn’t make the meeting due to illness but expressed in an email to the East Oregonian that the county was “solidly behind the project” that will use Lamb Weston funds to promote economic devel- opment in the community where the food processor is expanding. “Both the city and the county clearly identified housing as the major issue, which is why we were able to forge an agreement that as we see it will begin with infrastructure and capacity and then lead to hundreds of new homes,” he wrote Councilor resignation One absence on the council dais Monday was a reflection of the resigna- tion of councilor Clara Beas Fitzgerald, who submitted a letter of resignation earlier this month. She stated in her letter that she had become overwhelmed with her duties, including a full-time job, various committees and caring for an ailing family member, and decided to step back early from the council to make way for someone who could give the position more of their time. The council voted to accept her resignation, and Drotzmann said he knew that Beas Fitzgerald would continue to represent the Krawczyk, who started with the city in December after former finance direc- tor Amy Palmer left, said he was extremely impressed with the city’s handling of its finances. “I would put our results at year end — regardless of size of operation — against anyone in the country,” he said. The city’s investments are performing well, they brought in more revenue than projected and every department in the general fund spent under what was budgeted. “Everyone is under bud- get. Nobody is over that’s made up for by somebody that was under,” Kraw- czyk said, noting that was extremely rare for a city. “That tells me we have an exceptional staff.” The general fund’s end- ing balance came to about $3.37 million — well above the $1.7 million minimum the city has set, despite the city shelling out hundreds of thousands of additional dol- lars in 2017-2018 toward the new senior center and equipment at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. Smith said the city couldn’t afford to spend like that every year, but had the money available to spend down some of the general fund this past year while still staying comfortably above the minimum reserve. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4536. city of Hermiston well on other committees she is on, including the Oregon Com- mission for Women. “We’re always sad to lose a city council member that has been a good, hard worker for the city,” he said. City manager Byron Smith said usually the coun- cil would take applications for two weeks and then have a committee review them before choosing someone to fulfill the remainder of the term. However, in this case there are only about five months left in the term, and voters already chose Roy Barron to fill the seat for the new term starting Jan. 1. As a result, he suggested voting to suspend the council rules and name Barron to fill the remainder of the year. Councilor John Kirwan said he wasn’t comfort- able suspending the council rules with so many council- ors absent, and the council agreed to hold off on a vote until the next meeting. Smith said he had met with Barron, who had said he was willing to fill the seat early. The two had another meeting set for Barron to take a tour of city facili- ties and get up to speed on issues. City finances On Monday the council also listened to an informa- tional presentation by city finance director Mark Kraw- czyk about the 2017-2018 fiscal year, which ended June 30. He said the city had until the end of August to settle outstanding bills but not much should change. ARLINGTON Show ‘n’ Shine cranks up fun in the sun By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian The fun is revving up this weekend at Earl Snell Park in Arlington. The annual Show ’n’ Shine car show cranks into gear Saturday with registra- tion beginning at 9 a.m. Over the years, the show has featured everything from antique and classic cars to electric auto- mobiles and motorcycles — and even a few tractors. The cost for vehicle entry is $10 per car. The first 50 registered will receive a dash plaque and goodie bag with various car-related items. There is no fee for spectators. In addition to a people’s choice award, nearly two dozen trophies will be handed out at 3:15 p.m. Catego- ries include everything from people’s choice to various decades of cars and trucks — and with Arlington being home to an electric car charging sta- tion, a special category was devel- oped as a tip of the hat to those unique vehicles. Bring a hearty appetite, as a bar- becue lunch will be available from St. Francis Mission Catholic Church, which begins at 11 a.m. And the Meth- odist Church Ladies will serve up their popular strawberry shortcake through- out the afternoon. The gals from the Arlington United Methodist Church, said Marta Mikkalo of the Arlington Community Chamber of Commerce, are known for their delectable treats. The family-friendly event also offers people a chance to cool down with floaties and toys for water play provided by the chamber. And, for added safety, life- guards will be on duty. A Hula Hoop contest also is planned. Additional water activ- ities will rev up the fun as Contributed photo Jerry and Karla Husby of Pasco received the people’s choice award during the 2017 Arlington Show ‘n’ Shine Car Show. This year’s event is Saturday at Earl Snell Park in Arlington. the annual Rubber Duck Regatta will be launched in the park’s lagoon. For a chance to win some cash, be sure to buy a duck for a buck at Arlington Hardware, 200 Arlington Port Road. Also, the chamber is hosting a free poker walk with a handful of local busi- nesses. The best hand wins a $150 gift certificate to have something made by local leather artist Ron Wilson Custom Leather. The winner, Mikkalo said, can choose from a purse, belt, headstall, reins, or a down payment on a beauti- ful set of chinks; they are only limited to their imagination — or Wilson’s. The event, which has been going on for two decades, offers people a chance to enjoy the cool breeze off the river, chat about their cars and embrace com- munity camaraderie, Mikkalo said. “It’s a wonderful day in Arlington,” she said. For more information, contact 541- 626-3426, info@visitarlingtonoregon. com or visit www.visitarlingtonore- gon.com. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4539 Laurence of Arabia $5 Children’s Classic Movie • 8/1 • 10am Horton Hears a Who Free Small Popcorn & Small Soda THE EQUALIZER 2 (R) 3:50* 6:50 9:30 SKYSCRAPER (PG13) 7:10 4:30 9:40 ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (PG13) 4:40 7:20 10:00 JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM (PG13) 4:10 7:00 9:50 INCREDIBLES 2 (PG) 4:00 6:40 9:20 * Matinee Pricing wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850 Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216 Greater Oregon Behav- ioral Health, Inc. is collecting donations for those affected by the Substation Fire that burned through Sherman and Wasco counties last week. The nearly 80,000-acre fire burned 2 million bush- els of wheat, four homes and dozens of outbuildings, according to The Dalles Chronicle. Tax-deductible dona- tions can be given at www. gofundme.com/substa- tion-fire-relief-deductible. GOBHI is also helping coor- dinate distribution of funds collected through another account started during the fire, and has helped jump- start the giving with a $5,000 donation. Funds will be used to provide affected families with gift cards, groceries, lodging, gas and other short- term needs. “This fire has dealt far-reaching adverse impacts to community members in Sherman and Wasco coun- ties,” said GOBHI CEO Kevin Campbell. “We know the public wants to help in any way they can, so let’s channel our efforts and resources together and make a profound difference.” The Pendleton Develop- ment Commission and the Pendleton Downtown Asso- ciation are sending out a sur- vey to 5,000 households to figure out what shops and products local residents would like to see downtown. The 10-page survey includes basic demographic questions and queries on where respon- dents shop currently and their overall shopping habits and desires. In a press release, associa- tion executive director Molly Turner said the nonprofit has already received more than 250 responses to the sur- vey through email and social media. But their ultimate goal is get 400-500 more responses through the printed survey to better analyze demographic trends in areas like age and gender. “We’re hoping that peo- ple who receive the survey will give it to the primary shopper in the household, who will fill it out and get it back to us soon so we can wrap this project up,” she said. The groups plan to turn that data into a recruitment tool for future businesses interested in locating in the downtown area. Once the survey is com- pleted, five respondents will be selected for a $100 shop- ping spree at downtown stores and restaurants. Blood shortage continues The American Red Cross is facing a blood donation shortage as blood is being sent to hospitals faster than it is being donated. Right now there is less than a five-day supply on hand, according to a news release sent out by the Red Cross on Wednesday. The biggest need is for Type O, the most-transfused blood type in the country. “Patients don’t get a sum- mer break from the need for lifesaving treatments, so it is critical that hospitals have access to blood prod- ucts each and every day,” said Nick Gehrig, commu- nications executive, said in a statement. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives, but the emergency need remains. Those who haven’t rolled up a sleeve to give are urged to do so today.” Those who give blood or platelets between July 30 and Aug. 30 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card. Herm- iston’s next scheduled blood drive is Aug. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Herm- iston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave. Pendleton’s next drive is Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roundup Athletic Club, 1415 South- gate. Numerous opportuni- ties to donate in Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities can also be found by visiting redcross- blood.org or downloading the app. Comic brings wit to the mic MISSION — A final- ist in the 2017 Hard Rock Casino Comedy Cage Match will have the crowd howl- ing when he appears at Wild- horse Resort & Casino. Benjie Wright is the head- liner during LOL Comedy Jam Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Wildhorse Sports Bar, located off Interstate 84 at Exit 216. There is no cover charge. Wright was a finalist at the Joshua Tree Comedy Festival and the Redwood Comedy Festival. He trained with the Second City Improv group in Los Angeles. Origi- nally from the South, Wright now resides in Eugene where he co-hosts the Brickwall Comedy Show on radio and the Brickwall Comedycast on Soundcloud. Seth Milstein, also from Eugene, will open the show. He grew up in New York and despite a serious fear of pub- lic speaking, Milstein made his dream of doing stand-up comedy become a reality. In addition to performing across the West Coast, he runs the Rebel Comedy Alliance, a nonprofit that produces a monthly comedy show. For more information, visit www.wildhorseresort. com. Your Family Deserves The BEST Technology... Value... TV!... Upgrade to the Hopper® 3 Smart HD DVR • Watch and record 16 shows at once • Get built-in Netflix and YouTube • Watch TV on your mobile devices Hopper upgrade fee $5/mo. Add High Speed Internet 14 . 95 $ CALL TODAY Save 20%! Subject to availability. Restrictions apply. Internet not provided by DISH and will be billed separately. 1-866-373-9175 Offer ends 7/11/18. Savings with 2 year price guarantee with AT120 starting at $59.99 compared to everyday price. All offers require credit qualification, 2 year commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. 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