REGION
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
East Oregonian
A3
Pendleton officials fear cuts to library budget
By ANTONIO SIERRA
East Oregonian
The city of Pendleton held its
first budget committee meeting
Tuesday morning, and although
discussion touched upon the Public
Employees Retirement System and
street funding, committee mem-
bers didn’t comment on one of City
Manager Robb Corbett’s stated
concerns.
“We largely rely on the (Uma-
tilla County Special Library Dis-
trict), which seems to be (in) a state
of flux as it tries to determine the
appropriate method to appropri-
ate their tax dollars,” he wrote in
a 2019-20 budget statement he read
before the committee. “The city
is concerned as this threatens to
reduce or share of tax dollars for
operations.”
In an interview after the meet-
ing ended, Corbett said the city
hadn’t been given a specific cut in
funding, but the prospect of chang-
ing the formula nonetheless wor-
ried staff that it would result in
some sort of reduction.
“We don’t want to see any fur-
ther cuts to the library,” he said.
Library district Director Erin
McCusker didn’t agree with Cor-
bett’s assessment that the district
was in “a state of flux,” adding that
this was exactly the reaction the
district was trying to avoid when
it informed cities that it was taking
another look at its funding formula.
Formed in the 1987, the Uma-
tilla County Special Library Dis-
trict levies 37 cents per $1,000 in
assessed value to support commu-
nity libraries across the county.
Twenty percent of the of the
library district’s budget goes
toward its operations. Besides
staffing three personnel, the dis-
trict provides courier services,
small library cataloguing, training,
ebook access and more to its mem-
ber libraries.
The other 80% goes directly to
a public library sponsored by the
Ukiah School District, the Herm-
iston Public Library to provide
library services to Hermiston’s
rural residents, and the libraries in
Umatilla County’s 10 other incor-
porated cities.
McCusker said libraries can
spend the money on staff and other
library related expenditures, but
facility maintenance is the respon-
sibility of the local governments
that manage the libraries.
With the Hermiston library
largely independent of the library
district, the Pendleton Public
Library takes a strong plurality of
the funding: 29%.
In the proposed 2019-20 bud-
get, the library district’s contribu-
tion is nearly half of the $1 mil-
lion library fund. By comparison,
the contribution from the general
fund, which is mostly derived
from the city’s cut of property
taxes, is only 10%.
The library district has long
existed with the same distribution
formula, but it tried revisiting its
formula around 2016.
Corbett said he was a member
of the ad hoc committee that came
up with recommendations for the
formula, but the library district
board rejected them.
McCusker didn’t arrive at the
library district until July 2017, but
she’s reviewed the committee’s
meeting minutes and described the
meetings as “contentious.”
“It became a really contentious
situation and it left a bad taste in
a lot of people’s mouths,” she said.
McCusker said there wasn’t
consensus amongst the committee
by the time it recommended a new
85-15 split in the funding formula,
among other significant changes,
and with dissension from several
library directors, the board voted
to reject the committee’s findings.
Nearly two years later,
McCusker said the library district
wants to more clearly define its
funding formula while avoiding
past conflict.
The metrics the library dis-
trict used to determine its formula
are mostly lost to time, although
McCusker is starting to piece the
district’s original logic together by
combing through old documents.
McCusker said the library dis-
trict wants a transparent formula
that all of its libraries can follow
and it hasn’t committed to chang-
ing any of its members’ allotments.
The district sent out a letter April
2 to lay out the reasoning behind
revisiting the formula and the pro-
cess it would use to determine it.
“Our intent is to understand and
confirm the current distribution
percentages through a distinct for-
mula or possibly create a new for-
mula through a meaningful and
deliberate process that encourages
input and participation from our 12
partner libraries and stakeholders,”
the letter states.
The library board plans to start
having formal discussions on the
funding formula in February with
a final decision made in July 2020.
Even if negotiations result in an
altered formula, it wouldn’t take
effect immediately. The district
and its member libraries are locked
into a contract under the current
formula under a multi-year con-
tract starting in July.
As for the Pendleton Budget
Committee, it’s members will
get a chance to talk more about
library funding when it recon-
venes Thursday.
Fire board incumbent launches write-in campaign after missing deadline
By JADE MCDOWELL
East Oregonian
A director on the Umatilla Rural
Fire Protection District board is
hoping to keep his seat after acci-
dentally missing the deadline to
get on the ballot.
“I thought I had one more week,
but I didn’t,” Robert Holden said.
Former Umatilla city councilor
Mark Keith has filed for position
#5 on the board, currently held by
Holden, and will be the only name
on the May 21 ballot. There will
be a space to cast a write-in vote,
however, and Holden hopes voters
will write in “Robert Holden II.”
Holden has served on the board
since 2012. Since then the district
has passed a bond, purchased new
equipment and added staff. He said
he joined because he wanted to
serve the community. Now he says
he wants to serve another term to
see current projects through.
“We’re striving to do good
things for citizens and I want to
continue to do that,” he said.
Umatilla assistant fire chief Rob
Tooley wrote an endorsement for
Holden, noting that he came onto
the board during a time of conten-
tion between board members and
volunteers and helped those volun-
teers feel heard and valued.
“Robert Holden II knows what
COMING EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
COLLECTIVE
GOODS
SALE, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Good
Shepherd Medical Center
conference room 1, 610 N.W.
11th St., Hermiston. Toys,
books, gifts and games. Pro-
ceeds support scholarships
for local medical students
and equipment purchases.
PENDLETON
SENIOR
MEAL SERVICE, 12-1 p.m.,
Pendleton Senior Center, 510
S.W. 10th St., Pendleton. Costs
$3.50 or $6 for those under
60. Pool, puzzles, crafts,
snacks, Second Time Around
thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For Meals On Wheels, call 541-
276-1926. (541-276-5073)
STANFIELD
SENIOR
MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m.,
Stanfield Community Center,
225 W. Roosevelt, Stanfield.
Cost is $3.50 for seniors, $6 for
others. (541-449-1332)
ADVENTURE TIME STORY
TIME, 2-3 p.m., Hermiston
Public Library, 235 E. Gladys
Ave., Hermiston. Stories and
activities for developmentally
disabled children and adults.
Free. (541-567-2882)
ADULT
BEGINNERS’
COMPUTERS, 3-4 p.m., Pend-
leton Public Library meeting
room, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave.,
Pendleton. Registration is
required. (541-966-0380)
ADULT & TEEN COLOR
CLUB, 5:30 p.m., Pendle-
ton Public Library, 502 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton. A
relaxing hour of coloring.
Supplies provided. (Mary Fin-
ney 541-966-0380)
PHS MUSIC DEPART-
MENT SPAGHETTI FEED,
5:30-7:30 p.m., First Presbyte-
rian Church, 201 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. Spaghetti
dinner including bread, salad
and dessert, and live enter-
tainment. Tickets are $10 per
person or $30 for a family of 4,
additional members $5 each,
available from PHS music stu-
dents, PHS main office, or at
the door. (541-966-3892)
VEGAN/SUSTAINABLE
LIVING POTLUCK SUP-
PER, 7 p.m., location var-
ies, Pendleton. Bring a vegan
dish and recipe. Gluten-free
friendly group. Call to RSVP
and for driving directions.
(541-969-3057)
TOUR OF KNOWLEDGE,
7-8 p.m., Eastern Oregon
Higher Education Center, 980
S.E. Columbia Drive, Herm-
iston. Discussion of pub-
lic hearings, meetings and
events relevant to the area,
and reports on sites and
facilities that impact natu-
ral resources and places of
historical interest. Free and
everyone welcome. (Eileen
Laramore 541-303-3872)
THURSDAY, MAY 2
PENDLETON
CAT-
TLE BARONS WEEKEND,
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Pendleton Con-
vention Center, 1601 West-
gate, Pendleton. Metalsmith-
ing classes, working dogs
clinics, preview and sale,
working horses previews
and sale, steer roping, ranch
rodeo and saddle bronc exhi-
bitions and competitions, Tra-
din’ Post, Buckaroo BBQ Chal-
lenge and more. Calendar at
https://www.cattlebarons.
net/ Proceeds benefit schol-
arships for local students.
events continue Friday and
Saturday. (541-310-7071)
PRESCHOOL
STORY
TIME, 10:15-11 a.m., Pendle-
ton Public Library, 502 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Sto-
ries and activities for young
children. (541-966-0380)
PRESCHOOL
STORY
TIME, 10:15 a.m., Hermis-
ton Public Library, 235 E.
Gladys Ave., Hermiston. For
children from 3-6 years old.
(541-567-2882)
PRESCHOOL STORY AND
CRAFT TIME, 10:30 a.m., Mil-
ton-Freewater Public Library,
8 S.W. Eighth Ave., Mil-
ton-Freewater. (Lili Schmidt
541-938-8247)
PENDLETON
SENIOR
MEAL SERVICE, 12-1 p.m.,
Pendleton Senior Center,
510 S.W. 10th St., Pendleton.
(541-276-5073)
HERMISTON
SENIOR
MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Har-
kenrider Center, 255 N.E. Sec-
ond St., Hermiston. Cost is $4
for adults, free for children
10 and under, $4 for Meals
on Wheels. Extra 50 cents
for utensils/dishes. Bus ser-
vice available by donation.
(541-567-3582)
BOARDMAN
SENIOR
MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m.,
Boardman Senior Center, 100
Tatone St., Boardman. Cost is
$4 for seniors 55 and over or
$5 for adults. (541-481-3257)
SENSORY STORY TIME,
12:30 p.m., Boardman Public
Library, 200 S. Main St., Board-
man. For children from birth
to age 4. (541-481-2665)
FIRST
THURSDAY
SCREEN FREE WEEK EVENT,
4:30-7 p.m., Festival Street,
Northeast Second Street,
downtown, Hermiston. Ditch
the screens and enjoy Food
Hero recipe samples, spin
art, bike helmet fitting, kids’
dance and yoga, Zumba and
fitness, floral art, preschool
activities, books, prizes and
more. Free. (541-567-8321)
YARN CLUB, 5:30 p.m.,
Hermiston Public Library, 235
E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston.
(541-567-2882)
THE ARC UMATILLA
COUNTY BINGO, 6-10 p.m.,
The Arc Building, 215 W.
Orchard Ave., Hermiston.
Doors open at 6 p.m., games
begin at 7 p.m. Proceeds ben-
efit Umatilla County citizens
with developmental disabil-
ities. 18 years or older, must
have proof of age and photo
I.D. Basic pot $20, prizes range
from $20-$750. (541-567-7615)
FIDDLER’S NIGHT, 6:30-
8:30 p.m., Avamere Assisted
Living, 980 W. Highland Ave.,
Hermiston. All ages welcome.
(Lori 541-567-3141)
FRIDAY, MAY 3
FREE FIRST FRIDAY,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Tamasts-
likt Cultural Institute, 47106
Wildhorse Blvd., Pendle-
ton. Free admission all day.
(541-966-9748)
TODDLER STORY TIME,
10:15-11 a.m.,
Pendleton
Public Library, 502 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton.
(541-966-0380)
PENDLETON
SENIOR
MEAL SERVICE, 12-1 p.m.,
Pendleton Senior Center, 510
S.W. 10th St., Pendleton. (Tori
Bowman 541-276-5073)
FREE FRIDAY LUNCH,
12 p.m., Echo Community
Church, 21 N. Bonanza St.,
Echo. Everyone welcome.
STORY AND CRAFT
TIME, 2 p.m., Echo Public
Library, 20 S. Bonanza, Echo.
(541-376-8411)
KYLE PETTY CHARITY
RIDE ACROSS AMERICA,
2:45 p.m., Arrowhead Travel
Plaza, 72485 Highway 331,
Pendleton. Meet celebrity rid-
ers such as NASCAR legend
Harry Gant, NFL great Her-
schel Walker and many more
as they ride in support of Vic-
tory Junction and other chil-
dren’s charities. Merchandise
will be available for purchase;
donations accepted. (Ginny
Talley 704-714-4545)
LIVE FROM THE LESLIE:
VANDOLIERS, 6-11:59 p.m.,
The Pendleton Lodge, 14 S.E.
Third St., Pendleton. Doors
open at 6 p.m. (Stag Bar), con-
cert doors open at 7 p.m.,
opening solo artist Cody
Branan at 8 p.m. followed by
Vandoliers. Food by Mario’s
Basque Bar-B-Q, beer by
Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub.
Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at
the door, available online at
brownpapertickets.com. 21
and older only. (Adam Mack
503-720-5370)
VFW BINGO,
6 p.m.,
Hermiston VFW, 45 W. Cherry
St., Hermiston. Doors open
at 6 p.m., games begin at
7 p.m. Everyone welcome.
(541-567-6219)
SATURDAY, MAY 4
PANCAKE BREAKFAST,
7-10 a.m., Stanfield Commu-
nity Center, 225 W. Roosevelt,
Stanfield. Costs $6 for full
breakfast/$3 for light meal.
(Rose Emerson 541-449-1332)
HERMISTON JR. ACAD-
EMY
HOMECOMING,
9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hermiston Jr.
Academy gymnasium, 1300
N.W. Academy Lane, Hermis-
ton. Friends, former students,
faculty and board members
invited to enjoy inspiration,
fellowship, food and remi-
niscing. (541-567-8523)
DIRT DABBLERS PLANT
SALE, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Peace
Lutheran Church parish hall,
210 N.W. Ninth St., Pendleton.
Free admission. Donations
welcome.
SURE SPRING CLEANUP,
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,
Still-
man Park and Pendleton Riv-
erwalk, 403 S.E. Byers Ave.,
Pendleton. Join Stewards of
the Umatilla River Environ-
ment for the annual river-
walk cleanup. Orientation
at Stillman Park followed
by organization of cleanup
crews. All volunteers will be
served lunch after the clean-
ups. Wear sturdy shoes and
bring a bottle of water. Trash
bags and gloves provided.
(541-278-2667)
it takes to help keep the Umatilla
Rural Fire District Board of Direc-
tors moving in the right direction,
he supports the volunteers, and
he’s supported by the volunteers,”
he wrote.
Keith is a former Umatilla city
councilor, a volunteer firefighter/
paramedic and director of Encore
Wellness 4 Life, a Umatilla med-
ical clinic. He said during his
time on the city council he helped
the fire district in multiple ways,
including making sure the city’s
out-of-commission fire hydrants
were repaired. He said he is run-
ning because the board needs a
perspective of someone who has
served as a firefighter and para-
medic in the district.
Other candidates include Darla
Huxel for position #4, Fred Sheely
and Kelly Payan for position #2
and Kyle Sipe for position #3.
Murder defendant to enter plea
East Oregonian
HERMISTON
—
Aggravated murder defen-
dant David Edgar Som-
merville of Boardman has
a hearing to enter his plea.
Sommerville, 19, along
with Vincent Wesley David
Shermantine, 29, of Herm-
iston, are on the hook for
the 2018 shooting death of
Eric Navarrete of Hermis-
ton. Sommerville faces the
aggravated murder charge,
the only crime that carries
the threat of the death pen-
alty in Oregon, as well as
murder, first-degree rob-
bery and unlawful use of a
weapon. Shermantine faces
murder but not aggravated
murder, first-degree rob-
bery, felon in possession of
a weapon and unlawful use
of a weapon.
Shermantine on April
12 pleaded not guilty to the
charges. But Sommerville
has yet to enter a plea. He
remedies that with a hear-
ing Wednesday at 8:15 a.m.
at the Stafford Hansell
Government Center, Herm-
iston. Circuit Judge Dan-
iel Hill also will consider a
defense motion to preserve
evidence.
Shermantine had a
pre-trial hearing Tuesday
morning. Hill set the next
conference for May 29.
k
10
5
1 mile run
SATURDAY May 11th, 2019
What will you run for?
Join the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation in support of local
cancer patients and their families. Run for Ribbons is a 10k, 5k and
1mile run/walk community event to raise awareness and promote
prevention of all forms of cancers. All funds raised from this event
stay LOCAL.
Participants can purchase an event t-shirt featuring a blank
ribbon. It’s the Run for Ribbons tradition to decorate it, customize
it, use it to honor a memory, celebrate survival, or to simply
encourage hope.
$25 Adults / $15 Youth / $10 for t-shirt
(Registration fee does not include t-shirt)
10k, 5k and 1mile Run - Walk
Howard Amon Park in Richland
RibbonFest / Check In 8:30 am
Run - Walk Begins 10:00 am
Register online: www.runforribbons.org
Register by phone: 509.737.3413