WEEKEND EDITION
Pendleton housing developments take shape |
REGION, A3
MARCH 5 – 6, 2022
The Pendleton High School Rhythmic Mode Dance Team performs an exhibition show Feb. 26, 2022, during Hearts in Motion at Pendleton High School.
Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
146th Year, No. 57
$1.50
WINNER OF 16 ONPA AWARDS IN 2021
Best of the best
Wilkerson, Williams awarded Hermiston’s woman and man of 2021
Diners gather Wednesday, March 2, 2022,
at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce’s
52nd Annual Distinguished Citizens Awards
at the Hermiston Community Center.
Photos by Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
Christmas Express
honored alongside
community members
and businesses at
annual gala
By PHIL WRIGHT
East Oregonian
H
ERMISTON — A pair of beloved Herm-
iston community members Wednesday,
March 2, took the stage to receive the honors
of Woman of the Year and the Man of the
Year for 2021.
Many of Hermiston’s top community members were
present in one room for the Hermiston Chamber of
Commerce’s 52nd Annual Distinguished Citizens Award
Gala that recognized local people and business for their
contributions in 2021.
Woman of the Year
The Woman of the Year Award went to longtime commu-
nity volunteer Alberta Wilkerson.
Presenter Shirley Parsons, past Woman of the Year recip-
ient, said Wilkerson has been an active participant in the
greater Hermiston area for more than 47 years.
“Her life represents a life of serving others, sharing her
talents, gifts and time to both children and adults,” Parsons
said. “Always striving to make her community a better
place, helping those in need and adding a touch of beauty
along the way.”
Alberta Wilkerson, left, and Steve Williams, right, accepts the Woman of the Year and Man of the Year awards on
Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce’s 52nd Annual Distinguished Citizens Awards
at the Hermiston Community Center.
Her community involvement includes more than 20 years
of service as a leader in 4-H, participation with Bloomer
Girls Garden Club, volunteering with Relay for Life and at
the Hermiston Warming Station.
Wilkerson worked on the Funland Playground construc-
tion and rebuilds, was involved in Special Olympics and
even opened her home to two interns of the Hermiston
Herald. And she has participated each year with I Love
My City.
Even on her walks, Parson said, Wilkerson picks up cans
and bottles and returns them for deposit.
And Wilkerson never wanted recognition for herself.
In accepting the award, Wilkerson said she was embar-
rassed.
“It’s just unbelievable that I could receive this,” she
said. “I feel so honored to be with all of you that have been
honored before.”
Man of the Year
Banker, consultant and diehard Oregon State University
Beavers fan Steve Williams received the award for Man of
the Year.
Presenter Josh Burns said he wanted to share what
Williams has been involved with.
As an example, Burns said, when he and his family
moved from Hermiston to Baker City, he had to resign from
nine boards.
Williams has been a Cub Scout leader, a coach for AAU
basketball, Little League and the swim team. He’s served
as a chamber ambassador, on the Hermiston Development
Corporation, Blue Mountain Community College Finance
Committee and the Umatilla Electric Cooperative’s Busi-
ness Resource Center.
“He’s dedicated to our city,” Burns said.
And starting this July, he will be the District 5100 gover-
nor for Rotary International, guiding 74 Rotary clubs in
Oregon and Washington.
“This man is diff erent,” Burns said. “He’s diff erent
because every opportunity that he has and committees to
serve, he puts 100% of himself into.”
Burns said Williams lives his life by Rotary’s Four-Way
Test; Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build
goodwill and better friendships? Will it be benefi cial to all
concerned?
“And I can tell you if he’s involved, it is and it will,”
Burns said.
In accepting the award, Williams described Hermiston as
a magnet, and it is because of the people in the community.
See Gala, Page A8
Spend it while you got it
One-time funds in 2022 short session leads
to millions of dollars for Eastern Oregon
By PHIL WRIGHT
East Oregonian
SALEM — Almost $5 million
is coming to the Hermiston area
to build a center to help people in
a behavioral crisis, $1.5 million is
going to the eff orts to restore Pend-
leton’s Historic Rivoli Theater and
Grande Ronde Hospital, La Grande, is
getting $5 million to expand its surgi-
cal center.
Those funds and a lot more came
out of the 2022 short legislative session,
which is wrapping up Friday, March 4,
four days ahead of its deadline.
Republican Sen. Bill Hansell of
Athena said to speed up the session, his
party on March 3 agreed to suspend
the rules that required the full read-
ing of bills before fl oor votes, a move
the GOP used to slow down majority
Democrats from ramrodding through
their agenda.
Hansell du r ing an inter-
view March 3 said he would be head-
ing back home after the fi nal few bills
go to a vote March 4. He said this short
session was unusual because of the
infl ux of federal money for allocations.
“So it was far more than what I
remember the short session having
available in the past, and it will be a one
time opportunity type thing,” he said.
See Funds, Page A8
Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
The project to restore the Rivoli Theater in downtown Pendleton is receiv-
ing $1.5 million out of the 2022 Legislature. Tens of millions in funds are
coming to Eastern Oregon out of the short session, including $1 million each
to several county fairs for infrastructure improvements and almost $4.6 mil-
lion for a center in the Hermiston area to help people suff ering a behavioral
or mental crisis.