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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2015)
Wallowa County Chieftain News wallowa.com April 29, 2015 A7 BILL: Groups say HB 3515 bypasses delisting process Continued from Page A1 The Oregon Fish and Wild- life Commission was slated to begin considering the ques- tion at an April 24 hearing in Bend. The ANRC held HB 3515’s public hearing and work ses- sion on April 16. Todd Nash, local ranch- er and chairman of the Ore- gon Cattlemen’s Association Wolf Task Force, addressed the committee, expressing ranchers’ concerns that should the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission move to delist the wolf, that action could trigger years of lawsuits from conser- vation groups. HB 3515, viewed by some of delisting’s advocates as a way around that potential lit- igation quagmire, would not only have delisted the wolf, but as well would have precluded ever placing it on the state’s endangered species list again. The bill met stiff opposition from conservation groups, in- cluding Oregon Wild and the Sierra Club, who said it bypass- es the delisting process agreed upon by all parties under the state’s Wolf Management Plan, and circumvents public participation in the delisting process. Upon questioning by committee members, conser- vation groups did not deny the SRVVLELOLW\RI¿OLQJODZVXLWVLQ the event of wolf delistment by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. ANRC set the bill for an April 21 hearing. Nash was op- timistic about its prospects for passage, saying early that day, “I was very happy about how it went (in the ANRC’s April 16 session). We were very well UHFHLYHGDQG,KDYHIXOOFRQ¿- dence that it’s going to pass.” April 21 saw HB 3515 go GRZQLQÀDPHVLQWKHRSHQLQJ minute of the meeting, how- ever. Committee Chair, Rep. Brad Witt, said that 3515 and another bill (one not related to wolves) did not have enough bi-partisan support to pass through the House. “Those bills are going to die today,” Witt said. In response, Nash later sent a blistering email to Witt: “Can you explain what happened be- tween Thursday evening and Tuesday morning? For now you and Representative Fred- rick look to be very disingen- uous. I was the one who talked to you about wolves in Cove Or. in 2013, but see no reason to ever visit with you again. I have lost a substantial amount of cattle, and been directly ef- fected by Environmental law suits. I have traveled all over a three state area visiting those who will listen. I’ve made Numerous trips to Salem and ODFW meetings, most of the time returning to Enterprise the same day. You had a chance to bridge the East-West division, but chose to sweep us under the rug one more time. In the words of Representative Fred- rick on Thursday night ‘I am very disappointed with your answer, it’s a matter of trust and the Cattlemen don’t feel like they can trust you.’” In reply to Nash’s email, WATER: PRESERVATION: Work continues Bids due May 25 Continued from Page A1 Continued from Page A1 SDWRLF required the city to raise water rates to adequately repay the loan prior to approving it. Water rates inside city limits, cur- rently $28.80 per month, are being raised gradually and are expected to cap out at approximately $36 per month. Contractors must submit bids by May 25 and are ex- pected to begin work in late June, said Project Manag- er Troy Baker of Anderson Perry and Associates. The call for bids was published in the Chieftain and the entire 500-plus pag- es of the document made available online through the Anderson Perry website. The project faces a 480- day limit from the day con- tractors begin work. The countdown will stop for winter weather shutdown, if necessary, and then begin again when contractors go back to work. facing streets, underwent win- dow upgrades in the last three The group plans to use the years. The next project is up- building to provide affordable grading the remaining win- housing for the local work dows. force. Along with the 24 apart- 3XOVLIHU VDLG WKH\ ¿UVW UH- ments, the building has seven placed the roof as it leaked commercial spaces with six enough to cause severe water currently occupied. Although damage. The Bowlby Group they sometimes experience had procured a low-interest 100 percent occupancy, Pul- economic development loan sifer said, that’s currently in a to build a garage unit for the dip. In fact, one of the current condos, but the loaning group business spaces is in use as a granted a Swinehart petition to living space. Swinehart said use the money for a new roof. with slight renovations, sever- Pulsifer said construction DOVHFRQGÀRRUEXVLQHVVVSDFHV crews removed 90 tons of ma- can be made available. terial from the roof. The build- Both Pulsifer and Swinehart ing no longer suffers leaking said the group reinvests all the issues after the installation of a money it receives from rents membrane roof. and leases back into the build- Swinehart said the building ing restoration. Grants from the contains 24 apartments, and state and city of Enterprise also due mainly to water damage, help fund the restoration. only two were occupied at the Older pictures show the time of its purchase. After the building had a beautiful second roof installation, Swinehart’s ÀRRU PH]]DQLQH DUHD ORRNLQJ group refurbished the apart- RXW RQWR WKH PDLQ ÀRRU 7KLV ments. Pulsifer added that all area is now mostly walled and the apartments are now in rent- ÀRRUHG LQ 3XOVLIHU FRPSDUHG able condition. the work being done to restore The group is currently con- the building through photo- centrating on refurbishing the graph-guided repair to an ar- building’s exterior, including chaeological dig. restoring the windows to the The basement of the build- VSHFL¿FDWLRQV FDOOHG IRU DV D ing, used mainly for storage, historic registry building. Two was originally a farm machin- sides of the building, the sides ery room in the 1920s. Ramps a County Grain Growers w o l l a W are still evident which were used for horses to pull farm equipment in and out of the basement. The apartment areas are QLFHO\ ¿QLVKHG DQG VWLOO EHDU some resemblance to antiquity with the electrical conduit run- ning along the walls along with WKHV$UW'HFRÀDLURIWKH stair rails and balustrades. Orig- inal to the building is the gear works from an ancient mechan- ical elevator standing beneath one of the building’s three skylights. It looks nearly brand- new and resembles artwork. 2QHRIWKHRSHQWKLUGÀRRU apartments features not only window seats, but a claw- IRRW WXE DQG KDUGZRRG ÀRRUV Standing across Main Street from the building one can still see the shadows of the letters that proclaimed the building’s name, as well as the 1916 that VLJQL¿HV WKH VWDUW RI WKH EXLOG- ing’s constriction. “We’ll be reinstalling those letters and numbers. It’ll be the cherry on top of our exterior restoration project,” Pulsifer said. Witt said that the bill’s prohi- bition against ever re-listing wolves on the ESL spelled its doom. He added, “Had the bill merely delisted the wolf, I think it would still be alive today and on its way to the House Floor. This is by no means an insur- mountable problem. Unfortu- nately, it is not one that you and ,ZLOOEHDEOHWR¿[JLYHQ\RXU decision to never visit with me DJDLQ7RGGLIWKDWLV\RXU¿QDO decision, I am sorry it had to end this way.” Rob Klavins, Northeastern Oregon coordinator for Oregon Wild, said: “The Wolf Manage- ment Plan states that if we had four breeding pairs for three consecutive years, that the state would consider delisting the wolves through a public process, and we stood by that agreement. In the 11th hour of deadline in Salem, a bill was introduced to circumvent that public process and have politi- cians substitute their judgment for the rigorous, transparent, science-based public process the agency has been charged with. It was not appropriate. Given just a few days to re- VSRQG WKHUH ZDV VLJQL¿FDQW backlash. Once the public had an opportunity to weigh in, support for the bill eroded.” Rep. Barreto’s response was relayed through Derry Breeden, his chief of staff: “Rep. Barreto is disappointed. He had high hopes to get this bill passed because this is ex- tremely important to our con- stituency. We need to allow farmers to take care of their cattle.” Celebrate Mother's Day Open 7 days a week Sunday, May 10 11 - 4 pm • Trees • Shrubs • Berries • Annuals • Perennials • Vegetables • Vines • Organic Seeds & Supplies Hardy Roses, Hanging Baskets & Planters, Custom Planting Available, Gift Certificates 541-426-3317 • www.alderslopenursery.com Serving Wallowa County Since 1968 VOTE PAT WILLIS Enterprise Cemetery Maintenance District Board Member • Working to restore cemetery “I ask for your vote on your ECMD ballot coming in the mail.” • Commitment to community • Long time resident of Wallowa County Dedicated to work with board members and community citizens to restore & maintain the Enterprise Cemetery Are you confused by the letters you have received from the state about your Oregon Health Plan (OHP) insurance? We can Help! Contact Winding Waters Clinic at 541-426-4502 or visit us at 603 Medical Parkway in Enterprise and ask to speak to one of our Application Assisters 8am-5pm Monday-Friday Saturday, May 9 th 8:00am to 3:00pm Free Hotdogs 11-1 • Live Local Music 11-2 Register to win DOOR PRIZES! www.rmnw-auctions.com RM / NW MARKET MAKERS I N R E A L E S TAT E Hurricane Creek Road, Enterprise 541-426-3116 Hailie Hillock, Director of First Impressions at Bennett Insurance since April of 2014. This lovely, intelligent young woman greets you in person when you stop by our office or takes care of your insurance needs and questions when you call. Hailie’s sense of humor and empathy make her perfect for this position. SPRING 2015 REAL ESTATE AUCTION No Starting Bids and No Hidden Reserves! BANK-OWNED REAL ESTATE • Former bank branches in Pilot Rock and Enterprise. $65,000 and $185,000 • 10,432± s.f. warehouse complex in Ontario. $85,000 • Former bar and grill in Ione. $32,500 • Commercial building in Redmond. $150,000 HAILIE HILLOCK Bennett Insurance Agency LLC Born and raised in Wallowa County, she graduated from Enterprise High and earned a degree in Business Administration from BMCC. Hailie is capable, people savvy and willing to do whatever is necessary to keep Bennett Insurance running smoothly. She and Jared Hillock were married in an amazingly beautiful and original wedding on 12/13/14 at the OK Theatre. Hailie enjoys biking, extreme hiking in the Wallowa Mountains and working out at the local fitness center. Not only does Hailie act as Director of First Impressions, she is proficient in all computer programs that keep our office organized. She handles our social media and is currently working on updating the web site. Hailie is a woman of many talents, funny and a joy to work with. We are fortunate to have her on our team. 541-426-4208 • 616 North St. Enterprise New logo created by Bird Dog Signs of Enterprise 40 Additional Properties in Oregon and Washington Oral Auction May 16, 2015 Sealed Bids Due May 20, June 5 and June 11, 2015 Broker Cooperation Invited CALL NOW FOR FREE COLOR CATALOG #1502 1-800-845-3524 Realty Marketing/Northwest , Broker 522 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 725 – Portland, Oregon 97204