ENTERPRISE, JOSEPH TRACK TEAMS
HEAD TO STATE A10
Enterprise, Oregon
Issue No. 5
Wallowa.com
May 16, 2018
$1
County bypassed for housing pilot project
County ‘too rich’ in
some areas
By Kathleen Ellyn
Wallowa County Chieftain
It’s a miss this time, but Wal-
lowa County will soon know what
is needed to qualify for state Work-
force Housing Initiative money —
or know how to create workforce
housing on its own.
The state has selected five hous-
ing pilot projects from 31 applica-
tions in its first round of awards. The
pilot projects will be launched in the
next few months and are intended
to strengthen and develop part-
nerships between local communi-
ties and business sector and private
developers.
The pilot projects will not only
provide more than 115 workforce
housing units but will help agencies
and investors learn how to bring
stakeholders together to address
the housing problem. The Regional
Solutions Cabinet, which over-
sees the Workforce Housing Initia-
tive, includes directors of six agen-
cies including Oregon Housing and
Community Services.
“These pilot projects will ...
inform our plans for accelerating the
growth of Oregon’s housing mar-
ket to match that of the state’s econ-
omy,” said Gov. Brown.
Wallowa County could not offer
the Regional Solutions Cabinet what
it was looking for this time around,
said Wallowa County Commissioner
Susan Roberts.
“Only part of Wallowa County
was eligible under this program,”
Roberts said. “Based on popula-
tion and other things, the upper val-
ley was way too rich for what they
were looking for. The portion that
met the criteria was west of Lostine
to the county line and all of the north
end, and we did apply for that area
with the assistance of the North East
Oregon Economic Development
District.”
The winning cities and counties
by comparison had industry estab-
lished, older housing available for
remodeling, exploding population
growth or financial partners already
identified.
“There were questions about
available land and whether or not
See HOUSING, Page A9
McFarland
gets his day
in court
Sentenced to 30 days
for driving violations
By Steve Tool
Wallowa County Chieftain
PARK TIDIED
Joseph playground project marks one year
TOP Penny Arentson, who helped spearhead
the drive to fund the new Joseph City Park Play-
ground, talks to two volunteers during the May
12 Joseph Playground Volunteer and Donor
Celebration. “It was a real nice turnout with a
lot of hands that things done earlier than we
expected,” she said. The group erected donor
plaques and sanded and stained all the bench-
es and picnic tables and other wooden equip-
ment among other maintenance tasks to pre-
pare the playground for the coming summer.
LEFT Joseph Charter School teachers Marla
Dotson, left, and Megan Smith aren’t preparing
to play this outdoor xylophone, they’re stain-
ing it for the summer’s use at the May 12 Joseph
Playground Volunteer and Donor Celebration.
Keith Raymond McFarland’s seeming
disdain for the court and the law has net-
ted him a week in jail and
three years probation at
Wallowa County Circuit
Court on May 3. McFar-
land, who has a string of
motor vehicle violations,
was defending himself on
charges of failure to pres-
ent a license and driv- McFarland
ing while suspended or
revoked.
McFarland first appeared at a pretrial
conference May 2 before Judge Russell B.
West. The judge asked McFarland, who had
waived his right to an attorney, if he had read
the relevant paperwork on his waiver and
said he did. When West asked if he compre-
hended it, McFarland said, “I don’t compre-
hend anything.”
West attempted to speak but McFarland
interrupted, saying he didn’t see a cause of
action. West again attempted to speak but
McFarland overrode him saying the court’s
jurisdiction was still questioned. West
explained the benefits of having an attorney
and telling him one would be provided if he
couldn’t afford it. McFarland attempted to
interrupt several times and said he still didn’t
understand the cause of action on the case.
He also said the court had no jurisdiction to
bring the case to trial. When West asked if he
still wanted to represent himself, McFarland
replied, “I don’t represent myself, I present
myself.” He also said it was impossible for a
son of God to appear in person.
McFarland requested a trial by jury.
When the jury was seated May 3, Wil-
liams told West that McFarland told her he
now wanted a trial by judge.
West apologized to the jury for the
inconvenience and thanked them for their
time before dismissing them. He also gave
McFarland time to mull over an offer from
the DA’s office.
After 15 minutes or so, West asked if he
had made a decision to go to trial or accept
the offer.
“I want to make it clear that I’m only here
under threat, duress and coercion,” McFar-
land said.
See COURT, Page A9
FAREWELL, JOHN
Well-wishers gather for Williams’ retirement bash
By Paul Wahl
Wallowa County Chieftain
There is little doubt that Wallowa
County Extension Agent John Williams
will be missed when he retires June 30. A
group of around 100 well-wishers gath-
ered at Cloverleaf Hall May 11 for a
send-off.
Wallowa County Commissioner
Susan Roberts served as emcee for the
event. A variety of community represen-
tatives also spoke, providing an abun-
dance of good-hearted humor.
Roberts said that when she began
gathering anecdotes, people asked her if
John were dead.
“I said ‘no he’s just retiring,’” Rob-
erts said.
“We always figured he’d die on the
job,” folks responded.
Despite Williams being very much
alive, Roberts said she proceeded to pre-
pare what was essentially a eulogy.
Few of William’s foibles over the past
25 years were missed by speakers, which
included friends, famwily, co-workers
and others.
Williams has for years coordinated the
livestock auction at the Wallowa County
Fair, and the pressure of the event and its
impact was much-discussed.
Roberts said former county commis-
sioner Mike Hayward suggested “John’s
See WILLIAMS, Page A9
Mac Birkmaier shares stories about retiring Wallowa County Extension
Agent John Williams, right. Wiliams’ predecessor Arley Isley looks on.