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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2021)
LOCAL Wallowa.com Wednesday, May 12, 2021 Sixth graders ponder ‘If I Were Mayor’ IN BRIEF Youths put forward ideas for leading city Lending Heart, hospital host lending drive By BILL BRADSHAW Wallowa County Chieftain ENTERPRISE — What may be the next generation of political leaders in Enter- prise was honored Monday, May 10, as the City Coun- cil recognized the winners of the “If I Were Mayor” contest during the regular council meeting. “Things would be dif- ferent around here,” wrote Luke Patterson, the fi rst- place winner in his entry. “I would make sure that we had a better way to get your opin- ion heard.” He rec- ommended Tyson a suggestion box with a person designated to read the suggestions. “People need to be heard,” the 12-year-old Luke wrote. Luke, the son of Pat- rick and Amy Patterson, was recognized along with second-place winner Tyson Herold, 11, son of Justin Herold and Eva Barnes, and third-place winner Celina Roberge, daughter of Adam and Donna Roberge. All three are in Donna Yost’s sixth grade class at Enterprise Middle School. As fi rst-place winner, Luke will compete in the state competition. Each of the kids won “Buckskin Bucks” redeemable at busi- nesses in Wallowa County. Luke won $100, Tyson got $50 and Celina received $25. The state contest is spon- sored by the Oregon May- ors Association and accepts entries from three grade- level categories. Yost’s class was the only local one to participate this year. First-place statewide winners in each of the three categories will win a gift valued at $500, accord- ing to the OMA website. These students will receive their prizes at an awards luncheon held during the OMA Summer Conference in North Bend July 29-31 “We haven’t actu- ally asked the Enterprise School District to par- ticipate in the ‘If I Were Mayor’ contest for some time,” city Administra- tor Lacey McQuead told Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain Enterprise Mayor Ashley Sullivan stands with two of the three winners in the recent “If I Were Mayor” contest at the Monday, May 10, 2021, City Council meeting. At left is Celina Roberge, who won third place. At right is Luke Patterson, who won fi rst. Tyson Herold, who won second, was unable to attend the meeting. the council April 12. “This year, I was contacted by the Oregon Mayors Associa- tion and asked if the city of Enterprise would like to participate again.” Student eff orts impress Yost was proud of her students’ achievements. “I was impressed with some of their ideas for improving things in our city, some of the improve- ments that could be made. They were really insight- ful,” Yost said last week. “It was one of those things for kids in the sixth grade where they could enter writing contests and it was good for them. They were able to show patriotism and have the freedom to express themselves.” Mayor Ashley Sullivan also was impressed. “I’d say Luke had me feeling like he could teach me a thing or two,” she said last week. “It’s neat that these kids know what they want for their future and can put it all into words with such convic- tion. They’ll be great lead- ers one day.” Although the kids will have to wait until they’re 18 to run for mayor, Sulli- van looks forward to their contributions. “I really hope we’re lucky enough see one of these students as Enterprise mayor when they’re older,” she said. “Local govern- ment needs fresh, young ideas to keep our small towns thriving.” Tyson had some thoughts on private prop- erty and animals. “I would make sure to say ‘no trespassing’ on any- one’s property unless you have their authority,” he wrote. “I would also make sure that there are no deer or animal killings in town, making most exotic ani- mals illegal.” Celina wants to see repairs to cracked sidewalks. “I have tripped on them thousands of times,” she wrote. The kids all recom- mended improvements to the city park and support of small businesses. They weren’t unmindful that city government can’t just wave a wand and order things to happen — that most things cost money. One sugges- tion off ered was fundrais- ers that would donate to businesses. Celina wants to see the public pool brought back at the park, having been told of its former existence by her mom. Tyson wants to see more support for sports and fund- ing for any needed sports equipment. Other ideas also were put forward, such as encour- aging local Boy and Girl SPRING TIME FUN and HVAC Parts & Service Ed Staub & Sons Energy Community Service. 201 East Hwy 82 Enterprise, OR 97828 541-426-0320 Not just propane Scout troops, encouraging the wearing of face masks amid the coronavirus pan- demic — but not forcing anyone to — a local movie theater, a bowling alley, a game store and supporting the police. As for a future in poli- tics, Luke and Tyson both would consider it, but Celina wasn’t so sure. “Probably not,” she said. “That comes with a lot of responsibility that I don’t really want to deal with.” Although the mayor doesn’t have jurisdiction beyond city limits, all three kids were mindful of the beautiful area Enterprise is located in. Luke, in particular, said taking care of the envi- ronment is part of being a “good person.” He recommended harsh punishment on litterers. “If someone is caught lit- tering in the wild, then you should have to pick up the whole forest. If you are fi ne with throwing your trash into the wilderness, then we are fi ne with throwing the wilderness trash back to you,” he wrote. “DON’T THROW YOUR TRASH INTO THE FOREST, OR THE LAKE.” ENTERPRISE — Lend- ing Heart Community Resources and Wallowa Memorial Hospital are team- ing up for an equipment drive to take place May 17-21. According to a press release, donations for the drive will be taken at the hos- pital’s main entrance at 601 Medical Parkway in Enter- prise from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Donations can also be dropped off at the Wal- lowa City Hall parking lot at 104 N. Pine St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. According to the press release, needed equipment includes “wheelchairs, trans- fer chairs, portable elec- tric hospital beds, bed rails, plastic covered hospital bed mattresses, front wheeled walkers, seated walkers, commodes, shower chairs, tub transfer benches, wheeled knee walkers, hoyer lifts & slings, canes (single point and footed), gait belts and sock and shoe assists.” Lift chairs or other upholstered items, items requiring a prescrip- tion, or adjustments by a tech- nician cannot be accepted. Lending Heart had loaned $63,000 of equipment in the past 15 months, the release states. For more information, contact Linda Bauck at 541-398-0196. A3 Introduction to needle felting class off ered JOSEPH — A class introducing craftsmen to needle felting will be off ered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, according to a press release. The in-person class will be taught by Janet Hohmann. Cost for the class is $30. Preregistration is required by June 9. Needle felting is a craft that turns raw wool into all sorts of useful or decorative items. In this class, partici- pants will explore the tech- niques of using felting nee- dles to create a coaster and then move on to making a felted animal of choice. Domestic sheep wool will be the primary medium, but other “wools” (llama, alpaca, even dog or cat) also will be available to experiment with. Natural colors and dyed wool will be available. All materials will be provided. Because felting needles are very sharp, this class is for anyone older than 12 years of age. No experience is necessary. For everyones health and safety, masks will be required at all times. To learn more, visit https://josephy.org/event/ introduction-to-needle-felt- ing. — Chieftain staff WINTER HOURS DINE I K N E OR TA T OU Taking Wed. & Thur. 10 Fri. & Sat. 10 am am - 7 pm - 8 pm Sun. 10 am - 7 pm Now s Reservation TAKE OUT ORDERS • CALL 541-569-2285 This week’s featured book Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile 107 E. Main St. Enterprise OR 541-426-3351 bookloftoregon.com • manager@bookloft.org