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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 5, 2017)
State Blue Mountain Eagle L EGISLATIVE B RIEFCASE Expansion of self-serve gas pumping is headed to the Senate A bill to expand the hours of self-serve gas stations in rural counties in Eastern Or- egon is headed to the Senate, after the House of Represen- tatives unanimously passed it Thursday, March 30. The bill allows 24-hour self service at stations in certain counties. Those sta- tions would still be required to have attendants between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., however. The legislation by Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, ex- pands on a law passed in 2015 that allowed self-ser- vice between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in 18 coun- ties with a population of less than 40,000. The idea was to protect travelers from being stranded in remote places. Oregon is one of only two states that prohibit customers from pumping their own gas at fueling stations. The other is New Jersey. In Eastern Oregon, some locally-owned gas stations have been at risk of closure due to the expense of hiring fueling attendants to pump customers’ gas, Bentz said. “We are trying to preserve these stations out in the mid- dle of nowhere so that we have fuel available,” Bentz said earlier this month. The proposed change af- fects 15 counties in Eastern Oregon: Grant, Malheur, Union, Wasco, Hood Riv- er, Jefferson, Crook, Baker, Morrow, Lake, Harney, Wal- lowa, Gilliam, Sherman and Wheeler. The original proposal in- cluded Clatsop, Curry and Tillamook counties. Howev- er, opposition to expanding self-service hours prompted proponents to carve out those coastal counties. Opponents feared the change would threaten the jobs of those who pump fuel for a living. 5-to-4 to approve the revised bill, with all Republicans on the committee against the measure. The legislation now goes to the House floor for a vote. Employers seek Tenant protection more changes bill heads to to predictive House floor scheduling bill A tenant protection bill that lifts the statewide ban on rent control and outlaws no-cause evictions is headed to the House floor after the Human Services and Hous- ing Committee made several revisions Thursday. “Some people think a good policy is one where no one is happy, which makes this a great policy,” said Rep. Chris Gorsek, D-Troutdale, a committee member. The committee heard hours of impassioned tes- timony from landlords and tenants affected by the state’s housing shortage before coming to the compromise. An amendment by Rep. Mark Meek, D-Clackamas County, a landlord and real estate investor, reduced the amount of relocation assis- tance landlords are required to pay when asking a tenant to leave to sell the property, remodel or for other allow- able reasons. The amount is now one month rent instead of three months. The change also exempts units less than five years old from any rent control measures approved by local governments and exempts landlords with fewer than five units from having to pay relocation fees if an eviction is for certain no-fault rea- sons such as moving into the property or selling it. The committee voted Despite proposed re- visions to a bill that would mandate two weeks’ notice for employee schedule changes and penalty pay for changes without the required notice, employers continued to voice opposition to the regulations during a hearing Monday, April 3. The legislation is “an ill-conceived attempt to more formally systematize what is inherently a very fluid and dynamic process,” said Chris Girard of Plaid Pantry Inc. Girard said the bill “would actually reduce flexibility in meeting em- ployees’ scheduling needs.” Many employees request last-minute changes, and the two-week notice re- quirement makes it harder for employers to accommo- date those requests, he said. A proposed amendment to the bill, however, would give employers a big concession. The amendment removes a requirement for “on-call pay.” The provision would have re- quired employers to pay for up to four hours of work if the employee is on call but works no hours. The agriculture com- munity and other businesses cheered the change but are still concerned about meeting the requirements, especially in in- dustries dependent on weather or deliveries such as con- struction or nurseries. Wednesday, April 5, 2017 A9 State releases final ODOT improvement recommendations By Paris Achen Capital Bureau The state’s executive de- partment released final rec- ommendations for reforming weaknesses at the Oregon Department of Transportation Monday. The recommendations re- semble a draft released March 24 and first reported by the Pamplin Media Group/EO Media Group Capital Bureau. The improvement plan by the Department of Adminis- trative Services is based on the findings of an independent consultant’s management re- view of the agency, finalized Feb. 1. New York-based McK- insey & Co. concluded there is an unclear governance struc- ture for ODOT and the Oregon Transportation Commission, which sets policy for the agen- cy. The agency also lacks a strategic vision for the future and accountability measures, the consultants found. DAS recommended that the governor and Legislature con- vene a work group to clarify the governance structure and report back Nov. 1. ODOT should seek the ex- pertise of a management con- sulting company to develop a management plan for the agen- cy that would define struc- ture, roles and measurements for success. The agency also should seek out a consulting company to address waste in its fleet and facilities programs and convene procurement ex- perts from other state agencies to review potential improve- ments for contracting. Other recommendations call for an agency communica- tions plan, alignment of legis- lative standards with the reali- Capital Bureau The Department of Administrative Services has released a set of final recommendations for addressing issues at ODOT outlined by an independent review of the department conducted by an independent contractor. ties of the agency’s operations and an audit by the Secretary of State’s Office specifical- ly on ODOT’s management of funds in the highway pro- gram. Finally, DAS recommends conducting another manage- ment review in 2020 to identi- fy the progress of any changes. “I fully embrace these rec- ommendations and whole- heartedly believe that ODOT will be a stronger organiza- tion as a result of them,” said ODOT Director Matt Garrett in an email to staff. “More- over, I commit to working with the (Oregon Transpor- tation) Commission, ODOT employees and our customers to implement these recommen- dations in a transparent and ac- countable manner.” Agency leadership will assemble a steering team to help guide implementation of the recommendations and track and report on progress, which also will be published on a webpage, said Assistant ODOT Director Travis Brou- wer. The agency also plans to develop a strategic business plan, Garrett wrote in his email to employees. Gov. Kate Brown ordered the management review to help allay some lawmakers’ concerns in preparation for consideration of a transporta- tion package worth hundreds of millions of dollars this ses- sion. The revenue to pay for projects would likely come largely from a hike in the state’s gas tax and registration fees. The state paid McKinsey $1 million to conduct the man- agement review on a short timeline, so findings would be available before the end of the legislative session. Yet dead- lines for finishing work prod- ucts in the improvement plan are after lawmakers would likely vote on a transportation package. A work group of law- makers plans to recommend accountability measures for ODOT later this week. Those accountability measures could be added to the transportation package legislation. Governor went to Final Four game on campaign’s dime By Claire Withycombe Capital Bureau Oregon Gov. Kate Brown was there when the Univer- sity of Oregon men’s basket- ball team lost its NCAA Final Four match against the Uni- versity of North Carolina by one point. Gov. Brown left an event at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon Friday afternoon in order to catch her flight to the game, which was held Sat- urday in Glendale, Ariz. According to the Gover- nor’s Office, the trip was paid for by the governor’s cam- paign. Gov. Brown is running for re-election next year. A spokesman for the gov- ernor referred questions about the governor’s attendance to her campaign, and questions about the costs of having her security detail travel with her to the Oregon State Po- lice, which employs the gov- ernor’s dignitary protection Attend a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Dinner and Benefit Auction Where fun and fund-raising combine for a memorable evening. Date: Time: Saturday, April 22 4:00—Doors open 5:30—Dinner 7:30—Auction Place: Pavilion— Grant County Fairgrounds Ticket Information: Gale Wall (541) 575-2661 A great time for a great cause. Proceeds benefit elk and other wildlife. A man wakes up in the morning after sleeping on an ADVERTISED BED, in ADVERTISED PAJAMAS. He will bathe in an ADVERTISED TUB, shave with an ADVERTISED RAZOR, have a breakfast of ADVERTISED JUICE, cereal and toast, toasted in an ADVERTISED TOASTER, put on ADVERTISED CLOTHES and glance at his ADVERTISED WATCH. He’ll ride to work in his ADVERTISED CAR, sit at an ADVERTISED DESK and write with an ADVERTISED PEN. Yet this person hesitates to advertise, saying that advertising doesn’t pay. Finally, when his non-advertised business is going under, HE’LL ADVERTISE IT FOR SALE. Then it’s too late. unit. Thomas Wheatley, Brown’s campaign manager, said the campaign paid for all costs — including airfare, lodging, and tickets — for the trip, except for the costs for the security team, which is “standard protocol,” Wheat- ley said in an email Monday. Brown traveled with her husband and a staff member. The campaign paid for their travel as well, Wheatley said. Wheatley said Brown is a “big fan” of the Oregon Ducks and other Oregon col- lege sports teams and wanted to “support Oregon’s team.” The governor did not ac- cept any gifts as part of the trip. “I am so proud of my Ducks,” Brown told KOIN news in an interview posted to the station’s YouTube channel Saturday night. “They did an amazing job tonight. They are an incredible team, and I just love watching them, and Or- egon should be proud of our Oregon Ducks tonight.” Oregon State Police did not answer inquiries by dead- line about costs associated with sending her security de- V ETERANS : 541-620-4255 Did you know there may be VA benefits available for you as a result of your spouses’ military service? The fare from Mt. Vernon to John Day has been increased to $5.50 + 1 Chocolate Cookie. See your Grant County Veteran Services Officer today for more information, located at Grant County Court House. You never need a taxi until you need one; put me on speed dial. Jeff Wilcox Call 541-575-1631 for an appointment Richie Colbeth, Owner/Operator 05463 You are cordially invited to attend Holy Week and Easter services for Lent at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Holy Week at Redeemer starts on April 9th with Palm Sunday at 10:00 AM. On April 13th (Maundy Thursday) services will start with a “Seder meal” at 5:00 p.m. Those attendees will experience the authentic Passover meal Jesus celebrated with His disciples with a special awareness of Christian meanings and symbols. The Seder meal has limited seating and you must RSVP at 541-575-2348 or 541-542-2333 by Monday, April 10th. The special evening service following the Seder meal will begin at 7:15 p.m. and is designed to inspire and affirm your faith walk. The service will include foot washing [option/by personal choice], special readings, the Lord’s Supper and a unique time to encounter the reality of the sacrifice of Jesus’ love for you. On April 14th Good Friday services will begin with the “Tre Ore” service from Noon to 3:00 p.m. (church is open and you may come and go as you please). The Tre Ore service covers the three hours Jesus was on the cross and provides a special time for prayer, reflection, meditation, and time to honor the “seven last words of Jesus” with music. The evening worship service begins at 7:00 p.m. and follows the reality of Jesus’ love for us in his suffering so that we could actually become his brother and sisters. It is a very personal service to help you grow in faith (sometimes called Tenebrae). Personally you will follow the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and meditate on what the cross means. Holy Week concludes on Easter Sunday, April 16th at 10:00 a.m. with the Resurrection Celebration. This resurrection life is for all God’s creation and this Lenten and Easter theme is to facilitate God’s reality for you. Join us in this exciting journey. Redeemer Lutheran Church 627 S.E. Hillcrest, John Day 541-575-5840 Open: Mon, Wed, & Fri 10am-4pm by appointment. 05467 05171 Benefit Dinner and Auction for Butch Goslin April 15th John Day Elks Lodge Pre-buy raffle tickets for a gun and door prizes! Doors open at 4 pm to view auction items Dinner at 6 pm – Pulled Pork • No Host Bar Some of the auction items: Cow Elk Hunt • Youth Turkey Hunt • 2 Guided Fishing Trips • Prime Rib Dinners • And Much More For donations or more information contact Walt Kight at 541-620-1227. Advertising is an investment, not an expense. Think about it! Don’t get left behind, call today! Kim Kell 541-575-0710 In contrast, Oregon’s oppo- nent, the University of North Carolina, makes it to the final rounds of the NCAA tourna- ment almost as a matter of rou- tine, and has won the cham- pionship five times — most recently in 2009. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is a fellow Democrat, and an apparent college bas- ketball fan. He posed for a photo with his NCAA bracket in March and posted it to Twit- ter. However, Cooper did not attend Saturday’s game, ac- cording to his press office. A TTENTION G RANT C OUNTY AND THEY SAY ADVERTISING DOESN’T WORK? DON’T MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE Blue Mountain Eagle MyEagleNews.com tail to the game. Running the dignitary pro- tection unit at its current size — seven full-time employees and 16 seasonal positions — is expected to cost the state’s general fund about $2.5 mil- lion in the upcoming budget cycle, according to the Legis- lative Fiscal Office. This year marks the first time the University of Or- egon’s team made it to the Final Four since 1939, when the NCAA tournament start- ed. That year the team — then dubbed the Tall Firs — won the tournament. 05480 Cost of security detail paid by taxpayers