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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2018)
A10 News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, June 20, 2018 BALLOT Continued from Page A1 Eagle file photo A for sale sign in John Day. A new housing incentive program aims to see new homes built in the city. HOUSING Continued from Page A1 He recommended that the city not adopt the housing incentive plan until financing for the sewer treatment plan was finalized and to present the plan to the city’s voters for approval. Councilor Brandon Smith disagreed with Provencher that the plan was a redistri- bution of tax revenue. Taxes from each improved property will be used to repay the city for the incentives, not taxes from the city as a whole, he said. Councilor Shannon Adair said the city needs to take on several projects at a time in order to promote economic development and halt the de- cline in population and busi- ness activity. The city’s proj- ects work together to achieve this goal, she said. Green said the best way to finance a new sewer plant was by increasing customers and widening the revenue base, not by issuing a bond. Many undeveloped lots in “... IP 44 dictates par- ticular storage and transfer requirements while imposing conditions that unduly bur- den the ability of law-abid- ing citizens to use arms for self-defense and other lawful purposes,” their petition stat- ed. “Safety and storage is a matter of personal responsi- bility and subject to each in- dividual’s particular circum- stances and needs.” Opponents of the ballot title for IP 44 also claimed the caption, as written, fo- cused on the locking require- ment and did not adequately describe the penalties for failing to comply. Shortly after the an- nouncement Monday, sup- porters of IP 44 were still deciding how to react. “We thank the court for their quick action, affirming the attorney general correctly titled our measure,” said Jake Weigler, a campaign spokes- man. “We are disappointed the gun lobby attempted to run out most of the clock to keep voters from considering this measure. We are work- ing quickly to determine if we see a path to qualify it for the ballot.” Dubbed “Oregonians for Safe Gun Storage and Reporting Lost/Stolen Fire- arms,” IP 44 would force gun owners to secure their weap- ons with trigger locks or oth- er mechanisms when they aren’t in use or being carried. Violators of the law could TEACHER Continued from Page A1 The Eagle/Richard Hanners John Day City Manager Nick Green, left, and Mayor Ron Lundbom listen to discussion about the proposed John Day Housing Incentives Plan just before the unanimous vote to approve the plan June 12. the city already have water and sewer mains nearby, so revenue from new homes on those lots would help the city recover the costs to in- stall that infrastructure. More homes and residents would also provide indirect bene- fits to the local economy, he added. Elaine Howard, the con- sultant who helped the city draft the urban renewal plan, explained that property own- ers will not see incentive payments until after the next fiscal year starts in 2019. The county assessor will certify the tax bill in October based on what occurred in the prior year, she said. “There’s always a long lag,” she told the council by phone. Green said the first rebates wouldn’t be issued until Oc- tober 2019. He also noted that property owners don’t apply to the city to benefit from the program. What matters is the change in the assessed value after the tax base is frozen un- der the ordinance, he said. — it’s in my heart.” She took on a welding class this year and, hav- ing no prior experience, learned alongside the stu- dents with professional welders sharing their ex- pertise in their classroom. Engle said it’s important for teachers to keep their love of learning alive. “When you learn new things, there is an excite- ment there,” she said. “When you love learning, the kids respond to that, and then they love what you’re sharing with them.” She said, while she en- “ We are disappointed the gun lobby attempted to run out most of the clock to keep voters from considering this measure.” Jake Weigler campaign spokesman face fines of up to $2,000 and would be liable for any inju- ry caused by an unlawfully unlocked weapon, excluding self-defense situations. It would also require them to report if one of their guns is stolen or lost within 24 hours of learning of the theft or loss. Failure to comply with those requirements would be considered a violation, not a crime. The petition is one of two gun-control proposals that could come before Oregon voters in November. The other, IP 43, would place heavy restrictions on mil- itary-style semi-automatic weapons and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Pro-gun groups have also appealed ballot language for that petition to the Oregon Supreme Court. The court could rule as early as this week. — The EO Media/Pam- plin Media Capital Bureau contributed to this report. courages higher education, she realizes it is not for every child. However, by instilling a good work ethic and knowledge, “they can truly go on and be success- ful.” Engle said she encour- ages teachers to view each student as an individual. “If they’re being suc- cessful in their own person- al progress, then you’re do- ing what you’re supposed to be doing,” she said. “We often forget that the goal is to make each child feel suc- cessful. “The best part of my job is seeing a child smile when they are proud of themselves and knowing that I helped them feel that way.” Hello Grant County, Homer & Jeannette Harridon are celebrating their th Well, summer is officially here. Aren’t you glad you live in Grant County! Just this morning I had a couple visiting from Brownsville tell me how lucky I am to live here and how much they love to visit us. 50 Anniversary Their dond want to invite friendd We have had some major events here recently for people to enjoy, and we have more coming up! Who says there is nothing to do here?! Be sure to check the Events Calendar on the Chamber’s website. And please let us know if you have an event planned so we can list it on the calendar. and family to join in the celebration! Friday, J3ne 22 from 3-5 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Grange Hall. Cake and ice cream will be derved. No giftd, pleade. The Chamber board will meet Thursday, June 21st at 10:30 at the Chamber office. The no-host membership luncheon will follow at 12:00 at the Outpost Restaurant. Our guest speaker this month will be Val Hoyle, the newly elected Commissioner of Labor and Industries. Let our family of Pharmacists serve you! Val will be speaking about possible legislation for bicycle safety; programs implementing “Trade Schools” in high schools; and possible funding assistance for spec homes or the promotion of John Day Housing Initiative. Everyone is welcome to come to our meetings. Give us a call today 541- 676-9158 - Heppner 541- 348-2801 - Condon This is membership renewal month, so you should be seeing your renewals very soon. If you are not a member, ask yourself, why? There are many benefits to Chamber membership. Give us a call and we would be happy to tell you about them! We welcome the opportunity to visit with you about our services! Tammy Bremner Chamber Manager Heppner & Condon 63629 46958
