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News
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
BALLOT
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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
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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
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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