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FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Critic appeals aquatic center permit
By BENNETT HALL
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — A vocal
critic of plans to build a new
community pool is challeng-
ing the validity of a permit for
the project.
John Morris, who lives
several miles west of John
Day, has fi led an appeal of
a decision by the John Day
Planning Commission to
approve a conditional use per-
mit for an aquatic center to be
built by the John Day-Canyon
City Parks and Recreation
District at the Seventh Street
Sports Complex in John Day.
The appeal is scheduled to
be heard by the John Day City
Council at 6 p.m. on Jan. 5 in
the John Day Fire Hall, 316 S.
Canyon Blvd.
Morris was the lone person
to speak in opposition to the
project at the Planning Com-
mission’s Nov. 9 public hear-
ing. In his appeal, he claims
the Planning Commission
was biased and prejudicial in
its decision to grant the per-
mit because he was not given
“the same opportunity to pro-
vide and to complete his testi-
mony” as those who spoke in
favor of the pool project.
As evidence of that claim,
Morris cites the actions of
Planning Commission Chair
Ken Boethin. Morris notes
that Boethin interrupted him
at one point and asked if he
had any concerns relating to
the development code crite-
ria the commission was using
to evaluate the permit appli-
cation for the pool, but did
not ask the same question of
the 15 people who testifi ed in
support of the project.
John Day Mayor Ron
Lundbom and City Councilor
Shannon Adair were among
Courtesy of Opsis Architecture
If funding for the project is approved by voters, the aquatic cen-
ter would be built in the northwest corner of the Seventh Street
Sports Complex.
those who spoke in favor of
the proposed aquatic center
at the hearing. By expressing
support for the project, Morris
argues, Lundbom and Adair
have prejudiced his right to
an unbiased and fair appeal
before the City Council.
In addition, Morris argues
that the acoustics of the meet-
Attorney paints
Easterday as victim
By DON JENKINS
Capital Press
YAKIMA, WASHING-
TON — Former Washing-
ton cattleman Cody East-
erday, awaiting sentencing
for defrauding Tyson Fresh
Meats, may have been a
victim of price-fi xing by
Tyson, a lawyer said in court
Wednesday, Dec. 15, a claim
rebuff ed by a Tyson attorney.
Attorney Timothy Con-
way, representing Cody’s
mother, Karen Easterday,
pointed to a lawsuit in Min-
nesota that alleges Tyson and
three other packers depressed
cattle prices.
The Easterdays sold cat-
tle from the family-owned
feedlot near Pasco to Tyson,
until the company discovered
Cody Easterday was billing it
for non-existent cattle.
Nevertheless, if the anti-
trust allegations are proven,
the Easterdays could share in
a large settlement, Conway
told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
Whitman Holt in Yakima.
Tyson attorney Al Smith
called Conway’s claim an
“irrelevant cheap shot.” He
said the Easterday family
was angling to dodge paying
$233 million in restitution to
Tyson.
“They are trying to com-
plicate things to avoid their
own liability here,” Smith
told the judge. “Your honor,
they are just trying to throw
sand into the works.”
Cody Easterday fi led for
bankruptcy last year shortly
before pleading guilty to
selling Tyson about 200,000
head of what federal pros-
ecutors called “ghost cat-
tle.” He is scheduled to be
sentenced for wire fraud in
January.
Meanwhile, the family’s
extensive farm and ranch
operations in the Colum-
bia Basin are being sold.
The proceeds have yet to be
divided among Tyson, other
creditors and the Easterday
family.
ing room and the complex-
ity of the development code
criteria made it diffi cult for
him to understand what was
being said, putting him at a
disadvantage.
The proposed aquatic cen-
ter would replace the old
Gleason Pool, located in a
city park adjacent to the Kam
obtained $2 million in state
funding for the aquatic cen-
ter project and is considering
up to $1 million more in cash
and in-kind contributions for
site improvements, includ-
ing the money from the sale
of the Gleason Park property.
The city also plans to cover
utility costs for the new pool.
The parks and rec district
still needs to raise $3 mil-
lion to $4 million to cover
design and construction of the
aquatic center. The district
plans to put a bond measure
on the ballot next year for
either the May or the Novem-
ber election.
If voters in John Day and
Canyon City (the area cov-
ered by the district) approve
the bond measure, the new
aquatic center could open as
soon as the summer of 2023.
If voters reject the measure,
the pool would not be built.
OBITUARIES
Bill McNeil
Richard Guy Craven
July 25, 1923 — Nov. 15, 2021
Bill McNeil was born and raised in Tulare, California.
In 1941 Bill enlisted in the Navy for World War II and was a
machinist mate fi rst class on the repair
ship USS Whitney. In 1958 Bill started
his own die casting company in Oakland,
which is still family-run.
In the early 1970s Bill became
obsessed with owning a ranch. Who
knows why, but he loved John Wayne
movies, Louis L’Amour books, and Bob
Wills’ music.
Bill bought his fi rst ranch outside of
Monument. He dragged his city-raised
wife and teenagers on 13-hour drives to
stay in a mouse-stained trailer in the middle of nowhere. Fortu-
nately, just down the dirt road we had wonderful neighbors Bud
and Osie Engle, who charmed us with authentic experiences of
country life.
Later Bill sold the Monument ranch and in 1993 bought the
former Oliver Ranch near John Day. In 1997 Shannon Voigt
built his house, and for the rest of his life Bill never went any-
where but work, home, and John Day.
Bill had a 28-year partnership with Allan and Rozanne Mul-
lin as ranch operators, and later as co-owners.
Save for his family it was Bill’s most gratifying relation-
ship. Bill loved going to the Squeeze-In to be served breakfast
by Shawn Duncan and gather with a group of men he called
“the old timers,” including John Aasness and Jim Jensen. Bill
enjoyed many meals at Snaffl e Bit Dinner House. If Brenda
Coley is wearing a MAGA hat, it was Bill who gave it to her.
Bill loved sitting on his deck with a view of Strawberry Moun-
tain, and driving in Allan’s rig around the property.
Bill’s beloved wife, Jean, died in 2015. He is survived by his
three children.
Aug. 5, 1933 — Nov. 23, 2021
Richard Craven of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away at the age
of 88 on Nov. 23 in the care of Guardian Angel Homes in Post
Falls, Idaho. Born on Aug. 5, 1933, in Goldendale, Washington,
Richard was one of fi ve children Samuel G. Craven and Opal
Nickerson Craven would have.
Richard graduated in 1951 from John Day High School in
Oregon. He then enlisted in the Coast Guard the next October.
While in the service, he trained at the Coast Guard Training Sta-
tion for radio operation. He earned a National Defense Service
Medal for his commitment and dedication to his county. Richard
served just under four years, before being honorably discharged.
Richard married Flora Gae DeForest on Dec. 7, 1953, in
North Bend, Oregon. Together they had three wonderful sons:
Stephen, Larry and Timothy.
Richard was hardworking, a master gardener and member of
the Oregon Rhododendron Society. He was instrumental in cre-
ating the Wonder Bread delivery routes for Lincoln City/Oregon
Coast. He was very creative and had a talent for building vio-
lins, dulcimers, mandolins. Richard had an inquisitive mind and
loved to study his family ancestry and genealogy.
Richard is survived by his spouse, Flora G. Craven, and
his three sons, Stephen P. (Lorraine Turner) Craven of Idaho,
Larry D. (Monica Dawson) Craven of Montana, and Timothy
W. (Wendy Miller) Craven of Washington, as well as his sister,
Judy (Craven) Hudson of John Day, Oregon, and his fi ve grand-
children and nine great-grandchildren.
Richard is preceded in death by his father,Samuel G. Craven;
mother, Opal Craven; two brothers, Allen and Samuel Craven;
and his sister Connie (Craven) Beil.
There are no events scheduled. You can still show your sup-
port by planting a tree in memory of Richard Craven.
About Obituaries
News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Mountain Eagle. The
paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home. Information submitted is subject to
editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle with incorrect information may be corrected and
republished as paid memorials. Obituaries longer than 300 words may be published as paid
memorials. Send obituaries by email, offi ce@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail,
195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to inquire about a paid
memorial, call 541-575-0710.
The Blue Mountain
Eagle office will be
Closed Friday, Dec. 24 th
Closed Friday, Dec. 31 st
Wah Chung State Historic
Site. That pool, which opened
in 1958, has been closed
the last two seasons due to
COVID-19 concerns and has
signifi cant deferred mainte-
nance issues.
The City Council recently
approved the sale of Glea-
son Park, where the pool is
located, to the Oregon Parks
and Recreation Department.
The state is planning a $4.5
million expansion of the Kam
Wah Chung Historic Site on
the park property.
Plans for the new aquatic
center call for a six-lane,
25-yard competitive pool
with spectator seating and an
8,000-square-foot structure to
house locker rooms, a lobby
and offi ce space for parks and
recreation staff .
The project has an esti-
mated price tag of $6 mil-
lion, but the city has already
Warren Wilson
Warren Wilson, 81, of Seneca died Wednesday, Dec. 15, sur-
rounded by his family. Arrangements are under the direction
of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfu-
neralhome.com.
Alvin Cecil Hunt
Alvin Cecil Hunt, age 72, of Long Creek passed away Dec. 14
with his family by his side. A memorial service will be planned
for sometime in the spring or early summer of 2022. To light a
candle in Alvin’s memory or to off er online condolences to his
family, please visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com.
There’s No Place Like Home
For The Holidays
Happy Holidays!
121 E. Main, John Day
541-575-2710
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much happiness, health, and good fortune to
you and your loved ones.
If you’re looking for a home for the holidays
and beyond, please keep us in mind. We’ve
been helping area residents find the perfect
place to call home for many years.
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541-620-4239
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