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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2022)
NEWS MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, April 20, 2022 A3 City off ers library land swap Pulliam stumps By JUSTIN DAVIS Blue Mountain Eagle JOHN DAY — The John Day City Council deferred voting on a land swap deal with the Grant Count Library Foun- dation for a month and heard a challenge to City Manager Nick Green’s spending practices at its April 12 session. Resolution No. 22-884-05 proposed land swap between the city of John Day and the library foundation for the pur- pose of providing more city parking and a new site for a county library. The pro- posed deal involves the city purchasing land owned by the library foundation and the city then donating a separate lot to the foundation to be use as a site for a future library. The lot desired by the city is a single acre and is located near Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site on North Canton Street. The city would purchase the prop- erty for $125,000. The lot to be donated to the library foundation is a 2.1 acre parcel along the planned Seventh Street exten- sion at the base of Davis Creek. City Council member Dave Holland voiced concerns about the deal in the April 12 session, stressing that three sep- arate entities would need to be on board with the swap in order for the deal to work. The Grant County Court funds the library, and the Grant County Library has a board of its own that would have to weigh in on the deal in addition to the library foun- dation, which owns the land. Currently the city has only been in talks with the Grant County Library Founda- tion regarding the purchase of the land and subsequent donation of a lot as the loca- tion of a new library. The library founda- tion has spent 10 years fundraising and attempting to secure funds for a new library building. The foundation will have enough money to fund that project if the deal goes through, according to Green. It is unknown if the Grant County Court or Grant County Library board have been in contact with the Library Foundation regarding this proposal, according to Holland. The Grant County Library board is meeting next week to hold its own discus- sions about the proposal. The City Council voted to defer voting on the proposed land swap for a month to give the various enti- ties that may be aff ected by the deal time to deliberate and discuss the proposal. Green spending challenged Later in the meeting, John Day Bud- get Commission member Sherrie Rininger raised questions regarding Green’s spend- ing practices. Specifi cally, she questioned a group of landscaping contracts awarded to Field’s Tree Service. Green is authorized to spend up to $25,000 without having to consult the City Council for approval. The contracts in ques- tion were dated from Dec. 20, 2021. to Feb. John Day hosting April 26 open house Blue Mountain Eagle JOHN DAY — The city of John Day is host- ing an open house on Tuesday, April 26, in the Trowbridge Pavilion at the Grant County Fair- grounds, 411 NW Bridge St. The open house will showcase ongoing and upcoming city projects and answer questions the public may have about those projects. The open house will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is an informal event in lieu of the City Coun- cil meeting normally held on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Residents and visitors can come and see project boards, speak with council members and pick up snapshot descriptions of each project. 28, 2022, and totaled $95,276.07. The issue is with the way the information was pre- sented on the invoice and the fact that the work had already been done before the con- tract was approved, according to Rininger. The spending is combined into a sin- gle line item on the invoice as opposed to separate, $25,000 line items that Green would’ve had the authority to approve. Rininger said the way the contract was paid for and approved was “underhanded.” Also a source of concern for Rininger was a single line item of $67,400 for labor that she says was done before the contract was approved. Green explained the budgetary issue by saying the $95,000 price was four separate contracts combined into one line item. “In six years, I’ve never exceeded my contract authority, and I never would,” Green said. When asked if those contracts came up for bid, Green said fi nding willing bid- ders for a project of this type is a chal- lenge. “That’s the problem with living in a small county.” Green says the city asked for quotes from The Tree Service in Har- ney County and Ray Field. The Tree Ser- vice declined to provide a quote, so the job went to Field. “If we had a lot of people that did that type of work in the county, we could put a formal solicitation out,” Green added. The city’s formal solicitations for landscaping have been ignored in the past and “people have a tough time competing with someone who lives here and does that type of work,” Green said. Frosty 5K race draws 40 runners Blue Mountain Eagle DAYVILLE — Despite chilly temps and unseason- able snow showers, 40 runners turned out to compete in Dayville’s annual Bunny Hop 5K on Saturday, April 16, according to City Recorder Ruthie Moore. Organized by Emma Winkelman, this was the sev- enth year for the benefi t race. This year the proceeds went to help with landscaping for the Dayville Community Hall, which is in the fi nal stages of a major renovation. This year’s winners, by age group, were: • 13 and under: Preston Fretwell of Dayville, in a time of 31:13 • 14-26: Cheyanne Clark of Dayville, 27:40 • 27-49: Nick Swagger of Redmond, 24:55 • 50 and over: Cheri Cook of Kimberly, 35:28 As always, the event was followed by the annual Easter egg hunt at Dayville City Park. Contributed Photo Jessie Swagger crosses the fi nish line of the Bun- ny Hop 5K in Dayville on Saturday, April 16, 2022. WHAT’S HAPPENING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 THURSDAY, MAY 5 W HAT’S County commissioner candidate forum • 6 p.m., main conference room, Grant County Regional Airport, 72000 Airport Road, John Day The Blue Mountain Eagle will host a free public forum with the three candidates run- ning for a seat on the Grant County Court. The candidates will talk about their campaigns and answer questions about issues facing the county. Cof- fee and cookies will be served. 113 Washington St., Canyon City Regular weekly meet- ing of the Whiskey Gulch Gang to plan this year’s ‘62 Days festivities. Anyone who wants to help is welcome. For more information, call Colby Farrel at 541-620-0874. THURSDAY, APRIL 21 MONDAY, APRIL 25 Pool facility open house • 6-7:30 p.m., Parks and Rec offi ce, 845 NW Bridge St., John Day The John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation Dis- trict will host an open house to answer questions about plans for a new community pool at the Seventh Street Sports Complex in John Day. County commissioner candidate night • 7 p.m., Prairie City Pub- lic Works Department, Front Street, Prairie City The Greater Prairie City Community Association will host a “meet and greet” recep- tion for the three candidates running for a seat on the Grant County Court. Cookies, coff ee and tea will be served. HAPPENING FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Bingo night • 6 p.m., John Day Elks Lodge, 140 NE Dayton St., John Day A fundraiser for the Grant Union High School Class of 2026. Dinner provided by the Elks Club at 6 p.m., with bingo starting at 6:30. The cost to play is $5 per card. ’62 Days planning meeting • 7 p.m., Sel’s Brewery, FRIDAY, APRIL 29 ’62 Days planning meeting • 7 p.m., Sel’s Brewery, 113 Washington St., Canyon City Regular weekly meet- ing of the Whiskey Gulch Gang to plan this year’s ’62 Days festivities. Anyone who wants to help is welcome. For more information, call Colby Farrel at 541-620-0874. Attend a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Dinner and Benefit Auction Where fun and fund-raising combine for a memorable evening. Saturday, April 23, 2022 4:00—Doors open 5:30—Dinner 7:30—Auction Place: Pavilion— Grant County Fairgrounds Ticket Information: Gale Wall (541) 620-0455 Date: Time: Prairie City School Kin- dergarten Roundup • 3 p.m., Mrs. Sharp’s room, Prairie City School, 740 Overholt St. Parents can sign their child up for kindergarten. Children must turn 5 before Sept. 1 to be eligible. Bring a copy of your child’s birth certifi cate and immunization record. FRIDAY, MAY 6 ’62 Days planning meeting • 7 p.m., Sel’s Brewery, 113 Washington St., Canyon City Regular weekly meet- ing of the Whiskey Gulch Gang to plan this year’s ’62 Days festivities. Any- one who wants to help is welcome. For more infor- mation, call Colby Farrel at 541-620-0874. auction, live dessert auction and raffl e. Proceeds go toward medical expenses for Jaclyn Clarry of John Day, a mother of four awaiting a donor for a kidney transplant. To help with the event or donate auc- tion items, call Bonnie Cearns at 541-571-3284 or Patty Ross at 541-620-4841. Do you have a community event in Grant County you’d like to publicize? Email infor- mation to editor@bmeagle. com. The deadline is noon Friday for publication the following Wednesday. in John Day By BENNETT HALL Blue Mountain Eagle JOHN DAY — Touting his small-town roots and conserva- tive values, Stan Pulliam made his case for becoming Ore- gon’s next governor to a small group of voters over lunch at the Squeeze-In Restaurant and Deck in John Day on Friday, April 15. Pulliam, a 40-year-old insurance executive in his sec- ond term as mayor of Sandy, is one of 19 Republicans seeking the GOP nomination for gov- ernor in the May 17 primary. He came through John Day on Friday as part of a campaign swing through a number of Eastern Oregon communities. In a short stump speech, he reminded his audience that, with no incumbent in the race, the GOP has a better-than- usual chance of reclaiming the state’s highest offi ce. “We’re trying to do some- thing that hasn’t been done in 40 years, and that’s get a Republican elected governor,” he said. Pulliam said he decided to jump into the race after hear- ing from small-business own- ers in Sandy who were harmed economically by Gov. Kate Brown’s business restrictions during the COVID-19 pan- demic. He cited his role in launching the “Open Oregon” movement, which encour- aged businesses to buck those restrictions and reopen in Jan- uary 2021. “We decided to stand up and fi ght back,” he said. Pulliam promoted the idea of school choice and said he favored revamping and decen- tralizing the Oregon Board of Education. “Our kids go to some of the worst schools in the country despite the fact that we’re in the top tier of school spending,” he said. “It’s time for school choice. … Decisions need to made at the local level.” He railed against crime and homelessness in Portland and Eugene, which he called “rot- ten to the core,” and said as governor he would back law enforcement to the hilt. “I want to triple the size of the state police,” he said. “I want to lift up our county sheriff s and our local police departments.” Pulliam also answered questions from the audience, off ering his views on topics including: • The Greater Idaho move- ment: He’d rather work to SATURDAY, MAY 7 Jaclyn Clarry Transplant Fundraiser • 5-8 p.m., John Day Elks Lodge, 140 NE Dayton St. A benefi t dinner of pulled pork or chicken with beans and coleslaw, plus a silent Bennett Hall/Blue Mountain Eagle Sandy Mayor Stan Pulliam, who’s running in the Re- publican primary for gover- nor, visits with voters at the Squeeze-In Restaurant and Deck in John Day on Friday, April 15, 2022. make Oregon better. “If you’re going to leave the state, where are you going to go?” he asked. “Have you been to Boise lately? Have you been to Mis- soula lately? Cancer spreads, and we’ve got to fi ght back.” • New taxes, such as the cor- porate activity tax: “We would look to overturn those,” he said. Pulliam added he would also work to eliminate emergency clauses, which allow new taxes to go into eff ect without time for a ballot initiative in oppo- sition, and rein in government fees. “They can’t pass any new taxes, so they do it to you with fees.” • Reliance on grants to fund local government services: He thinks it’s a problem but didn’t have a ready-made answer. “We’ve got to fi nd a way to build up our local tax base,” he said. “I don’t have a magic solution.” • Handing control of U.S. Forest Service land to coun- ties: “It needs to be local con- trol,” he said. “Nobody else is going to care more … than local folks.” • Social services: They should be provided by family members, faith organizations and community members as much as possible. “We need to get away from government being the solution to these problems.” • The Second Amendment: Pulliam cited the Russian inva- sion of Ukraine as an exam- ple of why Americans should have the right to bear arms. “It’s for us to arm ourselves against tyrannical govern- ments and defend ourselves,” he said. “That’s why I’m a big supporter of the Second Amendment.” Showing Movies Since 1940! 1809 1st Street • Baker City APRIL 22-28 THE BAD GUYS Friday Sat & Sun Mon-Thurs (PG) 4:20, 7:20 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 7:20 FANTASTIC BEASTS Monday - Thursday 7am- 6pm Monday - Thursday 7am- 6pm Friday 8am - 5pm Friday Sharpe 8am - 5pm Mendy FNP SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE Friday Sat & Sun Mon-Thurs Mendy Sharpe FNP Apppointments available (PG-13) 4:00, 7:00 1:00, 4:00, 7:00 7:00 SONIC S283676-1 139101 Green’s spending practices challenged at council meeting THE HEDGEHOG 2 (PG) Friday 4:10, 7:10 Sat & Sun 1:10, 4:10, 7:10 Mon-Thurs 7:10 **SHOWTIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL AHEAD TO VERIFY** www.eltrym.com (541) 523-2522 VOTE JOHN ROWELL O U U N N T T Y Y C C O O M M M M I I S S S S I I O O N N E E R R C C O A TRUSTED MAN WORKING FOR YOU A great time for a great cause. Proceeds benefit elk and other wildlife. Paid by John Rowell Paid by John Rowell
