Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday February 2, 2000 - SEVEN
County Court hears county audit report
By Doris Brosnan
At the Morrow County Court
meeting January 26, finance
director Lisanne Currin presented
the 1998 audit, discussing each
of the many fund types and the
several accounts, schedules and
reports included in an audit.
Currin reported that she will go
over "budgeted" and "actual”
spending in detail during budget
committee
meetings.
She
explained a rule that requires
depreciation of all assets,
including infrastructure such as
roads and bridges and suggested
that an appraisal of assets and
additional
programming
to
compute this will be needed.
The court congratulated Currin
for another clean audit. She noted
the importance of timely reports
by departments and suggested
that department heads are
responsible for tracking fixed
assets, adding that a bar code
scanning system might facilitate
that work.
Public works director Guy Van
Arsdale reported to the court on
early snow plowing that has kept
ahead of school bus runs; cutting
of brush in the Irrigon area;
culvert installation on Social
Ridge Road; installation of an
engine into a front-end loader;
completion of the Pine City
guard rail; and near completion
of the bridge at Gooseberry.
Van Arsdale also reported
having sent the required
information about the GPS
airport approach to the FAA and
informed the court that Senator
Ron Wyden has a goal of
acquiring a grant to establish
automatic weather observation
systems for all airports with Life
Flight service.
The court approved a bid for the
backhoe attachment..
Commissioner Dan Brosnan
reported that a meeting with OSP
Superintendent Ruecker on Jan.
28 will address the contract for
the independent study of the
CSEPP issues and the role of the
person hired to facilitate that
study.
The court approved a budget
resolution for additional revenue
and appropnations for a grant to
establish
the
regional
partnership. They also approved
a change to a system of paying
claims every two weeks, rather
than every week, which will save
the finance department time and
create more interest eamings on
revenue.
In a discussion of the car-use
policy - specifically the question
of an employee's driving a
county car to and from home -
Currin reported that the tax
attorney was explicit about the
tax law that makes exception
only for road department
circumstances and specially
marked and law enforcement
vehicles. Such use by other
employees is considered a
taxable benefit.
After considerable discussion,
the court resolved that the policy
shall be that no one is allowed to
commute
except
law
enforcement personnel, the
public works director and
assistant road master.
lone City Mayor Betty Gray
and council person Mark Bruno
appeared to thank the court of
help with the crushed rock for
work on Main and Spring Streets,
which are now safer.
Gray reported that a flood
mitigation plan for Rietmann
Canyon, some money for which
was awarded from tippage fees,
would be far more expensive
than expected. She explained that
lone City Council has discussed
a curb and sidewalk project that
would prevent water from going
into businesses and that the
council wants to redirect the
awarded amount to this new
project. Bruno added that Jhe
sidewalks would alleviate a foot
traffic problem for students
traveling Spring Street to the
school and library and would
help correct the absence of
handicap access to sidewalks.
He told the court that the city
would seek a grant for the plan to
pipe floodwater to the creek. In
answer to questions, the lone
representatives explained that
they expect the work to not
exceed the amount previously
awarded. The court approved
amending the original use of the
tippage fee award to this minor
flood control effort.
Representing Census 2000.
Karen
Hutchinson-Talaski
reported that just less than 100
people in Morrow County have
been tested for the work as
enumerators and that another 50
are needed for creation of an
adequately-sized pool from
which 80 enumerators may be
selected.
Talaski encouraged the
commissioners to send her names
of persons interested in being
tested. Talaski also mentioned
some programs that rely on
census numbers and reported that
forms will be mailed to
individuals in March, to be
returned by April.
Enumerators, working from the
manned census centers in both
the north and south county areas,
will visit residences that do not
return the forms.
Cyde Estes, of the Blue
Mountain Community College
Foundation, presented a letter
from the finance director
outlining
the
cost
of
administering a payroll deduction
program. She also presented a
draft survey that outlines the
BMCC Foundation's funding of
higher education through payroll
deductions. The court approved
the survey.
Planning
Director
Tamra
Mabbott asked the court, which
agreed, to sign a letter of support
for a grant application to the
Good Shepherd Community
Health Foundation for signage to
mark the Heritage Trail.
The court also authorized
graphic work for the Trail
project.
Mabbott reported on a visit with
Umatilla County Commissioner
Dennis Doherty about impact aid
and the (CSEPP) moratorium, in
which they agreed that the two
counties should meet to further
discuss these issues.
Mabbott suggested that the
meeting would be apropos to
requesting help from Umatilla
County for legal and staff
expenses in pursuing impact aid.
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HEPPNER:
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Thursdays 6:30 p.m.
HERMISTON:
Senior Center • 435 West Orchard
Mondays 6:30 p.m.
Join any m eeting anytim e! For m ore in fo rm a tio n
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Doherty suggested that the
commissioners schedule one
meeting with both the Hermiston
Herald and East Oregonian
editors, and the court agreed and
set a date and time.
Mabbott offered a copy of the
draft letter about impact aid to
come trom the Citizens Advisory
Committee.
Assessor Greg Sweek
continued with the court an
earlier discussion with them and
department heads that focused on
many operational inadequacies of
the computer programming that a
programmer was to have
installed and fine-tuned.
Sweek voiced the desire to halt
the work of the programmer and
seek another source of programs.
The court noted that they wish to
talk to the present programmer
next week, after she has received
a letter explaining doubts that she
can complete the assessment and
taxation program but noting that
the county expects her to
complete accounting programs.
They expressed concern that
severing the relationship now
could place some departments at
risk.
In the meantime, information
for other options will be
accumulated.
Commissioner Brosnan advised
the court that the Washington
Ground Squirrel was officially
listed as an endangered species
last week. The court discussed
the many issues related to the
listing of the squirrel, including
procedural questions, interest by
Representative Bob Jenson and
impact on industry.
Before closing, the court
reviewed the renewal of the
agreement with Franklin County
Correctional Center for jail space
and approved that contract.
High schoolers
invited to
'pig out'
The third annual "Pizza Pig
Out", sponsored by the Heppner
Campus Life, will be held
Monday, February 7, from 7:17-
8:38 p.m. at the Heppner High
School cafeteria.
High school students are invited
to "pig out" on all the Papa
Murphy's Pizza and pop they can
eat and drink for $1 each.
For more information, contact
Greg Lynch, 676-5759.
Child care
classes offered
Umatilla-Morrow Head Start,
Inc., has announced several
classes offered by Child Care
Resource and Referral.
Family Child Care Overview
will be held February 7, from
6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Boardman
area. This class is required by the
Child Care Division for anyone
wishing to become a registered
family child care provider and
will include information on
recently passed regulations.
Anyone who is currently doing
family child care in her home
and who is not registered with
the Child Care Division or for
more information may call Starla
Halverson at Child Care
Resource and Referral.
Oregon Child Care Basics I:
Safety and Health will be offered
February 8-9 from 6:30-9 p.m. in
the Pendleton area.
This training covers
information on illness and injury
prevention,
immunizations,
nutrition, safe food handing and
responding
to
medical
emergencies.
This training is appropriate for
anyone providing child care in a
home or center as well as for
parents. The training will qualify
family child care providers to
apply for a waiver.
A S5 registration fee and pre-
registration arc required.
Ages and Stages: How Brain
Development Impacts Children's
Lives will be held February 19,
from 8 a.m.-noon in the
Boardman area.
This training offers participants
an opportunity to learn how the
brain develops and how that
interacts with the developmental
stages of children.
Wc Print BUSINESS CARDS |
H eppner O m e tte - Timex
Legislature approves county
crops agent funding
The 1999 Oregon L egislature
provided funding for a number of
new agriculture faculty positions
in the Oregon State University
research and extension system.
Funding was provided to take the
Morrow County crops agent
position, currently held by
Kathryn Kettel, from a half-time,
fixed term position to a full-time,
tenure track position.
Because the current position
was neither advertised as full
time nor tenure track, according
to higher education system
regulations,
Kettel
cannot
automatically assume the new
position, according to Bill
Broderick, Morrow
County
Extension Service staff chair.
According to the news release,
Kettel was given a full-time,
fixed term (non-tenure track)
appointment as of Oct. 1, 1999
and will remain in this position
until Dec. 31. 2000 at the
longest.
A search will be conducted to
fill the new position in Morrow
County and input is needed.
A planning meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, Feb.
23, from 6-8 p.m. at the Heppner
Ranger District conference room,
in the ranger district building,
Heppner.
Everyone is invited to attend.
The purpose of the meeting is to
brainstorm and discuss the role
people would like the new crops
agent to play in Morrow County.
Input will be sought on priorities,
field research, new technologies,
one-on-one contacts and an ag
economist.
The goal for this meeting, said
Broderick, is to come to a
consensus among those present
as to the direction the position
should take and to identify
individuals who can serve on the
selection committee
The time-frame for filling the
position is as follows: begin
advertising in mid-March; accept
applications until late April:
interview in May. The position
will be available no later than
January 1,2001.
Call Broderick. 676-9642, to
RSVP no later than Wednesday,
Feb. 16, or for more information
Boardman awards banquet set
Boardman will honor those
who made Boardman a better
place to live and work in 1999 at
the annual Community Awards
Banquet Friday, February 4.
Dinner will be at the new Port
of Morrow Riverfront Center,
Two Marine Drive in Boardman.
Social hour music will be
provided by Mike McCormick,
guitarist
and
banquet
entertainment by "Absolutely
Nobody," the men's quartet from
Blue Mountain Community
College.
For the first time, Boardman
area businesses and organizations
will sponsor and decorate tables
to promote their business,
celebrate Valentine's Day or just
for fun. The evening will feature
a silent auction and another with
Irrigon auctioneer Ray Fox. A
variety of auction items - from
"romance” lodging packages to
pre-paid registrations to selected
Blue Mountain Community
College classes will be available.
Social hour begins at 6 p.m.
This is a great time to view the
table decorations and auction
items or visit the no-host bar.
Dinner, with a choice of baked
ham or chicken cordon bleu, will
be served at 7 p.m..
The dinner will be followed by
awards to the Outstanding
Boardman Educator, Business
Person and Citizen of 1999.
The auction, proceeds
benefiting
the
Boardman
Chamber of Commerce and its
community
improvement
projects, will conclude the
awards dinner.
Tickets are SI5 each if
purchased in advance or SI7 on
the day of the banquet. Tickets
are available in Hermiston at the
Simmons Agency, in Boardman
at the Chamber of Commerce.
Umatilla Electric Co-Operative
and Boardman Pharmacy.
BMCC Nursing Dept,
offers orientation sessions
The Nursing Department at
Blue Mountain Community
College will hold four, one-hour
sessions to provide information
to students interested in entering
the associate degree nurse
program.
Two sessions will be held
Thursday, Feb. 3, from 11 a m. -
noon and noon-1 p.m. in HE 107,
and two sessions on Monday,
Feb. 7, from 11 a m.-noon and 3-
4 p.m. in HE 106.
All applicants for the ADN
program
must
submit
a
completed application packet to
the college no later than March
31 to be considered for entry to
the program.
A completed packet will include
an application
form
and
supplemental application form,
official high school and college
transcripts, transcripts indicating
completion of three terms of
anatomy and physiology, three
terms of chemistry and one term
of Math 60 (students must
complete these courses with a C
grade or above); names and
addresses of three people other
than family; and a handwritten
statement regarding reasons for
seeking a career in nursing.
For applications, contact the
BMCC record office in Morrow
Hall or call (541) 278-5759. For
program information, contact the
nursing department in the health
education building or call (541)
278-5877.
Show Each Other
How Much You Care
Gifts for the both of you
COAST TO COAST
Heppner
676-9961
Valentines Day Feb. 14
Fire advisory
committee
to meet
A city of Heppner Fire
Advisory Committee meeting
will be held Wednesday,
February 9, at 7 p.m. at Heppner
City Hall, 188 W. Willow.
The agenda will include
computing Rural Fire District
Agreement Charges of 2000-
2001 and discussion of a county
wide fire district investigation, in
addition to other discussion.
Prostate cancer
group to meet
The Pendleton Prostate Cancer
Support Group will meet in
Pendleton at the Western Bank.
1701 S.W. Court Ave., on
Monday, February 7, at 7 p.m.
The topic will be, "What Your
Blood Tells About You."
Speaker will be Edward Morrow,
medical technologist at Interpath
Laboratory.
Meetings are free of charge and
open to all interested people,
including w ives. Those attending
are invited to bring a friend.
Call June Miller, 443-6171, for
more information or to get a
map.
Gun Club News
bv Sandi Day
The Morrow Co. Gun Club
held their weekly shoot on a very
cold blustery morning Sunday.
Jan. 30.
Despite the coolness an
abundance of shooters show ed up
for the second week of shooting
for league handicap scores.
The leaders on the 16-yard line
were Rob Ashbeck with 23 of 25.
a three-way tie between Brian
Haguewood, Curt Day and Jeff
Cutsforth with 21 and Mick
Sharp with a 20.
The winners of the 20-yard
handicap were Harvey Childers
with 23. Rob Ashbeck with 22
and Curtis Cutsforth with a 21.
Winners in the ladies event at
16 yards were Bonnie Grant,
Sandi Day, Deona Hodges and
Katie Walton and the 20-yard
line was a tie between Bonnie
Grant and Katie Walton. Sandi
Day and Deona Hodges.
Junior shooting newcomer
Tayler Hodges made his debut
with a very respectable seven of
25.
The Annie Oakley was won by
Curt Day and the golf round was
won by Rob Ashbeck.
Next week's shoot will be held
on Sat., Feb. 5, at noon at the
club in Lexington.
4-H News
Paws and Claws
By Kim Morris
The second meeting of the
Paws and Claws 4-H club was
held on Jan. 16-their first
meeting of the new millennium.
The meeting was called to
order at 6:05 p.m. at club leader
Becky Tullis's house. After the 4-
H pledge and motto, members
started by going over the parts of
the guinea pig, using Toto and
Pooky, actual guinea pigs, to
remember in case members had
to show one in the fair.
Next, the club members and
their parents headed out to the
shop and went over the parts of
the chicken using Whitey and
Pickle to demonstrate
After finishing up outside,
members headed back to the
house and played "Jeopardy”
with some of the body parts
members had already been over
that evening
The meeting was adjourned at
about 6:45 p.m. and members
then
were able to get
refreshments and go home.
The next meeting will be held
Sunday. Feb. 20. at 5:30 p.m.
Horse 4-Hers
By Stacey Just
The meeting on January 16 had
to be cancelled at the last minute
and the club was unable to get a
hold of some people to tell them.
Sorry for any inconvenience or
confusion it may have caused
The next meeting will be held
February 20 at 2 p.m. at the
fairgrounds. "Yummy" door
prizes will be given out. so don't
miss out.
For more information call
Ruby Shear. 422-7290.