Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2000)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 19, 2000 - THREE County Court holds zoning amendment hearing By Doris Brosnan At the July 12 meeting of the Morrow County Court, Judge Terry Tallman reconvened the public hearing on the RR-1 zoning ordinance amendment issue. Planning director Tamra Mabbott described the zone ordinance amendment process and noted that a business had submitted an application for a conveyor prior to this amendment, so the application will be evaluated on the law existing at the time of the application. County counsel Bill Hanlon informed the court that their decision should be based on the general subject, not with a particular piece of property in mind. Nine proponents of the a m e n d me n t a ddr e s s e d environmental quality, the comprehensive plan, trucking issues and commercial and residential needs. Two speakers in opposition to the amendment addressed lack of space for a conveyor, limited properties with mineral rights and existing regulations. The public meeting was closed. The county court, upon the recommendation of the planning staff and planning commission, approved the removal of mining activities from the rural residential zone ordinance and declared an emergency so it would become effective immediately. Also at the July 12 meeting, Judge Tallman opened a public hearing on a petition to the planning commission. Mabbott reported the planning commission's support of her denying a particular petition for extension of a permit to litfe in a travel trailer while a home is under construction. She noted the 12-month period of time originally allowed, lack of substantial construction progress, and code enforcement violations as part of her decision-making. Hanlon reviewed the time-line of the situation, which dates back to 1995, and reviewed the requirements of the ordinance. Seven supporters of the petitioner described improvements to the property. The petitioner testified to his investment of time and money and his attorney and Hanlon offered comments on some legal questions. The court asked several questions of the parties present and Tallman extended the matter for submission of written evidence. The court will decide the appeal on July 26. Mabbott informed the court of interviewing for a planning assistant. The court approved changing the hours for the position back to full-time, effective with the hire o f a new person. Mabbott observed the "low pay" for a technical position and noted her preference for a reclassification of the position from office manager to one qualified to perform more technical work of a planner. The county's growth and the additional help to the planner, as well as the budget ramifications were discussed. The court agreed to reconsider reclassification if the qualifications of the person hired should warrant that. In response to a question from Mabbott, Judge Tallman confirmed a plan to meet with other counties at the CSEPP National Conference to discuss impact aid. He said that no commitments will be made there. Hanlon reported on the election-contest hearing of last week. The judge in the case chose not to invalidate the election, calling the error a printing error. He reported that the contract with the Port of Morrow for the sharing of costs in the ground squirrel appeal looks acceptable. Hanlon also presented a no charge agreement with the Umatilla-Morrow County Community Corrections that would allow Justice Court to send convicted offenders for supervision in community service. Justice of the Peace Charlotte Gray will get clarification on two questions. Hanlon advised the court of a notice of intent to assess the county civil penalties from the State Bureau of Labor and In other business on July 12, the court: -approved the purchase of two recorders; -approved payment of legal fees resulting from the election contest in March; -learned that John Church of the Museum Commission will meet with the architect and contractor of the ramp work to figure out what the problem is and later meet with the inspector; -agreed to planning director Mabbott's imposing a fee schedule for projects that take an exceptional amount of time; -approved the renewal of the jail use agreement with Umatilla County; -briefly discussed the transition of the building inspection program. Industries, resulting from five irregularities noted in the building of the Wilkinson Arena. Noting the 20 days during which a hearing can be requested, the court discussed the sequence of events, the volunteer issue and a hearing strategy. Public works director Burke O'Brien reported to the court the hauling of more grindings, a flow meter problem corrected on the paving pug mill, work on water problems at Cutsforth Park, work on the Anson Wright Park system, safety inspection of the gravel pit operation, completion of the work at the Emergency Operations Center, the fixing of the Coal Mine Hill sign and the repair of the sprinkler system at the Irrigon annex. BEO donates Slthousand for Main Street banners Darrel Raver (right), representing the Bank of Eastern Oregon, presents Bob Kahl a check for $1,000 to the Heppner Merchants' Committee of the Heppner Chamber of Commerce for Main Street banners. O f f The W a ll B y A /ie iiy n R o b i n s o n Oregon voters will be faced with many confusing measures that have qualified for the November ballot. Among them is a extreme anti-trapping ban that just doesn’t make good sense. This measure isn’t designed just to eliminate all trapping of fur bearing animals. The language of this initiative is so broadly written it bans all “body-gripping traps” to capture or hold any animal. It could outlaw the use of head gatfcs to hold domestic animals such as cattle and sheep that are routinely doctored or given vaccinations in this manner. The use of lariats could also be considered a means of trapping. Or how about the snares and catch-poles used by animal control officers to capture vicious or rabid dogs? If this became a law it would even ban common mole or gopher traps except by special permission and only after it is proven that there is a specific animal problem. Burrowing animals would be free to damage gardens, parks, golf courses or diversion ditches that prevent erosion. Without a special trapping permit a person could be fined up to $5,000 or up to a year in jail per trapped animal. In order to get a special permit from a Fish and Wildlife director one would have to apply in writing and verify that there is an animal problem. This would be a slow, cumbersome, bureaucratic, red-tape process to be handled by an already over-burdened department. So how could a limited staff be able to comply with such problems in a large area such as Morrow County, for example? Picture this scenario -- the park district in the north end of the county calls up the local ODFW and claims they have a gopher problem. No, they haven’t actually seen this fuzzy little fellow but the mounds in the lawns don’t appear to be made by humans. They need ODFW expertise to determine if they can apply for trapping permit. Meanwhile a cattle rancher in the south is awaiting a permit to put his cow herd through the chute to give fall vaccinations and exam cows so those that are not pregnant can be shipped. At the same time a veterinarian is hoping that a cast on a horse’s leg will not be considered an illegal body-holding device. What about the stray dog that has been terrorizing children in the school yard? Is poisoning or shooting an alternative? We’re all on this planet together. In a natural resource environment most people are aware of the need for controls that are designed to benefit the majority. Special-interest groups don’t often see the big picture. Oregonians need to rely on sound judgement to manage wildlife, which is why there are regulations and a department to handle management practices. This proposed trapping ban would restrict professionals from doing their job in managing Oregon’s wildlife and at the same time impose hardships for livestock ranchers as well as all residents. If this measure became law, are we going to police one another? Is your neighbor going to report that your cat trapped a mouse in their yard and therefore you are legally responsible for this crime? Tri-County 14-year-old all-stars advance mm | liH K I * J «Pe >1 Jdb ' Tri-County 14-year-old All-Stars (left to right): Front row-Luke Murray, Jorge Madrigal, Kiel Nairns, Derrick Hancock, Kyler Lovgren, Chuy Elguezabal, Ben Turrell; Back row- coach Dean Kegler, Dustin Swindler, Josh Kegler, Jeremy Rosenbalm, Zach Lands, Billy Gates, Mike Sallee, Josh Wright, Jared Salisbury, coach Rick Rosenbalm. The Tri-County 14-year-old Babe Youth All-Stars will advance to the North Oregon State Tournament this Friday, July 21, at 1 p.m. All tournament games will be held at the Tualatin Park and Recreation District Center, located at 158th and Walker Road in Beaverton. The winner of that game will play on Saturday at 7 p.m. The loser will play on Saturday at 1 p.m. Opening ceremonies are planned on Thursday, July 20, at 5:15 p.m. A picnic will be held for all teams at the field on Thursday at 6 p.m. The sports facility may be accessed from Highway 26 by taking the Cornell Road exit and traveling south on 158th. All games are on Field 1. Tournament prices are as follows: per day-adult, $4, senior citizens (65 and over) and youth (seven-12), $2, children under seven, free; tournament passes- adult, $15, senior citizen and youth, $10, and families, $30. The Tri-County All Stars advanced to the state tournament with a 15-3 victory over the Pendleton Nationals in the District-6 North Oregon tournament Tuesday, July 11. Tri-County made 12 hits and scored in every inning of the game, which was called on the 10-run rule after six innings. Billy Gates of lone pitched a strong game for Tri-County, with four hits, 10 strikeouts and four walks. Tri-County took an 8-0 lead in the first inning, making two runs on two hits, one error and a sacrifice fly by Josh Kegler, Boardman. Twelve batters went to the plate in the second inning, adding six more runs. Gates had a two-run single in the second and Luke Murray, Heppner, drove in another run on a single. Pendleton didn't get on the board until the third inning. Tri-County made single runs in the third and fourth innings to bring the score to 10-2. In the sixth inning Ben Turrell, Heppner, singled with one out and Murray walked. A three-run home run by Jeremy Rosenbalm ended the game. Rosenbalm was 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs. Gates was 3-for-4 with three RBI and Kegler was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Murray scored three runs. Coach is Dean Kegler, Boardman. l G a ze tte -T im e s • 676-92X8 Pried Chicken Dinner - with mashed potatoes, gravy and all the trim mings. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. HEPPNER ELKS 358 676-9181 "Where Friends Meet” 142 N orth Main Parker Joins Farm Credit Services T he P endleton J'taff of Farm C re J u Services welcomes Joe Parker and his wife Jan to the area. Joe, previously a C redit O ffice r in Idaho Falls, Idaho grew up in no rth ern U tah on a 4 0 0 head da iry and 2 ,5 0 0 acre grain and alfalfa operation. He graduated from U tah S tate U niversity with a degree in finance. Joe is looking forward to assisting farm ers and ranchers in G illiam , Morrow and U m atilla counties with th eir financing needs. Give Joe a call o r com e see him about financing your operation. 541 276-7361 - 1 Southw est Nye ♦ Pendleton Farm Credit Services We understand agriculture like no other lender in the field JOIN US FOR THE 17th ANNUAL IR R IG O N W A T E R M E L O N F E S T IV A L , Saturday July 29th at the Irrigon Marina Park A/eur M illennium BREAKFAST 6 :3 0 -9 :0 0 a m . SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT 7 :0 0 a.m. (call Rick EUison to enter: 922-2357) PARADE 1 0 :0 0 a.m . (call David and Charlene Cooley to enter: 922-2326) CONTINUOUS ENTERTAINMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY OWGL fall meeting set invited to address the group and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers has also been invited to update OWGL on its ongoing smoke management litigation. The workshop will be held in the morning, with the board meeting following in the afternoon. More specific information will be provided at a later date. FA X PAPER July 81st - Friday ÍQ The Oregon Wheat Growers League Fall Workshop and Board meeting has been set for Wednesday, September 6, at the Port of Morrow office building in Boardman. This meeting is where OWGL will do most of its work in reviewing policy resolutions and setting its agenda for the 2001 Oregon Legislature. Oregon State Senate Majority Leader Gene Derfler has been (Editor's note: information about the 13-year old and 15- year-old tournaments will appear in next week's Gazette-Times.) • Arts and Crafts Booths * Bingo * Dunk Tank • Food Booths • Kids' Games • Hula Hoop Contest • Giant Raffle STREET DANCE & SPECTACULAR LIGHT SHOW •On O ld T isuatlte with Dan Bums & 3-D Productions 9 :0 0 p.m.-midnight LOTS O F FREE, FUN FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT! M U S IC , M U S IC a n d M O R E M U S IC : B r a m B r a ta ' (Y o u th S t e e l B a n d ) A b s o lu t e ly N o b o d y ( B M C C Q u a r te t) • B a r b a r a C e c il (S in g er) T o n y M a d r ig a l (E n te r ta in e r E x tr a o r d in a ir e ) • a n d L o ts o f I-o r a l T a le n t! P h is A B ig C a r S h o w a n d D ig n ita r y S e e d - S p it tin g C o n te s t! For more information, cal Donna Eppenbach, 922-3197. LaVeite Panto« 922-3386 Judy Swanson 922-9568 or denna Hodman 922-9433 Entertainment and advertising funded by the Morrow County Unified Recreation District
