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
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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