Heppner Gazette-Times Heppner Oregon Wednesday, October 11, 2000 - FIVE
Hearings set on rural partnership
Bv Doris Brosnan
At the Oct. 4 meeting o f the
Morrow County Court, Judge
Terry Tallman opened a public
hearing on the Baker-Morrow
Regional/Rural
Partnership
Investment and Action Plan.
The hearing was attended by
representatives o f the Morrow
County Health District, Greater
Eastern Oregon Development
Corporation (GEODC), City o f
Heppner and the East Oregonian.
Suggested changes were noted.
Briefly discussed were the
community solutions team and
the county's request, with support
by the governor, o f adding more
state agencies to that team. Judge
Tallman announced a November
6 meeting at the Port o f Morrow
for discussion o f leveraging
money. He also informed those
gathered
that
the Oregon
Economic
and
Community
Development Department is very
interested in the direction o f this
partnership,
placing
related
business recruitment as a high
priority.
With a contingent o f other
agency representatives, the Court
discussed telecommunications
issues. Judge Tallman noted that
the school district had been in
contact with the county because
o f having received an e-rate grant
fr o m
th e
Federal
Communications Act, which
could provide a 45-megabyte
connection to each o f the
schools, acting as an "anchor-
tenant for the community."
C o m m ission er
W enholz
explained that the school district
has said that it cannot own the
system. Effective use o f the grant
is contingent upon a provider o f
a fiber optics system to all the
schools, and June 30. 2001, is the
' expiration date o f the grant.
Breazeale added that he sees
telecommunications as vital to
the success o f Heppner, and
Tallman said that the county and
the Port o f Morrow see
telecommunications
as
an
economic development issue, for
the fiber optic cable would
provide bandwidth for related
uses.
Discussion focused on
funding,
ownership,
coordination, demand for usage,
the
speed
at which
the
telecommunications industry is
moving, the amount o f work that
would have to be completed
before the grant deadline.
Wenholz voiced his opinion
that the county should not be "in
the business o f owning the
system"
but
that
private
enterprise would be appropriate.
Tallman acknowledged that
financing is an issue, and he
suggested that some members o f
the assembled group meet with a
school district representative to
examine some details and look
closely at possible options.
County Counsel Bill Hanlon
reported that the correction to the
museum
ramp
has
been
explained to the contractor, so
that
project
should
be
satisfactorily completed. Hanlon
explained the details o f the
proposed multi-state coalition
agreement for impact aid and the
costs o f that endeavor. Before
proceeding, the Court awaits
somp answers from Umatilla
County about some particulars.
Hanlon reviewed a letter
relating to the contract with the
Army for payment o f expenses
related to permits at the chemical
depot, such as an environmental
specialist. The Army asserts
uncertainty about the county's
having the authority necessary to
enter into such an agreement.
Hanlon noted that the county has
been working with the Army
over this issue for three years. He
will prepare a memo to the court
on this issue.
Based on a memo from the
Morrow
County
Planning-
Director, determining that none
o f the Act o f Congress Land that
the county acquired from the
abandoned rail line is buildable,
Hanlon said the court can
proceed to sell those properties to
neighboring
landowners.
Commissioner Dan Brosnan
suggested, to better handle the
inherent difficulties in an orderly
fashion, that one property at a
time be sold. The situation will
be accessed at the next meeting.
Morrow County Behavioral
Health Director Kelly Sager
reported to the court that the
department has been working to
put together transitional housing
in Boardman for alcohol and
drug clients o f La Casa Vida.
A grant writer is confident o f
getting funds for the effort, and
Sager proposed securing a loan
for purchase o f a home and
renovations, while in the ensuing
months
seeking
grant
opportunities to pay the loan. The
proposed project depends on tax
exemption, and it would be
federally and state funded. The
home for up to five people would
provide adjustment between
treatment
and
home
environments. In answer to
questions from Brosnan, Sager
explained that staff would be
employees o f Behavioral Health,
the house might belong to La
Casa Vida, a non-profit agency,
purchase o f the identified house
could occur in thirty days, with
an additional six months for
renovation.
The court advised Sager, in
answer to his question, that the
Behavioral Health Department
can begin occupying space in the
Docken Building as o f November
3. Also in answer to a question.
Judge Tallman said he will
discuss with the Public Works
Department the charges for
service o f the departments
vehicles, noting the competitive
price for that service. Sager
updated the Court on his
investigation o f how to replace
the vehicle he now uses with
something that can carry more
passengers and is more weather
and road-worthy. The Court
offered further suggestions for
him to explore.
Public Works Director Burke
O'Brien reported that some road
signs have been taken, one an
especially critical stop sign. He
reported that pothole patching
has begun, and graders are
working
on
gravel-road
maintenance, starting at higher
elevations and working down.
Fog sealing o f Poleline and
Homestead Roads is planned for
the gallons recently purchased
for the cost o f freight. Painting
for Gilliam County is complete,
Umatilla County's painting is
almost finished, and Morrow
County painting, is aboiit half
finished.
O'Brien notified the court o f
hiring Karen W olff as office
support specialist. The court
agreed that trees to shade the
Public Works office building in
Lexington, recently painted by
Maintenance Supervisor Les
Paustian, will help protect it.
They also agreed to O'Brien's
plan to purchase with bridge
decking funds some pre-cast
cement decking material. O'Brien
expressed pleasure with the
Anson Wright project, which will
offer a total o f nine spaces.
Other actions taken by the
court included the following:
- approval o f the purchase o f a
laptop
computer
for
the
Behavioral Health Department;
- approval o f an agreement with
Umatilla-Morrow Community
Corrections
to
provide
supervision for persons convicted
in Imgon and Heppner Justice
Court
and
sentenced
to
community service;
- approval o f a second credit card
and replacement o f a car radio
for the Behavioral Health
Department;
- scheduling o f interviews for the
Veterans/Special Transportation
Coordinator on October 12;
- endorsement o f the zero-money
marketing plan for Heppner’s
industrial site developed by
David Sykes and explained by
City o f Heppner Manager Jerry.
administration by Judge
Tallman o f the oath o f office to
members o f the Community
Accountability Board: Samarra
Van Doom, Betty Gray, Elaine
Miller, Duane Jones and Andrea
Denton.
- appointment o f George Koffler,
Duane Disque, Betty Gray.
Kathy McGowan (Williams). Joe
Thiessen, and Tom Sly to the
Econom ic
D evelopm en t
Committee.
HHS senior class
trip meeting set
A Heppner High School Class
o f 2001 senior trip meeting will
be held Monday, October 16, at
7:30 p.m. at the school.
Parents and students are invited
to ‘end to give their input on
possiule trip destinations and
fund raising activities.
Heppner Booster Club Steak Feed and Auction
October 14th, Heppner Elks Club
Dinner at 6:00 - Tickets are $8.00
Auction begins at 8:00
Raffle Items include; Remington Model 700 “30-06”, 25” Samsung Color TV, 50 Gallons of Gas,
stadium blankets, sports wear, lube and oil, $50.00 gift certificate, fleece blankets and much more
Over 50 items. You do not have to be present to win.
Tickets can be purchased at Heppner Hardware or The Shoe Box.
Visit www.heppner.net for a fu ll list o f Silent Auction Items and Raffle Items
Main Auction Items
Autographed Blazer's Pennant & Tickets
5 lbs o f Ground Beef per Week for a Year
Two Round Trip Airline Tickets
Buck Tag -2001- Wright Ranch
Joe Montana Autographed Memorabilia
Buck Tag - 2001- Wright Ranch
Reggie Jackson Autographed Memorabilia
Eagle Crest - 2 Nights & 4 Rounds o f Golf
Two Blazer Tickets
Tim Cox Print - "Between Heaven & Earth"
Horn Rapids Golf
Holiday Flowers and Treats
Green Trail Waterproof Hunting Boots
Blazer Tickets
Family Membership to Willow Creek Co. Club
Quillow by Gwen Healy
Seattle Seahawks Tickets
Wild Horse Golf
Mustang Embroidered Golf Bag
One Hour Flight
Two Blazer Tickets
Necklace by Marsha Sweek
Guided Goose Hunt for Two
Two Nights on the Oregon Coast
Italian Dinner for Six & Wine
Bird Hunt for Four at the Munker’s Ranch
Black Hills Gold Ring
One Night Stay at the Columbia Gorge Hotel
Bass Fishing for Two
Portland Rose Garden Tour Package
Day Bird Hunt for Four - Charlie Anderson Ranch
Jet Boat Trip for Two
Dinner for Ten by John Gochnauer
Diamond Plate Pick-up Rails and Gate Cap
Day Bird Hunt for Four - Rill Ranch
Danner Boots - Your Choice
Donor
Blazers
Central Market
Jeff Huggins
Dean Wright Ranch
Toys for Kids. Gary Stover, Wright Family
Dean Wright Ranch
Toys for Kids. Gary Stover. Wright Family
Eagle Crest
Larry & Betty Mills
Dave & Patty Matheny
Columbia Basin Electric
Jannie Allen
The Shoe Box
George & Debbie Koffler
Willow Creek Country Club
Jack and Gwen Healy
A1 & Debbie Scott
Wild Horse Gaming Resort
Heppner Booster Club
Doug Drake
Gar Aviation
Marsha Sweek
Fredirkson Farms
Jim & Donna Roy
Mike & Kim Armato
Munker's Ranch
Peterson's Jeweler's
Bank o f Eastern Oregon
Steve Rhea
Portland Rose Garden
Charlie and Marcia Anderson
Tom Baumgartner
John Gochnauer
Les Schwab Tire Center
Rill Ranch
Morrow County Grain Growers
Local bicyclists Cycle Oregon
Gaylin Fickel and Sheryl Delveaux
A local couple are veterans of
Cycle Oregon 2000.
Gaylin Fickel and Sheryl
Delveaux. both Heppner. braved
the celebrated 190-mile bike trek
from Paisley to Hood River.
"It was a beautiful trip," said
Fickel, who extended his trip to
around 600 miles with excursions
over back roads and scenic
highways. "It's something that
once you do one. you want to
come back. We already want to
do it next year."
Fickel said that he had trained
for the event by riding over 2000
miles in the local area. He cycles
everyday from sunrise until he
goes to work every morning. A
ride up Heppner Hill that took
him an hour when he first started
biking now takes him only 20
minutes.
Fickel said that the first couple
days on the trip were difficult
because of a head wind and some
people took a layover over to rest
up. Those who didn't, including
Fickel, rode to Sisters and back.
After that the weather greatly
improved and many of those who
stayed behind were revitalized
enough to continue the journey.
The hottest portion of the trip,
he says, was the 100 miles from
Bend to Antelope, with one
bicyclist recording a temperature
of 110 on his bike thermometer.
The group traveled from
Paisley, through Silverton.
I.aPine. Bend. Antelope. Dufur
and finally to Hood River.
While a test of endurance, the
trip is also well planned and
organizers provide plenty of
support. "If you get tired." said
Fickel, "People pick you up We
had mechanics, water and an
ambulance for any medical
problems. You have to drink a lot
of water. They had water stops
and Gatorade. They took really
good care of you and the food
was really good, excellent."
Fickel said there was a "great
response" in communities along
the
route.
with
smaller
communities
often
more
welcoming that larger ones.
Cycle Oregon makes a donation
to the communities where the
group stays, he said.
Fickel said that there were
some injuries on the route, but
none too serious, just broken
bones and heat exhaustion.
When the pair returned to
Heppner. you would think that
they would be a little sick of bike
riding. Fickel. however, took a
bike ride to Hermiston that
Sunday.
Jim and Eileen McElligott and
their son. Colin, of lone, also
participated in Cycle Oregon
2000 .
Obituary
Guy Calvin Kennedy
Guy Calvin Kennedy. 87. of
Oregon City, formerly of
Heppner. died Thursday. October
5. 2000. at Oregon City.
A public memorial gathering
will be held Sunday. October 15.
2000. from 3-7 p.m. at St. John's
YWCA. A private service was
held at Skyline Memorial
Gardens.
Mr. Kennedy was bom July 2,
1913. at Portland.
He married Virginia G.
Mossman on July 26. 1935.
He was the superintendent for
Pacific Marine Services, retiring
in 1975.
He enjoyed salmon fishing,
hunting and woodworking.
Survivors include wife Virginia
of Oregon City; son Robert
Kennedy
of
Scappoose:
daughters Penny Geis of
Pasadena. California, and Vickie
Baker of Molalla: sisters
Lorraine Fretwell of California.
Barbara Shackelton of Concord.
California. Marian McKenna of
Clackamas and Lois Kaiel of
Portland; seven grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may
be made to Willamette Falls
Hospice.
Skyline Funeral Home was in
charge of arrangements.
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