Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 20, 2001 - SEVEN
County Court discusses emergency radio system
By Doris Brosnan
At the June 13 m eeting o f the
M orrow County Court, the
commissioners focused attention
on the emergency radio system (450
MHz Radio System) intended as
a segment o f the chemical depot
incineration project. The state o f
Oregon has approached U m atilla
and Morrow counties to take
responsibility for the system.
C om m issioner John W enholz
reported that a Um atilla County
com m issioner announced that
Umatilla County is not interested.
Com m issioner Dan Brosnan
voiced many concerns over the
proposed changes, with questions
about delays, the funding from the
Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the state's role in the future
operation o f the system and the
reasons behind the state's asking
the counties to handle the radio
contract, instead o f its original plan
to take care o f it. Also o f concern
to the court were reports on the
modifications and re-design o f the
incinerator and possible effects on
the incineration time line.
F.mergency Management Director
Casey Beard, Bob Flournoy o f the
Citizen Advisory Com mittee and
Governing Board, Michael Lasher
o f ESD, and SheriffVerlin Denton
discussed the issue with the court,
as well. Beard reviewed the history
o f the radio issue, including the
refusal o f FEMA and the state to
take on procurement o f the system.
Beard added that ESD would seem
a logical option for managing the
acquisition process. He shared a
schematic and project proposal
based on preliminary discussions
with that agency and described some
possible modifications that could
result in a savings. He reported that
the Governor's office has agreed
to maintain the state microwave
system for the life o f the 450 MHz
system and to contact FEM A for
a commitment to fund the project
at whatever cost.
Lasher assured the court that ESD
has people with the expertise to take
on a project o f this scope, a staff
with expertise in microwave and
other technology. He reported
having talked with representatives
o f state and federal agencies who
seem "excited" about ESD's taking
on the project,
.-raw» r»-
Denton noted that he has a few
technical questions for later, about
controlling access to the system and
the ability to communicate with the
other three counties with which his
office contracts to provide service,
but he supports the idea o f ESD's
managing the project. Denton also
voiced concern over outlying
m aintenance costs.
Beard said that the county might
have to move from the VHF system,
and he reported that the Corps o f
Engineers is interested in upgrading
and joining the system and suggested
that ODOT and OSP might be
interested in joining in this region.
He explained that he sees as an
advantage to Morrow County's
taking on the project the ability to
reduce the county telephone costs.
He agreed that the full support o f
Umatilla County and the state o f
Oregon would be required and added
that the Governor's office and the
State Emergency Management have
committed to helping facilitate in
any way they can.
Some questions remained and
the court made no commitment to
taking on the system, but the
commissioners agreed that Beard
and Lasher should make a
presentation scheduled for the ESD
Board the following evening.
Another issue generated interest
among two citizens and three
representatives o f R.D. Offutt: a
pending agreement among B AIC.
PGE, R.D. Offutt and Morrow
County for the dedication o f a public
right o f way. County counsel Bill
Hanlon offered some background
on this issue that started with a plat
and has been in negotiation since
An Offutt representative said that
company has tned to satisfy several
parties to achieve their plat. He
expressed belief that the agreement
before the court, containing all
required signatures, satisfied PGE's
and the county's concerns.
From the county came further
concern over some changes in
agreem ent language. A property
owner cautioned against the
agreem ent and offered some
suggestions. He questioned why
the county was not requiring R.D.
Offutt to make Taggares Lane a
public road, and he observed a need
for public input. Another property
owner voiced concerns, as well,
and suggested that all conditions
in the agreement were not necessary
Hanlon explained that in signing
the agreement, the county woulc
be giving up the right to demand
any action from BA1C or PGE to
seek the nght o f way for a southern
extension. Judge Terry Tallman
observed that future opportunities
to pursue such could occur, however.
An Offutt representative clarified
that future development would
require Taggares Lane to be opened
to the public. Another suggested
that if the county wants to maintain
the 1999 agreement, it should
maintain Tower Road at the higher
standard o f that agreement. He said
that he sees the nullifying o f the
1999 agreement as a compromise,
and he added that nothing in
nullifying the agreement would
prevent the parties from agreeing
to the "lone-Boardm an Road" in
the future.
Hanlon noted that the nullification
issue was not in earlier drafts and
was not required by the planning
commission. He said it changes the
perspective from a maintenance
issue, and he did not think it critical
to the agreement or the covenant
for the plat, but the Offutt
representative said it is an important
com ponent for PGE.
Those present reviewed the maps
o f proposed road routes. Wenholz
wondered about getting an
agreement for a north-south route
in the future if the ground squirrel
issue disappeared, and he noted the
county's right to eminent domain.
He also observed that the utilities
and the port pay 68 percent of the
county's taxes, adding that he wants
to continue to attract industry to
the county. One property owner
emphasized that is why access to
the Willow Creek Valley is so
important and reiterated that the
county has not received anything
from this process. The Offutt
representative offered that the
county has not "made it easy" for
them. The court approved the
agreement to dedicate the public
right o f way.
The court also reviewed a letter
from the EMS coordinator for the
Morrow County Health District
requesting a termination o f the
agreement with North Gilliam
Health District, citing response rimes
and some other uncertainties as
reasons. The court agreed to revisit
this topic, after discussing the issue
with the coordinator, checking with
North Gilliam, and assuring that
the Boardman and lone EMTs are
aware o f the issue.
Director o f Behavioral Health
Kelly Sager discussed a contract
with M id-Columbia Center for
Living He noted that county counsel
questions the reasons for an
indemnity clause and left the
contract with Hanlon for a
determination. Sager reported
pursuit o f an extension o f the
agreement with Grant County,
hoping for one more year for his
research into the feasibility o f
continuing service to them, but
Brosnan and W enholz voiced
interest in a termination Sager also
reported a possible location in Fossil
for office space in the United
Methodist Church, and the court
agreed he should contract for that.
He asked for clarification from the
court on in-county meal expenses,
and the court explained the policy.
The court reviewed an
individual's letter requesting to lease
West Glen Estates Park. Planning
Director Tamra Mabbott explained
that the person would not be able
to have the livestock he desired
because
of
their
density
requirements. Counsel Hanlon noted
that the property is dedicated to the
county for park purposes, and the
court agreed not to pursue the lease.
Hanlon reported that he had
signed an agreem ent with Willow
Creek Park District for some paving,
but anticipated grant money to cover
the expense had not yet come in.
Brosnan will examine the situation,
as the paving has been completed.
Hanlon read excerpts from a letter
regarding annexation o f territory
into the Pilot Rock Fire District.
He explained that, though the letter
states that a recommendation o f the
M orrow County C ourt will be
deferred to, the statute does not
require the court to take action.
Further, some property owners have
objected to inclusion and others have
petitioned to be included. After
discussion about the Morrow County
property owners' positions and
boundary descriptions, the court
agreed that Hanlon should respond
with a letter stating that the court
takes no official position.
Brosnan reported on the
partnership meeting in Baker City.
M arketing proposals for both
counties will be discussed on July
2, and on July 10, the next meeting
will occur in lone. The city o f
Heppner has appointed Jerry
Breazeale to the partnership board.
The
court
approved
that
appointment. Brosnan also reported
that the "911 Bill" had passed out
of ways and means with a "do-pass"
recommendation, and with Sheriff
Denton the court discussed possible
impact the bill could have on the
center.
The court discussed two requests
to serve on the planning commission
and then approved the appointment
of John Kilkenny to the commission,
noting that the other interested party
would be an equally good choice
if another vacancy occurs.
The court approved the county
treasurer's annual order to invest
tunds, awarded the bid from Noland
Door Company for Wilkinson Arena
doors, approved a new agreement
with Umatilla County for
community corrections space and
an agreement with the Department
o f Corrections for space for 1145
prisoners. The commissioners also
approved a contract with the State
M arine Board for boating safety
Plumbing
Problems?
Help is just around
the corner at...
HEPPNER HARDWARE
Faucets • Toilets
/Customized
s lv in
care
Mary Kay offers a line of skin t are
products designed to keep your
complexion looking its best Call me
today for a free consultation ami to
customize a skin care program
just for you.
Amy Kollman
INDKPV NDfr: Y! H l U II C O N S U .IW I
(5 4 1 ) 6 7 6 -9 4 0 7
MYMK.COM W n HITI
in the Boardman Annex and
approved an agreem ent with
Lexington for funding support for
CSEPP. To fulfill a need by the
assessor's office, the court approved
an addendum to the agreement to
the museum lease, providing a
com plete legal description and
diagram o f the building.
Local youth qualify for rodeo finals
Jerid Penturf
Blake Knowles
Kvan Matteson
Lexi Matteson
Receiving $500 awards were Ryan
Matteson, Blake Knowles. Mame
Wilkins and Ann Shear, lone. Jend
Penturf was awarded a $250
scholarship.
The late Bill Bowerman left
The dust settled on the Oregon
High School Rodeo Finals on
Saturday, June 16, in Redmond,
and several area com petitors
qualified for national level action
in July.
Jend Penturf, Heppner, finished
as reserve cham pion in the bull
riding. Joining him for the trip to
the National High School Rodeo
Finals in Springfield, Illinois, will
be Ryan M atteson and Blake
Knowles, Heppner, in the steer
wrestling. The top four in each event
earned a berth to Springfield.
Making the trek to Fallon.
Nevada, for the Silver State
Invitational Rodeo will be Marne
Wilkins, Condon, who qualified
in the pole bending, and Lacey
Matteson. Heppner. who qualified
in the barrel racing. Fifth through
10th placers earned a trip to Nevada.
Tragedy struck the finals prior
to the start o f com petition w hen
Nataly Tatone of Roseburg, formerly
o f Boardman, was involved in an
auto accident on rain-slickened roads
while traveling to Redmond. While
Tatone escaped unhurt, all four
horses in the trailer were fatally
injured, including Tatone's mount
that w'as named the Reserve AQH A
several scholarship trust funds and
son Jon Bowerman selected the
Oregon High School Rodeo
Association as the beneficiary o f
one o f those funds. Later this
summer additional educational
awards will be made from the trust.
Baptist plans Bible school
mining town set in the 1800s.The
children will sing songs, create
western crafts, play active games
and discover five golden nuggets
o f truth for growing as God's
children: they'll learn to Start Up,
Listen Up, Open Up, Look Up and
Speak Up in the family o f God.
"We're looking forward to this
very special opportunity to share
the adventure of living and growing
in God's family," the spokesperson
said. For more information, call 989-
8555.
Lexington Baptist Church invites
children, ages three through sixth
grade, to "SonC'reek Junction." The
SonCreek Vacation Bible School
begins Monday, June 25, and
continues through Fnday, June 29.
Classes are held at 170 'B' Street
in Lexington from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
"This year's vacation bible school
promises to be an adventure your
children will not forget," said a
spokesperson.
SonCreek is a western gold-
Local grad joins Gilliam Extension
John Qualls, an Eastern Oregon
University graduate with degrees
in crops and soils science and
agricultural business management,
has accepted a research assistant
position in the Gilliam County
Extension Service office.
A native o f the Rhea Creek
farming area in Morrow County,
Qualls is assisting in managing field
demonstration plots, evaluating field
plot and other collected data, and
Horse o f the Year for the Nation
at last year's National High School
Finals. In true cowboy code, friends
made sure that both Nataly and her
sister Jessica had mounts when
com petition began. Nataly went
on to qualify for nationals in the
barrel racing and pole bending,
while Jessica will see action at the
SSIR in barrel racing.
In addition to the arena awards,
two area youth were selected as the
Most Inspirational for the Oregon
High School Rodeo Association.
Marne Wilkins, Condon, and Blake
Knowles, Heppner, earned the honor
as the most outstanding role models
for the state. Each earned a S300
scholarship sponsored by Ariat
Boots. Other scholarships were
awarded, funded by a scholarship
auction held during the finals.
assisting in making the Extension
agricultural program a full-time
endeavor. Additional funding
became available during the last
legislative session to allow Gilliam
County to have a full-time
agricultural Extension program,
w ith the addition of a one-half time
research assistant position.
Qualls is the son o f Roscoe and
Kayrene Qualls o f Heppner.
Local girl to attend forum
The Youth Leadership Forum
(YLF) is a unique career leadership
training program for high school
students with disabilities. By serving
as delegates from their communities
at a five-day event at Western
Oregon University, they will
cultivate their potential leadership,
citizenship and social skills.
The third YLF in Oregon is being
spearheaded
by
Access
Technologies. Inc., and the Oregon
Disabilities Commission.
Fourteen high school juniors and
seniors (eight boys and six girls)
will converge on Monmouth. June
18-22 for the 2001 Third Annual
Youth Leadership Forum for
Students with Disabilities. Each
of the delegates attending the forum
is a young person with a disability
who has exhibited leadership interest
and talent in his or her high school
and/or community.
Dawn DeBoer o f Heppner w ill
represent the local area.
B a n k i n g
A n y t i m e
from
Anywhere
• View Balances
• Print Statements
• Transfer Funds
M A R Y KAY*
I
and law enforcement services and
a contract with Jackie Downie for
licensed clinical social worker. They
approved replacem ent o f a table
Water Heaters
Parts • Pipe
• Pay Bills Online
• And More!
We're still your hometown bank ,
here to offer you personal service ...
Now we can offer that service in more ways than ever!
Hoses • Connections
Evaporative Coolers in stock
To sign up for
stop in or call us.
Bank o f
E a s te rn O regon
HEPPNER HARDWARE
^tL yhuz[/a£u£.
WWW.BEOBANK.COM
106 May Street• Heppner, OR 97836
Phone (541) 676-9961 • Fax: (541) 676-549b
O n lin e B an k in g ,
Member
FDIC