Bonnie Wenberg selected to teach basket weaving
Cerilo r o t t o l i .
U of U t.-ì ’3;• -I - : f L i b r a r y
L u g a n o , OH
M7-1'J3
Bonnie Wenberg
VOL 120
NO. 37
8 Pages
Wednesday, September 12,2001
Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon
Heppner school bond construction debated
A group o f area residents
who
m et
with
architects
concerning
school
bond
construction
at
Heppner
Elem entary School discussed
building a new gym at H eppner
High School rather than at the
elem entary school as previously
planned. The original plan was to
construct a gym -cafeteria-m usic
room at H eppner Elem entary
School.
W ith
this
new
suggestion, the m usic room and
cafeteria
would
still
be
constructed at the elem entary
school site.
Proponents o f the idea
said at the Septem ber 5 m eeting
that building the gym at the high
school location w ould give the
H eppner com m unity a m uch-
needed third gym nasium —that is
if the old gym at the m iddle
school is retained. They also say
that the high school location
w ould better serve the junior
high students because seventh
and eighth graders no longer
attend classes at the old m iddle
school, but rather at the high
school.
Several at the m eeting
cautioned the group concerning
added costs in building two
buildings
rather
than
one
consolidated
gym -cafetena-
m usic room and expressed
concern about the aging gym-
auditorium at the m iddle school.
A previous engineer’s report
indicated that the gym was not
structurally sound and would not
withstand a "seism ic event".
W hile som e m aintained that the
building has "more than 10 years
in it", others expressed concern
that the cost for upkeep and
heating o f the old building would
be prohibitive. "Are we willing
to lose a teacher to m aintain
these extra facilities," asked
Mark Rietm ann, Heppner.
A nother concern is that
wording in the construction bond
ballot, m ay require that the new
gym building "replace" the old
building at the m iddle school
site.
D ia n e
K ilk e n n y ,
Heppner, asked the school board
at their regular m eeting M onday
evening. Sept. 10, whether it was
possible to consider deviations
from the original plan, but the
board declined to take a stand,
saying
that
the
Heppner
com m unity m ust decide.
"We don’t want to dictate
to Heppner," said board chair
Julie W eikel. "Heppner needs to
decide what it truly, truly wants."
Kilkenny
expressly
asked for clarification on the
ballot title. "If it’s not possible (to
change the Heppner construction
plans), there’s no point in
pursuing
the
issue,"
said
Kilkenny. 1 ne board urged the
Heppner com m unity to "have as
m any m eetings as it takes" to
com e to a conclusion on their
recom m endations
concerning
construction. They also warned,
how ever, that delays would end
up costing the district more and
thus the district would get less
for their m oney, since the bond
am ount is limited by law.
W hile citizen input has
been encouraged, the decision
would fall on the advisory
com m ittees and ultim ately with
the school board.
"The understanding was
that we were going to replace the
gym and tear it down," said
b o ard
m em ber
G ary
Frederickson at the Sept. 10
m eeting. "I don’t think we can
m aintain that gym. I don’t think
it’s safe. I think it needs to come
down."
Another m eeting on
construction o f a gym, cafeteria
and music room in Heppner has
been scheduled for W ednesday,
Septem ber 19, at 7 p.m. at the
high school.
(Editor's note:
The bond
m easure title, question and
sum m ary read as follows:
M orrow C ounty School District
General Obligation Bond
Authorization
Shall the District be
authorized to issue general
obligation bonds not to exceed
$22,000,000 to expand and
im prove its facilities? If the
bonds are approved, they will be
payable from taxes on property
or property ow nership that are
not subject to the lim its o f
Section 11 and 1 lb, Article XI o f
the Oregon C onstitution;
Summary: This measure
may be passed only at an election
with at least a 50 percent voter
turnout. The m easure provides
funds to add classroom space in
Boardman and Irrigon, replace
aging facilities in Heppner and
lone, renovate existing buildings,
improve
C olum bia
Middle
School, and acquire land as
needed.
Specifically,
this
measure will:
‘ C onstruct, equip and
furnish two new elem entary
schools with classroom s for 200
students each and infrastructure
to accom m odate 500 students in
each school.
‘ R e p la c e
aging
elem entary facilities, renovate
existing facilities to improve
energy conservation, upgrade
technology capabilities, and
protect
the
com m unity's
investm ent in existing facilities.
Im provem ents will:
‘ U p g r a d e
electrical wiring and connect
schools with a high-speed
network to improve student
access
to
technology
and
expanded learning opportunities.
‘ Replace
outdated
heating,
cooling,
ventilation,
and
plumbing
systems, and make health and
safety improvem ents,
co ntinued page 8
Nursing shortage evident at PMH
By Molly Rhea
Open just about any news
m agazine and you will read about
how Am erica is experiencing a
"nationwide nursing shortage". The
problems are no different at Pioneer
M emorial Hospital.
PMH Director o f Nurses Tammy
Henderson states, "Our nurses, as
well as many o f the nurses aides,
have had to go to 12 hour shifts due
to not having enough staff to cover
three eight-hour shifts."
I lenderson's cunrnt RN coverage
is bare bones with two full-time
nurses to cover the 7 a m. to 7 p.m.
shift, and two on the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
shift. In case o f emergency or illness.
Sandi Hanna, the nursing hom e's
resident care m anager, and
Henderson are the only other RNTs
available to cover shifts.
"When other hospitals say they
have several openings in nursing,
they arc still able to function - it's
no big deal," adds Henderson. "When
we have an unfilled position it is
a very big issue."
RNs Sue (Greenup) Walton and
Sheryl Angell work the day shifts,
w hile Mark Taylor and Linn Young
divide the night shifts. "Although
the two gals on days are handling
the load adequately at present," says
Henderson. "Sheryl's baby is due
in November and Sue lives in Long
Creek - at least a 90 minute drive."
Occasionally Henderson has to resort
to using "per diem" nurses as a stop
gap
All o f the registered nurses at
PMH, as well as the providers, are
required to be certified in Advanced
Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) as
well as m either the Trauma Nurse
Core Curriculum (TNCC) or the
Trauma Emergency Assessment and
M anagem ent (TEAM ).
Nationwide enrollment in nursing
schools, which has always been
limited, has been dropping off.
Traditionally nursing has been a
profession dominated by females.
Now wom en have m ore career
options, so fewer are entering
nursing. Although Pioneer Memonal
offers a sign-on bonus, so is nearly
every other facility.
One distinction PMH offers, other
than being able to say you work in
the smallest hospital in Oregon, is
a chance for nurses to work within
a diverse environment which spans
everything from critical emergency
care to providing the day-to-day care
needed by the residents of the nursing
home. Perhaps the most important
aspect o f working in the nursing
departm ent at Pioneer M emorial
Hospital and Nursing Home, is being
able to make a difference in our
friends' and neighbors’ lives.
Bonnie Wenberg has been selected
to teach her Bear Grass in the Round
at the 20th annual convention of the
Association
of
Michigan
Basketmakers. The convention will
be held at the Amway Grand Plaza
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from
Oct. 23-28.
Bom in Little Falls, MN, and now'
residing in Heppner, Wenberg has
been weaving since 1981 and
teaching since 1991. She wove her
first basket in the fifth grade and
her second at G reenfield Village
(Detroit, MI) in 1981. She had no
intention o f learning the old arts and
crafts. Now, the nch history o f basket
m aking strongly appeals to her.
Wenberg has her own shop. From
1996 to 1999 she operated Fine
Baskets in Arlington, WA. After
it closed, she continued with mail
order business. In the summer o f
2000 Artisan Village opened of
which Fine Baskets is one division.
The shop is located in Heppner.
Wenberg designs patterns utilizing
cedar, birch, wicker and hardwood
splint for various basket functions.
She was aw arded grand champion
in the Western Washington Fair in
1996 and has won numerous blue
ribbons there as well as at the
W ashington State Fair and the
Morrow County Fair. She has taught
classes at conventions in Indiana,
M ichigan,
North
Carolina.
Washington and Vermont. She has
also attended the Basketry School
in Seattle, W ashington. She has
taught classes to children and adults
at schools, Scout Groups, w omen's
groups and to home schoolers. She
has been in charge o f a basketry
booth at two International Pathfinder
Camporees where thousands of
children have made her simple
baskets - 1994 in Denver, CO, and
1999 in Oshkosh, WI.
Chosen from a pool o f
approxim ately
400
baskets,
Wenberg's two designs are among
the 164 to be taught at the 2001
AMB Convention where over 800
weavers will gather to perpetuate
the art o f basketry. The goal o f the
2001 Association o f Michigan
Basketm akers Convention is to
stimulate interest and knowledge
in all phases o f basketry and to
promote public enthusiasm for its
value to the community.
County court meets with economic
development specialist
patching comers o f Depot Lane, chip
By Doris Brosnan
At its Sept. 5 session, the Morrow
County Court met with Martin Davis,
new ly contracted for county
economic developm ent, to review
a list o f issues for prioritization. After
clarifying several item s, the court-
noted the im portance o f regular
m eetings
o f an
economic
development committee to work on
strategic planning. Davis explained
that he wishes to return after having
had opportunities to meet w ith city
representatives.
Davis introduced to the court news
o f another potential business for
property near the Port o f Morrow.
The com pany has asked about an
enterprise-zone extension, and it
is also inquiring in another Eastern
Oregon community. Questions raised
pertained to the ground water and
nitrate levels in the north county area
and the pay level o f some o f the
com pany's jobs. Enterprise Zone
m anager Greg Sweek also
contributed his perspective and
reminded Davis o f the tw o months
needed for a boundary change. Davis
was instructed to inform the port
o f the need to build in some support
for county services and that the court
would want to negotiate a fee.
Emergency management director
Casey Beard presented a contract
with the Department o f Corrections
and Morrow and Umatilla counties
pertinent to the 450 M HZ radio
system and radio frequencies related
to the EOCI operation. The
commissioners declined to sign the
contract without further study.
Beard and planning director
Tamra Mabbott discussed with the
court a request for federal funding
o f a local position for chemical depot
base realignment and closure. After
detailed discussion o f the local needs
and the regional and federal set-ups.
the court agreed on a Sept. 24 study
session.
Representatives o f SCM and
Beard, Mabbott and Davis addressed
with the C ourt the status o f
env ironmental issues at the Army
Depot. The trial bum has been
scheduled for October 29, preceded
by a public hearing on October 2.
Som e dunnage and w aste issues
remain to be settled, including an
Arm y decision not to build the
dunnage incinerator, and the court
emphasized the need for know ledge
sealing and sweeping Dee Cox and
o f any issues w ith environmental,
Bunker Hill roads, crack-sealing
health,
safety
or
welfare
Basey Canyon and putting rock on
requirem ents. Also noted was an
Sperry Springs Road.
Arm y m odification in sampling
W olff also reported revenue
equipment, and the group discussed
generated by the parks during I ahor
possible impact on approv ed permits.
Day w eekend: .Anson Wright $1300
Building inspector Brett Cook
and Cutsforth $700.
updated the court on the status o f
Other actions o f the court include
the dairies. He pointed out a
the following:
remaining need for compliance with
- approval o f the lease/purchase
some Oregon Regulatory Statutes
o f a vehicle for the emergency
and the permits that the planning
managem ent director, to be
department issued. Acknow ledged
reimbursed by CSEPP, and transfer
was the need for the State Building
to the Boardman Fire Department
C odes Division to have full
o f the previously used CSEPP
inform ation about the sites.
vehicle;
CPA Lisanne C um n rev iewed
- authorization o f Karen W olff
w ith the court her analyses o f the
to sign titles o f surplus vehicles sold
four com panies that the court had
at auction and the auctioneer's
interview ed in search o f pension
contract;
investors. The commissioners added
- approval o f a permit to Morrow
their individual analyses for a
Power LLC to install fiber optic line
detailed discussion of each company.
across Columbia Avenue and in the
The Court then approv ed o f McGee
right-of-way o f Industrial Way and
Financial and will meet with the
Rippee Road;
company to develop an inv estment
- approval o f the purchase o f a
policy.
,
laptop and a printer for public works,
Hie court reviewed past awards contingent upon finance department
o f tippage fees not yet spent by the
approval;
agencies that received them. After
- signing o f a letter to Western
discussion o f the situation, the court
Federal Lands Highway Division
agreed to inform the agencies that
in support o f the Sunflower Flat
the money will be reallocated in 30
Project;
days unless the court hears from the
- approval o f a contract w ith
agencies before that time.
PoweiCom to rewire the Lexington
The court also examined a draft public works office;
proposal o f a regional Baker-Morrow
- approval o f the agreement w ith
Area Commission on Transportation.
the Port o f Morrow for economic
Ihe formation o f such a commission
development services;
would be expected to favorably
- approval o f a resolution
impact funding o f county roads, regarding m embership in the
bridges and other projects, with vv ord City/County Insurance Trust;
from ODOT that the number-one
- approv al o f a contract with the
project for each county would be
Employment Department. Child Care
com pleted.
Division, for child care service for
The court received from Diamond
teen parents;
2000 Construction, Incorporated,
- approval o f a contract from
a check to fund a traffic study for
behavioral health for sex-offender
the proposed race track. Hie court
treatment services through Darlene
will contract with a traffic engineer
Petroff;
for the study.
- approval o f the purchase o f a
Public works department working
M icrosoft Office license for the
foreman Greg Close and office
accounting department.
specialist Karen Wolff reported that
the crew is blading Twenty-One Jack and Jill
Road and Penland Lake turn-off,
blading and cutting brush on cancelled
Sunflower Flat Road, cleaning
The champagne breakfast Jack
culverts on Headman Loop, fixing and Jill scheduled for Saturday, Sept.
blow -outs on Lloyd Morgan Road, 15. at Willow Creek Country Club
patching in Northeast County, hot in Heppner has been cancelled.
Danner Boot Sale
B e R ea d y For H u n tin g Season & W inter!
** Sep*- L
7 L O °/ o
OFF
(In stock
and orders
welcome)
Morrow County Grain Growers
Lexington 9 8 9 -8 2 2 1 • 1 -8 0 0 -4 5 2 -7 3 9 6
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