Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 2001)
C onservation poster winners lone Site Council meets By Debbie Kadie (Editor's note: the following contest winners were lone School grades eight and 10 photos of Morrow Soil and misidentified in the Dec. 5 issue did the entire state benchmark test Water Conservation poster o f the G azette-l imes.) on computer and grades three and five did a portion of the test. The benchmark tests are given to students at the beginning of the year. They will have an opportunity to take the test in the spring also. Anyone passing the test will not be required to re-take it. A "Healthy Teens Survey Report" showed nothing significant, indicating that lone Schools has no "major" problems. The school board approved the school bond project plans so that the project can proceed to the next level. Because of some o f the concerns, however, the room designations were left undecided Heppner Elementary School contest winners (left to right): Kathie and will be discussed at an advisory- Moore, Kassey Wilson, Stephanie Kill. Josh Shank, Braden Britt, Billon Lutcher. meeting. The structure itself was approved and ready for the next step. Room designations have no bearing on the actual plan or construction of the structure. Beginning with second semester, parents will have access to grades, attendance, mark history, GPA. school messages, schedules and other items via "Schoolmaster" on the computer. Parents wishing to have access must come to the school and request a PIN number and then they can access the information via the internet. This will be posted every two weeks. Teacher Darlene Marquardt reported that the school has some equipment already available for television broadcasting. She will obtain information regarding grants for additional equipment needed. The school wide planning is part lone School poster contest winners (left to right): front-Tiana Camarillo, Lynzee Sjurset, Victoria Heagy; center-Dalton Wellman, of the consolidated district Cory Peterson. Clay Morter, Matt Coleman; back-Merilee McDowell, improvement plan. The first part Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District, Kara Clay. of the plan is to look at the data and develop a narrative on what is observed. The next step is to develop achievement goals. The third step is to put together an action plan and the fourth is to monitor the plan as it is implemented. It is required that some of the goals be in certain areas and there must be wide based input. The lone School plan comes from the district assessment team which is involved in with tracking data. The plan is then reviewed by administrators and staff. The time lines are short. The first reading is in February. The goals are as follows: Using the Oregon itqqah m r.-u: • state test scores, the students will Tone School poster contest winners (left to right): front-Justin Archer, show an increase in scores from 2001 Kaylee Palniateer, Paul Hams; back-Michael Wellman, Alan to 2003 with a five percent increase Rietmann, Dalton Campbell, Teonna Vandever, Shannon Clay, Emily each year. Teachers, especially in Rietmann, Kip Krebs. Heppner Gazette-Times, K roner, Oregon Wednesday, December 26, 2001 - FIVE kindergarten through third grade, will be trained in reading mastery techniques. New teachers will also be trained in techniques. Teachers in grades two to five and middle school teachers in the Accelerated Reading Program will also be trained in math techniques will occur. The summer benchmark academy will be continued. Reading research and literacy skills will be targeted also. Plans also involve sending teams to state conferences and encouraging schools to develop leaders in certain areas. Another goal is to have safe schools and have drug/alcohol education and programs for reducing other high risk behaviors. The document is available for review-. The school plans to continue technology goals. Visits to sites with best practices will be one o f the steps in the process. The district's mission statement is: "Morrow County Schools, in partnership with families and communities, provide each student with the opportunity to develop values, knowledge, skills and self- confidence to become life-long learners and responsible citizens." After discussion from committee members the site council developed the following mission statement: "lone Schools, in partnership with families and community, will offer each student the opportunity to prepare for changing society by providing safe and healthy and inviting schools, promoting high educational standards, and preparing technologically literate citizens." The committee selected the following ideas as goals: - Research proper placement for new students- a. Dibbles testing for primary students, b. MAPS testing for new students, c. Practice tests for beginning third graders; -Discipline K-12 organized structure-a. Planners with rules included; -Keyboarding competencies- technology; A flag presentation was held on Dec. 20 to honor the school for achieving the state excellence aw ard. It was reported that Jeff Hunt of lone earned his Eagle Scout Award. Natalie McElligott made the girls all-star team in the Enterprise tournament. Ashley Roberts and Brad Bumght won the boys all-star awards and Bumght won the most valuable player award. Karen's Korner By K a ren N a ssh o ff Item s o f Health - Tobacco Prevention lone School poster contest winners (left to right): front-Aimee Emery, Megan Tollefson; back-Merilee McDowell. SWCD, Amber Patton, Jason Snow, standing in for Miranda Hunt. Steffanie Holland. Kaylee LaRue. Little boy, big sock 11 (¿ « 1 1 XJ r 7. ■t. « j i . MÊÊ * mmmM Tvrel Walker is pretty pleased with the giant Christmas stocking he won in a drawing held h\ Devin Oil. six-\ear-old Tvrel is the son of Tina and Tony Fox of Heppner. WE PRINT BUSINESS CARDS Loti o^ Stylet - Loti «I Colo\t Heppner Gazette-Times FAX PAPER Heppner Gazette-Times 676-9X28 By Karen Masshoff Oregon's Smokefree Workplace Law- comes into effect on Tuesday, Jan. 1. The law says, with few exceptions that "an employer shall provide a place of employment that is free of tobacco smoke for all employees." The law describes "a place of employment" as "every enclosed area under the control of a public or private employer that employees frequent during the course of employment." This is the official statement, but how does this law impact Morrow County? Before going into the specifics let us consider the intended health and economic benefits being smoke free will have. Almost immediately those of us with breathing problems, asthma, or allergic reactions will be able to enter most areas with less concern about a negative response which may translate into increased patron spending. Those of us working in newly smoke free areas will notice v ery soon an improved sense of well being, few er sinus problems, colds, thus spending less of our sick leave. If we're talking about lunchrooms and most restaurants, there's a good chance of an improved taste in our food. Are there any of us who are not concerned over the rising costs of health care? Where is it that as a community, we say enough? As individuals it may take some time before we see the economic benefits of this smoke free w orkplace law. As employers, evidence of such smoking restrictions ought to be reflected sooner in reduced cleaning and maintenance costs: reduced number of fare incidents and a corresponding reduction in insurance costs; reduced absenteeism and lost productivity; and reduced health care costs. One o f the immediate health benefits of this new law most oi us will appreciate is that restaurants are to be smoke free. In restaurant/ bar combinations smoking may be permitted in areas posted as oftTimits to minors. Examples of other places listed where smoking is to be prohibited are: private offices/ commercial office buildings; retail/wholesale establishments; manufacturing plants/mills; movie theaters/indoor entertainment venues; child care facilities; and hotels/motels (exception - smoking rooms as designated by the owner/manager). Bars/ taverns, tobacco shops, bingo halls and bowling centers are exempted from this workplace law. However, some establishments may choose to voluntarily go smoke-free. There is help in implementing this law. Throughout the state of Oregon, Tobacco Education/ Prevention coordinators are a vai lable to provide information. Karen Masshoff, Tobacco Education/ Prevention coordinator for Morrow County will be visiting most businesses during the coming month and encourages everyone to become familiar with this law. For more information, call the Morrow County Health Department at these numbers: 676-5421,481- 2112 or 922-4103 and ask for Karen Masshoff. OWGL honors Stonebrink The Oregon Wheat Growers I eague has presented its top honor, the distinguished serv ice aw ard, to Wallowa County farmer Jim Stonebrink. T he action took place at the OW GL's 75th anniversary convention last week in Portland Stonebrink is a past president of the OWGI as well as the National Association of Wheat Growers. He uxik the NAWG helm during a trying time and kept the organization strong. according to an OWGI. news release. In other honors at the convention: -’The Voice of the Industry Award, presented by the OWGL and the Agn Business ( ouncil. went to Steve Burnet. Sherman County wheat grower and chairman of the board of Cenex, a cooperative whose business stretches from the Midwest to the Pacific. Burnet gave credit to his wife. Court discusses dairy permits Bv Doris Brosnan At the Dec. 5 meeting of the Morrow County Commissioners, planning director Tamra Mabbott. building inspector Brett Cook and economic developer Martin Davis continued the discussion of the north- end dairy permits. On Dec. 12, the court - noting the State Building Codes Division's determination that it does not have authority over the appeal of the county's requirement for a building permit - voted to inform Threemile Canyon Farms that its building permit fee would not be refunded. Commissioner John Wenholz asked if an agricultural building not in an exclusive-farm-use (EFU) zone can qualify for a farm exemption. County counsel Bill Hanlon stated that such a building could qualify if it is on a farm, that the state statute is intended to benefit farmers, not hobbyists. Mabbott read that farm agricultural buildings are exempt from the Uniform Building Code (UBC) if the farm is "land used for the primary purpose of obtaining a profit in money by raising, harvesting and selling crop." w hereas a non-farm agricultural building is "a structure that by use or character of its occupancy is similar to a farm agricultural building but is not located on a farm." In Morrow County, parcels that are zoned EFU do meet the UBC definition of "farm." Parcels that are not zoned EFU but qualify for special farm deferral tax assessment, may be considered to meet the definition of "farm." She offered Douglas County's agreement as an example that could clarify future issues. At the Dec. 12 meeting. Judge Terry Tallman reported on a conversation with a representati ve o f the Oregon Department of Administrative Services regarding the proposed road in the utility corridor from Tower Road West to Highway 74 north of Cecil. Public works director Burke O'Brien described various road locations that have been discussed. Judge Tallman reported on having received notice from an Imgon property owner that part of the Irrigon county shop is on his property. Tallman is researching the situation. Hanlon discussed with the court the public records regulations, explaining the costs to the person requesting copies o f records. O'Brien offered the following report for the public works department: the crew has been snow plowing on Willow Creek Road to Cutsforth Park, the North Fork Willow Creek Road and Sunflower Flat Road, and has ended the plowing of Coalmine Hill for the winter. They repaired a "muddy hill" on Kenny Road and continue work on the Valby-Road project, a picture of which he shared w-ith the commissioners. The crew has been blading on Cutsforth. Valby. Lloyd. Clarks Canyon and Buttermilk roads. Work continues on road numbering and naming issues. On Dec. 12, O'Brien reported on the public hearing on the ATV grant, held on Dec. 6. Results of that meeting, he reported, indicate the need for more time and planning and for more involvement of landowners. He will be researching for answers to some questions asked at the meeting. He added that he appreciated the participation at the public meeting. Judge Tallman reported that the Heppner Chamber o f Commerce has indicated a w lllingness to draft a resolution of support for the project. A landowner appeared to address the question of installing a public telephone at Cutsforth Park, citing the occurrences of travelers needing a telephone when their vehicles become disabled on Coalmine Hill in the w inter. For control o f traffic on Coalmine Hill, the court and O'Brien agreed that a snow berm across the road, leaving enough room for passage of snow-mobiles, should help. Other business o f the court included the following: - approval of a road permit for Roger Britt for a water pipe under Road 608, a permit for CenturyTel on Piper Canyon Road; - approval of the contract w ith Devin Oil for fuel, antifreeze and lubricants, contingent upon county counsel approval; - approval o f two tax refunds, and approval o f a cancellation of personal property taxes for one citizen; - approv al of the purchase of a copier-fax machine for the Vetcrans/Special Transportation Office, dependent upon availability o f funds; - approval o f changing the authorized signature on the deterred compensation plan from the finance director to the accounting supervisor, - approval of contracts with I amara Reid. Krystal Maynard and l ia Warren tor respite care services for developmentally disabled clients; - approval of a Heritage-Trail- related personal-services contract with Carol Michael, w ith funding from the Trail grant; - approval of a fund-exchange agreement with the Association ot Oregon C ounties. At the Morrow County Court meeting of Dec. 19, county planning director Tamra Mabbott presented the results of her research into the legislative intent o f the state agricultural building permit exemptions and offered some examples of how farm exemptions would work. T he court examined excerpts pertinent to its decision about farm-exempt permits. Mabbott also shared the "Farm Agricultural Building Exemption Certificate" and "Farm Agricultural Building Agreement." which make clear that a violation of an exemption allows a county to then require permits. Included in a following discussion was the issue of future buyers of an exempted property. Two court members requested another week before making a final decision on the proposed county farm-exempt permits. Mabbott also met with the court to discuss the fiv e applicants for the three planning commission vacancies. She reminded the court that members are to be geographically dispersed and representative of differing occupations. After a discussion of the geographic locations and occupations of the applicants, the court approved reappointment of Art Kegler and I.eann Rea and appointment of Anne Morter to the commission. County District Attorney David Allen reported to the court that the domestic violence grant has been extended to June 30.2002. enabling his office to use the balance of the grant, primarily for the detective's salary. The renewal grant was denied, but his office will reapply. Allen also reported that he has been invited to sit on a peer-review panel. A representative of the ESD updated the court on the status of the new telephone/data system, in which two problems remain outstanding and ESD continues to work on. She explained the reasons for the problems, as ESD sees them, and what ESD is doing to correct them. Public works director Burke O'Brien reported the following: the crew was blading on Clarks Canyon. Immigrant Lane, Well Spnng. Ione- Boardman. Barak Martin. Strawberry Lane and Juniper Canyon roads. They had plowed on Ridge. Porcupine Lane and Buttermilk roads. O'Bnen also reported having met with an electrician to discuss some concerns w ith wiring in the attic of the courthouse. The court agreed to have Roger's Electric address some immediate needs and ev aluate other work that may be needed, w ith an estimate of cost. O'Brien addressed the need for electrical power to the county's storage units for survey records and courthouse records, necessary for installation of dehumidifiers. The court approved the project. Another issue addressed by O'Brien was that of some driv ers traveling over the snow berm onto a landowner's property at Cutsforth Park area. Discussion led to the belief that unless the U.S. Forest Serv ice were agreeable to a cement bamcade. the county can do nothing more. Other court actions: - approval of a permit for a phone line conduit oft Second and Nev ada. - approval of the purchase of replacement fencing at Cutsforth Park; - reappointment of Commissioner John Wenholz to the Oregon Consortium Board of Directors and reappointment of Commissioner Dan Brosnan to the Greater Eastern Oregon IX'velopmcnt Commission Board o f Directors; - approv al ofan updated Baker- Morrow Regional Partnership Plan: - approv al of the annual update of the cafeteria plan: - approv al of the juvenile crime prevention intergovernmental agreement; - approval of the behavioral health agreement with OHSU School of Nursing for education-field opportunities in clinical-learning experiences; - approval o f recommended changes to the marketing-plan investment plan; - approv al of new computers for the countv district attomev's office
