Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2002)
S ix Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 22, 2002 County Court news \t the County Court meeting of May 15. Judge Terry Tallman opened the eontinuation of the public hearing on the BAIC land- use appeal, noting the submission b\ Joel Peterson of a summary ot his previous testim ony. Planning Director Tamra Mabbott review ed her redraft o f the • Hidings, with some changes. She cad comments emailed by Steve H ultburg, attorney for the applicant, and responses to those b\ the coun ty ’s consulting attorney. Larry Epstein. The ipplicant agreed to proposed menage in the corrected findings and to some further language changes proposed by ( ommissioner Dan Brosnan. The hearing ended. M abbott handed the commissioners a draft of minutes from the May 2 public hearing on the speedway and discussed with them the hearing that was to follow the next day in Irrigon. The commissioners then discussed some of the questions they would be seeking answers to at the hearing. Judge Tallman reported on his meeting with Health Department staff and w ork on that department’s budget. The Court discussed the possible m anagem ent o f both health departments by the director of Behav loral Health. Later in the m eeting. Behavioral Health Director Kelly Sager agreed that such a combining of departments could work, as some other counties are operating in this manner, and suggested need for further discussion o f the m anagem ent structure. Discussion ensued, with a general agreem ent that defining the mission ofthe Health Department is in order. Sager updated the Court on department issues, beginning with a copy of an editorial noting that Morrow County is “among the top five in motivating adults to stay in treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse." He noted that the department is in full compliance according to the Office of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Sager reported continued recruiting efforts for a new director in Grant County, with plans to screen nine applicants and schedule interviews. Sager noted the hiring of a new clinician for Grant County, explaining that the hiring creates a full staff. Sager then discussed HB 3024, w hich has created a quandary for the Mental Health Association, and which some directors see as an unfunded mandate. The Court agreed with Sager that he not attempt to write a plan or pay to have a preliminary plan written for submittal under HB 3024. Sager reported a loss o f some alcohol and drug funding and noted that he will not be signing an alcohol and drug funding amendment because he does not agree with it. Sager also reported that the Extension Agent’s office will be moving from the Gilliam and Bisbce Building on May 22, a move to which Behavioral Health contributed some funds. Sager requested permission to move into some vacated space and noted the need for some new equipment. He reminded the Court that an architect had looked at the remodeling prospects at the Boardman Annex, and Sager proposed seeking a community development block grant for the project. I le ended his appearance with comments on a broad-band video conferencing project of 1 astern Oregon Eluman Services Consortium. Surveyor Ron McKinnis reported to the Court on a private sun eying job he is performing for a subdivision, in which he found that deeds did not match his surveying findings. He discovered that the county had once paid landow ners for a right of way but had not marked it completely with pins. The Court informed him that he should, as county surveyor, set the remaining pins. I Public Works Director Burke O'Brien reported that the crew had finished patching County Line Road, Kunze, 8th Street, Pole Line, and Homestead, and they were to finish McNab on that day. O ’Brien said that the hydraulic upgrade on the chip spreader is complete, and the crusher jaw unit would be ready by the end of the week for crushing operations the following week. Rock screening was to be completed on May 16. O ’Brien also observed that having two people working on weed spraying has made an excellent difference. Other actions ofthe Court include the following: - agreement to the extension of 90 days for a resolution to a property owner w orking on getting an agreem ent with a neighbor over a piece of Act of Congress land; - approval of a day of work on softw are by the personnel consultant; - review of Joel Peterson’s letter for the record on the BAIC land use appeal and agreement with his recommendation to add language to the Transportation System Plan; - approval of allowing Boardman Parks two loads of reject rock; - approval of agreements for the Juniper Canyon Road realignment project and the Rhea Creek Brenner Bridge project. May 1 county court news. Continued from last week’s paper Public Works Office Specialist Karen Wolff reported that the Parks Committee is considering a new fee for partial power and water hookup at the county parks. She said that Public Works Director Burke O'Brien proposes a sewer-dump fee and restriction of that use to campers only. Wolff reported that last year, campers also wanted to pull into the parks to fill water tanks before going on to other cam psites, so the committee is considering a fee for water. Brosnan observed that he would p refer w ater free to campers but not sold to other people, and Tallman agreed. Wolff also reported the fee and refundable cleaning deposit that the committee is considering for use o f the 4-H building at Cutsforth Park. The building, Wolff reported, is rented at least one weekend a month. Wolff announced that the next m eeting o f the com m ittee w orking on an ATV park is scheduled for Saturday, May 18. She shared the agenda and the letter to the Oregon State Parks ATV A llocation C om m ittee regarding its visit. O ther actions o f the Court included the following: - decision to advertise in the local paper that foreclosed property in Heppner is available for purchase: - approval o f a perm it from CenturyTel for a buried line by Columbia Avenue and a permit for an underground line on Morter Lane; - approval o f a perm it to a landowner for an approach onto Paul Smith Road; - approval of a grant agreement, subject to county counsel approval, for an OYCC parks project; - approval of agreements with Judy Horton and Carolyn Paris for hosting at the county parks, which will open by May 10, with the stocking of ponds with fish on May 13; - approval of extending by 70 hours the Commission on Children and Families contract with Laura Avilos for safety net work; - approval of a new contract with the O ffice o f Energy for emergency-response planning; - approval of new contracts with local agencies for CSEPP funding for support to participate in CSEPP programs; - approval o f a resolution declaring a continuing state of drought emergency, supported by a USDA/Farm Service Agency/ Morrow County Em ergency Board report that estimates 60- 80% yield losses in cereal crops and non-irrigated forage. k Willow Creek area received award to hire Water Quality Coordinator ^ Look Into Our Past The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board awarded $58,448 on May 16 to the M alheur Soil and Water Conservation District for the purpose of hiring a water quality project coordinator to work with the Willow Creek Working Group. The 27,000-acre lower Willow Creek area has been a focus of w ater quality im provem ent projects for some time and has active participation from many local landow ners. The coordinator will develop and monitor three dem onstration projects in order to inform local landow ners about best management practices, and how they can implement them and maintain the positive impact on econom ic developm ent and workforce activity in the valley. One of the main reasons this project was funded is because o f its proactive approach to improving water quality and From the Editor: The Gazette- Times welcomes your reducing runoff, said a news submissions to our new feature, release. The Malheur Watershed “A Look into Our Past". Take Council is currently monitoring 12 a few minutes this week and sites in Willow Creek for E. Coli look through your old photo and sediment. This project will albums and attics for pictures enable the data collected, as well featuring Morrow County as any solutions to the water history. Please include as much quality issues to be distributed to information as possible, the landowners. The coordinator including ( if known) the w ill help to inform local photographer, approximate landowners about the issues, date taken and the history solutions and implementation and behind the photo with your submission. All subm itted benefits of the solutions. pictures and information will be The Oregon Watershed returned. Enhancement Board (OWEB) was created in 1999, and is Here is a group charged with funding local celebrating Heppner High School voluntary efforts to improve water graduation week as well, the class quality and quantity, enhance of 1899. Recognize anyone you habitat for critical fish runs, and know? restore watersheds to support First row: Elsie Ayers, local economies. Funding comes Anna McBride, Miss Anne J. from many sources, including a Balsinger (teacher), Professor • voter-approved 7.5 percent from W.L. Howard, Lulu Hager, lottery proceeds for the purpose Jennie Kirk. Second Row: Pearl o f watershed restoration and Wells, Vira Haft, Lena Glassock, protection. Horace Matlock, Stella Rhea, Bertha Adkins, Anna Smith, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Howard. Third Row: Gertrude Bishop, Heppner Blackm an, N ellie P hillips, Charlotte Shipley, Louis Balsinger. The 2002 M orrow Lillie Monay, Hanson Hughes. County School District Spelling Contest was held May 16 at Heppner High School. Many students from the county participated. Division I winner was Kara Clay, lone Elementary School. Division II winner was Amy Jepsen, Heppner Junior Morrow County Grain High School. Division III winner G row ers and the M orrow was Zach Baker, Riverside High County Extension Office will School. offer a two day tractor training Division I winners: workshop beginning on Friday, second place: Tiana June 14. Youth ages 14-17 who C am arillo, IES; third place: plan to seek summer farm jobs Nathan Bennett, A.C. Houghton involving the operation of power- Elementary School; fourth place: driven farm machinery need to M aggie A rm ato, H eppner complete the Tractor Training Elementary School; fifth place: and Safety Workshop to be Nick Dyer, Sam Boardman eligible for employment. The Elementary School; sixth place: workshop will include class time, Jessica Hughs, HES; seventh practical exercises, and lots of place tie: Mikey Raible, IES, “hands-on” activities. Safe Ethan Ellis, SBES; eighth place: tractor operation will be the main Derek Horsfall. ACH; ninth place: em phasis o f this workshop. Chandelle Arner, SBES; 10th Participants will learn how to place: Corbin Tegner, ACH. start and stop a tractor, and they Division II winners: will learn about safe driving second place; Luis techniques. Tractor C havarin, C olum bia M iddle maintenance will be discussed School; third place: Laurie and identification of tractor fluids Murray, HJHS; fourth place: and mechanical components will Brendan McElligott, HJHS; fifth also be on the agenda. place: Kayla LaRue, lone Middle Participants will have School; sixth place: Cullen an opportunity to operate Martin, CMS; seventh place: tractors, with attached Amanda Walker, CMS; eighth implements, a swather, and a place: Emily Rietmann, IMS; front-end loader. First-aid ninth place: Justin Archer, IMS techniques, fire safety, and Division III winners: electrical hazards will also be second place tie: Til discussed and demonstrated. Tullis, lone High School, Elliott The course will conclude with a Bratton, RHS; third place: Jesse written examination, which must Gutierrez, Heppner High School; be passed with a score of 70% fourth place: Jami Moore, RHS; or higher. Call the Morrow fifth place: Daniel Jepsen, HHS; County Extension Office at 676- sixth place: Adam Neiffer, IHS; 9642 or 1-800-342-3664 if you seventh place: Taylor McElligott, need further inform ation or IHS; eighth place: Brooke Rust. would like to register for the HHS; ninth place: Jeremy Hall. class. R egistration, which RHS. includes a $5 fee, is required and must be completed by Friday, June 7. District spelling contest winners Tractor Training and Safety workshop scheduled Fundraiser for Water Park Jar candles from Home Interiors and Gifts are for sale through Sarah Coller as a fundraiser for the Willow Creek Water Park. Please call Sarah Coller at 676-8033 to order. Orders will be taken until June 15 and will be delivered by June 28. “This is a great way to start your holiday gift shopping while helping to fund our Water Park," says Coller. Engagements Anderson-Palmateer Mandy Anderson and Treve Palmatecr The families of Mandy Anderson and Treve Palmateer announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of the couple. The bride-elect is a 2001 graduate of Condon High School and is currently working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education at Blue Mountain Community College. Palmateer attended Heppner High School and is currently working on his grandmother’s ranch in Echo. The couple’s wedding date is set for June 29, 2002, at the Vey Ranch in Echo. The couple welcomes all their family members and friends to join them in the celebration. There will be a barbecue immediately following the ceremony. Dunaway-Price The parents of Sheila Marie Dunaway and Brian Lee Price announce the engagement of their children. The bride-elect is the daughter of Harlan and Linda Dunaway of Heppner. She is a 1992 graduate of Heppner High School, attended two years at BMCC, is a graduate of DPSST., and was employed at TRCI until Sept. 2001 when she moved to Bend. She is currently between jobs and is working as a nanny in Bend. The groom-elect is the son of Charlotte Price and the late Thomas Price of Bend. He is a 1980 graduate of Taft High School in Lincoln City. He also attended two years at BMCC. He is employed at Plateau Wood Works in Bend. The couple will be married Saturday, July 13, at McKay Park in Pendleton at 1 p.m. Country Club ladies play golf Willow Creek Country Club ladies held Thursday evening league play on May 9. Results are as follows: Low gross of the field-Dana Reid. Low net of the field-Shan Stahl and Luvilla Sonstegard. Least putts of the field-Mary Kinkaid. Blind man best ball-Sandi Hanna and Dana Reid, and Luvilla Sonstegard and Shari Stahl. Special cvents-par on # I. Virginia Grant; two-putt on #9, Virginia Grant. Evening play was also held May 16. Results are as follows: Low gross of the field-Shari Stahl. Low net of the field-Mary Kinkaid. Least putts of the field-Linda Schultz. Chip in-Linda Schultz. Birdic-Linda Schultz. Blind man best ball- Shari Stahl and Virginia Grant. Special plays-Dana Reid. Della Heideman.
