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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 26, 2002)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 26, 2002 County Court news By Doris Brosnan At the June 19 session of Mor row County Court, Community Health Nurse Sheree Smith and Accounting Supervisor Tawny Miles appeared with information on the status of the Health De partment for the next fiscal year. Smith explained each of the ser vices required under the adminis trative rules and reported that the department has submitted its an nual plan. The state also required information on how the depart ment would provide service dur ing the five-week closure. Smith reported that the revamp ing of the budget and staffing in the department would be done partly by cutting nursing time and increasing lay health promoter time in the Healthy Start program. Miles went over the changes in projected revenues for the depart ment, which included some reduc tions. Smith reported having dis cussed the changes with staff, which voiced support of the steps taken. Smith said that she had talked to the Director of Behavioral Health about helping with administration during the first year. She and the court discussed cooperation with the Em ergency M anagem ent D epartm ent in addressing bioterrorism. The commissioners unanimously voiced appreciation to Smith for her demonstration of leadership. The representative of the Finley Buttes Landfill, Dean Large, spoke to the court, the Planning Director, the Assistant Public Works Director, and the Asses- sor/Tax Collector about a new special waste contract. Large had previously spoken to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee about an opportunity for their company that would mean increased rev enue to the county. That commit tee approved the agreement. Terms in this proposed contract would be significantly lower than average, resulting from pricing pressure and a soft market over the last two years, and Large asked that the county reduce its fee for this special waste only. Large described the classifica tions of waste and the DEQ re quirements for soil cover. He ex plained the bid he had made on the material, asking that the county support it, as it will promote busi ness in this area and generate considerable additional revenue to the county because of the signifi cant tonnage: 60,000 to 70,000 tons yearly. After a lengthy discussion that included truck traffic issues, the court agreed to approve the special rate for the one contract for its duration of five years and asked County Counsel Bill Hanlon to draft an agreement. District Attorney David Allen brought to the court the four-year agreement with the State Depart ment of Human Services for child support enforcement services. He explained that the contract had taken more than a year to formu late and that the new formula for distribution of incentive money is based on research showing that the district attorney offices do more than 50% of the work in collection of child support. He of fered statistics for the Morrow County DA’s office that show a cost effectiveness of 12 to 1. The court approved the contract. Enterprise Zone Manager Greg Sweek informed the court that the county would no longer be a par ticipant in the “global agreement” among the state, the Port of Mor row, and Pacific Chemical Cor poration. He also noted that be cause of the corporation’s name change, the county’s enterprise zone agreement with what once was called Stanford Chemical Corporation should to be cancelled or written to reflect the name change. Sweek suggested a time limit of five years for development or cancellation of the agreement. The court agreed that the agree ment should remain as negotiated in good faith and that Counsel Hanlon should draw up a transfer to the new company name. Sweek noted that Tillamook would be contributing to the school bond this year and that he directed to the court an inquiry about an en terprise-zone exemption for a pro posed ethanol plant. Sweek and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Bob Krein spoke to the court about the wildlife habitat conservation pro gram. Specifically, they addressed the state requirement that a land- owner file an application plan with ODFW and with the County Plan ning Office. Krein reported suc cess with the system in Wheeler County. The purpose of the plan, the requirements and regulations of the plan, the potential abuse of the plan, and the land in Morrow County that would qualify for the plan were topics of discussion. Sweek noted that if the court takes no action on participation in the plan, it would automatically be al lowed at year’s end. The court can adopt a resolution to allow or disallow it. The court opted to advertise an August 7 public hear ing for discussion of the option. Director of the Resource Conser vation and Development organi zation (RC&D) Karl N eiderw erfer reported to the court that the group is in the midst of getting information from public bodies to identify concerns. From that information, RC&D will de velop a long-term planning docu ment. He asked that the court complete the survey, which ad dresses economic, federal and state, natural resources, and so cial concerns. County Counsel Hanlon voiced concern to the court about the county funding at its expense en forcement activities for the Or egon Indoor Clean Air Act, as proposed in an agreement from the prevention officer. The court agreed that the county does not choose to conduct enforcement activities. They also briefly dis cussed with Hanlon the north-end dairies. Assistant Public Works Director Bob Naims reported that the crew had finished the year’s chip seal ing with McNab and Airport Roads. They have swept loose rock from roads and were clean ing at the stockpile sites. Five dump trucks were in use at the ODOT chip seal project from Heppner to Ruggs, and the grad ers, after the rainfall, had worked on Morter Lane, Cutsforth Park, Buttermilk Canyon, and County Line Road. Fire suppression ve hicles, Naims reported, have been stationed at the county parks, and tools and equipment for the YCC crews are at Cutsforth. Approxi mately two more weeks of crush ing at Skinner Creek is expected. Naims submitted the one bid re ceived for janitorial services at six county buildings, which Judge Terry Tallman then opened and read. The court then sent the bid to Public Works for comparison to bid specifications and for a rec ommendation. Commissioner John Wenholz re ported to Naims and the court some potholes on Kunze Road and noted that high truck traffic dictates doing something to avert ruination. Naims reported that the department would be doing some patching there, at Ella Road, and Bunker Hill. Commissioner Dan Brosnan also noted the need on Sandhollow Road. Other actions of the court included the following: - acknowledgement and apprecia tion of the Willow Creek Valley Service Club donation of a refrig erator to the fairground pavilion kitchen; - acknowledgement of a citizen’s video of drivers failing to stop at the sign at the exit of the USFS parking lot; - approval of permits to Umatilla Electric to install a line under Co lumbia and along Olson Road, overhead lines across Columbia, and overhead line along Rippee Road; - explanation to a citizen who in quired of the county’s contract with the City of Heppner for law enforcement services; - approval o f an ODOT grant agreement - to be used for pur chase of a special transportation bus - to extend the time for one year; - approval of the order authoriz ing the County Treasurer to invest funds; - approval of a monthly payment for radio cable to provide sound cover for privacy purposes at the Public Health Department in Boardman; - approval of the purchase of a mobile police radio; - approval of the purchase of a laptop computer for the Planning Department; - approval of the annual coverage agreement for health insurance; - approval of an inter-fund loan from the General Fund to the CSEPP Fund to be repaid by the 2002-2003 fiscal year; - approval of continuation of re serve funds; - approval of nine fund transfers. At the County Court session on June 12, Sheriff Verlin Denton presented to the court the agree ment for law enforcement ser vices with the City of Heppner, approved by the city council. Denton answered several ques tions from the commissioners, who then approved the one-year, automatically renewable contract Accounting Supervisor Tawny Miles updated a previous report on the status of the Health Department, and the commis sioners discussed the need for a comprehensive examination of the department, including services requirements and the recently added federal requirement for a response plan against bioterrorism. Planning Director Tamra Mabbott reported to the court that final findings on the speedway are near completion. Commission on Children and Families Director Barbara Hayes addressed several issues with the court, including the amendment to the agreement with the Oregon Youth Authority for the Oregon Juvenile Crime Pre vention program. The court ap proved the amendment, which re sulted from a reduction in funding from the state. She noted the need for a replacement computer for the office, and the court approved the purchase of the machine pres ently for sale at a reduced price. Hayes also explained an agree ment with the Department o f Human Services for “Safety Net” services, a collaborative program among the Juvenile Department, Behavioral Health, Human Ser vices, and the Commission. The court approved the agreement. The court also heard Hayes’s re port on the program for childcare for teen moms who are attending high school. She noted that this program involves the State Em ployment Department, Child Care Division. The court approved the contract for that service. Public Works Director Burke O ’Brien reported on the June 9 wind damage at the air port. The roof and part of the back wall had blown off the T-hangar, which is insured, and the roof sup ports had been pulled from the ground. Debris was scattered 100 feet, but only one plane suffered damage. Thunderstorm damage on June 9 included road washes and downed trees. The Smith Road west of lone was washed out, and five trees blew down in the northern part of the county. O ’Brien also reported that the crew had finished chip sealing on Tower, Pole Line, Homestead, and Patterson Ferry Roads and on a section o f Eighth Street. McNab was next on the list. O ’Brien announced names of students selected for the OYCC summer work: Kelsey Greenup, Brad Bowman, Justin Botefur, Aleishia Geer and Tylynn Smith. He also publicly thanked Dodge Logging for the use of their rock screen. O ’Brien ended his report with information on some equip ment replacements available at the City of Portland’s auction in July. He said that the new Heppner Public Works Director, who used to work for Portland, alerted him to the excellent buys. The court approved the purchase of a mechanic’s used truck and two utility trucks. Other actions of the court include the following: - agreement to send a memo to county employees clarifying that frequent flyer miles acquired while on county business may not be used for personal use; - choice of a date for a meeting with the Navy to further discuss the bombing range easement; - approval of a property tax re fund to a landowner; - approval of several budget reso lutions addressing additional bud get resources and some transfers of appropriations; - reappointment of Gail Hughes and Carolyn Holt to the Commis sion on Children and Families; - approval of allocations for pro grams identified by the Commis sion on Children and Families, based on availability of funds from the State; - approval of language changes for clarity in the pension plan; - approval of a contract renewal with SCM for technical assistance with the chemical depot project; - approval of a corrected contract with Unicom for telephone ser vice; - approval of renewed contracts with Tim Holt, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Kathleen Myers, psychiatrist, for services to Be havioral Health. Teaching charac ter traits at VBS Kids will be building positive char acter traits at the Valby Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School. The students will be discovering character traits through storytelling, questioning, Bible study, arts and crafts, songs, and other learning activities. The traits to be studied this year include kind ness, respect, stewardship, thank fulness and trust. This year’s VBS will also include some instruction in Reader’s Theater. The children will be participating in small groups to perform their Reader’s Theater productions for the Valby congregation and parents on Sun day, July 14. The VBS will meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.?12 p.m. starting July 8 and ending July 12. Children of all ages are welcome to attend; teen agers and adults are also welcome to attend. For questions or for registration inform ation, contact Sarah Carlson, 42277245. Deadline set for this round of EQIP funding O regon agricultural producers who w ant to be considered for the current round of cost-share funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) need to apply by Monday, July 8, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced Monday. “EQIP has a continuous sign up period for producers interested in the program, but a ranking cut off date of July 8,2002 has been established to ensure the obligation of funds by October 1, 2002,” said Soil Conservationist Connie H olm quist. “ All applications, including new applicants and those applicants not form ally enrolled in an obligated contract, will be re ranked for funding consideration,” she said. H olm quist said that applications received after this date will be retained for a future ranking cutoff. Future cutoffs will be established as funding is available. For additional information and to sign up for EQIP, call the USDA Service Center at 676- 9011. Alumni golf will benefit Heppner youth The seventh annual Heppner High School Alumni Golf Tourna ment will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7 at Willow Creek Country Club. This year the com mittee has opened the tournament to non.’alumni. Anyone who is 18 and out of high school is welcome to participate. Cost of the tournament is $40 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf on Saturday and Sunday, and a steak dinner following play on Saturday. Participants can put together their own five.’person team or will be placed on a team by the committee. Play will be a scramble format so that even those with little or no golfing experience can enjoy the fun. Tournament proceeds help a va riety of Heppner youth activities. The winning team members will have their names and a photo placed on the tournament plaque, which is displayed in a trophy case at the high school. Entry forms are available at Wil low Creek Country Club, or for an entry or more information, con tact David and Patti Allstott, 67675216, or John and Sonja McCabe, 67675231. Country Club la dies playdays/ invitationals The Willow Creek Country Club ladies have held several invitationals and playdays re cently. Results are as follows: On June 4, the W’illow Creek la dies hosted an 18-hole invitational play day for teams from Kinzua- Condon, Pendleton, Umatilla and Willow' Run. Forty ladies attended, with a salad luncheon following golf play. During Thursday evening play on June 6, the low gross of the field was tied betw een Luvilla Sonstegard, Cindi Doherty and Lindsay Ward. Low net of the field was Mary Kincaid. Least putts of the field was tied between Linda Schultz, Loa Henderson and Jackie Allstott. Long putt was Elaine Miller. KP was Luvilla Sonstegard. On June 18, the Willow Creek la dies hosted a nine-hole invitational for the 15 golf clubs from the T- Bird Association. Nine clubs were in attendance, with 57 ladies play ing golf. Following the day of golf, the ladies were served a salad lun cheon by the kitchen crew of Judy Buschke, Joyce Ward and Betty Brown. Howard Bryant, Gene Orwick, Gene Sonstegard, Jim Wishart and Earl Fishbum once again helped with assignment of golf carts and monitoring balls lost in the creek, etc., for the guests. During Thursday evening play on June 20, the first low gross was Cindi Doherty; second low gross was Pat Edmundson. First low net was Elaine Miller; second low net was Loa Henderson and Lindsey Ward. First low putts was Missy Cutsforth and Loa Henderson; second low putts was Della Heideman. “Going buggy” at the library Chamber Chatter by Claudia Hughes Chamber Executive Director What happened to the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer of our childhood.’ Remember when you could wile away time with a friend in a field o f bachelor buttons watching cloud formations7 Now somehow we think everyone has to be busy. Teach your kids to look for cloud formations. The benefit is, you will have to find them too! Eastern O regon V isitor Association met in John Day last Thursday. This organization, composed o f representatives from eight counties, works diligently to bring visitors to the eastern part o f the state. They focus on the Visitor Guide, leam what the member counties have to offer, share new visitor am enities, work on budgets, promote the scenic byways, and in the future, hot-off-the press sub-region packages. Morrow and Umatilla County Chambers are brainstorming a “Bootloop Tour” with a couple of destinations in both counties including the opportunity to have not ju st a vacation, but an experience. Ideas are welcome in the Chamber office. Come visit about what you envision as a great Morrow County tour. Help us put it together. Will it be about history, eco-tourism , sportsm an activities? What are some new opportunities creating both jobs and visitor amenities? It’s an exciting opportunity to work with Boardm an and Pendleton... “ From The River To The Mountains.” Izzy Orem of The Ponderosa Ranch in Harney County gave an enthusiastic m arketing presentation encouraging communities to aim higher. We can all get beyond the thought that, “even Santa Claus doesn't know where I am”, with some creative planning. It’s a great reward to give people something to enjoy while offering a learning experience and enhancing the economy of our community. It is even fun. In the meantime, when you see people looking lost on Main Street, reach out, shake a hand and offer information. If you don’t know the answer, find someone who does. Remember that list of 100 things to do in Heppner in our Wee Bit O ’ Ireland brochure? Those things are right under our noses. Look for those clouds. Next week all entities share. Heppner happenings during the monthly business meeting at John’s Other Place, Tuesday, July 2, at noon. Thought for the week: “We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until we have stopped saying “It got lost, “ and say “I lost it.” — S.J. Harris Correction Last week’s edition of the Gazette-Times contained an error in the column, A Look Into Our Past. The man pictured with his son was Harold Cohn. Christian Smith, Deidre, Rachael, and Allie Allen and Paige Grieh choose tissue paper for the “wings”. By Sarah Coller There is a large bug residing at the Heppner library. She was hatched at Heppner High School during art class and is now on display for the participants in this y e a r’s sum m er reading program to hang their nametags on. The sum m er reading program. “Don’t Bug Me, I’m Reading”, is well under way; and area students are learning a lot, not only about books, but also about bugs. Last Wednesday, Joyce Shepherd from Hayden Family Dentistry educated the kids on “gummy bugs”, the little bugs that live in your teeth if you don’t brush them often enough. The children made butterflies out of clothes pins, tissue paper, pipe cleaners and glitter. All area children are invited to come share in a time of reading, crafts and learning about creepy crawlies. The program beeins at 11:15 on Wednesdays
