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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 2, 2011)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 2,2011 County inks agreement with PGE for gas plant payments Park. The public is invited Hope Lutheran, to attend our quarterly All Saints Epis meetings. Published: February23 and for the county. “At the end copal announce By David Sykes March 2, 2011 o f the 15 years they will The Morrow Coun still be on 30-year depre Lenten events ty Court last week signed The shared min ciation,” Woodin said. “As an agreement with Portland istry o f Hope Lutheran long as the plant is in op General Electric laying out Church and All Saints Epis eration there will be some tax payments the county copal Church will observe tax value to the county," will receive if a proposed the beginning of Lent with he said. If PGE decides to new gas-fired electrical gen the im position o f ashes By David Sykes add a second generator to erating plant is constructed and the celebration of the M orrow C ounty near the present coal fired the Carty plant, that would Eucharist at 7 p.m. on Ash D istrict A ttorney Justin plant at Boardman. “retrigger” the valuation. Wednesday, March 9, at All Nelson said a proposed bill In the next step in So far the project is Saints. in front of the process to locate the still on the drawing boards On the following plant PGE will take its and needs to get final ap Wednesdays during Lent, proposal to the Public Util proval from the Public Util beginning March 16, there ity Commission which will ity Com m ission (PUC), will be a soup supper at 6 but the agreement signed (Left -Right) Morrow County Judge Terry Tallman, County actually put the project p.m. followed by a video last Wednesday spells out Commissioner Ken Grieb and Commissioner Leann Rea out to “bid”. Other busi series titled “Living Your how much the county will sign agreement last Wednesday for new gas plant with Dave nesses and utilities could Faith.” Evening prayer will Robertson, VP for Public Policy with PGE. Agreement spells bid against the project and, receive in taxes. out payments to Morrow County if new gas plant is built in if their plan is accepted by follow at 7 p.m. w ould not M.C. DA Under the agree The first of these Boardman. -Photo by David Sykes be good for Justin Nelson ment, called SIP or Stra the PUC, then the project midweek Lenten events tegic Investment Program, to be approved by several for a total of $2,432,848 in will not be built. The bid will be held at Hope, and County. beginning the first year state agencies and it could payments. The county will ding could include another “If this bill passes the county w ill receive be up to five years before it then disburse these pay type plant, or could even be then alternate weekly be tween churches. Sunday it would consolidate courts $2,432,848 in combined is completed. ments to all the various tax a plan to sell power to PGE worship continues at 10 in Pendleton. Everyone taxes and SIP payments Under the SIP pro ing districts in the county custom ers from another a.m., with services held at would have to go to Pend from the Portland utility gram, which was developed for their share. utility, Robertson said. the Lutheran Church on the leton for divorce proceed company. PGE has had a for new Nike and Intel con If the PUC accepts The property tax first and third Sundays and ings, pre-trial hearings and long presence in Morrow struction in the Willamette payments will increase by the PGE bid, then the plant at the Episcopal Church on appeals process,” he told County, having opened Valley, PGE will actually be three percent per year for will go to the Oregon En the second and fourth Sun the Heppner Chamber of the coal fired generating making payments instead of the life o f the 15- year ergy Facility Siting Council days of each month. Commerce at its weekly plant at Boardman in the the regular appraisal and tax agreement and the SIP pay which will give final license The evening before meeting last week. early 1980s. PGE is still structure of earlier years. ments also increase with to the plant. Robertson said Lent begins, the commu “ The p re s id in g the single largest taxpayer U nder the plan inflation over the 15 years the whole process could judge for a judicial district in Morrow County from the PGE will pay regular coun until the final year when the take up to five years to nity is invited to a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper that contains more than one coal plant. ty taxes on the first $25 county will receive a total complete. at All Saints on March 8 county...may consolidate “ PGE has been With the addition of million value of the plant, of $3,732,119 from PGE. At court administrative func the Carty gas plant, which is and, on top of that, it will that point the gas plant will an integral part of Board- from 5 to 7 p.m. Proceeds tions in one place,” House proposed to be built near the make a SIP payment. The be taxed on its depreciated man for many years,” said from the pancake supper are allocated for local mission Bill 2691 reads. coal plant and employ 20 to first year of the 15-year value only. “It is a contrac Boardm an M ayor Chet “It doesn’t come 22 people when completed agreement will bring in tual agreement with the Phillips. “We have concerns and outreach needs. More information out and say it, but they can and 300-400 during con $357,637 in tax money and county,” said Paul Woodin over the shutdown of the about these events is avail do it,” Nelson says about struction. The plant still has $2,075,211 in SIP money of Community Renewable coal plant and the effects on able by calling the shared consolidating the courts in Energy Association of The the town and nearby area. ministry office at 541-676- Pendleton. “The presiding Dalles, which helped nego We have total support of the 9970. Everyone is w el judge could make that deci tiate the contract with PGE project,” he said. come. sion. None of this is decided by a vote o f the people,” Heppner’s Wee Bit two to support the Friends Eastern Oregon WALK MS to be held April 16 he added. “Maybe people O ’ Ireland St. P atrick’s of the Library book sale; would rather go to Herm Celebration is just around check out Morrow County iston'or Pendleton to file in the comer and it’s time to Heritage and Agricultural small claims court,” Nelson get out the green and wear Museums; participate in said, but he just knows that it proudly. the “Ewe-Do-Bingo”, the Governor John Kitzhaber There are lots of “O ’Ducky Race” and the has said to cut, and govern activities planned for the “O’ Kiddie Tricycle Races”; ment agencies are looking 29th annual Wee Bit O ’ Ire Kiss Heppner’s “Blarney for ways to save money. land Celebration on March Stone”; Throw the Welly as “ We could have 17-20,h. So planning on a team or individual; watch three people at the court attending “St. Oliver Plun the live mannequin show by house that could be laid off kett”, the play written by the HHS Drama Club; at or forced to go to Pendleton Father Condon, with music tend the Sheep Dog Trials; or H erm iston,” he said. by Joe Lindsay on Thurs and Road Bowling. “The Hermiston courthouse day, March 17; get ready Don’t forget to stop Pictured are participants in last year's MS Walk held in Heppner. -Contributed Photo is a beautiful building, and to rumble as a participant by and watch the Sheep The first united a t-shirt prize at the $100 information, will be located if there is consolidation or observer at the Heppner Dog Trials (Saturday and “Eastern Oregon WALK level. Anyone who brings in local businesses. Pre then witnesses, victims and Cham ber’s/Y 102 - Hay Sunday) as part of the activ MS” will be held April 16 $100 the day of the walk register online at www. everyone else would drive stack Broadcasting 4,h an ities. There is lots of great in Pendleton beginning at will be eligible for a t-shirt walkMSoregon.com, or by to Pendleton. There will be nual Irish Boxing Smoker entertainment planned for 10 a.m. All towns in East that day, while supplies last. phone at 800-344-4867. more driving costs and the on Friday, March 18 at Hep Saturday evening, which ern Oregon will be joining The 5K marked route is Walkers may register at any county expenses would go pner High School; be a par will include Tiller’s Folly”, forces to walk for a cure wheelchair accessible. The time, including the day of up,” Nelson said. ticipant or spectator in the the “Old Time Fiddlers” for MS. registration/check-in be the event. After listing to Nel “St. Paddy’s Arena Cross”, and “The NeverCanEvers”. For m ore in fo r There is no regis gins at 9 a.m. at Roy Raley son, the Heppner Chamber “Cruz In” or “Great Green The entertainment is free to tration fee for the MS Walk, Park, next to the Roundup mation contact co-chair, of commerce voted to write Parade”; the Remembrance all and is sponsored again and participants are asked grounds. The walk will start Merilee McDowell at 541- a letter to five state legisla Walk and 5K Run; the Iron by the Morrow County Uni- • to raise a mjnjmum of $ 100 at 10 a.m. 571-5853, or co-chair, Dar tors urging them to defeat Leprechaun Bike R ide” fied Recreation District. MS W alk b r o rin Umbarger at 541-276- per person. Walkers can the bill. (sponsored by Scotts Cycle Along with enter earn prizes for outstanding chures, with registration 9288. “On behalf o f the & Sports); the Leprechaun tainm ent and activities, fundraising, starting with members of the Heppner Run; attend K.UMA Coffee there will be a lot of great Cham ber o f Commerce, Hour; Ceili; shop at the food to choose from. we are writing to express Vendor’s Square; check out The St. Patrick’s our opposition to HB2691. the arts and crafts display at Celebration weekend offers The 2011 Morrow We feel that this legislation Les Schwab organized by something for everyone. For will result in decreased Morrow County Creative more information contact County Fair and Rodeo efficiencies in handling Arts and Crafts; the “Wee all the Heppner Chamber Ambassadors invite every the case load for Morrow Bit O ’ Western Fine Art office at 541-676-5536 or one to join them August County. We feel strongly Photography “ by Denise visit the website at www. 17-20. The theme for the fair this year is “There’s that if passed, this legisla Smith and Celia Moyer at heppnerchamber.com. Country in the Air at the tion will cause a hardship City Park; buy a book or Morrow County Fair”. and disservice to the people The fair is going o f Morrow County. This . Creative Care'students take field to have great entertainment will negatively impact our trip to Krebs’ sheep farm this year. There is the return economy within our com of Adam the Great, a magi munities with loss of jobs cian that walks around and and revenue.” amazes everyone, as well The 2011 Morrow Countv Fair and Rodeo Ambassadors “We ask that you as a video game tourna vote to defeat this legisla ment for the kids of all ages seven years. Morgan, a se school age residents willing tion," the Chamber said. to enjoy. Morrow County nior at Oregon Connections to promote and participate Fair and Rodeo will host Academy, has participated in the Morrow County Fair a concert on both Friday in the Morrow County Fair and Rodeo. Activities the Sheriff's Report and Saturday nights after and Rodeo for six years. ambassadors take part in the rodeo, with the Rock & Samantha, a sophomore at include parades at county The Morrow County Roll Cowboys Friday night Irrigon High School, has events. Chamber of Com Sheriff’s Office reports han and the ever popular Rodeo participated in the Morrow merce events. City Council Rose Saturday night. County Fair and Rodeo for meetings, and community dling the follow ing busi The 2010-2011 11 years. Tim, a sophomore holiday events. Fair events ness: Morrow County Fair and at Heppner High School, include talent show, ice D ec. I I c o n t.: Rodeo Ambassadors in has participated in the Mor cream social, pet show, -MCSO arrested Richard c l u d e R o b e r t B l a k e row County Fair and Rodeo watermelon seed spitting Dorman, 73, on a Heppner M cPherson, Kellie N el for seven years. contest, eating contests. Justice Court warrant for son, Morgan McPherson, The Morrow Coun The ambassadors also par Failure to Pay Fine/Driving Samantha Baumgartner, ty Fair and Rodeo Ambas ticipate in some Morrow While Suspended. and Tim Nelson. Blake is sador program is made up County Rodeo events. -BPD issued a cita The Creative Care Preschool group (three and four year a freshman at Irrigon High from Morrow County high tion to Caleb Brent John olds) took a field trip to Skye and Penny Krebs' sheep farm School and has participated son, 36, for Violation of the on Wednesday, February 23. This is an annual event that in the Morrow County Fair Speed Limit by driving 45 preschool teacher, Betty Rietmann. has organized for many and Rodeo for six years. Nazarene/7,h Day Adventist members will be years. Top Photo: Jackson Coiner and Morgan Cutsforth listen Kellie, a sophom ore at serving lunch on Wednesday, March 9, at St. Patrick’s mph in a 30 mph zone. intently to Penny Krebs on how to bottle feed a lamb during Heppner High School, has Senior Center. The meal will include barbecue chicken, the Creative Care Preschool annual field trip. Bottom Photo: participated in the Morrow steak fries, three bean salad, glazed carrots, fruit juice, Liam Heideman holds a lamb at the Krebs sheep ranch this past week with classmate Mason Orem. Contributed Photos County Fair and Rodeo for com muffins, and brownies. Menu is subject to change. Proposed new Boardman facility would create jobs, generate revenue for county DA speaks against court consolidation Morrow St. Patrick’s Celebration has something for everyone Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Ambassadors issue invitation to 2011 event Community Lunch Menu I I i
