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