Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 2011)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 22,2011 What do we do in Iraq? By SSG Pat Caldwell and Capt. John Qualls What do we do in Iraq? This is a good ques tion, and one asked more often than one would think. After all, we are reposturing our forces in Iraq, right? So what, exactly, do Guards men from eastern Oregon’s 3rd Battalion, 1 lb* Cavalry Regiment do here? Well, the 3rd Bn. is one of the few combat arms units remaining in Iraq, and its mission appears, at first glance, to be pretty simple. We escort convoys. Or, more precisely, we escort logistics convoys through out northern Iraq. What are logistics convoys? They are con voys of semis that carry everything from apples to ammunition to fuel to toilet paper. Without those convoys, almost all opera tions in Iraq would come to a screeching halt for the coalition forces. There is an often- quoted saying by Napo leon that amateurs discuss tactics and professionals discuss logistics. Napoleon was not one to overlook an opportunity to make a wide, sweeping proclama tion, but he was also one of the greatest military minds in history. So logistics are a pretty big deal. Back home it is a concept easy to overlook. We go to the grocery store and what we want is there. In Iraq, those groceries are not going to be there unless the convoys get through, and it is our job to make sure they do get to their destination. What we do, in other words, is very much like the actions of the U.S. cavalry in the Old West, protecting wagons as they moved across the mountains. The 3rd Bn.’s mis sion is really conducted at what we call the Convoy Escort Team (CET) level. Each team is made up of 20 to 30 soldiers. Their cavalry horses, in this case, are called Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehi cles, which are positioned throughout each convoy for protection. Some convoys are small—say 16 trucks— while others can sport as many as 60 semis. So far, 3rd Bn., has logged more than 650 con voy missions since arriving in early December, travel ing more than 60,000 miles. Most of these miles are un eventful but, on occasion, things can get a bit hairy. Another series of good questions are: Protect the convoys from what? Isn’t the war over? Aren’t we leaving? Those are good questions and the answers are simple. We protect the convoys from individuals who, for lack of better term, are troublemakers. They may just plain dislike the United States; they may get paid by some other group to set an improvised explosive device; or they may just be bored and decide to attack us. The reasons vary but the fact is that there are not a lot of these people running around. We are leaving, but there is still danger on the roads. The signs o f our drawdown are everywhere, every day. But one other piece of our mission is to do the drawdown in a re sponsible manner. Simply packing up everything and leaving isn’t an option, for a lot of reasons. The risk is always there on the road, and the men and women from the communities across eastern Oregon put their lives on the line every time they go out on a convoy. That may be the most important yet hardest concept to grasp. There are troublemakers out there. While they are very few in numbers, the damage they can cause with even one 1ED is serious. While it may hard to judge based on other outside sources, the fact is that the Iraqis are tak ing over more and more of their own security duties every single day. It is an American operation that is winding down, and we are helping ensure that when we do leave, we depart in a responsible, respectful way. HEMLOCK PREVALENT -Continuedfrom PAGE ONE office, humans have been poisoned by mistaking the plant for parsley or wild carrot. However, cases of human poisoning are rare, and most of the danger is to cattle. Neither cut ting and drying nor silage removes the poison, so growers should be careful of infestations around hay fields. At the same time, Pranger says that, while poisonous to livestock if they ingest it, poison hem lock shouldn’t be a problem for most livestock grow ers. “Most cattle will avoid it unless th ey ’re pushed into it by overgraz ing,” he says. “Plus, the most poisonous part is the crown down by the root; cattle wouldn’t be eating that anyway.” Poison hemlock can be controlled by spray ing, mowing after the plants bolt, or hand pulling. Prang er also says this area has a caterpillar that works as a natural control for hem lock. “It shows up when the hemlock starts to seed and strips it down to a bare Hemlock leaves like this one can be poisonous to cattle. -Photo by Andrea Di Salvo stalk,” says Pranger, who adds that we may start to see those caterpillars soon. More information on hemlock can be obtained from the local extension of fice at 541-676-9642. Justice Court Report Morrow County Justice of the Peace Ann Spicer has released the following Justice Court Report. -Giselle Lee Mo ses, 36, Harrassment/B Misdemeanor, $740 fine, no law violations for 2 years, drug and alcohol evalua- tion with recommended treatment plan, completion of an anger management program. / A « i County Court news The Morrow Coun and reviewed spreadsheet this decision was made ty Court met on June 8 in presentations for the gen allowing them (the cities) Irrigon with Judge Tallman eral funds and road fund to have some input in the and Commissioners Grieb budgets. Carlson stated that decision making process. A when the Budget Commit lengthy discussion regard and Rea in attendance. The court reviewed tee decided to reduce the ing the county’s work force, and approved the minutes road funds historically paid insurance and budget issues of the May 25 and June 1 to the cities by $ 177,500 the ensued. The hearing was meetings and the account road fund ending balance closed, with deliberation set payables in the net amount was $1,073,283 and the to be continued to Wednes of $171,384.86. The court general fund ending bal day June 15 in Boardman. Planning Dept.: also reviewed and approved ance is short of the million a purchase pre-authoriza dollar amount by $77,087 Planning Director Carla tion for the Morrow County at $922,913. Assessor/tax McLane provided a revised Health Dept, in the amount collector Greg Sweek stated map showing the two al of $2,117.82 to purchase that he wished he could ternate routes for the Carty a back-up power source say there was going to be Lateral Project. McLane to protect vaccines at the increased value that would also provided an update on Boardman Clinic. bring in additional tax rev the pre-disaster mitigation C o m m u n i t y enue, but the projections plan, discussed the LUBA C ounseling Solutions made in March are holding decision regarding the wind (CCS): Director Kimberly firm. County treasurer Gay noise and the upcoming Lindsay stated that since it le Gutierrez stated that she meeting with the Navy re is the end of the biennium had compared the general garding several issues. Emergency Man- the county will be receiv fund balance from May 31, ing a bi-annual umbrella 2010 to the May 31, 2011 agement-CSEPP Closure: contract for mental health balance and reported that it Emergency management services from the State of is approximately $400,000 director Casey Beard, Tetra Tech Associate, Senior En Oregon. Lindsay also stated down. that the contract between Irrigon mayor Da gineer Mike Baker, Tetra the county and Community vid Bums read a statement Tech Environmental Scien Counseling Solutions is prepared by city manager tist Shauna Pettey and OSU approaching renewal date. jerry breazealle regarding Economist Bruce Sorte Lindsay then discussed the city’s need for the addi provided the court with the new building CCS is tional funding to keep their an update on the closure constructing in Boardman road maintenance program plan for the Umatilla Army and stated they would not operating as it has in the Depot. Contracts: The be providing notice for past. A position statement vacation until some time prepared by the City of court reviewed, approved in July. By doing this CCS Irrigon in 2009 was also and signed an agreement will avoid a crunch situa read into the record. Public between the County and tion should the construction Works director for Irrigon William Perkinson to pro process hit a snag. Lindsay stated that he understands vide legal services at a rate reported CCS will see a 6% the county’s position; how of $75 per hour for court cut in Medicaid funding this ever, the cuts have will have appointed indigent defense year and another 6% next a huge impact on the City counsel in both delinquency year. Lindsay then provided of Irrigon. Heppner mayor and dependency matters to the court with a Lakeview Les Paustian stated that he the juvenilec and Morrow Heights newsletter and re agreed with everything that County citizens. Land Use Board ported on that the num was presented by Burns, bers at Lakeview Heights adding that he was very of Appeals re: Willow reflects success and stated disappointed in the budget Creek Wind Noise Com that the facility provides committee and the county plaint Decision: County a significant saving to the court for making the deci Counsel Ryan Swinbumson state and the county as well sion to take funding from provided the court with as improving the quality of the city. Paustian said the copies of the LUBA Fi life for the residents. city budget has been cut to nal Opinion and Order. S h e r iff D ep t. a bare minimum and that Swinburnson stated that Monthly Update: Under- these funding cuts really the county’s findings were sheriff Steve Myren report hurt the city. Heppner city not sufficient and stated that ed that May was a light ac manager Dave DeMayo the court needs to develop tivity month. Myren stated questioned the county’s more findings to support he is fearful that the dept, interpretation of the ORS their decision. Swinbumson will be exceeding their 368.710 which discusses stated that the matter would budget because of large the distribution of “option need to be addressed within inmate medical expenses taxes” as opposed to prop the next thirty days. The court conduct and various investigations erty taxes. Mayor of Lex they have encountered. ington Jean Brazell stated ed the following business: Myren reported that there that while Lexington does The court reviewed and are currently 91 clients in not have very many streets, denied a request from the the parole and probation they certainly have a lot of Morrow Soil & Water Con program. potholes that need to be servation District (SWCD) Pubic Hearing: repaired. Mayor of Board- for $278.45 to purchase 2001 1 -2 0 1 2 M orrow man Chet Phillips read a chemicals so they could County Budget Hearing: letter regarding the road hold a “Free Spray Day.” Finance Director Fred Carl tax distribution from city The reason for the denial son provided the staff report manager Karen Pettigrew was due to the county’s into the record. Phillips potential liability should then stated that he agrees the chemicals be misap with the statements made plied. Reviewed misc. cor by the other cities adding respondences and discussed that Boardman has a very upcoming meetings. If you would like high level of traffic due to the Port of Morrow opera to be placed on the list to tions. Phillips added that he receive county minutes, felt the county should have please contact Karen Wolff come to the cities before at (541)676-5620. WHEN YOU NEED US Correction A portion of the Morrow County School Board story that appeared in the June 15 Gazette-Times was incorrect. The board did not approve a federally mandated “age appropriate” human sexuality course as reported. The issue was tabled and will come before the board again at the second reading set for next school board meeting planned in August. P6Ù PROPANE During the months of Juno and July POO PROPANE twill install your now rosldontial sbovo ground propano A dedication to community, A commitment to service. W ith ,u ir ¡'t v . h o . . ’c t i” t-.i: o !. \ .it io n in 1 .1 C o a n J o . J ' i m . ' h I r*o f li.ih: ISiot.c.-iC is h .'iU ’ io d L i exp an d rfur • i . i I i o i m 'I v t . ,\:n t.'o J e o 'o M o n . \ >11’ morfpc.il transport .■no .: ! Washington l | F E FLIGHT jn c l to h a v e <1 h o m o in y o u r c o m m u n it y TANK AT NO COST, PLUS your tln ty m n tank rantal fiso arili ba fimo.* 'Conditions do apply •Plumbing not included CALL FOR DETAILS 1 - 800 - 422-7611 80 Years of Service and still offering competitive prices to Washington P G G Also provides gas healer and Oregon Residents. and stove plumbing and propane equipment C C B # 64523 To lo o m m oro ¡riront Lifo Flig h t N o lw o rk lo lio co rn o ¡1 m o m ber. or g ivo m e m b e rh ip a s a gift. L j f f t U L J Dependable and Friendly service Visit us online at pegcountry.com
