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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 2013)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 27,2013 HEALTH DISTRICT -Continuedfrom PAGE ONE Mahoney also said she recently spoke with Mor row County Assessor Greg Sweek, who told her that the valuation of Morrow County is currently around $1.5 billion and is not ex pected to increase in the near future, with valuations of some current wind proj ects declining slightly or remaining flat. Much of the new construction is still in the enterprise zone, which means that the businesses are not taxed while they are starting up. Mahoney said that Sweek said that doesn’t mean something couldn’t come along, but it is not expected. While several upcoming wind and other projects within the county have been discussed, board chair Larry Mills reminded the board that they have not yet been formalized, and anticipated revenue from the projects is very uncer tain and not to be counted upon. He rem inded the board of the racetrack proj ect in Boardman several years ago, which promised an economic windfall for the county, but ultimately fizzled. Other mitigating fac tors in going ahead with a supplemental levy include the prospect o f needing to hire another physician and the costs entailed in that, the purchase of a new ambulance for the Irrigon area and future purchases to replace aging am bu lances for other areas in a scheduled rotation, future equipment purchases and costs involved in the current changeover to electronic medical records, and the upcoming changeover for the district’s financial and clinic systems over to elec tronic. “We have a good bot tom line now,” said Ma honey, “hut I don't know how the year’s going to end or next year.” If the district is to put a supplemental levy before the voters, it would have to be by next spring. Mills suggested a proposed levy of around 30-39 cents per thousand valuation, which would be similar to the cur rent five-year levy, which is set to expire, and would keep the d istrict’s total tax under $1 per thousand valuation. “ You’re behind the curve already on the levy,” warned interim CEO Vic tor Vander Does, who was present for the meeting. This meeting was the final one for outgoing CEO Michael Blauer, who has taken a position in Seaside. Vander Does, who, as previ ous MCHD administrator, is credited for helping pull the district out of its finan cial straits, said he could be on board in a week if neces sary. Vander Does will fill in until the district can hire a permanent CEO. The district initially received 43 applications for the position, although several have since dropped out, leaving a field o f 39. The board is in the process of evaluating the candidates and will eventually narrow the pool for interviews, tentatively scheduled for the first week in April. The CEO selection committee includes MCHD Board C hair Larry M ills, M a honey, Director of Nursing Services Molly Rhea, Dr. Betsy Anderson, MCHD Board member John Mur ray and Cliff Green, Willow Creek Valley Assisted Liv ing Board member. In other business, the board: -tabled approval o f a 10-year, $95,000 GEODC (Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation) loan to fund the Irrigon Clinic remodel, with a four- percent interest rate at the request o f board member Joe Perry. Perry advised that Mahoney ask GEODC to get on the Morrow Coun ty Court docket in order to request a lower interest rate from GEODC. The Morrow County Court members are the ones who approve the loan. -discussed the prog ress o f the renovation of the Irrigon Medical Clinic and estimated completion around the first week of April, with an open house to be scheduled sometime following that. -heard a report from Andrea Fletcher concern ing the CHIP program , which was created, through programs and events, to promote health awareness county-wide. She said that she is now looking at long term sustainability o f the program through partner ships with businesses and organizations. -discussed distributing patient satisfaction sur veys. -learned from Blauer that the district is sponsor ing a m obile m am m og raphy program, whereby women may schedule a mammogram at Pioneer Memorial Clinic in Hep pner on Wednesday, March 27. Women interested may call 541-676-2948 to sched ule an appointm ent. No referrals are necessary and “all major insurances are accepted," according to a clinic flyer. -reviewed the district’s mission and goals in prepa ration for the upcoming CEO interview process. -approved recredential- ling for Dr. Ed Berretta, Dr. Roger Blair and Sheridan Tamasky, physician’s assis tant; and credentialling for Telestroke and TeleCritical providers. -received the following report: Pioneer Memorial Clinic had 465 patient visits in January, 26 new patients; 52 seen by a nurse and 13 no shows; Irrigon Medical Clinic had 205 patient vis its, 22 new patients, 64 seen by a nurse and 11 no-shows; Heppner Ambulance had 22 total page-outs with 19 transports for $31,933 in revenue; Boardman Am bulance had 38 total page outs with 19 transports for $25,642 in revenue; Irrigon Ambulance had 39 total page-outs with 29 transports for $35,688 in revenue; Pio neer Memorial Hospital had five admissions, five swing bed admissions, nine admit ted for observation, swing nursing facility had one admission, 473 total outpa tients, 55 total emergency room encounters, 1665 lab tests, 116 x-ray procedures, 13 CT scans, 29 EKG tests, one treadmill procedure, four colonoscopy proce dures, three endoscopy procedures, 57 respiratory therapy procedures; Home H ealth had 122 patient visits; Hospice had five admissions; pharmacy had 808 drug doses for $96,578 in drug revenue. -received the following financial report: Morrow County Health District had $733,536 in gross patient revenue, less $13,691 in bad debts and less $158,183.56 in contractual and other adjustments; plus $116,118 in tax revenue and $33,229 in other operating revenue for $711,009 in total op erating revenue, $731,339 in total operating expenses and a non operating gain of $89,820 for a $69,489 gain for the month of Janu ary and a $43,484 average monthly year-to-date gain. -held an executive ses sion following the regular meeting. The Heppner Elementary School January and February students of the month were announced on Feb. 19. The students received this award for following the Golden Rule, “Treating others as you would want to be treated.” Top (L-R): Amanda Haselbusch, Cheyenne Shaw, Tresslyn McCurry, Gibson McCurry, Cason Mitchell, Harley Ann Anderson and Kaden Combe. Bot tom (L-R): Amelia Manning, Jesse Bowles, Katie Wilson, Daemon Worden, Keegin Chitty and Arianna Worden. Not pictured: Jackson Lehman Contributed photo No criminal charges filed against Boardman teacher School district to continue investigation teacher had removed the community that the district pants and underwear of a rigorously follows its safety student and put a diaper on procedures. the student. It was reported “Our first priority is that this conduct occurred the safety and wellbeing of in front of the other students our students,” said Morrow in the class. County Superintendent Dirk The DA’s office re Dirksen, adding that the dis ported that the investigation trict is aware of allegations done in the case was exten against a staff member. A sive. A total of 14 students separate external investiga were interviewed. Some tion will be completed now interviews were done by that the police investigation law enforcement, and oth has concluded. Once the ers done by the Mt. Emily external investigation has Safe Center in La Grande, concluded, the district will OR. Lead investigators determine what, if any, ac were Lt. Loren Dieter of tions will be appropriate the Boardman Police De going forward. partment and Det. Karen “At all times, the dis- Dike of the MorrowCounty , trict will proceed with stu Sheriff’s Office. dent safety as a foremost “The citizens of Mor concern,” Dirksen reiter row C ounty should be ated. A district release stated proud o f the work done by the Boardman Police that it is not permitted to Department and Morrow comment any further on County S heriff’s Office this matter at this time, as it in this case,” said Nelson. is considered a confidential “The agencies took this internal personnel issue, com plaint seriously and and could concern confi worked together to investi dential student information under the Family Educa gate this case.” On a related note, the tional Rights and Privacy Morrow County School Act (FERPA), which is a District reaffirmed its com federal law guaranteeing mitment to student safety the privacy of student in and wellbeing this week, formation. assuring parents and the County cultural coalition awards more grants Fair board to meet tm Bank o f §1 Our ag lenders are experienced professionals. There’s a lot to know as the face of agriculture keeps changing with the times. When it comes to agriculture, you can bank on our experience. Get your ag loans & do your investing with us. Joe Perry Loan Officer Heppner Russell Seewald Loan Officer Heppner & lone 541 - 676-9125 541 - 422-7466 *Term Loans ’Lines of Crédit ‘Commercial Real Estate Loans www.beobonk.com i HES announces students of the month Morrow County Dis trict Attorney Justin Nelson announced this week that no criminal charges will be filed against a Board- man kindergarten teacher alleged to have put diapers on three students. “I have had an oppor tunity to review the police report subm itted by the Boardman Police Depart ment. I have also spoken to the family of the three students alleged to have had diapers put on them in class. Based upon the statements of the 15 kindergarten stu dents interviewed in this case, there is insufficient evidence to go forward on Crirtiinal charges against the teacher. I want to be clear that this decision should not be taken as a determina tion that nothing occurred, but merely as a statement that there is insufficient evidence to go forward with any criminal charges. Any determination of discipline or em ploym ent w ill be left to the Morrow County School District.” The investigation start ed on Jan. 22, when the Boardman Police Depart ment received a report that Morrow County Dis ever, execution of 85 days a Boardman kindergarten trict Attorney Justin Nelson jail time was suspended has released the following for each count and the de report: fendant sentenced to 18 -Olguin Ricardo Afa months bench probation nador, 47, was convicted of with five days jail time on two counts of harassment, a each count with credit for The Morrow County Class B misdemeanor, and time served. Total fines, Cultural Coalition awarded sentenced to 90 days jail fees and assessments were more grants in February to time on each count; how- $1,430. finish out the 2012-2013 year. Wi n d y Ri v e r was awarded a grant for a coun- The March meeting of the Morrow County Fair Board ty-w ide writing festival will be on March 6 at 6 p.m. in the dormitory building at for fifth and sixth graders. the fairgrounds. North Morrow Community Foundation received a grant to help bring the IMAGO theater group to perform for local junior and senior high school students. The coalition is accept We’ve been making ag loans ing grant proposals for next since we first opened our doors. period starting now and go- DA’s Report - SEVEN ing until Aug. 1, 2013. To be considered for a grant, applicants must address one or more o f the following goals: -Build economic devel opment by fully integrating arts, culture, and heritage into county and community development and redevel opment efforts; -Provide financial sup port for cultural activities for families and youth; -Increase aw areness and respect of our history; -Improve building pres- 2013 Little League Tryout Majors Baseball Wednesday, March 6 from 4:00-5:30 Thursday, March 7 from 4:00-5:30 George Waterland Field it is MANDATORY that you attend at least one liyout ervation; -Build cultural bridges through partnerships with other cultural commissions to enhance heritage pro grams. expand outreach and accessibility and to develop and showcase opportuni ties that encourage cultural expressions; Preference will be giv en to projects that have a one-to-one match in funds. To get an application form, contact Susan Russell at smsel@hotmail.com or call 541-481-4277. Insurance company celebrates 30 years Wheatland Insurance Center is celebrating its 30* anniversary. The company invites local community members to join the celebration by stopping by the Heppner or lone branches this Friday, March 1, for cake, coffee, and “a walk down memory lane.”
