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.”