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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2013)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 15,2013 DEBATE CONTINUES -ContinueJfrom PAGE ONE opinion, and I am willing and some in favor. After months o f debate, letters to the editor and several meetings, the council voted at its April 8 meeting to end the debate and remove the pedestals. The council ac tion did not deter DeMayo, however, who came back with the ballot request. “This is a citizen ’s initiative,” DeMayo told the Gazette Tuesday. “My intent is this is going to be a citizen’s decision, let the citizens decide.” He said he needed 92 signatures to put the measure on the Novem ber ballot. DeMayo said he has been receiving enthusias tic support for his efforts around the community and he has “more or less been guaranteed” to get the nec essary 92 signatures to get the proposal on the ballot. C ity M anager Kim Cutsforth said Tuesday, however, that the initiative does not meet the require ments for a ballot initiative and she was denying De- Mayo’s request. “It does not meet the requirements,” Cutsforth told the Gazette. The coun cil had discussed the ballot m easure M onday night and also held an executive session over it; however, the council took no official action. At the meeting, and later, Cutsforth said the initiative would have cost the city at least $3,000 plus attorney’s fees. However, that was not the reason for denial. “It just does not meet the standards,” she said. When told of the de nial, DeMayo was upset and said, “I challenge that to get my own lawyer if necessary (to fight the de cision).” Earlier DeMayo said he was willing to put up $5,000 toward having an Indian statue placed in the park. Cutsforth said a letter would most likely go out Tuesday to DeMayo laying out the denial. In other business, the council: -Approved a request by the city public works crew to begin working four 10- hour days instead of five eight-hour. Public Works Director Chad Doherty said he wanted to start this right away and run until daylight savings went off. Doherty said the shift in hours would mesh better with the con struction crews in town w orking on the streets, which work four-tens, with whom the city crew works closely. The city council agreed to give it a try and to make sure it did not result in more overtim e hours. A man would still be avail able on Fridays to work a half day for water tum-offs and ons. “The city pays the same amount and is getting the same work done, just easier on the crew,” Mayor Joe Perry said. -Agreed to a $20,000 line of credit with the Bank of Eastern Oregon to pay for repairs and maintenance of the city’s street sweeper. “We currently have a loan through US Bank for the sweeper, and this loan can only be paid sem i annual,” Cutsforth told the council. “The city intends to pay this note off in Oc tober with proceeds from SCHOOL TRANSFER CONCERNS a loan from the Bank o f Eastern Oregon. At that time we will also pay the credit line in full. This will allow us to extend the life of our sweeper by six to 10 years, improve its operation and keep our current terms for payment the same,” she said. She told the council the program is beneficial and will not affect the city budget. -Heard from the city manager, in other public works expenditures, that public works has found a mower to replace the old city lawn mower. The cost will be $ 13,500 and city can pay for on a zero interest payment policy. She said the new mower will actually save the city money, as it is not planning on hiring sum mer help, in part because of the increased efficiency of the new mower. -A p p ro v e d a new contract with the Morrow County Sheriff’s Depart ment for police services. The contract will cost the city $165,654, an increase o f $7,071 over last year. The increase was mainly over salary increases. -V oted fo r an o th er three-year agreement with the city’s auditor, Barnett & Moro. -Heard a report on the St. Patrick’s Day Senior Apartments. Judy Buschke said there were two vacan cies. -H eard from M ayor Perry that he has been warn ing people about doing J turns in town and that they are illegal. Perry said he has approached drivers and so far they have been very nice about it, acknowledging they did not know it was an illegal turn in town. South Morrow scholarship trust announces recipients The South M orrow County Scholarship Trust is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 scholarships in the amount of $ 1,000 each. They are Julianne Carlson, Maggie Collins, Bryce Fowler, Kyle Harrison, Austin Gutierrez and Garrett Robinson. The six students were selected out of 13 applicants on the basis of academic achieve ment, chosen field of study, financial need, school par ticipation, degree of effort the student has made in seeking sources for college, and personal characteristics for success and school citi zenship. Julianne C arlson is the daughter of Sarah and Cl i nton Carlson of lone. She is consider ing attend- in g T h e Fashion Institute of Julianne Design and Carlson M erchan dising and University of the Arts London: London College o f Fashion. Juli anne has completed sum mer courses at Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, WA, taking oil painting and fashion design. She is active in 4-H, competing for clothing construction at the Oregon State Fair and National Make it With Wool, and winning champi on placement at these. She is on the honor roll, a Big Sky Scholar Athlete, and a member of the National Honor Society, serving as treasurer for the last three years. Her activities include Speech and Debate, Nation al Forensic League, Varsity Tennis, International Club, and she served as a class of ficer for four years. Julianne has participated in many community activities. Maggie Collins of Hep pner is the daughter of Jean and Tim Collins. She is - FIVE considering University of tion, FBLA, FFA, Outdoor Idaho, Oregon State Uni Club, Band and Pep Band, versity and Pacific Univer Ford Institute Leadership sity, among Training and has earned o th e rs, to varsity letters in basket re c e iv e a ball, football track and b ach elo r’s field. Bryce has won many d eg ree in awards, including Gold biology Presidential Award, All- a n d th e n State honorable mention apply to a Maggie offensive lineman, Hugh veterinarian Collins O ’Brian Youth Leadership, school. She Mathematics Student of the is currently in a work study Year and Biology Student program with local veteri of the Year. narian Dr. Temple. Maggie Kyle Harrison, the son has prepared herself for of Kirsten and Travis Har this goal by taking all up rison of Lexington, attends per division science, math Heppner High School. He and college preparatory has been accepted into Or classes that Heppner High egon State University. He School offers. Maggie is intends to attain a degree a member of FFA, FBLA, in kinesiology. He will National Honor Society, _________ concentrate Pep Band, Varsity volley on exercise ball, Varsity basketball and science Varsity softball. She won and obtain the sportsmanship award a minor in this year and is senior class health stud president. Maggie was the ies. He has Morrow County Fair and Kyle p re p a re d Rodeo Queen in 2012. Harrison for this by She is active in commu taking ad nity events, working on vanced placement and col Mustang Mop-up, Senior lege courses. Kyle is active Citizen Bingo, as a DARE in FFA, serving as Heppner volunteer, youth Relay for FFA Chapter Vice Presi Life, and Town and Country dent, Reporter, and Secre Music Entertainer for two tary and has attended the years. She is a Blue Mt. FFA Leadership retreat for Fiddlers member and is ac three years. He is a member tive in 4-H. of National Honor Society, Bryce Fowler, the son serving as Historian. Kyle of Kay and Dave Fowler, at has varsity letters in golf tends Hep- and basketball, and served pner High as team captain for both School. He golf and basketball. He has plans on at served on the Associated Student Body Government tending Pa cific U ni and is a volunteer with local versity or youth basketball programs. University Kyle is an active volunteer o f Oregon. Bryce Fowler in his community, working on Mustang Mop-up, par Bryce plans on focusing on mathemat ticipating and organizing a ics. He has worked outside Red Cross Blood Drive, and of class with a former math active in his church. He is ematics professor. He has a recipient of the Character earned college credits in al Trait Student of the Month, gebra and trigonometry. He Academic Letter, Honor is a member of the National Roll, and President’s Award Honor Society, 4-H, Tech for Educational Achieve nology Student Associa- ment, Lead America Na- i I I -Continuedfrom PAGE ONE es in reduced price lunches questions and comments during the meeting, as per board meeting regulations, but invited the parents to speak to board members and Superintendent Dirk Dirksen about their con cerns following the meet ing. Dirksen had been a teacher and principal at RHS for many years prior to being named MCSD superintendent. Killingbeck is a former principal at Windy River Elementary, Boardman, and assistant principal at Sam Boardman Elementary and A.C. Houghton Elementary, Irrigon. Dirksen, adm inistra tors and board members concurred that the trans fer situation has changed greatly since the formation of charter schools, which allows students to attend any high school they wish. Students now have the abil ity to attend schools outside their districts. Following the meeting, board member Berto Her nandez, Boardman, spoke with the parents in atten dance who were represent ed by Lomas. He told the Gazette that he explained to the families that the dis trict’s main emphasis is academics. He also said that he believed that the major ity of students transferring out were not generally from Hispanic families. He said further he did not believe there were any safety or security concerns. Dirksen said that he plans to meet with the par ents individually to discuss their concerns in the near future. Data on the number of students who have trans ferred out and reasons for the transfers was unavail able. During the meeting, Windy River Elementary English Language Learner teacher Theresa Proctor- Reece presented a program on the successful English as a Second Language/ELL program at WRE. Also at the meeting, the board voted to increase the district’s lunch prices by 10 cents for 2013-14, as mandated by the federal government. Elementary school lunches will increase from $2.15 to $2.25; junior/ senior lunch prices will in crease from $2.40 to $2.50; and milk prices will go up 15 cents from 25 cents to 40 cents. There will be no chang tional High School Leader ship Conference Nominee, and United States Achieve ment Academy National Language Arts Award. Austin Gutierrez from Heppner is the son of Debra and Craig Gutierrez. He at tends Heppner High School. Austin plans on attending either University of Idaho or Oregon State University. He would like to transform his passion for golf into a career in the golf industry. He plans on completing the professional golf manage ment certification program, which is a four and one half y e a r p ro- gram inte grated with a business curriculum. Austin has jo b - s h a d owed pro f e s s io n a l Austin g o lf m an Gutierrez agement personnel at world-class golf courses. He has taken honors and college lev el courses in chemistry, writing, communications and math. He is a member o f National Honor Soci ety, Student Government, FBLA, and Varsity golf for four years. Technology Stu dents of America, Heppner Booster Club, Community Events volunteer and is ac- at 40 cents, adult lunch prices at $3 and breakfast prices, which are $1 for ele mentary students, $1.25 for junior/senior high school students, and reduced price breakfasts at 30 cents. District business man ager Andy Fletcher stressed that the federal “Healthy Hunger-Free Food Act re quires the district to increase elem entary and ju n io r/ senior high school lunch prices to meet federal eq uity pricing requirements” to “offset the continuing increases in the cost o f food.” The state is currently paying the reduced break fast cost, according to the district. Additionally, the board d iscu ssed the grow ing number o f classes that the district offers at the three MCSD high schools that allow students to receive high school credits while simultaneously earning col lege credits at Blue Moun tain Community College, Eastern Oregon University and Treasure Valley Com m unity College through the Eastern Promise plan. E astern Prom ise is the brainchild of InterMountain ESD superintendent Mark Mulvihill. In other business, the board: -ap p ro v ed reh irin g the following classified/ confidential personnel for 2013-14 (South Morrow County listed only): Hep pner Elementary School- Loma Botefuhr, Rita Britt and Janet Wilson, special ed assistants. Deb Campbell, library tech/food service clerical, Kathy Cutsforth, assistant custodian, Becky Evans and Robin Jones, ed assistants, Jessica Lehman, special ed assistant/assistant custodian, Patty Rill, head cook, Kim Carlson, assis tant cook. Brandy Sweeney, secretary; Heppner High School-Ginger Bowman, library tech, Tracie Bunch, department secretary, Kathi Dickenson, Jessica Lentz, special ed assistants, Mike Doherty, head custodian, Kelly Fox, lead mainte nance-south, Lori McCabe, FS assistant/assistant cook, Joan McDaniel, retiring head cook, Teresa Parret, assistant custodian, Darcy Robinson, secretary; Con fidential Personnel-Autumn M organ, fiscal services specialist/accounts pay able, Rose Dirksen, stu dent services technician, tive in his church. His many awards include Academic Achievement Letter, Honor Roll, P resident’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, and Heppner High School Student of the month. G arrett Robinson o f Heppner is the son o f Darcy and Kyle Robinson. He has attended H eppner High School. Garrett is consider ing Oregon State Univer sity. He plans on earning his Bachelor o f Agriculture Sciences Degree at Oregon State University to further his career in agriculture and broaden his knowledge of the industry, and educate others and advocate for the importance o f agriculture in our world. Garrett is ac tive in his community, vol unteering for FFA commu nity service, Tupper camp counselor, Tri-County 4-H camp counselor, 4-H am bassador, Morrow County Fair Livestock Sale runner, and is active in his church. He is a member of Outdoor Club, American Q uarter Horse Association, Oregon High School Rodeo, In- Linda Kenny, fiscal ser vices specialist/payroll, Jan Huddleston, maintenance coordinator/administrative assistant. -accepted a $ 100 dona tion from Ken Matlack to be used for Irrigon High School girls’ softball. -adopted a revision to policy-qualities and duties of the superintendent. -adopted a revision to policy for a “M other Friendly Workplace.” -d e s ig n a te d b o ard member representation at graduations as follow s: H eppner H igh School- Bill Kuhn; Riverside High School-Thad Killingbeck; Irrigon High School-Bar ney Lindsay. Morrow Edu cation Center graduates will return to their communities to walk in graduation cer emonies. -received the follow ing May enrollment report: A.C. Houghton Elemen- tary-270; Sam Boardman Elementary-340; Heppner E lem entary-180; Irrigon Elem entary-201; Windy R iver E lem entary-200; H eppner Ju n io r/S en io r High-171; Irrigon Junior/ Senior High-357; Riverside High-383; MCSD other-45; total-2147. -accepted the follow ing employment action: resignations/retirements- Bonnie M oore, retiring from SBE assistant cook position, Joan McDaniel, retiring from HHS head cook position, Jacque John son, retiring from SBE principal position, Nancie Mathews, resigning from HHS assistant volleyball and head track coach po sition; em ployment/pro- motions-Nichole Goforth, IJSH ed assistant, replacing Javier Garcia; extra duty contracts-Angie Tipton, IJH assistant track coach, Dave Boor, RHS 2013-14 head football coach. -held an executive ses sion concerning personnel. -heard the following announcements: Last senior day-Thursday, May 23; Me morial Day holiday-Mon- day, May 27; Irrigon High School graduation-Friday, May 31,7 p.m.; Riverside High School graduation- Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.; H eppner H igh S chool graduation-Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m.; last student day- Friday, June 7; last teacher days-Monday and Tuesday, June 10 and 11; next board meeting-Monday, June 10, district office, 7 p.m. termountain High School Rodeo Club, Knowledge Master, FFA, HHS ASB of ficer, Class Officer, member o f the band and pep band, Hep pner High School Honor Roll, A cadem ic L etter for Garrett four years, Robinson and Silver P r e s id e n tial award, to name a few. The Board o f Directors of the Scholarship Trust includes Bill Rietm ann, president; Ginger Bowman, vice-president; Del LaRue, treasurer; Sharon Harrison, secretary; Missy Cutsforth, Martha Munkers and Carri Grieb. The South Morrow County Scholarship Trust was established several years ago with the mission to grow funds to provide scholarships to graduating seniors from Heppner and lone high schools and to eventually take the place of the Troedson Scholarship fund, which will be discon tinued in the year 2023. ‘* r lone library district to meet The lone Library District will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 21, at 3:30 p.m. at the lone Public Library, 385 W 2nd Street in lone. The public is welcome to attend. \ t
