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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2017)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - THREE MARIJUANA -Continued from PAGE ONE has done for the treatment of symptoms. Roberta Lutcher want- ed to know why the mari- juana issue had come up before the city council, with City Attorney Bill Kuhn saying it was necessary to “clean up” the city’s ordi- nances on marijuana sales. One ordinance bans all sales of the drug in the city, and another ordinance al- lows for medical marijuana sales in designated areas. The conflict arose when the state first passed a medical marijuana law and then later passed a law allow- ing recreational sales. The original medical law did not allow for cities to “opt out” of sales, so Heppner had no choice but to pass an ordi- nance to allow. Even though no one has set up a medical dispensary, the law was on the books. Later state vot- ers passed a recreational law that allowed all types of sales, however the law allowed any city that voted over 55 percent against to “opt out”, which Heppner, along with 74 other cities in the state, did, thus creating the conflicting laws. By opting out however, Heppner is forgoing the tax money generated from mar- ijuana sales. While there is no estimate on what Hep- pner is losing, the state is taking in record amounts of tax money with 10 percent of it going to cities, based on population and number of licensees. As of Febru- ary of this year Oregon has collected $65.4 million in marijuana tax payments since January of 2016. Heppner City Man- ager Cody High said the tax money Heppner is losing is not a lot, but people should realize that the ban means there is money we are not receiving. High also read a list of statistics at the hear- ing on the number of traffic fatalities caused by mari- juana and other data on who uses the drug, which he says shows the number of users has not increased since the drug was allowed. “Those that are going to use it are going to find it either on the street or in a store. By banning it the city passes up potential revenue. Just because we allow it doesn’t mean we will see shops springing up,” he said. Members of the council voiced their opinions on the ban before the vote was taken. “The voters in our area voted against it and I can’t see not representing them,” Councilmember John Bowles said. “I know there is money we don’t have,” said Dale Bates, but added that all the city is say- ing is if they ban the sales, it’s not that people can’t get it, just not here. He said be- ing over to the coast where the shops are springing up all over, “It’s looking a little seedy.” Corey Sweeney said the city has bigger is- sues to deal with. Joanne Burleson said, “I don’t want it.” Adam Doherty said he was conflicted. “The busi- nesses side of me says we are passing up opportunity,” but added that Heppner and Morrow County voters voted against recreation- al marijuana. In the end Bowles, Bates, Sweeney and Burleson voted in favor of a total ban, and High and Doherty voted against a total ban on all sales. In another hearing the same night the council heard testimony about a property on Water Street that has been a problem for some time with trash, weeds and dry grass. Sev- eral neighbors came to the meeting to complain and ask for action. According to the com- plaint the properties at 475 and 485 Water Street “are covered with tall dry grass and weeds, scattered accu- mulation and piles of trash, scraps of metal and old equipment and appliances, ten to twelve abandoned vehicles and trash wood are scattered over the proper- ties. These things create a fire hazard and harborage for rodents and insects and are injurious to the health, safety and general welfare of the people.” The proper- ties are owned by Tareena Healy who attended the hearing and said she is trying to get the properties cleaned up. Several neigh- bors in attendance said the property is an eyesore and a fire hazard. After hearing the tes- timony, the council voted unanimously to name the property a nuisance and warned Healy she had 30 days to clean up or the city would move in and do it for her, and then if the cleanup bill is not paid, it will place a lien on the property for the cost of the cleanup. “If the property is not cleaned up the city will clean it up and put a lien on the property. If you don’t pay then, the city will foreclose and you will be without a place,” City Attorney Bill Kuhn explained. In other business, the council voted to purchase a new pickup for Fire Chief Rusty Estes. Apparently, Estes’ current pickup had the transmission go out and the city felt it time to replace it. The city received two bids for a 2018 Chev- rolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD Double Cab Work Truck. Wrights Chevrolet bid $32,383 and McCurley Chevrolet bid $31,309. Sherrell Chevrolet sent in a note saying it was too busy to do a quote. Council member Corey Sweeney said he was work- ing with Kim Cutsforth and that Cutsforth had report- edly found a federal grant that is available to purchase the pickup. The council voted unanimously to move forward with accepting the grant and buying the pickup. Only cost to the city would be to provide the decals on the pickup and the lights, which were esti- mated to be around $2,000. In other action, the council discussed the Kirk St bridge. Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation, ODOT, told the city the bridge needed to be re- placed and it could get on the list to have it done between 2022 and 2024. Under the ODOT program the state would pay between $1.2 and $1.3 million for the bridge with the city matching that at a cost of $220,000 and $230,000. The bridge, which at one time provided access to the Hager Dairy, but now only serves the back side of two properties across Willow Creek, was rehabbed in 2007. The council did not make a decision to be put on the list. In other action the council voted to opt in to the planned new Extension Service District covering both Umatilla and Morrow Counties aimed at provid- ing stable funding to local 4-H and extension services and programs. The new tax- ing district is expected to go before voters for approval next year. The city could have opted out of the district, but the council was told that would mean anyone in the Heppner city limits that wanted to participate in 4-H would have to pay an extra fee since the city was not part of the district. If the district is ap- proved the Extension will no longer receive money from Morrow or Uma- tilla Counties, where it now receives its funding for programs. Oregon State University pays the sala- ries of extension personnel such as the county agent. Approval of the district however, will mean that the City of Heppner could receive “up to $15,000 less” in tax revenue. The city is under a property tax “cap” which limits the amount of taxes that can be levied in the city limits to $10 per thousand of valuation. Any new taxing district added will cause all other districts encompassing the city (ex- cept for the school district) to receive less tax money. Several members of the public urged the council to opt in, including Ashley Gould. “4-H has been ir- replaceable molding my kids. If you take away 4-H you will not have the many successful kids you now have from here. This would be impacting lots of kids if you opt out of this,” she said The council voted unanimously to opt into the new Service District if passed later by voters, but also said it was not “endors- ing” the formation of the new district. In other business, the council listened to a dis- cussion about a game the local kids are playing called fugitive. The kids have been informing the sheriff’s de- partment that they will be in the city parks after the 9 p.m. closing and around town between 8 p.m. and 12 midnight. Councilmember Corey Sweeney explained the game saying that the kids dress in black and try to elude each other without getting caught. They have a spotlight and if shined on them then they are caught. Undersheriff John Bowles says the kids call to let them know they will be playing the game around town. Bowles also reported that juvenile and criminal mischief complaint reports to the sheriff’s department were down last month. Over 25 Morrow County youth excel at Oregon State Fair Local kids spend much of the year preparing proj- ects, training animals and contributing service to their community through the 4-H Program. After competing at the Morrow County Fair in areas such as family and consumer science, com- munications, expressive arts, animal science, some 4-Hers are selected to rep- resent the county at the state fair. The 4-H Program pro- vides experiences where young people learn by do- ing, receive guidance from adult mentors in a positive environment and are en- couraged to take on proac- tive leadership roles. The Oregon State Fair was established in 1861 and first began in Oregon City during the time of the U.S. Civil War. Since 1862, the fair has called the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem home, hosting thousands of visitors each season with premier concerts, art, cul- ture, rides, agricultural ex- hibits and livestock. Following are the Mor- row County 2017 Oregon State Fair results, listed alphabetically by last name: Anderson, Harley - Ex- panding Skills Level 4 - Garment, knit, Blue, Cham- pion; Hands for Larger Service, Int., Red Arellano - Desirey, Jaena - Acrylic painting, Sr, Blue, Champion Boor, Kylie - Expand- ing Skills Level 4 - Out- fit (2 or more), Blue, Re- serve Champion; Hands for Larger Service, Int.,Blue, Champion Combs, Christina - Shad- ed Drawing, Sr, Red Comingo, Kaitlyn - Sten- ciling/Printing/Stamping, Jr, Red Fletcher, Casey - Public Speaking, Int., Blue, Judg- es; Individual Illustrated Talk, Int., Red Haselbusch, Amanda - Animals, Int, Blue; Land- scape, Int, Red; Animals, Sr, White; Plants, Sr, Blue Hermanns, Emma - Ani- mals, Int., Blue; Landscape, Int., Red Joyce, Julianna - Yeast Bread, Alternative Dietary Choices, Red Joyce, Megan - Cook- ies, Level 2, Blue; Quick Bread, Alternative Dietary Choices, Blue Martin, Eva - Baked Food, Alternative Dietary Choice, Level, Blue, Cham- pion Masterson, ZaBrena - Syrup or Juice, Int . , Red McElligott, Michael - Cookies, Level 1, Blue Nelson, Casey - Edu- cational Display, Jr, Red; Series or Story, Jr, Blue Ogden, Grace - Ac- tion/Movement, Int, Blue, Champion; Cooking up a Career, Level 4, Blue; Fashion Revue, Int, Blue; FCS Skill-a-thon, Int., Red; Individual Demonstration, Int., Red; Series or Story, Int., Blue Orem, Madison - Fa- vorite Recipe Collection, Jr., Blue; Hands for Larger Service, Jr., Blue, Cham- pion; Landscape, Jr, Blue, Reserve Champion; People, Jr, Blue; Scrapbooking, Jr., Blue, Champion Orem, Morgan - Land- scape, Sr., Blue; People, Sr., Blue Orr, Isabella - Animals, Int., Red; Expanding Skills Level 4 - Outfit (2 or more), Blue, Champion; Impromp- tu Speaking, Int., Red; Indi- vidual Demonstration, Int., Blue; Leathercraft, Stamp- ing techniques, Int., Blue; Performing Arts, Int., Blue, Reserve Champion; Plants, Int., Blue; Pottery or clay work, slab technique, Int., Blue; Print or Stencil, Int., Blue, Champion; Program- ming, First Year, Int., White Orr, Quinton - Action/ Movement, Int., Blue, Re- serve Champion; Special Effects, Int., Blue, Reserve Champion Palmer, Hannah - Ex- panding Skills Level 4 - Garment, med., Blue, Re- serve Champion; Hands for Larger Service, Int., Blue; Yeast Bread, Combination of Flours, Level 4, Blue Palmer, Madison - Yeast Bread, Added Non-per- ishable, Red; Yeast Bread, Combination of Flours, Level 3, Blue Serrano, Jolene - Basic Skills Level 1 - Garment with skills other, Blue; Bis- cuit, Level 1, Blue; Canned Fruit or Berries, Jr., Blue; Muffin, Level 1, Blue Sifford, Shane - Land- scape, Jr., Red Sifford, Vizta - Archi- tectural, Sr., Red; Special Effects, Sr., Blue Spivey, Katie - Basic Skills Level 1 - Garment with casing, Blue; Canned Fruit or Berries, Jr., Blue; Favorite Recipe Collection, Jr., Red Taylor, Emily - Animals, Sr., White; Other interesting subject, Sr., Blue Vaughan, Kathrin - Wa- ter Color, Tempera or other water media, Int., Blue Wedam, Nathan - Cook- ies, Level 2, Blue; Scone, Level 2, Blue Wendler, Stephine - Plants, Int., Red Worden, Arianna - Ba- sic Skills Level 2 - Gar- ment with skills other, Blue, Champion; Embroidery, Jr., Blue; Self Portrait, Jr., Blue, Champion Worden, Daemon - Peo- ple, Jr., Red; Self Portrait, Jr., Red HEPPNER LES SCHWAB IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF MORROW COUNTY 4-H & FFA LIVESTOCK AUCTION 2017 Sold! Bought! LOOK WHAT WE GOT! Cecilia McElligott Casey Nelson Jacob Heideman 124 N. MAIN STREET HEPPNER OR 541-676-9481 Have a news story or photo for the Gazette? Email to editor@rapidserve.net. call 541-676-9228 or stop by our office on Willow Street .
