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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 2017)
O’Brien retires from Public Works HEPPNER G T 50¢ 17 years at the helm azette imes VOL. 136 NO. 47 8 Pages Wednesday, November 29, 2017 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Kaelyn Lindsay chosen for Round-Up court Burke O’Brien at the Spring Hollow Bridge kiosk Kaelyn Lindsay of Lex- ington was introduced as one of the four princesses for the 2018 Pendleton Round-Up court at a break- fast hosted at the home of Dr. Doug Corey, DVM, outside of Athena. The new court also consists of Queen Betsy West of Athena, Prin- cess Josilyn Fullerton of Dayton, WA, Princess Eliz- abeth Herbes of Union and Princess Charla Simons of Pendleton. Princess Kaelyn Lind- say is the 19 year old daughter of Barney and Kimberly Lindsay of Lex- ington. She graduated from Heppner High School in 2016 where she was team captain her senior year in volleyball, basketball, and track. She also excelled in 4-H, drama, FFA, and was recognized as the FBLA state champion in bank- ing and financial systems. When asked to describe the characteristics she has seen of Pendleton Round Up Court members, Kaelyn responded, “Kind, poise and genuine are three words that come to mind when I think about the Pendleton Round-Up Court. They are role models for many young girls.” Kaelyn grew up on her family’s ranch, gather- ing and working cows. She was a frequent competitor in various local rodeos. She now attends Blue Moun- tain Community College pursuing a degree in nurs- ing, where she made this winter’s dean’s list. In a letter of support, Blake Knowles, three-time steer wrestling qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo writes, “Kaelyn’s kindness is a standout char- acteristic. She has a knack for lifting others up and creating a positive envi- ronment. When I think of the Pendleton Round-Up Court, I think of hardwork- ing, talented cowgirls who have a way of bringing the Wild West to modern life with impeccable grace and integrity in all aspects of life. I could not think of a better young lady to represent the Pendleton Round-Up.” The Pendleton Round- Up is the largest four-day rodeo in America with the PRCA’s fifth richest con- testant prize money purse. Its competitive events are Kaelyn Lindsay contested on a pristine grass arena, with historic wooden bucking chutes and one of a kind run-in system for timed events; all of which are historic presentations which cannot be seen any- where else in the PRCA. The Pendleton Round-Up is the reigning PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year (2003, 2010, 2015, 2016) and the 2015 PRCA Re- muda award winner for having the most consistent pen of bucking stock. One thousand volunteers work together to produce this annual event, which will celebrate its 108th year September 12th – 15th, 2018. Let ‘er Buck! Heppner FFA competes at district and state By David Sykes Burke O’Brien has seen lots of changes in Morrow County since he started with the road department back in 1997. And now sitting in his office at the public works headquarters in Lexington, and preparing for retirement at the end of this month, O’Brien can look back and reflect on some of the accomplish- ments he has seen since he took over the head job from Guy VanArsdale back in 2000. Those accomplish- ments he attributes much to those around him, and the support he’s received from elected officials and “the great crew I have had to work with.” A good example of one of the biggest accomplish- ments during his time at Public Works, is the lo- cating and building of an off-highway vehicle park in the mountains. Original planning started for the park in 2003, and that included a fairly contentious public meeting at the Catholic church in Heppner. There was local and vocal oppo- sition to the park as it was proposed, and O’Brien was asked if he didn’t just feel like giving up on the whole idea at that time. “We got lots of criticism,” he recalls, pointing to a video tape he has of the meeting on a shelf in his office. O’Brien says he and others persevered how- ever, thinking since South Morrow County had re- cently lost its industry and jobs with the closure of the Kinzua sawmill, it needed some economic activity to help sustain the area. He recalls that follow- ing the meeting he thought to himself, “With the oppo- sition to the proposed loca- tion, if not at this location, then where?” At the end of the meeting, someone men- tioned to him that Kinzua had a large tract of land that may be for sale, and from that the Off Highway Ve- hicle Park was born. It was not all his doing, however, saying “I had support from Judge Tallman and a really great staff.” From that vision he says the park has since grown to 9,000 acres in both Morrow and Grant counties, and sees visitors from all over, the coast, central Oregon and out of state. The park now has a O’Brien at his office in Lexington restaurant, treatment room and helicopter pad, miles of trails and thousands of visitors. And that brings money and needed eco- nomic activity into the area that otherwise would not be here. “That’s was what it was about, creating some jobs and helping out the lo- cal business people. There are benefits from that park that many people don’t real- ize,” he says. O’Brien says funding for the road department has always been a chal- lenge, recalling that when he took over in 2000 there were 23 people on the crew, which was then reduced by five through retirement for -See O’BRIEN/PAGE THREE Ione to host basketball tournament this weekend Ione will be hosting the 20 th Annual Basketball Bo- nanza this weekend, Dec. 1 and 2. The tournament will consist of 16 JV, varsity, girls and boys games over the two-days. Players will come from Weston-McE- wen, Enterprise, Irrigon and Ione. AJ’s Printed Apparel will be on site Saturday personalizing tournament shirts, sweatpants and even socks. Bonanza conces- sions will provide food and beverages, such as root beer floats, loaded nachos, brownie sundaes and more. See’s candies will be avail- able for sale as well as raffle tickets for a chance to win Pictured front (L-R): Cami VanArsdale, Jaiden Mahoney, Sydney Wilson, Suzy Cason. Back an Apple watch. Games (L-R): Alex Lindsay, Matthew Orem, Kenneth Troxell, Blake Carter, Justin McAninch, begin at 1 p.m. on Friday Keegan Gibbs. and end with championship T h e H e p p n e r F FA of McAninch and Wilson was held in Hermiston later matches at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Morgan Orem (L), Ione, stays away from the opponent in a Chapter’s Ag Sales and placed third and McAninch in November. At the state on Saturday. previous tournament. -Photo by Sandi Pointer Service teams recently received top honors in his contest, the team competed competed at the district practicum. at the highest level and level in Athena. Represent- The beginning team placed second in the state. ing the chapter/community placed first and included Brandi Sweeney, Cam were Sydney Wilson, Justin some top awards, Orem and Sweeney, Jennifer Wilson, McAninch, Jaiden Ma- Troxell in their practicum John and Ashley Gould, honey, Blake Carter, Matt and Carter received the Stephanni McAninch, Kev- Orem, Kenneth Troxell, highest sales score of the in Gray, Eric Orem, Sheryll Suzy Cason, Cami VanA- contest. Bates, Jan Huddleston and rsdale, Alex Lindsay and The advanced team Jason Hanna were instru- Keegan Gibbs. placed first and qualified mental in preparing the The alternate team for the state contest, which teams for the contest. MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWER ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. 350 MAIN STREET LEXINGTON, OR Offers vary by model. Rebate and finance offers valid on select 2014-2018 new and unregistered models purchased between 11/1/17- 12/31/17. See your authorized dealer for complete details. 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