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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2018)
HEPPNER G T 50¢ azette imes VOL. 137 NO. 7 10 Pages Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Budget committee appoint- ment sparks debate over county representation Zip code or qualifications? By David Sykes A routine appointment to fill a vacant county bud- get committee position last week sparked a lively and lengthy debate amongst commissioners and the pub- lic, about what is more im- portant in an appointment: where a candidate lives, or what are their qualifica- tions? The issue came up after Jill Parker of Boardman resigned from the bud- get committee. Parker had moved out of the county, which opened up a vacancy to be filled. The county commission put out the word for replacements and received six applicants, all from various parts of the county. This prompted a debate about what is more impor- tant in a candidate, their qualifications for a position, or trying to ensure equal representation to all areas of the coun- ty. After Parker ’s resigna- tion, that Jeff Wenholz left Larry Mills of Heppner and Lin- da LaRue of Ione as the other “citizen” members of the committee. The three county commissioners also serve, rounding out the six- member budget committee. -See ZIP CODE/PAGE FIVE Heppner has ‘an evening with the stars’ at Town and Country event Locals recognized for achievement, contributions to the community Dr. Ken Wenberg Bill Gentry Virginia “George” Nairns Sophie Grant Sarah Matheny The Heppner Cham- ber of Commerce’s Town and Country Awards took place last Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Morrow County Fairgrounds. During the event, themed “An Evening with the Stars,” several locals were recognized for long- standing contributions to Heppner and the surround- ing area. Winners of the prestigious yearly awards were Virginia “George” Nairns, Woman of the Year; Dr. Ken Wenberg, Man of the Year; Sarah Matheny, Citizen-Educator of the Year; Sophie Grant, Youth Achievement Award; Dick Temple, DVM and Karen Temple, Business of the Year; and Bill Gentry, Life- time Achievement Award. Attendees at the gala event were treated to a presentation of “Your Com- munity on the Big Screen” and a dinner prepared by Chef Alvin Liu of Gateway Café consisting of prime rib, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh garden salad, bread and but- ter, dessert and a beverage. The no-host bar was pro- vided by Bucknum’s, serv- ers were the HHS senior class and special music was provided by Joe Lindsay. Jeff Bailey welcomed everyone to the event. Ran- dall Peterson of Peterson’s Jewelers donated jewelry for a prize drawing, and the event was sponsored by Willow Creek Energy, Community Counseling Services, Northwest Farm Credit Services and Port- land General Electric. The Woman of the Year, Virginia “George” Nairns, was described as compassionate, energetic, passionate, caring, enthusi- astic and always has a huge smile and cheery outlook. She is called a “wonderful wife, loving mother, fun grandmother and friend to those in her life and an angel by everyone touched by her caring ways.” Man of the Year, Dr. Ken Wenberg, was selected for being an invaluable as- set to south Morrow Coun- ty. He has touched people’s lives here for over 30 years, has been called “consis- tently compassionate, kind and humble, very dedicated to his work, family and his faith. He goes above and beyond what is expected and in doing so embodies the true sense of small town and community.” This year’s Citizen- Educator of the Year award was presented to Heppner Elementary School teacher Sarah Matheny. She was described as full of dedi- cation and determination, contagious energy, with big ideas and pours her heart and soul into teaching. Mrs. Matheny spends endless hours in the sum- mer preparing her class- room and transforming it into a magical place for learning. She is credited with making each and every day exciting and fun for her students. Students insist that she makes learning fun and memorable. Sophie Grant was named as the recipient of the annual Youth Recogni- tion award. Sophie was de- Up-grade would renovate historic downtown building for public use Bryant foundation - county plan joint effort on Gilliam Bisbee By David Sykes A combined effort be- tween Morrow County and the Howard and Beth Bry- ant Foundation could see the historic Gilliam Bisbee building in downtown Hep- pner restored and turned into a center open to the public for small and larger events such as weddings. The 14,000 square foot building, which was built in 1919 and is current- ly owned by the county, houses offices upstairs, but is vacant downstairs. The ground floor was formerly the home of the Coast to Coast Hardware store, but the space has been empty for some time. Bryant Foundation Ad- ministrator Kim Cutsforth said she earlier ap- proached the coun- ty about doing the renova- tion to Bryant preserve Foundation the histor- administrator, Kim Cutsforth ic build- ing and provide more space in town to hold large events. She said there is currently a need for space to hold larger events like weddings up to 400 people. Under the proposal the renovation would redo the building to include a main floor 4,000 square-foot events center with a com- mercial kitchen, public restrooms, a lobby and a 1,000 square foot “personal area” that could be used Dick Temple, DVM and Karen Temple scribed as “the little engine that could” by her nomi- nees. “She has overcome many obstacles through hard work, optimism, posi- tive attitude, resilience, enthusiasm, energy and warmth that motivates oth- ers,” stated a nominee. It was also said that Grant understands the im- portance of learning and that education is the key that will unlock doors to the future. In this quest, she is enrolled in college level classes, is a scholar, has re- ceived many academic and athletic awards and held -See TOWN AND COUNTRY/PAGE FIVE Ground broken for new fit park Pictured (L-R): Sheryll Bates, Heppner of Commerce director; Kim Cutsforth, Howard and Beth Bryant Foundation director; Don Russell, Morrow County commissioner; Skip Matthews, Willow Creek Park District president and Jake Cain, Port of Morrow. -Contributed photo An older picture of the historic Gilliam Bisbee building in downtown Heppner for activities such as exer- cise classes for the public. Cutsforth said the second floor would be turned into a short stay hostel that could be rented out in blocks of four rooms. “The inten- tion is to have space for up to fifty guests (in the rental rooms),” she wrote in a proposal presented to the county commission at its February 7 meeting. “This overnight area will be rented to groups for special events that are being held in our community,” she said. Cutsforth said special rates and preference will be given to County Fair at- tendees (4-Hers and judges, etc.) during fair. As part of the reno- vations, which Cutsforth estimated will cost the Bry- ant Foundation $1,120,000 million and the county $235,000, there would be a fire suppression sprinkler system installed through- out as well as an elevator. Under the proposal the building would be donated by the county, which would then be relieved of any future upkeep or mainte- nance costs. Currently the county rents out the upper floor mainly to Commu- nity Counseling Solutions (CCS), which is planning on moving out soon, into its new offices currently under construction in Heppner. Cutsforth said the exterior of the building would be returned to its original his- toric condition, including all the windows and doors restored. The inside will be completely modernized she said. The county commis- sioners were in favor of the joint project. “There is a cost to the county to maintain the building now,” Commissioner Melissa Lindsay said, pointing out that rents do not cover the expenses. “What do we do with the Gilliam Bisbee building?” said Commis- -See GILLIAM BISBEE/ PAGE SEVEN The Port of Morrow began the grade work for the fit park on Riverside Ave., next to the water park, on Friday, Feb. 9. This park will include exercise equipment, sports courts, restrooms, a stage area and a large, level grassy area for multi-sport use. The fit park has been a collaboration of the Willow Creek Park District, Hep- pner High School, Morrow County, the Port of Morrow and the Howard and Beth Bryant Foundation. Addi- tional support and funding for this project is from the Wild Horse Foundation, -See FIT PARK/PAGE TWO Morrow County Grain Growers Lexington Morrow County Grain Growers Lexington 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396 For farm equipment, visit our web site at www.mcgg.net
