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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 29, 2018)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 29, 2018 -- FOUR COMMUNITY MEETING -Continued from PAGE ONE Morrow County Sheriff’s Office. There is a need for more presence, curfew en- forcement and school zone. It was asked what the par- ents responsibility of a ju- venile who was caught do- ing vandalism. Community members felt the parents should be held accountable and asked what needed to be done. The sheriff’s office explained that they are going after the parents, but there are processes and rules that they need to abide by. Community members also expressed concern that there needs to be tough- er consequences after the arrest and they should be consistent. The sheriff’s office mentioned that it is up to the judge who hears the case and determines the punishment. The sheriff’s office stressed how import- ant it is to always call in and give a report so there is a re- cord. If it is an emergency, call 911 and someone will be called out, even a local officer who is off duty, and will respond if necessary. If it isn’t an emergency, call the non-emergency line and file a report. This is critical in controlling these issues. The sheriff’s office representative stressed that the Morrow County Sheriff Office cares and will adjust shifts as needed, not made public. They explained that arrests are made, but holds vary. It was mentioned that there are funds available to hold people on probation accountable and work with them to want to change their lives and be better citizens and Morrow County is el- igible to set up a program and request justice rein- vestment funds available for Morrow and Umatilla Counties. Community members brought up the need to enhance the community pride to what it used to be. It was suggested to start in the younger grades to mentor, develop a good work ethic, develop some activities for our youth and help parents parent. “We are a friendly community and want our youth to respect and understand their role in our community,” they said. It was also stressed how important it is to shop local and support our local businesses. There is a need to help our unemployed commu- nity members to become employed. It is believed that if they move to Hep- pner they aren’t monitored and they don’t have to look for a job to maintain pub- lic assistance. There is a concern with some level of education for some adults and the negative impact to economic development in our community. Community members expressed concern for the increased need for mental health in our community. The population seems larg- er than before and can cause the community members to have an unsafe feeling. It was shared that mental health is an issue nation and statewide and is be- ing addressed, but there is no simple solution to this problem. Community members addressed the lack of low income housing and no shelters/warming stations. We need to help those who really want to get help and it would help to have property management in the local area to assist with locating housing. A representative from the school mentioned that they are always looking for volunteers to help with many things at the school. People are invited to just stop in and see what is available and get involved. The schools have wrap around services with part- ners, which is a great solu- tion to some of the youth problems, and volunteers can help increase a better understanding of citizen- ship and pride. It starts with the community getting involved and helping the students one on one and one by one, they noted. Global Solutions: It was suggested to reach out to other communities that have had some of these issues and ask how they have or are working to re- solve the problems and not reinvent the wheel. It seems like every community has needs such as this and it might give us different per- spectives on the solutions. System abilities: Un- derstand actual vs. expecta- tion, the presence of some of the agencies that serve our community have heard some of our concerns, ques- tions and need to work to- gether to change what needs to be changed. As a wrap up to the meeting there were two sub-committee actions de- veloped to get to solutions: 1. Neighborhood Watch committee – to include: -code violation/en- forcement -suspicious activities -safety 2. Community Pride committee – to include: -economic develop- ment/employment -support parents -support schools (wel- come volunteers) -resources and educa- tion A theme was discov- ered through all of the dis- cussion “that one person can’t do anything, but to- gether we can do everything if we lift where we stand. It was apparent that the com- munity felt better informed and stronger when they left the meeting than before the meeting took place.” It was also agreed to have a follow up meeting in about six months so the sub-committees can give reports of their progress so far. The coordinating part- ners will be working to put the specific sub-committees together, assign a lead and the members/agencies who signed up to be involved will be contacted to set up meetings going forward. If any community member has questions for the sheriff’s office or code enforcement, they can call the non-emergency num- ber at 541-676-5317 or call the City of Heppner for code enforcements at 541-676-9618. Anyone in- terested in serving on any of the sub-committee teams, please contact the Heppner Chamber at 541-676-5536 or send an email to heppner- chamber@centurytel.net. By Doris Brosnan Whatever the weath- er, Willow Creek Terrace residents are guaranteed opportunities to participate in activities independent from what is happening out- side. So, although they may have been hoping to view some rain this past month, they also viewed their out- of-the-heat activities with pleasure. Staff and volunteers make sure that each week provides some entertain- ment, as well as some phys- ical and mental challenges. And at any one activity, about half of the residents participate, some at one, some at another, depending on interests. S i n c e t h e Te r r a c e opened, members of the Nazarene Church have of- fered bingo on Mondays. Shirley George has volun- teered for several years to run the game, and she is famous for the many baked prizes she brings with her. Karen Clough offers her tal- ents as Shirley’s substitute and is known to bring some goodies she has prepared for the winners, too. On Tuesdays, Phil Pa- checo comes from his work at the Oregon Trail Library in Heppner as a volunteer to lead discussions of short stories that the participants have read in preparation for this literary-club gathering. When Phil has had a con- flict for his time, Barbara Orwick has volunteered to lead the group. Later on Tuesdays, Katy Anderson, Minister of the Episcopal and Lutheran congregation, comes to the hill to play at the piano. Her talent provides entertaining, soothing, and nostalgic music for the early evening hour. Vo l u n t e e r s S a n d r a Johnson and Bill Ew- ing have a good time on Thursdays when they share crossword puzzles with the group of word and puzzle Free corn correction The directions to the free corn field mentioned in last week’s edition were incorrect. The directions stated that before you get to Ione, take Rhea Creek Road. It then said to turn on Morter Lane until you come to a “Drive Slow” sign and 308 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Office: 541-564-5900 hermistonhomeloansrus.com Kim Arbogast Sales Manager NMLS # 230847 arbogast@fairwaymc.com A View From The Hill Meghan Kae Golden Loan Officer NMLS # 573302 meghan.golden@fairwaymc.com Copyright©2018 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289. 4750 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718, 1-877-699-0353. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. All rights reserved. take that road south about 1.5 miles. The actual di- rections should have said to drive NORTH about 1.5 miles. The editor apologiz- es for this error. G-T closed for holiday The Heppner Ga- zette-Times will be closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 3. The deadline for all news and advertising for the Sept. 5 issue will be Friday, Aug. 31, at 5 p.m. Normal busi- ness hours will resume Tuesday, Sept. 4. The G-T wishes every- one a happy and safe Labor Day weekend. aficionados. And on Fridays Mary Ann Elguezabal and Janet Greenup have of- fered a game activity. With schools starting up this week, the Terrace commu- nity can now look forward to the National Honor Soci- ety students contributing to a Friday happening, as well. Saturdays feature after- noon matinees on the large TV in the sun room. And Sundays see volunteer Da- vid Johnson at the door with his offer of transportation in the Terrace van to residents’ church services, early and later. His backup driver willing to share his time and talent is Dick Parrish. For Terrace residents, neighboring locations are easily reached because of several transportation op- tions. The Loop services will take residents to ap- pointments near and far, to Sunday services and to the Wednesday senior meal site lunch downtown. The Terrace van is available for local appointments. And, of course, some residents use their own cars or travel with family members or friends. Throughout the week the front door also wel- comes several other vis- itors; family members, friends, spiritual leaders visiting members of their church communities, Leah Hyatt and Jan Stroeber, who come to the hair salon to serve their clients, the nurse who is contracted through Home Health and Hospice for some hours at the Ter- race each week and comes when needed for special circumstances. A s o f n o w, o n l y Wednesdays have no spe- cial activity on the calendar. Should someone wish to offer a volunteer service on that day, he or she should call administrator George Nairns (541-676-0004) to discuss the suggestion. Should a resident choose to host a private party at the Terrace, the apartment is the proper lo- cation, and one example of this is the small Bible study- prayer group that a few res- idents are sharing. But most of the happenings on the hill are community-wide, as are the morning activities led by staff five days a week. This is when participants exercise their bodies and minds through physical exercises and discussions of mornings’ topics. Each Friday morning adds the twist of brain games, which involve reflecting on the whole week’s discussions and recalling various de- tails. For one of these morn- ings recently, the staff in- vited residents to come up with trivia to stump the staff with. Donna Bergstrom took up the challenge and led everyone through some tough information. Leann Rhea, a nearby neighbor, has also volunteered to bring in her flavor of word game periodically. Starting in September, to last sever- al months, staff members Kim Hendricks and Kati- lyn Zinter will be leading the activity time with Tai Chi movements that target balance and core strength- ening. In addition to their work with activities and assistance with residents’ daily personal needs, all of the Terrace staff have been certified by the State of Or- egon in memory/dementia care. They must have yearly training offered by the Alz- heimer’s organization and the Oregon Care Partners and must pass tests with both to become certified by the state. In keeping with this, Nairns and some staff will be traveling to Hood River in September for an- other class with OCP. Also in September, Bonnie Gates will be cel- ebrating with family and neighbors her 98 th birthday. Happy birthday, Bonnie, on Sept. 9. A new staff member, Maria Lopez, will be on the hill for this and many more celebrations, and new residents who move into the four available apartments (call 541-676-0004 for in- formation) are guaranteed some of these entertain- ing and inviting activities, thanks to volunteers and staff, who are viewed by residents as a big reason life on the hill can be so satisfying. Chamber announce- ments, events Saturday, Oct. 20, 4 th Annual Oktoberfest Auc- tion and Dinner. This event is a benefit for The Woolery Project and will be held in the big tent on the Port of Arlington peninsula. A prime rib dinner prepared by Paradise Rose Chuck- wagon Catering will be served. There will be dinner music by One Hum and Wheeler County Ramblers, a huge silent and live auc- tion (with 2 Henry Tribute Edition rifles). Dance music will be provided by Coun- tryfied. Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased at MCGG-Wasco, Thrifty Food Center-Arlington, Condon Chamber, Murrays Drug-Condon and Dinty’s Market-Biggs Junction. More information is avail- able on the Woolery Project Facebook page at www. facebook.com/thewool- eryprojectinc or via email to info@thewoolerypro- jectinc.org. CONGRATULATIONS GUS & WILLY! WINNERS OF THE 2018 MOCO RODEO ALL AROUND COWBOY SPURS GUS KING WILLY GENTRY
