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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 27, 2019)
Hearing set on new county code laws Rules cover ‘chronic nuisances’ like junk, cars and noise David Sykes The Morrow County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Wednes- day, April 3 on proposed updates to the county’s code enforcement laws. Code laws cover things like junk, garbage and debris on properties, abandoned and hazardous vehicles as well as noise disturbances. As an example, “We regularly receive complaints about a neighbor that is not us- ing the approved sanitary waste hauler and letting solid waste accumulate on their property,” says Coun- ty Planner Carla McLane. “That is a violation of both the Solid Waste Ordinance and the Code Enforcement Ordinance.” Other types of problem areas include: Use of Recreational Vehicles: Morrow County allows the use of a recre- ational vehicle in the fol- lowing instances: during the construction of a prima- ry dwelling (not to exceed six months); for up to 30 days in a calendar year for guests adjacent to a prima- ry dwelling; in the Forest Use zone for recreational purposes when a zoning permit and rural address have been issued; and when approved as part of a med- ical hardship variance. The only other lawful use of a recreational vehicle as a residential unit is when in a leased spot within an ap- proved recreational vehicle park. Dogs as a Public Nui- sance: Morrow County is a Dog Control District which means dogs cannot run free off the dog owner’s prop- erty. Specifically, “all dogs shall be kept within the real property limits of the keeper of the dog and under control of the responsible person or contained with a fence that maintains control of the animal. While off the property of the keeper of the dog, a dog must be on a leash or be under control of a responsible person or be contained within a portable kennel.” Noise: My neighbor is having a party. When do they have to turn down the music? According to the code, they have to be quiet from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. But if the farmer next door is cutting hay at 3 a.m. he is exempt as are all agricultur- al actions. How to lodge a com- plaint: You can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541- 676-5317 or you can call the Planning Department at 541-922-4624. Complaints can be submitted through the web form on the county planning web page, and you can also email the Plan- ning Department at scase@ co.morrow.or.us for addi- tional details on how to file a complaint. The code only covers areas of the county outside the limits of towns and cities, so do not contact the county about violations inside your city. Anyone wishing to speak out about the new law can attend the hearing at the Bartholomew building in Heppner Wednesday, April 3. A current proposed draft of the new law is available on the Morrow County website, or you can contact county planners Carla Mc- Lane or Stephanie Case at 541-922-4624 or by email at cmclane@co.morrow. or.us or scase@co.morrow. or.us. Forest Service seeks volunteer campground hosts Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 27, 2019 -- THREE Morrow County reaches solar and wind agreement During its March 20 meeting, the Morrow Coun- ty Board of Commissioners approved the signing of an amended Strategic Invest- ment Program (SIP) agree- ment between Morrow County, the Wheatridge Wind Energy LLC, and Wheatridge Solar Energy Center LLC. The amended SIP agreement allows for the addition of up to 150 megawatts of solar elec- tricity to be added to the potential 450-megawatt wind energy project. If the solar and wind project is fully built out, it could lead to nearly $5 million dollars each year in SIP payments for the 15-year SIP agree- ment period. With the signing of the amended SIP agreement, Morrow County continues as a leader in renewable energy projects with sever- al approved wind projects already operational, and other solar projects in the approval process. The county studied the issue hard before negoti- ating the agreement. The Morrow County SIP team spent several months learn- ing about solar energy. The team wanted to understand fully how a solar panel pro- gram with battery storage operates and is taxed. This led to conversations with numerous officials from Oregon and other states. The team was led by Com- missioner Jim Doherty. In discussing the amendment process, Com- missioner Doherty com- mented, “I was cautiously optimistic when asked by my fellow commission- ers to head up the second of two consecutive SIPs. These renewable energy projects are surrounded by many competing in- terests. With landowners, constituents, and potential future renewable interests looking on, we needed to set the standard. It was no less daunting that we were tasked with understanding emerging technologies and the values to Morrow Coun- ty of this one-of-a-kind en- ergy project. Justin Nelson, acting as county counsel, and I along with staff assis- tance from Assessor Mike Gorman and Administrator Darrell Green were able to finalize an agreement that most felt was a perfect template for our future. As ‘energy central,’ we wanted to show that we are willing to partner with renewable energy programs at an eq- uitable return. The amended SIP agreement continues the prior SIP agreement’s pro- visions that would provide substantial funding on an annual basis to the Morrow County School District and Ione School District for arts, music and STEM (sci- ence, technology, engineer- ing, and math) programs. Commissioner Jim Doherty commented, “With outside-the-box, imagina- tive foresight we were able to build into the agreement a heretofore unimaginable future for Morrow County schools. What began with visits to Congresswoman Susan Bonamici, Governor Kate Brown, local edu- cators and planned visits to Delta High School and Lake Oswego’s robotics program; the vision for a STEAM (science, technol- ogy, engineering, art and math) program shimmered in the distance. We are in the process of putting to- gether committees to work with the county to construct the framework of the arts, design, music, science, technology, engineering and math courses of study that make up the STEAM curriculum. This holds the potential of making these humble schools and home- grown students the envy of Oregon. I am thrilled to shepherd this forward and thank my fellow com- missioners and all whom shared our reverie.” Oregon Governor Kate Brown is also pleased with what the SIP will mean to education in Morrow Coun- ty saying, “I am so pleased to see that as Oregon looks to its future in renewable energy infrastructure, we are also planning ahead for the future of the Oregonians who will drive innovation in this field for generations to come—our students.” Governor Kate Brown add- ed, “Every student in our state should have access to hands-on learning, and in STEAM courses, they can connect classroom to career and build skills that will serve them well beyond high school graduation.” UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA An Alzheimer’s Association® Educational Program Bull Prairie campground is located 36 miles south of Heppner. The Umatilla National Forest is looking for volun- teers to spend the summer as campground hosts at the Jubilee Lake, Woodward, and Bull Prairie Lake camp- grounds. A camp host greets campers, provides infor- mation on the surrounding area and generally makes campers feel at home. Hosts will visit with campers and day-use visitors, clean and maintain restrooms, restock supplies, occasionally clean up after campers and carry out minor maintenance as needed. They keep an eye on things and set a good example for others in the campground. Individuals or couples can apply to be hosts. Retir- ees often apply to the camp host program, finding it the ideal way to spend the sum- mer in a beautiful setting. Hosts need to be friendly, flexible and responsible and may be subject to a criminal background check. Those who apply will need to supply their own trailer, camper or motor home. Camp hosts will be provided a campsite, usually near the main en- tryway to the campground. Though the host program is a volunteer program, a food allowance and propane are offered and personal vehicle mileage associated with hosting duties is reim- bursed. Bull Prairie Lake Campground is located 36 miles south of Heppner and offers 30 tent/trailer sites, 12 picnic areas, a beautiful 28-acre lake with four float- ing fishing docks and a 1.5- mile paved accessible trail. This campground is typi- cally hosted from Memorial Day through mid-October, though a shorter duration is negotiable. For more information on becoming a Forest Service volunteer campground host at Bull Prairie Lake Campground, please contact Ben Walker at the North Fork John Day Ranger District (541) 427- 5326 or Benjamin.walker@ usda.gov. Jubilee Lake Camp- ground is located 12 miles NE of Tollgate and is the largest developed camp- ground on the Umatilla National Forest offering 53 campsites, four picnic areas and a 2.8-mile acces- sible hiking trail around the 92-acre lake. This camp- ground is very popular for overnight camping as well as day-use activities. Camp- ground hosts are typical- ly on-site from early-July through mid-September. Wo o d w a r d C a m p - ground is located right off Highway 204 at Tollgate and offers 14 tent/trailer sites, four picnic areas, four accessible toilet facilities and views of Langdon Lake (however Langdon Lake is a private lake and access to the lake is not allowed). Hosts are typically on-site from early July through the end of September. The hosts at this campground are also responsible for taking care of Target Meadows and Woodland Campgrounds, which are both located nearby. For more information on becoming a Forest Ser- vice volunteer campground host at Jubilee Lake or Woodward Campground, please contact Kiyoshi Fu- jishin at the Walla Walla Ranger District (509) 522- 6277 or Kiyoshi.fujishin@ usda.gov. Business Card Printing The Heppner Gazette Times 188 W. Willow Heppner (541) 676-9228 david@ rapidserve.net or Come in today! CEU credits available! ALZHEIMER’S IS NOT NORMAL AGING. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available for some symptoms, and Alzheimer’s Association resources. WHEN WHERE REGISTER Tuesday, April 9 1-2 p.m. Heppner City Hall 111 N. Main St. Heppner, OR 97836 This class is FREE, registration is required 800.272.3900 Proudly sponsored by When you are ready to sell your home Call Sykes Real Estate We Offer FREE Price Analysis Extensive Advertising of Your Property Internet - Newspaper - Flyers We are local to better service your listing Call David to List Your Property 541-980-6674 ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.