FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 24, 2019
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Clarifying points for
Dam Right!!
To the editor:
Thank you for the
large article published this
week; however, I would
like to clarify a couple
points that were somewhat
misinterpreted. First it is
“Dam Right!!” commit-
tee. Our Facebook group
is not a page, but rather a
group. You can search Dam
Right!! on your Facebook
page to find it. Everyone
is welcome to join, and
we welcome people to ask
questions, comment and to
list concerns. This will give
our committee a chance to
know what is on the minds
of those in the community.
Here are a few things
that were mentioned in the
article that need clarifica-
tion:
1. “The Jar Test” is a
test that was given to me
by Joel Bleth. He is the
co-founder of the Madora
Corporation. The test is to
determine if the algae in the
lake is good or bad algae.
It is not to determine how
much algae there is. You
can find this test at Search
Jar Test to find the details.
2. The lake water has
been contaminated with
blue-green algae for longer
than 2007, but that is as far
as the history has it record-
ed online by the Oregon
Health Authority.
3. The green-blue algae
is not necessarily what is
weakening the dam, it is the
acids in the water that we
feel affect the health of the
dam. The blue-green algae,
after using all the nutrients
on the surface will die, fall
to the bottom, and use up
the oxygen-making the wa-
ter anoxic. This condition
is what causes hydrogen
sulfide to form. As stated, I
am not a biologist, but have
been told by a limnologist,
who once worked for the
USACE in the 80s, that
these acids found in the wa-
ters: sulfuric, nitric and car-
bonic acids, could in fact be
at levels that could possibly
cause the corrosion to the
dam. That is something we
will be looking into and is
something that the USACE
will deny.
4. I was surprised to
read that the USACE said
that “when those rapid test
(algae tests) exceed certain
levels then the lake is posted
with warning not to swim,
fish or otherwise use the
lake.” This would be nice to
see. It is my understanding
that the OHA is the agency
that posts those notices, but
they told me that they no
longer post those signs, but
instead have on their web-
site that, “When in doubt,
stay out,” which is not MY
saying. It is the warning
now given by the OHA.
That is the reason I believe
anyone who plans to go to
the lake should sign up on
the OHA page to receive
an email notification when
there is an algae warning. It
is a service they offer. I will
be looking for that warning
sign that the USACE says
they post. I thought that
ended around 2008.
5. As for the “increased
nutrient inputs” being the
main cause of the algae in
the lake according to the
USACE. That would be
politically correct. I spoke
to Mr. Wilhelm myself. He
is the man who performs the
tests of the waters in lake.
He agreed that farming/
ranching above the dam
may be part of the cause,
but did say that even more
than that, it is from the ero-
sion of the stream banks.
That is why I suggested
one idea might be to plant
vegetation near the banks.
Not barley hay, but there
is Riparian vegetation, of
which I have yet to study
up on. My suggestion was
also to have the farmers
and ranchers place bails of
barley straw in the streams
at the entrance and exits
of their property. This is a
known help in the break-
down of the high nutrients
that are found in the agri-
cultural runoff.
6. Lastly, I would like
to comment on the cost
of the aeration system for
$90,000, and of the solar-
bee for $346,000. I am not
sure what the USACE paid
for the aeration system, the
price I came up with was
an estimate given in the
Pre-construction analysis
of the Willow Creek Proj-
ect. As for the solarbees, I
spoke with Joel Bleth at the
Madora Corporation, and
the Madora Corp. placed
those in the lake as a trial
to try and sell their product.
For three years they did free
testing of the solarbees. I
do not believe that the US-
ACE paid for any of that.
The dorpa had them pulled
because they said that they
did not work, according to
Bleth.
I would suggest that if
anyone has questions about
the causes of pollution to
the lake that they read the
“Long-term Release of Ad-
ditional 1,000 Acre-feet
(Totaling 3,500 Acre-feet)
Supplemental Environ-
mental Assessment to the
Long-term Withdrawal of
Irrigation Water Willow
Creek Lake, Morrow Coun-
ty, Oregon Environmental
Assessment, March 2008.”
Written by US Army Corps
of Engineering Portland
District. Pages 21 through
25 talks about the water
quality.
Sincerely,
(s) Theresa Jones
Heppner
Allegation without
validation
To the editor:
This is in response to
the article titled “Lexington
struggles for firefighters” in
the April 17 edition of the
Gazette-Times.
First, it should be said
that I do not personally
know Marcia Kemp or Cur-
tis Thompson. That being
said, I do know injustice
when I see it.
The article stated that
Ms. Kemp “refused to con-
sider” one candidate who
applied for appointment to
a vacant town council po-
sition. Tim Shulte and Cur-
tis Thompson both turned
in letters of interest to be
appointed to the spot, how-
ever Kemp said she would
not allow Thompson to be
considered or even voted on
for the council. For her “ex-
planation”, Kemp alleges
that Thompson “harassed”
a city employee and that
disqualifies him from being
on the council.
It should be noted as
relevant that the only ref-
erence in the Town of Lex-
ington Charter referring to
disqualifying “crimes” is
under Section 15: Vacan-
cies: occurrences, Sec. 2d:
which states a person’s seat
becomes vacated if they are
convicted of a felony while
in office.
When councilmember
Bill Beard asked the very
astute and valid question
of the nature of the alleged
“harassment”, Kemp re-
fused to elaborate, citing
the possibility of the city
being open to “liability” if
the situation were discussed
in an open meeting.
In my opinion, far
greater liability lies in not
discussing it as it would
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
To the editor:
The Port of Morrow is
the county’s greatest busi-
ness asset, generating over
3 billion dollars in business
every year and making the
Port the second largest Port
in Oregon. Larry Lindsay,
whom many credit as the
visionary father of the Port
and the commissioner that
brought Gary Neal who
Lindsay called “the greatest
Port manager in America,”
has retired after 54 years of
Port leadership. Lindsay
and Neal’s stewardship of
the Port, with the diligent
assistance of fellow Port
commissioners and Port ad-
ministrators, have fostered
the employment of over
8,000, directly or indirectly,
affording Morrow County
one of the highest average
household incomes in the
state.
With both Lindsay and
Neal now retired it is im-
perative to select the right
person to continue their vi-
sion for the Port of Morrow.
Fortunately Larry Lindsay’s
son by marriage, John Mur-
ray, has made a commit-
ment to take his place on
the commissioner’s board
of directors. The Lindsay
and Murray families have
exercised leadership, vi-
sion, integrity and steward-
ship in Eastern Oregon and
Morrow County for half a
century. The Port of Mor-
row is a business and John
Murray is a business owner
that knows how to balance
a budget, create and expand
his business and gain the
confidence of the public by
his astute management of
the pharmacological regu-
latory process.
The Murray family has
been a great blessing to
Morrow County since they
arrived in Heppner in 1959.
It was John’s mother Meg
Murray that authored the
restoration of the old di-
lapidated Heppner Hotel
into the successful Heppner
Senior Center. Expect the
same vision, leadership
and integrity from John
Murray and vote for him to
succeed and continue the
work of his father-in-law
Larry Lindsay.
Stuart Dick, Irrigon
Vote Murray for Port
commissioner
To the editor:
commissions. He is well-
We urge all to join versed in Oregon Legisla-
with us in supporting John tive politics and respected
Murray for Port of Mor- throughout the state for his
row commissioner. John business and public service
Murray is a hardworking, roles.
respected, ethical leader in
We believe John Mur-
our communities, who we ray will serve as commis-
believe will make good and sioner in a totally indepen-
impartial decisions as a Port dent role, whether acting on
of Morrow commissioner. specific contracts or while
John Murray has busi- setting Port policy in gener-
ness interests in all parts al. John’s business interests
of the county and is a sec- are independent of the Port,
ond-generation Morrow which we believe is so very
County resident, having important.
been raised here himself,
We encourage every-
and chosen Morrow Coun- one to vote and to join in
ty to raise his own family. our support of John Murray
graphics. John Murray is a John has proven his abilities for Port commissioner.
member of a county-wide while serving on many
Thomas and Karen
board. He has displayed county-wide boards and Wolff, Heppner
an equal approach to the
needs of the citizens that ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE:
the Morrow County Health
District serves.
John Murray is a busi-
ness owner and has made
substantial investments in
both the north and the south
ends of Morrow County.
This shows that he will
understand and support all
of Morrow County. It is im-
portant to the residents that
we support an experienced
and dedicated communi-
ty member, that will give
Saturday, April 27, 55th Centennial Invitational
attention to all our needs.
Saturday, May 4, Dick Horyna Invite
That person is John Murray.
Friday, May 10, 2A-SD5 Special District 5 District
Sincerely,
Track
Meet
Kim Cutsforth
Friday, May 17- Saturday, May 18, OSAA 2A State
Championships
Murray will support
both ends of county
To the editor:
I am writing this letter
in support of John Murray
for the Port of Morrow
commissioner.
It has been my great
privilege to participate in
many different organiza-
tions throughout our coun-
ty. These experiences have
shown me what a valuable
asset the Port of Morrow
(POM) is to our commu-
nities. I appreciate that
even though the POM is
located at the north end of
our county, they continually
reach out to us in the south.
It is important that the POM
commissioners understand
the needs of all communi-
ties in the county. This is a
difficult task as we are all
very diverse in our demo-
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
High School Spring
Sports Schedules
Heppner track
schedule
Heppner/Ione softball/baseball schedules
Varsity Baseball Varsity Softball
Saturday, April 27, 10
a.m. vs. Dufur / South Was-
co County
Lincoln Scott Ward-
Saturday, April 27,
law
Noon vs. Dufur / South
Lincoln Scott
Wasco County
Wardlaw was born
Saturday, May 04, 11
August 4, 2018, at Ann
a.m. @ Sherman / Arlington
Arbor, Michigan to
/ Condon
Jennifer and Malcom
Saturday, May 04, 1
Wardlaw.
p.m. @ Sherman / Arling-
Grandparents
ton / Condon
are Scott and Mick-
Tuesday, May 07, 4
ey Madison of But-
p.m. @ Grant Union / Prai-
tercreek and Peggy
rie City
and Malcom Ward-
Saturday, May 11, 11
law of Austin, TX.
a.m. @ Union / Cove
Great-grandparents
Saturday, May 11, 1
are Nellie Madison of Portland, OR and Darlene Hoskins, p.m. @ Union / Cove
Heppner
Tuesday, May 14, 2
p.m. vs. Stanfield / Echo
Tuesday, May 14, 4
ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: p.m. @ Stanfield / Echo
Births
seem Mr. Thompson would
have a legitimate discrim-
ination complaint. If Mr.
Thompson had been cited
and/or charged/convicted
of harassment, it would
be public knowledge and
no need to limit/withhold
discussion would exist. The
same reasoning would ap-
ply if the city employee had
obtained a restraining order
against Mr. Thompson.
Since neither were cited
in Kemp’s refusal, one can
only assume it is because
neither is the case.
F u r t h e r m o r e , M r.
Thompson is entitled to
the opportunity to defend
himself against allegations,
a right divined to each of
us. For instance, does the
“incident” Kemp alludes
to even meet the criteria of
“harassment”?
The circumstances of
trial by public (and worse,
personal) opinion has
reached epidemic propor-
tions in our country and is a
dangerous practice to keep.
Allegation without valida-
tion has all but replaced in-
nocent until proven guilty.
It is highly disappointing to
see this practice so blatantly
applied in our local commu-
nities, Small Town, USA.
Were I the judge of this
particular court of public
opinion, I would have to
rule in favor of Mr. Thomp-
son and further rule that
Marcia Kemp is not fit to
be mayor of any commu-
nity due to her rather large
inability to set personal
feelings aside in order to
effectively lead and help
further the best interests of
that community.
(s) Cheyenne M. Rog-
ers, Heppner
Port is county’s greatest
asset
Saturday, April 27, 11
a.m. @ Echo / Stanfield
Saturday, April 27, 1
p.m. @ Echo / Stanfield
Saturday, May 04, 1
p.m. @ Grant Union / Prai-
rie City
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541-676-9228
Saturday, May 04, 2:30
p.m. @ Grant Union / Prai-
rie City
Saturday, May 11, 11
a.m. vs. Weston-McEw-
en (Athena)
Saturday, May 11, 1
p.m. @ Weston-McEw-
en (Athena)
Tuesday, May 14, 3
p.m. vs. Pilot Rock / Nixy-
aawii
Tuesday, May 14, 5
p.m. vs. Pilot Rock / Nixy-
aawii
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