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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2019)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Bellamy withdraws Lexington Forest seeks public input on RV park request HK Fire salvage project Sam Bellamy has withdrawn his request to build an RV park on the old school property in Lexing- ton. Bellamy stated in the town council meeting on November 12, “I thought putting in an RV park would be a slam-dunk.” He also told the council and resi- dents at the meeting that new businesses need to come to Lexington or the town will dry up and die. Juli Kennedy, a close neighbor to the proposed park and head of the RV park committee, presented the concerns and recom- mendations the committee came up with in the meet- ings they held. The main concerns were noise, traffic in and out on East Street, visibility for close neigh- bors and the safety issue when pulling out onto the highway. Kennedy pointed out the concern with the speed of the traffic coming down the hill on Hwy 207, even though it is posted at 25 miles per hour. Another concern was the possibil- ity of the park becoming “trashy” after the construc- tion workers were gone. Kennedy also reported some possible recommen- dations from the committee. One recommendation was for a minimum of an eight- foot fence on two sides of the park, East Street and Hwy 74. She also suggest- ed quiet times, pet policies and a non-transferable con- ditional use permit to be renewed annually by the town council. After listening to the committee report, Bellamy responded to many of the concerns, although regard- ing the handout, he noted, “This is the first time I have seen this.” He pointed out he could limit the RVs to certain years, possibly no older than 15 years, to keep the park looking nice. He said he would also imple- ment and enforce rules and regulations. After thinking more about building the park, Bellamy told council mem- ber Bobbi Gordon after the meeting that he had decided to just withdraw his request. Sam and Mary Kay Bella- my told the Gazette, “I just want to thank the Lexington city council and the Lexing- ton residents for support- ing me in my endeavor to build an RV park. A large share of my decision to pull my request was based on space. It was going to Tips and information on buying your home Tip #2 Shopping for your home! The process of buying a house can be complicated and sometimes frustrating. Finding a good Realtor who can help you through the process will make the home buying process much easier. Following are some common steps and tips on finding and buying your new home. Shopping for your new home! Tip #1 talked about getting a pre approv- al letter from the bank so you know the loan you qualify for. You can read all the real estate tips on my facebook page. So now it’s time: Let’s Go Shopping! There are several places you can look for homes: newspaper, internet, drive around and look for signs in the yard. The most popular is probably the website Zillow.com Zillow is easy to use and will show you all the homes listed for sale in your area. Once you’re on Zillow you can do a search for all the features you are looking for (bedroom, bath, etc). But in a small town like ours I think it’s more fun to just type in the zip code and look at ALL the homes for sale. After all, you are shopping, right? Now I’m not going to give a tutorial on how to use Zillow since it’s straightfor- ward and easy to use. Although be for- warned it’s sometimes not up to date, and there may be homes that have been sold, or are otherwise off the market. Don’t worry, contact your local real es- tate agent and he will know for sure. Now - if you don’t have access to a com- puter, no worries. Drop by your agent’s office or call them on the phone. They will go over all the homes on the market and give you flyers on the ones you like. Once you’ve looked over the selection, make a list of the homes you want to see, and contact your agent. He’ll take it from there and make all the appointments for your showings. Your agent can also answer any questions you may have ahead of time about the prop- erties. Be aware that some homes are occupied by renters or owners and those usually require a 24 hour notice. Now we’re ready to go Next time: What to look for, and questions to ask when visiting a home. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook where you will find all my real estate tips. David Sykes David Sykes Real Estate David Sykes Principal Broker 541-980-6674 188 W. Willow Heppner, OR 97836 david@rapidserve.net be very crowded to get the new septic system in and the sites in the right place. Maybe there is a better spot in Lexington somewhere. I hope Lexington keeps try- ing to move forward with business opportunities. It’s a good location for south Morrow County.” Two letters of interest in the mayor position were read to the council members and citizens in attendance by acting mayor Bobbi Gordon. After much discus- sion, it was decided to table the letters until the next meeting to give the council more time to decide. Also at the meeting, the council referred to the section of the town charter regarding ab- sences of a council member. Marcia Sticka, the council member elected by a write- in vote in last November’s election, has missed all meetings from July through November. According to the charter, councilors who are absent from meetings for a 90-day period are to be removed from the position. Due to those absences, the council voted unanimously to terminate Sticka. In other business, coun- cil member Bill Beard re- ported on his research for a chlorination system the town is required to install. Councilor Curtis Thompson told the group the latest water sample had also come back showing coliform. He explained coliform is caused from residue in the system and is not harmful to humans or pets. The chlorination system could possibly fix the problem. He said flushing the entire system more often would also help. The town has been ad- vertising for a new town recorder since the previous recorder, Dawn Greisen, resigned with no notice in September. Denis Lien of Heppner has been hired to fill that position. Beginning Wednesday, November 20, the town hall hours of op- eration will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A discussion was held regarding hiring a new maintenance person after Eddie Dickenson resigned without notice in October. The council decided the position does not warrant being full-time during the winter, so will be advertis- ing for a part-time person for now. The next meeting of the Lexington town coun- cil will be held Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. The Heppner Ranger District of the Umatilla National Forest is seeking public comment on the HK Fire Salvage Categorical Exclusion (CE) project, located approximately 40 miles south of Heppner in Morrow County. The Forest Service will be ac- cepting comments on the proposal until Dec. 9, 2019. The HK Fire Salvage project was developed to address tree mortality following the 2019 HK Complex fires. The project proposes commercially harvesting dead and dying trees on up to 250 acres. In addition, danger trees will be removed along roadsides within the fire area. Re- planting will occur where needed to regenerate forest stands in high-mortality areas. The Forest Service is seeking scoping comments to help refine the proposed action and identify ways to improve project design. The comment period is an opportunity for the public to be involved in the pro- cess and offer thoughts on alternative ways the Forest Service can accomplish the project purpose and need. For more information about the HK Fire Salvage Project please contact proj- ect lead Katelynn Bowen at Katelynn.bowen@usda. gov or 541-676-2105. Ad- ditional information about the project, including how to comment on proposed activities, is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ project/?project=57054. Chamber Chatter Heppner Future Busi- must be turned into the to 12 p.m., First Friday ness Leaders of America Heppner Chamber or Kuhn Friends of Jesus at All Saints (FBLA) will be making Law Offices no later than Parish Hall. This program is and selling frozen, home- Friday, January 10, 2020 to for children from the ages made pies for Thanksgiv- be considered for the 2019 of 4-12 and includes Bible ing. Choices will be lemon Community Awards Event. stories, crafts and a free ice box, pumpkin, pecan, Monday, November 18 lunch. Contact the church apple, cherry, mixed berry, through Thursday, Decem- office at 541-676-9970 for peach and Oreo. All pies ber 12, Rewards Cards in more information. will be $20, except for denominations of $10, $20 T h u r s d a y, D e c e m - the Oreo, which will be and $50 will be given out ber 12 at 6 p.m., Heppner $15. All pies will be de- for the amount of purchase Chamber ’s Community livered November 25 and when shopping at partici- Christmas Event. The Re- 26. To purchase a pie or for pating merchants in prepa- wards card program will be more information, contact ration of Heppner Cham- in effect from November 18 a FBLA member or Jeanne ber’s Celebrate Christmas to December 12. Rewards Collins at 541-676-9138. Event. Collect and bring cards for the amount of November through De- them to the event Thursday, purchase will be earned at cember, annual food drive December 12 for a chance participating merchants. organized by Wheatland to win prizes. The event will be held in Insurance. Wheatland In- Wednesday, November the Gilliam and Bisbee surance will be accepting 20, 3 p.m., public input Building and will include donations of non-perishable meeting for Port of Morrow pictures with Santa and food items at the Wheatland Fixed Route, organized by Mrs. Claus, complimentary offices in Heppner and the Loop Morrow County cookies and beverage, pen- Ione. All donations will be Transportation. This is an ny board and raffle items, donated to the Neighbor- open meeting to gather along with drawings for hood Center and distributed input on the upcoming Port the winners of the Rewards throughout south Morrow of Morrow fixed route. The cards prizes. County. Wheatland offices meeting will be held in the Friday, December 13 are open from 8 a.m. to 5 Wells Spring Conference from 4-8 p.m., Holiday p.m. Mon.-Fri. Room at the Port of Mor- Night Market at Gilliam Morrow County Foster row. Bisbee Building, organized Children Gift Drive Giving Thursday, November by Heppner Day Care. It Tree set up at Les Schwab. 21 at 12 p.m., Heppner will include vendors, chil- Stop by and take a tag from Flood Evacuation Warning dren’s activities and live the giving tree, return un- Siren Test. The U.S. Army entertainment. wrapped gift by December Corps of Engineers and Friday, December 13 9 with the tag attached. Morrow County Emergen- from 6-8:30 p.m., Hep- You don’t have to purchase cy Management will con- pner’s Winter Fest in down- everything on the list, give duct a live siren test of the town Heppner, organized what you can. If you take Heppner flood evacuation by the Heppner Outreach a tag, please buy the gift. warning system. Sirens are Committee. Schedule: 6 If you change your mind, located at the Columbia p.m. light parade and dis- bring the tag back and put Basin Electric Coop and play; 6:45-7:30 p.m., pho- it on the tree for someone at the U.S. Forest Service tos with Holiday Friends at else to take. compound. Residents lo- Sage Clothing Gathering Friday, November 15 cated near these locations Area; 7:30 p.m., Storytime through Friday, January should take precautions with Mrs. Claus at the City 10, 2020, Nominations for (hearing protection) as the Hall Conference Room and Heppner Chamber’s Town siren will be very loud and 8 p.m., snowball drop at the and Country Community will sound for approximate- shamrock on Main Street Awards Event will be ac- ly 10 seconds. Sunday, December 15 cepted. Nomination forms Monday, November 25 at 4 p.m., Christmas Mu- will be available for com- through Friday, December sic Fest at Hope Lutheran munity members to submit 13, Neighborhood Center Church. All community nominations for Woman of Giving Tree at Heppner members are invited and the Year, Man of the Year, Market Fresh. Stop by and if you would like to share Business of the Year, Cit- pick a name from the tree your musical talents, con- izen-Educator of the Year, and purchase a gift for a lo- tact the Hopeful Saints Lifetime Achievement and cal family member in Hep- office at 541-676-9970. Youth Award. Nomination pner. Contact the Neighbor- Sunday, December 22 forms will be available at hood Center if you have any from 4-6 p.m., Christmas the Bank of Eastern Ore- questions at 541-676-5024. Caroling event. Hopeful gon, Chamber Office, Com- Thursday, November Saints will be meeting at munity Bank, Heppner City 28 at 1 p.m., Free Commu- the All Saints Episcopal Hall and Kuhn Law Office. nity Thanksgiving Dinner Church and will be caroling You can also obtain a form at Gateway Café for those at the hospital, the Senior by contacting the Chamber who do not have plans Center and Willow Creek office at 541-676-5536 or for Thanksgiving. To con- Terrace. Anyone is wel- by email at heppnercham- tribute to the meal contact come to join then. Arrive by The monthly meeting ber@centurytel.net. The MelbaJo at 541-945-9471. 4 p.m. to participate. of the Ione Library Dis- completed nominations December 6, 8:30 a.m. trict’s board of directors will be held Monday, No- vember 25 at 6 p.m. at the Ione Public Library, 385 W Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson has released the following report: Second Street. -Gena Marie Tortolani, 20, was convicted of unlawful possession of methamphet- Everyone is welcome amine, Misdemeanor Class A, committed on or about October 15, 2019. Conviction and encouraged to attend. was based upon a guilty plea on November 7, 2019. Defendant was sentenced to the custody of county jail for a period of 180 days, however the execution of 150 days of this incarceration was suspended and defendant was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation with multiple special conditions. A second count for criminal trespass in the second degree was dismissed. A monetary amount of $1,500 was suspended. Nazarene/Christian volunteers will serve lunch on Wednesday, November 27 at St. Patrick’s Senior Center. Lunch will be meat- loaf, roasted red potatoes, corn, Key West veggies, sautéed zucchini and man- darin oranges. Milk, coffee and tea is served at each meal. Sug- gested donation is $3.50 per meal. Menu is subject to change. Library board to meet District Attorney’s Report Community lunch menu BANNERS! BANNERS! BANNERS! CUSTOM FULL COLOR/ GRAPHIC BANNERS ON TOUGH VINYL Heppner Gazette-Times - 541-676-9228 188 W. Willow, Heppner OR 97836 - Fax 541-676-9211
