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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2020)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 29, 2020 -- THREE Heppner to hold MS Walk Left to right: Debby Sumner, Barb Orwick, Henry Burnside (Merilee McDowell’s grandson) and Merilee McDowell . The Heppner Walk MS will be held this Saturday, May 2, beginning at 10 a.m. at Hager Park, continuing to the Heppner City Park near the library, then to the Fit Park and then back to Hager Park. Organizers of the walk, Barb Orwick, Merilee Mc- Dowell and Debby Sumner, who all live in Heppner and have MS, say they will be following all the Oregon guidelines due to COVID-19, riding their scooters six feet apart and only in groups of 10 or less. This will be the 20 th year that Heppner has host- ed the walk. Orwick and McDowell encourage people to walk along with them, as per instructions, six feet apart and in groups of less than 10 people. They say that people can join the walk anywhere along the route and masks will be available. People are also invited to drive by, honk and wave, they said. “We are raising aware- ness and funds to continue the fight to “Stop MS in its Tracks,” said McDowell and Orwick. “You may have noticed our posts on Facebook requesting donations. There is still time to donate. Contact Orwick, 541-256-0455, or McDowell, 541-571-5853, or donate on Facebook. The money you donate will drive groundbreaking research and services to ensure people affected by MS have the resources they need to live their best lives.” “When Walk MS began in 1988, there were no dis- ease-modifying therapies, medications that help man- age symptoms and slow the progression of the disease,” they said. “Today there are 16 disease-modifying therapies. Because of you, Walk MS has raised more than $1 billion to make incredible breakthroughs like this a reality. Donate today to help us get one step closer to a world free of MS,” they said. “Another reason we are doing this is to show our Erik Patton hopes to be next Morrow County Treasurer Erik Patton is seeking election as treasurer of Morrow County. Patton and his wife of eight years, Lisa, reside in Heppner and share their home with their two adopted dogs and cat. He is currently the Civil-Records Deputy for the Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office and for the last six months has also worked part-time at Heppner Market Fresh. Patton is proud to be a fourth-generation Mor- row County resident. His grandparents, Jay Dee and Jo Hudson, were both born in Heppner. He graduated from Heppner High School and attended Blue Moun- tain Community College. Patton has worked for the Morrow County Sher- iff ’s Office for over 16 years, first as a Commu- nications Deputy (9-1-1 dispatcher) and then for the last four years as the Civil-Records Deputy. He was the secretary, vice- chair and then chair of the Oregon State Sheriff’s As- sociation Concealed Hand- gun License subcommittee between the years of 2017- 2019. As the Civil-Record Deputy, Patton has im- proved the Concealed Handgun License unit and at the start of the year began using a free online sched- appreciation to all those in this community and the outlying communities in Oregon who have helped us every year,” they contin- ued. “You have really made a difference. So, as you see us scooting by, please cheer us on, come out of Morrow County Peo- your homes and businesses, ple Helping People will be drive by and wave or hand giving away hamburger and off a check.” Checks may potatoes on Saturday, May be made out to NMSS. Erik Patton uling service for appoint- ments. This has been well received by the public and has saved taxpayer dollars in the process. Also in 2018, he was given the task of locating a new computer program for the Civil Unit. After testifying in front of the board of commissioners in early 2019, the new sys- tem went live on October 31 and brought the unit in the 21 st century. According to Patton, it helped automate several of the processes that were done by hand at the Sheriff’s Office. Patton has been a vol- unteer firefighter for the Heppner Volunteer Fire Department and ambu- lance driver for the Morrow County Health District for the last 18 years. In addi- tion, he volunteers when needed at the Neighbor- hood Center of South Mor- row County where his wife works. During his free time he enjoys hunting, spending time in the mountains and being an amateur radio (HAM) operator. When asked why he wants to be treasurer, he stated, “I’m running for the office of treasurer to help bring back a working relationship with the board of commissioners and all of the other departments and offices in the county. Recent events that occurred between the treasurer’s office and the board of commissioners have shown there is an increased need for communication between the two parties. The county treasurer position needs to be filled by a candidate who is professional, honest, eth- ical and trustworthy. That is why I believe I would be the best candidate for treasurer. I believe everyone needs to work together for the benefit of the county and its citizens.” “For the last 23 years our current county trea- surer has provided a great service to the citizens of Morrow County. I would work hard to continue to provide the same quality of service if elected as the next treasurer.” People continue helping people 2 to people in need. The Gale St, from noon to 2 p.m. giveaway will be held at The 500 pounds of the All Saints Episcopal and ground beef was donated Lutheran Church, 460 N by Brian and Susie Thomp- son of the Thompson Ranch and Mark and Pam Wun- derlich of the Wilkinson Ranch. Bud Rich donated 500 pounds of potatoes and Eastern Oregon Mo- bile Slaughter donated the slaughter, cut and wrap of the hamburger. Those in need who are unable to get out can call Theresa Crawford at 541- 561-0629 and set up a time for delivery. DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM Susie Thompson (right) passes a package of the donated hamburger to Theresa Crawford. Joel Peterson MORROW COUNTY COMMISSIONER 1 Experience & Integrity OR UNTIL FULL!
