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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2022)
HJSHS hires new principal ten years of administrative experience in Prairie City and Grant school districts. The committee was im- pressed with his second- ary background, having served the last seven years as the principal at Grant Union High School in John Day. Having worked in both Prairie City and Grant school districts, Ryan is familiar with rural commu- nities and is committed to the continued growth and success of the students, staff and programs at HJSHS. Matt Combe told the Gazette, “Additionally, we are excited to have him join the MCSD administrative team. He brings not only a wealth of educational knowledge and secondary experience but also experi- ence as an athletic director.” 50¢ VOL. 141 NO. 16 8 Pages Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Health Department employee files labor complaint against county Debra Green claims retaliation following whistleblower complaint ministration (LPHA) Direc- tor Darrell Green. Darrell is not only the LPHA Director but also Debra’s husband and the county adminis- trator. Debra Green alleges that on April 26, 2021, the county Human Resource Director Lindsay Grogan issued a disciplinary action against her “claiming that I should not have sent the email to the LPHA because the director is my husband. Prior to my whistleblow- ing activities, respondent (Morrow County) had no problems with my commu- nication with the LPHA and never informed me that I should not contact them,” Green says in her BOLI complaint. Green went on to say she was told to con- tact Rivera, and then county counsel Justin Nelson. She was then told not to contact the LPHGA “because of my family relationship.” Green said she never received a response after reporting the alleged falsifying incidents to the county. Following filing the whistleblower complaint alleging falsification of vac- cine documents, Green says the county retaliated against her. “After my reports, my workload has increased, and I am doing duties that are not within my clas- sification.” She went on to say she asked Morrow County to pay her a higher classification for working “out of class,” but the re- quest was denied. She then added that the retaliatory actions continue. “Respon- dent (Morrow County) sub- jects me to different terms, conditions or privileges of employment and retaliates against me, because I en- gaged in whistleblowing activities and for my family relationship.” Debra Green has been employed in the Health Department since December of 2019 as a front office assistant. The Heppner Ga- April “Snowmageddon” hits zette-Times contacted all three county commission- ers for their response to the BOLI complaint. Our inquiry was forwarded to county counsel Justin Nel- son who replied: “Morrow County has received a copy of the Bureau of Labor & Industries Complaint filed by a county employ- ee. Morrow County takes these complaints seriously and the county is working with human resource legal counsel to respond to any allegations made in the complaint. Based upon the ongoing review and inves- tigation of this matter, the county has no other com- ment at this time regarding the personnel matter,” Nel- son told the Gazette. The BOLI complaint was obtained by the Ga- zette-Times through an inquiry to the state agency. All complaints are pub- lic record and, along with a copy of the complaint, BOLI Public Records Man- ager Kelsey Dietrick told the Gazette, “I am attaching a civil rights complaint that was filed with our agency on 3/4/2022. This com- plaint is currently under investigation and the inves- tigatory information is ex- empt from public disclosure until the case is resolved,” she said. Heppner Jr/Sr High School has announced the hiring of Mr. Ryan Gerry as the new principal for the 2022/2023 school year. Gerry will take the place of Matt Combe who has been hired as the superin- tendent for Morrow County schools. Gerry has 23 years of educational experience and Taylor Rollins selected by EOU By Doris Brosnan Taylor Rollins has been awarded a partial athletic scholarship as well as the University Scholar Award from Eastern Oregon Uni- versity. This senior at Ione will be reporting in La Grande next fall for foot- ball and for furthering his education. Taylor’s mother, Tricia Rollins, reports that “his love for football started when he was very young. He played flag football in Hermiston until he was old enough to play Colt foot- ball in Heppner in the fifth grade.” Taylor, a three-sport athlete yearly, was a four- year varsity starter in foot- ball and basketball for Ione, and he played baseball as a freshman for Heppner. Taylor has been select- ed for the eight-man All- Star game in June and is Taylor Rollins one of the few 1A alternates selected for the East-West Shrine game in August. An outstanding record of honors received, extra- curricular activities, and community service, as well as Taylor’s achievements in the sporting arenas, ex- plains the value EOU places on this young man. Today at school he will make his EOU intentions official at a 5 p.m. signing. Easter egg hunt must go on Pictured: Harley Anderson, K.C. Anderson, the Easter Bunny, Olson and Erin Anderson Many brave families showed up for the annual Heppner Easter Egg Hunt last Saturday, despite the weather. Snow and frigid temperatures weren’t going to stop the hunt for the children of Heppner. The annual event is sponsored by the Heppner Elks Lodge #358 and put on by Past Exalted Ruler Colin Anderson, his wife Erin and their children Harley, K.C. and Olson. Heppner Elks secretary Teresa Hughes was the Easter Bunny wrangler, and ev- eryone appreciated the Easter Bunny himself. This year over 2000 eggs were stuffed and hidden at the Morrow County fairgrounds. E L E VAT E YO U R A DV E N T U R E CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 Heppner and the surrounding areas of south Morrow County were hit by unusual April snowfall early last week. -Contibuted photos. NEW 2022 FOR By David Sykes Morrow County Health Department Office Assis- tant Debra Green has filed a Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI) complaint against the county alleg- ing she has been retaliated against after she became a whistleblower by report- ing COVID-19 vaccine documents allegedly being falsified by her department head. In the complaint, filed March 4, 2022, Green said in April of 2021 she “found out that the Morrow County Health Department was not following the Data Submis- sion Guide required by the Oregon Health Authority in regard to the COVID-19 vaccines.” Green said Health Department Direc- tor Nazario Rivera, who has since resigned, “falsified medical documents” in April 2021, which she then reported to her supervisor, who was also Rivera, and to Local Public Health Ad- Ryan Gerry for more information CHECK OUT THE ALL-NEW 2 0 2 2 P O L A R I S L I N E U P. WE’LL HELP YOU LOCK I N W H AT Y O U W A N T. WARNING: Polaris ® off‑road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on‑road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). 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