August 17 Declared Terry Tallman Day
50¢
VOL. 141
NO. 34
8 Pages
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon
County Commissioners Jim Doherty, left, Don Rus-
sell and Melissa Lindsay present Cheryl Tallman
with a certificate declaring last Wednesday Terry
Tallman Day.
Whereas, Morrow County recognizes that Terry
Tallman gave many years of voluntary service to Morrow
County, including serving on the City of Boardman Plan-
ning Commission, City of Boardman Mayor for five years,
and County Judge of Morrow County for 18 years; and
Whereas, Morrow County
further recognizes
that Terry Tallman was the longest serving Morrow
County Judge in Morrow County history; and
Whereas, Morrow County further recognizes the
A panoramic view of the Morrow County Fair Grounds in Heppner during this year’s Fair and Rodeo
week. See pages 6 & 7 for more photos of Fair and Rodeo
Ione School District Elementary School
Roof Project completed
giving nature of Terry Tallman, through his tireless efforts
to help those in need in Morrow County; and
Whereas, Morrow County further recognizes
that Morrow County has become the community it is
today because of the voluntary work and dedication
of Terry Tallman; and
Be it resolved that August 17, 2022 shall be known
by all Morrow County Citizens as Terry Tallman Day
Dated this 17 th day of August 2022.
MORROW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Ethics Commission to
investigate Wenholz
The Oregon Government
Ethics Commission voted
unanimously last week to
begin an investigation of
Jeff Wenholz, Irrigon, for
possible conflict of interest
violations between his po-
sitions as Vice President of
the Board of Directors for
the Umatilla Electric Co-
operative (UEC) and Chair-
man of the Morrow County
Planning Commission.
The investigation was initi-
ated following a complaint
by Boardman resident Jona-
than Tallman alleging Wen-
holz improperly participat-
ed in planning commission
decision making about land
use issues affecting UEC at
several meetings in 2020.
At the planning meetings
Wenholz did declare he
sits on the UEC board, but
added he and would not
personally benefit finan-
cially from any of the plan-
ning commission decisions.
Wenholz did not vote on
The Ione School District Elementary roof project was completed by Gillespie Roofing at the end of July any of the applications or
issues. However, the com-
The Ione School District Elementary roof project roofing membrane installation as well as flashing metal plaint says he nevertheless
was completed by Gillespie Roofing at the end of July, the installation was substantially completed the week of July improperly participated in
district reported. According to the district, there will still 25. Modifications to the gutters and downspouts will the discussions about the
need to be some modifications to gutters and downspouts, happen in the near future.
UEC land use issues and
Architects West is well underway with their should have completely
and that work will happen in the near future. Gillespie
roofing identified areas of moisture through testing, and design process. They have completed preliminary pro- recused himself from all
they were able to replace damaged areas while completing gramming evaluations for the new secondary school discussions concerning the
the installation of the new membrane and metal flashing. building and options for the necessity of moving the UEC’s businesses before
Anderson Poolworks has provided an evaluation of the football field. Surveying and geotechnical work for both
existing pool structure and equipment as of July, and they locations has been ongoing throughout late spring and
reported that the existing pool structure is in good shape. summer. Soil tests were completed in early August, and
They proposed small repairs to the pool structure as well they are waiting for the results to come back. The design
as a complete piping and equipment replacement to move team has been working with a flood plain consultant to
all mechanical parts above ground and in one location. ensure compliance. The design team will be preparing Blue Mountain Commu-
Gillespie Roofing was the low bidder for the a community presentation where feedback and input on nity College (BMCC) was
roofing project and work began the week of July 4. Test- the preliminary design ideas will be requested.
tabbed as the 19th best
Ione School District said they will “continue to
ing was performed to identify moist insulation areas for
community college in the
replacement. Most of the moisture damaged areas were provide more frequent updates as we move the school country according to a
around the existing HVAC units, said the district. The year.”
recently released analysis
DEADLINE:
conducted by WalletHub.
MONDAYS
Neighborhood Center receives donation of hygiene
com. The annual ranking
AT 5PM
looks at 19 various fac-
tors in determining the
value provided by each
institution including cost of
attendance to the student,
the planning commission.
In addition, the complaint
also says Wenholz incor-
rectly filled out his state-re-
quired financial disclosure
forms for several years,
leaving off the income he
makes from being a UEC
board member. That income
is reportedly in the $19,000
to $25,000 per year range.
Wenholz appeared remotely
before the ethics commis-
sion last Thursday, and
during the meeting said
he should be exempt from
certain conflict of inter-
est rules because UEC is
a not-for-profit business
which are not covered dif-
ferently under state conflict
of interest rules. An ethics
commission staff member
however, disagreed saying
just because the Internal
Revenue Service classi-
fies UEC as not for profit,
doesn’t mean Oregon law
also does.
The ethics meeting lasted
about one-half hour and fol-
lowing the discussions the
commission voted unani-
mously to investigate Wen-
holz’s actions for possible
violations. In a subsequent
letter to Tallman Executive
Director Ronald Bersin
said the commission should
make its decision by Febru-
ary 3, 2023.
BMCC Named in Top 20
Community Colleges in USA
educational outcomes and
career/employment out-
comes. WalletHub evalu-
ated some 67 community
colleges in all 50 states.
“This is a testament to the
commitment we see here
every day at BMCC,” said
Blue Mountain President
Dr. J. Mark Browning.
“Our faculty, staff and
continued page 3
E L E VAT E YO U R A DV E N T U R E
CALL
541-989-8221
ext 204
NEW
2022
FOR
Neighboor Center staff display donations recently received
On August 18th the Neighborhood Center received a donation of hygiene kits from
Pioneer Memorial Therapy Services to help locals in need. “We are very apprecia-
tive of the donation,” said Center Coordinator Lisa Patton
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). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds
and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take
a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information.
Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2021 Polaris Inc.