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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2023)
TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 30, 2023 The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES U.S.P.S. 240-420 Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper SEARCH OLD COPIES OF THE HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES ON-LINE: http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/ Published weekly by Sykes Publishing and entered as periodical matter at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879. Periodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon. Office at 188 W. Willow Street. Telephone (541) 676-9228. Fax (541) 676-9211. E-mail: editor@rapidserve.net or david@rapidserve.net. Web site: www.heppner.net. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: In Morrow County $35/year. Outside Morrow County $40/year. In County Senior Rate (65 years or older) $30/ year. 9 month Student student subscriptions $35/year. Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher Andrea Di Salvo ............................................................................................ Editor Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................Advertising All News and Advertising Deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. For Advertising: advertising deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Cost for a display ad is $5.50 per column inch. Cost for classified ad is 50¢ per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $15 up to 100 words. Cost for a classified display ad is $6.00 per column inch. For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for publi- cation must be specified. Affidavits must be requested at the time of submission. Affidavits require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be specified if required). For Obituaries: Obituaries are published in the Heppner GT at no charge and are edited to meet news guidelines. Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines or who wish to have the obituary written in a certain way must purchase advertising space for the obituary. For Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor MUST be signed by the author. The Heppner GT will not publish unsigned letters. All letters MUST include the author’s address and phone number for use by the GT office. The GT reserves the right to edit letters. The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $10. AWANA starts Sept. 12 Heppner AWANA Club will begin its 2023-24 club year Tuesday, Sept. 12, with registration and an ice cream social for club mem- bers and their parents. The club will meet at the Chris- tian Life Center (“dome church”) in Heppner. The evening will be- gin at 6 p.m. with club registration and ice cream for everyone attending. The event will also in- clude games and a short welcome from AWANA Commander Dale Bates. Meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays throughout the club year. The Heppner AWANA program is the combined effort of local churches to teach children what the Bible is all about. AWANA stands for “Approved Work- men Are Not Ashamed,” based on II Timothy 2:15. Games, songs and a Bible lesson are included during a typical club meeting. The Christian Life Center is located at 535 W. Morgan St. in Hep- pner. For more information, contact AWANA Secre- tary Andrea Di Salvo at awana.heppner@gmail. com, 757-285-5792, or via Facebook Messenger. Data indicates BMCC has big economic impact in region A new study has indi- cated the extensive impact that Blue Mountain Com- munity College (BMCC) possibly has on the Eastern Oregon regional economy and its return of investment for students and taxpayers. Data reveals that BMCC generated $157.5 million in economic impact in the 2021-2022 fiscal year while supporting one out of 34 jobs in the Eastern Oregon region. The comprehensive analysis was conducted by independent labor market research firm Lightcast, part of a larger project that was commissioned by the Or- egon Community College Association (OCCA) and all 17 Oregon community colleges. The focus of the report, primarily on the 2021-2022 fiscal year, dives deep into the regional economic im- pact of BMCC’s operations, student spending and alum- ni, along with the benefit to taxpayers and students. The $157.5 million impact is equivalent to approximately 2.2 percent of the total gross regional product within the region BMCC serves, which includes Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Baker and Grant counties, while bringing in a total taxpayer benefit of $16.8 million. “This report helps demonstrate what Blue Mountain Community Col- lege has been doing for over 60 years—serving and giv- ing back to the communities we serve,” said BMCC President Dr. Mark Brown- ing. “The impact of alumni, current students and our wonderful staff and facul- ty, collectively supporting some 2,305 jobs and $157.5 million annually shows a most positive return on in- vestment of public dollars.” For students, attending BMCC also apparently brings a 6.3 benefit-cost ratio. In other words, for ev- ery dollar students invest in BMCC, they receive a cu- mulative value of $6.30 in higher future earnings. The rate of return for students annually is 21.8 percent, compared to the stock mar- ket 30-year average annual return of 9.6 percent. Other key points from the report include: -The net impact of BMCC’s former students currently employed in the regional workforce amount- ed to $137.9 million in added income in fiscal year (FY) 2021-22. -The net impact of the college’s operations spend- ing added $17.7 million in income to the regional economy in FY 2021-22. -In return for their in- vestment, students will re- ceive a cumulative present value of $44.2 million in in- creased earnings over their working lives. This trans- lates to a return of $6.30 in higher future earnings for every dollar students invest in their education. Students’ average annual rate of re- turn is 21.8 percent. -In FY 2021-22, Ore- gon invested $28.7 million to support BMCC. In turn, the Oregon economy will grow by $156.2 million over the course of students’ working lives. Society will also benefit from $4.3 mil- lion of public and private sector savings. For an in-depth look at the economic impact of Blue Mountain Community College, go to https://www. bluecc.edu/economic-im- pact. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 5:00 P.M. Irrigon Council says no to truck route exceptions -Continued from PAGE ONE have to parallel park on the best I can do to help al- 2024 and will be up for er might not. “The other thing is that this has been going on since 2015,” he said. “We have people who adhere to it. We have people who push against it just because they can. “It becomes an enforce- ment issue not only for code but also for law enforce- ment,” Palmquist added. The city manager said they had people move into the city who owned larger lots in residential areas and would park trucks on the property or work on them there. That was when the council decided to desig- nate truck routes. There are exceptions, such as emer- gency vehicles, delivery trucks and moving vans. “You have to be careful. How do we meet the needs of everybody?” Palmquist said. “We have a lot of places that people can park trucks.” Irrigon Mayor Pro-Tem Daren Strong mentioned that the designated truck routes also have to do with keeping the city roads maintained. “And those specific truck roads are thicker,” he said. “So they’re made for that.” Irrigon Councilor Heather Bishop said she saw a problem with making one allowance, because the city would run into prob- lems if five more people from the street also asked for exceptions and the street ended up being taken up by trucks. “It’s either black or white. You can’t accept it for one and then not for everybody else who shows up,” she said. “I think since we wres- tled with this thing eight years ago and went through it pretty thoroughly and it’s lasted all this time,” added Strong, “I think it’s fine the way it is.” There is space for truck parking between the Irrigon Shell and the Rustic Truck. The issue of opening Eighth Street as an addi- tional entry to the Irrigon Marina got a hearing but then stalled at the meeting. The council had pre- viously directed city staff to reached out to city engi- neering firm JUB for vari- ous scenarios for opening NE Eighth or NE Seventh streets, as well as a poten- tial restroom facility and various options for signage, parking and vehicle move- ment. JUB’s report indicated no parking spaces would be hindered or removed. Meanwhile, city staff say that a second direct ac- cess point from US 730 to the marina is safer and increases the marina’s ca- pabilities. Funds have al- ready been laid aside, and Columbia River Enterprise Zone (CREZ) funds could also be used. City staff recommend- ed the council adopt Op- tion 1, which carries a cost estimate of $375,700. It would include connecting Eighth St NE to the marina, improving traffic flow with signs and arrows, construct- ing a restroom and utility extensions. However, some council members weren’t so sure. Bishop said she didn’t think it was necessary and ques- tioned whether it was the best use of CREZ funds. “It’s definitely a dis- cussion. I’m not sure I’m completely sold on opening Eighth Steet,” said Irrigon Mayor Michelle Patton, adding that she had been talking with people around the marina. “So far, every- one has said they like it the way it is.” Patton also said she thought it might be too much traffic on Eighth, a street with houses on both sides. Both she and Bishop noted that people would that street if the change were made, and even then, it would be a tight squeeze. “There’s no congestion going down Tenth,” said Bishop. “It’s a straight shot going down to the marina. I think it’s more of a safety hazard to have it go down Eighth where everything is a house, where there are kids constantly, every- where.” She did say that she liked the idea of an addi- tional restroom. “I think we need to look at this as a safety thing,” replied Palmquist. He said that, during the watermelon festival, there were boaters who didn’t pay attention to the marina signs and took a straight shot in. “They don’t care,” he added. “It’s up to the council to make some of these kinds of decisions,” said councilor Benji Calvert, “but in this situation, everyone in the town is going to be affected. “Personally, if I lived on one of those streets, I’m not sure I’d be really happy about it becoming a main thoroughfare,” he added. “My hesitation would come in that the park board isn’t totally with us,” said Strong. “If that’s not re- solved, I don’t think we should push through.” Patton said the city definitely needs to talk with the public and the park board before moving for- ward. The council decided to table the issue for the moment and conduct a poll of Irrigon residents. Earlier in the meeting, the council heard from a couple of Irrigon residents who were unhappy with their water bills. “I want to know how many of you people here are paying $300 water bills a month,” Allen Tomkins said. “Because I’m really getting sick of this. I’m one person, and I’ve been getting a $300 water bill for the last three months in a row.” “There’s no leaks, and I’m not using 60,000 gal- lons of water,” he added. He said he’d been as- sured the meters aren’t wrong. “But I guarantee they are wrong,” he said. “Be- cause I’m one person, and there’s no way I’m using 60,000 gallons of water.” “You’re trying to say that we don’t care, we’re not trying to help you,” Patton said, addressing public posts and comments Tomkins had made. “I just want to make it publicly known…we have gone above and beyond,” she said. “We have paid to check for leaks. We have checked your meter. We have sent staff over.” “And yet, I’m still get- ting $300 water bills,” he replied. “You’re making up excuses.” Patton and council member Heather Bishop suggested part of the is- sue could be his use of a swamp cooler. Bishop also recommended he approach CAPECO, which might provide help with his water bill. Barb Hulse also said her water bill was more than $300. “And I shut off every- thing,” she said, adding that she uses a heat pump, which does not use water, “and my bill only went down three dollars.” “I’m getting to the point that if I have a load of laundry to do, I’m going to run down to the laundry mat and do it. It would be cheaper,” she added. Bishop again suggested CAPECO. “Give it a try,” she said. “That the best I can do. They said they could help. “The city has gone over everything in their power to check for everything they can,” Bishop added. “That’s leviate some of the hardship you’re feeling. Please give it a try.” Palmquist told the gath- ered crowd that if their pipes had a hole that was a quarter inch, in a month that would use 393,000 gallons. He also said they were in the process of changing the town’s water meters. The process is about two and a half years from completion he said, due to funding. “They’re not cheap,” he said. “And we’re not charging people. We’re just saying we have to get this done.” Palmquist also added that the city has multiple residents who have wa- ter bills in excess of $300 during the summer, some- times because of unknown water uses like members of the household leaving hoses running. The residents said they were told CAPECO would not help because Irrigon does not have a contract with CAPECO. Palmquist said the city’s attorney ad- vised them not to sign an agreement, but that did not mean CAPECO could not help. “They will still give money to people and help them,” he said. In other business, the Irrigon council approved an application for a Dept. of Land Conservation and De- velopment planning grant. The Grant Young Memorial grant, named after a DLCD Eastern Oregon regional representative who passed away in 2017, is made available to small cities ev- ery two years. Cities with a population under 2,500 are eligible to receive $2,000. The city does not have to designate what it will use the grant for at this time, but a close-out report would be due in April of 2025. The city council ap- pointed Hector Canno to fill the vacant seat of for- mer council member Alan Carnahan. The appointment runs through December re-election in November of next year. Canno will be sworn in at the September council meeting. The city council also discussed an intergovern- mental agreement (IGA) with the City of Umatil- la for Umatilla County’s PATH (Practical Assistance through Transitional Hous- ing) program. The goal of PATH is to help people tran- sition out of homelessness. Patton told the council the program offers small dwellings for people to live in, but residents will be re- quired to be drug- and alco- hol-free and to actively look for work. Plans are also being made for larger units for those who find work to continue their progress. “It’s going to be tough, no drugs, no alcohol, ac- tively looking for a job,” said Patton. “I’m just keep- ing positive thoughts and hoping that this will work and help people get back on their feet again.” Palmquist said the city’s attorney wanted to make some changes to the IGA before the council approved it. The attorney is also working on an “an- ti-camping” ordinance in response to Oregon’s recent homelessness legislation. Patton also announced she had attended a mayor’s conference and came out of it excited to “jump in with both feet.” She said she had resigned her full-time posi- tion with the school district, switching to substitute, so she will have more time to devote to city business. “I will be a lot more available and out there, which I look forward to do- ing,” said Patton. “It some- thing I’ve been wanting to do since I started as mayor.” ODOT will start work on the sidewalk ramp proj- ect in Irrigon Sept. 5. The project will include occa- sional road closures with diverted traffic. A family fun night is planned Sept. 1 from 5:30- 8 p.m. at Columbia View Community Church. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 5:00 P.M. 217 North Main St., Heppner, OR Phone 676-9158 Floral 676-9426 murraysdrug.com Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 9am-2pm Pharmacy- Mon-Fri 9am-6pm $429,000 $350,000 PRICE REDUCED! Great school and excellent location! This 2,471 sqft home and two lots totaling 13.12 acres could be the perfect property to keep your horses and livestock. Pasture and dry land. Tax ID 5378 and 8939. Selling as-is. MLS#: 23292049 All reasonable offers will be considered. 62886 HIGHWAY 74 - Ione 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274
