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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 2024)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 11, 2024 BOC Commissioners vote 2-1 -Continued from PAGE ONE care of them. For me, it’s YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! pretty simple—I haven’t changed [my opinion on the location].” Sykes’ firm stance un- derscored the importance of preserving Heppner’s role as the administrative heart of the county while addressing any logistical or security concerns that had been raised. Commissioner Dra- go reiterated his internal conflict between making a decision based on emotion or logic. “I prefer it to stay here on an emotional level, but on a logical level, it needs to go to the north end,” he explained. Dra- go expressed a personal preference for a different site than the county-owned property but acknowledged the benefits of the proposed location. “I’m not opposed to being there—things are growing around it, and it’s definitely becoming less industrial. If it goes to the north end of the county, that would be potentially the best and most cost-effective site.” He also shared feed- back he had received from the community: “I’ve reached out to people, and I’ve been reached out to. I keep getting very few peo- ple saying they don’t want it in their community. I don’t have anybody in Heppner saying we don’t want it there, and I don’t have anybody in Boardman say- ing we don’t want it there either. I do have people in the north end saying they would be happy to have it there. It looks like the south end has a lot more interest in their courthouse staying here for personal reasons— and I love that. I want to see Heppner thrive. When I said that in the forum, that was why my preference was that it stays down here.” Following this discus- sion, the commissioners voted on the relocation of the Circuit Court building to Boardman. Commis- sioners Wenholz and Drago voted in favor, while Com- missioner Sykes opposed the decision, advocating for Heppner. Sup er ch He underscored the impor- tance of serving the majori- ty of the county’s registered voters and potential jurors, most of whom reside in the northern zip codes. Wen- holz also reassured that the move would not lead to job losses in Heppner, as existing circuit court services would remain in place. Additionally, the state has plans to create four new positions in Boardman, further mitigating concerns about economic impact on Heppner. Wenholz pointed to the growth trends in the north- ern part of the county, stat- ing, “Growth happens. We talk about this being a 50- year project—the growth will continue to happen. At some point, 80% of the cases will become 90%. I feel that’s what’s best for the county as a whole.” His argument centered around future-proofing the court- house’s location to serve the county’s long-term needs. Commissioner Dra- go, despite seconding the motion to select a coun- ty-owned property for the new courthouse, voiced his reservations, particularly regarding the longstanding opposition to relocating the facility to the fairgrounds. “I’m having a tough time here,” Drago admitted, struggling with the decision between the fairgrounds in Heppner and Boardman. He emphasized the difficulty of weighing the emotional ties to Heppner against the practical considerations for Boardman. The motion to decide on a county-owned proper- ty for the new Circuit Court building was introduced by Commissioner Wenholz and seconded by Drago. However, with Drago’s in- ternal conflict still evident, the final decision remained unresolved as the commis- sioners continued to assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of each location. Commissioner Sykes strongly maintained that Heppner, as the county seat, should be the selected loca- tion for the new courthouse. He emphasized the town’s central role and expressed confidence in the ability to address any concerns that had surfaced through- out the debate. “I haven’t changed my opinion; I think it should be located in Hep- pner. It’s the county seat,” Sykes asserted. “I think we can anticipate the problems that have come forward, and I believe we can take Satellite court facility Petty’s herd takes over Heppner dam -Continued from PAGE ONE has made it clear that for domestic relations, other family law matters, and other cases that arise from the South End of the Coun- ty. Due to the technologi- cal advantages of Oregon eCourt, the paperless court file system, court staff from either end of the County can operationally support each other electronically and continue to hold hearings remotely (as they often are now). However, Judge Hill substantive proceedings, a Circuit Court Judge should be present for judicial busi- ness when scheduled at either location. Judge Hill also hopes that this, in con- junction with court case- load statistics, may be the catalyst to add a new Circuit Court Judge by 2027. The point of contact for this press release is Irma Solis, Trial Court Administrator, Irma.Solis@ojd.state.or.us. ATTENTION HUNTERS!! View of Petty’s goats from the top of the dam near the spill- way. - Photo by Chris Sykes The Heppner Gazette-Times wants pictures of your trophy animals! Stop by 177 N Main Street in Heppner, email - editor@rapidserve.net upload at heppner.net or text photos to 541-215-2274. Solar power cell used to charge mobile electric fence. -Continued from PAGE ONE Cross goats are particularly well-suited for this task, as they thrive on a wide range of vegetation, including grasses, shrubs, and even noxious weeds. Their abil- ity to forage on otherwise unproductive land makes them a valuable resource for land management and fire prevention. While Sage sometimes jokes about the nonstop demands of goat herding, it’s clear he is passionate about his work. Whether at Heppner Dam or across the Northwest, his goats are an essential part of sus- tainable land management, contributing to healthier ecosystems and providing an adventurous lifestyle for his family. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. Morrow County Veterans Services invites everyone to join us in remembering those who served to guarantee our country’s safety on Patriot Day 9/11 and POW/MIA Recognition Day 9/20 Our office is open Monday-Thursday 8am to 5pm and Fridays 8am to 12pm. Walk-ins are welcome or call 541-922-6420 to make an appointment. Heppner appointments are available on request. 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