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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2024)
Hoeft earns top gun victory at Medford Skills Demo and Safety Conference 50¢ VOL. 144 NO. 41 8 Pages Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Port replaces commissioner on CDA board, citing ‘tension’ in meeting Doherty calls move ‘retaliation,’ threatens legal action By Andrea Di Salvo The Port of Morrow Commission replaced com- missioner Kelly Doherty as its representative to the Columbia Development Authority during a some- what contentious meeting in Boardman last week. Doherty has responded with threats of legal action for what she said she views as retaliation. Port of Morrow Com- mission President Joe Tay- lor will take her place, with new commissioner Joel Peterson as the Port’s alternate. The action stemmed from Port commissioner Kelly Doherty’s alleged behavior at a Sept. 20 meet- ing of the Columbia Devel- opment Authority. At the meeting, the CDA board was discussing concerns and allegations about CDA Administrator Greg Smith. The chief topic was a pay raise given to Smith as part of an Office of Local Defense Community Co- operation (OLDCC) grant request submitted on behalf of the Columbia Devel- opment Authority board. The board said they never approved the pay increases and ended up rescinding Smith’s raise at the Sept. 20 meeting. At the time of publi- cation, neither the minutes nor the recording from that CDA meeting have been released. The Port of Morrow holds one of the five seats on the Columbia Devel- opment Authority board. The other seats are held by representatives from the Morrow County Board of Commissioners, Umatilla County Board of Com- missioners, Port of Uma- tilla and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla In- dian Reservation (CTUIR). Taylor said the way Doherty acted at that meet- ing didn’t reflect well on the Port. “It’s just the way that meeting went,” said Taylor. “You went at Greg like… with a vengeance. Like you had this personal vendetta.” “What you were say- ing the problem was with Greg’s performance and what you didn’t like about it and all this other stuff was maybe accurate, but I think the way you went about it at that meeting was not good. I don’t think it was a good look for the Port,” added Taylor. Doherty defended her speech at the meeting, say- ing she had stuck to the topic of the grant and that Smith had admitted to his wrongdoing in the matter. “Do you remem - ber what was said about me?” Doherty asked. “I was threatened with litiga- tion. I was slandered. He apologized twice to me. I don’t think I did anything wrong.” “He’s not blameless,” Taylor admitted, referring to Smith. “He said some things to you he shouldn’t have said. Now, going for- ward, all this tension is there.” “There was tension in that room from the get-go,” said Doherty. She added that she couldn’t even get a second on a motion to approve the minutes. “You guys think it’s all me, that I’m causing all this trouble. “Everyone is mad in that whole entire room. Justin Hoeft (Second from the right) holding up his first place trophy in Medford at the Equipment Skills Challenge in September. – Contributed photo On September 10th and 11th, a group of coun- ty workers from Morrow County traveled to Med- ford, OR, to compete in the 2024 Skills Demo and Safety Conference. This two-day event tests partic- ipants’ abilities in a variety of skills, including: Snow- plow driving, operating loaders, road graders, and backhoes A pre-trip inspec- tion course and a timed chain-up event. Drivers navigate an obstacle course with a fo- cus on safety and precise handling of the equipment. Most events are timed, with competitors required to complete the course within two minutes. Those who exceed five minutes are disqualified. -Continued to PAGE THREE High tech fire prevention in Heppner -Continued to PAGE EIGHT Heppner high school’s classes of 1960 - 1962 hold reunion Heppner fire watching a flying drone spray weeds up by Rock St in Heppner, Or. – Contributed Photo Class of 1961, Front row (L-R) Marlene Griffith Gray, Judy Brinda Stevens, Kathy Spencer Clark. Back row (L-R) Ferne Albert Healy, Shirley Van Winkle George, Bill Mona- gle, Doris Morris Brosnan, Jeanne Schmidt Creswick The weekend of Oc- tober 4th, 5th and 6th was a special weekend as the Heppner High School class- es of 1960, 1961 and 1962 combined to have their class reunion in Heppner. It has been over 60 years for each class since graduation and some have not seen one another since that time. On Friday evening, the group which included classmates, spouses and guests gathered at the Elks Lodge to enjoy an evening of snacks, drinks and so- cializing. On Saturday afternoon, the group gathered at the Heppner Museum for a tour before meeting at the Elks at 5:00 pm for the main event to enjoy reminiscing about old times and getting caught up on what every- one was doing currently in their lives. Classmates introduced their spouses and guests and provided a description of their cur- rent life activities as well as their family including grandchildren and great grandchildren and their activities. A slideshow of pictures from old Heppner High School annuals as well as current life pictures and past reunions was pre- sented as attendees enjoyed one another. Alongside was a table with displays of deceased classmates from each of the classes. Another table had high school annu- als for each of the classes as well as the 1953 and 1955 Pony annuals from elementary days. Many had a great time perusing the materials and looking up those long-ago staff members and activities that memories sometimes failed to recall. Buffet dinner Heppner Fire Depart- ment is using a drone to pre- vent fires. They are spray- ing behind Rock Street to kill cheatgrass, foxtail, rye, and other invasive species, leaving behind beneficial grass. The project aims to Class of 1960, Front row (L-R ) Mary Johnston Weber, reduce wildfire risk in Hep- Mickey Van Schoiack, Shirley Nash Connor. Back row L-R – pner through the CWRR Dennis Doherty, Al Osmin, Leonore Leonnig Corbin (Community Wildfire Risk provided by the Elks was eight of the original 29 enjoyed by all. Following class members of 1960, dinner, Sandy Mathews nine of the original 48 class joined the group to take members of 1961 and sev- pictures of each class, their enteen of the original class The Booster Club will spouses and guests. members of 1962. Many Next, an event orga- expressed gratitude for the be hosting the 2024 dinner nized by Doris Brosnan event and the wonderful and auction on October th had class members recall time had by all. Several 19 at the Gilliam Bisbee their senior year teachers other classmates expressed Building. Doors open at with points assigned for a desire to attend but were 5:00pm with dinner starting the most recalled accurately unable to due to travel or at 6:00pm and the auc- tion at 7:00pm. Tickets can with prizes awarded for the health restrictions. most recalled. Stories and Sunday morning the be purchased at the door. memories of those long-ago group gathered at the Fair- Dinner will be prepared teachers were shared, and grounds for a farewell ca- by Ashley Lindsay and all enjoyed the exercise. tered breakfast and to enjoy Beth Dickenson and their Stories of pranks and some last visiting before wonderful crew of helpers. On the menu is New York school events were shared departing for home. for the first time in many Special recognition for steak, baked potato with years. Most of the evening, organizing events, facilities all the toppings, sautéed however, was enjoyed by and assisting with contact green beans, Caesar salad, seeing how classmates had information goes to Shirley roll and dessert. If you were lived their lives and enjoyed Connor and Bonnie Bus- lucky enough to purchase a their successes. Many re- chke for the class of 1960, VIP table, in addition to the newed contacts with each Tom Glass and Doris Bros- dinner menu, a charcuterie other and vowed to stay in nan for the class of 1961 appetizer and an assortment touch. and Merlin Hughes, Sonny dessert platter will grace Attendees included Biddle and Bruce Moyer for your table. If you are curious about the class of 1962. Reduction) Grant. Heppner Fire Chief, Steve Rhea, ex- plained that this is not ster- ilization but a treatment that preserves beneficial peren- nial vegetation while con- trolling annual plants like cheatgrass, rye, mustard, and medusahead, which contribute to fast-moving wildfires. Heppner booster club dinner & auction Oct. 19 th this year’s auction items, some of them can be viewed in the front windows of Market 87. Highlighted items include Blazer tick- ets, homemade dinners, corn hole boards, handmade quilt, and many Mustang themed items! Funds raised from the Booster Club Dinner and Auction are awarded to various programs and ac- tivities that support students and staff at Heppner Junior/ Senior High School. Last year, Booster Club was able to provide $47,630.00 in support funding thanks to all our amazing donors and attendees from 2023. Thank you for your support and we look for- ward to seeing you on Oc- tober 19 th . CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information Class of 1962, Front row (L-R) Merlin Hughes, Ladd Dick, Mike Healy, Libby Van Schoiack Fenton, Rose Nash Krewson, Diane McCurdy Moyer, Norma Ferguson Still- man. Back row (L-R) Nat Webb, Charlie Sampson, Sonny Biddle, Ken Daggett, Ron Creswick, Don Hughes, Lawrence Green, Bruce Moyer, Bill Mahon.
