SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Courthouse update
-Continued from PAGE ONE
can we just say, look, the
number is going to skyrock-
et and we need to plan for
it appropriately?” he asked.
The team reiterated that
estimates would be refined
at each design phase and
emphasized that current
figures were conservative
and included contingencies.
“There is a risk,” said
Bouten Construction Proj-
ect Manager Patrick Beste-
breur, “but we’re trying to
mitigate that risk as much
as possible.”
Alliance’s Doug Carl
added that he had been
involved in many projects,
and the numbers in the
schematic design phase
were always the highest
because of built-in contin-
gencies, with costs expect-
ed to get lower throughout
the process.
“We certainly share
your concerns. You guys
were very clear at the last
meeting where we present-
ed some costs. We realized
there was some shock factor
there,” said Carl. “You gave
us marching orders. So
we’ve been working really
hard to hold to that and ob-
viously present options that
either get us to that number
or even below it right now.”
He also added that, if
it came down to the worst-
case cost scenario, the
county was not required
to move forward with con-
struction.
One major cost-saving
proposal involved remov-
ing or shelling the justice
court suite—an option sup-
ported by the justice of the
peace—to bring the project
back within budget.
“If either of those were
taken, we would see a path
back to our budget,” said
Bestebreur.
Those options would
keep the justice court in the
current historic courthouse,
at least for the time being.
Shelling would preserve
future expansion opportu-
nities, especially given site
limitations.
“This makes the most
sense, I think; $2.5 million
for the justice court is a
tremendous expense when
we have what works ad-
equately,” put in Morrow
County Justice of the Peace
Glen Diehl. “Everybody
else moves out, adjust some
things for the justice court
to still function in our his-
toric court.”
BOC Chair David
Sykes agreed that removing
the justice court from the
project was the best option.
However, the design team
asked for permission to
move forward with shelling
out the space, at least for
now, since that would be the
only space available for any
future expansion.
When it came to cutting
costs, Morrow County Dis-
trict Attorney Justin Nelson
also expressed concerns
over the roughly 1,000
square feet designated for
public defense attorneys,
saying the state mandate
might not align with local
needs.
Nelson noted that the
county does not employ
full-time public defenders;
instead, it contracts with
Blue Mountain Defenders,
whose attorneys work out
of Hermiston and typically
only visit the courthouse
one day per week.
“I was kind of sur-
prised,” said Nelson. “All
they’ve ever asked for is a
single drop-in office to meet
with clients. This space has
three offices, a workstation,
and a bathroom. It won’t be
used except on court days.”
The additional space,
Nelson argued, represents
an unnecessary expense and
reflects broader concerns
about state-mandated re-
quirements that may not be
tailored to Morrow Coun-
ty’s operations.
Morrow County Ad-
ministrator Matt Jensen said
the public defense alloca-
tion was based on minimum
space standards required by
the Oregon Public Defense
Commission (OPDC). In
fact, the current suite de-
sign is slightly under the
1,000-square-foot require-
ment, and discussions with
OPDC are ongoing to ex-
plore potential adjustments.
The board agreed to
move forward with current
design plans and the shell of
the justice court space but
committed to revisiting the
issue during the next project
milestone in July, when cost
estimates are reviewed.
Bouten hopes to have
the gross maximum price
set by the end of the year
and to break ground by
early 2026.
MS Walk held Saturday
Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
With Christ we are Heros &
Without Jesus we are Zeros!
In this week’s Gospel, the disciples were frightened
and disappointed and disheartened at the death of their
leader, Jesus. Led by Peter, they turn to the fishing in a
small boat from which they were called to be fishers of
men. They toil the whole night but couldn’t catch anything
and, disappointed, they return to the shore and encounter
the risen Christ, whom they don’t recognize at first.
At the Lord’s command, they lower the nets and bring
in a huge catch—one hundred and fifty-three large fish.
The number has significance, for early Christian writers
said that the number implies that the Lord wants to include
all people in His Church. St. Jerome (who was arguably
the greatest Scripture scholar in the early Church) noted
that zoologists of that time identified 153 species of fish.
The number 153 indicates that the Lord wants us to bring
people of every nation, language and ethnic group.
Jesus means His Church to be “Catholic,” meaning
universal, for everyone. Jesus has something for every
human being. He alone can satisfy the deepest longing
of each person. The Church by its nature is Catholic. You
will find Christians in almost every nation of the world.
Still, we have a long way to go in bringing all people to
Christ. We might even feel frustrated that so many fish
are slipping out of the net!
We have a lot to learn from today’s Gospel. They
worked all night, caught nothing, but kept at it even though
they did not see results. When they were bone tired, ready
to call it a night—Jesus tells them to put out the nets. Like
the apostles, we must do our required tasks, but also be
ready for surprises, the Lord’s unexpected presence. He
can open possibilities—and even though we might feel
exhausted and discouraged, that might be the moment of
the greatest opportunity. Often as a priest I have seen the
greatest results from something I did not plan or expect.
Shakespeare said, “There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted,
all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and in
miseries.”
That also applies to our faith. There is a moment to let
down the nets, to bring in a harvest of souls. To recognize
that moment requires daily prayer, being attentive to the
Lord’s voice. Often people will tell me their concerns
about their children or grandchildren who have fallen
from the practice of the faith. I encourage them to spend
time in prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament.
Maybe they are not the ones to speak of this to a child or
grandchild. Maybe the Lord will send someone else or
touch their hearts in a more direct way. Our main task is to
listen to the Lord and be prepared to speak or act when He
tells us. To quote again from Shakespeare: “the readiness
is all.” We must be ready to hear the Lord’s voice and act.
There is something more: we also must keep the
boat and the nets in good repair. I remember my fishing
experience with Jim Swanson and his son-in-law Matt in
the Columbia River. I spent about a half day with them
just fishing for fun. I also fished with a family in Kerala,
India, for whom fishing was their only livelihood. They
looked for the best times to cast their nets and spent time
tending their nets, making sure there were no places where
legal-sized fish could escape. And of course, they were
constantly checking their boat to make sure everything
was in order.
You and I must do the same. We must keep our faith
communities in good repair. Not just the buildings and
grounds, of course, but our programs and people. We
must pray for vocations in the priesthood and be good
examples by taking seminarians and pastoral ministers
regularly to Holy celebrations. We must keep our boats
and nets in working condition. To bring souls to Jesus, we
must spend time—daily—praying and fasting and talking
to them about the need of good shepherds. In that way
keep the boat and nets in good repair. The readiness is all.
We are grieving over the sudden demise of Pope
Francis and looking forward to the new leader who will
be elected soon to guide the church forward in this 21 st
century.
Intro to Bible class
starts next week
Heppner MS Walk Organizer Barb Orwick addresses partici-
pants at Hager Park on Saturday, April 26, at the beginning of
Hopeful Saints Minis- nection with the scriptures.
the MS Walk. Merilee McDowell of Heppner first started the try will begin a discussion
“The Greatest Story”
Heppner event in 1997 and ran it for 20 years, but Orwick has
will
be the book guiding
class
as
an
introduction
to
set about reviving the walk in recent years. -Photo by Phillip
the
study,
written for partic-
the
Bible
starting
Tuesday,
Pacheco
ICABO to host candidates
forum
The Ione Community
Agri-Business Organiza-
tion (ICABO) will host a
public candidates forum
on Wednesday, May 1, at
7 p.m. at the Ione Legion
Hall. Candidates running
for positions with the Port
of Morrow, Morrow Coun-
ty Health District, Ione
School District, Ione Li-
brary Board, and other local
special districts have been
invited to attend and share
their vision for the future of
the county ahead of the May
20 special district election.
Seniors Matter April/May Menu
April 28 - Stuffed Baked Potato
Bar and Dessert
May 6 - Baked Pasta, Garden salad,
Garlic bread and dessert
May 13 - Hot Turkey Sandwich, Mashed
potatoes, Pea salad, Dessert
May 20 - Taco Bravo Bar, Spanish
Rice and Dessert
May 27 - BBQ Beef Sandwich, Jojo
potatoes, Coleslaw and Dessert
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May 6, at 6 p.m. and con-
tinuing at the same time
each week.
This informal gather-
ing, led by Pastor Joann
Dickson, is open to anyone
who would like to know
how the Bible relates to
life today and to those who
want to deepen their con-
ipants 12 years old and up.
Participants are welcome
to attend all classes, or just
some.
Hopeful Saints Church
meets at the corner of Gale
and Church Streets. Enter at
the ramp on Gale St. Need
more info? Call the office:
541-676-9970.
Lunch
& Dinner
Menu
4/24 - 4/30
Thursday - Chicken Strip, bacon, ranch
sandwich with jojos
Friday - meatball sub with salad
Saturday - Turkey & bacon salad with garlic
bread
Sunday - Closed
Monday - pulled pork nachos
Tuesday - vegetable lo mein with egg roll
Tuesday Night 6-9pm $2 hard shell tacos
Wednesday - Grilled ham and Swiss on rye
with mac n cheese
Catering
We make
everything
from scratch!
Suzanne Rea
541-377-1099
Main Dishes
Side Dishes
Salads
Appetizers
Rolls
Desserts
Wedding Cakes
Cookie Bouquets
Facebook: Suzanne Rea Catering
177 N Main St.
Heppner, Or 97836
O: 541-676-9228
E:sykeschris@hotmail.com
Broker
Chris Sykes
541-215-2274
For Sale
$415,000
This 0.77-acre property offers everything for animal
enthusiasts, with a livestock pasture, year-round
creek, two chicken houses, a barn with a lean-to,
and a deer-proof garden with a greenhouse for year-
round produce. A 10x12 storage room.
The 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath home, including a master
suite, features modern updates like new flooring,
hardy plank siding and new windows.
Energy-efficient ductless heating and cooling.
Outside, rock retaining walls, a tool shed, and
a partially finished basement add function and
flexibility. Located within city limits, it’s a short
walk to Main Street
Perfect for animal care, gardening, and quiet living,
this move-in-ready property is a rare find.
580 S MAIN ST Heppner. MLS#: 629913772
Price Reduction
$220,000
Discover a timeless treasure with this beautifully
preserved Craftsman-style home, featuring 1,174
sq ft on the main level and an additional 1,008
sq ft in basement, perfect for storage or extra
space to customize. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath gem
combines classic charm with modern comforts,
including a newer furnace, forced air heat, and
a freshly painted exterior. Located in a prime
spot near the school and within walking distance
to downtown Heppner, this home provides
both convenience and a sense of community.
Experience small-town living with easy access
to downtown. Don’t miss the chance to make
this spacious, character-filled home your own!
240 N COURT ST Heppner MLS#:24652848