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SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 25, 2025 MCHD severance figures remain unclear Salem advances -Continued from PAGE ONE erate payment within the details, the documents do groundwater bill aimed zette-Times first year, but the maximum not provide specific dollar requested the payout is limited to 12 figures for severance, ac- figure from both at ‘pollution hotspots’ correct months of compensation. crued wages, vacation time individuals, but they have Morrow County responds to bill with concerns By Andrea Di Salvo Oregon legislators are advancing Senate Bill 1154, a sweeping proposal to overhaul how the state responds to groundwater pollution, despite concerns at the local level. The bill, introduced in February and backed by Governor Tina Kotek, aims to establish clear thresh- olds for contamination and coordinate multi-agency responses in affected areas. SB 1154 would allow the state to automatically designate “groundwater management areas” when contaminants like nitrates exceed safe levels. Morrow County Plan- ning Director Tamra Mab- bott told the Morrow Coun- ty Board of Commissioners (BOC) last month that a technical working group has been meeting with the governor’s staff for the past several months to provide input on various aspects of the bill. While the bill may con- tain some well-intentioned steps to solve issues such as the nitrate pollution in North Morrow County, some aspects of the bill concern local stakeholders. Mabbott said that, as written, the bill wouldn’t affect the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Man- agement Area (LUBGW- MA). However, that could change. SB 1154 would affect future designations, as well as impacting the implemen- tation of programs in the LUBGWMA. It also authorizes en- vironmental inspections, local advisory commit- tees and infrastructure sup- port—especially in rural zones—while restricting new development that the state says might worsen pollution. Supporters, including environmental groups and public health advocates like Oregon Rural Action, argue the bill is essential for pro- tecting communities where drinking water has become increasingly unsafe. “This is a public health crisis in slow motion,” said one supporter from the Oregon Environmental Council. However, the bill fac- es opposition from rural property rights advocates who warn it could give state agencies too much author- ity, including the ability to inspect private wells and septic systems. Critics also object to new limits on land-use decisions, calling them an overreach into local control. With that in mind, Mabbott crafted a letter for the BOC’s approval, which outlined several concerns Morrow County had with the bill as drafted. Among those concerns were funding sources, need for dedicated staff, worries over the exclusion of the Department of Land Con- servation and Development (DLCD) in the process, se- vere restrictions on feedlots of any size, and metering on wells. Top of mind was the desire for more local input, which the original bill didn’t stress enough, Mabbott said. “We’ve all seen over the past few years how state agencies, and even federal agencies…get really involved in policy making and rules without any direct input of local government,” said Mabbott. The Morrow Coun- ty BOC agreed with the concerns and unanimously approved the letter as a response to the bill. The Port of Morrow has so far remained neutral on the bill. SB 1154 originated as a 100-page document. After a public hearing June 19 and a work session June 23, it has emerged as a 44-page document. Some of the concerns put forward by Morrow County and other critics seem to have been ad- dressed, such as the inclu- sion of the DLCD, while others seem to have been overlooked. SB 1154 left the House Committee on Rules Mon- day with a recommendation to pass and was scheduled for further House hearings earlier this week. Mueller named to George Fox University dean’s list Leah Mueller of Irri- gon was among those who earned dean’s list recog- nition at George Fox Uni- versity for the spring 2025 semester. Traditional undergrad- uate students must earn a 3.5 grade point average or above on 12 or more hours of graded work to earn a spot on the dean’s list. Mueller is a sophomore majoring in biology. George Fox University is a Christian college classi- fied by U.S. News & World Report as a “Best National University.” More than 4,000 stu- dents attend classes at George Fox, which offers more than 60 undergraduate academic programs, accel- erated online degree pro- grams for working adults, six seminary degrees and 15 master’s and doctoral degrees. Holly Rebekahs plan picnic and bingo this Sunday Are you ready for a picnic? In conjunction with it monthly Bingo, Holly Rebekah Lodge will be serving a picnic lunch on June 29 starting at 3 p.m. For only $5, they will be serving a hot dog, baked beans, potato chips, and a Dixie cup. Following lunch, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Bingo will commence. For another $5, a person may purchase a packet of Bingo cards good for 15 games. People of all ages are welcome to come to one or both events. Come and enjoy the fun and food, and just maybe you will go home with a prize. WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription not provided it as of now. In response to a public records request asking for salary amounts, MCHD responded that the request was received, and records are being prepared. While there is no doubt the request will be filled, it had not been as of press time Tuesday. Both women’s separa- tion agreements have been made public, and the Ga- zette-Times obtained copies through a public records request with MCHD. Roberts’s package in- cluded 12 months’ worth of her current salary, including any scheduled salary in- crease, to be paid bi-weekly over a 12-month period with the option for Roberts to accelerate the payout for a lump sum of the remain- ing severance amount at any time and for any reason. Additional compen- sation included employee benefits for the 12-month term regardless of whether the acceleration was used— five percent contribution to Roberts’s 401a retirement plan, Tri-County Ambu- lance Association member- ship, LifeFlight member- ship, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long term disability insur- ance, and medical, dental and vision insurance ben- efits at no cost to Roberts. She is also to receive the balance of any hourly wage accrued through the last day of employment and unused vacation time accrued through the last day of employment, though vacation and sick leave do not accrue after her employ- ment ends. Mahoney’s package was similar, but she re- ceives 18 months of to- tal compensation for her Chief Operating Officer salary along with Chief Financial Officer supple- mental compensation, to be paid bi-weekly over an 18-month period. Mahoney also has the option to accel- Mahoney also received a performance bonus of $50,000 for her 28 years of service, wages and un- used vacation time accrued through her resignation date of June 13, 2025, and 18 months of employee ben- efits, regardless of whether the acceleration option is exercised. Benefits include employer retirement contri- butions and family medical, dental and vision insur- ance. As with Roberts’s agreement, vacation and sick leave do not continue to accrue after Mahoney’s resignation. An extra detail in Ma- honey’s separation package includes a nine percent yearly compounded interest rate to be applied if MCHD stops severance payments without Mahoney’s con- sent. However, with all these or benefits, as these depend on the employee’s cur- rent salary, any scheduled increase, hours worked, accrued time and benefit costs. Since the severance agreements obtained by the Heppner Gazette did not specify a total amount, the Heppner Gazette cannot verify either Wimer’s claim or Roberts’s and Mahoney’s assertion that the amount is inaccurate. YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! Submit Ads heppner.net Call 541-676-9228 Email graphics@rapidserve.net We also offer design and printing services Heppner Gazette-Times Sykes Printing Spot On Septic – Reliable, Fast & Affordable! Keep Your System Running Spot On! DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM service@spotonseptic.com 310 S Main St. Stanfield OR 97875 Serving Morrow County! Septic Pumping, Maintenance, Inspections & Repairs for Residential & Commercial 541-567-1015 PUBLIC NOTICE Town of Lexington Burn Ban The Fire Chief of the Town of Lexington is imposing a closed season for the Town of Lexington for open burning effective Monday, June 16, 2025, until further notice. The ban includes all burning barrels and open burning. Home of the Lexington Jack Rabbits!
