COMMUNITY
A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017
City issues call to action on
downtown revitalization
Anyone interested in
taking action to help revi-
talize Hermiston’s down-
town is invited to a meeting
on Feb. 28.
The meeting, planned
for 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the
Eastern Oregon Trade and
Event Center (1705 East
Airport Road in Herm-
iston), will be to discuss
needs for downtown and
will end with participants
breaking into action groups
to tackle specific needs.
Presenters will include
Sheri Stuart, Oregon Main
Street coordinator; Emma
Porricolo,
Hermiston’s
Main Street program coor-
dinator and Mark Morgan,
assistant city manager.
Porricolo has been inter-
viewing downtown stake-
holders, including business
owners and property own-
ers, and has identified five
major themes: a need for
more retail and restaurants,
a need for more downtown
events, a perceived lack of
parking, needed building
upgrades/upkeep and beau-
tification.
The second hour of the
meeting will consist of
breaking into task forces
with the goal of recruiting
and establishing groups
that will create action plans
for tackling the issues listed
above.
“This meeting will be
both informational, and
action-oriented” Porricolo
said in a news release. “Ev-
eryone who is interested in
seeing a vibrant downtown
is invited to come learn
what the priorities of down-
town stakeholders are, and
seize on an opportunity to
volunteer on one of these
committees and capitalize
on the momentum that is
building downtown.”
HERMISTON HISTORY
25 YEARS AGO
FEBRUARY 4, 1992
Community growth and
available water are inter-
twined in Hermiston and
the city is preparing to tap
into new sources for im-
proving the water system
and encouraging economic
development.
A work session of the
Hermiston City Council
gave leaders a new outlook
on both issues and a re-
newed optimism.
City manager Ed Brook-
shier gave council mem-
bers their first glimpse at a
revised plan for improving
the city’s water supply and
distribution system.
The plan calls for an
eight percent increase in
water and sewer rates in
each of the next three bud-
get years. The first increase
will be seen in July.
The average resident’s
water and sewer bill will
go up $2.52 per month in
July, from approximately
$32 per month at the cur-
rent rate.
The rate increase is the
first since 1984. The utility
increase is being proposed
to finance improvements to
the city’s water distribution
system. Funds from the in-
crease will be placed in re-
serve for that purpose.
“If we reach the point
that we can not supply ad-
ditional water we are af-
fecting not only our ability
to attract new industry and
jobs to the community, but
even the plans of our ex-
isting businesses, housing
production and the housing
market in general,” Brook-
shier said.
•••
The Hermiston High
School boys’ swim team re-
mains unbeaten. The boys
rolled up 114 points Sat-
urday to easily outdistance
Pendleton (75), The Dalles
(69) and LaGrande (49) in
a four-way meet at EOSC.
Senior Dan Henderson
(200 and 100-meter free-
style) and sophomore Toby
Wilcox (50 freestyle and
100 butterfly) were double
winners for the Hermiston
boys.
Rob Bauer won the 100
breaststroke for HHS boys.
50 YEARS AGO
FEBRUARY 2, 1967
Frank Harkenrider was
elected president of the city
council at last Wednesday
evening’s meeting. Only
other nominee was Coun-
cilman Lawrence Gray.
As president of the coun-
cil he will preside during
council sessions in the ab-
sence of the mayor and serve
as acting mayor if Walter
Pearson is out of town. This
is Harkenrider’s second term
as council president.
•••
State police of the Herm-
iston detachment reported
that an Irrigon young man
had accidentally shot him-
self in the leg with a .44
caliber rifle at Boardman.
State Police who in-
vestigated said that Morris
UPS Center Manager
When did you come to the area and what
brought you here?
I was born in Hermiston. Went to 16 elementary
schools across the U.S., then we settled in Bellev-
ue, Washington, where I completed junior and senior
high school. In 1989 I returned and started my ca-
reer with UPS as a truck driver and spent the last 10
years as the manager of six UPS centers in Eastern
Oregon.
What is your favorite activity in your free
time?
Playing music in Blue Tattoo and RAIL. Last year
Blue Tattoo played with Lover Boy, Vince Neil, Ratt,
Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, Skid Row, Autograph,
Great White and others. RAIL did 46 cities on the
1980 U.S. tour with Van Halen. Had three videos on
MTV and still perform nationally with acts like Ted
Nugent, Boston, Heart, BOC, Foreigner, Three Dog
Night, Kansas, The Guess Who, Beach Boys, Blue
Oyster Cult and many others.
EO FILE PHOTO
The new Westland Bridge across the Umatilla River was near completion in early 1967. The
bridge cost $110,635 and cost was shared by the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, the Oregon
State Highway Department and Umatilla County.
Thomas Thompson, 22, had
accidentally shot himself in
the leg while in a car in the
Riverside high school park-
ing lot at 8:45 p.m. Saturday
during the Riverside-Stan-
field basketball game. He
was taken to Umatilla hos-
pital, where he remained
through Tuesday. His con-
dition was reported as good.
•••
In a game played at Echo
Saturday, Umatilla defeated
the Cougars 60-44. The win
placed the Vikings second
in Umatilla-Morrow stand-
ings at 8-3. Lonnie Buck
and Steve Eldridge, with 17
points each, were high for
the Vikings. Joe Rosenberg
with 20 points led the Cou-
gars. Umatilla Junior Varsi-
ty won over Echo JV 51-47
in overtime.
75 YEARS AGO
FEBRUARY 5, 1942
The Hermiston Commer-
cial Club committees have
been appointed for the new
year and new activities will
be launched. Following a
hectic year of boom busi-
ness, Hermiston merchants
and businessmen are again
fronted with the need of new
endeavors and enterprises.
Just what the new year
will bring in the way of
activities here can not be
determined as yet but the
Commercial Club members
are determined to be better
prepared should another
“boom” appear on the hori-
zon. The year 1941 brought
much new business but also
some brand new lessons in
merchandising and public
service.
A short program for
1942 will be outlined at the
meeting Tuesday and it is
urged that as many as pos-
sible attend. New business-
men and women are espe-
cially invited to make their
acquaintance with fellow
workers in the city.
•••
All Red Cross sewing,
finished or otherwise, must
be turned in at once, accord-
ing to word received from
the county sewing chair-
man, Mrs. C.E. Lemons of
Pendleton. It is urged that
as many articles as possible
be completed and returned
to the U.S.O. Building this
week.
The new quota will be
distributed soon.
•••
Hermiston will meet the
strong Parkdale quintet on
the local floor Friday night.
Although little is known of
the actual strength of the
visitors, it is known that
they have put up a good
showing in their district.
This will be the final game
prior to the district playoff.
100 YEARS AGO
FEBRUARY 3, 1917
By an almost three to
one vote, property owners
of the Westland Irrigation
District last Saturday de-
cided on its formation and
elected a board of directors.
There were 33 votes for the
district and but 13 against.
The directors elected were
J.M. Prindle. C.R. Roberts,
J.W. Messner, O.D. Teel
and J.H. Strohm, with G.W.
Rugg as treasurer. Tuesday
the county court formally
signed the order creating
the district after canvassing
the vote earlier.
The organization pro-
poses to take water out
of the Umatilla River just
below the Furnish dam, si-
phon it across at the Bond
Bros. Ranch and convey it
by canal several miles to
the mouth of Alkali Canyon
where the proposed reser-
voir will be built. Plan calls
for an expenditure of some-
thing like $200,000. The
project now has splendid
water rights covering winter
and spring irrigation, but the
river is dry before the sea-
son is through and settlers
cannot get the full benefits
from their land. The res-
ervoir will store sufficient
water to supply all the lands
under the Westland district
for the remainder of the sea-
son after the regular flow of
the river is down.
The land under the new
district is some of the best
and lays easiest to prepare
that there is to be found in
the Columbia River irriga-
tion belt. The completion
of the reservoir will mean
almost 50 per cent greater
crops to the settlers and will
also bring new people.
•••
The Irrigon Commer-
cial club is doing nicely
for an organization only
a few weeks old, having
now a membership of thir-
ty. Thanks to our Hermis-
ton friends whose efforts
have so greatly aided us in
beginning to do our share
relative to the Columbia
highway route up the river
to Umatilla and thence to
Pendleton. A set of resolu-
tions were sent to Salem the
first of last week and this
club will do all in its power
to get the highway where it
should be.
541-567-4063
405 N. 1st St., Suite #107,
Hermiston
Forrest Cahill,
HAS
541-215-1888
246 SW Dorion, Pendleton
What’s the last book you read? Would you rec-
ommend it?
“The Speed of Trust” by Stephen Covey. If you are
interested in how leadership challenges need to cul-
tivate and leverage trust, it is a must-read.
What app or website do you use most, besides
Facebook or email?
I find myself using the Google voice app for almost
everything. “OK Google call ...” or “OK Google find
....” the voice command feature is very user friendly.
What surprises you about Hermiston?
I was surprised to meet Terri, my wife of 20 years, in
Hermiston and have four great kids. When I moved
back to Hermiston I was not expecting to be so lucky.
Describe your perfect travel destination.
San Juan, Puerto Rico. Not only did we get to per-
form at Roberto Clementi Stadium with Rick Derrin-
ger, Pat Travers, and the Romantics but we spent two
weeks in the warm waters and white sands of the San
Juan. Love the Caribbean, my favorite place to go.
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened
to you?
When RAIL won the MTV basement tapes. In 1983
MTV had a best band video contest for $100,000 and
an EMI record contact. 2,200 bands from London to
Tokyo entered the six month contest and RAIL was
voted #1 winning the contest. Along with $100,000
we recorded an album in LA with Night Ranger’s
producer.
What is one of your goals for the next 12
months?
Retiring from UPS this year. Getting more involved
with real estate. Spending more time with my family,
and performing as many shows as Blue Tattoo and
RAIL (and another new band called KTF) can set up.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My family, all of them, however I am not sure I would
call that an accomplishment.
TOOTH WISDOM
Whether you have your own teeth or dentures, this class
will help improve oral health and increase your knowledge
about its importance to health and well-being. FREE!
Includes goodie bag
Attend one of these classes:
Feb. 7, 14, 21 or 28 • 10-11am
GS Medical Office Plaza - Meeting room 2
Contact Facilitator Helena Wolfe at 541-561-5443
DIABETES LIVING WELL
OREGON
Learn more about your diabetes, its effect on your mind
and body, and ways to better manage it.
6 weekly classes
HUNTERS
Starting Feb. 2 • 3-5pm
ASSOCIATION
GSMC Conference Center 7
Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509
HUNTER’S RIGHTS • HUNTABLE WILDLIFE • HABITAT
Banquet, Raffl e & Auction Featuring
An All State ELK Tag Sponsored by
the Access and Habitat Program
February 11th • 5:00 pm
at the Pendleton Convention Center
Raffl e & Auction Items including a D&B
Treasure Chest & M2D Properties Youth Hunt
To Register Call Rebecca 541-379-1074
or Terry 541-231-4384
MONEY RAISED BY OUR BANQUET
STAYS IN OREGON!
Columbia Basin Chapter supported the
following events and many others:
Ric Jones,
BC-HIS
KELLY NOBLES
What is your favorite local place to eat?
I love Stockman’s Steakhouse. Best food in town,
love Chuck and Karen. Oh yes, they have the best
bartender around.
When they say “It’s cold out!”
and you say “Don
“Don’t Shout?”
Verna Taylor,
HAS
THREE MINUTES WITH ...
• Youth Bow Hunt
• Coyote Predation Management
• OHA/ODFW Pheasant Hunt
and Skeet Shoot
HEART-TO-HEART
Join us for this FREE class about heart health. Bring your
lunch and questions to learn simple changes that lead to a
heart healthy life
Feb. 15 • 11am-1pm
45 minute presentation, repeated
GS Conference Center 2
HEALTHY FRIDAYS
FREE health screenings & health coaching:
Blood pressure checks, weigh-ins, body
mass index, cholesterol and glucose.
First Friday of every month
8am-11am
GSMC Conference Center 7 (by Education Dept)
Information or to register
call (541) 667-3509
or email
healthinfo@gshealth.org
www.gshealth.org