A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
City loans chamber employee
in exchange for training
By JADE McDOWELL
Staff Writer
The city of Hermiston
has loaned the Greater
Hermiston Area Chamber
of Commerce one of its
employees in exchange
for training on how to run
the Hermiston Conference
Center.
The
City
Council
amended its contract with
the chamber Monday, cre-
ating a transition to when
the city’s parks and rec-
reation department takes
over management of the
center from the chamber
on Jan. 1, 2018.
The chamber’s own
conference center facilita-
tor recently resigned, and
the chamber’s executive
board and city staff came
to an agreement that for
the rest of 2017 a parks
and recreation employ-
ee will fill the position.
The city will not reduce
the amount of money it
is paying the chamber
to run the center, how-
ever, in recognition of
the valuable training that
employee will receive on
facilitating events in the
building.
The staffing move was
one of several discussed
during a work session be-
fore the council’s regular
meeting Monday. Byron
Smith, city manager, said
as the city has grown
and circumstances have
changed, the city has be-
come overdue for some
restructuring.
Some of those chang-
es will involve new titles
and duties (and corre-
spondingly, salary levels),
so Smith said he wanted
to run them by the coun-
cil before including them
in the upcoming 2017-18
budget.
The changes will add
about $50,000 per year
in salary costs, but Smith
said the city is netting
about $25,000 per year af-
ter a recent change to U.S.
Bank helped increase in-
terest earnings and reduce
fees. He said the city will
also save about $85,000
more per year thanks to
a decision to outsource
utility bill mailings to a
national company.
“Mixing that with the
new (remote-read) water
meters we’re installing,
that’s really going to free
up staff to take on some
other roles,” he said.
Smith said the city
doesn’t really have one
dedicated person to han-
dle human resources, and
so he would like to re-
classify one of the city’s
customer service repre-
sentatives as a human re-
source specialist after she
goes through the needed
training.
City finance director
Amy Palmer’s title would
change to administrative
services director and she
would take on some new
duties such as supervision
of the human resources
position. Palmer was pre-
viously the city recorder as
well, but that duty would
be transferred to the city’s
executive assistant, Lilly
Alarcon-Strong.
The city’s current part-
time accounting techni-
cian who spends .25 FTE
on city duties and .25 FTE
on the Eastern Oregon
Trade and Event Cen-
ter would be bumped up
to a full-time employee
spending half of her time
as an administrative assis-
tant for public works.
“If it makes us more
efficient, and it’s not go-
ing to cost us significantly
more money, then our job
is to set policy and yours
is to steer the ship,” May-
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017
COMMUNITY
or David Drotzmann told
Smith after council mem-
bers said they trusted the
suggestions.
On Monday during
their regular meeting, the
council approved chang-
es in parking downtown.
The city has already be-
gun restriping parking on
Gladys Avenue in front of
the Hermiston Public Li-
brary to change from par-
allel parking to diagonal,
which will add four more
spaces.
On Monday the coun-
cil agreed to also switch
to diagonal parking on
the east side of Southeast
Second Street between
Main Street and Hurlburt
Avenue, netting two extra
spaces. That will eventu-
ally match the diagonal
parking planned for the
eastern side city’s new
festival street between
Main and Gladys.
Morgan said business
owners along Second
Street were excited for the
diagonal parking, which
will create extra spots, be
more welcoming to peo-
ple who don’t like parallel
parking and reduce ineffi-
ciencies from long vehi-
cles hanging over into the
next spot.
The city had sent out
legal notice of a discus-
sion to expand Herm-
iston’s enterprise zone,
which gives certain types
of companies a proper-
ty tax break for capital
construction projects that
bring new jobs to the city,
but the council tabled
that discussion until June
12 because Smith said
the city is still negotiat-
ing with the company in
question.
Contact Jade Mc-
Dowell at jmcdowell@
eastoregonian.com or
541-564-4536.
IN BRIEF
Youth performers stage SAGE Saturday includes
flower pot craft
fairy tale spin-off
After months of prepara-
tion, the Hermiston Parks &
Recreation drama class will
stage “The Poisoned Apple.”
Described as a spin-off
from the Brothers Grimm
fairy tale, “Show White,” di-
rector Jenny Walker said au-
dience members of all ages
should enjoy the production.
In addition, it’s a great oppor-
tunity to applaud the efforts of
the youths who are perform-
ing.
The performances are
Thursday and Friday at 6:30
p.m. at Armand Larive Middle
School, 1497 S.W. Ninth St.,
Hermiston. Admission is $3 at
the door or $2, if pre-ordered.
For more information or to
order a ticket, call 541-667-
5018 or stop by the recreation
office, 180 N.E. Second St.,
Hermiston.
Fitness center offers
free jazzercise classes
Free exercise classes are
continuing through the month
of May at Higher Power Fit-
ness.
The jazzercise sessions
provide a fun way to get fit,
increase confidence and make
new friends. The free classes
are available to new custom-
ers who haven’t attended in
more than six months.
The free classes, which
offer various intensity levels,
are provided at 2120 N. First
St., Hermiston. The times in-
clude:
• Mondays: 9 a.m., 4:15
p.m., 5:15 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m.,
4:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m.,
6:30 p.m.
• Thursdays: 4:15 p.m.,
5:15 p.m.
• Fridays: 9 a.m.
• Saturdays: 8:30 a.m.
For more information, vis-
it www.jazzercise.com or call
Bridget Shultz at 503-347-
5021.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Chamber supports
school bond
The Greater Hermiston
Chamber of Commerce
board of directors supports
the efforts of the Hermiston
School District Bond that
will be on your May 2017
ballot.
In most communities,
even when education is a
priority, the older facilities
where learning takes place
often do not get visited by
the general public to see
how inadequate the rooms
are. Some class rooms are so
small you can barely walk
between the desks, some of
the rooms have very ineffi-
cient air conditioning and
heating systems; age plays
a major factor in all those
conditions. While a quality
education does not require
flashy facilities, it cannot be
accomplished in a building
that suffers from age, safe-
ty and deficiencies. That
means the cost of maintain-
ing these buildings is also
high. New facilities are de-
signed to use energy wisely
and create a safe place for
our children to learn.
Business and industry
are attracted to locations
where there are quality
schools. Schools also will
create a well-qualified
workforce and a higher
standard of living. Busi-
nesses benefit because more
events bring more people to
town to shop, eat and utilize
services here in Hermiston.
When businesses, corpora-
tions or employee recruits
are seeking information
about Hermiston, schools
and what they offer are typ-
ically at the top of the list
for inquiries, which leads to
visits and tours of the facil-
ities.
Local residents reap the
benefits of increased prop-
erty values. Building the
new schools reflects how
we feel about our commu-
nity. New facilities will
provide more venues for
adult and youth events and
add to our economy.
Communities experience
economic growth, lower
crime rates, increased par-
ticipation,
volunteerism,
and charitable giving. Our
local schools should be a
source of pride, a symbol
of our community’s deter-
mination to ensure a better
future for everyone who
lives here. We have a lot to
be proud of and in order to
continue to grow and pro-
vide for the needs of our stu-
dents, we must think about
building and expanding
to adequately provide the
classroom space needed.
DEBBIE PEDRO
HERMISTON, GREATER HERM-
ISTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Editor’s note: Election
Day is May 16. Then next
issue of the Hermiston Her-
ald will not be published
until Wednesday, May 17,
so we can no longer accept
election-related letters to
the editor or guest commen-
taries about the election for
publication in print. If we
receive letters between now
and Tuesday, May 16, we
may be able to post those
online to our website if staff
duties permit.
LUNCH AND LEARN:
• $104 millon bond will yield $187
million over 10 years to Hermiston’s
economy
DROP YOUR BALLOTS OFF AT
HERMISTON CITY HALL BY 8PM,
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2017
STEPS TO SUCCESS
f
A YES VOTE is less than $0.90 per thousand assessed value.
$175,000 home = $157.50 a year. Less than $14.00 a month.
Paid for by Vote Yes for Kids PAC 1000 S. Hwy. 395, Ste. A, #146 • Hermiston, OR 97838
The Irrigon Chamber of
Commerce has opportunities
for people to serve.
Due to the recent move
of a board member, there is
a vacancy on the board of
directors. The position is a
one-year term with a com-
mitment of about two hours
per month.
In addition, with the travel
season starting, the visitor’s
center is seeking volunteers.
People are needed to work at
least one four-hour shift per
month. The visitor’s center
is open Friday through Mon-
days.
For more information,
contact Laurrie Blackman
at
irrigonchamber@irri-
gonchamber.com or Phyl-
lis Danielson at 541-922-
3857.
WORSHIP
COMMUNITY
The Full Gospel Home Church
235 SW 3rd • Phone 567-7678
Rev. Ed Baker - Rev. Nina Baker
Sunday:
Sunday School........10:00 am
Worship...................11:00 am
Evening Service........7:00 pm
Wednesday Service..7:00 pm
“Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you.”
1 Pet. 5:7
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Family service 9am Sunday
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
First United
Methodist
Church
Hermiston
191 E. Gladys Ave , Hermiston OR
Wednesday, May 17 • 12:00-12:30pm
Sunday Worship 11am • 541-567-3002
Nursery available Check us out on Face Book
POWERFUL TOOLS FOR THE
CAREGIVER:
Worship Livestream at herfumc.com
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
Learn how to reduce stress and relax, communicate effectively,
reduce guilt and anger, make tough decisions, set
goals and problem solve. FREE.
Seventh-day
Adventist Church
Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509
DIABETES LIVING WELL:
BETTER CHOICES, BETTER HEALTH
Do you want to know more about your diabetes and learn ways to
better manage it? This class will assist you with learning about
diabetes and its effect on your mind and body.
6 weekly classes
Starting May 17 • 3-5pm
Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509
SCREEN-FREE WEEK
Rediscover the joys of life beyond the screen! Plan to unplug
from digital entertainment and spend all that free time playing,
daydreaming, creating, exploring and connecting with family and
friends!
Bike ride/walk, garden planting event:
Good Shepherd
Thursday, May 11 • 6pm
registration starts at 5:30
For additional info, call 541-667-3509
yesforkidshermiston.com
yesforhermistonschoolbond
With more than 23 years
of experience, Specks Copy
& Print Center is now offer-
ing services in Hermiston.
The business specializes in
commercial printing and of-
fers a full service copy center.
Customers can email docu-
ments for convenient pick-up.
Specks is open Monday
through Fridays from 7 a.m.
to 7 p.m. and Sundays from
Bring your lunch and learn about the importance of how a walking
routine can improve your health. FREE.
Tuesdays • 6:00 - 8:00pm
May 16 through June 20
• Currently $5.7 million a year in third
party economic spending due to
improved facilities
Specks offers full
service copy center
Irrigon chamber
seeks board member,
volunteers
First Christian
Church
“Proclaiming the Message of
Hope, Living the Gospel of Love”
Bible School: 9:15am
Worship Gathering: 10:30am
567-3013
775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston
1255 Hwy. 395 S. • 567-5834
oasisvineyard.us
Worship 10:00 AM
“come as you are”
6 weekly classes
HERMISTON
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Children and their parents
are invited to free admission
and activities during SAGE
Saturday.
This month’s special activ-
ity includes making a spring
flower pot. It’s a perfect gift
idea for kids to give to their
moms for Mother’s Day.
The event is Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
SAGE Center, 101 Olson
Road, Boardman. For more
information, call 541-481-
7243 or visit www.visitsage.
com.
1-4 p.m. It’s located in the
Hillcrest Plaza, at 80866 N.
Highway 395, Hermiston.
For more information, contact
541-922-3222 or specks@
specksprinting.com.
Information or to register
call (541) 667-3509
or email
healthinfo@gshealth.org
www.gshealth.org
Saturdays
Sabbath School........9:30 a.m.
Worship Service......11:00 a.m.
English & Spanish Services
567-8241
855 W. Highland • Hermiston
Our Lady of Angels
Catholic Church
565 W. HERMISTON AVE.
DAILY MASS: Monday-Friday
...............................English 7:00 am
Thursday...............Spanish 6:00 pm
SATURDAY:.........English 5:00 pm
...............................Spanish 7:00 pm
SUNDAY:..............English 9:00 am
..........................Bilingual 11:00 am
..............................Spanish 1:00 pm
Offi ce..............................567-5812
Echo
Community Church
21 N. Bonanza Street, Echo OR
Phone: (541) 376-8108
Sunday School • 9:30am
Worship • 10:45am
Children’s Church • 11:15am
Potluck & Communion ~
First Sunday of the Month
LANDMARK BAPTIST
CHURCH
125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232
Pastor David Dever
Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am
Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am
Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm
Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm
www.hermistonlmbc.com
NEW BEGINNINGS
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Worship Service 10:30 AM
Sunday School 9:00 AM
Pastor J.C. Barnett
Children’s Church &
Nursery Available
700 West Orchard Avenue
P.O. Box 933
Hermiston, Oregon
541-567-8441
Grace Baptist Church
555 SW 11th, Hermiston
567-9497
Nursery provided for all services
Sunday School - 9:30 AM
Worship - 10:45 AM
6:00 PM
Wed Prayer & Worship - 7:00 PM
“Proclaiming God’s word,
growing in God’s grace”
To share your
worship times
call
Terri Briggs
541-278-2678
