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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2017)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017 EOTEC WILL RECRUIT GENERAL MANAGER STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Construction is underway on the rodeo arena at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. By JADE McDOWELL Staff Writer The Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center board will start recruiting a general man- ager after getting a consen- sus from the Hermiston City Council and Umatilla County Commission. The position will pay $70,000 to $85,000 per year and will supervise an admin- istrative assistant and mainte- nance/operations position. “We need to get good management,” commissioner Larry Givens said. “It’s got to be done, and we need to do it as soon as possible.” The council and commis- sion discussed the plan during a joint meeting Thursday night. The EOTEC board had previously asked the two part- ners in the project to approve a similar plan, but they asked for salary fi gures before they were willing to sign off on it. Byron Smith, EOTEC chair, said the Pendleton Con- vention Center’s new man- ager, Pat Beard, will make around $80,000. The manag- er for the TRAC facility in the Tri-Cities makes $84,000 to $113,000, while the Linn County Expo Center manag- er makes $71,000 to $90,000 per year. Smith said at $80,000 per year (plus $50,000 for the maintenance position and $40,000 for the administrative assistant) the city and council would each need to chip in $75,000 next year for opera- tions, compared with $45,000 this year. He said that’s based on a conservative estimate for revenue so it could end up be- ing less if, like this year, the center exceeded revenue pro- jections. Smith said those num- bers only included salary, not benefi ts, but EOTEC is not a PERS employer and does not offer health insurance so ben- efi t costs are low. City councilor John Kir- wan said he liked the idea of basing a part of the general manager’s salary on a com- mission or bonus system tied to how much revenue EO- TEC makes each year. Other councilors and commission- ers agreed. Smith said it would be tricky to fi nd the right formu- la between base salary and incentive, but it was some- thing the EOTEC board could come up with. Mayor David Drotzmann said he was concerned it would be diffi cult to recruit a quality manager without offering health insurance as a benefi t. Smith said he had already begun looking into if it was possible to add the manager to the city’s health insurance or fi nd another rea- sonable option. During the public com- ment section prior to Smith’s presentation, several neigh- bors testifi ed they were still seeing problems generated by EOTEC in their neighbor- hood. Richard Meisner ques- tioned the city’s decision to lease water rights from a Stanfi eld Irrigation customer and said he was concerned it would negatively affect neighbors’ ability to get the irrigation water they needed. Other neighbors brought up the thumping bass noise they said they can hear until mid- night during events, and that people often leave the event driving recklessly. “People coming from these facilities are drinking and driving, no doubt in my mind,” Chris Waine said. Commissioner Bill Elf- ering said he would discuss the need for extra patrols af- ter events with Sheriff Terry Rowan, who was present at the meeting, and EOTEC business manager Heather Cannell said she would begin sending event information to the sheriff’s offi ce so they would know when large par- ties were fi nishing up at EO- TEC. The meeting ended with a tour of the fair and rodeo grounds, which are nearing the home stretch of construc- tion with a goal of being com- pleted in July. Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4536. Police still looking for suspect in recent fatal shooting Hermiston Herald a weapon against anoth- er, criminal mischief and unlawful possession of a firearm. Gomolski to join school board By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN Staff writer Come July 1, the Hermis- ton School Board will have one new face. Mark Gomolski won his write-in campaign to the vacant seat with 14 votes, and will join six other board members as they prepare for a year of big decisions. Gomolski said he be- came interested in the posi- tion after attending several sessions this spring about the bond issue, and coming away with more questions than answers. “When I got my ballot, I noticed position 3 was va- cant. I thought, maybe I can help out, fi gure out what’s really going on,” he said. Gomolski said he wants to support schools in any way he can, but did not vote in favor of the bond. “I’m very pro-educa- tion,” he said. “But I want to make sure the money is go- ing to the right place.” He said one of his con- cerns was when the district discussed the increased ca- pacity new schools would provide. Each of the exist- ing schools the district had planned to rebuild were scheduled to be increased by a certain capacity, but Gomolski said he was in- terested in fi nding out why the district wanted to build new buildings for existing schools, rather than building a larger school on the new Theater Lane property. He also said he was con- cerned about maintenance issues at the school. “I understand Mil- ton-Freewater just got a new bond to replace a school close to 100 years old,” he said. “Why is maintenance not keeping up with schools only 30 to 50 years old?” He said he was aware that there were likely other STAFF PHOTO BY JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN Mark Gomolski won the write-in campaign for Hermiston School Board position 3. He will assume the role July 1. factors, but said more than anything else, he’d just like to fi nd out some answers. “I’m sure I’m not alone,” he said. “Maybe I can fi nd out and share.” He said while on the board, he also looks for- ward to learning more about Hermiston’s graduation rates, and the alternative school program that was re- cently absorbed into the high school. He said he also wants to discuss more career-based classes for students. “A lot of students may not be looking for higher education, but maybe vo- cational schools. There’s a need for trades across the country, and even here.” He noted the student-built homes on Angus Court. “Those are great opportu- nities for kids,” he said. Though this is Gomols- ki’s fi rst time holding elect- ed offi ce, he has worked in public service for many years. He moved to Herm- iston three years ago, after spending most of his life in Chicago. He worked under the Cook County commis- sioners and found himself in Hermiston in 2008, when he was part of a team seeking candidates for their police force. Several offi cers from Hermiston applied, and Go- molski came out to inter- view them. While here, he made friends and fell in love with the area. “When it came time to plan my retirement, this was where I wanted to come,” he said. He has wasted no time in getting involved locally. He volunteers at a book club at the high school, and for the Our Lady of Angels soup kitchen. He’s a member of Rotary, Hispanic Advisory Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and the Knights of Columbus. He also ran for city council last year, a bid he lost. But he said he’s open to trying again. “I believe in citizen par- ticipation,” he said. Gomolski said he looks forward to working with the board, and anyone else in the public. “I look forward to doing all I can to help,” he said. “Maybe bringing fresh ideas or a different perspective.” –—— Contact Jayati Ra- makrishnan at 541-564- 4534 or jramakrishnan@ hermistonherald.com MORE HD CHANNELS FASTER INTERNET AND UNLIMITED PHONE. Printed on recycled newsprint CALL TODAY AND PAY LESS 800-718-0153 • Speeds up to 100Mbps • Unlimited data – no data caps BEST INTERNET OFFER AS LOW AS VOLUME 111 ● NUMBER 21 34 99 $ /per mo. for 12 mos Gary L. West | Editor • gwest@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4532 FREE ACCESS TO WiFi HOTSPOTS * Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4539 The MOST HD | SUPERFAST Internet | SUPERIOR Voice Jayati Ramakrishnan | Reporter • jramakrishnan@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4534 Jade McDowell | Reporter • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536 125+ CHANNELS UP TO 100MBPS UNLIMITED CALLING Triple Play Select $ TV, INTERNET AND PHONE from 89 99 /mo each for 12 mos when bundled* Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531 Shannon Paxton | Offi ce coordinator • spaxton@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4530 Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538 Are You Still Paying Too Much For Your Medications? Their Price Dawn Hendricks | Circulation District Manager • dhendricks@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4540 To contact the Hermiston Herald for news, advertising or subscription information: • call 541-567-6457 • e-mail info@hermistonherald.com • stop by our offi ces at 333 E. Main St. • visit us online at: hermistonherald.com The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN 8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838, (541) 567-6457. Denied Benefits? Unable To Work? Fighting For Your 1 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES Delivered by carrier and mail Wednesdays Inside Umatilla/Morrow counties .......... $42.65 Outside Umatilla/Morrow counties ....... $53.90 Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR. Postmaster, send address changes to Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838. Member of EO Media Group Copyright ©2017 We Can Help! 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Houfmuse The Hermiston Po- is African-American, lice Department on 6-foot-1, 200 to 240 Friday released a pounds and has sev- statement about the eral tattoos, includ- investigation. ing a large rose on “We wanted to the left side of his push out this in- neck. According to formation in hopes the statement, Houf- a member of the muse’s last known public either in our Houfmuse residence was Taco- area or in the Pacif- ma, Washington. ic Northwest would Houfmuse has assist by calling their been arrested for several local authorities if they other violent disputes in know the whereabouts Hermiston and Tri-Cities, of Mr. Houfmuse,” said most recently for a shoot- Hermiston Police Chief ing in November 2014 Jason Edmiston. “This outside a Kennewick bar investigation is still very that left another man par- active as an incredible alyzed. He was arrested in amount of physical ev- Hermiston shortly after, idence has been seized but a jury in 2015 deter- and will be processed by mined that he had acted in the Oregon State Police self-defense. crime lab.” In 2005, Houfmuse Edmiston said infor- pleaded not guilty to an mation about the physical attempted murder charge, evidence in the investi- in which he allegedly gation would not be dis- fired shots into a mov- closed. ing vehicle with three Houfmuse, 34, was people in it. No one was identified as a person injured, and the charge of interest after James of attempted murder was John Cragun, 38, was dismissed. But Houfmuse found dead from gun- was charged with menac- shot wounds at his home, ing, assault in the third Viewcrest Apartment degree, unlawful use of HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A3 LOCAL NEWS smash summer boredom No Host Celebration at Midway Bar & Grill Join us for a CELEBRATION OF LIFE for KEN MUNGER June 10, 2017 • Noon West Park • Umatilla, OR There will be a pig roast pot luck, please bring a side dish and desserts. We welcome you to share your favorite stories about Ken! 1750 N 1st, Hermiston Saturday, June 17 • 6PM - Close All Classes are Invited A class picture will be taken at 6:00 PM Motel specials available if reservations are made by June 2 Summer Tennis Camps introduce kids to tennis with fun, high-energy games at local parks all summer long! QUESTIONS? CALL: Bev (Reynolds) Galster 303-916-4958 Barbara (Bailey) Payne 541-969-9199 Janet (Mcgowan) Taylor 541-256-0648 Find us on Facebook rectennis.com/eo 20% OFF With promo code TENNIS20
