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!
Crestor TM
870.10
$
Typical US Brand Price
for 40mg x 100
Our Price
Rosuvastatin *
$
141
Generic equivalent of Crestor TM
Generic price for for 40mg x 100
You can save up to 97% when you fi ll your prescriptions with our Canadian
and International prescription service.
Get An Extra $15 Off & Free Shipping On Your
1st Order!
Call the number below and save an additional $15 plus get free shipping on your fi rst prescription
order with Canada Drug Center. Expires June 30, 2017. Offer is valid for prescription orders only
and can not be used in conjunction with any other offers. Valid for new customers only. One time
use per household. Use code 15FREE to receive this special offer.
Call Now! 855-781-6462
www.canadadrug.us/oregon
Please note that we do not carry controlled substances and a valid prescription is required for all prescription medication orders.
Helping
1000’s Get
The Benefits
They
Deserve
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS For Over 35 Years!
Do You Qualgfy
For Dgsabglgty
%HQHˉWV"&DOO)RU
A FREE Evaluatgon
2
Assgstgng Wgth:
- Ingtgal Applgcatgons
'HQLHG&ODLPV
- Heargngs
3
:H6LPSOLI\7KH
Process & Strgve
)RU4XLFN&ODLP
Approval.*
(855) 747-7830
Bill Gordon & Associates, a nationwide practice, represents clients before the Social Security AdministrationN Member of the TX & NM Bar
AssociationsN Mail: 1420 NW St Washington DNCN Office: Broward County, FLN Services may be provided by associated attorneys licensed in other
statesN * The process for determining each applicant’s disability benefits varies greatly, and can take upwards of two yearsN
powered by USTA PNW
complex at 525 S.W. 13th
An arrest warrant has Place, around 2:35 a.m.
been issued for Tyree Saturday, May 27.
Quaddray Houfmuse, a
Officers said at that
suspect in the killing of time they would like to
James Cragun in Hermis- speak to Houfmuse about
ton on May 27.
the incident. 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