WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7
COMMENTARY/NEWS
process results
What makes Hermiston tick? ‘Random’
in jury duty, again
O
F
ne of the great
through the usual test —
experiences of my
designing their own front
professional career
page. We divided the 18
class members into teams
has been Leadership Herm-
of two and gave them all
iston, a chamber of com-
the stories we had at our
merce program intended to
fingertips the night before
give people a crash course
on what makes this commu- with the instruction to put
out the most impactful front
nity tick.
page they could come
Even as someone
up with.
who grew up here
The results are
and has worked at
always interesting.
the newspapers (both
Some go with the
Hermiston Herald
dramatic — arrests
and East Oregonian)
and sentences, car
since moving back
Daniel
chases and crashes
in 2005, there’s a
— while others go
lot happening that’s Watten-
with the positive —
easy to miss. By the burger
MANAGING
feel-good stories
time you’ve toured
EDITOR
of redemption,
the farms, factories,
awards and scholarships.
city hall, safety center, port
Sometimes they prefer
and schools, you have a
strong sense of the diversity stories of national
significance, other times
and potential in this area.
they opt for small, local
It’s also a joy to make
events.
connections in the class
Usually, it’s a
with people who have come
combination of all of the
to Hermiston from all over
and are interested in making above. And that’s what we
try to deliver.
it a better place.
If you’re reading this,
That’s why I’m always
you know what goes
glad when Media Day
into each edition of the
comes around and we at
Hermiston Herald. And
the Herald and EO get to
you’ve probably noticed
tell the class about what
some of the changes we’ve
we’re up to and why it’s
made in recent months.
important.
For one, we’ve
This year’s class visited
emphasized a front page
a few weeks back, and we
centerpiece with content
started by putting them
you can only find here.
In today’s paper, it’s a
developed follow-up to the
highly significant decision
by the city and county to
turn control of the Eastern
Oregon Trade and Event
Center over to the city. A
shorter, on-deadline version
of the story ran in Tuesday’s
East Oregonian, but we’ve
added context, quotes and
fresh photos to help explain
what happened and what
will happen next.
We’ve also used the
front page spot to explore
our new cuisine options in
Hermiston, tourism potential
in the city and celebrate the
high school football team’s
state championship (with
an accompanying five-
page spread of photos and
stories).
Also on the front page
we’ve added a By The
Way column, giving an
inside look at some of the
stories that are developing
or tidbits from around
town. We hear as much
scuttlebutt as you do, and
it’s a place where we can
address rumors, share kudos
and give a brief glimpse
at what’s in store in the
coming weeks and months.
We’ve also done away
with the funny page in
favor of a local photo page
toward the back of each
edition. While newspapers
traditionally carry at least
a handful of comics, and
we realize a good laugh is a
gift, we want to emphasize
local people and places as
much as possible.
We want the Hermiston
Herald to be a place of
shared experience for the
people of Hermiston and the
surrounding area. We want
to answer your questions,
understand your point of
view, attend your events
and write your stories. Each
Wednesday is our chance to
do that.
And we’re always up
for a helping hand. If you
have an idea for a story, a
great photo you’ve taken, a
piece of writing you’d like
to publish or even a comic
you’ve drawn, send it to
editor@hermistonherald.
com, call us at 541-567-
6457 or stop by the office at
333 E. Main St.
We’re proud to be your
community newspaper, and
want to hear from you on
what we can do to make it
even better.
———
Daniel Wattenburger
is the managing editor of
the East Oregonian and a
contributing editor for the
Hermiston Herald.
Choir students headed to Disneyland
By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN
STAFF WRITER
Some of Hermiston High
School’s choral students
will be taking a trip to Dis-
neyland this spring, but
they won’t just be enjoying
the rides and sunshine. The
group of 31 students will be
working with Disney pro-
duction teams and vocal
coaches, as well as touring a
major university and getting
some choir lessons.
The students will head
south the last week of March,
during their spring break.
Choir director Jordan
Bemrose-Rust said she has
done this specific trip five
times, either as a student or
instructor.
While in California,
WATER
continued from Page A1
As the city looked for bet-
ter solutions, Hermiston was
pioneering a reuse program
with West Irrigation District.
Water coming from Herm-
iston’s recycled water treat-
ment plant built in 2014 was
well within the state’s stan-
dards for cleanliness, but
was too warm to put in the
Umatilla River in the sum-
mer. So the city worked out
a deal with West Irrigation
District to pipe the water into
their canal during the grow-
ing season instead, allowing
the district to save money by
pumping less water from the
Columbia River.
“We’re really excited
about the project because it
was the first time it was done
the students will perform
onstage at Disneyland and
participate in a recording
session in a studio.
“They will get the music,
and they’ve never seen it
before,” she said. “They’ll
sight-read it, and then the
person there will rehearse
it with them. Then they’ll
record it, good, bad or ugly.”
Then, she said, the stu-
dents will get to hear their
music played back, over an
animated film.
They will visit Univer-
sity of Southern Califor-
nia, where they will receive
a clinic from the head of the
choral department.
She said some other musi-
cians who live in the area
will also come and speak to
the students.
in the state,” Hermiston city
manager Byron Smith said.
After getting approval
for the project from a laun-
dry list of state agencies,
Smith said he and West Irri-
gation District manager Bev
Bridgewater are now sitting
on a state committee work-
ing to write a set of regula-
tions for other communities
that want to follow suit.
Pelleberg said Umatilla
wants to do something sim-
ilar by diverting water com-
ing out of data centers to
West Irrigation District.
“We really like what
Hermiston is doing with
reuse,” he said.
Bridgewater said like the
Hermiston water, the Uma-
tilla water would likely be
used to replace Colum-
bia River water instead of
expanding the district’s acre-
STUDENT
OF THE
WEEK
SPENCER WELLS
Senior - McLoughlin High School
Spencer Wells is a Senior at Mac-Hi. Spencer
is part of our Mac-Hi Leadership and a 3 year
lettermen in football and wrestling. He is a
member of our Crimson and Black Honor
Choir and 2017 prom and homecoming
court. Spencer is active in his church youth
group as well as a Eagle Scout. His parents
are John and Amy Wells.
Proudly Sponsored By:
Dependable, Trustworthy, Successful. Attorneys serving Oregon since 1947
105 North Main Street, Milton-Freewater, Oregon 97862
Phone: 541-938-3377 | Fax: 541-938-6112
STAFF PHOTO BY JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN
Hermiston Choir students and their instructor, Jordan
Bemrose-Rust, accept a check from Tom Denchel and Nick
Kennedy, of Tom Denchel Ford. Back row, from left: Cody
Henderson, Denchel, Kennedy, Bemrose-Rust, Marco Lopez.
Front row: Destiny Van Fossen, Hailey Roberts, Crystal
Alvarez, William Kern, Madison Fricke.
age. But Pelleberg said he is
looking with city engineers
at property that could hold
massive open-air ponds to
hold recycled Class A water
created during the winter for
use during the summer, and
Bridgewater said that proj-
ect could possibly lead to
expanding the district’s acre-
age. The city needs to secure
funding first, however.
The discussion was one
of several presentations at
the Oregon Water Coali-
tion meeting, which was
combined with the Greater
Hermiston Area Chamber
of Commerce’s Business to
Business breakfast at Herm-
iston Agricultural Research
and Extension Center.
Miff Devlin, water qual-
ity supervisor at the Port of
Morrow, also spoke about a
three-phase recharge proj-
ect to dilute nitrogen from
the groundwater around the
port. JR Cook of Northeast
Oregon Water Association
spoke about an economic
impact study being devel-
oped for the Mid-Columbia
Basin and goals for future
water projects in the area.
The meeting was wrapped
up by a “water rights boot-
camp” by attorney Laura
Schroeder of Schroeder Law
Offices.
LIVING WELL WITH
CHRONIC CONDITIONS
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blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, depression,
or another long-term health condition? Make a step-
by-step plan to improve your health...and your life.
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person or both.
Call for upcoming dates & times
Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509
LUNCH & LEARN
Join us for these FREE, informative and popular
lunch & learn series covering various topics focusing
on healthy living. Bring your lunch and your
questions!
Call for specific times, dates & locations
12:00-1:00pm
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BABYSITTING BASICS 101
For babysitters ages 10-15. Learn childcare
techniques, children's developmental stages and
what to expect, basic first aid and infant and child
CPR. Choose any one of the following classes:
Saturdays,
February 3, April 7 or May 5
9:00am-3:00pm
$40, includes lunch & all class materials
Must pre-register & Pre-pay, call 541-667-3509
our out of six staff
process that’s random, that
seems odd — especially
writers in the news
when numerous people tell
department will
have the jury message line me they’ve never served.
on speed dial during the
It’s not so much that I
month of February.
mind serving — if I actu-
What are the odds?
ally got to sit in one of
With the random pro-
the 12 special seats. I’ve
cess for jury duty, it seems
only been ushered into the
the stars aligned in some
courtroom on two occa-
bizarre fashion for this to
sions for the actual jury
occur.
selection process.
I found out a
However, I’ve
few days after the
had to drag myself
new year that I was
out of bed on count-
being summoned as
less occasions and
a juror in the Uma-
chug a sufficient
tilla County Circuit
amount of Pepsi in
Court. My husband,
order to keep my
Tammy
John, came bound-
eyes
open — only to
Malgesini
ing up the stairs with INSIDE MY
show up and be told
an envelope in hand. SHOES
the jury trial wasn’t
I didn’t even
happening. When I
have to look at it. I knew.
whined about that on Face-
I’m not the only one
book, one of my old high
who doesn’t warmly
school buddies responded.
embrace performing this
“Thank you for your
civic duty. The Honor-
service! The jury system
able Thomas Balmer,
would not work without
chief justice of the Oregon you,” wrote Martin Alvey.
Supreme Court, acknowl-
As a trial lawyer, Mar-
edges this fact.
tin knows first-hand how
“I know that jury ser-
important the process is.
vice can be inconve-
And honestly, if I found
nient but it’s an important
myself in a courtroom, I
and essential part of our
would want people sit-
democracy,” he said in a
ting in the jury box who
“Juror Experience Video.” took their responsibility
I must say, actu-
seriously.
ally finding that video
In August 2013, Judge
was grounds for serv-
Dan Hill expressed his
ing the Umatilla & Mor-
gratitude for the jurors
row County Circuit Courts being there and being will-
with “contempt of inter-
ing to serve before excus-
net.” After clicking the
ing us. I appreciated that
link, I was greeted with
he took the time to come
the dreaded “404 Page Not in to address us rather than
Found” message.
sending in a clerk to con-
With persistence, I
vey the message.
finally found the video and
I truly do understand the
watched the nearly 19-min- importance of jury duty.
ute presentation. I’m not
In reality, it’s just a minor
sure how long ago it was
inconvenience. Consider-
created, but they may want
ing all the rights and free-
to consider updating it.
doms I have as a citizen of
Among those talking about this country, the least I can
the importance of jurors
do is be willing to perform
was Bernice Barnett, for-
this important civic duty.
mer Lincoln County district
———
attorney, who hasn’t been
Tammy Malgesini is the
in that role for more than a
community editor. Her col-
decade.
umn is Inside my Shoes.
My husband and I have Contact her at tmalge-
been summoned multiple
sini@eastoregonian.com
times over the years. For a or 541-564-4539.
PETE HERNBURG
Do you shudder at the mention of
math? Pete Hernberg is one of BMCC’s
soft spoken heroes ready and willing to
swoop in and save BMCC students’ day
by helping them venture through the
gauntlet of mandatory math classes to
get to their degree. Yes, you read that
right! He’s Superman with a scientifi c
calculator.
Pete teaches math and computer
science and two years ago, in response
to the community’s request for trained
data center technicians, he and our BMCC Offi ce of Instruction
put together the area’s only Data Center Technician Certifi cate
program. That program has placed 44 students into very well
paying local jobs in the only two years it has been available.
“I’ve been lucky to have my academic background in math
and computer science combine with my hobby of fi ddling
with computer stuff to give me lots of opportunities to teach
interesting classes… I love my students and my colleagues. I
enjoy getting to help folks every day.” Outside of working Pete
likes to read, cook and travel and he goes on to say “…but if I’m
honest I spend too much time watching Netfl ix and YouTube.”
We hear ya, Pete! Even Superman needs some guilty pleasures!
DEYANIRA MORALES
Deyanira Morales recientemente llegó
a la ciudad de Pendleton a establecer
el programa de español para la facultad
de Lenguas Extranjeras de Blue
Mountain Community College.
Originaria de una ciudad fronteriza de
Baja California, localizada en el norte de
México, realizó su formación académica
superior tanto en México como en Los
Estados Unidos, especializándose en
español y francés.
A lo largo de más de veinte años en
este país, ejerció su carrera catedrática en varias universidades
y colegios desde el sur de California, hasta el área de
Washington, D.C.
Dentro de los diversos sitios donde ella radicó y visitó, se
encuentran partes de Europa, y Asia, incluyendo países
como Japón, donde vivó por varios años. Ahora nos trae su
experiencia profesional así como un enfoque cultural único
y diverso a BMCC dónde actualmente desempeña el papel
de catedrática impartiendo clases de español como lengua
extranjera así como para hispanohablantes.
Deyanira espera seguir conociendo e interactuando con el
alumnado hispano de nuestro colegio y centros, conectando
con la gran comunidad latina de la región, al igual que servir
como contacto para los hispanohablantes.
TRANSLATION: Deyanira Morales recently arrived to the city
of Pendleton to establish the Spanish program for the Foreign
Language Department at Blue Mountain Community College.
Originally from a border city in Baja California, located in
northern Mexico, she completed her higher education both in
Mexico as well as the United States, specializing in Spanish and
French.
Throughout over 20 years living in this country, she has
practiced her profession and teaching career in various colleges
and universities ranging from southern California, to the
Washington, D.C. area.
Among the various places where she has lived and visited are
parts of Europe and Asia, including Japan, where she lived for
several years. Now she brings to us her professional experience
as well as a unique and diverse cultural focus to BMCC where
she currently serves as an instructor teaching classes in Spanish
as a foreign language as well as Spanish for Heritage speakers.
Deyanira hopes to continue getting to know and interacting
with Hispanic students from our college and centers, connecting
with the Hispanic community in the region, as well as serving
as a liaison with Spanish-speakers.
Information or to register
call (541) 667-3509
or email
healthinfo@gshealth.org
www.gshealth.org
www.bluecc.edu
(541) 276-1260
PO Box 100
Pendleton, OR 97801