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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 2018)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7 LOCAL Umatilla County embarks on overdue charter review Immigration forum By PHIL WRIGHT STAFF WRITER Umatilla County is past due for a review of its home rule charter, the document that establishes the form and functions of county govern- ment. The county is working to remedy that. The charter requires a committee of at least five county citizens to conduct the review every four years. The last review was in 2008. County counsel Doug Olsen said the board of commissioners have a goal of appointing seven citizens to the review committee by March 1. They would have until July 1, 2019, to deliver a report and any recommen- dations for changes to the charter. “They can change any terms of the charter or intro- duce something different,” Olsen said, while Commis- sioner George Murdock said the committee “can lay the foundation to restructure county government.” Olsen and Murdock said commissioners would not serve on the committee so it would be free of their influ- ence. So far all four appli- cants for the committee are from the west end of the county: former county fair board member Dan Dor- ran of Hermiston; attorney Sally Anderson Hansell of Hermiston; Darla Huxel, police chief of Umatilla; and Hermiston’s Glenn Young- man, who served as county commissioner when voters STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Umatilla County is set to undergo a review of its home rule charter. This would be the first time a review has been performed since 2008. adopted the home rule char- ter in 1992. Anderson Hansell said she grew interested in serv- ing on the committee after talking with county com- missioners about the process and observing Hermiston recently revise its charter. “The charter is the cor- nerstone of county govern- ment,” she said, and thus worth attending meetings for 16 months to make sure the charter provides the gov- ernment structure to serve the community now and into the future. Oregon in 1958 gave vot- ers the right to adopt char- ters to organize county gov- ernments and prescribe what powers they have and procedures they should fol- low. According to the Ore- gon Association of Coun- ties, Umatilla County is one of nine counties operating under home rule instead of state laws. Umatilla County’s char- ter runs seven pages. The charter establishes the three-member board of nonpartisan commission- ers to oversee county gov- ernment. They, along with the sheriff, are the county’s elective offices. The char- ter did away with the asses- sor, clerk, treasurer, and sur- veyor as elected positions. “The more elected offi- cials you have, the more fiefdoms that exist,” Mur- dock said. “I don’t know if I really appreciated that when I became commissioner [in 2013].” The charter grants the board the power to make local laws, hire and fire department heads and employees, as well as reor- ganize, combine and abolish departments. The charter dictates the election process, how to fill vacancies and it allows the county to form intergovern- mental relations. Youngman said it was high time for the review and there is no excuse for the delay. He said he pushed in the mid-1990s for a change to a county manager system of government and continues to advocate for that. “I feel it should come back before the voters and give them a chance to vote on it,” he said. strives to answer questions, bridge gaps just like going to the DMV and getting your driver’s An immigration forum license. The process takes next week will focus on years.” People from local and educating people on all sides — everyone from regional groups will be recent immigrants want- present, including the ing to know their rights Walla Walla and Tri-Cities to longtime citizens who Immigration Coalitions, want to gain a better under- Oregon Rural Action, and standing of what immi- Consejo Latino. Eammon grants face to reach legal Roach, a Pasco immigra- tion attorney, will be the status. “The whole aim is to special guest speaker. Roa said he hoped peo- build bridges between communities,” said Jesse ple would take advan- tage of the Roa, one of resources in the event’s the area. organizers. “This area “There are seems to feel some cultural isolated from gaps. We need everyone,” he to eliminate said. “We’re some of the not in Wash- fear and mis- understanding ington, we’re going on, and far from the show people west side of that there’s the state. So Jesse Roa, Organizer we want to solidarity.” Roa said bridge those speakers at the event would gaps.” The event will be Satur- present in both English and Spanish, and would cover day from 3-6 p.m., and will issues related to immi- be held at St. John’s Epis- gration reform, filing for copal Church, at 665 E. legal immigrant status, and Gladys Ave., Hermiston. resources for community Dinner will be catered by Ruty’s Restaurant. members. Contact Roa for more “We want to give peo- ple a basic understanding,” details, at 509-378-4181, he said. “Immigration and or at jesse_roa@yahoo. filing for legal status is not com. HERMISTON HERALD “The whole aim is to build bridges between communities.” MORE WINNERS. MORE OFTEN. Earn 5X What You Love entries every Wednesday in February! Valentine’s Day 14x Entry Multiplier Earn 14X entries into the What You Love Giveaway on Valentine’s Day! Random $200 CASH winner every 15 minutes! 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