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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2020)
NEWS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A3 Schools see savings in energy management program By BEN LONERGAN STAFF WRITER Students in the Uma- tilla School District energy management team will soon have a decision to make, according to superintendent Heidi Sipe. Through the Umatilla School District’s partici- pation in Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management Program, the district has saved more than $16,000 through changes to energy policies through- out the district, policies that were largely shaped by stu- dent action. Due to the stu- dents’ involvement in the cost savings, they will get a say in how the money is spent, said Sipe. “The kids take their work seriously,” she said. “They’ve been treated as adults with the same level of voice and same level of buy-in.” The students in the Uma- tilla district helped to drive behavioral changes, such as turning off lights and open- ing blinds for lights rather than using overhead light- ing. In addition to behav- ioral changes, the district invested in technology, such as smart power strips that turn off unused computers and attached devices. Energy Trust of Oregon’s SEM Program has been in operation in Eastern Oregon for roughly two years and helps businesses to more effi ciently manage their energy usage to cut costs and reduce their carbon foot- print. Through the program, the Energy Trust provides “energy coaches” and mon- itoring tools to allow busi- nesses to better track and analyze their energy usage. Romana Cohen is one of the program’s “energy coaches” and an employee of Stillwater Energy, a Port- land-based consulting fi rm that specializes in strategic energy management. Cohen said that the program pro- vides businesses with the tools they need to help curb their energy use and imple- ment policies that sustain energy savings. “We help in writing an energy policy and making sure there are specifi c points of improvement,” she said. “We’re offering an easy plug-in program that ulti- mately drives cost savings.” Cohen stressed that con- sultants and Energy Trust employees work together to form the energy coaching teams, allowing people with different backgrounds to help offer a variety of solu- tions to energy management. “We see the commu- nity evolving because of the impact on members.” she said. “It’s a combination of people, and energy and buildings.” The program operates on a revolving yearlong basis and businesses can choose to repeat the program in an effort to drive additional cost savings through the development of more strin- gent guidelines. Cohen said the goal of the program is to create a level of energy management that is sustain- able from year to year, and energy coaches and organiz- ers trade off to allow for new ideas. Blue Mountain Commu- nity College was able to save more than $30,000 in energy costs during their fi rst year in the program, a change that freed up money in the opera- tions budget for the purchase of a new tractor. According to Dwayne Williams, the director of facilities and grounds at the college, the school is look- ing to see similar, if not more extensive, savings in their second year in the program. “It’s been a really good experience, they’re a great resource,” he said. Williams said that the primary savings have come from adjustment to heating and ventilation controls, as well as behavioral changes among staff to decrease electric use. In October, the commu- nity college ran a competi- tion to see which facilities could decrease their energy use the most, something Williams said inspired a lot of people to think differently about how they use energy. Grocery Outlet to open in Hermiston on March 5 Hermiston mayor Drotzmann fi les for re-election By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR during the mayor’s ten- ure Hermiston assessed Mayor David Drotz- value has grown by 42%, mann has fi led to run for and the population has reelection as Hermiston increased by approxi- mayor. mately 10%, to make Drotzmann is currently Hermiston the largest city in his third term after fi rst in Eastern Oregon. being elected in 2012. Drotzmann said he will “I hope to con- continue to focus tinue the good work on “fi scal trans- my fellow coun- parency, economic cilors, city staff, development, hous- community, and I ing, infrastruc- have accomplished ture, public safety, over the last eight expanding parks David years,” he said in a and recreation pro- Drotzmann statement. grams while con- His involvement tinuing to make in the Hermiston commu- Hermiston a great place to nity includes coaching soft- live and raise a family.” ball and participating in So far no other can- Rotary Club, and he has didates have fi led. Addi- volunteered with the Herm- tional candidates have until iston School District in March 10 to fi le a decla- various capacities, includ- ration of candidacy with ing serving on the Herm- the city recorder. If two or iston Booster Club board fewer candidates fi le by and eight years as a mem- that date, then the May 19 ber of the school board election will be considered previously. the general election and the According to his cam- winner will become mayor paign announcement, in January 2021. If more HERMISTON HERALD Hermiston is getting a new grocery store in March. Grocery Outlet has announced the opening of its new Hermiston location is planned for March 5. The store will be located in the former Fiesta Foods build- ing at 1874 N. First St. They will hold a hir- ing event on Jan. 26 from 1-4 p.m. and Jan. 27 from 4-7:30 p.m. at the Hermis- ton Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. Full- and part-time posi- tions in departments rang- ing from freight to deli are available. Résumés should be emailed to hermiston@ groceryoutlet.com ahead of the event. The local owner-oper- ators will be Nicole and Alan Westing, who moved their family (including six children and a cat) from the East Coast to join Grocery Outlet. Alan previously Staff photo by Jade McDowell The former Fiesta Foods building is being remodeled into a Grocery Outlet, which is set to open March 5. managed grocery stores, big box retailers, and national drug stores, and Nicole worked as a radio- logic technologist. “We are both absolutely stoked for our new careers as Independent Operators of the Hermiston Grocery Outlet — together, with our kids alongside,” the West- ings said in an email. “The Hermiston community is so friendly and welcoming and we are proud to repre- sent this city, ‘Where Life is Sweet.’” Grocery Outlet began in 1946 and has more than 300 locations today. The company, which describes itself as an “extreme value retailer,” purchases product overruns, surplus inventory and other items at a discount to keep prices low. than two candidates fi le, the May election will become a primary race with a run- off in the November elec- tion between the top two vote-getters. Mayoral terms in Herm- iston were previously two years, but a change to Hermiston’s charter that voters adopted in 2015 changed it to four years. Municipal Judge Thomas Creasing is also up for reelection in May. So far he is the only candidate that has fi led for the seat. Hermiston’s four at-large city councilors — Manuel Gutierrez, Rod Hardin, John Kirwan and Doug Primmer — will be up for reelection this year, but not until November. Candidates for those seats will be able to start fi ling for offi ce on June 3. For more information about mayoral and city council elections in Herm- iston, visit https://herm- iston.or.us/city-recorder/ city-hermiston-elections. Hansell fi les for re-election HERMISTON HERALD Sen. Bill Hansell made it offi cial Thursday morning. The state senator from Athena offi cially submitted paperwork to run for re-elec- tion in 2020. He submitted the paper- work in Salem while there for legislative duty. “I had made my intention known last fall,” Hansell stated in a recent news release. “It has been my honor to represent the good people of District 29 in the Oregon Legislature, and if the citizens want me to con- tinue for another term, I’m willing and ready to serve.” This year marks Hansell’s eighth year as a senator serv- ing District 29, which spans across Wallowa, Union, “IF THE CITIZENS WANT ME TO CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER TERM, I’M WILLING AND READY TO SERVE.” The Hermiston Elks Lodge Sen. Bill Hansell Umatilla, Morrow, Gil- liam and Sherman coun- ties, as well as half of Wasco County. Citizens will vote in the NW Shade Co general election on Nov. 3. A primary is scheduled in May, and the fi ling deadline for District 29 candidates is March 10. Solar Shades, Screens, Retractable Awnings & More! “Enhancing the Art of Outdoor Living” LLC 509-308-1354 The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. License #188965 www.nwshadeco.com Hosting Membership Open House Sat. January 25, 2020 Between 11am and 4pm The Hermiston Elks Lodge, 480 E. Main Appetizers and Beverages Available 102 E Columbia Dr. Kennewick 99336 eomediagroup.com Elks Lodge has donated over $3.5 million dollars back to the community! PET OF THE Meet with Elk members from Hermiston and across the state to find out more about how you can make a difference in your community. W EEK Cody is a sweet & timid old boy who likes to get loves and will give in return (on his terms). He is sight impaired, which makes him a bit skittish. He is scared of loud noises, and will get excited when it’s time to eat. He loves to lay out of the way where he feels secure. Please consider meeting Cody so he has a home to spend the rest of his days with love. For more information, contact David Downing 541-571-1089 MEET CODY Mark Sargent, DVM • Brent Barton, DVM Eugenio Mannucci, DVM, cVMA • Jana von Borstel, DVM, cVMA Small and Large Animal Care Mon: 8-6 Tue - Fri: 8-5 Sat: 8-12 Emergency Service 541.567.1138 80489 Hwy 395 N Hermiston www.oregontrailvet.com PLACE YOUR AD HERE! Contact Audra at 541.564.4538 Today! If interested please go to fuzzballrescue.com and fill out an application. If you are not able to adopt, but would like to foster or donate, visit fuzzballrescue.com or you can mail in donations to Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue, PO Box 580, Hermiston, OR 97838 Meet with Elk members from Hermiston and across the state to find out more about how you can make a difference in your community. T HE H ERMISTON L ODGE NEEDS YOUR COMMITMENT OF TIME AND SKILLS TO CONTINUE SERVING THE H ERMISTON COMMUNITY LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN FOR 70 YEARS Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans and improve the quality of life. Since 1868, Millions and Millions of Americans have joined The Elks, Find out why!
