NEWS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022
Morrow County commissioner
candidates speak at forum
By ERICK PETERSON
Hermiston Herald
Morrow County com-
missioner candidates during
a forum Tuesday, April 19,
touched on several issues,
including the distribu-
tion of revenue from Ama-
zon and a pay bump for
commissioners.
The fi ve candidates are
vying for two seats on the
county board.
The candidates
Jeff Wenholz is challeng-
ing Commissioner Melissa
Lindsay for Position 2,
which opened because Com-
missioner Don Russell is
retiring. Lindsay holds the
Position 3 seat, but her move
to seek the open seat means
No. 3 also is open, and three
candidates are in that race:
Gus Peterson, Mike McNa-
mee and David Sykes.
All fi ve met for the forum,
which the Heppner Cham-
ber of Commerce organized
at the Gilliam and Brisbee
Building in Heppner.
Wenholtz said his expe-
rience has prepared him to
be a commissioner. He grad-
uated from Riverside High
School in Boardman, helped
his father run Irrigon Motors
and Irrigon Mini Storage
and served on the Morrow
County Solid Waste Advi-
sory Committee and the
Morrow County Planning
Commission, among other
groups.
Lindsay, a fi fth-genera-
tion farmer, who attended
Heppner High School, spoke
of her family’s Morrow
County roots. Her grand-
father, Gar Swanson, was
a founding member of the
Bank of Eastern Oregon and
helped start the Port of Mor-
row. Lindsay has served on
the county board since 2016.
Peterson said he is a
fi fth-generation
wheat
farmer who went to school
in Ione and studied politi-
cal science at Oregon State
University. He said he was
“the youngest person here
by a number of years” but he
is running in his ideas and
integrity.
Sykes talked up his life
experiences. He served in
the Navy, attended the Uni-
versity of Oregon, met his
wife, has operated busi-
nesses and owns the Hep-
pner Gazette-Times.
McNamee
said
he
“comes from a whole dif-
ferent angle from every-
body else here.” While he is
an Oregonian like the other
candidates, he has lived in
big cities and has the benefi t
of knowing rural and urban
communities. A business-
man and rancher, he said he
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A3
Sudden wind storm wreaks havoc
REGISTER TO VOTE
Voters have until Tuesday, April 26, to update their registra-
tion, including any address changes. To do that online, visit
the Oregon Secretary of State website at bit.ly/3EPJeg4 and
click on the “Register to Vote” link.
is “pretty conservative.”
Answering questions
Candidates fi elded ques-
tions on a number of top-
ics, most coming from the
forum moderator, including
about the county’s growth
and each candidate’s vision
in the next 10 years.
Wenholtz said county pol-
icy should be good partners
with the state and the Port of
Morrow. Lindsay spoke of
the need to consider health
and other needed services.
Peterson said he was
focused on housing, edu-
cation and energy proj-
ects. Sykes spoke of jobs
and employment diver-
sity. McNamee said the
county needs limited growth
that does not outpace our
infrastructure.
The distribution of money
from Amazon to cities in the
county raised some criticism
from the candidates.
Wenholtz said “the com-
munities that got it proba-
bly enjoyed the money” but
it was not distributed cor-
rectly. Lindsay pointed out
that there were many people
who were not included in the
distribution, as they do not
live in a city.
McNamee said the distri-
bution of cash was “a tough
decision” but that it should
have been “put away” rather
than spent. Peterson said
the money should have
gone elsewhere, too. Sykes
pointed out this “gift” will
never happen again, so the
talk was only a “philosoph-
ical discussion.”
One attendee, a rancher,
asked the candidates about
approving data centers and
their responsibility to pay
their share of taxes.
Lindsay said compa-
nies should be paying into
the community, as they are
community members. Wen-
holtz said the data centers
have not been driving up
power rates. Peterson spoke
of lowering tax abatements
now that infrastructure is in
place. Sykes stated data cen-
ters should not be “let off the
hook,” and more questions
should be asked. McNamee
said “we’ve been too easy”
on these companies.
Staffi ng problems at the
county health department
also is a concern.
Wenholtz spoke of the
need for competitive pay,
and Lindsay said she has
experience in this issue and
believes recruitment is part
of the solution.
Peterson complained of
the need to cut commission-
ers’ checks and increasing
nurse’s pay. Sykes said fur-
ther study is needed to fi nd
if local wages are worse than
other counties. McNamee
said money should be found
in the budget, and the county
should learn why people are
not working here.
That led into a focus on
a raise for Morrow County
commissioners.
Lindsay said wages are
studied, and there is a need
to make pay competitive.
Wenholtz said commission-
ers should be part-time and
see pay increases with the
cost of living.
Peterson said a commis-
sioner’s pay should be tied
to the median wage of the
county. Sykes said the com-
missioner’s pay increase is
“not a done deal” and it can
be overturned. McNamee
called the pay increase “too
much.”
When it comes to tour-
ism, Wenholtz said groups,
such as local chambers, need
to promote the area’s natu-
ral beauty and added, trail
development could be help-
ful. Lindsay said in addition
to the area’s scenic views,
there are excellent events
and activities that can be
expanded on. McNamee
spoke of rivers, mountains
and other features that could
be promoted. Peterson stated
port stations for electric cars
and agritourism could help.
And Sykes said local busi-
ness is giving us good exam-
ples of success in promoting
tourism.
Wrapping up
In closing statements,
candidates each gave one
fi nal pitch.
Wenholtz brought up his
experience, which has given
him understanding of good
governance. Lindsay said
she is proud of her service
as a commissioner and she
wants to continue her hard
work.
Peterson said he was
“running to make a differ-
ence.” Sykes said he has
been to many commis-
sioner meetings, and he
will bring his experience to
the office. McNamee said
he is a community member
who wants to help and that
he wants big companies to
pay their share.
Kathy Aney/Hermiston Herald
High winds damaged the Hermiston Cinema sign along Highway 395 during a storm on
April 20, 2022. Winds picked up from 0 at 6:50 p.m. to 33 mph at 6:53 p.m., gusting to 52
mph, according to National Weather Service observations. The sudden storm brought down
branches all over town and stopped a Hermiston High School track meet where the Dawgs
were hosting Walla Walla and Kamiakin.
Umatilla robotics team returns Wednesday
Hermiston Herald
Confi dential, the Uma-
tilla High School robot-
ics team, had “quite the
experience,” according to
Heidi Sipe, school district
superintendent.
The team was on its
way back from Hous-
ton, Texas, where it com-
peted in a competition that
also included teams from
around the globe.
The plan is for Confi -
dential to be back in town
Wednesday, April 27.
“They have worked
hard and performed well,”
Sipe said. “Unfortunately,
they were the only robot
fully functioning in most
of their matches. They only
had two matches the entire
tournament with a full alli-
ance of working robots.”
The
superintendent,
who traveled with the stu-
dents to Texas, added that
the students “stayed oper-
ational throughout and
scored each match.”
“The morning had poten-
tial to be disappointing
as the top six Chairman’s
teams were announced fi rst
thing, we were not one of
them. Then, they didn’t get
picked for an alliance so
they didn’t advance to the
quarter-fi nals,” she said.
In all, she said, it was
a successful competition,
despite not returning with
top honors.
“They went to meet
teams from across the
world and learn what
makes them special,” Sipe
said.
“They’re hungry for
next year and they’re
readying for the challenge.
We’re so proud of them. We
love that they build robots,
but we’re really here to
build humans and today,
they showed their merit in
that category beyond mea-
sure,” she stated.
BUY 3 TIRES,
GET THE 4 TH
$
FOR 1
Specials: April 24-29
Are you looking for allergy and sinus support?
SINUS CLEAR COMPLETE
SINUS SUPPORT
by Ridgecrest
Herbals
Feel Great, Live it Up!
541-567-0272
2150 N. First St., Hermiston
20 %
0
F
F
is complete sinus
support. It helps maintain health sinus
passages, balance moisture and support the
immune function. Ingredients include Vitamin
C, Zinc, Bromelain, SinusClear™, AvailaBlend®
and more.
$ 1
0
F
F
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
SMOOTHIE
$7.95 DELI
SPECIAL
Taco Salad w/12 oz soup
CALL AHEAD AND USE OUR DRIVE THRU!
• CHECK OUT OUR LARGE SELECTION OF GIFTS AND WATCH FOR OUR IN-STORE SPECIALS •
WILDHORSE RESORT & CASINO
PRESENTS THE 8TH ANNUAL
Shotgun start at 1pm
Wildhorse Resort Golf Course
$380/team, $95/player
TAMÁSTSLIKT CULTURAL INSTITUTE
MAMMOTH CUP
GOLF TOURNAMENT
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022
SIGN UP TODAY!
• Great tee prizes!
• Excellent golf course!
• Fun side bets!
• Free sack lunch!
Sign up online by May 10
at tamastslikt.org/shop
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
Pepsi/Admiral Beverage,
Wenaha Group, Nixyáawii
Community Financial Services
TOYOTA.COM
See Your Local
Toyota Dealer
*
Restrictions apply. See participating Toyota dealer for details. Offer valid on select brands. OEM, OEA and WIN replace-
ment tires only. Tires must be dealer-installed. Three tires at regular price, fourth tire for one dollar. Fourth tire must be
of equal or lesser value. Excludes mounting and balancing, sales tax, shop supplies, tire disposal, and other applicable
taxes. Excludes previous purchases. Toyota & Scion vehicles only. Offer only available at participating Toyota dealers
4/1/2022-5/2/2022. *ToyotaCare covers normal factory scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever
comes first. Certain models require a different maintenance schedule as described in their Maintenance Guide. 24-hour
Roadside Assistance is also included for two years, unlimited mileage. Roadside Assistance does not include parts and
fluids, except emergency fuel delivery. See Toyota dealer for details and exclusions. Valid only in the continental U.S.
For more information, contact Randy at 541.429.7720 or at randall.melton@tamastslikt.org.
Pendleton, Oregon | www.tamastslikt.org | 541.429.7700