News Archive

The News Archive contains all articles that have appeared on the Daily News page of this website, beginning with January, 2001.

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Although she is only 19 years old, Elena Weigand already bears one of the true marks of an artist — the inability to survive without her craft.

“I started dancing when I was eight,” said the Madras native.  “I took ballet and the moment I started — I can’t explain it — I knew I needed to dance for the rest of my life.”

When the Prineville-based High Desert Dance Arts Company opened a Madras branch studio in 1990, Weigand immediately took advantage of the new facility, catching the attention of the studio’s owner, Caroline Kaiser.

“As soon as our eyes met, I felt that she understood dance the same way I did,” Kaiser explained.  “She stood out not so much because she had an exceptional body for dance, but because she was incredibly open to information, and she was very aware of her body and how to use it.”

Originally taking courses in jazz and classical ballet at High Desert, Weigand began expanding her dance experience through involvement in Echo Theater’s “Do Jump” program, which is based out of Portland.  For some time, she thought the circus and trapeze type moves she was learning through Echo Theater would take her in a more unconventional direction professionally.

“I thought that I might go into the experimental type of dancing,” she said. “I loved ballet but it was too rigid, and jazz wasn’t quite my style.”

Despite these other areas of experience, Weigand finally settled on modern dance as her focus.
Graduating a year early from Madras High School, she began attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) two years ago, where she currently performs with the UNLV Repertory Dance Company.

Last summer, the company traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival — a general arts festival in Scotland — where they performed every day during their month-long stay.

“We got professional experience dancing and we got to see other companies perform.  It was just fantastic,” Weigand said.

Her work at UNLV has led to another rare opportunity.  This summer Weigand will participate in a two-week-long workshop in San José, Calif. run by the New York-based José Lamón Modern Dance Company.

For the last two years, the company’s artistic director, Nina Watt, has taught classes on the Lamón technique as a visiting professor at UNLV.  After Weigand’s first semester in Watt’s class, she was given a leading role in one of Lamón’s original pieces of choreography, and at the end of this school year, Watt invited her to participate in the summer workshop.

When Weigand indicated that she was worried about the workshop’s tuition, Watt replied, “Money isn’t an option.  I really want you to come.”

Holding true to her promise, Watt called Weigand later in the summer to say that she had received the one full workshop scholarship offered by the company.

“I was so amazed I didn’t know what to say,” Weigand said. “She’s this icon who’s been on the cover of ‘Dance’ magazine and here I am coming from a small town and having this dream to dance and now it’s starting to come true — I could hardly breathe because I just didn’t know how it was happening.”

Recently, Weigand has been staying with her parents, Craig and Leslie, at their farm in Agency Plains while teaching a dance and yoga class in Madras, but last Friday she left for San José.  The Lamón workshop, which runs from July 30 through Aug. 10, will give her the opportunity to dance with company members and watch them perform.

“I plan to dance my heart out,” she said.

Although Weigand hopes that her talent and experience will lead to a professional dance career, she will continue dancing even if they don’t.

For her, it is more than merely a physical experience.

“Dancing is what feeds me,” Weigand said.  “There are poets and authors, people who express themselves through their writing.  If someone wanted me to say something really deeply or strongly, I would always dance it.”

O'Meara and city battle in court
By Susan Matheny
General Editor
August 1, 2001

You wouldn’t think a room full of people could talk non-stop about sewer effluent for five days, but last week’s O’Meara/City of Madras trial proved that assumption wrong.

While lawyers and witnesses talked at length, Circuit Court Judge F. J. Yraguen wasn’t one to mince words. “Coulda been, mighta been — I’m not interested. What I’m interested in is evidence,” the judge said at one point, admonishing an attorney for his line of questioning.

The trial, which ran July 23 through 27, was over an agreement between Nine Peaks Golf Course owner Kevin O’Meara and the City of Madras concerning irrigation water and leased land.

O’Meara has part of the golf course holes on private land and part on land leased from the city. In another agreement, the city provides him with treated sewer effluent to use to irrigate the course. In addition, nearby farmland was also leased from the city, where excess effluent could be used.

The O’Meara suit contends that the city did not provide a high enough quality (level IV) of effluent, and is seeking $100,000 in damages. The city filed a countersuit claiming O’Meara breached the agreement by not taking water according to the terms of the 1992 agreement, and that he began unauthorized construction of new golf course holes on the farmland. The city suit seeks $75,000 in damages.

In June, the city terminated its water and land lease agreements with O’Meara, but a 10-day restraining order from a judge temporarily kept the water from being turned off.

During the trial, witnesses were questioned by O’Meara’s attorney John Devoe and city attorney Martin Hansen. Witnesses were examined and cross examined in regards to effluent storage ponds, pumps, valves, back flow, pipe pressure, sprinkler heads and trouble with communications between treatment plant workers and golf course irrigators.

Witness George Raines, city public works superintendent, noted that the treatment plant had to be shut down several times because O’Meara had not accepted effluent. “It’s been nightmarish. We couldn’t start up and run continuously,” he said.

While questioning engineer Ned Dempsey the O’Meara attorney suggested there was a “simple fix” to the backflow problems between the city and golf course pipe systems. Backflow had only happened about five times and a check valve could be installed for under $1,000 to alleviate the problem, the lawyer suggested.

During closing statements last Friday, the lawyer noted O’Meara did make efforts to cultivate the farmland with effluent. As for beginning construction of golf course holes on the farmland, he noted O’Meara had believed there would be a future sale of that land to him if the city and county approved.

Judge Yraguen, typing notes all through the proceedings on his laptop computer, interrupted at that point to ask if perhaps O’Meara didn’t already consider himself the landowner?

“I’ve tried to understand why someone would do what Mr. O’Meara did in regards to the easement and the moving of golf holes, and (I’ve tried to) make any sort of logical reason of why a person of his background and experience would do what he did. and after five days I’m still baffled,” the judge stated.

O’Meara’s attorney responded, saying “we have indication there was some laying in the weeds,” referring to the fact that city employees driving by the area had seen construction going on at the farmland back in April, but noting had been done by the city in response.

“I’ve been waiting to hear who from the city was laying in the weeds and I can’t find anybody,” the judge said, adding, “If anybody laid in the weeds, I’m wondering if it wasn’t your client in regards to his intentions on the property.”

O’Meara’s attorney finished by saying the city’s termination of the lease hadn’t given the proper 30-day landlord-tenant notice, the city didn’t provide level IV effluent, and the city’s pump was not providing the proper water pressure for irrigation.

In the city’s closing statement, attorney Hansen shortened the case to two points: “not enough pressure and not level IV effluent.”

Hansen said if the two sides communicated and worked in partnership, Nine Peaks could be green and lush like the Prineville golf course. “Such a partnership can work,” he said.

However, O’Meara, Hansen said, “was acting, maybe not intentionally, in odds with the sewer plant and backing the plant up.”

The other area focused on by Hansen was the farmland construction and dumping of 15,000 yards of dirt on it from the Safeway construction site.

“(The mayor and I) couldn’t believe it when we heard there were bulldozers moving up there without any approval ... this was the boldest move a person could make,” Hansen said.
Judge Yraguen asked why, then the city didn’t take any action back in April.

O’Meara contended he had given the city notice about construction work back in January when he filed his crop report for the farmland. On the report, in the middle of the list of crops to be grown were the words “golf course expansion” which were overlooked.

“After (O’Meara’s) history of litigation, you’d think the city would be watching everything like a hawk. That any document coming from Mr. O’Meara’s hands would be reviewed. And yet, that sailed right through and nobody caught it,” Judge Yraguen said.

At the trial’s conclusion on Friday, the judge said he would issue a written decision by Friday, Aug. 3.

Issues on skeletal remains at Warm Springs
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 27, 2001

The discovery of an 8,400-year-old human skeleton dubbed “Kennewick Man” has focused national attention on modern questions of racial ambiguity, and stirred up controversy surrounding tribal and scientific claims to the dead.

Although the much contested remains cannot be viewed at The Museum at Warm Springs’ “Kennewick Man on Trial” exhibit, visitors can learn more about the man’s unearthing and its ramifications through an informative display.

In July of 1996, two men watching the annual Hydro Boat Races at Columbia River Park in Kennewick, Wash., found part of a human skull at the river’s bottom. Later, deliberate searches unearthed nearly all of the man’s remains.

Although scientific testing placed the remains well before any recorded European contact with North America, researchers noted that Kennewick Man possessed many surprisingly “Caucasoid” features.

This unlikely discovery has since launched a public debate about the origins of Native Americans and ethical questions involving tribes’ rights to bury their ancestors.

Some anthropologists have commented that, assuming the ancestors of Native Americans originally traveled from Asia to North America, Kennewick Man could simply display traits of these early human populations.

“Some anthropologists have noted that the narrow, elongated skull shape of Kennewick Man — and other traditionally ‘Caucasoid’ features — are shared by several early populations in Asia and the Pacific,” reads a display at the exhibit.  “Based on this information, many scholars believe that it would be ‘farfetched’ at this point to claim Kennewick Man came from Europe.”

But even if Kennewick Man can be grouped with traditional “Native Americans,” such ambiguities call into question the very nature of race itself.

Although humans have long attempted to separate themselves and others into categories based on allegedly racial characteristics, much modern research suggests that “human populations cannot be divided into clearly defined, biologically distinct groups,” reads the display.

Regardless of the uncertainty inherent in racial discussion, ethnicity will play a key role in Kennewick man’s future.

After the remains were initially tested, a group of five tribes claimed Kennewick Man under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

“Every tribe has sad stories about graves being pillaged, the offerings and skeletons removed,” reads a display quote of Leigh Jenkins, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office.  “Scientists always had one standard for themselves and another for Indians.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers originally agreed to return Kennewick Man to the tribes for burial, but the procedure was halted when eight anthropologists filed a suit in Portland’s U.S. Magistrate Court, attempting to secure the remains for more scientific testing.

Kennewick Man will remain at the Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum at the University of Washington while the lawsuit is pending.

“The resource is part of the public trust,” reads a display quote of archaeologist Ernestine Green.  “At issue is the freedom to pursue knowledge and scientific inquiry without political pressures or legal restraints.”

For those interested in learning more about the controversy surrounding Kennewick Man, The Museum at Warm Springs will be hosting the traveling exhibit through Aug. 6.  Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

COCC reconsidering Grizzly site
Susan Matheny
General Editor
July 26, 2001

A change may be in the air for the proposed COCC Madras campus.

“It’s going to be happening, but there was a concern over treatment plant smells,” noted Madras resident Don Reeder, who is a member of the COCC Board of Directors.

Reeder said the board expressed some concern over developing a college campus down wind from the city’s sewage treatment plant. The city will know in the next few weeks after the plant starts up if any odors will be detectable.

A 50-acre parcel near Grizzly Road has been under consideration for the COCC campus since March. The Madras campus would offer higher education courses, along with corrections-related courses and is set to open the fall of 2004, in conjunction with the proposed state prison.

“The campus location is still sort of in limbo and COCC is investigating other sites. One is across from Jefferson County Middle School,” Reeder said, adding, “I’ve heard from (COCC President) Bob Barber and (COCC Vice President for Institutional Advancement) Matt McCoy that the board is still extremely interested in a Madras campus.”

Reeder noted he excused himself from the board’s deliberations since he is an attorney for the Bean Foundation. College representatives are slated to have a meeting Tuesday evening with the Bean Foundation Board, which owns the property across from JCMS.

The eye of CBS comes to Culver
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 25, 2001

The toss of a dart brought a CBS news crew to Culver recently.

To choose the next location for an installment of CBS’ feature program “Everybody has a Story,” the last person profiled, who happened to reside in Brainerd, Minn., threw a dart at a map of the United States and it landed on Jefferson County.

The news crew, headed by correspondent Steve Hartman, soon followed its path.

On June 22 they arrived in Madras and stopped at the Dairy Queen phone booth to find residents who were willing to be followed for the weekend and could provide a slice of “middle American life” to CBS’ viewers.

Randomly selecting names from the phone book, Hartman received several rejections before stumbling upon the number of Mike Macy, a farmer from Culver.

“I thought it was a joke,” Mike said, “and that’s probably the only reason I went along with it at first.  But then (Hartman) started asking some pretty serious questions and I knew it wasn’t a friend playing a trick on me.”

By a stroke of good fortune, Mike had taken a break from working in the fields to get a glass of water. Otherwise, he said, he probably wouldn’t have been in the house to take the call.

His wife, Milne, discovered the news crew would arrive that evening when she called home from a wedding rehearsal she was helping coordinate.

“I got my sister, who was visiting for the weekend,” Milne explained, “and she said, ‘You’ve got to come home. I’m cleaning your house.  CBS is coming.’”

Although the Macys were unsure what to expect, any apprehensions they may have had were eased when they met Hartman and the news crew that evening.

“They’re the type of people that you meet and you know really well automatically,” Milne explained.  “They were very honest and forthright — you can’t help but trust them.”

For the rest of the weekend, members of the news crew followed the Macys, filming their daily routines, asking questions about their lives and sometimes participating in activities themselves.

“Steve Hartman was interviewing me while I was decorating for the wedding,” Milne said, “and I said, ‘Since you’re here, you might as well do some decorating yourself.’  So, he helped out.”

A cameraman also filmed Mike as he farmed during what proved to be an especially busy weekend.

“My uncle and dad were gone,” Mike said, “so I was in charge of everything — I had to do a lot of supervising.”

But throughout their experience with the news crew, the Macys never worried that an unfair “spin” would be put on their segment.

“It will be interesting to see what ends up on TV,” Milne said, “because they have seven hours of tape for a three-minute feature.  But I’m not worried because they want to make something good and they want to make you look good.”

On Sunday, Milne determined the news crew’s next destination as the dart she threw landed on Charlotte, N.C.

“They were pretty excited that it landed on a city,” Milne commented, “because usually they have to go to rural areas.”

Although the Macys enjoyed the chance to be profiled and look forward to viewing the feature on TV, they agreed that their encounter with CBS gave them an even more important opportunity — time for self-reflection.

“You really don’t think about your life,” Milne commented. “You just kind of go through it day to day and when someone comes in and examines and picks it apart, it makes you consider a lot of things.”

Most significantly, Milne noted, members of the news crew wondered how she could be satisfied living in such a rural area.

“They didn’t understand why I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” she said.  “But I grew up on a ranch in Fossil so this is pretty populated for me. I can actually see all kinds of homes from here and we have a beautiful view of the mountains — it’s just magnificent.”

Although the Macys valued their chance to gain some perspective on their daily routines, they have no plans to alter their lifestyles in the near future.

“They made us question why we do what we do,” Mike said, “but it didn’t make us want to change anything.”

The Macys’ segment will air July 27 and 28 on the CBS Evening News and the Early Show, respectively.

Mountain View goes "home"
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 24, 2001

Starched nurses uniforms, bleached white walls and massive amounts of chrome have become passé in the world of hospital decor.

Health care facilities are now striving for “homier”, more comfortable environments, said Mountain View Hospital administrator Susan McGough.

For this reason, Mountain View has experienced ongoing renovations since the late 1980s, always trying to make staying in the hospital a less sterile experience.

“We want to connect the facility with what makes Oregon great, with a love of the outdoors,” McGough explained.  “So we’re trying to add more windows, outside light, and places where patients can get outside.  Basically, we want to make it a healing environment.”

Last fall, the hospital acted upon this potentially salutary decoration philosophy by transforming the facility’s chapel into a “spiritual center,” complete with access to an outdoor garden area.

“We have to be careful when we’re renovating to pay attention to things like the color of paint
and landscaping,” McGough explained.

The hospital recently completed a project that raised and partially concealed the building’s fire sprinkler system.  In the traditional layout, pipes were exposed which, McGough said, “visually didn’t make for a good experience.”

McGough believes that the ability to access knowledge can also improve patients’ stays in the hospital.  A formerly unfinished basement in the Physical Therapy wing now boasts new meeting rooms where many community outreach groups congregate and a Health Education Center that is equipped with internet access.

“When people have chronic illnesses or unanswered questions, it’s helpful to have this room,” McGough said.  “The internet information helps people cope with their illnesses and reinforces what they’re hearing from their doctors."

Many of the hospital’s future renovation plans, though relatively concrete, will depend on finances and the potential impact of a new prison in the area.

Next spring, McGough hopes, work will begin on the Acute Care patient Rooms and in the Living Center.  Sometime after that, the hospital outpatient area will be expanded.

But the exact timeline is tentative.

“The Department of Corrections contracted with a consultant group to measure the impacts on the (Madras) community of a new prison and they anticipated a large population increase,” McGough said. “As the population increases our service needs will increase.”

At the same time, hospital administrators must be careful not to build too far ahead of the prison’s construction, or else they will not make enough revenue to pay back loans taken out for the renovations.

“If we build too soon, we won’t have the volume of services to make the payments,” McGough said.  “It would be like building a school and then not having any kids come.”

Despite the difficulties raised by planning issues, McGough said the hospital will continue to create a more livable environment.

“Over 90 percent of people (recently polled by Modern Health Care) believe that surroundings have something to do with healing” McGough said. “That’s why we’re paying attention to all these things — we want to make the hospital more home-like.”

Mental Health head to resign
By Susan Matheny
General Editor
July 23, 2001

Jefferson County Mental Health Director David White is planning to resign his position, it was revealed at the July 11 meeting of the Jefferson County Commissioners.

White said he has not yet officially submitted his resignation, but will in September or the first of October and will give 30 days notice.

He spoke at the meeting to urge commissioners to provide vision and direction on the type of mental health program they want to see, instead of hiring a director to do that.

“The director should carry out the commission’s desires,” White said.

He requested a meeting with the commissioners to go over department programs and plans and talk about hiring his replacement.

“This will give us a good opportunity to discuss visions ahead of time before the new person is hired,” he said.

The meeting was set for the commission’s Tuesday, July 17 work session at 1 p.m.

White mentioned that Naomi Jacks, coordinator of the county’s Developmentally Disabled program (DD), retires Aug. 1, which will leave another gap.

“Jefferson County is looking for new DD people across the board. There are only five or six of us in the state in mental health with DD experience. We will need a director with DD qualifications,” White told commissioners.

There will be a lot of competition in finding such a person, he indicated, since there will be a large number of mental health directors retiring in the next few years.

“I’m not hearing of any current directors who’d be interested in Jefferson County. There may be some former directors or others with past experience,” White suggested.

Commissioners expressed an interest in talking about the possibility of privatization, or contracting with a private company to provide services, such as Wallawa, Union and Baker counties are doing. It was decided that avenue would also be discussed at the Tuesday meeting.
County business license?

County Counsel Paul Hathaway said he would bring information to commissioners at a later date on the possibility of establishing county business licensing.

“We’d have better authority to make people comply to rules and enforce codes,” Commissioner Bill Bellamy noted.

But Commissioner Mike Ahern felt differently. “I see it as a can of worms. Amway, telemarketing — where do you draw the line?” he said.

CRR Advisors
The July 25 commission meeting will be moved to Crooked River ranch in the morning in order to interview the seven candidates applying for five positions on the Crooked River Ranch Parks Development Advisory Board.

Applicants will also be interviewed at the same meeting to fill a vacant position representing the Ranch on the Jefferson County Planning Commission.

City chooses administrator
By Susan Matheny
General Editor
July 20, 2001

Following a 3 1/2 hours of deliberation in executive session, the Madras City Council voted unanimously July 16, to offer the job of Madras city administrator to Baker City resident Steve Bogart.

Since last Thursday’s interviews of both candidates, Bogart and former 509-J School District Business Manager Mark Brannen, council members have been grappling with the decision.
Brannen’s sudden resignation from the school district raised some questions from the public as did Bogart’s short stay at his last job.

Council members were extra cautious, not wanting to get into another controversy like the one that arose from the hiring of previous city administrator William Sizemore, who turned out to be a convicted felon.

Police checks were done on both candidates, and the council requested the Oregon League of Cities do employment background checks.

“Because of Sizemore, we wanted to make sure everything checks out. The police checks came out fine and the background checks will take a few days,” noted Mayor Rick Allen.
“We took the background checks as far as we could. We owed it to the city and to ourselves,” added Councilman Bob Sjolund.

The job offer to Bogart is pending a successful background check and contract negotiation, it was noted. The actual vote to hire him will be done at the next city council meeting Tuesday, July 24.

“We had a very difficult choice, as judged by the time we’ve spent deliberating on this. We had two strong candidates,” said councilmember Keith Johnson following executive session which lasted from 6 to 9:30 p.m., Monday.

Several councilmembers commented on why they chose Bogart.

“I think it’s the right move. He’s a good guy and he’s excited about coming here,” Allen said.
“I think you’re going to be surprised by this guy,” predicted councilman Mick Goss, who was pleased with the selection.

Bogart recently moved back to Baker City after working one year as the city coordinator for Vale, which has a population of around 1,500 residents.

Prior to taking that job, he was a county commissioner of Baker County from 1987-99, serving eight of those years as the county judge, or chair of the commission. In that position, he was responsible for management of county business, including operations, budget and personnel.
Before the county government job, Bogart worked from 1976 to 1989 for Ellingston Lumber Company in Baker City.

His educational background includes studying romance languages and physical education at Treasure Valley Community College; speech, theater and political science at the University of Oregon; and public administration and business management from Eastern Oregon State College.

Bogart serves on several state boards including the Oregon State Board of Education and the Oregon Workforce Quality Commission. Regionally, he chaired the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District for three years.

Imperial River Lodge preserves history
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 19, 2001

Think you need to set off for Maui or Martha’s Vineyard to vacation like a celebrity?  Think again.  Now Jefferson County residents need go no further than Maupin to relax where big shots like Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara unwind in their spare time.

Even if you’re not a member of the jet set, at the new Imperial River Company Lodge you can vacation like one.

The lodge, which is located on the banks of the Deschutes, caters to a variety of clientele, according to owners Rob and Susie Miles.

“We get hunters, rafters, fishermen and people who just want to get away from the city and enjoy the slow pace of Maupin,” Susie explained.

In addition to the lodge’s typical sporting activities, it offers a rarer attraction — the preservation of a small piece of history.  Susie’s mother, Jeanne Carter, owns the historical Imperial Stock Ranch in Bakeoven and the family has worked hard to connect the two businesses.

“We’re trying to incorporate the ranch more and more into the lodge,” Susie said.
The lodge’s restaurant already features the ranch’s lamb and beef in several dishes and the woolen products of Imperial sheep line the gift shop shelves.

“So far having the beef and lamb on the menu has turned out great,” Susie said.  “Everyone comments that the flavor of the meat is wonderful.”

Each of the lodge’s 12 rooms has been individually decorated by the Mileses, and many display Imperial Ranch paraphernalia.

In the “Homestead Room,” original boards from an old barn at the ranch have been fashioned into shelves, while a mural of the very same building, along with pictures of the ranch’s original owners, decorate the walls.

Despite the ranch’s already strong presence in the lodge, the Mileses hope to make it even more prominent.  They see it as their mission to help preserve the ranch’s history through ownership of the lodge, which they purchased in January.

“We’re planning on starting ranch tours so people can learn about its history,” Susie said.  “It’s a unique place and it needs to be preserved.”

Even though the ranch and lodge have both experienced some success, Susie stressed that the businesses’ financial benefits are not nearly as important to the family as their historical significance.

“We’re not looking to become a corporate power and sell our products all over the world,” Susie explained.  “We want to protect the ranch and educate people about it — to take a stand today to preserve the past.”

Trio faces charges in stabbing death
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 18, 2001

Three suspects were taken into custody last weekend for involvement in the murder of 26-year-old Warm Springs resident and tribal member Michael J. Saludo, whose body was found in the Lower Dry Creek area Thursday evening.

Earlier that day, a vehicle that was registered to one of Saludo's relatives had been discovered near Birch Lane in the North Unit Irrigation Canal, said Warm Springs Police Chief Don Courtney.  The police, aided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, immediately began a search and rescue mission in the canal for Saludo, who was the car’s last known occupant.

When officers found some of Saludo’s belongings near Lower Dry Creek, they launched a search in that area, discovering his body around 7:20 p.m.

On Friday, Saludo was taken to Portland for an autopsy that determined the cause of death as multiple stab wounds, said State Medical Examiner Clifford Nelson.

The following Monday, Warm Springs residents and tribal members Ronald McKinley, Angelo Fuentes and Tony Gilbert Jr. — all of whom are charged with Saludo’s murder — made their initial appearance in the Portland Federal Courthouse.  Their preliminary hearing will be held July 23.

Chief Vernon Henry dies in car accident
By Susan Matheny
General Editor
July 17, 2001

Chief Vernon Henry, the first elected Paiute chief of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, was killed in a single-car accident July 11, on Highway 3, Mile Post 25, north of Simnasho.

Chief Henry, 66, was a passenger in a pickup driven by Ruby Bulloch, 28, who is a Native American, but not a member of the Warm Springs tribe. The pickup rolled during the 10 p.m. wreck, and Henry died at the scene, but Bullock, who is pregnant, was transported by Warm Springs ambulance to Mountain View Hospital and was reported on July 12 to be in stable condition.

“It’s a tremendous loss to Indian Country,” said Louis Pitt, director of Warm Springs Government Affairs.

As a leader of the Paiute Tribe for over 14 years, Chief Henry had a long-term memory of tribal business. He added stability and integrity to the Warm Springs tribal government, and of course he was a friend to many people,“ Pitt said.

Chief Henry was elected Paiute chief from among five candidates in 1987. Prior to that, the position was hereditary. The previous Paiute Chief, Nick Kalama, passed away in 1985. The chiefs now remaining on the 11-member Tribal Council are Warm Springs Chief Delvis Heath and Wasco Chief Nelson Wallulatum.

During his time as Paiute leader, Chief Henry worked to build partnerships with other Paiute tribes, it was noted.

He is survived by four children: daughters, Leah Henry, Martha Winishut and Alexandria Henry, and son, Anthony Henry. He was preceded in death by his son, Roderick.

A prayer service was held July 12 in Warm Springs, dressing ceremony July 13 at the Agency Longhouse followed by overnight services. Burial was July 14 at the Lower Seekseequa Cemetery.

County commission approves mine
Staff Report
July 16, 2001

In a July 11 meeting closed to public testimony, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a controversial proposal to include an area near Metolius on the county list of significant aggregate sites.

Earlier this year, the property’s owner, Lee Bissell, filed an application to include 150 acres of land off Eureka Lane on the county list.  After those living near the site complained, the county planning commission recommended that the county commission approve the proposal.

On June 6, the board met to hear testimony from both sides and decided to discuss the issue further at the July 11 board meeting.

“This is a time for the three of use (board members) to discuss the issue at hand, but we cannot hear new testimony,” explained board chair Janet Brown at the second meeting.

After touching upon topics ranging from the qualifications necessary for a proposed aggregate site, to issues recommended for examination at the conditional use meeting, board members decided that the quality, quantity and location of rock on Bissell’s property warranted the area’s addition to the county list.

“Since I have been on the commission, the director has indicated the need for a rock source on the southern part of the county,” said board member Bill Bellamy.  “This aggregate site will have the least impact you can have on residents and it’s a good quality of rock for roads.”

But upon approval of the proposal, Bellamy added, several issues, such as the location of airport access, traffic at the intersection of Elbe and Eureka, and the location of “quasi-commercial activity,” need to be further discussed. These topics regarding conditional use will be under the jurisdiction of the planning commission.

“Now, (Bissell’s property) is on the map,” Brown said after approving the proposal, “but not one piece of rock can be hauled out commercially until conditional use is decided.”

Artist's studio hit by drunk driver
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 13, 2001

When Coralee Popp returned home from a recent vacation, she found three disturbing messages on her answering machine.

“There’s been a horrible accident,” said the owner of Popp’s art studio on the first recording. “I hope you have insurance.”

While Popp was visting her grandchildren in California, Jesus Garcia Julian of Madras had veered off the road, knocking over two trees, a telephone pole, and crashing into the side of her studio.  The collision proved so intense that plaster from the wall in the building’s front had splatered onto paintings in the back.

“It was ugly,” said Popp.  “There was glass and plaster everywhere and I have a show in August so I thought, ’Oh man, where am I going to work?’”

Although three statues, a Navajo rug, and a mosaic had been damaged, Popp remarked that she was thankful the accident’s losses were only material.

“Fortunately no one was hurt,” Popp said, “but it could have been worse — what if children had been peeking into the windows when that guy came by?”

According to the police report, the incident occurred during the evening of June 9 and “there was a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on (Julian’s) breath,” when he spoke to police officers.
The accident’s only eyewitness stated that Julian’s blue pickup truck was racing north on 5th Street when the vehicle’s two left-side tires blew out near the Black Bear Diner.

“The pickup then went over the curb, struck the light pole and tree, then crashed into the store,” reads the report.

Julian was released after his arrest for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and will be contacted for specific insurance information.

“Luckily, he’s insured,” Popp said.  “You’d think that if someone drinks that much and drives, they wouldn’t be responsible enough to have insurance.”

“I talked to a member of the city council,” she continued, “and he said the city’s looking at about $10,000 in damages.”

Popp’s studio is the third Madras building to be hit by a reckless driver within the last year, the other two being Hatfield’s and McDonald’s.

State grants soccer fields $250,000
By Tony Ahern
Publisher
July 12, 2001

A $250,000 state grant is the final financial piece for the Juniper Hills Park soccer fields.

“This fills in all the (funding) gaps,” said Mike Morgan, Jefferson County administrative officer.

On June 21, County Commissioner Mike Ahern, Bean Foundation member and soccer project promoter George Neilson, and Jesse Macias, who’s vision started the project rolling, presented their proposal to the ruling board of the local government grant program through the Oregon State Parks fund. They were one of just 63 proposals before the board.

Last week, county officials were notified that all of their $250,000 request had been approved. It was the maximum that the grant program provides.

“It was tremendous,” said Morgan. “We expected that we might get some funding, but to get the full amount was fantastic.”

The soccer program request reportedly ranked third in highest priority out of the 63 proposals.
Morgan credited Ahern, Neilson and Macias with providing an outstanding presentation. “They were absolutely compelling,” he said, noting that each gave a short, moving address with three very different angles.

New fields by 2002
The soccer complex, under construction east of the present baseball/softball fields, will entail two adult-size fields, which could be transformed into four youth-size fields. Burms are planned for around the fields for grass seating. An additional mile of paved walking paths, which would mesh with the existing paved paths around the park, are also in the plans.

A parking area and restroom facility are planned on the west side of the first field, off the east side of the road that leads to the baseball fields parking lot. A 72-space parking area is planned to the north of the second field.

Morgan said he has been in contact with the United States Soccer Foundation and officials there have tentatively agreed to provide detailed landscape and field design services at no cost.
Presently, Oregon National Guard crews are using heavy equipment to clear and sculpt the ground. Before they’re done they will have moved 60,000 cubic yards of dirt. The crews have been working at the site since spring.

The total cost of the soccer complex is budgeted at $764,000. However, the project is being largely funded by grants, donations and in-kind work.

The primary contributions have included the Bean Foundation, which donated the land valued between $150,000 and $200,000; and Sen. Ron Wyden, spurred by an inquiry from Macias, got the National Guard to do the ground prep work, valued at approximately $150,000.

The recent agreement from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to provide the landscape design will also be a money-saver.

Morgan said the county had hoped to have the fields playable by the upcoming fall season, but that target date is out of reach. Present plans call for the fields to be seeded or have sod placed by October.

The soccer fields will be an addition to the Juniper Hills Park complex, which presently includes four adult softball fields, three Little League baseball fields, a playground, a restroom facility, and a figure-8-style walking/running path wrapping around and through the park.

'Hounds return for powwow
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
7/11/01

Dedicated rock enthusiasts from locations as diverse as Australia and Eugene gathered last week at the “Rockhound Powwow” to swap stories, advice and, of course, rocks.

The event, which took place at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, housed over 50 vendors whose wares included rough rocks, fossils, crystal and mineral specimens, rock-carving equipment, and jewelry.

But no matter what items participants bought or sold, all shared an uncanny fascination with gems and minerals.

Doug Johnson, who ran a table at the powwow, first contracted “opal fever” 20 years ago while mining in Australia.  Since that time, he has sold Australian Opal, Onyx and Burma-teek on 47th Street in New York, at the Louvre in Paris, and in London.

“I have a mine in Australia, but I like to come up here for the gem shows,” he explained.  “And, this is a really friendly town.”

Rob and Cheryl Warwick of “Warwick Designs” in Eugene manned a table with a variety of agates and a geode from Mt. Saint Helens.  A jeweler by trade, Rob described rock collecting as “a side business and a way to get out of town on the weekends.”

“I love to camp, hike and explore,” he said. “I’ve been doing this since I was a kid.”

Rob came to the powwow two years ago and remarked that it was “a great show” where he met rock hobbyists with similar interests and passions.

For Ash Carter of Southern California, collecting rocks had financial motivations.

He first went on a “dig” in 1972 and remarked that, “being a little bit of a greedy type of person, I decided I’d like a hobby that makes money.”

Now, he travels with wife Irene during the summers to various rock gatherings, selling mostly uncut natural Australian Opal.  This was his second year at the Madras powwow, which he said proved more profitable than one the couple had attended for years in Sisters.

“This is a good show for us because there are more people who are interested in uncut material,” he said.  “There are more real rockhounds.”

Brian Davidson bears the label “rockhound” proudly.

A part-owner of the Ashland Rock Shop, he explained his interest in rocks by describing “the fascination I have for the beauty of gems.”

At the powwow, his table display included a large collection of sparkling Brazilian amethyst cathedrals.

“These are great because they reach more than just rock people,” he said.  “They bridge the gap from common people who want something beautiful in their homes to avid collectors.”

Davidson, along with the majority of powwow participants, would fit into the latter category.
“I have to travel a lot for advertising and sales, but I do really enjoy these gatherings,” he said.  “These are my people.”

Roth starts High Desert Taxi
By Susan Matheny
General Editor
July 10, 2001

Madras resident Rebecca Roth had worked locally as a caregiver, house cleaner and educational assistant for Special Ed kids, but was searching for a career change.

“I wanted to be more independent — my own boss and to do something the town needed,” she said.

To get ideas she approached the Chamber of Commerce and asked what services Madras was lacking. “Parrish (Van Wert) said the town is growing and we really needed a good taxi service,” she related.

With that tip, High Desert Taxi was born July 1. Roth said one reason Madras hasn’t had an official taxi was because start-up expenses are high. Besides the Volkswagon Jetta she purchased to use, she has to pay $4,700 yearly for car insurance. She also has had to purchase business licenses to operate the taxi in Madras, Culver, Redmond, the Redmond airport, and the Warm Springs Reservation.

The taxi is available every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with other hours possible by reservation only. Rates around town are $2 per mile, with a $5 minimum charge. Other longer distance fees are more negotiable. Customers can catch a ride from Madras to the Redmond airport for approximately $40, Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Casino and Resort for $50, and Sisters or Bend for $50.

High Desert Taxi can be reached by tollfree cell phone at 815-0134, or at Roth’s answering machine at 475-5892, which she checks regularly. She can accept cash, VISA or other credit card payments, but no checks.

She asks customers to be patient. Since she is the only driver, she can only transport one ride at a time and it may take a few minutes to answer other calls.

That will change in the future, however. “I have great plans. In 1 1/2 years I hope to expand to have a partner, or employ a couple of other people,” Roth said.

“Public transportation is a huge problem in Central Oregon with Dial-A-Ride for seniors being about the only thing,” she added.

In an effort to fill the gap as well as make her business successful, Roth is a state provider for medical transportation to take patients to doctor’s appointment in Bend or Redmond. Patients contact the Senior and Disabled Office, which then contacts Roth.

She is encouraging groups of four workers to “carpool” by having the taxi pick them up at a designated spot and sharing the cost. Food deliveries to businesses around town are another special service she is more than happy to do — for just $5. This helps out local restaurants as well as hungry office or mill workers.

It can be cheaper to take a cab to the Redmond airport than pay to park you car, Roth points out, and said many tourists from Kah-Nee-Ta and other areas could hire her to go on excursions around the area.

“Carlos Smith, the administrator at Kah-Nee-Ta, has been really supportive and will put brochures in all the guest rooms. Then convention people who want to see Sisters or the lava lands can get there by taxi,” Roth said.

Roth is enthusiastic about her new job and glad to be of service to others.

“It’s kind of a fun job. You meet all kinds of people and they seem to really need and want a taxi here,” she said.

Residents discuss limits on Deschutes
By David McMechan
News Editor
July 9, 2001

There are a variety of reasons why people agree that there should be some limit on the number of people who are on the river on a given day.

When you get tens of hundreds of people floating the same area of river on the same day, the experience is less enjoyable for all of them.

Also, when a river becomes too crowded, people have a hard time finding a place to fish, and somewhere to camp.

People are forced to camp in areas that had not previously been camped in, and to walk along river bank that previously had been left alone. This causes damage to fish habitat.

The important question is: At what point has the river become so crowded as to justify the implementation of a permit program.

According to the 1993 management plan approved for the Lower Deschutes, the target number for the area between Warm Springs and Maupin is 550 people on a weekend summer day.

Agency officials suspect that boaters have reached this number, and apparently greatly exceeded it.

The method by which the managing agencies count the boaters, though, is a point of controversy.
Calculating the number of boaters in a particular part of the river can be difficult, because the Deschutes has many points of entry.

Also, the boaters travel downstream at different paces, the fishermen taking their time, and the white-water rafters moving relatively quickly.

“It is beyond our physical and financial capability to implement a system of tracking that accounts for each boater each day on the river,” said Steve Brutscher, of the Parks and Recreation Department.

For management purposes, the Lower Deschutes is divided into four segments, each segment having unique qualities that set it apart from the others.

During one day, if a boater floats from segment one into segment two, agency officials consider this as two boating days on the river: One day in segment one, and one day in segment two.
The reason for this is that the boater, during the one day, has contributed to the management issues of two segments of the river.

“You have two boater days, but the person is on the river only one day,” Brutscher said.
“People might look at that and say we’re double counting. Our response is that this may seem to artificially inflate the numbers, but it is the only way we can account for the boater’s impacts in the two segments.”

Brutscher said, “In order for us to manage the environment and the boating use in a segment so that it provides the recreational experience and setting that people expect, we have to ascribe numbers.”

The counting system, he said, is not ideal, but it is necessary for management of the resource.

O'Meara to go to trial
By David McMechan
News Editor
July 6, 2001

Trial is set for next for next week in the case of Kevin O’Meara versus the city of Madras.

O’Meara, owner of Nine Peaks Golf Course, filed suit about two years ago, claiming the city had breached an agreement to provide treated water from the city treatment plant for irrigation of the golf course.

The city has filed a countersuit, claiming O’Meara breached the agreement by not taking the water in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

The city last month terminated the water agreement, and also terminated a property lease agreement with O’Meara.

Nine Peaks is now a nine-hole course, as the other nine holes are located on, or partly on the former city-leased acreage.

The city decided to terminate the lease after O’Meara began construction of new golf course holes on other ground that O’Meara leased from the city.

This other property was intended only for farm use, according to the city. O’Meara’s attempt to construct golf course holes on the land has taken this ground out of farm production, the city contends.

The action was a serious breach of the property agreement, the city contends.

For irrigation of the remaining nine holes at Nine Peaks, O’Meara is using his North Unit Irrigation District water rights.

High Desert caps year with performance
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 5, 2001

Dancers tapped, twirled and tendued their ways through strenuous routines at the High Desert Dance Arts’ recent “Dance Scenes, Dance Dreams” performance.

The event, which took place last Friday and Saturday at Crook County High School, featured performers from the dance company’s Madras studio who showcased their abilties in styles ranging from classical ballet to breakdancing.

A class of young tap students in turqouise tutus opened the show with their rendition of “How Much is that Doggie in the Window?” and “Daddy Wouldn’t Buy me a Bow-Wow.”  Their shuffling, feet-stomping, and finger-wagging warranted hearty applause from the sold-out auditorium.

The advanced ballet class’ performance proved another crowd pleaser.  Dancers helped choreograph the routine, a “rock ballet,” in which they executed traditional ballet steps while Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” filled the room.

While introducing the two advanced tap classes’ performance of the “Devil Came Down to Georgia” on Saturday, the classes’ instructor urged audience members to “stay in your chairs and keep your hats on your heads until the end of the performance,” explaining that some parents had become over-excited the previous night during this high-energy routine.  Most audience members obliged, waiting until the two groups of tappers had finished their furious “dance duel,” to erupt in applause.

Toward the event’s end, the program took an unexpected turn.  Boy dancers outfitted in street clothes snaked, cart-wheeled and flipped across the stage, performing moves they had learned in the studio’s first-ever breakdancing class, taught by high school senior Dennis Williams.

But, fittingly, the “Dance Scenes, Dance Dreams,” showcase ended on a more reflective note.  In the final piece, “Quidam,” which was choreographed by the dance company’s owner and lead instructor, Carolyn Kaiser, red background lighting, projected clouds, and spotlights created a surreal and tranquil setting.

The Madras Branch of the High Desert Dance Arts company holds this performance annually.  Next year, the pre-dance classes will have a separate performance so tickets to both events will be more readily available.

City of Madras adopts Budget
By David McMechan
News Editor
July 4, 2001

The Madras City Council last week adopted its 2001-02 budget, totaling $11.7 million for the year.

The city sewer fund constitutes close to half of the total, at $5.3 million.

For 2001-02, the city general fund, derived from property tax, is about $1.2 million. The city tax rate is just short of $4.13 per $1,000 of assessed real property value.

The police department, with a budget of $959,000 for 2001-02, is the single biggest component of the general fund.

The 2001-02 city budget includes a transportation operations fund of $718,500. The city over the next year intends to spend about $100,000 of this money on badly-needed overlay projects, improving various streets in town.

Some of the streets to be resurfaced are those running between Fourth and Fifth through downtown. This will be coordinated with the Oregon Department of Transportation resurfacing project, scheduled to begin this month.

As part of its 2001-02 budget, the city is increasing its tax on hotel and motel rooms, called the transient room tax. The city last week agreed to raise the tax by 3 percent, to 9 percent.
This should generate an additional $30,000 for the city, in addition to the $96,000 that the tax current generates. Under the plan the city is now pursuing, a part of the transient room tax revenue would go toward an urban renewal program.

One local motel owner last week spoke to the council regarding the increase in the tax. Bill Hoffman, owner of Hoffy’s Motel, said his hope was that the city would wait a year before implementing the increase.

Other residents spoke in favor of the increase, as a means of economic development and tourism promotion.

Local resident Carlos Kemper testified to the council in favor of the room tax increase. Kemper expressed a concern that the downtown area has more vacant buildings than during any other time that he could remember.

City officials are hoping the added room-tax revenue will help in making some long-term improvements to downtown Madras.

The 2001-02 city budget also calls for an increase in planning fees.

The budget calls for an overall 50-percent increase in revenue generated by the city planning department.

In this way, the department can become self-funding, rather than relying on property tax from the general fund.

The Madras Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m., July 11, to discuss how to implement the fee increase in the planning department.

Implementation will be done with input from representatives of the building and development sector of the local economy.

The city council unanimously adopted the 2001-02 budget, as recommended by the budget committee and city staff.

Logan Potato plant roof collapses
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
July 3, 2001

When Sandy Balch of Metolius heard the sounds of crashing metal and splintering wood coming from an old Logan Potato Plant building next to her house, she called her neighbor, Gail Breazeale, to see if it was being torn down.

The two would soon find that the entire building’s roof had been demolished not by an order from Logan International, but the decree of mother nature.

“It’s an old building and it’s been abandoned since 1995 when there was a fire here,” said Jefferson County Fire Chief Earl Cordes.  “I would guess it just rotted.”

Cordes drove out to the site Thursday afternoon in response to Breazeale’s call to the Sheriff’s Office.  Upon arrival at the scene, he yelled into the building because transients had reportedly been living inside.

“So far I’ve received no answer,” he said, “so they’re either unconscious, dead or not there.”

The structure’s weakness and threat of stretched electrical wires prevented officers from searching for anyone possibly trapped inside.

“As I walked around [outside], I could still hear popping and creaking,” said Cordes.
Although the building is potentially dangerous in its current condition, liability technically rests with the owner, Logan International.

“I called them earlier but so far haven’t heard back,” said Cordes.  “I hope they’ll at least rope it off or put up a night watch because it’s a hazard — kids might play around in there unsupervised and people are going to be stopping and gawking.”

Tribes celebrate with Pi-Ume-Sha
By David McMechan
News Editor
7/2/01

This past weekend (June 23-24), the Warm Springs Tribes celebrated the 32nd annual Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days.  The three-day powwow included grand entries, dance contests, a rodeo, a softball tournament, and other activities.  The annual powwow is a celebration of Tribal sovereignty as contained in the U.S.-Warm Springs Treaty of 1855.

Suspects sought in park vandalism
By Elena Lesley
Staff Writer
7/1/01

When Brenda Symons, a park maintenance worker in Culver, arrived at Culver City Park Thursday morning, she was confronted with a sight that has become all too familiar.  New picnic tables sat carved with graffiti markings, obscene drawings and words were scrawled across park bathroom walls, sprinklers lay destroyed by large rocks, and Big Mac wrappers, food scraps, and other garbage littered the baseball diamond.

Although vandalism in the park is a common occurrence, Symons noted that the damage this time was more extensive than usual.

“This happens a lot,” she said. “Broken bottles, graffiti, and busted lights are pretty common.  But this is bad—it’s probably going to cost three to five hundred dollars to fix it up.”

Brenda will have to devote at least 15 hours to scrubbing toilet bowls and urinals with pumice brick, applying paint thinner and primer to bathroom walls, and painting over the obscene markings.

On Thursday morning, her incentive to work quickly was especially great considering that groups of children were arriving at 11 a.m. to participate in the Summer Fun Program sponsored by Parks and Recreation.

“I wouldn’t want my son seeing this,” she commented.

Although maintenance workers will now probably start locking the bathrooms at dusk when the park closes, Symons does not think this will necessarily solve the  vandalism problem.

“If they can’t do it at night, they’ll just do it during the day,” she remarked.

This statement holds some truth.  Last July the park bathroom was set on fire during the middle of the day.  Someone ignited the flames in a paper towel dispenser, causing smoke damage so extensive that the inside of the building had to be repainted.

According to Symons, the vandalism problem’s solution may lie in more community participation.  She would love to help start a program for patrols in which Culver residents could watch over the park and surrounding areas.

Jeri Jones, the city recorder at Culver’s City Hall, also thinks members of the community could help prevent similar occurrences in the future.  After the discovery of Wednesday night’s vandalism, she created flyers to circulate around town that included pictures of the park’s damage.

“It’s not pretty,” she said,“but we have to shock people so they know what’s going on.  We need people to help watch the park.”

Most of all, those involved with the park’s upkeep want to keep it a safe and pleasant environment for all of the town’s residents.  But to do this they may need a community-wide network of assistance and observation.

“We work hard to keep the park nice for people to enjoy and then a few hoodlums tear it all up,” Symons said.  “It’s sad.”

If you have information regarding the identity of those who vandalized Culver City Park, please call City Hall or the Sheriff’s Office.  A reward will be offered to anyone who provides the city with information leading to the perpetrators’ arrests.

Spare change helps build home
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 29, 2001

When working toward financing the construction of a new home, every penny counts. Nickels, dimes, quarters are also welcome. With the help of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity recently raised $789.50, mostly in change.

On Easter Sunday, the church distributed 56 small paper coin boxes, shaped like little houses.
Parishioners took the boxes home, and placed them on a kitchen counter, on a coffee table, or in some other noticeable location.

Fifty days later, on Pentecost Sunday, the parishioners brought the boxes back. By that time, the boxes were filled with money, mostly coins, but also $1 and $5 bills, and the occasional $20, plus a check or two.

The money was donated by the parishioners and the people who visited their homes during the 50-day period between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. Marilyn Brown, of Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity, wished to thank all of those who contributed.

`This is the first fund-raiser for Jefferson County Habitat using the penny houses,' Brown said. `And it was very successful.' Father Jim Stephens, Habitat volunteer and board member, coordinated the recent fund-raiser.

The money will go toward construction of the seventh local Habitat for Humanity house. The new home will be that of Stacia Hein and her two sons, who will help in the construction. The house will be built at Ashwood and B streets in Madras. Ground-breaking is set for Sunday, July 15, at 2 p.m. The public is invited.

Very pleased with the result of the recent St. Patrick’s penny-house fund-raiser, Marilyn Brown encouraged anyone else interested in helping through this type of project to contact her at 475-5606.

City considers administrator hire
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 28, 2001

An idea that Brown is looking into would be to have penny-house donation boxes in local school rooms. The Madras City Council will meet next week to discuss possibly hiring a new city administrator.

The council recently advertised the job, which pays between $68,000 and $82,000 per year, in various newspapers and other publications in the state. The city has received over a dozen applications, three of which city officials are seriously considering, said Andy Parks, interim Madras administrator.

City council members, and citizen members of the hiring committee, are planning to meet at 6 p.m. next Thursday, July 12, to discuss the matter. Parks has been interim administrator since early this year. He was hired after the city terminated the employment of former Madras administrator Bill Sizemore.

A couple of months ago, the city advertised the administrator job through the services of the League of Oregon Cities. The process brought in more than 40 applications, but the council decided to continue looking until an ideal candidate is found.

Madras council OK's budget
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 27, 2001

The Madras City Council last week adopted its 2001-02 budget, totaling $11.7 million for the year. The city sewer fund constitutes close to half of the total, at $5.3 million.

For 2001-02, the city general fund, derived from property tax, is about $1.2 million. The city tax rate is just short of $4.13 per $1,000 of assessed real property value. The police department, with a budget of $959,000 for 2001-02, is the single biggest component of the general fund.

The 2001-02 city budget includes a transportation operations fund of $718,500. The city over the next year intends to spend about $100,000 of this money on badly-needed overlay projects, improving various streets in town.

Some of the streets to be resurfaced are those running between Fourth and Fifth through downtown. This will be coordinated with the Oregon Department of Transportation resurfacing project, scheduled to begin this month.

As part of its 2001-02 budget, the city is increasing its tax on hotel and motel rooms, called the transient room tax. The city last week agreed to raise the tax by 3 percent, to 9 percent.

This should generate an additional $30,000 for the city, in addition to the $96,000 that the tax current generates. Under the plan the city is now pursuing, a part of the transient room tax revenue would go toward an urban renewal program.

One local motel owner last week spoke to the council regarding the increase in the tax. Bill Hoffman, owner of Hoffy’s Motel, said his hope was that the city would wait a year before implementing the increase.

Other residents spoke in favor of the increase, as a means of economic development and tourism promotion. Local resident Carlos Kemper testified to the council in favor of the room tax increase. Kemper expressed a concern that the downtown area has more vacant buildings than during any other time that he could remember.

City officials are hoping the added room-tax revenue will help in making some long-term improvements to downtown Madras.

Man drowns at Cove
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 26, 2001

The sheriff’s office is investigating the drowning death of a 38-year-old Madras man.

Sergio Nava drowned in Lake Billy Chinook at the Cove day-use area at approximately 4:15 p.m., Monday, June 25.

Sheriff’s deputies and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene, but efforts to revive Nava were not successful.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The water where Nava drowned was approximately 25 feet deep, according to a report from the sheriff’s office.

The case is under investigation.

Law addresses feral pig problem
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 25, 2001

A growing concern over wild pigs in Central Oregon has resulted in a new law that adds feral swine to the state’s definition of wildlife. In the past, the disease-carrying pigs had legally been considered livestock, even though they do not belong to anyone, and are unsuitable for a farm.

As livestock, the pigs enjoyed some protection, because a landowner with a feral pig problem was limited in how he or she could deal with the animals. As livestock, the pigs had to be either returned to the rightful owner, or sold at a public sale as stray livestock.

Now classified as wildlife, the pigs can be hunted and trapped. The pigs in recent years have been causing problems to landowners, including those in Central Oregon.

Estimates by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife place the number of feral swine at several hundred in a specific area of Jefferson and Wasco counties. Crook County has also been experiencing some feral pig problems.

The new law, signed by Gov. Kitzhaber last month, 'aims to eliminate feral swine degradation of riparian areas and the depredation of ground-nesting birds. The hunter can help control the nuisance.'

Rooting by swine has resulted in damage to agricultural and forested lands, including soil disturbance in riparian and upland areas.

The pigs have caused increased erosion, and the acceleration of the spread of noxious weeds, factors that are detrimental to native fish and wildlife species. While the wild pigs tend to inhabit areas not commonly seen by humans, they will disperse into agricultural and livestock operations as their population grows.

The animals also can pose a threat to human safety: the pigs are wild and dangerous, with the large boars weighing up to 500 pounds.

Sows with litters can be aggressive and attack people. Disease transmission is also a concern.
Two years ago, responding to complaints from Central Oregon landowners, the Oregon Department Agriculture set up two control areas, one in Antelope covering Jefferson and Wasco counties, and the other in Post, covering Crook County.

Rockhounds arriving soon
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 22, 2001

Over 50 vendors of interesting rock and mineral items will arrive next week at the the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The vendors travel from around the U.S. and the world to rock-hound powwows held across the nation.

This is the 52nd year that the All Rockhound Powwow will appear at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds: The powwow runs from Wednesday, July 4, through Sunday, July 8.

The rockhounds powwow is a great chance for people to pick up unique gift items; also, people who already are knowledgeable about rocks will find something of interest at the show. The vendors will have everything from rough rock, slabs, fossils, crystal and mineral specimens to jewelry and jewelry-making supplies, tools, equipment and books for sale.

`The vendors are always pleased to answer questions and to offer encouragement and advice,' commented Linda Averill, from Marysville, Wash., spokeswoman for the All Rockhound Powwow Club of America.

The powwow, Averill said, `makes for a great family outing, a delightful recreational and educational opportunity.'

The vending booths are open from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily during the powwow. There will be a daily swap table, and nightly activities including music, games, dancing and an auction. A rock-toss and other special events provide extra fund for youngsters.

City considers annexations
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 6, 2001

In recent weeks Madras officials have been discussing the possibility of significantly expanding the city limits. Officials are considering two separate possibilities:

One is the annexation of the Industrial Park; and the other is the annexation of all the rest of the land outside the city limits that is within the urban growth boundary (UGB). The UGB is the area surrounding the city limits designated for the accommodation of long-term growth. Both of the proposed annexation projects would increase city revenue:

Preliminary estimates indicate that annexation of the Industrial Park could generate as much as $230,000 per year for the city; and the UGB expansion could add another $234,000. The city immediately could annex the Industrial Park, if a majority of the business owners at the park agree to the action.

The city would likely put the other annexation proposal to a vote of the residents within the UGB. The vote probably won’t happen before November of 2002. Meanwhile, city officials are beginning a discussion with business owners at the Industrial park, regarding the annexation idea.

The city would like to move ahead with this annexation in the fairly near future, said Rick Allen, Madras mayor. City finances are a main reason why local officials at the present time are taking a close look at the possible annexations.

In recent weeks, while developing a city budget for 2001-02, council and budget committee members have agreed that Madras needs to take action very soon to ensure future financial stability. For instance, for the coming budget year, the reserve funds of the city will likely be reduced by approximately $80,000, from $187,800 to about $106,375.

The reduction in carry-over is necessary to maintain current police services, and perform a minimum of necessary city street work. If the present trend continues for the 2002-2003 budget, then the city reserve fund fall to nearly $0: That is not a reasonable option, said interim city administrator Andy Parks.

Council and budget committee members unanimously agree with Parks’ determination that something needs to change. Correcting the city’s financial situation involves two options: Either reducing city staff and services, or increasing city revenue.

Of the two choices, laying off staff and reducing services is not a long-term financial solution for a growing community, city officials agree. Instead, at Parks’ suggestion, council members, with the unanimous recommendation of the budget committee, are considering annexation as a means of stabilizing city finances.

City budgets for street work
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 5, 2001

The last time that the city of Madras did overlay work on a city street was at least five years ago. For most cities, overlaying streets is a common thing, but for Madras in recent memory it has been rare.

The county roads located in the city have seen more attention over the past five years than have the city-maintained streets. The reason for this, of course, is the city budget, which has been a constant problem for the past few city councils.

The city budget has not grown at the rate the community has grown. City services have stayed about the same, while the number of people being served has increased. The new treatment plant is a big step toward addressing one aspect of needed infrastructure expansion. Meanwhile, though, city roads have seen little attention.

You have a multi-million dollar investment in the city street system, and there is no way you can just go on forever without maintenance,' commented interim city administrator Andy Parks.
For the 2001-02, the city has budgeted $100,000 for road overlay work.

Roads that will see work are the ones between Fourth and Fifth through Madras.
This work will coincide with the Oregon Department of Transportation road work that is scheduled for July and August in Madras.

In the coming budget year, the city will also work on various other roads throughout town, including Buff Street, C Street, Second Street, among others. Along with street maintenance projects, the city’s proposed 2001-02 budget includes funding for street construction.

The largest of these projects will be J Street, and the related Tenth Street paving project, from Buff to J. The J Street project is a cooperative effort between the city and county. The city and county are using revenue from fees on new construction for the J Street project.

The street projects are discussed in the proposed 2001-02 budget recommended for adoption last week by the Madras Budget Committee. The committee consists of the city council as well as citizen representatives.

After reviewing and discussing the draft budget proposed by city staff, the committee was unanimous in its recommendation that the council adopt the budget. The city council will consider the budget in June.

County to consider rock-pit proposal
By David McMechan
News Editor
June 4, 2001

The county commission on Wednesday will consider whether to add a proposed aggregate mine site near Metolius to the list of significant aggregate resource sites in the county. The county planning commission has recommended that the site, located off Eureka to the west of Metolius, be included on the list of significant sites.

The property owner/applicant is Lee Bissell, who owns approximately 450 acres off of Eureka west of Metolius. The proposed aggregate site would include 150 acres of the property. The plan is not to mine the entire 150 acres at once, but rather to have smaller operations over time.

At the planning commission review level, residents along Eureka near the proposed mine area spoke against the application. Main concerns are dust and traffic from the trucks traveling to and from the aggregate site.

Bissell has estimated that, when the mine is in operation, six truckloads of aggregate will be taken from the site per day. The estimate is that two truckloads would travel west on Eureka, and four would travel east, toward Metolius.

There are about half a dozen residences along Eureka in the area of the proposed mine.
The county’s process in considering Bissell’s is twofold: first, the applicant must request that the property be included on the list of significant aggregate resources sites; and second, the applicant must request a permit to actually operate the mine.

The Bissell property is zoned exclusive farm use; so operation of the mine will require a conditional use permit. The test to determine whether to include the property on the list of significant aggregate resource sites involves consideration of the quality and quantity of aggregate.

Consideration of whether to grant the conditional use permit involves consideration of impacts such as traffic, said Devon Hearing, senior county planner.

Cogentrix outlines water options
By David McMechan
News Editor
May 30, 2001

The company planning to construct a large power-generation plant in Jefferson County is exploring the possibility of using water from wells drilled in the area of Juniper Butte. Operation of the power plant proposed by Cogentrix Energy, Inc., would require approximately five million gallons of water per day.

To compensate for water taken from the wells, Cogentrix would line irrigation canals in the region, thereby reclaiming water for irrigation that would have seeped into the ground. Pat King, Cogentrix representative in the Portland office, provided this and other information to the Madras City Council last week.

The city council earlier this year endorsed the Cogentrix proposal, which is to construct a 1,000-megawatt power station near Grizzly Butte. Site of the proposed plant is off Ramms Road, near the Grizzly power substation, to which the new power plant would be tied.

The plant would be fueled by natural gas, access to which is nearby the proposed development. Some energy would also be generated through steam from the heat of the gas-powered turbines.
The Cogentrix proposal has generated opposition from residents living near the site. The opponents have voiced concerns regarding potential environmental impacts of the plant, including impact to local water resources.

In response, Cogentrix officials have said that no local water users would be harmed by development of the plant. Fish habitat in the Deschutes could even be improved through the project, said Pat King.

This year, Cogentrix will spend over $300,000 on test wells related to the Grizzly power project, King said. In all, the company will spend about $1 million on studies and documentation related to the project, he said.

A main well site that Cogentrix is considering is located south of Juniper Butte, close to the old Opal City site. Another site is closer to the High Bridge. The well-site near Juniper Butte once was used for water by a railroad company. The railroad stopped using its well several decades ago.

Water is needed for the plant mainly as part of the cooling system. Five-million gallons per day is a good amount of water, although maybe not as much as the “five-million” figure might imply.
For perspective: If you stood on the Deschutes Crossing Bridge by Warm Springs, five-million gallons would flow by in the river below in about two or three minutes.

Administrator job narrowed to four
Staff Report
May 23, 2001

The field of candidates for the Madras city of administrator job has been narrowed to four. The city received over 45 applications for the job.

City officials are hoping that a new person will be on board this summer, at least by early September. The hope is to have the new person on board by the start of the school year.

The League of Oregon Cities provided Madras officials with a suggested ranking of the candidates into general categories of very qualified, qualified, and not so qualified.

The city council then narrowed the field to six finalists, two of whom in the meantime have taken other jobs. City representatives will interview the final four candidates, leading to a final choice by the council. Citizens may also be involved in the process, said Mayor Rick Allen.

Tribes await vote results
Staff Report
May 17, 2001

As of Thursday afternoon, results were still not finalized on the vote regarding the proposed new elementary school in Warm Springs. A important question is whether the vote saw the necessary 50-percent turnout.

On Thursday morning, an unconfirmed report from Warm Springs was that the turnout was at about 50-percent, although perhaps approximately 40 votes shy. However, it was not possible to say with certainty whether this report would prove accurate.

The elections officers are waiting for the return of the Tribal Council before annoucing a final vote count. Tribal Council members are out of state at the present time. Election results may be known Friday or early next week.

The question on the ballot was whether the Tribes should spend up to $8 million on construction of a new kindergarten through fifth-grade school. Of the $8 million estimated construction cost, half would be repaid to the tribes over a 20-year period by the Jefferson County 509-J School District.

The new elementary school would be located in the south area of Warm Springs, near the Tribes’ clinic facility. The new school would be 65,000 square feet in size, and would include 24 classrooms and house up to 600 students.

The current Warm Springs Elementary School facilities, parts of which date back a number of decades, are no longer adequate, supporters of the ballot proposal have said. The oldest portion of the current elementary school was built about 60 years ago. A new portion dates back to the late 1950s. The school also includes a number of modular units.

Safety for students, due to the age of the building, is a part of the reason why a new school is necessary, supporters say. Also, the cafeteria is located across a street from classrooms, presenting another safety issue.

Having the modular units for classrooms is also an inconvenience, and another reason why there is support for construction of a new building, Spino said. There are 2,104 eligible voting members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. A 50-percent turnout is needed.

The new elementary school project is a joint effort of the Tribes and the 509-J district. Along with jointly funding the new school, the Tribes and the school district would also work cooperatively on electing the engineers, architects and planners.

Former teacher facing more charges
Staff Report
May 16, 2001

Former Culver school teacher Craig Clemmer this week was arraigned on additional charges of first-degree sexual abuse. Clemmer had been facing six counts, and now is facing 20 counts.
In the initial grand jury indictment, filed last month, the district attorney alleged that Clemmer had sexually abused four young female Culver students.

After further investigation, the amended indictment alleges that the case involves five victims. The new indictment includes 14 additional counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Conviction of one count of first-degree sexual abuse, a Measure 11 crime, brings a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six years and three months.

Clemmer has entered pleas of not guilty to all of the charges. He is currently lodged in the Jefferson County Jail, with bail set at $300,000. Clemmer’s attorney has requested that the bail amount be reduced. A hearing on this request is set for Friday of this week.

Trial in the case is set for June 12. Clemmer, 46, was arrested on April 13, after he turned himself in to the custody of the sheriff’s department. Court documents allege that, sometime over the past two and a half years, Clemmer subjected five young students to sexual contact.

At the time, Clemmer was the physical education teacher. He had been a teacher at Culver since 1992.

Scout's expulsion raises question
By David McMechan
News Editor
May 15, 2001

Everyone who knows Jordy Brown thinks he is an upstanding young man. His report card at Madras High School includes nearly all A’s. He’s active in the school band and the school drama club.

He’s an Eagle Scout who has taken it upon himself to establish a memorial to county residents who were killed at war. His parents are well-liked and respected in the community: His dad Tom Brown owns the Coach Works auto shop, and his mom Janet Brown is a county commissioner.

Anyone who knows Jordy, 17, would surely be surprised to learn that he had been expelled from school. Some people might also think the three-day expulsion was not fair. School officials, though, may have been compelled to expel the student. From the school administration perspective, what happened may seem fairly straightforward: Brown brought a knife on school property.

However, the Browns tell another side of the story. From their perspective, a good and necessary school policy, the prohibition of bringing a knife on campus, can sometimes create a kind of Catch-22 situation for the student.

School officials have not been able to comment on the matter, as a school disciplinary case is a closed process. From Jordy and his parents’ point of view, there are some circumstances that indicate expulsion was not the right way to address the situation.

First of all, Jordy, who is a junior, did not realize he had brought the knife to school: Jordy says he found it in a sweatshirt pocket after class, as he was packing a bag to travel with fellow students to a school band competition at Oregon State University.

Brown had been using the pocketknife a few days before while working on the war memorial under construction at Friendship Park. Accidentally, he had left the knife in his sweatshirt pocket.

Then, last Wednesday after school, Brown says that upon realizing he had accidentally brought the knife on to campus, he immediately informed assistant principal Sean Gallagher of the circumstances.

As he voluntarily turned the knife over to Gallagher, Brown initially thought the incident was not going to be a big deal: After all, Brown says, he had done all he could to correct his inadvertent possession of the knife.

Brown continued getting ready to leave with the rest of the band students, but soon realized that school officials did not view the situation the same way that he did. Brown was given an expulsion from school, based on a school district policy prohibiting the possession of weapons on campus.

The rule says that possession of a knife 'may' be grounds for expulsion, although the policy is not mandatory. The expulsion was originally for five days, but it was reduced to three days.
As a result of the expulsion, Jordy missed the prestigious state band competition at OSU. He plays tenor sax in the MHS band.

Over this past weekend, Brown missed the MHS production of The Wizard of Oz, for which Brown was a technician. And the worst part, he missed three days of school. Brown is close to being a straight-A student, but this year Algebra II has been a hard course for him.
Missing three days was a very unfortunate consequence of the expulsion, commented Janet Brown.

Janet, Tom and Jordy feel the school was unfair in how the situation was handled. The lesson of the school district, they say, seems to be that telling the truth about an honest mistake can lead to expulsion.

No doubt, people in the 509-J school district are aware of other cases in which a parent feels a child has been disciplined unfairly. For instance, Brown is not the first 509-J student to have been disciplined for accidentally having a knife at school.

Cases such as this show that school officials nowadays, understandably, take a strict approach to students with potential weapons on campus. The zero-tolerance policy is understandable, but for some it can seem unfair and beyond common sense.

Metolius enjoys new road work
Staff Report
May 14, 2001

Metolius residents in two neighborhoods were glad last week to see improvements to the roads leading to their homes. In two areas of town, Washington Avenue and Eighth Street, once gravel roads, were paved with asphalt.

The Washington Avenue paving work will help in controlling dust for the homes along the avenue. Washington is on the west side of town, and the prevailing wind would carry the dust from the road into the homes along Washington.

Some of the residents along the avenue are senior citizens; and the dust was a big problem because some the people have allergies. The Eighth Street work, at the south end of Metolius, was needed because this neighborhood has a good number of houses, and the gravel road was no longer adequate, said Hal Littlejohn, Metolius Public Works director.

The paving work was made possible through a $25,000 small cities allotment grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation. A total of 966 linear feet of Washington Avenue were paved; and a total of 1,558 linear feet of Eighth street were paved. Contractor for the job was Hooker Creek Asphalt.

City considers police chief options
By David McMechan
News Editor
May 13, 2001

In the long-term, in looking to hire a police chief, Madras officials have two choices.

They can try to recruit a police chief from outside the community, or they can look to the officers currently working for the department. In the past few years, the hiring of permanent chiefs of police from outside the community has not been greatly successful for the city.

Their average tenures have been fairly short, for instance, and some have left amidst controversy and conflict with former city council members. As an alternative to hiring a new chief of police from outside the community, Madras officials are now exploring the long-range idea of promoting Madras police Cpt. Tom Adams as the new chief of the department.

The idea is for Adams to train for the police job over the next year or so. During that time, he could complete  courses at the FBI Academy, among other training. The idea of recruiting a new chief from within the department has the support of city council members such as Melanie Widmer, who serves on the city police commission, as well as Mayor Rick Allen.

Enes Smith, currently serving as interim chief of Madras police, is advocating that the council pursue the long-term idea of promoting Adams to chief of police. Smith said he would work with Adams over the next year on this project.

City councilwoman Widmer, in explaining her support of this idea, commented, `In the past few years we have not been very successful in recruiting a chief from out of the area.' On the other hand, she said, `Cpt. Adams has been with the department for a number of years, he’s well respected, and he’s done well as an officer.'

In April of this year, Adams, who formerly served as the police department’s drug officer, was promoted to the position of captain, second in authority after the police chief.

Tribes to vote on new school
By David McMechan
News Editor
May 9, 2001

Members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will vote next week on whether to construct a new elementary school. The question on the ballot is whether the Tribes should spend up to $8 million on construction of a new kindergarten through fifth-grade school.
Half of the cost of the new school would be repaid to the tribes over a 20-year period by the Jefferson County 509-J School District.

The new elementary school would be located in the south area of Warm Springs, near the Tribes’ clinic facility. The new school would be 65,000 square feet in size, and would include 24 classrooms and house up to 600 students.

The current Warm Springs Elementary School facilities — parts of which date back a number of decades — are no longer adequate, supporters of the ballot proposal say. The oldest portion of the current elementary school was built about 60 years ago. A new portion dates back to the late 1950s. The school also includes a number of modular units.

Safety for students — due to the age of the building — is a part of the reason why a new school is necessary, commented Tribal member Madeline Queahpama Spino, supervisor of Warm Springs vital statistics.

Also, the cafeteria is located across a street from classrooms, presenting another safety issue, Spino said. Having the modular units for classrooms is also an inconvenience, and another reason why there is support for construction of a new building, Spino said.

The vote on the $8 million proposal is Wednesday of next week, May 16. There are 2,104 eligible voting members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
A 50-percent turnout is needed.

Aggregate mine proposed near Metolius
By David McMechan
News Editor
May 8, 2001

An application for the designation of a gravel pit near Metolius is currently pending before the county. The county planning commission has recommended that the site, located off Eureka to the west of Metolius, be included in the list of significant aggregate resource sites in the county.
The county commission has final authority to grant the application. The commission is slated to consider the matter on June 6.

The applicant is Lee Bissell, who owns close to 450 acres off Eureka west of Metolius. The proposed aggregate site would include 150 acres of the property. The plan is not to mine the entire 150 acres at once, but rather to have smaller operations over time. Residents along Eureka near the proposed mine area have spoken against the application.

Main concerns are dust and traffic from the trucks traveling to and from the aggregate site, said Devon Hearing, senior planner for the county. Bissell has estimated that, when the mine is in operation, six truckloads of aggregate will be taken from the site per day.

The estimate is that two truckloads would travel west on Eureka, and four would travel east, toward Metolius. Another concern of the opponents is in regard to the potential impact of the mine on wildlife.

However, there is no designated wildlife area, winter range or sensitive bird sites, for instance,  near the proposed mine. There are about half a dozen residences along Eureka in the area of the proposed mine. Some of the residents spoke against the application at the planning commission meeting last month.

The county’s process in considering Bissell’s is twofold: first, the applicant must request that the property be included on the list of significant aggregate resources sites; and second, the applicant must request a permit to actually operate the mine.

The Bissell’s property is exclusive farm use; so operation of the mine will require a conditional use permit. The test to determine whether to include the property on the list of significant aggregate resource sites involves consideration of the quality and quantity of aggregate.
Consideration of whether to grant the conditional use permit involves consideration of impacts such as traffic, said Devon Hearing.

Popular air show to return
By David McMechan
News Editor
May 7, 2001

The event last year was a great success, and people who attended have said they hope it becomes a tradition. The Madras Air Show last year brought over 60 interesting aircraft to the Madras Airport.

The two-day event also drew a large and appreciative audience, who enjoyed watching the aerial stunts, listening to live Big Band music, and admiring the wide variety of planes. Residents will be happy to learn that the Madras Air Show will be returning again this year, for a two-day weekend run during the month of August.

Like last year, the show will feature the breathtaking stunts by aerial acrobat pilots and skydivers. There will be a nighttime pyrotechnics display, and a great number of interesting airplanes.

Even the Betty Burger Big Band will make a return performance in the north hanger. While the show this year promises much of the same kinds of activities that were a success last year, there will be some differences in the 2001 Madras Air Show.

`For one thing, we may decorate the hangar a bit more, and add some emphasize that part of the show,' commented Don Mobley, fixed-base operator of the Madras Airport. Mobley was a main organizer of the 2000 Madras Air Show, which was an event of the Central Oregon Experimental Aircraft Association.

This year, Mobley is in charge of the entertainment part of the show, while Judy Patterson, a pilot from Sisters, is chairwoman of the Air Show organizational committee. The Experimental Aircraft Association will still be a part of the Air Show, but the group is not officially a part of the event organization.

Patterson keeps her airplane at the Madras Airport, and is a former flying student of Don Mobley. Her husband Mike is now taking lessons from Mobley. Mike Patterson is quite familiar with the hangars at the Madras Airport: last year, he was hired to paint the large, World War II era buildings.

As a good friend of Mobley, Judy Patterson agreed earlier this year to be the chair of the Air Show organizing committee. The event requires extensive preparation, and Mobley already has a lot of responsibility managing the day-to-day operation of the airport.

On the other hand, Judy Patterson has a more flexible schedule: she has a bed-and-breakfast in Sisters, and also does interior design work. She was was impressed with last year’s Madras Air Show: `It was wonderful, very sweet and nostalgic,' Patterson commented.

The event was well-organized last year. There was only one unexpected expense, about $1,340, which the city later picked up, so that Mobley would not have to pay it out of his own pocket. The city and the county, which jointly own the airport, also contributed $2,500 each to the event.
`It was well organized last year, but we’re going to be even more organized this year,' said Judy Patterson. `It is a great event for the airport, and the for the community.'

City forum provides lively discussion
By David McMechan
News Editor
April 25, 2001

The topics of discussion ranged from a performing arts center to the state prison.
Also, the subject of the Cogentrix power plant came up from time to time.

Madras Mayor Rick Allen’s State of the City forum last week was well attended, with close to 100 people on hand.

The forum began with Allen recounting some of the developments in Madras city government over the past four months, since the time that he and the new council took office.

Kept it from sinking

The city government was in serious trouble late last year, but the change in council and a change in staff has helped straighten things out, Allen said. The council is almost completely new, with only Dave Allison serving from the previous council.

Other former council members and the former mayor were either voted out of office in November, or recalled in January. Also in January, the city placed former city administrator Bill Sizemore on leave, and then terminated his employment a few weeks later.

Andy Parks, of the Bend city staff, has been filling in as interim city administrator. This arrangement has been a great help to the city, Allen commented. `The ship was sinking,' Allen said of situation that existed at city hall late last year. `But we kept it from going down. That was the first priority.'

The city is in the process of hiring a new permanent city administrator. Working with the League of Oregon Cities, city officials are hoping to have a new administrator by the fall, Allen said.
In another personnel item, the city is looking to keep Enes Smith as police chief for a while longer, Allen said.

The department officers, other law enforcement agencies, and the Madras community in general are getting along well with Smith as chief of police, Allen commented. Regarding the public works department, the city will try to hire a new public works director by the end of year. The current interim director, Tom Gellner, has been a great help to the city, but Gellner can continue working for Madras only for a limited time, Allen said.

Since the beginning of the year, the city has also established and made appointments to new committees for public works, the airport/industrial park, police, and so forth. City officials have also spent part of the year getting up to speed on city projects that were under way when the new council took office. These projects include the $9 million sewer treatment plant, and the J Street extension, Allen said.

Downtown improvement

A focus of the city in coming years will be the improvement of the downtown area: The city, Allen said, may look at increasing its transient room tax by 2 or 3 percent, with the additional revenue dedicated to downtown improvement.

Another interesting means of improving the downtown could come through a cooperative effort with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Allen said. It is possible, he said, that the Tribes could have a business downtown, a salmon market, for instance, that would add a unique character to the Madras downtown.

`The downtown will be a main emphasis,' he said, mentioning also that in coming years:
The city may look to annex all of the land in the urban growth boundary into the city limits. This would likely be put to a vote of the city residents.

The city will focus on growing to the east and to the west, rather than north and south along the highway. The city may take over full responsibility for the airport, which Madras and the county currently operate jointly.

Allen also summarized his long-term vision for the city: In 8 to 12 years, he said, the city should have between 8,000 and 10,000 residents. This population would support amenities like an additional golf course, a movie theater, and public pool, `but you would still know your neighbor, and the drive to work could still only take five or ten minutes.'

W.S. woman pleads guilty
Staff Report
April 24, 2001

A Simnasho woman pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder in a case involving the death of a child who was left alone in a hot vehicle. Tamara Coffee, 34, will spend up to six and a half years in prison federal prison for the conviction.

Coffee was charged last summer with murder in the death of Andres Estaben Saragos, who died at age 4. A medical examiner concluded that the child died from dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Charges were that Coffee, while acting as the boy’s foster parent, left Andres Saragos in a vehicle in a parking lot while she was at work. The incident happened July 13 on the reservation.

Coffee’s guilty plea came last Tuesday, just before the time when her trial was scheduled to begin. In entering the plea agreement, she avoids a potentially longer prison term.

County gains 120 jobs

Jefferson County added 120 new jobs during the month of March, according to a recent report from the Oregon Employment Department. The new jobs were mainly the result of the reopening of the Seaswirl boat manufacturing plant in Culver, the report indicates.

Despite the increase in new jobs, the unemployment figure for March of this year was still 250 jobs below the figure for March of last year, according to the report. The Employment Department had not yet calculated the percentage unemployment rate for the county in its latest release.

In the Central Oregon region, Deschutes County has had the strongest job growth in recent months. Last month, Deschutes added 550 jobs, with 1,410 more jobs last month than during the same month in 2000.

Crook County in March lost 90 jobs, but still had 220 more jobs last month than during the same month in 2000. In Central Oregon, Jefferson was the only county that had fewer jobs in March 2001 than in March 2000, the recent Employment Department report indicates. In other information from the report:

The statewide March unemployment rate was 4.7 percent, down 0.2 percent from the previous month. The drop in the rate followed a gain during the prior month, when Oregon’s unemployment rose from 4.4 percent in January to 4.9 percent in February.

The statewide employment rate compares favorably with the average annual rates over the past seven years, according to the report. In recent years, the highest jobless in the state was 5.9 percent, in 1995. Nationwide during the month of March, the jobless rate was 4.3 percent, about the same as during the month before.

Neighborwoods helps in tree plantings

The city of Madras Urban Forestry Commission is continuing its successful NeighborWoods program, which encourages tree plantings in the city and its urban growth boundary. A $10 donation back to the program buys the participant a tree of choice, up to $35, at either Desert Valley Nursery or McPheeters Turf.

If the participant buys a tree over $35, then the participant is responsible for the cost above $35.
Urban forestry commissioners are looking for anyone interested in inviting their neighbors and hosting a NeighborWoods tree sign-up party.

Commissioners will answer questions on plant, watering, etc., and help them select the type of tree needed. To qualify for this program, the participant should live in the city or its urban growth boundary.

The NeighborWoods program is made possible by contributions from Pacific Power and Portland General Electric Co. Anyone wanting to buy a tree or host a sign-up party, or who needs more information, can call Urban Forestry Commissioner Rob Osborn, 475-6204.

Teacher's arrest a shock to Culver
Staff Report
April 19, 2001

A grand jury this week will consider whether a Culver teacher, now on unpaid leave, will be charged with multiple counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Craig S. Clemmer, 46, physical education teacher at Culver for the past seven years, was arrested last week on allegations of sexual abuse of students.

Clemmer was lodged in the county jail on $200,000 bail, pending review by a grand jury of the charges. Conviction of a count of first degree sexual abuse, involving sexual contact with a child under 14, carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six years and three months.

The district attorney’s information in the Clemmer case, filed preliminary to grand jury review, states six counts of first-degree sexual abuse involving four different victims. The alleged victims are elementary and middle school age children, according to law enforcement officials.
At a court hearing on Monday of this week, senior deputy district attorney Steve Leriche indicated that one of the alleged victims in the case was an 8-year-old girl.

`Everyone here was shocked by this,' commented Mark Funderburg, Culver school superintendent. Funderburg said that counselors were on hand this week for any students who wished to discuss the situation. A school staff meeting on the matter was also scheduled for Monday.

`This has raised everyone’s awareness and level of concern,' Funderburg commented. He pointed out that the case is both a criminal one, as well as school personnel issue. The personnel situation, whether Clemmer would be fired, may be determined by the outcome of the criminal proceeding, Funderburg said.

Clemmer has been a teacher at Culver since 1992. His fairly long tenure at the school was one reason why the criminal charges came as such a shock to the community, Funderburg commented.
On Saturday evening, the day following Clemmer’s arrest, the Culver Boosters held an auction at the school.

`The emotions of those who attended ran the gamut from disbelief to anger,' commented Sheriff Jack Jones, who is a Culver resident with a child in the local school system. Clemmer `is someone who has been in the community for a while, and he had gained a lot of confidence and trust,' Jones said.

`This is one of those things that disappoints you. It bothers the kids to tears, to have believed and trusted in someone.'  The allegations are that Clemmer, the track coach at Culver, sexually abused young female students between 1998 and the time the criminal investigation began, on April 2.

The alleged abuse happened at the school, according to a report by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. On Friday of last week, Clemmer, made aware of a pending arrest, turned himself in to authorities. Bail was set at $200,000, which Clemmer’s attorney has requested by reduced to $100,000.

At $100,000, Clemmer’s family members could post the 10-percent necessary to provide for his conditional release, attorney Ralph Smith said at a court hearing on Monday. Judge Gary Thompson indicated that the question of whether to reduce the bail would be considered at an arraignment hearing on Friday of this week.

At the hearing on Monday, Thompson heard a request by Clemmer that the court appoint a public defender to the case. After reviewing Clemmer’s listed assets, Thompson granted the request. At that point, Smith was replaced as defense attorney by Barbara Bagg, of the law firm of Crabtree & Rahmsdorff.

District attorney Peter Deuel said that a grand jury on Thursday of this week may conclude whether to formally indict Clemmer on the sex abuse allegations. If he is indicated, then the Friday hearing would be an arraignment on the charges, at which point Clemmer may be asked to enter a plea of either guilty or not guilty.

Motor sports begin soon
Staff Report
April 18, 2001

For many Jefferson County residents, spring means the beginning of the motor sports racing season. Jefferson County has three separate motor sports tracks: The Madras Dragway; the Speedway, also known as the Circle Track; and the Willow Creek motocross track.

The motocross track is the most recent addition to the local motor sports racing tracks, which are located in the northwest area of town, by the Industrial Park and airport. The speedway is entering its 17th racing season. The dragway, meanwhile, this year is marking its 40th anniversary.

Started in ‘61

The first official points race at the dragway is scheduled for this Sunday, April 22. After that, races are every other weekend. Many different kinds of vehicles race at the one-eighth mile dragway racing track.

Categories include the super-pro dragsters; the pro category, which includes mainly modified street cars; and sportsman, which are street driven cars. The junior dragsters, youths in small-sized dragsters, also complete at the dragway. People also race motorcycles and modified snow mobiles.

The Madras Dragway is only drag strip in Central Oregon; the next closest ones are in Woodburn and Lakeview. The drag strip was built in 1961. At that time, the track was operated by a group called the Madras Timing Association, a joint venture of the Loafers Auto Club of Madras and Jefferson County Jaycees.

The association was formed for insurance purposes; and insurance remains an expensive part of the operation of the dragway. The Madras Dragway carries a $1 million insurance policy, said John Preuss, who has been the dragway operator since 1993.

The dragway was sanctioned in 1961 by the National Hot Rod Association, and the track remains an NHRA member track. Admission to the track is $5 for spectators; and $25 for a car and driver. The spectator entry fee includes access to the pit area, where you can visit with the drivers and get a closer look at the cars.

The fastest speed ever recorded at the track is 178 mph, Preuss said. This year may see that record broken, Preuss said. Racing events are all summer long, but the months of July and September will see some particularly interesting events at the dragway.

In July are the Second Annual Junior Dragster Race, and two West Coast Pro Comp Qualifying races; and a funny car match-up. In September is the Blast from the Past Nostalgia Drag race, limited to cars that predate 1973.

Les Schwab Tire Center is a sponsor is a these events. For information on the dragway, call John Preuss at 475-1958.

Arbor Day on Friday, April 20
Staff Report
April 17, 2001

The city of Madras will celebrate Arbor Day next Friday, April 20, starting at 12 noon at Sahalee Park. The event includes the Arbor Day Poster Contest Awards presentation.

Students who have made the best posters receive birdhouses and trees. Also, Katie Kause of the Oregon Department of Forestry will present Madras with its annual Tree City USA award.

Madras has been a Tree City USA for the past seven years. The Friday event at the park will begin with comments from Mayor Rick Allen, followed by an introduction of the Madras Urban Forestry Commission.

Chamber of commerce director Parrish Van Wert will also discuss the importance of urban trees to the business community. The Oregon Community Trees council, a division of the Oregon Department of Forestry, will present a special award to Ed Harris.

Council supports Cogentrix
Staff Report
April 16, 2001

The Madras City Council adopted a resolution stating the council’s support of the power plant proposed for Jefferson County by the Cogentrix Company. Listing some of the benefits of the proposed plant, the resolution in part states:

`The plant will have advanced emissions control technologies which will reduce the facility’s air emissions levels to far lower than conventional plants...'

And, `Cogeneration is a highly feasible form of energy production which could eventually allow industrial customers to curtail their use of older, less efficient boilers and limit pollution.'

And, `the proposed Cogentrix plant would create 300 new jobs during the two-year construction period, and once constructed and in operation would employ 30 people.'

Cogentrix is proposing to build a $400 million power plant on Ramms Road, located off East Highway 26 between Madras and Prineville. The company’s plan has support among city and county officials; residents living nearby the plant development site, however, are in opposition.

The opponents have said the plant would deplete local water resources, and would create pollution. In the long-term, they say, the number of new jobs at the plant is small, in comparison with negative impacts to the environment. Cogentrix intends to submit its development application to the state this summer.

Woman arrested for attempted murder
Staff Report
April 11, 2001

After allegedly trying to run over her aunt with a car, a 24-year-old Madras woman has been charged with attempted murder and other crimes. Margaret LeClair Silva was arrested Sunday, April 1, at approximately 2:35 a.m., at an apartment complex on Third Street, between C and D streets in Madras.

Earlier, LeClair had been involved in an altercation with her aunt, Regina LeClaire Brito, 41, according to a report from the Madras Police Department.

The report states that Silva and Brito apparently had been drinking together prior to the incident.

The altercation began when Brito refused to give Silva keys to a car, the report indicates.

At that point, Silva physically assaulted Brito and retrieved the keys; Silva then drove from the apartment complex parking lot, across the street, and attempted to run over Brito, the police report states.

Instead, the vehicle struck a tree, which fell on Brito, pinning her to the ground. Silva then left the scene, but police officers located her and arrested her at a residence in Madras.

In the initial response to the incident, police thought Brito had been seriously injured, as a branch of the tree had fallen across her throat.

The victim was then Air-Lifed to St. Charles, where her injuries were determined to be not so serious.

Earlier this week, she was in fair condition at the hospital. She had suffered multiple cuts and contusions.

Industry honors Foster
By David McMechan
News Editor
April 10, 2001

Over the past 20 years, the Keith Manufacturing Co. has changed the handling and conveying of solid waste. The Keith Manufacturing Walking Floor system, developed by company owner Keith Foster, is now used all over the world, from Siberia to South America.

The sales figures demonstrate how good of an idea Foster had with the Walking Floor system: In 1973, the first year of production, the company made and sold three units; now, Keith Manufacturing sells over 2,000 Walking Floor units each year.

In every state in the Union, and in countries across the globe, over 22,000 Walking Floor systems are now in use. Based in Madras, Keith Manufacturing has branch offices in Canada and in Europe.

`The Walking Floor system has frankly revolutionized the waste industry,' said Alice Jacobsohn, of the Environmental Industry Association.

The association, representing waste management interests nationally, recently presented Foster with the industry’s highest honor. On April 4 in Chicago, Foster was one of three people inducted into the Environmental Industry Association (EIA) Hall of Fame.

`This is the most prestigious and enduring award presented by EIA,' said Bruce J. Parker, association president.

Began in the ‘50s

Originally from Oklahoma, Foster, chief engineer at Keith Manufacturing Co., moved to Central Oregon in 1950. At the age of 22, he and his wife had visited Central Oregon during their honeymoon. They liked the area and decided to move here.

Foster first began work at a farm machinery agency in Redmond, and soon started his own manufacturing company. During that decade and into the 1960s, Foster made self-unloading systems for agriculture harvesting.

The company sold thousands of these machines, called the Foster Chaff Saver, during the ‘50s and ‘60s. Then in the early 1970s, Foster founded Keith Manufacturing, which produced the first Walking Floor units in 1973.

After 28 years, the sale of Walking Floor systems continues to grow. In fact, Foster said that in the next few years he expects to see a big increase in demand for the product. This is true because the company is developing a Walking Floor that will allow for the easy unloading and loading of delivery trucks. This innovation will dramatically expand the use of Walking Floors, Foster said.

`I think we’ve only scratched the surface,' Foster said of the uses that people can make of the Walking Floor system.

J Street a lesson in growth
By David McMechan
News Editor
April 9, 2001

The J Street extension in northeast Madras is an example of the kind of road project that will become more common in the city in coming years. This is true in large part because the Oregon Corrections Department next year is scheduled to begin construction of a state prison east of Madras.

The $170 million, three-year prison construction project will have a major impact on local transportation. The traffic impact will continue for the long-term, as the prison facility, when in operation, will create up to 600 new local jobs.

The J Street extension, to be completed sometime next year, will connect Highway 97 in south Madras to B Street in the east area of town, by the middle school. Corrections and local officials anticipate that B Street/Ashwood Road will be a major access road to the prison.

From this perspective, the J Street extension can be seen as the first road project directly related to prison. And for this reason, the project serves as an early example of the types of issues that some neighborhoods in Madras will contend with in coming years.

Satisfied with process

The county public works department has finished the preliminary foundation work for the first phase of the J Street extension, from McTaggart up the grade to Tenth Street. The city and county, working jointly on this road project, plan to put the rest of the work, the paving, sidewalk and gutters, etc., to bid in the summer. Officials expect the first phase to be complete in the early fall.

For people living nearby, the J Street extension has not been a welcome development in the neighborhood. `We’ve lived here for 30 years, and this is quite an imposition,' commented resident Judy Gallagher.

She and her husband Jack Gallagher also mentioned, however, that Madras officials made a good effort at trying to work with residents on issues related to the road. `We’re satisfied, not that the road is going in, but with the city,' Jack Gallagher commented.

The Gallaghers said they realize the need for the extension, `but it is hard on our neighborhood,' Judy commented. As the J Street extension was progressing, the city held a special council meeting in regard specifically to the project. Elected city officials and the interim administrator also visited with people at their residences on or near J Street.

Growth not always easy

The residents had voiced concerns regarding pedestrian and vehicular safety; access to driveways and off-street parking; potential heavy truck traffic on the new road, among other problems.

`We worked hard to address their concerns,' commented Madras Mayor Rick Allen. `Most people went away pretty happy, although not everyone got what they want. You can’t do everything for everyone, that is a given in a project of this scope.'

Allen said that the city of Madras in the future can expect to contend with an increasing number of growth-related issues. `It’s obvious even now that as we grow, it will be tough on people,' Allen said.

`I think the biggest challenge for elected officials is making sure we balance the needs of the future with the needs of the people who are impacted immediately,' he said. Recently, the focus has been on J Street; but other neighborhoods will see similar development in coming years, Allen commented.

Forum will address 'state of the city'
Staff Report
April 8, 2001

Madras is facing some important city-government related issues, from personnel to transportation, in the coming year. For those who are interested, Mayor Rick Allen last this month will be discussing Madras business during a `state of the city' forum.

The event, sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, is perhaps a first for Madras. `The chamber feels there is enough going on in Madras, and enough interest among the residents, to warrant the forum,' said Parrish Van Wert, chamber director.

The state of the city forum is slated for 7 p.m., next Thursday, April 19, at the Jefferson County Middle School. `It’s a chance for residents to hear my ideas about what is going on with the city,' Allen, elected mayor last year, commented.

`I feel it’s important to update citizens on where we are, and where we’re headed,' Allen said. For this kind of discussion, next week’s forum will pro