Hermiston Herald 11/02/2010
Radio bond may pass, holds slim margin
The bond to fund the Umatilla Morrow Radio & Data District is passing by a slim majority. Election results from the two counties are still unofficial.
In Umatilla County, about 620 more voters supported the bond. At 9:38 p.m. the county listed 7,044 yes votes (52.31 percent)…
East Oregonian 05/19/2010
Radio district a go; tax is a no
Reporter: Samantha Tipler
Proponents for a taxing district to support an emergency radio system from the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program can celebrate some success, but not a total victory.
Voters approved forming the district but not the tax to fund it.
"We're halfway there," said Mike Roxbury, Umatilla Rural Fire Chief, and now, a member of the board overseeing the district. He, along with the other five members of the board, were elected to their posts Tuesday on the same ballot that held the measures for the district and the tax.
Voters in Umatilla and Morrow counties approved the district by an 816-vote margin, 6,552 - 5,736, or 53.33 percent for to 46.67 percent against.
By WALLA WALLA UNION-BULLETIN 05/19/2010
Commissioner squeaks by challenger in Oregon primary Larry Givens and Bill Hansell have retained their positions in Umatilla County.
One of two Umatilla County commissioner races went to the wire Tuesday during Oregon's primary election.
In the Position 2 commissioner race, incumbent Larry Givens squeezed by challenger Glen Diehl by 146 votes, according to preliminary returns. Givens had 5,625 votes or 51 percent to Diehl's 5,479 votes, or 49 percent.
East Oregonian 12/30/2009
Radio district takes another step forward
Umatilla, Morrow counties seek voter approval for taxes
By SAMANTHA BATES The East Oregonian
What will be called the Umatilla Morrow Radio and Data District is a step closer to becoming a reality.
On Dec. 16 Morrow County held its first public meeting and on Tuesday Umatilla County held its first public meeting - both needed steps toward officially forming a taxing district. The district will allow the counties to keep using the 450-megahertz radio system put in place by the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program and Federal Emergency Management Agency. To keep the system going, the counties are forming districts to tax property owners 17 cents per $1,000 assessed value. In May, the counties will ask taxpayers to approve the district, vote for five board members and approve the tax. Each item will require a separate vote, said Doug Olsen, attorney for Umatilla County.