Regional alliance meeting packed with frustration
Officials sound off on impact of legislative decision
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:57 AM PDT
ONTARIO — Frustration proved to be the prevailing theme Monday during a meeting of the Southeast Regional Alliance Board in Ontario.
The discontent revolved around actions by the Oregon Legislature regarding funding for regional investment boards. Members voiced their displeasure to Oregon Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, who was on hand for the session.
The general feeling was the lack of funding was a slap at rural Oregon.
Ferrioli, though, did not need much convincing. Instead the longtime state Senate lawmaker appeared to agree with the sentiment of discontent and sponsored the meeting to gather input regarding where the alliance can, or will, go in the future.
The Southeast Regional Alliance Board was formed to work on economic development issues and funding projects in Malheur, Harney and Grant counties, with money allocated by the Legislature from lottery funds.
Ferrioli told the board in his initial remarks the Legislature did put more money into ConnectOregon, which was good, but lawmakers failed to reallocate any additional money for regional investment boards — such as the Southeast Regional Alliance — to work on economic development projects.
Ferrioli said the decision regarding funding for regional investment boards was made by the co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee of the Oregon Legislature.
“This was a decision of the co-chairs (of the Ways and Means Committee)”, he said, “The body (the full House and Senate) did not vote on this.”
The decision left an especially sour taste because there was an expectation more money would be allocated after regional boards and their staffs across the state were required to go through a process to list and prioritize their needs, which were to be submitted to the state before the special session in February.
“The Democratic leaders have decided not to proceed with economic development in rural areas,” Ferrioli said.
Economic development is a critical goal in rural portions of the state, Southeast Regional Alliance board member Linda Simmons said.
“Those are the things that are important to Eastern Oregon,” Simmons said, of the economic projects funded by the alliance.
“All of Eastern Oregon has been disenfranchised. We’ve been doing great things.”
Malheur Economic Development Director Jim Jensen also expressed disappointment regarding the lack of funding for the alliance.
“The tool we had has disappeared,” he said.
Harney County Judge Steve Grasty said it has been suggested by another Harney County member of the alliance board to meet quarterly.
He said he would not want the group to meet less than that.
He said he doesn’t want to lose the relationships the board has built up.
Sondra Lino, who is the staff person for the Southeast Regional Alliance, said there is still money left for projects that the alliance is free to use as grants for projects, and there is still the revolving loan fund.
Ferrioli said the alliance should not get mad and quit, but should get mad and make itself heard.
How do you feel about the future of rural Oregon? Give an opinion by logging on the Argus Observer’s blogs at www.argusobserver.com
