Moving on
Nyssa’s chief of police announces retirement; Council begins search for new top cop

By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Friday, October 17, 2008 10:52 AM PDT

Nyssa Police Chief Lennie Elfering stands outside the department Thursday. Elfering will be retiring in the spring after two years with the department.

NYSSA — Nyssa officials are looking for a new police chief after the city’s current top cop announced he will step down from the post at the end of March.

Nyssa Police Chief Lennie Elfering stepped into the slot in February 2007 after he retired from the Parma Police Department.

Nyssa City Manager Roberta Donovan said Elfering had only committed to serving as chief for two years, and, she added, he promised his wife he would fill the police position only two years.

“It will be the city’s loss,” Donovan said.

Donovan said she planned to start advertising for the position immediately.

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 During his law enforcement career, Elfering also worked for Vale, Malheur County, the City of Payette, Payette County and the City of New Plymouth, he said.

The current economic situation claimed two projects during the Nyssa City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday evening.

The elected board voted to support a recommendation from Donovan that all bids for proposed projects be rejected and those projects be rebid at later time.

“I’m afraid of spending now,” she said.

 One project is to replace a large wastewater collection line along East Ehrgood Avenue, which is decaying. Donovan said the project could be bid nearer to the start of construction on the wastewater treatment facility. The line will have to be replaced at that time, she said.

Also delayed was the repairs on the fire department roof. Donovan said city workers were planning to make some repairs to stop leaks.

In an earlier vote, the council approved an ordinance allowing production of ethanol and biofuels in an industrial zone, primarily focusing on the recently annexed Amalgamated Sugar Company property where an ethanol plant has been proposed.