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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
thechronicleonline.com
Serving Columbia County since 1881
CCSO establishing illegal marijuana enforcement team JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, (CCSO), is seeking new manpower to establish an illegal marijuana enforcement team. “We recently received a $940,000 grant from the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) to put together an illegal marijuana enforcement team,” Pixley said. “So, we are hiring to back fill spaces for this team and also for an open position.”
ministration (DEA) and Oregon State Police (OSP) in 2021 investigating an illegal marijuana growing operation in Columbia County. “The pictures depict part of one grow we had here in Columbia County,” Pixley said. “The year-long investigation culminated in 26 search warrants served across the state of Oregon and one in Texas over a twoday period in September of 2021.” As a result of the search warrants, Pixley said the following was recovered statewide: • 32,999 total marijuana plants • 1504 lbs. of bulk marijuana • 23 firearms • $353,000 in cash.
Why this team is needed now Courtesy photo from CCSO
This photo shows the elaborate equipment used at a site in Columbia County to produce the illegal marijuana.
Courtesy photo from CCSO
This illegal marijuana growing operation was the center of a federal, state and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office investigation in 2021.
Pixley said this specialized enforcement team has been needed for quite some time and the concern is twofold. “The first is the human trafficking component,” he said. “Often times these illegal grows are tied to organized crime from either a Mexican or Chinese cartel. As such, they often will use “indentured servants” to work these grows to pay off some form of debt owed to the cartel. In my opinion, this is the biggest reason for our team.” Pixley said the location of the illegal marijuana grows is his second concern. “The fact they grow in rural areas across Oregon, then ship the marijuana to the East Coast where they can sell the marijuana on the streets,” he said. Pixley shared pictures that he took while the CCSO worked with the United States Drug Enforcement Ad-
Pixley said the grant funding will be critical in the CCSO illegal marijuana enforcement efforts. “The $940,000, two-year grant will allow us to completely stand up a team,” he said. “It pays for all needed equipment and 2.25 full-time employees.” At the conclusion of two years, there is a potential for additional funding to continue the team, Pixley said. Deputies to receive specialized training Once the new deputies are hired, they will be required to take specific training before performing duties.
See MARIJUANA Page A9
The hospital that was never built Dissolution, lawsuits, and battle over Millard Road Special Report ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Editor’s Note: The Chronicle’s final investigative report will answer the question of how the Columbia Health District dissolved, the lawsuits that were filed and dismissed against the former CHD board members, and the transfer of the Millard Road property to the City of St. Helens. Board response After Measure 5-209 passed in November 2010, the Columbia Health District (CHD) board promised to lower the hospital tax and announced its intent to dissolve. The measure, a citizen-led ballot initiative, called for the $.38 per $1,000 property tax to be repealed and all taxes levied for the hospital project to be refunded to taxpayers. According to former CHD Vice Chair Gary Heide, the only way to repeal a permanent tax rate would be to dissolve the special district. On Feb. 3, 2011, former CHD Chair Jay Tappan, Heide, board members Laura Tomanka and Lisa Galvovich, and newly appointed board member Diane Hutson, approved Resolution 2011-01, outlin-
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Courtesy photo
Pictured are the members of the Columbia Health District elected in 2011. Left to right, Peggy Crisp, Tammy Maygra, Carrie Cason, Georgia Keiper, and Madalene Anderson.
ing four actions the board would take in dissolution:
cordance with ORS 440.403(2) to effectuate this resolution.
1. The hospital project shall remain abandoned. 2. CHD shall continue the public health authority functions in accordance with the Local Public Health Services Agreement, as amended, with Columbia County. 3. CHD shall attempt to sell the property located at 35101 Millard Road, Warren, Oregon (the “Hospital Property”). 4. CHD shall prepare and adopt a supplemental budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011 in ac-
Additionally, the resolution stated that although Measure 5-209 was declared unenforceable by the Oregon Judicial Department (ODJ), “it is the intent of the Board of CHD to effectuate, to the extent possible, the will of the people in passing Measure 5-209.” In a one-on-one interview with The Chronicle, Heide reflected on the outcome of the citizen-led ballot initiative that stopped the hospital project in its tracks. “I can really only speak for
myself,” he said. “I was disappointed.” Letter of the law Oregon Revised Statute 198.945 states that if a majority or more of the votes cast in a special election approve dissolution, the district can then be declared dissolved. “The board shall thereupon constitute a board of trustees who shall pay the debts or procure releases thereof and dispose of the property of the district,” the statute reads.
The Chronicle asked Oregon Special Districts Association (SDAO) Executive Director Frank Stratton whether a special district board can initiate dissolution before verifying the results of an election. Stratton told The Chronicle that we would have to get in contact with a lawyer who could interpret the state statute. Emails between Tappan and former CHD Public Health Administrator Karen Ladd reveal that the former board intended to convey CHD assets to a nonprofit months before the new board members were elected and before holding a dissolution vote. “Hi Karen, I just finished talking to Earl, and I think we have a good understanding of where we’re going. Here’s what we need to do,” Tappan wrote in an April 4, 2011 email. “We need to send them a letter asking to mutually terminate the PHA [public health agreement] NLT [no later than] 30 Jun 11. We will agree to operate until that time under some short-term agreement to continue providing PH services. We will not reference any arrangement past 30 Jun so as to blunt the criticism of us doing a sleight of hand with the Foundation transition.”
See HOSPITAL Page A5
Governor declares State of Emergency JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Governor Kate Brown has declared a state of emergency in 25 Oregon counties, including Columbia County, from July 25 through July 31, to ensure additional resources are available to respond to forecasted excessively high temperatures. Multiple days of extreme heat with little or no cooling overnight may also impact critical infrastructure, causing utility outages and transportation disruptions, according to Brown. “With many parts of Oregon facing a high heat wave, it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy,” Brown said. “I encourage everyone to take proactive
steps to keep themselves and their families safe, including drinking plenty of fluids, taking advantage of cooling centers, and checking in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.” Brown has directed the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to activate the state’s Emergency Coordination Center to coordinate essential protective measures. She has also directed state agencies to provide any assistance requested by OEM to support response efforts. Heat-related illnesses are preventable — all Oregonians are encouraged to learn the symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses, according to a release from
Metro Creative Connection
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Temperatures inland are expected to reach the upper 90s and low 100s this week. Forecasters predict cooler conditions along the Oregon Coast.