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Wednesday, November 16, 2016
The Chronicle
$1 Vol. 134, No. 46 16 Pages
www.thechronicleonline.com
Former county employee arrested County seeks restitution for any stolen funds
A 30-year employee of Columbia County was accused on 29 counts related to allegedly taking more than a half-million dollars during a time span of nearly two decades. Linda Hald was arraigned on Nov. 14 by the Oregon Department of Justice on charges stemming from financial irregularities found in the county’s Community Justice Department-Adult Division. Shortly after Hald’s retirement in June of 2015, county managers discovered that cash appeared to be missing from an account associated with the supervision of offenders on
parole or probation. Hald served as office manager in the department. A forensic accountant was then retained to determine the scale of the loss. The forensic audit of the department found the county’s loss during a period of 17 years totaled $585,574. In addition to supervision fees, some DUII Diversion funds were shown as taken. Based on the investigation, however, payments made by the offenders appeared to have been properly credited to their accounts and all services were rendered appropriately. While located in the Justice Facility, the Department of Community Justice is not overseen by the Columbia County Sheriff and is not connected to the Sheriff’s budget or connected to operation of the county jail. Columbia County filed insurance claims on its policies and has successfully recovered $543,139 of the loss from insurance proceeds. The
Photo courtesy of Columbia County Jail
Linda Hald pleaded not guilty to nine counts of aggravated theft in the first degree, five counts of theft in the first degree, 11 counts of tampering with public records, three counts of official misconduct in the first degree and one count of attempted theft in the second degree.
county intends to seek justice to the fullest extent of the law, including restitution of any stolen funds. County managers reported possible criminal activity to law enforcement. Oregon State Police responded with an investigation. On Oct. 20, a grand jury indictment was issued against Hald on nine counts of aggravated theft in the first degree, five counts of theft in the first degree, 11 counts of tampering with public records, three counts of official misconduct in the first degree, and one count of attempted theft in the second degree. Hald pleaded not guilty to the charges and was booked and released at the Columbia County jail. “Columbia County’s financial management is strong,” Board of County Commissioner Chair Tony Hyde said. “This instance occurred in just one department. The county has been victimized, and I regret this unfortunate incident,
but am satisfied that the county has responded appropriately.” Since the investigation began, the Community Justice Department has implemented improved cash handling procedures and safeguards to ensure that fees are fully accounted for and applied to parole and probation supervision. The county’s Risk Management Committee is assisting with implementation. “Columbia County took swift action upon sensing the financial discrepancies by reporting immediately to law enforcement and by recovering funds from its insurers,” Hyde said. “Furthermore, the county will pursue all other available means to collect remaining funds to make itself and its insurers whole.” “Ms. Hald is innocent until proven guilty,” Hyde added. “And I am relieved that the judicial process is underway.”
Commissioner-Elect Magruder outlines priorities BY JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
CODY MANN/The Chronicle
VFW Post 1440 members recover the 105 mm Howitzer from St. Helens Police Department impound for the Veterans Day ceremony.
Big Gun makes 60th Veterans Day appearance BY CODY MANN cmann@countrymedia.net
A symbol of local military heritage, the Big Gun was briefly returned to McCormick Park as part of this year’s Veterans Day ceremony. The authentic WWII artillery piece that served as a war memorial in St. Helens for the past 59 years was stolen from the park this past February. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1440 member Gene Hester said the theft of the cannon was upsetting for the chapter. The 105 mm Howitzer was donated to Post 1440 as a ‘trophy display’ by the United States Army in 1957. “The Howitzer guards the many local fallen soldiers that have fought and died, paying the ultimate price in defense of our great nation,” Hester said during the Veterans Day ceremony at McCormick Park. “The Big Gun has overseen 60 years of St.
Helens annual Veterans Day Memorial events.” According to Hester, the Howitzer was obtained in 1957 by VFW Post 1440 members and WWII veterans Arbie Lawrence, Max Lawrence, Bob Tolleshaug, Von Smith, George McGlinn and others. The post members paid $60 to have the weapon disarmed at Two Rock Ranch Station Ordinance Depot, and $90 to L.C. Hall trucking of St. Helens to
“The Howitzer guards the many local fallen soldiers that have fought and died, paying the ultimate price in defense of our great nation,” VFW member Gene Hester said.
countless visiting politicians have witnessed the everlasting presence of our 105mm Howitzer proudly on display and on guard in St. Helens, Oregon, for the last 60 years.” Hester credited St. Helens Police Chief Terry Moss for the cannon’s return. He said thanks to quick thinking and strategy, Moss rescued the cannon from being locked away in an Eastern Oregon Museum. “In most cases such as this, when the federal government gets involved, the gun would have been confiscated for evidence and never seen again,” Hester said. The cannon temporarily resides in the impound yard at St. Helens Police Department and will be used as evidence in the event of a trial. According to Hester, Columbia County District Attorney Steve Atchison allowed the cannon to leave the impound yard for its 60th Veterans Day celebration under the stipulation that it be under a police escort. “Chief Terry Moss is here today, on a holiday, on his personal day off, volunteering his valuable personal time so this cannon can preside over this Veterans Day for its 60th time,” Hester said. St. Helens Police arrested Charles Hegele, 67, of Terrabonne, Ore. for grand theft in connection with the cannon’s disappearance. Hegele is a well-known collector of military ordinance. The Bend Bulletin re-
transport the cannon from Petaluma, Calif. Hester said the gun was on loan from the U.S. government. Post member Von Smith arranged the first program that dedicated the Howitzer and the Veterans War Memorial Park near Columbia Boulevard and Highway 30 on May 30, 1957. Hester said when Highway 30 was widened the cannon moved to McCormick Park, rededicated to that Veterans Memorial on May 8, 1995. “Since then, this Howitzer has proudly stood guard over the presence of the fallen soldiers named on the surrounding monument,” Hester said. “Thousands and thousands of Columbia County residents and
See VETERANS DAY, Page A4
Dear Citizens of Columbia County:
Thank you for the support you Scappoose resident and business- have shown me during my camman Wayne Mayo and Clatskaniepaign. It is an honor that you have area farmer and Rainier manufacelected me to serve as Columbia turer Margaret Magruder squared County Commissioner. I am preoff in the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General pared to move forward to work with Election for Columbia County Com- my fellow commissioners and with missioner Position 1, with Magruder the citizens of the County toward receiving the most votes. our common goals of a productive The final unofficial balloting and prosperous county, utilizing our results shows Mayo with 11,221 natural resources and our citizen ballots or 47.38 percent of the votes resources. and Magruder tallyThe last year of ing 12,305 ballots or campaigning has been 51.96 percent of the a great experience; votes. making new friends “So it is not a and renewing old mandate,” Magruder friendships. I have said. “But I feel been overwhelmed comfortable with the and humbled by the vote and I am ready outpouring of support, to take office.” without which I would Maguader used not have been able to two words to derun this campaign. scribe her victory. I am truly looking “Hard work,” she forward to building said. a positive working But the victory relationship with my also came, accordfellow CommissionMargaret Magruder ing to Magruder, ers, along with the other because of her style elected county officials as a caring person. and employees, to run “I am a very open and honest the business of Columbia County person and I think people appreciate and to have a role in moving Cothat,” she said. “I am approachable lumbia County forward in achieving and I have been available and that a balance between livability and is very important to the citizens and prosperity. I think they saw that and voted for I have been, and will continue to me.” be, fair, accessible and responsive; Asked by The Chronicle what making sure that all county resiher first priority will be on day dents are represented, responded one as she takes office in January, to and respected. I welcome your Magruder said it will be all about thoughts and ideas. building relations and learning. “It will be especially important Sincerely, to start building relations with the Margaret Magruder other two commissioners,” she said. “We will need to direct our attenIn a Letter To The Editor, Mayo tion to that and getting to know each congratulated Magruder. other and how we can work together “Campaigning is a risk that Ms. for the best interest of the citizens of Magruder entered into with a perColumbia County. And I also have a sonal and financial commitment that lot to learn.” took the county and me by surprise. Magruder said of utmost impor“I knew I had a battle on my tance for the commissioners will be hands when she beat me in the working to maintain the county’s primaries. core services. “Her late brother Dick, her fam“We need to do that without rais- ily, her name, are respected not only ing taxes,” she said. “We also want in our county but in Clatsop County to bring more employment and more as well. tax revenues to the county.” “Margaret’s many years of Magurder also hopes to make service on the budget committee sure all of Columbia County’s comthough unglamorous and tedious munities are served equally well by gives her insight into the heavy the county commission. lifting required ahead to sustain In a Letter to The Editor of The Oregon PERS while looking for dolChief and the St. Helens Chronicle, lars to provide county services and Magruder thanks the citizens of road care.” Columbia County.
Holiday Open House Friday, November 18th, 4-7pm
Free samples of prime rib, ham, beer, wine and local products!
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