Greetings from City Hall –

This is the second opportunity to file a sewer letter with all ones – 11-1-11. The first was 1-1-11 and this won’t happen again for a thousand years. Just a thought. Another thought: if everything is measurable and finite, it is hotter than Hades somewhere in the world because in the country where Global Warming was invented, it is generally colder than a well-digger’s fanny. The northeast part of the country is experiencing winter already, complete with lots of snow. And here it is beginning to feel like winter has arrived early, too. Of course, when the temps get to about 70 degrees in Connecticut in January, the cold October will be forgotten and we will again be assailed on how to decrease a carbon footprint in about a thousand ways. Can’t wait for that, so here’s a way: Only breathe in.

Community Powwow

We had a powwow in Maupin last week that was sponsored by the School District and hosted by our neighboring Sovereign Nation to the southwest, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. There are several definitions of the term “powwow.” This one incorporated almost all of them – singing, dancing, games, conference – and one right out of Webster: a shaman. People from Umatilla, Yakima, Warm Springs and our part of Wasco County joined in fun and the enjoyment of each other, very well led by Ray “Captain” Moody from Simnasho. I’ve known the Captain for several years and did not know how much fun he could be responsible for. The folks from the audience became participants at the first invitation and continued for the entire length of the “ceremony”, which had only one objective – to have fun. From the High School student body came the idea. TJ Andrews, a Junior from the western edge of our neighboring nation, ram-rodded the school’s participation, coordinating and tracking all the required details with Ryan Wrought, school principal. At the event, TJ was dressed as a warrior and looked so authentic that I expected to see a horse nearby. And the “shaman”, Captain Moody, kept the event moving with dancing and games, all accompanied by Grammy-nominated drummers from across the nations. The most interesting part of the evening was the game called “Captain Says.” It’s like “Simon Says”, only as the Captain admitted, he cheats. You had to be there and there will probably be another chance to go next year. TJ, Ryan, the Captain, and the drums are all something to experience. Next year, I will wear my dancing shoes.

Veterans Hunting and Fishing Weekend in Maupin

The community hosted a group of wounded warriors from the Clark County area around Vancouver for a weekend of shooting skeet, birds and fishing in Bakeoven ponds. The principle hosts were the Imperial River Company where the vets stayed and were entertained by two bands; and Bob Krein’s ranch where the outdoor activity took place. But the arrival of the vets set the stage in the City. Escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders from The Dalles and the American Legion Riders motorcycle groups, the entourage of

about 40-50 vehicles rendezvoused at the junction of 216 and 197 with a Maupin contingent of a Search and Rescue vehicle, two fire trucks and a Wasco County Durango with two deputies that led the way into town. The street had a flag in every hole prepared for them in the sidewalks. This was possible with the loan of 27 flags (we have 14 so far – more later) from The Dalles Boy Scouts arranged by Rod Runyon, who also headed up the Patriot Guard escort. (When you see a County Commissioner dressed in leathers, it makes you feel that you live in the right county.) Along with the flags, the sidewalks were crowded with people, many waving flags greeting the veterans and escorts, who stopped in front of the Grade School where the deputies stopped traffic while the vets were serenaded by a group of very young students. At the end of that serenade, there were high fives, handshakes, hugs and tears and soon we formed up and escorted the Wounded Warriors down past the Memorial Garden with more flag wavers to the beginning of their weekend at the Imperial River Company. This all happened with very little preparation time on our community’s part and went off without a noticeable hitch. This community really responded nicely with a seamless effort that the Wounded Warriors will never forget. And I got to ride in a fire truck.

Deer in Maupin

They look cute and innocent and what possible harm could they do? But their cuteness kind of disappears when they are no longer just a few and are not afraid of humans or dogs. Their innocence disappears when there are no safe roses, tomatoes, apple trees behind unfenced yards less than eight feet high. And the harm extends from their destruction of property to the destruction of themselves and the cars that hit them within the City limits. I used to feel sorrow for the deer in the ditches as you approach the City from either direction. But having paid for the effects of hitting a deer or two, it is getting kind of tiresome. The deer must have read the recent sewer letter where I mentioned how Bill and Jennifer’s yard is a beautiful greeting to the town from the south, because it appears they have visited that yard. But I know that is not true because the average deer is marginally smarter than the average amoeba, which is why you see so many in the ditch. I will ask the community to consider how we should mitigate the effects of having so many semi-domesticated animals in the City limits. We may make that an item on a near future community meeting. Somebody bring a recipe for venison sausage.

Other Really Important Stuff

Burn Ban. Gone for the season. Come get your burn permits. I have already spent about 3 hours at the burn barrel with stuff from my office.

Planning/Workshop/Council Meeting, 22 November. This meeting starts at 6:00 in the American Legion Building, and will have a single workshop agenda item – the American Legion Building. We will review what the committee of City, American Legion, and Town and Country Players representatives has outlined as a plan and present it to the community, looking for input and consensus to begin the building’s rehabilitation. Don’t have the Council agenda yet, but that meeting will start as soon to 6:30 as possible. The building will be used to support the American Legion Auxiliary Bazaar on 2-3 December, a Town and Country Players production toward the middle of the month, and the Lions Club Christmas Boxes from the middle till Christmas. We use this old resource a lot and it’s time to put a little back into it.

Flags. With donations from the community, the Chamber’s purchase of the initial fourteen flags and the 27 empty holes in the sidewalk, and at the increase in the flags’ price, the City will front the money for the remaining flags and staffs. We are working with the Chamber to award a certificate to those who donate to the effort which will continue. The City’s money will come from the community and economic development budget line in the general fund which is fed by the four-inch dark cable for which we collect money to keep underground each year. No tax money is involved. And it will be less than $1000.

That’s it. Daylight Savings ends on 6 November, I have a conference in Phoenix next week and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cheers,

Denny