Parks District order signed

“This is an opportunity for folks down there to govern themselves,” Commissioner Steve Kramer said. “It’s a great opportunity for everybody to come together and move forward with local control. I’m a big proponent of that.”

The committee, which includes Stan Kelsay, Dennis Ross, Bill Brackman, Ray Johnson and Joe Holub, will guide the early efforts of SWPRD until a formal board can be elected in November.

Ross grew up in Maupin. After graduating from high school in 1958, he joined the Air Force and was a pilot for more than 21 years. Ross then worked for Boeing as a trainer on the F-22 test program.

After 40 years away, he returned to Maupin and served on the city council for 14 years, including 10 as the city’s mayor. Ross wrote many grants during that time including the rebuilding of Main Street in Maupin for more than $3 million in 2009.

One of the committee’s first orders of business will be to apply for an Oregon Marine Board grant, which has an April 1 deadline. The Wamic Boating Access Improvement Committee has

already done some of the preliminary work and estimated a new boat ramp and parking lot would cost $375,000.

Ross would also like to look at projects in other parts of the southern end of the county.

“There’s an opportunity to help outlying areas like Shaniko and Antelope,” he said. “They have almost nothing. I want the committee to go down there and see what they do have and what they need.”

Johnson moved to Pine Hollow 23 years ago to manage the White River Wildlife Area.

He also worked in the Sauvie Island and Klamath wildlife areas, managing 300 volunteers, 40 permanent employees and 40 seasonal.

“I enjoy working with the public and that’s one of the things I missed when I retired,” Johnson said.

“I like getting in and helping develop these things. We don’t have any representation in south county and need something that will guide the community to get recreation activities and new opportunities.

“It will be a very interesting time for activities in the community. I’m looking forward to it.”

Holub was on the Wamic Rural Fire Department Board for nine years. Brackman, of Tygh Valley, and Kelsay, of Maupin, are both longtime engineers.

The committee will meet Thursday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. to discuss the budget, raising money and future projects.