By Karen Hutchinson-Talaski
Staff writer

PENDLETON — Gentlemen, take 10 paces, turn and fire!
In what seems a step back in time, Morrow County Commissioner Ray Grace and Umatilla County Commissioner Dennis Doherty appear to be involved in a duel that began over a misunderstanding.

In a letter dated Sept. 15, Grace accused Doherty of "egregious misrepresentation." Grace said he wanted to restate that he advocates "that commencement of incineration at the UMCDF be DELAYED until and unless proper public safety programs are sufficiently in place and continuing funding guaranteed by the Army to satisfy Public Safety and the First Responder Community."

The letter was written in response to a question Doherty asked of Casey Beard, director of Morrow County Emergency Management.

Doherty asked if it wouldn't be better to "ascertain the funding commitment (how much and when) and do a plan accordingly? Isn't this what Commissioner Grace has advocated?"

That query particularly irked Grace.

"I understand I am new to this business (politics)," Grace said, "but my goal has always been to see that the first responders are comfortable."

Doherty met with Beard on Sept. 10. The purpose of the meeting was to answer questions
that Doherty had about funding issues for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) and what will happen if full funding is not available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Doherty wanted to be sure that the Oregon Department of Transportation is in full support of a evacuation plan as advocated by Beard's agency.

"I'm trying to get a handle on the info so I can answer the citizenry," Doherty said.

At this point, ODOT has not indicated if the department is willing to go along with the evacuation plan. Phase I of the plan asks for enhancement of Highway 395, with Phase II asking for enhancement of Elm Street and Diagonal Road. Phase III would include an enhancement of Highland Avenue. The purpose for the plan to is allow cars leaving Hermiston to have a smooth exit out of town in case of a chemical emergency at the Umatilla
Military Chemical Demilitarization Facility.

Grace says everyone needs to work together. It wasn't his intent to create disagreement. Grace felt the questions that Doherty presented to Beard had been sent out to the CSEPP community, which put him in a bad light — an allegation Doherty denies in a response letter to Grace dated September 23, 2003.

"... I didn't circulate my questions," Doherty wrote, "The questions on my list are ones I've heard others ask, and which need to be anticipated."

Grace acknowledges the questions need to be asked, however, the idea that Grace is advocating something he is not, is disagreeable to him.

"I use the first responders as the yardstick I use to measure the degree of preparedness," Grace said, "They're the ones on the front lines."

Doherty doesn't disagree with that. He is concerned, however, that if full funding is given to CSEPP projects, what will be cut and what will stay.

So far, no one has been able or willing to answer that question. In the meantime, Grace and Doherty do agree on something — working together to protect the safety of the citizens of Umatilla and Morrow counties.