by: Sue Walker, Mayor

November 19, 2007 is a date that most Nyssa residents will probably not remember in the years to come, but for this Mayor, City Manager, and the City Council it brings to an end a long and sometimes very difficult process. On this date, the City received two checks totaling $6,554,000.00 from Congressman Greg Walden, US House of Representatives, and Mark Simmons, State Director with USDA-Rural Development.

We were honored to have in attendance the following dignitaries from Malheur County: Commissioner Lou Wettstein, Economic Development Director Jim Jensen, and Sheriff Andy Bentz. From the state of Oregon were LaDonn McElligott and Sam Morgan with the USDA-Rural Development and Colby Marshall, Senior Project Advisor for Congressman Walden. Troy Baker from Anderson-Perry, Engineering firm and from the City of Nyssa, Mike Horton, City Attorney, Brent Huffman, Council President and Pat Brewer, Councilwoman. Don Grotting, School Superintendent and Planning committee members : Roberta "Bert" Purcell, Jim Maret, Victoria "Torie" Gomez, Rae Ann Springer and Steve Talbot. Kathy Oliver from The Pantry, Chamber of Commerce Co-President and Secretary, Debbi deBoer and Cleta deBoer respectfully. Local citizens in attendance were Hailey Durrant, Vale Branch of Sterling Savings, Argus Observer reporter Larry Meyers and city employees: Greg Arments, Beth Ann Christensen, Hilda Contreras, City Manager Roberta Donovan, Chief Lennie Elfering, Payo Gonzales, Bruce Goodell, and Marla Roberts came to show their support and we truly appreciate everyone who took time from their busy schedules to come today and make this a special occasion.

A Special Thank you goes out to Sam Morgan with USDA-Rural Development for his fiddling performance.

We missed not seeing Myra Hartley in attendance. We know she had some other obligations to take care of. As I said in my speech, without Myra this old waste water plant would have died years ago. She has kept the old facility running for far too long and now she will be able to see a dream come true when we get the final funding.

For further information on this information, click on the link to read the Argus Observer article from November 21, 2007: Officials deliver key funding to Nyssa leaders

Nyssa City administrative offices have moved to the newly acquired Idaho Power building. Purchase of the building was completed in July, and according to Interim City Manager Roberta Donovan the move was completed before the end of August.

The Nyssa Police Department has moved downstairs into the vacated office spaces on the first floor. The City Council Meeting Chambers will remain on the third floor of the Historic City Hall. It is planned that the OLCC will rent a portion of the second floor area being vacated by the Police Department to be used as a local site for the OLCC.

For more on this story, click on the link to read the Wednesday, August 15, 2007 article in the Argus Observer titled: A move across town .