John Nalivka, Pioneer Place board member, talks to the crowd at a special meeting at the Vale Senior Center Wednesday, Aug. 16. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)
VALE – A standing-room-only crowd arrived at the Vale Senior Center Wednesday, Aug. 16, to listen to Pioneer Place officials describe the funding woes the facility faces.
The big crowd – more than 200 people – listened to a briefing by Pioneer Place officials and then delivered feedback regarding solutions for the local rehabilitation and senior care center.
The often-emotional session was moderated by Malheur Enterprise Publisher Les Zaitz.
The facility has struggled with funding issues since 2019. The facility is a government entity funded through a local taxing district.
A large crowd was on hand for a special meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Vale Senior Center, to hear Pioneer Place officials explain why the facility is facing funding woes. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Bob Butler, a managing partner in the local law firm Butler & Looney PC., delivered a short history of Pioneer Place to the crowd. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Les Zaitz, the Publisher of the Malheur Enterprise, served as the moderator for the session. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)A member of the audience listens intently during a special meeting regarding Pioneer Place at the Vale Senior Center, Wednesday, Aug. 16. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Corey Crismon, the administrator at Pioneer Place, outlines some of the financial challenges the facility faces, Wednesday, Aug. 16. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Vale resident Carol Skerjanec asks a question during a special meeting at the Vale Senior Center regarding Pioneer Place care center, Wednesday, Aug. 16. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, talks to the crowd about funding possibilities for Pioneer Place. Bentz called the potential closure of the facility as “really scary,” on Wednesday, Aug. 16. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL).Lexie Browning, the director of nursing services at Pioneer Place, speaks out during a special meeting Wednesday, Aug. 16. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Ken Hart, Ontario city councilor, tells Pioneer Place officials he supports efforts to help the facility get back on track financially. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Frank Yraguen, longtime Vale resident and retired state judge, asks about expanding the Pioneer Place Health District to include other portions of the county as a way to gain more financial support, during a special meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Vale Senior Center. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Area resident Tina Bradfield asks a question during the special meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Vale Senior Center regarding Pioneer Place. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Nalivka ends the meeting by thanking the crowd for their input and questions. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)
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