A man promoting revitalization of a defunct mushroom plant in Vale has a troubled financial history, records show. Columbia Sportswear, said to support the project, has never heard of it, an investigation by the Malheur Enterprise established.
By Les Zaitz - Malheur Enterprise
Auditors find Greg Smith-run agency operates without approved budget, violating law
The Columbia Development Authority in Boardman operates without a legally-required approved budget, auditors have found. It’s managed by Greg Smith – a Republican legislator who sits on the Legislature’s budget committee.
Defense Department digging into finances of Boardman public agency run by Greg Smith
The federal government is reviewing whether the Port of Morrow and the Columbia Development Authority have appropriately used federal money in the past three years. Port officials and Greg Smith, who runs the development authority, aren’t answering questions.
EOU closes business center that was run for 20 years by Greg Smith
The closure of a longtime business center at Eastern Oregon University came after the university in October terminated a contract with Greg Smith, who ran the center for years.
Bentz joins in call for wilderness status for nearly 1 million acres in Malheur County
The Republican congressman’s plan for a new wilderness area with safeguards for cattle grazing may disrupt a delicately-balanced plan already before Congress.
Bentz proposes his own version of Owyhee Canyonlands protection, hearing set
Congressman Cliff Bentz wants to designate nearly 1 million acres as wilderness with provisions to allow cattle grazing.
Turmoil continues around Greg Smith as public officials spar over his performance
Greg Smith, a Republican state legislator, saw his paycheck cut for his full-time job at a Boardman public agency. Now, officials are trying to figure out who he actually works for in the latest controversy over his work.
Eastern Oregon University ends Greg Smith contract, mum about the circumstances
For 16 years, Greg Smith’s company held a contract to counsel business owners in northeast Oregon, sponsored by Eastern Oregon University. The university terminated the contract recently but officials won’t explain their actions. Smith is a Republican state representative from Heppner.
Small invader, big impact: On quagga alert on Oregon’s border
The discovery of a tiny mussel in the Snake River upstream from Oregon set off alarms in Malheur County. The quagga mussel could spread fast and hammer local agriculture, authorities say.
Public official loses pay increase, faces salary repayment as board probes conduct
AROUND OREGON: A public board Friday ordered that pay raises for Greg Smith and his staff at the Columbia Development Authority be revoked. The move may cost Smith more than $30,000 in pay to return. The action followed an investigation by the Malheur Enterprise.
