LA GRANDE — Eight years ago Donna Beverage was alarmed, not by what she saw, but what she did not see.

The Union resident was starting her first term as a member of the Union County Board of Commissioners. Her responsibilities as a new commissioner in January 2017 included the development of the new county-owned 60-acre Baum Industrial Park in northeast Island City.

The industrial park featured 10 1-to-5 acre lots, which were to be sold to businesses. The industrial park was almost complete but no businesses had expressed interest in purchasing lots. The void disturbed Beverage.

“Nothing was in the pipeline. I felt intimidated, it was overwhelming at first,” Beverage said.

Businesses now operate in nine of the industrial park’s lots and the sale of a 10th is close to being finalized, she said.

“I’m tickled that we have now basically sold every lot,” said Beverage, who will step down as a member of the Union County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Jan. 6, after her second four-year term expires.

Beverage credited the successful development of Baum Industrial Park to major help from Brian McDowell of Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency. which provided a loan for the project, and the Oregon Department of Transportation, which paved the gravel roads at the 60-acre site about five years ago.

Helping fill the business park virtually to capacity is among the many accomplishments Beverage discussed as her tenure on the county board winds down. She could not seek reelection because Union County voters in 2014 passed a local law limiting county commissioners to serving two four-year terms. Jake Seavert, of La Grande, is her successor.

Seavert, the division manager of Oregon Trail Livestock Supply in Island City, will serve Union County well, Beverage said, in part because of his open mindedness.

“Jake will listen to all sides,” she said.

She added that Seavert’s business experience also will be a big plus.

“He manages a business so he knows how to spend money wisely,” Beverage said.

Seavert takes his oath of office at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 at a ceremony in the Misener Room of the Chaplin Building, 1001 Fourth St., La Grande. He will not begin serving until Jan 6.

Tackling water issues

Beverage also was devoted to developing a plan for improving the long term availability of water for agriculture and communities in Union County. The board of commissioners and county staff saluted her dedication to addressing water issues at a Dec. 19 farewell reception. Beverage received a glass plaque shaped like a large water drop in honor of her accomplishments.

Beverage’s efforts helped spur the Oregon Water Resources Commission to pass a resolution in 2023 recognizing the Upper Grande Ronde Watershed Partnership Place-based Integrated Water Resources Plan, which she helped develop.

“That was a milestone for us,” she said.

The passage of the resolution means it will be easier to put plans into effect to address issues such as flooding and low streamflow in the late summer.

“We hope that it will open doors for improvement projects that will help over the next 50 years,” Beverage said.

Embracing a mantra

Regardless of what issue she was working on, Beverage applied a motto of “work hard, work smart, work together” to guide her.

“I always kept it by my desk so I would not forget it,” she said.

Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes said Beverage’s open and welcoming personality aided her effort to get people working together.

“Donna is very approachable,” he said. “She is a woman of the people. She listens well to both sides.”

Fellow county Commissioner Matt Scarfo said Beverage is good-natured and has an even temperament, which can ease tension.

“She has a calming voice of reason,” he said.

Beverage continued a tradition former Commissioner Jack Howard started of conducting meetings with the mayors of all of Union County’s cities. This allowed her to develop a better understanding of each town’s needs and allowed the mayors to better appreciate Union County’s situation.

“This built a relationship, which could serve both in times of need,” she said.

She also achieved her goal of boosting the stability of Buffalo Peak Golf Course in Union, which the county purchased more than two decades ago from the city of Union after receiving a loan. Beverage said Buffalo Peak now is in a much stronger financial condition because the county refinanced that loan and revamped the course’s business plan, allowing it to operate more efficiently.

“This will help make Buffalo Peak a destination, which will help our economy,” Beverage said.

Eight-year whirlwind

Beverage’s schedule for the past eight years has been filled with morning, afternoon and evening meetings, countless trips to Salem during legislative sessions and journeys to Washington, D.C, to meet with congressional leaders.

She bought more than a few cups of espresso at local coffee shops during this span to ward off fatigue.

“I have been good for the local coffee business,” she said.

An old stuffed recliner in her office also helped keep the Union County commissioner percolating. Beverage explained when she had a night meeting after a long day and did not have time to drive home to Union to take a quick nap, she would sometimes extend the recliner and lay down. The secondhand chair is a testament to low-cost comfort .

“It is a $30 yard sale find,” Beverage said.

She estimated she slept a total of two hours a month in her office, never napping more than 30 minutes at a stretch.

Busy routine to continue

Beverage intends to remain active on the community service front.

She begins serving on the Union County Chamber of Commerce Board in January and will continue serving as president of the city of Union Chamber of Commerce and the Catherine Creek Community Center Board. Beverage also will continue working as a lead organizer each year for the Union County Fourth of July celebration and the annual Grassroots Festival in Union.

And she will continue caring for the 52 head of cattle she and her husband, Mark Beverage, have on their Union ranch. She said the time spent working with the livestock provides a respite from the stresses of daily life.

“It is so peaceful, it is like a mini vacation,” Beverage said.

Donna and Mark celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in April. They have been raising cattle since 1981, often with the help of their family. They have one son, three daughters, 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Donna Beverage said she is looking forward to being able to spend more time with her family after her stepping down as a county commissioner.

Beverage also said she is excited about to continue reaching out to the residents of Union County as a volunteer. The county’s residents have a remarkable work ethic and willingness to reach out to newcomers.

“They inspire me,” she said.