HEPPNER GAZETTE -TIMES, Thursday. December 6, 1962
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THE
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GAZETTE-TIMES
MOBROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER
PHONE 676-9228
The Heppner Gazette, established March 30. 1883. The Heppner
Times established November 18, 1897. Consolidated February 15,
1912.
WESLEY A. SHERMAN
Editor and Publisher
NEWSPAPER
PimiSHIKS
'ASSOCIATION
Subscription Rates: Morrow and Grant Counties, $4.00 Year; Else
where $4.50 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published Every Thursday
and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon, as Second
Class Matter.
office hours: s a.m. tn G D.lm.: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
, I Ill I HI "I
The Thinking Behind Recreational Facility
In the months since the Star Theater was destroyed by
fire this community has become Increasingly concerned about
the need for local recreation and entertainment, particularly
for young people. Since the announcement a month ago that the
theater would not be restored, strong feeling has been apparent
lhat something must be done.
This feeling resulted in coordinated action last week when
a committee composed of representatives of most local civic
and service organizations met to discuss the matter.
There was a surprising unanimity of thinking at this meet
ing. It was proposed that the committee begin at once to explore
the possibility of securing property as a location for a com
munity recreation building which would house, in particular,
a motion picture theater and bowling lanes. A sub-committee
was appointed immediately to proceed with investigation, study
costs, seek a location and determine the feasibility of the pro
posal. L. .
Consensus of those present was that the most practical
method of financing such a project might be through a municipal
bond issue. If preliminary work shows this method to be feasible,
it may be expected that the committee will go to the city
council in the not-too-distant future and ask the council to pro
pose the bond issue to the people. This, of course, must be sub
mitted to a vote of the people in the city because the bonds!
would be paid off by taxes over a period of years.
C. E. McQuarrie and Earl Ayers have done considerable ex
ploration of the project among local businessmen, and they
report strong interest and support of the idea. They canvassed
virulally every place of business in the downtown area and
said that none of those contacted disapproved of the idea.
The proposal to use the bond issue as a method of financing
this project is offered for several reasons. Among them are
these:
1. It is extremely difficult to attract interest of private
operators to an area of small population, such as this, because
of the investment required. Several have been keenly interested
in starting a bowling alley here, and one such project almost
reached culmination, but the Interested party backed off when
it came down to the wire on financing.
2. Through a bond issue and placing the matter on the
properly tax roll, every property owner in the city would have
a share In financing the project, It is assumed that virtually
everyone in the community would stand to benefit from the
recreational facility and so everyone should share in the cost.
Because of the fact that the facility would attract visitors from
surrounding areas and make? Heppner a more desirable center
of interest, it would stimulate some business here. Within the
city, businesses carry a major part of the tax load, and under
a bond issue, they would pay a major part of the cost of the
facility.
3. Having once secured the building and part of the equip
ment, (lie city could lease the facility to a private operator.
Some believe that the lease payments would eventually pay off
the cost of the building. This may or may not be true, but in
any event, the income to the city from the lease would help
defray the cost and thereby cut down the taxes that property
owners would pay for the structure.
The mailer of cost will he fully explored before the project
is presented to the council for consideration. Tentative thinking
js that a 10-mill tax levy might be sufficient to do the job.
This is the same amount that was taken off the city tax roll two
years ago when the special sewer assessment was completed
Present bonded indebtedness of the city is $237,0(10 for sewer and
water improvements, which is not a large debt for a municipal
corporation, and this will be retired at the end of the fiscal
year 1!I73-1!)71. Much of the present indebtedness is being paid
olf by monthly water and sewer charges and is not assessed
directly against the property. For the fiscal year l!)(;2-l!l(3,
payment against the debt that is assessed to property is $5020,
representing only about 3'a mills In taxation that is charged to
property on bonded indebtedness.
There are those, including the editor, who say with good
reason that our young people have plenty of constructive things
to do. We believe this to be true. On the other hand, they need
some additional entertainment activity. As one woman put it
the other day, "Where does a young man have to take a girl
on a date here?"
Using a simile, a person can thrive on a good balanced diet
of meat and vegetables, but unless he gets dessert once in a
while, eating becomes pretty drab. Our young people need a
little dessert in entertainment, and our adults do, too.
It Is a certainty that if the community does not offer such
an outlet, our young people are going elsewhere to find one, as
they are now. We are among those parents who would like to
see this offered at home where the youngsters are not required to
drive long distances with some potential traffic risk involved,
as well as additional expense.
The plan formed by the new committee is deserving of en
thusiastic interest and thoughtful consideration. It is expected
that an architect will be consulted ami that ideas will be well
worked out before they are presented to the council and then
to the citizens for vote. At that time the public will make its'
decision.
There are many matters to consider: Who should equip
the building? Who would operate the theater and bowling
alleys? How much capital would he put in? Should the structure
include a room for community meetings? These, and many
others, will have to be worked out.
If recreational facility is built, it should be one that would
be a source of pride to the community and help this become a
more pleasant and attractive place to live. It should lie adequate
to serve the community for many years to come.
Among those who are falling into line to support this pro
posal are those who feel also that something must be done at
once for a more-rounded social life for our youth and that the
community should act to take Inventory on present resources.
Is there some way that the fair pavilion might be used as a
skating rink? Can the churches provide youth nights with
games and recreation? The Arbueklo ski course otters some
help in the winter, ton.
At the present time most of the burden falls upon the schoolsi
and Principal Cordon Pratt said rather wearily the other day,
"We just aren't geared and equipped to take full responsibiliiy
for social activities of our young people." He is right. This is
too much of an extension of the schools' purpose.
It would seem practical that while the one committee is
working towards a recreational building, which couldn't be in
operation for probably a year or more, another committee might
be working for immediate goals.
ASCS Ballots Needed
By Dec. 7 Deadline
Every eligible farmer in Mor
row County has a responsibility
to cast his vote for community
Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation committeemen in
the election now being held,
points out N. C. Anderson, county
extension agent.
Ballots for voting on commun
ity ASC committeemen have
been mailed to farmers in the
county and must be returned to
the county ASCS office by Dec
ember 7, the agent reminded.
Any eligible farmer who did not
IIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIMHIIIIIK
HEPPNER
HELEN E. SHERMAN
Associate Publisher
NATIONAL EDITORIAL
' IIIMIIMH IM.M.IIIIIIIMM1
receive a ballot may get one at
l. ........... . .-.f ..If..... ! .. .
i ne iiiuuiy uu ue in iiep
pner,
, ..in, invmin null ,'itiici till
often directly affected by pro
grams administered by the elect
ed ASO committee members, the
Jli'i'nt nniilteil nut vi-hieh li a hia
Farm
... ...... .....v, -
reason why all those eligible
should vote to insure the uos-
sible representation of their com
munity in ASC programs.
Yes, the Gazette-Times can
print the form you need for busi
ness or ranch use. Phone 070
1)228.
Chaff and
Wes
MR. AND MRS. Jerry Nielsen
and their three voune children.
the oldest about three, had a
harrowing experience in the
mnnntnins Snnrlav that mieht
have resulted in disaster. It was
bad enough as it was, but would
have been worse if it had not
been for Nielsen's father, John
Nielsen, and Tom Howell who
came to the family's rescue.
Tho f.imilv started throueh the
mountains headed for Ukiah,
leaving about noon bunciay.
Some six Inches of snow was on
tho orrnunrl and their DickuD
truck slipped off the road about
three mues from the tills Guard
station. In trying to get out, Niel
sen burned out the clutch on the
rig, so the couple started out on
foot, carrying tne tnree young
tots,
Thev knew the euard station
was not too far away and so
headed for it. Shortly after they
started on foot, Mrs. Nielsen lost
one of her shoes in the snow
but her feet were so cold she
did not realize it until sometime
intpr Then thpv retraced their
steps and found' the shoe. Some
time later they crossed a catne
guard, and Mrs. Nielsen slipped,
ivronrhlniT hpr ankle.
Finally they made it to the
guard station and broke in for
ohoiter Thpv built a fire in the
stove, but it had been oiled by
Hearing to be of Vital Importance
A public hearing on the Willow Creek dam project, ten
tatively scheduled for early January, is of vital importance. In
deed, it may be one of the most important meetings in the his
tory of the city of Heppner.
This paper has been following progress of preliminary
studies and work being done towards the dam, and it is hoped
that everyone has been following the matter because every
resident in Heppner and southern Morrow county will be affceted
by the project. .
A story in last week's paper gave the most recent statistics
on the proposed project. Unfortunately, because of mechanical
error (properly attributed to "gremlins" in the newspaper
game!), part of the story was misplaced on the breakover from
the front page. The part that was "lost" explained that tht
Willow Creek reservoir, formed by the dam, would provide 17,000
fishermen days annually as well as 17,000 recreation days. The
Army Corps of Engineers would construct boat launching ramps,
picnic areas, tables, rest rooms, garbage cans and maintain
these areas at no local cost. It would also provide for relocation
of roads and utilities in the reservoir area.
Primary goal of the dam would be flood control, to prevent
a recurrence of the 1903 flood that remains as the greatest
catastrophe in loss of life ever incurred in the State of Oregon.
While 1903 was a long time ago, there have been lesser floods,
and there is no assurance at all that at sometime a similarly
disastrous flood, or a worse one, might come.
But with the current study, other features of the multi
purpose dam are becoming increasingly attractive to the area
for what they would mean to the economy and recreational
facilities of south Morrow county. Interest in irrigation among
ranchers along Willow Creek has been found to be near unani
mous. The recreation feature, mentioned above, is a crying local
need. Other benefits include wildlife refuge, pollution abate
ment, probably some soil conservation, and a potential supply
of water for any future industrial or municipal needs.
As explained to date, virtually all of the estimated $5,250 0 .0
cost would be borne by the Federal government. Only securing
of some rights-of-way for the channel through Heppner and
moving utilities along the channel would require financing from
local sources.
It is true that it may not matter which pocket the cost comes
out of local property taxes or taxes to the Federal government
the burden is still on John Q. Citizen. However, in the latter
instance, people elsewhere will help pay for this project just
as every income tax payer here has helped those elsewhere
around the nation with their projects and problems.
It can hardly be said that there is any greater need else
where in the state for a flood control project in view of the
history of Heppner, and it is reasonable that we ask for a Federal
appropriation for this purpose. Aside from this, the dam could
be of Inestimable value to our future economy through the
recreation and water supply it would afford.
It must be stressed that if the project is to "get off the,
ground" and come in for serious consideration by government
officials and Congress, beyond the preliminary study stage, there
must be strong local support. All groups should be girding
themselves now to appear at the forthcoming hearing to give
this proposal the attention it deserves. Let there be no misunder
standingthis project has a long road ahead between now
and culmination, even with the strongest and most unanimous
local support.
The definite date of the hearing is yet to be announced,
but when it is told, it should take priority over anything else
going on in the area at that time.
Lights Will Make a Pretty Christmas
You know, if every resident and every business did just a
little bit of Christmas lighting and decorating, Heppner would
be as beautiful as a Christmas card for the holiday season. If
every family just took a single string of colored bulbs and
stretched them along the front porch it would contribute a great
deal.
The Christmas decoration contest deserves better support
than it has received in recent years. Fine cash prizes are offered.
Everyone enjoys going around to look at the lights of those
who participate, but many do not participate themselves. Why
not plan to take part this year?
Entries, as explained in a news story, are open in three
categories Business, inside residential, and outside residential.
Mrs. Arnold Melby, chairman, has lined up a good corps of out-of-town
judges.
A number of our merchants have done a wonderful job of
decorating their store windows. Stop by and take a look at the
one at Ron's Flowers, for instance. The owner, Ron Reid, has
a wonderful talent for decorating, and his window is beautiful.
Others are, too. Merchants should keep their windows lighted
through the night at least during the Christmas season. It
certainly makes a difference in the appearance of the town.
There is still plenty of time to work out decoration plans,
hut everyone is asked to register as soon as possible at the
Gazette times. What you do will make a happier and more
enjoyable Christmas time for everyone.
More About Letters to the Editor
Not long ago. we published our "ground rules" oi
to the Editor. But it seems necessary to make our posit
mill-..
We like 'em, and we want 'em. We enjoy having our readers
express their opinions, pro or con, and whether they agree with
us or not. They comprise one of the most interesting parts of the
paper.
But please! When you write a letter, remember that there
are many other things that have to go in the paper, too. We
p.-inriMt run oc mniu' ivutiic no n lni-c,, HiK- rm,l miKt insist
that letters be restricted to not
preferably 300. In the future, long
down to fit space requirements,
done to this time.
Another lmmirt:int matter Is
There is one in this paper this
carries onlv initials. Because of its
making this exevptim this time, but this is the last. No more
unsigned letters will be used. In rare Instances, we will with
hold a name if it N requested but it must be on file in this-
office.
Ami finnllv nreferenrp will
not previously appeared in another
pride in our paper to want to use
the trouble of printing letters mat nave aireauy neon wmciy
listributed in other publications coming to our area.
So, with these ground rules, folks, let the fur fly!
Chatter
Sherman
foresters to prevent rusting
through the winter, and the place
immediatelv filled with smoke.
Breathing the smoke made their
throats and chests raw, but they
left a door open and endured
it. Thev found some flour and
some frozen onions. Using snow
for water, thev mixed up tne
flour to make something resemb
ling hot cakes and prepared a
meal with what thev had at their
command. They had blankets for
the children and kept tnem
warm through Sunday night.
Meanwhile as the nignt came,
Nielsen's parents here became
worried and nearly distraught
when the family did not return
from the junket. I hey canea
Ukiah and learned they had not
arrived there.
The elder Mr. Nielsen called
Tom Howell about 3 a.m., and
Tom responded with his 4-wheel
drive Jeep. Accompanied Dy a
grandson of Nielsen's visiting
from Hermiston, they struck out
for the mountains.
The trio found the going pretty
rough, too, in the middle of the
night but eventually came upon
the disabled pickup, then fol
lowed the tracks in the snow to
the guard station.
It was a mighty welcome sight
for the young family when the
rescuers came in, and it was
a relief for the older folks to
on Letters
position clear
more than 500 words at most.
letters will have to tie edited
something that we have not
that all letters must be sianed.
week that is not signed but.
public-service nature, we are
he riven to letters that have
publication. We have enough
tresn material and not go 10
find them safe and sound de
spite the harrowing experience.
The party got back to Heppner
about 7:45, and fortunately it
appears that none of them will
suffer any permanent ill effects
from the exDerience.
THE GAZETTE-TIMES has ac
quired a severe critic on its
staff in the person of Ricky
Gimbel, 12-year-old son of Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Gimbel, who
comes down to help wrap papers,
work on mailing and assist
young Jim Sherman with printer's
devil chores.
It isn't uncommon for Rick to
call the editor an hour or so
after the paper has been put to
bed to report severely that he
has discovered a misspelled
name, a transposed line or some
incorrect punctuation.
But last week he kind of out
did himself. He was helping
check the page proof of the final
run on press day, and noticed
the ad about tne episcopal
church bazaar.
"Since when, he demanded,
"did the Eniscooal church start
selling brassieres?"
V V W
MRS. O. A. DEVIN noticed evi
dence of a mouse around her
house one day recently and
promptly set a trap to catch the
unwnntprl intruder. She was sur
prised with the results. When
she went to check the trap on
the back porch, she found that
ohp not nnlv had one mouse but
also its companion in the trap.
It had caugnt two wnn one
snap.
JACK AND Shirley Loyd declare
thov rpad the naner last week
telling that the power would be
olt between 3 and E a.m. sunuay
hut thnv fniWl tn tnkp into ac
count what that would do to
their electric clocks.
They got up and went to early
corvipp at 1hp F.nisronal church
tirrivincr inst in timp for the 7:30
service. But lo and behold, no
one else was around, lhey
thnncrht this strange but waited
a few minutes and then their
fellow phurchmen heean to aD
pear. However, the arrivals were
for the it) a.m. communion in
stead of the 7:30 service. But
the Loyds did get to church de
spite the power outage.
WOULDN'T be at all surprised if
1 .1. . 1 C 4.1
some aay rne employees oi me
post otuce cucint siarr caning
rho nHitnr "Fin crunnrl" for Dnf.
wood Bumstead. Those who don't
SANTA SAYS
"You'll Find Gifts For
& ll II li'J llf
Yt 1fvr-! 1 1 Igift
ltMm, TOWEL SETS
And All
Christmas Tree
Decorations
Lights
Inside C- Outside
HEPPNER
follow the comic strip characters
might be informed that Dagwood
is the character who waits every
morning until the very last min
ute before tearing around to get
to the ottice on time, ne lanes nis
last gulp of coffee at the break
fast table while he starts a mad
,rRoh fnr thp rtnnr. nerhaDS nut
ting on his tie at the same time.
His wife is waiting witn me
front door open to give him a
nopk nf a kiss nnd has his hat
extended for him to grab as he
speeds by. usually ne coinues
with the paper boy or the morn
ing postman as he races to the
bus just as the driver starts to
close the door.
With ns. howpvpr. it is making
tho K n m dpadlinp on OUteoine
mail. Often we have films that
we get developed late in the
day. We race into the bathroom,
(doing double duty as a dark
room), develop the films with
a rush, come out ana graD an
electric heater to dry them. It
takes three days to get our pic
tures back as engravings for
publication and so we have to
make the mail. We'll run out of
the office, skitter diagonally
across the street and race up to
the post office. The jewelry store
clock is an invaluable aid. The
hand may show one minute to
six as we pass, and sometimes
Randall Peterson is just locking
up. He might glance up at ine
nnnr and assures US. "You're
early. You still have 15 seconds."
Finally we get in the P. O.
and slip the envelope through
tho slot with a feeline of tri-
iimnh Rut snmptimps we SUSDeCt
we hear a groan or a mumble
behind the partition as n some-
has Inst rlnspd UD the last
cnplr uhpn tin romps this late
yardbird with another letter. So
far, thougn, we nave not nearu
any profanity, and so figure
,' orp still in rpasnnablv Pood
grace there. And we have never
failed yet to get our pictures
back on time.
T.nat vpar we took DictureS of
the lone basketball team, left
there at 5 p.m., stopped ana took
pictures of the Heppner high
tpnm mafic it home. devekmed
the pictures and had same in
the mail by 6 p.m. And as yet
we have not collided with the
paper boy.
Boxboard for making signs
and decorations at the Gazette
Times, available in white and
colors.
HOUSEWARES
CHILDREN'S
CLOTHING
The Famous Buster Brown
Line
NOVELTY GIFTS
CERAMICS
Gifts For All Occasions
Mucjs, Cookie Jar, Ornamental
v.- i p,eces
m
New Artificial Flowers, 10c
The Trimmings For
LAIRDS'
Municipal and
Justice Court News
a t TVihartv nf Ppndleton. ar-
rpst'pd' November 29 and charged
with being drunk on a high
way, free on $25 Dan. uenwar-i
Bergevin, arrested wovemoer s.
and charged with bein drunk
on a highway, fined $25.
Coming Events
LEGION MOVIES
Friday night, 8:00 p.m.
Legion Hall
This week "Stagecoach War,"
Starring Hopalong Cassidy.
Plus one-half hour cartoons.
FREE CHRISTMAS SHOW
Saturday, 2:00 p.m., Legion
Hall.
"All Mine To Give," full
lpnpth color.
"Woody Woodpecker Plays
Santa."
"A Visit to Santa's Workshop."
ARBUCKLE SKI CLUB
Work days, Saturday and Sun
day at Arbuckle. All mem
bers needed to get hill in
shape. 6" snow at ski area,
and still snowing.
LEXINGTON GRANGE
GIFT BOX
In Ruggles office window
Leave gifts here for Oregon
State Hospital patients.
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
Heppner
P. O. Box 611 PH. 676-9625
All Ages
at
LAIRDS'!"
Foam-Tex
Glue
Everything
For Making
Your Own
Decoration
DOLLS
OF MANY KINDS
Dish and Sewing Sets
SEWING
SUPPLIES
COMPLETE
LINE
Ea.
the Season!
TOYS
Thousands of
For
All Ages
Sports Goods
PHONE 676-9417
COMMUNITY f
) BILLBOARD