Heppner gazette-times., April 25, 1963, Page 6, Image 6

$ HEFFNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thursday. April 25. 1963
VIMIMMIMim IIMMMHmitlllHItMMMflilllflHIItllflllHIIIHIMiMIIIK
THE
GAZETTE-TIMES
MOBBOW 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 ond Publisher
NIWSPAMt
PUILItHEIS
"ASSOCIATION
Bubscrlption 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: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Budget Defeat-What
Defeat of the Morrow county school budget for the coming
fiscal year was decisive with only one area Boardman ap
proving by a narrow margin. So long as it met defeat, it is
probably just as well that it went down by a large margin
rather than just by a few votes. For every voter who approved,
nearly three voters disapproved. This would indicate a general
dissatisfaction of substantial proportion, and the school board,
having been shown this feeling of the district's patrons, might
well turn to the public to learn what it wants and feels is nec
essary. Since the public has said, "No," the board has a logical right
and duty, in view of this mandate, to turn to the people and
ask what is acceptable to them. This, undoubtedly, is what
the directors will seek to do through advisory committees and
representatives of each community.
The strong negative vote might give the impression that
there was one or two main points of contention that brought
the resounding disapproval. If this were true, the answer would
be considerably easier. The board would then only have to
eliminate the one or two things that brought the dissatisfaction
and put the budget up again.
Unfortunaely, however, there is every indication that the
no votes comprised a whole gamut of reasons covering a wide
range. Some were not in favor of using the surplus funds from
last year for completing the Hcppner-Lexington high school;
some were overwhelmed by the fact that the budget topped
$1 million and the increasing burden of property taxes; some
ranchers have stated they would not vote for the budget until
they see what happened to the wheat referendum on May 21;
some were against raising teacher salaries; some were votes
of pure protest in general caused by dissatisfaction on other
matters and having nothing really to do with the budget
itself; some voted against it on the basis of some particular
small item, "pet peeves," as It were.
Now the problem is how to tie these objections into one
package and eliminate enough of them to get a budget that
is acceptable to the majority of the people. This is a terrific
job.
Morrow county's school board is used to having the budget
turned down, but it is nonetheless disconcerting. It is charged
with the responsibility of providing sound education for the
children of the county, and the large majority of those who voted
against the budget would insist that their children have this
opportunity.
Therefore, responsible ciitizens now have the duty of telling
the board what they thought was wrong with the budget, so
that amends may be made. It is not enough merely to say,
"It is too high," but they will have to point out the areas where
they believe cuts should be made.
Everyone assumes that cuts will be made, but in view of
the emphatic defeat it now rests with the people to tell what
these should be.
Probably most disconcerting of all the negative votes are
those which are of protest on any grievance not particularly
with the budget or any phase of it but against anything about
the school district, the directors, the administrator, or any
phase of the system's operation. This is understandable, because
the budget ballot is the opportunity that a school patron has
of putting his objections on the record. However, it is not logical
and it is a dangerous and expensive course, because the con
tinued reaction imperils the education of our children. Each
budget election costs money, and delay in getting underway
on fiscal matters is also costly.
Remonstrances against the budget should be pointed out to
the board and budget committee so that they make adjust
ments the public wants. Any other grievance should be correc
ted in some other appropriate manner.
In the ultimate, continued rejection of the budget would
mean that the schools would have to be operated within the
6 limitation, which is a virtual impossibility. Such a step
would mean that the district would only have half the needed
amount to conduct the program for the coming fiscal year.
It might, for instance, call for the complete elimination of the
transportation sysem with parents being responsible for getting
their own children to school; it would certainly mean the elimi
nation or drastic curtailment of some school activities perhaps
the athletic programs, the band and music departments, shop
and vocational programs, and others; it would mean the
abandonment of the hot lunch program; it would mean a
serious curtailment of the instructional program. Our schools
would be operated on a sub-standard level.
Is this what Morrow county people want?
If not, now is the time to tell the directors specifically
what they do want and what they are willing to vote for.
TO THE
EDITOR. , .
To the Editor:
May I take this means to
thank the many, many people
who have called and written to
express their appreciation for
my letter of April 11. As to your
critique of my letter, VVes, may
I emphasize that I feel no
"bitterness" regarding past elec
tion results. After all, I guess
one can't win fast races witli
slow horses. The obvious way to
victory is to enter faster horses.
I was elated to learn from a
more recent letter appearing on
these pages, signed by Robert
Van Iloute and Al Lamb, that
the bridge at the North end of
Main street in Heppner will
soon be improved. Congratula
tions to the Mayor and Mr. Van
lloute for providing the leader
ship in securing this much need
ed change.
My reason for writing these
letters is simply to remind the
good citizens of this county
where the responsibility lies for
the welfare of Heppner and Mor
row county regarding the pro
posed Willow Creek dam, or any
other project requiring state or
federal assistance, particularly
those citizens who have sup
ported Morse, L'liman, Smith,
isnd M.-yor Lamb.
HEPPNER
HELEN E. SHERMAN
Associate Publisher
NATIONAL EDITORIAL
Now?
For example, let's review what
has really happened to the pro
posed "space age industrial
park" at Boardman. Senators
Magnuson and Jackson of Wash
ington don't want any part of
the Boeing payroll moving into
Oregon, und 1 can't condemn
them for this protectiveness. But,
our Senator Morse doesn't want
Governor Hatfield becoming a
hero by getting something start
ed in Boardman. He's dangerous
enough as a political opponent
already. Al Ullman, seldom one
to advance an original or inde
pendent idea, will, as usual, con
tinue to take orders from Morse.
Nothing is going to happen in
Boardman until Magnuson and
Jackson allow it, and Morse
isn't inclined to do more than
quibble. Isn't this just another
instance where Morse proves his
intense "loyalty" to Oregon. And
I suppose it's too much to ex
pect Ullman to act independent
ly in the interests of this con
gressional district. After all, in
a few short years he might be
opposing Hatfield for the sen
atorial seat now held by Mrs.
Neubcrger.
As to Willow Creek dam, with
out question it would be a big
aid to Heppner business, but 1
doubt that it will ever be con
structed. Democrats move from
expediency, first, last and al
ways, and six million dollars is
a little too much to pay tor less
than a thousand votes. I be
lieve Mayor Lamb is fully aware
of this political fact of life.
I have high regard for the
Inequities on Fire Patrol Tax
Testimony at a hearing in the legislature on House Bill
1477, which would substantially reduce the state fire patrol
tax imposed on landowners, including ranchers and timber
operators, brings out apparent inequities in the present high
tax.
This bill for relief on the tax has as one of its sponsors
Rep. Jack Smith of our district and has drawn strong support
from this area. The Heppner-Morrow County Chamber of Com
merce passed a resolution backing it.
Several from this area were at the hearing to testify. Among
them was Allen Nistad of Kinzua Corporation, who brought
out some pertinent information on present inequities.
"It is the belief of every land owner in our part of the
state that, by paying the entire budget of the State Forestry
operations in our area, we are furnishing the public with
services we cannot afford," he said. "The present protection
assessment system on private forest and range lands is not
equitable in view of present and predicted trends in land use
pressure. Owners of these lands feel the present assessments
are confiscatory and expect them to go higher under present
laws. Livestock people have testified that their ability to
graze at a profit is being threatened by this ever increasing fire
patrol assessment."
Nistad pointed out that many fires occur which cannot be
the responsibility of the land owner, yet he is paying the entire
cost of prevention and control.
As an example of inabiliy to control the fire patrol costs
in the company's area of operations and an illustration of the
use of these funds for the public good, Nistad cited this case:
Kinzua Corporation has furnished the State Forestry Depart
ment free land for a State Guard station at Kinzua on an oiled
county road. The station was built by the State of Oregon and
consisted of a home, which contained an adequate office, shop,
gasoline pumps, and additional crew housing over the shop.
In 1960, the State acquired lands on the John Day highway,
seven miles from the present guard station, and constructed
a new station at a cost of $30,000. The entire cost was assessed
to the land owners as fire patrol tax.
The State-then moved an assistant fire warden into the
district and stationed him at the Kinzua station. This year,
the warden moved to Fossil and the entire station at Kinzua
was abandoned. The sation was moved for one reason, Nistad
said, to give the public better service by locating on the main
highway.
This new facility and the additional year around employee
were added by the State not because of any request of the
landowners paying the bill. Headquarters of the Central Oregon
Fire District are next to the Ochoco Reservoir on Highway 26
where the public can obtain service the year around.
Typical of these services are the furnishing of maps, travel
information and assistance to campers, fishermen and hunters;
patroling lands where heavy Influxes of the public occur and
furnishing assistance to people requiring harvesting and burn
ing permits. Present laws do not permit the State Department
to contribute to the work these men perform for the State, the
public and governmental agencies. The district fire warden was
carried on the State Forestry Department payroll until this
year, in recognition of the work he carried on with timber
operators. This year, the state auditor advised this could not be
done and his entire annual salary is being charged to fire
patrol tax.
In addition to the fire patrol tax of 15c per acre, timber
operators pay a special 2c per thousand assessment for "fire
fund tax" designed to ease the impact of higher assessments
during costly fire seasons. This law has been challenged and
is currently before the Supreme Court.
Fire patrol tax in most cases now exceeds property tax
on the land. Landowners have expressed themselves strongly
in support of the level of protection that would be furnished
by HB 1477, the 21 additional funds provided by Clarke
McNary funds, and whatever assistance is provided by state
funds. In addition, every landowner who has been contacted
is willing to assist in fire suppression, as they have in the past.
Nistad adds that Kinzua Corporation expends more for its
private fire control measures than it pays in fire patrol tax with
its own fire warden, fire patrol plane, radio dispatcher, fleet
of radio-equipped pumpers, heavy fire fighting equipment, fire
crews and fire caches. The State calls on the company when
ever their crews need assistance the same as with every land
owner. In view of these facts, is there any question about the
inequity of the present law? When the general public is benefit
ting more and more from the increased use of forest, range,
grass and wild lands in the state, it is nothing more than fair
and reasonable that some appropriations come from the general
fund for fire patrol purposes and that relief be given landowners.
Her Memory Lives On in Her Students
Few professions have more opportunity for rich inner reward
than leaching, since it has a vital part in shaping young
people for their lives to come. A teacher who has had some
small part in the education of a youngster who later becomes
a credit to society through his worthwhile achievements may
say secretly to himself, "I had a part in making him what he
is."
This is a reward far richer than the money a teacher is
paid, and although dedicated instructors seldom boast about
it, this joy of sharing the achievement of his students furnishes
a high motivation for teachers. It is coupled with a sincere
appreciation of the ycungster's worth, regardless of his home
background and his various abilities.
Lucile Weatiierford must have felt this joy, for her students
have achieved and will keep on achieving. Her untimely death
cut short a fine career, but she will live on in the memory
of her students and associates as a truly great teacher.
A dedicated teacher is a priceless asset in modern day
society, and this loss is great here, but Mrs. Weatherford will
remain alive in the continuing achievements of those who have
the solid foundations that were laid in her mathematics classes.
There will be many who wil be ever grateful to her devoted
work, and as they pursue their various careers they will have
many occasions to recall the days spent under her guidance.
men selected to appear before
the Congress on Rivers and Har
bors, but at the same time I
would expect certain Democrats
to stay in the background and
exert their "leadership" with
their calls for a unified front
and a non-partisan effort.
In this newspaper, on Decem
ber 27, 12, Mayor Lamb stated
"Our congressman sits on the
Ways and Means committee and
his deep interest brought about
the study that is the basis of
this hearing. We are now in the
political position where getting
this appropriation can be reas
onably expected so I hope we
all fall behind this worthy pro
ject and not leave its hope to
chance."
Mayor Lamb, why don't you
go to Al Ullman and get the
six million?
Don Turner
To the Editor:
Dears Sirs:
Enclosed is my check for $1.50
for the year's subscription to the
Gazette.
This is also to let you know
how much I enjoyed Mr. Orville
Cutsforth's story about Mr. Ros
coe Cox and the bear. 1 read it
to my boy who is 14 and he
thought it was wonderful. I en
joy reading the weekly paper
even though 1 am no longer ac
quainted with as many people
as when I was a girl growing
up in Heppner. My mother.
Nellie G. Anderson, lives there
now and I get to see her once
or twice a year. Last year 1 was
privileged to attend the Heppner
High school class re-union for
the class of 1933. We all had
a wonderful time and I am
afraid my California friends got
a little tired of hearing about
all the fun we had.
The only thing I miss in your
paper is that you no longer pub
lish the little column called
"Thirty Years Ago." When that
used to be printed it was fun
for those of us who have been
away for some time to see some
familiar names in print and they
usually brought back fond mem
ories. Recently I read in a book
"Oregon, End of the Trail" about
an old timer in Southwestern
Oregon who shot a grizzly that
measured 3 feet between the
ears and 4 feet from the tip
of the nose to the tip of his
ears. So you can see I was in
the mood for your "bear" story.
I never had the cood fortune
to know Mr. Roscoe Cox but I j
grew up with Claude Cox's
children. I think I will write to '
Mr. Cutsforth and see if he can't !
recall some more entertaining
stories. !
Very tntlv vours, t
Mrs. Willis A. Roller ;
Los Altos Hills, Calif. 1
RUBBER STAMPS made to order,
also STAMPING PADS in
black, red or green. For busi
ness or personal use. Orders
filled promptly at the Gazette-;
Times office. I
Chaff and
Wes
THE WILLOW CREEK woods
was a beautiful sight when
we took a little jaunt up there
Sunday a photographer's para
dise. Must have been a foot or
two of snow on the ground a
mile or so above the artesian
well, and rustling Willow Creek
cut a dark path through the
white banks that glistened un
der occasional sun.
The conflict between stubborn
and reluctant winter and the ir
repressible emergence of spring
was apparent. Bushes and plants
which have been feeling the
urge to burst forth in their seas
onal green finery appeared
startled and depressed under a
load of snow, but the tall stately
evergreens, used to the rigors of
all seasons, took the April
storms undaunted.
There will still be snow this
week-end in abundance there,
no doubt, and those who have
been seeking some good color
pictures of scenic parts of Mor
row county might take the hint
to run up there, if Old Sol coop
erates just a little bit.
LETTERS to the Editor in the
G-T two weeks ago brought
up some lively topics for con
versation around the county,
and it was amusing to note the
number who mentioned that
they were eagerly looking for
ward to the ensuing week to
read retaliatory letters. However,
there must have been consid
erable disappointment because
the strong rebuttal failed to
materialize. Thus, the paper
didn't measure up in this de
partment. It reminds us of the story of
the farmer who had an unchal
lenged reputation as the out
standing cusser in the county. In
the vituperation department he
was without equal and could
easily slay any opponent with
his invective. The smallest irri
tation would set him off.
One day the farmer was driv
ing through the village with
a load of apples piled in his
wagon. As he drove his team
up a steep hill, the gate came
loose from the back of his wa
gon, and the apples rolled out
of the rig to go tumbling down
the street and scatter for blocks.
Townspeople hastily assem
bled at the bottom of the hill
with hushed expectancy to hear
the masterpiece of expletive
that must surely follow from
such great provocation.
When the farmer fumed down
the hill and came before them,
they watched his every move
with eager anticipation.
But the explosion never came.
"Folks," explained the man,
"I know what you all expect,
LOADS OF
BAND
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
AT THE
FAIR PAVILION
O SUPPER AT 5:30
O GAY WAY OPENS 6:30
Fish Pond
Dunk Tank
Bingo
Fish Bowl
Game
You May Win
A Door Prize!
.22 Lever-Matic Rifle
Chaise - Lounge
And Others
THIS MESSAGE SPONSORED
DANK OF
Chatter
Sherman
but I just ain't equal to the
occasion."
But the Letters department In
the G-T this week has started
functioning again, and maybe
we are a little more equal to
the occasion.
ANNOUNCEMENT is made this
week of the Memorial Day
picnic coming May 30. This is a
long-awaited occasion particu
larly by former residents of the
county, and through the winter
we have received notes and let
ters from different ones from
various parts of the country who
plan to attend.
It is said that the most irri
tating man at reunions of these
classes of years ago is the one
with both money and hair.
It will be interesting for the
natives to see who still has both
at the forthcoming event.
Speaking of hair or lack of
it Marie McQuarrie one day re
cently saw the back of a bald
ing pate glistening through the
Hotel Grill window as she pro
ceded down the sidewalk across
tli6 stroct.
Figuring it was Clint out for
coffee again, she declared to the
gal she was with, "I'd know that
head any place!"
So she bustled into the grill
to rib her hubby. But the bald
head was that of Orville Cuts
forth! ONE FELLOW has a sage com
ment on this controversy over
religion in schools that might
apply to quite a few of us.
"Praying shouldn't be taken
out of public schools," he de
clares. "That's the only way
many of us got through."
(That brings back memories
of torturing through three years
of French).
Maybe we'll need a little
more prayerful religion to get
a budget passed!
LADY CALLS, still disconcerted
over the lack of attendance
at the Ione-Heppner band con
cert here. She has been fretting
about it all this time and wants
to say that she thinks it a down
right shame that the youngsters
don't get better support at their
high school events. We agree.
One thing different about this
lady who prefers to remain un
known she doesn't have child
ren in school and this isn't just
a case of a doting parent. She
declares the work the two bands
did was wonderful and is right
in saying that more should have
been out to hear them.
ONE OF the things that a per
son has been able to see any
day in the country for time im
memorial almost is the rural
FUN FOR EVERYONE AT THE
C&RM VAL
Guessing Games
Country Store
Dart Throw
Cork Guns
BAND MUSIC
DURING DINNER HOUR
BY HONOR BAND
BY YOUR HOME-OWNED BANK
VEastem Oregon
HEPPNER ARLINGTON IONE "
MEMBER, FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
Relatives attending the mem
orial services for Mrs. C. Rich
ard Peterson in Corvallis April
12 were Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Dobyns and Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Peterson and Robert, all of lone.
Mrs. Dobyns and Henry Peter
son are sister and brother to
Richard Peterson.
mailbox. Through the years, it
has stood unchanged and astute
with its same rounded galvan
ized top, flap door on front and
flag to stop the carrier. A person
would figure that this mailbox
would be a time-honored insti
tution that would never change.
But, behold! Now they have a
flashy modern new mailbox
streamlined and in colors to
bring modernity to the farm.
Saw them at M and R company
the other day, and it was almost
startling to see them. This
proves that everything changes
even the rural mailbox.
Coming Events
LEGION MOVIES
Friday, April 26, 8 p.m.
"Escape to Burma" in color,
starring Barbara Stanwyck
and Robert Ryan,
plus cartoon.
JUNIOR HIGH ELKS PARTY
Dance and party for all junior
high school students in the
county.
Friday, April 26, 7:3011 p.m.
Elks Temple, Heppner
DRAMATIC RELIGIOUS
PLAY
"Rehearsal in Kerioth," by
the Heritage Players of
Eugene.
Heppner Christian Church '
Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
Free-will offering
THREE ONE ACT PLAYS
Students of Heppner High
school.
Friday, May 3, 8 p.m.
High School Gymnasium
BAND CARNIVAL.
Fair Pavilion Bldg., Sat., Apr.
27. Full evening of fun,
starting at 5:30 p.m.
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
P. O. Box 247 PH. 676-9625
Heppner
AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE
COMMUNITY K
J BILLBOARD A
W.ff