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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 12, 1964)
HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thursday, March 12, 1964 THE HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES MORROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER The Heppner Gazette established March 30, 1883. The Heppner Times established November 18, 1897. Consolidated February 15, 1912. NIWSPAMt rutusHiis ASSOCIATION NATIONAL EDITORIAL! ASKbCfrATIN1 WESLEY A. SHERMAN Editor and Publisher HELEN E. SHERMAN Associate Publisher Subscription Rates: $4.50 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published Every Thursday and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon, as Second Class Matter. Home Tax Exemption for Elderly Going into .effect with the 1964-65 tax year, and announced on the local level recently by Assessor Rod Thomson, is a property tax exemption law on homes owned by the elderly. This will be a godsend for many of them, although around the state the cumulative effect may take millions of dollars from the property tax rolls. In some areas of high population, prob ably considerable budgetary adjustment will need to be made to provide for the loss of this source of revenue. The exemption is based on the maximum allowable $10,000 true cash value of the home owned by an elderly person whose annual income does not exceede $2500. The ratio of exemption Increases with the age. Thus, those 65 through 68 are per mitted a reduction of 10 If they qualify otherwise; those between 69 and 71 would have a reduction of 30; those 72-74, a reduction of 50; those 75-77, a reduction of 70; 78 to 79, a reduction of 90; and 80 or above, 100. To qualify, the pftson must be living in the home and It must be deeded to him. As Assessor Thomson put it, the exemp tion has no "gimmicks," and is not to be confused with the deferral feature which provides that the elderly may defer payment of taxes to later years, which may be paid by heirs. This latter provision applies to those who have more than $2500 income and do not qualify undcT the other provision, but the deferral feature has had few takers anywhere. "The tax exemption law for the elderly was designed to lighten tiie property tax burden on those in their twilight years, according to their age and financial circumstances," as the Orgeon Voter put it in a recent Issue. For those who are in real financial distress and who cannot lean on children or others for support, the .exemption should be a great blessing. However, the loss of revenue will have to be made up from other sources. Assessor Thomson said that he has had about 20 applications here for the coming year, and estimates that 10 more will apply. Present elderly citizens who may have saved diligently 25 years ago to gain $5,000 to $15,000 for retirement have learned to their sorrow that inflation has made their "nest egg" worth far kss, and it has gone much faster than they have anticipated. In many cases, then, there Is real distress. It is to be hoped that the new provision Is not abused by those who do not qualify under the spirit of the law so that id is spoiled for those who really need it. The Oregon Voter predicts that pressure will be brought by taxpayers associations on the next legislature to change It. But if the law works as intended, without undue hardship on other taxpayers, it certainly will d0 a great deal to relieve the severe financial worries that many of our elderly citizens face. Meanfhile, those who qualify have only until April 1 to file application with the assessor for the 1964-65 exemption. Still Working for Highway Improvements Spearheaded by County Judge Oscar Peterson, the Chamber of Commerce and the county are still working diligently for a better highway to tie into Highway 30 (Interstate 80), and a delegation has gone to Salom again today (Thursday) tW meet with the State- Highway Commission on the matter. Judge Peterson has been there so many times, according to a newspaper friend in Salem, that the reporters covering com mission meetings affectionately call him "Weeping Oscar." A few months ago, the delegation that went to Salem came back with what they thought was good news. The commission halfway indicated that something would be done because pre sumably from the State Department of Planning and Develop ment, apparently tielng in with the Boeing project. Certainly, Heppner, lone and Lexington residents must have to travel longer distances over poor roads to reach home from "outside" than most any place in the state. It is true that the population is small here in relation to other places where there are also pressing needs. However, it Is long past time that major improvements bo made. Work being done by maintenance crews on the Willow Creek highway is a start, but it is far from enough. At best this work can only be considered a stopgap measure to help prevent accidents (such as at the Halvorsen corner near lone). It Is doing nothing basic to alter construction of the route that makes it so wearisome for those who must travel it often. Local car owners have a material measure on the kind of highways they travel here by comparison of tire mileage gained with those who are privileged to drive on fine highways in the Willamette Valley and elsewhere. The editor by his personal knowledge realizes that his average mileage when he lived in the valley was approximately twice for a set of tires that it is here the same grade and quality of tires. The way the Willow Creek highway is crowned, its dips and waves, its sharp corners, narrow cuts make it a tortuous route for the traveler. The highway department has made some wonderful im provements in other areas and on long stretches where the travel Is relatively light. Recently we went over the route from Condon to Wasco, for instance. My, how we would like to have that highway lure! It would bo a boon to our commerce. Big trucks and school buses could travel without fear of a collision or sideswlping another vehicle every time they approached a blind corner. The Chamber is on record as favoring the new route via Fourmiie Canyon to Arlington, taking off in the vicinity of Horseshoe Bond at Morgan. Eventually, it would like to see a highway go on through via Shaw Creek grade to Ukiah, con necting tlure with the highway to John Day. This could mean a groat deal to Heppner and neighboring towns. It would be a fine cutoff for many traveling to the south east, and it might mean that this area would be served by public bus routes again. It should help develop commerce and industry. The present Willow Creek highway is stifling to commerce. Truckers hate to travel it, Just as car owners do. It appears that the Chamber of Commerce will stick with this project until it is acted upon favorably, or until the High way Commission refuses to entertain a delegation. In that event, hc group would seek another means. Meanwhile, we hope "Weeping Oscar" and we use the term with the best of respect doesn't let go on this project even though he may retire from office before the Job is done. He has promised to keep somewhat active in public affairs and we hope he keeps this one on his list. In the time he has been in office, he has done a fine job getting around on the outside to promote the best interests of the county, and he has made himself felt in high circles. A Cheer for the Plucky Mustangs! Heppner High's basketball team which took a thumping by Vale Friday night but came right back to defeat Enterprise for third place in the district tournament has earned real praise from all residents here, jno one couia neip but be proua oi mis showing. The team, made up largely from the "bench" of the early season squad, compiled in late season and in the tournament a record, of two wins against three losses, This is excellent wnen one considers the handicaps that the Mustangs faced. Their pluck, their spirit, their never-say-dkd attitude has been admirable. With this windup, Heppner finished the year with a line 18-6 mark, one that most any school would be happy to accept any season. TO THE EDITOR. Chaff and Chatter Wes Sherman BEFORE THE powers that be in the Democratic party turn a cold shoulder on one of their own and completely disavow her, we better make a hasty correc tion. In our story of political filings last week we hastily listed Sadie Parrish, county clerk incumbent, with the Republicans, whicn brought some ribbing from her colleagues. After we had once started the ball rolling, it kept on. The East Oregonian came out, grouping Sadie with the Republicans, and then, lo and behold, so did a story in the Oregonian. Looks as if Sadie is going to have to change registration by popular demand. She has thrown her hat in the ring for reelection, but the next time we go to her office, we had better throw our hat in the door before walking in. PEOPLE who go to Arbuckle Mountain ski run probably use all manner and description of rigs to get there, but Jim Farley and Cornett Green rubbed their eyes in disbelief Sunday when they headed up that way and found one of those long, awk ward car transport trucks strand ed on the Shaw Creek grade road. It was fighting a losing battle with the slick road, and it was snowing heavily at the time. Farley and Green probably wouldn't have been more sur prised if they had seen a Mar tian flying saucer parked in the middle of the road. They learned from the driver that he wasn't headed for the ski area, but was bound for Fos sil. He had one new car on his racks, but otherwise was empty. The two local men informed him that he wasn't exactly on the right road to Fossil and then gave him a hand to try to get him headed back towards Hepp ner. But the rig was so long and ungainly it was no small job, within the narrow confines of the cleared road. He backed down to the Junc tion, but a county Cat was park ed right where he might other wise have had maneuvering room. Jim and Corney tried to get it started but were somehow blocked in their effort. Finally, after about 45 minutes of intricate and patient work, they got the vehicle headed back. It was like trying to turn a gir affe around in a broom closet. Aoparentlv the fellow had come in from Pendleton via Hin ton creek and misread the signs in front of the courthouse here MRS. PAUL (BETTY) Brown was thrilled Monday night when she watched her brother, Auttie Goodman of Las Vegas, Nev., perform with Tex Benekes or chestra on the "Tonight" show from New York over a nation wide hookup. Goodman sang In a quintet composed of four men and a woman, and he also played a saxophone solo. The orchestra is currently on an eastern tour and is appear ing at the Americana Hotel in New York. Later this month the group will be on Ed Sullivan's show, and it is also contemplat ing a tour of Europe. Goodman, who Betty says al ways had the ambition of per forming with a big name band, has visited in Heppner many times. MAKING a quiet visit to Hepp ner this week from the Uni versity of Colorado was Dallas Ward, whose name stirs mem ories not only of old time resi dents here but also rings a bell with sports fans. Ward, who attended high school in Lexington, went on to Oregon State University (prob ably O. A. C. in those days), where he attained renown as a football star, making all-Amer-ican. His career eventually took him to the University of Colorado where he coached football. Ward is still on the staff of the uni versity but has retired from coaching. According to reports, he made the trip here on family business but enjoyed renewing acquain tances with old friends. BILL BELT, Hermiston, president of the Space Age Development association, dropped in for a chat the other day and said that he was concerned about the local feeling over the alleged "slight" of Morrow county officials at the recent Boeing ceremony. It had been intended, he said, that the ceremony be kept simple and no particular area was to be individually recognized. Pen dleton's Main Street Cowboys came up with a last-minute im promptu stunt and managed to get on the program. At the luncheon, Sheriff Bau man was in the limelight for a few moments when he made Lysle Wood, Boeing vice presi dent, an honorary deputy sheriff. Belt pointed out that Boeing was a little amazed at the size of the turnout reaching 2500 persons when they had expec ted a crowd of about one-tenth that size. He declared that Boe- ine has the best feeling to wards Morrow county and its of ficials and surely had no inten tion of slighting anyone. IN THIS CONNECTION, Presi dent Al Lamb of the Cham ber of Commerce has recieved a letter from Governor Mark Hatfield, directed to the C of C. It says: "For your help in making the Boardman project a reality, you deserve the thanks of all forward-looking Oregonians who want to see their state move for ward. Those who stood fast in support of the project through the many frustrations have in deed demonstrated the vision and determination of responsible citizenship. "With the start of Boeing's de velopment, we now have the fa cilities to compete for business in the space age. With continued teamwork and alertness to op portunities, we can help develop this new capacity to bring Board- man up to its full potential as a force in the economy of the Eastern Oregon area and the en tire state. "Your continuing support mer its the appreciation of many, as well as my personal thanks." One-Shot Roscoe As Told By ORVILLE W. CUTSFORTH (Editor's note: Henceforth, the Gazette-Times will give first consideration on letters to the editor submitted for publication which previously have not been printed in an other paper that is widely circ ulated in the area This column is made available to those who wish to express themselves on subjeets of general interest but it cannot be of fresh in terest if the letters have prev iously been read by this paper's subscribers in another publi cation). Dear Editor: I read, with considerable amusement, the petty complaints initiated by Orville,Cutsforth re garding the snubbing of Morrow County officials at the recent Boeing ground breaking cere mony. His complaints remind me very much of a child who has not been able to get his way and is looking for some way to get even. It seems a little peculiar to me that Mr. Cutsforth would openly oppose the leasing of the land to Boeing and then scream because they mistreated him or some of the Morrow county of ficials. I attended the ground break ing ceremony and found it to be very simple with the only people on the platform being two rep resentatives from Boeing and Governor Hatfield. Mr. Cutsforth mentions the fact that "officials from neighboring counties were acknowledged, but none from Morrow county." I as sume he is referring to the dele gation from Pendleton that ask ed in advance to be given time to present Governor Hatfield and Mr. Wood with token gifts. I'm sure that had the so called Mor row county officials been on the ball and asked for time, they would have received as much time as the Pendleton delega tion. It seems that the Morrow county officials are the ones to blame not Boeing or Governor Hatfield. It would also seem approp riate to ask why direct the let ter of complaint to Governor Hat field? It was my understand ing that the Boeing people plan ned the ceremony and that Gov ernor Hatfield was merely a par ticipant. Shouldn't the letter of complaint have gone to the Boe ing officials, not Governor Hat field? In my opinion, Mr. Cutsforth and the Heppner-Morrow County Chamber of Commerce are mak ing a mountain out of a molehill. I'm sure no intentional snub was meant. Sincerely, Harold Baker Boardman, Oregon Mission Speaker On Philippines Coming Sunday Rev. Gunder Olsen, missionary to the Philippines, will be guest speaker at the 11:00 a.m. Sun day service at the Assembly of God church, Rev. Bill Alsup, pas tor, announces. Rev. Olsen will relate some of the outstanding experiences he has had while in the Philippines. For example, he miraculously escaped death three different times. Color films and curious will be shown. The Rev. Olsen first went to the Philippines in 1953 and was stationed for a year at San Jose, Antique. In 1954 he opened a church in Iloilo City, Iloilo, with only seven in Sunday school. By the end of the lirst year were attending. Today this church is the second largest Assembly of God in the Philippines. He has opened a number oi outstations and has been active n evangelistic ministry, niui to missionary service, Rev. Olsen pastored Assemblies oi ooa churches in Washington and Montana. Both he and Mrs. Olsen attended Northwest Bible Col lege. Seattle. Wn. Beginning Sunday night, March 15, at 7:30 p.m., Rev. Al sun announces a week of special evangelistic services will be held nightly, except Saturday, with Rev. George GamleTi of fepnng' field, leading the services. The public is extended a cord ial invitation to attend the above special meetings. Services in Alaska For E. L. Swaggart Word of the death last month of Ellsworth Lee Swaggart, form er Heppner resident, in Spenard, Alaska, has been received by friends Jiere. Mr. Swaggart, born in Heppner in 1910, had made his home in Alaska for the past 14 years. He died at the age of 53. Funeral services were held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage, Alaska. Survivors include his widow, Janis, and three children at the family home, and Ellsworth, Jr., of Lafayette, Oregon. His father, Grover B. Swaggart of Woodburn, also survives. (Editor's note: This is an other in the series of anec dotes about the late Roscoe Cox, Morrow county outdoors man, who died last year). In an early day Roscoe always used a .32 Winchester lever. The open site was gone, and he used a fold down peep mountea on the stock, and he shot it quite often without using even that. An old timer living here now, Louie O'Rourke told me last week about Roscoe and how he could shoot that rifle. George tended camp for Roscoe a couple of years and they hunted to gether. The two, when hunting one fall, came out on a meadow and there was a coyote digging mice out in the center of It about 100 yards away. The coyote hadn't seen them so Roscoe said, "I've got four shells in my gun and let's have some fun. I'll shoot under his belly and sting him." So he shot and the coyote jumped straight up in the air with all four feet reaching for country. He came down going north. Roscoe said, "I've got to turn him." So he showered dirt in the animal's eves and the coyote, seeing north was wrong, headed south. Roscoe fired another shot, putting more dirt in the coyotes eyes. So it was apparent that south was wrong, too. Not knowing where the hunt ers' were, the coyote headed straight for them, then Roscoe said, "I'll stop him," and he shot him in the face. Called his shots and all with out using that rear sight. Gribble Returns From Army Duly Douff Gribble, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Gribble of Heppner, returned recently- from a 36 months tour of duty with the United States army. While in the Army, Doug was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, and in Aberdeen, Md. Gribble and his wife, Carol, are making their home in Hepp ner where he is helping his father in the operation of In land Chemical Company and In land Equipment Company. Prior to military service, una ble attended Heppner Hign school, where he graduated in 1959. He spent a year and a half in college, at Willamette Uni versity and Eastern Oregon Col- leSe- . Duties in the army iouna urio ble as a member of the 2nd Arm ored Division, company C. In No vember of last year, he partici pated in operation "Big Lift" with the army. In the exercise, about 15,000 men were flown from Texas to Germany in one of the biggest maneuvers in U, S. military history. Gribble said that a person doesn't realize how good his home town looks until he is away from it for a while. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Slyter, Mike, Jeff and Doug, of Camas, Wn., were in Heppner over the week-end visiting Mrs. Slyter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Chapin. Mrs. Peck's Father Dies in Eugene Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Peck and children were called to Eugene last week because of the death of Mrs. Peck's father, Clarence M. Urey. Mr. Urey had been in ill health for the past two years. He visited here frequently and had many friends in this area. COMMUNITY If ) BILLBOARD i Rosewalls Take Trip Mr. ami Mrs. Clarence Rose wall left Thursday for San Fran cisco where they will represent Heppner Auto Sales, Inc., at a showing to intro.lure the new Ford Motor Com-wr- -"to, The Mustang. They n;v ; ing the trip by airplane and expect to K back Saturday after viewing the new car Friday. Dear Editor: "To know Charley was to love Charley." Before starting my sad tale, I should perhaps describe our deceased pet dog, Charley. He was a bright yellow color with white trim, built yery close to the ground and not much larger than a cat. His background was questionable, he had a beagle tail and bark, two stand-up ears, freckled nose, furry tan britches, large feet, and gentle brown eyes. He fancied himself quite a hunter, but chose game no bigger than grasshoppers or an occasional butterfly. Cats have been known to chase him, and by nature he was extremely timid. His only acts of bravery were displayed when his teen age master urged him to pick up a wounded mouse, or he dash ed across our lawn after a tumble weed. His low slung body and fluffy white tipped tail and happy countenance were most comical to behold. He loved ev eryone, especially big teen-age boys. Charley was a typical am bassador of good will, as no one ever walked by him without petting or speaking to him. He thrived on this alfection and attention, always retaliated with a soft slurp of his tongue and a wag of his tail. Charley had no enemies and was always a stay-at-home, un til he took his fatal spring jaunt down the creek towarus Lexington. Being such a naive and trusting fellow, he was taken in by a group of long legged canine riff-raff, who among other crimes, were sus pected of molesting cattle. In the meanwhile, we called the Sheriff and neighbors and conducted an intensive search for our lost pet. A sell appointed deputy, within the city limits cf Lexington, heard dogs barking and lowered his sights on n... offenders. We can't deny Cnarlej was there, and without a doui't, he trustingly dashed toward tms "protector," and cringed to ih' ground as 1 e cite; did v'. being di;-cip'i:ic ' O.u iati.i CharYv, the Ijttctty .er was dea.l. To th's rc. r. w.to felt it neces-ar tu shoot Charley, perhaps i were within your rights, (:), but. pi .is be assur ed the marauding dogs are still free to roam and destroy as they please. Their owners do not know or care what mischief their pets may be up to. True, Charley was not courageous or wise, and his ancestry left much to be desired but his devotion and companionship will be sorely missed by our family and friends. Sincerely, Betty Brown, Rt. 2 Heppner, Oregon Tell the advertiser you saw it In the Gazette-Times. Coming Events ELK'S CRAB FEED March 14, 7 to 9 p.m. Dancing to music of Bob Kas nick orchestra, Elks Temple. ARBUCKLE SKI CLUB Winter Ski Carnival, Sunday, March 15, starting at 1:00 p.m. Arbuckle Mountain. Fun for all ages. ST. PATRICK'S DINNER Catholic Parish Hall Sunday, March 15, from 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets, adults, $1.50; child ren under 12, 75c; family, $5.00. RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE Blood bank drawing Monday, March 28, 1 to 5 p.m. Elks' temple. Make an appointment now! SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY C. A. RUGGLES Insurance Agency P.O. Box 247 PH. 676-9825 Heppner gift for YOU! ? fcSlA beautiful white CC lVm pen Kuaranleed for ifh Wipo one year " yurt W( w our cmplimtnts (hv 1 u tT sho'e Sb y J NEW DESIGN! 1 It! NEW STYLE! iF W NEW C0MF0RT! (vT"" : 1 1 Dignl for com (or I ... JVJ t ol smirlnrM! Soil XrN. ssx 1 lovf krthrr, cushion "N 1 ". J crfpf wit. lffl rch u lit .-m ""was $Q99 S $ a 7.99 ami
