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!
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