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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 30, 1967)
REPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. THE ? HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES Heppner, Oregon 97836 Phone. 676-9228 MORROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER The Heppner Gazette established March 30, 1SS3. The Heppner Times established November 18, 1S97. Consolidated February 15, 1912. i i NIWSPAPI IUSHIII ASSOCIATION WESLEY A. SHERMAN HELEN E. SHERMAN ROD (SPIKE) PARDEE Advertising Manager Photographer MARION ABRAMS Society Circulation JIM SHERMAN Pressman Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. until noon Saturday. Subscription Rates: $450 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published Every Thursday and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon, as Second Class Matter. Governor's Position on Taxes Recently Governor Tom McCall made a half-hour televis ion presentation to the people of Oregon on the subject of taxes. Exponents of the sales tax had expected that this would be a strong appeal against the sales tax and In favor of the governor's Income tax proposal as a method of alleviat ing the property tax load. But It was no such "rock-em, sock em" presentation. On the other hand, it was in the nature of the "fireside chat", conducted with decorum and restraint His quiet talk, with the aid of John Mosser, director of Finance and Administration, was a pleasant relief at a time when the public is used to harsh words and controversy. While the explanation on taxes was basic and simple, it was fair and gave points for and against each type of tax in an understandable manner. In reply to a letter from the Gazette-Times concerning the telecast. Governor McCall wrote Friday, stating, 'The mall following my television program is overwhelmingly In favor of a small income tax increase the people of Oregon feel that the sales tax would be an unfair method of financing government On the other hand, they decisively Indicate their desire for property tax relief." While no cleaicut picture has emerged from the legislature to date on what program will be presented to the people, it becomes more apparent that a considerable segment of the lawmakers is doggedly pursuing the sales tax. Rep. Irvln Mann reports in his column this week that it seems to be shaping up to a 3-way decision for voters: 1. Do you want to reduce property taxes? Z Are you In favor of 50 state basic school support? 3. If so, are you in favor of a sales tax? If the legislature puts the matter to Oregon voters in this manner, it will be regrettable. Such a proposal would ignore the income tax Increase as an alternative. It seems to us that the legislature is not reading the signs very well. Newspaper polls, opposition by organiza tions, comments by the public, editorials by newspapers and television seem to Indicate that Oregon voters will not ap prove a sales tax, and it Is difficult for us to see why pro ponents in the legislature so doggedly pursue this course. If an election is put to the people on a "sales tax or noth ing" basis, their rancor will be Incurred, and it will be voted down resoundingly. Many people will vote for no additional tax, but we be lieve the income tax proposal would have a better chance than the sales tax as a method of property tax relief. And for good reason. Income tax is based more nearly on the ability to pay; the machinery for collection is already set up It would require no additional costly state collection sys tem; it would not impose the hardship on business in ex acting the tax and keeping records; it is not the continuing nuisance that the sales tax is. There are some who maintain that we should be picking up more tourist dollars through a sales tax. The best way to pick up tourist dollars is to make the state attractive, and taxing them is not the answer. Not to be overlooked, too, is that border cities of Oregon on three sides are enjoy ing some prosperity by trade coming from the sales-taxed consumers of Washington, California and Idaho. Ask some one in Milton-Freewater what this means there! Remember, too, that If a sales tax Is enacted, utilities will get the greatest relief, and they are the ones who least need it. If it were possible to get them to convert these re ductions into lower rates for their services, it wouldn't be so bad, but it is doubtful if they would stand still for this. Washington now is pointing to a sales tax of 5. Open the door in Oregon to a 2 or 3 sales tax, and it won't be many years until It will be climbing here, too. We'll find that we have just another tax to pay. If the people of Oregon want to cut property taxes by shifting some of the burden to another tax, the program of Governor Tom McCall is the easiest, the wisest and most equitable. Under his plan, the majority of Oregonians would pay 15 more in income tax or about one-half of one per cent of Income. For this they would receive approximately a 20 property tax decrease. Utilities would bear a share though corporate tax increase in proportionate amount. We're disappointed at the attitude of the Republicans In the House in focusing on a sales tax. One wonders what influences their thinking. Perhaps Oregonians should elect more low income men and women with large families to legislative seats. Such families will bear the brunt of a sales tax. Those with higher incomes, of course, shy away from an income tax increase, even though they are more able to pay. Wayne Hams Head New Rifle Club Wayne Hams was elected president of the newly-formed Morrow County Rifle and Pistol club at its meeting in the Amer ican Legion hall, Heppner, earl ier this month. Dick Robison was elected vice-president and Len Ray Schwarz secretary treasurei'. The club name was chosen af ter discussion during the busi ness meeting, and dues were set at So per year. A minimum ago limit of 17 was set in ac cordance with NRA regulations, which the club will probably fellow in establishing its range rules. Site of the proposed range is f till in the planning stage, and it should be decided on at the rext meeting in the Legion hall Wednesday, April 5, at 7:30. Two movies will be shown at that time and all interested per sons are invited to attend. Thunder. March 30. 1967 NATIONAL NiWSPAPi EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ARNOLD RAYMOND Shop Foreman Printer REGGIE PASCAL Linotype Operator RANDY STTLLMAN Apprentice Two from Heppner On BMC Honor Roll Two students from Heppner at Blue Mountain Community College received honors for their work during the winter term, ac cording to Truman Baily, dir ector of admissions. Dale Van Blokland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Van Blokland, was one of 19 students who made the honor roll. This roll includes students making grade point averages of 3.50 or higher. Walter Beckett, son of Mr. find Mrs. Laurence Beckett, made the Dean's List with a grade pcint average of 3.00. Other students from the coun ty on the honor roll are Elsie Collins (3.69), Donald Eppen bach (3.76), both of Irrigon, and Irene De Anne Wear (3.54), Foardman. Sheryl Witherspoon of Irrigon made the Dean's List with a 323. Mr. and Mrs. Gary Thomp- son and familv went in Nvua over spring vacation to be with his family. They also went to Idaho Falls before returnins home. What's New . From Salem By REP. IRVIN MANN. JR. Shape of what might come out of this legislature in the nature of property tax relief, basic school support and a tax to finance that relief and that support is beginning to come clear. The chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, who had pre viously scoffed at the House tax program has agreed that a vote by the people on a choice of whether or not they want sub stantial permanent property tax relief through the approach the House Tax Committee had evolved was in order. He furth er agreed that that vote should also carry with it a vote on a tax measure which would tap new source of revenue to foot the bill so that schools would in no sense be curtailed and further expressed the opinion that such a tax should probab ly be a sales tax with, in ad dition to property tax relief, some income tax relief features. Then Saturday, the House Ed ucation Committee unveiled a new basic school support for mula for the state which would raise the support of local schools to at least 50 of cost a goal school men have sought for a long time. The new formula would be distributed on a flat grant basis rather than the present formula. Here again it became amply clear that the goal could never be reached without a new tax that the cost of the program would be $30 million and that not even half that amount was available from current sources. Thus it appears that some time this year the people will be asked to make a moment ous decision at the ballot box, and that decision, by one vote will decide the following things: 1) Do you want permanent sub stantial property tax relief as sured by a constitutional limi tation on how much property tax can be levied for school pur poses? 2) Do you want schools supported to the tune of 50 by the state on a flat grant basis? 3) If you do want this, are you ready to enact a sales tax to finance these goals? This is a harsh choice, but whatever decisions the people make, it will be a momentous one. If this legislature gives the people the opportunity to make that decision, it will have dis charged its obligations as few legislatures have in the past. Girls to Attend FHA Conference Home economics stude n t s from junior and senior high schools across Oregon will par ticipate March 31 and April 1 at Oregon State University in the annual Future Homemakers of Americu Conference. Oregon has more than 4,000 FHA members in 116 chapters. Almost all of the chapters are expected to send representatives to the state meetings. Attending from the Heppner High FHA chapter will be Sheila Lucianl, president, and either Chris Munkers or Lou- ella Roark, vice presidents. Mrs. Gene (Leona) Winters, advisor, also will attend. Local Service Man Calls on Rest Leave Mr. and Mrs. Leon Ball and family received a call Tuesday, March 21, from their son, now Spc 4 Jay Ball telling them of his recent promotion and that he was having a trip to Hong Kong as part of a week's rest and recreation after service in Viet nam. He called again from Hong Kong on Friday, March 24, be fore returning to Plel Ku for ac tive duty in a new assignment with an Armored Personnel Car rier Division and according to his mother said he had really enjoyed his time in Hong Kong and wanted to be remembered to his friends In Heppner. Mrs. Ball said the family was sur prised at the clear telephone connections. Heppner Grad Holds Part in College Play Sheridan Wyman, daughter of Mrs. Ilene Wyman, shared the lead in a recent play produc tion at Marylhurst College. The play, 'To Burn a Witch", was given March 10 and 11. The setting of the play was in Salem, Mass., around the year 1683. The one-act play dealt with the treatment of two girls accused of witchery. Sheridan, a freshman at Marylhurst, was active in dra ma at Heppner High school be fore her graduation here last spring. Club Makes Cookies The Cookettes met March 21, 1967, at the home of Mrs. Wal lace W. Wolff. We made peanut butter, oatmeal raisin cookie;., and Brownies. We took some home to our families and left some for Mrs. Wolff. Hostess v.as Diane Cox. She brought cookies lo eat. Lisa Collins, reporter Guests during the week-end of March 18 and 19 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hamlin were his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Tec Van Doninck of Gresham. h-v-- JsA A J NEW MEMBER of Union Pacific's scholarship family U Ste Wtrgenblast Lexington. Ho recelred hit certificate jjrom -Manke. UP agricultural agent, at tat Future Farmer ol America convention at Eugene. Almoet 10.000 ITA and H youths hare received scholarships from the railroad. Recipient must attend land grant college, such as Oregon State University. Chaff Wes LOWELL (GRIB) CRIBBLE, president of the Willow Creek Countrv club, made the ulti mate bloop Monday when he made a little talk at Chamber of Commerce to spur interest in golf here and support of the club. It was a classic and couldn't have been better If he had planned it, but it was Just a slip of the tongue of the var iety that occurs when a person tries to say, "Peter Piper pick ed a peek of pickled peppers." Grib told of the reasons the Chamber members should sup port the club and then told of membership costs. As an after thought, he declared, ". . .and ministers and priests can pray free." He had meant to suy "play" of course, but the Jap anese accent crept in. Fittingly enough, the Rev. Dirk Rinehart was sitting right across the table from Grlb. THERE ARE many clergymen who are good golfers. Maybe good prayers do become good players even though there arc times on the golf course that try man's souls and one has to resist temptations of the horn ed red demon. Visiting with Grlb Tuesday, he told about playing with a minister once and asked him if he were ever tempted to use improper language when he made a bad shot. "No," replied the clergyman, "but I have noticed that the grass gets a little greener where I spit after dubbing a shot." WILLOW CREEK golfers expect an excellent season this year and think that in a couple of years the course Is going to be one of the finest little layouts anywhere. The big improvement just made is the installation of an underground sprinkling system. It could be that this system, in fact, caused Tuesday's good rain. The sprinklers were in op eration and may have acted as a primer to cause the skies to pour forth. ONE THING nice about small weekly newspapers is that they aren't required to conform so rigidly to standards of jour nalism, but most publishers make an effort to "go by the book" in order to put out a good product. Adding to- the problem Is the fact that the little weekly has many "reporters." They range down to first year 4-H club members. We try to be a lit tle severe with them, in order that they get some teaching in how it should be done. But sometimes their work is just too colorful to resist. Con sider Lisa Collins' report on the Cookettes' meeting this week: "We made peanut butter, oat meal raisin cookies and Brown ies. We took some home to our families and left some for Mrs. Wolff." Then she adds, "Host ess was Diane Cox; she brought cookies to eat." Sounds as if Diane was play ing it safe, all right! IF YOU see a lot of grade school youngsters dressed up in all manner of crazy costumes Fri- pnng martha's door Reductions in All Departments 10 to 30 240 gladis avenue Chatter Sherman day, bear In mind that Satur- , dav is April 1, and you Know what that means 'That helps us justify Dress up Dav" Principal Al Martin si.ld. Besides spring fever has started to bite (despite Tues day's rnln). nnd It is a good break In the long classroom routine at this time of year. All classes at the schools will participate, and some of the teachers will, too, we under stand. Now (hat ought to make some purty pltrhcrs. ISNT IT discouraging. Now that we have mentioned spring. It has started to snow That'll teach us JUDGE PAUL JONES brings up a pertinent point In connec tion with the John Day dam reservoir. "Who came up with the name 'Umatilla' for the lake?" he asked. The lake borders on Sherman, Gillinm and Morrow counties In Oregon, and on Klickitat and Benton In Washington. How come "Umatilla"? The Judge suggests the bor dering counties should get to gether and try to cet a more appropriate name for the reser voir which Is expected to be come one of the best recreation areas east of the Cascades with Its sandy shores stretching for 35 miles as contrasted with the rocky cliffs of the reservoir backed up by McNary. HERE'S A LITTLE consolation (?) with Income tax time coming up: A rouple of weeks ago some federal officials came from Washington, D. C, for an orientation confer e n c e with some state officials in Portland. They used, according to a TV newscaster, "one of the several airplanes at the President's dis posal." The newscaster reported that the plane costs $875 per hour to fly. Now the game Ls to figure how far across the country they could flv on the income tax that vou are irolnu to pav on April 15. It's a little hard to take when i you think you've worked all year to accumulate your little contribution to Uncle Sam, Lsn't it? TO THE EDITOR Board man Story Dear Mr. Sherman: I was most Interested In see ing the article and pictures about the re-located town of Boardman, Oregon. In the Hepp ner Gazette-Times for Thursday, February 16, 1967. I am the oldest daughter of Sam Boardman, and my sister, brothers and myself would like to obtain copies of this issue if possible. I am enclosing a check for $1 for four copies of the paper which can be sent to me. In appreciation of your fine editorial and coverage of the story, I am Sincerely yours, Dorothy Mefford (Mrs. Albert R.) Salem, Oregon at hennUton 567-6789 Sale TO THE EDITOR... Under Sociolism In Sail Kr.MHlv-o. I couldn't help hut wonder what Sasketchewan (, with their Socialistic blue prints when thev decided to .Ward them in l!-t V011 Mippose they wen- turned over t,. I. II J to pattern his (-real Society after , . The following Is siwech ty ll- premier. In his ' w"r,u where lie cites socialism In b kett'hewiin as warning to the people of the United State; Sasketchewan for 'Jo years, front 19-14 to 1!X'-I. had social- 1st government. biioui v only one In North America, ex cept Castro's. In 1H the social ists said they would solve un employment problem by build ing government factories. Thcv promised to use the profit to build highways, schools. hospir als and to f Inane better social welfare measures generally. Ov er the JO years thev set up 22 so-called Crown Corporations. I wish that time permitted me to tell vou the fiasco that follow ed. Uv the time we had taken over the government U of the frown 'ornitlonH had gone bankrupt or had been disposed of Others were kept operating In- related and substantial government grants. Poring the whole period the socialists wag ed war against private busi ness The making of a profit was condemned as an unforgiv able sin. What was the result? Investors slmplv turned their hacks on the socialist. Isiens of oil companies pulled up stakes nnd moved out. Gas ex ploration ground to a complete halt; pit ct lug in our vast north Ixvame alnut non exist ent. During the period Canada was experiencing the greatest economic boom in tier history, Sasketchewovn received only handful of new factories. After IS years of socialism there were fewer Jobs In manufacturing than existed In 11M. this ties plte the Investment of J.VH) mil lion in v rown vorporauon. The socialist promised n greatly expanded program of so clal welfare measures: there was to be free medical care, "Free hospitalization, drugs and so on" The money to finance these projects was to come from profits of the Crown Cor porations. In the overall picture j there were no profits, there! were colossal losses Thus the welfare program had to be fl ! nanced from taxation. ' During the period more than , fit completely new taxes were ; Introduced; (M other taxes were' Increased. Per capita taxes were soon substantially out of line with our sister provinces one more reason why industry lo cated elsewhere. Twenty years ago the socialists promised to make Sasketchewan a mecca for the working man. Instead, we saw the greatest mass exo dus of people out of an area since Moses lead the Jews out of Egypt. Since the war, 270,000 of our citizens left Saskatchewan to find employment elsewhere. Fi nally our people decided they had been the C'anadlun Guinea pig for socialism long enough. Thev threw them out. It Is the task of our new gov ernment to prove In the next few years that the private en terprise system can do more for our people than socialism. If there are any Americans who think that socialism Is the answer. I wish thev would come to Sasketchewan and study what happened to our province. W. Ross Thatcher, premier of Sasketchewan, speaking In San rranclsco. Paul Pettyjohn On Age 18 Voting Dear Mr. Sherman: Please print this In your edi torial column. Tills refers to the article that was printed In the Oregonlan March 22. 1967 Sen. Anthony Yturrl stated that "18 year olds do not have the maturity to vote at the polls." What Is Mr. Yturrl's dcf. inltion of muturity? Only one's age? The maturing age Is not al ways the same for everyone. It depends on the Individual. There might be some reason r More Fun, Always... At the TWO jJLfJt n In SALEM 112 Rooms ftou (5031 m U6 BOTH INNS HAVI MSTAUHANTM ing for not having 1R year old adults Vote for the U. 8. tlona but I do not f,..i , Clin or should be based on age al,,,,,. Mammy yes, age no. If those between 18 an, I n rt not adults or have nut the maturity to vote In the elec lions, then why are thev n,n sldered malum enough to .in. fend the right of those pIh. Hons by fighting In Viet Nam Why are they charged adult prltva for everything after high school graduation? Whv ar thev required to le ef aup porting? Whv ar they required to nay taxea? Thev are eonuM crcd mature except to vote. The laws state that clrls at the age of 1H are mature enough to get marneti. nave lamlUr manage household budget) have charge accounts, bank sr. counts, etc., but they aren't old enough tu vote. Our country Is based on the young people In today ioc ety. We are now near major Ity. Yet we are not represented by choir. To me, thl ' 1 more unjust than the slogan uhh during the birth of our nation, "Taxation without representation," To the iMiys In Viet Nam, It la facing death without representation. I feet the voting age should lie reduced lo 18, and let the men fighting for our country vote In our country, and the women who are at home work lug fur belter life and coun try help elect the officer for whom they feel beat qualified. Mr. Yturrl argument are not valid. HI Judgment of g only criterion I unjust Young people today are often more aware of modern problems than our elder. We might follow tht senator' argument to potential conclu sion; someone might one day suggest that all those over So, for example are too senile to vote. How about that? Sue C. Townnd COMMUNITY BILLBOARD Coming Events HEPPNEK HIGH BASEBALL Saturday, April 1, 1 p.m. Heppner vs. Umatilla, Hepp ner High Field Tuesday. April 4, 3 p.m. Heppner v. Condon, Heppner High Field .SPRING CARNIVAL Saturday, April 1, ponsred by Heppner ITA and Band Parents Dinner from 5:30 p.m ; booths, game, dunk tank, lot of door prize, dance from 10 to 1 Heppner Fair Pavilion Lots of fun for everyone! SMORGASBORD DINNER Willow Orange Hall, lone Sunday, April 2 Serving from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tickets, $1.75 and $100 GOLDEN AGE CLUB Tuesday, April 4, Episcopal Parish Hall Dinner, 7:lK) p.m., followed by entertainment OES SOCIAL CLUB Ruth Chapter. OES Social Club card party Saturday, April 1, 1:30 p.m. Hcppaer Masonic Hall SPRING RUMMAGE SALE Friday, Saturday, April 14, 15 Sponsored by Heppner Civic League GUllam & Blsbce BIdg. SPONSORED A3 A PUBLIC SERVICE BY C. A. RUGGLES Insurance Agency Htppner r. O. Bom 247 ML I7I-K25 Sparkling New in EUGENE 150 Rooms t... m riM WITH 14-HOUH COFfll MHOPM i
