HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thursday. Mowmbtr 30, 1967
THE
HEPPNER
GAZETTE-TIMES
Heppner. Oregon 97836
Phone 676-9228
MOHROW COUNTT'S NEWSPAPER
PUIIUHIII
AIIOCIATIOM
WESLEY A. SHERMAN
HELEN E. SHERMAN
ARNOLD RAYMOND
Shop Foreman
Printer
GAIL BURKENBINE
Society
Circulation
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Every Thursday and Entered at
as Secona iiass iwuuer.
Office Hours: 8 a.m.
until noon Saturday.
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
REGGIE PASCAL
Linotype Operator
RANDY STILLMAN
Apprentice
JIM SHERMAN
Pressman
Single Copy 10 Cents. Published
the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon,
to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.
Special Election Coming
Even though the county has depended on a serial tax
levy since 1948 to carry a major portion of financing Its
road program, It may come as a surprise to some that a spe
cial election is called for Friday, December 8.
At that time voters will cast ballots on a $150,000-pcr-vear
levy for a five-year period to be used in constructing,
improving, maintaining and repairing county roads.
There are quite a few new people In the county since the
last road election in early 1965, and there may be some other
voters who have forgotten that this serial road levy election
comes up every few years.
It is particularly for the benefit of these persons that
we point out that this is not a new or an additional levy
that is being proposed. It is continuation of a plan that has
gone on for some 19 years.
The proposition would increase the levy from $125,000 per
year to $150,000, which is what the county deems necessary
to do the job that the road department has to do. Also, it
would cover a five-year period instead of three years. The
last serial levy was voted early in 1965 for a 3-year period,
but others were for five-year periods.
The serial levy method of financing roads was started in
1948 when voters approved a 10-mill levy each year for a
period of five years. This was voted again in 1953 and once
more in 1958, still as a 10-mill levy. In February, 1962, it
was discovered that a change in the county's tax ratio from
22 of true cash value to 25 of true cash value brought
the county more money than could legally be collected since
the law limited the increase on serial levy proceeds to 6
above the previous year's proceeds.
Using the millage basis, the proceeds increased as the
amount of taxable property increased. Thus, as the county s
valuation went up, the amount available for roads Increased.
Union Pacific-a major taxpayer here-discovered the il
legality which had gone unnoticed by county officials The
cial limit for the year 1961-1962 was $147,916, but the 10
mill levy brought $165,347. After considering the matter, the
county decided to refund the overcharge and this was done,
the refunds going to taxpayers in proportion to their pay
ments. Most of their taxes for the year had been paid as
of November 15, 1961.
Meanwhile, the legislature passed an act stating that such
serial levies could no longer be voted in terms of a millage
lew but must specify a certain sum to be collected. Thus,
he amount would remain fixed annually through the years
covered by the levy and could not escalate with higher valu
ation. , .
' In May, 1962, the county presented a measure in an at
tempt to establish a tax base of $115,000 for county roads.
Bu be ore this could come to vote, it was ruled illegal by
the ao mey general. County Judge Oscar Peterson announced
the Illegality before the election and asked voters to vote
against it. Consequently, it was defeated.
Two months later, the county presented a return to the
serial levy as the method of financing roads, asking voters
for $115,000 annually for three years. This was approved.
In late 1964, the county again proposed a serial levy cf
$115 000 for three years to carry on when the 1962-voted levy
expired on June 30, 1965. This was presented without much
publicity or advance information and was defeated.
Then the bad storms struck. The Christmas flood of 1964
hit followed bv the January, 1965, floods. The county pro
5oLd its serial levy again;' this time asking $125,O0 . per
year for a 3-year period. In the emergency, it went over by
a landslide.
Now, this levy will expire on June 30, 1968, and so the
matter faces voters once more.
It is interesting to note that if the old 10-mill levy were
still being imposed, the proceeds this year would total some
$240 000' This is due to the gain in valuation. But the coun
ty is asking for $150,000 and asking to return to the five
vear levy instead of the three-year basis. The longer term
will permit better planning for the road department and will
eliminate the cost of holding an election so often.
Morrow can be proud of its county road system. Its suc
cessive county administrations have done good work in bring
ing roads to the present conditions.
One of the outstanding achievements has been the oiling
of many important county roads. Those who have traveled
the Baseline road recently know the Improvement there.
Many of these important county roads are more comfort
able to travel than several of the state highways within Mor
row's boundaries. State highways are in crying need of im
provement here.
The county roads serve all. They are vital to the farmer-
almost equally vital to the businessman. They are Im
portant to tap recreational areas, and considerable improve
ment has been made in roads to recreation spots in the past
few years.
Improvements are well distributed around the county,
too Much has been done on roads in the northern part of
the county and more is in the offing, one being a frontage
road that will be necessary as a result of the construction of
Highway I-80N. Probably some road construction will be
needed to serve lands opening there for agricultural develop
ment. We think Orville Cuteforth put it about as good as any
one could when he said that the average taxpayer will spend
about as much per year on the serial levy as he would In
buying one tire.
"At that rate, we make a profit on our investment," he
said, meaning, logically, that wear and tear from bad roads
would cost a person more than that.
The road department has proceeded in an orderly, well
planned manner and its results are readily apparent. But
much needs to be done to complete the county's road goals.
We recommend that voters approve the serial levy on
Friday, December 8. It will cost taxpayers $1.57 per $1000
true cash value of his property, but if he drives any distance
at all, he will save more than that on the better conditions
of the roads.
Land Sale Postscripts
Sale of 22 of 26 tracts of Bureau of Land Management
lands in north Morrow county Friday afternoon provided prob
ably the most exciting local news event of the year.
While the BLM would have preferred that at tracts were
sold, the officials were prttty well satisfied with the results.
Chester Conard, manager of the Baker office, BLM, expressed
this after the sale. The plan at present is to offer the re
maining tracts at some time in the future.
Many do not realize that also to come up for sale aro
quite a number of small tracts in central and southern Mor
row county. These are much smaller than those that were
on the block Friday, and they will be sold under a different
act with the sale to be conducted in Portland. Some of them
may be lands withdrawn from the National Forest by the
U. S. Forest Service. In all they will total some 3500 acres
in tracts of 20 acres and more.
One of the biggest surprises that was incidental to the
Friday auction was the announcement that 5 of the pro
ceeds of the sale will go to the state to be apportioned back
to Morrow county.
Apparently none of the county officials here were aware
that Morrow county would receive any direct benefit from the
sale For some reason, this didn't come out during the long
time that the county and BLM officials were Jointly consid
ering how the land should be offered to the public.
Judge Paul Jones says that he understands now that the
state will turn the 5 share to the county after taking out
an "administrative charge." Amount of the charge is as yet
unknown?
SJnce the 22 tracts brought a total of $-172,500, a five per
cent share would be $23,625. That's quite a tidy sum in it
self. Indications are that whatever the county receives, after
the administrative charge, must go into the general fund
since it has not been budgeted for any purpose.
It's probably too early to speculate what it may be used
for. It could be that it would have to be shared with other
dedicated funds, such as county schools. Or It could be held
until the next fiscal year when it might be listed as a cash
carryover. ,
In any event, It Is a little too early to "count the chick
ens" since the money has not been paid as yet
In view of the pre-sale buildup about big agricultural
industries being Interested in the land sale, it was a bit of
a surprise that no such interest was apparent in the bidding
Friday. It could be that some land combinations will be
formed now that it is in private hands, but most of the pur
chasers were quite mum on their plans, saying that they
bought the land for their families or that their plans were
Indefinite. , ,
It is interesting to note, too, that the only actual Morrow
county residents making a purchase were Oscar Peterson and
his son, Gerald, who bought 640 acres (tract No. 10). This
is located near the bomb range road and is the same one
for which Peterson filed for Desert Entry.
After the first few tracts offered brought no bids, there
was some spirited bidding on a few of them, one of which
was the 640 acres that the Petersons purchased. The Anderws
brothers, Joe and Fred, of Echo, had sought some tracts that
stimulated lively bidding because their lands are adjacent
to them. But they backed off when the price went up. La
ter after all tracts had been offered, and 12 remained to be
sold, the unsold ones were offered again, and Joe Andrews
purchased three tracts near to their present holdings.
The total of $93,000 paid for six tracts by Rex Ellis was
the highest investment made by any buyer. Joe Andrews
paid $83,000 for three tracts.
As a result of the fact that the 22 tracts were purchased
by a number of different buyers from scattered points, no
clearcut picture for development unfolds. Had a large oper
ation bought a number of them, such as a food processing
firm, it would immediately be quite evident what plans are
111 ut0 since the stakes were high totaling $472,500 it is
apparent that the purchasers have some plans in mind to
realize profits from their investments, even though they, have
not been revealed. n t
Addition of these 22 tracts, totalling 9,744.74 acres, to
the county tax roll will be no big bonanza for the county
coffers. The BLM appraisal on them is $431,900, an average
of $44.32 per acre. However, the county appraisal is consid
erably less than the BLM appraisal with average around $25
per acre.
Judge Jones points out that the county is not permitted
to use a government sale in establishing value. Private sales
only may be used. Values on the county appraisal are sim
ilar to those of private lands in the same area. Thus, the
lands probably will go on the 1968-69 tax roll at approximate
ly half the BLM appraised value.
This would mean the addition of only some $3,000 in
taxes, and that won't broaden the base much!
But still the hope remains that these lands will be brought
to their productive capacity. Through irrigation, agricultural
development and improvement they may eventually add con
siderable in sharing the tax load, making the land purchase
itself only "peanuts" in the total economic picture.
The buyers apparently have faith in the future for it
takes a considerable amount of courage to write out a check
of $20,000, $30,000, $40,000 or even $80,000. It is good that
they have that kind of confidence in the area and its poten
tial. When water is brought to the land, the possibilities can
challenge the Imagination.
Chaff nd Chatter
Wes Sherman
School Bells
Christmas Program
By Alan R. Martin, Principal
Heppner Elementary School
This year the Heppner Ele
mentary School Christmas pro
gram will be held at 8 p.m.
Monday, December 11. Featured
will be the bands and voices
of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th
grades. Mr. Hedman and Mrs.
Groshens are already deep in
the middle of practice.
nrnarflm will be
presented in the multipurpose
room instead of the gymnas
ium. Many factors have influ
enced our decision to use this
area. It is difficult to have a
Christmas program practice that
must also be used for basket
ball practice. We found that the
stage in the gym was not suit
able for this year's presentation.
The acoustics in the multipur
pose room are far better. Both
instructors wished to use the
multipurpose room. The stage
there is far better equipped for
such programs light control,
adequate curtains, easy access,
etc.
Such a plan to use the mul
tipurpose room is not without
its problems. The most import
ant, of course, is that there is
a cmtillnr cAntincr nrtfl in the
multipurpose room than there
is in the gym cssu seats as op
ruwo t.i rn VI Wnwpvpr. we be
lieve that if the audience is
limited to adults only, we win
have room for all interested par
ents. To allow children to see the
program we would present a
repeat program during a school
day for children in particular.
We do not wish to prohibit
anyone from enjoying our pro
gram Wo Hn hplieve that the
multipurpose room is a far bet
ter area lor mis presentation
and that limiting the audience
on Monday evening, December
11, to adults only will permit
the largest number of persons
possible to celebrate Christmas
with us.
FFA Boys Start
Tree Sale Sunday
The Heppner Chapter, Future
Farmers of America, will again
hold its annual sale of Christ
mas trees. Members plan to cut
trees in a variety of sizes this
Saturday, December 2, and will
place them on sale starting Sun
day, December 3. For the sec
ond year, members will again
provide a flocking service.
The Christmas tree sale has
been one of the Chapter's lead
ing money-making projects in
past years. Trees will be placed
on the corner lot of Inland Chem
ical company, corner of Main
and Center streets, next to the
Heppner TV.
The FFA flocking machine, do
nated to them by Mrs- Helen
Cox last year, has increased the
organization's profits consider
ably, and has allowed the boys
to furnish a more complete
Christmas tree service. Orders
may be placed through the high
school or with any of the members.
NEITHER the carpenter who
pounds his thumb with a
hammer, the cook who burns
his omelet, nor the dalrymnn
who sees Old Boss kick over the
milk pail have a monopoly on
frustrations.
The newsmen has 'em, too
In Spades!
We, along with representa
tives of other newspapers, spent
most of Friday at the BLM land
sale. We sat the session out,
visited with some folks for a
few minutes after most of the
crowd dispersed, and thought
we had all the facts and fig
ures. So did the Oregon Journal re
porter. So did Dean Holmes of
the East Oregonlan. So did Stan
Federman of The Oregonian.
We spent several hours get
ting up the map that is on page
3, section 2, to give a good rec
ord of the sales for time im
memorial. We spent more time
today averaging the appraisals,
the selling prices, and totalling
the figures on the transactions.
We wrote the editorial that ap
pears on this page.
The second section went to
press earlier today (Tuesday)
and the map was printed.
Only now do we hear a re
port that more of the tracts
were sold when most or the
crowd was gone, and the offic
ials opened the bidding again
at the request of some of the
linger-longers.
Now our averages shown in
connection with the map are oil.
Tracts 1. 7, 19, and 21 should
be marked as sold. Correct fig
ures are in the story on page
1 unless they have sold more
tracts since Friday!
Apparently there Is nothing
wrong with reopening the bid
ding as long as the officials
were there to hear the offers.
As a matter of fact, Judge Jones
says that it was announced that
oral offers would be entertain
ed at any time as long as the
officials were there.
But they fooled all the news
men. None of the dailies had
the complete story, either. Like
us, their representatives had
folded their tents and left be
fore the last tracts were sold.
Meanwhile, we'll join the car
penter who has his thumb
wrapped in a Band-Aid, the
cook who is throwing his ome
let into the garbage can, and
the dairyman who is crying ov
er spilled milk.
WHEN THE sale was progress
ing, there was no doubt that
the land was really moving.
Wind was howling in a gale,
and all you had to do was look
out the window and see it move.
We tried to get to the River
side school to take some pic
tures. We drove down by the
school and got caught in a dust
cloud. This was a little differ
ent, though, since it held close
to the ground across the flat
that some day will be land
scaped. The dust came along in
waves, buffeted briskly by the
wind. They looked similar to
whitecaps on wind-swept water.
The dust obscured the street,
and we figured we'd probably
get off and get stuck in loose
sand. . . ,mi(
Even Irving Anaerson oi dluj.,
who did the auctioneering,
quipped that land was really
moving mat aay.
He also naa one ouiei ju.
He said, with tongue in cheek,
that they had had a bid from
Las Vegas irom rraim
ra, who hoped to buy the Mor
row county lands for a song.
That would be the day!
WE SEE by the papers that Mac
Hoskins and Jim Doherty are
continuing at Blue Mountain
College right where they left off
last year with the Mighty Mus
tangs' basketball team.
The two ex-Heppner High
stars are playing with the Tim
ber Wolves and came back bun
day after a trip to Sitka, Alas
ka, where they won three games
played with Sheldon Jackson
junior coneKe ui. cuna.
Doherty was a starter m tne
n ii.Vilnti RMCC WOn.
llllcll fcamc, ....... -
117 to 73. Mac Hoskins scored
12 for me TimDer vyuivco
that one, but Doherty was held
to 2. In a previous game, Do
herty tallied 9 and Hoskins 3,
as the Timber Woves won, 104
78 The BMCC hoop squad has
won five straight and they have
averaged 101 points per game
Their high to date was 111
against the Sitka team last
Thursday, when they won, 111
60 On Friday night the Timber
Wolves play Portland State
Frosh at the Memorial Armory
in Pendleton. Saturday night
they play Columbia Christian
College, also of Portland, in
Pendleton.
Heppner fans ought to make
the journey over and see them
perform in college spangles.
WITH CHRISTMAS coming up
fast, we'd like to remind Mor
row county parents of sons in
Vietnam that the Gazette-Times
will send them the home paper
free of charge. All that need
be done is to provide us with
the name and address. Were
happy to do this little bit to
help keep them in touch with
home.
Notice by the Red Cross sur
vey of most wanted items on
the Christmas list of overseas
servicemen is the hometown pa
per. HOLIDAY I?TNS have fine ac
commodations for travelers
and they also put out a good
monthly magazine. We picked
up one on a recent trip, and
found some rib ticklers in it
that we thought we might pass
on: .
Joe Morrow says th s is the
age of tension every ouuy
living in fear or dchuihb
IBM card.
THE TOURIST, marveling at
New England's scenery, final
ly asked a New Hampshire
farmer where all the rocks
The naUve replied, 'The great
glacier brought them here.
"Well," demanded the strang
er, "where is the glacier now?
Drawled the farmer, "It went
back for more rocks."
AN OLD Chinese proverb: If
thine enemy wrong thee, buy
each of his children a drum.
MORE men are known by their
mortgages than their deeds.
A BRIDEGROOM is a man
amazed at the outcome of
what he considered a harmless
little flirtation.
ROSES are green. People are
pink. His color TV has gone
on the blink.
THERE are three basic rules for
having good teeth. Brush
them twice a day. See your den
tist twice a year. Keep your
nose out of other people's busi
ness. .
TO THE
EDITOR.
People Friendly
November 25, 1907
DWe Kist finished reading Mrs.
Nolan's letter to the editor In
JL" nf vnur Hennner
Gazette-Times. As newcomers to
Heppner, our exi-'--i';,c "
been entirely different We have
found the peopie io uc u.t
. . it.. .. 4 tmcnitnhlfv and for
this we are deeply grateful.
very sinn-reiy,
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Follensbco
Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Chllderi
and iamny , vi uZ
Thanksgiving vtaltlnj in Helix
at me nomc m "'. v.
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey
Becniel. A1MJ juiiiii R ". r
was Mrs. Chllders" brother-in-
law and sisier, ni
Dale Brock and daughters of
Lewlston, Idaho.
Pioneer
Ponderings
By W. S. CAVERHILL
The Special Session
Tko nnimniD nt the soecial
session is not surprising. It was
too mucn to expect mat me
same group of men who failed
ft tax
program during the regular ses-
sion wuuiu unu n m
session. Their performance has
engendered a rising opposition
to all tax increases. Their per
sistent effort to impose a sales
tax in tne lace oi aaverse puns
was a political mistake. The raid
r,n tho Veterans' snmlus was
another. Their refusal to adopt
a modified income tax to meet
the emergencies of the bienni
um exhibits indifference to the
realities of the situation. The re
sult may well be stronger sup
port for the 1 per cent limi
tation, which, if passed, would
throw our taxing system into
utter chaos. It is regrettable
that the members didn't make
the necessary cuts in the budg
ets, supplemented by a revised
income schedule, and go home.
COMMUNITY
BILLBOARD
Coming Events
rrw HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Episcopal Parish Hall
Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11:00
Many homemade Christmas
gilts ana iooas
Luncheon In Tea Room from
11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
OES SOCIAL CLUB
Monthly meeting, Saturday,
December 2
Heppner Masonic Hall, 1:30
p.m.
CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP
Social Rooms, lone United
Church of Christ
Tuesday, December 5
Sponsored by lone Garden
Club
Afternoon, 1 to 5 p.m., even
ing, 7 to 9 P-m.
Everyone welcome. Bring
Christmas materials
BLUE BIRD CANDY SALE
Starts Tuesday, Dec. 5, house-to-house
Kathryn Beich candies, ?1 per
can
Make nice Christmas gifts
HEPPNER HIGH
BASKETBALL
First home game, Friday, Dec.
8, 7 p.m. ,
Heppner vs. Grant Union
Heppner vs. Burns at Burns,
Sat, Dec 9
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY-
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
P. O. Box 247 PH. 676-9625
Heppner
BLUE BIRD
:andy
sue
Will Start
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 5
And Continue
FOR ONE WEEK
DOOR-TO-DOOR
KATHRYN BEICH
CANDIES
$1 Per Can
By 2nd AND 3rd GRADE AGE BLUE BIRDS TO
PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THEIR ACTIVITIES
THIS MESSAGE SPONSORED BY YOUR HOME-OWNED
BANK AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE
RANK OF
D Eastern Oregon
HEPPNER IONE ARLINGTON
MEMBER. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION