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GAZETTE-TIMES
BcppBM. Or9ea fTStt
FhoM S7C-S22S
MORBOW COUJfTTS HEWSfAtEl
The Heppner Gazette established March 30. 1R83. The Heppner
Time established November 18. 1897. Consolidated February 15.
19 1Z
MtMBtK
Chaff nd Chatter
Wes Sherman
rtr
(JKT?? ruiuiHiii
V WaIsociation
WESLEY A. SHEBMAN
HELEN E. SHERMAN
ARNOLD RAYMOND
Shop Foreman
Printer
CAIL ELRKENBINE
Society
Circulation
Auoclt'.ion . founded 1865
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
REGGIE PASCAL
Linotype Operator
DALE COOPER
pressman
KELLY GREEN
Apprentice
c-..i r. .. . , . tin v cinnl rnnv 10 Cents. Published
Every Thursday and Entered at the Post Oflice at Heppner. Oregon.
a Second Class Matter. . . ...... Q
Offu Hours: 8 a.m. to S p.m.. Monday through Friday. 9 a.m.
until noon Saturday.
District Shows New Conservation Concept
Thi is the 2oth vear for the Heppner Soil and Water
Const-nation district, and the Silw-r Anniversary will be noted
at the annual meeting Tuesday night in the Lexington Grange
hall.
It is enlightening to review the achievements of the dis
trict, for they are many. It is also interesting to note the
changing concept of conservation being practiced ty the mem
bers of the distrirt and the supervisors.
Perhaps now the words "resource development" h?ve a
f t ing I'lfcco in the districts name. It isn't hard to under
ft.ir.d why this should be so when one peruses the year's
er i'i.'.:! report as published cn pages 2 and 3 of the seconJ
((t: :i cf this paper.
Virtually all of the projects with which the Soil Conser
vation Pi' tr.c t has been connected through the pa.st year as
v.el as their planning for the future concern resource dc
veli prrent. .
Consider their work with the Penland Prairie project, their
connection with the discussed nuclear plant irrigation project,
their work on the Rhea Creek project, their soil survey in
the north end of the county, and their strong promotion and
keen interest in irrigation through their work in such pro
posals as the Columbia South Side project.
All thse have one common characteristic development
for a better future.
Perhaps the word, "conservation," though still carrying
the best of connotations, is not quite broad enough any
more for a district which shows the vision and progressive
intent of the one here.
Conservation as the careful preservation and protection
of resources, and management of them to prevent exploitation
destruction and neglect remains a fine and noble purpose.
All humans interested in preserving for posterity are dedicat
ed to this.
But the Heppner district, as revealed by its works, seems
to be adding a new dimension that of utilizing and develop
ing its resources, as contrasted with merely saving them.
While they are protecting our soil and water resource,
It Is now apparent that they are also working, as the good
stewards they are, towards maximum utility. Perhaps the
saving of the resource can best be assured ty using it under
planned and careful management.
The district's report last year was judged the best in
Oregon, but this year's report, covering the two pages in the
second section, may be even better from the standpoint of
constructive activity and accomplishments. The report was
compiled by Ken Turner, vice chairman of the supervisors, and
represents the combined work of many. The pages include
stories of vital importance to this area, for it is certain that
wherever there is development of soil and water in Morrow
county, the conservation district is involved.
While the Heppner district doesn't rest on its laurels, the
men who have made it what it is deserve hearty congratula
tions on their Silver Anniversary.
We share their pride in emphasizing that: The district
has one-half of Oregon's stripcropping; it has one-third of
Oregon's diversion terraces; it has the largest acreage of stub
ble mulch in Oregon; it has been selected Oregon's No. 1 dis
trict twice; it has had three State Conservation Men of the
Year winners, and two consecutively in 1967 and 1968; it has
had a state champion in the Conservation speech contest and
four state finalists; and it had the best report of Oregon's 66
districts last year.
Now, it's hard to top a record like that, but with their
concept of resource development, this district is going to con
tinue to show the way to others.
And for the rest of Morrow county, the frosting on their
Silver Anniversary cake is that you and I John Q. Citizen
reap the rewards of their outstanding work!
Keeping Posted on Meetings
A suggestion has teen made that The Gazette-Times run
a weekly schedule of meetings of local governmental agencies,
those of other public bodies, and of at least some community
organizations.
The suggestion came from a person who said that he
knows when the city council meets because the fire siren
blows for its meetings, but he had no idea when the others
meet
He proved his point for the need of a schedule when he
made this statement because the fire siren doesn't blow for
council metings! It blows for fire drills two blasts on the
second and fourth Monday evenings of each month.
This schedule should include school board meetings, city
council meetings, county court meetings, Port commission
meetings, fair and rodeo meetings. Lions Club, Soroptimist
club, Chamber of Commerce meetings and probably many
others.
This man made a good case for the need of communica
tion. Somehow, since we know pretty well when these meet
ings are held, we thought most everyone did, but apparently
they do not. .
So we intend to follow up on this suggestion, and just
as soon as we get it organized, we will attempt to keep such
a schedule in print regularly. We will try to contact the dif
ferent agencies and organizations to ask them to supply a
list of regular meetings and to keep us posted on special
meetings of public interest that they may schedule. The ef
fectiveness of the schedule will depend on their response, es
pecially in reference to the special meetings.
We'll leave the matter open to any standing organization
that wants to be included but have a little apprehension be
cause we probably wouldn't have space to list every single
organization in the county. We'll do our best, though, and
will cry "Uncle" in the unlikely event that the response over
whelms us.
Charles and Helen Ruggles have done the public a serv
ice for years by running their popular "Community Billboard"
column on this editorial page. It has been a much appreci
ated service. This column, however, is not to be used for
regular meetings but rather for coming programs, public
events, dinners, community sales and so on which need spe
cial publicizing.
It is hoped that this schedule of meetings will help the
local channels of communication. I
BE OF GOOD CHEER The heat
wave will be over sooner than
you think.
IF YOl' WANT to beiit the per
il of cabin fever and mow
eUuMmphobia. why not Use a
little psvcholi.trv? Get your lawn
chair out of the garage or base-
ment. U'n a short -sieewd Ha
waiian shirt, set up the chairs
in the vsrd while nonchalantly
disregarding the snow, and pre
tend ju're hating a siesta in
the -sun.
SOMEONE FROM AFAR made a
jesting rem.irk about one cf
Morrcw county's slogans.
"What about vour 'Banana
Bell' now?" he jeered.
Well. sir. maybe our theme
Mine at the moment should be.
"Ye. We Have No Bananas To
day!"
Eut we are a lot closer to
being a Banana Belt than Eu
gene, or Roseburg, or Coos Bay.
And another nice thine about
it Is that we in this county have
good use for the snow, since it
means moisture for our crops.
Except fur some cf the kids, the
western Oregonians can see no
dad-blamed good in it!
;
' - r . l!
' ' " ''' .'
STATE CAPITOL
Special Election Possible by April
7 -v v".
MAYBE WE could make a game
out of it. For instance, we
might devise some awards for
those who do the best job of
cleaning off their walks. (We're
all getting a lot of practice on
thisi.
The business folks on the
Main street block between Wil
low and Center on the east side
did a real neat Job this week.
and we understand Mayor Bill
Coliins was in the thick of it.
So did those on the west side
of Main on the block between
Willow and May, in the neigh
borhood of Western Auto, Gard
ners. Turner, var.M. ar.a a., ana
Peterson's.
In both cases, they slicked off
the sidewalk and disposed of
the snow bv making little
mountains at the curb, but neat
Iv cleaning the walk bare in be
tween so that motorists have
easy access.
In our observations, we'd iu-t
about have to say that John
Pfeiffer is the snow shoveling
champ. He hardly lets a flake
fall before he has it cleaned off
from around his Western Aula
store.
SOMEONE PROBABLY should
put a sign around some of
the buildings here, "Danger
from Falling Icicles." And we
don't mean this entirely in lest.
There are some mighty big icic
les developing around, and some
of them hang precariously.
When their weight gets too
much, thev can come plunging
towards the ground and be a
lethal spear. We saw one such
about six feet long that kids
were playing under. A light tap
from a pole was all that was
needed to knock it down.
They're pretty but danger
ous. DIFFERENT FOLKS are coming
up with a wide gamut of new
problems as the snow and cold
lingers. One couple, wiiose
names we will keep anonymous,
finally went to a neighbor's
house to take showers. Their
frozen pipes have kept them out
of the bathtub at home.
Another family found thick
ice in the attic of their home.
It started to thaw and ran down
curtains and draperies until
they were removed.
iAnd a good many of us,
perhaps even most of us, may
have other cute little problems
when the thaw starts!
IF IT WARMS UP too fast, it
might result in the worst mess
you ever thaw.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT and
the Pioneer Memorial Hospital
deserve medals! Together they
have accomplished a sienificant
achievement NO LONGER will
the fire horn blow 12 long pierc
ing blasts on the first Monday
of each month at noon!
Since the hospital has agreed
to handle fire calls on an emer
gency basis and assures that
someone is on duty the clock
around, the 12-blast monthly
test is no longer considered nec
essary. Those in the downtown area
close to the air horn will rejoice
at this. If one happened to be
talking on a long distance tele
phone call when the shattering
unearthly wails sounded, he had
the choice of hanging up or
waiting it out. There was no
hearing anyone above that!
FRANK HALVORSEN
ncugb to melt
Shooting hot
our mow 7
PROPERTY TAX
FAX
QUESTION:
How can I find out who owns
a piece of unimproved proper
ty? ANSWER:
The Assessor's office can help
vou here. The more information
you have about the property the
easier it win be to determine
the correct ownership. Adjacent
property owners, if unable to
give ycu the owner's name, may
know the acreage involved. The
name of the adjacent properly
owners also helps. Measure the
distance to the property from
the nearest crossroads and how
far and what direction from the
nearest town, grange hall or
other landmark. Bring this in
formation to your assessor and
let him take it from there. There
is no charge.
MAN ALIVE! Hew Frar.k Hal
vorsen is re-writirc the record
books at lone! We haven't s-en
much mention of his basketball
ftats in the dailv rapeis. hut
he currently Is scoring at the
rate of 27 8 points per game!
If this doesn't lead all high
school individual ru-ketbail
scoring in the state, it must be
close to it.
Frank tallied 46 acain-t Uma
pine and almost certainly would
have gone over 5 ) if Coach
Gene Dockter hadn't merctful
Iv (for Umapinel taken him out
when the victory was assured.
Adding to the scoring achieve
ment was the fact that Frank
made 25 points in or.e quarter
the third.
In getting the i' he shot an
smazin? average, too hitting
20 of 27 tries for a percentage
if 71! That's almost hot enough
to melt all the s::ow in Morrow
county. Previously, Frank's high for
the year was 37 against River
side. Just to show that he is
human, he dropped to 3o"
against Umatilla at lone.
SPEAKING OF SCORING rec
ords, that 90 points Heppner
shoved in against Enterprise
was the highest we can recall
fcr a Mustang team, but we
haven't really researched it to
sav for sure that it is a record.
We have some really interest
ing basketball teams here this
year lone rated No. 2 in the
state in B ranks with Wallowa
on top. and Hoetw now rated
sixth in the Ottoman's A-2
poll.
JUST ONE MORE cold weather
note: Sheriff John Mollahan
asks that we remind the puh
lie to he sure to take care of
their livestock in this severe
time. Livestock growers do this
as a matter of course, but may
be some other folks who have
one animal or two, aren't quite
so well versed in caring for them
during such a cold streak.
The sheriff said that he had
received a complaint or two
about animals not being cared
for. However, he checked one
case out Tuesday, taking the
veterinarian along, and found
that the stock of the farmer in
question were being fed, being
watered, and seemed to be get
ting humane treatment, even
though they were on the lean
side.
Br ROBERT T. SMITH
Speaker el th Bout
Attention during the first
thr.-e weeks of the legislative
s.-vn.n h been focused on our
biggest issue: projx-rty tax re
lief , ,
There will be no delaying on
hhi subtevt as there was dur-
,r.s the r.o7 wsslon because an
earlv decision is a ne--slty.
The committee members will
return to Salem tomorrow to be
gin drafting the final product,
which will then be presented to
the House.
The Tax Committee chairman.
Rep. Flod Hart of Medford. has
told me that the property tax
rvhef till should be completej
bv the middle of February, with
a vote of the people possible by
he middle of April.
This timing would allow lo
cal government officials to know
how much state revenue will be
available before they put the fi
nal touches on their budgets for
'he coming vear.
Pioneer
Ponderings
Br w. s. CAVERHILL
A Barter Man
One of the men who deserves
a place in Eastern Oregon his
tory was Clint Haight, one time
editor of the Blue Mountain
Eagle. Clint's economic philoso
phy included loans without in
terest and more barter. The lat
ter created a situation between
us. I had refused to subscribe
for his paper and he refused to
ouit sending it until I owed him
S20 for 10 vears subscription.
We agreed to barter. I put or.e
ton of U. S. No. 1 prunes in his
name with a Milton-Freewater
shipper. He cancelled his bill.
In February he wrote "I have
a check for SS.88 that bounc
es, what do I do?" I replied
"Keep sending it in. It will set
tle down in time." It did.
Haight went to the legisla
ture and made history in that
body by howling like a coyote
during a prolonged session. He
said "I'm lonesome for the sa.ee
brush country." These are two
of his many unusual perform
ances that made him a man to
be remembered.
TO THE EDITOR
Those Other Days
To the Editor:
It was late In the day that
Tuesday of April 4, 1905. when
the train pulled in at Heppner.
!t had been a hard seven days
grind from Galax. Virginia, for
a 19 year-old lad w-ho wanted
'o go west. Siens of the Great
Flood were still about, such as
piles of trash against the stock
yard fences.
But the Surrey with the
Fringe on top was waiting, so
two "drummers" and myself
histed our grips aboard and
rode up to the Palace Hotel,
which was on same corner as
Ford Agency is now. Among 'he
sites on our leisurely ride to the
hotel were several Chinese
cafes, couple of livery stables
and a hardware store w ith quaint
motto, "We have it, we'll get
it or it is not made." Also a
p!ace of travelers' refreshments,
named "Frog Pond." and oper
ated by Vic Groshens much to
the delight of the weary and
the forlorn.
Thusly, was I introduced into
Heppner. The streets were dim
ly lit and muddy but cobble
stone crosswalks gave hope to
the future and destiny awaited.
Next morning my first job was
born. Art Minor who was owner
of Penland Land & Livestock
Co., took me on as night herd
er to his foreman, Jerome O'
Conner. I must hasten to add at this
point what with turns of time
and tide it is just possible some
of the facts related here may
have evaporated just a smidg
in, but bear with me.
Long time Friend, as
related to his eldest son
Clair H. Cox,
Corvallis, Oregon
It would also allow the leg
.luturt, which will still be in
M'vsion. to examine alternatives
khould the referral be unMuivrv
fcful.
There are many thing which
we mui.t take Into consideration
before maklriE our final decis
ion. First, is there a real need for
rroiN-rtv tax relief? Those oppos
ing a referral to the people do
not seem to think to, but a look
at the figure should tell us
that property taxes are bearing
too much of the burden of lo
cal government costs.
Property taxes statewide have
risen bv more than 110 per rent
in the past 10 years. This Vear,
thev jumped by $35.2 million,
and we have every reason to
believe that the Increase will be
even larger next year.
Second, should property tax
relief go to all Oregon citizens
who are presently paving prop
erty taxes, or should rellel Dt
limited only to certain classes
of taxpayers?
Shift Point Argued
Some opponents of across-tne-
hoard property tax relief argue
that this would constitute a
shift from business to the homeowner.
But what is business? It is
more than giant corporations
and utilities. Business Is people.
Business Is the corner grocery
store, the laundry, the barber
shop, the family operated feed
store, farms and ranches.
Third, should some type of
meaningful limitation be ap
plied so that property taxes
would not be able to revert to
the spectacular Increase?
Proponents of homeowner on
ly relief do not provide for a
(his program would rapidly be
gobbled up In a few short years.
In other words., we would !
right back wheie we marled Hi
another few years,
Fourth, should the state as
sume a greater share of the cost
of primary and secondary educa
tion? Presently, the state con
tribute about 21 per cent cf
the cost of local education. Un
der the governor's program, ! re
state would provide at least 51
per cent of the cost of educa
tion, thus decreasing the bur
den on the property tax.
Subject Is Complex
These are lust a few of the
factors we must take into con
sideration, so you can see th;
this Is a very complex subject
with no easy answers.
As the property tax relief pro
gram begins to take shape, we
can discuss these points again,
with specific application to the
bill.
Above all. however, I think it
Is fundamental that the people
be allowed to make the final
decision. It has been five year
since an Income tax proposal
has been referred to the people,
and it has been more than 20
years since a sales tax referral.
I don't presume, as some do,
to speak for the people of Ore
gon or to state with any cer
tainty whether or not they war.t
property tax relief badly enough
to pay the price of an alterna
tive revenue.
We feel that the people of
Oregon are capable of speaking
for themselves on this subject,
and we are determined that the y
shall have this right.
I am very eager to hear of
your ideas or suggestions about
oronertv tax renei. anu iuutv
limitation. The revenue from forward to hearing from you
YOUR
Memories
Dear Wes and Helen:
Enclosed you will find our
check as payment for another
year's subscription to the Hepp
ner Gazette-Times. We just can
not go into the new year with
out the weekly edition to keep
us up to date on the latest news
from "home."
Last week's edition with pic
tures of the courthouse and a
wet snow storm in Heppner
brought back many memories.
A resident of Morrow county for
over 61 years and 245 chang
ing seasons left many scars on
my old carcass, which the heal
ing sunshine of Arizona is try
ing to preserve. (Wes, I iust
had to say that, please pardon).
Remember, you asked me once
why I ever left Oregon.
With every good wish for a
prosperous new year, I remain,
Sincerely,
Garnet Barratt
Meeting Changed
Previously scheduled potluck
dinner and regular meeting of
the Heppner Wranglers riding
club, set for February 5, have
been cancelled. These will be
held at a later date, with the
improvement of weather condit
ions, officers announce.
SENATOR
REPORTS'. . .
BY KEN JERNSTEDT.
STATE SENATOR
18th District Including
Morrow county
Many people have asked me
how my duties in tne senaie
compare with my duties while
in the House or Kepresentatives
last session. I thought that it
might be a good idea to cive
that question a little consider
ation in this article.
Let me say that coming down
here knowing everyone in the
Senate before I arrived has
helped a lot. It also helps to
be able to go over to the House
of Representatives and know
two-thirds of those members at
the beginning of the session.
The members of the Senate
have gone out of their way to
make the five new members
feel at home. My committee as
signments are very much to my
liking and ones that should be
helpful to the area I serve.
The office space provided for
Senators is most helpful as far
as office work is concerned
both for myself and my secre
tary. (I am hopeful that some
day this can be provided for
members of the House).
The fact that there are only
30 members in the Senate puts
a lot more emphasis on each
member's vote especially when
the fact that we have even more
committees is considered. Five
members on a committee are
much more common while most
House Committees have nine
members. It can readily be seen
that three members can control
a vote in a five-man situation.
We do have a few seven-man
groups.
Because I now serve six coun
ties instead of two in the House,
I carry on a much larger corre
spondence than I did two years
s
i I .
.
ago with a larger variety of
problems to solve and questions
to answer.
At this stage of the session
it is difficult to estimate how
much of a load the committee
assignments will be as very
few of the bills have reached
the committees. For instance,
we have just received our first
Agriculture bills and will start
hearings on them next week.
It is my intention to discuss
these bills in this article as thev
come before my various commit
tees. I will also try to keep you
informed concerning other bills
before the other committees.
Remember you can always
contact me by writing to me
here at the Senate, Salem, Oregon.
J COMMUNITY V
1 BILLBOARD I
Knifty Sewers Meet
On January 27 a meeting of ;
the Kniftv Sewers 4-H club was
called to order bv Sharon Me- j
Carl, president. Minutes were ;
read bv Anita Davidson. There ;
was no new or old business. Re- j
freshments were served by Shar-
on McCarl. Our next meeting I
will be on February 10. t
Debra Yocom, reporter
The Rhyming Philosopher
ALLEVIATION
WE'RE UP TO OUR EARS IN CONFUSION AND TEARS,
SURROUNDED BY WRECKAGE AND TROUBLE:
ALAS! CHRISTMAS TOYS SENT TO SMALL GIRLS AND BOYS
ARE SMASHED TO EXTINCTION AND RUBBLE.
THERE'S DOLLS UP IN TRACTION AND TRUCKS OUT OF
ACTION
AND RAILROADS DEFUNCT BY COLLISIONS;
THERE'S CRUISERS WITH BRUISES AND BIKES WITH
ABUSES
AND FOOTBALLS WITH FATAL INCISIONS.
SO CRAMPS AND HIS HAMMER RESPONDS TO THE
CLAMOR
WITH RIVETS AND WIRE AND SOME STICKUM;
REPAIRS ARE EFFECTFD AS MOST KIDS EXPECTED,
FOR GRANDPA'S THE CHAP WHO CAN FIXUM.
BUT WHO RECOGNIZES THAT TERRIBLE CRISES
WE'RE HEIR TO WITH NO CHANCE TO VOTE ON:
THOSF SOX AND CRAVATS AND THOSE HIDEOUS HATS
WHICH SISTERS AND AUNTS SEEM TO DOTE ON.
THEY OUGHT TO KNOW BETTER THAN GIVE US A
SWEATER
A NIGHTMARE. EXCUSE THEM!
IT SEEMS NECESSARY
THEN SNEAKILY LOSE THEM!
ENDOWED LIKE
BUT EACH JANUARY
TO WEAR THEM,
HARRY W. FLETCHER
Coming Events
HEPPNER BASKETBALL
Friday, Jan. 31, Wahtonka
there. League game.
Sat. Feb. 1. DeSales, here
Friday, Feb. 7, Madras, here.
League game.
Support the Mustangs!
GRADE SCHOOL
Friday, Jan. 31, Arlington,
here, 2 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 7, Pilot Rock,
there, 2 p.m.
ELEMENTARY PTA
Rescheduled meeting, Wed..
Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Film and panel discussion on
"Sex, the Moral Dilemma."
High school students and
parents welcome
SOIL AND WATER
CONSERVATION
ANNUAL MEETING
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Lexington Grange Hall
Special program, "Water
for Morrow County Farmlands."
VALENTINE CARD PARTY
Bv Sans Souci Rebekah Lode
Saturday. Feb. 15, 8 p.m.,
IOOF Hall
Bridge. Pinochle, Refresh
ments
Public invited
MOTHETtS' CLUB DINNER
Sweetheart Dinner, Saturday.
Feb. 8. 6:30 p.m.
Episcopal Parish Hall
Members and invited guests
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
a Box 247 PH. 676-S625
Heppnar