t HEPPNER ORF.. GmTTETIMES. Thurdt, July IS. 17J
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State Rep Jack Sumner, DHeppner, apparently hasn't
had as much trouble being effective a many freshman
legislator do.
Mutt freshmen spend their first session groping around in
the dark-learning the ropes. In fact, there are a few. like
Portland Democrat Wally Priestly, who have been to more
than one session and still grope around in the dark.
But Sumner has gamed a reputation for independence that
has given him some added clout when his favorite bills come
up for a vote.
Included on that list usually are those that favor farmers
and ranchers.
Since Sumner is independent but not so much so as to join a
coalition with Republicans, the House Democrats see him as
a key vote for issues that split along party lines.
That means the Democrats are more likely to give htm
what he wants in terms of farm legislation-if they can
depend on his support of the party's fragile majority on other
issues.
That means that farmers in the mid-valley and elsewhere
have a friend in Salem-a friend who is becoming more
infuential because he learns quicklv. - ( Albany Democrat
Herald)
Rep. Jack Sumner
Says legislature
did a good job
The Oregon Legislature adjourned last week after standing up
to some of the most difficult problems this state has ever faced.
In the weeks ahead I plan to do a more in-depth analysis of this
session's many accomplishments, but it's appropriate now to
give you a quick summary.
At the beginning of the session, everyone agreed the Number
One need was solving the question of school finance so that
skyrocketing property taxes would not overload Oregon's
homeowners and renters - a problem five legislatures had only
dented.
In an unprecendented move, we referred a tax plan to a vote
while we were still in session. That was the "Tom McCalT plan.
The people ultimately said the plan went too far, too fast. We
needed to know. As a bi-partisan alternative, we developed a
three-step program of property tax relief which people are
saying is still the most comprehensive plan of tax relief offered
in any state.
First stage of the plan requires no new taxes, and assures
families with incomes of less then $15,000 that they'll receive
direct tax relief, whether they rent or own their homes. The
second and third phases require voter approval to relieve
property taxes further through increased basic school support.
Property tax offsets would come from corporate tax increases
and adjustments in the less regressive personal income tax.
The Number Two challenge to this legislature was land use
planning. People knew Oregon had to be protected from
uncontrolled development, unscrupulous developers and
short-sighted planning.
As a result of this session's work, the state will have the
framework needed to plan for the wise use of our land and
guarantee that our children will live in an Oregon we have
known. '
Other concerns of the environment were resolved by this
session. Landmark environmental laws passed in 1371 were
tightened up and improved, including the state's model bottle
deposit bill.
Bonding programs have been passed to allow the state to build
before construction prices make improvements impossible. The
legislature approved measures providing $150 million in bonds
for highways, $200 million for moderate-income housing and
$300 million for water development and irrigation.
Limited use of highway funds for public transportation was
passed, and the state's transportation needs were put under a
new Transportation Department - one of many state agencies
reorganized for greater efficiency.
Tough measures were passed to deal with the drinking driver
who's involved in half of Oregon's traffic fatalities. But the
drinking driver, and other alcoholics, will have more and better
treatment facilities and programs available.
Many bills passed which ventilate government. A shield law
now protects Oregon newsmen from having to reveal
confidential news sources, assuring your right to a free flow of
information. A landmark conflict-of-interest law requires
lobbyists to register and list expenses, and public officials to
submit information that could indicate conflicts of interest. All
governmental meetings must be held openly under yet another
law, the "public Right to Know Bill."
Smut peddlers, "massage" parlors and live sex shows have
been greatly restricted by some of the toughest new laws in the
nation.
The responsibilities of adulthood, with the exception of
drinking, have been granted to Oregon's 18-year-olds.
For the first time, renters' rights have been balanced against
the rights of landlords. It fosters a much-needed reform:
landlords are restrained from acting unfairly. But it's not just
one-sided. Some tenants, too, make problems - such as
forbidding reasonable access and leaving property behind after
moving. The problems can now be solved without the threat of a
lawsuit. New home buyers and those buying land in new
subdivisions are protected by new consumer protection laws.
Day care programs in Oregon were saved from arbitrary
federal cutbacks by emergency legislative funding action.
This legislature also supported the concept of full citizenship
rights for women, and voted to bar discrimination on the basis of
sex in granting credit, hiring for jobs, and providing public
accommodations.
We're proud of this record of achievement. But we're prouder
still that we did it while opening up the legislative process to
more people - even though we had to work under the extreme
pressure of not knowing what would happen to federal funds.
The 1973 legislature has gone home, but behind us is a record
no session in history can match for results. It was worth the time
we took to do the job right.
you cen dial
Now telephone numbers for
Pucific Northwest Hell's Repair
Service and Time of Da go into
effect Monday, Jul !. for
Heppner. Lexington and lone
The now numbers are:
Repair Service. 1 27 5080.
Timeol Day. I 844 1212
"Although these are dialed
like long distance calls, there is
no charge for dialing these new
numbers." says Dale Slusher,
local PNB manager.
TWO MEN
ARRESTED
Doyle Howard Key, 44.
Heppner, was arrested and
bonked in the county jail
Saturday evening on charges
of driving a vehicle while
under the influence of liquor.
Key posted bail and was
released.
Gene Arlynn Hembre. 34.
Heppner. was arrested by
local authorities at 3:30 a m.
Sunday for driving while
intoxicated. He was booked
and later released on his own
recognizance.
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Norse sense
A COMPLETE
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Appraiser loses lawsuit
The case of Richard Schlicht
ing vs. Morrow County Court, et
al. was decided June 27 by the
State Court of Appeals in favor
of Morrow County and County
Assessor Joyce Bergstrom.
The case has been in the
courts for about two years,
according to Herman Winter,
district attorney.
Schlichting had been hired as
appraiser by the assessor and
approved by the Morrow County
Court. He was subsequently
fired from his position by the
assessor because of a series of
"personality clashes." Schlich
ting demanded a hearinr but
since there was no civil service
in the county, local officials
refused the hearing, holding
that he was subject to employ
ment at the pleasure of the
assessor.
Schlichting then filed suit
against the assessor and indivi
dual members of the court
claiming he was unfairly dis
charged. He sought $100,000 in
damages, reinstatement in his
job. and back pay from the time
of his discharee.
Attorney Dennis Hachler,
Pendleton, was attorney for the
complainant.
"And now for the neighborhood news.'
The mail pouch
EDITOR:
We'll be missing your "Opinions" here in the land of the
hippies. We think Oregon the greatest, and go ther quite often
having folks at Sisters and Hermiston. If it weren't for our
little home here at the Bay we would emigrate too!
,. KENNETH & BLANCHE COOK
Bodega Bay, Ca.
EDITOR:
As the new publisher of your old Sebastopol Times I am
extremely anxious to make you feel at home in the City of
Heppner. I can't think of a finer way to make your feel at
home than to the first reader to scream, "Cancel my
subscription!"
WM. POTTER JOHNSON
Publisher, Sebastopol Times.
Sebastopol. Ca.
EDITOR:
We think Dave Harrison, Harold Kerr, Dean Connor and
Martha Doherty should receive a big "thank you" and a pat
on their backs for taking time to work with the girls' newly
formed softball this past season.
We think the girls really enjoyed it. We know Frances did.
Also, thanks to the other people who took time to help the
girls.
MR. & MRS. BUD PECK
Heppner.
EDITOR:
Few people really have a picture of what is involved in large
college athletics from a management level.
The super-splendid sports writer of the Oregonian, Leo Davis,
has written about this in the June 20, 1973, issue. Of particular
interest to me, born in Heppner and graduated from Oregon
State in 1911, is that Davis so nicely features "our" Jim Barratt,
athletic director of OSU. Davis' column gives one a picture of
the magnitude of Barratt's job, and of the executive he really
has to be.
Ever hear of an Ail-American Athletic director? No? Well,
you have now. Jim Barratt is nothing short of that, and we
Oregonians, especially in Morrow County, are proud of "our
Jim."
MARVIN SMEAD,
Portland
EDITOR:
Surely seems refreshing, to say the least to have a man stand
right up and tell our Congressmen to take a deep seat and a tight
rein because there is hard riding coming up.
Think I will start taking salt-water baths just so my skin will
be tough enough to take his spurs, if I deserve them.
W W. WEATHERFORD
Heppner
THE
GAZETTE-TIMES
Heppner. Orogoa t7W
Pboo S7S-S22S
M08BOW COOrm MWSFAE
The Heppner Gazette established March 3a 1883. The
Heppner Time, mtablktned November 18, 1897. Consoli
dated February 15, 1912.
IffEMBFRS OF NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS ASSN. AND
OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSN.
ERNEST V. JOINER, Publisher
Subscription rales, IS.H a year ia the state. K.I elbewbere.
Single copy. IS cenU. Mailed single copies. 23 cents.
Mmiauum biTfine. $ l.s.
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Need an aerial map?
One of the finest aerial photographers, specializing in high
altitude photomapping. will be in Heppner today and Friday
to take aerial views of Heppner for the Gazette-Times.
The specially-built plane carries a $50,000 Zeiss camera,
said to be the finest made.
If any rancher, developer or government entity would like
aerial photomaps or topographic maps taken on Friday, he
may contact the Gazette-Times publisher. Ernest V. Joiner,
not later than Friday.
Inasmuch, as the photomapping plane will be in Heppner
Friday anyway, it will be very inexpensive to have the
services of the best photomapping company on the West
Coast.
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Mayor of Hard man
DEAR MISTER EDITOR:
Well. sir. all of us out here
survived the Fourth and I'm
glad to see that you did. A heap
of folks didn't. '
The fellers brought the world
situation up to date Saturday
night at the country store, as
usual, and they all reported
where their gardens was
coming in nice, or their
neighbor's was. which amount
ed to the same good summer
eating.
Ed Doolittle had a clipping
left over from last Saturday
night when the fellers took up
the American way of celebrat
ing by sacrificing ourselfs on
the highways.
This piece he saw was about
where a lot of cities now is
putting in computered traffic
light systems that count the
cars, find out the traffic speed
and f igger out how to change the
lights so everybody can keep
going as fast as possible.
Ed said instead of fast lights
we ought to be building them
speed-breaker humps in the
road about ever mile, and Ed
said he wasn't to sure about the
value of these big roads where
you got four lanes fer traffic,
one lane fer the ambulance and
one fer the wreckers to pick up
the pieces.
Farthermore.when me and
the old lady got to church
Sunday, the preacher had cars
on his mind. He was talking
about the younger generation
and I dozed off in spots, but I
recall he said kids today don't
have any more devilment in em
than ever other generation, but
now they all got cars so they can
spread their mischief over more
territory.
COW POKES
The preacher said a wonder of
this age is that a 17 year old boy
can drive a car through the
church circle driveway on two
wheels, and with one arm
flopped out the winder, hut he
can't git a lawnmower across
the yard without cutting up the
garden hose.
Turning to other matters,
Clem Webster told the fellers
the Republicans have give the
Democrats plenty of run-on
issues in recent months, and
he's wondering what the Demo
crats will make of Breshnev's
visit. Clem said the top Russian
and Nixon seem to hit it right
off, and he. fer one is going to
worry until he finds out what
we've sold and give the Russ
ians this time.
The Russian idee of a deal is
all take and no give, but Clem
said we have a hard time
learning that.
The Democrats had a pritty
good issue to run on in that
wheat deal. Clem allowed, but
all the stealing and lying the
Republicans have been caught
at lately make that $-100 million
mistake a minor matter.
Speaking of stealing. Mister
Editor. I am disagreed with the
judge that jest made them
soldiers that stole from Army
clubs in Vitnam give everthing
back to the Guvernment and
take jobs without pay. I'd ruther
be pore and free than rich
behind bars.
But you can't f igger money. I
recall Tommy Manville onct
said he spent $1 million getting
rid of 12 wives, but he had no
regrets cause getting rid of six
was worth the price, so he got a
bargain.
Yours truly.
Mayor Roy
By Ace Reid
ERNEST V. JOINER
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Horse Sense is the title of this weekly column. I trust you
will not ruffle my dignity by making the obvious pun! It will
be I regular feature of the Gazette-Times, a place where the
editor can relieve his frustrations, convey his personal
opinions and observations, and comnent on the foibles of our
times Don't feel obligated to agree with me, and do take
issue when vou feel like it. Freedom of speech, you know, is
no good unless "ou use it. Like an arm or a leg. freedom of
speech will wither away unless it s used. So exercise it while
you can. Next time the legislature meets it may become
illegal.
I am in Heppner from choice, not compulsion. I find it a
retreshing change from the crowded freeway country with its
w all to-w all people. Deep Throat movies, welfare bums, high
taxes, communes, homosexuals and wild game refuges that
pass for California universities and colleges. The fact that
there is no sales tax in Oregon is a good 5 percent reason for
coming here. Steering down an Oregon highway without
having to endanger the lives of hitchhikers packing every
thing from babies on papoos e boards to mangy hounds in
drag is a definite plus. And when I found out that I. Stranger,
could cash a check in any business firm along Main Street
without having to furnish references, a financial statement,
driver's license, birth certificate and fingerprints, I knew
this was my kind of town. I even hear that bank Joans are
made to ranchers on the streets! I am a shaken man.
Did you Jcnow that there are as many people on the
California welfare rolls as there are residents of the State of
Oregon?
We are fortunate to live in a state where the legislature
meets only once every two years. It is a matter of record that
nothing bad ever happens to the citizens of any state until the
legislature meets, thus the longer the period between
meetings the better off the citizens are. Down in Texas, I
once advocated that state legislators, then seeking an
increase of their $900. a year salaries, be given $100,000 a
year, but on one condition-that they never meet. Under this
plan, legislators would be so well paid they wouldn't have to
steal and the people wouldn't be robbed because the
legislature would never meet! I never understood why
nobody bought the idea.
A good rule of thumb is to regard all politicians as
thieves. Chances are you will be right. Once in a while, of
course, one turns out to be honest. This gives you a chance to
change your mind and be pleasantly surprised at having
misjudged him. The closer the politician is to the grassroots
voter, the more honest he is apt to be. For good reason. The
people are able to watch him more closely, and are more
willing to do the watching. I'd be willing to bet that it would
be harder for Judge Paul Jones to swipe a paper clip for
personal use than it would be for the Russians to steal the
U.S. Capitol Building in Washington (which they just may
have already done).
I haven't met our state representative and senator yet,
but I understand both are very popular with Morrow County
voters. I prefer the ones people hate; it means they're
stepping on toes that need to be smashed, thus saving
taxpayers money! On the subject of saving money, the
legislature just adjourned found itself with $239 million it
inherited from the previous one. It didn't waste any time
spending the surplus where it would do them the most good.
It didn't occur to lawmakers that the money might be
returned to the people from whom it was extracted in the first
place. And one legislator took pride in announcing publicly
that the late session passed 3.000 new laws. Hardly anything
to be proud of. For one thing, it means we have 3,000
ill-considered laws. It is impossible for any man to study,
understand and pass intelligently on 3,000 bills in 180 days,
and bad legislation is worse than no legislation. It also means
that there are 3.000 things you can do today that you won't be
able to do 90 days from now. Every law infringes upon
somebody's liberty. Thus it naturally follows that the fewer
laws enacted the fewer people who will lose their liberties.
Nobody has yet questioned the maxim that "he who governs
best, governs best."
, There are only three people standing in the way of
construction of Willow Creek Dam: Cong. Al Ullman,
Senators Mark Hatfield and Robert Packwood. It isn't the
people of Morrow County, who have spoken. It isn't the Corps
of Engineers; it builds what it's told to. It isn't Congress, for
it has already okayed the dam. All that remains to be done is
that our three representatives in Congress stop playing
politics with the people of Morrow County and demand that
construction .begin. The have gotten as much political
mileage out of Willow Creek as they are entitled. From what
I hear, they (or their predecessors) have appeared in
Morrow County just before a general election for 30-odd
years to pledge their support for the dam. They get the votes,
hie themselves to Washington, and forget the whole matter
until the next election, at which time the cycle starts over
again. Unless these gentlemen act, and quickly, to end the
pussyfooting and get the dam started, the voters of Morrow
County would be justified in holding all three of them
personally responsible at the polls for this ridiculous 30-year
fiasco. Is it asking too much for them to make good on their
promises?
Don't tell me Cong. Ullman isn't powerful enough to swing
the dam. He is slated to succeed Rep. Wilbur D. Mills,
D-Ark., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee,
one of the most powerful men in Congress. Mills said
Saturday he will retire unless his health improves, and
Ullman will replace him. Ullman swings a wide loop in
Congress, wide enough to swing the deal to build one lousy
little dam on Willow Creek.
. The publisher apoligizes to the business men of Heppner
for failing to contact them for advertising space in last
week's newspaper wishing Charlie and Dorothy Heard a
happy retirement and expressing their gratitude for the
Heard's contributions to the city. We took over suddenly;
"cold turkey," as we say, and didn't know where some of the
businesses were located. We will goof up more, too, as we go
along and try to get acquainted. So if we overlooked you,
please understand it wasn't intentional. Nobody wishes the
Heards health, long life and happiness more than the new
publisher and his staff. The Heards are wonderful people,
and we're all elad thev will remain in Heppner.
'You'd bfir took erf turn good Jak; nexf fwne you w'w
wiS k coming acrou a tupf morief coemfer in Bofon"
MEYRICK NEILSON OF YETBURY LTD.
and
STAIR AND COMPANY LTD.
invite you to visit their Summer
Exhibition of Fine English Clocks
at
120 Mount Street, London, W.l.