LIBRARY
er
EUGENE, ORE.
07403
HowTwill Willow Greek Dam affect Heppner?
UUVyUU UUUUU UUUUUUU whpre HWKlated wUhlhe reservoir gamb.l
What changes in the social
atructure of a amall commun
ity can be expected when that
village ' faced with iU largest
aingle alteration since 1003?
Specifically, what will be
Hcppner's Internal reaction!
to the Willow Creek Dam and
lake being proposed by the
Army Corp of Engineers?
Funded by the' Corps,
Robert W. Gardner, sociolo
gist for Walla Walla College,
visited Heppner during April
and May with his social
research methods class com
posed of upper division sociol
ogy students. His objective:
give the Corps a thorough
social Impact assessemt and
an Idea of the changes which
may take place as a result of
the proposed flood control
project.
Keyed to a keen state of
ED ay pirojod doors
Funds to begin the construction phase of
Willow Creek Dam project has been approved by
a Senate-House conference on the Public Works
Appropriations Bill, Sen. Mark Hatfield told the
Gazette-Times Monday.
Hatfield and Cong. Al Ullman called inclusion
of the funds "a signal victory for the people of
Oregon."
Hatfield and Ullman said the $450,000 to
provide funds for land acquisition and road
relocation is "a critical step toward construction
of this project. Inclusion of the funds finally gets
this project over the hump and into the
construction phase," they said in a joint
statement.
Hatfield, who led the Republican Senate
conferees, said he hammered away at the
conferees with examples of property damage
and human suffering caused by Willow Creek
flooding.
Stiff sentences for doe (tillers
Two men were fined $305
each in Justice Court Thurs
day for illegal possession of a
doe.
Harvey Edward ModraU,
813 W. Birch St., Walla Walla,
and Wayne Elwin Cross,
' tfeppner, received the fines
from Justice of the Peace
Charles O'Connor. They were
given the choice of paying the
fine or serving 60 days in the
county jail.
The two were arrested July
25 by State Police Officer
Victor L. Groshens, who
stopped Modrall for a traffic
violation and found deer
entrails and other waste from
a butchered deer in the man's
car.
$10,000 worth of hay
Last Wednesday afternoon a
fire of unknown origin started
at the Walter Wright Ranch,
Heppner, and burned an
estimated 250-300 tons of hay
valued at $10,000.
"Although some of the hay
was from last year, with the
present shortage of hay, this
would have seen us through
r
r:.
awareness, the study team
entered Heppner for two days
and one night and returned
wilh Information in the form
of Interviews, questionnaires,
observations and documents.
Using these four methods,
students investigated the
social structure of Heppner in
relation to economics, politics,
education, recreation, reli
gion, health, communications
and local associations.
"Theoretically," says
Gardner, "a major change
such as the construction of
Willow Creek Dam will bring
about secondary changes
throughout the community,
affecting everyone even If it is
in a small way."
Heppner is a small town of
about 1,429 people. It is a town
that began as a service center
for stockmen raising horses,
House members have a reputation for hanging
tough against such Senate budget additions, the
senator said, "but Al (Ullman) had done a good
job making the House conferees aware of the
importance of this project to our state."
"I am pleased at the cooperation between us,"
Ullman said, "that allowed this key project to
continue."
Oregon related items in the Public Works
Appropriations Bill fared extremely well in the
conference, the senator stated. Of the $11.5
million in Senate budget additions, $11 million
remained in the final conference version of the
bill.
Chances of the president impounding Willow
Creek funds are slight, Hatfield believes,
because the final budget recommendation is $8
million less than the president's own budget
recommendation for public works.
Modrall admitted he and
Cross had shot the deer in the
Opal Butte area south of
Hardman, 'and that the veni
son could be found at the Cross
residence. At that residence,
Groshens found 100 pounds of
fresh venison in the bathtub.
Modrall was fined $17 for the
traffic violation that led to the
discovery of the butchered
doe.
Both pled guilty to the
illegal possession charge, but
Cross protested that "We
killed it for the meat, and
didn't spoil any of it.
"But you did open the
season a little early," Judge
O'Connor replied as he set the
fines.
the winter," Don Anderson
said.
. Some of this year's crop of
hay lying in the field was
destroyed, but most of the
bales remained untouched.
A truck parked near the
haystack, also completely de
stroyed, was blamed by some
as the cause of the fire. The
cattle and sheep and then
transformed to center ior
agriculture, an activity that is
its economic mainstay to this
day.
Originally settled by
people that could endure tough
conditions, Heppner's resi
dents still display an individ
uality that encompasses the
strength and friendliness
associated with an independ
ent way of life.
"In every case but one, the
residents were willing to give
their time and information
when asked to answer the 99
items on the questionnaire,"
said Gardner. "And, no one
refused to sit for an inter
view." Communities like Heppner
are less adaptable to change
than most. Variations occur
rarely and normally only in
Cross asked it he could pay
the court $50 a month on the
fine, an offer the court
declined. Judge O'Connor then
ordered Officer Groshens to
book both men into county jail
at Pendleton to start serving
their sentences unless they
raised the money immed
iately. Both began attempting to
raise the fine money. Officer
Groshens said the meat was
"well butchered," and had it
stored in a locker in Heppner
until the trial, after which it
was turned over to the
authorities for distribution to
welfare recipients.
The rifle used in killing the
doe was confiscated.
lost in fire
truck had a short in the
engine, and a spark could
have ignited the hay, some
speculated.
The fire burned an estimat
ed 25-30 acres and came within
10 feet of burning a tractor,
baler and a tank of diesel fuel.
According to Wright, it was
an unusual fire. Altough it
-"Vs- A-1 -z- is" - ""'--n!
The ashes U the right of the truck are all that remains of
more than 25 tons ol hay after it was destroyed by fire the
Walter Wright Ranch. The truck, also destroyed. U blame
for starting the Mate last week. Upper right porUo. of Uie
photo shows the path of the fire. The white area w
untouched by the blaxe.
mall increments. The ques
tion of whether or not to build
the dam is the biggest political
Issue In town, according to the '
findings. The dam is com
monly discussed in local
gathering spots, especially
when the subject is spurred by
the presence in town of a
Corps or college study team.
Although Heppner has been
flooded nine times during the
last 30 years, the most
destructive flood occurred in
1903 when a "leaping, foaming
wall of water, 40 feet in?
height" roared through the
small town tearing buildings ;
from their foundations, and ,
carrying trees, people and
buildings along with it. That
flood killed 247 people.
The destructiveness of
floods has its bright side in
terms of community spirit.
THE
Renters get
property tax
"Renters should be aware
that they too are now eligible
to apply for property tax
refunds," says Charles H.
Mack, director of Oregon's
Department of Revenue.
"For the first time renters
are included in a tax relief
program," Mack adds, "but
they must show receipts of
money they paid in rent
during this calendar year of
1973 when they file applica
tions for refunds after Jan. 1,
1974."
The tax relief program
passed during the closing days
of the 1973 legislature session
permits renters with an annu-
al income of less than $15.Wecurityjiumber; duration or
in flaim a refund of S50 to $245.
depending on their income and
the amount of their rent.
Homeowners earning less
than $15,000 will be eligible for
$100 to $249 depending on the
amount of their taxes and the
amount of their income.
"We are concerned," said
Mack, "that some renters who
move during the year may
have difficulty providing the
required evidence without
knowing the need at the time
of moving. We are alerting -them
now to one of their
responsibilities and require
ments." reduced the hay to a pile of
ashes, there was hardly any
smoke from the blaze. In fact,
some of the friends and
neighbors who helped fight the
fire didn't know the location of
the fire, because they couldn't
see any smoke.
The fire was completely
controlled early Friday.
1
5
V "
1
Gardner discovered that the
act of rebuilding and reestab
lishing their way of life after
each of the floods has bound
the already close-knit com
munity into a working team.
As one long time resident put
it. "You really haven't be
come a citizen of Heppner
until you have gone through a
flood."
In the economic sense, the
main short term effect of the
Willow Creek Dam will be the
influx of 150 to 200 workers
that will be required for
construction. Their purchas
ing power will cause a quick
rise in the local economy.
However, when construction
is completed, the workers will
depart and the economic boost
will go with them. The search
for housing by these workers
may cause a problem in this
in on
refund
Renters must attach a copy
of a rent certificate to their
tax refund application that
shows net rent paid during
1973. Landlords are required
by the law to provide this form
at tenant request. The De
partment of Revenue will
make this form available to
landlords later this summer.
Mack says, "If you are
moving now, before these new
forms are available, or have
already moved, you should go
back to your former landlord
and request a receipt or
statement with the following
information: Landlord's name
and address; landlord's social
the rental period during the
1973 calendar yean me
amount of the rent; the
landlord's signature; as the
tenant, your name, social
security number and current
address. The Department of
Revenue will accept this as a
valid rent certificate."
Homeowners and renters
claiming a refund must file a
claim with the Department of
Revenue between Jan. 1, 1974,
and April 15, 1974.
Mack said, "In order to
better inform the several
hundred thousand Oregonians
who will qualify for these
refunds, the department will
regularly issue information
through the news media. This
information will explain de
tails of the, program and
responsibilities of the taxpay
ers. We are also working on
other methods of communi
cating the message so that as
many people as possible will
file applications."
Timber
lost by
fire
A "man caused" fire broke
out last Thursday and burned
three acres of heavy timber in
the southwest part of the
Heppner area, also called the
John Day area.
The fire, which began be
tween 5 and 6 p.m., was
slowed by the work of 175
firefighters, 13 pieces of
equipment and 8,000 gallons of
fire retardent.
The area is heavily timber
ed, and the U.S. Department
of Forestry considers itself
fortunate the fire was con
trolled before it had time to
spread.
The fire was contained by
1:50 a.m., July 27. However,
men and equipment continued
to stand by until all danger is
past.
WILLIAM A WOLFF
IN ROTC TRAINING
Cadet William A. Wolff, 21,
son of Dr. and Mrs. Wallace H.
Wolff, Heppner, is receiving
practical work in military
leadership at the Army Re
serve Officers Training Corps
advanced summer camp at
Ft. Lewis, Wash., June S - July
19.
small community where
dwellings are in short supply.
The Issue of flood control
has been used as a "political
football." The subject has
been used during recent
elections and most city lead
ers have played an active role
In pushing for a solution.
These individuals have gone to
the State Capitol in Salem, the
Corps of Engineers In Walla
Walla and their congressional
delegation In Washington.
D.C.. to speak In favor of the
project.
Gardner found that in
speaking to the townspeople, a
lecidediy different purpose
jomes through. Few people
alk about the importance of
lood control. Most of them
jpeak in terms of recreation
Jiat they they hope will be
UfoeGti barvesf' yiolds
bsK off tett yoar s
Morrow County is facing a
near disaster as far as wheat
production is concerned, ac
cording to Harold Kerr, coun
ty extension agent.
He estimates that wheat and
barley production in this area
is 50 per cent under last year's
yield. With the wheat harvest
about 75 percent complete in
Morrow County, the average
crop is running about 14 or 15
bushels to the acre. Last
year's average was 25 bushels
per acre.
There are about 153,000
acres of wheat to harvest this
year and 24,000 acres of
barley. Wheat acreage is up
10,000 acres over last year;
barley is about the same,
Barley yields are about 1,000
pounds to the acre.
Lowest wheat harvest yield
Liquor, speed
'610 fine for
Donald Wayne Papineau, 19,
Lexington, was fined a total of
$610 Tuesday by Justice of the
Peace Charles O'Connor on
charges of driving while under
the influence of liquor and
trying to elude police officers.
Papineau also had his dri
ver's license revoked for 90
days and received 30 days in
the county jail, later suspend
ed with the stipulation that if
Papineau appears in court on
any charge of being under the '
influence of liquor, he must
begin serving his 30-day
sentence immediately.
Judge O'Connor was lenient
to the extent that he permitted
Papineau to drive a vehicle to
and from work on a temporary
permit so that Papineau can
pay the fine.
Court fine 'inflated' too!
Roger Lee Poullus, 19, Heppner, had just heard a man
fined $17 for failure to stop at a traffic sign.
So he was taken aback Thursday when Justice of the Peace
Charles O'Connor assessed him $32 for a similar traffic
violation. . .
"The fine for running a stop sign is going up, the judge
said by way of explanation.
Pollus was charged with failing to bring his logging truck
to a stop at the intersection of Highways 206 and 207, near
Ruggs.
Farmer free
to produce
Farmers may grow all the
wheat and grain they want in
1974.
The Secretary of Agricul
ture has announced features
of the 1974 farm program as it
affects feed grains, wheat and
cotton, according to David
McLeod, ASCS executive
director.
In order to assure adequate
supplies for domestic and
export markets, the secretary
said there will be no goyern-
to be formed behind the dam.
The local educational sys
tem will feci the influence of
the project when the children
of construction workers move
to Heppner and attend classes.
The added number of students
will increase the ratio of
pupils to each teacher al
though the schools in Heppner
are not considered overcrowd
ed by comparative standards.
Some teachers also felt that
the reservoir and its surround
ings would be utilized heavily
for school social outings and
field trips. This consideration
of recreation continued to
surface throughout many
personal contacts made
during the study.
Some of the early Heppner
settlers were very religious
while others were more in
terested in drinking and
reported in the county is Vk
bushels per acre. Orville
Cutsforth Jr., is reported to
have one of the highest yields
per acre. On 60 acres, heavily
irrigated and fertilized, he is
harvesting about 110 bushels
per acre. Other ranchers
report yields of 10-20 bushels
per acre.
Bill Rietman apparently
opened the harvest season on
July 2. Most harvesting began
in the period of July 9-16,
shoud be completed by the end
of the week.
This is the second year of
drouth for Morrow County,
and unless there is rain soon,
and plenty of it, next year's
crops are expected to be poor.
Kerr said the improved
price of wheat this year will
help offset the reduced yields.
brings
youth
The youth was arrested
early Monday morning, July
30, after Papineau refused to
stop his vehicle when ordered
by police to do so. After a
wild chase that covered 15
miles, Papineau was appre
hended by Heppner Police
after he drove his car into a -deadend
street.
He was then placed in
Morrow County Jail and later s
released pending his trial
Tuesday.
Also "arrested for speeding
on July 27 was Joseph F,
Mitcham, 22, of Beaverton.
Mitcham was arrested y
Heppner Police for speeding
on South Court Street, and
cited to appear in Justice
Court on Aug. 2.
ment setaside of land for 1974.
The decision announced at
this time should permit farm
ers to plan their 1974 acreages
of these crops.
Maintenance of an estab
lished conserving base will not
be required as a condition of
eligibility to receive price
support or program pay
ments. "This will permit
farmers to produce all the
wheat and feed gains they
wish," said McLeod.
aambling. The flood of 1903
changed what was a wild,
boisterous, western town into
a community of more serious
minded people. Religion took
on a new meaning as a result
of the disaster.
Some clergymen look on the
new dam as recreation site
that will lure their congrega
tion away from services on
Sunday morning. The findings
indicate that the possibility for
racial discrimination exists in
the churches, schools and the1
community aa a whole sinre
some of the construction
workers may be of minority
groups and Heppner is a
nearly totally white commun
ity. The added population dur
ing construction will also put
an increased load on local
health services and private
Continued Pg. t
Farmers were selling wheat in
Pendleton this week for as
much as $3.61 a bushel, the
highest price in history. What
with heavy exports already
authorized to Taiwan, China
and Russia, forecasters see $4
a bushel a possibility. Fann
ers are being advised in some
of their farm journals to sell
only what poor grade of wheat
is necessary to meet current
expenses, and hold the best for
higher prices.
Barley was bringing from
$105 to $109 a ton this week.
Kerr attributed some of the
blame for short yields to the
April frost that hit crops at
heading time.
In Portland last week, both
South Korea and Taiwan
bought wheat at $3.35 per
bushel.
An improved
Highway 19
is sought
It will take $4 billion to put
Oregon roads into first-class
condition, and only $150 mill
ion is available for the job.
Herb Wright of Fossil dis
cussed the condition of high
ways in Eastern Oregon at a
meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce Monday, with
emphasis on extensive work
on Highway 19 through Grant,
Wheeler and Gilliam Counties.
"On Highway 19 for 125 miles
out of Spray there are 183
curves and two bridges mark
ed for one-way traffic for
trucks and buses," he said.
He pointed out that Heppner
and Morrow County are also
affected by the economic
factors involved in this in
creasingly traveled highway
through Spray, Fossil, Condon
to Arlington.
Wright was here to ask
support of Heppner business
men in securing better high
ways through the area.
SUMIKO ONOSATO
Tutor and chaperone for
Japanese students visiting la
Morrow County, Sumiko
Onotato of Ykohama, Japan.
wiU speak at the Chamber of
Commerce meeting Monday,
Aug. C.
r
. V . ... : V.
v I
:
v