r.lichele Evans named Sound-Up princess I. V j ) V , fa . . .' .,"iC. V . f.. t , , JfHKl , " .11 . r ' ' - 4- , 7 " Only cattlemen suffer Morrow County No doubt about it, was a good sear for area businesses; with several firms report uig gains as much as 25 per cent over the previous year. Only cattlemen seem to have suffered in the local economy. This information was turned up in a survey made this week. While few firms, including the banks, have any precise figures this early, the unoffi New reservoir site At a special meeting Friday night the Heppner Common Council moved to acquire land and righlsof-way needed for the new city reservoir. The property In question is located near Heppner High School, and belongs to Fred lloskins. Ilohkim had agreed to deed the two acres of land for the site if the city would, in exchange for the land, install a water service line to his home. Most of the lloskins property needed by the city is unsuiied for farming, but is, according to Steve Anderson, city engineer, ideal for a reservoir. lloskins prefers not to sell the land outright to the city. Horror per capita fax above average or sfafe, nation NEW YORK, Dec. 21-Ilow big a tax load are residents of Morrow County carrying to meet the operating costs of their state and local govern ments? How does it compare with what people in other communities are paying? In line with the rising cost of goods and services generally, taxes in the local a-ea have been climbing steadily. This has been the story, in varying degrees, in every part of the country. The latest figures show, for Americans as a whole, that the taxes levied by state and local governments averaged THE Vol. cial word is that 1974 was a surprisingly good year in most business circles. County Agricultural Agent Harold Kerr said wheat, hay and potatoes had a good year, but livestock income was off about one half in the county. He sees production cost in creasing in '75 and his office is beginning a cost of production study in hope of learning the percentage of increased costs "The council voted to accept the proNsal, and will run a three -quarter inch service line to the lloskins property in exchange fur the site and easements. Cost of installing the 1,200 feet of line is estimated at about $2,ooo. Cost of the pic alone is $1.17 per foot City crews will install the service. ' lloskins will have a water meter on his property and will be billed monthly for all the water he uses, as the agree ment does not include water as well as the line. "This is one of the easiest ways of doing business with an individual," Mayor Sweeney $577 per capita in the past year. It was an increase of $55 over the prior year. For residents of Morrow, County, the tax load was approximately $580 per capita. By way of comparison, the average throughout the State of Oregon was $533, repre senting a $70 rise over the previous year. In the Pacific States, the rate was $616. The figures are based upon a study made by the Com merce Clearing House, spe cialist in government fin ances, utilizing data obtained from the Department of Com-merce. .,.-.'.., ivf''"i!( A wild scene on the Oregon Coast. GAZETTE-TIM 91, No. 46 to expect. He points out that '75 wheat looks favorable and probably hay and potatoes will bo good too, although potato price is dropping because of a surplus on hand and because of an increase in potato acreage. Kerr said that he dislikes to say it, but he "feels" that livestock prices may slay depressed through most of I!75. acquired told the council. All that remains is for the city attorney to draw up the necessary papers and have (hem signed. Sweeney (old council mem Imts that Anderson is anxious to get started on Phase 3 of the city's water project. Now that the site location is resolved, Anderson can proceed with plans for the new reservoir. In other business: The council agreed to a transfer of funds to the general fund. Accepted Mrs. Carolyn Cole (o serve on (he planning commission after accepting the resignation of Jim Rogers, who has been elected to the ' The finding is that it takes more money than ever before to operate the various state, county and municipal govern ments and to provide the public with necessary services in the fields of health, sanita tion, education, welfare, police protection, roads and such. The tax burden is consider ably larger in some states than in others. In a majority of them it has more than doubled in the past ten years. Currently, Arkansas has the lowest rate, $342 per capita, and New York the highest, $894. Thte high rates in some f Heppner, Ore., business was good in 1974 Larry Mills. Morrow County Grain, Growers' manager, de clared "1974 was ahead of previous years in the neigh borhood of 25 per cent . I le says that 175 is "hard to guess, but looks like it will be a good year." A good sampling of mer chants on Heppner's Main Street revealed optimism. Mr. and Mrs Arnie Hedman at Case Furniture have had a city council. Heard a letter from Mrs. Marlene Peterson, chairman of the bicentennial committee asking the city to take an active part in the development of Hager Park. She requested that a citizens advisory group be formed with the city taking an active role. Named to the group were Cliff Green, presi dent. Heppner Lions Club; Elaine George, Soroptimist Club; Pauline Bier, president, AAL'W; Harold Kerr, presi-' dent, Chamber of Commerce; Rita Wolff, president, Hepp ner Garden Club; Rita Harris, president, Epsilon Sigma Al pha; and Robert Jones, city councilman. areas are attributed to a combination of big outlays for welfare and to inflation, which has boosted the cost of materials, equipment and labor. As a result, local and state governments have been forc ed to find new sources of revenue and to borrow to keep operating. In all, taxes in the amount of $121 billion were collected by them in the year, a hefty $13 billion more than the year before. ,' The total collected from ' Morrow County residents came to an estimated $2,436,000. Jan. 2, 1975 good year in their three departments, furniture, floor coverings and fabrics Arnie says "Heppner is a good town and the stable population on the ranches is a big factor. We haven't felt any recession yet. I do wonder about next year, and hope it w ill stay as good as 74." F'orrest Burkenbine, mana ger at Central Market, found '74 up from previous years. He notes that people's buying habits are changing, and that they are not buying the more expensive brands but are watching their pennies more carefully. As to next year, "It should be even better if merchandise is available. This year several items were unobtainable here for a month or so." Leonard Schwarz of Court Street Market thinks figures I I 4 - r- .-til .1 ':.',..'.:.':: ': I 1 !, I! x fiK8 "i ,. '2 ' """" rvi iWTMr " X .- . . i X - . J . V ? 1 I If 1 ' ji if ...... .i - - - S i Michele Evans, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Evans, has been chosen as one of the four princesses of the 1975 Pendleton Round-Up Court. Michele is in her freshman year at Eastern Oregon State College, LaGrande, and was a princess in the Morrow County Kodeo Court last year. Queen of the Sept. 10-13 Pendleton Round-Up will be Iri Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Anderson, Pendleton. Lori is 19, a freshman at Washington State University. Princess Susan Fitterer is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fitterer, Pendleton. A blue-eyed redhead, Susan is 19 and in her first year at Blue Mountain Community College, Pendleton. Princess Ann Lorenzen, 19, with light brown hair and blue eyes, is a student at Oregon State University, Corvallis. Ann is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard A. Lorenzen, Pendleton. Princess Jan Terjeson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Terjeson of Helix. Jan is 18 and has light brown hair and blue eyes. She is studying at the University of Oregon in Eugene this year. These five girls have widely varied interests and hobbies, but they all have one thing in common their ability to ride ES will show business there has been "about the same." Del Piper at Lexington reported '74 was "real good," and November was one of his better months. He thinks "75 will get better in the late spring and early summer. He is continuing plans toward building near Heppner on the Lexington-Heppner highway. At lone. Don Bristow, of E.W. Bristow Grocery and Meats, has seen a sizable increase in volume with infla tion being a major factor. The store has picked up new accounts but is not extending new credit. He feels apprehen sive but optimistic about the future and is hopeful that politicians w ill get to work and do some right things He believes other lone businesses are "up" too. The apparel merchants in -it !K i horses. The coming spring and summer will be busy times for them as they travel to rodeos, parades, and other commun ity events throughout the area, helping to publicize the 1975 Pendleton Round-Up. They will be accompanied by r W. f i IS i -fs j U Li- l.fcm in- im -linn in ' J jctjUj MICHELE 15c Heppner have done well. At Gardner's Men's Wear buying has been "up." Marge Gard ner says that an order of attractive shirts and sweaters sold out completely before Christmas. She notes that shoppers are more careful, that they really think about fabrics and colors, and are not buying on impulse Elma's has had its best year yet, according to Everett Harshman": Their apparel sales were above previous Christmas seasons, but the flower business stayed about the same. Clerks there. Helen Schaffitz and Vern Batty, point out that college students tell them ihey like, to shop in Heppner where they can relax and get thoughtful, personal service. The Whitakers of Lebush are pleased with their first CHRISTMAS at the "Round Table," Heppner style. From the left are Chief of Police Dean Gilman, Sheriff John Mollahan, District Atorney Herman Winter, Leroy Gardner, Jack VanWinkle, Harry O'Donnel, Bill Weatherford and Clint Quarrie. These community leaders meet each morning to discuss problems of the city. But on Christinas Eve they were surprised to find that Santa had left each of them a small gift. Mrs. Lee Ansotegui and Mrs. Glenn Thorne, both of Pendle ton, their chaperones for this year. The court selections were announced this week by Jerry Schubert, Pendleton Round-Up Queen and Court Director. EVANS year. During the Christmas buying they gave away a $50 radio to lucky J. E. Hams, Hardman, whose name was drawn on Christmas Eve. Peterson's Jewelry and Murray's Rexall Drugs both say, '74 was up, but that part of the gain was due to inflation. At Gonty's Shoes, business w as "better than last year," but the future is rather uncertain. Mrs. Dick Sargent of Coast-to-Coast said that buying was heavier in the last few days before Christmas this year; that last year with a longer shopping period the buying was spread out more. She notes that they sold more toys this year than last. Jack VanWinkle of the Sears Authorized Catalog Sales found business a good deal (Continued on page 8) . i