Fage J. THE GAZETTE TIMES, Heppner, OR., Thursday, May 1, 1975
Horse sense
KRMSTV.JlMNr.il
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Discussion on the hiring of another deputy for the north
end of the county brought dissention among members of the
budget committee, at their meeting last Tuesday, after the
total cost was estimated to be $22,200,
Of the total cost $8,200 would go toward the deputies wages,
with an additional $8,200 to be spent on equipment ; $4,000 for
new radio equipment and another $1,800 for office equipment.
At present there are four men working out of the Sheriffs
department. Three of these men remain in the Heppner area,
while the fourth is stationed at Irrigon.
If another deputy is added to the north end of the county
will the two deputies be able to use the same vehicle, or will
the county be forced to purchase another vehicle complete
with radio?
One member of the budget committee voiced his opinion
saying, "if any more deputies are hired, the City of Heppner
will be forced to remove its parking meters, so the officers
will not get parking tickets when they park their vehicles
during their coffee breaks."
Embarrassing situation department . . . After all of the
time taken for study and planning for a new clinic and
doctors in the area, it sure is a shame that the Department of
Commerce's Building Inspector had to place a Stop Work
Order on the new clinic. In fact he placed stop work orders on
every building in the subdivision, including the home of Allen
Nistad.
One problem that still remains unsolved is what will the
residents now living in the apartments do if the apartment
buildings are faced with the same plight? According to
Russell, the plumbing inspector, he has hopes of finding out.
as soon as he gets the opportunity to inspect both the water
and sewer lines.
All I can say. "It is a Mickey Mouse system, and a hell of a
poor job." Maybe the people of Heppner should take a long
hard look at some of the problems facing them if they plan to
expand. .
If expansion is their goal, a set of regulations and city
standards are in order. The old saying by the contractor .
"This is the way water mains were installed in any town,
may be true, but'to date it doesn't bold water in Heppner.'EC
Orville Cutsforth made mention at the Chamber of
Commerce recently that his wife's ambition was to have him
bring an old one room schoolhouse to Heppner. for display
purposes only. The school would be complete with all of the
old time desks and other paraphernalia that some of the old
timers used year after year.
Orville has located a school house but where to put it
presented a problem, and the matter is still undecided. Some
of the Chamber members suggested that the school house be
located at Hager Park, while others named various locations.
One of the best solutions to Orville -s problem would be to
ask the City and other interested people to place the building
on the site next to the museum and library building. If the
building were completely equipped with desks and all the
rest, why not use the building for small meetings? It's a cinch
the meeting would not last long having to sit on those hard
benches, with hardly enough leg room to stretch. .
On the other hand if the city would approve the location,
why not put in a pot-bellied stove and have the school open for
conducted tours?
There might be many children visiting the area during the
bicentennial that have never had the good fortune to get a
look at a learning post of the past. Funny, but just walking
into a schoolhouse brings back memories. EC
The mail pouch
EDITOR:
Enclosed is my check for another year's subscription.
In one of the editorial columns in the last few weeks the
editor noted how many things he hated. While standing in a
store yesterday I noted a small sign that stated: "For every
minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness."
Emerson.
Best wishes and lower blood pressure.
JUNE McINNESS
MenloPark.CA
EDITOR:
Enclosed is my check for another year's subscription to the
greatest paper that is. to an editor that leads with his chin,
tells it like it is. and can take it as well as dish it out.
Keep calling those shots!
ROBERT E.ALLSTOTT
Hermiston
jj "M cUi tt t, 11 atta a Miw, W
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THE GAZETTE-TIMES
MORROW COL'NTY'S NEWSPAPER
Box 337. Heppner, Ore. 97836
Subscription rate: $8 per year in
Oregon, $7 elsewhere
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Published every Thursday and entered as a
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Hrppner. Oregon, under the acl of March J, 1879.
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anramimKttXinnMaifn
.ii ii n i . ' 1 "
Gosh...l Dont Kncw...lt Just Kind Of Blew Over."
Jack Sumner reports
This week I am reporting on the salary negotiations with
state employes. Herewith, is a summary of action to date.
Negotiations broke off between the major OSEA AFSCME
bargaining coalition and the Governor in February.
Fact-finding was invoked. The fact-finder's report published
late in March disclosed a management offer of
approximately 21 per cent cash raises plus about two per cent
fringes, with a total cost of $180 million. The labor demand
was shown at an average of about 35 per cent cash raises plus
another 2 or 3 per cent in fringes, with a total cost of $343
million. The fact -finders recommended cash raises of about
27 per cent plus two per cent fringes, with a total cost
somewhere between $229 and $253 million. This would be an
increase to the present salaries of about $882 million.
Negotiations were active again following the fact-finder's
report, and. although the unions indicated acceptance of the
report! there continued to be some disagreement about the
recommendations contained in the report. The Governor s
offer was subsequently modified, both as to implementation
and amount, raising the management offer to about 22 plus 2
per cent, or $208 million, which the union again rejected.
Negotiations have continued sporadically during April. The
Public Employe Relations Board offered its good offices in
an effort to get negotiations underway once more, and some
moderate changes in negotiating posture apparently were
made between April 14 and 16 But. it appears that the two
sides are still separated by fairly significant differences
about when raises should be implemented, whether they are
to be across-the-board or selective, and by the amount. The
OSEA union is mailing out strike vote ballots at the present
time.
Some unionized employes are precluded from striking, but
must depend instead on binding arbitration. Prison guards
are in that category A large number of state workers are not
in formal collective bargaining units, and as a consequence
have no right to strike in this current situation.
Although OSEA is not necessarily required to conduct a
strike vote with its employes, it apparently wishes to
determine the sentiment among its members regarding
management's last offer, which has been communicated to
all emploves. and the union's demands. If the employes
within bargaining units approve a strike, it could be called at
the union's discretion after about May 10.
A strike, if called, obviously may not be a general
strike-too many employes are not in bargaining units or are
prohibited from going on strike. Also, there is no reason to
expect that the union would or could obtain a complete
stoppage in every bargaining unit which does exist. At this
state, there are many unknowns, but lines of communication
between labor and management continue to remain open.
If a settlement is reached, either before or after a strike is
called, the Legislature must approve and finance any such
agreement before it can be operative If no settlement is
reached before the end of the legislative session, the
Legislature will be faced with dealing with salaries for
employes within bargaining units and for those who are not.
Altogether, the future still appears to contain too many
unknowns to permit meaningful speculation on possible
courses of action.
If you have any questions concerning legislative problem!,
please contact me at I07K Capitol Building, Salem, Or.,
97310. My phone number is 378 8849. Information on bills or
legislative matters can also be obtained by calling the loll
free information number 1 800-452 0290.
Rep. Jack Sumner
Senator Ken Jernsledl
reports on legislation
A prevalent topic in Oregon government during this session
of the legislature has been the need for streamlining the
state s bureaucracy. That concern has been addressed by a
number of measures, primarily addressing a realigning of
existing agencies.
One of the major bills falling into this category is Senate
Bill 613. a measure which has been a long time coming. The
bill abolishes the State Wildlife Commission and the Fish
Commission of the state, combining the two agencies into a
new fish and wildlife commission
As it now stands, the two agencies compete against each
other in several ways The legislature has recognized the
problem in the past, but similar bills have failed to win
approval in previous sessions. In 1973, the Issue remained
locked in committee-but this year, the Senate Agriculture
and Natural Resources Committee moved the bill to the floor
last week. That in itself is a significant step.
The proposed Fish and Wildlife Commission would be
made up of seven members, appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by the Senate. There would be one member each
from the four United States Congressional Districts: one
member from west of the Cascades and one from east of the
Cascades: and one at large commissioner.
None of the commissioners can be an office holder of a
spurt or commercial fishing organization, and the
commission-under a state fish and wildlife director-would
have to keep full and concise financial records.
The current structure would be maintained to a degree by
the establishment of both a wildlife division and a fish
division within the proposed department. The significant
difference here i the coordination and control which would
be seen under one total agency.
The time is right for this reform. Look for Senate approval
and favorable consideration by the House.
Things are picking up speed, as legislative committees
make decisions on the massive amount of measures before
them Last week the Joint Trade and Economic Development
Committee considered 26 bills in one meeting, sending just
three to the floor and tabling, deferring or taking no action on
the rest. Other committees are doing the same, as the
informal April 15 deadline for committee consideration of
measures originating in iti chamber of the legislative
assembly has passed.
Several committees are beginning to schedule 7 a m.
hearings to meet the workload, as senate committee! must
clear their dockets of senate bills as measures from the house
come up for their consideration. A similar process is shaping
up In the house committees
In short, the deliberate, efficient 1975 Oregon Legislature
continues, with the only potential stumbling bloci the volatile
state employee salary Issue. What la entering Into that
controversy now is lea and lesa money to allocate, as the
Joint Ways and Means Committee continues to distribute
general fund monies to agency, commission, board and
department budgets.
As many have Indicated, the state employee salary Issue
will ultimately end up in the hands of the legislature. Bui
what many have not considered ii the possibility of a special
session to Iron out the difficulties If no agreement is reached
before the legislature concludes its other business and goe
home this 1975 regular session.
Sea. Kea Jerasledt
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Mayor of Hardman
DEAR MISTER EDITOR:
Ed Doolittle told the fellers at the country store Saturday
night that it s a bald face shame the misery some folks have
to go through In this land that is flowing with milk and honey.
The way some reports in the papers put it. Kd allowed the
only Americans half way well off is them that s gitting food
stamps, cause as lute as last week Ed said he hadn't read of a
cutback in stamps. ,.,.,
This one piece Kd said he saw was about some of the folks
that is having to take pay cuts. Fer instant. Ed reported,
there is old Henry Ford's boy, He was paid $865,000 by his
pa's company in 1973. but last year he had to skimp along on
jest $2!K) 000. Thev ain't no way Henry Jr. can live In the
manner to which he is accustomed. Ed said and with car
sales what they are so far in 1975, it's a wonder the pore feller
could scrape up gas money to git Troin Michigan to California
where he got caught driving drunk a few weeks back.
General speaking. Ed went on, starvation wages seem to
be the coming thing fer all big wheels excepting politicians.
Cutbacks has even worked down to $t,ooo a year airline
pilots that has aRreed to take a 10 per cent drop. Henry Jr,
and some of them railroad presidents thai is pulling down a
measlv $400,000 a year had bettor set their cutbacks up on
percentage. If thev cut Henry Jr. as much this year as they
did last, he ll wind up In the hole more than somewhat.
Zeke Grubb broke in to say he could see this kind of thing
coming last fall. That was when Joe Namnth set slill fer a 10
per cent slice off his $300,000 a year wage fer playing football.
Zeke said these compuny heads is jest going (o have to put
theirselves up fer auction like Namath and that baseball
pitcher Catfish Hunter done. Namath now is talking about
agreeing to a $4 million deal to play in another league Hunter
got his $3 million and he ain't worried a bit that he went from
millionnir to bum bv losing his first two games He can buy
and sell a ball park full of fans and never touch his principal.
Zeke said.
And speaking of wage cutbacks, Hug llookum told the
fellers he liked the idea Senator Jesse Helms of North
Carolina come up with, but nobody else In the Senate did
Helms hit them fellers where they live. Bug said, when he
perposed that the wages of senators be tied to the national
debt Ever time the debt is raised. Helms said, the salaries of
them that agree to raise it ought to go down. The trouble with
that deal, declared Bug. is that Helms didn't take in account
that no politician is ever willing to put his own money where
his mouth is The congress giveth. but the congressmen
never taketh awav. unless it s somebody else being look, was
Bug s words, and the only way (hem fellers will lake a pay
cut is to git voted out of work.
Yours truly.
MAYOR HOY.
fj5
C iT
New standards for
r Episcopal Church
"jl I.F.STFM MMl A lti
HEPPNER S NEW MODULAR CLINIC, with both sections In place. Workmen
are busy puttlni the finniaJilrif louche to Ihe bulldiruj. as they hop to nave It
completed by May 15.
K he feminist Episcopalians win their current and
well publicized battle for female ordination to the priesthood.
Iheir victory may well be Pyrrhic.
For their campaign methods are rapidly eroding the entire
disciplinary system and thus the organization" of Ihe
three million-member denomination
These womens libbers apparently get their jollies by
making Ihe all male Episcopal House of Bishops look as
helpless and hapless as a House of Ostriches. But Ihe ladies
may well discover that by Ihe time they win Ihe battle, the
war will be over and the denomination will no longer be
Episcopal (under the leadership of bishops I but rather
Congregational. The Congregationalists-now called the
United Church of Christ -allow female ordination.
As one example of the current disintegration of Episcopal
discipline. TIME magazine quite accurately headlined a
recent story as "DODGING THE ISSUE." For Ihe four
bishops who staged an ordination service for II women last
summer-and freely admitted breaking Ihe church law they
had all vowed to uphold and enforce-all got off scot free
A Board of Inquiry concluded that while there was Indeed
violation of church law, the issue was "doctrinal." which
requires a vole of two thirds of the entire House of Bishops in
order to be brought to trial
This conclusion was described as "a cop out" by Bishops
William Creighlon and John Walker of Washington.
D C.-both of whom went on to announce thai they will ordain
no men to the priesthood until allowed to ordain women. The
Iwo prelates also served notice that unless the
denomination's highest governing body, General Convention
voles to allow this in 1976. they will ordain women to Ihe
priesthood regardless
This dramatic defiance, announced to a press conference,
was slightly deflated when Bishop Creighlon conceded that
there is no shortage whatsoever of Episcopal priests-and, in
fact, parochial employment In his diocese is "very light."
What actually amounts to a priest surplus of more than a
thousand men is, being alleviated, however slightly, in
Mexico City. For three priests-all with more than ten years'
service, but all male Mexicans rather than female
Americans-were unfroked on March 8, for the following
grounds, as announced by national Episcopal headquarter!
in New York:
"Conduct unbecoming a priest and violation of ordination
vows."
Nobody in Ihe New York headquarters (which financially
lupporti the Mexican dioceses) knows precisely what
conduct and what violations.
Did these three Mexican priests possibly ordain women?
Or is II possible that they have formed some sort of clergy
"Fellowship of Fornicators"? (There is no such evidence or
Indication.)
But If such a hypothesis is beyond Imagination in the
current Episcopal Church at the prestigious Episcopal
Divinity School In Cambridge. Mass.. there Is a recently
organized "Ad Hoc Committee on Fornication." written
evidenced which has reached this column.
Co Deans Harvey Guthrie and Edward Harris emphatical
ly dismiss this organization as "an In house joke."
Bui students hardly seem lo regard this as mere college (or
seminary) humor. During an intervlew-wiih anonymity
guaranteed -this writer was informed:
"There are at least two couples living together and we
don't believe they should be treated any different from the
married atudenta."
One of the two founder! of the Ad Hoc Fornicators ta
Seminarian Lynne Gustafson, whose petition filed with
Co Dean Harris slates among other things: "For at least five
years, people have felt free (o cohabit openly In EDS
(Episcopal Divinity School) housing. Many couples who have
cohabited on a permanent basil have felt that they should
assume the responsibility for the Implicit financial
obligation . . ." Miss Gustafson also advised in writing:
, "Wear your 'Equality for Fornicator!' button openly,"
I