Page J, THE GAZETTE TIMES, Heppner, OR., Thursday, May IS, 1975
Horse sense
ERNEST V. JOINER
The character of Heppner is changing. It's too bad, too. It
wasn't long ago that a stranger could come into town and
cash a check or buy goods on credit. No more. The bad guys
have spoiled it for everybody, as they always do. There is
another area where the town and the county must eventually
change its ways. too. And that's too bad. I refer to the new
clinic and the two new doctors, and the way both came to
pass. When the county found the land it w anted, it bought it as
a site for the clinic. Never mind that a clear title couldn't be
secured because it was plastered with liens. And Boise
Cascade didn't mind that it was putting up a clinic on land
without clear title, thus encumbering the building too. And
never mind that the two doctors have never signed any
contract to practice in the clinic and could take off for Idaho
or South Africa tomorrow and leave us all stuck with a
vacant clinic. I think it is great that Heppner people can
operate in such a climate of trust. But sooner or later one of
the bad guys will come along and make it expensive for
Heppner and Morrow County. Then we will have to have
things ail tied up neatly and legally like the city folks, by
batteries of lawyers, planners and accountants. But for now
it 's remarkable and satisfying that we can get things moving,
and fast, and not have to piddle around tying up all the loose
ends. We still can get the show on the road. It will be sad
when this era ends. I will be glad, though, to have lived in
such a simple and uncomplicated climate.
6$ Teaching, explained the Superintendent of Public
Schools, is a tough job. Whatever you do cannot be measured.
You never know just where you stand. It is only a belief in
yourself and the system you follow that carries you along.
Results help very little, and w hile you see a certain response
in (he immediate work of the students the big benefits you
want to confer remain in the shadow. Grief is plentiful. It has
come now to the place where the schools are expected to take
the child, rear him. cultivate him and do all but clothe him
and provide for his lodging Parents in many instances are
anxious to shift every burden of responsibility they can to the
schools. We have always been willing to do our share, but
there isn't any institution in existence (hat can take the place
of the home in the life of a child. If the home does not fulfill its
purpose, nothing else can.
The Dearborn Independent. Sept. 18. 1926
The defeat of the budget for Blue Mountain Community
College seems to bring forth many comments regarding the
college as well as the school system in Morrow County.
. Whether all of the statements are valid is not the question.
The question is that people are speaking out against the
present school system. One of the biggest gripes coming forth
is the quality of education presented in Morrow County.
Many people feel there are too many students on the honor
roll compared to the number of students graduating Others
contend that the grades handed out on the local high school
level are not a true grade. One person approached me and
told me the following; "When I attended lone High School. I
received straight A s." This led me to believe that I knew
how to study and was just ahead of the rest of the kids in my
class. "Then came the moment of truth. I graduated and
went on to college."
"From a straight A student I nearly flunked out of college.
I had not learned how to study." After many nights of
burning the midnight oil I was able to graduate from college
with a C average. This was one hell of a let down, but I
graduated and I feel that I don t owe the high school any
favors. They hindered rather than helped me.
He went on to say. "In the present school system they must
grade on a curve, for I have never heard of anyone failing
'not graduating) high school. If the village mm wit gets a
grade of D you don't have to be a genius to get an A. Another
comment along the same lines is. if the students are that
smart, w hy does the school board have to replace at least one
third of its teachers each year? Granted some of the younger
teachers either in Heppner. lone or Riverside leave to get
married, or decide to change professions. If the school board
had the experienced teachers required to get most of the
students on the honor roll they wouldn't have to replace
them. What happens to ail of the straight A students who
attend college? Do they continue to make the Dean's list or do
most of them fail by the wayside, not being able to cope with
the competition? Herbert Hoover hit the nail on the head
when he said. "An educated man is merely one who knows
where to look for the facts."
a) Now that you have had the chance to digest some of the
t uls presented by a school board member, nearly 50 years
a jo. what changes do you see in the administration1 They
are still out telling you to vote for their school bond, for if they
fail they will have to cut back on school athletics, and the
buses used to take junior to the ball game or track meet.
In the long range planning program for Morrow County,
over $230.0110 is appropriated for new gymnasiums, while
only 14. 000 is budgeted for the addition of new library
facilities While it is true that every school likes a winning
team, what happens to all of these four lettermen who are
presented with award after award, for their participation in
sports on the local level when they enter college? What a
shock it must be for an All American Athlete here in Morrow
County to not be able to make the freshman team in college I
have yet to see the name of a Morrow County athlete on the
roster of the University of Oregon's football team. Last year
over 150 freshmen turned out for football at the University of
Oregon, and they finished the season with slightly over 40
players.
Iam not against sports, either team or individual, but what
about the student w ho has a heart condition and can't go out
for the rough and tumble sports Does he have the chance to
become a big hero in high school or must he gracefully bow
out of the picture?
Taking a look at the other side of the fence, what happens to
a coach whose team continually loses ballgames? Is he fired?
The answer ti yes. but he moves out and up ... up into an
administrative position. Aren't all coaches good guys, to who
wants to fire a good guy. Check the statistics if you don I
believe me. or better yet read a newly published book entitled
"Tyrant in Cap and Gown".
Dorothy Krebs. director of Blue Mountain Community
College, hit the nail on the head when she referred to BMCC
as a "play palace." She was under the impression that
college was a place for learning and (he taxpayers didn't
have to pay for students to learn belly-dancing or finger
painting, at least not in college. She will agree that finger
painting is fine for the children in kindergarten, but having to
pay for this in college? Nonsense.
there were only two communities in Morrow County that
voted against both budgets, the one for Morrow County and
the one for Blue Mountain Community College. Lexington
and lone did just that. A tip of the Sirica cap to the people of
those communities that had the guts to vote no. E C.
Franchise Mayor of Hardman
..Quoted Out Of Context And
That's The Truth pffffft."
(CmIuhm treat Page I
with the approval of the
council were Dave McLeod.
senior life guard, Steve Jones,
junior life guard and Molly
Pierce basket girl. Letters will
be sent to the various colleges
in the area in hopes of
fulfilling the position of pool
manager.
In other business the council
approved the variance permit
for Dean Teel with the stipula
tion that no objections are
received by May 20.
Also accepted was the
application for Donna Forten
berry for an alteration permit
at 165 Quaid St.
Letters to Steve Anderson,
city engineer were read by
Mayor Sweeney. One of the
letters was from Mr. llebard.
Department of Health. In
which the city requested 15
additional water connections.
Hebard stated with the
present water construction an
additional 15 water connec
tions would be granted.
In the other letter submitted
to the city, Anderson stated
the contractor plans to replace
all of the broken and repaired
water lines in Rock St. He
plans to do the work on
Saturdays and the city will
have an inspector present at
all times prior to backfilling
the trenches.
t OI NTV PARK OPKNS
Anson Wright Park is now
open to the public. Cutsforth
Park will be open May 22.
The mail pouch
EDITOR:
To whom it may concern.
At the time I wrote my first letter I w as very careful not to
mention any names of the telephone companies involved. I
didn't feel it was important since my fight is basically with
the system set up by the Public Utilities Department.
In view of recent publications on the matter I feel I had
better make my position clear. Pacific Northwest Bell has
been very cooperative in assisting us in our efforts to receive
telephone service. It is Eastern Oregon Telephone Co under
the management of Walter Karnopp that has been the
stumbling block.
In my original letter I stated that we had a mobile phone in
our car and the problems with it had been many. I think now
might be a good time to list some of them.
April a took car to Pilot Rock to have phone installed. ' left
car there;
April 9 pick car up in Boardman When you called out on
the unit the static level would build up until you couldn't hear
Ihe other person.
From April 9-12 Ihe car battery was run down many tunes
ecn with a 4 amp charger on the battery. This happened if
the phone was turned on or off.
April 14-took car to Boardman to have phone worked on
2' hours I placed a local call, was cut off 3 times, then found
nui the phone wouldn't ring in when someone tryed to call
me
April IS took car to Boardman and left it for them to work
on the telephone. Went back around 6 p m. to pick car
up found a note stating they had taken the car to Pilot Rock
to put a new unit in it. (used) We could pick our car up in
Boardman at noon. April 17. 2'j davs. NO CAR AND NO
PHONE.
April 17 20 all seemed well, no battery problems, but horn
would sometimes blow when you started the car.
April 21 long distant call was cut off after only a few
seconds. Problem seemed to gel worse. We could call out but
incoming calls would cut out after a short conversation
April 25 a m long distant call came in. they had to call 3
times before we could complete a short conversation.
April 23 30 no calls. Come to find out many people had
tried while we were home but the calls wouldn't ring thru.
May I while the car was running a call came
through hay buyer he had to call 3 limes before we could
find out who he was and when his trucks would be here
May 1 headed to Boardman to have phone worked
on-about I mile from home the horn started blaring Horn
relay under radiator cover, couldn't get to it. Drove Ihe next
14 miles with the horn blaring burned horn out) Left the car
to have phone worked on. At 2 p m. I got word on the CB that
one of our children had been hurt at school NO CAR AND NO
PHONE. 7 p m. Go to Boardman to pick up car. Called
information to get a Salem telephone number. Had to try 3
times before we could talk long enough to exchange
information. Lady from Pendleton tried to call us from 7 9
p m. The call didn't ring in.
May 2 horn would honk when you start the car. My
brother tried to call us for 2 hours, finally drove the 30 miles
Long distant call from Salem Called 5 times, kept getting cut
off. Last time the horn blew but the connection wouldn't
complete and go thru. I had a dial tone when I answered.
May 31 had trouble dialing out would still have dial tone
after dialing the number. On 2 occasions I had to drive the
miles round trip to place a phone call.
May 5 car battery dead.
May Took car to Boardman to have phone worked on.
May 7 phone rang J times, when ! anawered It I had
nothing but static. Called out and phone worked well. Horn
still blows when you start car.
May 9 local call, got to noisy had to hang up and call back.
This is the kind of service we are receiving for
approximately 959 per month, plus aS long &tUM rhrgm.
Thank you for letting me air all of my complatnta, I feel
better even 1 it doesn't help our problem.
LEANN REA
Lexington
7
EDITOR:
No one wants a strike but who are you, anyway to say what
should or should not be. You don't even bother to get your
facts straight.
According to an impartial fact finding committee, state
employ ees would need a 31 1 1 per cent raise over the next two
years to be near equal with workers of the same class in
private enterprise. However they felt 4'i per cent of that
should be deferred and a raise of 27 per cent granted because
of economic conditions.
Goxernor Straub promised if he was elected during the
guternatonal campaign last fall that he would recommend
a catch-up pay raise for state employees effective Jan. I.
1'irr. Doesn't look like he intends to even keep that promise.
The con! ract is for a two-year period and there's no way the
nsKA could up the ante next year. If pay raises should be
granted it would be 17 per cent this year and the other 10 per
cent Ihe first of July in 1976.
V. hy should anyone w ant to hurt the welfare of the public as
i are part of that public and pay taxes as well as anyone
rise that works We have bills to pay and food needs Prices
aren't any cheaper for us than anyone else.
Why don't you check low wages for some of the state
employers and other facts before you write such biased Junk
m the paper. Low wages are under $400 per month before
t.iM's and other deductions.
MARYMcCLAIN
Survey shows inflation
Oregonian's fop concern
0
-r-J
Mure Orrgonians are con
cerned over inflation than
they are with recession and
increasing unemployment
combined, according to re
sults of a questionnaire re
leased by Sen Bob Packwood.
Sixty per cent of the 60,000
Orcgomans who answered the
Pat k wood poll said they were
most concerned over inflation,
while only 22 per cent were
worried about recession and
possible unemployment. The
questionnaire was mailed to
about 3oo .con registered voters
in Oregon without regard to
political affiliation.
Forty nine per cent of those
responding wanted their tax
dollar to be spent by county or
city governments, but 46 per
cent of these same people said
they had more confidence in
Congress in dealing with the
we are presently
facing than they did with
either Ihe President or the
Oregon Stale Legislature.
Eightyour per cent of the
respondents were opposed to
food stamps for college stu
dents, although 51 per cent of
the respondents favored the
general program, especially
(or Ihe elderly and the poor.
Property taxes were consid
ered Ihe most objectionable of
all taxes, with 60 per cent of
the respondents objecting to
property taxes, 31 per cent
objecting to federal Income
taxes, and I per cent objecting
to stale Income taxes.
Ninety-one per cent of those
answering the poll favored a
ban on employment of mi
grant workers who have
entered the country illegally.
and about half of the people
responding did not believe
there should be an exemption
for agricultural workers.
Increased penalties for
crimes committed with the
use of firearms was supported
by 91 per cent of those
replying. On the question of
how a national health Insur
ance program should be
financed. 48 per cent of the
respondents believed it should
be jointly paid for by employ
ers and employees, 28 per cent
thought It should be paid by
Individuals and 24 per cent
thought the federal govern
ment should pay for It.
Seventy-six percent of those
answering the poll Indicated
major oil corporations should
be broken up Into smaller
companies. However, opinions
on how we should reduce our
dependency on imports of
foreign oil were fairly nar
rowly divided with 52 per cent
of the people in favor of
rationing, 43 per cent in favor
of an Increased tariff, and
wrltein choice of neither"
received S per cent of the vole.
Fifty per cent of the respon
dents did not want a heavy Us
on large automobiles as an
Incentive to reduce gasoline
consumption, while 44 per cent
did favor a higher tax.
DEAR MISTER EDITOR :
It looks like old soldiers never die. Mister Editor, they jest
git out of work. Zrke Grubb come to Ihe session at Ihe country
store Saturday night with this report where unemployment
has hit Ihe military ranks. Nol only is Ihe service f illing
plenty of volunteers lo do the work, they got more officers
than I hey need to stand around and watch.
Zekc suid this happens after ever war and he said lhal. on
balance he'd ruther have Ihe military unemployment than
the war' Folks understand the country has got to have a
standing urmv to keep up our defense. Zrke said, but
somehow it seems funny fer a general to run out of work. Why
should the mihtarv cut Ihe payroll. Zeke wanted to know,
w hen ever other Guvernmrnl agency keeps adding to theirs?
The piece Zrke had read reported that officers are a glut on
the market since we quit fighting in Vilnam. We got more
than 3 000 lew tenants and captains in the Army and Air t orce
lluit we ain't got a job for. Zrke said, so we re going lo turn
them out so thev can stand in unemployment lines with the
rest of the civilians. They're having a weedout now of these
low-ranking officers, so it looks like these fellers will be
fighting differunl bailies pritty soon.
Clem Webster said he relizcd Ihe problems you have with
to manv chiefs and not enuff Indians, but the military
cutback" was on the wrong end of the chief ranks. Clem said
the Arm v is like any other outfit, Ihe higher up you git Ihe less
work there is to do. The lewtenanls and captains is the only
officers that do any thing Clem allowed, and when you cut
them back Ihe generals won't have any body left lo tell what
to do Clem said he was in favor of this plan by a feller named
Ernest Fitzgerald He wants lo git rid of most of Ihe generals
and admirals and let civilians do the paperwork at half the
price,
Fitzgerald ain't popular at the Pentagon. He's the same
feller that got Ihe Air Force in hot water over paying about
five times what they ought to fer a new airplane. Now he
wants to weed out 1,200 generals and admirals that are
costing $60 million a year to keep up. Fitzgerald says these
old warhorsrs don't do a thing, but that a heap of them draw
more than the $60,000 a year we pay the secretary of the
Army. What he wants lo do is replace most of em with
civilians that will work cheaper, and them that's fixing to
retire won't leave a vacancy anyway, so the defense budget
can save two ways. It's a plan far to simple to work, was
Clem's words.
Actual, Mister Editor, the fellers don't expect much to
come of Fitzgerald's and Clem's Idee. Them generals and
admirals didn't git rows of ribbons acroat their chest fer not
know ing how to look out for No. I in peace as w ell as war,
Yours truly.
MAYOR ROY.
RnarH mpmhpr
i f accused of atrocities
V .T-l B 1 rSTKK MSOt.VING
iiJJ
Rumanian Orthodox Bishop Valerian Viola D Trifa of
Detroitwho was identified 20 years ago as "a former
Rumanian Nazi" by columnist Drew Pearson-Is now slated
for court action lo revoke his V S citizenship by the U S
Attorney's office in Detroit.
The case of Bishop Trifa. who allegedly lied about his
wartime activities, has been featured in such newspapers as
the Detroit Free Press and the New York Times
Hut largely unnoticed thus far is Ihe fact that Bishop Trifa
has lor Ihe past three y ears been a member of Ihe General
Board of Ihe National Council of Churches
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency ha reported that Trifa
was a leader of Rumania's Iron Guard, which, in cooperation
with the Nazi occupation forces, murdered al least 1.000 Jews
in Bucharest 2ixiof these were taken lo that city's municipal
slaughter house, stripped and led to the chopping blinks
Here their throats were cut and they were hung on
meathooks while their bodies were stamped) "Came Kosher"
i "Kosher Meat".
At his denomination's 200-acre estate. Bishop Trifa has
denied all charges and replied that hr welcomes his day in
court because he will be completely vindicated.
At the Manhattan headquarters of Ihe National Council of
Churches iNCO. the Rev. Dean Kelley acknowledged thai
the council of 31 Protestant and Orthodox denominations was
aware of the Trifa case. But he explained thai delegates to
Ihe (ieneral Board of the NCC are chosen by the
denominations themselves, with such selections subject to no
challenge by the Council
Another NCC spokesman added that even if missing Nazi
leader Martin Bormiinn were discovered to be an NCC
General Board member, the matter would be up lo his
denomination.
The Department of Justice action against Bishop Trifa is
Ihe culmination of more than three decades of effort by
Manhattan dentist Charles H Krenier, President of the
Rumanian Jewish Federation of America. Dr. Kremer has
submitted 88 separate files of documentary evidence about
Trifa lo the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
For more than 20 years. Dr. Kremer received virtually the
same form letter from this branch of the Department of
Juslice-which letter contended that Trifa 's naturalization
application had been investigated "exhaustively" and there
were no grounds tor deportation.
But after Manhattan's United Israel Bulletin reported the
case and Ihe Detroit Jew ish News published a photograph of
Trifa In the uniform of the Iron Guard, the daily Detroit Free
Press featured the case, followed later by the New York
Times.
Finally the INS admitted that there was no record of the
"exhaustive" investigation of Tnfa-and informed Dr.
Kremer that the case would be reopened.
As lo Bishop Trifa's membership in Ihe board of directors
of the National Council of Churches, a past president of this
organization was asked four years ago what would be the
result if it were proven that among board members there is a
foreign agent.
"If he were appointed by his denomination, there Is nothing
the Council can do," explained Dr. Cynthia Wedel.
Since this ecumenical laisset fa ire apparently applies to
the poukible membership of a Nail war criminal,
Congress-as well as Ihe public at large should take
cognizance of these membership standards and judge all
pronouncements of this body accordingly.
mimmmnMUuHnuHuiimuHunmmuu
THE GAZETTE-TIMES
MORROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER
Box 337. Heppner, Ore. 7836
Subscription rate: $6 per year in
Oregon, $7 elsewhere
Ernest V. Joiner, Publisher
Published every Thursday and entered as a
second class matter at the poat office at
Heppner, Oregon, under the act of March S, 1879.
Secondlass postage paid at Hrnuncr. Ormn
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