Page i, THE GAZETTE TIMES, Heppner, OR, Thursday. Dec. 11, 1975
Horse sense
By
KKVKSTV.JOIVKR
l!
8!
1
Many of you recall when the Times, a few years ago,
adopted the policy of publishing the names and details of
juveniles accused of crime. We got into trouble with many
readers. Indignant parents threatened everything from
mavhem to legal action. We refused to alter the policy, and
continued to publish news of juvenile crime as long as the
State of California permitted us to do so. After the first year
of publishing juvenile crime news, then Sebastopol Chief of
Police John Pilgrim told us that the arrests among juveniles
in Sebastopol had been cut by 50 per cent exactly half of the
number recorded the previous year when no public attention
was called to their crimes. Strong pressure of judges,
attorneys, sociologists and psychologists influenced the
legislature to make it illegal for any newspaper to publish the
names of juvenile offenders in most cases, thus ringing down
an iron curtain on their criminal activities. Since then
juvenile crime has skyrocketed. The entire country is in the
grasp of young hoodlums who are seldom apprehended; and
if apprehended, go through the revolving doors of the courts
and juvenile hall, then back on the streets wiser in the ways
of crime and of the administration of softheaded justice.
A prestigious group of judges, lawyers, psychologists,
sociologists and social workers who make up the Juvenile
Justice Standards Project issued a report from New York
Saturday. It reversed the thinking involved in coddling
juvenile criminals and pandering to the "needs of the
juvenile" with no thought of their victims like those who
terrorize riders on San Francisco's muni buses. The panel
recommended that juvenile court proceedings "should no
longer be closed to the public." It went further. It said state
legislatures should fix maximum sentences and abolish
indeterminate sentencing, a practice in this state. The
punishment, it said, should fit the crime.
It is heartening to see that the Juvenile Justice Standards
Project is sponsored jointly by the Institute of Judicial
Administration at New York University and the American
Bar Assn. It is just such people who called for secrecy in
juvenile crime in the first place, and it is to their credit that
they have heard the cries of outrage from grassroots
America and changed their thinking. The California
Legislature should proceed with all haste to throw off the veil
of secrecy surrounding juvenile arrests and juvenile court
proceedings. The spotlight of publicity is a deterrent to
crime, juvenile or adult. The punishment should also fit the
crime, and if Johnny is man enough to pull the job he's man
enough to take the punishment.
Never mind inflation, unemployment and the energy crisis.
First things first, you know. The U.S. General Services
Administration wants 10.000 experimental lawn mowers
under the Experimental Technology Incentives Program
(Hah! You didn't even know we had one!) in order to
discover a quieter lawn mower, one that won't drive your
neighbor nuts early Sunday morning. If you have 10,000 quiet
lawn mowers around the house, submit a bid before the Jan.
15 deadline.
As of Oct. 1 our Congressmen increased their annual pay to
$44,625. This is aside from the many funds, freebies and
fringes enjoyed by each one, which runs from $50,000 to
$100,000 a year, depending on how one's tastes run. With all
the extras every Congressman should be able to live
handsomely and bank his $44,625. I have no doubt a
Congressman is worth $44,625, if that were all he got, because
his pay isn't too far below the gross income of a Sonoma
County Supervisor. It's the way they got the raise that hurts.
It was one of those nimble pieces of chicanery which once
caused Mark Twain to explode, "It could probably be shown
by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native
American criminal class except Congress." He was on the
mark. The plan to quietly raise Congressional pay was
conceived last Frebruary by Congressional leaders and
President Ford. The conspiracy involved the attachment of
an automatic pay raise as a "rider" to a minor piece of
unrelated legislation. That bill, along with its rider, surfaced
on July 25. It passed Congress without whimper of publicity
on July 30. The only other time Congress has acted so quickly
was in declaring war on Japan after Roosevelt had already
declared it.
"Going My Way?"
The mail pouch
EDITOR:
Recent discussions among farm people about the initiative
for the maintenance of family farms and which will restrict
large conglomerate corporations from farming indicates
that individuals both from the farm and the city, should be
careful that he takes enough time to learn what the initiative
really says before he takes a stand.
The current best sources of information are: W.C. Harris,
Master, Oregon State Grange; Don Willner, attorney at law.
Portland, and Clyde Docktor, who is employed by the
legislative committee on Trade and Economic Development .
Salem.
DON PETERSON.
Vice President
Oregon National Farmers Organization
EDITOR:
Result: from now on Congressional salaries and "inflation
pay raises" recommended by the president go into effect
ever)- year w ithout a vote. It's like postal rates, they're set to
go up every Jan. 1 from now until doomsday.
It was a sneaky, immoral way to solve the problem of
inflation for Congressmen without having to solve the
problem of inflation for the rest of us. What's worse, the
conspiracy makes Congress beholden to the Executive
Branch. And when Congress is beholden to the Executive, a
dictatorship exists. Richard M. Nixon's regime should have
taught us something about dictatorship and the presidency.
20 Years Ago 50Yearsago
Someone goofed, the TB and
Health Association sent out
1954 Christmas seals instead
of the 1955 seals, as a result
there have been some red
faces among the offices of the
TB and Health Association.
Paul Jones was re-elected to
the three year term as direc
tor of the Heppner Cemetery
Maintenance District at a
special election held here
Monday. Olhr directors are
Harold Beckel and Mrs Oscar
George.
A rock hound club is to hold
its first meeting in the rear of
the Heppner Hotel lobby.
Harold Sanders Sr. w ill advise
anyone who is interested in
taking up lapidary work.
A coffee hour feted two
newcomers to the area. They
were Mrs. Tommy Burdine
and Mrs. Dick B runner
MASONIC INSTALLATION
Joint installation of officers
for the Heppner and lone
Masonic bodies (A F. A A M
R.AM.) will be held Dec. 16 at
the Heppner Masonic Hall. At
6 30 p m. Masons and wives
will join Ruth Locust Chapter
O E S. for a politick dinner.
Ladies bring salads or des
Heppner Lodge No. 6. A. F.
k A.M. chose new officers for
the coming year last Saturday
night. C.JD. Bauman was
elected WM ; F.E. Farrior.
S W.; R W. Wightman, J.W.;
Frank William, treasurer and
L.W. Biggs, secretary.
Claude Cox. manager of
County Creamery Company,
departed for Portland last
Sunday.
Sam E. Van Vactor. who
was orator at the Elks
Memorial Services Sunday
afternoon, departed for his
home at The Dalles yesterday.
Charles McElligott, who is a
farmer of the lone section,
vas ding busings in this city
last Tuesday.
Activity in debate is assum
ing paramount place on the
high school calendar this year,
with the goal of working up to
a representative high school
team which will meet and
cope favorably with teams
from neighboring schools.
MEETING
NOTICE
The Morrow County School
District will hold their regular
meeting, Dec. 13, 7:30 p m. at
the District Office, Lexington.
I see where Mr. Sraub, the Governor, stated he had lost a
near and dear friend, meaning Mr. Holly Holcomb. That
figures for I've been watching Mr. Straub's accumulation of
near and dear friends for the last eleven months and they're
getting more weird day by day. The Holly Holcomb coin if it
had two sides, in all the years that I've known him, I've only
seen the bad one. lam personally getting damn sick and tired
of the press and the ding-a-lings in Salem of making angels
out of hypocrites.
About 25 years ago. I w as Chief of Police of Scappoose. One
morning I received a call from a local merchant stating he
had been assaulted and robbed. On arriving at the scene, I
found Mr. Holcomb there. The merchant apologized later,
and he felt it was a professional job and thought the State
Police should enter the case and I completely agreed with
him. During this briefing there were two bits of evidence that
was brought out that I thought was necessary in closing this
case. I asked Mr. Holcomb, who was in charge of the St.
Helens headquarters of the State Police, if he would take the
case and that I would help him in every way that I could to
clear up this case. 1 told him that it was impossible for me to
handle the case because I had no crime lab, no detective
department and I felt that I was paying stale taxes as well as
the gentleman who had just been assaulted and rjboed and
felt we deserved this protection, but I could see very plainly
that Mr. Holcomb was completely ignoring my pleading, for
he wouldn't even take the two bits of evidence, which I
thought should have been run through the lab. Believe it or
not. I kept my word in keeping him informed. I even went so
far as to find beyond all doubts the individuals that
committed this crime. 2 made a written report of my findings
and brought it down and laid it o" his desk and he was behind
it. the desk, I mean. That report was completely ignored and
soon as I left, it was filed in the waste basket.
This action made it very clear that the State Police have no
other purpose than revenue hunting. So in the case of Mr.
Holcomb versus Mr. Wampler, I can certainly understand
Mr. Wampler's position, but what is more pitiful and
disgusting is to see the "Black Robe Mofia" that are
operating the halls of "Injustice" could let this bruise
inflicted by Mr. Holcomb fester into a cancer that destroyed
two men and their complete families. For this miscarriage,
the "Black Robe Mofia" must be pretty proud.
Yes, there may be two sides to the Holcomb coin, if so, In
my 30 years knowing him, I never once seen the good side. He
fit snugly in the operation called the Salem mess. My
sympathies only go out to Mr, Wampler and the two families
that were destroyed so needlessly because the operators of
our "Halls of Injustice" didn't do their homework. Because
of Mr. Holly Holcomb's actions in this case, two felons today
are enjoying their freedoms.
OTTO H. JOKGENSEN, JR.
Scappoose.
EDITOR:
The members of the Soroptimist Club takes this means of
saying thanks to the fellows that policed the grounds at the
Turkey Hop, to the orchestra for the music and to the young
folks for the courtesy shown. The members that were there
say It was a quiet evening and all enjoyed themselves
dancing and visiting.
Stimulation
THE SOROPTIMIST CLUB
Heppner,
By Terry D. Ilirni. ACSW
Last week's article was the first of two about the essential
needs which must be met in order to ward off depression. The
first article was on companionship, and this: will discuss
stimulation, upon which a person depends tor interest,
excitement, and-or turmoil.
Like companionship, the degree of need for stimulation
varies from person to person. Some people are fairly
satisfied with the routines of life, while other people seek out
stimulating employment such as being a policeman,
fireman, or pilot, and stimulating hobbies, such as auto
racing, skiing, or mountain climbing.
Being involved in some stimulating activities which are
satisfying ahd healthy is a positive reinforcement for a
person's self esteem (his feelings about himself). The need
for stimulation comes from the need to feel good about
oneself, and some type of challenge is needed to bolster the
self-esteem.
Generally, a person learns different means of stimulating
himself within the environment in which he is reared. A
person in California may play tennis, swim or water ski to
obtain stimulation; while the person in the Pacific Northwest
may hike, climb, hunt, or water ski. The number of
stimulating events available also depends upon where the
person is living.
One complaint I hear very frequently from both adolescent
and adult clients is that there isn't very much to do in the
Morrow County area. Usually these people are depressed as
a result of feeling that their stimulation need is not being
met. When a person becomes fairly depressed his energy
level goes down. Hence, he doesn't have the energy to
participate in even those stimulating events which may
actually be available.
In Morrow County, there are generally two categories of
depressed people who are not getting their stimulation needs
met: (1) the new resident in the community who got
depressed before he can find something stimulating to him,
or (2) the long established resident who is bored with the
events he previously considered exciting. The new resident
may come from an environment which has different hobbies
or interests; hence, he cannot find them in this area. Before
he discovers he will have to find new hobbies and interests,
he becomes depressed to the point where his energy level is
too low for him to be active. Many of the established
members of the community have lost interest in their hobbies
and may be working at their employment 12 hours day
simply to meet their need for stimulation.
If a person is unable to find healthy ways of satisfying his
need for stimulation, he may seek out interests which are
destructive both psychologically and physically. Some of
these unhealthy means of seeking stimulation which may
bring people to the Morrow County mental Health Clinic are
alcohol abuse, drug abuse, affairs, or gossiip. The alcohol
and drug abuse are also ways of combating the depression
besides satisfying the need for stimulation. Affairs are a
frequent way of trying to bolster one's selfsteem, since
sexual stimulation can make a person feel more manly or
womanly, whichever the case may be. A gossip lives through
vicarious fantasies of what they think or know other people
are doing. The telling of the story becomes their way of living
out of their needs for stimulation. The gossip may change the
story just to make it sound more interesting and
self -stimulating. Frequently, the gossip wishes he could live
out some of the stories he passes on about others, but he feels
too inadequate to attempt to find active, rather than verbal,
stimulation.
Another pathological (unhealthy) form of seeking
stimulation is lo live out certain neurotic needs which are
usually unconscious. Some people may race cars or climb
mountains not only for the stimulation, but the feeling of
being In control over one's life. In the 10 years I climbed
mountains as a hobby, I was always very conscious of the
motivation behind why a person climbed. Some people who
fear death, climb in an attempt lo prove they are not afraid of
death and to exert control over when they are going to die.
Along with this, is their need lo do extra daring stunts that
usually end up getting them killed. I didn't care to be on the
other end of such a person's rope, A similar situation la the
suicidal person who feels it would be a cowardly tiling to
commit suicide, so he unconsciously kills himself In a
climbing accident. One such "accident" occured a few yean
ago. The worst part was that the suicidal person killed two
others with him In the process.
As pointed out In this article, the need for stimulation Is so
great that a person is sometimes willing to risk his life In
order lo obtain stimulation. This llluslriites how Important it
Is for a person to think highly of himself. He may be willing to
die or to destroy others In order to obtain high self esteem
and to avoid depression.
Next week, Jim Angermeyr, Morrow County's Mental
Health Clinic stuff psychologist, will begin a series of four
articles on learning disabilities.
Mayor ofHardman
DEAR MISTER EDITOR:
The fellers at the country store was not at all bothered
Saturday night by Bug Hookum 's report that a drought was
overdue'. Clem Webster said that with the variety of
problems farmers and ranchers deal with all the lime, one
more calamity won't upset em. If it ain't the drought, (Tern
allowed, it s the flood, frme, hail, heat and insects, or the
bottom falls out of the market the week they're ready to sell.
To top it off, Clem went on, they usual find out that Jokers in
air condition offices in New York was buying and selling their
crops and cattle four months ago, and making four times
what they sold for after they gambled on em and sweated
over em.
Bug had this item (hut said droughts in the Midwest have
K.u,n nmriina nn a 9 vpnr srhpiliili- and that we better
IAVM , u I I 'f, VI . - I
expect a long dry spell. To make it worst, Bug said more land
now is in cultivation, making the problem of duststorms
miring ineuruuK'K aim eiusiwn oni-ii n ,-
J tgcr. Clem claimed that even if the perdictlon Is based on
SOIIU nil is. II uim ( uu miming uui iiimk- vi i i v
loss. And that, Clem declared, ain't never discouraged a
farmer yet.
Ueneral spending, ucm said, me farmer is a oouar snon
and a hour late ever time. He had saw this report where,
scientists finul feel they can lick the boweevil. but now that .
we got all tne man-made liner ana an me inuia conon coming
in from Hong Kong and Japan, our boweevil probable is ha
starved already, The history of farming has been from glut to
famine. Clem said, and nothing short of love fer the land will
keep a man trying to make a living working like a dog when
he rides the ups and downs.
Ed Doolittle said he had been reading some U.S.
Agriculture Department pamflets on the subject, and he saw
where according lo some figgers there won't be no crop land
left In this country in another 20 year anyway. At the rate
folks are moving into the country and calling II the suburbs.
Ed said, what ain't covered over the blacktop parking lots
and concrete interstate clovrrleafs will have a house on it. Ed
said t'SDA studies show that more than a million acres are
used fer new homes ever year, and by his calculating the
shopping centers must lake up another 10 million. Counting
the half million acres the USDA says we're losing to soil
erosion there won't be any left to wash away when the floods
end the next drought, was Ed's words.
On top of that, went on Ed. he had saw a FBI report on last
year's crimes, and even that is moving lo the country. The
rate of increase in major crimes was higher in rural and
suburban areas than in the cities. Ed saw some promise here.
He told the fellers there is tw o ways lo make sure crime don't
pay. One is to let the Guvernmenl run il. and the other is lo
keep it down on the farm, where hardly anything pays.
Yours truly,
MAYOR ROY,
Advent, A time
of expectation
By FDW IN A. CITTIXG. P.ttor
llrppnrr and Kcho I nllrd Methodist ( hurrhf '
Many denominations of Christianity observe Ihe four
weeks previous to Christmas as the season of "Advent",
which is a looking forward to an even! of great Importance.
A youngster said lo me the other day, "I'm going lo gel a
new bicycle " I replied, "That will be nice. Do you have a
bike now? The lad answered, "I have an old one, but Daddy's
going to get me a new one when he has the money." This
young fellow was filled with expectations, and it probably
won't be too long before he is riding a new bicycle.
Centuries ago, before Ihe birth of Christ, the common
person of the Medilerranian World lived a haggard, drab life.
A father worked long hours with little pay for his labor; dark,
uncomfortable houses were families' abodes; sickness 1
without intelligent treatment, and pain without sedatives or
surgery was the lot of all except the very wealthy. And there
was no hope of man's life ever U-ttcring ft is no wonder that
the people dreamed of a future in which there would be an .
assurance of food on the table, a relief from physical misery,
with justice and peace among mankind, and an
encouragement for a satisfying existence after death.
Into that fearful world prophecy was fulfilled, however not
completely, as God visited earth in the life of his son Jesus.
Through this visitation, people saw the goodness of God
revealed and Ihe means by which there could be peace on
earth and a better way to live.
A familiar Christmas song has these words:
"Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness! '
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing In his wings.
If humankind today would but relinquish Its self-centered-
ness and fully hail Ihe Son of Righteousness. Jesus Christ.,, ,
there would be peace among men and women with goodwill '
and beautiful living every day.
Since this is not ihe case, we still look forward in our own
lives for a time of healing, both physically and spiritually. In , w
the book of Mark in the New Testamenl are recorded many
examples of Jesus healing Ihe body and soul of ailing ' i
persons. This power is available today; it can be ours If wo "
would expect to be healed. This healing of body may come
through the ministry of physicians and medical lechniques.
by means of prayer, and by faith that God is willing and able ',
to heal the body or purify one's soul. Christ, sometimes "
rT?.'rrhe UrMl ,,hv!,ic,an" can cure today as well as J
he did In Galilee if we expect him to and are willing to open , 2
our lives, to his ministry of healing .
A doctor, at the Mayor Clinic, recalled how as a small boy'
living on the Wisconsin farm, a physician was called In lo '
treat his seriously ill brother, While the anxious parents '
watched, the brother was examined, and the doctor counted
out pills for his treatment and said to the worried couple. ;
Have no fear, your son Is going lo get well." Their faces
immediately lit up wilh great relief. I
That's what happened to suffering people that Christ came
In contact wilh; their fares lit up; their lives were
changed-made whole.
Wc can expect tl.ii lo happen in our time also. The Star or -Christmas
Is still Ihe light for the world. In this Advent .
Season we again search for the healing brightness of God' I
glory.
THE GAZETTE-TIMES
MOMHOW orTY'8 NKHSPAPKR
Box IV. Heppner. Ore 738
Subscript ion rate: ffiperycsr In
Oregon. 17 elsewhere
Ernest V. Joiner, Publisher
hiWished every Thursday and entered at a
nmdclsss milter at (he post office at
Heppner. Oregon, under m an ij u.k ...
Second-class postage paid at Heppner, Oregon.