WETZELL
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NEWSPAPER
EUGENE OR
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97403
THE
"If you don't want it published, don't let it happen.'
GAZE
Vol. 92, No. 48
Heppner, OR, Thursday, Jan. 15, 1976
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Important PUC public hearings will be held in January.
The hearings, concerning the adoption by the Public Utility
Commission (PUC) of new rules and regulations pertaining
to the Farm Exemption provision, will be held in Ontario,
Jan. 6, 10 a.m., County Library; at Pendleton, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.,
Council Chambers (2nd floor City Hall); Jan. 13, 10 a.m.
Medford, Council Chambers, City Hall; and Jan. 20, 10 a.m.,
Salem, Hearing Room E-Basement, Labor & Industries
Building.
The Farm Exemption provision allows motor vehicles
owned by farmers to be exempted from weight-mile tax(s)
and economic regulation.
During the 1975 legislative session, SB No. 1 was passed,
substantially changing the conditions under which vehicles
owned and operated by farmers can qualify for exemption
from the regulatory and tax provisions.
The hearings are to determine the rules and regulations
which will cover the operation of motor vehicles owned by
farmers. The proposed rules and regulations are available by
either writing the ABC or PUC, Room 300, Labor & Industries
Building, Salem. 97310, or they will be available at the public
hearing locations. All comments must be received by Jan. 30,
1976.
Listed below are highlights of particular interest to those
involved in agriculture:
The exemption application form Includes seven sections,
ending with a statement "that the motor vehicle will be used
exclusively for one or more of the operations which are: (in
an abbreviated form )
(a ) transporting a farmer's own commodities, agricultural
products or livestock ; b) transporting forest products to the
farmer's own farm; (c) transporting from the farm of
another farmer the items listed in (a) above; however (and
this is an important and substantial change) this paragraph
(c) shall not apply unless at least 75 per cent of the use of
such vehicle is for the operation specified in paragraph (a);
d transporting supplies, equipment or materials on an
exchange or labor basis or for a nominal consideration to
another farmer, if such supplies, equipment or materials are
to be used or consumed on the other farmer's farm or are
directly related to the operation of such farm. The 75 per cent
requirement applies here also, except the use of the vehicle
must be for two operations, and (e) transporting sand,
gravel, rock, dirt, debris, cinders or asphaltic concrete mix
to a project of a district or corporation of which the farmer
whose vehicle is being used is a land-owner, if such materials
are directly related to the construction or operation of such
district or corporation project."
In order to meet the 75 per cent requirement, 75 per cent of
both the tonnage carried and the miles traveled by the
vehicle must be transportation in the farmer's own farm
operations.
The proposed law also states that for each motor vehicle
for which an exemption is claimed, the farmer shall maintain
records of the motor vehicle's movements, whether loaded or
empty. These records shall include for each trip on public
highways; the date; point of origin; destination; miles
traveled; commodity carried; weight of load; ownership of
load; if farm products were carried, where grown; and any
other documents relating to the load, including, but not
limited to, purchase receipts. This information shall be
maintained in such a manner as to facilitate audit by
representatives of the Commissioner.
These record keeping requirements are of concern, since to
qualify for an exemption from "taxation" or "regulation", it
appears that extensive regulation is being proposed-the
same form of regulation which is required if the farmer were
not exempt and was a commcrcial-hauling-for-hire motor
carrier.
The Agri-Business Council feels a consideration might be
to only require the signed statement referred to in the
"application for exemption." If further monitoring were
required, since the permits are renewed annually, the
farmer suspected of being in significant violation of the
exemption clause could be required to provide information
substantiating the actual use of the vehicle. This procedure
would be far less costly for the farmer and the State and
would more closely parallel other requirements of
individuals engaged in activities principally of a private
nature but in which a "for hire" possibility exists.
Agri-Business Council urges your attendance at the
hearing in your area to testify.
Sen. Hatfield
TheChild and Fami
ly S
Sim the Child and Family Services Bill has generated a
great deal of concern. I vant to provide this information on
its objectives and details.
I welcome the interest of my constituents in this legislation
and hope that from the dialogue will emerge a clearer
understanding of the proper response of the federal
government to the needs of the children and families in our
society Unfortunately, some of the opposition to S. 626 and
H R. 2966. the Child & Family Services Act ol 1975. has been
based on misleading and erroneous reports. The copy of the
bill, the summary and the other material in this
backgrounder are intended to help citizens in arriving at
their own Judgments about the legislation. If after studying
this material you find that you oppose the bill, I would
appreciate knowing your reasons.
While I am co-sponsor of this bill. I have made suggestions
for its improvement in the past and will continue to seek
corrections for any flaws it may yet contain. I share the
underlying concern some people have about the potentia
expansion in the authority of the federal government and I
have worked in a number of ways for the decentralization of
political power. For this reason, I appreciate the structure of
this bill, which would place the implementation of programs
in the hands of local "prime sponsors." This is a system
which has been tested in other areas and found to be
successful. I also appreciate the firm commitment in the bill
to voluntary participation in child and family programs.
THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES
The debate on this legislation must begin with the question,
"are thert significant needs which are not being met by
present programs?" Note these evidences of need:
I. Working Parents-In 1974. according to the Department
of Labor, 34 per cent of all married women with children
under age six who lived with their husbands held Jobs,
compared with 18 6 per cent In I960. About half of such
women with children under age 18 were working.
1. Single Parent Families-Among widows, divorcees and
women separated from their husbands, about 54 per cent of
those with pre school children and about two thirds of those
with children under age 18 are working.
Proposed budget
up $368,291
At special meeting of the
Morrow County School Budget
Commute, held at the Dist
rict Office. Lexington. Mon
day evening. Dr. Wallace
Wolff was elected chairman,
Bob Rielmann. vict chairman
and Pauline Winter, secre
tary. A proposed budget or
$2,640,590 was presented to the
committee for their approval.
The new budget Is an Increase
of 3.ai over last year's
budget, an Increase of 16 J per
cent.
The proposed budget con
tains request for six new
teachers, three for A C. Hou
ghton Elementary School and
three at Riverside High School
nd one teachers aide.
Following nearly threehour
of discussion, the budget com
mittee voted to recommend
the adoption of the transpor
tation and the District Office
budget.
Transportation is projected
to cost $2.10.837, an Increase of
fM.M over lrf.il year.
The District Office la slated
for an expenditure of $265,730.
This is $46,797 higher than the
previous year.
Adoption of the proposed
budget would mean a tax levy
Increase of $265,711 or an
increase of $1 38 on each $t.0o0
of true cash value of assess
ment. The next budget meeting
will be held Jan. 26 at River
side High School. Boardman.
7:30 pm. Another budget
meeting will be held Feb. I. at
Ihe District Office and one Is
scheduled for Feb. i. If
needed.
. 3 , Insufficient Licensed Day. Care Centers-There are
about six million preschool children with working mothers,
but only about one million openings in licensed day care
programs. . .
4 Health Needs-The infant mortality rate in the U.S. is
higher than that of 13 other nations. Each year an estimated
200 oot) children are struck by handicaps which could have
been prevented if their mothers had received early health
care. Forty per cent of the young children in the country are
not fully immunized against childhood diseases. Sixty five
per cent of handicapped pre school children are not receiving
special services.
Existing Federal Programs
The largest share of federal support for day care is
provided for welfare recipients and other low-income
families. The new social services program (Title XX)
currently channels some $(i80 million to provide day care for
980,000 children. Congress has recently been debating the
staffing standard for these programs.
Other federal programs for children include:
1. The "Head Start'" program for economically
disadvantaged pre-school children-$434 million.
2 The "Follow Through" program for children in the early
grade school years-$42 million
3 The day care portion of the "Work Incentive" program
to assist welfare recipients in training for and becoming
established in employment -$97 million.
Additionally, working parents of higher income are
allowed lo deduct some child care expenses from income
subject to federal tax Legislation passed by the House in 1974
(II R. 10612 would convert the deduction to a credit and
make it substantially more generous.
Background of the Child and Family Services Bill
Congress has been considering legislation for several years
which would help states and localities upgrade the quality of
service for children and families and expand the range of
service lo meet existing needs. Congress gave approval to
such changes by passing the Economic Opportunity
Amendments of 1971 (S. 2007). a bill which was subsequently
vetoed The senate passed similar legislation in 1972.
Sen Walter Mondale (DInd then substantially revised
this legislation and introduced it In August 1974. Hearings
Legal Aid clinic
The Sixth Judicial Legal Aid
Society will handle legal
matters for low income resi
dents of Morrow and Umatilla
Countys.
A clinic will be held in
Heppner from 1:30- 5 pm. on,
the second and fourth Tues
days of each month, at Ihe
Bank of Eastern Oregon's
Board Room
Anyone wishing further in
formation is asked to contact
the main office, 146 S. Main
St .. Pendleton or by telephon
ing 276 6G8i. The office is open
from 9 12 and 15 pm.
weekdays It Is suggested that
interested persons phone for
an appointment.
Farm meeting
A special meeting of all
wheat and cattle producers
pertaining lo Senate Bill No. 1
has been scheduled for Jan.
20, 8 p m. at the Heppner High
School Cafeteria. "This meet
ing should facilitate a better
understanding of Senate Bill
No 1 as it pertains to the farm
exemption of motor vehicle,"
says Mike Howell. Morrow
County Extension Agent.
State Sen. Ken Jcrnstedl
and State Representatives
Jack Sumner and Dick Ma
gruder will be present to help
answer questions and make
interpretations on this law. It
is also hoped that a member
from the P U C. board will be
able to attend.
Copies of this law and a
classification of exempt and
non-exempt status of motor
vehicles is available at the
Extension Office.
enice Act
were begun at that time and have continued, with the
Identical bills being re-introduced in the 94th Congress (S. 626
and H R. 2966). Twelve days of joint hearings were held in
1975 and others may be scheduled in the future. While the
legislation has been under study for a long period of time, it is
not at all certain that the committees will report the bills out
for action.
Purposes of the Child and Family Services Bill
Those who have been deeply involved in drafting this
legislation have begun with an awareness that children are
one of our great resources as a society and that families are
the means of preserving and developing these resources.
Here are some of the objectives of the bills:
1. More Options for Parents-Instead of just providing
financial assistance to day care centers, the bill would
authorize assistance to in-bome care, in-school programs and
summer programs.
2 More Comprehensive Services-Prenatal care, medical
assistance for new mothers to prevent birth defects, and
counseling services would reach beyond the simple need for
child care
3. More Local Control-State or local prime sponsors would
plan the specific programs to be assisted, operating within
minimal federal standards.
4. More Parental Control Policies for prime sponsors and
local projects would be set up by councils, half of whose
members would be parents.
5. Broader Eligibility-Current income tests sometimes
prevent the "working poor" from receiving needed
assistance. Eligibility under the bill would be based on the
"lower living standard budget" drawn up by the Department
of Labor, with a sliding scale of fees for those above this
level.
6. Careful Planning-The bill would authorize funds only
for planning during the first year, to assure that appropriate
delivery systems were developed.
7. Emphasis on Training-Adequate training would be
provided, not only for staff personnel but for family members
and members of the community.
S. Retention of Voluntary Element-As is the case with
present programs, participation by families would be totally
voluntary.
CRITICISMS OF THE BILL:
While it is the privilege and duty of citizens to voice
opposition to proposed legislation with which they disagree,
some of the attacks on the Child and Family Services bill
have been based on misleading or inaccurate reports.
Materials have been circulated anonymously, alleging the
bill has objectives which, in fact, it does not. Because of the
extent of this opposition, it is necessary to respond in some
detail to the charges.
1. "Child Advocacy Clause"-!t is alleged that the bill
contains the authority for a government "advocate" to step
into home situations which were inadquate and take over the
functions of the parents. There is no such section in the bill
and the sponsors of the bill do not advocate such
governmental intervention. This "Child Advocacy Clause"
may have appeared in the Congressional Record at some
time, but not as a suggested provision of this bill.
2. "Charter of Childrens Rights" Another citation from
the Congressional Record is a statement of childrens rights
which also is not in the bill and was not put forward by the
supporters of the bill. The statement was inserted in the
debate in 1971 on similar legislation by opponents of the bill.
The statement originated with a civil liberties group in Great
Britain.
5. Role of Parents It has been alleged that the bill would
take the responsibility of the parents to raise children and
give it to the government. If this were the case, I most
certainly would oppose the bill. In fact, the bill requires that
programs must build upon and strengthen the family and not
infringe upon the moral and legal responsibilities and rights
of parents and guardians.
4. Cost some would reject this bill primarily on the basis
of cost, which would be $1 billion annually, after a phase-in.
While we must constantly guard against costly and
unnecessary new programs, we should ask ourselves
whether the needs of families are not greater than the many
programs for which we spend much more, such as military
aid. tax reductions and defense.
Iiamber hears of Trinidad, Tobago
"The purpose of the IFYE
program is to acquaint people
of one country with those of a
foreign country," said Dave
Bonkowskl. speaking before
the Chamber of Commerce.
Monday.
He continued saying he had
spent six months living in
Trinidad and Tobago. While
there he lived as the natives
do, eating their food and
respecting their culture.
While in Trinidad he lived
with the Peters family, who
have nine children. While Mr.
Peter and the older children
worked. Bonkowskl also wor
ked on the small farm doing
whatever chorea were neces
sary .
"Schooling Is different In
Trinidad." said Bonkowskl. as
most of the students wear
uniforms to school. When
student reaches the age of II
or 13 he la given an examina
tion to qualify for secondary
education. If he fails the test
he goes to work.
There is quite a variety of
people in Trinidad, including
Africans, East Indians and
some Chinese; however, with
the variety of ethnic groups
they appear to live In har
mony. Bonkowskl showed slides of
his trip, showing the school
children playing cricket.
"They have also learned how
to play American baseball but
they seem to prefer cricket,"
he said. He also showed slides
of an all school band. The
students use steel barrels as
instruments cutting holes In
the barrels then tapping them
to produce the music.
The homes within the area
lack in sanitary facilities and
showers are taken from an
outside standpipe. The hornet
do not have any heater In
them and some of the upper
portions of the walls are made
of a hollow ceramic tile to
allow ventilation between the
various rooms. Heater are
(Continued on Page I)
L ' - .-..J
DAVID BRONKOWSK!