Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1976)
Page 2, THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Heppner, OR, Thursday, Feb. 28, 1976 Mayor of Hard men The recent slaying of a Pendleton police officer by a juvenjle has brought many comments and letters to the editor requesting the names of juvenile offenders and the names of their parents be published in the newspapers. In this area parents are continually asking the police to refrain from giving information regarding the arrest of their youngsters to the news media, as they don't want to read their children's names in the papers. Recently a student was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and the parent asked the police to withhold the name of the student,as they didn.'t.w.9flLthe.name to appear in the paper. In another case the guardian asked the police for the same request, "Don't tell the newspaper about the crime, least of all give the names of the people involved." It seems parents are more concerned with the names of their youngsters being published in the newspaper than they are of the actual sentencing they may receive. If the young adult faces a sentence of 2-3 years in prison for a crime the parents are willing to accept this as long as his name doesn't appear in the paper. While it is not the policy of this or any other newspaper to publish all the names of juveniles arrested for minor crimes, I feel it should be up to the discretion of the editor to publish the names of juveniles who commit major crimes. I also believe the juvenile judges should allow the news media into the courtrooms during the trials and report with discretion the proceedings of the trial. In Heppner, as in other small communities, news travels fast, in many other forms besides the newspaper. Hardly a day passes when someone will tell me of a crime committed by a juvenile and in many cases the sentence passed down by the juvenile court, yet authorities are reluctant to pass any information to the news media. Juvenile authorities contend the printing of the name of a juvenile offender will create a black mark against the youngster's name. In the case of the 15 year-old youth who killed Officer Christensen, Pendleton, I think the crime should leave a black mark against the youth for the remainder of his life. He can be thankful he is only 15 and not 16 years of age, for if he were 16, he could well be remanded to adult court to stand trial. Oregon law doesn't say juvenile's names may not be published, it says authorities must not release the names unless the juvenile judge so orders. The following letter recommends publishing the names of juvenile offenders, and although the news media would need the cooperation of the police and juvenile authorities to obtain the names of the offenders and their parents Oregon law prohibits such cooperation. Pendleton has lost a fine police officer. Why? Because a couple of snot-nosed punks were allowed to run around loose on the streets. What is the past record of these two? What are their names? Why wasn't this information published? Is it because of some damn fool law? If that is the case, then the public should rise up in their wrath and demand a change in the laws. Things have come to a pretty pass in this country when snot-nosed punks and hoodlums, male or female, can commit any type of crime and get away with it. A big deal, when there is more interest in protecting the criminal and his so-called rights than in the rights of us who are sinned against. I, for one, am fed up with reading or hearing about some youth-juvenile, teenagers or youngsters being picked up for shoplifting, robbery, murder and various other crimes and then have their crime hidden under the cloak of anonymity. It's high time we, the public, were given the facts about these hoodlums. If the papers would publish something like this: J. Blow. Jr.. son-daughter of J. Blow Sr. was picked up for robbery, shoplifting etc. J. Blow, Sr. is a man about town, big wheel, town drunk etc., Maybe Ma and Pa would get off the bar stool or from in front of the TV and start raising their kids like they should be raised (with a razor strap). E.L.KUBIN Pendleton What is your opinion on this debatable subject? And then there was the one about the mother who was having a rough time getting her son to go to school on Monday morning. Said he. "Nobody likes me at school. The teachers don't and the kids don't. The superintendent wants to transfer me. the bus drivers hate me and the school board wants me to drop out. Even the custodians have it in for me. I don't want to go." Said his mother, "Look son, you have got to go. You're healthy, you have a lot to learn, you have something to offer others. You're a leader. Besides you're 49 years old and the principal." A mobile home site located one mile from the Irrigon city limits was approved by the Morrow County Planning Commission. The mobile court is designed for double wide mobile homes and this will be the first double wide mobile home site in the Irrigon area. Each space will have a storage building and a car port. Paul Brown, owner and developer stated most of the trees will be saved and all the power and telephone utilities will be placed underground. Roadmaster Doc Sherer has approved an access from Highway 30 to the mobile curl. Dave Babcock. Municipal Administration Consultant for the East Central Oregon Asso ciation met with the Morrow County Court to Introduce members of his staff. Bob Behramo the new LCDC Coordinator for Morrow and Umatilla counties was intro duced. Beltramo, an attorney, was employed by the Legal Aid Society. Pendleton before his appointment to LCDC. Babcock introduced the re maining staff of the East Oregon Association of Coun ties. They were: Wayne Sch wandt. Manpower Planner; Jim Stephenson. Physical Planner: Mark Huston. Eco nomic Planner: Dana Ander son. Criminal Justice Coordi nator. Judge Paul Jones. Mayor Sweeney and Jerry Meyers, Buttercreek. are the repre sentatives to the ECOAC Board of Directors for Morrow County. Roadmaster Doc Sherer has called the road crew back to work after a six week layoff. The layoff went Into effect Jan. S was due to the county equipment not meeting the safety standards of the Oregon Accident Prevention Department. THE GAZETTE-TIMES .MORROW 1 01 T ' NEWSPAPER Bo JJ7. Heppner. OR. 17836 Salwcrlptlon rile: M per year In Oregon. 17 elsewhere. F.mett V. Joiner. Pablbner Robert A. Mtxnell. Editor PoblUbed every Tonrtaoy and entered as a erend-rhm mailer at the pl effke at Heppner. Oregon, nnder the act of Marc 2. I7t. 8ecendlaM potUfe paid at Heppner. Oregon. t LICENSE TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE The mail pouch EDITOR: Many have asked this question. Is there a way to make our congressmen starting listening to what we are saying? Yes, there is a way through the 300-10 ACTION PLAN. Generally 2 questions are polled each month across the nation with the totals being brought to the congressmans attention in our Nations Capitol. Congressmen are beginning to take note because they are interested in the latest polls in their district. Voters in Oregon and nation wide have expressed strong opposition to funding for the United Nations and to a Federal consumer protection agency. Area voters generally reflected the views expressed throughout the state and nation in the latest results announced today by the American Monitor Poll. The American Monitor Poll interviewed more than 25,000 citizens throughout the nation. According to the Washington based 300-10 ACTION PLAN, sponsor of the monthly poll, American Monitor conducts the nation's most comprehen sive test of voter sentiment. Len Martin, Executive Secretary of the 300-10 ACTION PLAN, noted that Gallup and Harris question only about 1,000 to 1,500 as compared to American Monitor's 25,000. For this poll, a total of 1,427 registered voters in Oregon responded. Of that toal, 2S3 were from district 2 represented in Washington by Al UUman. Other Oregon districts polled in January were Dist. 1, Les Au Coin 174 votes; dist. 3, Robert Duncan 552 votes; dist. 4, James Weaver 448 votes. Nationally, 86 per cent of the voters expressed opposition to the United Nations and 82 per cent rejected the proposed consumer protection panel. There were 11 and 15 per cent respectively, responding affirmatively and the remaining were undecided. American Monitor's Poll is conducted by volunteers in various congressional districts. It was introduced 9 months ago and is now operating in all states. Martin said that he Is recruiting volunteers in an effort to expand the poll into all the nation's Congressional districts. The non-profit group undertook the American Monitor Poll because it found the established polls lacked credibility, Martin continued. Martin said previous polls showed overwhelming opposi tion to gun controls, federal day-care programs, and numerous other issues in which professional pollsters making random calls to a few hundred people reported opposite findings. Nation wide the results have been about 95 per cent in opposition to any type of gun control legislation. We welcome the opinions of all citizens. Anyone wishing to have a voice in the next set of questions may let us know and we will see that you have a voice in the American Monitor Poll. 300-10 ACTION PLAN COMMITTEE CARL M MARQUARDT Box 582 Lexington EDITOR: I apparently have some misconceptions with regard to the purpose of a newspaper. Even in a community the size of ours, accurate newspaper coverage is just as Important as if this were a metropolitan area. Some of the items in our newspaper may not have the significance of Items In the Oregonian, but they are important to us. I'm referring to the article on the Willows Grange 50th Anni versary celebration. It was gratifying to see this article on the front page of the Gazette Times, but the effect was somewhat spoiled by editorial changes made in the text of the report. The changes and deletions made may have seemed minor, but unfortunately they changed the descriptions of Grange protocol and tradition as it really Is. For example when you have a distinguished guest, they are presented to the Masters Station and then Introduced. Not Introduced and then later presented to the Masters Station. You gave credit to a few who provided entertainment and omitted others. The reference to the Granges sponsoring the rodeo queen and her court Is Incorrect. In the same manner as the other Granges we have sponsored our representative to the court who may have been the queen or one of the princesses. The names of our honored Queens daughter and her friend who attended from out of town were also omitted. I felt this was Important otherwise I wouldn't have included It In my report. 1 certainly don't claim to be an ace reporter, but since there was no member of the press present at the anniversary celebration. I did my best to cover the event so that II might be accurately covered In the Gazette Times. I will be Interested to see how many changes art made In this letter before it is printed, If it is, MRS. BRYCE KEENE . lone EDITOR: This letter is addressed to anyone who has ever attempted to settle an estate or will ever be required to do so. This includes all of us because "you can't get out of this world alive and you can't take 'it' (money or worldly possessions) with you." The family farm and other small businesses are being threatened by the present unrealistic federal estate tax exemptions. Since 1942 only $60,000 exemption has been allowed but inflation has decreased the value of the dollar. For example, in Morrow County, farm land values have increased from approximately 135 to $200 per acre. In other counties, land values have increased in somewhat the same proportions. Also there are increased costs in operation of farms and other businesses. Prices for farm products have not increased proportionately and thus the transfer of the family farm to the spouse or heirs is in jeopardy. I feel the transfer of land or business to the widow or other members of the family must be facilitated if we are to keep private enterprise, which is the basis of our country's economy, healthy. Here are some estate tax reforms now being considered: 1. Increase the federal estate tax exemption from $60,000 to $300,000. 2. Allow a marital deduction of $100,000 plus 50 per cent of total value of the adjusted gross estate that is transferred to surviving spouse rather than the present 50 per cent provision. 3. Increase the gift tax exemption from $30,000 to $60,000-100.000 during a lifetime. 4. Provide a method of valuing farm land for estate tax purposes on the basis of their current use rather than potential higher value uses. 5. Provide for a review each five years to make needed adjustments in exemptions. In the present time there is a movement in Congress to take a serious look at farm and small business estate taxes, which now make it difficult, if not impossible to keep a family enterprise in the family. If you are interested in this legislation, please contact your congressmen right away and express your opinion. JEAN AND NORMAN NELSON Lexington EDITOR: I just want to tell you how much we enjoy reading your newspaper. It has more news and advertizing than you used to have. I can hardly wait until Wednesday evening to get my paper. Keep up the good work and let the people know what is going on. I think that no matter what age a child is, if he gets in trouble they should print his name In the paper and wake up the people. I have three children. 4 MRS. E. ERTZ Heppner EDITOR: The staff and volunteers of the Heppner Child Development Center certainly deserve a round of applause for their dedicated service over the past year. They have added to the character and worthiness of this community by meeting the needs of children on many levels. Not only have they taken on the basic daily responsibilities of caring for small children, but have attempted to raise the youngster's level of understanding and awareness of the world around them. I have seen patience extended to our young in an effort to open their eyes to the adventures held for them in art, music and compassionate Interaction with their peers. After reviewing the situation at the center we can see the need for parents to get more Involved. Most of us work at outside jobs, so our spare time and finances are marginal, however, there are many ways we can give the center assistance. There are home projects to be undertaken from mending a few sheets, repairing books and toys to helping with an occasional party or outing. I am sure none of us will ever be inconvenienced by such small measures of effort or time but the benefits for our children and the center as a whole will be dramatic. Please seriously consider the opportunity to give the center as 'stance. Comments and suggestions will be welcomed by the staff. If enough Interest Is shown we could form an auxiliary or tome type of alternate committee. At this time, we are mainly Interested in promoting more parent participatlong, whether on an Individual or group level. MARY MARTIN Lexington DEAR MISTER EDITOR: Zeke Grubb confessed to the fellers at the country atore Saturday night that he had fell off the TV wagon. The first of the year Zeke had raid that hia only reserlutlon was to give up TV cause it was the easiest thing he could think of to do. But Zeke said he broke down and watched some of the Olympic games, and he said besides seeing some great scenery he had a chanct to do some thinking. One thing that come to Zeke while looking at all the play in the snow and ice was that America don't pick her games much more careful than she does her enemies. It looks to him, Zeke said, that we alius play the other man's games by the other man'a rules, and that may say somepun about the way we end up on the short aide of everthing from gold medals to wheat selling. Zeke said he special remembered the hockey games where we sent college boys out agin seasoned men that make their living at it. And we were In one game where one man went zipping down a Icy chute on a aled half as long as he was. Thefeller on the TV allowed that we ain't got but one place in this whole country to practice that scary ride. Zeke declared, and we was riding agin men that done it all their lives. Clem Webster broke in to remind Zeke that the Olympics ain't supposed to be country agin country, jest athlete agin athlete. Zeke come right back and said that was another case of their rules agin our rules. We say the games are personal, not national, but they say the other way. As usual, declared Zeke, what is supposed to be, ain't. It's supposed to be strong, healthy young people gitting together to play games, Zeke said, but it works into a big case of international politics. General speaking, the fellers was strong disagreed with Zeke. Clem said there's bound to be national pride In the games, but that don't mean everbody wants to turn the Olympics into a battlefield fer real. But Clem said he was agreed that this country has such a solid record fer picking the underdog in a fight, it's no wonder we give other countries ever break in the book when we play with them. It was Ed Doolittle that took up Gem's last idee. He said he couldn't recall when America had picked a winner. Isarel Is barely holding her own, allowed Ed, but she ain't the one with the oil. We went from Vietnam to Angoler, went on Ed, and the only improvement was we didn't have our boys In Africa. Ed said it don't look like we learned anything between em, cause we're still operating under the rule that Russia acts and we react. The only change is that now Cuba is acting fer Russia, Ed said. Personal, Mister Editor, I'm In favor of keeping Guvernments out of the Olympics. I recall somebody onct said that Guvernments ain't fit fer nothing but to wage war and inflate currency. So it ain't likely that to gi iGuvernment support fer the games would help us any. Yours truly, MAYOR ROY. Gleanings Noted in the mail today . . . Veterans of Morrow County are due for a surprise, pleasant that is. The Veterans . Administration is going to give out a dividend on G.I. insurance policies. About 100 Morrow County veterans will receives total of nearly $9,000. The amount you get will depend on the type of policy and the War in which you served. A folder has crossed my desk in which one of the items is headed "Who can pull the nuclear trigger?" This article consists of 3 column so close set, 9 pt. type on an 8' x 11 sheet. I have read it from start to finish and am still in the dark as to who can pull the trigger. It seems that in the countries who have the capa bility, we don't have any real idea who has the authority to start. Not even in our own country. I surely hope that the powers know more than they are letting on they do, otherwise heaven help us. How much beef did you eat last year? If we go by the amount of beef through the packing houses there was enough for 120 pounds (car cass weight ) per person. This year there will be 122 pounds per person. Mmm, Mmm good!! Need some new ipart parts? I'm talking about spare parts for your body. Computers are being used to help in deter mining types of valves, etc. to he used in replacing valves in R.A.Maxwell hearts. Many other parts of the body can also be replaced by man made parts. The records of 2,000 heart valve patients are in the computers for evaluation and methodology. Fifteen years ago heart valve patients had a 50 per cent chance of living through the surgery, now the figure is 90 per cent and getting better. Spare parts anyone? So you think you can get a free lunch huh? Perhaps you had better think again. In 1967 the cost of federal government to the average family was $2,672. This of course does not include state, county or city government costs. 1977, which is the current fiscal year, the cost to the average family will be $5,328. again this does not include state, county or city govern ment. This of course repre sents an increase of 99 per cent. Daily there are bills before Congress and the Senate to increase this cost to the people. One such bill is the CPA Bill. CPA stands for Consumer Protection Agency. A super agency to protect the consumer. This agency will only cost you another $ti0 million. Sixty million dollars to do what is already being done by a whole lot of other agencies. Perhaps It's time for people to take an ACTIVE interest in what is going on in Washing ton, DC. EDITOR: Please mail me Issues of the Feb If Imu of the Gazette-Times. You edit a very commendable paper with the Lexington and vicinity news, Mayor of Hardman, From the Corner, Bicentennial Forum and Gleanings. Your arrange ment of news and events are Inspiring, and yet has a sense of humor. I need the issues of the paper for my grandchildren who have scrapbooks. I know the boys in Hardman are saddened and In sympathy with Heppner'i dog problem and this could be a topic of discussion for the boys at the country store. Ed Doolitlle could explain to the boys mothers that other parts of the world arc also having problems with dogs. Zeke Grubb, who is not too sharp, could probably say, "If the people think they have problems now, Just wait until the kids go barefoot. I could think of many more sayings, as I have been on the high lonesome road In Hardman, but I have to preach Sunday and should not get Involved. Keep up the good work. REV. ROBERT ALLSTOTT llermliton. T
