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Oregon law doesn't say juvenile's names may not be
published, it says authorities must not release the names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