Front Page 9, THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Heppner. OR. Thursday. April I.
Sounc:
off !
The mail pouch
"Stop and think before you sign an Initiative petition." says
Allan Pinkerton, president of the Oregon Wheat Growers
League and a farmer in the Helix, Oregon area.
"When you sign an Initiative petition, you are saying you
want that Issue on the general election ballot", Pinkerton
aid.
"I am telling people to stop and think about it before they
sign one. Find out about the facts, talk to people, because
your signature on the petition can have far-reaching
results", Pinkerton said.
Pinkerton said his main concern was the recent initiative
petition concerning corporate farming In Oregon. Supporters
of the Initiative, who include the Farmers Union, the State
Grange, the National Farmers Organization and the Oregon
. AFL-CIO, have until July 2 to acquire 61,846 signatures to
have the initiative placed on the November general election.
Pinkerton criticizes, as do most opponents, the approach of
using an initiative petition at all. If enough signatures are
gained, he said, the Issue will be decided by Portland area
residents.
"That is absurd to me, that the Grange is asking people in
Portland how to run their farms." he said.
Several major farm organizations are opposed to the
petition stating that the Initiative petition is a constitutional
amendment which would put severe restrictions on many
phases of agriculture.
Groups opposing the Initiative now Include the Oregon
Cattlemen's Association, the Blue Mountain Potato Growers,
and the Oregon Wheat Growers League is on the fringe.
Pinkerton expects the OWGL board of directors to come out
in opposition to the initiative at a March 31 meeting in
LaGrande. ,
Within the last three weeks, representatives of 30
Industries, agricultural commodity groups and businesses
formed the Freedom to Farm Committee, with the
announced sole objective as being to defeat the initiative
"Freedom to Farm will be taking its case to the people of
the state on the advantages and the need of permitting not
only Incorporation of Individuals, but by partnerships and
other corporations", said Dave Nelson, Salem, staff
coordinator for the committee.
Nelson said Freedom to Farm Joins the OWGL and the OCA
in supporting the current investigation of farm corporations
and corporate farm legislation being made now by the
Interim state legislative committee on Trade and Economics
Development.
tSM.TM FOR IMPACT STUDIES
, Bonneville Power Administration announced It has
negotiated seven contracts with firms for assistance in
preparing an environmental Impact statement on the
agency's role In the Pacific Northwest power supply system,
Including the Hydro-Thermal Power Program.
Four firms will explore and provide data on five specific
topics identified by BPA. These Include Energy Conserva
tion Skidmore, Owings k Merrill ($96,423); Energy Econo
my Relationship. Ernst & Enst (W5.M8); Rate Structure &
levels, Foster Associates. Inc. ($56,000); Load Forecasts.
Ernst It Ernst ($55,469); and Environmental Impacts of
Generation. Equitable Environmental Health. Inc.
($185,000). , , , -
In addition, three contracts have been negotiated for
services as needed but not to exceed $50,000 each with R.W.
Beck and Associates; Daniel, Mann, Johnson It Mendenhall
Hilton; and Stanford Research Institute.
A draft copy of th "Role" EIS is expected to be ready for
filing with the Council on Environmental Quality this fall
when-copies will be mailed out for public review and
comment. Approximately 1.000 copies are expected to be
distributed.
The document, as envisioned, will be an estimated 3,ooo
pages long. Because of its size a 90 day review period will be
allowed rather than the usual 45 days.
Public meetings will be scheduled in the fall of 1976 to
receive public comment on the draft statement.
PACKWOOD CRITtfttKS PROPOSED CI F.ARCl'TTING
Sen Bob Packwood R4)R) leveled six specific criticisms
at a bill which would restrict clearcutting to 25 acres in the
West and ban clearcutting in the East, charging that the bill
was shortsighted and ill-suited to Oregon.
In testimony prepared for delivery Wednesday before the
House Subcommittee on Forests of the Agriculture
Committee. Sen. Packwood said that Congress "should
establish broad guidelines and set general standards which
curb abuses, rather than bickering over narrow, prescriptive
rules which may be good for one group or sector, but totally
unrealistic for another." He warned against restrictions
proposed in a bill introduced by Sen. Jennings Randolph
' E W. Vat saying that:
-a J3-acre limitation on clearcutting would result in as
much as a 15 per cent increase in road construction, which
would prove more expensive, would cause more soil erosion
and runoff into streams.
-requiring cuts to be more than 1,000 feet from another
would create needless Inflexibility for the Forest Service
J -limiting clearcutting to areas where all trees are
predominantly dead, mature or large could reduce Oregon s
total timber harvest by roughly JO per cent.
-directing the Forest Service to divide the national forests
into districts not to exceed 500.000 acres would bean art.ficia
restriction and should Instead be based on natural
boundaries such as watersheds
-requiring that individual trees be marked would be
unnecessary and a waste of Forest Service personnel and
resources. . , ,
"Limited, controlled clearcutting can be a useful, even
necessary tool In the management of our forests, Sen.
Packwood testified. "When Congress writes prescriptive
legislation for national forests, we are not Just affecting the
forests in Oregon. We are saying that what applies to one
must apply to all. regardless of whether cond.tions are
1'SresIhM no business telling the Forest Service In
precise detail when and where it should use accepted forestry
management techniques. No two forests are alike . . . and
would hale to see management practice frozen at any po.n
in lime and written Into statutory law that becomes almost
Impossible to change," he said.
TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON:
This is Just a letter of thanks for ridding us of a loyal and
devoted friend. A friend who died where he spent the
majority of his life, in our home.
New, thanks to you, we no longer have to put up with the
wagging of his tail when he sees us; the sound of his pawing
at the door when he wants in to Join us and share our love and
warmth and the Joy he used to share with us when he went
h"of 'course he was only a dog, but you did perform quite a
deed by poisoning him at his home.
We congratulate you, and good luck, maybe next time
you'll rid the world of a child Innocently playing in his yard,
Just like you did our dog.
Thank you,
The Flaiz Family
Heppner
EDITOR:
"Save the Family Farm" cry those who would pass the
Ant i -Corporal ion Farming Bill and now circulating petitions
to put it on the ballot. Why don't they tell us who they are
saving it for. This proposed bill gives the go ahead to the
millenaries but stops the very small operator trying to get
started as a few examples will show.
Six or eight ranchers could not incorporate to buy a small
hay farm to raise the winter feed for their livestock. If the
hay farm was to cost $200,000 it might be one of the major
investments of their lives to raise an average of $25,000
apiece but this would be outlawed. Two or three families with
a total of six members would be prohibited from
incorporation to buy a 200 acre dairy farm together, a farm
very hard to divide, yet large enough to make them all a good
living. Eight or ten stockraisers could not incorporate a
grazing association to run their cattle together. Twelve of
fifteen small operators or investors could not Join together to
raise the capital to get a farming venture started. "Save the
Family Farm" from them.
There are no restrictions on how much acreage or how
many farms the millionaire could buy under this law. The
"Shiek of Araby" with his oil billions could buy 500,000 acres
and Hill be classified as a family farmer. Anyone else In the
world or any corporation having no more than five members
could own and operate as much land as they wished. If a
corporation had more than five members a few of the
stockholders or personnel could form a farming corp.,
borrow the money to buy the land from the parent corp. and
soli the product to them also with no restrictions.
Under Section 2, para. 6 of this bill it appears the XYZ Oil
Co. could buy unlimited amounts of land and hold for oil
exploration a hundred years from now. Again they could
form their own farming corp. to operate the farms so
purchased. Many other types of corporations could proceed
under the same arrangement. Save the Family Farm for the
millionaires.
On being asked to sign or sponsor a petition to put this
outlandish bill on the ballot you would do well to ask to see a
copy of it and read it for yourself what it allows and what it
prohibits. This is probably one of the most poorly written bills
to ever be presented to the people of Oregon. It is unfortunate
that the sponsers did not seek competent legal advise rather
than have an aspiring politician looking for some cheap
publicity to ride into state office write this. Then maybe it
would save the family farm for formers rather than
iv millionaires
ARNOLD BRAAT
Boardman.
EDITOR:
We were amazed and disgusted at the needless destruction
of all the beautiful trees at the old Gilliam place. We think
that it is carelessness like this that will bring our
environment to its ruin.
We have heard that the old Gilliam place will be burned
down sometime this month to be replaced by apartments. We
are sure that the land need not be totally demolished and the
builder could probably have built in harmony with the trees.
We have always thought Heppner a beautiful town, but if this
kind of indifference continues it will not remain so.
SUZANNE MARTIN
ALISON PARENT
Portland.
THE GAZETTE-TIMES
MORROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER
Box 337. Heppner. OR.
Subscription rale: $ per year in
Oregon. $7 efcew here.
Ernest V. Joiner. Publisher
Ernie Cerea. Editor
PublUhed every Thurwlsy and entered as a
erond-claM matter at the pott office at Heppner.
Oregon, under the art of Mirth 3. 179. SecomUlass
pmUge paid at Heppner. Oregon.
B i r- n
FIRST HORSE SALE
OF THE YEAR
Monday, April 4
LaGrand Livestock Commission Co.
Sale starts at lp.m.
Early consignments would be
appreciated
For further Information call :
Roy Powers, 963-2158
LaGrande Livestock Commission
d no 2530 LaGrande, OR. 97850
"Heading for Beecher's
lone, Oregon
NOLIVEMUSIC,Sat.,Aprll3
SEE YOU AT THE SPRING
COTILLION
lone American Legion Hall
FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
Lobster Dinner $6.50
Land and Sea $7.50
SUNDAY SPECIAL:
Honey Buttered Chkken$2.25
Chicken Fried Steak $2.50
EDITOR:
Too bad there isn't a Responsible Parent Ownership
Council to set standards for delinquent, destructive,
Juveniles in our community especially in my neighborhood. )
Perhaps my husband would not have as much trouble
mowing our lawns that have been strewn with rocks. The
rocks have been pelted by the kind compassionate children
as they passed by when my dogs have been tied in their own
yard. I personally think parents should have the gumption
and obligation to train their children to be obedient, well
mannered members of society. It is not fair to a child to be
turned in to an outlaw, hated by the neighbors and allowed to
run loose all over town to destroy and steal Christmas
decorations and lights. Since my lights and Nativity scene
were stolen, broken and scattered aU over the City Park on
two different occasions, many folks were deprived of the
lighted Christmas corner that has displayed the true
Christmas spirit for years. The real meaning was "Peace on
Earth", compassion, love, integrity, mercy and kindness to
all.
The saddest part is that you the children's parents may not
even be a ware of the destruction and vandalism that they are
up to it might interest you to know that I've had to change
the delivery spot of my E.O. from my door of business to my
home door upstairs because I became tired of finding my
E.O. torn to shreds and shoved back into the paper box, or
else thrown out in the rain, snow and wind to be destroyed.
Friday, March 26, even my two paper boxes were scattered
around in the park across from my house. There are different
ways to sweep the dog problem under the rug-but I would
not recommend borrowing your neighbors bee bee gun to
shoot the neighbors un-neutered dogs when they come to visit
your unspayed female dog. It is unlawful to shoot a gun in the
City. It's no fault of the dogs that they cause unnecessary
barking, fighting unsightly episodes in town. The owners are
at fault. To my knowledge no one ever had the stupid
audacity to say the spaying and neutering of anything that
had fur and four legs would solve the dog problem; but
neutered and spayed dogs would save me the job of
advertising that these irresponsible people need good homes
for their unwanted puppies.
Gene Burgess of the Oregon Humane Society Box 11364,
Portland, Oregon, 97211 sent me on March 25 a copy of the
new Oregon law ORS 33.067 Instruction in Ethics and
Morality. (I) in Public schools special emphasis shall be
given to instruction in (a) honesty, morality, courtesy,
obedience to law, respect for the National Flag. The
Constitution of the U.S. and the Constitution of the State of
Oregon ; and other lessons which tend to promote and develop
upright and desirable citizenery; (c) the effects of alcohol
and narcotics upon the humane system; (c) humane
treatment of animals.
Burgess has informed me that if we can get enough
interested persons to sign up to attend a meeting for the
purpose of organizing a Morrow Co. Humane Society, he will
come out to help us. But don't be misled, this is not for
financial help, only advice. The society is strictly run on a
donation basis and they have more local problems than they
have dollars. . ,
If you really care about children and animals you might
send him a generous donation gift (tax deductible), for the
past eight years he has been promoting Humane Education
in our schools. Since dogs and cats are reported to be
responsible for carrying 65 known horrendous zoonoses
diseases and many human diseases from mild to fatal
effects, isn't it a miracle that so many of us are still around to
enjoy our pets? Dogs have lived in my house all of my life and
the way I see it, I have much to be thankful for-good health
and strength to carry on the same insidebusiness after 50 (
years.
LOIS WINCHESTER,
Heppner.
EDITOR:
I am very pleased someone has decided it is time for people
to take care of their dogs.
WTien a dog barks at night and it is mentioned no one seems
to know who owns the dog.
A dog is a dirty animal and uses anyone's yard as well as
the street to leave his marks.
I wonder how many people use their food stamps for dog
food or money for dog food that should be used for their own
food.
I dm't dislike dogs but don't think they should be all over
town as they are now. Also. I'm glad to many came to the
meeting about the dam. I never did like to see a dirt dam built
and I think along with the others, too much money has been
wasted as is. All we would have would be a mud hole with
mosquitos. without spraying and I can't see money being
spent for spraying. ...
As for a Hood, if the Creek was kept cleaned I think it would
lake care of a kit of water. As for the 1903 flood I can imagine
the shacks and what not that was in and near the creek at that
time.
I'll always think the last flood would not have gone down
Main Street if the work done at the swimming pool hadn't
sent it down rather than across the pool as it did wl'"-'
stood and watched the water cross the pool at the other flood.
MARTHA VAN SCHOIACK
OSU Extension Service Newt
by
or rev Extension Staff
SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNED FOR 4-H MEMBERS
Older 4-H members from Morrow county have a choice of
four events planned especially for them by the Oregon State
University Extension Service during the week of June 14-19.
reports Mike Howell, county extension agent.
The events include 4-H Summer Week on the OSU campus,
the 4-H horse member's workshop, also at OSU; the 4-H
marine science workshop on the Oregon coast near Coos Bay,
and the 4-H outdoor workshop at the Oregon 4-H Center near
Salem. , ,
Each program is planned for 4fl members just completing
their sophomore, junior or senior year in high school.
Deadline for applying is April 30. .
"There's a new name and a new look for longtime Oregon
4-H program. Summer School," Hoveil explains. "It is 4-H
Summer Week. It is still on the OSU campus, but this year
there will be separate programs for older and younger 4-H
members."
Open Up" is the theme of Summer Week and the program
is designed to encourage 4-H members" a chance to grow in
self-awareness as well as experience new ideas and
learning," Howell points out. Special interest groups built
around subjects of interest to today's high school student are
planned for both morning and afternoon.
High School 4-H members active in the horse project may
chose to attend the horse members' workshop to spend four
days learning more about horses, their care and training
through a series of workshops, seminars, labs and other
action-oriented activities. Registration is limited to 50
members. Members of the OSU animal science and crop
science departments and the School of Veterinary Medicine
will be the instructors.
Camp Terramar at Charleston on the southern Oregon
coast will be the setting for the marine science workshop
which is also limited to 50 4-H members. Extension agents
and specialists as well as OSU students will be the instructors
for the workshop.
Activities include tours of a seafood processing plant and a
large freighter as well as observing coastal wildlife.
"Friendship Earth" will be the theme of the 4-H outdoor
workshop at the Oregon 4-H Center. Those attending will
learn about outdoor survival skills, environmental and
human relationships as well as participating in campfire
programs and ceremonies.
Extension agents, OSU students and other "outdoor
skilled" persons will do the teaching during the week.
Eligible 4-H members in Morrow County will receive
information about the programs and an application blank.
However, additional forms are available at the County
Extension Office. Applications are to be returned to the
county office by April 30.
STOCilOEiJ
See' the all new studded-T Plastic
Fence posts. Tough, rugged, longer
lasting and cheaper than steel. Call
Sid Zinter . Jr., Pacific Northwest
Distributor.
422-7441 or 4227133
EDITOR:
Thanks for your help in straightening out the Great
Plymouth Brethren Mystery.
As of our phone conversation of last week, we have
corrected our tables, and Morrow County will NOT appear in
the Atlas of Oregon as the state's leading center for this very
small denomination.
The misinformation originated in the National Council of
Churches survey on Religion in the United States, published
in 1971 This survey lists the number of adherents, by
denomination, for each county in the United States. It s an
interesting document, and we were particularly struck by the
information that, in your county, the otherwise obscure
Plymouth Brethren (only 1600 adherents statewide) had six
churches, and a membership of well over 400.
Was there a fascinating vignette of Oregon history hidden
here' We hope so. but the more we thought about it, the more
we suspected clerical error. You confirmed our suspicion,
and the Plymouth Brethren, shorn of their surplus
membership, have dropped below 1500 members, and thus
out of our table. (Since there are some 60 or 70 denominations
in Portland alone, we arbitrarily limited our table to the 30 or
so with more than 1500 members statewide.)
Our apologies to the Plymouth Brethren, and our thanks to
you.
STUART ALLEN
Associate Director
Atlas of Oregon Project
j 20!ITfo
1 wv V."
j $139
Nhp.2; "
Potatoes
red del. apples Lg.Oranges 0 $1.00
29$ -
CARROTS 2 lb. 290
Prices effective April 2-3
Lettuce
4 heads
l2 lb. CORNISH GAME HENS
$1.15
iiiiu jumbo BOLOGNA 690
Oregon Chief Slab PACOM
MTF wholo kernel corn 303
3 - $1.00
MTF Whole Peeled Tomatoes
m 350 -
BLUE BELL POTATO CHIPS
3 pac G90
$1.39
Court Street Market
We prets farm-killed animals
111 N. Court St.
Heppner Or. C7C-C343