Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 1976)
Page 2, THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Heppner, OR, Thursday. April 15, 1978 p w mi mm By ERNIE CERESA In the April 1 edition of the Burns Times Herald there was a story commenting on how a reporter had scooped the rest of the state newspapers when he discovered the Steens Mountains had been purchased by an investing group from California. The story continues the investors paid $70 million for the mountains, including a portion of BLM land. If the Bureau of Land Management has been unsuccessful in capturing the wild horses on the property the Californians had hopes of running some of their horses with those of the state in order to increase the breed. The story explains the future plans of the group saying they plan to remodel the area and turn the area into a resort. After reading the article I sent the clipping to Orville Cutsforth, fully aware that he considers the Steens Mountains his second home. After reading the article Orville went into action. He called meetings at his home and was prepared to defend the Steens from any intruders. He and his wife sent letters to various senators and congressmen and also a letter to the BLM with a $5 check asking that they return maps showing the locations of the newly purchased property. Glen Ward of the State Wildlife Commission was contacted by Cutsforth and asked when the transfer took place and if the sale was advertized in the paper. If the advertisement was placed in any of the states newspapers why hadnt people objected to the sale? Ward checked into the matter and assured Cutsforth that perhaps the paper was in error, however, Orville had the news clipping and was not to be put off. He wanted a definite Answer. In desperation Orville contacted Gov. Bob Straub and asked. ' How could the State of Oregon sell the Steens Mountains?" Gov. Straub replied that he had received many inquires and that no sale had been consumated. Cutsforth told the governor he had about 500 men ready to defend the mountains against the intruders. No one was taking the Steens. especially Californians. ' Mr. and Mrs. Cutsforth have a dinner engagement with the Governor in the future at which time they will all have a good laugh over the entire matter. What about the news item in the Burns Times Herald? It was false, remember it was April Fools day. The $5 check to the BLM has been returned to the Cutsforths. , Carolvn Clark Reiley is a teacher. She is a remedial reading specialist. She works at Hilltop Junior High School, t The school is in Chula Vista. CA. Ms. Reiley made a study. She says she stddied the readability of news stories. The stories she studied were prepared by The Associated Press and United Press - International. The Associated Press and United Press m International are wire sen' ices. They provide stories to newspapers. Ms. Reiley came to a conclusion. She decided that both wire services "are writing over the heads of junior high school students." Can this be true? Are junior high school students unable to comprehend (Dig) a news story? Ms. Reilev is not alone in her opinion. Edward B. Fry is a ' professor. -He heads the reading center at Rutgers University. He commended Ms. Reiley for her research. "The average person in the United States reads at about the 8th grade level of difficulty." said Mr. Fry. Ms. Reiley and Mr. Fry are educators. Their field is the English language. They teach the language to your children. Thev are paid to do this. They are experts. Thev and their fellow English teachers have your children for 12 to 16 years. They mold the little minds. They use the laiest teaching techniques. They experiment. They (shudden innovate. Then ihey give your little darlings diplomas. Your children are educated. They have been taught the English language. Thev have been learned by language arts experts. But thev can't understand a simple news story. They read at the 8th grade lev el of difficulty. (An 8th grade level of ease, apparently, is illiteracy.! Is that a problem? No. of course not. Ms. Reiley has the answer. Write simpler news stories. How do you do that? Nothing to it. Use the style the educators have perfected. Here is an example from a primary textbook "Feeding the City." Did you have a banana with your cereal this morning? Did the banana come from Panama Or did you eat a banana from Guatemala? Or perhaps your banana came from Costa Rica Look at the paper labels on the bananas. The name of the country is printed on them." It "s easv to w rite a urn pie news story. Use short sentences. Use simple words. Use the 200 words that every junior high student must learn Folio ing is an example of a simple news storv : WASHINGTON tAPi-Henry Kissinger flew this week. First he flew to Israel Then he flew to Egypt. Then he flew back to Israel Then he flew back to Cairo. Then he flew home to the United States He was Unhappy. The people in Israel told him to go to hell. The people in Cairo told him to go to hell President Ford met Mr. Kissinger at the airport. He shk Mr Kissinger's hand He said Mr. Kissinger is doing a good job." Simple enough. Ms. Reiley? No? Okay. Have another banana and start over. From Ih Shrlloa-MaM fount Joaraal. Shelloa. W A. "This new spaper is published, and rather successfully, loo. without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age. marital status, physagogut addiction, professional ability, religion, physical handicap, medical condition, pigmentation (hair andor skin. political persuasion, literacy, previous condition of servitude. citizenship, criminal record, club member ship, ancestry. Incestry. outcestry, agrwsy and (hoo bn : Sev" THE GAZETTE-TIMES MORROW COUNTY NEW 8PAPF.R Rl 321. Heppeer. OR. tTM fcikwrlpil rate: M per year la Orrgee. 17 ebewfcere. I rwett V. Jalaer. Pablliker FraleCrreta.Fa'itar PkWUIm every Tkar4ay tad entered a tr and latt matter at t pt fike al ttfppaer, Orrgaa. ar Ike art af March J. 1171. Keeaa4tM pastas paid at lleppaer. Oreffaa. 1 .41 Z.v . .ill it " W ; :v-v:'.''y.:::: aw I fx V 'TP) "k The mail pouch EDITOR: In my opinion the residents of Morrow County are not getting their full share of their Blue Mountain Community College tax dollar. Based on Umatilla County's 1975 support of the college district required a tax rate of $1 .93 per $1,000 of valuation. Based on Morrow County's valuation for 1975, we paid $1.91 per $1,000 of valuation. Only two cents less. (I got this information from the tax assessor in each county.) I believe in the Community College concept and believe BMCC is doing a great job. My complaint is that I resent having to pay more than my fair share for it's operation. I would rather pay out of county tuition for my family and would recognize considerable savings over the years. From personal experience (my son is a BMCC student) I can prove that the amount of equalization pay he receives does not begin to pay his transportation costs. He receives approximately $38 per month. Figuring what it actually costs him for gas. oil, tires, insurance and depreciation, I come up with a conservative figure of something over $200 actual cost. How nice it would be to live in Pendleton and have only the expense of housing, food and clothing of a BMCC age student. In a newspaper report of Mr. Daniel's tax message to the Heppner Chamber of Commerce he justified the cost of living raises on all employees salaries. I agree this is necessary but I ask. where is the cost of living raise in the equalization pay? In addition to this complaint I have several others that add credibility to my opinion. Access to the college classes other than the ones offered in my area is impossible to me because of the distance and time it takes to travel that far. I would enjoy and need to take advantage of the new athletic facility during the times it is open to the public, but again because of distance it is denied me. Many plays, concerts, athletic events, etc. are impossible to attend for the same reasons yet our tax base is only 2 cents less than Umatilla County. PAT WRIGHT Lexington. EDITOR: Eastern Oregon participants in the American Monitor Poll strongly oppose federal aid to Israel and Egypt to help maintain balance of power in the Mideast, and federal funding of meetings to promote women's rights. Local results have been near the same as expressed throughout the state and nation. The American Monitor Poll has Interviewed more than 20.000 voters all over the country on the issues. The Washington based 300-10 Action Plan, sponsor of the monthly poll called it the nation's most comprehensive test of voter sentiment. George Millett. Executive Secretary of the 300-10 Action Plan, pointed out that Gallup and Harris questioned only 1.000 to 1.500 citizens compared to American Monitor's 20.000 to 25.000. "A unique feature of the plan is that it also informs the participants on how their representatives in Congress have voted on the same Issues," Millett said. For this poll taken in February. total of 1137 registered voters In Oregon responded. 214 were from district 2 represented in Washington by Rep. Al Ullman. Other districts responded with 338 votes in district 1-Les AuCoin; 338 votes in district J-Robert Duncan and 249 votes in district 4 -James Weaver. Nationally 4 per cent of Ihe voters expressed opposition to the federal funding of women's rights conference while M per cent voted against aid to Israel and 3 per cent voted against aid to Egypt. Before the returns could be counted by the poll, the House of Representative In Washington had already paued a bill ta appropriate nearly $1 billion for e h side of the conflict. ... The American Monitor Poll Is conducted by volunteers in more than 300 Congressional districts It ta supported entirely by concerned citizens. "It Is an effective instrument in the hands of Ihe people which lakes on renewed Importance In hl election year." Millett added. The questions for April are No. I. "Would you want your Congressman to vote to establish and operate direct markeling from farmers to consumers?", and No. 2. "Would you want your Congressman to vote for the extension of the Revenue Sharing Act. which provides for giving fund to slat, county and city governments?" The American Monitor Poll is opened to anyone wishing to have their vote counted. CARL M MARQUARDT oo 10 Action CommHt Lexington. EDITOR: On April 3 an article appeared on the front page of the East Oregonian concerning the Morrow County Bicentennial : Committee plans for a Fourth of Jul) 'f"'' states the lone Lions Club had agreed to hold their annual fireworks in Heppner. These fireworks have been put on by the lone American Legion Post No. 95 for 29 years We feel proper credit should be given each organization for the work they do in the community. The fireworks have been a Legion project. The Uons Club conduct many other a- f worthwhile projects in the community for which we have ' We hlveSked a member of the Bicentennial Committee for a retraction and correction of the April J statement but to date none has been received. u.. The statement that the fireworks will be taken tol Heppner Ihis year is incorrect. This matter was tabled at the Feb. 17 meeting of the American Legion because of lack of information from the Bicentennial Committee. The lone American Legion cannot use their permit at any other location other than the lone Memorial Field. If Ue Bicentennial committee wishes to have a 'iJ"8 they will have to obtain a permit from the State rire Marshall, going through the proper channels. JOHN JEPSEN. Commander Post No. 95. American Legion CHARLES DOHERTY. Adjutant Post No. 95. American Legion (Continued on page 3) ouEie! off ! Colonel Nelson P. Conover. Walla Walla District Engineer, has notified Mayor Jerry F. Sweeney that a recommendation against any further work on the Willow Creek Dam flood control project is being submitted to the U.S. Army, Office of the Chief of Engineers (OEO. In a letter report to North Pacific Division Engineer. Major General Wesley E. Peel. Colonel Conover said. "A town meeting was held in Heppner. OR March 19. 1978, sponsored by the City of Heppner ... I feel that it brought out the mood of the community . . . Mayor Sweeney publicly stated he would no longer support the project. This position was fully supported by other people attending." Colonel Conover continued. "It was apparent local people will Do longer tolerate uncertainty of a project which has been repeatedly proposed and disapproved." Col Conover advised the Walla Walla District Is updating a special report. The report will include data on a flood control channel alternative and the potential flood problem. Col. Conover said. "I recommend that no project be considered unless, and until, there is a clearly expressed change in the desire of the people (of Heppner)." In 1903. after a cloudburst, the Willow Creek Basin suffered one of the most disastrous floods In the history of the United Stales, with 247 people losing their lives. In 1949 the Corps of Engineers prepared a survey report recommending a 110 foot high concrete dam. The study was updated In 1963 and the project authorized by Congress in 1965, Their first plan called for a 11.500 acre feet reservoir with I. 300 acre feet reserved exclusively for flood control and I I. 200 acre feet for joint use flood control. Irrigation, wildlife, sport fishing, recreation, water quality, municipal and industrial water supply, etc. The second plan called fr 1.500 vre4Vl f iwm4 nwlrol and 1,500 acre feet for future Irrigation use, loo acre fret for fishing and recreation and 1.400 for sediment storage. The second plan was a reauthorization bill, because project uses had been changed drastically. The Oregon Congression al delegation actively supported the new authorization and it passed both houses of Congresa. It aa vetoed by the President on December II. 1974. The alternative being considered In the updated special report calls for a reservoir of 1,000 acre feet of storage with 1 000 for flood control. 2.000 for future Irrigation use. for recreation and sport fishing, and 1,000 for sediment storage. Some (pl believa that if your eyebrows grow toflSf yott will be very rich! I Y llayorofflanfmii DEAR MISTER EDITOR: They say even a blind hog finds a acorn onct in a while, and I think Bug Hookum dug one up Saturday night during the discussion at the country store. Bug stumbled on a cure fer SScSy ' troubles. What we got to do. he said, la go back 'tt'wfth SecreUry Kissinger an I worked b When Kissinger was single he had the world by the tall, Bug avowed. He could calm troubled water. .nywher quker than Superman could change clothes, and his skill at gitting people and nations to find grounds fer agreement was saw as little short of a natural resource. Back then, declared Bug. he had people to git him up mornings and fix him working man'a breakfast. After he got married, he starting grabbing a piece of toast and waiting fer Nancy to git dressed to go with him to whatever comer of the world he was scheduled to save that day. And when she starting talking to him about all them banquets settling around his middle, you think he cut out banquets? No sir, he cut out the piece of toast and tried to git by all morning on black coffee. That, said Bug. ain't no way fer a man that runs the world to start the day. and the country now Is paying fer the mistake. Detant is forgot. So. Mister Editor, if you keep a chart on all the column writers say is wrong with Washington, you'll see they have left out the root of our troubles. Bug said it don't matter if you're going to the office to race rats, to the pasture to fix fence or to Israel to head off a war, you can't do It right on a empty stomach. Fer onct, the fellers was unanimous agreed. It was Ed Doolittle that said If our history has showed us anything, it Is that we are what we eat. With all the bicentennial attention right now, went on Ed, you'd think folks would git the point. The first sign of a man's values, even before you looked at his mules and horses, was the kind of table he set. Whatever we did, from fighting for our freedom to taming the west, we eat first, was Ed's words. What pioneer would of thought of sloshing down his coffee, nibling a piece of dry bread, kissing his old lady on the run and finishing dressing after he got the saddle on his horse and he was galloping off to build a nation, was what Ed wanted to know. Farthermore, broke in Bug. It didn't matter what section of the country you were building, breakfast was where you started. We've come around now to pills and powder you pour in milk, and by the middle of the morning we've run out of steam and ambition. A glass of make-believe orange juice, even if it went to the moon, can't make up the loss, was Bug'i words. I see some hope. Mister Editor. I read where on one recent trip, Mrs. Kissinger shopped fer a shaving brush fer her husband while he was busy giving away Jet fighters to keep the peace. At least he don't shave out of a squirt can. Yours truly, MAYOR ROY. TJhy a colt (Mark 11:1 10) By Rev. Mark Johnson think that we all know what a murder mystery Is. In any good murder mystery, there is usually one main clue which, when discovered, finally solves the problem of "who done it " This past Sunday, we celebrated Palm Sunday which is the day when Jesus came riding Into Jerusalem in order to face the cross. The story of Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-10) can be compared to a murder mystery in that there is one main clue, and once that clue is discovered, we can fully understand what is happening. The main clue to the story of Palm Sunday is centered around the animal on which Jesus rides into Jerusalem. If we know why Jesus rode on this particular animal, we will then understand the text. The Bible says that Jesus rode on a colt. Why is this animal Important? The Importance lies in what the animal symbolizes. The word for colt in the Greek language is "polos" which means "any young animal." Whenever a leader of a country would come Into another country, the animal on which he rode signified his Intentions. If He rode on a large horse, it meant He had come to do battle with the people. However, if He rode on a "polos" or a young animal like a colt, it meant He had come in peace. Therefore, by riding on this particular animal. Jesus was revealing to the people that He was coming in peace to be their "prince of peace " The only problem with this is that the people didn't want Him to ride in on a colt. They wanted Him to come In on a horse which would have meant that He had come to be a military leader In order to destroy the oppressive forces of the Roman government. The people watching Jesus coming on a colt were shocked and disappointed because they wanted a military hero, and not Just a "prince of peace." Therefore, in five brief days, the same people who had cheered His arrival were soon yelling "crucify him" because Jesus did not turn out to be the.kind of king they expected. In many ways, we are much like the people in the story. We, also, want Jesus to be what we want Him to be. We want Him to give us one great and glorious moment after another. We expect that if we are Christian, then all should be well, and we should not have any difficult moments. We are so caught up with success and power that we expect Christ to be the one who gives us one successful moment after another, and who is the one who can grant the power we desire However, when this doesn't happen, we often disregard Christianity as a fraud mainly because it does not do ahal wt want it to do When we can't remake Christ Into what we want, we often have no time for Him or His teachings. I believe that it is important thai we take another close look at what is happening in the text. Why did Jesus ride in on colt? He entered Jerusalem in this manner because he wanted to reveal something very Important to Ihe people, lit was saying to them that He had come to be their king However, He was not to be the king which they wanted. He was not ready to get involved in all of the power struggles, and petty competition In which they were involved. Rather, He had come to be different type of king He had come to be their "prince of peace." He had come not to destroy the oppressive forces of Rome, but rather to go to the cross and die It was through this strsnge event that lie could do for them what needed to be done He had come to bring them new meaning, purpose and hope for their lives He had come to provide fur them a rock on which lo stand in the midst of their shifting lives It wss only through the death and the resurrection that this could be done for the people. Everyday, ymi w t art fstrd with s3 sorts cf praswr. anxieties and frustrations ahkh we would like to get rid of, but somehow are alaayt there Our lives art more and mora busy everyday and H seems at though each year becomea more complei. The mood today with many of us la one of anxiety, fear, hopelessness and meaningWaneaa. It la Into these types of situations that Christ cornea He comet riding on colt to be our pftnee of peact He comet for various reatona : lo remind ua that In the midst of change, there Is ooe who duetnl change; ta the midst of tripping and falling. He la there lo pkk us up. when at feel unloved and atone, lit is Ihert lo lovt and be our friend, when failure and tragedy airlkt our tivea, II ta thert la ttreng then and cart (or ua. As wt again prepart for another Fatter Sunday, It It this message which ran give ua hop Jeaut dWanl come riding Into our lives on a horse in order la glvt ua on great turrestfv' moment after another. H rather comet ruling In an a colt la order la b our "peine of pete lit comet to ua In order to glvt at hop, meaning and purpos In the midst of frftvfied and an x tout world.
