BESSIE WETZELL
U OF ORE
N E V." S P A r E R LID
EUGENE OR 97103
THE
Morrow County's Newspaper
Vol. 93, No. n
Heppner, OR, Thursday, April 29, 1976
15c
GAZETTETIMES
esistration tor
w
Century Farms starts
One of the special events
'slated in connection with
Oregon's part In the nation's
bicentennial observance will
be the program honoring
Oregon families who have
owned and operated the same
farm for 100 years or more.
Registrations for this honor
have been on a five-year basis
or in connection with special
observances. The opening up
of the registration period this
year was announced jointly
this week by State Director of
Agriculture Leonard Kunz
man and Tom Vaughan, dir
ector of the Oregon Historical
Society.
The program dates back to
1958 when Oregon was pre
paring for celebration of its
centennial. It is sponsored
jointly by the Oregon Depart- .
mcnl of Agriculture and the
Oregon Historical Society.
Registration for the "Cen
tury r'arm" honors is with the
Oregon Department of Agri
culture, with the deadline for
the completed applications to
Asri-rama draws
eke
0
Women, agriculture and progress were in the spotlight at
the "Agri-rama" which attracted a full house audience in
Heppner. this week. The special bicentennial event was the
annual Extension Homemakers Day for Morrow County,
presented in a new way. with the cooperation of those
involved in the wheat, sheep, potato and beef industries of the
area
It was a very big event, as expected, for Morrow County is
now fourth in gross agricultural income in Oregon, and one of
the fastest growing areas in the nation. "It was standing
room only for a while after we opened the doors." reports
Birdine Tullis, Morrow Extension Service. Each commodity
group had displays and goodies to sample relattrj to their
product as well as a rich reward of recipes and consumer
information."
. Mistress of ceremonies for the afternoon program was
Vera Cooley. Irrigon. chairman of the Extension
Homemakers Advisory Committee, with the assistance of
Jean Bennett, president. Morrow Cow Belles. Mary Lou
Carlson. Oregon Potato Commission. Dode Krebs, president
Oregon Sheepgrowers Auxiliary and Susan Snyder, president
Oregon Wheal hearts
Guest speakers and programs presented were Edwin
Stastnv. Malm. OR. president of the National Potato Council
and chairman of Oregon Potato Commission, who
commented on growth of the potato Industry in the county
and the tremendous future of the industry as well as potato
and potato products for export purposes; Jeep Slocum. vice
president of Oregon Potato. Inc.. Boardman. who briefly
outlined potential for growth of the Industry, and present
condition of the Industry in the area.
" Dode Krebs, lone, and Linda Giffora. Heppner,
representing the sheep industry presented a varied program
of history of sheep, and present conditions of the industry.
i
i
I
i
I 1
I
Susan Snyder and Ralph McEwen. McEwen ! with the
Oregon Wheal Commission.
- m
be received by the department
by July t, 1976, Registration
forms are available from the
Information Office. Oregon
Department of Agriculture,
Agriculture Building. Salem.
OR 97310. The forms and rules
for the program will also be
available at County Extension
Service offices.
"Century Farm" certificat
es are provided by the Oregon
Historical Society, which also
permanently files the original
applications.
Cooperating with the de
partment of agriculture and
historical society is the Ore
gon Slate Fair bv Including
the program at which the cer
tificates are presented on the
fair schedule. Owners of the
new "Century Farms" attend
the fair as guests of the
Oregon Stale Fair Commis
sion. For a farm to be eligible for
certification as a "Century
Farm" it must have been
operated continuously by the
same family since 1876 or
If
4;..
auds
V ''
Mi
IF"
before. If it has ever been
rented the farm will not
qualify. Owners of "Century
Farms" must reside in Ore
gon and if they are not living
on the farm must actively
manage and direct the farm
ing of the land.
The line of ownership of the
farm since the original settler
or purchaser may be through
children, brothers and sisters,
nephews and nieces or adopt
ed children.
To be considered a farm
there must be at least 10 acres
and for three out of the five
years immediately preceding
application for "Century
Farm" honors there must
have been a gross income
from farm uses of not less
than $500 yearly.
The last time there was
registration of "Century
Farms" was in 1974. Regi
stration was opened up that
year because of the agncul
iural theme of the Oregon
State Fair. Th.it year there
were 2fi new farms registered.
e n c e
Ms. Gifford demonstrated spinning and weaving of wool, an
ancient skill, but fast growing hobby for those who enjoy
beautiful fabrics.
Jean Bennett and Jeanne Howell spoke for the cattle
industry. Ms. Howell presented an informative film depicting
reasons and economics of fluctuating meat prices.
Representing the wheat industry. Ralph McEwen, Oregon
Wheat Commission and Susan Snyder, Oregon Wheathearts
related facts of the industry and Jan Murray demonstrated
sprouting wheat for delicious snacks and food products.
Harold Kerr. Morrow Extension Agent, keynote speaker
for the event, offered praise for the active role of Morrow
County women in community and commodity groups, as well
as encouragement for continued activity. Noting that
throughout history women have played a major role in
production of agricultural products, he read a short letter
written by a farm wife depicting an average day in the life of
a homemaker 100 years ago.
Door prizes donated by each agricultural group and local
businesses were awarded throughout the aftermxm The
crowd found it quite amusing with Ed Stastny. president of
the National Potato Council won a box of potatoes'
Hostesses for the successful event were the Extension
Homemakers Committee, w ith (he Boardman study group in
charge of registration and name tags by Pine City group
Filing property
value appeals
Properly owners receiving
value increase notices might
consider filing property value
appeals with county boards of
equalii.it ion suggests John J
Lobdell. director of the Ore
gon Department of Revenue.
But appeals should be filed
only if owners feel their pro
perty is overvalued, he adds.
Lobdell stresses appeals can
be made only on the basis of
values, not just because tax
payers feel their taxes ill be
loo high.
The process Is not difficult
and. most importantly, exper
knee has shown that taxpay
er have received value redu
ctions if they are able to
substantiate that properties
are overvalued
Last year more than Hon
apiwals were filed with local
boards of equalisation. Of this
total. 3.095 properties were
reduced in value. Also, there
were 735 appeals decided by
the Oregon Department of
Revenue In 1975 and values
were reduced for more than
J40 of the properties.
In Morrow County there
ere M appeals on Real
Property. Of this total II were
sustained, 34 reduced and 2
Increased The same figures
apply to Real and Personal
property
Decis'-ns sel forth In pro
bringing to 564 the total
number of farms receiving
"Century Farm" recognition
since the program was started
in 1958.
The farm dating back the
most years is that of Claudio
and Delores Bustamante of
SlarRoute.BoxlO.Sl.Paul.lt
was settled in 1840 by Mrs,
Buslamenle's great grand
father. Augustin Raymond, a
French-Canadian fur trapper
who came to Oregon in 1830
with Dr. John McLaughlin.
The farm, however, was not
registered for the program
until 1973. when registrations
were taken in connection with
the looth anniversary obser
vance of the Oregon Historical
SoCIClX .
There is no record of how
many of the 564 farms
registered since the program
started are still owned by the
same families, since certifi
cates are in the name of the
original owner and farms are '
not registered.
perty value appeal decisions
issued in 1975 are as follows
Number of decisions issued.
3. taxpayer relief denied. I,
taxpayer relief granted. I.
Assessor stipulated value
generally reduced, I There
was I case of taxpayer rebel
denied and in this case he was
represented by himself, rath
er than by an attorney.
Lohdclf adds that tt is not
necessary to be represented
by an attorney or private
appraiser, although profes
sional representation may
help Last year 40 per cent of
the taxpayers appealing to the
department without profes
sional representation had
their values reduced Forty
sex en per cent of the owners
represented by attorneys or
private appraisers received
value reductions from the
department.
Persons Interested In filing
appeals may obtain copies of a
department brochure titled
"Appeal." available at offices
of the revenue department,
some county assessors' offices
or by writing Oregon Depart
ment of Revenue. Slate Office
Building. Salem. OR 7.1I0
Appeal forms are available
from county clerks or county
assessors and mmt be filed
with county boards of equal!
Mi ion no later than May 17.
I7
At Chamber
utile League
starts Saturday
The Willow Creek Little
League season officially opens
; this Saturday when the In
dians meet the Dodgers at 1:30
p.m. followed by the second
game of the double header at 4
p.m. when the Braves meet
the Giants, at the Little
League field. Heppner.
According to Dave Dollar
hide, speaking before the
Chamber of Commerce. Mon
day, the Little League field is
getting a new look. Some of
the plywood panels have been
replaced and are in the
process of being repainted.
Kinzua Corporation has furni
shed the plywood for the fence
and the money charged to the
sponsors will go toward new
uniforms and athletic equip
ment for the four teams
involved. The teams and the
sponsors are as follows:
Braves. Elks Lodge: Indians.
Morrow County Grain Grow
ers: Dodgers. IOOF Lodge;
Giants. Kinzua Corporation.
Besides having 4 Little
League teams there are also a
number of Farm Teams for
the youngsters, w ith a total of
85-100 youngsters involved in
the program.
"The program is based on
the concept of being able to
give the kids a sense of pride."
said Dollarhide. "What is
needed is parent participation
and support for the youngst-
School board
accepts bids
At the board of directors
meeting of the Morrow County
School District April 21. the
lxard considered action to be
taken on bids that had been
received to date on new
construction and replacement
iif windows at the Heppner
upper elementary building
The low bids on all projects
were higher than had been
anticipated
Of the bond issue of 51
million a total of $v-.50 was
tor buildings and windows,
with the remaining SI0I.5HU lo
lie umhI for remodeling of
rooms at lone and A C.
Houghton, improvements at
Riverside and Heppner Ele
mentary and for miscellan
eous expenses and architects
lees.
The total amount of the bids
lor the classrooms at River
side and A C Houghton and
lor the shops at lone and
Heppner was Sl.o32.om. or
$n..Vi over the amount allo
cated in the bond issue
After negotiations with bid
ders and rutting such items as
brick lacing, stucco finish,
vim I wainscoting, painting,
fencing and paving at various
projects, the building bids
were trimmed by IJI.470
An additional interest earn
ing on bond issue money of
Heppner High
Honor Students
TJ-.C fuISawlnfi Heppner ll.jjh
School students were named
to the honor mil for the 3rd
nine weeks of the 1975 T
school vear:
HIGH HONOR: Seniors:
Sandra Bennett, Steve Jones
and Molly Pierce Juniors:
Vicki Edmundwn and Sola
Rinchus Sophomores: Kristi
Edmundson and Kathy Wolff
Freshmen' William Kenny
and Jovcelyn Thorpe
HONOR: Seniors Psvid
Rramlhagen. Allen Burken
bine. Greg Clow. Suianne
Cutsforth. Kimee llaguewood.
tfcmg Harm. Lit Heliums.
Tim Skow. Taml Toll, (lay
W I and Ted Nonnchestrr;
Juniors: David Allstolt. Li
John Gochnauer also spoke
to the members reporting on
the Girls Slow Pitch Teams in
the area.
The program started about 3
years ago and today there are
5 teams. The teams are com
prised of girls in the 4th
through the 8th grades with
about 80 girls in the program.
The girls season begins May
8. Funds for the various girls
teams are needed as the girls
have no uniforms and a
number of the baseballs wind
up in Willow Creek.
"The girls play all out.
never give up and do the best
they can all the time." said
Gochnauer. as he praised the
teams.
There is no set of rules and
regulations the girls teams
follow to the tee. as we have to
take any umpires and referees
we can get for the games.
Last year an All-Star team
was chosen and the girls went
to Pendleton to participate in
the finals. They all had a good
lime in the tourney.
Jim Wishart commented on
the Chamber's float and
stated. "The plywood was ob
tained from Kinzua Corpora
tion and it should be cut out
and painted within the next
few w eeks.
The Extension Office will
present the program for next
week.
$47,740 would also be used to
of t set the cost of the buildings.
Bids were awarded to:
Hiverman & Sons. Portland,
tiregim: 8 classrooms at A C.
Houghton Elementary.
SM4.4:li and 4 classrooms at
Riverside High School.
SlKfi.OOO.
Games Construction Co..
Burns. OR.: lone High School
Shop. $137.110.
Eastern Oregon Construc
tion Co . Pendleton. OR :
Heppner High School shop.
SJil'.msi
This is a total of $1,020,630
for i lie (wildings.
The board received three
bids nr w indow replacement
at Heppner upper elemenlary
with Window Industries of
Portland submitting a low bid
ol $14 i.
A concern was registered
that the low bid was not
acceptable since it did not
meet bid specifications.
The board has asked thai
the bidders be contacted and
asked to demonstrate their
products to the board at the
May 1 regular hoard meet
ing A decision on the accept
ance of a w indow replacement
bid has been deferred until
that time
sa Burkrnbtne. Darla Cupr ,
Debby Holland, Kathleen
Guy t Kenny. Sharon McCarl.
Steve McLaughlin, Chris Ra
uch. Tina Schmidt and Kristi
Smith.
Sophomores: Shelley Grace.
Dee lledman. Diane Holland.
Doug Marquardt. Sheree
Marquardt. Ardith Newman.
Cathy Palmer. Lori Rhea.
Shelley Thompson and Joan
Warren.
Freshmen: Connie Burken
bine. Michelle Cutsforth. Judy
Farley. Julia Grieh. Ijiurie
Harrison, Msurren llesly,
Scott MiEwen. Jackie Mnl
lahan, Wendy Myers. Syndi
Sams and Marie Yocom
G-T lias
new owner
Ernest V. Joiner this week
announced the sale of the
Gazette-Times to Mr. and
Mrs. Gerry Reed of Hermis
ton. The transfer is effective
May I.
Joiner purchased the paper
in July 1973 from Charles and
Dorothy Heard. Last year he
repurchased the Sebastapol
Times and has been operating
both papers since March 1975.
Joiner said he found it
impossible to operate the
Gazette-Times from such a
long distance, and that it is not
in the best interest of either
the public or the new spaper to
have an absentee publisher.
"Heppner and Morrow Cou
nty will gain a great deal."
Joiner said. "By having a
local, experienced newspaper
man in charge. Absentee
ownership of a newspaper
simply does not work. It is
unfair to the readers w ho have
even right to be able lo meet
and confer w ith the publisher
on matters of community
interest and concern." Joiner
said he had hojx'd to live in
PGE offers uind
power projoct
Portland General Electric
. Company has offered space
and facilities for a Federal
wind power demonstration
project near Boardman. U.S.
Energy Research and Deve
lopment Administration re
cently asked for proposed
siies on which to locate the
experimental w ind generation
facility and expects many
sites to be offered. Deadline
for proposal submittal to
NASA Lew is Research Center
in Cleveland. Ohio was April
19
PGE's proposal offers
space, services and facilities
on a site where a half million
kilowatt coal generating plant
is under cons! ruction 11 miles
south of Boardman.
Oregon's Energy Facility
Siting Council has heartily
enckirsed the proposal.
The proposal w as prepared
by the PGE Generation Re
sources Investigation Team
under the direction of Neil
Wodley. Woodley said PGE's
proposal includes wind data
already obtained from a
meteorological tower which
has been placed at the site for
approximately two years. He
says F.RDA will select twelve
sites from the proposals
submitted to begin the Phase I
collection of data from which 4
lo 6 of the best sites will be
Health
needs
survey
Enclosed in your electric
billing this month from Col
umbia Basin Electric Coop
you will find a "Health Needs
Survey,"
This survey has been deve
loped by the Tn County Hea
lth Services Commission as a
means of acquiring citizen
Input into the future health
needs of the area It Is anti
cipated that through the use of
this survey, a belter under
standing of the citizen's needs
and desires will be available.
Cooperation on the part of
all residents will provide for
an adequate base of informa
tion To complete the survey,
mark the appropriate boa.
Once you have completed it.
fold the survey so the return
address is on the outside and
mail it. No postage Is neces
sary. If you have any questions
regarding the survey, call the
Tri County Health Senses
office, Heppner. I7 alJI.
Heppner. "I think Morrow
County people are the salt of
the earth." he said, "and
Oregon is one of the finest
places to live."
Joiner has high praise for
Reed. "He is among the
state's finest publisher -editors."
Joiner said. His Her
mision Herald is a national
and state prize-winning week
ly. Ik' is the president of the
Oregon New spaper Publishers
Association, and has been in
the weekly newspaper busi
ness for the largest part of his
lite. More important, he is
already something of a resi
dent of Morrow County. Reed
and his wife Delores bought
the Charley Heard's cabin a
couple of years ago and spend
a great deal of their lime there
and in Heppner.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed have
three children; two boys and a
girl.
if Reed doesn't give Hepp
ner the best newspaper it's
ever had. I have promised lo
come back up there and shoot
him." Joiner said.
selected for the Phase II
demonstration wind machine
installation. The Phase II
installation is expected to
start late in 1976 and continue
through 1978. Following sys
tem checkout, experimental
operation of the wind turbines
with the assistance of the
selected organizations is ex
pected to last two years.
The four wind turbine de
monstration generators are
being planned, developed and
fabricated by contractors to
NASA-Lewis Research Center
for ERDA. Generators to be
installed will be of type types
with blades ranging in di
ameter from 123 to 200 feet
and a power rating from 123
kilowatts to 15 megawatts.
123 kilowatts represents the
electricity demand for appro
ximately a dozen average
households.
During the two years that
experimental operations are
planned to continue, the utility
hosting the wind equipment is
expected to utilize the power
from the generator to the
maximum practical extent
and to provide agreed-upon
data to the Government. At
the end of the two years the
Government has the option to
extend operations for another
Iwo vear period based on
mutual agreement.
Swim team
sign-ups
Heppner Swim Team is now
organizing for the Summer.
All children who are interest
ed in joining the Swim Team
should sign up at the Grade
School.
Swim Team practices each
morning except Sunday and
Monday. Most meets art held
on Sunday afternoon. Each
child swims In every event so
ihre ire mny nppnrKmiei
to participate
Parent support and encour
agement to necessary for a
successful Swim Team. Last
year the Heppner Swim Team
took 1st place in their division
at Regional Finals held in
Pendleton.
To get acquainted with new
members and their families,
there will be picnic Sunday.
May II Those who sign up will
be notified of time and place.