Page 2. THE GAZETTE-TIMES. Heppner. OR, Thursday. April 29, 1976
Mayor of llardmn
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During last Tuesdays elections in Morrow County, an
estimated 50-55 registered voters in the Heppner district did
not have the opportunity to vote on the Blue Mountain
Community College levy. The election board ran out of
ballots. According to reports the ballots for the Heppner
district were mis-sent to another location and when election
officials noticed they were running short of ballots they sent
to Lexington for more ballots for the voters. With the large
" turnout of voters at the polls, before the ballots could be
delivered to the Heppner polls, between the hours of 7-7:30,
the board did not have any ballots.
Although the levy passed by a majority of 392 votes in
Morrow and Umatilla Counties, the vote in Morrow County
ended in a tie vote. However, the final results of the voting is
not the issue. The important issue is that registered voters
were denied the right to vote.
Some of the people questioned regarding the lack of ballots
reported they were not notified by election officials and after
voting on the other issues went home, only to discover they
had not voted on the BMCC levy. Some voters contend they
were notified of the absence of the ballots and were asked to
remain at the polls until the ballots arrived from Lexington
and then vote on the levy.
This newspaper contacted the Secretary of State and
talked with the Superintendent of Elections Dick Banton and
notified him of the situation. Banton said. "One ballot should
be prepared for each registered voter of the area." In some
instances one precinct may run out of ballots. When this
happens voters may cast their vote on sample ballots or other
pieces of paper, but they must be allowed to vote.
He further stated that any voter in the county could file a
petition with the circuit court questioning the validity of the
election. To do this a lawyer must be engaged. The court
would then decide if the violation had any impact upon the
election. Should the court rule in favor of the petitioner, the
petitioner would be reimbursed for the court cost and the
entire election could be declared null and void.
Voting is one of the few privileges the American people can
exercise and I feel the right to cast a ballot cannot be denied a
single person.
Regardless of the reason for the shortage of ballots and the
cost to the county to hold another election the only pertinent
issue is 55 regisiered voters went to the polls and were not
able to cast their ballots. Perhaps the cost of holding another
election w ill tend to make election officers a little more wary
of their duties and prevent this from happening in the future.
Agri-business
approved for EOSC
Beginning next fall. Eastern
i i -un State College w ill offer
a new degree in Agri-Busi-ih-
The program, approved
! the Oregon State Board ol
Higher Education, has also
Urn reviewed and approed
by !he Educational Coordinat
ing Council. Development of
the new major was coordinat
ed i!h Oregon State Univer
sity and the Eastern Oregon
community colleges of Blue
Mountain. Pendleton and Tre
aute Valley. Ontario
The Akin-Business program,
the need- for which were
idenniied b EOSC's Regional
Agricultural Advisory Com
niii'if. will offer student a
broad background in business
and eiom-jr.iis. and agricul
ture to prepare them lor
career in both agriculture
and agriculturally -related bu
mec El ISO Preident Rodney
r.riggsaylhenew program.
"i an attempt to meet a
!ti.ior need in eastern Oregon
m obilizing eastern Oregon
n.t'tiral resource baed econo
my It deigned to provide
the education and skills for a
pradi'ioner in Agri business
that can move into both
wholesale and retail agricul
turally, tclaied businesses in
-a! rrn Oregon, the inier
ni.Hini.nn area of (regon.
.ihmi:ton and Idaho, and. I
thrnk. could (ill nome oppor
tunities for national employ
ment as well."
EOSC will accept its first
4-year students in the pro
gram this Fall However,
through a cooperative arran
cement with Blue Mountain
and Treasure Valley Com
munity Colleges, those com
munity college students will
h' able to enroll in the
program at the junior level
this Fall. Students at other
community colleges who wih
to tranlT lo the Agn Busine
Program should contact
EiiSC to determine the Iran
rahiliiv ol credits
Located in the agricultural
ly-rich Grande Ronde Valley.
F.OSC i ideally situated In
conduct an Agn Busine
Program. Students will not
only take course work a'
EoSC,' mil will work directly
with farm and ranch opera
turn, agriculturally -related
butnee. and the agricultu
ral experiment stations at
t nioiiand Pendleton. Oregon
Slate University faculty at the
experiment stations w ill asit
wi'h instruction in the lechm
cal applications nl agriculture
through a cooperative arran
getneti! brtween OSU and
Knsc
Student mlere'ed in the
new program hotild rnniaci
the Office of Student Develop
men!. Eaiern Oregon Slate
College. I -a Grande. OK
This new spaper is published, and rather successfully,
loo. without regard to race, color, creed, national
origin, age. marital status, physagogu addiction,
professional ability, religion, physical handicap,
medical condition, pigmentation (hair anior skim,
political persuasion, literacy, previous condition of
servitude, citizenship, criminal record, club member
ship, ancestry, inc entry, outcettry. gnoy ,no
box ! Sex."
THE GAZETTE-TIMES
MORROW COUNTY'S NEVWAPER
BWI.IIeppr.OR.rt3
RutxrripOo rate: M per year la
Ore goa. 17 el here.
Prortl V. Joiner. PtMUaer
Frwle Cereta. Fdilor
Published every Tkartday and entered a
sera4Us matter al the al Heppner,
Ot(m. amlrr the act March 3. I7. SerM4lM
pUe paid al Heppner, Orel,
"...And When The Pie Was Opened..."
The mail pouch
EDITOR:
It is now 1:30 a.m. I have just finished witnessing the dog
that has been my children's pet for over three years die a
hideous, convulsive death from poison.
I onlv wish the person who cares so little about others that
he could poison a pet. would have to face my children
tomorrow and tell them their dog is dead. How do you explain
to a seven year old the inhumanness of others?
1 am writing this letter in the hope that maybe next time
when these people reach for the poison they will stop and
think about the child who is going lo lose his pet in such a
violent manner. Perhaps he might even witness its horrible
death.
A person who has so little maturity as to leave poison for an
animal not knowing w hether the animal or possibly a child
will find it and eat it is a menace to our society. If an animal
" is causing damage to your property there are many
recourses open to you.
You can attempt to find the owner or contact the
authorities.
If these proper recourses fail and you feel compelled to
protect your properly there are certainly more humane ways
lo destroy an animal.
I feel we as a society are making a grave mistake by
making lethal poison readily available to adults who have no
conscience. If a child kept straying to your property making
a pest of himself, would you poison him too?
JAN EVANS.
Irrigon
EDITOR:
Our Slate Legislature gave to seven political appointees
the power to control land use in Oregon. Thereby, peoples'
historic right lo enjoy their property has been taken without
Iheir consent.
A measure lo repeal this tremendous power can be put lo a
vole of the people this November Needed are 46.235 valid
signatures on the Initiative Petitions which are distributed
throughout the Stale.
Every registered voter can help in two or three ways.
First, find and sign a petition (every Grange has some);
second, gel from us your own petition and complete it with 40
or more names; third and most importantly, please urge all
petition carriers lo complete and return Iheir petitions as
soon as possible lo the:
Balanced Conservation & Development Committee
care of Cliff Everett. Chairman
Dexter. Oregon 97411.
EDITOR:
As you may have expected. I feel il is necessary to provide
some answers lo several questions raised in Pat Wright's
letter which was carried in the April IS issue of your paper.
Sev eral of the questions and comments contained in the teller
are quesiions lhal have ben raised by other residents of
Morrow County and I hope this explanation will provide some
rationale for the operation of Blue Mountain Community
College District.
The poinl I have heard expressed most frequently regards
the fact that il would be cheaper for Morrow County to
w iihdraw from the college district than lo pay the full cosls of
education for the students who attend from Morrow County.
In answer to thai question, my response is that when the
formation of Blue Mountain Community College was being
discussed, there were residents from both Umatilla and
Morrow counties Involved in the planning and formation of
this district
The state had established minimum population figures and
minimum true cash value figures for the formation of
community college district. It was necessary for the two
counties lo combine to meet the necessary minimum figures
to obiain slate approval for a community college district. The
voters of both I'malilla and Morrow counties evidenlally
recngmed the need for a community college In this area and
the combined vote for formation of the district was belter
than five lo one in favor of ill formation. The vole was
affirmative In both I'malilla and Morrow counlies.
The need for the community college It evidenced by
increased enrollments both In the day and evening division
program and by the support it has been provided In budget
elections over the years. In Pal Wright s letter, the stales
that the agrees with the community college concept and
believes Blue Mountain Community College is doing a great
job
I think It is importanl to recogniie thai the Blue Mountain
Community District boundaries art contiguous with those of
Umatilla and Morrow counliea. The point Is lhal Morrow
County Is a part of the Blue Mounlain Community College
District, tt Is really one district and no! (wo separste county
I
districts within the Blue Mountain area. Law requires that
the tax levy throughout the total district be equal.
Pat Wright refers to the fact that the levy is II 93 in
I'malilla County and $1.91 in Morrow County. The reason for
the two cents per $1,000 discrepancy is that Morrow County
has some tax offsets that reduce that levy by the two cents.
By law and by our levy distribution the levy should be equal
in both I'malilla and Morrow Counlies. The college could not
provide a lower lax rale in Morrow County even if they felt it
were desirable.
In the very early years of the college operation, the board
did recognize that it was much more expensive for students
in the outlying areas to attend the college and the qualization
payments were established in an effort to help offset those
costs. It should be pointed out that at no time were
equalization payments intended to fully relieve the additional
cosls to students in the outlying areas. It was rather an
altempl to help reduce those discrepancies.
I should point out that there are three other community
colleges in the state of Oregon that cover larger geographic
areas than does Blue Mountain. However, Blue Mountain
Community College is the only one that makes equalization
pavments to those students who reside more than ten miles
from the campus. Two of the colleges provide a reduction in
tuition costs for students who live long distances from the
campus.. However, the tuition reduction amounts to a
maximum of $25-35 per term, w hile our equalization payment
in the Heppner area amounts to approximately $140 per
term. So. I submit to you that while Blue Mounlain does not
provide full equalization of cosls. it does a much belter job
than any other community college in the slate of Oregon.
This same point can be raised in most rural school districts
and in the Stale System of Higher Education in the stale of
Oregon. As an example, people in the Heppner area pay
exactly the same property tax dollars to support Oregon
Slate University as do the residents of the Corvallis area
However, if you send a student to OSU, that siudent pays
exactly the same tuition as a Corvallis resident, and In turn,
they also must pay the full expenses for board, room, and
other costs associated wilh living outside the Corvallis area
To a lesser degree but in the same principle, the residents
who live in the rural areas of Heppner are also faced wilh
added cosls if their youngsters participate in activities thai
preclude Iheir riding the school bus and they are also faced
with added cosls when il comes to attending school functions.
I am Irving to point out thai this is simply a problem that has
existed since school districts were formed and will continue
lo be a problem in the future. There is no way thai Blue
Mounlain Community College could be or could have been
located within closer distances to all of the residents it
serves.
Pal Wright does make a good poinl regarding the small
increases in the equalization payment over the years. When
the equalization payment was first created, it was based on
Iwocents per mile, then two years ago it was increased to two
and one half cents per mile. I think, perhaps, the board
should look at the two and one half cents per mile payment
and consider an increase in that figure. However, it should be
emphasized that il is probable thai the Increase would not be
sufficient to cover all the costs for students In the oullying
areas.
The final poinl made in Pat Wright s letter was thai access
lo college classes, other than those offered In the
Heppner Lexington area, were not accessible lo her. nor was
it possible for her to take advantage of the new athletic
facility, plays, concerts, etc.. that were offered on campus.
Wt recognize that this It a problem. However, we do not
tee thai (here is solution to that problem because there is no
way lo provide some of the services In an area that does not
have sufficient population to obtain an adequate enrollment
for the classes. While we would be very happy lo schedule
tome of our athletic activlliet and plays In the Heppner area,
it is Impractical for us from a financial standpoint to do that
wilh any great frequency. We would, however, be happy to
discuss this point with clubs and service organization! in the
Heppner area.
Our beard Is very conscious of the fact that th rfcidwt In
Morrow Counly do not have Ihe tame accett to our services
and facilities and they are continually looking for ways lo
Improve in this area Our board would be very happy to hold
a public meeting In Heppner, Lexington, or lone to discust
Ihe points raised in Pal Wright's letter and we would like lo
have an Invilalion for such meeting and have II sponsored
by a local organization so lhal we could be assured some
attendance In that meeting We scheduled regular board
meeting In the Heppner area this year, hoping for some
cillren Input lo our operation. However, the only people to
allend the meting were Bob and Marian Abrams and Jim
Bier.
If there Is sufficient Interest. t would be very happy lo
schedule a special meeting In Morrow Counly lo discuss
I bene Issues.
RON DANIELS
President. Blue Mounlain Community College
s
DEAR MISTER EDITOR:
I was late gitting to the country store Saturday night on
account of mv old ladv's almanac. She had read where Ihe
signs w ere right fer beans and wrong for vines, so natural she
had me out there digging. That woman depends more on that
book printed a vcar ago than she does on the weather reports
give over Ihe air ever hour on the hour. And it usual works out
fer her Last v car. fer instant, she warned me to w ait to plant
potmen til the sign got in Ihe foot. I planted em anyhow and II
could of put in mv hal Ihe potaters we got. But if we had baled
the vines we could of fed the stink through the winter.
So. usual. Mister Editor. I pay attention to her and her
signs. Like the old preacher said, it can't hurt and it might
help. He was talking about listening to Ihe word from Ihe
Good Book, and when my old lady reads from her almanac it
amounts lo Ihe same kind of reliable source, as (hem column
writers say. In both cases, I've learned not to argue with
success.
When I got to the store late, Ed Doolitlle must of gone
through most of the agender, Inlernalional and national
items had been handled, and stale and local guvernmenl had
been left lo shift fer theirseifs. The discussion had worked
down to wimmens feet, and Clem Webster had the floor.
Clem reported thai he had saw this piece where wimmen
have bigger feet now. He said Ihe feller that wrote the Hem
claimed il was on account of all the open toed and open heeled
shoes Ihev wear, but the fellers was general disagreed. Zeke .,
Grubb allowed lhal he could believe Ihe average size shoe fer
wimmen had gone from six lo seven in Ihe past to year, but
lhal don't mean Iheir feet is bigger. Ail It means is they're
buving bigger shoes.
General speaking, declared Zeke. that's a good sign.
Wimmen are waking up lo Ihe idee that being comfortable
over the long haul is better than being in fashion fer a couple
of months. Fer to long, went on Zeke. one woman would buy
the shoes every one was buying, and they'd all buy em (wo
sizes to small ' Now thai all of em is wearing panis where
nobody pays much attention lo Iheir feet, they have look to
buving what feels good, was Zeke's opinion. He said this was
the first move he has seen in styles that has practical value to
it. but fer his money he'd go back to skirls and cramped feet.
When wimmen get practical they git ornery, was Clem's
words, cause they want lo shape up their men in Ihe deal
The fellers was" agreed with Clem that a practical woman
can be as aggravating as a reformed drunk when it comes lo
spoiling everybody 's fun. but Clem said we need both like we
do a spring ionic. Fer instant, Clem said his old lady says she
likes lo carry around just enuff problems to keep her happy.
She claims the right kind of worrying keeps her wanting to do
better, and her small burdens makes her thankful she ain't
loaded down wilh big ones.
Yours truly.
MAYOR ROY.
Church or Bed
By Rev. Edwin Cutting
lleppner-Erho United .Methodist Church
People who attend a Sunday worship service in a Christian
House of God" are of various ages and experiences, of
differing levels of emotion and slates of health. Some are
there because they've had a tough week and seek renewal pf
strength. Some are there because things have been going
great and Ihey desire to pratseGod for the bWsmgs He
rendered The chief reason lo worship God is to give Him the
recognition and Ihe glory.
A TV program is looked al. or a ballgame is attended for its
entertainment value- the viewer is the recipient of Ihe actors
or ball player's efforts, in Christian worship God is the
recipient of the worshipper's efforts; whether the church
goer gels much benefit from attending is a lesser Issue In
worship. God is honored by our taking lime lo go lo a church
service, by our thinking aboul and praying lo Him and
listening for Him to speak through the preaching of the Word
If our cup gels refilled in the serv ice bless God all the more!
Il is recorded that Jesus "went lo the synagogue (church i.
as his custom was. "to be in God's house. He undoubtedly
knew , as did an old Biblical writer, that "a day in thy temple
is belter than a thousand spent elsewhere." Archelogical
ev idence indicates worship services in Jesus' day were not
very exciting The procedures of Bible reading, praying or
spiritual instruction did not determine regularity of his
attendance Jesus went in order that his spirit might
commune with God's spirit, that he might honor God. that he
might be fortified lo face Ihe coming week He came because
Ihe house of God was viewed as man's spiritual fortress, a
place lo be close lo ones' Creator and Suslainer. Probably Ihe
last thing to have entered Jesus' mind was to "sleep In" on
Ihe Sabbath Day
Worship declares Ihe worth of God. with a giving of all the
praise and honor due His name. Not lo altend church service
is to show that one has nothing to remember about God's
concern, or is not thankful for what God has done, or thai one
is not very interested in committing his life lo Ihe care of the
Almighty. A person worships because relationship with God
is vital One worships, not because he or she is so very good
or thinks oneself is. but because one knows thai he is not as
good as he ought lo be It is impossible to worship God
without pleasing Hun and being helrx-d In some degree
ourselv es God calls his people lo be true worshippers and wc
are asked lo respond instead of "sleeping in."
Quarterly report for
First National Bank
First National Bank of
Oregon reported a decline in
earnings for Ihe first quarter
ending March 31, I97A Strong
deposit growth and a small
increase in loans were report
ed compared with a year ago,
announced Robert F. Wallace,
hank chairman
Total deposits w-ie
$2,274,913,000 on March 31,
compared with $2.l24.027.ox.
representing a 7 I per cent
increase ov er Ihe lirsl quarter
P.I7S Total loans at First
National offices were
$l.:iH.'.3,i7.(Mi. a gain of 0 1 per
cent from Ihe ll.3ftl.6ll.uiw
listed on Ihe same dale In 11173.
Total resources wrre
' $2.924 .9B5.om. up from
12.fi02.3tfi.titt on March 31 last
year
Income before securities
transactions for Ihe first
quarter amounted to
H.'M.mi. or Rfi cenls per
share, down 12 6 per cent from
$V227.oi. or ft cents per
share recorded during Ihe
first quarter of 1971 Net
Income, after securities trans
actions was $4.Su6 ooo. or V
cents per share This compar
es lo $5,240 or 99 cents per
share last year.
The Heppner branch report
ed deposits ol $12,073,000 and
.Mik of $IOSMoio as of
March 31 Comparable totals
for Ihe branch a year ago were
j'lUTfiono in deposits and
$m tiC ixio in loans.
FRIENDSHIP CARD
U.fB MEETS
The Friendship Card Club
met Thursday evening at Ihe
home of Sharron Bell In
Fossil. Mrs Shirley Orr won
high and Patsy McMinn won
second high, Pinochles were
won by Ieena Held and
Glcnda Homer. Others enjoy
ing the evening play were
( isty Shaffer, Dinah JacM"n
and Edith Pell