TWO THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Ileppner. OR. Thursday. June 3. 1978
New traffic laws
fake effect July 1
alem
j
by Jack Z,
immtrmin
WILL CALIFORNIA'S GOVERNOR
SHAPE OREGON'S LEGISLATURE?
It's not uncommon for congressional aspirants to ride into
office on the coat-tails of popular presidential candidates.
But seldom, indeed, do presidential candidates directly
influence the makeup of Oregon's State Legislature.
Particularly in the way some observers are claiming Jerry
Brown influenced outcome of last week's primary election.
The youthful California chief executive's record-shattering
write-in campaign has politicos agog or aghast, depending
largely on whether the Brown effort rubbed off for or against
their particular interest.
Said one conservative strategist: "Jerry Brown should be
shot!"
Campaigners of more liberal bent tended to react more
favorably to the flood of unexpected voters who flocked to the
polls to write in our southern neighbor's name as Democratic
nominee for the nation's highest office.
Even fellow-Governor Bob Straub expressed post-election
concern about the Brown activity and its effect on decisions
at the polls. Straub's statements added fuel to already
smoking rumors suggestiong all of Brown's votes may not
have been strictly legal.
And whether they benefitted or not, most incumbent
lawmakers emerged from the contest hinting broadly that a
close examination of the state's new liberal registration and
vote-casting regulations will be on the agenda for the next
regular biennial get-together in Salem next January.
Everyone concedes Jerry Brown swiped votes from all
other Democratic presidential aspirants. Only the percen
tages are in question. But, more to the point, the 12 day
Brown write-in blitz drew literally thousands of voters to the
polls, who previously hadn't been sufficiently motivated to
register for the balloting privilege.
One new election law enacted in 1975 permitted
registration by mail. Another permitted potential voters to
obtain a certificate of registration from the proper
authorities as late as election day. Armed with same, those
registrants were permitted to vote the same day.
Long-standing law requires registrants otherwise qualified
must be 30-day residents of Oregon. Proof of the residence
requirement is difficult to enforce during mail registration
and impossible for those signing up on election day.
Present law even permits last-minute new registrants to
qualify with the proper elections officer at the county seat,
obtain an absentee ballot at 7:30 p.m. and vote without even
getting close to the official polling place in their respective
precincts!
Even the most avid supporter of liberal voting procedures
admits this process greatly enhances chances the
less-than-honest might opt to take advantage of the situation.
The fact false swearing of registration requirements is a
felony does not deter the dishonest. And even if Californians
did jump the border to register and vote for their popular
governor, is it likely Brown would grant extradition so
Oregon could prosecute his faithful?
Such conjecture is purely that conjecture. Vote fraud
may have been perpetrated in this Oregon primary. It may
not. The Secretary of State cites only one previous case in
history. But then his office also admits a dog recently
became a registered voter albeit temporarily. The pooch
was disenfranchised before casting a ballot. And the
perpetrator likely faces prosecution.
Meanwhile, how did Jerry Brown influence makeup of the
1977 Legislature? One assumes his write-in campaign
attracted literally thousands of last-minute registrants.
Those he attracted had to have registered as Democrats in
order to support his partisan nomination.
Anyone near a courthouse on election day can tell you the
long lines of late registrants were young people and the
young tend to be of relative liberal persuasion.
Originally, the late registration privilege was intended
only for balloting on presidential candidates. But subsequent
law paved the way for voting the whole ballot.
Consequently, the theory would lead us to believe a lot of
Democrats were plugged into the final vote tally and they
likely provided additional support for liberal candidates.
It's easy to understand why some strategists would be
upset by such a development and why others would welcome
it. Campaign planners certainly couldn't have counted on the
Brown happening in advance. And even if they could have,
combatting the phenomenal voter surge likely would have
been impossible.
Other aspects of this election are interesting, too. The low
63 per cent voter participation anticipated may not
materialize. Despite the outpouring of Brown support that
may have pushed total registrations to near 1.3 million,
unofficial returns show voter participation at closer to 53 per
cent. Final certification of figures 30 days after the election
likely will affect the arithmetic. But the general turnout was
nothing compared with the Brown turn-on.
Each election produces some close decisions. But this one
may prove unique. Unofficial returns indicate as many as
three automatic recounts in legislative races. Present law
makes another tally automatic if the difference is less than
oneJtalf of one per cent of total votes cast.
Two of the races in question involve Republicans, so Brown
supporters weren't Involved.
And Incumbents and would be lawmakers were only
nominated for candidacy during the primary unless they
were unopponed. So the suggestion that California's governor
might Influence the makeup of the Oregon Legislature can't
be sustained until next November.
But those ho voted for Brown in May will still be
registered to vote next fall. And you can bet whatever you'd
tike political strategists will take those folks into
consideration as they promote their candidates through the
second half of the Oregon election process.
Rep. Sunnor invited
State Representative Jack
Sumner of Ileppner it among
the political figures, arts and
educational leaders and me
dia rrprrwitativei ho have
been invited to I tie traditional
Fral of the Tribe of Will
marking the formal opening of
the Orrgnn Shakespearean
Festival s 1976 summer sea
son The Feast begins at 6 p m ,
Friday, June II in Aahland's
Uthia Park and Include en
tertainment hy The Kilty
Band, Festival musicians and
dancers.
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CAL-I-FOR-NIA HERE I COME..."
(Principal Ray Parnay of Forestville School wrote the
following observations for the Bicentennial Edition of the
Newsette. the school's PTA publication.)
Democracy, and with it the free enterprise system, is a
very fragile thing. Like a delicate plant it needs a great deal
of nourishment and tender loving care in order to survive.
As a plant grows older and less robust it needs even greater
attention, partly because it has passed its prime, and partly
because we tend to take it for granted. And we find America
today in very much this state of affairs. We labor under the
foolish delusion that our country, as we have known it will
continue to exist with little or no efforts on our individual
parts. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Only the very myopic, or those who naively choose to live
under a different system than our democratic form of
government, can help but acknowledge that America has
provided more personal liberty, more opportunity for
persons of all races, colors and creeds, and a higher standard
of living than any nation in the history of the world. But, what
most of us fail to recognize is that we cannot continue taking
money from the bank, and enjoying the fruits of past labors,
without putting some back.
Our 2WHh anniversary should be celebrated not so much
because of past glories, but rather should serve as a fitting
occasion to reaffirm the national values which can preserve
the freedom and the opportunity for our children and theirs to
follow.
Those of us in education, in cooperation with parents, must
take the time to discuss with our children some of the keys to
survival of our way of life. We must teach them:
1. That there is no self-esteem in accepting something for
nothing.
2. That communism, state socialism or totalitarianism in
any form are all foreign to our way of life and will destroy us
if given the chance.
3. That our preoccupation with rights to the exclusion of
responsibilities will erode our moral strength.
4. That patriotism, love of one's country, is Just as essential
for the well-being of our nation as positive feelings about
ourselves are essential to our personal well being. This does
not exclude recognizing our national or our personal
weaknesses and working to improve them.
5. That there is no such thing as instant gratification
without a terrible price, that this country was built on the
spirit of self-sacrifice and a willingness to work hard now in
order to have something better in the future.
6. That Inflation will eventually destroy us as surely as a
communist takeover unless we learn to live within a
balanced budget at all levels of government.
7. That business, honest competition, and the entire free
enterprise system are not evil things, but rather the very life
blood of our way of life . . . that without them our democracy
could not flourish and our standard of living would wither.
8. That we must continue to strive for equal opportunity for
every American, but recognize in the process that efforts to
mandate equality through legislation and redistribution of
wealth will destroy incentive, weaken our system, and is
nothing more than a step toward communism.
9. That swift, sure punishment Is the only deterrent to
rrlme , and that we ewe the good citizen In our im iely this
protection against the rascals among us.
10 That In order for freedom to flourish, we must
participate by voting for leaders who espouse the philosophy
that the best government is that which governs least.
11. That there Is no place In the American way for
unbridled aggression, but that to remain to strong militarily
that no aggressor nation dare attack us is a basic lesson of
history we dare not forget.
12. That in the final analysis, no country It belter than the
individuals who comprise it, and that a firm commitment to
the work ethic, and high standards of personal morality are
ewnlial Ingredients fur survival.
My message to our children It not a simplistic. "America,
jtve tl or I-eave It." but rather, "America, Love it. Improve
It, and taave it Better Than you Found it."
0SU Extension Service News
by
Morrow Extension Staff
COWBELLES NEWS
Oregon CowBelles have announced their second recipe
contest to select an Oregon contestant for the Annual
; National Beef Cook-Off to be held in Salt Lake City,
September 16-17, 1976.
Any individual twenty-one years of age or older, without
professional food status, may enter the contest by submitting
an original beef recipe using chuck, fresh brisket, or round
(including rump) cuts of beef.
Six semi-finalists in Oregon selected from recipe entries,
will then actually compete in a cook-off in Portland to
determine state and second place winners. The state winner
will receive a Choice side of beef, plus an expense paid trip to
Salt Lake City to compete for the $1,750 national prize. The
second prize winner for Oregon will win a Choice hind
quarter of beef.
Additional rules for the contest include the recipe must
contain a minimum of two pounds of beef, and not more than
five pounds. Each entry must be printed or typed on a full
sheet of paper and must include a full list of ingredients and
procedure. The recipe must be specific, indicating no name
brands, and should be properly prepared within 3's hours.
Recipe should also include the number of servings and cost
per serving. No outdoor recipes will be accepted. Recipes
will be judged on taste, appearance, and originality.
To enter, submit recipe according to rules above, no later
than July 2, 1976. Mail entries to BEEF COOK-OFF, care of
Oregon Beef Council, 400 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR,
97205.
Morrow County CowBelles encourage all the good cooks in
the county to get out their favorite original recipe and send it
in. according to Birdine Tullis, CowBelles Beef Promotion
Chairman. "It's an easy contest to enter . . . and wouldn't a
side of beef and a trip to Salt Lake City be great?"
FOOD FOR LATER
A TV series on home preservation of foods will be shown on
Oregon channels KOAC and KOAP TV, channelt 7 and 10,
and will include all the popular food preservation topics.
Starting June 4, the series will be shown at 7:30 p.m. each
following Friday evening, ending July 16.
June 4 Making Jams and Jellies
June II Freezing Fruits and vegetables
June 18 Water bath canning
July 2-Pickling
July Drying Foods
July I6Canning Fish
TUT, ETTTMSa
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Oregon will Join a handful of other ttatet In attempting to
deal with alleged traffic offender, faster and mora
effectively when the state', new vehicle code take, effect on
JThe new code, enacted by the 1975 legislature after an
18-month study by an Interim Judiciary Committee, bring,
sweeping changes In laws governing traffic a. well a. In the
procedures for prosecuting traffic offender..
Under the new code, drivers cited by police for breaking
most traffic laws will commit a "traffic Infraction." A driver
convicted of a traffic Infraction will be penalized upon
conviction only by a fine, bail forfeiture, limitation,
suspension or revocation of a driver, license, or some other
civil penalty.
A Jail sentence is not authorized for a traffic Infraction.
Though it seldom if ever happened, officials note that the old
vehicle code, in effect for more than 40 year., actually
authorizes up to 10 days in jail, or a fine of up to $100, for first
convictions of failing to use your headlights when required to
do so or making an illegal U-turn.
Traffic infractions in the new code are classified into four
groups, depending on the seriousness of the offense as It
relates to highway safety. The fine for each class of
infraction may not exceed an amount set by law.
The most serious traffic Infraction, are Class A'
infractions. These include the first charge for driving while
under the influence of intoxicants or any hit and run charge
involving only property damage. The maximum penalty for
these infractions is $1,000. Hit and run Involving death or
injury, however, is a traffic crime and, as such, I. a Class C
felony a penitentiary offense.
Since most people cited for breaking traffic laws either
forfeit bail or handle the charge by corresponding with the
court, many drivers probably will not see much different In
the way things are done under the new code as opposed to the
old vehicle code.
But if a driver wants to fight a ticket and tell his side of the
incident to a judge, the changes will be evident.
In the first pluce, officials point out that a Judge without a
jury will hear the evidence If you are required to appear in
court to answer a citation, or if you want to plead not guilty.
Since a jail sentence cannot, by law, result from conviction
for a traffic infraction, the rules of evidence are less severe
than in a criminal proceeding. The judge will not need proof
"beyond a reasonable doubt" to convict, only a
"preponderance" of evidence.
The district attorney or city attorney will not be in court for
a traffic infraction trial unless the defendant hires an
attorney. This means the officer who cites a driver will be
required to give the state's case against an errant driver
without a prosecuting attorney in the courtroom.
In addition to Class A traffic infractions, there are also
Class B, C, and D traffic infractions. Maximum penalties for
these range from $250 for a Class B infraction to $50 for a
Class D infraction.
Here are a few examples of each type of infraction:
ClassB-failure to yield right of way at an intersection,
passing in a no-passing zone, following too closely, running a
red light. ;
Class C failure to yield right of way before entering or
crossing a road from a private driveway or roadway, failure
to signal a turn, failure to drive in the right-hand lane if you
are a slow driver.
Class D stopping, standing or parking where it is not
permitted, opening a car door on the street side when it
interferes with passing traffic, most pedestrian violations.
In addition to traffic infractions, the new code establishes
four traffic crimes reckless driving, driving while
suspended or revoked, hit and run involving death or injury,
and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
These offenses will be prosecuted under criminal
procedures and will be subject to stricter rules of evidence
since both a fine and jail sentence may result. In at least two
cases hit and run involving death or injury and in some
driving while suspended cases a penitentiary sentence it
possible for conviction.
Officials also point out that drivers charged with a Class A
traffic infraction, such as driving under the influence of
intoxicants, will be prosecuted under the criminal rule, if
they have had a previous conviction for a Class A traffic
infraction or traffic crime within the last five yeart.
The new code also authorize, arrest for five offenses,
called "serious traffic offenses," in some place, other than
on a public highway.
A driver may be arrested for reckless driving, driving
under the influence of intoxicanta. hit and run, attempting to
elude police, or driving while suspended or revoked in area,
labeled as premises open to the public for use of motor
vehicles. The authority exists whether the premises are
publicly or privately owned and whether or not a fee I.
charged for their use.
Measure 1
Veterans may apply for
State and farm loans
Veterans made eligible for
the state veterans' farm and
home loan by passage of
Measure 1 In the primary
election May 23 can apply for
Ihe benefit immediately, This
was Ihe word put out t inlay by
II C. Saaireld. director of the
Department of Veterans' Af
fairs, Ihe administering agen
cy for the loan program.
Saalfcld said that even
though the measure It not
effect I v until June 25, loan
applications will he taken now
and processed up to the point
of disbursement of funds.
Actual disbursement will have
to wall until the effective dale
or later, he said.
An estimated 25.0(10 addi
tional veterana were made
eligible by the Measure I
passage. These were:
Iost Korean and Vietnam
veterans who came to Oregon
after military dUharge and
lived here for two yean prior
lo May 1, 1977. Up to now they
must have entered service
from Oregon to qualify. These
veterans must have served 210
dayt or more after January
31. 190.
World War II veterant
who lived In Oregon, for Iwo
year, between discharge and
December 31, 1063. Up to now
they must have lived hert for
Iwo yeart prior to December
31, I9.'i2, unless they entered
service from Oregon.