Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 27, 1977)
, -'Hi TWO The Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, October 27, 1977 Assessor notes lowest tax rate in Oregon Although taxpayers in Mor row County may not feel all that good when tax state ments come out soon, they can bask in whatever glory is afforded in paying the lowest tax rate in the state. Speaking to the Heppner Morrow Chamber of Com merce Monday, Morrow Cou nty Assessor Everett Harsh man and his staff outlined the details beneath the soon-to-ar-rive tax statements. A 21 percent increase in assessed valuation in Morrow County bringing the total assessed valuation to $285,976, 903 results in an average tax rate of about $12.16 per $1,000 assessed value. "We were second to the lowest last year," said Harsh man, "missing by a few cents to Gilliam County." Chief Appraiser Charles Patching used a series of charts to depict the steady increase in valuation Morrow County has been experiencing the last several years. In 1973 the county had an assessed valuation of $100,500, 000, jumping to $193,128,000 in 1975 nearly double. Since '75 another'$100-million has been added to the tax rolls. Harshman said public util- THE GAZETTE TIMES Published every Thursday and entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Second-class postage paid at Heppner, Oregon. The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow G.M. Reed, Publisher Dolores Reed, Co-publisher Terry M. Hager, Managing Editor Jim Summers, News Editor Eileen Saling. Office Manager Elane Blanchet, Reporter Laura Craig, Composing Chloe Pearson, Composing Justine Weatherford Local Columnist LETTERS Editor, My apology to Mr. Gene Burgess of Oregon Humane Society in Portland Oregon. I must say I goofed, as Ann Landers even does at times. I should have said, "Mr. Baker have you read a copy of the page taken from Morrow County Court House law book and delivered by our Sheriff Larry Fetsch?" Sorry about that Mr. Burgess. Next time we meet you can give me a lash with a steer busting rope (not a noodle.) As ever Kindest Regards, Lois Winchester THE GOLD OF The gold of October is here. We see its golden beauty, everywhere Accented by gorgeous colors here and there. Tree bush and shrub wear a gold gown. Colors of every hue pass in gold review. Jack Frost lavishly brushed the canvas-wide. Guided by The Master Painter He brushed with pride. Autumn paintings hang in the valley; by the wayside; on the hill. A gallery enchanting peaceful and still. The gold of Autumn brocades each party gown, 'Til worn and faded They come tumbling down. Enchanted we ride on and on. Knowing that when we ride this way again, ities account for a large portion of the increase with desert lands coming under irrigation and constant re valuation making up the rest of the increase. Growth of residential, commercial and industrial facilities in the Boardman-Irrigon area has also contributed greatly. "Portland General Electric and the other power firms locating at the Carty Site have added some $46-million to the assessed value of Morrow County," said Harshman. The increase in valuation in that area will continue at a fast pace in the next few years as the PGE coal-fired plant, when completed, is expected to have a valuation of between $5(K)-million and $l-billion. Breaking down the major portions of the tax rate per $1,000. Morrow County re ceives $1.55; Blue Mountain Community College, $1.87; Port of Morrow, $.13; Water Control, $.19 and County Schools, $7.58. The City of Heppner has a tax rate of $7.20 and the Heppner Cemetary District receives $.30. Coded tax rate statements are available for the 1977-78 fiscal year from the assessor's office. OCTOBER The golden Autumn will be gone. By Katherine R. Farrar Elks Calendar Thursday, Oct. 27 Reg. Lodge 8 p.m. Kitty Dinner drawing Friday. Oct. 28 Happy Hour 5-7 p.m Dinner, 6 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 29 Dinner, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 Senior Citizens Klks and out-of-low n guests only. J B.P.O.E. 358 Heppner. Oregon j Steeplejack: i '(- Bill Hinrichs shows how one leg wrapped around the pole secures his position as a steeplejack. The pole in the picture sits in front of the Morrow County Courthouse. Bond sales on target According to statistics just released by the U.S. TReasu ry, the Morrow County U.S. Savings Bond program, chaired by Gene Pierce, totaled $83,128 sales in the first seven months of 1977. This figure represents 61 per cent of the county goal of $137,000 for the entire year. Americans nationwide have increased their holdings of Series E and H Savings Bonds by $4.7 billion in the past year. They now own over $75 billion worth of the govern ment bonds. EMT s form organization Approximately 20 Morrow County residents with Emer gency Medical Training and experience met recently to form an organization designed to keep members up with the required education and train ing needed for EMT certifica tion. At the meeting held Tues day, Oct. 18, in the "old library" corner of the Hepp ner city building, the organiz ing group elected officers and did some planning for future meetings. Betty Curnutt was elected president; Paul Sum ner, vice-president; Maxine Schmitt, secretary and Ira Owens, treasurer. The first three off icers live in Heppner; Owens lives in Lexington. "This organization extends a cordial invitation to any EMT's in the area to come join us," Curnutt said. "Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 29, at. 7:30 p.m. in the same place where we met in October." 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 Senior Citizens 4:30 p.m. Pinochle 7:30 p.m. Indoctrination, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 " Ladies Night I Dinner 6 p.m. f Lodge 8 p.m. v j Initiation and State 3rd Vice- " President Visitation ' ft I Library and member of the library board, said information ob tained from a legislative as sistant in Salem supported some points of opposition to the formation of a boundary commission in Morrow County by District Attorney Dennis Doherty. Kuhn indicated that even if petitions were obtain ed, the County Court would still have the option of deciding that there was no need for a boundary commis sion in the county. Kuhn suspected that is exactly what would happen. The Heppner library board n t Wednesday. Oct. 26. to diM-uss the petition and ex plore other options. The de cision of the board was not available at press time. When Doherty was asked about his stand on the boun dary commission, he stated emphatically, 'it's a rotten idea for Morrow County." Doherty explained that boundary commissions were created as a means of dealing with boundary disagreements between service districts of heavily populated metropol itan areas. He cited the example of the existence of 54 rural fire protection districts alone in one area of Western Oregon and pointed out the potential confusion of the situation without any governmental body to arbitrate disputes. "Altogether. Morrow Coun ty has 16 service districts with no turf disputes. We don't need a boundary commission," Do- ARE BEING COLLECTED FOR VETERAN'S HOSPITAL PROGRAMS. LEAVE AT JERRY'S MOBILE HEPPNER CHEVRON ELKS PARKLOT SPONSORED BY B.P.O.E. 353 climbs $3,000 worth of poles each year The 37-foot flag pole at Pioneer Memorial Hospital has had a shiny new look since last Thursday when semi-retired steeplejack Bill Hinrichs of Aberdeen, Wash., scaled the height, loaded down with brushes, roller and buckets filled with silver paint. "Want a job?", he yelled down to curious hospital employees. "I sure don't want yours, blood makes me dizzy," joked the man whose precarious profession has seen him hanging from structures as high as 800 feet. Hinrichs, 65 a former hobo and motorcycle stunt rider, said he has been in the steeplejack business for 42 years. Though he commented that there arent too many real steeplejacks left, a son and daughter followed their father's lead, taking over the business in Aberdeen when he 'retired'. Daughter Karen, a 'steeplejill' since she was 18, has appeared on nine television programs, including "What's My Line". Once painting and repairing every kind of structure church steeples, water towers, smokestacks, bridges Hin richs has slowed down, specializing now in flag poles at schools and other public buildings. He enjoys travelling and has motored to almost every part of the U.S. in his red, white, and blue Toyota which registers 137,000 miles, supplementing his Social Security income by painting "no more than $3,000 worth" of poles a year. A far from modest man, Hinrichs claims he has been written up in more than 30 newspapers and carries around a stack of clippings to prove it. He is the author of one book, "Fiddle Foot and Free" about his experiences as a steeDleiack, and is working on his second. His next goal is Holly wood he has an agent there trying to sell a script about his exploits. Hinrichs would like to play himself in a movie and said interest has been shown. A born-again Christian, Hinrichs said his faith in the Lord gave him confidence during his dangerous work. He is proud of his membership in the Gideon Society. Although he has never fallen, Hinrichs has experienced some painfully close calls. "I once had 7,200 volts go through me, he claimed. "It burnt holes in the bottom of my shoes and in my back." Speaking of shoes, Hinrichs is careful to point out his trademarks, gold-painted hard hat and work boots. "People don't say much about my hat, but, boy do they talk about my shoes." The boots are the same gold he paints the ball atop each flag pole. "Be sure to mention my shoes," was the parting remark of the flamboyant steeplejack, yelled down from his perch on the Pioneer Memorial Hospital flagpole. herty commented. "It would be an administrative night mare." he added. The District Attorney also gave several more reasons for his opposition, including the fact that any member of the commission could not partic ipate in any other county committe; that as an appoint ed body it would have power CBEC following zones: Candidates from Zone No. 1 (north of Condon ) are Floyd Anderson, incumbent; and Earl Wea therford. Zone No. 2 (southern Gilliam County and rural area in Wheeler County) Walter Jaeger, incumbent; and Ed Bates. Zone No. 5 (southern Morrow County, south of Heppner, and the Gurdane area in Umatilla County) Kenneth Wright, incumbent; and Harold Peck. City of Condon, no incumbent and candidates are Fred Greiner and Bob Eaton. A new director to bring the board to 12 members will be elected from the Heppner area. Candidates aic Bill Collins and Forrest Burken bine. Hold over members include: Dick Krebs, Dick Wilkinson, Paul Tews, Herb Moonlight Oct. ASSORTED FABRICS Knits...70,,, Polyester Wovens...$33V Cottons...$209 $155. re8- yd- 2.59 ALSO... Elephant Macrame Cord... $5 JUDV'l Continued from Page 1 that should belong only to elected officials; and that it would create too heavy an administrative load on the County Court. "I'm sympathetic with the problem of funding the library but service districts with taxing authority were never meant to operate that type of facility," said Doherty. Continued from Page 1 Wright, Van Rietmann, Ken neth Smouse, and Randall Peterson. Of interest to many mem bers will be an auction scheduled for the conclusion of the business session. A surplus boom truck owned by the Co-op will be auctioned, off. The truck is a 1959 V2 ton, 6 cylinder, International 4x4 with new tires on the rear, hydraulic boom and front mounted winch. The motor was recently overhauled and is in good running condition. Auctioneer will be Gary Grieb. The usual door prizes will also be given away at the end of the meeting. All members are urged to attend or at least cast their ballots for the candidates of their choice. Madness 27 reg. J"1 3.49 95 FABRIC & MACRAME HEPPNER 676-5106 reg. 4.50 Obituaries I TJS" 11. james James H. Brannon, 67, died Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Hepp ner. He was born Oct. 29, 1909, in Hardman, the son of Merly W. and Ella Saling Brannon, pio neer Morrow County resi dents. He was a retired house painter and carpenter. Funeral services were Fri day, Oct. 21, at Sweeney Mortuary Chapel, with Rev. Kenneth Miller of All Saints Episcopal Church officiating. Carl and Betty Marquardt sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art". Casket bearers were Marion Norman Lynn Norman Lynn, Heppner, died in Pendleton Oct. 23 at the age of 73. Born in Sunderland, Eng land on Jan. 11, 1904, Mr. Lynn spent his early years there and graduated from engineer ing school. He served as chief engineer aboard ship for 12 years and traveled to many seaports throughout the world. He later settled in Portland and became a United States citizen. In 1957 he married Ida Est berg. The couple moved to Heppner upon retirement to lead a more leisurely life and be closer to relatives in 1974. Mr. Lynn was initiated into EXTRA CASH FROM UNWANTED ITEMS SELL WITH CLASSIFIEDS 676-9228 TUIIBtn A V inUMUHl 7.9 P.m. Assorted Four Season's Jewelry Pendant Watches ONLY 3 SO HURRY I Varied Assortment Of Seth Thomas Westminister Striking Clock REG. $429.95 Cordless Clocks ONLY 41 REG $33 - $70 DON'T MISS 'EMI Clutch Purses 3-$4 5Q PeterSOnly Jewelers ( Heppner ft) 676-9200 I jLPrO.1111O.iA Biddle, Darold Hams, Wayne Ball, Sherrill McDonald, Jim my Hams and Harry Shyder. Concluding services and interment were at Heppner MasonicCemetery with Swee ney Mortuary in charge of arrangements. ' Mr. Brannon is survived by a son, William Brannon, Heppner; a daughter, Darlene Snyder, Fairbanks, Alaska ; a sister, Pearl Green, Lexing ton; a brother, Marvin Bran non, Mt. Vernon ; seven grand children, one step-grandchild and one great grandchild, and numerous nieces and neph ews. Portland Elks in 1959 and became a member of the Heppner Lodge in April. 1972. He is survived by his wife Ida, two sisters, a half-sister, one brother, a sister-in-law Mary Bryant, Heppner, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. in the Elks Temple, Heppner. Exalted Ruler of BPOE 358, Don Ball, officiated. Tom Franks sang "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" accomp anied by organist Rikkee Tews. Sweeney Mortuary of Hep pner .was in charge of ar rancnicnls. lis Moonlight mm f Madness Items Vi Price 250-$5 00 REG. $21.95 now $n ONLY I I From Electric Wall $lA50a$QC00 " - REG. $5.95 - $8.95
