, -'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