Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 1978)
- - "" - " TWO The Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, March 9, 1978 Sifting through the TIMES A, 4Yes' vote for schools urged 1 I f 1 Morrow County voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, March 14 and the ballots cast will determine the fate of a proposed building plan for much needed school facilities. The bond issue asks voter approval for the expenditure of $4.8 million for the construction of four new buildings and renovation of specific areas in three existing buildings. That's a tidy piece of change taxpayers are being asked to cough up, but, the taxpayer is also receiving a lot for his money. EDITORIAL What justifies the expenditure of such a sum, especially when a bond issue was passed by voters as late as 1975? Increasing student enrollment is the answer. Since 1971 the District's total enrollment has jumped to 1,612 an increase of 540 students. Figures indicate that enrollment in Morrow County schools will increase to 2,350 students by 1982. About 75 per cent of the growth since 1971 has been in the Boardman-Irrigon area. The remaining 25 per cent, or about 135 students, have moved into Heppner schools. In the future, growth is expected to be heaviest in the Boardman-Irrigon areas although Heppner's elementary and junior high buildings are coming close to reaching capacity. It is sometimes hard for taxpayers to justify approving a bond issue of this size especially when the taxpayer living in Southern Morrow County sees that most of the bond issue is for facilities in the Northern portion of the county. Here we feel it is important that voters realize that all schools in Morrow County are consolidated into one district. There is a tremendous saving for taxpayers by operating this way. If the March 14 bond issue gets voter approval, the total tax rate for Morrow County schools will be a little over $9 per $1,000 assessed valuation. Looking at other districts in Eastern Oregon we see school districts that need $12-$15 per $1,000 to operate. The cost of the proposed bond issue would be $1.48 per $1,000, meaning the owner of a $40,000 home would be paying about $59.20 in taxes the first year of the bond issue. As the assessed valuation of the county increases as it is the cost per $1,000 will decrease. It is estimated that when Portland General Electric's coal-fired plant comes on the tax rolls in a couple years, the cost per $1,000 will drop to about .60 per $1,000. In this week's Gazette-Times, comments by District Superintendent Matt Doherty on the bond issue appear on page one and information on the bond issue itself appears on page 14. We urge voters to study the issue before them and vote next Tuesday, March 14. Polling places are listed in this week's paper. We recommend a 'yes' vote on Tuesday for schools and the children they educate. Letters Policy ALL LETTERS of general interest are welcomed, providing they are in good taste and not libelous. 250 WORDS IS about the maximum length we can accept, however, if you need more space, please use it. ALL LETTERS MUST be signed to be considered. If you wish to have your name withheld for good cause we will do so after contacting you for an explanation. TELEPHONE NUMBERS should be included. The number will only be used by the Gazette-Times to confirm it was you who wrote the letter. THE GAZETTE-TIMES reserves the right to refuse any letter it deems unfit for publication. LETTERS SHOULD BE addressed to Editor, Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Ore., 97836. i r j ljl f I ! I - ' (, ""N I : - ' II of i: : 1 m,-- AH r : LETTERS FROM READERS provides Bond needed facilities Editor, In considering the building needs of the Morrow County School District, the Planning Committee had to recognize that although all communities had some concerns, our major problem was one of increased student population in the Boardman-Irrigon area. Enrollment in the district has increased 540 students since 1971 with about 76 per cent of this coming in North Morrow County. Schools in that area are already filled beyond capacity and are increasing by around 100 students per year. The proposed bond issue to be voted on March 14, would solve the classroom space problem in Boardman and Irrigon for the next 4 or 5 years. It is important for ALL communities to rally to the support of a given area within the district when a major need arises there. This kind of unity is needed if the County District is to be an advantage to the children and patrons of every community. The current tax rate of $7.48 per thousand for the operation of schools compared to twice that or more in other school districts close by, points to a major advantage of a county wide district. The proposed bond issue would increase the rate by $1.48 the first year, but would still leave it low in comparison to other district. The rate would decrease as the new property comes on the tax rolls. A yes vote on the issue would show all our communities that the patrons of the school district are responsive to local needs. I feel that this bond issue is needed and that it deserves our support. Dick T. Wilkinson Education Assn. supports bond issue Editor, We would like to make some observations about Morrow County voters. The majority of those voters are prime examples of why Oregon has such a high reputation across the United States for voters who are independent thinkers, knowledgeable of the issues or measures before them and most important of all, they are practicing their right and obligation of participating in our Democracy by voting. There is another aspect of the Morrow County voter which should not go unnoticed. They offer support to the majority of ballot issues before them. The season for elections, ballot measures and issues is before us and we know that the majority of voters in Morrow county will continue to show their support of the issues and all the other fine qualities Oregon voters are known to have. The teachers in our Morrow County Schools have constantly been reminded of the valued support the citizens THEGAZETTE -TIME The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow 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. G.M. Reed, Publisher Dolores Reed, Co-publisher Terry M. Hager, Managing Editor Jim Summers, News Editor Eileen Saling, Officer Manager Elane Blanchet, Reporter Gayle Rush, Composing Chloe Pearson, Composing Justine Weatherford, Local Columnist and voters of Morrow County have given them and the educational process in our schools We greatly appreciate that support. There is now being presented to the voters and citizens of Morrow County, a school bond issue for new buildings and building improvements. We hope that the voters will continue to show their faith and confidence in both our school system and our children by supporting this bond issue. Because our voters are knowledgeable, they will be voting on this issue based on the facts, not on fictions. If you have any questions or concerns, we urge you to contact the nearest school office or the district office where answers are available. We look forward to your continued support of our Morrow County Schools with a YES vote on Tuesday, March 14th. v Thank You, Morrow County Education Association Marshall Helsa, president Councilman confronts planning problems Editor, In the past, there has been a lot of feelings on the part of the citizens of Heppner, concerning the codes that have been set forth about building placements of homes in the city. I have to agree with the citizens of Heppner, in as much as there has been too much of a run around for the citizens to obtain a building permit, or a variance for mobile homes or prebuilt homes. It is my opinion that there could be and should be a simple form that the citizens could get at city hall. By filling out the form and returning it along with a small fee and a statement declaring they intend to build on said property, . they could, in turn, receive from city hall this same form stating the maximum size of a building that could be placed on this property. Then, if the citizen still wanted to build on this property, they could apply for a building permit. Then the planning commission could review the blue prints and rule on whether or not this kind of a building could be built on this zone. I also think that all of the lots in the old town of Heppner Flood plain indicates need for dam here To Whom It May Concern: We have all known that our elected city officials serve without salary Now they run the risk of finding out it really doesn't pay! The flood plain area in Heppner, Lexington, and lone has forced hard decisions upon them. A careful study of all the facts reveals only one reasonable conclusion If they don't vote for construction of the Willow Creek dam, all buildings from Heppner through lone in the flood plain could not be repaired or rebuilt in the event of fire, flood or whatever. Our communities would proceed on a massive decline. A farmhouse suffering from insufficient fire protection , burns, and can't be replaced. Stores destroyed, or even just in need of repairs, would find it unprofitable, and therefore impossible, to continue business. We would simply lose all our facilities from deterioration. The first person wishing to sell his property in tHfe flood plain areas and unable to do so because of lack of flood insurance would have the right to sue these same city officials for not making flood insurance available to them. This has already happened elsewhere. Our officials are going to have to make a decision that cannot possibly please everybody. Since we have lived here the last 20 years or more, the main attraction of the community has been the people's friendliness and the willingness to help their neighbors. I can't think of anyone that needs our help more now than our elected officials. Hopefully the brick bat throwing can be reserved for some place other than South Morrow County. Communities elsewhere have benefitted greatly from irrigation features of their dams Surely we are not any less ingenius? Meg Murray "Mustangs Win Berth in State," proudly proclaimed the Gazette-Times 10 years ago this week. A front page photo showed co-captains Dave Hall and Bill McLeod holding the district 7 A-2 basketball championship trophy after the Heppner team defeated Vale and Grant Union in district play, earning the Mustangs a trip to Coos Bay for state tournament play. A front page story, sports page photos and stories, an editorial, a column, written by editor wes Sherman, a congratulations page supported by local businesses, all told the Mustangs how proud Heppner was of them and the kind of support they had. Though in glancing ahead a week we find Heppner was defeated in its first two games in Coos Bay, it didn't dim the jubilation felt in winning the state berth. Almost $20,000 was cut from the Morrow County School District budget in 1968, but increases in beginning teachers' salaries and a sharp increase in the district's percentage of payroll paid into the public employees retirement fund would more than nullify the cut, according to Superintendent Ron Daniels. The newly formed Soroptomist Club held its first meeting this week in 1948, with the charter still open for membership until April of that year. Twenty women were present at the first meeting, held in the Elkhorn Restaurant. Thirty years ago this week, American Legion Post No. 87 was getting ready to dedicate its new hall at the site of the old St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The ceremony was set for April 3. 1948. Construction of an addition to the Shell service station at the corner of May and Chase Streets was being completed 30 years ago this week by owner James J. Farley. Built for the purpose of providing Pontiac service to the residents of the community, the station was renamed the Farley Pontiac Company. Ed Bennett was selected as new city councilman to replace resigning E.L. Morton at a Heppner City Council meeting this week in 1938. A campaign to rid the city of shacks considered as fire menaces was also discussed at the meeting. OBITUARIES Services for Mr. and Mrs. Harley Young are Friday This area is greatly sad dened by the deaths of Helen and Harley Young this week. Mrs. Young died Monday, March 6 and Mr. Young died Wednesday, March 8. Both had been hospitalized follow ing long illness. Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Young will be held Friday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at the Heppner Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Tollefson officiating. Concluding services and interment will follow at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery. Helen K. Young was born January 7, 1926 at Maryville, Missouri, the daughter of Carl H. and Blanche Kissinger. Harley B. Young was born Dec. 12, 1925 at Quitman, Missouri, the son of Russel B. and Lula M. Young. They were married Oct. 27, 1946 at Maryville, Missouri and moved to Heppner in 1950. Mr. Young worked for Colum bia Basin Electric Co-op, starting as a lineman and became manager Jan. 1, 1956. He held that position until his retirement in 1972 because of ill health. He was a member of the Heppner Elks Lodge, the Masonic Lodge, and treasurer of the Boy Scout organization in Heppner. Mr. and Mrs. Young were members of Heppner Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Young are survived by their sons, Bruce and Ron Young of Heppner; ' Brenda Weygandt of Mollala, Debora Dubuque of Pendle-b ton; Marcia Anderson of 7 Heppner and three grand- ' children. Mrs. Young leaves a , brother, Carl H. Kissinger, Maryville, Missouri; and a ' sister, Gertrude Hoshor, Gar- den City, Missouri. Mr. Young is survived also by five '; brothers, Herman Young and Russel Paul Young, both of ' Maryville; Barnett Young, i Savannah, Missouri; Dale i: Young, Davenport, Iowa; and.'' Leslie Young, Inglewood, Cal-V ifornia; and four sisters, Irene '' Foster and Kathleen Gaugh, 7 both of Maryville; Annie Richards, Loveland, Colo.; " and Lorita Mansfield, Dur- ' ango, Colo. For those who wish, v to -iDuuons ma the Lung or Cancer Funds in memory of the Youngs. Burns Mortuary, Herm iston is in charge of arrangements. Picture Credit At a public meeting Monday night, Chuck Steele (standmg) tells an audience of 50 persons that Heppner's flood plain will have a devastating effect on future construction here. Steele is with the Federal Insurance Administration, which administers flood insurance.. Related stories on page one. have to be looked at individually. I do not think that we can keep looking at the zoning ordinance which asks for 7,000 square feet in a lot. I think that as long as the setback and side area is taken into consideration, all lots have a potential. I also do not agree with the fact that a neighbor can stop a building by merely objecting. In this area, I think the complaint must state a valid reason for the objection. This would eliminate the possibility that just because you do not like someone, you could stop them from" building. Most citizens of Heppner do not know that they could not build back on there own property under the present regulations if they were to have a fire. And I think that it is up to us at the city council to change these things. Hubert C.Wilson fm. Jfi .
