Sifting through
LETTERS
COMMENTS
CQITADIAI
the TIMES
Letters to the Editor
Support Bob Rietmann
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An important election date for Morrow County
voters is coming up Tuesday, April 4. ..that being,
Blue Mountain Community College's special levy
and board of director's election.
Morrow County has one person on the board Bob
Rietmann of lone who is being seriously
challenged by a Umatilla County resident. .
Voters here should realize they are carrying
about 25 per cent of the BMCC district costs and
BMCC Board defended Board explains position
EDITORIAL
with this year's budget increase that comes out to
about $1.78 per $1,000 assessed valuation.
For comparison purposes, that's more than it
cost to run county government here last year.
There are obvious inequities in the system when
Morrow County taxpayers are forking over that
much of BMCC's operating budget and at the same
time, stand to lose their only representation on the
board of directors.
An article in this week's Gazette-Times expounds
on the BMCC levy and election and readers should '
avail themselves of the information.
Whether or not voters approve of the levy
amount, Morrow County should come out in strong
support of Bob Rietmann.
Voters, be awake
Editor,
Morrow County voters, be awake! This is the time to
know what is at stake. The BMCC election is coming up soon.
A wrong vote could be our ruin. Know your candidates who
represents whom. If you don't take care, it could spell doom.
Keep Bob Rietmann to represent us all. He knows the issues
and heeds our call. He is fair and he is true. A vote for Bob
will best benefit you!
Dorothy Krebs
Americans misled
Editor,
I believe the American people have been erroneously led
to believe that if the Panama Canal treaties are ratified, no
United States Treasury funds would be needed to pay
Panama the monies which will go to the country as a result of
the accords.
Now that the Senate hearings are in progress, we are being
told by the Senate leadership that separate congressional
legislation will be needed to support the payments to General
Torrijos' government since even the increased toll charges
will not begin to cover the amounts involved.
Since the Panama Canal became a United States
Government Corporation in 1951, the Panama Canal
Company has operated without expense to U.S. taxpayers.
By law, it met its own expenses and those of the Canal Zone
Government and has paid the U.S. Treasury $20 million
annually in addition to generating funds for capital
improvements.
Senate Majority leader Robert C. Byrd, President
Carter's proratification proponent, now admits that money
from the Treasury would be necessary to implement certain
aspects of the new relationship.
Mentioned specifically was the $43 million required for
relocation of military facilites and installations located on
lands to be transferred and an additional $6.5 million to $8.5
million annual cost for the early retirement program for
present U.S. employees of the Panama Canal Company.
Canal Zone Governor H.R. Parfitt recently testified
before a House Subcommittee, U.S. commercial shippers
would pay an additional $22 million a year for use of the
waterway as a result of the 25 to 40 per cent toll increase.
Other costs to be borne by the American taxpayer
include U.S. Government guaranteed loans of approximately
$300 million; U.S. Foreign Military sales credits of $50
million; land with an estimated value of $1.1 billion; the
Canal and its facilities and improvements estimated at $3.6
billion; and a replacement cost for the lost military
installations of approximately $1.5 billion.
Total benefits to Panama by the year 2000 are pegged at
approximately $10 billion or a yearly average of about $500
million.
No provisions are made in the treaties for Canal
modernization and improvement between now and the end of
the 22-year pact; costs which will undoubtedly be covered by
the U.S. taxpayer in the interest of keeping the passage open.
The canal has provided uninterrupted service to peaceful
nations for more than six decades. It is vital to both U.S.
security and prosperity as it provides he shortest, cheapest
and safest transit between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
for U.S. commercial and naval vessels.
Continued bottom of next column...
Editor,
I have recently noticed a number of editorials and letters
in the East Oregonian and Heppner Gazette-Times regarding
the much discussed threatened strike of BMCC faculty
because of unresolved issues between faculty and the board
of directors.
Since most of the editorials I have read, and especially
the ones by Ms. Carole L. Innes, seem to attempt to convey
the message that the board of directors' sole reason for being
is to say yes to all requests or suggestions of the faculty, I
wonder if possibly the good Ms. Innes isn't so close to the
forest that she cannot see the trees.
I do not like to see the board of directors maligned and
referred to as do nothing incompetents. I also am a taxpayer
and parent of two former students at BMCC. I also have
worked to help advance the college and the activities it has
sponsored. Recently, I have found it increasingly difficult to
meet my share of the current tax load and BMCC is no small
part of that load.
Except for Mr. Robert Rietmann, the current board of
directors are unknown to me personally, although I know
somewhat about them and their livelihoods and consider
them very competent individuals. Mr. Rietmann lives in and
represents this area of BMCC district very ably. He is an
educated man of good judgement, character, a success in his
chosen business. He is the father of college age children,
aware of their educational needs. He also has the confidence
and support of the people of this area. When Mr. Rietmenn
and the other members of the board, who have the
responsibility of listening to suggestions, requests, ideas etc.,
brought to them by Mr. Daniels and then making responsible
democratic decisions to the operation, expansion, policies
etc. of BMCC, reach the point where they yield pressure by
threats of strikes or any form of persuasion other than their
own good judgement, then we will be in trouble and certainly
in need of a new board of directors as well as a new
administrator.
Personally I feel the instructors, be they professors,
coaches, or just plain teachers, are there to impart their
knowledge of their chosen fields or subjects to the students. If
they have an idea or suggestion that seems worthwhile and of
benefit to the college, then they should take it to Mr. Daniels
so that he can help present it to the board of directors in a
proper manner, not group confrontation.
It is my feeling and considered opinion, if the faculty is
going to attempt to be the governing or administrative body,
then it is imperative that the board take whatever action
necessary to acquire a new faculty even it if becomes so
drastic as to refund tuition paid by students and closing the
college down until new faculty personnel can be recruited.
Let the people that desire administrative work seek it where
ever there is a need for their talents. BMCC HAS ONE
ADMINISTRATOR
To use an old parallel I firmly believe it is impossible
for a ship with more than one captain to ever reach open
water or if perchance it should, it would never again reach
land but would sail aimlessly on at the whims of the many
captains.
Until Mr. Daniels leaves or the board feels it is in the best
interest of the college to replace him he, not the faculty, the
student nor the citizen downtown, is the captain of the ship.
As for freedom of instruction we have all seen or at
least read of the results of such an open policy. I have no
desire to see that type of instruction freedom become the
policy at BMCC. In fact, I would much rather see the college
use our tax dollars for the type of instruction it was originally
set up to provide the tax area.
Lee Pettyjohn
Rt. 1
lone, Oregon
The national interest of the United States will not be
served by ceding to Panama, a country controlled by a
military dictatorship which has plummeted the country into
its worst economic chaos in its 75-year history, sovereignty
over the entire Canal Zone and ownership and operational
control of the Canal.
It is imperative that the United States maintain
sufficient operational control and management to continue to
guarantee its availability to U.S. and world commerce.
We in the Veterans of Foreign Wars are opposed to
negotiating a new treaty which without doubt would become
an awesome burden to all U.S. taxpayers.
We ask each of you to let our two Senators from Oregon
know how you feel about these treaties.
Warren H. McCoy
State Commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Department of Oregon
4T
THE
AZETTE -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
Ron Jordan, Printer
Editor,
In the last week and a half the members of the Blue
Mountain Community College Board of Education have been
subjected to criticism from a few members of the BMCC
faculty and student body. In spite of the fact that the critical
statements reflect a lack of understanding of the issues
involved, the board has chosen to remain silent. We hope this
silence has not been interpreted by some as a lack of concern
or indifference on the part of the board.
Let me assure you that the board members are aware of
the problems and we are very much concerned about the
impact that a strike would have on the college in general and,
more specifically, the problems that a strike of any length
would create for the students. '
Members of the board have remained silent because we
feel that successful negotiations must take place at the
bargaining table. A public debate of the issues involved will
only result in solidifiying current positions and make a
compromise agreement even more difficult. This type of
activity would simply lead to statements and counter-statements,
charges and counter-charges, and would result in
hostilities, involve personalities, divide the college
community, and result in hard feelings for years to come.
We believe that when the issues are made public and
hardline positions are publicly stated, it becomes more
difficult to reach agreements because the parties involved do
not want to be accused of "giving in".
Again, at our meeting last week, the board took positive
action to resolve those problems and move toward a
settlement. Three board members will be seated at the
bargaining table as a part of the negotiation team. We have
developed some new positions on the issues involved and we
instructed our negotiator to request through the state
mediator a return to the bargaining table 'at the earliest
possible time. This request to return to negotiations has been
delayed for over a week. We can only assume that the
Faculty Association was not interested in an early return to
the bargaining table. However, according to the news release
by the Faculty Association on March 16, they are now ready
to return to the bargaining table and a session will probably
be scheduled on or about March 22 or 23.
We believe that our current position is fair and
reasonable, both on economic items and working conditions.
This contention is supported by a comparison with contracts
at other community colleges. The board is not objecting to a
contract similar to those being provided at other community
colleges. ' .
We are deeply concerned that the college continue to
provide a quality education and we certainly hope that this
quality education will not be disrupted by a strike. However,
we also feel that we have an obligaton to act in the best
interest of the total college community and that includes the
taxpayer, as well as the students and faculty. So, even though
some may disagree with our silence at this point, we will .
continue to conduct our negotiations in a professional
manner, hopeful of reaching an agreement that protects the
interests of the students and the taxpayers, and one that is
fair and reasonable to the faculty.
If this cannot be accomplished short of a strike, then the
board is prepared to go to the public with the unresolved
issues and to state publicly the board's position on those
issues. We certainly hope that this will not be necessary and
we are prepared to make every reasonalbe effort to reach a
satisfactory agreement.
The board is hopeful that the public will not let these
labor problems influence their continued support for the
college. The budget that will be presented to the voters on
April 4 is a good budget and should be considered on its own
merit. The labor problems will be resolved and the college
needs approval of a budget so we can get back to the job at
hand. I, therefore, urge each of you to vote on April 4, and to
show your support for the college.
Sincerely yours,
Malachi "Mac" Campbell, Chairman
Blue Mountain Community College
Board of Education
Edna Munkers
Mary Edna Munkers, 87,
Lexington, died in Heppner
Wednesday, March 15.
She was born near Lexing
ton on Dec. 22, 1890, the
daughter of Edgar and Sadie
Scott Palmer, Morrow County
pioneers. With the exception
of four years living in Salem,
her entire life was spent in the
area.
On Nov. 21, 1909, she was
married to William Frank
Munkers at Lexington. He
preceded her in death in 1960.
A daughter-in-law, Dimple
Munkers, also preceded her
in death in 1975.
Mrs. Munkers and her
husband were engaged in
farming and carpentry work
until his death, then she and
two of her sons operated her
farm. Her home was always
filled with plants for she loved
gardening and had the pro
verbial green thumb. She will
be missed by her family and
the community. She was a
member of the Lexington
Grange.
Funeral services were held
Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m.
at the Lexington Christian
Church, with the Rev. Edwin
Sikes officiating. Carl and
Betty Marquardt sang "In The
Garden" and "Sunrise Tomor
row", with Mrs. Marquardt at
the piano. Concluding services
and vault interment were at
the Lexington cemetery, with
Sweeney Mortuary in charge
of arrangements.
Casket bearers were Barry
Munkers, Craig Munkers,
Richard Laws, Larry Groves,
Dean Naffziger and Jay De
vin. Honorary bearers were
Roger Campbell, L.E. Ruhl,
Al Fetsch, Robert Campbell,
Dean Hunt and Kenneth Peck.
Mrs. Munkers is survived by
three sons; Vernon, Salem;
Archie, Heppner; Leonard,
Lexington; two sisters; Grace
Frieze, Drain Geatta Cox,
Heppner; five grandchildren,
two foster grandchildren, four
great-grandchildren, seven
foster grandchildren, one
great-great-grandchild, nu
merous nieces and nephews,,
and a host of friends.
Contributions may be made
to the charity of ones choice.
With interest in the Willow Creek Dam revived because
of flood plain limitations haunting Heppner, it is interesting
to note that two front page stories concerning the dam
appeared in the Gazette-Times ten years ago this week.
The man responsible for locating the movie "Paint Your
Wagon" in the Baker area in 1968, Warren Merrill of Salem,
industrial representative of Oregon's Division of Economic
Development, spoke to the Chamber of Commerce about the
' tourism trade the dam would be sure to attract.
"Tourism is our third largest industry and I'm firmly
convinced that it is going to grow in magnitude and
importance," Merrill said, "....with the increasing'
urbanization in the Willamette Valley and the beginning of a
continuous urban strip city running south from Portland,
people will be looking to Eastern Oregon as a place to escape
from the pressures of the city."
Merrill added that if a community can attract 24 tourists
a day throughout the year it is economically comparable to
acquiring a manufacturing industry with an annual payroll
of $100,000. He said building the dam would greatly magnify
tourist attractions here.
A Bureau of Reclamation official also addressed the
Chamber of Commerce on soil testing and a feasibility study
the Bureau was undertaking in regards to the irrigation
aspect of the proposed Willow Creek Dam. Economic gains
expected from irrigation by the project were being
determined and a water requirement study was also planned
at that time.
Jim Barclay, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Barclay of
Lexington, was informed this week ten years ago that he was
one of 50 students from the United States chosen for entrance
at the Marquette University Study Center in Madrid, Spain,
fr the upcoming school year.
Linda Jo Tatone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tatone of
Boardman, was selected valedictorian at Riverside High
School this week in 1968. George Kenney, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Don Kenney oft Irrigon, and Betty Eppenbach, daughter of
, Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Eppenbach of Irrigon, were picked to
share the honor of being co-salutatorians for the RHS
graduating class of that year.
Five businesses received awards for initiating or
improving their establishments here at the annual Chamber
of Commerce banquet 20 years ago this week. Certificates of
recognition went to the Bank of Easter Oregon for its new
Heppner branch;. Ford's' Tire Service for establishing a
Heppner branch store; the Heppner Hotel for its extensive
remodeling project; Phil's Pharmacy for modernizing the
store; and Heppner Auto Parts for its building
modernization.
Herbert G. West, executive vice-president of Inland
. Waterways Association, told guests at the Chamber banquet
in 1958 that Morrow County had greater opportunity for the
future development of its 30 miles of Columbia River
shoreland than any county east of the Bonneville Dam. He
urged the formation of a port commission, adding that
Morrow is the Only county fronting the river without such a
port district. .
P.W. Mahoney was elected to succeed Bert Mason of ,
BPOE 358 as exalted ruler of the local Elks lodge this week in .
1938. Other officers elected were Loyal R. Parker, secretary;
Hubert Gaily, treasurer; James Farley, Jr., esteemed
leading knight; Joseph Belanger, esteemed loyal knight;
Kenneth Akers, esteemed lecturing knight; Norton Lundell,
tyler; D.A. Wilson, trustee; and Frank W. Turner, alternate
delegate to grand lodge.
This week in 1928 the Gazette-Times printed an item in its .
editorial column urging local residents to shop at home. It's ,
reasoning holds true today : "A community thrives when its
merchants thrive. Home town buying and trading is as
essential to a community's growth and progress as its
streets, boulevards, churches and schools. It is the duty of
every citizen of a community to make his purchases at home.
Numerous "buy at home" campaigns have stressed this fact,
but still there are some people who go elsewhere than their
own home surroundings when making purchses....
"There are numerous reasons why you should patronize
your home merchants. They have invested their money and
their future in your town; they pay taxes in your town; they
give employment to people in your town.. .And, to put in a
word for ourselves, it is a mighty good idea to be a regular
reader of your local newspaper!"
The City Council of Heppner did its hit this week in 1918 to
aid the war effort : "The Heppner City Council has gone in for
increased food production and soon the old hog law will be
amended and the people of the city will soon be permitted to i
keep a pig in their back yard. Of course it is the intention of
the council to see that every pig and pen is kept in a clean,
sanitary condition.
it-
C.W. Acock
. Prominent Boardman
rancher Charles Wells Acock,
Jr., 53, died Saturday, March
18, in a tractor accident which
occured while he was harrow
ing fields near his home.
Mr. Acock was born in
Heppner on Oct. 7, 1924. He
lived In Irrigon and Hermiston
before moving to Boardman 11
years ago.
The foreman of the paint
crew at McNary Dam, Mr.
Acock earned the distinction
of being named Morrow Coun
ty Cattleman of 1977 last
December for his work in
developing his herd of pure
bred Hereford cattle. He and
his wife Helen were honored at
the Farm-City Dinner in
Heppner on Dec, 9.
Mr. Acock was a member of
the Morrow County Livestock
Growers Association, chair
man of the Morrow County
Rural Fire Protection Asso
ciation, and An nrtiv mm.
N
porter of Future Farmers of
America and 4-H. He was aj
member of the Fraternal.
Order of Eagles in Hermiston
Survivors include his wife,
Helen; mother Luella Acock,
Irrigon; son, Charles W.
Boardman; daughters, Maryi
Thompson, Hermiston, and
Nina Sellers, Portland; broth-!;
ers, Ralph of Manhattan,!
Kan., Dean of Irrigon, and
Don, Portland; sisters, Mary
Nerore of Bakersfield, Cal.fj
Grace O'Brien of Longview
Wash., and Betty Shoun of
Pendleton; and five grandchild
dren.
Funeral services were held
at First Methodist Church in
Heppner at 10:30 a.m. on
Tuesday, March 21, with Rev.
Sam Crothers of Hermiston
officiating. s
Casket bearers were Emery"
Ashbeck, Vern Evans, Carol
Donovan, Bob Sicard, Bill (
Noland and Frank Russell.
Interment was in Heppner
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