TWO The "tte-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, April 27, 1978
VIEWPOINT
EDITORIAL
'Yes' vote urged
for Heppner budget
City of Heppner residents will go to the polls
next Tuesday, May 2, to vote on a special levy
needed to fund the operation of services for the next
year.
We hope voters will be more obliging toward the
levy request than last year when the measure was
voted down twice and there are several good
reasons why they should.
Major increases in this year's budget stem from a
10 per cent pay raise for city employees and the
funding of two additional city employees one in the
street department and one in the water department.
All are justified.
In the past year we have seen several city
foremen come and go and the result is poor
maintenance of essential services. Finding a
qualified and hard-working city foreman is tough
when the money you can offer isn't close to what the
individual could make in the private sector.
Moreover, if you find a qualified foreman that will
work for that money, he needs competent help. The
pay increase and additional employees will result in
better services for city residents and a savings
down the road through constant maintenance.
Another reason to vote 'yes' on the city budget
request is because small, but necessary, funds are
included to operate the swim pool and library.
Based on last year's figures, the swim pool will pay
for itself but the city needs the money up front to
open the doors in June.
A third reason to vote 'yes' is reality. The City of
Heppner operates on a tax base that is totally
inadequate for the times. Residents could help
remedy this situation by asking the City Council to
ask for a new tax base in the November elections.
Budget committee members have put together
a bare-bones budget for the city, yet it is a budget
that will improve city services which we all use
every day. If voters approve the levy request next
Tuesday they will have given the City Council a vote
of confidence and we think the City Council is ready
to accept that vote by being responsive with proper
administration.
We urge a 'yes' vote at City Hall next Tuesday.
tmh
COMMENT
County budget
problems complex
While on the subject of budgets, Morrow County
residents should be aware of the work being done on
the county budget.
Department heads are coming before the
budget committee with requests for increased
funds. While these are preliminary figures that are
sure to be cut back, there is a lot of credibility in the
requests if people want effective law enforcement,
district attorney's office, and administration.
The county is also experiencing a major
re-organization of the budget process this year out
of necessity. Over the past decade or so, federal
revenue sharing monies have been used to operate
day-to-day service and departments, which means
that local tax money wasn't needed. Now those
federal money sources are drying up partially
because they were used for day-to-day operations
and the county must now ask voters to approve a
levy request outside the six per cent limitation for
the services we have come to know and enjoy. .
Another big part of the re-organizations is
simply putting the budget in order. In the past, a
couple of the commissioners have been paid out of
the road department, a secretary working in one
office was paid out of another department, and so
on.
This kind of juggling to balance the budget
doesn't work over the long haul and the budget
committee and the County Court are correct in
rectifying the situation.
The bottom line is that voters can expect the
county to exceed the six per cent limitation this
year, but residents shouldn't over-react to
preliminary budget requests and the seemingly
large amounts because the end run is a few plays
away.
tmh
THE
GAZETTE -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-publishor 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
It's Spring
" Tis Spring!
Jo Today I saw a robin on the wing.
Mother Nature's awaking!
f Budding, bursting all about,
As Spring gently nudges Winter out.
I Myriads of flowers peek out here and there
As she coaxes daffodils and crocuses from
" corners everywhere.
The sun warms the earth,
r Thankful for his bit of rain,
The farmer whistles as he tills his fields of grain.
Rivers and brooks murmur a gurgling little song
: As through the valley they rush happily along.
1 - My step becomes a bit more sprightly,
I My heart takes on a warmer glow
i Watching this awakening
? Loving all things that grow.
; All harbingers of Spring
J Another robin just took wing,
i Katherine Rozelle Farrar
SALEM SCENE
By Jack Zimmerman
Oregon highways
need gas tax
Why would anyone vote to
increase taxes these days?
A substantial number of
.organizations and individuals
are prepared to provide voters
with logical reasons for doing
just that when they go to the
polls on Primary Election
Day, May 23.
Those providing the reasons
are proponents of Ballot
Measure No. 5, a proposal
referred to the voters by
members of the State Legisla
ture during the 1977 session in
Salem.
It is designed to rescue
Oregon's highway system
from its present state of decay
and it raises taxes on gasoline
two cents a gallon.
Hardly anyone who drives is
expected to oppose the idea of
improving the state's rapidly
deteriorating highways. But
with gasoline prices at current
levels, resistance to any
additional price increase is
bound to be expressed.
It becomes particularly im
portant then that voters un
derstand everything the mea
sure calls for and not go to the
polls aware only of the gas tax
increase.
Ballot Measure No. 5 in
volves two bills passed during
the last session of the Legisla
ture. They are House Bills 2140
and 3262.
HB 2140 is the one referred
to the voters and provisions of
HB 3262 become effective only
if Ballot Measure No. 5 wins
voter approval.
Together they would make
many significant changes in
present highway fund proce
dures. In addition to raising gas
taxes paid by the average
motorist, they boost taxes
paid by other highway users
proportionately. For instance,
weight-mile taxes paid by
trucks and buses would in
crease by 12 per cent.
Highway maintenance and
modernization are stipulated
by law to have first priority
when it comes to spending
highway funds.
They place limits on the use
of highway funds for state
parks and state police. Finan
cing of bike paths will be
transferred to the state Gen
eral Fund.
And a provision bound to
influence many voters calls
for every Oregon city and
county to receive additional
funds for improving city
streets and county roads.
Who is supporting Ballot
Measure No. 5?
Endorsements already have
been expressed by organiza
tions representing people
from all walks of life. They
include the Oregon State
AFL-CIO, the League of
Oregon Cities, Association of
Oregon Counties, Oregon Fe
deration of Highway Users,
Oregon Farm Bureau Federa
tion, Western Environmental
Trade Association, Oregon
Association of County Engi
neers and Surveyors, Oregon
Trucking Association, Cham
bers of Commerce and Asso
ciated Oregon Industries.
Their support stems from a
variety of reasons.
Labor, for instance, sup
ports the measure because it
knows an adequate transpor
tation network is vital to the
job climate and the ability of
workers to get to and from
their jobs.
Truckers favor the measure
because good highways are
essential to the economical
movement of goods and ma
terial throughout the state.
They believe the increase in
their taxes will be more than
offset by alleviating current
costs of maintaining equip
ment that must travel on
less-than-adequate roads and
highways.
Farmers supporting Ballot
Measure No. 5 recognize the
importance of the state's
thoroughfares when it comes
to marketing and distributing
their crops and livestock.
Professional engineers and
OBITUARY
Services for Bertha Lov
gren, 88, were held Saturday,
April 22, at the Scholls
Community Church, Scholls.
Mrs. Lovgren died at the
Tuality Community Hospital
Wednesday, April 19.
The Rev. James Moore,
pastor, officiated at the cere
mony. Concluding rites and
vault interment were per
formed at the family plot in
Mountainside Cemetery,
Scholls.
Mrs. Lovgren was born May
28, 1889, at Elwood, Ind., the
daughter of John and Mary
LETTERS FROM READERS
'Atiyeh is man
for governor'
Editor,
State Senator Victor Atiyeh is a candidate for the
Governor of Oregon. His record of concern for people and his
desire that government be responsive to the people of the
state deserves our support. His background of business,
organization and legislative experience and name famili
arity make him a strong candidate capable of winning.
I notice a willingness on his part to listen to expressed
concerns and a capability to answer fairly and to the point.
I believe Vic Atiyeh will be a governor that will work
toward achieving balance of trade between the country and
the city and bring a closer relationship of State government
to the people of Oregon.
I urge you to support Vic Atiyeh with a substantial
contribution. Mail to: Atiyeh for Governor Committee, 519
SW Park Ave. Room 408, Portland, Oregon 97205.
Now is the time to write letters to the editors of papers
throughout Oregon and to visit with your neighbors and
friends about the candidacy of Vic Atiyeh, the next governor
of Oregon.
Sincerely,
Don Peterson,
Morrow County Campaign Chairman
surveyors realize the cost of
repairing and restoring dam
aged highways increases at a
staggering rate and postpon
ing proper maintenance and
modernization means spend
ing more dollars for the same
work sometime in the future.
Business people favor the
proposal for all of the forego
ing reasons and more. They
know the value of jobs, of
transporting goods and ser
vices. They recognize the
importance of highways when
it comes to attracting visitors
to our state and providing
access to recreational attrac
tions. In essence, all recognize a
properly maintained highway
Bertha Lovgren
Stretcher.
She moved with her family
from Indiana to the Scholls
community in 1911.
After completing her educa
tion, she taught school in the
Heppner area in 1915. She was
married in Heppner to Ernest
Eugene Lovgren, Sr., Sept. 16,
1916. They continued to live in
the Heppner area, where Mr.
Lovgren was a rancher, until
1931.
At that time the family
moved to Scholls where Mrs.
Lovgren remained the rest of
her life. She was a member of
Community
BILLBOARD
Call 676-9228
Thursday April 27
Homemakers Day, 10 a.m.,
overall health of Oregon's
economy.
And all supporters of Mea
sure No. 5 probably will
concentrate on convincing the
average motorist that his
personal benefits far outweigh
the outlay involving an addi
tional two cents for each
gallon of gas purchased.
The investment is estimated
to cost that average motorist
an amount about equal to the
present price of one tank of
gas a year.
How well proponents tell
their stories and how willing
voters are to accept them will
be one of the more interesting
results of this year's Oregon
Primary Election.
the Scholls Grange.
Surviving are three chil
dren: Ernest, Hillsboro; Mrs.
Nels (Mary) Anderson, Sher
wood; and John, Tigard, a
sister-in-law, Hazel Stretcher,
Forest Grove; four grandchil
dren; eight great-grandchildren;
and two step-greatgrandchildren.
Her husband preceded her
in death in 1966.
The family suggests any
memorial contributions be
made to the Scholls Com
munity Church building fund.
Lions Club bldg., Irrigon
Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m.,
lone High School
Friday April 28
County budget, 10 a.m., court
house Saturday April 29
Wranglers Cow Cutting, 2 p.m.
Fairgrounds
Sunday April 30
Wranglers Cow Cutting, 9 a.m.
Fairgrounds
Monday Mayi
C. of C, noon, W. of W.
EOSC ensemble concert, 7:30
p.m., lone H.S.
Sifting
the
41
Morrow County was getting ready to put out the welcome
mat this week in 1968 to 34 eighth-graders from Portland
schools who were scheduled to spend the weekend in the
county learning about rural life.
The fifth annual visit of the "city kids", sponsored by
Morrow County Grain Growers, was to include a trip to the
George Currin and Sons cattle ranch for a look at branding
procedures, a demonstration of horsemanship by Mrs. Bill
Healy, an exhibition of aerial field spraying by Mel Boyer, an
explanation of irrigation systems at the Fritz Cutsforth place
and a trip to the Lexington grain elevator to watch a wheat
truck load and unload.
Bob and Herb Peterson of lone were selected to share the
1968 Conservation Man of the Year title ten years ago for
their joint conservation efforts on 5,400 acres of crop land and
2,000 acres of rangeland. Stubble mulch seed bed
preparation, diversion ditches and contour strips were
among methods the Petersons used to control water and
prevent soil erosion.
The ninth annual Spring meet sponsored by the
Wranglers ten years ago drew 79 entries with more than 50
horses competing from as far away as British Columbia in
the cow cutting event.
The fate of the Lexington High School was on the line in
1958 as a May 5 vote was slated to determine whether or not
the school should be continued. According to a front-page
report by the Gazette-Times, sentiment was pretty well
divided in the community as the Education Betterment
Committee urged that the school be closed and students
transported on the theory better educational opportunities
existed at the larger schools. Still another group favored
status quo.
Nels Anderson, father of seven and county extension
agent, was selected by the CowBelles to receive their second
"Father of the Year" title this week in 1958. Anderson had
expanded the number of 4-H clubs in the county from 16 to 30
during his 12 years in the extension office and was very
involved in community organizations.
A short editorial printed in the Times this week in 1948
brings up a point pertinent to today:
"There must be more than a thousand people in Morrow
County qualified to vote on school budgets, yet less than
one-fourth that number voted in the recent budget elections.
Those who voted expressed their opinions, while those who
did not take the time to go to the polls gave their sanction to
the several budgets although they might have voted
otherwise. It is one of the quirks of our way of life that is hard
to understand that where so much tax money is at stake so
few taxpayers are concerned."
Registered voters in Morrow County now number 3,289.
While 31 per cent of the voters cast their ballot in the recent
school levy elections, admittedly better than the record 30
years ago, it is not good enough. Each voter should register
his opionion, whether 'yea' or 'nay', especially at the local
level where it has the most direct impact. Withholding a vote
does not necessarily sanction a budget it may mean the loss
of services desired by the individual voter. Either way, each
vote should and does count.
The Gazette-Times, like most papers of the day, stood in
favor of prohibition during the era it was in effect, as can be
seen from this excerpt from an editorial printed fifty years
ago:
"...We would ask this of the gentlemen who are such
eminent advocates of the figment 'personal liberty': Would
the repeal of prohibition remove from liquor the murder and
lust which now resides therein, and which always have been
found therein? Would the repeal of prohibition result in a
decreased consumption of the stuff that men, in the wisdom
of their hearts, know is hurtful to body and spirit? Would the
repeal of prohibition place more automobiles, the property of
working men, on the highways? If they answer honestly, they
must answer 'no' to each.
"It is true that illicit liquor is consumed. But it is not true
that a majority of people, or even a large proportion of the
population, seek out this illicit liquor or partake of it. The
saloon is gone from the corner. To install it again, or to create
a comparable substitute, would be to work great injury upon
earning power, saving power and moral welfare."
It is interesting to note that even today, the word 'saloon',
at least in Oregon, cannot be used by tavern owners in
advertising their establishments.
From the Town and Country column, 1918:
"Jas. Kenny, east Heppner stockman, spent the first of
the week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Kenny in
Heppner. Jim is now driving a Franklin roadster and says
there is nothing like it.
"A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Keene at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Campbell in this city Wednesday.
Dr. Purkey reports mother and child doing nicely."
Christian Business Women,
7:30 p.m., St. Pat's parish
hall
Heppner City Council, 8:06
p.m., City Hall
Tuesday May 2
Heppner Lion's, noon, W. of
W.
Resource Conservation meet
ing, 7:30p.m., Riverside HS
lone City Council, 8:00 p.m.,
City Hall
Lexington City Council, 7:30
p.m., City Hall
Heppner Planning Comm.,
8:00 p.m., City Hall
through!
1 IFIliO
Sponsored
By
RAY I
BOYCE I
INSURANCE
228 N. Main St. Heppner 676-9625
4 '