The Heppner
GAZETTE-TIMES
Sifting
Local legislators cautious, but
still favor nuclear power
By Kathleen Glanville
Eagle Newspapers
Salem Reporter
After the Three Mile Island, Pa.,
nuclear reactor accident, some political
observers thought the issue of nuclear
power in Oregon would nudge tax relief out
of the limelight to become the major
legislative battle of the session.
But that hasn't happened.
A moratorium on the Pebble Springs
nuclear power plant project sailed through
the Senate last week with unanimous
approval. The measure, Senate Bill 899, now
goes to the House where it will be quickly
moved to the floor for a vote.
The bill is a compromise worked out in
the Senate Energy and Environment
Committee by Sens. Jack Ripper, D-North
Bend, and Ed Fadeley, D-Eugene, chairman
of the committee.
The moratorium will delay state
approval of the twin Pebble Springs
reactors planned for North Central Oregon
until the state Department of Energy
completes two studies on the safety of the
plant.
The first would look at the Three Mile
Island accident to determine if any design
changes or additional safety standards are
needed for the reactors at Pebble Springs.
The second study is aimed at the cost and
availability of long-term disposal of nuclear
wastes.
The bill specifically prohibits action on
Pebble Springs until July 1, 1980, but many
people say it will delay it much longer than
that. Some foes of nuclear power are
banking on the delay to kill the project .
because of increasing costs of construction
and legal challenges. Sen. Mike Thome,
D-Pendleton, is a supporter of nuclear
power, but he fears that may happen.
"Given the current situation, it's going to be
some time before that source of energy is
available if at all," he said. Thome
recently asked the Portland General
Electric Co., which is the utility proposing
Pebble Springs, to set aside its application
for a nuclear power plant and to look for
alternatives.
"I'm not at all upset about the safety of
a nuclear plant," Thome added. "I think
there's a real concern about nuclear waste
and that's going to have to take federal
action.
"My main concern, whether the plant is
nuclear, wind, solar or coal, we're in a
serious energy situation. And unless we do
something now we will pay later."
Thorne would like PGE to look into
alternatives such as a coal-fired plant since
he doubts a nuclear plant at Pebble Springs
will ever gain approval.
But Sen. Ken Jernstedt, R-Hood River,
sees roadblocks ahead for coal-fired plants
also.
"They'll go ahead and put in another
coal-fired plant and then people against
more power will then start raising
environmental questions about the coal
fired plants," he said.
Jernstedt said coal-fired energy is
almost twice as expensive as nuclear and
added that nuclear energy is non-polluting.
"I think that we are absolutely not
facing up to the fact we are rapidly
approaching energy crisis in the United
States," he said. "And I see nothing as a
stop gap. .
Jernstedt, whose district includes
Gilliam County, the site of the proposed
nuclear power plant, firmly supports
nuclear power.
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"The governor of the state of Washing
ton looked me in the eye and said if you don't
want it, we do. That really concerns me. I'm
looking at that tax base which would move
out of Oregon into Washington."
He said it would be a mistake to make
Washington the power center of the
northwest.
Rep. Bill Bellamy, R-Culver, also
represents Gilliam County and he agrees
with Jernstedt that Oregon would Ipse if
Washington got the Pebble Springs
plant. "As long as Washington continues to
support and promote nuclear power, we can
say no and we'll have none of the economic
advantages and we won't have any
protection environmentally."
Bellamy contends that if PGE moves to
Washington, the nuclear plant will go in at
Roosevelt, right across the Columbia River
from Arlington.
"If Washington and Idaho said no to
nuclear power, I'd be very reUi'tant to go
with it. But as long as Washington says yes,
Oregon loses," Bellamy said.
He added that he was not concerned
about the safety aspect.
"I live in a world of reality," he said.
"We can say no to nuclear power and suffer
economically. Safety doesn't bother me. We
can send people to the moon, we can design
a safe nuclear power plant."
Bellamy supports the moratorium
recently passed by the Senate.
"That doesn't mean a decision against
Pebble Springs," he said. "It says wait a
year. It's a good compromise."
Another view
Oregon
NOTE: Observations and-or opinions
expressed in the following do-, not
necessarily reflect those of the author, his
employers, the Legislature, this publica
tion or its owners or do they?
The 65th Legislative Assembly com
pleted the first 100 of its continuous 365-day
session in Salem this week and both houses
marked the occasion by accepting a
conference committee report on a bill that
bans carbonated beverages.
The measure was sparked by scien
tific theory that an accumulation of gases
released via carbonated drinks over the
years is creating a bulge in the otherwise
tenuous ionosphere. Proponents argued
convincingly that unless pressure on the
bulge is reduced promptly and permanent
ly, dire consequences not yet fully
determined could follow.
As in most continuous sessions of the
Oregon Legislature, this meeting is
largely involved with issues addressing
school finance, highways, welfare, work
ers' compensation, payment of the
unemployed and environmental concerns.
A major public education issue that
erupted early in the session and seemingly
defies resolution is a committee bill
mandating all one-room schoolhouses be
painted the same shade of red. Many
districts are pleading poverty and claim
their unpainted buildings are more in
keeping with the environment.
The Department of Transportation
and Department of Environmental Quality
continue their clash over solid waste
disposal. During a particularly heated
debate, one long-time lawmaker observed
filling chuckholes in concrete freeways
Dolores Reed, Co-publisher
Rick Steelhammer, News Editor
Gayle Rush, Composition
Cindi Doherty, AdvertisingOffice
Ron Jordan, Printer
s
REGULAR
of the
Legislature at
was simple compared with removing
horse manure from the state's current
unpaved thoroughfares.
And that led to an angry response from
another oldtimer who said he preferred
wagon ruts to chuckholes any day.
DEO also has its hands full convincing
Legislators that stricter enforcement of
rules regulating the state's Recycling
Commission is in order. DEQ wants
tighter controls in the state's building code
regarding construction with asphalt blocks
mined from abandoned parking lots. And,
of course, the other big mining issue
involves almost unrestricted prospecting
for artifacts in areas once designated as
sanitary landfills. '
As has been the case for many
sessions ever since 100 per cent public
financing of election campaigns the
Democrablicans hold firm majorities in
both chambers. The one-party system
apparently is here to stay and few
incumbents have been unseated in years.
Those lawmakers who do leave office
for health reasons or complete lack of
same are usually replaced by a family
member courtesy of the law enacted in
1981 giving a Legislator's surviving spouse
full rights of ascendency.
Senate Pres. Jason Boe and Speaker
, Hardy Myers extended the courtesy of
floor privileges to Gov. Victor Atiyeh
during a joint session of both houses for
debate on the energy bill. A lively affair,
the debate pitted Sen. Vern Cook against
Rep. Chick Edwards involving repeal of
the handbrake law a measure restricting
downhill speed on horsedrawn vehicles.
Common Sense forces are pressing for
a new concept to clean up and make more
Public
U.S. Sen.
Mark O. Hatfield
Husscll Scnalc Office Kids'.. Washington.
DC. 2(i;"iln Mcmhcr of Appropriations
Committee. Interior Committee. Kules Com
mittee, and Indian Policy Hevieu Commis
sion. Portland ofliee. Pioneer Courthouse.
Km. tor. ."i.'n SAW Morrison. Portland. Ore
M72IU. phone 22l-:!:!Hii
U.S.
Bob
Sen.
Packwood
Dirksen Senate Office Bldfj . Washington.
D C. 205111. Member of Finance Committee
and Commerce Committee. Portland office.
HNI2X.K. Holladay. Km. 7(HI iP.O. Box 3621 1.
Portland. Ore. 97208. phone 2:i:i--H7I.
U.S. Rep. Al Ullman,
Of The Second District
House Office Bldg.. Washington. DC.
20515. Member of Ways and Means Commit
tee. Salem office. 53(1 Center St.. Rm 330 (P.O.
Box 2-171. Salem. Ore. 97308. phone 399-5724.
Gov. Vic Atiyeh
State Capitol. Salem. Ore. 97310. phone
378-3100. '
"4
i 5 4 1 t i "
work
V- . -: w
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Salem Scene
By Jack Zimmerman
visible deliberations of the Assembly. A
Common Sense spokesperson declared
' before a packed committee hearing that
"all thoughts by Lobbyists should be
monitored and aired before the Accounta
bility Commission or freedom of thought is
likely to get completely out of hand.
A contingent from the powerful
Teachers' Amalgamation told Senate
Labor Committee its members were sick
and tired of being paid in perishable
produce such as apples and potatoes
and prefers nonperishable recompense for
that profession.
Several committee members appear
ed in agreement and rumor has it
lawmakers are considering similar treat
ment for Legislators' pay. Some observers
believe that if the movement grows
sufficiently, Oregon may abandon the
barter system and seek a return to the old
method of exchange involving currency
and coin of the realm.
Much concern is being expressed this
session regarding vandalism at Trojan
State Park on the Columbia River.
Teenage gangs are reported to be stealing
eggs from nesting whistling swans at the
site of the former nuclear generating
plant. Environmentalists are supporting
the activity declaring theft of the eggs is
merely an expression of the balance of
nature and if the kids don't steal them,
many families in economically depressed
Columbia County face malnutrition and of
course, the swans might simply take over.
A joint memorial quickly passed both
houses early this session commending
hardy pioneers trying to re-establish
Portland a former metropolis which
vanished during the flood that followed
Officials
State Sen.
Ken Jernstedt
i. Morrow. Gilliam and other counties).
Stale Capitol. Km. S:tl7. Salem. Ore. 97310,
phone :I7K HK.")(I.
State Sen.
Robert Smith
Wheeler. Gran! and other counties)
Stale Capitol. Km. S.12:l. Salem. Ore. 97310
phone ;t7H H17l).
State Rep.
Bill Bellamy
(Morrow. Gilliam and other counties).
Stale Capitol. Rm. H364. Salem. Ore. 97310.
phone 378 8853.
State Rep.
Max Simpson
(Wheeler. Grant and other counties),
Slate Capitol. Rm. H481, Salem, Ore. 97310,
phone 378-8789.
Personi wanting information on bills,
hearings, and other doings of the
Oregon Legislature may call,
toll-free, 1-800-452-0290
"..If ,
K
V
demolition of a series of hydro-electric
dams on the Columbia. Proponents of the
demolition project were eulogized by first
one lawmaker and then another. Laments
for the many human souls lost each spring
during devastating floods throughout the
Columbia River system were drowned out
by aboriginies exclaiming the region has
more salmon than fver before.
All three members of Associated
Oregon Industries appeared before the
Labor Committee this week protesting the
high cost of paying compensation for
injuries sustained by the unemployed. The
butcher, baker and candlestickmaker
were again rebuffed by a committee clerk
presiding at the hearing, who explained
with customary logic that someone had to
take care of those who didn't want to care
for themselves.
Inclement weather so far this session
has kept meetings rather short. All
evening hearings have been cancelled due
to the current Japanese ban on exporting
whale oil for lamps.
And woodburning stoves finally did in
the venerable Department of Forestry.
What the Sunset law could not accomplish,
a complete lack of forests has.
In general, this session in the
manner of its predecessors is completely
preoccupied with maintaining what has
become an unpredictable status quo for
most Oregonians. Exceptions to this rule
dictate that deviations, however slight,
must be innovative and if possible the first
of their kind in keeping with the Oregon
tradition.
Picture Credit
Gas, gas every where... but not a drop at
Vern's 76 in Heppner. For the second
consecutive month now Vern Wilson has
ran out of gas near mid-month and can't
get anymore because state and federal
regulations limit a dealer to 95 per cent of
what he used last year during the same
month. Union 76 told Wilson they have
plenty of gas and would like to sell it to
him but they can't unless he gets an OK
from either the state or federal govern
ment. Wilson has made application to both
but hasn't heard anything positive from
either. In the meantime Vern has a special
on car washes and says he has plenty of
time to do lube jobs. Maybe the
government agencies could use a little
grease, Vern.
through
the TIMES
Heppner marksman Laverne Van
Marter was awarded the Latourell Cup 50
years ago this week, for his outstanding
performance in the Oregonian's State
Telegraphic Trapshooting Tournament.
Charles Latourell, president of the
Heppner Rod and Gun Club, treated all the
local trapshooting team members to a
chicken dinner at the Elkhorn Restaurant,
in presenting his award to Van Marter.
Heppner placed fourth in the state in the
preliminary round of competition, qualify
ing for a shoot-off championship match in
Portland the following week. Van marter
broke 95.2 per cent of the 650 targets he shot
at in the tourney. Latourell was no slouch
with a shotgun, either, shooting 100 per cent
on a round of 100 practice birds during the
week of the awards dinner.
Making the trip to the trapshooting
finals in Portland were Van Marter,
Latourell, Albert Bowker, Dr. A.D. Mc
Murdo and Charles Vaughn.
Rancher Harry French had just
completed loading a shipment of 23 work
horses into a rail car destined for Beaverton
during the same week a half-century ago.
French reported that Willamette Valley
farmers were providing a good market for
local draft horses.
The 1929 trout fishing season got off to a
poor start during the same week, when rain
and high water muddied most of the state's
more popular streams.
Meanwhile, Frank Tamer's sheep
shearing crew was moving into full swing at
the Ralph Corrigall place on Butter Creek.
Thirty years ago this week, volunteers
finished pouring a new cement tennis court
for use by Heppner schoolchildren, and a
fire threatened to destroy the Heppner
Lumber Co., before quick-acting firemen
cut the blaze short.
The fire had broken out in a fuel bunker,
and spread to a sawdust pile. High winds
threatened to spread the blaze into the mill
proper, but firemen managed to perform the
right task at the right moment, snuffing out
the fire before more serious damage could
be done.
Meanwhile, over in Monument, resi
dents were anxiously waiting for the
Big-Four Lumber Company's sawmill
whistle to blow for the first time. During this
week in 1949, the first load of logs was
brought to the decking yard of the new
facility.
A Big-Four timber falling crew,
working in upper Deer Creek on the Gerald
Slocum place, was encountering some
massive trees to feed the Monument mill.
One such giant was cut into three lengths of
32 feet, and contained a total of 10,150 board
feet of potential lumber. A second was cut
into 17 short logs, and contained a total of
10,000 board feet.
During the same week in 1949, Harold
"Doc" Sherer was appointed foreman of the
county road crew by the Morrow County
Court.
Heppner Lumber Co. was back in the
news 25 years ago this week, when a strike
was called after management and union
officials announced they were "hopelessly
deadlocked" over contract negotiations.
Among other issues, the workers were
seeking a 12.5 cent per hour across-the-board
pay hike.
Marine Capt. LeMoin Cox, son of Elbert
Cox of Heppner, was awarded two
sharpshooting medals during this week in
1954, following national shooting matches at
Camp Perry, Ohio.
A group of four juveniles broke into
Wright's Country Store at Ruggs 10 years
ago this week, making off with 20 cases of
beer, a quantity of cigarettes, shotgun shells
and other items. One of the four confessed to
his role in the caper to Judge Paul Jones.
Jones was also in the news during this
week in 1969, when he was elected grand
high priest pf the Grand Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons of Oregon during a convention
in Astoria.
Five years ago this week, Donna Wilson
and Jan Eckstrom were named valedictofl
ian and salutatorian of lone High School's
class of 1974.
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