TWO Tin- Gazette-Times, llem i . On-yon. Thiu silav . July I-'. I979
r
gazette-times Editorials o Columns
UDlIODD0CGtL7 Letters From Readers
Gazette-Times urges more
local opinions expressed
In recent weeks the Gazette
Times Viewpoint page has had the
look we like, and with that in mind
we take this opportunity to comment
about the contents of this page.
Leading out the left side of the
page is our editorial column our
view of situations and topics of
interest to Morrow Countians. We
try to approach any topic with a
positive outlook whether it be to
applaud or recommend a course of
action.
We don't consider ourselves the
last word on any topic but merely a
sounding board of public opinion.
Never do we pretend to have the
final solution or direction, simply a
position by someone who has had
some experience in observing the
public condition as a part of our
chosen profession.
Equally important to the View
point page are the letters from our
readers. Thev are one of the few
LETTERS FROM OUR READERS
Home Health Care
issues clarified
Editor:
The Board of Directors and myself
would like to thank the Gazette for the
article on home health care in your last
edition. There are a few things, however,
we would like to clarify:
1. Home health care is for anyone
meeting the need for skilled nursing or
physical therapy that has been referred
by their physician. Post-surgical are
definitely not the only type patient we
see. In fact, the largest majority of
patients cared for are of the medical
type (People with diabetes, hyperten
sion, stroke and types of heart disease.)
The Agency has not applied to Health
Systems Agency for a grant. U.S.A. is
working with our Agency on applying for
an appropriate grant which will meet our
needs,
Our nurses do not belong to the
Visiting Nurses Association. Visiting
Nurses Association is an organization
similar to our Agency but is more
commonly utilized in the metropolitan
area .
Acceptance of the program by
patients and their families has been well
received. Patients and families seemed
to be pleased and reassured by the
nursing and physical therapy interven
tion. II there are any questions by the
people of Morrow. Gilliam and Wheeler
counties please feel free to call the
Agency office and we will be glad to
answer them. h'7fi-5133.
Sheridan Tarnasky
Administrator
Tri-Oounty Home Health Acrmcy
May best team win says
swim team coach
Editor:
In last week's article of Monday
Morning Quarterback, there was this
statement from Milton-Freewater Swim
Team Coach Randy Grant: "'The
Heppner team was using different rules
than Milton-Freewater."
"They had some of their best, people
swimming in all five events,," he said.
"The rules call for a maximum of three."
Grant said hps learn was entering
individuals in a maximum of three
events and by the lime he noticed it, it
was loo late. Final score at Heppner was
215. Heppner to 214, Milton-Freewater.
Mr. Grant was correct to an extent of
the AAU ruling of each individual could
only be in three events but it also says in
the AAl' rules that a meet doesn't have to
follow the standard as long as all team
coaches receive in writing before the
meet how the meet will be run. If none of
the coaches contest the information
before the meet starts then the meet will
be ran as they were informed. In other
words if a coach objects to any of the
rules, the meet will have to be run by the
AAU standards. The Milton-Freewater
coach was sent a letter informing him of
Heppner's rules. He either did not
understand them or chose to ignore them
or simply did not read the letter.
It's too bad that hard feelings have
developed in both Heppner and Milton
Freewater communities over an unfor
tunate incident. Heppner goes to Milton
Freewater Thursday, July 12. We have
not received any information from them
us to how they will conduct ihe meet
but May The Best Team Win!!!
Heppner Swim Team Coach
Diane Holland
Public Officials
U.S. Sen.
Mark O. Hatfield
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I I i .'ii ,in li miIut ul inin;ilnii
( nlhliiilliT Inli-liul i HI n 1 1 ! I . I i 1 1 i ' ! 11
1 1 1 1 ! t . .mil lmh;in I'iiIiia Hcwi'U 1'iiiiiiin-
I i r i I 'nl ' I. mil ullirr I'lntniT ( illinium'
Km t ' 7 ,'n s W Iiiitimmi I'lii'Liml Hie
HTJin pliin -'-'I : "'i'
U.S. Sen.
Bob Packwood
I in k-i n N-n.ili' I M I uc Hlcln . V.i-,lnnu!'in
III .'ii.'ilii McinliiM nl 1 1 1 it i lit ("miniili'c
.mil rnniiiicicc ( dinniilli'C I'liriliiti'l ullicc.
Iihu K Moll. nl. i . Ilin 7ii 'I'D lio liiJI i.
I'm ll, mil. (lie 'iTJnll, plume it:H47l
U.S. Rep. Al Ullman,
Of The Second District
llim-c iilhci' HldK. Washington. IX'
Jn.-.r. Mi iiilx r nl Wiivsiind Means Commit
Ire s,iem ullnc. .VtiHVnlcr SI . Km ;i:m 'I'D
Bus -'47 S.ilcm. Ore U7:tdH. phone :!'i(i r.7-M
Gov. Vic Atiyeh
Sl.de Ciipilnl. S.ilem. ri- I'T !l" !""'"'
:17H iioo
State Sen.
Ken Jernstedt
Mm i im i.illi.ini ,md other counties'.
M,,ir Cipilol. Km MI7. Sjilein. I lie HT.ilO.
Jjllnllc 17.': mm'i'I
State Sen.
Robert Smith
Wheeler, (ii.inl and other founliesi.
N.iic Oipilol Km S.lj:l. S.ilcm. Ore t7:iin.
phone :!7H HjTii
State Rep.
Bill Bellamy
Moiiou. (iilli.im iind other counties!
SI, ile ( opilol. Km llttW. Soldi). (Ire H7:tI0
phone :S7H Mi..:!
State Rep.
Max Simpson
'Wheeler, (iriinl and other counties i.
Slide ( iipilol. Km INHI. Salem. (Ire. 97:110.
phone :I7K-H7K!I.
Person! wanting information on bill,
hearings, and other doings of the
Oregon Legislature may call,
toll-free, 1-800-452-0290
Pioneer Memorial reader poll
ways the public has to express their
feelings about issues of the day. We
encourage your letters on any topic
of general interest; our opinion is
only one and yours are the many
others. ,
Also included on the Viewpoint
page is the weekly feature picture
(suggestions and contributions are
also welcomed here) and Sifting
Through the Times, a look at
happenings reported in the Gazette
Times over the years. Overviews of
happenings in state government and
the legislature are provided on the
Viewpoint page by Sean Griffin,
Eagle Newspapers correspondent
based in Salem.
All in all, we try to make the
Viewpoint page one that reflects
your town, your county and the
issues that surround those parts of
the whole.
tmh
The Gazette-Times wants to know why you, our
readers, voted either yes or no on the May 22 and June
2(i hospital levy elections and what your future vote will
be on August 2.
After encountering two failures at the polls, the
issue will again be on the ballot county-wide on
Thursday. August 2. County officials submitted the
levy request which they believe represents the
.minimum monies necessary to operate Pioneer
Memorial Hospital and North Morrow Clinic.
In the official balloting of voters, voters are not
asked why they voted a certain way; they are simply
asked to cast a yes or no vote. We think more
information of that type is needed to inform public
officials about public opinion. Hopefully, our reader
poll will answer some of those questions or at least be a
start in that direction..
The results will be tabulated and turned over to
county officials as well as reported in the July 26 issue
of the Gazette. , , .
Please take the time and fill out your questionnaire
both husband and wife or single person. Without your
assistance, the poll would reflect nothing. Turn in your
questionnaires at the Gazette-Times office, or mail to
Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836, The deadline is
Friday, July 20 and results will be published in the July
26 issue.
Pioneer Memorial Reader Poll
Are you a registered Voter? Man: Yes
No
Woman : Yes
No
Did you vote the same way in both elections?
Man: Yes No Woman: Yes.
No
Why did you vote yes?
Why did you vote no?
Will you vote in favor or against the August 2 levy?
Man: Yes No Woman: Yes No
Whv?.
Do you have other comments about the upcoming levy
elect ii 'ii :
A-
i w i u si rrrrr i a,
i. ..... . ,xvjuj--m JTT
'TlaiiVI
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Legislative Repor from'the Stale Capital
f Xf'LUSIvr to Oreqon Weekly Newspa
pers from A",ociated Oregon Industr ies
Salem
Scene
By Jack Zimmerman
Among hundreds of new laws
enacted by the 60th Legislative Assembly
in Salem this year is one widely
acclaimed as a positive deterrent to
crime.
II was Senate Bill 893. which provides
civil procedures to combat a growing
criminal activity that is costing Oregon
consumers more than $70 million a year.
The crime is shoplifting and SB 80!
attacks that problem by providing
victims with a method of achieving
restitution, monetary damages and
penalties against perpetrators in addi
tion to present criminal prosecution.
The bill was introduced by the Senate
Committee on State & Federal Affairs
Rules at the request of the Oregon Retail
Council and guided through the legis
lative process to a great degree by Sen.
Kennetn Jernstedt (R-Hood River) a
prime proponent of anti-shoplifting
legislation throughout most of this
decade.
As with most measures enacted
during this regular biennial session. SB
89:! will not become effective until 90 days
after adjournment. That means provi
sions of tne new statute cannot be
executed until some time near the first of
October. Between now and its effective
date, the Oregon Retail Council will
conduct an extensive public information
campaign and indoctrination program
for retail merchants.
"If experience in Oregon is anything
like that in Ihe eight other states with
similar laws, merchants and their
customers likely will be realizing relief
from shoplifting activity by the time we
enter the Christmas shopping season this
year," according to Otto J. Wilson,
Director of the retail division of
Associated Oregon Industries.
"The holiday season always reflects
an increase in shoplifting." he said, "and
the new law can make this Christmas
merrier for everyone involved."
Wilson explained application of the
new procedure against shoplifters likely
won 't be expressed in lower prices for
goods this year but over time it could
help in the overall effort to reduce
inflation.
"Our research indicates a grocer
operating on a one percent profit margin
must sell. 100 units of a stolen item to
make up for its loss." he said. "A general
merchanJi'ser with a five percent profit
margin nflust sell twenty to make up for
the loss (f one.
"Any'notable reduction in shoplifting
activity is bound to reduce a retailer's
cost of doing business and that will
ultimately show up in the prices we pay
for goods." he went on.
ONPA
Oregon Nwipapr
PublilhVft Altociolion
The Official Newspaper of the
City of Heppner and the
County of Morrow
The Heppner
GAZETTE-TIMES
Morrow County's Award-Winning Weekly Newspaper
U.S.P.S. 240-420
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 ' .
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
$8.00 In Morrow, Unatilla, Wheeler & Gilliam County; $10.00 elsewhere
GM. Reed, Publisher
Terry M. Hoger, General Manager
Eileen Soling, Office Manager
Melissa Scott, Composition
Justine Weatherford, Local Columnist
Dolores Reed, Co-publisher
Jim Hackett, News Editor
Gayle Rush, AdvertisingComposition
Cindi Doherty, Office
Testimony before committees of both
House and Senate revealed shoplifting is
largely a middle class crime involving a
disproportionate number of young
people.
"One of the best things about this
new law." Wilson said, "is that it tends to
both deter youngsters from experiment
ing with crime at an early age and help
avoid their involvement in the criminal
justice system."
In practice, merchant victims still
have to apprehend shoplifters, obtain the
assistance of police, to record an arrest
and actually prefer charges of theft.
From that point on the civil
procedure in the new law is different It is
acitiiilly the responsibility of each
jurisdiction's district attorney to prose
cute shoplifters under criminal statute.
Hut under lerms of SB 89:1. victimized
storenw tiers can begin seeking civil
recourse immediately following Un
arrest. And they don't even have to go to
court first
A simple demand letter can be sent
to ihe ollendei . asking return of stolen
merchandise, a sum of money equal to
the retail price of the stolen goods and an
additional sum to help cover costs of the
procedure.
In the case of adult offenders,
merchants can request actual damages
up to Sfiiid. depending on the cost of the
merchandise, and up to $2."n for minors.
In both cases, merchants can seek an
addi'ional penally of not less than $100 or
more than .2.rn. Penalties are adjustable
to lit circumstances ol individual
ollcnses.
One of the new law's most effective
prov sions iii, ikes parents ol unemanci-pati-d
minors liable in merchants for the
shopliltiim activities of their children
Kpcrionco in other states indicates
most cases are disposed ol through this
demand letter procedure. But SB Hit.i also
permits action lor recovery through any
court nl eiiiiipeteni jurisdiction, incluri
inu --mail i lainw departments of district
I'ulll's.
Recovery ol merchandise and pay
ment ol damages does not absolve
shophlteis Iiumi possible prosecution
under criminal siaiules as well. But in
'In- i .i-.e nl 1 1 1 c i viiuihtul ol fenders,
practice iinlicaies criminal prosecution
lines ii"! fill low successful civil action.
im! civil penalties prove to be an
i i . ' i e ii, ' en eni In cmitimimu shoplift
Sifting
through
the
TIMES
Fifty years ago, the Gazette-Times
published a news article from the Park
County News of Livingston, Montana,
regarding a nephew of Dr. AD.
McMurdo.
"Charles E. McMurdo, son of Mr.
and Mrs. A.K. McMurdo of Wilsall
received his B.S. degree in electrical
engineering at the University of Virginia
on June 11 and was president of the
senior class."
No irrigation was scheduled on Sunday
evenings in a ban by the Heppner City
Council to provide water for the
American Legion pool. Members of the
Legion fost were assigned the authority
to make arrests of any violators.
Bert Mason and W.W. Head, repre
senting the lone city government were
present at the meeting in the interest of
securing uniform prohibition and traffic
ordinances for lone, Heppner and
neighboring towns.
The Scenograph Soundies Company
planned to conduct a series of motion
picture screen tests in search of talent for
short stories, comedies, scenics and
travelogue pictures,of "the Northwest and
gave the people of Heppner a chance to
try out. , ,
A welcoming committee composed of
prominent members of the Elks Lodge in (
Heppner drove to Pendleton Saturday to
greet one of the four cars of the Elks
Purple and White fleet en route from
New York to Los Angeles. Earl W.
Gordon, exalted ruler, accompanied the
pilot Mr. Alpers to Heppner where a
luncheon was held in his honor. The four
pilots, each driving a smart new
Studabaker President. Alper's vehicle is
following the route of the Lincoln
Highway.
The tour is the most ambitious
demonstration of the regularity and
certainty to be attained in cross country
motoring ever.
Ralph Marlatt underwent a minor
operation Tuesday for removal of a rock
which hit his eye while he was at work at
the rock crusher.
With the arrival of Gordon Ridings,
U of O athlete and Red Cross swimming
instructor, the Legion pool was opened
yesterday in his charge and many folks
took advantage of the occasion for a cool
dip.
Heppner and lone started their two
day ball series yesterday and the dance
at the pavilion was a big hit.
The Gazette-Time's editorial column
reported that the City Councilmen would
be organizing a fire fighting company in
Heppner and it was its recollection that
in 1918, a fire destroyed several blocks of
Ihe city.
"A volunteer company is the only
kind possible for a place of this size."
Twenty-five years ago, the voters of
School District No. 1 decisively turned
thumbs down on a proposal to issue
S.;:!.").(Mio in bonds to finance purchase of
a ii"w grade school site and build a new
clt iiientary school. The vole was 267 no
19 1 yes.
Lawrence Brent, formerly of Mon
roe. ( regmi. has moved to Lexington and
taken over as new superintendent of
schools. He replaces James Vanover.
The weekend's hot weather, the first
ol the summer, has caused the Heppner
water department considerable worry
and numerous residents an equal amount
of inconvenience.
Tuesday evening many residents of
cemetery hill and those along the higher -section
of Gilmore Street were without
Wilier for several hours when water use
in town exceeded the quantity available,
according to Vic Groshens. water
superintendent.
The county court this week received
word from Ihe Army Corps of Engineers
that the secretary of the Air Force has
signed an easement which will give the
county right-of-way for its planned road
along the east end of the Boardman
Bombing Range,
Harvest officially got underway
Tuesday in V.-rrow County when D.O.
Nelson. Sand Hollow area rancher,
hauled the first load of wheat to the North
Lexington elevator, according to Al
Lamb of the Morrow County Grain
Growers
Five years ago. the Heppner
Common Council gave the city's parking
meters a vote of confidence and approval
Monday night. Mayor Jerry Sweeney
said he had received several complaints
about ihe parking meters.
Three Heppner High School juniors,
Shannon Kelly, Deana Struthers and
.lames Marquardt, representatives of
Morrow County at Boy's and Girl's State
were guest speakers at the Chamber of
Commerce luncheon Monday.
Michele Evans won the first and
second go-rounds in the breakaway calf
roping event at the Oregon High School
Bodeo Championship Finals, in Burns.
Oregon June 2H-.Hl.
Youth Conservation -Corps members1
look a floating tripon the John Day River
i, id ;.re working and staying at Tupper
- ri . . ,