Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 1979)
.yitfilf tfftriiS'- '.ifi.-i.hjn-Ji0i...,.m, .i'n n 'i ' .... .',(...,... TWO The Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, August 30, 1979 The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Editorials o Columns UDHUEPDCGl? Letters From Readers 3)1, i , ' A ... r 4 significant holiday for Heppner Labor ay on Monday will be observed with particular signifi cance in Heppner because of the production record established re cently at the Kinzua Corporation's local sawmill. As the firm's management said in a message to the community, at a Editor's Notebook Dennis Smith, the Salem newspaper man who as a Republican expects to challenge Congressman Al Ullman in next year's election, flie round the sprawling Second Congressional District in his own plane a twin-engine Beecher Baron. The district covers the wide-open spaces east of the Cascades plus a portion of the Willamette Valley 21 counties in all. Smith is a professional flier. He is on furlough as a pilot from Pan American World Airways. He flew for Pan Am for 10 years going to such far-away places as Alaska, Australia and Europe. He also served as an Air Force pilot. He was in Heppner last Thursday testing the political winds. He flew over from Hermiston and landed at the Morrow County Airport at Lexington, then drove into Heppner for lunch. While here, he looked at the proposed Willow Creek dam site. He cites the problems of inflation and excessive government spending as rea sons for jumping into the political race. He feels Ullman has outlived his usefulness as a congressman. "He's been there too long," Smith says. "In fact, his 'Oregon address' is a post office box in Baker." Smith, 41, has formed a fund-raising committee and has hired a professional campaign organizer, a young man from South Dakota, a state that Smith regards as similar in geography and population to Oregon's Second District. The would-be candidate is chairman of the board of Eagle Newspapers, a chain of weeklies that includes several papers in the district that he would represent. He is 41, married and has three children. He grew up in Eastern Oregon. His father was Elmo Smith, who served as governor for a year, from 1956 to 1957. The father was president of the Oregon State Senate and succeeded to the governorship on the death of Gov. Paul Patterson. Dennis Smith said he developed a taste for congressional politics when he served in Washington as a lobbyist for the airline pilots' union as well as Pan American. Morrow County's two legislators were in town last week. Rep. Bill Bellamy, from Culver, Jefferson County, dropped by the Gazette-Times office last Thursday. He represents District 55, which embraces several northern central Oregon counties. Sen. Ken Jernstedt and his wife, from Hood River, attended the rodeo on Saturday, rode in the parade and were guests at the All Saints Episcopal Church barbeque dinner. It is satisfying to note that both men have been graded as being effective in the statehouse in a recent survey among lobbyists and lawmakers. time when the productivity, or output, of the nation's manufactur ing facilities is drastically slipping, Kinzua is proud of its Heppner workers who, during the month of July, cut more than five million uoard feet of lumber. Inflation is the country's overrid ing concern with wages and prices i going up and production going down. One way to reverse the spiral is to produce more and in Heppner, the Kinzua workers have done just that. Labor Day has been, since 1894, the national holiday of the work force. In the United States and Canada the first Monday of Septem ber has been set aside for the tribute. In many other countries, Labor Day is celebrated on May 1. The labor movement of the 19th century arose out of the industrial revolution, when factory workers were exploited, working conditions often were hazardous, hours were long and the pay low. It wasn't until the 1890's that the 10-hour day became a standard and 1912, when the eight-hour day was adopted by law. Labor's gains were accomplished through the militancy of trade unions. Today, of course, in many industries there is a strong working partnership between labor and management to provide people with good incomes and the ability to acquire a good standard of living. Such a spirit of cooperation was what Kinzua saluted recently in an advertisement in the Heppner Gazette-Times, calling attention to an 'outstanding sawmill production re cord. But Labor Day is for the farmer, too, coming as it does near the close of the summer harvest season. The farmer's financial rewards are often less immediate than those of the factory or mill worker. So, let's salute all of the hard workers of 1979 and may they have a good holiday on the weekend ahead. Jogging Day Gov. Victor Atiyeh has declared October 14, 1979 as Jogging Day in Oregon. The action acknowledges the benefits of jogging as a means of improving physical fitness and gaining greater awareness of personal health, a spokesman at the Oregon Lung Association said. The Governor drew attention to the fact that 300,000 people of Oregon are among the 25 million jogging Americans nationally. National Jogging Day is sponsored by the National Jogging Association in cooperation with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the American Lung Association, and the National Recreation and Park Association. The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow OTTFA Ogon Nwpapr Publisher Auocwiion The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Morrow Coaity's Award-Winiij 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. Office and commercial printing plant at 147 West Willow Street. Telephone, (503) 676-9228. Address communications to the Heppner Gaiette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon, 97836. SUBSCRIPTION RATE 18.00 in Morrow, Umatilla, Wheeler Gilliam counties; 110.00 elsewhere. Senior Citizen Rate, $5.00 Jerome F. Sheldon Publisher Eileen Saling, Office Manager Melissa Scott, Advertising, Composition Justine Weatherford, Local Columnist Ron Jordan, Printer . Jane H. Sheldon, Co-Publisher Jim Hackett, News Editor Cindi Doherty, Office Chloe Pearson, Composition Many people in '79 Fair merit thanks Editor: The hustle and bustle of Fair Week for 1979 is now past. It was a fine time to meet old friends, and make new ones, and see some of the activities that our Morrow County people are involved in, and to see what our young people are accomplishing. There are many many people who deserve a personal thanks, but this is impossible, so I'd like to take this means of doing just this. To the many many people who worked all year preparing their exhibits, the fine superintendents that gave of their time so willingly, the wonderful hard working Fair Committee, the Fair Board, the lovely Queen and her Princesses and the office staff. The Morrow County Fair Committee expresses our Thanks and an invitation to see and work with you all next year. Delpha Jones Amtrak support is appreciated Editor: Your editorial in the August 9 issue of the Gazette-Times has been called to my attention. Thank you for your continued interest in the "Pioneer" and Amtrak service. The words of support are much appreciated. We will keep a close watch on the station at Hinkle and I am copying your editorial and sending it to all concerned on the situation. Anytime this office can assist, please do not hesitate to advise. Sincerely, Arthur L. Lloyd Director, Public Affairs-West, , Amtrak San Francisco, Cal. i U ' it :. ' v. ri ' v -s . U 1 t m ......St.-: MU' "Miwuimmiw Sifting j through the A e -w Testing the political climate Dennis Smith of Salem flew into the Morrow County Airport at Lexington last week during a swing around Eastern Oregon, which he hopes to represent in Congress. So far, he appears to be unopposed for the Republican nomination. He would face Rep. Al Ullman, a Democrat, in the general election in 1980. (See Editor's Notebook item.) COMMENT FROM SALEM Welfare reform an issue in 1979 Legislature Ullman vote issue well stated Editor: Thank you for your editorial of August 9 regarding Congressman Ullman 's vote on the Charles Diggs' expulsion issue. I thought the piece stated the case very well. I would also like to express my appreciation for the explanation of the "News From the Other Side" program that was included in the editorial. Although, as you pointed out, we are by nature partisan, we do try to raise valid questions on that side of the issues that most Congressmen so frequently choose to ignore. Sincerely, Tim Sullivan, Editor "News From the Other Side" National Republican Congressional Committee Washington, D.C. What Others Say The Enterprise has been attending sessions of county officials and U.S. Congressional delegates for a number of years and last week we sat in on a session with the county court and stand-ins for injured Al Ullman. This was by far the best organized and most directly presented session we have been to. County Judge Ernie Seuell led the presentation of county problems. The range of problems ran from why the county and city can't seem to get a federal grant to use the geothermal water for heating public buildings to the transportation problems farmers are having with moving their grain to market. He asked the team to find out exactly how many revenue sharing and in-lieu of tax dollars would be coming to the county this next year. The county has not been given an exact figure for this year and it is already causing budget problems. Now if only Washington, D.C. is listening maybe we can get some answers and action on the local problems! Malheur Enterprise (This is one of an occasional series of articles in which our State Senator, Ken Jernstedt of Hood River, analyzes major actions of the 1979 Legislature. In the following article, Jernstedt discusses welfare reform.) by KEN JERNSTEDT One of the most frequent complaints any legislator hears concerns our public welfare system. If it's been heard once, it's been heard a thousand times: "Why don't you do something about ( those deadbeats and welfare cheats?" We've generally been frustrated in our reform attempts by the federal govern ment which provides much of the money and most of the say. The Legislature, nonetheless, makes a serious run at welfare reform about once every three or four sessions. Prior to the recent session, the last time was in 1971 and the results were immediate. A special House Committee at that time issued a report which scathed the administration of the State Welfare Division, and caused a general tightening up in all programs. The year prior to the committee's report, Oregon fell just shy of leading the nation in the growth of welfare caseload. The year following the report, Oregon led the nation in the decline of welfare caseloads. One of the recommendations of the special committee one which would have reduced the burden even further was dismissed out-of-hand by the federal government. The recommendation was that the state be premitted to require able-bodied welfare recipients to accept employment. The federal government blocked the way to that path but the idea remained on the back burner, and this session, eight years later, the Legislature has embraced the policy even though it may mean a loss of federal largesse. The results, this time, were just as instant as the results in 1971. On July 1st, some 5,000 recipients were dropped from Oregon's welfare rolls and another 15,000 recipients saw a sharp decrease in their benefits. The new policy is simple: It requires that one parent in a household with two able-bodied parents be required to get a job. No one was tossed out into the streets on July 1. The State, prior to the deadline, stepped-up its counseling and job place ment efforts for those who would be affected. As estimated 20 per cent ot tnose 10 uc dropped from the rolls had been placed in jobs before the cut-off . .1- . ; . There is no shortage of available' employment. There were an estimated 85,000 new jobs in Oregon in July, alone through expansion, new business ' and turnover. The jobs run the range from low-skilled to well paying high-skill jobs. The Savings in taxpayer dollars over , the next two years is estimated at more" than $30 million and, in the long run, we may be saving more than dollars. We may be saving in another sense, because the- Legislature said something else with this new policy something which perhaps has needed saying for quite some time. The Legislature said that the indivi dual has the major responsibility to find a job, and that state government will no longer assume the responsibility. There are some who suggest that the avoidance of individual responsibility is one of the major problems in our society today. And it is certainly one of the major factors in people becoming dependent on the welfare system. The Legislature has said that able bodied individuals will be responsible for meeting their own needs. That isn't really too much to ask, is it? We took one other significant step along this line, but the total impact can't be predicted. We have required that stepfathers with the financial means accept the responsibility for the support of their stepchildren. We feel this is an obligation wich is assumed upon marri age, and one which will now be legally required. Nothing in either of these new policies in any way alters or dilutes our legitimate responsibility to help those who are in genuine need of our help. Cost Sharing Federal and state conservation cost sharing payments to farmers would not count as income for federal tax purposes under proposed regulations announced by Acting Secretary of Agriculture Jim Williams. In calling for public comment on the proposal, Williams said the Secretary of the Treasury also must make a separate determination that the payments do not substantially increase the farmer's in come for the exemption to qualify. TIMES 1929 Fifty years ago, "An impressive array of exhibits for the annual Morrow County Wool and Grain show is already assured," Charles W. Smith, manager said. Smith .. was enthusiastic over the fine cooperation being received in preparation of exhibits this year which would be held in conjunction with the Heppner Rodeo, September 27 and 28. For wheat, prizes will be $4 for first, $2 for second and $1 for third place. Wool prizes will be $6, $3 and $1. Miss Kathleen McClintock was chosen to wield the scepter over the cowboy realm September 18, 19, 20 and 21. Queen Kathleen in private life is Miss Kathleen McClintock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.A. McClintock and next year will be a junior at Oregon State College. She was an accomplished horsewoman and was planning to ride in all of the Roundup parades. A combine owned by Joe Batty of Hardman was totally destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon while at work in his field. A fire caught from a hot box and a stiff wind at the time made it impossible to save the machine. Batty spread the word to neighbors and there was a number assisting him in keeping the fire from spreading to the uncut wheat field. Glen Moore, 14, fatally wounded his father, Heistand Moore, lower Butter Creek ranchman Tuesday evening by shooting him twice with a shotgun', the climax of a family quarrel. The boy gave himself up at the sheriff's office. A fire that threatened to assume alarming proportions was reported in Heppner Tuesday afternoon on the mountain farm of W.B. Barratt and Son at Parkers Mill and accompanying the report was a call for 20 men to help fight the fire. The fire was brought under control Tuesday night. City policemen Devin and Matteson happened upon a "little party" at the Rodeo grounds Sunday evening. Quite a number of young men were engaged in disposing of a gallon jug. The boys scattered when the officers started to get out of Matteson's Ford coupe but one attempted to carry away the jug. Matteson arrested him but by this time the other boys had made a complete getaway. 0 ! Harvey Ayers was convicted of posses 4 sion of intoxicating liquor in justice court and fined $100. Matteson said a pint of the moonshine remained in the jug for evidence. v" 1954 " Twenty -five years ago, the third annual Morrow County Horse Show held under the supervision of the Wranglers riding club was one of the feature events as the fair and rodeo went into its second day. The annual Wrangler cowboy break fast was slated for Sunday and was expected to be served on the clubhouse lawn at the fairgrounds. Mrs. Archie Munkers was general chairman. Jack N. Angel, new administrator of Pioneer Memorial Hospital was pictured in the Gazette. He took over his duties here the first of the week and will replace John Ernsdorff who resigned to accept a similar position in Lewiston. A rapidly spreading grass and grain fire which started about 4:30 p.m. Saturday spread up Heppner's west hill and burned a wide swath completely across the wheat field owned by Frank S. Parker and Ed LaTrace destroying between 11 and 12 acres of unharvested wheat. A record was established at the county fair with a total of 28 open class livestock being entered besides numerous 4-H and FFA projects, making Morrow County the largest exhibition in Eastern Oregon. Rodeo stock began rolling into Heppner last night as Christensen Bros, trucks ended a long haul from Stockton, California where they were showing. The Eugene, Oregon rodeo stock company is one of the largest in the west and has furnished stock to most of the top shows on the coast including the Oregon State Fair and Pendleton Round-up. 1974 Five years ago, the first prize in the juvenile division went to the Heppner Swim Team and in the adult organizations, the Soroptimists won first prize. Pioneer Memorial Hospital won first in the business category. The Soroptimist Club also captured the sweepstakes award. Unofficial figures indicated that the 1974 Morrow County Fair and Rodeo surpassed last year's attendance and receipts were up. Fair gate receipts were $875 and rodeo gate receipts, $5,500. Rodeo dances contributed $2,000 .
