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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1980)
TWO The Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, February 21, 1980 H 1 i .y 1 : v . i . 1 - ' I J .J -. The Official Newspaper of th ; City of Heppner and the ijjjQQ ' County of Morrow Oragon Nwifapr Pub I nth art Allocation The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Morrow Conti's Home-Owntd Weekly Newspaper U.S.P.S. 240-420 Published every Thursday and entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Heppner. Oresnn under the Act of March J. I79. Second-class postage paid at Heppner. Oregon. Office at H7 West Willow Street. Telephone im) 676-9228. Address communications to the Heppner Gazette-Times. P.O. Box 337. Heppner. Oregon H7R:ifi. 8 in in Morrow llmalilla. Wheeler t Gilliam counties: SlO.no elsewhere. Jerome F. Sheldon, Publisher Steven A. Powell. News & Sports Editor A STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY OF TRAJSSPOR TA TJ07V Future of Amtrak (The following article by Neil Goldschmidt, Secretary of Transportation in the cabinet of President Jimmy Carter, was prepared in response to a letter from the Heppner Gazette-Times. He was asked to comment on the future of Amtrak the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and specifically about the "Pioneer," the train that operates between Salt Lake City and Seattle by way of southern Idaho, eastern Oregon and the Columbia Gorge. (The Heppner Gazette-Times also asked Mr. Goldschmidt about the feasibility of providing bus service in such isolated, rural areas as southern Morrow County, where people now rely on the private automobile for transporation. Our suggestion was that postal star route service might be combined with a limited passenger-carrying capacity with the support of federal subsidies. The service might be in the pattern of "post buses" operated by many European countries. ( In response to this suggestion, Mr. Goldschmidt pointed to the example of the Bend-Lakeview State Lines in south-central Oregon, where a postal route has been combined with a passenger service. "Your suggestion. ..has merit." Mr. Goldschmidt said. (The Secretary was appointed to his cabinet post last autumn from his previous position, that of Mayor of Portland.) By Neil Goldschmidt The Secretary of Transportation Congress founded Amtrak in 1971 to relieve the private railroads (such as Union Pacific and Burlington Northern) of the responsibility and deficits of passenger trains. Frankly, many of the problems that plagued passenger train service prior to the formation of Amtrak lax on-time performance, graceless employees, and equipment malfunc tions continue as problems today despite the fact that Amtrak's federal subsidy gets larger every year. At the same time, "Pioneer" passengers will confirm that Amtrak has been successful in some ways the corporation has bought new equipment, installed a modern reservations system, and is generally making more of an effort to win passengers than the railroads formerly did. Still, I am not satisfied. I don't think the people of eastern Oregon should be either, as taxpayers and as passengers. Amtrak's deficits continue to be unacceptably high and the quality of service continues to be unacceptably inconsistent. Congress shares our concern, and added several provisions to the Amtrak Reorganization Act of 1979 which demand better financial and service performance from Amtrak. It sels specific standards and criteria that trains are to meet. Now, under the management of Amtrak President Alan Boyd, I sense a new spirit at Amtrak, dedicated to restricting the growth of the company's costs and serving the traveling public. I intend to encourage Amtrak's efforts in those areas, and prod it along if necessary. To be honest. I doubt that we will see a revival of the passenger train to World War II levels of service. Given the sie of our country, the exorbitant costs of railroad construction and operations, and trains' relatively high fuel consumption (compared with buses and perhaps the high mileage cars of the future), it is not clear whether passenger railroad service will ever carry a significant percentage of intercity passengers in most long-haul markets. However, I think we should make the trains as cost-effective and pleasant as possible. Congress' new standards are a welcome step in that direction, and clarify that we are serious about developing the most appropriate rail system for America's need. As for the specifics of the "Pioneer" case, the train was retained in the Amtrak network under a provision of the Amtrak Reorganization Act of 1979 which required "regional balance" in the Amtrak system. The "Pioneer" will operate at least until Oct. 1, 1981. when it will be reevaluated in terms of Congress's ridership and financial criteria. At that time, Oregonians' use of the service and the amount of its deficit will be the decisive factors in whether the train continues. Finally. I think your suggestion about the possibility of combining postal and passenger service in sparsely populated areas has merit. In fact, there are a number of such services operating in the country today. Bend-Lakeview Stage Lines' joint postal route-passenger service in southcentral Oregon between Bend, Silver Lake, Christmas Valley. Summer Lake. Paisley and Lakeview is an example. Although the Department of Transportation does not get directly involved in planning for and establishing specific operations such as this, we do administer a broad rural transportation assistance program known as the UMTA Section 18 program, that could be a source of funds to subsidize transportation service in the Morrow County area, this year. Oregon will be allotted approximately one million dollars for Section 18 projects. The Oregon Department of Transportation administers these funds for the state and sets the priorities that determine the uses to which they are put. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss Amtrak and transportation in rural areas. I hope that you and your readers will maintain an interest in the challenges confronting the Department of Transportation and that I will have the continuing benefit of your advice and support. Salem Scene Oregonians rediscovering the initiative BY JACK ZIMMERMAN A late, lamented profes sional lobbyist at the height of consumer and environmen tal movements during the 1971 session of the Oregon Legisla , ture was moved to remark: "Democracy sure fouls up the legislative process." The veteran lobbyist's quip was prompted by the inordi nate flood of concerned citi zens descending on the Capitol in behalf of special interests, armed for the most part with little more than emotional fervor. That session is known as the one during which the people "found" Salem and the . Legislature that meets there regularly on odd-numbered years. Were he with us today, that sage observer of the scene in Salem might make the same observation concerning the state's elections. That's be cause 1980 stands a good change of becoming the year the people rediscover the initiative process the system ' that permits citizens to achieve legislation by the electorate. Fifty-nine requests already have been made to the Secretary of State to circulate petitions to have measures appear on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot. A modern record, the number is signifi cantly more than the 44 sought in 1978. Historically, Oregonians embraced the initiative and referendum system in 1902 permitting direct legislation by the people. Popularity of the initiative process immediately follow ing inception is evident by the fact 35 measures were thus propelled to ballot status in 1912. Ten were approved by voters, one of which gave women the right to vote well in advance of national suf frage eight years later. In IftH there were 20 initiatives on the ballot and 16 in 1916. But from then on, agitation for direct legislation waned. Totals seldom exceed seven or eight. Seven, for instance, ap peared on the 1978 ballot three of which were approved by voters. Modified through the years, the process for achieving ballot status now requires petitioners to file a prospectus with the Secretary of State, including signatures of 25 registered voters. The request Legislative Report from the Sfate Capital EXCLUSIVE to Oregon's Weekly Newspa pen from Associated Oregon Industries. is referred to the Attorney General for a ballot title which, is subject to challenge and subsequent appeallate court review for a period of 20 days. If these hurdles are cleared, petitioners submit necessary cover sheets and signature pages. Once approved, the signature collection begins. If a proposal simply seeks to change existing law, petition ers must collect signatures of registered voters equal to six percent of votes cast for all candidates for Governor dur ing the preceding regular gubernatorial election. And the signatures must be ob tained four months before the election on which ballot status is sought. If petitioners seek to change the State Constitution, the percentage jumps to eight. Signature totals for statutory initiatives currently are 54.669 and 72,891 for constitutinoal measures, required percen tages of the 911,143 ballots cast for gubernatorial candidates in 1978. How many of the measures now proposed will achieve ballot status is anyone's guess. Of the 59 already sought, five have been de clined by the Attorney Gen eral and one petitioner died. Twenty-seven have been ap proved by the Secretary of. State for circulation. Most of the balance have received titles and are either stalled by challenges or awaiting ap proval of cover sheets and signature lists. Authorities expect at least one more initiative to be filed and although there is no statutory filing deadline, time is running out from a practical standpoint. It takes about six weeks to obtain certification and the July 3 deadline for collecting signatures this year is rapidly approaching. Who seeks direct legisla tion? There are a few regulars pushing for specific causes. One has proposed eight initia tives, another seeks six. Most are private citizens but five current legislators and one former lawmaker are among current petitioners. Gov. Vic tor Atiyeh's name appears on two and former Gov. Tom McCall's is on another. Proposals cover any num ber of subjects but most seek approval of propositions that failed to win favor during the last regular legislative ses sion. Several deal with property and income taxes. A number attack nuclear power, motor vehicle laws, the manner in which the state regulates alcoholic beverages and gambling statutes. Others range from easing laws in volving marijuana, land use regulations and rape to prohi biting herbicide sprays, abor tions and more than two terms for elected officials. No one seriously questions the people's right to exercise this direct legislative preroga tive. But quite a number join that now-departed lobbyist in expressing alarm at the cur rent plethora of propositions. Secretary of State Norma Paulus is one. She's worried about obtaining enough paper to print pro and con argu ments in the Voter's Pamphlet no small concern since there's almost no limit to the number of arguments she must accept. And newsprint is in such short supply, its makers aren't accepting new customers. Others join our late lobbyist in worrying many petition signers will affix signatures without bothering to read the fine print. Some proposals could wreak havoc with the state's eco nomy. Others are incompati ble with existing law and could require a special legislative session. Greatest anxiety however, is caused by the emotional appeal of most measures. Little wonder there are those who fear results of lawmaking in the absence of reason. re: Sifting through the TIMES; 19.10 Fifty years ago the county courts waived the penalty for delinquent taxes and charged interest at 6 percent in an effort to speed up past due payments. The Elks Lodge was con ducting its annual Washing ton's Birthday Ball. Music was going to be performed by Pat's Six Aces from The Dalles. The school teachers play "Smile Rodney Smile" was put on and $150 was cleared. The money was going to be used for buying library books for the school and other equipment that was not in the school budget. A crowd of more than 450 watched the evening presentation. Businessmen in Heppner were purchasing American flags to put in front of their stores on patriotic occassions from J.C. Penny at a cost of $4.85 installed. The high school sub district basketball tournament was going to take place in Heppner with Heppner, Lexington, lone, Fossil, Arlington, Board man, Hermiston and possibly Condon participating. Tickets for the entire tournament of six games cost $1.25. The Heppner Lions Club endorsed putting fish ladders at all dams on Willow Creek and changing the channel at the mouth of the creek so fish could enter. 1955 Twenty five years ago Al Lamb.manager of the Morrow County Grain Growers, an nounced that a new 500,000 bushel flat storage grain elevator was going to be constructed near the Patter son Ferry Landing. The 70 by 440 foot steel building was going to cost $100,000. Heppner TV, Inc. collected $3,300 in memberships at its first meeting. Membership rates were $135 for hook-up and $3.50 for a month service charge. Dentist Fred L. Gronemyer of Heppner announced he was leaving his practice and opening one in Moses Lake, Wash. Dr. Bob Bliss, of Portland, took his place. Mark Piper was presented the Eagle Scout award. 1975 The Future Farmers of America had its award ban quet and winners were Bill Van Schoiack, Clay West, Mike Orwick, Joe Kenny, Curtis Cutsforth and Kel wayne Haguewood. The Morrow County School Board looked at the athletic situation at the schools and decided something had to be done to upgrade the girls program. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Connor celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Heppner lost to Weston McEwen in a basketball game 103-61. The team came backa o beat Stanfield and Wasco County. "A power over a man's support is a power over his will." Alexander Hamilton LETTER TO THE EDITOR 'Voters asked to confirm their registrations9 Editor: During September and Octo ber of every odd-numbered year, county election officials are required by state law to mail a notice to all electors who have shown no voter activity for two years. These electors are asked to either confirm their voter registra tion information with the county clerk by returning a form or to re-register. Voter registration records are re moved from the files within 20 days after the notice is mailed for any elector who has not contacted the county clerk. WHAT OTHERS SAY Energy Outlook for 1 9809s Our energy consumption is so great that we've had to develop a new method of expressing the measurement of our energy appetite. The unit is a quad, and a single quad represents a daily diet of 500,000 barrels of oil a day for a whole year. That's one quad. The Department of Energy tells us that we consumed, about 80 quads of oil by the end of 1979 for that single year. By 1990 the Fed estimates we'll use 101.5 quads a day, what with an increase in population, more automobiles, and a growing economy. If you want to multiply those 101.5 by 500,000 barrels a day times 365 you'll see what we'll need for guzzling to meet the world's most avaricious petroleum appetite. Based on the federal guess for our needs during this decade the only elements that can change are numbers in .population, automobiles and continuning growth in the economy. In effect, the Fed is advertising why we'll need more, not how to use less. Early in the 70's the electric utilities advertised generously on ways to use more power until laws were passed forbidding such practice. Now, their emphases is on advertising conservation. We believe the Department of Energy ought to take a page from that book, demonstrating to the rest of the Fed that using less may mean more to all of us in the long run. TV editorial, Channel 2 KATU. Portland (How much oil would the nation save, we wonder, if the pastime of "dragging the gut" were eliminated? That's an expression, we are told, that refers to the recreation to be found in driving the length of Main Street, then making a U turn and proceeding back to the other end. It takes place not only in Heppner on a Saturday night but in countless other small towns across the land.) As a result of this purge, there was a 16.6 percent drop in the number of electors re gistered to vote in Oregon. Currently, there are 1,227,715 electors in our state as compared to i,472,536 electors registered to vote in Septem ber, 1979. I am concerned that many Oregonians who received these notices just overlooked or disregarded them as bu reaucratic nonsense. Since more people are motivated to go to the polls during a presi dential primary year, I fear many who have been dropped from the rolls will go to vote, only to discover their names have been removed from the poll book. If that occurs, it could result in crowds of people in the courthouse trying to re-register and vote during the last hours of election day. My purpose in contacting you is to request your assist ance in publicizing this fact. Citizens who received a notice but ignored it should be asked to check with the county clerk. I am enclosing a copy of the cancellation notice and a list indicating the percentage of decreases in each county. Any help you can give us with this problem will be greatly ap preciated. Sincerely, Norma Paulus Secretary of State, 136 State Capitol Salem, Oregon 97310 (Morrow County's total re gistration is 3,354, represent ing a 5.91 percent decrease from the previous voter regis tration of 3,565. In neighboring counties, the figures are, for current voter registration, percentage of decrease, and previous registration: Gil liam. 1,162, 11.76 percent. 1,317: Wheeler. 876. 10.15 percent. 975: Umatilla. 22.555, 12.70 percent. 25,839.) Small-business at Blue Mountain Prospective small business owners will have an opportu nity to learn what it takes to start and operate a successful business during a workshop offered by Blue Mountain Community College in co operation with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The workshop will be held in BMCC's Hermiston center on March 5 from 8:30a.m. until 4 p.m. Workshop coordinator is Katie Larson, non-traditional careers counselor at the college. The workshop may be of interest to women who are considering their own busi ness. Mrs. Larson pointed out. The workshop, as designed by the Small Business Admini-, stration, is intended to help small business owners avoid the problems that lead to business failure. . Persons interested in the workshop may write to Blue Mountain at P.O. Box 100, Pendleton, Oregon 97801 for information. Mrs. Larson is available to answer questions in Hermiston at 567-1116 after 5 p.m. rri ,..-.M -- .- Heppner Auto Parts 234 N.Main Heppner 676-9,123 C ?aePco M & R FLOOR COVERING Foamers Carpet, Linoleum, 422 Linden Way , Ceramic Tile, Kitchen 676 9418 raK:o. d ti.: Heppner r m Y mer ninuiTlinc IAE rUHHIIUIH Heppner Carpet, Linoleum, Counter Tops Installed Beauty Rest mattresses, Fabrics and Accessories, Sherwin Williams Paint C mmm TURNER VAN MARTER I & BRYANT uout iJniuxdnne rtzcdi UtlxfJioru. 6j6-gii3 UVKANl VuMAXTSa. T i INSURANCE HOWARD BRTANT 187NOKTM MAM ITHIIT Mf.PfNl. OMOON Home Remodeling Specializing In Aluminum Siding and repair of old siding Storm Windowi tod Doon Prime Wmdowi Small Remodeling Jot KenFrfuU C'TZ 676-5051 MEDICAL CENTER PHARMACY Free Mailing Service On Prompt u Hoapul Supplier Moo.-Fri. 96 P- Sa. 9-lpjn. Located io the Medical Center 1100 Southsate Pendleton 276-1531 V SWEENEY MORTUARY Cemetery, Grave Markers 676-9600 Granite, Marble, Bronze Or 676-9226 Serving lone, Lexington & Heppner p.p. Box 97 . Service calls every Wednesday in Heppner, lone and Lexington TltlCruroal c u . c D .11 T-l I TT fill mAfWWd J J- maul lownuu icKfuuic lvni 811 N. Fnat, Hcrmatoo Telephone 567-2731 4r Chevron GLENN DEVIN Chevron USA, Inc. Commission Agent 676-9633
