TWO The Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, February 21, 1980
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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
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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
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Cemetery, Grave Markers 676-9600
Granite, Marble, Bronze Or 676-9226
Serving lone, Lexington & Heppner p.p. Box 97
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Service calls every Wednesday
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TltlCruroal
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Chevron
GLENN DEVIN
Chevron USA, Inc.
Commission Agent
676-9633