Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 1980)
FOUR The Heppner Gaiette-Tlmes. Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, May 15, lm f.sl The OHklal Newpaper of H I is is City of Mppnr and m OI3TA U0)l0Kt Alt id'MM County of Morrow The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Ho r row Cmtj's Itae-Owied Weekly Newspaper USPS 240-420 itWiwrimrrv ThurvaMmtm.i atoi-tIiim matter af Iho Ps( Ofhivjti Ih'WWMf (lrttfi wnrtrr the Art rf Marrh 1. 17 SrrnMd'Inn prvungr paid at IMlMi' ;it 14? Wi Wiltott Srrrt Tiphnn tSMt 7fl-rJH .VtrtrtttK immmimtjtitin.v th Itofifwwr IJwrrtlr-Timc. PO, Hnx i7. Hiipocr, tirtvtrtt WTKUi RHi nt Mnrrmv, t'maHtttt. WhiT tt Cith.-tm (ttimiiV: wm Wsrwhrrr Jerome F. Sheldon, Publisher Steven A. Powell, News & Sports Editor Too Long a Ballot Election boards in Morrow County will be sorting through a sheaf of ballots next Tuesday. As usual with a major primary election, the ballots are crowded with the names of national, state and local candidates, vying for public attention with a number of referendum measures and budget questions. ' The long ballot in some cases two or three ballots imposes a burden on the public in weighing the qualifications of candidates and assessing the pros and cons of issues. It raises the question as to why the state and local elections should be held on the same date, and why local offices such as those of county judge and commissioner, sheriff, treasurer and surveyor should be filled on a partisan basis. An obvious reason, one might suppose, for combining several elections on the same date is to insure a large turnout at the polls and to consolidate the costs of issuing and counting the ballots. On the other hand, there is a burden imposed on local election boards in keeping an accurate tally of votes, and a drain on the human system as the counting process extends into the night after the polls close. It would require legislative action, of course, but why not separate the state and local elections, and reserve the Republican and Democratic ballots for state and national candidates only? In thinly populated areas like Morrow County, people undoubtedly vote "for the man" (or woman) on the basis of personal acquaintance or reputation, regardless of parry labels. In fact, in the current election, Republicans are offering no candidates for nomination as county judge but three for county commissioner (four-year term) and two for county commissioner (two-year term) . The Democrats have three candidates competing for nomination as county judge but none in the commissioners' races. Here is a case where the two party ballots should be combined on a nonpartisan basis. If several persons chose to seek various county offices at the same election, there could be a run-off held if no one received a clear majority of votes. Another question at this time concerns the almost six months' spread between the primary election in May and the general election in November. Would not a six-week interval be adequate, not only for candidates to make themselves known but for the public to become informed on the issues? Most of the candidates running have concerns with making a living. As it is now, when they seek elective office, the campaign may consume a good part of a year. It means a sacrifice for them and the public's being surfeited with whatever issues are developed. Oregon's spring primary may have been established by its link with the presidential preference voting. The presidential primary dates back to 1910 Oregon being the first state to adopt the preference primary, in which voters express their choice and convention delegates are required to support the primary winner. This year there are presidential primary laws in 33 states and the District of Columbia, plus party primaries in two other states and Puerto Rico. Many of these are held much earlier than Oregon's primary. The national impact of the Oregon election has been somewhat dissipated, and the candidates were represented by surrogates this year. This isn't to suggest dropping the presidential primary but separating the local elections from those of state and national . interest. We advocate nonpartisan county elections and a shorter period separating state primary and general elections. (As an addendum to the above. George Bush and Ronald Reagan, seeking the Republican nomination for President, and Sen. Ted. Kennedy, the Democratic, were expected to be in Oregon this week but not eastern Oregon.) Salem Scene Candidates geek name familiarity BY JACK ZIMMERMAN 'Passage of budget necessary to schools9 It was William Shakespeare who claimed a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. And by virtue of thai line from Romeo and Juliet, it becomes obvious the 16th century hard would never have made it as a campaign strategist in the 20th century politics. High on the list of every candidate for political office these days is name familiar ity. And as Oregon nears its May 20 primary election, it is interesting to examine the familiarity quotient of names of the 335 individuals who have filed to appear on the ballot. It certainly isn't polite to poke fun at anyone's name. And that's not the purpose of this exercise. Let's just assume some names appear more familiar than others and in spite of Shakespeare's conclusion, the word rose does conjure a more pleasant and instant associa tion than its family handle, rosaceae. For example, candidates named Smith appear more familiar than those with names such as. Olexa or Romoser. A case in point may be the fact Smiths now serve in each chamber of the Legislature and three more aspire to positions in that deliberative body. Altogether, 10 Smiths will aipear on various primary ballots and an eleventh was disqualified. Most of us are pretty well conditioned to accept Smiths as people at least. The name Jones falls in the same category. But only two candi dates with that familiar sur name hatfe filed for election and maybe this supposition isn't all that valid after all. If a person could pick a name for a candidate, one would presume the name should he short enough to avoid crowding on campaign literature. If descriptive, it should describe something pleasant, perhaps. It could be the same as that of someone who has already achieved acclaim or is receiving nation wide publicity. Conversely, those with the same name as some notorious criminal might consider a name change. A candidate's. name should be easy to pronounce, maybe. But at the same time it might well serve an aspiring office holder if his or her name were distinctive, different and not exactly the same as someone else's. With these criteria in mind, let's take a look at the official list of candidates. There are a number of three-letter names on that list. They're certainly short. There's Boe. for instance. In addition to heing short, it sounds romantic (beau). After all. only a few of us oldlimers understand the word hobo, let alone the fact its moniker was bo. Tri is also on the candidate list. Another shorty. And we certainly need officeholders who will try on our behalf. We can all associate with the name Byers even if we're so broke we can't buy much of anything these days. Cease falls in the same category. There are growing numbers of voters who would prefer government cense just about everything it has as sumed as its prerogative re cently. Given a choice between Priestley and Savage, which would you pick? In this melting pot society of ours, ethnic names shouldn't he a disadvantage But some names on the current list fail the pronunciation test. Hijken. for instance. Then there's Nakkela, -Mayea. Lnpuszynski. Khormooji, Hos ticka. Brogoitti, Ariniello and Toedtemeier. On the other hand they're all distinctive, even if difficult to pronounce. Female candidates pro bably have the most trouble with names, especially those who are or have been married. Some might prefer to run under their maiden names, Zajonc. Pisha. or Yih. per haps From the list it appears one candidate prefers both maiden and married names and uses the hyphenated Young -Rifai. Then again there are female candidates who prefer married names be cause they are or were wed to successful politicians. Exam ples are Roberts. Fadeley and Kafoury. Still another is Whitehead. Some names, when com bined with others. appear amusing or would be more appropriate on the door of a law firm Hooley, Donley nnri Dingier are examples. Huckleberry Is a pleasant name, if you relish them. But as with Merryman. it doesn't sound serious enough. Good descriptive names are those such as Marshall, Farmer, Field, Loving, Knight and Forester. But it's terribly difficult to classify a Bugas. Gerlt, Gof fena or Oas. One assumes few candi dates are defeated at the polls simplv because of their names. But would you be more comfortable seeking votes with a name such as Braver man Hum Gangle? And consi der the plight of voters in House District :W who have both n Schoon and n Schoof seeking the same office ' Shakespeare -discounting the fact he has piled up quite n hit of name familiarity over the centuries might have had difficulty with his name in his own time Indeed, some scho lars today lend to confuse it with Bacon And neither sound exactlv political. Still one has to argue with the Elizabethan playwright's declaration about roses and any other name, A I'linski by the name of Potts and a Ripper by the name of Ruonala certainly don't smell the same. And all of this really doesn't mean much to anyone. But what do you expect from a writer whose name spelled backward is Namremmiz? Editor: We all know that Morrow County School District cannot operate without passage of a school budget. The district's tax base is only sufficient to run our schools for a short period of time. The district lost its first budget election in March. The budget will be voted on again on May 20. The school hoard has given careful consideration to re ducing the proposed levy. Cuts of a little over $73,000 were made. The board made every effort to make these cuts in such a way that the program for students would not suffer. The proposed budget ap pears to he very realistic and worthy of support. Morrow County tax rate for schools is quite low when compared with other school districts. The proposed levy is estimated to result in a 35c mt thousand Increase over last year's tax rate, This seems quite reasonable in these Inflated tirms. Repeated defeats of a school budget have a damaging effect on the schools as well as on the community. New busi nesses and professional people who seek to locate. In a community consider good schools and the way they are supported as one of the Indications of a good commu nity. A yes vote on the school levy Is good for our children as well as heing good for our commu nity. Sincerely, BobAbrnms Heppner 'Vote yen on budget Editor: One of the very important Issues before the voters on (Continued on Page 5) Heppner Auto Parts 234 N.Mam Heppner '676-9123( LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 'Concerned over Willow Creek logging9 Editor: I am very concerned about the proposal to log the Willow Creek watershed. I would like all the people concerned with this to know what is proposed. The Forest Service is planning to log this area very soon. By 1983 all the virgin timber will be sold in the Heppner Ranger District. I feel that the north slopes should never be logged, because it will ruin the Willow Creek Valley as it did the Rock Creek area 'which used to have more water flow than Willow Creek, until the head waters were logged). There is a plan for more than IS miles of roads in this area. Mt of the timber is old grouih ;r'tting white fir. which will only be good for salvage. I feel that this area should be saved It includes the headwaters of Shaw Creek. Heron Creek and Willow Creek as well as Park Creek, which supplies the water for the Cutsforth Park and all the cabins on the west of the pond. I'm sure the farmers in the valley will lose most of their irrigation water It could also hurt the shallow wells. It could hurt the businesses in our area as well, because this area is the main calving and breeding grounds for our elk and deer, and if this resource is gone it will hurt the hunters who bring much business to the area. This area is also the home of other wildlife, including the cougar, hear, coyote, hotx-nt. pine marten and flying squir rel, besides the ruffled grouse, blue grouse, turkey and the great grav owl and pileated woodpecker, which dcMnd on the old growth timber for survival Also, this area is very popular with recreation ists. back-packers. pick nickers and hikers and big game hunters. There are many hiking and horseback trails within this area Other uses include berrypicking. photography, mushrooming, nature study, fossil collecting and winter snrts Organiza tions, such as Boy Scouts. 4-H clubs and church organiza tions, have become verv enthusiastic users of Cutsforth Park and this area. I have talked to the Judge at the County Court, the Heppner City Council and the .exing ton City Council about this. Now I would like for all concerned people to help us save this area. Tin1 people can have a voice now. lefore it is too late. Please write to your City Councils and County Court and tell them you want the watershed (if Willow Creek saved The first sale is scheduled for l!H2 on Shaw Creek, so we don't have much time to save our watershed Please write today. Thank you. Charlene Papiucau. Box 4(il. Lexington. Ore !)7K.'!!t LI The it n ri Ann mximikir Papco f1 a II rkUvK vvf CKlrlU rOOmetS Carpet, Linoleum, 422 ide-i vv0 Orimic Tile, Kitdhen 67e 8 Cabineri, Rape lmulation CASE FURNITURE , Carpet, Linoleum, Counter lop Inn ailed W f L . A ixmwy ioi miii'ni, none! ana Aceesvn, gmc Sherwin Williams Paint v J 3 'Schools put sports gifting through the TIME$4 ahead of studies 9 TURNER a youX Oniuanct nttdi VAN MiRTFR 71 t DDV1UY i at on inn i ii-naa INSUMNCf HOWARD TNT iO'oobim ma nam win wt. omacm ttm ns 6j6-Qny Editor: I would like to commend Stephen Brownfield for his letter of May 8, 1980. As a former student of both Heppner and lone Schools and the parent of graduates of Heppner High School, the emphasis that the Morrow County School System has always put on athletic aca demics was and still is a bone of contention with me. In past years I argued this point with both my kids and with the teachers and principals. Stu- , dents with below average and failing grades always some how are eligible to participate in sport activities. To my knowledge, the Morrow County School Dis trict has not had many, if any, students who have made a profession in athletics. Scholastics should be first and foremost in all school districts. Scholastic field trips such as for biology, geology, etc., are very educational and benefi cial to students if properly planned and supervised. If such items are to be cut from the budget it only seems that there are other issues that should be looked into first. In a recent article it is noted that the School District just hired a tennis coach. Un doubtedly the salary being paid for another teacher could be put to better use. Each and every day large school buses bring students to and from school, these buses with capacities of approxi mately 4R go up and down the highway carrying 15 to 20 students If all the buses are run like this, cuts could be made there. Perhaps the school admini stration should do some think ing and reorganization. Joan Hughes Rt. 1 Box 3047 Heppner. Ore. Mary Martin wins support for treasurer Editor: Mary Martin has earned my support for the' Republican nomination for county trea surer for Morrow County by her par' efforts. She has worked with the Morrow County CowBelles, school af fairs and other community activities. I believe she is deserving of my vote and yours. Carleen West . lone, Ore. 97843 I 'CIO Fifty years ago. farmers destroyed morning glory. Rus sian knap weed and Canadian thistle with calcium and soda chlorates in an experiment and had good results. A report was made that 90 percent of the weeds were killed by farmers in the county using the spray. County agent Charles W. Smith explained the 4-H pro gram in the county grew fro.n 189 to 240 in one year thanks to the addition of some clubs making the total 29. Irrigon had the only 4-H band in the nation. To form a club, only five persons needed to join. No clubs had been formed in Hppner at that time. The winning team of the crow and magpie shooting contest held by the Heppner Lions was afraid that the losing team was not going to live up to its agreement of taking the winners out to dinner. Losing captain C.L. Sweek said because of the social schedule, it might be next fall before they would be able to sponsor a dinner. More than 100 persons gathered at the Heppner school auditorium to listen to the piano recital of Mrs. William R. Poulson. i95.- The county school budget passed with the largest mar gin of victory in Irrigon with the vote 60 to 0 in favor of the budget. It won in lone 10 to 8, Boardman 9 to 0, Heppner 38 to 21) and Ixington IB to 3. A crowd of more than 200 attended the Etta Sheppard dance recital. About $110 was raised for band uniforms for the school. Dick Kononen of Heppner received a $120 scholarship from Oregon Stale University. Jay Sumner of Heppner and Gary White and Earnest Drake of lone were named to boys state. Ronald Baker of lone was named one of the top 10 students at Washington Stale College. 1 97.-1 Portland General Electric received approval for a ther mal power plant from the Morrow County Planning Commission. About 40 persons attended the meeting and only person objected to the The power plant, stor- and reservoir would require approximately 1.400 acres. The valedictorian for Hepp ner High School was Anita Davidson. She had placed third in the national Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship program. The salutatorian was Shannon Kelly. Sherri Wilson was the valedictorian and Joel Peterson the saluta torian for lone Hih School. C oMUHUoU 8 mcDiCAl CcmtK rriiticmilCY Ob Moa.-Tn. pm im 9-1 Mi Looxd m Uw Mtui Cmm 1100 Sowthfate. Pen diet oo 276-1531 SWEENEY MORTUARY Cemetery, Grave Markers 676-9600 Granite, Marble, Bronze or 676-9226 Serving (one, leington Hnppnttr p.o. Box 97 one plant. J age fjAYNES 3 BUSIRTSS Service calls every Wednesday in Heppner. lone and l-cxinglon 3)2 $ Mwo St., PcmSnoo TctrptMjM 476-6441 II N. tin. Hotwkjo TdUfbuM 167.7JI Chevron GLENN DEVIN Chevron USA, Ina Commission AcjmiI 676-9633 J
