Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 26, 1980)
TWOThe Heppner riai'ttc-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, June 2fi, 1980 The Official Newspaper of Ifi City of Heppner and the ' County of Morrow ONPA The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Morrow Cmtj's bWOwmI Weeklj Newspaper U.S.P.S. 240-420 I'uhlished every Thursday and entered as second-class mailer al the Prwl Office af Heppner, Oregon under the Ac! of March .1. IH7W. Second-class postage paid at Heppner. Onisnn. Office at 147 West Willow Street. Telephone (503) m-m. Address communications to the Heppner Gazetle Timcs. I'.O Box 337. Heppner. Oregon 97836. $8 ltd in Morrow. Umatilla. Wheeler & Gilliam counties; $in no elsewhere. Jerome F. Sheldon, Publisher Steven A. Powell, News & Sports Editor Change of Owners t With this week's issue, Jerome and Jane Sheldon end their ownership of the Heppner Gazette-Times. They pass their reins over to David Sykes and his wife, April Hilton-Sykes, who have been involved with a family-owned newspaper at Reedsport, on the southern Oregon coast. Their investment in Heppner reflects a confidence both in their own capabilities and the economic future of Morrow County. For the Sheldons, it has been an interesting year indeed, becoming acquainted with the life of eastern Oregon through their operation of a community newspaper, The Gazette-Times has almost a century of history behind it , under various ownerships. It is one of the oldest institutions in the area. We are sure the community's loyalty to the newspaper will continue with the new owners. Oregon 9s Bright Spot Morrow and Gilliam counties appeared as a bright, white spot in a map of Oregon published in last Sunday's issue of the Portland Oregonian. The map illustrated a story on unemployment statistics uumpaiiiig the Portland metropolitan area with the rest of the state. All of the counties were shaded in various tones according to the percentages of their unemployment. The statistics were gathered from various sources, but mainly from unemployment compensation claims. In Morrow and Gilliam counties the unemployment rate is less than 5 percent, reflecting the stability of an agricultural economy. Certainly, there has been a slowdown in lumber production and a number of millworkers in the Heppner area have been laid off. The curtailment has produced a pessimistic outlook among some business people. But agriculture seems to provide a continuing economic base, as it has for generations past, and a reason to look ahead with cheer. Eastern Oregon is literally one of America's breadbaskets-and Morrow and Gilliam count ies are major suppliers of wheat and beef, as well as other crops. As long as people have to eat, one can be sure that this county will continue to prosper. Shortchanging America Now even the government is admitting that gasoline rationing via coupons "would unavoidably shortchange millions of Ameri cans if it takes effect." According to an Associated Press story last week, Deputy Administrator Douglas G. Robinson of the Department of Energy "said the plan, calling for massive issuing of coupons would require $100 million to develop and would have a substantial error rate." Robinson quoted a 10 percent error rate would see ten million to 15 million persons not receiving gas rationing coupons if the plan went into effect. This is a huge error which would create a gigantic mess! This is just another reason why we oppose gas rationing via coupons. When one stops and realizes that rural areas of America, like Lake County, are going to suffer more than population centers if gas rationing coupons went into effect... one can see why gas rationing coupons should not be instituted. ke County Examiner, Lake view. Ore. t Salem Scene Amid a veritahle cascade of bad news about Oregon's economy, some good news for both business and consumer has been largely overlooked. The news in recent weeks appears to have been domin ated by reports on the effects of inflation, interest rates, the sagging housing industry, mill closures unemployment and damage wrought by a can tankerous Mt. St. Helens. Gov. Victor Atiyeh has even drawn fire for suggesting methods state and local governments should utilize to meet anticipated deficits in tax revenues and federal aid. Meanwhile-and compara tivley unheralded-came an other announcement by the Governor that should be emphasized as a definite bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economic forecast. Gov. Atlyeh's good news dealt with an unprecedented 16 per cent reduction in rates charged employers for work ers' compensation insurance. And by way of comparison, the two gubernatorial an nouncements stack up this way: The anticipated income tax revenue shortfall amounts to $52 million for the current biennium, coupled with the loss of $13 million in anticipat ed federal aid. Total, $65 million over the two-year budget period. The workers' compensation rate reduction is expected to produce an $80 million annual savings in the cost of doing business for Oregon employers! LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A host Editor: Wr are writing this letler hoping lhal somewhere nut there is a family wailing to become a hosl family for next year's A F.S. student. For us this year as a hosl fiimilv has been very worth while and heartwarming. Our friends and family have bene fit led with ns and we have been looking forward to help ing the nexl host family or families S far. however, no familv Did you hear volcano erupt? How many bangs? Editor: The sound of the explosive eruption of Mt. St. Helens on the morning of 18th May was heard, with various intensities, many miles from the mountain. It seems probable that such long range propogation of the sound was caused by conditions in Ihe upper atmosphere on that morning. In order to further elucidate this phenomenon, known as upper atmospheric focussing. I am seeking the assistance of your readers. It would be appreciated if anyone who heard the explosions between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. 18th May could let me know by letter or postcard where they were when they heard the explosion, how many bangs or other sounds were heard, and what was the intensity of the sound compared with such things as a slamming door, a car backfiring or a gun being fired. Was the sound intensive enough to cause any damage? Your assistance and that of your readers will be much appreciated. Yours sincerely, J.M.Dewey Professor of Physics University of Victoria Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2 Canada Packwood joins New Jersey senator in health bill for 'elderly disabled9 Senators Bob Packwood (R-Ore) and Bill Bradley (D-NJ). have urged Congress to adopt "new and humane answers to the health needs of the elderly and disabled" by encouraging alternatives to hospitals and nursing homes. The two Senators recently announced their intention to redesign health programs for senior citizens and the disabl ed under a new Title XXI of the Social Security Act. "Too often, the elderly and disabled Individuals are auto Silver lining for clouded economy ax jsiCiv jLimmmuniiiv It may take a while for an $80 million savings in a half-billion-dollar cost pro gram to filter down to the consumer. But it is a signifi cant development for a state that has regularly ranked among the highest nationally in workers' comp costs. And it certainly will contribute to the competitiveness of Oregon manufacturers with those in , other states. The rate reduction has been filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance and the Oregon Compensation Rating Bureau, it has been approved by the Oregon Insurance Commissioner and goes into effect on July 1. Broken down into the three major industry groupings, the reduction is an average of IS per cent for manufacturers, 16 percent forcontracters and 16 per cent for all other classes. Businesses with high losses due to extensive worker in juries and illness will not save as much. Rates are based on loss experience and administra tion costs. Gov. Atiyeh praised Oregon employers generally family has come forward and those previously interested have dropped out. Heppner High School coop erated in every way with Jari Alasuvanto and with us. They would like In have another AFS.'er and I'm sure lone High School would also wel come an exchangee. If you as a familv (any tvpe of familv) are interested in the projerl please do not let any preconceived opinion stand in vour wnv. fonlacl F.laine matically admitted to hospit als or nursing homes for care they would rather have and could be provided at home," Packwood said. "While we recognize that hospitalization or nursing homes may be necessary for some patients, we believe that many others could and should avoid being admitted to an institution. Our bill is meant to help people receive the right mix of social and medical services they need to remain in their own homes." f when announcing the rate reduction, declaring that their efforts to reduce losses were a major contributing factor in bringing rates down. The Governor also credited the Workers' Compensation Department headed by Direc tor Roy Green with cost reductions and claim re forms that produced half of the savings. The reduction is only the third time rates have gone down since the present work ers' compensation system was formed following passage of the Three-Way Bill in 1965. Other reductions were rela tively insignifigant decreases of 1.2 per cent in 1970 and 0.7 per cent in 1972. In other years rates escalated substantially as high as 27 per cent in 1971 and 29 per cent in 1976. Improvements in the state workers' compensation sys tem are a top priority of the Atiyeh Administration and the rate reduction announcement occurred only weeks before results of the Governor's task force study of the system Is due to be revealed. Atiyeh has indicated the study will pro- "We nwd In politic man who have something to give, not men who hava something to gat." Barnard Baruch sought George. Jerry Healy or us right nwnv. Sincerely. Boh and Marian Ahrams Heppner (The hrnnin familv this piiHl m-IiihiI year howled Jari Xliisiivanlii. from Finland, who was an exchange student at Heppner High School under the Amerirtm Field Service. He was graduated wild the clans of I'WO.) Sifting through the TMES 1930 . .Fifty years ago construction began on a two-story colonial house on Gale and Center streets that was going to be the place of Heppner's new mortuary. M.L. Case was the owner of the structure, which was estimated to cost $10,000. Heppner Library opened above the Humphrey's drug store. Heppner's artesian well dedication with sports, a band, and prizes was planned for the Fourth of July. 1955 Twenty five years ago more than 60 Forest Service fire men gathered at the Tupper Guard Station for a week of training. Camp Fire Girls had a meeting in Heppner and two new groups were formed because of all the interest. Three "Bobs" were set to shoot off fireworks at lone. The men involved were Bob Rietmann. Bob DeSpain and Bob Hoskins. Queen Carol Ann Wigles worth and her Morrow County princesses were set to be honored at the fair and rodeo kick-off dance in July. Heppner School Superinten dent H.C. Reed resigned so he could become principal at vide a foundation for long range reforms aimed at pro ducing positive worker benefit and additional employer cost reductions.. Commenting on the rale decrease. Green stressed it should not be construed to indicate employer savings will mean reductions in worker benefits. On the contrary, he said, the rates have no bearing on benefits and some will rise this year as much as 8.1 per cent. 1 The department director went on to pinpoint several developments that have com bined to create more favor able rates. One Is a decline in both Incidence and severity of on-the-job injuries due to employer concent for safe working conditions. Another is efforts by the department to re-employ injured workers with marketable skills. He cited as an example of this program the fact 1,200 such workers were employed In 1977 and the total will be near 5.000 for 1979. Still other contributing fact ors involved legislation enact ed in 1977 narrowing the definition of permanent total disability. requiring re examination of permanent total disability claimants every two years and decla rations of earned income. Oregon's permanent total disability caseload had soared to 300 a year and currently ha; declined one third to 20t' annually. At an average cost of $150,000 apiece, that decline alone could produce a savings of as much as $15 million, Green said. So in the meantime, whether your major concern involved volcanic ash on your straw berries, pounding the pave ment in search of a job or trying to stretch a shrinking dollar, take heart. Good things are happening, too. Even if you do have to look hard at times to find them. Kissinger to talk Former U.S. Secretary of Slnle Henry Kissinger will speak on American foreign policv Aug. IB nl a dinner in Portland honoring Sen. Bob Park wood. The event Is scheduled at the Portland Hilton beginning al 7 p.m. 5 Willamette Valley school. Funds were being asked for in the amount of $37,000 from the state emergency funds to control grasshoppers in the county. High school physical educa tion instructor Larry Dowen was the lifeguard at the Heppner pool, which was delayed in opening because of the late arrival, of filter equipment. 1075 Five years ago Robert Lowe of Heppner went to Portland along with two members of the Heppner Gazette-Times to visit with Russian Lt. General Georgi Baidukov and other Russian dignitaries. Mickey Hoskins was crown ed queen of the Morrow County Rodeo by her mother, Darlene Hoskins, who was the queen years before. Donna Rea was fair and rodeo princess. She moved to Mll- waukie at the age of one from lone and later moved to San Francisco but came to lone every summer to visit rela tives. Her mother finally was persuaded to let her attend school in lone. Tri-County Health Services received more than $91,000 from a grant. Sign only those petitions f 1416 J Oil ttnn.5 nC Editor: The League of Women Volers of Oregon wants lo alert Oregoninns to he aware of a number of inilialive petitions which ore now being circulated. As Oregoninns. we , take pride in the initiative referendum process pioneered here In Oregon. As citizens. It is bur responsibility lo refer lo , the voters only those petitions that will result in positive change. 1 ' There are several petit ions that are now being circulated that would result in irrepar able harm to our form of government: that would do away wilh programs that hove made Oregon a leader In the notion for responsible public action. We urge you to sign only those petitions which you fully understand and know Ihe effect they will have. Such responsible citizenship can save taxpayers countless dol lars and demonstrate our CDS&jD0 Heppner Auto Ports 234 N.Main l .,,...,I,,.,,.I,,I,.I.M.II.IIII.III1IIIIL1I I , ,,., , - II- ' Rapco M&R FLOOR COVERING roomers Carpet, Linoleum, 4J2t.noer.vVo 5 CASE FUtNIYUtl Carpet, Linoleum, Counter Tops Inn ailed Beauty Rett matt'euet, Fabrics and Accmoriet, Sherwin Williams Paint C TURNER ot VAN MARTER Q t BRYANT t WI.ltU.lAL IfcHItU PHARMACY 'tat Ma Samot Oa rWre. Haail In aaa.a at a aawa .. vS Maa.-Pn. fm im 1100 Soothfate Pes SWEEIHY KOriTUARY Cemetery, Grave Markers 676-9603 Granite, Marble, Bronze r 676-922$ Serving lon, lexington A Happrmr p.o. Box 97 c fJAYMESl Busnsrss Ossvron C3 constructive effort for change when change is needed. An informed electorate can effectuate positive changes. He an informed voter. Know whal ynu are signing and Ihe cried it will have If passed. Inform others and vote in November, Sincerely, Norma .Icon Oermond, President U'Uguc of Women Volers of Oregon VA spending , The Veterans Administra tion spent $243,231,455 in Oregon during fiscal year 1079 for iM'tiefits In veterans and dcMndcnts, facilities and operations, John Vogcl, direc lor of Ihe Portland VA regional office . said. Of the total VA expendi tures. $316,273 was spent In Morrow County. Heppner 676-9123 Ceramic Tile, Kitdieo Vt-UH y Cabinets, Rapco Insulation h'pp' you ruJ '- - llpm Ummi m Ow Mafaal Gwtar din on 276-1)31 Service culls every Wednesday in Heppner. lone and l'xinglon )32 1 Maia Si, PwhSvum TtirffcuM UMAil II N. Tim, llaritioa T ah ah urn 1677)1 GLENN DEVI N Chevron USA, Inc Commission Aqcnt 676-9633 5 o t . ft
