Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 14, 1981)
The Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday. May 14, 1981-TIIREE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dnm needed for To the Editor: People of Heppner: On May 19 you will again be asked for your opinion of the Willow Creek Dam in an advisory vote. I know that many of you have been barraged with information about this, ranging from truth to some outright fibs, and are understandably confused. It is my hope that your vote will be based on the true facts as we know them, and thus I present them to you as stated below : 1. Much of Heppner, Includ ing most of the commercial business district, sits on a flood plain. This is a physical fact which has nothing to do with the Corps of Engineers or any other government agency. 2. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) required the City of Heppner to adopt a Flood Plain Management Ordin ance, which we have done, in order to be eligible for Federal Flood Insurance. 3. Flood Insurance is neces sary to be able to borrow money from any federally governed lending institution, including banks and veteran's loans. This means that without flood insurance, capital for bulding new homes or busi inesses or remodeling old ones would be practically non-existent. 4. The Flood Plain Manage ment Ordinance places such severe restrictions on build ing and remodeling within the flood plain area as to preclude rebuilding, in most cases. This means that as buildings deter iorate from age or are destroyed by fire, vacant lots would be the result. This is particularly true of the busi ness district. Although lost residential buildings could be replaced on the hills, bit by bit, it is not feasible to move the business district, either in part, or whole, as there is really no place to put it. I see this as spelling the end for Pass BMCC budget levy To the Editor: The BMCC budget will be voted upon May 19. I would like to encourage each of you to support BMCC with your "yes" vote. BMCC has meant a great deal to our family and to me in particular. Although I plan to finish my education at OIT in x-ray technology, I would not feel as secure about my decision if I had not had the wonderful education and coun seling I was able to receive at BMCC. I hope all our area kids will be as lucky as I am and have the oppurtinty to go to BMCC. Please vote "yes" for BMCC on May 19. Sincerely yours, Jo Lynn Daly BMCC Student Take advantage of road levy program To the Editor: Next Tuesday, May 19, we go to the polls to vote on a three-year Road Improve ment Levy. Our reads can and will get worse if wenalntaln them at ' our present pace. Good roads cost less than the continual vehicle maintenance that bad roads cause. Lets take advan tage of this program and support the levy to get our roads in good enough shape to be economically maintained In the future. Time is running out, vote May 19. Wayne Evans, President, Morrow County Cattlemans Assoc Charlie Anderson President, Morrow County Wheat Growers H 'if' 5 DM Uf Ut Heppner in the next. 40 50 years. 5. The Willow Creek Dam will eliminate or substantially reduce the flood plain in the business district and most of the residential area upstream from the downtown area. Flood plain depths of 5' and 6' of water will be eliminated in some cases, and reduced to l' or 2' in the rest of the above described area. 6. Replacement of old water transmission lines and other water system components required because of relocation requirements of the dam. will save this city many thousands of dollars as this work will not be done by the Army Corps of Engineers if the dam is stopped. 7. Two years ago, the people of this city voted to build the dam. Based on that vote, the city has committed 1430,000 of your money, which you voted to pay, for water improve ments sorely needed. $25,000 of this has already been spent for engineering work. This would be lost without the dam. Also, the remaining $405,000 would not be enough to replace that part of the ijMem now planned to be done by the Corps of Engineers. In conclusion, let me say that officials of Heppner and Morrow County, as well as private Individuals have sought construction of the Willow Creek Dam for many decades. Many locals have gone to Washington, D C. to lobby for it. It is now in our grasp if we want it, but probably never will be again if we make a mistake now. Obviously, I hope you will all vote for the dam on May 19. I think you will if you vote the facta. Sincerely. Cliff Green. Mayor, City of Heppner MM Knick Picture Frames Pitcher Salt AAuppet Mugs & Banks Papermate Pen & Matching Calculators Mugs Travel Kits Alarm Clocks Manicure Sets Times & Texas Instruments Watches Kinetic Sculture Billfolds Jewelry Latch Hook Rug Kits Baskets Plaques & Posters Play Cards Supplies Albums Toiletries Stationery & Books To be sure that your HEPPNER ARLINGTON JX)NDON Little to lose a lot to gain To the Editor: I can't see why so many people are apparently opposed to the Willow Creek Dam Project. Can't they see they have little to lose, and a lot to gain by it's construction? A reserve of water for irriga tion, a place to play and fish, a drawing card for our own citizens and our neighbors, and above all, a safeguard against loss of our lives and property, such as the many floods, little and big, that have struck the community in the past. My wife and I arc in a particulary vulnerable posi tion, but only a little more than everybody else in the flood plain. It's going to get pretty tiresome, paying an Increasing insurance bill every year - one which will finally become in total as great as the property cost in the first place. Doesn't the scream of the flood warning strike terror in each citizen's heart when be hears the warning, and the water and hail begin to fall? Goodness knows, we have endured the fear many times, and each time wonder if our hearts will stand another crisis. It isn't Just for oursel ves - take a look at the 'pictures of the devastation wrought by the flood in Heppner. "Oh, it couldn't happen here," each one says. Does each one believe that? It has, many timet, and will happen again. Why don't we want the KUBAN Pencil Holders Knacks Holders & Pepper dam? Ifg practically free! And look atjhe benefits that go with it! Adesperaleir needed addition and up-dating of the water system, especial ly. It is true, the people in the flood plain have a lot to gain, but in the long run, nearly everybody has something to gain, and what do they have to lose? And the assets will far outweigh such small inconven iences that might go with it. Let's not discard this multi million dollar present we are to receive. We may never have a chance to get such a present again. If we can't make Heppner grow, let's at least make it a safer place to live in! Born and raised in Heppner (practically) Harold and Ruby Becket Vote 'yes' on college budget To the Editor: On May 19. 1 would encour age everyone to go out and vote "yes" for the BMCC budget. The future of our total institution is relying on the wholehearted support of our fine community and its loyal citizens. Everyone should try to make sure this budget, rather than fail by a few votes, should pass overwhelmingly in order to ensure the quality of higher education for our 4 community. ' : Thanks. Ron H. Currin 91 HEREl The Hottest: Cat In Towrii Pencil Sets graduation list is complete; check with us and choose from our wide selection i Think before you speak To the Editor: To Whom It May Concern: It has taken some' time to write this, but I think this should be aired. While the senior meals were still being served, my mother attended from time to time. She has had to use a walker recently and was reluctant to go out in public because of it. After much persuasion she attended one of the last meals at the Neighborhood Center. Mrs. Brindle moved the walk er out of the way, but someone rude, and unthinking called my mother the next day complaining about the walker and suggested she stay home in the future. Yes, trays can be brought to homes of those unable to get out, but the meals were begun so the seniors could, if they wanted to get out, enjoy company, and be assured of a well cooked and balanced meal go. A person alone never really eats as well as someone who is in the company of good friends and companions. Maybe this person who called wasn't thinking of the damage he caused, but if he was, I hope he gets his thinking cap on straight be fore the meals begin again, and perhaps ruins them for someone else, what could be an enjoyable time. Think about what it would be like if you weren't welcom ed as well. Put yourself in my mother's place, whoever you are. Sincerely, i Naomi Matthews IT Fresh Beef fSKIOyilA jjj; Soil SStain Remover Jjjj Z 2201 SI ww I I w Jr out LEMON 39 Uoz NAN LB mmm Vote yes on college budget To the Editor: For the last four years I have represented South Mor row County as a member of the Blue Mountain Commun ity College Budget Commit tee. This, year the budget committe spent a consider able amount of time reveiwing budget requests, taking into account college services that were needed, but. also, at tempting to hold costs down so that we would be asking for only the amount of property taxes we felt were absoluetly necessary. With all levels of govern ment being asked to reduce expenditures, the Budget Committee was even more Vote 'No' on May To the Editor: On Tuesday. May 19. voters who reside in the Heppner Water Control District will have the opportunity to vote on the advisory question. "Do you favor construction of the Willow Creek Dam?" I urge you to vote "no". This vote could decide the future of the Willow Creek Dam. The Mor row CountyCourt. Represent ative Denny Smith and Gover nor Vic Atiyeh have all agreed to support the decision of the voters. Contrary to informa tion supplied by the Corps of Engineers, money for the dam has not been funded bv Congress. Senator Mark Hat field, the primary supporter of the dam. will need the support Hospital to host The week of May 10 is National Hospital Week. Pio neer Memorial Hospital will participate by holding an open n nnn"DV?l t fcaBMiiaSillalB halaMiH Laaaaiaa aw iir n&sSfii wtjnx Hills n C . by 11 LB Shady Glen Stems &Pieces 4oz Prirot Effective Mav 14,15,16, Br m m rsrr i if l it m critical as next year's propos ed budget was being consider ed. Prior to the March 31 election, the committee rejec ted budget requests of over $325,000. Following the budget defeat of March 3i, the committee met again and reviewed the budget. Because of the earlier reductions, the committee did not feel that much could be done to reduce the levy without eliminating existing programs or limiting enrol lments. However, another $35,750 was cut from the budget. There is. of course, a strong possibility that the college will lose from $80,000 to $100,000 in projected state 19 of local and state elected ' officials in order to approp riate the necessary funds. It is doubtful that any elected official would continue to force the dam on an unwant ing constituency. Most people are aware of the pros and cons regarding the dam and recent informa tion released by the corps has helped to clarify any remain ing questions. It should be noted that the Corps of Engineers in testimony before Congress opposed construc tion of the dam because it was not economically justified. However. Congress acting on the erroneous assumption that the project would have a open house Fri. house. Friday. May 15. from 1 to 4 p.m. AH are invited to enjoy refreshments hosted bv the lam lff urn J XSSr IT Western Famil the chunk DNEAPPLE - 1 Ml 1.191 T" J 1 1 , m 29 JT 7-Up ; in w v plus GROCERY 676-9614 1981 funds. If this happens, the budget committee will meet again to consider where those cuts can be made. Because of the circum stances I have described, it is critical that the college budget receive voter approval at the May 19 Election. The College has provided a variety of educational services to South Morrow County and the entire college District. Many students Morrow County have taken advantage of the college's services and many more will do so in the future. The college budget is a good responsible budget and deserves our support. Pfease join me in voting "yes" on the college budget on May 19. Sincerely yours. Ray Boyce favorable benefit to cost ratio directed in the city limits which are in the flood plain, only 56 acres will be eliminat ed by the dam at a cost of over $800,000 per acres. Most of the area downstream from the Courthouse to the city limis will remain either in the flood plain or the floodway and a strict flood-plain ordinance will be enforced in this area. The Willow Creek Dam with its many deficiencies does not merit an expenditure of $42-45 million and your "No" vote could help eliminate this inflationary project. Sincerely yours. Terry Thompson. Heppner hospital auxiliary. look around, ask questions, and visit with the nursing home guests. 10lb Dole in juice s sliced, crushed, chunk c dep. B Market MEAT 676.9288 Jfik f jmi ca- mi Ml msmnsmsmsi
