The Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday. May 14, 1981-TIIREE
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
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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
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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
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Times & Texas Instruments Watches
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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crushed, chunk
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dep. B
Market
MEAT
676.9288
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