Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 25, 1981)
TWO-The Heppner GMette-Tlinet, TH Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the ' County of Morrow J OJSTA GAZETTE-TIMES Mtrriw Cfiitj's lMW-OwiiV(ikli Rewpaper U.S.P.& 240-00, Published every Thursday and entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Heppner. Oregon under the Act of March 3. 1879. Second-class postage paid at Heppner. Oregon. Office at 147 West Willow Street. Telephone (503 67R-9228. ' Address communications to the Heppner Gazette-' Times. P.O. Box 337. Heppner. Oregon 97836. $8 00 in Morrow. Umatilla. Wheeler & Gilliam counties; $10 00 elsewhere. Dvid and April Hiltoo Sykes, Publishers One small step The Morrow County Court has taken a step in the right direction in labeling 'A' and 4B' levies . on the upcoming Morrow County election ballots. But we doubt that the step is big enough. Many voters may not realize that passage of a 'B' levy depends on passage of an A' levy. And those that do - and feel strongly about a B' levy issue - may be pressured into voting for (or against) the 'A' levy to insure passage (or failure) of that 'B' levy. We still maintain separate issues should be able to pass or fail on their own merits. Aside from this major objection the county budget levy of $1,927,583 outside the six percent limitation with an estimated tax rate of $3.32 per $1,000 assessed value is not that unreasonable - YES on the 'A' ballot tax levy. Likewise on the hospital budget levy of $108,565 outside the six percent limitation with an estimated tax rate of $.19 per $1,000 of assessed value - YES on the 'B' hospital levy. The three year road serial levy has been reduced since the May election. At $4,966,653 outside the six percent limitation with an estimated $2.85 per $1,000 of assessed value the levy is a little easier to swallow - YES on the three-year road serial levy. Not included on a 'B' ballot in May but included in the budget is authorization of funds for employment of a building inspector, a sheriff's transport deputy and purchase of a sheriff's vehicle. The county's rapid growth (in crime, as well at in building) indicates a vote of - YES on the 'B' ballot additional services levy. This levy of $40,778 outside the six percent limitation calls for an estimated tax rate of 7 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. HOSPITAL NOTES Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner released the fol lowing patients during the past week: Claytha Rene Devin, admit ted June 14, discharged June SHERIFF'S REPORT The Sheriff's Dept. at the Morrow County Courthouse in Heppner handled the following calls during the past week: On June 21, a Boardman ambulance responded to a call at the Miller residence on Kunze Road, Boardman. A man was reported to be having heart pain. Also on June 21. Jerry Peck, of the Nomad Restaurant reported a burglary. The Boardman Police Dept. re sponded to the call. On June 19. U & I at Boardman requested an am bulance for a young man who had passed out and was reported to have had a previous history of heart problems. A Boardman ambu lance responded to the call. Also on June 19, Noel G. Harshman. Jr., Heppner was arrested by the Umatilla Police Dept. on a Morrow County 6th Justice Court warrant for alleged failure to appear arid allegedly driving with a suspended license. Harshman was also arrested Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, Lena Kelly. Heppner, ad mitted June 15, discharged June 22: Edgar Olson, Heppner, ad mitted June 16, discharged June 18; Sadie Parrish, Heppner, i admitted June 9, discharged June 17; and Lois Mae Johnson, Heppner, ' admitted June 20. discharged June 22. i l" by the Umatilla Police Dept. on a Morrow County Circuit Court warrant for alleged delivery of a controlled sub stance and alleged possession of a controlled substance. The subject was lodged at the Umatilla City Jail. In another June 19 incident, a range fire was reported at the Bombing Range, Board man. The Navy requested assistance to extinguish the fire and the Boardman Fire Dept. responded. On June 18. Benny Ramar iez, Irrigon, reported the theft of a fuel tank and pipes. A Morrow County Sheriff's de puty responded to the call. On June 17, Edward J. Marick, Boardman, was ar rested by a Morrow County Sheriff's deputy on a Morrow County 6th Justice Court warrant for allegedly negotia ting a bad check. On June 15. a grasTfire was reported onjhe Tower Road exit 184 in" Boardman. The Boardman Fire Dept. respc . ded to the call. ivnt 15. mi LETTERS TO THE EDITOR See you at the To the Eiditor: First of all there is one important ingredient in the upcoming election, you the voter. It's your money the County Court is spending. Your vote is the purse string controller. So let's all get out and vote. First item to think about is the 'A' ballot no changes at all according to the paper. How come your budget committee and the County Court can't make headlines that would read "Morrow County cuts budget", like other municipal ities and counties do? They only add 'B' ballots. The 'B' ballot for roads failed. Again look at the list of members on the road commit tee and you still find the biggest percentage live on paved roads, and you can bet your bottom dollar they are only after one thing, you guessed it. A new .'B' ballot which includes a constructional in spector and parttime sheriff help, etc., to cost $40,000 has been added. The inspector must be certified to a certain level (structural, mobile home, 'B' level mechanic). A man doing this kind of work for the State of Oregon in Morrow County for the last year brought in fees of only $21,630.32. Hardly his upkeep. The State of Oregon has to still do the 'A' level inspec tions. State of Oregon inspect or's would still do the electri cal and plumbing. The other 'B' ballot was for the hospital. It passed. The appointed hospital board and the court, if they don't already know about this one, here goes. Sometime patients must be moved outside our local area to Portland, Tri-Cities, etc. for treatment bv ambulance. At the helm of such ambu lance you may see the driver, the administrator of Pioneer Memoial Hospital. Salary payed (24,420 to do his administration job and asking J27.594 in this budget. The Road system will help all To the Editor: I am taking this means to ask the people of Morrow County to vote in favor of the County Budget and the Road Levy, June 30. While it is true that I do not own any real property in Morrow County, I have made quite a commitment and investment in this area and anything I can do to help get the farming and ranching trade to stay in the Heppner, Lexington and lone areas for their shopping will help us all. I believe that improving the road system is one way to accomplish this. Yours truly, Ron McDonald Chevrolet, Inc. Ron McDonald, President Cub Scout Day Camp planned Cub Scouts interested in attending day camp must fill out a day camp application and health form and return it Jo his den leader or to P.O.Box 1105. Umatilla. Ore. 97882 by Tuesday. June 30. Oregon Trail District will have two day camps, at McNary Wildlife Park July 28 - 31 and at Morrow County Fairgrounds August 4 - 7. The cost for the camp is $20 per boy. but money making pro jects are being planned to lower the cost per participant, said a spokesperson. The $20 fee includes a drink at lunch, a camp T-shirt, insurance, a wards and a camp patch. Boys ages eight to 10 not currently registered with Hit Boy Scouts may attend Cub Scout day camp if they send in a camp application and money in advance. For more information call 676-9235 or 676-5533. poles hospital we need, but there must be some local person who would volunteer their time and not the taxpayers' money to do the job. These are only a few of the things the voter is not told about. When it comes right down to it. your vote was cast once, cast it again to let your feelings be known. One thing vital to all the people of the county is this. "South Morrow County Sen iors, threatened species." Let me explain : TV tells of the threatened species. Sen ior Citizens, not being called animals, are being threatened in South Morrow County. The senior citizen center, (also known as the Neighbor hood Center) is centrally located in downtown Heppner, used or available to the seniors everyday of the week (providing all but legal ser vice) has been closed for meals since March 4, 1981. As life passes by (more swiftly as seniors) it is not totally the meals that bring people together, but the loss of loved ones, spouses, and friends and need of compan ionship in one form or another. The center meant to many a friendly chat, a place to drop in for a cup of coffee and to be among friends. The senior meals have been moved to the Morrow County Fair Grounds. As of today, no meals have been served since March 4, 1981. Someone nas been hired to the tune of $7000 out of the revenue sharing funds to take over the job. The job well done by Pat and totally appreciated by most seniors had cost the taxpayer $83 a month or less than $1000 a year. This job now has become a $7,000 administra tion item plus the inconven ience to the senior citizens. Thanks again Pat Brindle and to her faithful staff at the Neighborhood Center. See you at the poles. Thank you. Merl Cantin For a county building inspector To the Editor: The addition of a Morrow County building inspector is a good plan. Many people are naturally resistant to this idea because they don't want more rules and regulations. They feel that the addition of an inspector means adding one more office to burden us with regulations. It is important to realize that we already have the require ments for building inspection in Morrow County by law. Generally these inspections and permits are handled by the regional office of the Department of Commerce or the state office of that department. All funds collect ed within the county go to the Department of Commerce. This is a considerable amount of money, much of which would stay in the county if the county had its own building inspector and could be used to fund the building inspector program. Estimates show that after the first year a county building inspector would pro bably be self supporting. Not to mention the convenience to those people involved in the building business. Under the present plan, permits and plans reviews are carried out in the Pendleton or Salem office. Delays are common, not to mention the inconven ience of traveling to the state or regional office to unravel a complex problem. My own experience with the construction of public build ings as well as personal building projects has revealed how complex it is to acquire permits and to get approval of plan reviews. Delays are frequent and frustrating. A local building inspector can assist both the experienced and inexperience builder in smoothing out this process. If we can have the conven Setting the record straight To the Editor: County governments can increase the tax base by fi porrrnt each year without n vote: the so-called 6 percent limitation. However. at $390,069. Morrow County's tax hnse is a dinosaur, a relic of the past. The 6 percent limitation has not kept up with inflation rates of in - 15 percent nor rapid Increases in population and industrial growth. According to a 1980 report by the State of Oregon Department of Human Re sources. the population growth rate in Morrow County over the last ten years has been one of the highest in the U.S. and. from an industrial standpoint. Morrow County is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing counties in the state. Funds over the 6 percent limitation must be submitted to voters on 'A' and 'B' ballots. Morrow County taxpayers will be asked to vote on an 'A' ballot and three 'B' ballots . on June 30. The 'A' ballot must pass before any of the B ballots can pass. If the 'A' ballot passes, then any of the 'B' ballots that receive a majority of "yes" votes will also pass. The 'A' ballot is for county general operating funds, gen eral school funds, and road maintenance. The dollar amount on the 'A' ballot was not reduced from the May 19 proposal; however, this is to the taxpayers' advantage. The state sets a ceiling on the dollar amount of the the 'A' ballot for each county because the state gives homeowners a 30 percent tax rebate on all taxes collected under the 'A' ballot. If a county needs funds beyond the state's ceiling on the 'A' ballot they must be submitted on 'B' ballots where tax credits are not available. The 'B' ballot for the three-year road serial lew was cut more than 40 percent from the May 19 proposal. Of all road funds collected. 5 93 percent goes to the cities. The road maintenance funds con tained in the 'A' ballot would allow for minimal mainten ance of county roads, how ever, without additional funds. ience of a local inspector using some of the money that would normally leave the county to go to Salem, it makes sense that we should take advantage of the situation by approving the 'B' levy request for a building inspector. Very truly yours, Matt Doherty Rt.2 Irrigon, OR 97844 MUSEUM Saturday - 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday - 1 to 5 p.m. BULOVA 17 aw4 classic in DruJhJ goidtonc. Silver linen dial. $.189.00 CARAVELLE Goldtone case with textured champagne dial Calendar window 17 ewei S7 & ITS BULOVA the roads will continue to deteriorate over the lone run. The funnV provided in the road aerial levy 'B' bullol would allow for some badly needed up-grnriine and improvement. Good roads are critical, not just for farmers, hut for shopping and trading In Mor row County business centers as well. The hospital levy on a 'R' ballot will provide funds for Pioneer Memorial Hospital, Nursing Home and the North Morrow County Clinic Ser vices. This measure is un changed from the May 19 proposal. On the third "B' ballot is a proposal to provide a trans port deputy to move prisoners to and from the Inil in Pendleton, to serve processes, and to fill in as a relief deputy. This new position will allow the Sheriff's staff to concen trate on other law enforce ment activities. On the same ballot is a proposal for funds to hire a building inspector. This measure will increase local services through the Planning Department and fees, which are now going to the state, should make this service self sufficient. If a taxpayer had a house with a true cash value of $40.(MN). the assessed value would be 81 6 percent of that value or $32,641). The I9R1-1R2 tax on this house for the County General Fund at the level provided by the "A' ballot would be $130.24. However, the 30 percent tax credit from the state would result in an actual cost to the taxpayer of $HI 17. Passage of the 'IV ballots would result in a tax on this same house of $6 20 for the hospital. $93 1)2 for the road serial levy, and $2 28 for the transport deputy and building inspector. Passage of the 'A' ballot and all of the 'B' ballots would result in a total 1981 19H2 tax bill for county services of $186.89 for this same house This figure allows for the 3 percent discount for November pay mpn' Bob Costa Morrow County Extension agent Mf JHIIM4 AD $EHiE At GONTVS 10 ajii 12 noon 676-9264 For a special N Ulll... I PICK A POCKET from BULOVA Pocket watches are today's most timely fashion accessory. For men and women. He'll tuck one into his vest pocket. She'll follow suit, or dangle it from a chain around her neck. Bulova gives you a choice of pocket watches. Classic Bulovas and tradi tionally styled Caravelles WATCH TIME Engagements McCabe Diddle Mr. and Mrs. Marlon Biddle, Heppner, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Sonja Rae, to John Edmond McCabe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest McCabe, Heppner. An August B wedding has been planned at the United Methodist Church. Heppner, Road work The Morrow County Public Works Dept. has released the following work report for the past week. Leveling and resealing six miles of the Bomhing Range Road has begun. The begin ning of this project is located approximately six miles north of the Lexington-Fcho high way. Weather permitted the crew to work five ten -hour days this past week, which, according to the dept., exped ited this project considerably. Resenting of Lower Rhea Creek Road has been com pleted The shoulder reshap ing on this project has been hailed during the resealing season but will continue this fall Roads hi ii ded were: Toll Rock. Spring Hollow, Zinter and Liberty Schoolhouse. Crushed rock was spread and bladed onto Baker-North to Smith Road, Emma White Road and Brenner Canyon Road. Oil rock has been stock piled on the shoulders of Dick Smith - McNabb West for future road resealing. The shop worked on No. 13 dump truck, pickups No. 2, 4, 6 and 7, did minor repairs on the resealing equipment and other daily- preventive maintenance. BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO PARTS HEPPNER AUTO PARTS 234 N. Main Heppner 676-9123 FLOOR COVERING M & R FLOOR COVERING Carpet, Linoleum, Ceramic Tile, Kitchen Htppntr Cabinets, CASE FURNITURE H.Ppn.r Carpet, Linoleum, Counter Tops Installed Beauty Rest Mattresses, Fabrics and Accessories, Sherwin Williams Paint INSURANCE TURNER o m " Vi VAN MARTEF linden PI l PRYiWT 's&yxA J wr I hi I v :p:a: a.gresg. n3UHAPlWC MOW Ad U BRYANT MEDICAL SUPPLIES MEDICAL CENTER PHARMACY , J Free Mailing Service on Prescription Hospital Supplies f Mon. - Fri. 9-6 p.m. Sat. 9-1 p.m. -V.' Located in the Medical Center 1 100 Southgate, Pendleton 276-1531 , MONUMENTS f 676-9600 SWEENEY Cemetery Grave Markers, Granite, Marble, Bronze Serving lone, Lexington & Heppner OIL PRODUCTS Chevron DEVIN OIL M CO. CHEVRON PETTYJOHN OIL COMPANY Mbi 'arm Chsmkcls Serving 3 Counties Petroleum Products Phone: 422-7254 JUSTICE COURT Justice Court at the Morrow County Courthouse in Heppner handled the following cases during the past week : Andrew James Gorman. P O. Box 6fi, Heppner, offen sive littering from a motor vehicle $16 fine: Timothy C.eorge Wilkins. P.O Box I. Dale, Ore., no angling license - $fi suspended fine: Curtis Lynn Walsh. 330 E. Cherry. Apt, D. Hermiston, no angling license - $(i suspended fine; Edward Lawrence God dard. P O Box fi. Gill. Colo . switched license plates $55 fine: and John William Hammel. Jr., mile post 34 on Higway 207. P.O, Box Hfi, Spray, violation of basic rule (54 miles per hour in a 35 mph designated speed! $: fine; Clarence Ellis Austin. Box 3i:W Rt I. Heppner. studded tires $ susM'rided fine. Counter Tops all ifoux fjnxuxa.net ntiAs Wev 1 ' JtUf""u t"6 'f"9 y-y V uvmn votmajiti jr MORTUARY 676-9226 IHC. "MM PRODUCTS f 1