P S S S ! E V.'ET7ELL
u c 1 0 i:
VOL. m,
Columbia
Members of the Columbia
Basin Board of Directors
didn't change their minds last
Thursday, when they voted
once again to keep a contro
versial rate increase for
electrical user in the district.
A five to six vote matched
the vote taken at a July 30
meeting at which the board
adopted a rate increase sche
dule that generated several
public meetings and a 1,000
signature petition of protest.
About 50 people turned out
at last week's meeting, which
was moved from Columbia
Basin Board Room to the fair
grounds annex for more room.
Controversy over the rate
increase centered on which
class of customer in the co-op
should bear the percentage of
the new increases, which
tame as a result of increased
power costs from Bonneville,
and higher co-op operating
costs.
The txard adopted a rate
increase July 30 (effective
July D which saw electrical
costs increase from 45 and 54
percent for residential and
small business customers and
12 to 16 percent for large
irrigators.
The increase was the result
of a compromise between a
rate study commissioned by
the co-op and one by the large
irrigators.
Lions donates flag to
r
On behalf of the Heppner Lions Club, George Koffler
presented a new American flag to Shorty Peck (right ) of the
Morrow County Fair Board last Monday.
"It came to the attention of the Lions Club that there wasn't
an American flag flying at the fairgrounds, so we decided to
do something about it," said George Koffler, Lions secretary.
'Pathways to
To many people, 4-H is a boy
with a steer, a girl preparing
food or learning to sew
that's the visible part of the
program. What people don't
see is really the most impor
tant. ..it is the personal devel
opment of the member who is
challenged to make decisions,
be responsible for what he or
she does, and to learn to be a
contributing member of the
community. Life skills, or
skills that will benefit them
throughout their lives are
.IS U 11 .
Morrow County's
NO. 40
THURSDAY.
Basin board members
Following the July hilling, a
group called Concerned Con
sumers formed to fight the
compromise increase.
Meetings were held, and a
petition was circulated asking
the board to recind its
previous action.
Concerned Consumers said
the large irrigators were not
receiving a large enough
share of the new rate increase,
and that residential, small
businesses and small irrigat
ors were shouldering too much
of the load. The board was
asked to go back to an original
study, which the consumers
said more equally distributed
the increase.
Meetings were held in
Heppner. Fossil and Condon
by the Concerned Consumers
Over l.ooo signatures were
gathered by the group and
presented to the board at its
Sept. 24 meeting
Thursday about two hours of
discussion preceeded the vote,
during-which the public and
board aired their differences.
Explaining why he voted in
favor of the compromise rate
increase. Board Chairman
Randall Peterson said that
rate analysis is not "cut and
dried ", and that the co-op
depends upon income from
large irrigators. He said large
increases in power costs
might drive farmers out of
the Future' is 4-H theme
learned in 4-H.
"The project, wheter it is
clothing, collecting bugs, or
beef, is the vehicle for personal
development and growth" ac
cording to Duane Johnson,
State 4-H Program Leader. In
addition, the project offers
ways for young people to
explore career options. The 4-H
program of the Oregon State
University Extension Service
is designed to help young
people discover their own
capabilities, interests, and to
The Heppner
Home-Owned
OCTOBKR I. I9KI
irrigated farming.
"l-arge irrigators are 25
percent of Columbia Basin's
income." said Boardmember
Van Rictmann. who also voted
in favor of the compromise
rate increase. "Loss of some
of those irrigators is going to
hurt us all. Our financial
position is pretty precarious.
We need a 35 percent (overall )
increase. Right now we're
borrowing short-term money
at 20' percent and we can't
operate that way." he said.
Boardmember Paul Tews,
who also voted in favor of the
compromise, said he did so
because Bonneville was rais
ing its rates July first, and in
order for the co-op to avoid
Oregon Dept, of
Better production, survival means more bucks in the
Better production and sur
vival of Mule Deer in the
Columbia Basin. Heppner and
Fossil units will mean more
yearling bucks in the
bag this year, says the Oregon
State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.
Deer season opens this
Saturday, but don't expect to
find many deer near agricul
tural lands. The Fish and
Wildlife Dept. says abundant
forage will keep the animals
Co. fairground
I
M
It
According to Shorty Peck, the Board is not sure what
happened to the fairground flag. It was either stolen or
misplaced, he said.
"The Fair Board would like to thank the Lions for their gift.
We really appreciate all the (Lions) club does for the
community," stated Peck.
give them useful skills for a
lifetime.
The projects available are
many and varied, but working
with animals and home econo
mics remain the most popular.
In Oregon last year, more than
64,500 young people participat
ed in 4 H programs, with
nearly 24,000 in animal science
and more -than 24.500 in home
economics. In Marrow County,
members tend to follow this
trend, but the creative arts
project also attracts a good
. iMliio)
Weekly Newspaper
10 PAGES .
20 CENTS
vote again; sustain increase
taking a loss it had to raise
rates quickly. He also said the
co-op staff was spending too
much time on the rate study
causing it to neglect other
necessary business.
"It is inconceivable to us
that you people wouldn't vote
any other way than in favor of
this petition." Concerned Con
sumer Leader Dexter Miles
told the board.
He said the petition repre
sented a large percentage of
the co-op members, and that
the board should follow the
wishes of the majority.
Other people told the board
it should follow the first rate
study and reject the compro
mise increase it adopted July
30.
Fish & Wildlife says
away.
If your looking for older
age-class bucks, the dept. says
they will be found at the
higher elevations in heavily
timbered areas.
In Umatilla county mule
deer populations are up slight-,
ly over 1980. and a good
carryover of last year's fawns
and nature bucks from the
1980 season will provide some
good hunting in that county.
for youth programs
percentage.
The top ten 4-H projects in
terms of enrollment statewide
were horse, foods and nutri
tion, clothing, sheep, beef,
rabbits, swine, dog care and
obedience, horticulture, and
forestry.
Nationally, and locally,
"Pathways to the Future" will
be the theme for the 4-H youth
programs. All youth 4th
HEPPNER. OREGON
Some said that since Colum
bia Basin is a co-op large
irrigalors should not be treat
ed as a special group, and
should pay the same as
everyone else.
When the final vote came,
the board voted on the motion :
should the rale increase ot
July 30 be recinded?
Boardmembers Eric Ander
son. Dick Wilkenson. Floyd
Anderson. Randall Peterson.
Van Rietmann and Paul Tews
voted no. And Herb Wright.
Fred Griener. Bill Collins.
Walt Yaeger and Ken Wright
voted yes.
"There are problems on
both sides and I don't feel I
can justify it bv voting the
according to the dept.
Because of abundant forage
and hot dry weather, however,
the deer will be scattered
throughout the middle and
high summer range.
In Wallowa County mule
.fiier appear to be about equal
to 1980. The Chesnimnusm
Imnaha and Sled Springs units
had slightly lower fawn survi
val, hut buck ratios are at or
below 1980 levels in all units.
Wilkinson
won't run
Columbia Basin Boardmem
ber Dick Wilkinson will not
run for re-election at the
annual meeting November 5.
according to a co-op spokes
man. Three members including
" Wilkinson are up for re-election,
and all positions are
being challenged.
Harold Rietmann has been
nominated to run against
incumbent Ken Smouse, and
Bob Lankford will run against
board Chairman Randall Pet
erson. Dexter Miles will
apparently be running for
election unapposed now that
Wilkinson has decided not to
remain on the board.
Graves reports
to Chamber
Dorris Graves presented a
slide show to last Tuesday's
luncheon meeting of the Hep
pner Morrow County Chamber
of Commerce on her raft trip
down the Rogue River this
summer.
The trip was through the
river rapids by rubber raft
and lasted three days.
through 12th grades are invited
to explore their own pathways
to the future by joining a 4-H
club. Complete information
about 4-H for both youth and
adults is available from the
Morrow County Extension
Office in Heppner (676-9642).
In addition, young people will
be seeing and hearing about
4-H opportunities as John
Nordheim and Birdine Tullis
make school visits early in
October.
Weather
other side." Peterson said
aterwards.
"I don't understand this
vote. We had 25 people
(irrigators) sign a letter and
better than 1.000 signed the
petitions. 99 percent of the
co-op members. I think what
we lack is representation on
the board." Miles said after
the vote (the co-op said later
there is 2.392 voting members
of Columbia Basin Co-op).
Asked after the meeting
what the group planned now.
Miles said there probably
wouldn't be any more meet
ings, but said "we're going to
replace some boardmem
bers." (see story this page)
Deer numbers remain low in
the Hells Canyon area and
prospects are poor for bucks.
Union County deer popula
tions are near or above
management objectives level.
Winter fawn survival was
good and yearling bucks are
abundant.
The Catherine Creek Unit
will produce best hunting
followed by Starkey, east Mt.
Emily, west Wenaha and west
Sled Springs units.
Livestock
. "I'
Jim Balzar dishes up lamb to Darrel Vinson at a barbecue
dinner held Sunday afternoon at the Morrow County Fair
Grounds in Heppner.
The barbecue was sponsored by the Morrow County
Livestock Growers in honor of all those who helped put
together and run this year's fair and rodeo.
Salad as well as lamb was served at the 4 p.m. gathering.
By City oJ Heppner . Precip
Tues.. Sept. 22 65 34 0
Wed.. Sept. 23 35 trace
Thurs., Sept. 24 60 42 .01
Fri.. Sept. 25 62 42 trace
Sat.. Sept. 26 62 47 90
Sun.. Sept. 27 66 45 06
Mon.. Sept. 28 65 40 .15
Police asks residents
to 'Harden Target9
The Heppner Police Depart
ment is urging area residents
to "Harden the Target" and
make it more difficult for
crimes to be committed.
The department asks people
to lock their cars and homes
and also, to leave lights
burning to make possible
crime sights unattractive.
The department says "It's
so easy to say 'I don't want to
get involved,' or 'I don't have
Legion to meet
The American Legion and
Auxiliary, Post No. 87 will
meet at the Legion Hall
Keating and Pine Creek unit
deer numbers are similar to
last year. But Sumpter and
Lookout Mountain levels are
down somewhat.
Fawn survival was less than
desirable so a smaller per-,
centage of the available buck
crop should be of yearling
age-class. There will be some
what fewer older age bucks.
Deer hunting prospects will
be below average this year in
growers honor
j
v -1WM - ,ntr
4 v .1".
the time,' but we need the help
of the total community and
without it, youre helping the
criminal.
"The crime rate and status
of law enforcement in any
community is a reflection on
the people," they added.
The department asks people
to feel free to call Dean, Doug.
Merle or Steve at the Heppner
Police Department, located at
Heppner City Hall, anytime.
Oct. 5
Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. for a
potluck dinner. A regular
monthly meeting will follow.
bag
the southern part of Grant
County.
A short seven -day season is
in effect for the Murderer's
Creek and Northside units due
to a low carryover of bucks
and a poor fawn crop in 1980.
The Desolation Unit will have
a 12-day season.
Prospects are good in this
unit since buck carryover and
fawn production were above
average.
helpers
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