Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1982)
TWO The Heppner GateUe-Timet, Heppner. Oregon, Thursday, February 11, 1M2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR '5xis Th O"1 Nwpopr of It 1 City of Heppner ana me County of Morrow "" The GAZETTE-TIMES Kirriw CiMty's Rwu-Cwifi Weekly NnrsMNr U.S.P.S. 240-420 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) 676-922R. Address communications to the Heppner Gazette Times. P.O. Box 337. Heppner. Oregon 97836. $10.00 in Morrow, Umatilla, Wheeler & Gilliam counties: $12.00 elsewhere. IDavid and April Hilton Sykes, Publishers J Hardly felt To the editor: The president's trade sanct ions against Russia for its part in the establishment of mar tial law in Poland was, according to President Rea gan, an attempt by the United States "to speak for those who have been silenced and to help those who have been rendered helpless." But the bottom line is that the sanctions will hardly be felt by the Russians. That is apparent when the effect of " the sanction against further negotiations on grain sales is analyzed. Once again our grain has been used as a sanction against Russia's crackdown on freedom, and once again it has been more detrimental to our farmers than to Russia. Russia will continue to get our grain at prices less than our farmer's cost of production. And Russia will continue to blatantly snuff out freedom whenever it appears within its sphere of influence. Under previously signed agreements, Russia still has U.S. permission, even en couragement, to buy up to 23 million tons of our grain during 1982. They will do so at below the cost of production. The suspension of negotiations on further agreements only means that Russia will be come just another customer, like any other nation, on September 30, 1982. That means they can buy grain at rock bottom prices, just like the other countries do. The president's grain sanct ions aren't the first time grain sales have been used in such a manner. When Russia invaded Afghanistan, President Carter imposed an embargo on grain sales to Russia. However. Russia simply went to the nations that had originally purchased our grain at give away prices and bought it from them for millions more than they would have paid the U.S. had the embargo not been in effect! The foreign nations and international grain com panies were making whopping big profits by reselling grain we should have sold at higher prices ourselves. Wouldn't it make more sense to charge Russia more for our grain so farmers could make a profit? Since Russia can still buy the grain anyway, wouldn't higher prices be a better sanction, making them spend their Picture this To the editor: I wish to picture for you the Neighborhood Center as I see it as a volunteer, and not "just a bunch of old ladies playing cards." Shortly after I returned to my childhood home six years ago, I was invited to the Neighborhood Center (then in the old Gilliam and Bisbee building) to see a school friend. In a few weeks I was learning to be a volunteer from the Neighborhood Cen ter. Each week I went to the nursing home to help with crafts and recreation. I am still going each Wednesday to play bingo with my nursing home friends. I took large print books from the library to nursing home readers, holiday favors made by their Thursday friends at ' the center, and many a sack of clothes from the center for use by low income patients. My favorite pleasure has been the taking of small animals to visit the nursing home, and seeing the delight in one woman's eyes as she reaches for a kitten and the others Heppner limited money supply on food instead of more weapons and , more oppression? I have always felt it would be better. Better for our farmers. Better for our for eign policy. That's why I offered, with bi-partisan sup port, legislation last year to create an Export Grain Bank that would set prices for grain which reflected our OPEC-like dominance of the interna tional grain trade. It would be a fair price for our farmers. It would bring $20 million more dollars for our grain products. And it would be a more effective way of combating Soviet aggression than sanct ions that express indignation but do little else. The legislation allows the Secretary of Agriculture to set a minimum price for export commodities like wheat, corn and soybeans. It allows the Secretary of Agriculture to collect the difference between the free market domestic price and the minimum export price. This money is then stored in the Export Grain Bank and returned to farmers, pro-rata, based on their yearly production. The lobbying efforts of the international grain compan ies, who benefit from our generosity, killed the bill. But I believe the Polish crisis and our lack of options to respond provide further examples of why the bill is needed, so I will continue to push for it. Why should we spend bil lions of dollars to defend ourselves against Russia and then turn around and sell them grain at giveaway prices? It's a monumental food stamp program for Soviet aggres sion. In fact, if American farmers exported all of Rus sia's import needs for wheat during this marketing year, that subsidy would pay for every man in its Afghanistan invasion force! Or enough for the Soviets to buy more than 1.500 new tanks. I agree with the president that the United States should step forward in the interna tional community to hold the Soviet Union accountable for what is happening in Poland. But why do we continue to feed our enemy and not even charge them a fair price for our food? Sincerely, Jim Weaver Member of Congress holding the kittens, bantams, bunnies, pygmy goats, etc. My little pickup has had innumerable loads to and from the center. Among these are (1) taking CETA trainees to the center and youth offenders from Juvenile Court under the supervision of the neighborhood center to homes of senior citizens where they did yard and house cleaning while learning to be of service to oldsters and handicapped persons; (2) loads of food and supplies for the senior picnic at Cutsforth Park (many nursing home residents joined in the fun at these picnics); (3) many trips across town to get an elderly lady who had to use a walker, and bring her to the center for a blood pressure check, meals and other activities, and to bring some residents from the nursing home to the Elks lodge and to the Center for meals and activities (at no cost) ; (4) calls received at the center to provide trips to the lone mealsite with their food and to provide pictures; (6) a trip to a corn field in Hermiston with Pat Brindle and some CETA girls to pick My wish To the editor: I wish to make my feeling known about our Heppner Neighborhood Center. I feel the $10.00(1 spent from Morrow County Revenue Sharing moneys was well spent and worthwhile. I know how much it has helped many older people, young people and, those in between. Without the Neigh borhood Center there will be no more help with weatheri zation of homes, fuel, and emergency food and clothing. Who will tlp time lo dress Keep center open To the editor: Funding for the Revenue Sharing Committee is zero for the coming fiscal year, ac cording to the report released Wednesday night by Judge McElligott and commission ers Krebs and McCoy. Due to federal cuts these funds are necessary to carry on all the listed programs now provided by the Heppner Neighborhood Center: Gleaning vegetables and fruits, free fuel wood for low income families, weatheriza tion information and assis tance, fuel assistance, emer gency clothing, food and household goods, high school classes, adult education classes, English as a second language class, emergency referral service for special cases, transportation to med ical facilities for low income families, relief for flood vic tims, handy helpers for sen iors who are unable to do yard work, meeting place for area non-profit organizations, blood pressure clinic, a drop in area where seniors who are isolated can drop in for a few words of encouragement and a cup of coffee. locked To the editor: I was shocked to read in last night's paper that Morrow County is not willing to carry their, share of the cost of support for the Heppner -Neighborhood Center. Services are definitely being provided county wide, as Blue Mountain Economic Develop ment Council is a two county community action program and even covers five counties with some programs. The Heppner Neighborhood Center and the Hermiston Neighborhood Center have always worked closely to gether to handle the emer gency needs of North Morrow County residents. The Hep pner Neighborhood Center has provided meat, emergency food, clothing, wood and shared gleaned produce for north Morrow County resi dents since there is a travel distance of 15 to 50 miles round trip to Hermiston, while a round trip to Heppner could be 100 miles or more, and low income households cannot afford to drive to Heppner. Last year's Fuel Assistance Program for north Morrow County was handled at Board man through the Hermiston Center because it was more economical and weatheriza tion is handled by the Hermis ton crew for the same reason. Who is going to supply south Morrow County residents with the services requested from the Heppner Neighborhood Center, which are many and varied? A great many of the requests are not known because of B.M.E.D.C.'s strict confidential policy. A very concerned person, -ElmC.-Bloam and bring back two huge loads of corn for low income seniors and the mealsite; (7) a big load of foods given by high school students to help make possible Christmas baskets made at the center for nearly 50 families in both ends of the county; (8) loads to the center from yard sales. Many of my hours as a volunteer were spent at the Elks Lodge and the center mealsites - cleaning gleaned foods, serving and cleanup of meals, delivery of meals to shut-ins, making decorations and favors, and providing Thursday crafts. One day I got to help Pat haul a load of her wood to Hardman for a low the dolls and prepare the wonderful Christmas baskets? I know the Neighborhood Center does all this and more. Without It the Social Secur ity person from Pendleton will not be coming to Heppner. I wonder what duplications of services there were. What other agency was doing all these things? I haven't heard of them. I know the north end of the county got Christmas baskets and many other services, same as Heppner. and operating Services are allocated for all of Morrow Court -.y and in ; case of emergency, due to distance and economics. Hermiston will provide emer-' gency services for north Morrow County. Part of the funds for the Heppner Neigh borhood Center are currently being given to the Hermiston Neighborhood Center for such emergencies. In light of all the services provided to Morrow County citizens by the Heppner Neighborhood Center, we be lieve that Morrow County should provide sufficient funds to keep it open and operating. Verlin and Naomi Matthews Tom and Helen Riehl Delia McCurdy Ralf and Susan Schubothe Betty McDonald Charleen Isom Harriet H. Evans Ida Farra Bethal and Paul Heinrichs Doug and Sonia Smith Gladys Connor Frank Connor Snoda Blake Ramona Marshall Merlin L. Cantin Initia M. Cantin Oregon in trouble To the editor: . Oregon is in trouble. We rank third highest in the nation in unemployment and our mills continue to close. Budget deficits threaten our quality of life. I am running for governor to propose a practical economic recovery program. I will stress self-reliance and our abilities to prosper in spite of federal policies. I propose the establishment of a State Bank to make funds available, at low interest, to small business, and to keep Oregon money in Oregon. We must use our resoursces wisely. Conservation and weatherization programs in home and industry will save energy and make jobs. We must enact plant closure legislation. We must end raw log exports and sell finished lumber products, thus bring ing money and employment back to Oregon. There are many ways in which the traditional re sourcefulness of Oregonians can be focused. Fresh revenue can come from the develop ment of renewable energy sources. I pledge to explore and study all sane alternatives lo our current nuclear energy problems. Reforms must be made. Federal and state policies have exploited the people and resources of our beautiful state. We need a change in leadership and a change in economic policy. I will work for these changes to gain prosperity for the people JOBS'": Sincerely, Jerry Rust Candidate for Governor '2410 Madison Eugene, Oregon . income senior. Of course I got to join and enjoy trips provided by the Soroptimist Club through the center for seniors to Shaniko, the Whitman Memorial and John Day. ' I know that many volunteers from the center may continue their service to our commun ity, even though the center may be closed. My one hope is that I have given some moments oT happiness to these oldsters and to the many who have passed on. Irene Anhorn 560 S. Main St. P. S. I am only one of many volunteers doing service. Without the Neighborhood Center wo will hi- doing a great disservice to many low income people and depriving them of the funds that come from the Blue Mountain Econ omic Development Council. Moneys that helped them to exist in poverty level incomes and less. I hope people will let their feelings be known to the County Court and have them vote to save our Heppner Neighborhood Center. . Verna Brinda Shocked and dismayed To the editor: We were shocked and dis mayed to learn that the Heppner Neighborhood Center may be shut down due to lack of support and funding for the coming fiscal year from Morrow County Court. As an agency that aids the low income families, the center has provided us with services that cannot be re placed. When our grandson, Billy, was into special shoes through the Crippled Childrens Divi sion, it was Pat Brindle who got the funding for them (she also paid for the build-up on the shoe out of her own pocket.) She provided trans portation, free of charge, to and from Pendleton for Billy and myself for medical atten- Not right To the editor: I do not think it is right to close down the Heppner Neighborhood Center. It real ly helped me. for when I first went to work there I was on a training program. I did not feel comfortable going any where or doing anything on my own. I depended upon my family for help around people and talking to them I was not sure of myself and even when I started to work. I still was not sure of myself, but lhartks to the Neighborhood Center staff. I am an independent person. When I started to work at the Neighborhood Center. I would help with the preparing of the Senior Citizens' meals. On days we did not have meals. I would help those who needed hlep such as cleaning house, yard work, or anything else for them. On Thursdays, they would have crafts. I did not feel it was my place to work with them. I felt that I was taking something away from the ones who came. It took a lot of doing, but thanks to everyone there, they brought me out of my shell. I am now living on my own and am independent. I will now visit with people and I feel very comfortable. I would also feel sorry for all of the people like me that would need the help that Pat gave me. which they will not get if the Neighborhood Center is shut down due to lack of county funding and support. A concerned citizen. Helen Graham Romance Gold heart pendants, rings, watches, gold chains and more are available for your gift giving. Beautiful surprises begin with diamond pendants, rings and earrings. Certainly gifts she will cherish forever. Shop now while selections are plentiful. Jewelry ond Diomonds by ' eterson's Heppner Must not loiow To the editor; It is obvious that Dorothy Krebs and Warren McCoy, county commissioners, are not nware of all the functions of the Neighborhood Center. They must not know that the center is vitally important to BMCC's Adult Education classes; they must not know that Adult Education classes have been held weekly at the Neighborhood Center for the past ten years; they must not know that I spend more than seven hours per week using lion from specialists. When we had a very low-income job. the center provided emergency food and clothing for us so that we wouldn't starve and so we would have a few decent clothes. In fact it was Pat Brindle who put us in touch with our present employer so we could get a better job with better pay. thus raising our standard from below poverty level to a decent living. Pat Brindle paid out of her own pocket for emergency medication for myself as I am a diabetic and needed medi cation desperately and there was no other funding available lo provide it. I could go on forever about the things that have been done for us. And I haven't even mentioned things like Fuel Save the center To the editor: As a volunteer to the center and seeing the benefits re-, ceived by the handicapped, poor and low income and elderly people of Morrow County. I strongly urge the people of the county to make known to the Revenue Sharing Committee to pass the request of $10,000 Revenue Sharing moneys for the continuation of the Neighborhood Center. A concerned citizen. Irene Swanson Singspiration slated Sun. By Jl STINK WKATIIF.lt FOKI) For those who en joy singing old-fashioned or contempor ary hymns, a Community Singspiration will be held at the Heppner United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening. February 14. Every one is cordially invited to come sing with the groups from the south Morrow County churches who enjoy these monthly musical events. Mrs Doug Drake (Carley), the regular organist at the Methodist Church, says she will play the organ for this month's Singspiration. Following the singing ses sion refreshments will be enjoyed in the church base ment The motto "In God We Trust" first appeared on the 1864 two-cent piece. Qjoui oie Jewelers ,6769200 (he focililv to Instruct my students: they must not know thai all or BMCC's Adult Education supplies and ma terials arc housed at the center : they must not know that as many us 20 residents of this county have used the facility this year lo help themselves improve their ed ucation; they must not know that I have a handicapped student as well as three English-as-the-second language (F.SL) students. Mrs. Krebs' and Mr. Mo Assistance. Christmas Bas kets, the gleaning program and the help in putting us in touch with agencies such as juvenile counseling, children Services Division. Welfare. Social Security to help us in many other ways. Morrow County citizens will be the losers if the center is shut down. All Morrow County will suffer without Pal Brin dle. As members of this cnnimunitv we believe we loo BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO PARTS HEPPNER AUTO PARTS 234 N. Main Heppner 676-9123 FLOOR COVERING f mm m m. mm 0fW fWITfiitf ft m & K rLUUK lUVEKinu linden Way Carpet, Linoleum, A7JLOA1R Ceramic Tile, Kitchen Heppner Cabinets, FURNITURE ' CASE FURNITURE Heppner Carpet, Linoleum, Counter Tops Installed Beauty Rest Mattresses, Fabrics and Accessories, Sherwin Williams Point INSURANCE j TURNER 9ut m, Ti tdld UADTFD 171 t. P.DVANT MEDICAL SUPPLIES MEDICAL CENTER PHARMACY I Free Mailing Service on Precriplions Hojpitol Supplwi Mon. - Fri. 9-6 p.m. Sol. 9-1 p.m. x' Located in the Medical Center 1100 Southgote, Pendleton 276-1531 MONUMENTS 676-9600 SWEENEY MORTUARY 676-9226 Cemetery Grave Markers, Granite, Marble, Dronze Serving lone, Lexington & Heppner OIL PRODUCTS Chevron DEVIN OIL Cr3 fll CHEVRON PETTYJOHN OIL COMPANY Mbil arm Chemical Serving 3 Courtier Petroleum Products Phone: 422-7254 OFFICE SUPPLIES 'Furniture 'Typewriter Zfmnna'xxwA El,c,rtc tpmr" -Coter ERMIST0N IfFICE EQUIPMENT CENTER. INC. 567-0147 ON. FIRST PRimUSS SERVICES FOR YC'ja H0f.ll CH KTT3S M7 Xi IIEPPImEU CAZETTE-TU.IIS 76-22 Coy's dissatisfied summation of the Neighborhood Center's program Is wrong. The Mor row County Revenue Sharing Committee needs to reconsi der their motion. The Neigh borhood Center Is definitely needed in our community In order for BMCC's Adult Edu cation program to operate successfully. And I know that BMCC's Adult Ki program Is just one of the many programs the center supports. Joy Kreln Adult Education Instructor have a right in the say of what agencies should be servicing our area. Keep the Neighbor hood Center open. Let the low-income. handicapped, poor and elderly keep their dignity. Please provide con tinued funding and support for the Neighborhood Center through the coming fiscal year. Thank You Chas Mackey Neola Mackev Counter Tops uflVut Cl"uunct nudi INSURANCE MiiAtit"i IfJC. 676-9633 PRODUCTS 8tiopOtul fvi Metnlenertce ..Fectory Trned KlMMM -PSck Up I Delivery HERMISTON, OREGON mJ v Tin a i iU T.r t iir It
