Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1982)
Letters To The Editor The Heppner Gaiette-Ttmei, Hcppnw, Oregon, Thursday, May 13, 1982-FIVE Vote 'no' on 5 To the editor: I'm writing to urge a "no" vote on ballot measure five, the proposal to give the governor the authority to appoint the chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Measure five is a result of the 1981 special session of the legislature dealing with state financing of local courts and with reorganization of the state court structure. As part of the political compromise which the legislature struck with the Governor to forestall his vero of the court bills. Measure five refers this question of executive author ity directly to the voters. It does so precisely because, while the governor favors his office's having the power to appoint the chief justice, a majority of the legislature does not. As the Oregon State Bar has noted in arguing against passage of the proposal, measure five, would funda mentally change the "separa Keeping Spicer is essential To the editor: Ann Spicer operates the Morrow County District At torney's office in an efficient, economical and even-handed manner. For those of us inter ested in fair and impartial enforcement of the law, keep ing Ann as district attorney is essential. Ann brings a unique blend of experience to the district at torney's office beginning with her work in the Clark County Public Defender's office as a student intern progressing through her work as city attorney for Umatilla, deputy little League Bake Sale i vs.vsvs u.i 1 1. ivivjy i jii i ui -emrai varKetO7 , and S&J Market Retain Annette L Spicer Morrow County District Attorney pf Proven Efficient and Even Handed Law Enforcement Pj5 Years Governmental Law Enforcement FfSeasoned Trial Attorney j4 V Knows Morrow County and its Problems Why Change? Vote Annetta L Spicer for Morrow County District Attorney May 18 Ihfc ad paid for by tw commute to re loin Annate I Spicar ca Mrld Altomay. Tiacaurw, Stov t Cafiy feck PO. Bon 428 ftoppnar, OR 97836 tion of powers" prin ciple dividing our government into the legislative, executive and jud icial branches. It would give the head of one branch the power to appoint the head of another, and this appoint ment, unlike many others, would not even be subject to "check and balance" confirm ation bv the state senate. It would also eliminate the process, existing since the adoption of our state constitu tion, whereby the seven just ices of the supreme court, whom the voters elect as constitutional officers of the state, independently select the chief justice from among themselves. A "no" vote on measure five is essential to the preservation of the independence of our highest court and the separa tion of powers of our state government. Very truly yours, Fred W.Heard Senate President district attorney for Morrow County and then Governor Vic Atiyeh's choice to replace Dennis Doherty as district attorney for Morrow County. Ann's excellent work since her appointment has certainly justified the governor's good sense in appointing her and the voters of this county should show their support of fair and impartial law en forcement by voting for Ann Spicer for Morrow County District Attorney in the May primary. Very truly yours, Robert B. Abrams -i ?- -si- Support Don To the editor: I would like to explain to your readers why I support Don Clark for the democratic nomination for governor. Don Clark is an experienced public official and manager who has solid, detailed plans for Oregon's future. His economic recovery pro gram has been praised by political writers as "imagina tive, daring and carefully-constructed." I agree. His plan would provide 23,000 jobs now for Oregon's unemployed -- in their home communities on projects of long-range import ance to local economic growth. His plan for an Oregon Job Development Corporation is especially ap pealing, because it would focus state economic develop ment tools on Oregon's 60.000 small businesses. Last week he proposed a much-needed $25 million hous ing program - again using existing resources -- to stimu late construction of 500 new houses and $15 million in new wages for Oregonians. I think his State Health Thanks for support To the editor: The St. Jude Children's Re search Hospital Wheels For Life Bike-a-thon is over for this year and, looking back we want to sincerely thank local citizens for their generous support of our campaign. We are extremely proud of the 33 Lexington, Heppner and lone riders, the hard working volunteers whose efforts made this a success, and the local citizens. "". Because the diseases that St. Judes Children's Research Hospital is battling can strike any child anywhere, this money will be helping to save children's lives all over the world. It is a wonderful feeling to know that the people of our communities are concerned and caring individuals and, on behalf of the children of St. Jude's. I want to thank each and every one who helped. Sincerely, Bill & Margaret Nichols Campaign Chairmen " ' I ' X , rf ' s Clark Plan is especially necessary during these times of high umemployment. It would pro vide comprehensive health coverage for every Oregon resident -- whether employed, unemployed or retired - and would cost less than what we currently spend on health care. In fact, it would save more than $200 million annual ly, including nearly $30 million in savings for business. Don Clark's strong record in fiscal management in county government cannot be over looked. As Multnomah County's elected executive, he has demonstrated an excep tional ability to stabilize his government despite high infla tion. I think he can do the same job as governor. Don Clark, in summary, is a leader with the experience and vision these difficult times demand. I hope your readers will join me and vote for him on May 18. Sincerely, Representative Hardy Myers Speaker of the House 132 NE Laurelhurst Portland, Oregon 97232 Vote on school tax base To the editor: In my judgement, the most important local issue facing voters of Morrow County is whether or not to approve an adequate tax base for Morrow County School District. The intent of the Oregon Constitutional provision gov erning the establishment of tax bases was to provide a basic level of funding that would keep schools operating. This provision also requires districts to ask voters for approval of any tax expendi tures which exceed the six percent growth which is allow ed in the statute. This is a built-in protection for taxpay ers. In the past years, with so much inflation, voters have been asked to approve tax levies above six percent every year. Actually, voters have no choice. Under our present 191f tax base, we have only two choices: either approve the levies or close the schools. A realistic tax base, kept up to date, provides taxpayers with a chance to reject a tax measure when times are tough without the threat of school closure. I urge you to vote "yes" on the Morrow County School tax base on May 18. Sincerely, Ken Broadbent Boardman Transport Comm. to receive bids on county projects Bids will be received by the Oregon Transportation Com mission on Thursday, May 27, for 14 projects estimated to cost $9.9 million, stated a news release from the commission. According to the news release, a project in Morrow County calls for improve ments and resurfacing of Bombing Range Road - Butter Creek (Unit No. 2), section of the Lexington-Echo Highway, beginning about 13.2 miles northeast of Lexington. The project is three miles long and the paved width varies from 28 to 32 feet. Completion time is 350 days. A project involving Morrow and Umatilla counties invol ves improvements to the Boardman, Stanfield and Deadman Pass Safety Rest Areas to make them acces sible to the handicapped, the news release said. At each of the rest areas, two toilet buildings will be remodeled to provide access. An irrigation system will also be construct ed at the Boardman Safety Rest Area as part of the project. Completion time is 120 days, the news release said. Not supporting Spicer To the editor: Situations may arise in the life of a conscienciosus citizen and taxpayer which dictate that person's taking a political course contrary to their per sonal interest. Such a situation now confronts us. If we were looking out solely for our own interests we would be supporting Ann Spicer to the political hilt in her bid for election as Morrow County's District Attorney. The reason is simple: a weak district attorney is to our advantage as defense lawyers. We are not supporting Ann Spicer. As taxpayers, we too are concerned with how our tax dollars are being spent, and as attorneys we are in perhaps a better position than most to see the cost, in dollars, of a prosecutor's poor judgement. Trials are expensive. Unless good evidence exists to prove a criminal charge, common prudence indicates at least one of the following: 1) further investigation, 2) negotiation, or 3) reduction of the charge to something that can be proved. We are not suggesting that any prosecutor should be, or even can be, 100 percent cer- Congratulationg To the editor: On Tuesday May 4, Pioneer Memorial Hospital staged a fire drill and mock evacua tion. All of the people involved are to be congratulated. Whether they were directing traffic, driving an ambulance, fighting the "fire", acting as patients, riding the evacuation vehicles, nursing or acting as "physician director," every one responded in a selfless manner. Our special thanks to the following: the volunteer am bulance driver team, the county Sheriffs office and emergency center, the Hep pner Volunteer Fire Depart ment, the search and rescue organization, the Heppner Police Department, the hospi tal employees (on and off duty) and St. Patricks Catho lic Church for the use of their parish hall as our evacuation center. As a result of this exper ience, our disaster plan has been criticized and will be updated and rewritten. Our thanks to all A.K. Felt OREGON'S ROADS NEED HELP! ! You Can Do Something About This By Voting YES on MEASURE 4 COST TO MOTORIST A Motorist traveling 12,000 miles per year at 18 miles per gallon would pay an additional $6.70 in taxes per year. tain of every case he or she brings to trial. We do however, believe that a prosescutor should be able to maintain the objectivity essential to a real istic evaluation of a given situation. We also believe a prosecutor should be able to learn from prior experience. When she assumed office, Ms. Spicer exhibited signs of an ailment common to new prosecutors which is known in the trade as "overcharging." Overcharging simply means that the prosecutor alleges commission of an offense which is more serious than the actual evidence will support. The result, if the case is allowed to proceed to trial, is often acqiutal. Defense attor neys won a significant number of cases in Ms. Spicer's early days in office because those cases were overcharged and defendants are winning cases still for the same reason. Experience assumes that a person learns something, not merely that they physically occupy a given office day after day. We note with a mixture of amusement and chagrin that Ms. Spicer's "Voter's Pamph let" statement credits her with providing "county coun sel." We recall a particular incident in which Ms. Spicer refused to assist a county official concerning a tax dis pute. The result: the county court was forced to authorize that official's employment of outside private counsel to con clude the matter. The bill: $5,929.72. I Saturday Wife Live 1 UKrA May 15 0n ,cic HofsPl Ji Buffet HEPPNER ELKS 358 llrW . Elks & Out of Town Guests Only iiJ V A Comprehensive Study by the Road Infor mation Program Found about 20,000 Miles of SUBSTANDARD ROADS in Oregon. Measure 4 in the May 18 Primary Election would increase the gas tax 1 cent a year for the next three years. The weight mile tax on commercial vehicles would be increased by the same percentage rate. Measure 4 would generalt $21 million annually for road repair, construction, improvement and operation. Of this total, the state would get $14 million, the counties $4 million and the cities $3 million. WHY MEASURE 4 If we don't repair roads now, it will cost more to rebuild them later on. Winter storms and floods oyer the past few years have really damaged some Oregon roads. Bad highways are a safety hazard and cause accidents. PROJECTED 3-YEAR REVENUES Hermiston Umatilla Stanfield Echo Umatilla Co. Paid For By Committee For Good This account is by no means a complete and total one, but simple space limitation pro hibits our detailing of incident after incident wherein the county paid and paid and paid. Suffice it to say that in certain Pendleton legal circle, Mor row County is referred to as "Spicer Country." The re mark is not intended as a compliment. As for Mr. McNerney, we can say this: we have observ ed him in trial. His trial skills are perfectly adequate. He is well organized and well pre pared. His courtroom manner is polite, straightforward and smooth. He is realistic about his cases, appreciating both their strong points and their weaknesses. He has been honest in his dealings with us; we can trust his spoken pro mise without having to resort to legal process (and its ex pense) in order to nail it down in writing. We fully realize the risk we are running in making this statement publically. If Ms. Spicer wins the forthcoming edal Geta 6 pack of Coke plus deposit with any filF-up of l 0 gallons or more thru Saturday ! HEPPNER CHEVRON COMMERCIAL COST An 80,000 GVW diesel-powered commercial vehicle driven 30,000 miles per year would pay an ad ditional $270 in taxes per year. $51,615 116,168 8,722 t 3,297 1352,297 Roadi, John Amort, Treasurer election we can expect to enjoy another four years of defense practice strained by personal antagonism. If that is to be the nature of the beast, so be it. We have followed our consciences and they are clear. Michael J. Sweeney, Valerie B Doherty Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 582 Heppner, Oregon Business Cards; 0 19 95 Gazette Times rer
