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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 10, 1984)
tlOM r-The iirppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregoa, Thnrtdy, May 10, MM Iffine IFiiffttlln Qiaairtteir Sports by Mike Oths "Who do you think they'll take?" That question hat been heard quite a bit recently among Blazer fans, as the NBA prepares to make its annual coin flip for rights to the first choice in the draft of college basketball players. As most Pertlzrd fsss kr.e by new, the SUaers (haviug acquired the choice of the Indiana Pacers in a trade) will flip against the Houston Rockets for the right to make the first selection. Should the Blazers win the flip, it appears certain that they will select Akeem Olajuwon, the seven-foot Nigerian center from the University of Houston, It's interesting to note that no one has this year mentioned the fact that Olajuwon is not an American citizen. Last year, the papers wer full of the point that since Akeem the Dream was only in the U.S. on a student visa, that he was not legally permitted to remain if he dropped out of school. I'm not sure how this problem has been resolved, but it doesn't apparently concern anyone involved. If you know the answer to this one let me know. It's hard to argue with the choice of Olajuwon. He is the dominant big man available in the draft, and would appear to be the center that Blazer fans, management and players have claimed to need for years, (seven to be exact). An interesting thought here: Will the Rockets draft Olajuwon if they win the flip? If it was anyone but the Rockets, you'd be inclined to say not. They already have Ralph Sampson on the club, and the addition of a player of the caliber of Michael Jordan would guarantee that Houston would own two players who seem destined to be perennial all-stars. The problem for Houston is that Olajuwon is such a popular player with Houston fans. Having gone to college in the same town, he would be an enormous draw at the gate. Regardless, if I owned the Rockets, I'd almost be inclined to root against winning the flip. Were the Rockets to win the flip and then not draft Akeem, the fans would riot; were they to lose, and then - draft Jordan, they could chalk it up to bad luck. The bigger question for the Blazers is bow to draft if they - lose the flip. The talk has been that Sam Bowie would be the choice, but there are several considerations. Bowie is not the enforcing big man that the Blazers claim to need. Olajuwon and Ewing are, Bowie is not. Jordan, on the other hand, is one of the finest basketball players around. He can play almost anywhere, and has the kind of talent that virtually guarantees that be will be premier player. Bowie is demonstrably injury-prone; Jordan is not. So what may make the choice? Two things. If the Blazers become convinced that Jim Paxson is definitely leaving, then Jordan becomes a logical man to try to fill the bole. Also there is the little matter of Olympic basketball. Paxson will become a free-agent at the end of the playoffs. Thereafter, he could sign an offer sheet with another team. Once be does so, the Blazers only have fifteen days to retain him. The problem : If they sign Paxson before signing their draft pick, then they can only pay the draft pick $75,000 per year. If they sign the draft pick first, then they can match any offer for Paxson. Why does this affect the Olympics? Because the NBA has agieed not to sign Olympic players before the . Games. Jordan will be on the Olympic team ; Bowie will not. Therefore, Bowie could be signed in time to save Paxson; maybe not true for Jordan. As far as anyone knows, Olajuwon will not be playing for Nigeria's Olympic team. Therefore, the best thing that could happen would be for the Blazers to win the flip, sign Olajuwon, then match any offer for Paxson. Sure it will cost big bucks maybe a few more to get Akeem to sign quickly but it seems like a fair payoff to the fans who have bought every seat in the Coliseum for the last eight years. Transportation Commission receives bids The Oregon transportation Commission was to receive bids Thursday, April 26 for 17 projects throughout Oregon, states a news release from the Oregon Department of Trans portation. The project proposed for Morrow County oil mat on the Dobbs visits Heppner Jeanne Huston Dobbs, form er Heppner beautician, arriv ed in Oregon last weekend from her home in Maui, Hawaii. Jeanne is visiting son Bob Dobbs in Portland, sister Jane Rawlins and other family members in Heppner and daughter Shirley Gray and family in Pendleton. Jeanne and Shirley and Shirley's son Treve are going to Salem to attend Tawnie Gray's graduation from Wil lamette University on Sunday, May 13. Jeanne will be in Oregon until June 5. She plans to attend the Morrow County Pioneer Reunion in Heppner on May 27. Aerobic Clothes -kCaps Slippers T-shirts it Purses it Socks "k Shoes for work, play & dress. HHS golfers lose to RHS By TRAVIS HYATT The Heppner golf team had their first meet at Heppner last Thursday, May 3 in a two-team meet with River side. The greens were in good shape as were the fairways. "Best condition the course has been in all year," said Kevin Kennison. The boys team lost to River side who had 323 strokes to Heppner's 340. Dave Green was medalist for the tourney with an 11 over 71. Jon Mit chell was third with a 75, Keith Kenison 87, Ken Curtis 90 and Kevin Hughes 113. The JV team was led by Kevin Kenison (89), Travis Harrison (93), Jon Kenny (100), and Marion McMillan chipped in with a 132. "1 was pleased with the golfers performance, particul ar both the Kenisons both carding personal lows. Also Apne has been turning in consistently lower scores," said Coach Duane Neiffer. "Dave Green had it not been for a seven on one hole would have shot in the sixties, and hopefully will this Thursday against Enterprise and Joseph at Heppner." The girls team also finished second with a total of 221 strokes. Anne McLaughlin was co-medalist with a 44, followed by Dana Reid 52, Jodi Mattison 56, and Carla Miles 69. Bids opened for Port work A bid opening was held Mon day, April 30 at the Port of Morrow offices at Boardman. Opened were rebids for con struction of the new Terminal 3 docking facility to be located near Messner Bay east of the Docken Bean Plant. Plans call for construction of a support system for an over head crane and rails, roll on-roll off ramps and rat walk sections Morrow County Talent Night held Music in a light hearted, bouncy mood performed by in dividual and group acts from Morrow County Schools enter tained Monday evening, April 30, at Columbia Junior High in Irrigon. Jim Acklev. music director for C.J.H. and A C, Houghton Elementary co-ordinated a pro gram which included entries from Heppner Elementary and Junior High and from A.C. Houghton and C.J.H. Directing the Heppner group was Kitty Coon, vocal music instructor for grades K-12. Students sang, danced and played instruments to a cheer ing audience. "We hope this kind of program can continue each year on a revolving school basis," Ackley said. . i CT A -" l. t a si P 4v I ' 4 ll.Jw II I - iin i in iiiTiiinr -fi&J i M - . I - :- .1 . 1 . f i r i m m -! r rr f ml plus turning and berthing dol phins. Bids ranged from $475,000 to $555,342 with Johnson Bros. Construction Co. of Pasco the apparent low bidder. According to Port Manager, Wayne Schwandt, bids came In lower than anticipated. Bids earlier this year included dred ging and an overhead Gantry crane. In a separate bid Monday on concrete work for the dock, low bid was submitted by Upper Columbia River Construction, also of Pasco at $42,500. Bids for concrete work topped out at $50,000. Contract awards will be made May Sand the Port is looking for a late summer or early fall finish date Schwandt said. mlssloncrs' meeting May 9. Schwandt said the tank will be signed with Port of Morrow logo r under a separate contract. "The tank will be operational at the latest, August 1, when the processing plants resume but we anticipate a sooner comple tion," Schwandt said. Schwandt who is also presi dent of the Oregon Public Ports Association attended an annual meeting of some 120 statewide ports representatives in Astoria on April 27. He said the meeting focused on state land board issues and how Ports Interact with the board which Is comprised of the governor, secretary of state and state treasurer. A panel of four candidates for state land board positions dis cussed land board Issues. In- Arwithnr hiH ntwaninif wa hjI4 on Wednesday, April 25 for the c,udef on Pncl werf J'na painting of the newly construc ted two million gallon water tank located in the Port Indus trial area. The tank will serve More Heppner students dressed greasers sing "Bop-Shu -op." as Fonzi "Happy Days" Heppner sixth graders sing dance in the background. 'Hoedown" while four members Y fresh water for potato proces sing plant tenants. In bids ranging from $47,500 to as high as $97,985., apparent low bid was submitted by The Thomas Co. Inc. of Spokane, "The four bottom bids were very close," said Schwandt. He plans to award the contract this week. The tank is being built and painted according to American Water Workers Association (national) standards for potable water. An outside color will be de termined at the next Port com- i J .. - I . 2 1 BUSINESS FORMS All kinds Gazette-Times CJH Swing Choir does "Alright." tor Jim Gardner and Rep. Donna Zajonc, both candidates for state secretary. Also inclu ded were Rep. Grattan Kevans and incumbent Bill Rutherford both running for state trea surer's office. Another panel including Del Isham, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and Jane Cease, chairman of the House Transportation Com mittee discussed transportation issues, Schwandt said. The most important issue for Ports dealing with the State Land Use Board is fill and removal permits for work in navigable waterways like the Columbia River said Schwandt. "People who sit on the board have a real impact on the ports," he said. A significant accomplishment of the conference Schwandt said was a legislative program to deal with bills directly affecting state ports In the coming legis lature. Also representing the Port of Morrow at the conference were Bob Miller, operations manager and Port Commissioners Paul Jones, LeKoy Gardner and Chairman Louis Carlson. -I II V: .' . M "Gotta Sing" says choir from CJH. Pieper Canyon-Hep pner Sec tion of the Heppner Highway, between Lexington and Hep pner. The estimated cost of the project is in the $100,000 to $250,000 range. The Dept. of Transportation specifies that the project is to be completed by July 31, 1984. 5 '1 Glenn Carpenter, CJH, plays a piano version of "Fame." IPre-imwemtoTp CLOSE OUT On Selected Items -Good Savings for You & Your Family! Wlmrmzi County rain rower Lexington 989-8221 1-800- 452-7396 GAZETTE-THMES IPirnnml SGnciDp Complete Printing Services For Your Home Or Business See Us For O Statements o Wedding Invitations O Multi-part Forms o Business Cards O Stationery o Envelopes o Flyers i O Posters O Register Receipts tJliC COMPUTER SUPPLIES Continuous Statements Continuous Letterheads For Word Processing Checks Invoices i A - - f GAZET Estimates Gladly Given The Heppner Jl UmJ TIMES Call 676-9220 sssssssssssss t i is Shoes for every walk of life V L., ) ; - , fy
