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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 1984)
TWO-Tke Heppner GateUe-Tlmes, Heppner, Oregon. Thnralay, June tt, 1W4 "it it fitful Kii Si 1 His last letter to G-T editor (?) The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the " County of Morrow GAZETTE-THMES Mmrrmw Coaaty'a HmHi Wavkty NawaataBHur 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) 678-9228. Address communications to the Heppner Gazette i jTimes, P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. 910 in Morrow, Umatilla, Wheeler & Gilliam counties : 1J elsewhere. David and April Sykes, Publishers Letters to the Editor Open letter to the public To the editor: Since the forming of Hep pner Economic Development Corporation in late 1982, it has become obvious bow import ant medical and hospital facil ities are to the economic and health needs of this commun- ity. We are taking this opportun ity to inform the General Public of some of the prob lems associated with the oper ation and financing of such a facility and medical staff. It is our intent to only commend those on the Hospit al Board and staff for the dedicated service they now provide which is often beyond the call of duty. In the past few years, the number of bed patients at the Hospital has declined. Along with this, of course, is a respective decline in the funds available for operation of the facility. The same support staff o f nurses, technicians, maintain ence people, cooks, secretar ies, and others are still requir ed with even a very few . patients. Doctors as well are under severe stress when they are on emergency call status for many hours, even after they have completed the regular business hours and made visit ations to the Hospital each day. We recently completed a survey of some 400 households in an effort to determine how many local residents go to other communities for med ical care. The survey showed quite a large number that do for varying reasons. Each one of these individ uals that does travel outside for these services, not only pays outside the area for the service, but it is estimated that while in the other com munity, they will spend an additional J50 to $100. These funds are then lost from the local economy in general, as well as from support of our much needed medical ser vices. The problem, however, goes much deeper than this. Whe ther we like it or not, our Hospital is in a declining status at present and needs all the help they can get from the public. One of the strong sugges tions is to find additional doctors who could work in the community with those exist ing in order to provide pat ients a wider selection. Some have suggested at least one with slightly different creden tials and one often mentioned is the possibility of sufficient personnel to provide minor surgery. We have no doubt that facil ities here will not provide for the speciality problems of some patients but feel strong ly that the majority could be handled by the facility. There has been discussion ' within the community that additional doctors would not lave sufficient patient num bers to provide adequate in come. We feel that from the result of our survey and from feed back from individuals, that this is not the case. Here are some interesting facts that indicate what is happening to the patient load at the hospital over the period 1980 to 1984, that affects rev enues dramatically. Throughout the same period of time, virtually all expenses of operation have increased. We have done some re search to attempt to deter mine the long term effects of patient activity at the Hospital . excluding the nursing home. Patient days has declined from a high of 2195 in 1981 to a low of 1782 in the 1982 with a slight increase after that. These figures, of course, are dictated somewhat by the se verity of illness, doctor opin ion on length of stay and many other factors but is the key factor upon which income for the hospital is generated. The major concern is the number of patients entering the hospital for care. The decline indicates that these services to at least some degree are being obtained elsewhere. Due to the method of payment by many of the medical carries, it has be come important that patient admissions are retained at maximum levels even though patient days may fluctuate. Ancillary services (labora tory, x-ray, etc.) are very dependent also upon the num ber of patients admitted; these services also provide revenue. Emergency patients often require these services the same as long term patients and often on a more acute basis. Some have taken the pos ition the hospital should be abandoned and the nursing home would continue to oper ate. This, However, would not entirely be the case. At the present, both highly qualified medical staff and facilities are available. Should the hospital be abandoned, nursing home patients requiring acute or urgent medical care, would have to be transported to a facility with proper personnel and support activities, even though some highly trained personnel are available to aid in some situations. Transporting nursing home patients by ambulance would mean the absence of the vehic le for emergency duty. Other services that might disappear are unknown at this time but they will surely be many. The membership of HEDC . has for a long time taken a position in support of the Hospital and of the need for additional doctors and medi cal services in the community. We have determined that there are large amounts of revenue leaving our area and that the lack of quantity and variety of medical aid is re sponsible for at least some of this occurrence. We have a dedicated hospital board of directors and staff and they and we desperately need the support of every person in the area. Please contact one of the Hospital Board members or the administrator and discuss your feelings on this most vital matter.' Administrate John Ochsner 676-9133 Board Members: Lavern VanMarter 676-5068 (home( 676-9183 (work) Renee Siminoe 676-5019 Fred Martin 422 7142 Gale Grill 481-7620 (home) 481-2011 (work) To the editor: Much to my wife's relief, this will probably be my last letter to the editor of the Gazette. Southern Morrow County -thanks for almost seven great years with you. Thanks espec ially for the great send off. Unfortunately, I find that af ter all the speeches and com pliments, none of my hats fit. I guess this is about the shortest letter I've ever writ ten the Gazette. Now, all I need to do is find the address of the newspaper in Prineville. (s)JohnMaas (Editor's note: Following is a copy of a letter mailed to the Rev. Mass.) Dear John : We at the Gazette-Times, are pleased to be able to help you in your search for the newspaper in Prineviiie. "The Central Oregonian" is publish ed twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays by James D. Smith at 558 N. Main. If you don't have time to go to the office, the phone number is 447-6205. The newspaper was estab lished in 1885 and last year had a paid circulation of 4.163. Happy letter writing. Truly yours, Sandra Kay Holtz Editor, Gazette-Times Engagements Gilbert French Open letter to parents To the editor: As the Heppner swim team coach, I believe there is a need to explain what the swim team program is all about. In the past few years there seems to have been a loss of interest in the program. I hope that I may clear up any misconcep tions you may have. The program is open to children from the age of six to 18. It doesn't matter if they don't know how to swim ; I'm here to teach as well as coach. The kids on the team are sort of like a family in itself, they learn discipline, dedica tion, sportsmanship and re spect for others. They make new friends, keep in good physical condition and stav. Sheriff's Report The Morrow County Sher iff's Office at the Morrow County Courthouse in Heppner handled the following business during the past week: On June 18, a Boardman Ambulance responded to a log truck accident on 1-84. Oregon State Police and LifeGaurd III also responded to the acci dent. On June 21, the Heppner Police Department and the Morrow County Sheriffs Of fice arrested David J. Steel man, 30, Boardman, on a charge of Assault IV. He was lodged at the Umatilla County Sheriffs Office jail. On June 22, the Morrow County Sheriff's Office arrest ed Crystal K. Papineau, 26, Lexington on a charge of Assault IV. She was released on her own recognizance. On June 23, a Boardman ambulance responded to a residence on Wilson Road. One female was transported to Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston. Also on June 23, the Morrow County Sheriff's Office and a Pioneer Memorial Ambulance responded to a motorcycle accident near Ruggs. David William Wright, 32, Condon was transported to Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner and then transferred via Life Guard III to St. Mary Hospital at Walla Walla. On June 25, the Heppner Police Department arrested Hugh Eric Hiatt, 19, Heppner, on warrants from the Hermis ton Police Department. Char ges included: Failure to Pay fine on a Minor in Possession and Disorderly Conduct. Hiatt was taken to Irrigon where Hermiston Police transported him to the Hermiston Safety Center. Also on June 25, the Board man Fire Department re sponded to a brush fire one half mile east of Tower Road on 1-84. Correction Last week's Gazette-Times had an error in the lone schools honor roll. Due to a submission error, seventh grader Michelle Beck was liste on the "B" honor roll, not the "A" honor roll. Con gratulations, Michelle for earning a spot on the "A" honor roll. out of trouble during the sum mer. (Also, they sleep good at night.) Many parents may -be hold ing thier kids back because of finances and don't realize that the kids don't have to go to all the meets. There are a few home meets and a lot of close meets that don't cost much, if any. I can wholeheartedly sympathize with you on those circumstances. I hope I have cleared up any misunder standings of such a fine pro gram. If you have any ques tions at all, please call me at 676-9781, 1 11 be glad to help. Sincerely, Lottie Laughlin Heppner Swim Team Coach 1 iL i Spruce Up SEAT COVERS Deadi & Bucket One & Two Piece Woven Blanket Design Vinyl or Cloth James and Rosemary French, Pendleton, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Lea, to Rick Allen Gilbert, Arlington, son of Bob and Lorene Montgomery, Heppner. A November 17 wedding is planned at Peace Lutheran Church in Pendleton. The bride-elect is a graduate of Pendleton High School and the Oregon Institute of Technology. She is currently employed as a cook at Burger Island. Gilbert is a graduate of lone High School and -Blue Mountain Community College. He is employed by Don Anderson Ranch at Arlington. Ci Births to Sifting through the Times Zackary Denver Wight - a son, Zackary Denver was born to Betty and Bob Wight, Her miston, June 19, 1984 at Good Shepherd Community Hospit al in Hermiston. He weighed 9 lbs. 12'? oz. Grandparents are Harry and Fay Green, Lexington. Honorary great-grandmother is Mrs. Harry Holt, CresweU. Nicholas B. Berthold a son, Nicholas, was bom to Tamie and Rodney Berthold of Mo sier, Oregon, June 18, 1984. He weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Claude Berthold. Mo sier; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laughlin, Heppner; and Wil liam Brannon, Alaska. G-T welcomes new employee K ' : to Years Ago Thursday, June27, 1974 Sherry Kemp was crowned queen of the 1974 Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Court. Citizens had organized to publicize the community's need for a doctor, and to circulate information about the hospital budget in an effort to attract another physician to the Heppner area. A week-old fawn which had fallen into a sump hole was rescued by nearby workmen. It was turned over to Oregon State Wildlife Commissioner Glen Ward. 25 Years Ago Thursday, June 25, 1959 A Sunday afternoon grass fire denuded an estimated 700 to 800 acres of grassland. Heppner and Morrow County Grain Growers fire equipment responded to tne lire which was believed to have been started by weed burning at the northwest edge of Heppner. Morrow County voters would be going to the polls the following Monday to vote on a second, revised school budget which was J25.000 lower than the original one which was badly defeated earlier in May. 50 Years Ago Thursday, June 28, 1934 "WO. Cox, manager of th Morrow County Creamery liv ed up to his promise and Joyce Hughes Joyce f .g. . . Lexington has assumed the duties of typeset ter at the Gazette-Times. She also works parttime at Gard ner's Men's Wear and teaches aerobics. She has two children, Trent, and Jaclynn. Her husband, Randy, is a rancher. Hospital Notes Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner admitted and re leased the following patients during the past week: Terry Gray, Heppner - ad mitted June 19, discharged June 20; Frances Smouse, lone - ad mitted June 19, released June 22; and James Cason, Heppner - ad mitted June 22, released June . 23. Minerva Denslinger, The ' Dalles, was admitted to the hospital Wednesday, June 20 and was still receiving care there as of presstime Monday. High quality diamonds. More than meets the eye. Which is why you should know afxxit the 4Cs. 7ny are the four characteristics that determine the quality and value of every diamond. i&4 A rs LLi Cut mathematical precision for maximum brilliance. Odor the best color is no color. Clarity the fewer the flaws, the better. Carat a measure of size. Diamonds, think quality first. A Consult us about the four characteristics that determine the quality of a diamond. Peterson's y&i Jewelers y Heppner fjf 676-9200 Quality diamonds j i urn quaii neu jewelers. wo"' CAD CADDY Convenient Pocket Storage for Your Pickup. Organize Your Tools & Things! w Heppner Auto Parts BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUCTIONEERS HOWARD SALMON AUCTIONEER 481-65G6 COMPLETE AUCTION SERVICE AUTO PARTS m HEPPfJER AUTO PARTS 234 N. Main Heppnor 676-9123 supplied free ice cream to all who attended the Willows Grange annual picnic at the H E. Cool farm near lone." Cox and County Agent C.W. Smith discussed how to get belter prices for butter and increase its consumption with grange members who attend ed the field day. Justice Court Report Justice Court at the Morrow County Courthouse in Heppner handled the following business during the past week: Sean T. Pena, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Exceeding the Maxi mum Speed, (70 mph in a 55 mph zone), $30 fine. Edwin Arnold Struthers, Lexington, Violation of the Basic Rule, (40 mph in a 25 tn zone), $26 fine. Herb Bessy, Heppner, Ang ling Closed Stream, to wit: Trout, $29 fine. Calvin B. Catlett, Prineville, Angling a Gosed Stream, To wit: Trout, $29 fine. Jackie L. Mikesell .Heppner, No Operator's License, $11 fine. George John Anthony Van Rijn, Sherwood, Exceeding the Maximum Speed, (70 mph in a 55 mph zone), $57 bail forfeited. Terry Lee Riddle, Heppner, Excessive Tire Noise, $21 fine. CARPENTRY' WAYNE BOURRIE, GENERAL CONTRACTOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REMODELING CONCRETE WORK, CABINETS. CERAMIC THE FREE ESTIMATES 676-5231 ANYTIME DENTISTRY Heppnor Dental Offico T.F, Alexander, D.D.S. R.L. Hibbert, D.M.D. Mon., Tum. & Thixv 9 a m. 5 p m Id Intaritotf) Bank Bldg 676-9118 ELECTRICIAN ottutaln.rfWrf Im4liil, Ummvtui. 'xHinl I Mmliid tt ft TomW.lborn Pi 878-5252 FLOOR COVERING r ii t d rinnn rtwitown w kvvn vw fcriif Urdtn Wty Corpet, Linoleum, 676-9418 Ceramic Ti,e- Kitchen fffr y Htfpnr Cobinets, Counter Tops FURNITURE ' CASE FURNITURE Heppnor Carpet, Linoleum, Counter Tops Installed Beauty Rest Mattresses, Fabrics and Accessories, Sherwin Williams Paint INSURANCE UVIJNK VuiMAK tl J, jA. HOWARD BKYANT KOIJI HT KAMI MARIANNE KAMI. MEDICAL SUPPLIES MEDICAL CENTER PHARMACY ifmt VaJ. Svit on P'enp'iorn, Moipikjl SupplKt Mon ft, 9 io 6 Sol o lo 1 4 Located in the Medical Center 1100 Southgate, Pendleton 276-1531 OIL PRODUCTS Chevron DEllfJ OIL M CO. MC. 676-9633 - CHEVRON PRODUCTS 5 , . 4fJ PETTYJOHN OIL COMPANY lUIHil farm Chemicals IV1DII Serving 3 Counties Petroleum Products Phone: 422-7254 4 i
