TWO-Tke Heppner GateUe-Tlmes, Heppner, Oregon. Thnralay, June tt, 1W4
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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
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