Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 1989)
• •* • . »«MWftf ■;• . •. ■> .. ♦ •' * « » : . .•*.*• i v f - -» * • •/ . »V I * f- ' : -- * / • • &mL, K H R - Heppner Gazette-Time«, Heppner, Oregon W td n n d iy , February 15, IHW 9 Money does not make better teacher The Official Newspaper of (he City of Heppner and the County of Morrow ■ ■ !■ ■ ■ The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Morrow County’■ Home-Owned Meekly Newspaper U S P S 240-420 P u M k M esrry H « 4 m 4 ( t and n U ir td a* t o a d riaa» m m m It u P M Offlr* 1 H rpfm er. O n g o a M i r lb* Art a t M arch I . If7 * S a n a * claa» po*tag* pmtd al Hrpfm rc. O r c r » (MTtr* m 147 H m V M *,. S U M . TtWyttoa* (M Jl * 7 » .* 2 3 \ i k l t n a , utiw nuiw al mmw 1« lb* H «p|M * ( M l * T M , P.O . B o. W 7. IWyt» n*r. Oregon »7114 Sul»> rtpCfcMM SI2 la M orrow . M h erirr. I d H a a and l.raM < 'lu n lln , U J r i m h n t . J " > « Mug!**» ................................................ ( XTVr M aaaarc. T rpm attlag I*'ana Hail ................................................................................................. S a n » M a r M arl* S ln itb v n ......................................................................... (.rap tu re D rpartm rnl (.a ll H a p m ra u ............................................................................. (.rap tu re O rpartm cal B«*h» I » a m .................................................................................................... Dtalrlbwlloo David and April Sykes, Publishers Letters to the Editor Some teachers are opening their files • « ./ - * *M». I [• i-.t !.•* • ?■ • *' ’ A '* r. •• •*•'*.* *■ • • 'r n ..I .S< . • » « < - V V .' ■ > .( ' * 4 . » J* 11 * # , l r i ^ - 7 v* ' 5 J r • ' f ^ To the Editor Dear friends of Morrow County Teachers are opening their files Whal docs this mean? It means that some of the most talented of Mor row County arc linking for new jobs in other places I hear words such as. “ I refuse to live my life under stress," or "if they think I have done nothing for kids, then I'm leaving " I hear people say. “ the people value the schools but they don't like teachers " Without teachers you on ly have buildings There has been a lot of talk about the United Stales being bought by japan People of Morrow County, let me tell you how professionals are paid in Japan They are the highest paid public servants Their pay is higher than or equal to that of engineers Here in the United States schixil teachers arc the lowest paid professional Everyone has a different idea of what should be cut Cut the teachers, cut the computers, cut the ad ministralors. cut the band, cut the sports, cut the buses, cut the old teachers, cut the music, cut the new teachers, cut the art teachers, cut the Morrow County residents, we just cut education Please take a careful look and begin to evaluate what type of program and what type of teacher you want leaching your children and your grandchildren I heard one parent say, "I don't care if they bum the damn books " This is a very sad statement This country was based on freedom and on education I’m praying that fairness and responsibility returns to Morrow County It is people just like you (hat ultimately decide the fate of teachers, education, and our future values Ask questions and seek answers because (here is more at risk than a 4 5% cost of living raise The board has sent you several so called newsletters I call them laven dar flies because they are full of er rors, misconceptions and just seem to buz/, buzz, buzz Yes. that district office is right. 0.1 1% is quite modest and is also quite ridiculous They have known about (he Sam Boardman roof and about the asbestos problem for years They testified under oath that "the district does not claim an inability to pay It is unwilling to p » y " Our school board says their salary scale is comparable Yes, it is for beginning teachers, but they forgot to mention the middle of the salary scale I would make approximately $2,000 more in Hermiston or Pendleton with fully paid insurance I can not lake a $50 per month cut in pay this year and probably $50 more the following year I ask the parents of the 400 kids that I have taught, kissed and loved to stand up and he counted Please come and question the Board February 16 and February 2 1 Love (s) Kay Dawson Mandatory ‘fair share" is denial of freedom of choice To the Editor I want to express thanks to the school board for their information note dated February 8, on fair share (agency \ht>pl It is important that we citizens have an understanding of this issue Only a small percentage of the dues to the NEA is used to develop educational programs Most of the money is used to promote the political and social agenda ol the NEA There must be a great many teachers who do not support the pro grams the union sponsors To force people to finance programs they can not morally endorse is certainly a denial of freedom of choice I hope the people of this county will back the school board on the issue of tair share We need to guard carefully (he individual's right to choose in this area (si C’omne Miles Heppner The Adventures of (irazeldu & Clem ... (After Hours) •<V-: L t ‘ .*»• * *,4« vis/, V ** * % • . . v* ' ! />«*V l , » . ■ \ xXH T J M ' '. V . / •; ^ L .V rV ’f ' >•.<:: >* r * ft * l I v»*» .? , * * v /fc •» " r . “ *, * ># ‘ I ;. ^ ■7£ 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Clem Cn>onrd 'Hey. Gra/elda, How About shooten on down to M lllr r 'a Mini M art A t lio s r o n and pickin me up some bath soapr (¡m:ehhi #uv/ir</. "0h boy. Clem, I did nt think you would ever get that water thawed out so I could take a nice hot bath!" Clem Chirped "Ha! Ha! Gra/elda, I did nt get the water thawed out. but I have a better idea tbu go on out and get you some snow start you a tire. H ey (> raze Ida, what are you gonna do with that baseball bat?”. ............... fo r PLUMBING * % 1 ■ 1 j -■-V '.. k ! *JL - » • ' 1 • * * % V» V • A V ' .1' ,-* ■ . A D uK * 4 i i ■-* • _ ‘ 1 'V *r 1. i . { Ù t- money does not buy a better educa law Nor does money make a poor teacher better Upon graduation the young people have proven this point Ask some of your local employers W’hat we have in Morrow County is a very low income base standard Many of the farm workers work for S7 per hour and less This is pover ty level Also quite a few of good salary persons that work in Morrow County live in Umatilla County A good many years ago. I chose my profession and I stayed with it. good and poor There was periods my wages were exit I accepted that and if I feh I could do better at times. I chose to move on and try for something better With an open mind you will understand my message (s) Murray Findlay Boardman S h e riff’s Report Road Report The Sheriff"s office at the cour thouse in Heppner reports dispai ching the following business during the past week Feb 6 Morrow County Sheriff s office dispatched the Heppner am bulance to a residence on Linden Way One female was transported to Pioneer Memorial Hospital. Morrow County deputy in vestigated a possible assault IV domestic that occurred outside of Ir- rigon No arrests were made at this time; Morrow County deputy began in vestigation of a missing horse This occurred at Eastern Oregon Farm» Details were unknown at this time Feb 7: Morrow County SherifTs office received a report of a careless driver incident on February 6 outside of Heppner City Limits on the Pilot Rock Highway. Feb 8 Morrow County dispatch cd a deputy to a report of an acci dent at Cutsforth Corners on Highway 207 Deputy did not make contact with the driver but is still in vcstigatmg the accident Feb y Morrow County deputy arrested Donald Harry Coilins, 50, of Heppner. on an Albany Warrant lor Assault IV and Criminal Trespass II Subject posted bail, was given a court date and released Feb 10 Morrow County dispat chcd the Arlington ambulance to the high school parking lot where a ten year old hoy had been hit by a car He was taken to Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston Feb 11 Morrow County Shcritf s office dispatched the Boardman fire department to a fire on F Colutn bia Blvd A Boardman officer was on the scene. Morrow County deputy respond ed to West Kun/c Road outside of Boardman in reference to a report of suspicious circumstances The area was found to be scvurc. investigation is continuing. Morrow County deputy began the investigation into the criminal mischief complaint filed involving a damaged mailbox Victim is K k hard Hruhn of Irrigon; Morrow County Sheriffs office dispatched the Boardman fire depart mrnt to a report of fire at the Board man Baptist Church, Morrow County Sheriffs office assisted Boardman Police depart ment in arrest of a Boardman male for Assault IV. Morrow County deputy assisted Boardman officer with a civil matter. Morrow County deputy respond ed to S Paul Smith Road outside of Boardman to report of a loud party and several individuals driving rapidly and recklessly Feh 12 Morrow County depuiy assisted Boardman Police depart ment with a reported burglary at a business on Marine Drive in Boardman During the week of Feb 6-13. Morrow County did not assist any disabled molorisis The crusher has been moved to Upper Rhea Creek, located on Shirley Ruggs There will be ap proximately 20.000 yards of rock crushed to be used for the sub base on the Rhea Creek. Bassig Canyon Project, plus other needs for roads in the immediate area The plan is to move the crusher back to Willow Creek by nud March for the con^slc tion of rock crushing for the Willow Creek Project Die reconstructuin of Paul Smith Road, in Boardman. has started The pipe laying for the irrigation ditch has been completed Dus work was contracted and the County Road Crew is to do the reconstructKin of the road The paving will be con tracted later Open weather has allowed the continuance of road blading and graveling Pot hole patching is being done, along with the replacement of several road signs W inter arrived this past week with snow, wind and below normal temperatures, keeping the road department busy plowing snow and sanding roads Strong winds caused drifting in some areas making those roads a priority All roads have been open ed up With the long cold and low temperatures, load limit posting will be going into effect as warmer temperatures arrive in order to keep road breakup to a minimum The road department is asking for and will appreciate the*cooperation from all a minty road users during the period of time load limits are on Feel free to call with any questions or concerns. 676-d06l Justice Court Report The Justice Court office at the courthouse annex in Heppner reports handling the following business dur ing the past week Virginia Lynne Olson. Umatilla Illegal U Turn. $17 fine. Brian Robert Bonallo. Richland, WA Exceeding the Maxi mum Speed. 70 mph in a 55 mph zone, $S7 bail forfeited; Danny Dean ( fglcsbcc. Heppner I xceeding ihe Maximum Speed. 65 mph in a 55 mph zone. $26 bail forfeited; David Flanagan. Irrigon Assault IV. $287 fine and one year proha lion, attend mental health counseling * Galvanized, PVC, CPVC ABS, Copper Faucets, Valves, Drains Water Heaters, Supply Tubes, W ashers Toilets & Parts - Tools \Ye Cut and Thread Pipe Vi" to 2 " Soi» I k F o r l o u r l o o d s A Plan for Settlement We've had occasion to review some of the factors in the current school teacher contract dispute and have our own plan for settlement We know that it will not meet with the wholehearted approval of either the teachers nor the hoard hut that's the peril they run when they fail to settle the issue between themselves and resort to taking their case to the public. A couple of factors that figure in the formula The hoard u hacked by "zero” increase budget by reason of _________________ _ the voters' rejection of an operating budget increase All the hate and nas ty things teachers have leveled at the hoard pass right on through to the voters who voted "n o " and that's a majority of them On the other hand, the district does have some exceptionally good teachers who are paid far less than they sfmmikl he Experienced, well educated teachers arc paid less than similar teachers in most districts of the state and Morrow County stands to lose its best teachers lor that reason Until we demand a merit pay system, we will continue to overpay the medi<xre and underpay the best If we d»*n'l at least stay competitive w ith the rest of the state, we will attract and accumulate the poorer part of the lot and our schools will deteriorate in quality As that becomes more rvi dent to our taxpayers, they will continue to reject our budget requests which will nuke competitive salaries more and more difficult It's a never cn ding spiral Three years ago. the teachers and the district negotiated a contract which provided for substantially greater increases on the lower end of the scale than on the upper For example, a teacher that started in |dH4 at $14,278 now earns $|U,708. an increase of 38% while a teacher with 23 years of experience earned $27,715 in IM84 and $31.176 today . an increase of on |y 12 5% In that same period of time, the Portland CPI rose 11.5% and Social Security benefits increased by 16 1% Experienced teacher» had less than a "fixed" income but younger teachers' salaries went up faster than the cost of living to reflect their greater skills gained through greater experience (about 6% per year) The idea three years ago was to increase the salary schedule more heavily al the low end to attract the best of the new teachers and it succeeded in making our Id88 8U beginning salaries competitive with neighboring districts and about midway among districts across the state The plan this year was to make it up with heavier increases on the high end in ordci to keep the best of those new teachers And we need to do |ust that Somehow that plan has been lost along the way. Our suggested settlement looks like this: For 1 *>88-8** wc would increase salaries as follows: Teachers with fewer than eight years cxpcricnce-0% , teachers with 8 to 12 years experience I % ; teachers with 13 to 14 years experience-2^ teachers with more than 14 years experience 5% For |U84-M0 and UO-UI Increase all positions by the change in the Cost of Living Index Dus schedule would correct the imbalance between beginning and more experienced teachers that now exists and would assure all teachers that inflation would not actually reduce those salaries in years to come. On other issues wc suggest Allow a modest inc rease in professional travel allowances, continue the present scheme of the district paying 95% of insurance premiums, with teachers paying 5% but allowing the district to shop for insurance car riers. and continue the present language regarding temporary teachers and professional education requirements We would noi require "fair share" payments from teachers who arc not union members About halt the teachers would be involved in the "zero" bracket, bui that's ihc halt thal appear to he competitively paid now The hall lhai would have some percentage increase arc the very half that now appear under paid hy comparison with surrounding districts and the slate as a whole We think the announced failure of either side to reach agreement on their own has invited proposals from far and wide We are glad to have had the opportunity In this n'orld o f uncertainty Hi’ two have found each other... different yet alike Hf have grown together in love and understanding. Shirlev Reddm and Don Majeske invite you to share in the jo y o f their marriage on Saturday, February 25. Nineteen hundred and eighty m m at two o'clock in the afternoon First Ijilherun Church 214 North Fourth Street St Helens. Oregon C o u rt Stri»i»t M arkt»! CHECK OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES WHERE YOUR DOLLAR MAKES MORE CENTS Assorted Cut Fork Chops Round Steak Corn King Bar-S Celery Fresh W ilderness We Can Save You MONEY on Your Auto, Home, Farm, Business and Life Insurance. Call... Cherry Pie Filling 21 o r $ |S O Broccoli Western Family, individually sliced e«r _ '•Sä?* ^ Cheese 1 2 0/ Hi ppm r* VV»*stern Family Frozen ‘Month!) ftnmenn iwiduble'' 9 ir%t We can hel . 9 9 * ea , 3 **„iu»dfP. Coke- 7 up- I)r. Pepper P ric e s £ o o d Feb. 1 6 th . - 2 0 th OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - 7 A M - 6 P M C o u rt [‘ I I I I N Court Heppner UX3 r* •>*, # 9 V Whipped Topping 8 oz 12 (lack cans BOB PLOMIAK 676-5818 Mushrooms h oz pkg Fresh Western Family ». a»’ * l7* 39 V J 9 V 59 V • I 4*« Halil extra lean-whole Fresh-Crisp Soma dinosaurs war# no btggar than chickant ara today 2 lb a. 79 V Braunsweiger Pork Chops French Fries •*/ * 1 « , Boneless COAST TO COAST YOUR SOURCE *V *'f 1 ' } i,* , To the Editor Could you please pul my editorial in your paper Regarding our school teacher or instructor salary problems in Morrow County. Various letters in our papers seem to blame the school board, others remark the teachers is problem First and foremost the teachers are employees of Morrow County The employers is the registered voters and in general land owners The school hoard is acting on informa twin they have gathered from the employers Our conditions and times in the county is not good Plus the present taxes that is paid now is more than the people can handle The allowable 6 percent inc rease for eac h year is too much of a tax increase This is a law that has to he changed al once Also looking at the past we note M a rk e t 67h 9M.3 1 «•
