Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1989)
Gazette-Tinte* Heppner. O r. FOUR M; f . ' : W, M rh 15. I W Parent expresses gratitude for teachers professionalism miring strike The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow ►««.. — The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES . > Morrow County ’» Home-Owned Weekly Newspaprr U S P S 240-420 riiM U a n l rtrry SSrdrmdx> and rntrrrd m mtomd-cimm m adrr a, Ik* Paw ( MTka al H ip p a rr. (Irapoa aadcr th* Art of M arrk J. 1174 Srraa# rtaaa p a l ap paid at Hrppaar. Orapaa (MTka al 147 Waal VSUto, Straw Id rp lin a , (M Dl * 7 * . « » Addr aat rnaiwaalrWlnai to Ika Hrppatr ( .a u t lr I lata* P .O . Box M 7. I in-p a rr Oregon *7tM . Sakarrtptlnaa: t i t la M o r m . SSW rlrr . I .dltont aad (>raol (usual*. U 3 d a a t a n J o jt r H a g h ta ............................................................. . (MTlra Managrr. T tprertlto* INaaa Bad ............................................................................................ S t a i I d a « Marla Stnatfccn ...................................................................... (» r apktr i Ifevarlmrat Gad Papin rau .......................................................... (.rapkkr Itrparlinrnl H«k> Kama........................................................................... OUtrttwIlMi Letters to the Editor • I. Auction items needed to continue celebration good, but this year with only a cou To the Editor Each year the town of Heppner turns green for the annual St Patrick’s Day festivities Many people take pari and enjoy the celebration, not only as a tribute to our area's Irish heritage, hut also as a sign of the coming of spring in Morrow County But as with most things, it takes money to pul on (he St Patrick's Day Celebration, and one of the big sources of money is the annual auction. Donations from the community for last year'« aurtirtfl were very ple of day* left until the celebration very few items have come in We need donations of items to auction Time is running out We will be printing our auction list Enday mor ning If you have item* you can donate to the St Patrick's Day auc tarn, please call me al 676-9226 We will make arrangements to pick up your items, and you will he helping the celebration Your support is very much appreciated (s) Pat Sweeney Auction Chairman General obligation bond placed before the people >)k.. '* v L ' 9 * t / ' ..î ,*■. y ■ ■ J'-* # V •/ f « îj ‘ . ■ \ ; ’>• 4 .' * , V ’ - y . -A - > .< 1 ‘ ,</-?>*■■ .. [ #. • :v . * ' r yvv ; • v v 4 a r -,»« f?/ v K * 4 ' • i f - V ' î* ’ 7 * ' • -. f " 1 > W K r> • To the Editor: Today, March 15, is a historic day for our nation's 27 million veterans ll marks ihe transition of their agen cy. the Veterans Administration, to the Department of Veterans Allairs ami elevates VA to the President's Cabinet In making this change. Congress ami the President recognized what we in the VA have long known military veterans (who with their families, constitute a third of our population) deserve representation at our highest level of government Their contribution lo our way of life and their needs influence people ami events far beyond the hounds of "veterans affairs ” Veterans arc served by the na lion's largest hospital system which plays vital national roles in medical education ami research Veterans buying homes through the VA guaranteed home loan pro gram are a major economic force in the national real estate, home building and mortgage lending industries Veterans continue to he a ma|or force in (he financing of higher education through their participation in popular Gl Bill education assistanee programs We at the Department of Veterans Alfairs welcome today's historic- change ami are proud to be part of the nation's newest Cabinet depart ment Our employees will mark the day the best way we know -by do ing our |obs and serving veterans with renewed pride ami dedication After all. it’s their special day i SI Ji-rrs ( I SK k.n- U S Department of Veterans Affairs Portland • - V . 'v > - COAST TO COAST Keeps Heppner Green » 4 ' -y» t ‘ f * # f 9 * /• ">v% V v > ' .Vi. 4 a • t ' r ’ » Îf4> pari of the county The idea came out of Port Commission meeting in Ixx- ington and was supported by persons in attendance from the Heppner, Ixxington and lone area To he assured that a timely location of in dustry can he made upon applica lion, it is necessary for the Port lo own the land to insure that the pro perty is zoned industrial It is also necessary for area citizens to agree in advance, which site they would prefer be dcvcl«»pcd and to com municate that to the Port prior to purchase of any site The approximate cost o f 70c per thousand seems like a bargain for a chance to generate some industrial growth in our area (hat would pro ducc jobs, benefit schools and com rnumty and also share the tax burden We believe the bond issue deserves a yes vote, March 28 (s) John L. Bristow Chairman lone Community. Agri Business Organization March 15 is historic day for Veterans î-« v ; 7 V S. f . . ‘ » -Ty; y ^ > : *4 H To the Editor On March 28 a Port of Morrow general obligation bond for $750.000 will he placed on the hall,a for a vote of the people This bond levy, if approved, would add approximately 7(K per th<Nivind dollars of assessed property evaluation to our current tax hill The levy would occur over a number of years to he determined by the op portunities of (he bond market hut the period would not exceed 20 years A portion of the levy w ill go to stabilize the eroding shoreline al the Pori of Morrow However, the iiu|<>r share of the Kind levy w ill he used to stimulate industrial develop ment in the county One of the important features of this bond issue is $50.(XX) dollars f,»r the acquisition improvement of land for an industrial site in South Mor row County This will he the first ef fort by the Port to acquire property to develop industry in the southern S & iu t4 > teacher can make in a confuted child's life Knowing | send my children to school to he in the capable ami loving arms of Pal Ed- mumlson and Karen Dubuque each day has made my life so much easier As parents and concerned com munity members, we must get in volved and solve this issue A fair and just settlement has lo come ihxii before anything like this ever hap pens again Ixts all put our hurt and anger aside and work together to heal our community Our childrens' future is al stake (s) Toni Watne Many roads have been traveled David and April Sykes, Publishers ♦ / To the Editor: With all the pain, confusion and anger the teachers strike in Morrow County has caused. I just want to ex press my gratitude to our teachers in Heppner for their professionalism during this difficult tune. Die pain they are feeling as dedicated teachers is quite apparent to all who make the effort to talk to them They don’t enjoy one minute of this strike, hut just want a fair set tlement and to get the respect they so justly deserve As a newly single mother of two elementary children. I can't begin to express what a difference a loving ¿/¿p y b u r .* i % . & . •* i * • ■. ^ / » i* • : . » ■ . •»•:'•; v v - y , . * V i ^v « • , ' 1 1 i, f r * /» • i e *7 ■* rJy To the Editor In my life, I have traveled on many roads Both in the literal and figurative sense There have been the Irccways and one-way*, the smooth roads and rough roads, the paved roads ami dirt roads These roads have led me to many places Safe and secure places, like home, and (he not so secure, unknown Allow me to describe the last mad I travel ed It had m> name al the time, hut now. I would like to name it the Road of Nonpartisipation The Road of Nonparticipation I traveled by choice I chose to not participate in my professional organization* I chose to not he as involved in cximmunity orgumzaiions and affairs I chose lo not participate in furthering my education I chose to not listen to opposition or get in volved with politics This was a smooth, one way road The scenery was attractive, ami the weather was always sunny I Icamctl some things while traveling down this road I had no interaction with others I had mi voice I created no change I am on a mad now Its name I will Hcprncr let you decide Dm mad also has its attractive scenery, hut it's not so smooth, and the destination is m* so secure It is a two-way mad ami there are others traveling it in the ojv posite dircctHXi Once again. I travel this ruad in the direction of my choice I accept responsibility for my choice ami do not begrudge those traveling in the ,xher direction their choice Bui rather. I value their deci sion to be on the same mad As travelers on this road, we may he in opposition, hut wc have a few things in ciMnmon We have interaction w ith tXhers and each ixher We have a voice We are creating change To those of you who chose to read my letter. I ask you to lake a look at the mad you are traveling Is it the road you want to he on? I an you ac cept respnsihihty for yixir choice? lake I have said. I have traveled hixh roads, and I have made my choice. In the words of Robert Frost. "And that has made all the difference " Respectfully submitted, (s) Sarah Carlson Science Teacher. Heppner Junior High Step increase does not replace wage increase To the Editor The Morrow County School Board has been leading people to believe that a "slep increase" is the same as a wage increase A step in crease docs not replace a wage in crease Teachers become more valuable to the disrict with every year of experience A step increase is designed stale wide as small com- pensaiion for this, as it docs not compare with current cost of It* ing To get a substantial step increase, however, teachers arc required to in vest their own money and tunc into extra schooling In addition, our most experienced teachers (15 + years) no longer get slep increases, yet they still niue invest in additional schooling There arc 42 teachers in Morrow County who have already reached this point Three years ago, beginning salaries were so low the District was finding it difficult lo recruit The District raised the base salary , hut veteran teacher s salaries were left below average Al that time, the District promised the veteran teachers that they would "w o rk " on their salaries in three year* The Board is not keeping that promise. The Stale of Oregon says the Oregon average teadWr's salary is $28.(XX) ami Morrow County's is $24.240 Without a wage increase, veteran teachers will have no incen tive to stay. and the Districl will have difficulty attracting am) retaining quality teachers. The Morrow County School Ihstrict has always had a reputation for having quality education Ob VKHisly. a fair compromise would be of benefit to us as teachers, hut it is also in the best interest of a com munity that wishes to maintain quali ty schools After considering these facts, we urge you to write to the school haord A quick ami fair resolution would be beneficial to all of us (s) Cindy Sutherland Boardman Beth Creaaon Irrigon Oregon doesn't have nursing shortage To the Editor: I am responding to the recent ar ticle (Tuesday , Feb 28. The Orego nian) regarding the nursing shortage The situation will continue to worsen as long as Ihe Oregon Board of Nurses continues to reject the ap^ plication of qualified ami experienc ed nurses relocating from out of state. The Oregon Board of Nurses docs not recognize professionals who have not taken a nationally sanction ed state exam They also do mu allow Military (rained nurses to challenge their stale l.PN exams Till recently, many states gave their own exams When a nurse moved to amxher state their license was either transferred, or they were allowed to challenge the exam Alter 1984 a nationally sanctioned exam was made available, making m- icistate transfer easier Allowing a nurse to c hallenge an exam is based on her education and training Most states accept Military training and experience as adequate ( hrgon doc* not Therefore, those qualified to care for soldiers, government of ficials including the president, arc not considered qualified to care for the residents of Oregon I conclude that Oregon docs not have a nursing shortage The ( >rcgon Board of Nurses is apparently com fortable with their numbers If this conclusion is incorrect I expect we ll sec changes in their policies regar ding intcrsiatc transfer of Licensed P ractical N urses as well as Registered Nurses Sincerely, (s) Lori E. Stralcy California Licensed Vocational Nurse Certified Surgical Technologist Heppner Chase A Sanborn Coffee 34.5 o z . reg. *7” First one $5 M Green Beer, Shamrocks and Sheep St Patrick would he proud In Hepp ner. for one day. even the Swedes arc Iriih The Irish tradition runs deep in these parts and St Patrick's Day is just the time to celebrate To celebrate in the Irish tradition A parade and the wxirks much green beer and many lucky shamrocks The sheep are gone Irish immigration to Morrow Coun Bs Ed Glenn ty was direct from the old country. Counties leitrim and Donegal, peak ing about 1890 The early folks, mxahls William Hughes and (fu ries Cun ningham. sponsored many young Irishmen to help with the huge sheep industry of the last century The names of Eeltz Johnson. Jeremiah Brosnan, Tom. Mike and Patt (JuakJ. Uzz and Lxe French ami dozens of IXihertys, Pat. B P ami James appeared in this publication in the 9 0 s Most were shcepheniers. including John Kilkenny and most became men of wealth, fame and fun. including John Kilkenny According lo one historian "T he Irish influence was strong in Morrow County al the turn of the century ami decade or two afterwards It helped give Heppner the reputa lion of a w ild western town, which it hardly deserved, although there were Saturday nights when the sheep were home from the hills ami the cattle m the feed lots, when it was wild enough to suit the dreams of a movie producer " Giles French, Homesteads ami Heritages. 1971. Now. generations later, the legacies of those Irish immigrants continues The land, wealth, ami surnames survive, the flood, the depressant, two Worid Wars, a hundred years of tradition to he celebrated on the day when everyone is Irish ami when Heppner may again suit the dreams of a movie producer In more than one instance, it's more than just survival Subsequent generations of those hearty Irish, have distinguished themselves in their own right Now that mere surv ival is no account We know of one county commis sioner whose campaign platform was that he had inherited everything he had hut had been able to hang on to it all for more than 50 years Vixcrs liked that and elected him handily. But wc also know of a descendant of an Irish sheepherder who has made an independent mark We were an aspiring young lawyer a few years hack when Judge William E Bmwnton retired from the Circuit Court in Union County Tom Gooding, then a local lawyer, now the Circuit Court Judge on that same bench, was the master of ceremonies at Judge Brownton's retirement din ner Judge Gxxxltng, playing the role of Foster Brooks (unintentally we're sure) introduced the speaker, the Honorable John W Kilkenny. Senior Judge. 9th U S Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Kilkenny has had a long and illustrious legal career lawyer. Slate Circuit Judge. U.S. District Court Judge. U S Circuit Cixirt Judge, humanitarian, historian and above all. Morrow County Irishman Well, on that occasion. Judge Kilkenny gave us all a little history lesson. He explained that the circuit in Union County used to be part of the 6th Circuit seated in Pendleton And in the early days it was a true circuit where the Judge, court personnel ami lawyers would travel from county seat to county seat to hold court. On one particular occasion, the entourage was travelling from Baker lo John Day by stage coach when a young lawyer suggested, at the first way station, that they repair to the road house lo "settle the dust" while the attendants changed the team That was so pleasant that it became the order of the day to "settle the dust" at each stop on the all day trip, and apparently there were several The group arrived in John Day just in time for a big banquet at which this same young lawyer was the after dinner speaker Noticing that the fellow was having some difficulty speaking distinctly, an older lawyer whispered in the Judge's car. "Your Honor. I believe our brother is drunk " With great indignation, ami in a strong Irish brogue, the Judge replied. How can he be? He's been with us all day." So for all the Irish on St Pat's Day. just stick with the Judge AS I SEE IT Let's back the Port of Morrow’s bond issues To the Editor: Morrow Count s has a lot of things going for it It s true that the Port of Morrow ha* more than doubled the county’s value ami tax have This means our county tax rate is substantially less than what it otherwise could he Nearly the lowest in the state And the future looks good with the Ports solid waste disposal business coming On the job now is Gary Neal, the aggressive new manager with high marks in marketing and in dustrial development C o u rt S treet M a rk e t CHECK OUR EVERTDJl? LOW PRICES WHERE TOOR DOLLAR MAKES MORE CEHTS Kellogg's Sugar Frosted Flakes Gold Medal Flour 10 ib Navel Oranges 4 *V Clam Chowder Cabbage 1 ib bag 10 lb. No. 1 Shenson Potatoes Corned Beef Assorted Cut Pork Chops Smelt P ric e s good M a rc h ‘ J - * - " % 11 . . ■ • l 4\ S9\ 1 6 th . - 2 0 th 6 LUCKY NUMBERS HERE! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 7 A M. - 6 P.M. C ou rt S tr e Heppner e t M ark et 111 N Court V* 18V 1 *V NUMBERS HERE! * i soz Green Carrots LUCKY t, »-.»* ■ reg »3« ^ Ä ^ ^ e a Snows Choice £***♦*% We Can H elp You v 20 oz Fresh • Lawn & Garden Fertilizer •Garden Tools • Lawn Seed > A * i K V-*’ 4 Attracting new industry is super competitive and this is why the Port is asking taxpayer support for a general obligation bond issue It will add less than 1% to our tax bill This vesting in the Port brings short and long term returns to our ccononis. increases emplosment ami actually will continue to reduce our taxes as the record shows To support the Port of Morrow's hard work to date needs our favorable *»xc on their Bond Issue March 28 Sincerely. (s)Ken Turner 676-9643
