Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 1990)
* The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow The Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper U.S.P.S. 240-420 Published every Wednesday 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 (5&3) 676-9228. Address communications to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Hepp ner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $12 in Morrow, Wheeler, Gilliam and Grant Counties; $23 elsewhere. Joyce Hughes .., Office Manager, Typesetting April Sykes .... ............................... News Editor Beth Rafferty... ............. Graphics Department Becky Evans ... .............. Graphics Department Monique Parret . ................................ Distribution Kay Rene Quails .........................................Bindery David and April Sykes, Publishers Letters To The Editor Throw water where it’s needed To the Editor: Increased use of the fairgrounds for baseball this summer has limited the number of days that pipes could be laid out for watering the grounds during hot, very dry periods. The grounds caretaker, Don Haugen, has been working full-time to get things ready for fair and rodeo. And there have been several work days by the rodeo committee as well as fair work days. Things like increased wash rack space lighting, increased exhibit space accommodations, replacing broken dormitory windows and out side fence repair-all take priority. People of all ages, including many senior citizens, donate hours of labor. And the Fair Board, Fair Committee and Rodeo Committee are involved in year-around prepara tions. However, everyone’s input is always welcome at monthly meetings. It was not the Fair Board’s deci sion to do a study of fairgrounds. The County Court’s decision was based on the opinion of all user groups that pushed for an analysis for any future development. Whether that study at the county’s expense, will bear fruit remains to be seen. Unless the lighting system is updated, the future of night foot ball is questionable. And long-range plans to accommodate activities could be an insight into multiple user group activities. The Fair Board budget has been stretched to facilitate staging the best fair possible and to help get Hepp ner back to professional rodeo status. The community support and con tributions are key elements in mak ing this a successful venture. And everyone’s support is needed. To Jack VanWinkle, who has been a businessman and past contributor- -come down from your viewpoint and throw cold water where it’s needed-not on fair and rodeo workers. sincerely, (s) Merlyn Robinson Time for planning is now To the Editor: The Gazette-Times report of the Oregon Economic Development Departments analysis of Heppner’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats failed to outline some of the recommended actions we could take to strengthen our community. As it takes much time between recognizing a need, and ac complishing a goal, it would seem in order to at least pass on the analysis’ recommendations. I am told the 1990 census will show that 80% of the USA popula tion are second generation citizens of urban areas of 50,000 or more. Eastern Oregon has none such. We can assume that we will be govern ed by legislators from urban areas who regretfully won’t know where we are coming from. Urban pro blems could easily become the over riding issue and rural problems ig nored; for those removed from the land a generation back will have no first-hand knowledge of what it takes to maintain and farm this land. Changes are coming to us—wanted or not. All communities must give priority to involving everyone so the changes that are thrust upon us will be something we can live with. Heppner needs to start thinking now about developing more home lots. It costs money, but the hidden cost of not doing any developing will eventually be worse. Home lots near Willow Creek Lake would attract retirees to help sustain our services. Fossil’s retirement home, offering both meals and apartments, is now filled and has a waiting list. There is a developing need for such a facili ty here. The highway signage for our Scenic Byway will be forthcoming. But we sincerely need a State Park designation at either Cutsforth Park or Willow Creek Park so travelers looking at maps can plan in advance to use the Byway. The statement was made that we had no industrial land available due to topography problems. That sounds pretty final. Would sound more inviting if the statement read that we had limited industrial sites presently but that the Port of Mor row is now exploring options for South Morrow County to have more sites available in the future. The time for planning is now. Come join your organizations and ci ty council as they try to prepare for our future. (s) Meg Murray Box 427 Heppner Boosters to meet A Booster Club meeting has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Ployhar Insurance of fice on Main Street in Heppner. Topic for the evening will be plan ning for Reno Night, a Booster Club fund raiser. Anyone with sugges tions or ideas is invited to attend. Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 8, 1990 - THREE Fairgrounds has improved greatly To the Editor: In the recent issue of the Gazette- Times (August 1). one of the letters to the editors entitled, “Fairgrounds need work,” I felt was directed towards me since I’m currently a summer employee at this facility. Regarding your comment about the weeds, the fairgrounds is not the only place with weeds. Morrow County is just having a weed control problem this summer. Myself and many others feel that the fairgrounds or, as you would say, “abandoned stock yard” has improved greatly. I feel that since you are so proud to show off the fairgrounds to your friends and relatives you should highly consider donating your time to make this facility look like you want it to. Sincerely yours (s) Jodi Wilson Lexington, OR Impressed with Oregon To the Editor: About two weeks ago I was driv ing through Oregon with my han dicapped mother on one of your 106 degree days when I had a blow-out shortly after we had left Pendleton. I was aware that I couldn’t leave mother in the car, so was trying to understand the instructions for the jack usage when a gentleman-and he truly was-stopped and changed the tire for us, then had us follow him into Hermiston, showed us a tire store-and was on his way. While he Justice Court Report The Justice Court office at the courthouse annex building in Hepp ner reports handling the following business: Clarence Frank Rice, 71, Pilot Rock-Exceeding the Maximum Speed, 71 mph in a 55 mph zone, $20 fine; Donnie W. Bell, 22, Heppner-No Operator’s License, $85 fine; Driv ing Uninsured, $37 fine; Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, $1,030 fine; one year probation with complete mental health alcohol education, no further violation of the law; Leslie Lee Thompson, 28, Ione- Exceeding the Maximum Speed Limit, 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, $49 fine; Candace Marie Rudisill, 21-Exceeding the Maximum Speed Limit, 65 mph in a 55 mph zone, $20 fine; Alan Lee Roberts, 28, Echo- Exceeding the Maximum Speed Limit, 85 mph in a 55 mph zone, $75 fine; Shannon V. Perez, 18, Ione- Disobeyed Stop Sign, $20 fine; Jerry Lynn Kraft, 39, Prineville- Disobeyed Stop Sign, $38 bail forfeited. Heppner Police Report The Heppner Police department reports handling the following business during the past week: July 30: 6:35 p.m.-officer re quested for Security Check. July 31: 12:08 a.m.-request of ficer for Security Check; 6:32 p.m.- Motorist Assist; 8:52 p.m.-report of Burglary; 9:09 p.m.-report of Suspicious Person. August 1: 8:32 a.m.-False Alarm; 10:15 a.m.-report of Theft. August 2: 2:29 p.m.-report of Burglary. August 3: 9:08 p.m.-citation issued for No Operators License; 10:31 p.m.-two citations issued for Minor In Possession by Consump tion; 12 p.m.-citation issued for Assault IV. August 4: 12:52 a m.-request of ficer for Security Check; 1:26 p.m.- Motorist Assist. August 5: 12:16 a m.-request of ficer for Security Check; 12:25 a.m.-three citations issued for Criminal Mischief; 9:15 p.m.-report of Racing Vehicle; 11:24 p.m.- request officer for Security Check. Heppner Bowl was working on the tire one of your highway patrolmen also stopped to see if we needed him. My purpose in writing this letter is to tell you how impressed we were with everyone we met in Oregon, and especially to thank Mr. Verrail of the Corp of Engineers at the dam for taking time out of his busy, hot day to help a couple of strangers. Sincerely, (s) Mrs. Bill Ross 402 Arrowhead Drive Montgomery, Al 36117 Chamber Chatter By Claudia Hughes, Chamber Manager * Economic Development for Heppner means “two heads are bet ter than one.” It means putting our heads together toward a vision and common goal. How do you visualize Heppner in five, ten, fifteen years? What will it take to realize this vi sion? Share your thoughts and ideas with us. * Along these lines, Heppner was selected by the Oregon Economic Development Department as one of the communities in eastern Oregon to participate in a training program which will provide technical assistance in the development of economic strategies and enhance our capacity to carry out local economic development programs. The com munity Response Team is to be selected by August 15 with the first meeting September 21 and 22. This came about as a result of the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, oppor tunities and threats) analysis. Cooperation is what it’s all about. * I’m told the trail up to the dam is hikeable now. Sounds like a good walk on the first cool day that comes along. We can thank the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, ramrod- ed by Soil Conservation District for the new trails and the fresh paint on the downtown benches and planters. Remember, no Chamber on Tues day, Aug. 14. The board only, will meet at noon at the Elks. Chamber members will be having lunch at the Morrow County Fair Thursday. The following Wednesday, August 22, Chamber will join the seniors at the Senior Center for lunch with Senator Mark Hatfield. Thought for the week: “The future of America rests not in mediocrity but in the constant renewal of leadership in every phase of our life.” ..."The Uncommon Man,” Herbert Hoover. Executives Are It If I have written before about the power of the chief executive and the impotence of the elected board, excuse me. I’m going to do it again. A couple of incidents recently have reminded me of the subject, one so important that a reminder is in order. Schools, cities, ports and all manner of other districts are governed by an elected board or commission. Few, if any of these political positions are paid a salary, instead they are voluntary and By Ed Glenn consequently very part-time. The idea is that these elected directors should make policy and then leave it up to a hired, full time executive to carry out the policy. A professional executive does just that. Most of the time. School superintendents, city managers, and port managers all have a sense of what their respective public entities are about and they go about their work following their own perspective of the mission. They develop a feel for the political mood of the district, the representative character of their directors and they mold that into the broader mission of their par ticular entity. And they soon learn how to manage their boards of direc tors to minimize interference with “the mission.” Take for example, what is or is not on the agenda. Most public body agendas are prepared by the executive. Maybe the chairman of the board has some input, but if so it’s inconsequential. Then there are the various reports that go along with an agenda item: controlled entirely by the chief executive. Even formal statements of policy, proposed for adoption, are prepared by the chief. And you guessed it, prepared as he thiinks it should be. Now for the board member. He’s usually elected due to his social popularity, not because of any particular expertise in the business of his public charge. Oh, maybe he’s attended school, drank city water or wat ched the crane work, but not real experience. While on the board, a member gets a little smarter, but only what the chief wants him to know. He never gets any wiser. A board member rarely brings anything to his tenure that is helpful to the district, and at the same time he rarely can mess up anything very important. So the lesson in all this is: We take the election of Directors and Com missioners all to seriously and we take the selection of the chief and his lieutenants all to casually. It was that latter part that made all this come to mind. In a recent conversation with a potential shipper who would have con siderable traffic across the dock at the Port of Morrow, I found a lot of resentment against the Port because of a former chief executive. And at a recent school board meeting I could not believe my eyes and ears at the asinine discussion. The chief was not there and the meeting was in stark contrast with those he does attend. As I see it. in the management of our public affairs we should pay much more attention to the chief executive we hire than with the directors we elect. A bad chief can hurt us alot, a good chief can do us a lot of good. The quality of a director we elect does not make any difference either way. SEE IT ★ ★★★★★★★ » ♦ » * ♦ * ♦ ♦ 4- * 4- ♦ 4- * 4- » 4- * 4- » 4- ♦ 4- » 4- » 4- ♦ » 4- 4- » » ♦ 4- » 4- * 4- » » ♦ 4- » 4- » ♦ » 4 » 4 » 4 ♦ 4 (Ad sponsored by American Legion Heppner Post 87) » 4 in t¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥i PLEASE NOTE Eligibility & Health Screening will be available to area veterans on Senior Citizen Day at the Morrow County Fair, Thursday, August 16. Representatives from the Walla Walla VA Medical Center will be providing benefits assistance from 10-4 p.m. in the main exhibition building at the fairgrounds. This service is free of charge and open to all area veterans. Sr. Citizen day at Fair Thursday For the first time in many years the fair is offering a senior citizen day on Thursday, August 17. Seniors over 60 will be given free admission all day and are being pro vided an area around Shorty’s Cabin furnished with lawn and deck chairs crafted by Tim Coe. Here they can visit, eat, sell their wares, demonstrate crafts or any activity of their choice. The Hepner Senior Citizen Board has announced that iced beverages and light refreshments will be available for seniors there. Ê WHERE YOUR DOLLAR MAKES MORE CENTS 4 WzZZ be open for lunch, dinner and open bowling i / Monday August 30, 1990 Sign up for fall leagues LEAGUES START TUESDAY SEPT. 4th Phone 676-9208 ------------------------------- --------------- * 4 Green 3 <«••• » 89< ea. Peppers Margarine 1st 3 s Western 4 Family 20 oz. 99* ib. 4 19* ea. Tomatoes * Pineapple^ 2 4 Top Sirloin * MD 6 roll pk. b 4 Steak ea * Bathroom Tissue i$t 2 4 Bottom Round Dry Yellow jumbo size 4 ib Steak lb. * Onions 4 3 lb. pkg. or more * New White 4 « Potatoes ib. 4 Hamburger ib. 4 Prices Good Aug. 9th - 13th * 4 * 4 * 4 * OPEN MON - FRI 7 A.M.-7 P.M. 4 * 4 SAT & SUN 8 A M. - 6 P.M. * 4 * 4 * Court Street Market 4 * 111 N. Court Heppner 676-9643 4 * * Gold & Soft 1 lb. tub
