*
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
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(Ad
sponsored
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Heppner
Post
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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
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--------------- * 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
*
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OPEN MON - FRI 7 A.M.-7 P.M.
4
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SAT & SUN 8 A M. - 6 P.M.
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Court
Street
Market
4
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111 N. Court
Heppner
676-9643
4
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Gold & Soft 1 lb. tub