Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 1991)
School board ups business managers salary offer E U 1 E N R 9 7 4 o-1 35C azette imes VOL 110 NO 29 __________6 Pages Wednesday, July 17, 1991___________ Morrow County Heppner. Oregon City celebrates 100 years Swimming pool of weather observations Alters installed G eorge M iller (1) presents plaque to G eorge Stillm an The city of Heppner and the Na tional Weather Service celebrated 100 years of weather observations for the city in a ceremony Monday, July 15. On hand for the event were George R. Miller, area manager, meteorologist in charge of the Na tional Weather Service forecast of fice in Portland, Heppner city ad m inistrator Gary M arks, city weather recorder George Stillman, city crew foreman Dave Winters, ci ty recorder Rene Devin, chamber of commerce president Bob Kahl and M orrow County Judge Louis Carlson. Recording of the city’s weather began in May of 1889 with Arthur Smith. Smith recorded until September of 1895. H.T. Bagley took over from December of 1895 to January 18%. R.E. Smith record ed in August of 1896 and Arthur Smith resumed recording from July 1897 to March of 1900. J.M. Ker- nan assumed the duties from January 1901 until May of 1903 when he died in the catastrophic Heppner flood of June 14, 1903. Other recorders over the years were: J.H. Huddleston-Nov. 1903 to March 1904; Oscar Borg-June to December 1904; George Whiteis- May 1905 to Nov. 1909; Ralph Kenton-Jan. 1910 to Aug. 1911; Frank Gilliam recorded for 22 years from Sept 1911 to March 1933; his brother Leonard Gilliam, who recorded 33 years-March 1933 to April 1966; and Leonard's son, Donald F. Gilliam recorded 15 years-April 1966 to May 1981. The city of Heppner has recorded since that time with George Stillman do ing the recording since the city took over. According to figures released by Miller, the hottest average month over the history of weather observa tions in Heppner was July of 1906 when temperatures averaged 94.2 degrees. The coolest temperatures were recorded in January of 1930 when the thermometer plummeted to an average of six degrees. The wettest month was December of 1964 when monthly precipitation measured 4.4 inches. No precipita tion at all was recorded in July of 1899, August 1893, September 1932, October 1917 and November 1939. Severe droughts were record ed from 1924 to 1941. The driest year was 1939 with only 7.81 inches of precipitation. 1942, however, has been the wettest year with 19.23 in ches of precipitation. The weather observations are a joint program with the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and atmospheric Administration, the United States D epartm ent of Agriculture, the Cooperative States Research Service, the American Association of State Climatologists and the city. City needs council members Heppner city administrator Gary Marks is seeking persons interested in serving on the Heppner city council. Board member Rick Curtis has an nounced that he will be moving out of the area and another board member has indicated the possiblity of his resignation because of health reasons, said Marks. Marks said that he expects that another board member may be ap pointed to fill the remainder of Mayor Cara (Costa) Osmin's term. Osmin recently married and moved out of the city limits. Anyone interested in the positions should contact Marks at 676-%18. Although the positions were orginal- ly four-year terms ending December 1994. they would be up for election in November of 1992. ‘‘It’s a commitment.” said Marks, but he stressed that the council meets only once a month. The Morrow County School Board, at its regular meeting Mon day night, July 15, upped their salary offer to district business manager Chuck Rhoads. At the June meeting, the board had originally offered Rhoads and direc tor of curriculum, Mike Wsiaki, a 4.5 percent increase and five addi tional non-contracted days. Their salary packages also included 20 vacation days, with no more than 30 days accumulated, 12 paid holidays and a 260-day work year with a one- year contract. Under the new offer Rhoads would receive a raise from $37,183 to $39,413 for 260 work days, but would not receive the five non-contracted days. Wsiaki would receive an increase from $46,053 to $48,125 for 260 work days and would retain the five non-contracted days. A non-contracted day is a per sonal leave or vacation day. According to new district superintendent Ralph Reed, Wsiaki’s proposed salary of $48,125 is above the state average of $46,944 for 260 work days for the same job title in a similarly-sized district, while Rhoads' proposed salary is below the state average of $46,944 for 260 work days. In other business the board award ed a Riverside High School roof modification project to Terrell Roof ing for $42,000; -awarded a bid for three school buses to Western Bus Sales for $146,372; -approved a request for a non resident student to attend Riverside High School; -approved a request for a school bus to travel on a private road in Boardman; -announced resignations of Kelly Rhea, Sam Boardman Elementary sixth grade; Jim Raible, Ione- LA/Spanish; Bill Kannard, lone- basic math' Harvey Williams, lone- industrial arts; Jocelyn Jones, lone- science PE; Valerie Rickert, Colum bia Jr High/Riverside High art; Marie Fuller-Riverside ERC; Kathy Hoskins, Sam Boardman/Riverside- vocal music; ReNae Bowling. Col umbia Jr High-home ec; Lynn Bram- mon, Columbia-math; Mary-Jane Hansen, Columbia-Language Arts; read/LA/math; Liz Curtis, Heppner High-counselor; Mark Jones, A C. Houghton-Chapter 1; and Kathy Rhoads, Sam Boardman- kindergarten. -announced hiring of Carol Chap man for SBE 6th grade; Steven Schaber, lone basic math; Robin Graff, lone industrial arts; Carol Oord, lone Science/PE; Becky Kington, CJH/RHS art; Smokey Joe Wightman, SBE/RHS vocal music; Pauline C urham , CJH home economics; Dale Peters, CJH math; Mark Jones, RHS C hapter I/reading/LA/math; Kathy Rhoads, ACH Chapter 1; Carol Atherly, lone media specialist; and Susan Baker, SBE/ACH media specialist; -appointed the Heppner Gazette- Times the newspaper of record; -accepted the abstracts of votes of 995 yes to 993 no from the June 25 levy election; -raised the school district borrow ing limit to $4.5 million, half the $9 million budget (previous borrowing limit was $250,000 in the event the district need the money until taxes were received in November); -announced the expiration of four budget committee members’ terms- Clint Krebs, lone; Mark Lovgren and Dick Nuttbrock, at large; and John Prag, Boardman; -administered the oath of office to board members Marcia Kemp, Mol ly Rill and John Rietmann; and -elected Alan Holmes as chairman of the board. Merchants’ Committee to meet The Heppner Merchant’s Com mittee will meet Tuesday, July 23, 6 p.m. at the Shoe Box. Topics of discussion will include August’s Sidewalk Sale. Radioactive emissions topic of meeting study and outlined a guide which has been established to help people determine whether they are at risk. Niles said that the areas closest to Hanford, especially downwind of the nuclear plant, received the most radiation. The areas downwind in clude portions of Grant, Adams. Franklin and Walla Walla counties in Washington; and Umatilla and a portion of Morrow County. Small areas of Kittitas and Yakima coun ties were also affected. The guide, for 1944 to 1947 residents of these areas includes questions concerning consumption of milk-whether the milk came from downwind, a dairy or a family cow, whether the cow ate pasture grass, if those drinking the milk were infants in 1944 to 1947. Niles said that is is not possible to measure the radiation a person received, but it may be estimated. Niles said that the Hanford plant, which produced plutonium for nuclear weapons during the 1940s differs from nuclear power plants in operation now in that they produce power not plutonium for weapons, they are highly regulated, strictly monitored and are safe. The nuclear power plant now located on the Han ford site and the Trojan nuclear power plant near Portland, release “ infinitesimal” amounts of radiac- tivity,” said Niles. He said that beginning in 1946, Hanford install ed filters on their nuclear weapons plant which drastically reduced the radiation. Hanford produces no plutonium now, and is involved in a cleanup that Niles says “ will take decades.” Dr. Jeanne Berretta, who attend ed the meeting, said that persons who are determined to be high risk may be screened for thyroid condi tions. According to a pamphlet distributed by Niles, about 30 per cent of Iodine 131 (a radioactive material released from Hanford in large quantities in the ‘40s) collects in the thyroid gland if it is inhaled or ingested. Symptoms vary and may take many years to develop, said Berretta. Those wishing more information may write the Washington Depart ment of Ecology, Mail Stop PV II, Olympia Washington, 98504 or call 1-800-545-5558. New pool filters have been install ed in the Heppner city pool. The pool had been plagued by cloudy water caused by ineffective filters since swimming season last year. Pool manager, Sarah Carlson said that since the filters were installed Friday evening, July 12, “ the water is crystal clear. It was getting really cloudy on Friday,” said Carlson. “ I told the maintenance workers that Ken Niles we’d have to close the pool if we Over 100 people gathered at the didn’t get those filters in.” Until the filters were installed senior mealsite Wednesday, July 10, cloudy water necessitated that the to learn of a study concerning pool be drained and refilled around radioactive emissions at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation near the Tri- every three days. Carlson said that installation of the Cities in the 1940s. Ken Niles, nuclear safety informa new filters took only 45 minutes to tion specialist for the Oregon an hour. Most of the money for the filters Department of Energy, told of the was raised by donations from businesses, organizations and in dividuals. Total cost for the project was $6,324. Donations amounted to $5,975, with a balance of $349.40 left to be raised. City Recorder Rene Devin said that donations are still be ing accepted. The Port o f M orrow has from various barge lines. Shippers negotiated a lease of its container ter throughout the region take advantage The M orrow County Weed minal to Tidewater Barge Lines of the services available at the Port District is having a sign-up for cost- beginning July 15. This will allow of Morrow terminal. Commodities share assistance for controlling “ A” the port to work on other projects, barged through the port include hay list noxious weeds. These weeds in as well as continue to promote cubes, bales, potato flakes, popcorn clude: rush skeleton weed, yellow economic development in the coun and flour. starthistle, scotch thistle, spikeweed, The beginning of school is just Tidewater brings a 58-year old purple loosestrife, dalmation and ty, according to a Port of Morrow over a month away. Families new to service record with communities in yellow toadflax, tansy ragwort and news release. the Heppner/Lexington area need to eastern Oregon and Washington In order to expand opportunities musk thistle. register their school-aged children. for the intermodal facilities, the Port along with terminal operation exper Landowners and operators having Children entering kindergarten and Tidewater agreed to a 15-year tise to the Boardman operation. problems with these weeds and who through 8th grade should register at With Tidewater beginning to lease. Tidewater will manage and would like some assistance should the Heppner Elementary School of operate the facility, and will pur barge solid waste as early as stop by the weed district office or fice. The office is open Monay chase a 4600 Manitowac crane and January, 1992, the timing of the contact David Pranger, 676-5452 through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 L-80 container handler along with lease couldn’t have been better, they and fill out an application. p.m. You will need to bring your other miscellaneous items from the said. “ We have been a partner with child’s birth certificate and im the port from the start when business port. munization records when you come “ It was a good opportunity for the was scarce and with the solid waste to register. Port to get back to the original in project beginning soon, this agree ‘‘The staff of Heppner Elementary tent of the fa cility ,” said a ment is very timely.” explained and Middle Schools welcomes you Tidewater President and owner Ray spokesperson for the port When the and your child to our community. mond Hickey. “ We believe we can terminal was built six years ago, it We look forward to an excellent and improve efficiencies and please our was operated by private enterprise. exciting 1991-92 school year," said Shortly after, the terminal was customers which are our goals.” a school spokesperson. Kent Goodyear, port commission returned to the hands of the port. president, echoed H ickey’s Since that time container barging The Wranglers Riding Club has assessment. through the facility has grown to ap set their annual trail ride for Sunday proximately half of the volume on “ The Port of Morrow believes August 11. The ride will be about six the Columbia/Snake River System. teaming up with Tidewater will be miles with a potluck dinner to The Morrow County port handled a very positive step in jointly pro follow. over 8600 containers in 1990. moting the use of transportation A cost of $5 per person or $ 15 per The port expects no interruption along the Columbia/Snake River family will be charged to cover the in services during the transition, ac System,” said Goodyear. “ The port cost of the meal. Non-members are cording to Port officials. The ter has many projects in the works and welcome to attend People attending minal will maintain its public use this will allow us to concentrate on must RSVP 676-5037 or 676-5822 status, with barge calls expected expanding development.” by August 2. Heppner Mayor Cara Costa Osmin, will preside over her last Heppner City Council meeting in August. Because Osmin recently married and moved out of the city limits she will be forced to step down before her term expires on December 31, 1992, according to city administrator Gary Marks. At a Community bank, you always have access to top management. No decisions are postponed The city council has the authority to appoint a replacement to fill out because of out of town control. We want to the remainder of Osmin’s term. serve you in every possible way because, when A mayoral election will be held in you’re prosperous, so are we! November 1992. Port of Morrow to lease terminal to Tidewater Sign up for weed assistance Newcomers need to pre-register for school Riding Club sets annual trail ride Costa to step down as Mayor We’re a Community Bank, Not a Branch Office!
