SIX- Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 24. 1992
Oregon farm trend contradicts nation
By all rights Oregon should be
losing farms.
That’s the national trend. The
number of farms in the United
States has dropped every year
since 1981, a downward trend
that started in 1936. At the same
time, average farm size has
increased.
Not so in Oregon.
Not only does the state have
more farms than it had in 1981
(37,000 compared to 36,500),
average farm size has gone down,
not up. In 1981 the average
Oregon farm was 496 acres. In
1991 it fell to 481 acres. On the
other hand, the average U.S.
farm in 1981 was 425 acres,
which rose to 467 acres in 1991.
The reason Oregon defies na
tional trends owes in large part to
the many farmers growing
“ specialty crops” on small plots
in the Willamette Valley, says
Paul Williamson, state statistician
with O regon A gricultural
Statistics Service in Portland.
Those “ specialty crops” in
clude vegetable and flower seeds,
herbs, berries, wine grapes and
nursery products.
Williamson says a good share
of Oregon’s “ specialty crop”
farmers are parttime farmers who
want to “ raise a little bit of this
and a little bit of that.”
"It’s a sideline,” he says. “ It’s
not their main occupation.”
A farm need only produce
$1,000 worth of agricultural pro
ducts to be considered a farm by
the U .S. Departm ent o f
Agriculture, Williamson nontes.
“ A lot of people are keeping
a few head of cattle or a few
sheep. They’ll often qualify as a
farm, especially if the prices are
high,” he says.
While the average Oregon farm
has lost acres-due to increase in
small farms in the Willamette
Valley-farms in eastern Oregon
have generally gotten bigger.
For example, the average farm
size in Harney County, a major
cattle county, is 3,690 acres. On
the other hand, the average fann
in Lane County in the Willamette
Valley is 136 acres. Clackamas
County’s average farm is only
about 50 acres.
Whether large or small, most
of Oregon’s farms are family
owned.
According to Williamson about
80 percent of Oregon’s farms are
owned by sole proprietors or in
dividuals (generally assumed to
be family farms), about six per
cent are partnerships and about
four percent are corporations.
He notes that some of the cor
porate farms are simply family
farms that have incorporated for
tax purposes.
DMV lists schedule
Olden family has reunion
Thirty family m em bers,
descendants of Menzo and Mary
Jane Olden, representing families
of Winnie Olden Chrisman,
Jessie Olden Henderson and Lola
Olden McCabe, gathered at
Sorosis Park in The Dalles on
Sunday, June 14 for a day of
visiting and picnicking.
This was also the 59th wedding
anniversary o f Lonnie and
La Verne Henderson. Those pre-
_ vyccc
Golf
Ladies Play
June 16, 1992
Flight A: low gross-Harriet
Pierson; low net-Pat Edmundson
and Anita Boyer; least putts-
Eileen Padberg; long putt-Luvilla
Sonstegard; K.P.-Anita Boyer.
Flight B: low gross-Carol Nor
ris; low net-Luvilla Sonstegard;
least putts-Kay Anderson.
Flight C: low gross-Karen
Wildman; low net-Annie Lusher;
least putts-Bemice Lott.
Family Barbecue
June 21, 1992
First place-a tie between
Howard and Helen Gilliam and
Duck and Annie Lusher, 25.5;
second-Cindi and Mike Doherty
27.5; third-Tad and Melba Miller
30; fourth-Ray and Norma
French 30.5; least putts-Howard
and Helen Gilliam 15; K.P. hole
#1 Cindi and Mike Doherty.
Sunday Men’s Plav
Low gross: first-Tad Miller;
second-Mike Doherty; third-
Dave G underson and Roy
Martin.
Low net: first-Dan Matthews;
second-Dave Wildman and Earl
Norris; third-J.J. Shaw.
K.P.: Dan Matthews and Dave
Wildman.
Sheriff's Report
The Morrow County Sheriff s
department reports dispatching
the following business during the
past week:
June 15: Morrow County depu
ty responded to the Irrigon area
for a neighborhood problem.
June 16: Morrow County depu
ty responded to the Irrigon post
office for a report of vandalism
done to two mail boxes. Approx
imate damage is $50;
M orrow County deputy
responded to 1-84, for a report of
a driver headed towards Board-
eyewear.
Do not put firecrackers in bot man, west bound, in the east
tles or tin cans or under clay pots bound lanes;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
because these objects can shatter
fice
dispatched the Fossil am
and propel fragments into the
bulance
to the Haven House for
eye.
a
female.
Do not throw sparklers into the
June 17: Morrow County depu
air or wave them near another
ty
responded to Wilson Road in
person’s eyes.
Boaidman
for a report of a
In case of an eye injury do not
speeding
vehicle.
Investigations
press, rub or touch the eye; seek
are
pending:
immediate care at a hospital
Morrow County Sheriffs of
emergency room.
fice
dispatched the lone Fire
The Oregon Academy of
Dept,
to a reported residential fire
Ophthalmology is the state’s
on
Gooseberry
Road. CRP was
organization of eye physicians
on
fire
due
to
an
out of control
and surgeons. Ophthalmologists
burning
barrel;
are medical doctors-educated,
Morrow County Sheriff s of
trained and licensed to provide
fice
arrested Timothy Donald
complete medical eye care.
Karr, Boardtnan, for Driving
Under the Influence of Intox
icants and Open Container. Karr
was cited and released.
June 18: Morrow County
Sheriffs office dispatched the
The Department of Motor Boardman Fire Dept to a grass
Vehicles office in Heppner will fire on Hwy 730 mile post 169,
be closed July 16, August 20 and by the railroad tracks. Fire
September 17. The office will be department was unable to locate
open in Condon on those days. fire upon arrival;
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Morrow County Sheriffs of
fice dispatched the Fossil am
bulance to the Asher Clinic in
Fossil for a patient transfer;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
sent came from Chehalis and
fice
dispatched the Boardman
Pasco, Washington; LaGrande,
Fire
Dept
to a controlled bum out
Arlington, Condon, Hillsboro,
of
control
at a residence on the
Bend, Portland, Hermiston and
Paul
Smith
Road in Boardman.
lone.
Fire was contained;
Morrow County Sheriffs of
fice dispatched the Boardman am
bulance to Ready Mix, Board-
man, for a man down with an
The Justice Court office at the unknown injury. Subject was
courthouse annex building in transported to the Boardman
Heppner reports handling the Clinic.
June 19: Morrow County depu
following business during the past
ty received a report of an animal
week:
Edwin Keith Smelzer, 20, problem near Wilson Trailer Park
Hermiston-Exceeding the Max in Irrigon;
M orrow County deputies
imum Speed Limit, 65 mph in a
responded
to a vehicle/bicycle ac
55 mph zone, $22 fine;
cident
on
Division
St. in Irrigon.
Rachel Esther Peaton, 19,
Driver
of
the
vehicle,
Benita
Hermiston-Exceeding the Max
Ramirez,
76,
Irrigon,
was
south
imum Speed Limit, 75 mph in a
bound on Division when his vehi
55 mph zone, $46 fine;
Shirley Anne McCarl, 56, cle struck two bicyclists. Both
Lexington-Exceeding the Max juveniles were transported to
imum Speed Limit, 71 mph in a Good Shepherd Hospital with
unknown injuries. One female
55 mph zone, $46 fine;
Mark James BuIIman, 25, Seat juvenile Sara Erickson, nine year
tle, WA.-Failure to Wear Safety old, Irrigon, was airlifted to
Belt, guilty by default, $93 fine; Portland. The other victim was
Daniel Vernon Phinney, 23, Tana Dicks, 10, Irrigon. Incident
Kirkland, WA.-Failed to Signal, is under investigation;
Morrow County Sheriffs of
guilty by default, $71 fine;
James Walter Wing, 47, Spray- fice dispatched the Boardman am
Driving W hile Suspended, bulance to the Boardman post of
(breath alcohol content failure), fice for a female down and un
conscious. Lisa McCoy, 17,
$455 fine;
John Brent Looney, 47, Me Nary, was transported to
Heppner-Operator’s License Ex Good Shepherd Hospital with an
unknown illness;
pired, $18 fine;
Morrow County Sheriffs of
Michael David Robison, 28,
Heppner-No Operator’s License. fice dispatched the Boardman am
bulance to a residence on W.
$18 fine;
John Eldon Campbell, 27, Kunze Road in Boardman for a
Lexington-Exceeding the Max report of a man down and not
imum Speed Limit, 62 mph in a breathing. Clyde Robinson, 92,
was found dead on arrival and ap
55 mph zone, $11 fine;
M atthew X M atern, 18, parently died of natural causes.
Hillsboro-Possession of Under There was no transport made.
June 20: Morrow County
sized Trout. $58 bail forfeited.
Use caution with fireworks
More than 10,000 Americans
will be injured by fireworks this
year in accidents that can be
treated. Approximately 1,300 of
these injuries will be treated at
hospital emergency rooms for
serious eye injuries and about 400
Americans will lose vision in one
or both eyes.
The Oregon Academy of
Ophthalmology recommends that
anyone handling firew orks
observe these basic safety
guidelines:
Be sure each firework has a
clearly printed manufacturer’s
name, address and cautionary
label. A firework lacking this in
formation is very likely to be il
legal. Never attempt to make
your own fireworks.
Never allow children to handle
or ignite explosive fireworks.
Adults should closely supervise
children’s use of relatively safe
fireworks such as sparklers.
Always wear glasses or safety
goggles when setting fireworks.
Spectators in noncommercial
firework settings should also con
sider the use of protective
Williamson says the real shift
has been not to more corporate
farms, but to larger farms own
ed by fewer families, particular
ly in eastern Oregon.
“ In order to have a unit that
will sustain a family, they have
had to grow and become larger
and in the process a lot of small,
inefficient operations has con
tinued to grow and they have had
to get larger and more efficient
to spread the cost of some of these
investments over a larger land
base.”
And what will the trends show
in the future? W illiam son
believes as long as Oregon con
tinues its diversity of agricultural
products, the number of farms
should remain fairly constant
while the rest of the nation may
continue to experience a decline.
For more information, contact
Paul Williamson, 326-2131 or
Bruce Pokamey, 378-3773.
Justice Court
R e p o rt___
Sheriffs office dispatched the
Boardman ambulance to a one
vehicle accident on 1-84, mile
post 169. There were minor in
juries but no transport made;
Morrow County Sheriffs of
fice dispatched the Boardman am
bulance to an industrial accident
at Lamb Weston in Boardman. A
25 year old male received second
degree bums and was transported
to Good Shepherd Community
Hospital in Hermiston;
Morrow County Sheriffs of
fice dispatched the Spray Am
bulance for one male with cardiac
problems. Subject was brought in
by a private vehicle. Ambulance
was advised and there was no
transport made.
June 21: Morrow County
Sheriffs office dispatched the
Condon Fire Dept to a vehicle on
Fire on Hwy. 206, .16-17, one
mile east of Cottonwood Bridge;
M orrow County deputy
responded to the Irrigon Marina
for a report of a disagreement.
There was no further action
taken;
M orrow County deputy
responded to the Irrigon City
Park for a report of a broken
sprinkler. Deputy was unable to
locate problem upon arrival.
June 22: Morrow County
deputies responded to 8th St.
West, Irrigon, for a report of a
deceased male. Souksavath
Souvannarath, 28, Irrigon died of
an apparent self-inflicted gunshot
wound.
Investigation
is
continuing:
Morrow County Sheriffs of
fice dispatched the Condon Fire
Dept to a fire at the city dump.
Fire was contained;
Morrow County deputy con
tacted an Irrigon resident on 4th
st. W for a report of property
damage.
Births
Jessica M arie H ughes-a
daughter Jessica Marie, was bom
to William Kevin and Angie
Hughes, of Heppner on June 17,
1992 at St. Anthony Hospital in
Pendleton. The baby weighed 6
lbs. Vi oz.
Grandparents are Merlin and
Claudia Hughes, Heppner; and
Dan and Gail Haggard, Talent.
Great grandparents are Ebb and
Pauline Hughes, Ukiah; Corleen
Coe, Walla Walla, WA.; Uyvon-
na Haggard, Redding, CA.; and
Ray and Voila Lick, Talent.
Great-great grandmothers are
Mrs. A.H. Overby, Walla Walla,
WA. and Jenny Paden,
Oklahoma.
__ Obituaries
Marcel Jones
The funeral for Charles Marcel
Jones was held at the First Chris
tian Church in Heppner on Mon
day, June 22, 1992. Burial
followed at the Heppner Masonic
Cemetery.
Mr. Jones 79, Heppner, died
Wednesday, June 17, 1992 at
Amber Valley Care Center in
Pendleton.
He was bom Aug. 4, 1912 at
Heppner to Charles and Marvel
Miller Jones. He grew up in
Heppner and attended local
schools graduating from Heppner
High School in 1933.
Mr. Jones served with the U.S.
Army during World War II.
On Oct. 7, 1944, he married
Thelma Dee Davis at Paris, Ark.
He served with the local draft
board from 1958 to 1968.
Mr. Jones, who had farmed in
the Heppner area most of his life,
was named Conservation Man of
the Year of Morrow County in
1971.
Survivors include a son,
Ronald of Sweet Home; daughter
Judy Denning of Portland;
brothers Paul and Floyd, both of
H eppner;
sisters,
V allis
Washburn of Philomath. Lois
Graybeal of Ukiah, CA.; and
Loma Chalfant of Morristown,
Ind.; and two grandchildren. His
wife died in 1989.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the First Christian
Church Memorial Fund, Box
158, Heppner, OR 97836 or the
Alzheimers Association, 1311
NW 21st, Portland. OR 97209.
Sweeney Moturary, Heppner,
was in charge of arrangements.
Michael W. Merry man
Michael William Merryman,
46, Irrigon, died Wednesday,
June 17, 1992 at Good Shepherd
Com m unity
H ospital
in
Hermiston.
Memorial services were held in
the chapel of Bums Mortuary
June 20, 1992. Cremation was
held earlier.
Mr. Merryman was bom
December 15, 1945 at Salinas,
CA. to Dewey and Jennie Swank
Merryman.
He was an active member of
the Hermiston Amateur Radio
Club, a member of the Military
A ffiliate Radio System , a
member of the Amateur Radio
Service and a member of the Na
tional Rifle Association.
Survivors include his wife,
Marcheta at the home; his father
Dewey Merryman of Seattle,
WA. and his stepfather Don
Watts of Reno, Nev.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the American Heart
Association directly or through
Bums Mortuary, Box 289, Her
miston, OR 97838.
Sara Rose Erickson
Sara Rose Erickson, 9, Irrigon,
died Friday, June 19, 1992 at
Oregon Health Sciences Univer
sity of Portland, from injuries
sustained when she and her bicy
cle were struck by a motor
vehicle.
The funeral was held at the
Columbia View Community
Church in Irrigon on June 23.
Burial was at Desert Lawn
Memorial Cemetery in Irrigon.
Sara was bom July 29, 1982 at
Hermiston to Lloyd and Rita
erickson. She had lived in Irrigon
all her life and was a member of
the Columbia View Community
Church.
She played minor league
baseball and was a former
member of the Umatilla Sage
Riders. She enjoyed singing,
horseback riding, swimming and
gymnastics.
Survivors include her parents,
Lloyd and Rita Erickson at the
home; grandparents Tom and
Colleen Blaylock of Irrigon;
grandmother, Rose Erickson
Duerson; and brothers Jason and
her twin brother Cody, both of Ir
rigon and Bruce Whitman of The
Dalles.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the Columbia View
Community Church building fund
or to the Shriners Hospital for
Crippled Children, directly or
through Bums Mortuary, Box
289, Hermiston, OR 97838.
Clyde A Robinson
Clyde Arthur Robinson, 92,
Boardman, died at his home on
Friday, June 19, 1992.
Graveside funeral services
were held at the Riverview
Cemetery in Boardman on June
23, 1992.
Mr. Robinson was bom Nov.
28, 1899 at Des Moines, Iowa,
and had been a resident of Board-
man since 1945.
He had been a farmer and
lumberman all his life.
Survivors include sons Bill of
Powell Butte, Art of Pendleton
and Tim of Baker City; a
daughter Evelyn Hayes of Fossil;
a sister Grace Harrison of
Hayden Lake, Idaho; eight grand
children and 19 great grand
children. His wife, Gladys and a
daughter both preceded him in
death.
Bums Mortuary, Hermiston,
was in charge of arrangements.
P U B L IC N O TIC E
NOTICE OF ELECTION
The City of lone will hold an
election on Tuesday, November
3, 1992 to fill the position of
Mayor and three council posi
tions. Filing petitions may be ob
tained at the Bank of Eastern
Oregon, lone Branch or at the Ci
ty Recorders’ house, 110 E. 3rd
Street. Petitions must be filed
with the City Recorder by July
30, 1992.
Sharon Rietmann
City Recorder
Published: June 24, 1992_____
P U B L IC N O TIC E
Notice of Election
Council Members
Town of Lexington
Official terms expiring for the
Town of Lexington are two
Council positions and City
Recorder. All three are for four
year terms. Nominating petitions
are available at City Hall or by
contacting Sue Baker for the elec
tion to be held November 3,
1992. The petitions must be fil
ed with the City Recorder no later
than August 25. 1992 and contain
signatures of qualified electors
only.
Sue Baker
Town of Lexington
Published: June 24; July 8, 22;
and August 12, 1992________
M H I C M O T I«l
By order of the Town Council
)f Lexington:
A ban on open burning is to go
into effect for the Town of Lex
ington effective immediately,
rhis restriction will be in effect ,
until further notice. No outside
burning will be permitted within
(be Town with the exception that
fires within burning barrels or
other suitable inclosed receptacles
with a screened covering to con
trol the disbursement of burning
particles will be permitted bet
ween daylight and 10 A.M. No
outside burning, in any form, will
be permitted after 10 A.M.
If you have questions regarding
this outside burning ban you may
contact Bill Sheirbon for further
information.
Published: June 24, 1992
i
P U B L IC N O TIC E
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Roof Modifications
at
Boardman Elementary School,
Boardman, OR
MORROW COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT
P.O. Box 368
Lexington, OR 97839-9368
The Morrow County School
District invites bids for the
removal and replacement of the
built-up roof system at Boardman
Elementary School in accordance
with the project plans and
specifications.
The estimated cost of this pro
ject is $35,000 to $45,000.
Sealed bids for the above
described project will e received
by the School District Ad
ministrative office until 2:00
p.m., Pacific Daylight Time,
Wednesday, 8 July 1992 and then
publicly opened and read aloud.
Each bid must be submitted on
the prescribed form and accom
panied by a Certified Check or
Bid Bond, payable to Morrow
County School District, in an
amount not less than 5 percent.
Examination of the project site
may be arranged by calling the
Morrow County School District,
M aintenance
Departm ent
Superintendent (Matt Warren,
503/989-8202).
The Contract documents may
be examined at the following
locations:
-M orrow County School
District Administration Office,
Lexington, Oregon
-N orthw est Plan C enter,
Portland, Oregon
-Tri-City Construction Coun
cil, Inc., Kennewick, Washington
-SCM Consultants, Inc., Ken
newick, Washington
Copies o f the C ontract
Documents may be obtained at
the office of SCM Architecture
and Planning, P.C., 7601 West
Clearwater Avenue, Suite 301,
Kennewick, WA 99336, upon
non-refundable payment o f
$20.00 for each set.
Bids must contain statement
that the provisions of the Prevail
ing Wage Rate, ORS 279.350 or
40 U.S.C. 276a, are to be com
plied with.
The Morrow County School
District is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.
Published: June 17 and 24. 1992
WRIGHT CHEV.
INC.
Oldsmobile
Your transportation
headquarters for 30 years
under the same local
ownership Full line of
new Chevy pickups, full
size Blazers, extended
cabs. 2-wheel or 4-wheel
drive. V-6 or V-8 engines.
Full line of new Chevrolet
and Oldsmobile cars
small, medium or full size.
2-door, 4-door, 4-
cylinder. V-6, V-8.
Also, nice selection of
reconditioned and safety
checked used pickups and
cars.
See them all at
WRIGHT CHEV.
INC.
Fossil, Oregon
CONTACT
Herb Wright
Bill Maclnnes or
Billy Maclnnes, Jr.
(503) 763-4175
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