FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 22, 1993
The Official Newspaper of the
City of Heppner and the
County of Morrow
Heppner
G A Z E T T E -T IM E S
U S P S. 240-420
Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper
Published »eekl> and entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Hepp
ner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879. Second class postage paid at Hepp
ner, Oregon. Office at 147 West Willow Street. Telephone (503) 676-9228.
Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337,
Heppner. Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $16 in Morrow, Wheeler, Gilliam and
Grant Counties: $23 elsewhere.
Joyce Hughes ............................................................ Office Manager, Typesetting
April Hilton-Sykes................................................................................ News Editor
Monique l»e*in............................................................................................... Bindery
Penni Keersemaker ..........................................................................................Printer
Jean Ann T u rn e r..................................................................................... Distribution
David and April Hilton-Sykes, Publisher
Letter to the Editor
State mandates onerous
To the Editor:
The following is a letter sent to
the League of Oregon Cities by
city manager Gary Marks in
response to new regulations under
consideration by the Otegon
Water Resources Department.
Dear Joni: Senior staff
associate, thank you for your
memo dated December 7, 1993,
' wherein you notified me of the
formulation of rules by the
Oregon W ater Resources De part
ment related to Water Manage
ment and Conservation Plans.
The following constitutes the Ci
ty's comments.
I must admit that I am
dismayed that the state is pursu
ing what appears to be yet another
unfunded mandate to local
government and the creation of
another layer of bureaucracy at a
time of governmental cutbacks.
As the city manager of a very
small city (pop. 1.440) the draft
rules represent a very onerous
and very expensive mandate.
While many larger communities
may not find the requirements too
much of a burden, 1 suspect I am
not alone in my concern related
to small cities. As you know, the
rules specify the participation of
cities with populations as small as
750. Many of these cities do not
even have staff support to help
comply with the numerous and
ongoing reports, requirements,
and plans required by the draft
rules. Furthermore, based on an
“ economy-of-scale” analysis, it
seems to me that the rules will,
proportionately speaking, create
a very expensive undertaking for
small cities. The engineering ex
penses required for compliance
will undoubtedly amount to
thousands of dollars, not to men
tion the expense of mandated im
provements that will follow the
initial set of plans. Small cities
simply do not have such funding
just laying around waiting for the
state to seize through regulation
and their citizens don’t either.
The city of Heppner has realiz
ed a 42 percent reduction in its
general property tax base due to
Measure 5. In the past few years,
we have also had to triple our
sewer rates to comply with state
and federal regulations related to
our effluent discharge. As a
result, our sewer rates are now at
99 percent of the EPA’s Affor
dability Index. As our deferred
sewer loans come due in the near
future, we will likely step over
the line of affordability. Must we
now look forward to the same
Financial scenario for our water
system? If we do, I think the state
needs to give some serious
thought to the real possibility that
their continuous flow of regula
tions is making life in many small
Oregon cities unaffordable, thus
making them unviable places to
live.
We also feel the draft rules are
an infringement of the city’s
“ Home Rule” authority to main
tain its own water system.
If the draft rules appear unstop
pable, I would propose that the
minimum population for com
pliance be raised to 5,000. Also,
I would suggest that if the state
feels that the issue at hand war
rants the high priority the draft
rules seem to lend to it, that such
an issue should also mandate full
funding from the state.
These comments represent the
city’s sincere concerns related to
the draft rules. Thank you.
Sincerely,
(s) Gary B. Marks
City Manager
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ß right aiulßeauti^ul J4oliday
VanMarter & Kahl Insurance
Bob, Marianne, Steve & Janet
Sheriffs Report
The Morrow County Sheriffs
office reports dispatching the
follow ing business during the past
week:
December 14: Morrow Coun
ty deputy took a report of a possi
ble burglary. Deputy was unable
to locate report. Turned out to be
a civil problem;
Morrow County deputy took a
report on a missing juvenile. In
vestigation is continuing;
M orrow County deputy
responded to West Glen Addition
in the Boardman area to in
vestigate a dog problem;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
fice dispatched the Condon am
bulance to a rural residence.
There was no transport;
M orrow County deputy
responded to West Glen to in
vestigate an on-going dog
problem;
M orrow County deputy
responded to The Feedlot, Irrigon
to take a report of a stolen vehi
cle. Investigation continues.
December 15: Morrow Coun
ty deputy assisted Oregon State
Police with a non-injury motor
vehicle accident on 1-84, mile
post 172.5. Deputies assisted with
traffic control and blocking lanes
of traffic;
M orrow County deputy
responded to Desert Springs
Estates, Boardman, to do a re
quested welfare check;
M orrow County deputy
reported an incident of telephone
harassment. Investigation is
continuing;
M orrow County deputy
responded to The Feedlot in Ir
rigon to take a report of theft. An
unknown amount of jewelry was
reported missing. Value was
undetermined at press time.
December 16: Morrow Coun
ty deputy responded to the West
Glen area for a juvenile problem.
December 17: Morrow Coun
ty Sheriff s office dispatched the
Heppner Fire Dept, to an elec
trical fire at a Heppner residence;
M orrow County deputy
responded to a family dispute in
Irrigon. Problem was resolved;
Morrow County deputy began
investigating a case of criminal
mischief in lone.
December 18: Morrow Coun
ty Sheriff s office dispatched the
Boardman ambulance to 1-84 at
730 interchange for a semi and
trailer that had rolled over. One
person was transported to Good
Shepherd Community Hospital;
Morrow County Sheriffs of
fice responded to a reported vehi
cle accident involving a cow in
Irrigon.
December 19: Morrow Coun
ty Sheriff s office is investigating
the death of a 22 month old in
fant in the Irrigon area.
December 20: Morrow Coun
ty Sheriff s office dispatched the
Boardman ambulance to 1-84,
mile post 151, for a semi that had
flipped over. One male was
transported to Good Shepherd
C om m unity Hospital with
injuries;
Morrow County deputy began
investigation of a theft of 60-70
cases of beer from a trailer that
was at Bat’s Towing in Irrigon;
Morrow County Sheriffs of
fice dispatched the Condon Fire
Dept, to the Condon Air Base for
a circuit breaker box on fire;
M orrow County deputy
responded to the Irrigon area for
a neighborhood disturbance;
Morrow County deputy took a
vandalism complaint from Krissie
Rea, lone, regarding Christmas
lights torn off her residence;
M orrow County deputy
responded to Browns Auto in Ir
rigon
for
suspicious
circumstances.
December 2 1: Morrow Coun
ty deputy responded to Hwy 730
near the Feedlot for a report of
a prowler.
D.A.’s Report
The District Attorney’s office
at the courthouse in Heppner
reports handling the following
business during the past week:
Roger Hager, formerly of Ir
rigon. failed to appear for a hear
ing Dec. 16 on charges of Posses
sion of a Controlled Substance
and Frequenting a Place where
Controlled Substances are Found.
A bench warrant was issued for
his arrest. This incident stems
from the same incident where
Larry Miller, Irrigon, was ar
rested and received 10 years in a
federal penitentiary following
convictions;
Kristine Fields of Irrigon also
failed to appear for arraignment
on a charge of Unauthorized Use
of a Motor Vehicle. A bench war
rant was issued for her arrest;
Rusty Rodriguez, lone, was
convicted Dec. 16 on charges of
being an Ex-Con in Possession of
a Weapon. Rodriguez will be
sentenced Feb. 10, 1994;
Jose L. Erevia, Irrigon, was
convicted Dec. 16 of Assault in
the Fourth Degree and was
sentenced to 180 days in jail. Jail
sentence was suspended on the
condition he undergo anger
management counseling and pay
a $250 fine. The assault stemm
ed from an incident in which his
wife was named as the victim;
Robert Morely of Irrigon, was
found on Dec. 16, to have
violated the conditions of his pro
bation on a charge of Unauthoriz
ed Use of a Motor Vehicle. This
was Morely’s fifth probation
revocation proceeding and as a
result was sentenced to 180 days
in jail;
Carman Valencia, Boardman,
plead not guilty Dec. 16, to Theft
by Extortion and Obtaining
Unauthorized Communication.
The case is set for trial Feb. 10,
1994. “ This will be an interesting
case as Mrs. Valencia is alleged
to have tape recorded a
girlfriend’s statement and then
threatened to release the tape to
her girlfriend’s husband if she
didn’t pay money,” said district
attorney Earl Woods, Jr.;
The charges of Rape I/Kidnap
involving Benito Gil-Santiago and
Martinez-Comasena have been
set for trial on January 20, 1994
These two defendants and a
juvenile are charged with the rape
of a 12 year old girl and the kid
nap of that girl and another girl
and boy all from the Hermiston
area;
Zointa Lopez of Boardman,
failed to appear for hearing on a
Driving While Suspended charge.
A bench warrant has been issued;
The trial of Darlene Johnson,
charged with Burglary, Theft and
being an Ex-Con in Possession of
a Firearm, is set for Feb. 16.
1994.
Births
Nicholas Andrew Lacey-a
son, Nicholas Andrew, was born
to Janel and Andrew Lacy of
Heppner, on November 30, 1993
at St. Anthony’s Hospital in
Pendleton. The baby weighed 9
lbs. 5 oz.
Grandparents are Deraid and
LaVonne Lacey, Fossil and Mary
Jane Peterson, Lake Summerset.
III.
County com m issioner Don
McElligott and his wife, Eunice
recently returned from a two-week
visit to Peking, China, where they
were the guests of their daughter,
K athleen, and her husband.
By Earl Woods
Kathleen and her spouse are both
physicians providing information to
the Chinese on dialysis techniques.
A1 Hopper, Morrow County’s new Public Works Director, reports
that the road department is now grading and re-graveling Sand
Hollow road in preparation for paving when weather improves.
A1 also reports that the re-fencing along West Wilson Road near
Boardman is in progress and that contracts are out for bid for
relocating the irrigation ditches along that road. The bids will be
opened January 7, 1994. Work on the relocation of the ditches must
be completed by March 15, 1994, in order to assure water for the
irrigation season.
Hopper also indicates that the Fuller Canyon Bridge construction
is complete except for a temporary plywood deck and gravel finish,
which will be removed in the spring when the bridge is paved
He has asked us to invite county citizens to provide input to his
office as to any improvements the public might suggest regarding
his department or the county road network.
Margo Sherer, county treasurer and tax collector, tells us that the
county tax receipts for the 1993-94 year stand at 83 percent col
lected, which is a very high rate compared to other counties in the
state.
Gail Gutierrez, the newly elected president of the courthouse local
of American Federation of County, Municipal and Public Employees
union, reports that a meeting will be held by members of the local
on Tuesday, Dec. 28. The purpose of the meeting will be to for
mulate a bargaining position for the forthcoming round of negotia
tions with Morrow County management. The AFSCME union also
represents Pioneer Memorial Hospital employees and Morrow Coun
ty Road Department employees.
Keep an eye on the co-gen project at Coyote Springs. This is a
,*reat technological addition to the county (as well as a significant
value-added asset) and has already generated a potential
turf-war between various governmental entities which would like
to include it within their borders. Hopefully, in the end, all com
munities in the county will share in the benefits of being the host
county for the new generation facility.
Gentry-Allstott was the low bidder on the proposed 32’x34’ two
)ay all steel garage and storage facility to be located at the intersec
tion of May and Chase Streets in Heppner. Negotiations are still
underway pending an approval of the city planning commission.
There is talk circulating through the county concerning a proposal
that the Extension Service in Morrow County be funded by the for
mation of an extension district. This is an option which would
eliminate the need to be included in the county one year operating
budget.
Around
the
County
V
less all the dear children
in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live
with Thee there.
—from “Away In A Manger”
To all the loving families w e’re so proud
to call friends, our thanks and best
wishes for a wonderful Christmas season.
Heppner Gazette-Times
David, April, Joyce, Monique, Jean Ann
i l [ÜÂ1
Residential
Industrial
Commercial
Remodels
JM C O N S T R U C T IO N CO.
Over 30 Years Experience
Lie. # 7400
P O Box 121
Heppner, OR
97836
JERRY M URRELL
Owner
(503) 422-7511
Peace & Joy
As the holiday unfolds In all its mystery
and beauty, may you experience
the warmth of the season.
Merry Christmas
and
many
thanks.
(
Jack, Ruth
Shannon, Bev
Tom A Jered
Court Street Market
JOY TO THE WORLD
...and to our many friends!
With all the tools at hand, may your holiday
season be built upon love, laughter, peace and
good will. We re proud to say thank you to all
who've been there tor us throughout the year
We will close at 5 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 24
^Goast to Goast I
lo loyal patrons
w e extend our thanks
and best wishes for
o wonderful, white
JwmCJmtm
733 3
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