Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 1994)
■^■■VP^VPMVNB pi Î r 3 S I F u Or Voters to decide fate of 3,708,449 county budget March 22 1 ti F T ORE N EWg P A P E R F 11 s * f* Î1. r Ci 1. I 9 7 4 0 3 Morrow County voters will decide the fate of a $3,708,449 county operating levy in the March 22 election. According to Morrow County Judge Louis Carlson, the levy is down $58,402 over the ‘93-94 budget, which translates to one fourth of one percent. Last year’s levy was $3,766,851. "W e think we’re doing a good job of budgeting,” said Carlson. "This is a levy we’re pleased with.” "W e are passing this budget and levy on to the taxpayers with our endorsement,” said John Prag, Boardman, Morrow Coun ty budget committee member. " I ’ve got to tell you that we worked hard to pare this thing down to a manageable size and this committee is going to support it.” Total taxes required, which in clude the six percent increase allowed by law without a vote of the people are $4.540,435. Total taxes for ‘93-94 were $4,557,743. The total county budget however is up to $18,235,732, over $2 million in ‘93-94 Morrow County accountant Lisanne Currin said that increases in other revenues besides taxes, especially in the medical fund, account for the in crease in the total budget and the drop in taxes asked. The county budget includes a one and a half percent increase in salaries. The county assessor has not yet released an estimated assessed valuation, so the cost to the in dividual taxpayer has not yet been determined. Carlson said that the cash car ryover has been upped this year to around $530,000. While the increased carryover is an im provement over last year’s car ryover, which was only $300,000, ideally, says Carlson, the ending fund balance should be around $1 million. “ It is clear that within the private business sector, expenditures must not ex ceed income. This same applica tion holds true with government at all levels. Last year, we had to borrow against the new year in come to make it through the year, a policy that we do not want to continue,” Carlson said. Two positions have been add ed to the county budget in the road department, said Carlson. The two new positions, which Carlson calls the “pothole SWAT TEAM” were created to "p ro vide a quicker response to peo ple reporting problems.” The team will repair potholes and sign and stripe county roads. ' ■J.. •TS;* « • ' V 'N -J v.V>V . ' r T •; “w- o ••• *1 '•-V M :r 4 Cindi Parcel honored by Eleanor Gonty Commission for the Blind honored by second graders VOL. 113 NO. 2 6 Pages Wednesday, January 12, 1994 Morrow County Heppner, Oregon Some city sewer lines need replaced ;K The Heppner City Council Monday night, Jan. 10, heard a report on the condition of the ci ty sewer pipes from Don Olson, wastewater inspector with Ander son Perry Associates engineering firm, who have been in charge of the sewer project. According to Olson, around 400 feet out of 6,000 feet of the line surveyed are "really bad" and will need replacement in the future. "The remaining 5,000 feet actually look quite good for the age of the system," said city manager Gary Marks. Some of the deteriorating line will be included in the sewer pro ject already underway but some will not. Main Street and Church Street surveyed in this recent report were not included in the j 1988 survey and will not be in cluded in the sewer project. Marks said that repairs should be w made on Church Street before the street’s renovation which is scheduled to begin this year. " It’s foolish not to replace it (before the street project). It’s good business to do it right the first tim e.” Main Street is scheduled for renovation in ‘97-98. Olson also reported that some features of the sewer project have been eliminated for a savings of $7,158 and reported on the sewer project’s progress. In other business Tom Springer and Dean Gilman representing Heppner TV, requested interven tion on behalf of the city concer ning problems with U.S. West. According to Springer, poles for the television cable were install ed in Heppner in the 1950s and the phone company did not install their cables until the 1970s. Springer and Gilman say that the phone cables are in such close proximity to the TV cables that it is difficult to complete TV cable repairs or installation without damaging telephone cable. If, in the process of repairs or installa tion, the cable company, or any other entity hits a telephone line, the telephone company charges that entity. This was the case last year when the cable company hit a telephone cable. The TV cable company was charged $1,500 and the accident put the phone service out for four hours. " I t’s a hard ship on the entire city when the phone lines are o u t," says Springer. Marks agreed to speak to the phone company concerning this matter, but the council, saying the matter was a separate issue, voted in favor of an ordinance granting U.S. West a franchise for service. U.S. West is in the process of selling the franchise. In other business the city council: -approved an ordinance annex ing the sewer plant into the city of Heppner. The plant was adja cent to the city limits and no other property was annexed; -established the 1994 St. Patrick’s celebration for March 18-20 and appointed Claudia Hughes and Rene Devin co chairpersons, approved the closure of Willow Street for the event and agreed to charge a $25 peddler’s license for groups wishing to sell during the event; -approved a request for an agreement with Heppner T.V. regarding the use of a joint ease ment for a wastewater pipeline; -passed two resolutions concer ning participation in the Ci- ty/County Insurance Service Trust Pools; -approved a resolution adopting the city’s supplemental budget for fiscal year 1993-94; -approved accounts payable. Long-time school volunteer Eleanor Gonty was honored by Lea Calvert’s second grade students Jan. 6 at Heppner Elementary School. The students made cards and enjoyed "Gummi Bears” in celebration of Gonty's 76th bir thday. Ironically it was also the 76th day of school this year. Gonty helps out in the classroom listening to the children read. "She helps us read stories,” said second grader Ariel Johnson. "She’s really nice when she does.” Gonty started volunteering at the school in 1980. Over the years she has also helped with students in classroom s of teachers, K$y Chinen, Kitty Bredemeier and Pat Edmundson. Gonty says the love of kids spurred her to volunteer. "I like k id s ,” said Gonty. ‘‘It's something I could do. It’s such a rewarding thing to meet them on the street.” Gonty has grand children about the same age as the students in her second grade classroom. Gonty says the most fun she has had in a classroom is this year when she helped the students make gingerbread houses at Christmas time. .♦. • ; * • » ■ — ; •/- V ' */.- N N>V-.Ì v. ’ Photo by Joyce Hughes Cindi P arcel does her work release program through the high school this year, working in the cafeteria w here she helps p repare lunch, serve and cleanup. Last year she helped with the H eppn er Day C are. Cindi Parcel of Heppner was honored by the Oregon Commis sion for the Blind at its 1993 awards recognition ceremony held December 30 in Portland. Parcel was recognized for her contributions to the commission’s summer work experience pro gram at the School for the Blind in Salem. She explored a variety of jobs including child care, housekeeping, sales, stocking shelves and gardening. She was selected for recognition because of her "consistent enthusiasm,” said an Oregon Commission for the Blind news release. Chamber installs new officers District Schools receive site council grants A total of $6.2 million in state grants has been awarded to 342 schools to help train teachers and other school employees in the various elements of Oregon’s school reform program. Heppner High School Site Council received a $4,410 grant; lone, schools a $4,200 grant; Riverside High School, $7.950 and Sam Boardman Elementary, $6.960. Retraining is the top priority of the school reform program this biennium. The funds were ap propriated by the 1993 legislature. The goals of the school reform act, passed by the 1991 legislature is to "produce the best educated citizens in the nation by the year 2000 and a work force equal to any in the world by the year 2010,” said an Oregon .Department of Education news release. "T o do this,” said state school superintendent Norma Paulus. "w e must invest in retraining teachers, for it is they who will make the difference.” Paulus said the average age of an Oregon teacher is 41. "W hat we know about teaching has grown dramatically in the last 20 years.” said Paulus, "yet we haven’t given teachers the time and other resources to make needed changes.” For instance, Ontario High School will use much of its grant for computer training. Mike Taylor, principal of the school, said Ontario has a computer in every classroom, but not all teachers are trained to operate them. “ This grant will give us a real opportunity to do some serious staff development,” he said. All schools which received grants have site councils, in cluding teachers, other employees and parents, which steer local im provement efforts. The grants, which run from $3,000 to $70,000, will be used during an 18 month period beginning in January. The recipients were selected from 465 applicants. Grants cover 41 percent of Oregon’s schools and 33 of the 36 counties. "O ur grant will provide train ing for school and community representatives on our site coun cil to work effectively together to make sound decisions for kids,” said Kathleen Hering. principal of Calapooia Middle School in Albany. Elks Hoop shoot Mon. Jan. 17 The annual Elks Hoop Shoot contest for boys and girls ages eight to 13 will be held Monday, Jan. 17 (Martin Luther King Day) beginning at 1 p.m. at Heppner and lone high schools. The three age brackets for competition will be 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. Age will be determin- »* . ’V•*'•'-• •;;V. -, * m v C 'v V 'V ; • '?- V ’'/ ■ > -*" «* • J . . k • * N ew C h a m b er of C o m m erce officers (left to right): David Taylor of Barnett, Dennis & M oro accountants; Ann M urray of M u rra y ’s Drug; G ary M arks, H ep p n er City M anager; Bill Kuhn of Spicer, Kuhn & Mills attorneys; John Edm unson, and Steve Dickenson, Heppner High School Principal. ed as of April 1, 1994. Winners from the local hoop shoot contest will go to district competition in Hermiston on Saturday, Jan. 29. State competi tion will be held in Keizer, near Salem, on Feb. 12. For more information contact Dave Gunderson, Heppner. or Dick Allen, lone. VA '>i ner High School library. Board elections and discussion of future fundraisers will be on the agenda. ». -: + * People for the Pool plans meeting People for the Pool will be holding their annual meeting on January 17 at 7 p.m. at the Hepp ‘j .■ v • K 4 D e la n n e Ferguson Heppner High School Principal Steve Dickenson took over leadership of the Heppner Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, when he was sworn in as new president by outgoing 1993 Presi dent Rollie Marshall. Dickenson was second vice president last year, and will assume the duties of chamber president immediately. John Ed mondson was elected 1994 se cond vice president. Also at the noon meeting the annual Hats Off award given to a chamber member who shows exemplary service to the com munity. was given to Delanne Ferguson. Ferguson is head ranger at the Heppner Forest Service. During Tuesday's meeting Marshall reviewed the 1993 ac complishments of the Chamber of Commerce, including work with Cycle Oregon's lunch, the annual rose sale, taking tickets at the rodeo, helping with the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, and other activities. Ferguson was honored for her work on Cycle Oregon lunches, the annual Lunch with Santa pro gram, and other activities. She was presented with a special Hats Off cap for her efforts. I ..vA:** 1 ü 1
