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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 2, 1994)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times. Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 2, 1994 The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County o f 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 weekl) 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 H u g h es............................................................ Office Manager, Typesetting April Hilton-Sykes ................................................................................ News Editor Monique D ev in ............................................................................................... Bindery Penni K eersem aker......................................................................................... Printer Jean Ann T u rn e r..................................................................................... Distribution David and April Hilton-Sykes, Publisher Letters to the Editor Speeders endanger community To the Editor: The reason I’m writing this let ter is to let people know that I’m real tired of people speeding up and down our hill. We live on Chase Street and I can’t believe how fast people drive. Sunday evening the 27th bet ween 7:30 and 8 p.m. someone ran over our family puppy and didn’t even have the decency to stop and see if he was OK, or knock on a few doors to see who he belonged to. Stop and think about the look on my children’s faces when we found him in the road dying. I know it was our fault for him being in the road. But, if people would slow down when driving they could have avoided hitting him. It scares me to think it could have been my children. I would really like people to start going the speed limit on our hill and everywhere in town for a safer community. (s) Jacque Hedman Levy deserves support To the Editor: The school bond levy is going to be mailed out soon. That’s an issue that will require some real soul searching for most of us con sidering the recent questions about Kinzua and resulting econom ic uncertainties for Heppner. Against this uncertainty there are major changes taking place in the educational system as a result of the new1 program adopted at the state level, growth within our district and aging facilities which all require investments to be made. At the same time mandated cutbacks take away operating funds. Standing still isn’t an op tion even if we wanted to. It’s a plus that the proposed Pilot Rock, lone display true comradery new levy would replace one we’ve just paid off and is actual ly less than that one. That means we are considering the size of the reduction in our tax rather than the amount of the increase. I believe this levy deserves our support; we need to make this in vestment in our schools. Our community has always recogniz ed the need for responsible in vestment in our kid’s education. Now more than ever though we also need to recognize the impor tance of our educational system to the vitality of our community- part of what makes this a great place to live. Sincerely, (s) Bob Kahl every year, but the task becomes harder and harder. I fear that some students will simply drop through the cracks and all students will learn less than they might. New classrooms are desperate ly needed at not only Riverside High School but at all other Mor row County schools as well. I hope the voters of Morrow Coun ty will give me and all of the staff the tools we need to prepare our children for the life ahead of them. (s) Frances Glenn Boardman Riverside gym will torpedo bond issue School bond issue lean, no-frills To the Editor: Saturday’s East Oregonian has a front page article headlined “ Irrigon voters may torpedo school bonds’’. What will pro bably torpedo the bond issue even more than the Irrigon vote is the gigantic gymnasium proposed to be added to Riverside High School. Many people have men tioned they would be willing to be taxed for necessities, but con sider the large gym a frill. Why, when taxpayers are all trying to tighten their belts, is the county asking us to pay for a gymnasium that will seat 2,000 people, when the present gym is never filled for sporting events? It would be nice if every town in the county had a facility like this, if there was an abundance of funds, but that is not the case. I also want to comment on two letters in last week’s Hermiston Herald. One letter stated passing the bond levy would lay the groundwork for a future high school in Irrigon as the area con tinues to grow. Why would anyone think that adding a huge gymnasium to Riverside and To the Editor: Voters in Morrow County have enlarging that school to accom modate 600 or more students the opportunity this month to im woulr provide a favorable climate prove the education for their for restoring a high school to Ir children and future generations to rigon? I don’t think anyone in Ir come. The opportunity will pre rigon believe that. The other let sent itself March 22 when voters ter states voting in this bond will are aksed to approve a lower overall taxes because of the $15,585,000 bond levy by the decrease in tax rate because of Morrow County School District. Measure 5. This is totally inac As 20 year residents of Board- curate, voting in a 15 million man and lifetime residents of dollar bond issue is not going to eastern Oregon, we strongly sup lower taxes. Many people in Ir port the school initiative. We base rigon have had their property re this decision on both the cost- evaluated and are paying con effectiveness of the bonds and our siderably more tax than before county’s need for modern new Measure 5. school facilities. This is a lean, I have one parting thought. I no frills, package that will pro don’t believe any town in the duce major capital benefits at county would support the bond m inim al cost to taxpayers issue if it meant they would lose estimated no higher than $1.97 their high school. Before you per thousand dollars of assessed criticize Irrigon too harshly, stop valuation. and think how you'd feel if it were your town in danger of los ing your high school, or, as is our situation, in danger of not having it restored. To the Editor: (s) Annette Eppenbach Opportunity is knocking in Irrigon Morrow County. In the Morrow County School District. 89 per cent of all school building in vestments are paid by corporate or commercial property taxes. It If deterioration sets in, if health is like big business chipping in 89 facilities are inadequate, if ser cents everytime you, I and our vices are cut back, then our future neighbors elect to spend 11 cents is also at stake. H eppner Chamber membership urges you to vote yes to insure a continuing environment where people and business thrive. Sincerely, To the Editor: The upcoming mail ballot in (s) Steve Dickenson, president cludes the Morrow County Heppner Chamber of Commerce budget request to operate our county for the next Fiscal year. The budget committee, which in cludes the three county court members and three independent citizens, met for five full days to review, question and in a number of instances cut or reconstructed the various department requests. The end effect resulted in a tax requests less than this year. The amount of property taxes requested is in a sufficient amount to adequately fund all essential county services and to retain all existing county employees. The retention of these jobs has become highly significant in light of the potential loss of jobs at the Kinzua Mill and the planned reduction of 30 forest service positions. The economic base of south Morrow County could well be dependent upon the successful passage of the Morrow County budget. I urge you to please mark your mail-in ballot in favor of the To the Editor: Election is just around the cor ner with ballots being mailed out March 3. Heppner Chamber of Commerce encourages citizens to support both the Morrow Coun ty opeating levy and the Medical Fund levy. It is essential that our county continue to provide those services necessary to the health and well being o f our communities. PLUMBING We Print Business Forms Coast to Coast < WE CA> H F.Ì.P VOI 676-9961 Many styles and colors to choose from Gazette-Times 676-9228 To the Editor: Morrow County’s general fund finances the services that we locally benefit directly from.. We watched the budget com mittee, the county commissioners and a strong budget officer go on school facilities. Big business probably doesn’t think that’s fair but when an op portunity to build lasting facilities knocks for 11 cents on the dollar it should be seized. Please help pass the school bond levy. (s) Dean Mason Boardman Morrow County tax request. As a member of the budget commit tee, I can assure you that we will continue to work for sound, effi cient and responsible budgets that we can recommend to our fellow taxpayers. Yours very truly, (s) John A. Prag through departmental budgets item by item and make hard decisions. I believe it’s lean as can be. prudent, and deserves our support. (s) Ken Turner Act positively for our schools To the Editor: We are writing this letter in support of the upcoming Morrow County School District bond levy which will be coming to voters in March. The school district facilities are in need of expansion at the north end of the county. The population increase has caus ed all the north end facilities to be very overcrowded. When Riverside High School was built, it was expected to house 200 students. Their enrollment is dou ble that amount, and is currently being held in the commons area, under stairwells and any other va cant space where a few desks can be placed. The Heppner Middle School is deteriorating. It is cold in the wintertime and too hot in the spring and fall. Tiles are peeling off the floors; there was once a fire in the upper timbers and the charred timbers are still there for future potential problems. With the possibility of Kinzua closing, and I sincerely hope and pray the new owners will not close down Heppner’s source of stability, Heppner needs to look good to potential businesses in the March 3rd: South Morrow economy could depend on budget passage COAST TO COAST Heppntr At a recent school board meeting, a group of residents from Irrigon told the board they would not support the bond if they could not have a high school/middle school in Irrigon. No matter which side of the issue you believe in, the space and im provements are needed regardless where the schools end up. Let us pull together as a county to build a future for the present and future children of Morrow County. The measure of any strong community can be determined, in part, by its support of local schools. Do we care about our young people? Do we care about their future and our community’s future? The answer to both ques tions can be answered with a yes vote on schools March 22. Sincerely (s) Blair and Dalarie Philippi Boardman Opportunity is knocking Chamber supports county levy cutbacks. Along with these young ladies, the lone Community Band came to play and show their support for the Heppner teams. The com radery between Heppner and lone was evident and a fond apprecia tion of the lone Community Band was evident everywhere in the gym. No words can express what it meant to the Heppner teams and supporters to have the Pilot Rock cheerleaders and the lone Com munity Band boost our spirits. We are grateful to both. Heppner Boooster club (s) Marcia Kemp County budget sound New classrooms needed To the Editor: In the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of teaching nearly 1,300 Boardman and Irrigon students in one or more classes at Riverside High School. My classes have always been crowd ed, with more students than the district wide average, and I've enjoyed having a full classroom. Since Riverside has grown from 150 students to nearly 400 since the last remodeling was completed, every classroom, mine included, has grown as well. Every teacher tries to cope with more and more students To the Editor: If you attended the district playoffs this past weekend at the Pendleton Convention Center, you would have witnessed one of the most memorable events that ever took place-no not the actual basketball games, but Pilot Rock cheerleaders and a community band from lone cheering and playing for the Heppner girls and boys basketball teams. The young cheerleaders are true components of sportsman ship, for they possess the courtesy and generoisty to set in and cheer for another school which lost cheerleaders and band to budget area. In the past, when disaster has come to Heppner, the people have a history of building up again. With this bond levy, Hepp ner can build a new facility which can be used by the entire com munity and make its schools on the leading edge of technology Technological improvements are very important for our students today who will be adults in the next century, and doubly so because of our rural location in the state and country. Our students need to be on top of these advancements. All facilities are in need of maintenance and upkeep, which, if not voted in with this levy, will need to come out of the general fund budget. If the funds come out of the general fund, it would mean the loss of programs and staff. At the present time, MCSD is not in any bonded indebtedness and interest rates are down. This is the time to act and to act positively for our schools. Vote yes in March. Sincerely, (s) Frank and Cara Osmin Old Timers - PER Widows and Ladies Nite Dinner at 6 p.m. Recognition during lodge at 8 p.m. March 18th: Calcutta - St. Pat’s bull riding Saturday March 19th: St. Patrick’s Celebration beginning at 10 a.m. with KUMA broadcasting program, brunch 11 a.m. dinner 6 p.m. dancing 9 p.m. with two bands. N OW H IR IN G : part-time cook (lunches Tues.-Thurs. and from menu Fri.-Sat.) evenings Bingo every Wednesday night 7:30 p.m. Heppner Elks 676-9181 Where Friends M eet” 142 N. Main Court Street Market 111 N. Court Heppner 676-9643 GROCERIES - MEATS - PRODUCE Prices good March 2nd - 8th Western Family 18 oz. Fresh Asparagus lb. Peanut Butter Reg *20» $ |4 0 Western Family 12 oz. t5< lb. Chocolate Chips Reg *1« Celery Green Peppers 99 < Soup Starter M ix 70z 3 for Kraft 16 oz. i Cucum bers D ’ Anjou Pears 3 for 99 < Cheez Whiz Reg ♦ •<ib »4» $ | 4 * Hills Doggies 3 i lb La Victoria 22 oz. Salsa Reg $l ° ° Ground Beef 8 i% lean » 2 « Western Family 90 count m Paper Towel 2 for I Boneless Pot Roast $ |4 9 lb.
