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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 1995)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 8, 1995 - SEVEN Editori al Commission on Children and Families to hold workshop We need school levy - vote yes There will be two separate issues concerning the education payer with a 50,000 home payed $500 last year for school taxes. and welfare of our children up before the voters in the up This year the same taxpayer would pay $470 a year. There is coming mail-in election: the school bond levy for construc no excuse for those who say they care about children to vote tion of new classrooms, remodeling of current structures and down a levy because "th ey don't have children in school technology (computers); and the swimming pool construction anym ore". Shame on you. I hope that when I am old I still bond and three-year serial levy. Both issues deserve your yes care about the welfare of children, and not just the blonde, vote. blue eyed, English speaking variety. The $13,290,000 school district general obligation bond will 4 .South Morrow County, let's face it. Our population is build 45 new classrooms, remodel, repair and maintain ex dwindling, and aging. North Morrow County is young and isting facilities, provide updated communications systems and growing. We are faced with a school consolidation here in the will meet federal and state requirements for disabled access south, because we just don't have the students to justify the and asbestos removal. There are three reasons to vote for this: number of teachers and programs we had years ago. "W hen 1. Students in the north end are so crowded that in some I was a k id ," is not justification. Times are changing. Don't instances they are holding classrooms in closet space. The area make it worse and vote against the bond levy because you is still growing. People in the south who have a grudge against are mad that your seventh grader has to be in the same school the north, think of these children as your own. Then how as high schoolers. As a parent of two high schoolers, I realize would you vote? Children who do not have the room to learn that they may look big and scary, but most of them are good will become a problem to society, a problem that you will end kids. I cannot see most of them wanting much to do with 7th up paying for. and 8th graders and would certainly not want to hurt them. 2. If the bond issue fails, 25 teachers will have to be cut, many Let's give this a chance. Also, any of you Irrigon residents in the south end schools. The money that would have been who are mad because you didn't get your high school, don't spent on teachers will have to go to pay for repairs, give up hope. With the growth you are experiencing, I think maintenance and federal and state mandates. We are already you may get your high school some day. 1 hope so, but don't losing 11 teachers. Can we afford to lose any more teachers take it out on this levy and make things worse. or programs? No. The kids will suffer if this bond issue fails. As an editor who has attended many, many meetings over Remember, this bond issue has nothing to do with teachers' the years, I question the motives of many boards, greed and salaries. It has to do with construction and maintenance of grudges and territorial mudslinging figure in more often than classrooms. I would ever want to admit. But not with the school board. 3. The schools are in their final phase of Ballot Measure 5. You may not always agree with them, but I firmly believe that The money for operating expenses for education is at its lowest the school board has the best interests of all the children of point, $7.50 per thousand assessed valuation. Last year it was Morrow County at heart. They are doing a good job. Vote for $10 per thousand assessed valuation. So, even if the bond levy the construction bond levy. is passed at $1.96 per thousand valuation, the total amount April Hilton-Sykes to be spent on education is still lower than last year. A tax- Approve both pool measures We need a swimming pool and this one has something for everyone. It will have a fan style, zero-depth sloping beach type pool, which will be ideal for young children and allows handicap access. Older children and adults will be able to use the competition lanes and a slide with a deep well will be a lot of fun for the more adventurous, without the danger and noise of a diving board. The year-round therapy pool can be used for physical therapy and water aerobics, 'Htere will also be a room for meetings and classes, in addition to a dressing room. Pool Commission officials say that the entire pool package is around $1.2 million. But, they did not want to ask the voters to fund a million dollars. So they kept the bond levy at $975,000. This will fund the basic pool and dressing room. On ly if they are able to raise the additional money through grants and donations will they build the indoor therapy pool. So, what is this going to cost you? A person with a $50,000 home will pay around $30.50 a year to fund both the pool con struction bond and the three-year operating levy; one with a $500,000 business will pay around $305; and one with a $1 million ranch will pay $610. Both the pool construction bond measure at 45 cents per thousand and the three-year operating levy at 16 cents per thousand must pass. The Kinzua Corp. grant program has pledged $45,000 toward the pool effort if the bond and serial levy pass. The People for the Pool have raised around $15,000. The therapy pool and handicap access aspects of the pool may avail the project to other grants. Yes, the pool will give the kids a fun summer activity, im portant in these times of threatened school activities, but it will also provide a safe activity. Children will once again be able to take organized swimming lessons, and, just as impor- Great Decisions group to meet The "Great Decisions" dis cussion group will meet on Thursday, March 9. Everyone curious about the program is invited to drop by. This week's Health Dept* The Morrow County Health Dept, lists the following mon thly schedule for blood pres sures and immunizations: Thursday, March 9: blood pressures and immunizations, Heppner office, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14: blood pressures and immunizations, county office, Irrigon, 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 15: blood pressures, senior center, Hepp ner 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16: blood pressures and immunizations, Heppner office, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21: blood pressures and immunizations, lone city hall, 11 a.m.-noon; Boardman city hall, 1:30-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 28: blood pressures and immunizations, county office, Irrigon 1-4 p.m. Thursday, March 30: blood pressures and immunizations, Heppner office, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. topic is the future of the United Nations. The informal discus sion begins at 7 p.m. at the book store next to city hall. Justice Court Report __ The Justice Court office at the courthouse annex building in Heppner reports handling the following business during the past week: Corey Patrick Sweeney, 21, Heppner-Violation of the Basic Rule, 52 mph in a 35 mph zone, $117 fine; Kirsti Winters, 21, Lexington- Violation of the Basic Rule, 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, $95 fine; Philip William Wirth, 35, Monument-Truck Speeding, 70 mph in a 55 mph zone, $95 fine; Cheri Alston, Heppner- Maintaining a Dog as a Public Nuisance, $58 fine; Myron Williams, Heppner- Discharging a Weapon in City limits, $92 fine; patrick T. Aulton, 40, Gresham-Hunting Prohibited Area, Shooting From Road, $112 fine. tantly, may not be as tempted to swim at Willow Creek Lake. The lake is a tragedy waiting to happen. Let's not wait for a child to drown before we do something. The algae choked water at certain times of the year is not too appealing either. There are people who say that the pool should be self sup porting. It has never been self supporting and few, if any com munity pools are self supporting. Pools are normally funded through municipalities or recreation districts. Some rural residents say they don't use the pool or it's too far to bring their children in and so they don't feel they should have to pay for it. Their position is understandable, but the previous pool was tax supported by residents of the city of Heppner. However, everyone, city or rural dweller, was welcome to use it. And anything that gives children so much joy has something going for it. Some people are still saying "W hat was wrong with the old pool?" It had serious structural problems that could have been dangerous, serious filtering problems and heating problems. Repairing the pool would have been exorbitant and like put ting a bandaid on a gaping wound. On top of it, the city was hard hit by ballot Measure 5 and in no position to fund repairs or construction of a new pool. The pool is one more thing that will help attract people to Heppner. Believe it or not, some people are reluctant to move to the area. It's too far from shopping malls, movies, colleges, the freeway, etc. Let's not make it too far to the nearest pool. A yes vote for the pool construction bond and operating levy will be a yes vote for our children and our community. You must vote for both for either to pass. A pool cannot be built without money to operate and operating monies are no good without a pool. Vote yes on measures 25-13 and 25-14. ______________________ _ April Hilton-Sykes In the Service Navy Firem an Erik T. Jorgensen is more than halfway through a six-month deploy ment to the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf aboard the destroyer tender USS Cape Cod. Jorgensen is one of more than 1,800 sailors aboard the 645 foot-long repair ship, which departed San Diego in October. Jorgensen's ship can perform a wide-range of shipboard main tenance and also provide logistics support to Navy units in remote areas. Equipped with high-tech electronics repair equipm ent, sophisticated machine shops, and divers with underwater welding equipment, USS Cape Cod is a floating repair center. Jorgensen and his fellow crew members spent a month in Yokosuka, Japan, where they completed more than 2,000 repair jobs in support of Navy ships deployed to the Western Pacific ocean. Jorgensen and the Cape Cod crew also have been providing fleet repair services for ships in the Persian Gulf, which have been working in support of the no-fly zone over southern Iraq. He is the son of Don Jorgensen, Irrigon and grad uated from Riverside High School in 1994. He joined the Navy in July. Still time to The Morrow County Com mission on Children and fam ilies will be holding technical assistance workshops for project proposals. The first workshop will be March 13 at 10 a.m. at the Children's Ser vices Division conference room, 101 SW Kinkade, Board- man. The second workshop will be held March 16, at 10 a.m. at Columbia Basin Electric Conference Room, 171 W. Linden, Heppner. An estimated $195,422 will be available during the 1993-95 biennium to help Morrow County children and families. The local commission ad ministers funds from Great Start, Juvenile Services, Stu dent Retention Initiative, Child Care Block Grants and Oregon Youth Conservation Corps programs. Among programs currently funded county wide are DARE, Hands on Science, Gang In tervention Task Force, Cross roads (a shelter home pro gram), Client Specific, Juvenile Department assistant, Sex Abuse Program, Responsible Adulthood Workshop, Parent Training, and the summer Oregon Youth Conservation Corps program. Adopt-a-Cop, Columbia Youth Basketball, Youth Assistance Services, Boardman Child Development Center are all based in Board- man. The South Neighborhood Center Summer Project Hepp ner Daycare, Drug/Alchol/ Tobacco Education, Parent/ Child/Teacher Video Program are based all in Heppner and Creative Care Preschool in lone. Start up funding for the Irrigon Latchkey program was also provided. All proposed programs must be consistent with the goals of the commission and address the benchmarks that have been identified in the Commission Comprehensive Plan. Proposal packets wil be available at both Technical Assistance Work shops or by contacting the Commission office at 471 N. Main, Heppner, or calling 676-9675. St. Pat's celebration 10 days away Come rain or shine the 13th annual St. patrick's celebration in Heppner is only 10 days away. "Even wild horses couldn't keep us away from the 1995 Wee Bit 'O Ireland cele bration said co-chairpersons, Claudia Hughes and Rene' Devin. This is Hughes' fifth year in the position of co-chair and Devin's second. Many volunteers faithfully put in long hours in preparation for the Irish event, Bob Kahl who chairs the parade every year; the Catholic and Methodist church members, seniors, firemen, and O' Golfers who cook the food; the auction workers; the Lamb Cookoff, coffee hour, and sheep dog trial organizers; the pageant volun teers, and neighbors Ted Smith, Joe McLaughlin, Scott Sager, Mike Duffy and the Doherty family. The list goes on and on. "A glimpse at the schedule of events show that even with leprechauns about, it doesn't happen in just a twinkle of the e y e ," says Hughes. The dedicated com mittee makes it happen. A big change for 1995 will be the Sunday auction in conjunc tion with the lamb barbecue at the fairgrounds. Following Saturday's activities, it is hoped that everyone will kick back on Sunday to enjoy the lamb barbecue sponsored by the South Morrow Scholarship Trust and the indoor auction which keeps the event ongoing from year to year. Auction chairpersons Doris Brosnan, John and Ann Murray and Diana Ball are collecting some terrific items and still welcome contributions. Also on site at the fairgrounds on Sunday will be O' Barrel Racing and Rop ing events. There will be something for everyone. Dallas McKennon to entertain Sat. during St. Pat's celebration Dallas McKennon, a well known actor from Portland, will be coming to Heppner for the St. Patrick's Day celebra tion. McKennon will provide entertainment on Saturday night, March 18, at the Hepp ner Junior High Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets will cost $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12 and will be available at Murray Drugs, the St. Patrick's infor mation booth on Main Street enter parade and at the door. Segments of the "Erin Came to County Morrow" pageant will be performed by local talent with McKennon's help. "Erin Came to County Mor row " is a pageant written by Jane Rawlins specifically for the St. Patrick's celebration. The pageant was performed in its entirety twice. This year certain segments will be performed during McKennon's show. Children "young and old” will be entertained by Dallas McKennon. Arts and Crafts club to hold sale There's still time to get entered in the big St. Patrick's Day parade. This year's parade includes categories for Irish floats, the best Irish characters and Irish groups, antique autos and machinery, bands, musical groups, dance and drill teams, civic groups, bicycles and more. For those Irish lads and lassies, age 12 and under, the Kids and Pets division of the parade will again be looking to give out a little o' the green to those who come as either the best (Irish) dressed kid and pet, have the best behaved Irish pet, the most talented Irish pet or the best looking Irish pet. The St. Patrick's Day Parade will be Saturday, March 18 right after the bed race at 1 p.m. Check in time is 11:30 a.m. in front of Green Feed and Seed store. For more information or en try forms contact Bob Kahl 676-9113 days or 676-5422 even ings or stop in at Van Marter & Kahl Insurance in Heppner. Morrow County Creative Arts and Crafts club members are reminded to bring all items they might like to offer for sale to the Les Schwab showroom for the St. Patrick's celebra- tion Food items are welcomed this year and the group needs lots of white elephant item s. Everything should be priced. "Now is the time to pick out a ^ew things that you no longer use' someone else might like to buy to raise funds for the an^ to c*ean UP own clutter, said Peggy De -°ete. The club also needs cookies from each member to help welcome visitors. The show W*U t”1111 fr°m 10 a m- until 4 P m- nex* meeting will be Monday, March 22 at 1 p.m. at Kate's Pizza. Big green booth has the answers Need a schedule of events, a ticket to the evening entertain ment by Dallas McKennon, a lucky collectors button? Want to know where to catch a ride on the O'Schooner wagon or who won the O'Ducky race? Find all the answers you need at the information booth by the Post Office. The members of Soroptimist International of Heppner will be on hand to greet visitors, sell tickets and give information on Saturday, March 18. Also available will be Irish envelopes for purchase for those wishing to mail a greeting with the first issue Wee Bit O 'lreland cancellation stamp. Postmaster Mike McGuire will begin offer ing this stamp Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18.
