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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 - NINE Candidates believe the Port of Morrow can be a major player in communi ty development. fro m p a g e 8 creased by assisting local pro jects and being alert for opportunities. He said that the port should strive to become totally self supporting, generating reven- sues for further development. He also says that experience and knowledge of the history of the Port give him an advan tage over his opponents. "Morrow County enjoys the distinction of having the preeminent Port District on the upper Columbia River. The Port of Morrow has successful ly established a major transpor tation hub for the region which sends a remarkable amount of commodities into the export market. The Port's efforts to attract in dustry have paid off immense ly with new industries paying more than half of our county taxes. For example, the new Coyote Springs Co-Generation Power Plant at the Port will provide the stimulus for diver- sifictaion into exciting new areas, while adding another 25 percent to the taxable base of the county. The Port of Morrow serves 23 tenants which pro vide over 1,000 local jobs. Strategic planning shows pro mise of adding many more, jobs. The Port of Morrow's land and infrastructure are valued at more than 20 times the entire tax investment made by our citizens since the beginning of the Port. There are several reasons for the impressive results at the Port of Morrow: (1) the incredi ble vision and foresight of the original, founders of the Port District; (2) the solid, unwaver ing support by the voters which enabled the Port to meet its challenges and seize oppor tunities; (3) the efforts of an ex cellent staff of dependable em ployees; (4) consistent dedication to long-term goals by progressive commissioners; and (5) the God-given advan tage of superb geographic loca tion." " I am honored to have been allowed to serve the Port of Morrow in the past, and I ask your support for the future." "Although most develop ment has necessarily been sited on the waterfront, the Port Commission has invested much effort to assist other areas of the county. Port bonding for Kinzua and Longview Fibre enabled the Heppner Mill to keep operating with power, generation and wood drop deliveries, to the Port's barge terminal during a very stressful period for the timber industry. Efforts to entice a secondary wood products business to the south end are continuing. The Port is providing community support for local projects affec ting tourism and recreation." Fax Paper Gazette-Times 676-9228 Morrow County School Board member Two people, Tom McElligott and Russell Morgan, are com peting for one seat as school district board member for zone 4. Terry Tallman Terry Tallman, 48, Board- man, has lived in the communi ty for 17 years. He and his wife, Cheryl, have three children, Jonathan, 18, Crystal, 16, and Derrin, 13. He has been a farmer for 21 year. Cheryl is a registered nurse who works with patients, under a doctor's direction, with Pioneer Memor ial Home Health. Tallman is a Vietnam veter an, serving with the U.S. Navy Russell Morgan Russell Morgan, 31, Hepp from 1967 to 1971. He attend ner, has lived in the county five ed Adrian High School, years. He and his wife, Karen, Treasure Valley Community who is a homemaker, have two College, the University of children, Seth, 3, and Cole, 1. Oregon and Oregon State Morgan is a wildlife biologist University. He has been a member of the with the Oregon Department of Planning Commission since Fish and Wildlife. He attended 1984 and has been the chair for Mountain View High School in the past six years. He has serv Bend and graduated from ed on the Morrow-Umatilla Oregon State University with a County Regional Strategies bachelor of science degree in Development Fund Committee wildlife science. He is a for Value Added Agriculture. member of the Willow Creek He is a member of the Riverside Country Club; a member and High School Booster Club and board member of the Heppner has been a coach for Little BPOE; and co-chairman of the League and Columbia Youth Heppner chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Basketball. Morgan says that the most "1 believe we are entering an pressing issue facing the school era of ever increasing demands board is funding, "the ability of for money and resources and the school district maintain the yet we can see there are limits basic programs and conditions to our money and resources," for an adequate education. I commented Tallman. "This feel strongly, however, that means or decisions over the next few years in Morrow while the basic education pro County are extreemely impor gram is the absolute necessity, it is important that we work tant. These decisions will have an hard to maintain those pro impact for all of Morrow Coun grams which promote diversi ty (e.g., vo-ag, technological, ty for the next 20 years." "Major issues confronting drama, music, sports and our whole county are: 1) conti others) among children. These nuing to make Morrow Coun programs are what many ty economically stronger; (2) adults remember most about continuing to improve com their education, and I want our munication among all the children to have those same governmental groups and en opportunities. "Another major issue is the tities throughout Morrow outcome of this legislative ses County and (3) encouraging sion regarding the education potential employers to come to reform act," adds Morgan. our county that will provide "This bill is complex and while jobs with better pay scales. there are many positive aspects "I believe that I can represent all of Morrow County," said of it, there are also enough con Tallman. " I have been doing cerns by the public to make im that on various committees and plementation of it, as it is now, projects with which I have been very difficult. Regardless of the involved the last 90 days. We outcome of this session, the are a small county with a small education reform act will like population. It is imperitive we ly be a major issue for many work together or we will school districts around the state perish. All of our county must in the future. "Lastly, an imprtant issue to have an economic base upon me is the ability of our children which to work. We need to to excel after they attend the define and focus upon the most public education system in effective and efficient projects, Morrow County. While I prioritize and fund the realize that the recent 'report necessary funding to make card', that placed our students these concepts and ideas a at a low skill level in some reality in our county. " I would like to have the op areas, may be misleading, it still portunity to help the people causes me great concern. It is and communities of our coun my desire that our education ty,"concluded Tallman. " I system should not promote an Senior Citizens Special environment that just gets our children by, but rather one that gives them the tools they need to excell in today's world. With funding cuts resulting from Measure 5 and 'equalization', it will be difficult and perhaps impossible, but hopefully we will continue trying. Concerning the new 7-12 configuration to be im plemented at the high school this fall, Morgan says, "The bottom line, however, is that the decision has been made and we must get on with mak ing it work. We must be sen sitive to many of the potential problems that were presented by parents and to the resulting loss of jobs, but for our children's sake, it is imperative that we make it work. " I believe that all board members should represent the district and all children within it, as a whole," he adds. " I do feel, however, that each area's school system presents dif ferent needs and challenges. As such, I believe it is important that board members use local input and local familiarity, with issues specific to their area, to help guide their decisions. "Like many people in my community, I have concerns about the future of our children's public educations system. With two young boys of my own, I feel it is a good time to become involved with the changes that seem in evitable, It is my intention to pursue any viable options that will help maintain and strengthen our school system in Morrow County." Schools and received bachelor's and m aster's degrees in business administra tion from Gonzaga University. He was an appraiser at Morrow County for four years and has owned the Morrow County Abstract and Title in Heppner for the past 15 years. McElligott is a volunteer am bulance driver and a local area trauma board member, ATAB 9 (state board). McElligott says that "e x ploding growth in population in the North end will necessitate the building of new facilities. All options should be examined, including the ex amination of the costs, economies and state support that would be realized if another high school were established." He says that realignment of the schools to economize "may include the district wide establishment of the 7-12 for mat. This is currently a 'done deal' in the Heppner Schools. It follows that if it does save money we will need to estab lish this as a district-wide policy. If this is done to save money and safety of the students is maintained, it should be encouraged." McElligott says that the four- day school week should be ex amined to see "if any costs are really being saved on this ar rangement". "O n my personal o b serv atio n ," continued McElligott, "the fact that the smaller children do not benefit under this arrangement is of paramount concern. I have been informed that the older children are also at risk, since there seems to be a direct cor relation to shopping and inven tory shrinkage with the four day week." Concerning the possibility of “ nct[.acting busing services, McElligott says, "If a decision to contract the busing is made any decision on this therefore cannot be made until the end of the term of the contract be- ,| mg awarded, although any ad- f lk | m>nistration of funds in the in- ^ ■ te r v e n in g period can be watch- and managed in such a Tom McElligott manner to mitigate any adverse Tom McElligott, Heppner, impacts which will be felt " was bom and raised in Morrow ' 'Cocurricular activities are of County. He and his wife, some concern in our com- Laura, have six children, munities," added McElligott Ethan, 18, Daniel, 16, Brian, 14, "In the past these activities Robert, 7, Brendan, 5, anc were given priority over some Catherine, 3. Laura is the Mor academic programs and it row County Public Healtl hasn't changed much in the last nurse/administrator. 25-30 years, although the cur- McElligott attended Ion rent adjustments to the lack of state support have placed us in the position that we will not have any extra monies for the 1995-% tax year within the school budget for the cocur ricular activities, although the academic side of the schooling is set to drift at the whims of the state as we have to take care of mandated programs. The creation of the 'recreation district' does give some slack for the co-curricular programs. By the time that the election is decided for the school board, this funding will have already been voted on, and hopefully decided." Adults can sample Japanese life too Adults, as well as youth, can sample Japanese family life and learn about Japan's history and culture under the 4-H Japanese exchange program, points out Joyce Hughes, exchange coor dinator for Morrow County. All three Japanese organiza tions participating in the ex change program offer adult programs that combine homestays with tours featuring Japanese history and culture. The cost in 1995 will run about $2,000 including air fare. The adult homestay program offered by Labo International Exchange Foundation includes a week with a family and time in Kyoto, the old capital of Japan. Utrek also includes a week stay with a family and a second week of travel em phasizing Utrek's philosophy tif viewing Japanese culture as an adaptation to its natural environment. The LEX Adult and Family Exchange also includes a week with a family plus a trip to Kyoto. Persons participating in the adult exchange will travel to Japan in early October, Hughes, notes. Persons in terested in participating must apply by May 1. The Labo Foundation offers reduced fees for people who have hosted Japanese students in their homes or who have held leadership posts in the ex change program in Oregon. Additional information about the adult exhanges is available from Hughes 676-9959. We Print BUSINESS FORMS • Invoices • Statements • Purchase Orders • Shipping Form s • Computer Form s • Memo Pads Professional Layout & Design Call us for all your printing needs Free Price Quotes F A X SE R V IC E (60 years old and older) ‘Beecher’s at Price List ‘Restaurantand Lounge lone, Oregon 422-7038 Every Wednesday Evening Btuj iu<e doom and gel the mtwd OHS FRSS. Tell all your friends Hope to see you there! Outgoing FAX First page Additional pages Incoming $ 2 .5 0 $1 per page $1 Per page FAX NUMBER IS 676-9211 Incoming FAX line open 24 hours a day Heppner Gazette-Times 147 W illow , Heppner, OR 97836 Ph. 676-9228 F A X 676-9211
