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 weekly 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. Bo* 337,
Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $18 in Morrow, Wheeler, Cilliam and
Grant Counties; $25 elsewhere.
April Hilton-Sykes....................................................................................... News Editor
Stephanie Jensen...................................................Typesetting, Layout, Distribution
Monique Devin ..........................................................Advertising layout & Graphics
Penni Keersemaker .............................................................................................. Printer
David Sykes, Publisher
Letters to the Editor
Good comes out of disaster
To the Editor:
Monday, the 15th of January
was a sad day, made so by a
devastating fire that put a fami
ly of six out on the street. What
good could possibly come from
such a disaster?
Well, actually, I personally
witnessed some remarkable
things that day. And, I might
add, for several days following.
People made something won
derful happen. Some whom I
had never met, some whom I
knew, and all that I will never
forget.
However, these were not or
dinary people, rather they were
all extraordinary people of
Hepper, lone and Lexington. ,
As fire consumed this home, I
witnessed people who came
forward and immediately of
fered shelter and comforting
words to the displaced family.
When firefighters brought
out salvageable household
belongings, a team of people
gathered around in the street.
Some with towels in hand be
gan wiping water and soot off
the pictures, furniture, appli
ances and other items. Others,
with a threat of rain, loaded the
items into pickup trucks and
hauled them to a storage shed.
And this shed was even made
available by a “ real'' lady
whose “ heart" is bigger than
mere words.
Later that day (and days to
follow), people, businesses and
organizations provided shelter,
food, clothing and even some
cash for this family. Even to
day, this family is sharing a
home with a friend until an
other house is located.
What good could possibly
come from this disaster? Love,
compassion, and actions pour
ed from untold numbers of
people. Those people, busi
nesses and organizations who
gave so much are to be com
mended. May God Bless You,
each one.
I hope and pray that this kind
of disaster will not occur again.
Truth is, we live in the real
world. Someday, sometime,
someplace, disaster will even
tually strike again. Will the
community respond again? I
believe the people of Heppner,
lone and Lexington will band
together and defeat calamity,
whatever it may be, just as they
did this time (and, as I've been
told, in times past as well).
One more word needs to be
said. After having spent 25
years in the fire service, two as
a volunteer and 23 as paid pro
fessional, I found the Heppner
Volunteer Fire Department to
be most worthy citizens. From
my observations during this
fire I noted several things. First,
a quick response time. Note
worthy, because it's been said
that volunteers are slow (not
this department).
Firefighters made interior
and exterior fire attacks simul
taneously. I noted many
“ steam conversions" occurr
ing. When “ steam conver
sions" of this type occur, it is
a sign of an aggressive interior
fire attack. Fire ground com
mand, willingness of team
work, salvage and overhaul
operations appeared well-coor
dinated.
Fires in old houses with open
vertical shafts in walls and
without fire stops are most dif
ficult to control. Construction
with lathe/plaster wall and ceil
ings are difficult to penetrate.
Hidden recesses and multiple
attic spaces are nightmares. Yet
this fire crew weathered the
storm and won the battle.
HVFD-keep up the good work.
You're as good as any “ paid
professional" fire department.
Maybe better; you are an “ un
paid professional volunteer fire
department” , with distinction.
Makes me proud to claim the
title of “ firefighter" (retired).
(s) Duane Jones
Asking for boycott of milk-fed veal
To the Editor:
Cheers, congratulations and
hats off to Yaw's Restaurant
and Lounge.
Recently they opened up in
Heppner a newly improved
classic place of business and
joined the drive-in, bowling
alley, Bud's Pub, Bucknum's,
and the Elk's Lodge in offering
a healthful variety of interesting
menus with no mention of veal
for a meal.
My most sincere wish is that
the New Year 19% will be a
prosperous one for all of them
and that all of them will enjoy
many more great years.
1 challenge other communi
ties to come up with such a
good record of menus to dis
courage the disgusting, im
moral raising of tortured, milk-
fed veal.
To be deprived of the normal
life style of baby animals is an
atrocious, unexcusable, unac
ceptable evil and should be
outlawed. Why should they
not be allowed to stretch, grow
in sunshine, have fresh air,
have normal roughage food
and water? They should have
exercise with other young ani
mals. The $ sign is most certain
ly the root of this incredible, ob
noxious style of farming.
A local lady voiced her disap
proval of such treatment of the
helpless, harmless animals by
the experience her family had
with them. They bought 20
calves and without their feed
being laced with drugs, an
tibiotics, etc., they all soon
died. They had been throat
force-fed by tubes; that pro
bably made it impossible to
handle food the normal way.
Can you imagine how thirs
ty the creatures are for a drink
of plain water? In some cases,
a drip system is provided.
When they lie down, their legs
must be folded under them. I
read a report of a person who
quit her job in a veal factory
because of the stress it caused
her. She had seen chains im
bedded in the neck flesh.
The actions of our supposed
ly civilized, humane race is
most questionable at times. I'm
sure there would be less factory
farm milk-fed veal ordered over
the counter and in restaurants
if the public knew the true
facts.
Please help boycott this in
sidious, despicable treatment of
animals.
(s) Lois Winchester
P.S.-now we have more good
news. Yaw's, per your request,
now serve the "O riginal
Garden Burger".
Letters to the Editor
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 24, 1996 - THREE
Smith understands critical issues
To the Editor:
As a former U.S. Senate can
didate in the special primary, I
have spent hours reading the
proposed U.S. budget, the Fed
eral Election Commission (FEC)
filings of the other candidates
and researching issues critical
to Oregon's future. Further, I
have spoken on the same
issues printed in your paper
across the entire state of Ore
gon.
Gordon Smith understands
the critical issues. I would sug
gest a $262 billion yearly deficit
and $5 trillion dollar debt is the
top priority Can you give the
federal government $18,000 to
day, which is your share of the
national debt? Can your child
ren afford $187,000 in interest
payments on the debt? Can you
afford the $800 per year to pay
interest on the debt? Mr. Wy-
den has 15 years of experience
creating this debt. Gordon
Smith does not have all the an
swers but he is accessible, will
ing to listen, and make inform
ed decisions about our future
based on input from every
Oregon citizen.
Environment, defense, eco
nomy, crime, education, wel
fare, health care, medicaid and
social security are all important
issues. The common thread on
every issue is the cost in tax
payer dollars. Tax and spend
days without regard for the
future are over. Without a bal
anced budget, the federal
government will not be able to
meet any citizen expectations in
the future. Gordon Smith is the
leader to represent Oregon's
urban, suburban and rural
communities in the U.S. Sen
ate. If Ron Wyden's metro dis
trict want him after six terms,
then keep him in the U.S.
House of Representatives.
The negative campaign ad
vertising in this race can be
stopped by Mr. Wyden. Call
the FEC if you don't believe it.
We need a balanced responsi
ble leader in the U.S. Senate.
We need a U.S. Senator that
will keep Washington D.C. off
Oregon's back. We need spe
cial interests out of Washington
D.C. We need local govern
ment to work for the people.
We need Gordon Smith on
Capital Hill to get the federal
government out of Oregon's
pocketbook and give our com
munities a future.
Sincerely,
(s) Brian J. Boquist
Salem
Land restrictions must be stopped
To the Editor:
Our Congressmen, the Presi
dent and most of our citizens
are concerned about the future
of the country because of the
unbalanced budget and huge
national debt. Our lawmakers
are agonizing over means to
reorganize our government, to
cut and pare expenditures
wherever possible to achieve
this end. This is a step in the
right direction, but a balanced
budget cannot be achieved or
maintained unless we look to
the other side of the equation.
It matters not whether you
are an individual, a business or
a government; a source of in
come is necessary to survive.
All new wealth comes from
the ground. There is no other
source. Unless someone har
vests a resource (food, fiber,
wood, oil or minerals), there
can be no business or industry
or any job that provides the
means of support for people or
government.
So if we want to balance the
budget and bring true prosperi
ty back to our country, we must
stop curtailing our basic in
dustries by restrictive regula
tions and the removal of land
from productive use.
It is nice to have a few
special, unique and scenic areas
set aside as parks for recreation
and viewing, but the never-
ending closures of the public
land spells disaster for the eco
nomy. In addition to our parks
and national monuments, a
major portion of the public
lands have been taken out of
productive use by classifying
them as Wilderness, Wilder
ness Study Areas, where they
don't meet the requirements of
the former, Wild and Scenic
Areas, Wildlife Refuges, pro
tection for a never-ending list
of so-called endangered species
of birds, animals, plants and in-)
sects. On top of these, we have
even more restrictions on use
because air and water qualities
might be affected. If no other
excuse can be found, roads and
trails are simply closed or
destroyed to prevent public
access.
There are limits to all things
and these restrictions on public
land use must be stopped or
our country and its people will
be destroyed.
Look over the records of our
upcoming politicians and make
sure the ones who are threaten
ing your life and job don't get
another chance.
(s) Kenneth E. Anderson
mining geologist/engineer (ret.)
Baker City
Wyden cares about Oregonians
i the Editor:
[n 1991 I was in a hospital
ceiving blood transfusions,
hile I was in the hospital, Ron
yden acquired information
at Aids-tainted blood had
en released and took imme-
ate action to insure this blood
as not given to any patient,
ailed the Red Cross and also
Iked with several people in
ithority at the hospital. Upon
y release from the hospital, I
lied Ron Wyden who met
ith me on a Sunday. Only
an Wyden would answer all
y questions.
If Ron Wyden had not taken
e actions he did, the Aids-
tainted blood would probably
have been given to me and
other Oregonians. Would an
other politician have taken the
time to meet with me on a Sun
day, answer my questions and
talk with me?
I feel Ron Wyden is the one
candidate in the Senate race
who truly cares about the peo
ple of Oregon. I will always be
grateful to him and grateful for
his honesty and integrity. He
will always have my (and my
family's) vote.
Sincerely,
(s) Sherryl Augustine
Portland
Wyden opposes private property rights
i the Editor:
Oregon's Senatorial race
/es Oregon's voters a clear
oice if they believe in
engthening private property
;hts. Congressman Wyden
s had the opportunity to vote
i a large number of federal
Is that would protect private
operty rights. He has, in the
st majority of those votes,
iposed strengthening private
property rights.
Oregon voters should there
fore take this opportunity to
oppose a continuation to Con
gressman W yden's votes.
Oregon voters should instead
vote in favor of Gordon Smith,
for private property rights and
for the state of Oregon.
Sincerely,
(s) Donald Oakes
Ironside
We Print
Business Cards
Many styles and colors to choose from
Gazette-Times 676-9228
State worker against Smith
To the Editor:
general " k ic k e r " refund.
Gordon Smith wants us to Everyone except government
vote for him for the U.S. retirees got a windfall.
Senate. As a retired state of
How much Gordon Smith
Oregon worker, I cannot do got is not public information. I
that.
suggest that your paper ask
In his ad, Smith claims that, him how much he got and then
as a state senator, he balanced let us all know. If he was
the Oregon budget. He did not. motivated in refusing the sug
He participated in the con gested solution by a desire to
tinued borrowing from retired take credit for the windfall re
public employees by illegally fund to thousands of taxpayers
taxing their retirement benefits. while he was running for
Everyone, even Gordon Smith, public office or by his desire to
knows that the millions paid by secure a substantial windfall for
retired public employees in himself, only he can answer.
state income taxes must be re
As a state worker, I have
paid, with interest. Among worked in many parts of the
those owed substantial sums state, including Eastern Ore
are retirees in Morrow County. gon.
In April 1995, a solution was
I continue to work when call
suggested to State Senator ed to, even though the illegal
Smith, at least to repay state, taxes continue, but I cannot
county, city and school district vote for Gordon Smith for the
retirees. It was suggested to U.S. Senate. If money is bor
him that the so-called "kicker" rowed from me, and one who
money (the funds collected in has participated in the borrow
income taxes in excess of 1993 ing will not act to repay it, I will
estimates) be used to repay not assist him in his desire for
those retired workers, par promotion.
ticularly since the "kicker"
Many of your readers must
would not have been activated
be persons retired from public
at all were it not for the inclu
service. They deserve to know,
sion in tax revenues of sums il
and their friends and relative
legally collected from retirees.
ought to be reminded, that one
In other words, without the
who asks their help now failed
taxes that must be repaid, there
to help them when he could.
would not have been a 1995 re
Sincerely,
fund to individual taxpayers.
(s) John C. Warden
Smith declined that suggested
Salem
solution and opted for the
Jan. 28 is "Souper Bowl" Sunday
at Hope-Valby Lutheran parish
January 28 is “ Souper Bowl" a.m., with Sunday school as
Sunday, a canned goods drive part of the service. Sarah Carl
for the Neighborhood Center son will accompany the con
sponsored by the Hope-Valby gregation in the singing of
hymns and liturgy. Coffee hour
Lutheran parish.
“ It is a time for all Christians will follow the service.
Hope Lutheran Church,
to share in a simple, yet signifi
Heppner,
will hold worship
cant witness to the love of God
service
and
Sunday school at 11
in Christ Jesus for others,'' said
a.m.
Dr.
Jeanne
Berretta will
the Reverend Stan Hoobing.
play
the
piano
and
accompany
This Sunday, “ members and
the
congregation
in
the singing
friends are encouraged to bring
of
the
liturgy
and
hymns. A
either $1 or a commercially-pre
coffee
hour
in
the
fellowship
pared canned good for the
Neighborhood Center of South hall will follow the service.
Pastor Hoobing will be
Morrow County. This gift of
preaching
at both services and
love will be shared with those
will
bring
a message entitled,
who have pressing need for
“
Blessings
of G od", based on
food and will demonstrate the
the
scripture
reading of St.
love of G od," added Reverend
Matthew
5:1-12.
Hoobing.
Friday School will be held
Worship service at Valby
Jan.
26 at the Heppner United
Lutheran Church, lone, is at 9
Methodist Church.
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