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« -»»« « r » * i FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday. March 6, 1996 The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow The right decision Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES 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 . Box 337. Heppner. Oregon 97836 Subscriptions: $18 in Morrow, Wheeler, Gilliam and Grant Counties; $25 elsewhere. April Hilton-Sykes........................................................................................ News Editor Stephanie Jen sen ................................................... Typesetting, Layout, Distribution Monicjue Devin .......................................................... Advertising layout & Graphics Penni Keersemaker ..................................................... .................................Printer David Sykes, Publisher County has weed control authority To the Editor: In response to last week's (2/28/96) front page article about home rule, I feel as though some clarification is needed in regards to Morrow County's authority over weed control (specifically noxious weed control). Contrary to a statment that was printed, Morrow County does have the statutory author ity under Oregon Revised Statutes 570.505 through 570.600 to enforce noxious weed control laws. Violation of the Morrow County Weed Control Or dinance #MC-C-3-90 is punish able upon conviction by a fine not to exceed $500. Also if the landowner fails or refuses to control noxious weeds, the landowner will become liable for all expenses incurred by the county for enforcement and control of the posted noxious weeds. However, if the des truction or control of the weeds in question is impracticable be cause the weeds may be too far advanced, the county court may request the Oregon De partment of Agriculture to im mediately quarantine the in fested property to prevent the movement of infested crops or of livestock from such proper ty except under conditions prescribed in the quarantine that will prevent the spread of such noxious weeds by such crops or livestock. If further clarification is need ed regarding the county weed control law, please do not hesitate to contact myself, or Morrow County counsel, Val Doherty. (s) Dave Pranger Morrow County Weed Inspector Positions can be consolidated To the Editor: It has been stated by certain county officials that the adop tion of home rule would not allow us to consolidate or eli minate the elected positions of clerk, treasurer, assessor or surveyor. If this is the case, I would like to know why seven out of nine Oregon counties who have adopted, home rule have done exactly that. For example, Lane County chose to retain their elected assessor, but they consolidated the functions of the clerk, treasurer, tax collector, finance director and personnel services under one department of human resources and manage ment services. They also incor porated the functions of the surveyor into their public works department. The man dated functions are still provid ed, but they are consolidated to provide better efficiency. Hood River County chose to eliminate the elected assessor as well, leaving only the board of commissioners, the sheriff, the district attorney and the justice of the peace elected. They have created a combined records/assessment office and have consolidated the functions of treasurer, tax collector and finance director under one finance department. Umatilla, Washington, Clatsop, Mult nomah and Benton counties have adopted similiar structural changes. Only Josephine and Jackson counties have retained all of the positions mandated by Oregon State statute. So, as you see, this is some thing that can and has been done under home rule in the state of Oregon. Home rule gives us, the citizens of Morrow County, the ability to define our own county government, and the possibilities are end less. In fact, some counties under home rule have even added the elected positions of auditor and legal council. Isn't it time we took control of our county government? Sincerely, (s) Lisa Rietmann lone Come Share With Us at Willow Creek Baptist Church Bible Study for all ages 2 p.m. Worship Service 3 p.m. Meeting in the 7th Day Adventist Church 560 North Minor Home rule a boondoggle To the Editor: I would like to add my voice and vote to urge all Morrow County voters to vote no on the proposed home rule charter. This charter would be a boon doggle that we as residents would regret for the rest of our lives and the lives of our children. Let's do the decent thing and give this monster a decent burial at the ballot box. There are assertions that home rule would be a panacea to our county government. They say first and foremost that it would create a more efficient and responsive government. This is simply a falsehood. Any time that more levels of bu reaucracy are added to any government, it becomes more cumbersome and less respon sive to the people it was meant to serve. There is the assertion that we now do not have the ability to adopt ordinances under the Judge's father March 7: Old Timer-PER-Ladles Night. Dinner 6-8 p.m. BBQ Chicken By Jean Ann and crew. Lodge, ladies’ cards and bingo 8:00 p.m. March 15: St. Patrick’s Celebration. Dining 6-9 p.m. March 16: Kuma Coffee Hour 10:00 a.m.; Brunch 11:30-1:30 p.m. Dining from 6-9 p.m.; live music 9-1:30 a.m. March 30: Installation of officers (new E.R. Jay and Lori Straley) and “ Thank” Bob and Yvonne Lovgren for a job well done. Dining room open Fri.-Sat.-6-9 p.m. Bingo every Wednesday 7:30-9:30 p.m. Heppner Elks 358 676-9I8I To the Editor: We feel it's time to express our appreciation to the Hepp ner Volunteer Fire Department firefighters for their dedicated service. Recent letters to the editor regarding the Kilkenny fire have given the impression that an uncaring attitude pre vails in the department and that we should be ashamed of the service they provide. While circumstances surrounding the Kilkenny fire were certainly un- . fortunate, we believe fire chief Rusty Estes responded appro- priately-by not responding to this call. While it may not have been apparent in the emotion of the moment, his action (dictated by state regulations) protected the lives of those residing within fire district boundaries. The question should be asked: "W hat if the department had responded and a second fire oc curred where lives were lost because firefighters were out side the district and too far away to be of any help?" Our hearts go out to the Kilkennys for their loss; members of our family lost everything they owned in a wildfire where no firefighting efforts could be made. The aftereffects were truly devastating. But thankful ly, as in the Kilkenny fire, no lives were ever endangered or lost. Firefighting is a dangerous activity. Many men and wo men do this for money and make a career of it. In our rural area, this service comes by way of volunteers. They contribute countless hours toward train ing for all types of emergency response. They are there no matter if the call goes out in the middle of the day or the mid dle of the night. They stay un til the job is done, not because they have to but because of their commitment to serving us. We are extremely fortunate to have the number and quali ty of dedicated firefighters that we do. It would be to our dis credit if we let them think we believe otherwise. (s) Bob Sagely (s) Pam Sagely Heppner " I t Inn hn in l\ Miri l"U N. Main built house To the Editor: Regarding your Feb. 21 story on the Kilkenny house fire, it was stated that the house was built by the late federal judge John Kilkenny in 1914. Not likely. The judge was 13 years old at the time. Credit construction to the judge's father, John Kilken ny, who arrived in Morrow County from County Leitrim, Ireland in 1890, at the tender age of 21 and who later was to set up a vast sheep empire. (s) Bill Mitchell Daly City, CA Letters to the Editor present governmental struc ture. My sources say that this is simply untrue. The reason many ordinances are not adopted, or those that may have been adopted are not be ing enforced is just a matter of having the will to enforce them. The best assertion of those who are looking to pass this aberration is that we have be fore us a plan to finally put to rest the division between north and south here in Morrow County. The response to that assertion is (Bravo Sierra). The divisions between north and south in this county run very deep and extremely strong and won't be cured by creating a new form of government, no matter how many new seats are created on the county commis sion. Let's face it, the divisive ness in this county won't be cured until we-as individuals and groups-manage to address the lack of communication and enter in a dialogue for the betterment of the county as a whole, and (yes, I am going to say it) realize that there are in dividuals in this county that have played themselves into that division for their own per sonal benefit. Until then, divi sion and strife will be the order for Morrow County and it won't go away with a stroke of a pen at the ballot box. So please, let's do the right thing and vote no on home rule and begin the task of building a better Morrow County through common sense and communication. (s) David Campbell Heppner Home rule a smart choice To the Editor: Please join me in voting for home rule. I believe it is vital to have a county government run by qualified, educated person nel. As a taxpayer, I feel my county dollars should be spend wisely with personnel trained to do the job. Having a trained administrat or running the county govern ment not only makes economic sense but is a smart choice. Our present city manager for Hepp ner has the expertise to better administer the needs of the ci ty. He has the education and knowledge in which to accom plish his job to the highest degree and the city of Hepp ner has benefited. Our good old boys syndrome can no longer be effec tive in this modern society. County commissioners today lack the education, knowledge and skills needed to run a county government efficiently and effectively. (s) Marcia Kemp Lexington Vote no on home rule To the Editor: At the beginning, we were more or less neutral about the issue of Morrow County Home Rule, but have been disturbed about the treatment of a very kind, intelligent man whom we respect very much. Flal Dinkins has had a distin guished career as a U.S. Army officer and university-level pro fessor in economics and politi cal science. Fortunately, for us, he has had the moral courage to stand up for what he knows to be true whether it is pleas ing to everyone or not. When it comes to changing our county government we believe that he is telling it like it is. The personal attacks of his detractors tell you more about themselves than they do about him. Vote no on Morrow County Home Rule. Sincerely, (s) Randy Lott (s) Floyd and Lorena Jones Home rule can work, but not this charter To the Editor: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"; "The cure is worse than the curse"; "Don't throw the baby out with the wash"; etc.-so goes some of the adages by which we live, reminding our selves of past lessons learned. We are now in the learning process as we debate home rule. Unfortunately, the data by which we are to make our choice is slanted, full of innuen does and contains unspoken agendas. It is truly the political process. I find myself returning to the old adages for answers, to wit: Is it broke? Yes. But do we "throw the baby out with the wash" to fix it? No. We should make sure the "cure is not worse than the curse". To vote in a charter that even the ad vocates recognize will have to be later put to the voters (how many times?) in order to make our county government stream lined and responsive, to me, is a poor decision. It is a choice that will constantly keep the community at odds with our selves, cost us money and may not accomplish the ends we seek. Furthermore, design flaws are usually fatal to the success of any product. If we really want to effect the changes I have heard (seen) voiced, we can do that by just "getting involved". We do have whips to use-ballot box (budget and levy votes as well as elections), letters, attending meetings, etc. The governing body that knows, "unless they become responsive and avail able to us all, they will definite ly not receive their funding," will either opt to the mandate or streamline and stay within the tax base. "Punitive cost cutting" can and should be ad dressed by voters either at elec tion times, or, if necessary, by recall. Our commissioners can use these same principles (parti cularly funding) to encourage (?) our other elected officials to accept consolidation of depart ments, economy, respon siveness, etc. This concept has been effectively used through out Oregon in both chartered and non-chartered counties-all it takes is a commission with the fortitude to act in the best interests of the people they serve. In closing, I want a strong, responsive, economical and ac countable county government. All department heads with dis cretionary authority should be elected by the citizens whose lives they affect. To make them appointed and responsive to an appointed administrator, only adds another layer of bureau cratic fat that insulates the "system" from direct actions of the people. I do believe that home rule can work-but not with this charter. We need one that makes our government responsive and cooperative, not aloof and divisive. As a "newcomer" to Morrow County, I offer these thoughts which are backed by over 18 years of experience in county government-eight of which were as an elected official. (s) Allen A. Swenson Lexington Well done, Cards To the Editor The lone Cardinals boys' basketball team provided a good lesson at the state tour nament. In the first half of their game with North Gackamas Chris tian School, our boys were 16 points behind. Instead of be coming discouraged and giving up, the Cards made an incredi ble rally to become seven points ahead in the second half. NCCS had to work hard for their narrow victory. We talk a lot about what sports teach our children, but at that game, the boys taught all of tis m the bleachers a lesson v about determination, persistence and passion. Well done. (s) The Reverend Lea Mathieu lone Elect Buchanan To the Editor: We urge all Republican vot ers to elect Pat Buchanan for U.S. President in the upcoming March 12 Republican primary. Mr. Buchanan is a God-fearing, patriotic, old-fashioned Ameri can who has a great love for his country. He believes in a strong America whose vital interests must be protected. Only by being strong have we been able to help others countries. We have not acted selfishly and we have given other countries the benefit of our food surpluses and tech nology. Our system of govern ment has allowed us to achieve all this. We stand ready to help any country in need. We hope that they want to use our same system of government to develop themselves. Pat Buchanan is descended from the lineage of our 15th President James Buchanan (1857-1861). President Buchan an successfully kept the peace between the North and the South during his term. Pat Buchanan's prior govern mental experience includes eight years working in the White House as communica tions director for President Reagan and special assistant to presidents Ford and Nixon. Mr. Buchanan is also a jour nalist, radio and TV commen tator and author of three books. His syndicated column appears in 150 newspapers. i George Washington warned us to avoid foreign entangle ments. Pat Buchanan has re freshing ideas which would help our country. America is the bastion of the free world. Read the voter's pamphlet to learn his 18-point agenda. Some people label him as an extremist. However, we are a nation of laws, not men. The founding fathers feared a king (one-man rule). They set up the three branches of government, separate but equal, which is the balance of powers. Congress will balance and temper Buchanan's policies. Our country needs Pat Buchanan as the next president of the U.S. (s) J.H. Johnson Astoria No for now To the Editor: Regarding the proposed county home rule charter and vote, I would like to suggest we lower the heat of rhetoric and replace it with cool analysis. The committee formulated a proposed charter which it felt would fit Morrow County's situation. They did a conscien tious job and the committee members submitted a charter which might lead to cost sav ings and improved efficiency. Unfortunately we don't have any specifics about potential savings or efficiencies to con sider. Consequently, even though "hom e rule" may eventually be a good option for governing Morrow County, it is an ap proach which needs to be more carefully studied as to financial data and organizational struc tures. I have voted no on the home rule charter as presently for mulated, but I'm very willing to give home rule further con sideration as a desirable change at some time in the future. (s) John Edmundson Heppner FAX Send or Receive Gazette-Times 6 7 6 -9 2 2 8 *1
