Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 1998)
Vote Walden Marshall has "the right stuff" Editor s note Letters to the editor must be signed. The Gazette-Times will not publish unsigned letters. Pleese include your address and phone number on all letters for use by the G-T office. The G-T reserves the right to edit * Support youth camp, assisted living •: 7 To the Editor: The city o f Heppner, the county court and the Port of Mor row have given a great deal of help and encouragement with our assisted living facility project. Our mission is to site an assisted living facility in the Willow Creek valley to help those seniors and disabled citizens who need help with their activities of daily living. We also write this letter in sup port of those who are working to site a youth accountability camp in Heppner. The city of Heppner, the county court and the Port of Morrow have all given help and encouragement with this project too. The mission of the youth ac countability camp is to help our young men, age 14-18, who have committed non-violent crimes, to turn their lives around. They need to be accountable for their choices and learn to live and work pro ductively in society. If one young person’s life is turned around, it will be worth the effort. We believe that meeting the needs of our youth, our disabled citizens and our senior citizens is making good use of our tax dol lars in Morrow County. Please join the three of us in supporting these very needed fa- cilitaes. (s) Suzanne Jepsen, chairman (s) Gail Hughes, vice chairman (s) Rene Devin, secretary Willow Creek Valley Assisted Living Corp. officers Heppner Heppner doesn't need youth camp To the Editor: A lot of taxpayers’ dollars and countless hours of volunteer labor and effort have gone into beautifying and upgrading Heppner in the past two years. Among these projects are the new swimming pool complex, rebuilt sidewalks and curbs with underground lines and new plantings, two new baseball fields, rebuilt rodeo and fairground facilities and a mini- park. The Heppner officials and community have "done themselves proud." It is difficult to see why all these accomplishments should be compromised by the building of the Youth Accountability Camp on farmlard that will consequently come off the tax rolls. The city intends to rezone the 30-plus acre parcel in order to give it to the Oregon State Corrections Department, thus allowing the state reduced rates on water and sewer usage. Heppner doesn't need a prison > ' *• . • * • 1 like structure with no-climb fences on the edge of town, within 1/2 mile of the elementary school and fairgrounds. If the county has $50,000 of tippage fees, which ultimately belongs to the taxpayers, to contribute, plus county labor and equipment, let them be dedicated to the proposed Willow Creek Valley Assisted Living facility. The city and port resources now committed to the camp could also be re-targeted to the assisted living facility. This project will provide new jobs in the community, which is apparently the dnving force behind siting the camp here. Let's put our money and effort into this kind of project which will benefit South Morrow County's senior population and help keep them in our community. Your concerns and wishes should be heard by city, county and port officials before May 15. (s) Karen Thompson Heppner Will the real Tan Hermens stand up? • • I> ,v *1 -- • To the Editor: Tan Hermens, a very unusual name. What is even more remark able is there must be two of them. I hear one of them on the radio telling of all the nice things that she’d like to do for us constitu ents of District 5 9 .1 also remem ber another one that I met on Grant County Road #1 while on an outing to Rudio Mountain with my two sons. We were at the BLM gate when she and a young hired man confronted us. They were both on 4-wheelers and Tan had a video camera. We were told that we were trespassing and very rudely treated. When I protested and said that we were on a county road, Tan looked me square in the eyes and said, “Not for long; we’re tak ing it over.” Then the hired man personally insulted me and my sons immediately bristled. All of a sudden I had a gut feel ing that we were being set up-that they were deliberately provoking an incident that could be docu mented on the camcorder show ing how disrespectful and violent we “trespassers” could be. If that was the case, we gave her no sat isfaction. We quietly turned around and left with bad tastes in our mouths and our day com- «> f V . • . fe: ■*; ■ ! .* >- '• . « - ’ *. • *A -1 J. • V1 -7 AFS Cherish Mom Bouquet This cheerful arrangement is ✓ a wonderful way to thank your Mom for her unfailing love - V • ' ‘ V > ■••»j # j tìbmm ttf 4 m « , • * To the Editor: I am writing concerning the Youth Accountability Camp be ing proposed for the Heppner area. My major concern is that the town and its atmosphere that we all love and are trying to preserve will be poorly served by the divi sive arguments that are occurring. The mayor and city council of Heppner, who were elected to lead us, have acted in what they consider to be the best interests of our town. Because it might not fit with someone else’s idea of what is best does not mean they have deliberately done something to harm our community. These same elected officials have been the ones who led the rest o f us in making Heppner more beautiful and more liveable. I once lived in another small community, one which had to be totally relocated. There were months of dissension, recalls of leaders, and threats to sue, when the time should have been spent in collaborative planning. It had a long-lasting negative effect on the city. Everyone does have a right to their opinion about the camp, but let’s not tear down the town in order to win the argument. Whatever happens about the camp (and it will be God’s will, not ours), we need to come to gether in a way that will truly serve all of us, but especially our children and grandchildren. It can not be done with anger. To the Editor: With such a wide selection of individuals running for Morrow County Judge, it is important for the voters to know what type of individual they are voting for. I have known Guy VanArsdale for approximately 15 years. We moved to Heppner when Guy hired my husband, Denny, to run part of his logging operation. During this period of time, I watched Guy work seven days a week, 18 and 20 hour days, never expecting someone to do something that he would not do. He is highly motivated, intelligent and has succeeded in life through dedication and hard work. As Morrow County Public Works director, he has taken the ° (s) Aloha DeSpain Heppner Terry Tallman best qualified To the Editor: The candidate best qualified to be our new county judge is Terry Tallman. Check his credentials: college education, keen intelligence, successful farm operator, skilled communicator, quality family life, work with youth groups, wide community service, experience in governmental con cerns, and the list goes on to specifics, such as his performance as mayor of Boardman in a difficult situation, his work on budget committees, and many other commissions(See the Voter's Pamphlet). His strong sense of fairness and responsibility insures us that he will deal fairly with all areas and work toward cooperation throughout the county. Tallman is the only one running who has this combination of qualities and experience that we need in a county judge. If we're smart, we will elect him. (s) Jane Rawlins Heppner To the Editor: It has come to my attention that Keith Lewis is seeking the posi tion of Morrow County Judge. I would consider it an honor to say a few words for Keith. I have known him personally for 30 years. Everyone can be as sured of his honesty and integrity. His background of some 27 years with the State Police; 17 years of that time was in the criminal di vision. At the time of his retire ment, he was district lieutenant for that division, which included nine Eastern Oregon counties. Keith has just finished his sec ond term as Lottery Commis sioner. This included determining gaming policies, security of the games, overseeing the lottery budget and he was a member of the audit committee. His ability to work with people and getting the job done should place him high in the position he seeks. Former state senator, Board chairman of the Oregon Lottery, (s) E.D. Potts Salem Steve Rhea shows o ff the carved w ooden goose that will be auctioned o ff at the annual Ducks U nlim ited Dinner Friday, M ay 15 in Heppner. The dinner will be held at the H eppner Elks Lodge and social hour will begin at 6p.m. and dinner at 7p.m.. Advanced tickets are $15 and will be available from Rhea next week. Work together despite differences To the Editor: From the beginning of time, people have'had differing opin ions on every subject. This is good. Let’s remember to accept each other as friends and not to be hurt and angry over differences of ideas. One of the charms of our small towns is that our lives intertwine and we all need to work together. Please keep our town and our county a peaceful place to live no matter if we disagree. (s) Cam Wishart Heppner Look, enjoy, but don't help yourself To the Editor: The flower pots in front of Murray Drugs are so beautiful. They have been lovingly nurtured by Nansea Odinet for over a year. It is a shame that from time to Remember we have GMAC Financing as low as 0.9% APR on selected vehicles. time someone has helped them selves to some of the plants. Please give Nansea encourage ment for the beauty she creates. Let’s all enjoy the new garden that the Murrays are making for our town’s enjoyment. (s) Cam Wishart Heppner Wright Chevrolet, Inc. Chevrolet & Oldsmobile l* " ^ " 541-763-4175 * Fossil, Oregon 1 IKAVfS Herb Wright • Bill Maclnnes • Bill Machines, Jr. Keith E. Lewis // Dedicated to the Needs o f A ll M orrow County Citizens" Fair and Impartial Solid Background in Law Enforcement Experienced in Budget Finance and Public Administration Life-long Resident of Eastern Oregon ELECT ß e e cJte /i'l ReAtcuiAx+tU * f U 6 for by Com m litM to Elect Kekh lewH, P O. B o i S89. Heppner, O f 9 7 8 3 6 I * * * * * T F* * o f . - /-• 1 , + ’ i ;■ ' — J. - * 4V .. Keith Lewis M orrow County Judge 350 JliçUuKUf, 74 • 9o+te. • 433.-7038 ■’ V.*: same approach. He has expanded his knowledge by becoming familiar with the county budget process, making sure that his department was being run as efficiently as possible. I believe he has proven himself well. Guy has a high regard for the county and the people who live here. He knows what it takes to make a living in Morrow County and will work hard to make that happen. If the voters want someone who is honest, intelligent, hard working and has integrity, they could not ask for anyone more suited for the job than Guy VanArsdale. My vote is on Guy and I hope yours is too. (s)Linda R. Nave Ducks Unlimited banquet next week RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED >• • <t,i* *•« * y~. [ record of public service. He has high devotion to family values. There is nothing in his past that will cause us embarrassment. We urge you to cast your ballot in favor of Greg Walden. (s) John and Patricia Edmundson Heppner Van Arsdale suited for the job Price: adults-$12, ch ild ren 4 to 12-$6, ch ild ren u n d e r 4 are free A F S 9008A ’ • Come together to benefit all E njoy a M other’s D a y B u ffet ^ a t B ecch erà R esta u ra n t in lo n e S u n day, M ay 10th from 1-7 p .m . Featuring: Prime Rib Chicken Cordon Bleu ~ Baked Fish Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Wild Rice Green Pea Salad ~ Fresh Fruit Salad Potato Salad ~ Fresh Garden Vegetables Special Dessert ~ Rolls and Butter plus complimentary Wine Mother’s Day Wetk • May 4-10, 1998 .» -f • . • community projects and during that time he as served as president of the Heppner Chamber of Commerce and as chair of the Heppner Coordinating Council. I have come to appreciate Rollie's firm commitment, integrity and insightful leadership. As the former manager of the city of Heppner, I know first hand what it takes to successfully meet challenges and provide leadership in local government today. I know that Rollie Marshall has the "right stuff' to be an outstanding judge for Morrow County. (s) Gary Marks he will be able to "hit the ground running" in behalf of our critical Eastern Oregon issues. Mr. Walden has an exemplary Lewis can get the job done pletely ruined. Oh yes, they also had the forethought to put a pole barrier across County Road #1 that we had to remove on the way out. This lady definitely had her own agenda and w asn’t con cerned about her fellow Orego nians. The following Monday I went to BLM headquarters in Prineville with questions. A supervisor im mediately appeared and heard my story. He informed me that (a) they have had numerous com plaints o f harassm ent by the Hermens; (b) we were entirely within our rights being where we were; plus (c) they had absolutely no right to restrict access to BLM land at the end of Road #1. I was also asked to make a written statement o f the affair signed by my sons and I. We promptly complied. A very pro fessional BLM ranger followed by talking to me before going out to the Hermens’ ranch. I believe that it was resolved that access to our BLM land on Rudio Mountain would be open to the public, not just their fee hunters. So,.will be real Tan Hermens please stand up? (s) Richard Wanous Spray "Jfrank J fe r D 'o r 71U T ier ßooe 1 W To the Editor: Some years ago the movie "The Right Stuff' portrayed the early years of the America's space program. The title, "The Right Stuff', referred to the fact that NASA had to find unique individuals who had a certain intelligence, charisma, style and attitude to become the first astronauts. In many ways, the voters of Morrow County need to select a new county judge that has the "right stuff' for the job. I believe that individual is Rollie Marshall. I have worked with Rollie over the past seven years on numerous To the Editor: Greg Walden has our vote for representative to the U.S. Congress from the Second Congressional District. Mr. Walden has served in the Oregon State Legislature. Mr. Walden has served as an aide and chief-of-staff to Rep. Denny Smith in the U.S. House of Representatives. He knows how the political process works and v rr .'U -' •: -‘ v ÿ - / . ; V" V V * .v j • • •