Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2000)
School board seeks input for tax levy Ba3a 13 " e t s o l l u o f J La.-.api;: ; r L i b r a r y Cusano, 03 97403 VOL-119_____ NO. 9______8 Pages Wednesday, March 1,2000_____ Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Trail Band to entertain during St. Pat's The Morrow County School District Board of Directors Monday night invited the community to the table, but many at the meeting weren't sure whether they wanted to partake. For some, the suggestion that they help the board was tough to swallow. The board had scheduled a workshop to get the community involved in decisions concerning a proposed "local option tax." The tax, if approved by county voters, could put $500-600 thousand back into the district's ailing bottom line. The district saw a $1 million budget shortfall for next year and approved $992,000 in cuts, mostly in teaching staff, at their regular meeting at Sam Boardman Elementary School Valentine’s Day, despite opposition from a majority of over 200 people in attendance Teacher cuts included 4-1/3 full-time teachers at Heppner Elementary School; 3-1/2 at Heppner Junior/Senior High School; 2-1/3 at lone Schools; 2 each at A.C. Houghton Elementary in Imgon and Sam Boardman Elementary and Riverside High School in Boardman; and one at Columbia Middle School in Imgon. Additional cuts included funding for a half-time superintendent and a half-time business manager at the district office, both of which will be funded by Morrow-Umatilla ESD as a way to bring their spending in Morrow County in line with ESD services provided elsewhere in their district; 1-1/4 time office assistant and 1/2 time custodian. The board asked those attending the workshop Feb. 28 to provide input as to what should be put back if the local option passes. However, the view of many who commented at the meeting could be summarized as, "You didn't listen to us when we told you we didn't want classroom teachers cut and now you say you want our help. How do we know you'll listen to us now?" and "You can't pass the local option tax without our support." After numerous comments, the group got down to work and table by table came up with recommendations for use of the local option tax monies. Most of the recommendations included hiring back classroom teachers as a first priority, replacing vo-ag and Spanish programs and electives at the senior high level and art, PE and counseling positions at the elementary level. Maintaining low student/teacher ratios was also deemed important. One group advocated the use of satellite and college level courses as a way to help increase electives and advanced courses for high school students. Tables were divided into community groups, with area site councils and advisory committees seated together, thus resulting in recommendations that cuts not be made at their particular schools. However, commented George Naims, Heppner, a member of the Heppner-Lexington Advisory Committee, "We are a school district in different communities. We are a school district. We are one." Cuts were also advised in administration and in administration's use of district vehicles. Morrow County Assessor Greg Sweek told the audience that he estimated that if the district wanted to raise $500 thousand in taxes they would have to levy $1 million. The resulting tax would come from the difference between assessed and market value. Sweek said that the brunt of the tax levy would fall on the shoulders of farm and residential property owners, since the assessed and market values for much industrial property is equal. The board said that if the levy does not pass in May, they will put the local option tax levy back before the voters in November. However if the local option does not pass in May, the resulting taxes will not be able to be included in the 2000-2001 budget. Passage of the local option in May will require a majority of at least 50 percent of the registered voters. Passage in November will require only a majority of those voting. Another workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, at 7 p.m. at Columbia Middle School in Imgon. Time to think about St. Patfs Parade St. Patrick's Day is less than three weeks away and it's time to start thinking about your entry for the great Heppner St. Patrick's Day Parade Saturday, March 18, beginning at 1 p.m., right after the races. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded for the top entries in each parade entry category and there are many to choose from. "We're looking for Irish floats, characters, groups, musical groups, cars, bikes, golf carts, and more," said parade chairman Bob Kahl. "The chances look very good that if it's at all 'Irish', there's a place in the parade." For an entry form or information about the parade, stop in at Van Marter & Kahl Insurance or call Kahl at 676- 9113 days, 676-5422 evenings. Police warn about seat belt use The Heppner Police Department's 3 Flags Safety Belt Campaign showed a 90 percent seat belt compliance for the city of Heppner and its citizens. On February 10, Heppner Police issued 30 seat belt warnings, two speeding warnings and citations for no operator's license, driving uninsured and switched license plates. One vehicle was towed. A second survey was conducted Feb. 24. with 96 percent compliance. The department used 33 overtime hours in the campaign. Lundquist makes Heppner stop on Secretary of State election run Trail Band The Trail Band, an eight-piece ensemble with five vocalists, including Rindy Ross, formerly of Quarterflash, will play in Heppner on Saturday, March 18, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Heppner Elementary gym. Their concert, which will feature two sets, "Lewis & Clark" and "Immigrant Dreams," is sponsored by the Morrow County Unified Recreation District, the IOOF Lodge and the Heppner St. Patrick's Committee. The band has performed for "hundreds" of public and private appearances across America and Japan, in addition to releasing five albums. "Comet, tenor horn, tuba, fiddles, hammer dulcimer, guitars, penny whistle, mandolin, piano, saxophone, spoons, bones, drums, bass and recorders combine with their rich vocal harmonies to create diverse tapestry of sound inspired by music of 19th century America," said a release. The band was formed in 1991 by Marv Ross at the request of the Oregon Trail Council and initially performed music exclusively from and about the era of the Oregon Trail with costumes, diary readings, traditional folk tunes, marches, hoedowns and Native American melodies. In 1998, the band presented a new show and album, "Immigrant Dreams," featuring music and stones of those who came west to Amenca from Ireland, Scotland, Romania, Mexico, France, Spam, Greece and other countnes dunng the turn of the century. Music includes Romanian dances, Greek street songs, Mexican polkas, reels from Ireland, Scottish ballads, Puerto Rican holiday songs and four original songs inspired by the migration experience. In November of 1999, The Trail Band debuted its new show and accompanying album of music from the Lewis & Clark era. Interspersed with music will be narration including excerpts from the journals of Lewis and Clark, Thomas Jefferson's letters, quotes from tribal leaders and period newspaper articles. A number of rare instruments from the period will also be demonstrated, including the serpent, the flageolet, the dudelsack and the sausage bassoon. Children attending the concert are to be accompanied by adults. lone boys b-ball team earns academic award a plaque in honor of outstanding scholastic achievement. Additionally, Dairy Farmers of Oregon help recognize the achievement of the top 10 teams in each classification by providing each student a "Top Ten" lapel pin. The lone Lady Cardinals earned recognition for placing fourth in the top 10 this winter with a grade point average of 3.78. The Big Sky was well represented with the Griswold High School girls' basketball team placing first with a GPA of 3.89. Heppner Lady Mustangs also placed eighth in the top 10 with a GPA of 3.69. The Oregon School Activities Association, in conjunction with the Oregon Dairy Farmers, announced on Wednesday, Feb. 16 that the lone High School boys' basketball team has been awarded the Dairy Farmers of Oregon Academic All-state Awards. The lone men earned this award for having a grade point average of 3.85. This is the third year the Oregon Dairy Farmers have extended their support to recognize excellence in the classroom. The winning team in each winter activity will be presented Lynn Lundquist (left) former Speaker of the House, and now Republican candidate for Secretary of State, was in Heppner last Wednesday, where he picked up the endorsement of Heppner Mayor Bob Jepsen (right). Former Speaker of the House Lynn Lundquist, now running for Secretary of State, was in Heppner this week where he picked up the endorsement of Mayor Bob Jepsen and also laid out his issues for the upcoming campaign. Lundquist laid out four areas he says he will concentrate on if elected to the Secretary of State's job. Lundquist said he would work harder to ensure a larger voter turnout. He endorses vote by mail and feels there needs to be more education of school Stop in at MCGG for all your tire needs! M o r r o w C o u n t y G r a in G r o w e r s Lexington 989-822 1 * 1 -800-452-7396 for firm ^uipmwt. *wt our wtb«« at www.mca n«t children on the benefits of political involvement through voting. "People should be civic minded enough to vote and civic minded enough to serve," he says. Secondly Lundquist says voters are disenfranchised with the political process and that the trust needs to be restored to the system. "We (politicians) have not followed our campaign promises and the wishes of the people." he says. "We need to do better." Third, since Secretary of State, along with the governor and state treasurer oversees the state lands board and the division of state lands . Lundquist feels he will be good for the job. "I have expertise in these areas and I will stand up for Eastern Oregon, " he says. On the fourth issue of importance to the Secretary of State's job, Lundquist points out that the 60 legislative districts in Oregon are up for reapportionment, and that the process is always political when new district boundaries are established, but feels he can get the job done non partisan. "Apportionment must be done in a fair and equitable manner, so that everyone in the state feels they are represented," Lundquist emphasizes. He says rural Oregon needs to be as representated as the urban areas of the state. Lundquist says the reason he is running for Secretary of State is that is the second most important office in the state behind the governor, and he will use the office to develop and implement good legislation for the state. He also feels his experience in the legislature and as speaker will help in consensus building in Salem. Advertising Deadline 12 noon Tuesday
