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TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 12, 2000 Letters to the Editor * The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow Yes on 77 . ----- . Editor's note Letters to the Editor must be signed The Gazette-Times will not publish unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone number on all letters for use by the G-T office. The C-T reserves the right to edit. The G-T is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES Support school option levy U S P S. 240-420 M orrow C o u n ty ’s H om e-O w ned W eekly N ew spaper Published weekly and entered as periodical matter at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3,1879 Periodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon Office at 147 W Willow Street Telephone (541)676-9228. Fax (541)676-9211 E-mail: gt@heppner.net or gt@rapidserve net Web site www heppner net Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $22 in Morrow County, $16 senior rate (in Morrow County only; 62 years or older), $29 else where David Sykes............................................................................................................. Publisher Apnl Hilton-Sykes......................................................................................................... Editor O h the HEPPNER WEBSITE: www.heppH er.net • Start or C hange a Subscription • Place a C lassified Ad • Subm it a N ew s Story • V iew Real Estate for Sale • City Council & Planning Minutes • Local Businesses • County Park • Willow Creek Park Reservations • Free Digital Postcards • Senior Housing • and more! St. Patrick's Senior Center Bulletin Board _____ One hundred-seven people were present for the senior lunch April 5, the largest number for quite sometime. Members of the Lutheran Church served. Hearing aid assistance was given and blood pressures taken before the meal. Manan Murchinson gave a guided tour of the apartments at 1 p.m. Mabel Heath's name was drawn for the first month free rent and Evelyn Richards won the floral arrangement. The menu for the Wednesday, April 19, Easter dinner will be roast turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, green beans, cranberry salad, roll and chocolate Easter nest with jelly beans. The Catholic Church will serve. The lobby and recreation room (sitting room) have been freshly painted and look great. Hopefully the carpet will be laid before very long. John and Mildred Eubanks are getting settled in the newly decorated apartment on the third floor. The other tenants welcome them to the St. Patrick's family. As usual there were exercises on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.; cards, Tuesday and Friday at 1 p.m.; and a movie Thursday at 2 p.m. Bingo was played Tuesday evening from 7- 9 p.m. Sign-up sheets for the scheduled bus tours are on the desk in the office. The schedule for April is as follows: Friday, April 14-bus to lone, 10:30 a.m. for lunch at Beecher's and a ride in the country with driver Gerald Bergstrom; Friday, Apnl 21-drive to Wildhorse museum and lunch, departing Heppner at 8 a.m., with John Church, driver; Tuesday, April-to Monument Senior Center for lunch, 8:30 a.m., John Church, driver. A minimum of six people is needed for most trips. Your suggestions are welcome. Call Barbara Hayes at 676-5667. e~ £ A e By Merlyn Robinson Children definitely should be encouraged to read and write. If as an adult they become a public figure and commit some major indiscretion, then a book can be written to "tell all"-though it becomes difficult to categorize such publications as fact or fiction. Children are wise enough to know that fairy tales are fantasy- land. Yet voting age adults find it difficult to extract the truth in printed statements originating from politicians and then given another biased slant from newspaper and television reporters. When reading the comic pages, we know it's supposed to be laughable, even though sometimes it's difficult to find the humor there. There's also some light reading in the classified sections, even if one is not interested in buying, selling or seeking employment. For instance-"For sale, one gelding, breeding problems." Really! Seems unlikely that said horse has stallion capabilities. Or there's the employment ad that reads: "Restaurant help needed, consider all ages and/or sex." Could this be double duty, equal opportunity? Lead stories flaunt political hype plus megamergers or monopolies. On one hand, the government deregulates industries such as telephone and electrical providers supposedly to stimulate competition. However now there is a determined effort to perpetuate vertical integration and corporate industrialization of American agriculture. This stems from an influential source, the United States Federal Reserve. The proponent is Mark Drabenstott, the right hand man of the all-powerful Alan Greenspan. He recently testified before Congress that the family farm and ranch is already dead. He cites supply chains that are sweeping through agriculture whereby fanners sign a contract to deliver precisely grown farm products on a pre-set schedule. Sorta like the present packer control of the cattle industry where the major packers control the market. Supply chains often lead to concentrated production in specific areas. And Drabenstott goes on to say that the struggle for these commodity-concentrated areas will turn into an economic revolution for rural America. He claims "that struggle will build an economic future with fewer farms, fewer banks and fewer businesses so that relatively few (rural) communities may ultimately prosper." Is that scary or what! The full text of Drabenstott's remarks can be found in a website entitled "Center for Study of Rural America." But you rarely find any such reporting in anything other than agricultural publications. If you're part of a rural community who also cares about food safety, cost and nutritional value or are an integral part of a business community providing goods and services for agnculture-not to mention a wholesome lifestyle-then you should be informed and concerned. For years eastern capitalists have fought for control over western American lands, its resources and productive capabilities. By what authority is the Federal Reserve attempting to influence agricultural policies and pervade the thinking of the U.S. populace? What tax dollars are involved in subsidizing a new Center for the Study of Rural America? Why would such a policy be advocated that is detrimental to the existence of independent producers that feed and clothe Americans more efficiently, more safely and cheaper than any other nation in the world? It’s more than just fooid for thought-it's the livelihoods of productive people. Meanwhile I need to catch up on how the White House dog (the four-legged one) is faring and check out who is sleeping over in the eight or so bedrooms in Hilary's New York little cottage-and other such important stuff. To the Editor: order to balance next year's Patrons of Morrow County, budget. The reductions total You have elected seven school $992,000 and include the board members, including elimination of 17 teaching myself, to oversee the business positions. This is too much. We and educational functions of the want to improve educational school district. We must do so programs, not eliminate them. while keeping the educational In order to decrease the impact needs of the children in front of of the reductions, we need your each decision. help. There is currently only one Over the past eight years, since avenue to generate additional the implementation of Ballot funds for operations of schools, it Measure 5 (property tax is the Local Option Levy limitation), we on the board have approved in the last legislative watched the funding base for our session. On the May Ballot, local schools erode while, at the which you will receive near the same time, state mandates have end of this month, we are asking dramatically increased. In you to approve a levy that will addition, the total number of generate $500,000 to return 10 students has increased by more teaching positions to our budget. than 350 or 18 percent, with The Board has committed to available resources on a per returning seven teaching student basis only going up three positions to Boardman and percent in the same eight year Irrigon, two teaching positions to time period. Three percent Heppner, and one teaching increase in per student revenue, position to lone, upon approval 18 percent increase in student of the levy. population, and 23.6 percent Please get behind this effort, as increase in inflation all add up to did Pendleton and Helix, and less service to children. support the Local Option Levy. Because the Oregon Legislature (s) Gary Frederickson, has not maintained its promise to Morrow County adequately fund education, the School Board Chairman school board must reduce staff in Vote yes on school option levy To the Editor: We're angry. At the legislature for their refusal to adequately fund the education of our children. At ourselves for sitting back and thinking "someone else" will fix the problem. In the past our school district and citizens have found innovative ways to maintain school services. These fixes have ranged from implementation of a four day school week to establishment of a recreation district. Unfortunately Morrow County schools are once again faced with a serious budget shortfall due to inadequate funding from the state. We're to the amputation stage now, reduction in force cuts are being planned. The local option levy gives us the opportunity to patch a small crack in our broken funding system. If passed, the funds received from this five-year serial levy are specifically earmarked to fund 10 teaching positions. It's not a permanent or complete solution to our budget woes, it allows Morrow County citizens to narrow the gap, to help our children with a "yes" vote. The East Oregonian editorial "Message Sent" on March 15, 2000 highlighted the successful passage of Pendleton and Helix's local option levies. We also felt the editorial issued a challenge to us personally and to the citizens of Morrow County as well. Let's show our neighbors that we have the same vision and support for education as they do. Ballots will be mailed to the voters starting April 25 and must be back in the hands of the Morrow County Clerk by May 16. It's critical that at least 50 percent of the registered voters return their ballot. We plan to mark our ballot "yes" and return it immediately upon receipt. (s) Gary and Kathy Neal Boardman Obituary Funeral Notice William Dale Snow Marjorie L. Wright Former Heppner resident William Dale Snow, 74, died Thursday, March 23, 2000, in Salem of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Memorial services were held at on Saturday, Apnl 8, 2000, at the Heppner Elks Lodge with a dinner to follow at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Heppner. Private inurnment is at Willamette National Cemetery at Portland. Memorial contributions may be made to Willamette Valley Hospice, 2700 Market Street, N.E. Salem, OR, 97301- 1641, or the American Lung Association. Heritage, of Portland, is in charge of arrangements. A graveside service for Maijorie L. Wright will be held Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery. Mrs. Wright passed away on December 9, 1999, in Everett, Washington. A reception will follow the ceremony at St. Patrick's Parish Hall. Plant exchange to be held April 15 The Garden Club Plant exchange will be held Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. New and experienced gardeners are welcome to bring plants and exchange. Wranglers Riding Club set playdays The Wranglers Riding Club has set the dates for spring playdays. Play days will be held Sundays, April 30, May 7, May 14 and May 21. The playdays start at noon with a potluck, followed by the playday at 1 p.m. The first playday will begin with election of officers. New members are welcome to attend. For more information, call president Judy Eckman, 989-8498, or treasurer, Judy Barber, 676-5037. 4-H & FFA Members: NEW FEED PR O G R A M ! We are introducing a new feed program this year with CASH AWARDS to Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion in Market steer, lamb, hog & goat catego ries. who purchase ail PURINA feed from Green Feed & Seed. We are stili continu ing our original program with savings bonds to Grand and Re serve Champions who feed PANTEC feed. Come by the store or call for more details There will be a registration form to fill out for the PURINA program. The first 20 to register will receive a FREE PURINA SHIRT OR HAT GREEN FEED SC SEED Heppner - 676-9422 f To the Editor: I am writing to urge a yes vote on Measure 77. It will appear on the May ballot. Measure 77 amends the Oregon Constitution to give certain local taxing districts authority to adjust permanent property tax rates. The measure will correct an unintentional mistake made by the legislature in 1997. It impacts only three taxing districts: Deschutes County, Linn County and the City of Sweet Home. In 1997, Oregonians approved ballot Measure 50, reducing property tax rates around the state. Unfortunately, the legislature erred in drafting Measure 50 and property taxes actually rose in Linn and Deschutes Counties and the city of Sweet Home. The error in Measure 50 was that law enforcement levies in Linn and Deschutes Counties and the city of Sweet Home were treated differently from other levies throughout state, in essence, taxing citizens twice for the replacement portion of the levy. As the Senator from Deschutes County, I received numerous phone calls and letters from irate citizens who had seen their property taxes increase. It took weeks to sort out the reasons. After consulting with the Department of Revenue, the Legislative Revenue Office and legislative counsel, I contacted most of the taxing districts in my senate cistrict and asked them to voluntarily lower their permanent tax rates to compensate for this double taxation. Most agreed that this was a mistake. None of the districts expected the additional revenue. However, the rates need to be corrected uniformly and permanently throughout Linn and Deschutes counties. That is why Senator Mae Yih from Linn County and I have co sponsored corrective legislation and constitutional amendment to be referred to voters for their approval. The legislature unanimously passed both the legislation and the referral. Now we need voters across the state to support and complete the correction. It can only be accomplished by a constitutional amendment because Measure 50 was a constitutional amendment establishing the permanent rates. This is an issue of fairness. Please join me in voting yes on Measure 77. It will bring fairness to the property tax system, equity in the treatment of local levies for essential services and help restore faith and credibility to local and state governments. (s) Neil r. Bryant State Senator, District 27 Filing deadline extended This year, taxpayers have until midnight on Monday, April 17, to file their 1999 tax returns because the regular due date, April 15, falls on a Saturday. Those who have put off filing until the final days will find that the IRS will be working some overtime to help them meet the deadline. Taxpayers can visit IRS walk- in offices to pick up forms and get answers to last minute questions. Those with completed returns can file them and make tax payments and the IRS will date-stamp their forms and checks or money orders. The offices will also accept and date- stamp completed extension forms. Oregon taxpayers can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with their tax questions seven days a week, 24 hours a day. They also can get answers to questions and download forms by visiting the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov. Local resident participates in AQHA riding program Sybil Krebs of lone recently earned an award for logging 750 hours in the American Quarter Horse Association Horseback Riding Program. The program provides AQHA members recognition for time spent riding or driving American Quarter Horses. Current AQHA members must complete a program application and pay a one-time $25 enrollment fee. Each enrollee receives an official AQHA log sheet to record their hours driving or riding their American Quarter Horse. Participants need not own their horse, but all official hours must be accrued with a registered American Quarter Horse. The first award, a program recognition patch, is given after 50 hours have been logged and verified. Patches and nine subsequent awards are presented at 100 to 5,000-hour levels and range from merchandise gift certificates from Drysdales Western Store to a Montana Silversmith trophy belt buckle at the highest level. Other awards provided by AQHA corporate sponsors include a $25 gift certificate good towards any item from Drysdales Western Store; at 750 hours a headstall valued at $22 from Cowboy Tack. At both 1,000 hours and 3,000 hours, award recipients receive recognition in "The Quarter Horse Journal", AQHA's monthly magazine. Jim Bret Campbell, AQHA manager of the horseback riding program, said, "AQHA is so proud to offer this program rewarding people who enjoy riding and driving American Quarter Horses. Enrollees are doing such diverse activities that it's obvious this program literally fits everyone who likes spending time with horses." Births Iza b e l Leean n Stephens-a daughter Izabel Leeann was bom to Vanessa Hill and Freddie Stephens of Irrigon on March 29, 2000 at Good Shepherd Commu nity Hospital in Hermiston. The baby weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. WHEN: APRIL 17 5:30, and 7:30 SEA TIN GS Tickets for all searings are available at the Bank of Eastern Oregon, Beecher's Restaurant or at Klamath First Federal. W HERE: BEECHER'S RESTAURANT IN IO N E SERVED BY: CREATIVE CARE PRE-SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND PARENTS MENU: Barbecue Pork Appetizer Broccoli Pork Stir Fry Shrimp Mound Sweet A Sour Ribs Pork Fried Rice (meals w /o pork available by advance request, please call lis a Rietmonn a t 422-7181 to make a request) CH EF: YUNG NELSON PRICE: $8.00 Adults, $4.00 Children 10 A Under 411 proceeds w ill b e n e fit Creative Care Pre-School »
