TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 4,
2000
Support Denton
Irrigon students need a high school
To the Editor:
As the sheriffs election nears,
I have heard several isolated
comments criticizing the sheriffs
H ep p n e r
department and thus. Sheriff
(Verlin)
Denton.
These
complaints are actually not new
U S P S 240-420
as they were voiced during
(retired) Sheriff Drago’s terms as
well.
Morrow County's Home-Owned Weekly N e w sp a p e r
Published weekly and entered as penodical matter at the Post O ffice at Heppner, Oregon
The first issue has to do with
under the A ct o f M arch 3,1879 Penodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon O ffice at 147
Morrow County's participation in
W W illow Street Telephone ( M l 1676-9228 Fax (541 (676-9211 P-mail gt@heppner net
the BENI' drug task force and the
or gt(arapidserve net Web site www heppner net Postmaster send address changes to
second is a perception that the
the Heppner Gazette-Times, P O B ox 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions $22 in
M orrow County, S I6 senior rate (in M orrow County only, 62 years or older), $29 else
sheriffs department is unable to
where
attract quality applicants to fill
D avid Sykes ...................................................................................................... Publisher
patrol deputy positions.
A p n ! H ilton-Sykes
.......................................................................................... Editor
Shortly after being appointed
On the HEPPNER WEBSITE: www.heppner.net
Sheriff Denton mailed out
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questionnaires to the citizens of
• Place a Classified Ad • Submit a News Story
Morrow County requesting input
• View Real Estate for Sale
on issues involving the operation
• City Council & Planning Minutes
of the department. One of the
• Local Businesses • County Park • Willow Creek Park Reservations
questions was whether or not to
• Free Digital Postcards • Senior Housing • and more!
continue participating in the
BENT drug task force. This was
the only question which received
Letters to the Editor
a
unanimous
affirmative
response.
The
citizens
sent a very
Editor's note: Letters to the Editor must be signed The Cazette-Times w ill not
publish unsigned letters Please include your address and phone number on all clear message.
Morrow County currently
letters for use by the C-T office. The C-T reserves the right to edit. The C-T is not
provides one detective to the task
responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters.
force. To conduct any kind of a
drug investigation requires a
minimum of two detectives and
As
sheriff,
he
is
charged
with
a
search warrant service is rarely
To the Editor:
multitude
of
responsibilities,
which
done
with less than 10 or more
I have known Verlin Denton for
he
carries
out
with
true
dedication
officers.
If Morrow County were
the past decade. As the OSP
Criminal Division sergeant for and professionalism. Verlin is one to elect to go it alone, it would
the
most
progressive immediately have to double the
most of the decade, I worked with of
administrators
I
know.
His efforts
closely with Verlin on efforts with
present personnel commitment,
with
regards
to
drug
enforcement,
the Blue Mountain Enforcement
doubling the cost, and in my
Narcotics Team as well as the domestic violence issues, violent opinion immeasurably reducing
Morrow County Major Crime crime, rural crime and juvenile the effectiveness of the current
Team. As the OSP station issues are second to none. The fact approach.
commander in Pendleton during the he took a poll of Morrow County
In addition the money used to
past year and a half. I worked with residents to ascertain their concerns conduct
investigations
is
Verlin as a fellow law enforcement about law enforcement service presently being drawn from
levels shortly after taking office,
administrator.
seizure funds. These funds are
demonstrates
his willingness to be
Verlin Denton is one of the most
monies which were confiscated
professional law enforcement innovative and progressive.
from drug dealers as the proceeds
administrators 1 know. As the Verlin Denton is well respected of illegal drug trafficking which,
undersheriff, Verlin virtually ran by his peers and associates after a civil forfeiture process,
the department, taking care of the throughout the region and state of are then used to finance future
day-to-day operations. As such, Oregon. He is a leader in his drug investigations. In other
Verlin
has
a
decade
of profession. I encourage the citizens words local drug dealers are
administrative experience under his of Morrow County to retain a great, financing the "war on drugs".
belt* In this day and age, law asset they currently have in law Were Morrow County to
enforcement is a very complicated enforcement, and to reelect Verlin discontinue participating in the
job and it takes experience, Denton as sheriff.
task force, we (the citizens)
(s) Mike McCullough, would have to come up with the
maturity and intelligence to run an
Former OSP lieutenant funding necessary to conduct
organization.
Pendleton investigations. This would be
cost prohibitive.
Most people are probably
unaware that the focus of the task
force is generally mid to upper
level drug dealers. This has been
determined to be the best use of
To the Editor:
Times.)
It was nice to see the plight of For our students’ future ability to the limited personnel resources.
limited access to equal educational earn a family wage, this has to Our goal is to identify the source
opportunity in small rural schools change.
However,
due
to of supply of drugs being
highlighted in the East Oregonian. unfortunate political and financial smuggled into the area and to cut
But George Murdock of the realities, it will not change unless off that supply. It makes no sense
Educational Service District missed or until South Morrow learns to to arrest a user with a quarter
a few comparisons when he speak with one concern and gram of methamphetamine and
recounted his stories.
demands equal educational access. allow a dealer to import pounds
He failed to mention the We need to refrain from dividing into the area.
Heppner elementary and high up an already too-small funding We all recognize (citizens and
law enforcement alike) that there
school students who live on Little pie.
are
users and dealers residing and
Buttercreek. Our map shows it is a
To offer a curriculum geared to
37-mile trip through this area from the twenty-first century, we need to walking the streets of Morrow
Heppner. but these students have consolidated the Heppner and lone County. Many are well known to
been riding the bus for years. With high schools into "South Morrow all of us and thus highly visible.
You are probably also aware that
the longer school day necessitated High."
by the four-day school week, this Some lone persons resist losing a many are regularly arrested and
sounds like an impossibility for specific lone identity. Certainly our shortly released on bail, or their
primary students, yet their Pine schools are an important focus. I own recognizance awaiting
City school was consolidated years believe, however, that Heppner’s disposition of their charges. They
ago.
people get their feelings for their are then placed on probation, or
If it is correct that a student living community also from cTvic serve terms in various facilities
in Cecil, 30.4 miles (state figures) organizations and their churches. and are then released or paroled,
from Heppner, would spend three Two churches now have joint at which time many re-offend
hours daily riding a bus, then the services and the fellowship is great. and the process begins again. The
students on Little Buttercreek must It remains my hope that old or sheriffs department has little if
really be in trouble.
perceived differences can be put any influence in the disposition
All South Morrow has limited aside for the bettermentof all South of suspects after they have been
access to education. Heppner High Morrow students. If we fail to do arrested. Remember that each
School currently does not have a this, it probably won’t be the time this occurs our drug dealer
credentialed
advanced
math parents who suffer, but our children becomes more experienced, more
teacher. (For South Morrow will.
knowledgeable and more familiar
curriculum, as well as North, see
(s) Meg Murray with the methods of law
the September 13 Heppner Gazette
lone enforcement. This obviously
makes them more difficult to
catch.
Drugs are an enormous
problem; they are a problem in
nearly every city, county and
state in this, and many other
The Official Newspaper
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
GAZETTE-TIMES
Denton well respected
Put away preconceived notions
about schools
BURNING
BAN
Irrigon long overdue for high school
Grant Irrigon a high school
S ta p p i/.
19th
The Burn Ban for the City of Heppner
‘J iv d h d a if
will no longer be in effect beginning
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000. A 5-day
open (out of container) fires and
may be purchased for $1.00 at
Heppner City Hall, 188 NW Willow Street.
-I- ■'-ti ‘I*
zfv -1-
-I- .T. -I*
“I
"
*
*
Retain Denton
earned the opportunity to be
To the Editor:
¿PunceAô *
We intend to vote for Verlin retained in office as Morrow
Denton for Morrow County Sheriff ^ oun,y Sheriff
* in the November election
(s) John and Pat Edmundson
Heppner
*
This choice is based on the fact
*
that
Sheriff
Denton
is
a
top-notch
Cctoêex
* law enforcement professional with
Jßove,
* a solid background of experience
.Horn, D ad
* and accomplishment.
Verlin Denton has worked
<£ Camille
$1.00 lb.
* effectively
as a deputy, as undcr-
«7. \tZ m ta StZ Ntz .7 . \tz A Jstc mim «I«
Gazette-Times
■ 676-9228
V >4’ ’ Js
iI*H '*l* sheriff and as sheriff. He has
Jßeia!
12th
burning permit is required for all
Rusty Estes, Fire Chief
is not considered a big problem
countries. It is unrealistic to To the Editor:
To Irrigon parents, either. The return of your
believe that Morrow County or
students should not be an added
any other law enforcement grandparents and friends:
Wake up Irrigon - now is the expense.
agency can eliminate substance
abuse until a solution to the time. Your students need a high
Some have voiced concern that
the quality of education will
national problem is identified. school. We need your help.
Call your Morrow County suffer. Not true. Kids will learn
The most we can hope for, with
Superintendent and as well in Irrigon as in
the resources that we can School
school
board
members and make Boardman. The water, air or
realistically devote, is to keep the
pressure on and prevent it from them aware that it is time your whatever has no major effect on
becoming epidemic. In my students have their own high the ability of your student to
progress normally. Good teachers
opinion this is not possible school.
Heppner. lone and Boardman teach - good students learn. The
without pooling resources with
other jurisdictions in task force all have a high school and your plus here is that you have a
students should have the same chance to be more involved with
type operations.
In regard to the second issue, benefit during their educational your studdnt.
Soon we are going to be asked
most everyone has heard on the experiences. This is especially
news or read that the city of true since Irrigon has a larger to pass a bond to construct two
Portland is recruiting in Los population than any of the above elementary schools. One school
for Boardman and one for
Angeles, the city of Los Angeles mentioned.
is recruiting in Seattle, and
It is fact that students do better Irrigon.
Morrow County School
Seattle is recruiting in some other and progress much faster if there
large city. In fact this is going on is parent participation connected Superintendent has agreed that
all over the United States. My with their learning environment. the construction of these
previous employer has been Yet, it is almost impossible for buildings should accommodate K
unable to maintain full staffing families to attend all functions through 6 as recommended in
levels and I was recently told that that are 13 miles away. Having to order for it to become possible
the current average level of drive round trip 26 miles can be for our high school students to be
experience for street officers very expensive and many jobs returned.
there is less than four years. Not keep parents later than time
We should pass this bond if
long ago 1 attended an allowed to attend certain
this recommendation holds true.
international
major
crimes functions.
If not, Irrigon has no obligation
conference and learned that this
A new building is not needed
to allow monies to be spent for
is going on all over the world. An to attain this goal. The Columbia
things other than in the best
investigator from one of the Middle School building is
interest of our Irrigon students.
largest metropolitan departments designed to adequately house
Your students deserve it
....please see that they get it.
in this country told me that their grades seven through 12 with
(s) Dan and Jean Creamer
annual
turnover
from minor adjustments.
Irrigon
retirements, etc., is in the According to studies made, cost
neighborhood of 800 officers.
Recently they tested to fill those
positions and received about 800
applications. This was down To the Editor:
This letter is written to clarify seriously. With all of these
considerably from the past when
some
questions raised by an recommendations, we do not think
they had several thousand, they
are also out actively recruiting. editorial in the Sept. 9 issue of the we are being the least bit
During all this the sheriffs East Oregonian, entitled "priorities" unreasonable in feeling this is the
department has continued to fill and pertaining to the merit of time to have our high school
restored.
positions with what I consider to adding a high school in Irrigon.
Another comment we would take
The
comment
we
would
be quality people. A little more
than a year ago we had two challenge the most strongly is "now issue with is, "it would take
deputies attending the Oregon is not the time to consider reviving considerable planning and work to
Police Academy. One of the a high school in Irrigon." Had the refit Columbia Middle School and
deputies was the recipient of the writer of the article been present Riverside High School and the
"Lee M. Brown" scholastic when we made a bid for the return teaching staffs, to handle all
achievement
award
which of our high school six years ago, he secondary students." Six years ago,
recognizes the highest scholastic would have seen the staffing when we made a bid for our high
achiever of each academy class. analysis report prepared by then school, the board made the
This same deputy was also county Superintendent Chuck Starr, concession of adding on to
recognized i for expertise in which showed no electives would Columbia Middle School in a
firearms training. The second be lost if Irrigon and Boardman design that would be compatible
recruit deputy.received an award each went to a 7-12 configuration for a s6ven-12 configuration. It is
for his achievements in the area and there would even be a saving in already designed for this purpose.
If Irrigon and Boardman each went
teaching staff.
of defensive tactics training.
to
a seven-12 configuration, we
Our
current
superintendent,
Bruce
In almost 4,000 hours of
would
be in conformity with the
Anderson,
has
gone
on
record
training and 24 years of police
experience I have had the publicly as strongly recommending towns in our area—Stanfield,
Umatilla, Heppner, lone. This
opportunity to work with a high school for Irrigon.
The Matrix Group, a consulting system is very beneficial for junior
numerous fine law enforcement
professionals from all over the firm hired by the Morrow County high students, as the teachers cross
United States. I, like most of the School Board to do an in-depth over, and students have the
deputies in this department, study of county schools and advantage of specialists in most
came to work for Morrow determine what buildings need fields.
I agree with the writer in his
County because we wanted to upgrading and what new schools
live and serve in this community, need to be built, came out in favor assessment of the importance of
high schools in small and not-so-
not because we couldn't find of a high school in Irrigon.
small towns, and his comment that
The
Nelson
Report,
compiled
employment elsewhere. I took a
significant reduction in income after surveying various citizens of they traditionally have been a focal
compensation, benefits and Morrow County, came out in favor point for the town. I close this
seniority to be here. I am happy of returning students in North article by saying the high school is
with my decision and proud to be Morrow County to their own the heart and soul of every town,
a member of the Morrow County communities (Boardman’s sixth, large or small, and%we are long
seventh and eighth grades would overdue. We sincerely believe that
Sheriffs Department.
Quality police agencies don't return to Boardman, and Imgon's it is "now or never" for us, and with
of
the
professional
happen by accident; they require grades nine-12 would return to all
recommendations in our favor, we
quality direction by trained, Irrigon).
Both of these studies were simply cannot think of one valid
experienced, honest and devoted
mandated
by the Morrow County reason why our high school should
leaders. Sheriff Denton has been
in law enforcement for over 27 School Board and funded by not be restored.
(s) LaVelle Partlow
years; he has worked uniform Morrow County taxpayers, and we
Irrigon
patrol, detectives, including believe they should be taken
homicide and narcotics, and has
been a police supervisor and
administrator. He was the
To the Editor:
people, it is very important to us,
undersheriff of Morrow County
Is this what you want for your and to many of our friends.
for 13 years during Sheriff
kids? Until it happens to you
If Irrigon is successful in our
Drago's administration, and was
personally, you are not prepared bid to have our own high school,
appointed sheriff upon the
for the toll the long bus trips take travel would be cut drastically.
retirement of Sheriff Drago.
on your high school students for This would eliminate many,
Without reservation I support
the various sporting events. Our many long trips, which are
retaining Sheriff Denton.
daughter
Kimber
recently dangerous in the wintertime and
(s) Mark and Elaine Miller
participated in a soccer game in rob our families of time together.
Heppner
Cascadn (south of Eugene). She
Please support your school
boarded the bus in Irrigon at 2:30 advisory
board
and
our
W E PR IN T
a.m., in the morning, rode for community by attending the
several hours, played in the school board
meeting at
LE T T E R H E A D
soccer match, and arrived home Riverside High School on
Heppner G azette-Tim es
at 10:30 in the evening.
Monday evening, October 9, at
This scheduling is extremely 7:30 p.m. The board plans to vote
exhausting for our young people at this meeting on whether or not
and leaves very little time for any to grant Irrigon a high school.
*
family interaction, and while this
Barb Huwe
*
may not be important to some
Irrigon
*
*
SCRATCH
PADS
I