Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner,
Letters to the Editor
Ask questions about Lexington council
Budget committee supports road levy
To the Editor:
To The Editor:
As members of the Morrow
County Budget Committee, we
are submitting this letter in
support of the road levy.
The Morrow County Court and
the budget committee were faced
with a significant shortfall in the
county budget this past year.
Over the last two years we
experienced problems with
balancing the budget. However,
we were able to balance the
budgets by making many small
cuts and by reducing ending fund
balances. This year we had no
option available except to make
significant reductions. Some of
these reductions included the loss
of 13 full and part time positions,
shutting down the rock crushing
operation for the year, and the
elimination of funding for the
county museum and the GIS
program.
The last several years $206,000
have been transferred from the
Finley Buttes tippage fees to
back fill the general fund budget.
This year as additional $250,000
was needed to balance the
budget. This fund is now
depleted.
The following are some of the
factors that have caused revenues
to not keep pace with ever rising
costs; Ballot measures 5, 47 and
50, and the decreasing value of
the utility systems due to
depreciation. Utility values make
Editor's note: Letters to the Editor must be signed The Cazette-Times w ill not
I hope the letter to the editor by
publish unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone number on all the five citizens of Lexington
letters (or use by the C-T office. The C-T reserves the right to edit. The C-T is not does cause the other citizens of
responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters.
Lexington to start asking
questions. And I hope that you
will ask each of these five people
the next time you see them every
strong enough to just “Say No.” one of these questions below;
Knowledge is power; let’s em because you need to know the
facts from fiction.
power our children.
Ask them why they keep
He also has some new budget
singling
out Glenn Anderson as
ideas that would greatly benefit
the
one
who hired Mr. Cline
everyone in our county. .
when
they
were told that it was a
Steve is easy to talk to and will
majority of the council who did?
ing to listen to your ideas. He’s
Ask them why they have never
always out and about, so next time
asked the council why it was
you see him on the street, take the considered an emergency?
time to stop and chat and listen to
Ask them how many water
some of his ideas to help our com customers would of been out of
munity.
service if this was not done?
If you really care about our
Ask them for how long these
community, you’ll listen to what customers would of been without
he has to say and he’ll listen to service?
you. He cares.
Ask them if they were one of
I believe this change will do us these customers would they of
good because ideas are a dime a consider it an emergency?
dozen, but action is priceless.
Ask them how many thousands
If you would like to contact of dollars the town would of lost
Officer Myren and hear more if this was not done?
about some of his ideas, feel free
Ask them how they proposed to
to call him at 481 -2924 or write to make up this loss of money?
P.O. Box 1276, Boardman, OR
Ask them who had more
97818. He’ll be glad to hear from experience with the town
you and know that you care.
backhoe, water system and was
I care. I’m voting for Steve readily available and willing?
Myren.
(Please leave name at city hall
(s) Darla Wishart for the future.)
Heppner
Ask them how many times the
starting date of this project was
changed?
Ask them how many days
notice the town got ahead of the
should not have to be subjected last change?
to such checks.
This is that defining moment in
Ask them how much time the
which Smith shows that he has town maintenance man worked
either not thought carefully about on this before it became evident
what he thinks, or has not that he needed help?
planned carefully what he will
Then ask how much time was
say. Style reflects substance. It's left before loss of money or
a matter of simple logic-how is water service?
one to know who the law-abiding
Ask them how they can say "no
citizens are without a background one in town was aware of the
situation or hiring of Cline until
check?
he
was seen on the site" since
I own guns. I support the right
this
was done by the majority of
to carry firearms. I currently hold
a permit to carry a concealed the council?
Ask them to name the lawyers
weapon in the State of Oregon.
they
claimed
were
That said, I was very willing to who
contacted?
Ask
them
if
council
be finger printed so my
background could be checked to members have and do represent
make sure that I was, in fact, a the tOVWI? (M a y b e they forgot.)
Since they claim *tb know about
law-abiding citizen.
Is Smith telling voters that he the fire department and make
has a way of recognizing law- certain claims, ask them how
abiding citizens without checking many people it takes to man a
the record? I'd like to know how truck? Ask them how many
he plans to do it. In the
meantime. I'm voting for Linda
Harrington.
To the Editor:
(s) Linda Shaw
As the elections approach,
Heppner
Morrow County voters are
presented with several important
choices. One of the most
important is the choice we will
and a budget that keeps
make for Morrow County
dwindling because of Oregon
Sheriff.
Measure 50. The Morrow County
I first met Sheriff Verlin
Sheriffs Department is also
Denton more than 15 years ago
responsible for dispatching and
when we attended Northwestern
911 emergency calls for three
University's School of Police
other counties. Sheriff Denton
Staff and Command. The
has the background, knowledge
dedication, professionalism, and
and experience to do the job he
knowledge that he displayed
has been doing for the past two
impressed me then, and I have
years as Morrow County Sheriff continued to be impressed,
and assisted retired Sheriff Roy especially since he was elevated
Drago with for 15 years. The
from
Morrow
County
outgoing Sheriff Roy Drago had
Undersheriff to Sheriff upon the
enough
confidence
in retirement of Roy Drago.
A sheriff must be not only an
Undershenff
Denton
to
able
administrator, but he is also
recommend to the Morrow
the
bridge between Morrow
County Court that they appoint
and
other
law
Verlin Denton as sheriff when County
Sheriff Drago retired in 1998.
enforcement agencies. Modem
In closing, I hope you will join law enforcement, to be effective,
me in supporting Sheriff Denton must be a partnership between all
for Morrow County Sheriff and jurisdictions - city, county, and
putting your (X) in the box to state. Sheriff Denton has been
retain Sheriff Denton as Morrow
County Sheriff.
Please Vote.
(s) Larry S. Sample
Boardman
To the Editor:
In the election next month, we
will be choosing the next sheriff
for Morrow County. We are
writing this letter to urge you to
Val Doherty has announced her vote for our current sheriff,
candidacy as a wnte-in candidate Verlin Denton.
Sheriff Denton came to this
for mayor of the town of
county
as a deputy for the
Lexington.
Morrow
County
Sheriffs Office.
Doherty has been a resident of
Lexington since 1963 "except for He was promoted by his
couple of educational leaves of predecessor to undersheriff,
second-in-command of the
absence."
Doherty served as deputy sheriffs office He held the
district attorney and county undersheriff position for several
counsel for Morrow County from years, prior to his appointment as
1987 to 1997 during which time sheriff almost two years ago.
Over the years we have
she "learned to work with a
appreciated
Sheriff Denton's law
public budget."
enforcement
expertise in Morrow
Currently Doherty maintains an
County.
He
has been active in
office in Hermiston where she
efforts
to
curb
drug use, prevent
practices law in partnership with
child
abuse
and
fight crimes so
Earl Woods.
People have a choice
To the Editor:
We the people now have a
choice. Our current sheriff was
appointed the position when Roy
Drago left. Now we have a choice
on who we want to elect as Mor
row County Sheriff.
My vote is going to Steve
Myren because ability without
ambition is useless.
I’ve known Steve for almost 10
years and have found him to be
honest, fair, hardworking and
friendly to everyone. I’ve found
his word is as good as gold. If he
says it, he means it.
Officer Myren would like to
see our rural areas and our back
streets patrolled more, which I
firmly believe would cut down on
theft and vandalism.
He would like to see our com
munity offer more drug and
safety education to our children.
We need to make our children
more aware of their surroundings.
I know we all feel safe with our
country lifestyle, but anything can
happen - even here. Our children
need to be taught who and what
to avoid and to stand up for them-
selves. This will make them
Vote for Harrington
To the Editor:
I am supporting Linda
Harrington in the race for State
Representative from District 59.
I live in Heppner and am
acquainted with Greg Smith.
At the University of Oregon, I
majored in the study of English
literature, and learned to analyze
characters in a poem, play, story,
or novel through close attention
to what they said and what they
did. I learned that it was essential
to look for that one defining
moment that would symbolize
the essence of character. This is
also true in real life. Style
reflects substance.
9f entty^iasm for
Smith's candidacy ,,had been
growing, but I became firmly
opposed a few weeks ago when
reading an article in local
newspapers trumpeting the
National Rifle Association's
endorsement. In this article,
Smith was quoted as being
opposed to background checks
for gun ownership, saying, in
effect, that law-abiding citizens
To the Editor:
I support Verlin Denton,
because he is the best candidate
for the position of sheriff of
Morrow County. He has the
experience, background and
knowledge to continue to be your
sheriff.
I first met Verlin Denton when
he came to Prineville in 1987
while he was doing a background
check on me after I had applied
to work as a deputy for the
Morrow
County
Sheriffs
Department. At this time Sheriff
Denton was the undersheriff for
Morrow
County
Sheriffs
Department. After talking with
Undersheriff Denton, I knew he
was a person that I could trust
and that he was dedicated to the
sheriff and
the
sheriffs
department.
After accepting a deputy's
position to work for Morrow
County Sheriffs Department I
found that Sheriff Denton was a
very honest and trustworthy
person. If Denton told me
something then I knew I could
believe what he said.
I have gained a lot of respect
and trust for Sheriff Denton in
the past 13 1/2 years that I have
worked for the Morrow County
Sheriffs Department. I know that
Sheriff Denton treats all people
and employees with respect and
that the employees of the
Morrow
County
Sheriffs
Department respect him also.
Sheriff Denton does not make
promises that he can't keep. I
know that Sheriff Denton expects
his deputies to do an honest day's
work and they are not in the
coffee shop the first and last hour
of their shift.
You need to be more than just
a good old boy to manage a 24-
person
department
which
includes (10) 911 dispatchers,
people are in and continuing
training through the fire
department?
Ask them why they did not
quote Section 21 of the town
charter? "In the absence of the
Mayor the Councilors will
choose a Moderator amongst
themselves for the meeting.
Whether acting as mayor or as a
C ouncilor, the Council chairman
has only one vote on questions
before the Council." Ask them if
they know the difference
between a mayor and a
moderator? Ask them what the
town lawyer said about this
before their letter came out?
Since they have finally figured
out what a quorum is (I tried to
clarify in 8-9-99 but they would
not believe.) Ask them why a 2
to 1 vote against Bob Taylor on
7-27-99 was not a no vote to
them? Ask them why the minutes
record the verbal concurrence of
2 of 3 council members for
Glenn but this was not a yes
vote? Ask them why when they
used the special district voting
quorum argument on 8-9-99 it
was okay, but when used against
them at the September 2000
meeting it was not?
Ask them why when Luella
hired Mr. Cline through the same
process to paint numbers on
meters they did not get upset?
Ask them what is the greater
emergency, painting numbers on
meters or saving thousands of
dollars and water services for the
people of Lexington?
Ask them why two council
members were willing to come?
Then ask them who the problem
was? Ask them what truth and
integrity is?
If they have not been able to
answer these questions for you,
ask them why they chose to sign
their name before they got the
facts? If they have been able to
answer these questions for you
then ask them how they could
sign knowing all of this? Ask
why are they not willing to allow
"our laws to be enforced
according to majority rule, as it
was intended" as they claim?
Yes, please ask questions of
them. Please find the facts from
the fiction. Maybe their last
sentence really gives us their
agenda, "People of Lexington,
we trust and hope you will
choose wisely."
(s) Glenn Anderson
Lexington
Choose Denton
Denton has background, experience
able to accomplish this, as
evidenced by the excellent
relationship he has, as sheriff,
established with his peers in
other agencies.
In addition to his other duties,
Sheriff Denton serves as
chairman of the Executive Board
for the Blue Mountain Narcotics
Enforcement Team (BENT). The
efforts of this group have been
recognized widely. In a recent
letter of appreciation, Oregon
State
Police
District
IV
Commander, Captain Dennis
Dougherty, congratulated the
team on its efforts and said,
"Your commitment to stem the
How of illegal drugs to our
children
and
communities
deserves praise. BENT is
perceived as one of the elite task
forces in the state and for other
task forces to emulate."
I encourage your vote for
Sheriff Verlin Denton on election
day. Let's retain a professional in
this important position.
(s)Dan Brosnan
Heppner
Denton has qualities, qualifications
Val Doherty
runs as mayor
Oregon Wednesday, October 18, 2000 - FIVE
our county can be a safer place to
live.
Sheriff Denton has the
qualities and qualifications to be
our sheriff. He has direct law
enforcement experience as a
deputy. He has the administrative
qualifications in his position as
undershenff and sheriff for this
county.
Sheriff Denton has created a
department that we can all be
proud of. He has recruited and
hired qualified officers. He has
built a department with a positive
reputation that other police
agencies look up to. Sheriff
Denton has the endorsement of
the majonty of Oregon's sheriffs.
That says a great deal about his
ability to serve this county.
Please vote for Verlin Denton,
Morrow County Sheriff.
(s) Jack and Kim Camine
Boardman
up 53 percent of the total county
valuation.
We feel the county court made
a prudent decision in putting the
local option levy for roads on the
ballot. This levy will enable the
road department to maintain its
current high level of service. It
will not allow for any additional
services.
The current budget calls for a
$485,000 transfer from the
general fund to the road fund.
The passage of the road levy will
eliminate the need for this
transfer and will allow general
fund operations to continue at
their current level, rather than
create a need for additional cuts
to positions and services. If
senate bill 1608, the federal
payment in lieu of taxes, passes
those funds will be used in the
road department for contingency
and capitol reserves. In order to
balance the budget for the last
three years, these funds have
been drawn down to a
dangerously low level.
We feel that passage of the
road levy is necessary for the
county to continue services at
their
current
level.
We
recommend a yes vote on this
very important issue.
(s) Vem Fredenckson
Irrigon
(s) Leann Rea
Boardman
(s) Larry Mills
Heppner
Sheriff corrects misinformation
lot of names from the Heppner,
To The Editor:
Boardman
and Irrigon area. Of
Re: Steve Myren's Letter
the
information
that has been
regarding the Drug Task Force
gathered
over
the
years it's clear
I think its important that some
to
the
Task
Force
and
me that the
misinformation that Mr. Myren
overwhelming majority of the
had in his letter be corrected.
First of all he quoted some drugs coming into Morrow
figures from the Oregon Uniform County are coming from the
Crime Reports that are correct as Hermiston and Tn-City area.
Regarding the comment about
far as they go. However it would
the
Task Force suddenly working
be a paperwork nightmare for the
six member agencies to try and in Morrow County two weeks
separate out these statistics from after he filed for sheriff. I'm
Task Force work and enter them flattered that he thinks I have that
in each agency's OUCR's. That's kind of power with the other five
why the Task Force Executive members of the Executive Board
Board agreed at the beginning to that I can change priorities of the
have the OUCR information on Task Force that have been in
cfrug arrests entered under one place for years. The fact is that it
member agencies name. In this is very rare that drug cases can
case it is the Oregon State Police. be put together in less than a
As an example in the year (1999) month. Cases have to be built.
Mr. Myren mentioned, the Task Drug buys have to be made.
Force worked over 835 cases and Suspects have to be identified,
made over 200 arrests in Morrow information gathered and a
and Umatilla counties. This Task search warrant has to be written
Force has a reputation of being and submitted to a judge. This
one of the finest in the state of doesn't happen overnight and
Oregon and for an area with our anyone who has worked drugs
population this is outstanding would know that.
In reference to the question
work.
posed by Mr. Myren about
In reference to Mr. Myren's whether the seizing of drug
remarks about seeing a lot of assets should or should not be the
search warrants being done and goal. In my opinion it should be
making drug cases in \9i9. one of the primary goals. A drug
During that period we had a very dealer can amass a large amount
loose group of agencies working of assets in a few years. If he/she
together on drug problems. We should get caught then they do a
were making a lot of arrests of little time in jail or on probation
street level drug users. It looks and come back with their profits
great in the newspapers; waiting for them. By targeting
however, in time we came to the assets we are taking away the
recognize that we were spinning rewards for dealing drugs. That's
our wheels and having no effect what it's all about. We are also
on the drug flow coming into the making the drug dealer pay for
two counties. In 1991 the the law enforcement cost to deal
agencies involved came together with them.
and formally put together the
Finally there are task forces all
Blue Mountain Enforcement over the State of Oregon because
Narcotics Team (BENT). Certain it has long been recognized that
goals and priorities were set for the pooling of resources to
the team and one of the primary address a problem is an effective
goals was to go after the people way to deal with it. Morrow
who were bringing the drugs into County does not have the
the two counties. It was resources to go it alone against a
recognized that if we don't stop problem of this size. Even with
the source of the drugs we will the task force we have to
continue to arrest the same street prioritize and attack the problem
level users and dealers time and in the most effective ways. We
time again and we all know they can not go after every drug user
don't spend any time in jail. We and dealer in the two counties.
also made it a priority to seize We have to go after the source.
assets to take away the incentive The Task Force is meant to be a
to sell drugs and to use those cooperative effort. I would not,
assets to support the Task Force.
The focus has never been on the even if I could, try to influence
"larger population areas". It has the Task Force to focus on
always been on those people who Morrow County. The focus is on
bring the drugs into our getting the sources of the drugs
into
the
county
communities. A few years ago coming
regardless
of
which
county
they
the Task Force executed a search
are
in.
warrant in the Umatilla area. In
(s) Verlin Denton
the process a list of drug buyers
Morrow
County Sheriff
was found. This list included a
Heppner
Parks committee
Correction
to meet
Jeremy Rietmann
A meeting o f the Morrow
County Parks Committee will be
held Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
at the Public Works office in Lex
ington.
was
misidentified in a picture caption
in the October 11 Gazette-Times.
Rietmann was pictured ringing
the bell at the first service at the
newly
construction
United
Church of Christ in lone.