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FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 25, 2000 Chamber opposes Measure 97 Letters to the Editor Editor's note Letters to the Editor must be signed The Gazette-Times w ill not publish unsigned letters Please include your address and phone number on all letters for use by the C-T office The C-T reserves the right to edit. The G-T is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Both wrong To the Editor: It took me a week or so to research the information Mr. Denton had reported in his letter to the editor dated October 18. In that letter, he stated that the Task Force had agreed to utilize the Oregon State Police as the agency under which the drug arrests/offenses would be reported to the Law Enforcement Data Service (LEDS). I freely admit that I am human and may make a mistake, so I made contact with LEDS again and asked them about this. I read them the article. They were concerned. They felt that it would be poor record keeping to have any agency that did not make the arrest take credit for it. I then asked them for some more statistics. I asked how many drug related offenses/suspects were claimed by Oregon State Police in Morrow County during 1999. The answer: five offenses, two suspects. Now there is a chance that both of those were task force arrests. This brings us up to three suspects arrested in Morrow County in 1999 (refer to the information in my earlier letter to the editor). Intrigued, I then asked how many were claimed by OSP in Umatilla County during 1999 (remembering that Mr. Denton claimed over 200 arrests were made). The answer. . . 126 offenses, 70 suspects. Now keep in mind that in Morrow County the majority of the drug arrests were made by patrol officers during routine patrol operations. Now, I know a number of the OSP road troops and can tell you that they are some of the finest law enforcement officers I have worked with. I have no doubt that their routine patrol operations account for some of the Umatilla County totals as well. So, I was incorrect. Instead of one Task Force arrest in Morrow County during 1999, there may have been three. But, unless Mr. Denton's bookkeeping system is flawed, there were not over 200 arrests in Morrow and Umatilla counties; there were 73 combined arrests in the two counties. And some of them were probably made by patrol officers. Please remember that I am not criticizing the Task Farce as a whole. They are doing excellent work. I never said that they need to "Focus on Morrow County." It is simply my opinion that we need to see more drug enforcement in our county. (s) Steven L. Myren Boardman Vote no on gun control measure To the Editor: Vote no on Measure 5, the gun control measure. . The Preamble of the U.S. Con stitution starts with three words: “We the People.” It does not say “We the Politician” (Burdick or McCain),’ “We the Bureaucrat,” “We the Government,” and “We the Press.” The Constitution was written to protect the people from tyranny o f government!" The Second- Amendment provides that means. People say that tyranny cannot happen here. Just ask the people at Waco, the abduction of Elian Gonzales and the botched drug raids on individual homes. The last four words of the Sec ond Amendment reads “shall not be infringed.” This shows that the over 20,000 gun control laws are unconstitutional. The closing of the gun show loophole is just a ruse. What this measure is about is the registra tion of all guns and this also is a registration of you. Placing this in the hands of the Oregon State Police circumvents federal law which makes the above illegal. Why do honest law-abiding citi zens have to be registered? The figure of one-third of guns used in crimes come from gun shows. This came from the U.S. Justice Dept, which was refuted immediately. The correct figure is less than one-tenth of one percent. I will leave you with this quote: “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.” -Edmund Burke (s) Tom Pointer Lexington To the Editor: The Heppner Chamber of Commerce opposes Measure 97 - The Trapping Ban. This measure removes public and landowner freedoms to exercise good judgement and common sense as they make choices for the safety and health of animals and human beings. It would be very costly to the taxpayers for the government to take the many steps necessary to implement the ban, if passed. It targets emotions rather than providing accurate information and would restrict the most humane traps currently used in Oregon Under the measure, individuals would have to apply for a special permit from the director of Oregon Fish and Wildlife. Before issuing that permit it would have to be determined in writing that the nuisance animal could not be abated by non-lethal control tools, then use might be authorized for no longer than 30 days with said trap checked at least every 24 hours. Image how overrun your property could become with dangerous and unhealthy varmints as you waited for the backlog of requests to be processed. Just think about the cost and the reality of checking to see if every person were correctly using their rat, gopher, etc., traps, not to mention the devastating impact on farmers, ranchers, property owners and taxpayers. The dollars to implement this measure could be far better used for education, paying down the debt, and health care, don't you think? Join the Chamber in voting down a measure that is very poorly written, is costly to taxpayers, targets personal property rights, and, though well ¡mentioned, doesn't make sense. (s) Sharon Harrison Heppner Chamber of Commerce President Retain Denton To the Editor: In order to continue to have a quality sheriffs department in Morrow County, I urge you vote to retain Verlin Denton as Morrow County Sheriff. Although formal training in law enforcement is necessary, it is also imperative that the sheriff have experience in actual practical application. This is necessary both in law enforcement and administrative ability. Verlin Denton has had both the training and actual experience to administer and maintain a quality sheriffs department. In fact, Sheriff Denton has spent his whole professional life in law enforcement. Sheriff Denton has been able to maintain a quality sheriffs department in spite of declining revenues in Morrow County H E P P N E R E L K S 358 676-9191 " H T ir r t Friends Meet” r To the Editor and to Ask Them - Glenn In his recent letter of last week, Glenn Anderson stated that he thought the people of Lexington should ask questions about the city council. Maybe we should also ask questions of Glenn Anderson. Ask him why he approached the county court regarding the tippage fees, without the knowledge and consent of the city council. Ask him just how many firemen there are, and ask him how many attend the meetings. Ask him why he consulted the city attorney. Ask him how much the city was charged as a result of his actions. Ask him if he intends to reimburse the city for the resultant hundreds of dollars incurred because he did not believe what the attorney had initially ruled. (s) Robert Taylor Lexington To the Editor: What would voting "yes" on Measure 94 that would repeal Measure 11 do for Oregonians? It would save the state over $600 million over the next 10 years. It would decrease repayment costs for new prison construction by $153.6 billion between the years 2000 and 2010. It would shift Oregon's policy toward youthful offenders toward rehabilitation. It would return to our judges the discretion to tailor sentences in each individual case. Heinous crimes committed by juveniles Vote no on 9 Elect Jon Kvistad Is Your Source For SCOOTERS Get involved in Lex city council To the Editor: After reading Glenn Anderson's letter to the editor in last week's paper, I can see there is a difference of opinion regarding conduct of business at town council meetings. We could hash this over and over in the paper and still accomplish nothing, so instead I am inviting the citizens of Lexington to come to the council meetings. Get involved, don't listen to the gossip, make your own decisions on who is right, find out how your tax dollars are being spent. (s) Shirley McCarl Lexington JIM SWANSON 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS \ Stop by and help Jim, Nancy and Stacie celebrate!\ Wheatland Insurance Open Home Friday, November 10th • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop Byf Food an d D rink A ll D ay Long WHÉM1W1D 2 6 5 N orth M ain S t • lone • 422- 7410 142 North Main Ask Anderson Chamber says yes on county road levy Yes on 94 would save millions BINGO BACK ON WEDNESDAYS STARTING AT 7:00 p.m . Heppner Smith strong, effective leader of qualifications October 87th - Friday NE District State Vice President Jack Laurence visi tation. Prime rib dinner served startin g at 6:30 p.m. for members and out-of-town guests. October 88th - Saturday HALLOWEEN PARTY. Music by Full Tilt Audio from 8 p.m.-12 mid- •; night. First, second and third place awards for best costumes I Bring your favorite snack foods. November 8nd - Thursday LADIES’ NIGHT: Je rry Sly and crew serving. Menu to follow. turned upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in this drive. Just as important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make if the stamp out-sold the lottery this week. The statement it would make is that we care. It is important that we take a stand against this disease that kills and maims so many of our mothers, sisters and friends. I urge each of you to request "Fund the Cure" the next time you buy stamps. (s) Molly Rhea Bush more honest, refreshing Mailing address not measure Oregon's Department of Public Safety, Standards. He has the training and background that qualify him for the job. In addition, Verlin is known and respected by others in law enforcement; at least two dozen other sheriffs in Oregon endorse his candidacy. Another reason I am voting for Verlin is because I believe he is sensitive to the differences and needs of all of our communities in Morrow County. When asked if I am not voting for someone who lives in Boardman, I would have to say, a mailing address is not a measure of a person's qualifications. If you have gotten to Volume Two, you'll find that Verlin has the background, the experience and the training that equips him to be fiscally responsible, supervise employees, work with the public and enforce the law. (s) Sharon Barrick Boardman To the Editor: As you may be aware, the U.S. Postal Service recently released a "Fund the Cure" stamp to help fund breast cancer research. Instead of the normal $.33 for a stamp, this one costs $.40. The additional $.07 goes to breast cancer research. A "normal" card of stamps costs $6.60. The card of "Fund the Cure" stamps sell for only $8.00. If all available stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $16,000,000 for this vital research. Many of us know women and their families whose lives are government. The sheriffs department has had to take their share of necessary cuts in funding. He is also quite aware that funding from grants can be helpful, but are also quite nebulous. Grants are usually given for a specific project to be To the Editor: defense. completed in a given amount of In all these areas Gov. Bush I am writing in support of Gov. time and not for ongoing Bush. would bring about less expensive enterprises. Even if there is some A stark contrast between V.P. and intrusive government and at funding for a continuing project, Gore and Gov. Bush has the same time would deal with such 'as funding for additional developed in many areas, such as these in a better, honest and help in the sheriffs department, it the environment, taxes, refreshing manner. can be and usually is education, Vote Bush-Cheney. social security, discontinued at the whim of the medical programs and national (s) Don Peterson funding provider regardless of lone local need. Join me in voting for Verlin Denton for sheriff so we can Now is the time to elect Greg continue to have a sheriffs To the Editor: for Oregon State As the former director of Smith department of which Morrow Citizens Public Works for Morrow Representative. County can be proud. County, I have had the throughout District 59 deserve to (s) Raymond French opportunity to work with Greg have strong leadership in the Heppner Smith on important projects upcoming legislative session. [ Barb and I both trust Greg throughout the region. He has always proven to be a strong, Smith to carry our message to effective leader. I always know Salem. Won't you join us? Vote Greg Smith for Oregon million dollar shortfall if this that I could count on Greg Smith to complete a project. That same State Representative, Distnct 59. (/ levy is not passed. , (s) Guy V anArsdal e , ; Economic development is message still rings true. T s ) Barb VanArsdale Greg Smith will carry my voice essential to create additional Heppner family wage jobs which result in to Salem. young families coming to the area, more advantages for our youth, and above all for business To the Editor: generous of heart. retention in our small towns. As a minister, teacher and Schools do not and should Join the Chamber of friend, I urge a "No" vote on not "promote" sexuality of any Commerce membership in voting Measure 9, the latest anti sort, but they should be places yes to enhance progress and keep homosexual initiative from Lon where all students feel safe and our county roads in good shape. respected. A legal mandate for (s) Sharon Harrison Mabon. intolerance and hatred headed by I'll vote "no" as a minister Heppner Chamber of Commerce because I believe in a God of teachers has no place in a love; as a teacher because I will democracy's public education system - let alone in a so-called continue to defend students who Christian society's. seem "different"; and as a friend (s) Lea Mathieu would continue to be handled in because the gay people I know lone are loving, hard-working and the adult system. It would be better use of Oregonian dollars to support early intervention, counseling issues is important. His campaign > and rehabilitation programs To the Editor: has been active all over the state ; f Support Jon Kvistad for which suggests his investment aimed at prevention rather than Oregon treasurer. costly incarceration. strategy would be good for all Jon has background in It agrees with the 76 percent of segments. voters surveyed who support agriculture and being on the Elect Jon Kvistad Oregon spending money on prevention Metro board in Portland; he has treasurer. an understanding of urban issues. for non-violent offenders. (s) Don Peterson Since the treasurer is on the Let's vote yes on 94 and turn the lone disastrous results of Measure 11 land board a grasp of resource around. (s) Vie Oliver Heppner Hardware Heppner To the Editor The Heppner Chamber of Commerce recommends a yes vote on the County Road Levy. It is imperative that we have both maintenance and continued improvement of our county roads for our natural resources/ag community, as well as for future economic development in the area. If this levy does not pass, roads will deteriorate, existing jobs will be cut and there will be no possibility for funding economic development. Morrow County will be facing a 1.2 To the Editor: I wonder if anyone else thought they were getting a telephone book when their Voter's Pamphlets arrived? I am writing on the chance that some Morrow County citizens may still be working their way through the book of measures before turning to "Volume 2," and mailing in their packets. For voters undecided in the Sheriffs race, I hope this letter in support of retaining Verlin Denton will be read, weighed and given some consideration. Verlin brings almost three decades in law enforcement to the office, many of them in management. He is familiar with the duties and responsibilities of running a department with employees deployed throughout the county and is known as someone who is fair and calm in the face of crisis. Verlin holds the highest level of certification awarded by Fund The Cure with postage stamps Fast Runner Scooters Are Now Ini \ Brakes • Foldable Metal Construction a Scooter is a lot more FUN than a Stickhorse... Get Your Scooter Today! HEPPNER HARDWARE A Jhuel/a£u&. 106 May Street • Heppner, OR 97836 Phone: (541) 676-9961 • Fax: (541) 676-5496
