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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2001)
TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 14, 2001 Origins of St. Valentine’s Day Letters to the Editor Editor s note Letters to the Editor m ust be signed The C azette-Tim es w ill not publish unsigned letters Please include your address a nd p h on e num ber on all letters for use by the G-T office. The G -T reserves the right to edit. The G -T is not responsible for accuracy of statements m ade in letters. I A n y letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under 'C a r d o f T h a n k s'a t a cost o f $5.) Slippery slope to fascism To the Editor: At the end o f his term, Pres. Eisenhower predicted that the emergence o f an industrial-military complex, not communism or Russia, would bring American democracy down. He did not use the word fascism, but one may recognize that our recent presidential election may have put us on the "slippery slope" leading to fascism . Fascism is an ugly word, an anathema to most Americans. What exactly does it mean? Dictionary definitions have three parts: "Fascism: a philosophy o f government that (1) advocates or exercises a dictatorship o f the extreme nght, (2) typically through the merging o f state and business leadership (3) together with an ideology ofbelligerent nationalism." Look at part (1 )"advocates or exercises a dictatorship o f the extreme nght." The president's party is definitely on the right, though he tned to soften that by adopting the campaign slogan "compassionate conservative" in an attempt to get more votes. However, he has chosen and accepts helpers such as Chaney with a far right Congress voting record, Senator Trent Lott, Rep. Tom Delay, former Senator Ashcroft and others. Did George W. exercise a hint o f dictatorship when, knowing he had lost the popular vote by over half a million votes and that 40,000 ballots (o f m ostly African- Americans, other minorities and poor people in Florida) had never been counted, he asserted that he had won and began behaving as if he had been given a sweeping mandate? At the same time, the Florida Supreme Court decided to permit a hand-count o f the 40,000 ballots. Although he had signed into law a’bill making the hand count the preferred method in Texas, Bush fought hard against the hand count in Florida. Why? Because obviously, he felt that with that count, he would not win. Meanwhile, brother Governor Jeb, under the guise o f recusing himself, had found an attorney to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the counting. Furthermore, undercover, he was encouraging leaders in the Republican-controlled Florida legislature to plan to send an extra set o f electors to the Electoral C ollege, just in case. However, the Republican U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional provision that elections belong to the states and stopped the counting, thus denying voting rights o f som e minorities and the poor in some Florida cities. The frightening result is that we now have a president's party who may have usurped the office (remember Hitler’s Beer Hall Pusch? The German did not act then when they could have). Will we ever know the truth about the 40,000 votes in Florida? Even more frightening is the fact that for the first time in history the U. S. Supreme Court (by one vote) has chosen the president and that all three o f the three branches o f our federal government, executive, legislative and judicial, are controlled by the party on the nght, one that denied voting rights. Where is our constitutional provision for checks and balances? Where is our government of, by, and for the people? ...When asked how he expected Congress to pass his trillion plus tax cut, W. said, "111 just keep repeating it until it passes (pause). It w ould be easier if w e had a dictatorship (pause), if I were the dictator." Was that a jest, a slip-of- the-tongue? M aybe a hint o f fascism ? Are w e on a "slippery slope" toward Eisenhower's prediction? In November, some pundits kept saying, "The people are taking it in their stride. There's no blood in the streets." One prediction is sure: if we, the people, lose our right to vote, in order to regain that right, we will sec blood in the streets of our counfry that w ill make the protests in Seattle, Los Angeles Florida and the parade route on Inauguration day seem microscopic. (s) Jane Rawlins Heppner Opal butte not open to rock bounders To the Editor: There has been a lot o f confusion the last couple years due to an honest mistake by the Oregon Department o f Geology and Mining Industries, and several other web sites. Since 19% the Oregon Dept. O f Geology has advertised the entire Opal Butte as being open to rock hounding. This has caused mass confusion among hounders in traveling to the Butte to gather opals just to be run off. In talking with local hounders this past week, the majority still believed the Butte to be open; however, I contacted the state geologist who himselfbelieved it was open, until I urged him to look into it, at which time he discovered that they had failed to update their web page. So unless you can gain permission from the lease owners, or property owners, don't include Opal Butte in your rock hounding trips this summer, as you may find yourself facing criminal charges and possible civil penalties. There are still many places in Northeast Oregon to gather opal eggs. We have found opal egg beds just outside o f town. Som e lower- grade opal has been found by several hounders right here in town. If you're up to traveling, then Richardson's Ranch about 75 miles south o f here offers fee digs that can yield some outstanding opal, and agate thunder eggs. You may g et lucky and find som e amethyst, or crystal points while on your endeavors. We are temporarily working on a small rock shop to display specimens and rocks for sale. We will also be looking into doing some commission work. Due to the large volume o f calls received from local hounders, the prospects look good for starting up "Heppner’s Rock and Gem Club" where w e w ill teach different cutting techniques, cabachon grinding, rock identification and numerous other activities for all age groups. We w ill also be looking forward to several field trips this summer, one o f which w ill be to Richardson's Ranch and B iggs Jet. for the beautiful B iggs jasper. I never realized how rich our com m unity is in knowledgeable rock collectors and will consider them an asset in joining our club and sharing their geological wisdom. Heppner Rock and Gem Club will be non-profit and no dues will be required. We ask only that you pay your way on the field trips; transportation w ill be provided. This club is still early on in the formation stage. At this point we want to plan on opening the doors by the end o f March and having one m eeting per month to all members and one afternoon once a week in the rock shop for hands-on lapidary work.. All age groups are encouraged to join in on the fun. Just give me a call and I'll let you know when the first meeting will be. We are still open for mail orders and custom work and if you need som e equipment for your lapidary shop, just give me a call and I'll see what I have. (s) Dale Rhode o f Rhode Cabbing and Gems 676-5961 Heppner To the Editor: At the lovely Sweethearts Banquet produced by the youth group o f First Christian Church last weekend, the group at our table began wondering how Valentine's Day got started, and no one knew. So 1 went home and did some research, and here's an answer for anyone else who wants to know: According to the History Channel website, St. Valentine was martyred in Rome in the third century for defying Emperor Claudius II by performing secret marriages and helping tortured Christians. While in prison, he supposedly fell in love with the jailer's daughter and wrote her a letter signed, "From Your Valentine." St. Valentine's feast day is February 14, which the early Church The O fficial Newspaper o f the City o f Heppner and the County o f Morrow may have chosen to "Christianize" the pagan Roman fertility festival o f Lupercalia. In France, that date is also the beginning o f the mating season for birds, which adds to the romance connection. The first Valentine's Day note was written in 1415 by the French Duke o f Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower o f London. In America, handmade Valentine's Day cards were given to loved ones beginning in the early 1700s. The first commercial cards were made in 1840 in America, and now about one billion are purchased annually. St. Valentine might be confused H eppner G A Z E T T E -T IM E S U . S P S. 2 4 0 - 4 2 0 Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper 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 gltu-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 April Hilton-Sykes ....................................................................... Editor News deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. For Advertising advertising deadline is Tuesday at noon. Cost for a display ad is $4 50 per column inch Cost for classified ad is 40« per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $5 up to 100 words Cost for a classified display ad is $5.10 per column inch. For Public/legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is M onday at 5 p.m Dates for publication by it all, but he'd also be proud o f all the love shared in his name. (s)Lea Mathieu lone must be specified Affidavits must be required at the time of submission Affidavits require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be specified if required) On the HEPPNER WEBSITE: www.heppner.net • Start or C hange a Subscription • Place a Classified Ad • Subm it a News Story • View Real Estate for Sale • City Council & Planning Minutes • Local Businesses • County Park • Willow Creek Park Reservations • Free Digital Postcards • Senior Housing • and more! Parents vaccinate your children To the Editor: As Feb. 21 school exclusion day looms, two medical care providers who are experts in their field and who care about children have an important m essage to share. Recent cases o f m easles in Oregon reemphasize the importance o f protecting children against vaccine preventable diseases. Measles is an extremely contagious and serious, even life-threatening infection, that is fully preventable. The measles case also com es at the time o f year when parents need to think about school exclusion day. On February 21, state law says every Oregon child must have had required vaccinations if they are to stay in school. Soon counties will send exclusion letters to parents o f children who have not had all o f their vaccinations. This year, many more children than usual will receive exclusion letters. That is because students in the seventh grade must now provide documentation that they have received a second dose o f measles vaccine, have either a history o f chickenpox disease or received chickenpox vaccine and must be up-to-date on their hepatitis B vaccine series. Som e o f these diseases, like m easles, chickenpox and hepatitis B, are more severe in older children and adolescents. Requiring vaccines for school attendance protects the individual child and helps to prevent outbreaks o f disease in schools. W e urge parents to take action and make sure that your child has all ofhis/her required vaccinations. If shots are missing, call your doctor right away and schedule an appointment. Vaccinations are also available through county health departments and other special vaccination clinics. For dates, times and locations o f vaccination clinics, call your county health department or Safenet at 1-800SAFENET. In addition, remember, you must update your child's records at school to avoid exclusion. (s) Ron Stock, M.D. President, Oregon Academy o f Family Physicians (s) Brian Lauer, M.D. Chief, Dept, o f Pediatrics Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital Obituary M C G C News By Sandi Day ■ It was a cold and windy morning for the w eekly m eeting at the Morrow County Gun Club in Lexington but the warm fire and hot chili brought the shooters out for a day o f fun. Club president Curt Day and Tony Greenup led the way at the 16-yard line, each shooting a 23, followed by Bill Greenup and Barry Munkers with 22 and Rob Ashbeck, third with a 21. Curt Day also took first at the 20-yard handicap line with a 23, Sandi Day and Rob Ashbeck tied for second with 21 each and Bill Greenup had 20 for third. In the junior shoot Chance Day, Cody Ford and Zane Ford each shot an "awesome" 12 o f 25. In league shooting for the week, the team o f Mark Schlichting and Sandi Day took the lead from second place last week and the teams o f Curt Day and Shelly Ashbeck and Barry Munkers and Tony Greenup are currently tied for second. The MCGC w ill hold a meat shoot on Saturday, Feb. 17, beginning at 10 a.m. Prizes o f hamburger, bacon, sausage and Terry Marrinan Terry Mamnan, 54, died Monday February 5, 2001, at his home on Blake Ranch, just outside o f Heppner. Mr. Marrinan was bom January 16, 1947. He served with the U.S. Air Force, and was an avid collector o f military insignia and relics from WWI, WWII and Vietnam. He was an artist by trade and enjoyed carving birds and painting murals. He was loved dearly and will be greatly m issed by family and friends. Sw eeney Mortuary o f Heppner is in charge o f arrangements. Correction The name o f Dr. Lytle's w ife w as erroneously listed as Karen in a story about providers at Pioneer Memorial Clinic in the Feb. 7 Gazette-Tim es. Mrs. Lytle's name is Laune. Matthew Van Liew o f Heppner has received a 3.76 grade-point average at Stevens Institute o f Technology at Hoboken, N.J. Van Liew also made the dean's list. He is majoring in civil engineering. Saturday; February 17th at 10 a.m. Cutsforth Comers, Lexington Jaek-n-Jills, Annia Oakleys, Buddy Shoots Straight Trap, Ladies and Kids Shoots By Emily Bergstrom, reporter On January 26 the club had their meeting with members Brianne Jones, Krystal Naims, Megan Orr and Emily Bergstrom. Members worked on their record books. Robyn Jones came in and helped members with them. Members also talked about old and new business that they didn't have done. The club has a new leader, Rita Bergstrom. Northwest Livestock 4-H Group By Emily Rietmann. reporter The Northwest Livestock 4-H group had a meeting on Jan. 12, at the home of their leader, Cathy Rauch. Most o f the members are first or second year 4-H members so they discussed what they wanted to learn this year and they talked about attending other shows close by so members could get some ideas and experience before Morrow County Fair. Members also talked about their fair steers, meetings in the future, letters to buyers, field trips, weigh in and equiprnent they have or need to get before fair. Member? elected officers as follows: President, Shelby Krebs; Vice President, Mackayla Anderson; Secretary/Treasurer, Emily Rietmann; and Call Person, A.J. Rauch. The club's next meeting was Feb. 11 at Cathy Rauch's home. W e L ittle L am bs The first 4-H meeting was held for the year for the We Little Lambs 4-H group. Members for 2001 are Katie and Cody Walton, Jake Winslow, Lacey and Brandon Davis, Darren, Matthew and Nathan Van Cleave and Joey Whelan. * Members discussed fund The Justice Court office at the courthouse annex building in Heppner reports handling the following business: Wilma Louise Norton, 44, Spray- Driving Uninsured, Failure to Use Seatbelt, $147 and $59 fines, Driving while License Suspended infraction, $358 fine; Jay D. Clarke, 48, Vancouver, WA.-Failure to Validate Deer Tag, $157 fine; Gene Darryl Heliker, 52, Heppner-Violation of the Basic Rule, $147 fine; Steven M. Ziemba, 35, Kennewick, W A.-Careless Driving, $297 fine; Stephen R. Meier, 52, Turner- Failure to Validate Deer Tag, $ 182 fine; Marla James Anderson, 31, Lexington-Failure to Use Seatbelt, $59 fine; Samuel D. Martin, 31, Hardman- Driving while License Suspended infraction. Driving Uninsured, $474 fine; Joshua Hamilton, 22, Pnneville- Theft III, $250 fine. Births C lint M ichael Stew art-a son Clint Michael was bom to Jamie and Troy Stewart of Irrigon on February 3,2001, at Good Sheplierd Community Hospital in Hermiston. The baby weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. _ I7th Annual Eastern Oregon Snortsman Show , \ * At the Pendleton Convention Center Featuring. Hunting. Fishing, and Outdoor Sports ^ ■ w vw February 16th, 17th. & 18th Sponsored by 1 G 0 0 iA Braybeal Distributing ^ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Organized by the Pendleton City Club All proceeds go to local youth activities. Show Hours: Fri 5pm - 9pm. Sal 10 am - 8pm. Sun 10am - 5pm Admission Adults $4 00 V Students S3 00 ¥ Kids under 12 are FREE OVER 50 BOOTHS FEATURING • • • • • • • r 1 • la t n t equipm ent and pear «howcated. Rifle« to M ountain bike« Boat«. R V Y Lodge«. Trip« O utdoor equipm ent of every kind including «now d m « , crow country. A Aching equipment. Antique hunting and flthing driplay w ith lithograph« A antique gum «pom ored by S i A ntho ny H o jp iu l O utdoor art H orn «coring w ith official I.C./Pope A Young certified «corer Award w inning w h itr tail deer mount. Trophy animal« featuring over 20 exceptional mount« and penrfng w n N record m triope «pomored by SEMINARS INCLUDE • Fly Tying • Basic Archery H unting • D uck & G oose C alling • Salm on Fishing • Steelhead Fishing • Elk Bugling • Basics of Black Powder Weapons • And more! CONTESTS WITH QUALITY PRIZES ! • Elk bugling O utdoor photo fo oted co-«pom ored by £ A S T O R E G O N IA N Also Sponsoring: < Prizes will include: turkey, hamburger, bacon A cash Far mars information, «ali Cert Day at 676-527S Justice Court Report ~ utdoorsmen MORROW COUNTY 6UN CLUB MEAT SHOOT Pins and Pots & Patterns and Pans raisers for the year and elected officers. Officers elected were: Katie Walton, president; Lacey Davis, vice-president; and Joey Whelan, reporter/secretary. The group will meet again in March. ATTENTION, turkey will be provided by Central Red Apple Market. Lunch and beverages w ill available in the clubhouse throughout the day. Local student named to dean's list 4-H News «W 1=3 Q u ic k y L u b e
