Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 2, 2001)
TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 2, 2001 The O fficial Newspaper o f the City o f Heppner and the County o f Morrow H eppner G A Z E T T E -T IM E S U S P S 240-420 Morrow County's Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper I’ ublished weekly and entered as p eriodical matter at the Post O ffice at Heppner, Oregon under the A c t o f M arch 3, 1879 Periodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon O ffice at 147 W W illow, Street Telephone (541 >676-9228 Fax (541)676-9211 E-m ail gt@heppner net or gt u lapidserxe net W e b s ite www heppner net Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner G a/ette-Tim es, P O B ox 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions $22 in M orrow County, $16 senior rate (in M orrow County o nly, 62 years or older), $29 else where David Sykes A p r il H ih o n-S ykes Publisher ......................................................................... Editor News deadline Is Monday at S 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 404 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 Pubiic/Legal Notices public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p m Dates for publication 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 HEPPHER HEBSITE: H ww.heppner.net • Start or C hange a Subscription • Place a C lassified Ad • Submit 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! student exchange from page one Gresham ," said Rick. The bowling alley is a little small and you have to add up the points yourself." Rick also com m ented on the size o f the schools. "It's a lot sm aller here. Heppner has only two hallways. We have six, and there are only two grades at Centennial and six here. There’s no difference in classes, other than they're sm aller." "The kids here are mostly the same, but they seem a little more m ature here, more sure o f them selves," said Rick. His only problem? Ticks. "1 have to worry about ticks more. I've never had a tick." Rick lives with his parents, Rick, a doctor, and Patricia, a hom em aker, three brothers, Jeffrey, six, Bradley, nine» and Danny, 12, and sister, Kacey. 15. W hile C en ten n ial teacher-coordinator B ruce C ollins is not new to the program , it is his first year heading it up without Dave Olcott, creator and coordinator o f the program until he stepped down last year. t.)jv C ollins has coordinated the program on the Centennial end and, because he is a history teacher. always lead the historical walking tour. W hile in Heppner Collins has stayed with Sally and Ralph Walker. "It's just like being in another world," C ollins said o f the Heppner area. "It's an opportunity to be aw ay from the pace in the city. In a lot o f ways people are the sam e, but you know you're not in Portland. The landscape is pleasant to the eye and the people are just super supportive o f the program .” Collins said that he is always surprised at how well the students from the very different schools get along. "It always surprises me how they (students) have preconceived notions. But it doesn't take them long to warm up to each other. The bonding process is just amazing." "I know Dave will be m issed because he was a yearly institution. I just hope I can be half as dynamic as Dave," said Collins. He said that they plan to rotate younger people into the program, with some com ing up to help out and observe for just a day. "W e have plans to keep the program as long as we can," he said. Collins said that 110 students at Centennial Middle School applied for the exchange p ro g ra m w h ich can accom m odate around 27. St. Patrick's S enior C enter BULLETIN BOARD By Liz Stralev The week started off on Monday and Thursday with residents folding, stapling and addressing bulletins for the Extension office. The residents do this out o f "good will" twice a month, which is about four hours, give or take, and not considered RSVP hours. Exercise class was held on Tuesday morning. There were two card tables o f players during which coffee and cookies were shared by Bud I .undell, Irene Ahom, Velma Wight and Sylvia McDaniel o f the "Puzzle Com er." Daisy Collins, a card player, brought in a video tapes she had made o f the devastating flood. It was watched by all and a discussion was held after. There were 100 diners and take-outs on Wednesday, including out-of- state visitors w ith Walter Joyce o f Heppner; a family reunion including Denise and John Crowder o f Seattle, Wash.; Vera Bertran o f Absorokee, Mont., and Lloyd Dougherty and friends Jess and Fort from Azle, Texas. The meal servers were Virginia Peck and Melba Mitchell from the Willow C reek Baptist Church, plus the volunteer kitchen help. A short talk was given by Larry Mills on the coming school construction bond vote on May 15. Exercise class was held on Thursday and a lunch of homemade chicken- vegetable soup (like Mama used to make) with fruit salad, rolls, cake and beverage was enjoyed. The classic movie "Mr. Roberts" was watched after. Die past few balmy, warm days were enjoyed by the male residents and passersby sitting on the bench in front o f the center. They chat and catch a tew rays from the sun. It's great to see how the trees, new and old. and the flowers in bloom are thriving. We appreciate those in charge o f the care o f them. Friday, the coffeepot was on and goodies enjoyed with only one table ot card players, a lot o f people in and out with food and help in the dining room for the Wenberg reception. Our heartfelt sympathy for the family. We are sorry to say that the Sunday potluck dinners will be put on hold until further notice. Die menu for Wednesday, May 2 was spaghetti with meat sauce, spinach salad, chilled pears with cheese, french bread, cobbler and the usual beverages. NURSING ASSISTANT CLASS Class starts Monday, May 14th at Pioneer Memorial Hospital No Registration Fee Sign Up By Thursday, May 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 Tor use b\ theC-Toffice The C-T reserves the right to edit The G-T is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters (Any letters expressing thanks w ill be placed in the classifieds under ‘ Cardof Thanks" at a cost of $5.) Local doctor gift to county To the Editor: This one is for Dr. Sam Datta, my doctor in this recent illness. He's the kind o f doctor, when asked to read a blood test report ordered by another clinic doctor that had not reported three weeks later, not only read the report, but brought in and went through my clinic record. Amazing. Dr. Datta m oved fast to do everything to make plans for Kadlec, from a Columbian trained oncologist etc. there and had us on our way in less than three hours, keeping touch with doctors there, sending me messages in ICU for seven days. He shows me that he is thorough, efficient, dedicated, and listens to his patients. This patient feels his concern for me as a person, at every appointm ent giving me his hand and can give a hug for an old lady when she needed it most and really listening and discussing my decisions. Moreover, knowing I enjoy dishes from other countries, he will make a dish from his native India and his family will come to my house for dinner. I hope I'm still here. I invited him , not as a doctor-patient relationship, but to become friends. Just wanted to share that I feel Dr. Sam Datta is a gift to our county. (s) Jane Rawlins Heppner Vote yes for Morrow County schools To the Editor: It is exciting to finally receive the mail-in ballot, which gives all M orrow County voters an opportunity to vote "yes" for a long overdue school bond. It will provide all kids a safe, handicap accessible, energy efficient, uncrowded facility plus countywide high speed energy access. The many advantages are not to be overlooked. It is an ideal time, when interest rates are low and construction costs are within reason. The average tax payer will only pay S1.37 per thousand on assessed value on residential property, for 14.6 percent o f the total; land owners will be responsible for 15.2 percent; com m ercial property about 3.1 percent; industrial at 11.2 percent; and utilities at 55.7 percent. The bond rate is much lower than those o f surrounding school districts. The com m ittee involved has w orked many hours to plan replacement o f two aging and unsafe buildings, to build two new badly needed schools to relieve over crow ding and to provide major m aintenance to all schools. If this is accomplished school budgets will not have to include major items and thus devote their dollars to existing school programs. Our kids are our most important product. Your vote is most important. Pleasejoin me in voting "yes" for Morrow County schools, (s) Katherine Lindstrom lone Pin the tail on the donkey To the Editor: God, pro-life, limit taxation and Let's play pm the tail on the spend wisely, two parent families, donkey. pro-God, pro-Christ, pro-prayer, One party favorite is: gay, black, abstinence before m arriage and a women, poor, earth first lot o f sex in marriage, absolute right environm entalists, single parent and wrong; these and others seem families, anti-life abortionists, anti « to be the favorites o f this political creation evolutionists, anti-God, party who talk a good talk but don't anti-Christ, anti-prayer, sexual always walk the walk. freedom, no absolute right and Now see if you can pin the right wrong except within the confines tail on the donkey. o f a selective double standard; these P.S. Another fun game is trying and many others seem to be the to tell the difference between a trunk favorites of one U.S. political party. and a tail. Elephants have both but The other party's favorites: anti- som etim es it's hard to tell the perversion, no favorite color or sex, difference, especially when the stamp out poverty by encouraging elephant is walking backwards. the work ethic, God first - people (s) A. LaV em e Filan second - earth third, in the beginning W aitsburg, Wash. Enthusiastic for county bond measure To the Editor; The apparent labor of the Morrow County School Board and our local citizens has encouraged great enthusiasm for the May 15 vote on the Morrow County School Bond Measure. O ur school board has worked with contractors and advisors to do the very best for our schools at this time o f expansion. They have adequately informed the public with a mail out pamphlet that listed all necessary changes and the cost for these improvements to our schools. Im gon will certainly benefit with support to the bond measure because it will bring back our high school students to our com m unity. The return o f these students will be the fiber needed to restore to the community much that has been lost in the past 40 years. Now is the time to make all listed school im provem ents from the mailed pamphlet. We need to move forward on the needed construction and we have the vote to make it happen, at a reasonable cost to the county. We support the Morrow County School Bond Measure and will vote for it on May 15. (s) Dan and Jean C ream er Irrigon Give Telefloras Roses o f Love Teapot Bouquet We gathered a garland o f perfect porcelain roses. Hand-painted and hand-applied, they’ve turned our exquisite Roses of Love Teapot into a true treasure. Filled with a profusion of spring flowers, it’s a delightful way to show her how much you care. For delivery anywhere in the U .S. or Canada, call or visit our shop. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13 "V'Teleflora (¡here is a limited number of students so call early) Call Tammy Henderson 676-9133 ext. 2926 7A a Country Rosa 4 * ! '^ \\ 233 N Main • Heppner • 676-9426 Serving Heppner. Lexington A lone School system needs, deserves support To the Editor: The M orrow County School system needs and deserves the support o f the voters o f Morrow County. Through the proposed school bond m easure, the school district seeks to relieve overcrowding in the Boardman and Irrigon schools and replace and/or update older facilities throughout the school district. Passage o f the bond measure will restore the high school in Imgon which is something that should have been done years ago. It is our understanding that new businesses locating in the enterprise zone around Boardman have agreed to pay their share o f property taxes for this and future school bond m easures. Because o f this, homeowners will pay only about $1.37 pier $1000 o f assessed value. That equates to about 37.5 cents a day on a $100,000.00 home. Less than half o f the cost o f a cold dnnk. Passage o f this measure is as affordable as it is necessary. It is doubtful that interest rates will be as favorable as they are now for many years to come. Vote yes on your ballot to pass this measure (s) John and L inda Bristow lone School district jumps the gun To the Editor: In this voter's opinion, the M orrow C ounty School District jumped the gun on issuing the bond levy ballot. It's obvious that the $22 million levy is already inflated. Comments such as "option to reduce the debt with any m oney left over," and "Principal M ike Stuart and the architects will decide on 'specifics', after the passing o f the bond." Lastly, the question, "How long will it take for the bonds to be paid off?", asked in the "Yes For Kids" flyer, was not answered. The school district and architects have not completed their homework. Is that one reason why bond issues are, for the m ost, voted down in Morrow County? I have no problem with the north end wanting to upgrade and beautify itself for further growth. That is "normal procedure". Until the hom ework and the "specific details" are done, this voter has little option but to vote as he feels. Gladys Hobbs stated, "Let’s do it right this time." Agreed, but let's do everything right this time. (s) Phil Kight Heppner O f f T h e W a ll... B y A /X e rly n R o b i n s o n That pre-Easter snowstorm camouflaged outside Easter egg decorations. Puzzled robins were looking for dry nesting places. The day after lawn mowing. the daffodils w'ere weighted down w'lth wet snow as colorful bedding plants or bloom ing nursery stock all aw ait planting. M other N ature's w onders never cease. One thing that should cease, however, is the purchase o f anything made in China. Spy plane, my eye! That reconnaissance plane was flying in international airspace while keeping surveillance on a world that the U.S. is expected to protect. China finally agreed to release those heroic American crew members. They should never have been detained and interrogated in the first place while the Chinese dissem bled that plane in search o f military data and technical equipment. Many U.S. military and technical secrets have either been stolen by China or were sold to them by the past adm inistration. •Sorry, yes! Apologize, I think not! President Bush took the right stance even though Chinese propaganda defined sorry as accepting responsibility for that accident. Their suicidal Chinese pilot is the one that kept buzzing the U.S. plane until he finally flew into it. That also brings to mind the accident with the American submarine and the Japanese fishing vessel. W hile Japan screamed that the boat and its crew should be recovered and that the U. S. should pay for that loss, I kept thinking that Japan never apologized for all the American servicemen killed and the sunken boats at Pearl Harbor that launched us into W orld W ar II. That American pilot heroically managed to land that damaged plane and save all their lives. Americans hardly had tim e to file a fight plan and obtain a pre-approved landing permit prior to that 20-plus minute, rapid and scary dissent that dropped them on Chinese soil. Repeated mayday calls from that plane weren't even acknowledged by the Chinese. China's communist government continues to persecute its citizens; children work in sweatshops, people are put tn prison or shot for no cause and wom en are subjected to unwanted abortions. Why do we give these heartless dictators "favorite nation" status? The balance o f trade with China tips heavily in their favor, while China can restrict any o f our products with tariffs. We've let consum er goods produced by cheap labor in China and other countries displace the manufacture o f commodifies in this country that kept our workers employed. If we produced m ore o f our own commodities and our own fuels, this country would be less vulnerable to the whims o f foreign countries. No w onder our econom y is slum ping and industries are folding. Am erican citizens should read the book "The China Threat" and the revealing information about China, a country that is determ ined to becom e a superpower in Europe. Listening to a talk show on the radio, while traveling, I admired a caller for his stance. That truck driver said he would no longer pick up and transport Chinese m erchandise from our West coast ports, even though it would probably cost him his livelihood. Another caller, who formerly lived in China, revealed some o f China's "cutthroat" policies towards Americans. It certainly wouldn’t be such a big sacrifice if all American consumers boycotted products made in China, but it certainly would send them a message. I intend to look very closely at country o f origin when buying a wanted item and even if "Made in China," is the best buy, I will not purchase anything from that country from here on. So when it com es to this soapbdx oratory, I now have to check the box origins and even the bars o f soap recently purchased to make sure they were made in the U.S.A. Consumers can make a difference. This current situation with China is not much different than the cold war days with Russia. C om m unist countries cannot be trusted and it may be a long time before their people get the kind o f government they deserve. I wouldn’t trust either o f those governments as far as I could sic my son's dog. W hile that dog is a working fool for his master, he looks at me as though I were the one that needed herding- - maybe that dog has unusual perception.
