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
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where
David Sykes
A p r il H ih o n-S ykes
Publisher
......................................................................... Editor
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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.