Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 5, 2001)
Klamath First Federal spearheads school supply drive C e r s l a 7 o t = e l l U o f 0 I.’c L ib ra ry KU^Î:K3, on 9'M j 3 Left to right: Karen Woodward, Kelly Fox, Kay Rene Qualls with donated school supplies. VOL _______NO. 36______ 8 Pages Wednesday, Septembers, 2001 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon School starts in Morrow County A drive spearheaded by Klamath First Federal bank in Fleppner to equip deserving students with backpacks and school supplies was "overwhelming" according to Kay Rene Qualls, teller at the bank. "We had a wonderful response," said Qualls. "I couldn't believe how much stuff people brought it. It's been fun." Qualls said that at least 10 backpacks were filled with all the supplies needed for classes all the way from kindergarten to sixth grade at Heppner and lone schools. She said that the least expensive backpack with everything in it was around S28 and the average w as around S35. Qualls said that they plan to call the schools to see if there are any additional special needs. "If there are still needs to fill, we will try to do the best we can." she said. She said that the drive will continue until September 30. General needs include. tissues, watercolor paints, rulers, washable felt markers, inexpensive calculators, 5x8 boxes. compasses, sheet protectors, calligraphy pens, pencil zipper pouches, steno notebooks (top spiral). VHS tapes and computer disks. Kelly Fox was the school representative for Heppner and Dean Robinson was the representative for lone. Karen Woodward. Klamath First Federal teller, also assisted. City hall/library construction meets opposition Heppner Elementary School Principal Phyllis Danielson visits with students at the conclusion of their first day of school Tuesday. Left to right are: Cody Orr, a second-grader in Karen Clough's class, Keenan Helfrecht in Sharon Morris' kindergarten class, and Aidan Wright, a first grader in Cherry Webber's class. The consensus was that the first day went "good." Kindergarten teacher transferred to north-end Because of low kindergarten enrollment at Heppner Elementary School and increased enrollment at Sam Boardman Elementary School in Boardman, a kindergarten teacher has been transferred from HES to the north end school. According to first day enrollment figures, Heppner Elementary has 23 students in kindergarten. Morrow County School District Superintendent Bruce Anderson said that Sam Boardman Elementary has 88 kindergartners and, until the additional kindergarten teacher was transferred, only four teachers. "When you look at equity, you've got to look at numbers,” said Anderson. "My responsibility is putting teachers where they're needed. We do the best we can with the dollars we have." Anderson said that one o f the biggest considerations in making the transfer is the number of English as a second language students at Sam Boardman. Anderson said that those students require additional assistance, The more ESI. students in a school, the more funds that school receives. Assistant Superintendent Mike Keown said that the decision was made before school started to lessen the disruption for the students. Anderson said that anyone with questions is welcome to call him at the district office. The class configuration at Heppner Elementary School is Cara Osmin-14 boys, eight girls=22; as follows: -Grade four, taught by -Kindergarten, taught by Mary Haguewood-10 boys, five Sharon M orris-14 boys, nine girls=15: girls=23: -Grade four, taught by -Grade one, taught by Cherry W ebber-10 boys, eight Karen Holland-11 boys, four girls=18; girls=15; -Grade one, taught by -Grades five/six. taught Sherry Matteson-six boys, 10 by Jannie Allen-12 boys, 11 girls=16; girls=23; -Grade two, taught by -Grades five six, taught Karen Clough-13 boys, seven by Pam Dowdv-11 boys, 11 girls=20; girls=22; -Combined grades -Grades five/six. taught two/three, taught by Molly Rill- hy Karen Smith-Griffith-14 boys, mne boys, eight girls=17; eight girls=22: -Grade three, taught by -Totals-124 boys, 89 gtrls=213. Up spot! ♦ ns - k ;- " ♦ A plan to build a new city hall/library complex on Main Street in Heppner is facing some opposition. Sign-up sheets have been placed at various businesses around town asking Heppner residents to indicate whether or not they approve o f the construction plan. "We have the highest (city) tax rates in the state," said Bob Ployhar, owner of Ployhar Insurance in Heppner. w here one o f the sign-up sheets has been placed. "Sewer and water rates are so high, we can't afford to w ater our lawns." "Except for the Chamber, people are viciously against it. That's what I'm hearing," added Ployhar. The city has purchased a lot behind the current city hall to be used for parking for the proposed building. According to city manager Jerry Breazeale. the city paid S30.000 for the property, with $7,000 coming from the water fund, $7,000 from the sewer fund and the remainder coming from the general fund. Breazeale said that if the city hall/library project is not undertaken, the city will have other uses for the proposed parking area. He said that the newly purchased property was a good deal for the city and was included in the projected project costs. The total project cost is estimated at $1.400.000 with $1 million coming from grants; $300,000 from local bonded debt (revenue or general obligation bond); $100.000 from local fund raising, such as bake sales or brick sales. A $20.000 consultant's fee will be paid out o f funds raised. The city would borrow $250,000 from USDA Rural Development at an interest rate o f 4.75 percent and a payment rate of $56.30 $1,000/year- $14,075 a year. Repaying the loan from the general obligation bond would require an additional 44 cents per thousand assessed valuation which would equal to S33 per year ($2.75 month) on a $75.000 home or $22 per year (SI 84/month) on a $50,000 home. The city's permanent tax rate is now SI 0.6209 per thousand assessed valuation; the bonded tax rate is $2.96 per thousand; for a total of $13.5809 per thousand. Repaying the loan from billed utility accounts would amount to $20.61 per year ($1,72/month) per account. The present residential sewer rate is a fiat $18.90, along w ith a sewer bond rate of a fiat $8.90. Residential water rates arc $11.75 for the first thousand gallons and 80 cents per thousand after that. The city hall/library project will be the topic of the city counsel meeting this Wednesday, September 5. at 7 p.m. at city hall. St. Patrick’s Committee plans meetings By Claudia Hughes The St. Patrick's Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Pot O' Gold Cafe at 6:15 p.m. All interested persons are invited to attend to help plan for the 20th Celebration. March 15-17, 2002. Volunteers arc needed. How about chairing the KUMA Coffee Hour'.’ Dave Sykes wall be glad to lead new volunteers through the process. First and foremost is being on hand to assist in set up and loading and unloading equipment, making contacts with those involved, etc. An auction co-chair is needed and more helpers. Visit with Kay Fowler about the excitement o f auction night and new plans. Dons Brosnan is researching a trip to Ireland either for auction or raffle during the 20th celebration. Judie l-aughlm is looking for 20th anniversary collector button ideas, as well as researching drinking fountain designs to be dedicated to the early Irish settlers. Cara Osmm has begun work on the schedule o f events. All organizations who have not responded need to do so immediately SWCD, Weed Board to meet A regular board meeting of the Morrow SWCD Weed Advisory Board will be held Tuesday, Sept. 11. at 3 p.m. at the Pettyjohn Office in Heppner. Agenda items include: Senate Bill 1010, manager's report, weed report, agency reports and other business. The meeting is open to the public. to be included. The committee is planning a newspaper insert which will be printed early and sent to RV groups, tv. newspapers. It will be a compilation of the past and present with Irish tidbits, recipes, history', things to do in County Morrow and advertising. Marsha Sweek is helping with this and is open to ideas from all. Submit articles to P.O. Box 1232. Heppner. It was suggested that all past honored families be recognized at the coffee hour and encouraged to participate in the parade. Since the celebration will kick off the 100th anniversary of the Morrow C ounty Courthouse, some research will be done to possibly hav e descendants as honorees in 2002. Other shenanigans in the wind are stepdance lessons, leprechaun train, more local Irish entertainment, and of course, the return of the popular Trail Band. This celebration belongs to the entire community and valley, so come join us in the planning of the 20th event. The next meeting is Tuesday, September 25. at Pot O’ Gold Cafe. Heppner. Pathfinders plan hake sale A bake sale to benefit the Oregon frail Pathfinder's Club will be held Thursday and Friday. September 6-7, at Central Red Apple Market in Heppner and the Cenex Station in Lexington. The sale will be held from 8 a m. to 6 p.m. or until sold out. D an n er B oot S ale B e R ea d y For H u n tin g Season & W inter! This Dalmatian was spotted snoozing on top of a pickup cab on Heppner's Main Street Friday. The question remains. "How?" The pup wasn't telling and no witnesses were asailahle. '"i°f 20% OFF Scp * Morrow County Grain Growers Lexington 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396 nvt Mr w ft it mn* meg Mt M rn™ equipment, lilt
