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FO U R - Heppner Gazette-Tim es, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 10, 2001 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 theC -T office The G-T reserves the right to edit The G-T is not responsible for accuracy o f statements made in letters (Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under "Card o f Thanks "at a cost o f S 5.) Recall not proper, vote no To the Editor: members in place to work through The recall election for school these difficult issues. board members Gary Fredenckson, Another negative side effect of Pat McNamee and John Rietmann the recall effort is the problems it has some interesting and troubling is bound to create seeking and hiring a top quality superintendent. We concerns. The petitions for recall each are afraid we will find qualified contain over 400 signatures. The candidates that will be very wary petition to recall Gary Fredenckson of stepping in to this situation. This from Boardman contains eight will also extend to school board signatures from Boardman. Pat candidates. It will be very difficult McNamee from Im gon has six finding qualified, well rounded signatures from Im gon on his candidates for the board when we petition and John Rietmann from are having them face a recall for lone has 31 signatures from lone making decisions that some folks on his petition. The balance of the don't agree with. The issue of dollars spent and signatures all are from Heppner and Lexington. We find it interesting time wasted on the recall is also an that there is such a small number issue. Not only are we spending of signatures from the home areas dollars out of the district operating of these board members. We find funds for the recall election (dollars it even more interesting when one that would be much better spent in of the proponents of the recall the classrooms) but we are expending suggests in a letter to the editor that a lot of time and diverting attention voting for the recall will promote from the education process. county unity . The logic behind that The three board members are being forced into this recall for is difficult to grasp. The Morrow County School making what they felt were difficult district has many large issues before but prudent decisions. They are it. A new superintendent needs to donating a tremendous amount of be hired. We have a recently passed time and taking way too much abuse $22 million dollar building program in an effort to keep our school system underway, and last and most viable. important is the issue of educating Can you imagine how much better the children o f the county with the we could have made life for some continuing education funding issues. disadvantaged lads if the proponents If the recall is approved we could of the recall had devoted their energy face the possibility of five new board to helping them instead o f the members. These new members will direction they took? We do not think the recall is be faced with the above issues, not to mention the animosity that will proper and we would urge everyone carry over from the recall. We feel to vote "no" on the three recall issues that the district would be far better in the ballot. (s) Larry and Betty Mills served leaving the experienced board Heppner Change is needed on the school board To the Editor: I am writing this letter not as a radical, rebel or witch hunter who is waging a battle with the current school board members or administration, but as a passionate concerned person dedicated to Morrow County education. I believe our education system has suffered due to the current leadership. This comes from my years of experience and knowledge in volunteering and dedication serving Morrow County education. My devotion to education began in 1985, serving three years on the Heppner-Lexington Advisory committee, followed by eight years on the Morrow County School Board (two of which I served as chairman) and then four years on the Heppner- Lexington Advisory committee. Over the past years several years, I have not been involved in the education process but due to concerns over declining Morrow County education, I am again serving on the Heppner- Lexington Advisory committee and was appointed to the Morrow County School Board Budget committee. I feel the current board members have failed in providing the best education system and have not fulfilled their school board positions as elected. Here is a few o f the following reasons: 1. The current school board advocates they have provided excellent education for all students in the district. However, one school board member feels Morrow County Schools are not adequate and not providing a good education, as he prefers home schooling for his child. My children are proud graduates of Morrow County schools and have graduated from college with high honors. 2. Morrow County students' workmanship has taken a decline in the past several years. I have seen examples of this first hand. Morrow County tests scores are still below an acceptable statewide level. 3. The current school board members state they have always 1947, was promoted to assistant foreman in 1951 and transferred to Condon. The family remained in Condon for 14 years, when Ralph Lulu S. Rowan was promoted to foreman and increases in another, declining Lulu S. Rowan, 87, a former To the Editor: resources vs. program expectations, Heppner resident, died Saturday, transferred to Southeastern Oregon. Dear Morrow County Patrons, He worked in Crane, Frenchglen residency issues with respect to board September 29, 2001 at a nursing We, the undersigned, are school and Juntura until his retirement in zones, continued pressure on local home in Boise, Idaho. administrators, who work with school January o f 1976. At his retirement, districts from state government to M e m o ria l board members Gary Fredenckson, he received an honorable award for Pat McNamee and John Rietmann. improve student performance on Funeral Mass 28 years of faithful and loyal service state tests, and more state mandates was held on These three individuals have given in the Oregon State Highway countless hours from tlieir busy lives that are required but not funded. W e d n e sd a y , Division. Through all o f this, these board to serve the interests o f school O cto b er 3, The Struthers returned to Hereford children for a total of 19 years and members have not wavered in their 2001, at St. after retirement where he did part deserve the appreciation and support effort to do the very best for children. Mark’s Catho time work helping with farming, We encourage you to vote "no" from all who want quality and lic Church in painting houses, landscaping, etc. and return your ballot to the county Boise, Idaho. equitable education in Morrow They moved to Heppner in 1985 Lulu Rowan clerk no later than 5 p.m., Oct. 30, County. Inurnment fol- _ to be near their son, Edwin. They It is our opinion that Gary, Pat 2001 lowed at Cloverdaie.Cemetery, were the first tenants to move into (s) Ron Anthony and John have done their very best also in Boise. j the St. Patrick's Senior apartments. (s) Dick Allen to make decisions in the interest of Mrs. Rowan was bom Septem Wherever he lived, Ralph was (s) Mike Keown all the children without prejudice ber 11, 1914, in Copen, West Vir an active volunteer in community (s) Susan Tolar to a particular school or community. (s) Duane Yecha ginia, to Adeline and Roy Stump. : projects. In recent years he served Many of the issues facing the school (s) Bruce Anderson She moved to Bisbee, Arizona at on the St Patrick's Senior Center board have been very difficult such Mealsite Committee and the Senior (s) Phyllis Danielson the age of two. as: declining enrollments in one part She married Joseph A. Rowan Center Board of Directors. He was (s) John Sebastian of the district while at the same time an avid hunter, fisherman and rock (s) Mike Stuart on April 5, 1931. They had five children: twins, Raymond Gene hound. He enjoyed camping, hiking (deceased) and Ruth Georgene and fishing with his grandchildren, Wurschmidt (George) o f Boise, great-grandchildren, nieces and Idaho; Catherine E. Hansen o f nephews. Mr. Struthers is survived by his Boise; Charles Thurman (Phyllis) B y A /\cr!yn R o b in s o n of Texas; and Mary Frances Gal wife, Barbara Jeanne, at the home; son and daughter-in-law Ed and loway (Herman) of Mississippi. Mane Struthers, Heppner; sister, They lived in Wallace, Idaho, Unless you've lived in a one-person tepee without conveniences, perhaps Aletha McLaughlin, Vale; from 1939-1951. T hey then you too have experienced many different types of houseguests over the grandchildren, Cathy Towle of Selah, moved to Red Bluff, California. years. There are some guests that I wouldn't have been sorry to see leave Mrs. Rowan became an LPN in Washington, Bill McKinney, yesterday and other folks whose visits were all too short. California in 1954 and worked for Condon, Mike McKinney, Arlington, Last weekend my houseguest was one of a different sort. The house many years in California, Boise Pat Struthers, Los Banos, California, remained whisper-quiet, like a cathedral. My guest enjoyed solitary brief and Heppner. She was the last Renee Kenison, Grandview, Sophia Smith, outings and silence continued during barebones morning and evening matron at the Old Idaho Peniten Washington, Pendleton, and Daniel Struthers, meals. Accompanied by only a few gestures, I interpreted prolonged stares tiary, retiring in 1968. She also Renton, Washington; 12 great as disapproval of my calorie intake. Fortunately long naps seemed to be belonged to the Eagles Auxiliary grandchildren and many nieces and #115. the order of the day. nephews. Mrs. Rowan is survived by four How different from other times. During summers when our children He was preceded in death by were of school age, there were always extra kids underfoot. During the of her children; 16 grandchildren daughter, Evelyn Jeanne McKinney; school year, sometimes I'd have to go downstairs to count noses before in clu d in g H oby H ansen o f son-in-law, Elmer McKinney; sisters, preparing an adequate breakfast. A son was prone to bringing a number Heppner; 38 great-grandchildren; Nora Hendrix Lester, Vera Purvis and six great-great-grandchildren. Rose and Ruth Lyons; and brothers, of his football-playing buddies to their second home. Boys in sleeping She was preceded in death by her Clarence, Alvin, Walter and Floyd. bags were often scattered about on the basement floor as part of our extended parents, her husband, a brother, Memorial contributions may be family. made to St. Patrick's Senior Center, her son and a grandson. There also have been rowdy hunters and noisy fishermen all raring Memorial contributions may be P.O. Box 266, Heppner, Oregon to go before daylight, once a sleepy-eyed cook fortified that exuberant made to the Red Cross 911 Di 97836, or the Neighborhood Center energy. Also there have been city folks hankering to experience ranch saster Relief Fun, 254 S. Cole of South Morrow County, P.O. Box life. Their noisy children would run in and out banging doors while impatiently Road, Boise, Idaho 83709, or a 895, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner waiting for horses to be saddled. charity o f the donor’s choice. is in charge o f arrangements. One summer a Portland-area family with three children paid us a Ralph Struthers week-long visit. A son had magnanimously invited the entire family for Ralph Struthers, 87, o f Heppner, an Eastern Oregon vacation after they had hosted our son during the died Sunday, October 7, 2001, at Centennial/Heppner eighth grade exchange. Five more people plus our Pioneer Memorial Hospital in five hungry family members and hired help required spending a great Heppner. Morrow County District Memorial service will be held share of my time in the kitchen, which the mother couldn't understand. Attorney David C. Allen has Three big meals per day made from scratch was my modus operandi in at 2 p.m. Saturday. October 13,2001, released the following report: those days. Now I can blithely serve up, without guilt, instant macaroni at the St. Patrick's Senior Center in -Elton A. Long plead Heppner. A graveside memorial and cheese like the best o f short-cut cooks. guilty to Attempted Possession service will be held at 2 p.m. on Grandchildren are always welcome guests. They keep things lively Monday, October 15,2001, at the o f a Controlled Substance, a and can be sent home to their parents when a grandparent becomes exhausted. St. Joseph Cemetery in Condon. Class A misdemeanor, and was Their ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. Unlike when our own children Ralph Struthers was bom sentenced to 90 days in jail with were small, our grandchildren seldom resort to being escape artists. Neighbors November 1, 1913, at Vale, the 40 hours of community services used to wonder why I kept a horse saddled and handy -- it was a faster seventh o f nine children bom to and 18 months probation, he was also ordered to complete a drug means of pursuing and recapturing kids who were prone to scaling a picket Benjamin and Florence Weymouth treatment package and pay fence to explore the world once my back was turned. Once, two little Struthers. He attended elementary $1,474 in fines, fees and pea pickers hid out in a ditch some distance from the house. After searching schools at Brogan, Bully Creek and assessments. Grove and attended Vale High bams and corrals and much hair pulling, their hideout was disclosed thanks -Kent Wendell Cate School. to a little black dog that had accompanied them. He married Barbara Jeanne Reilly plead guilty to Felon in Yes, we had all kinds of stock dogs, mostly outside dogs, that only on June 10,1939, at Payette, Idaho. Possession o f a Firearm, a Class sought the comfort of a warm basement on cold winter nights. So, I've They had two children, a daughter, C felony, and was sentenced to never had much association with little, cuddly ones. My guest this weekend Evelyn, bom at Vale, and son, 13 months incarceration with the Oregon Department of was my daughter-in-law's lovable white poodle. Though this little creature Edwin, bom at Boise, Idaho. Corrections and 24 months post Mr. Struthers worked at many loves being a lap dog, she didn't bark or respond to my questions as to the quality of her bed and board. Neither did she add much to my one-sided jobs - farming, railroad, REA and prison supervision. -Robert Daryl Cate as a construction foreman when conversations -- smart dog! There are too many people, especially the electric lines were put into the Burnt admitted violation o f probation. media, sounding off without knowing the whole scenario, which could River Valley. He stayed on at His probation for Burglary I was jeopardize our country's military or covert operations against terrorists. Hereford after the project was revoked and he was sentenced to How different than during WWII when military operations were kept finished and worked in a garage that 180 days in jail and 12 months secret to protect servicemen's lives and to successfully complete missions. winter and, later, on a rock crusher. post-prison supervision. He began working for the Oregon Highway Department in the fall of Administrators support board members upheld the laws o f the state of Oregon. But in fact, they have violated the open meeting law and a copy o f the violation is at the district office. 4. School board members take an oath of respect, integrity and honesty. And yet, a school board member called two other board members stupid, dishonest and then told the audience to shut up during an open public school board meeting. 5. The board members believe they act with care and thoughtful deliberations before making decisions. This is not true, while in fact, board members come to meetings not prepared as they open their packets for the first time, do not ask questions, in many cases do not study the issues and motions are already prepared for them so they can not speak for themselves. A good school board member would spend time with the issues, ask questions and should be making their own motions. For these reasons, and others, I do not believe these school board members are honorable, ethical, trustworthy, and are not fulfilling their duties as school board members. They do not have the best interests o f our children's education. I know o f many individuals in every community in Morrow County that have educated and qualified citizens who would better serve Morrow County education. These are law abiding citizens, who possess good common sense, are respectful o f others, and who expect high education goals for Morrow County students. Furthermore, I do not have the confidence in the current board members in choosing the next superintendent. Morrow County students, teachers and staff deserve the best superintendent; they should not expect less. A change is needed now on the school board. (s)Marcia Kemp Lexington O f f The W all.,. DA 's Report lone ballot drop off changed The lone ballot drop off for the October 30 recall election will not be lone City Hall. Ballots may be dropped off at the Bank of Eastern Oregon until 4 p.m. From 4-8 p.m. voters may drop their ballots off at the Public Works Office or at the Morrow County Clerk's Office in Heripner. Ballots will be mailed this Friday and must be returned on election day by 8 p.m. Voters will decide whether school board members Gary Fredenckson, Boardman, Pat McNamee, Irrigon, and John Rietmann, lone, will be recalled. If the three are recalled, the Umatilla-Morrow ESD will appoint replacements to the board until the regular election a LAC/LMA, OACD resolutions. year and a half from now because The meeting is open to the public. the school board would no longer SWCD, Weed Board to meet A regular board meeting of the Morrow SWCD/Weed Advisory board will be held Monday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Pettyjohn Office Building conference room in Heppner. Agenda items and discussion topics include: manager's report, weed report, agency reports. Willow Creek Watershed Council, f o o t T a in ? We Print BUSINESS CARDS Dr. Donald J. Carlson, Foot Specialist will be at the Pioneer Memorial Clinic on October 17th for the diagnosis of this and other foot problems. Call 676-5504 - Heppner ( itis e n e - Tim e» - 6 7 6 - 9 2 2 8 or 567-8750 - Hermiston 4 I Obituaries have enough members for a quorum. The recall election requires only a simple majority, rather than the "double majority" required in taxing elections. Copies Gazette-Times • 676-9228 Dr. Jeanne Berretta w ill be at the Pioneer Memorial Clinic Friday, October 12. Call 676-5504f o r a ppoin tm en ts. eiVE US A TRY FOR LUNCH! LUNCH SPECIALS: 15 ITEMS FOR UNDER $ 5.00 £ o fin ó O ttie*. Main Street, Heppner • 676-5017
