C om m ittee gears
up for St. Pat’s
Celebration
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VOL. 121
NO. 5
10 Pages
Wednesday, January 30,2002
Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon
Health district board turns down physician’s request
The Morrow County Health
District voted against paying for
retirement benefits and a year-end
bonus for the year 2002 for a
physician’s assistant employed by
Dr. Robert Boss of Boardman.
Dr. B oss asked the
district to pay a $1,000 year-end
bonus and a $ 1 ,(>49.24 retirement
contribution for the PA for 2001,
which the board approved, and a
$1,000 bonus and $1,919.23
retirement contribution for 2002.
In denying the request for 2002,
the board said that they had not
received a request for payment
- o f the
PA’s
retire m e n t
contribution previously and also
objected to the eight-percent
-salary increase the PA would
receive in 2002. A PA employed
by the MCHD received only a
three-percent raise. The increase
would have give the PA a $500 a
month raise over the previous
year.
The district pays Dr.
Boss $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 an n ually for
operation o f his Boardman Clinic,
plus a $5,000 year-end bonus for
the doctor and an additional
amount for salary and benefits for
Dr. Boss’ PA. Dr. Boss submitted
to the d istric t a list o f PA
expenses amounting to $71.964.29
for 2001; and $78,396.59 for 2002.
The board agreed to pay Dr. Boss
around $ 1 26,964 for 2001,
including monies for operation of
the clinic, the doctor's bonus and
the PA’s expenses, including the
bonus and retirement contribution.
T he am ount w hich Boss
requested for 2002 would have
amounted to around $133,396,
including monies for operation of
the clinic, the doctor’s year-end
bonus and PA’s ex p en ses,
including the bonus and retirement
contribution.
The b o ard d ire c te d
M CH D a d m in istra to r V ictor
V ander D oes to in itia te
negotiations with Dr Boss.
The board also discussed
plan s for e sta b lish in g focus
g ro u p s in north co u n ty
communities to determine what
those communities want and need
in terms o f health care services.
T he board p lan n ed to hold
separate focus group meetings in
Irrig o n and B oardm an w ith
em p h asis on the H ispanic
communities, senior citizens and
emergency/health care workers.
The board stressed importance of
Spanish speaking health care
providers.
Vander Does outlined a
strategic plan for possible future
operation o f clinics in Boardman
and Irrigon, which would call for
one physician who would divide
Sheriff’s office to honor heroes
Morrow County Sheriff Verlin Denton recently announced that
the sheriff s office will be putting “Let's Roll 9/11/01" on the front
fenders o f sheriff patrol cars.
“Members of the sheriff’s office wanted to pay tribute in some
way to Todd Beamer and the passengers o f Flight 93 for their heroic
action on Sept. 11,” said Sheriff Denton. “One of my deputies sug
gested having the words Todd Beamer’s wife. Lisa, heard her hus
band say as they prepared to confront the hijackers, printed on our
new patrol cars as a tribute to him and those who sacrificed their
lives to save hundreds and maybe thousands o f others that day. Rather
than confine the tribute to the three new patrol cars. I decided to put
it on all o f our patrol cars. As long as America has these kind of
people as our country's foundation, we will never submit to these
terrorists acts and will only grow stronger in our resolve to wipe
terrorism out.” said Sheriff Denton.
his time between the two clinics,
perhaps spending two days a
w eek at each c lin ic ; tw o
physician’s assistants, one at each
clinic; and additional support
sta ff. The d istric t c u rre n tly
operates a clinic in Irrigon and has
an em pty c lin ic b u ild in g in
B oardm an, w hile Dr. B oss
operates a private clinic nearby.
The district's contract with Dr.
Boss is up in two years and the
d istric t has begun exploring
d ifferent scenarios to ensure
continuing health care in the
Boardman community in the event
that Dr. Boss retires or leaves the
com m unity. The board also
d iscu ssed the p o ssib ility o f
employing Dr. Boss as a physician
for the two clinics.
In other business, the
board:
-heard a financial report
from Nicole Mahoney, which
showed a $26,032 loss for the
month of December. The financial
situation, while not good, was an
improvement over the previous
month which showed a $74,539
loss. Vander Does said that the
district's bottom line will improve
w hen the h o sp ital receiv es
designation as a critical access
facility;
-d iscu ssed co n cern s
about office hours at the Irrigon
clinic. Vander Does said that the
problem s should be now be
resolved. Board m em ber Ed
Glenn suggested, and the board
ag reed upon the use o f call
forwarding at the clinic in the
event that staff there are called
away for em ergencies or are
away during the lunch hour;
-approved for sale a list
o f surplus items;
-discussed the Oregon
H ealth P la n 's red u ctio n in
reim bursem ents for drugs for
M edicaid p a tie n ts and the
resulting adverse effects on the
patients and on small, independent
pharmacies, especially in rural
areas.
WWII vet speaks at
UMW meeting
Vie Oliver, Heppner. was the
guest speaker at the January
meeting o f the Heppner United
Methodist women. Oliver was a
lieutenant in the United States
Army and served as a nurse in
Europe during World War II.
“ Her talk was humorous and
heart-wrenching.” said a spokes
person.
Peggy Connor served chick
en soup with homemade noodles
by Archie Padberg.
Just as the town o f Heppner
has put away their Christmas
decorations, the St. Pat’s Auction
Committee is gearing up for the
20th Annual “ A Wee Bit O ’ Ire
land" Celebration to be held
March 14-17. This year’s Auc
tion Committee is chaired by Kay
Fow ler and John and Ann
Murray.
The weekend promises to be
packed full of activities, delicious
foods, music, history, a classic
car show, and. of course, kinship.
The St. Pat’s Annual Auction
will be held on March 15 at 7
p.m. in the upstairs area at the
Heppner Elks Club. The auction
is the main fund raiser for the
continual advertising and spon
sorship of the weekend celebra
tion. The committee will be fo
cusing on the silent and regular
live auctions featuring antique and
collectable items as well as new
items such as travel packages, gift
baskets, service and or gift cer
tificates. The “Country Store”
which had featured used items
and crafts, has been retired, so
will not appear this year. Dona
tions for the auction items are still
being sought both locally and
from other communities. Secur
ing donations is the key source
o f ensuring a successful auction
for the St. Patrick’s celebration.
E n tertain m en t by Joe
Lindsay’s group “’’Somebody
Else” will be provided before the
auction and during breaks. The
committee is welcoming any vol
unteers to help with the auction.
“Small” jobs are available and
any help is greatly appreciated.
It promises to be a fun filled
evening. For more information
about the annual auction, dona
tions or volunteering to help out,
contact Kay Fow ler, 676-9109, or
John/Ann Murray, 676-9631.
The 20th annual celebration
schedule of events is available at
local Heppner merchants or by
calling Heppner Chamber at 541-
676-5536.
Library/city hall
surveys in mail
The Heppner Library/City
Hall Survey Committee has com
pleted the first o f its tasks. This
week a survey designed by the
committee will be in the mail to
registered voters. “The Heppner
Library/City Hall Survey Com
mittee was formed to develop a
survey that will provide a clear
indication o f the people’s views
toward continuance o f the Li-
brary/City Hall project,” said
Mary Nixon, a community devel
opment coordinator with Rural
Development Initiatives.
Committee members repre
sent citizens with “views on all
sides of the issue,” according to
Nixon, and were selected during
the public meeting about this
project held on Jan. 3. Commit
tee m em bers include G race
Drake. Cyde Estes. Bob Ployhar,
Ann S picer and Tom Wolff.
Nixon was hired to facilitate the
committee meetings. The cost for
the facilitation service was paid
for with funds provided by the Or
egon Economic and Community
Development Department.
Survey responses will be tal
lied by committee members Feb.
11 -15. To be included in the tally,
surveys must be returned in the
envelope that was provided in the
mailing. Sealed envelopes may be
returned to drop boxes located at
Klamath First Federal Bank and
the Bank o f Eastern Oregon no
later than Friday, Feb. 8. at 6 p.m.
Sealed envelopes may also be
returned by mail and must be
postmarked by Feb. 8.
The Heppner City Council
and the Oregon Trail Library
Board are hoping to hold a joint
meeting the evening of Wednes
day, Feb. 20, to receive the sur
vey results and report from the
committee. For more information
o f the exact time and location of
the meeting, contact City Hall.
Elks Hoop Shoot winners announced
Photo by Sandy Matthews
Eight-nine-year-old winners (left to right): front-Zac Orem. Jessica
Hughes, back-Ian Murray, Sarah Kendrick, Justin Yocom, Kylie Sieler.
Photo by Sandy Matthew s
Ten-11-year-old winners (left to right): front-Jared Huddleston. Whitney
Matthews, back-Matt Holland. Jenna Bowman, Sean Murray. Jessica
Heliker.
Zac Orem of lone and Jessica Hughes of Heppner took first
place in the eight-nine-year-old Elks Hoop Shoot Contest held Sunday
in Heppner Jared Huddleston and
Whitney Matthews, both Heppner, were winners in the 10-11-year-
old category.
Second place in the eight-nine-year-old category went to lan
Murray and Sarah Kendrick, both Heppner. Third place went to Justin
Yocom and Kylie Sieler, both Heppner.
Second place in the 10-11-year-old category went to Matt
Holland and Jenna Bow man, both Heppner. Third place was won by
Sean Murray and Jessica Heliker. Heppner.
Assisted living
facility receives
donation
The Willow Creek Valley
assisted living facility received a
donation of $900 in January from
a small group o f Hinton Creek
residents.
The seven households
represent a group who have con
tinued the maintenance of a TV
antenna, translator, and lines along
Highway 74 and Hinton Creek.
The seven current participants in
the system have turned to satel
lite TV system s and recently
agreed to dissolve the alliance.
A discussion among the
Hinton Creek parties resulted in
the equal distribution of their re
maining funds among three wor
thy causes, one of which is the
assisted living facility project.
The contribution comes
as work at the construction site
again shows progress. Suzanne
Jepsen, who accepted the dona
tion for the board of directors, re
ported that the facility’s plumbing
lines will soon be completed and
sidewalk superintendents should
begin to notice weekly advance
m ents tow ard a late-sum m er
opening o f the 16-unit facility.
“The donation from the Hinton
Creek group reinforces the faith
o f the board members.” Jepsen
said, “that the remaining need for
some funding w ill be met, and a
quality facility will fill an impor
tant need in the Willow Creek
Valley.”
Heppner GazetteTimes
News Deadline
5 p.m. Monday
Square dance
lessons set in
Heppner
Square dance l e s s t <
will be offered in Heppner staring
Tuesday, February 5. Lessons w ill
be held on Tuesday nights from
7-9 p.m . at the H eppner
Elementary School gym. The first
two lessons are free: cost for 16
weeks o f lessons is $12.50 for
adults. There is no charge for
youth ages 10-18. Younger
children may attend, but must be
accompanied by their parents.
Those attending do not have
to wear square dance clothes.
Instructor is Dave Hughes. For
more inform ation, contact Jo
Meligan. 676-5805.
St. Paddy’s Cruz-In
planned March 16
V
The second annual St. Pad
dy's Cruz-In will begin Saturday.
March 16, at 10 a m. in Heppner
during the 20th annual St.
Patrick’s celebration. Pre-regis
tration for the Cruz-In is $ 10, due
before Friday, Feb. 15. Those who
pre-register w ill receive five free
raffle tickets. After Feb. 15. the
entry fee is $15 and will include
one free raffle ticket.
Each participant in the Cruz-
In will receive a dash plaque,
w ith winners in 25 categories re
ceiving larger plaques. Partici
pants are encouraged to “cruz”
through town before coming to
the staging area at 10 am. Shirts,
hats, visors and other items will
be for sale at the competition.
Entry into the parade w ill be
optional.
For more information contact
Dick Sargent at 676-9621
D O N ’T M ISS O U R
C U ST O M E R A PPR EC IA TIO N DAY
on Saturday, February 9th from 8 a.m.-12 noon
SEE INSIDE AD FOR MORE DETAILS
Morrow County Grain Growers
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