Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 2002)
Survey shows most residents against new city hall BOS3 lu Survey results from the H eppner lib ra ry /c ity hall q u e stio n n a ire w ere overwhelmingly against building a new library/city hall facility on Main Street. According to the H eppner L ib ra ry /C ity Hall Survey Committee, 360 people indicated that they were against the p ro ject at the pro p o sed location, compared to 72 in favor. Those su rv ey ed w ere also o v erw h elm in g ly a g ain st the project, 324-92, even if the facility were built at a different location. A m ajo rity o f those surveyed were against both city hall and library construction, with 46 against the city hall portion of the project, 16 against the library project and 274 against both. R esp o n d en ts favored upgrading the restroom s and office space at the city hall to comply with federal regulations, with 272 in favor and 137 against the upgrade. « C tZ äll U o f j .» e a ap a í r L L i . z j E u g e n e , JR 9 / 4 j 3 R espondents w ere strongly against construction o f a new city hall, 333-84. Respondents were only slightly more likely to cite tax responsibility as a reason for opposing the project, with 220 indicating that taxes were an issue and 205 indicating that taxes did not make a significant difference in their response. According to the survey com m ittee, 847 surveys were sent out and 439 were returned, w ith a 52 p ercen t turn o u t. “ R esponse rates o f over five percent are considered good for a mail out survey,” according to the co m m ittee. “ In sm all c o m m u n ities, 20 p e rc e n t is considered a good return rate and can be sufficient for planning purposes as well as give you a good indication of what the public would like to see.” The comments received along with the surveys will be compiled and mailed to the city council and library board by March 8. The comments will be available for review by the public at city hall on that date. The council will deliberate on the information received at the next city council meeting on Monday, March 11. The Heppner Library/ City Hall Survey Committee was facilitated by Rural Development Initiatives at no cost to the city or the lib rary d istric t. O regon E conom ic and C om m unity D evelopm ent D epartm ent provided the funding for RDA’s services. The city council and the library district paid $718.85 for supplies, labels and postage required to mail the survey. The survey co m m ittee included Tom Wolff, representing H eppner C ity C ouncil, Ann Spicer of the Oregon Trail Library’ District, Bob Ployhar, an opponent of the project, Grace Drake, a proponent, and Cyde Estes, citizen at large. Committee prepares for 20th annual St. Pat’s Celebration VOL. 121 NO. 9 8 Pages Wednesday, February 27,2002 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon W yden visits Heppner for town hall m eeting Spruce up your green Kari Reown of Heppner (not pictured )and some helpful leprechauns lead a cheer at an assembly at Heppner Elementary School Tuesday to encourage the students to “spruce up their green" and do their part in keeping Heppner litter-free. United States Senator Roy Wyden talks to Anne Murray (right) at a town hall meeting last Wednesday in Heppner. Wyden was in town to talk with local people about issues concerning rural Eastern Oregon. Listening in is Merlyn Robinson who earlier had asked questions about issues concerning the cattle industry? Wyden said he supports country of origin labeling on beef products, but is not in favor o f beef import quotas which he said could cause retaliation from other countries against US products. Wyden also said he was in favor of deepening the Columbia River channel if it could be done without hurting the environment, and that he was in favor of campaign finance reform especially trying to cut down on the amount o f soft money in the system. Blood drive set in H eppner Ginger Keithley, vice-resident o f the Willow Valley Service Club and blood drive chair person, an n o u n c es th at the club- sponsored American Red Cross annual blood drive in Heppner will be held Monday, March 11, from 1-6 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Senior Center in Heppner. Persons wanting to donate blood are requested to call 1 -800- 787-9691 to set an appointment. Som e h ealth c o n d itio n s and medicines may preclude blood donations. Q uestions may be answ ered at the tim e o f the appointment call. Requirements include eating regular meals before donation; reading instruction sheet upon arrival at the center; signing in and filling out a record; drinking a cup of liquid immediately before donation; donating blood; drinking a glass o f liquid and eating a cookie; and waiting 10 minutes before departing. On March 11, should a donor need to re-schedule, a form will be available. Organizers hope the quota o f 35 pints o f donated blood will be reached. Little League signups set H ep p n er L ittle L eague baseball and softball signups will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 7-8, at the South Morrow County N eighborhood C enter from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $30 per child or $60 per family, except for whiffle ball, which is $25 per child. The following items will need to be provided at registration: a birth certificate and three pieces o f residence verification (this can be a d riv e r’s license, v o te r’s registration, homeowner property insurance statement or utility bill). For q u e stio n s or m ore in fo rm a tio n , c o n ta c t D ave P ranger at 6 7 6 -9 7 6 7 or Jan Huddleston at 676-5358. Clarification Morrow County teachers have an av e ra g e salary countywide o f $56,000 including benefits, according to Morrow County School Board member Larry Mills. A story in the Feb. 20 Gazette-Times did not specify that the salary amount included benefits. Chili Feed to Benefit Matheny Family T he O regon State University Extension Service in Morrow County, along with help from offices in the Gilliam-Bisbee Building, will hold a chili feed on Friday, March 15. at the Heppner Elks Lodge from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m. The menu includes all- you-can-eat homemade chili, rolls, tossed green salad, dessert and a beverage. The cost is $6 and other donations will be gladly accepted. Vegetarian chili will also be available. All proceeds will go to the M atheny fam ily. Any questions should be directed to Darcee at 541/676-9642. Filing deadlines near Filing deadlines for the May 21 election for the Morrow County Commissioner's position now held by Dan Brosnan and the M orrow C ounty D istrict Attorney's position held by Dave Allen are on March 12, according to the Morrow County Clerk. T hose filin g for commissioner will file with the clerk's office. District attorney candidates must file w ith the state. By C laudia Hughes The Wee Bit O ' Ireland St. Patrick’s Committee o f eight or so individuals has been meeting faithfully to pull off the 20th annual event. A s the ev en t fast approaches, the check off lists are growing instead of getting smaller. From entertainment finalization to pad d y w agon rep air; from publicity to transportation and accom m odations for honored guests; from leprechauns to Trail Band hosts; shuttles, maps, porta- potties. parking, and the list goes on. Chairpersons are reminded to turn in information about “their” ev en t to the C ham ber o f Commerce office by this Friday, March 1. ’Tis sure w e’d better start checking things off as our “wee” celebration is but two weeks away. The 20th celebration will have a mix o f new and old. The w eekend w ill kick o ff on Thursday evening, March 14, with a play by Father Condon. “Saint Patrick-Apostle o f Ireland" and w rap up on Sunday w ith the W illow Creek Sym phony and W illow C reek S ingers. In between, be it sheep dog trials, Irish music, Friday’s auction. The T rail B and, one m ore tim e Farley's Social Hour, motocross, eating, contests, a first ever ag show at M iller's Manufacturing, the great green parade, or just reunions, there will be something to keep visitors and locals busy. How many does it take to put on the Irish c e le b ra tio n in Heppner? If all people involved in some form o f the celebration could give Claudia Hughes or Cara Osmin a head count o f all th o se w ho help m ake that particular facet of the celebration A f happen, it w ould be g rea tly appreciated. Any guesses? All past Irish families and new Irish fam ilies are in v ited to participate in the parade with a family entry. If these ancestors hadn't arrived in County Morrow, now ‘tis sure th e r e ’d be no celebration. Join in the fun and tip your hats or shake your sheillieghs along the parade route. Visit www.heppner.net for a full schedule of events or pick up a brochure. Collectors buttons are now on sale and this year there will be four $100 pot o ' gold drawings. Find the Hidden Shamrock... m f Win a Gold Coin! * The popular St. Patrick's Day Treasure Hunt is back. Each week until March 13, a clue for the treasure hunt will be printed in the Gazette-Times. If followed, these clues will guide treasure hunters to a green shamrock hidden somewhere in the city limits of Heppner. The first person to find the hidden shamrock will win a gold coin. The coin, donated by the Bank of Eastern Oregon, is on display there. RULES: 1. A new set of clues to guide you to the hidden shamrock w ill appear in each edition of the Heppner Gazette-Times 2. A total of five clues will be given, up to March 13. 3. The hidden shamrock is not on private property and no digging or moving of objects, dirt or other material is necessary to find the shamrock. 4. The first person to find the shamrock should bring it to the Heppner Gazette-Times office to claim the gold coin. CLUE NUMBER THREE - FEBRUARY 27 Numbers. Numbers just for you Add this to the others for your very best clue 5338 What does it all mean? Check Bell’s little book The vicinity is here For Shamrock in a crook The recent rain made our prize all wet Bring it in anyway And it's gold you w ill get Tw o more clues arc all we're gonna make So don't bough under pressure and LEARN for goodness sake 20% O FF A L L W IN T E R C L O T H IN G Sale good through March 16 Morrow County Grain Growers Lexington 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396 f * rm equipment. m»t our web site at www megg net
