Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2002)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - THREE Heppner soccer season gets under way By Debbie Harper Local kids practice to get ready for soccer season Local business team attends Florida convention More than 50 players are sharpening their dribbling, passing and fielding skills as the Heppner soccer season gets under way. There are four teams this year, U12 (11-10 yrs), U10 (9-8 yrs), U8 (7-6 yrs), and U6 (5-4 yrs). Even though practice has already started, the league is still looking for interested kids who want to run, play and leam soccer. And no, it doesn’t mean just boys.Nearly a fifth of the players this year are girls. “Team sm anship”, skill and endurance are important assets in soccer, so girls are at no disadvantage playing on a co-ed team. The American Youth Soccer Organization, of which the Heppner league is a part, emphasizes sportsmanship, open registration and a fun, family environment. Every player gets to play and they all rotate positions, developing their skills in all areas. For more information or to register, contact Darrell or Tina Raver at 676-8710. MSWCD prepares to submit grant application Local people included in those attending convention A local business team attended the Tri Digital E-Commerce convention held at Orlando, Florida, July 24-28. Thirty-three people, including many from the Heppner- Lexington area, flew to the convention together and stayed at the Swan Dolphin Hotel on the Disney World lot. While there they heard motivational guest speaker, Bobby Richardson, who was a second baseman and holds several World .Series rings. Richardson, whose coach was Yogi Berra, played with Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. The team also visited Disney World during their stay. Health district board discusses financial concerns The Morrow County Health District Board, at its Monday night meeting, at Pioneer M emorial Home Health in Heppner, discussed ongoing concerns about the district’s ailing financial situation. The district lost $32,164 in July. “What happens when our net worth becomes zero,” inquired board member Ed Glenn. “At some time we’re going to have to face the music,” Glenn added. “1 agree with Ed,” said board Chair Larry Mills. “You can’t keep spending the cash down, but when I look back four years ago.. .I’m optimistic.” The district has previously cut costs by trimming em ployees and other expenditures. It also improved on its billing system and recovery of monies owed the district and has received designation as a critical access hospital which will increase government reimbursements. CEO Victor Vander Does, credited earlier for dramatically slowing the district losses, said that he plans to look at pharmacy costs and hopes to increase usage of the district’s facilities, which include the Irrigon Clinic, Pioneer Memorial Clinic and Pioneer Memorial Hospital. Vander Does said that his marketing plan includes a brochure for the district, changes on district’s web site, and posting of photos of the facilities on cable television. He would also like to see customer service training for employees, district visibility at Chamber and other community meetings, presentations at area clubs and organizations and improving employee morale. He and the board also stressed the im portance of retaining physicians and mid-level providers, along with maintaining regular hours and consistent services at the facilities. Vander Does said that the district has employed a recruiter to hire a mid level practitioner for the Irrigon Clinic. In other business, Vander Does announced that the Willow Creek Terrace assisted living facility, which is nearing completion, should be open by the end of September. The district will serve as administrators of the facility. . + * - * * 4. * M * 4. * * + * + * * * * * *+ + * * * * * * * * + # + * # * +# * * * It BLACK HILLS GOLD . i 4 WESTERN TIE TAC . Peterson's Heppner 676-9200 :■ . The Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District and the Water Resources Department are preparing to submit a grant application to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for funding assistance to irrigators in the Willow Creek Watershed, which includes Willow Creek and its tributaries. The grant, if funded, would provide 75 percent cost share for the purchase of irrigation w ater measuring devices. Participating landowners would be required to provide 25 percent match, either cash or in- kind. Vern Church, w ater master for the Willow Creek area, explains that using a measuring device at an irrigation water diversion will allow for a fair way to check water use, especially during recent low water years. Participation in this grant process is voluntary and interested landowners are asked to contact Vern Church at (541) 384-4207 or Janet Greenup, Morrow SWCD manager, at (541) 676-5452 ext. 109 before Tuesday, Sept. 10 to be included in the grant application. NE ACT meeting to be held in Boardman The N orth-East Area Commission on Transportation (NEACT) will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Port of Morrow in Boardman from 10 a.m .-2:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. The NEACT, comprised of transportation stakeholders from Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallow and Baker counties, helps identify and prioritize transportation-related projects in the five-county area. “ We welcome the public to attend this meeting to leam about the North- East Area Comm ission on Transportation and share their comments regarding transportation issues,” said Judge Terry Tallman. Judge Tallman is one of three Morrow County Commissioners and the vice- chairman of the NEACT. The meeting agenda includes guest speakers from the Oregon Trucking Association and ODOT, and an update on Morrow County projects. Time has also been set aside early in the meeting for public comments. Persons interested in providing public comment are encouraged to notify the NEACT prior to the meeting by calling Judge Tallman at (541) 676-5624 or NEACT Chairman Steve McClure at (541) 963-1001 to ensure enough time to speak. An Area Commission on Transportation (ACT) is an advisory body chartered by the Oregon Transportation Commission to help address all aspects of transportation with prim ary focus on the state transportation system. ACTS play a key advisory role in the development of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, w hich schedules funded transportation projects. Flood commemoration events to be held in September By Doris Brosnan “An Evening at the Cemetery” is intended to serve two purposes on September 19. Organizers of the event hope to enhance participants’ knowledge of what has been termed by some newspapers as “Oregon’s most tragic day,” June 14, 1903, the day of the Heppner Flood. The Flood Centennial Committee also hopes the “evening of living history” will prove a successful fundraiser for a commemoration, of the flood, planned for June 2003. Many stories from that tragic day exist, as do descendents of those citizens who lost their lives in the flood or lived to tell their tales of irony or good luck. Family historians and newspaper accounts have preserved that portion of H eppner’s history, and the committee hopes the September 19 evening will assist in the dissemination of that information. Featured at “An Evening at the Cemetery” will be dramatic portrayals of some of the victims Chamber Chatter By Claudia Hughes Chamber Executive Director Scattered clouds above lend hope for rain over our dry countryside. I suppose if I don’t get my sun roof, which is stuck in open position, fixed, that it will pour buckets? Sometimes those things seem to happen. Lack of rain may explain the colors beginning to change along the rolling hills of Heppner. With the change in colors, the football/volleyball schedules being circulated, the school bulletin boards going up, comes a focus toward fall activities. It’s time for chamber volunteers to “welcome hunters” as they drive into town for gas and food. They will be handed brochures with hunting supply check lists, events to come and places to shop, including an invitation to return again in the future or to start a business in the Willow Creek Valley. The chamber and the merchants will again be launching a Harvest Scarecrow Contest during the month of October. Pull out those scarecrows from two years ago or encourage employees Tb create one or a family. Categories are wide open, just as long as they are friendly and welcoming. Businesses are encouraged to place them outside and families around town may place them in their yards. Those who wish to be judged within the city limits will need to fill out an application and keep their scarecrow in place from October 1 to October 31. Watch for more inform ation, but start now creating your masterpiece. Life needs a mix of work and play. Did you know there is a committee working hard on the June 14, 2003 Flood Commemoration? It is still in the planning stages, but ideas are flowing, including giving people whose relatives were involved in the flood the opportunity to share stories. The Cascadia Folk Quartet will be on hand to perform The Heppner Flood Song as well as other turn-of-the-century music. Mark your calendars now and share your ideas for the com m em oration... another Heppner/Willow Creek Valley happening. Next week at chamber, all entities report. Interested in becoming a member? Join us for lunch and see what we’re all about. Chamber meets Tuesdays at noon at John’s Other Place. Thought for the week: “You will forgive people more easily when you end your need to make them wrong.” - Brian Koslow W E P R IN T B U S IN E S S CARDS Heppner G aiette-Times 676-9228 of the flood. In the telling of their stories, they will share historic information complementary to knowledge of the June 14, 1903, event. Guests will be served a box dinner before participating in a guided a tour of the cemetery’s historic sections. During the tour, they will leam about some of the individuals at rest there and will “meet” some “residents” who can will them their stories of the flood. A limited number o f tickets for “An Evening at the Cemetery” will be available. Proceeds from the event will be the first raised by the committee to fund a monument in honor of the v ictim s and in commemoration o f the 1903 flood. Ticket information and reservations are available at the Morrow County Museum, the H ep p n er C h am b er of Commerce office, and Klamath First. The Flood Centennial C om m ittee includes Robin Krebs, Sharon Harrison, Kathryn Hoskins, Pat Sweeney, Bob Jepsen, Claudia Hughes, and Doris Brosnan. Ed Glenn runs for Boardman City Council position Promising “restraint in spending taxpayers’ money,” Ed Glenn has announced his candidacy for Boardman City Council. “Boardman’s tax levy has grown 10-fold in just the past seven years. It’s long past time to deliver the tax relief promised as part of the Industrial Park Annexation,” Glenn said. Glenn, 61, has lived in Boardman the past 25 years and petitioned for the annexation that he says brought more than $250 million in assessable property into the city in 1995. Appointed to Boardman’s budget committee this year, Glenn was the only com mittee member to vote against the $1.2 million general operating tax levy for 2002-03. “While the city council talks about yet more new taxes, we have nearly a million dollars cash in the bank with no real plan for its use. Boardman recently wrote a check for nearly a 100 percent cost over-run on an estimated $500,000 development for its new city hall,” Glenn said. “It’s time we welcomed our visitors, respected our residents, strengthened our business community and served our industries. And we can do all that and cut taxes as well,” Glenn claims. All it takes, he thinks, is some fiscal responsibility and a set of priorities. Recently, the Boardman City Council has discussed a business license tax. a transient room tax or a gasoline tax to support a more pro-active Chamber of Commerce. Glenn, a past president of the Chamber and its Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1995, is a strong proponent o f an active Chamber. “But adding new taxes to the very people you hope to help, doesn't make much sense to me,” he said. Glenn, a former lawyer, newspaper publisher and winemaker, is now retired, but still writes a feature article for the North Morrow County Times nearly every month. He is married to Frances Glenn, a teacher at Riverside High School and they have two grown children, both of whom graduated from Riverside in Boardman. Glenn serves on the Morrow County Health District Board of Directors, representing the City of Boardman. HHS football schedule changed The Heppner-Wahtonka football game, scheduled for Oct. 4, has been can c e lle d by Wahtonka. The Wahtonka team is canceling its varsity schedule. An additional HHS game with Vemonia has been set for Friday, Sept. 6, in Heppner at 7 p.m. OTPR results released Times and scores have been released for the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo held in Heppner August 16-17. Results are as follows: All Around Cowboy: Johnny Emmons. Barrel Racing: first- Maureen Crossley, 17.04; second-Janet Cunningham, 17.17; third-Debra Goff, 17.27; fourth- Piper Levandoske, 17.37; fifth- Patty Childers, 17.40; sixth- Debbie Stahl, 17.46; seventh- Renee Gossett, 17.47; eighth (a tie)-Judi MacDonald and Kristin Weaver, 17.59. Bull Riding (#771 Shake It Up): first-Vince Stanton, 84; second-Clayton Graham, 76; ground split $245.89 each. Team Roping: first-Troy Murray and Joseph Shawnego, 5.0; second-Devin Hayes and Toby Mentzer, 5.4; third-Wade Wheatley and Kyle Lockett, 5.8; fourth-Matt Davis and Tommye Flenniken, 6.0; fifth/sixth (a tie)- Ricky Canton and Johnny Emmons and Willy Hart and Dave Inman, 6.2. Saddle Bronc: first- Donovan Biegler, 86; second Dan Mortensen. 83; third-Bart Nichols, 81; fourth-Cody Wright, 79. Steer Wrestling: first- Chancey Gartner, 4.2; second-Sid Steiner, 4.5; third-Frank Thompson, 4.8; fourth-B.J. Campbell, 4.9; fifth-Alex Robertson, 5.0; sixth (a tie) Birch Negaard and Les Shepperson, 5.1. Calf Roping: first-Johnny Emmons, 8.5; second-Mike Beers, 8.6; third-Ricky Canton, 9.3; fourth-Chance Tinney, 9.4; fifth/sixth (a tie)-Ryan Gallagher and Steve Currin, 9.7. Bareback: first-Bobby Mote, 81; second-Clint Corey, 77; third-Jason Havens, 76; fourth (a tie)-Grant Richie and Sean Culver, 75. Futurity auction to be held in Hermiston The Oregon Trail Appaloosa Club will feature their annual Futurity and Stallion Auction on Sept. 8, at 9 am. w ith signup beginning at 8 a.m. The show will be held at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds in Hermiston. The bidding will begin on the date of our show, and will run until Dec. 31. There will be classes for the futurity foals, and also, all breed classes. The judge this year is to be Karen Quinn from the Tri- Cities. The Fraternal Order .of Eagles will sell breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m., and w ill be at the grounds all day for lunches and refreshments. The club is interested in obtaining new stallions to be presented in their stallion booklet for the year 2002. The auction is for the futurity in 2003. It is a way for stallion owners to get recognition for their animals, and a way to have a new foal with generally less cost. The club does advertise the stallions. The auction does not pertain strictly to appaloosas, but is for any breed of horse. For anyone interested in our show or the auction, please contact: 541-567-3076; 541-567- 3531; or email primrose@eoni.com. Grant funds available The Umatilla-W alla Walla-Willow Creek OWEB Small Grant Team announces the availability of up to $10,000 in small grants to priv ate landowners for the purposes of enhancing w atershed conditions to improve water quality and quantity w hile meeting the needs of all beneficial uses; flood plain and upland improvement and enhancement; and reducing erosion, sedimentation and nutrients. Projects will also be considered dealing with invasive plants and noxious weeds. Interested landowners are requested to contact the Morrow SWCD at 676-5452 ext. 109 for applications or further information. The deadline for submission of applications is the week of Sept. 23.
