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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2002)
tW O - Heppner Gazette-Tim es, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday. November The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow H ep p n er G A Z E T T E -T IM E S U.S.P.S. 240-420 Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper Published weekl\ and entered as periodical maner at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act o f March 3. 1879. Periodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon. Office at 147 W. Willow Street Telephone(541)676-9228 Fax(541)676-9211. E-mail: gtiuheppner net or glut raptdserc e net Web site: www heppner net. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-l imes. P.O Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $24 m Morrow Counts. $18 senior rate (in Morrow County only; 62 sears or older); $30 else where David S y k es...............................................................................................................Publisher Katie W all...................................................................................................................... Editor News deadline is Monday at S p.m. For Advertising advertising deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Cost for a display ad is $4.75 per column inch Cost for classified ad is 50t per word Cost for Card of Thanks is $7 up to 100 words Cost for a classified display ad is $5 35 per column inch. For Public/Legal Notices public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p m Dates for publication must be specified Affidavits must be required at the time of submission. Affidavits require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be specified if required) On the HEPPNER WEBSITE: HH w.heppner.net • Start or Change a Subscription • Place a C lassified Ad • Submit a N ew s Story • View Real Estate for Sale • City Council & Planning Minutes • Local Businesses * County Park • Willow Creek Park Reservations • Free Digital Postcards • Senior Housing • and more! 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 the G -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 $7.) Rules can’t be stretched without consequences To the Editor: The recent letter that attacked our new superintendent Dr. Jack Crippen for enforcing school board policy regarding the age o f children at entrance into school was very disturbing. Dr. Crippen followed board policy in his decision, and allowed the parents o f the child concerned a hearing and review of that policy by the full board. It is the board's responsibility to set policy and the superintendent's to enforce it. It is necessary to make a cut-off day for school entrance and whatever date it is, there will always be some students whose birth dates fall just before, after, and on. O nce the policy is stretched for one student, the floodgates have opened for ev e ry stu d e n t w ho is “somewhere close” to the date and the policy becomes eroded and useless. Research tells us that m aturity does have a m ajor impact on education and social behavior, and school success of children. The full board felt is important to maintain a standard, for the good o f this child and all entering kindergarteners. While individuals may disagree respectfully, the tone and personal attacks o f the p re v io u s le tte r w ere inappropriate. This concerns me b e c a u se th e re are m any controversial issues ahead for us to face. My reason for writing this letter is to ask all citizens o f Morrow County to think about how we interact with each other when we are discussing difficult issues. Morrow County School District will be forced to make serious reductions in staff and programs in the next year. While the taxpayers in Morrow County have whole-heartily supported our ch ild ren 's schools with excellent facilities, the local voter currently has no control over the am ount o f operating money M o rro w C o u n ty S ch o o ls receive. All decisions regarding money to operate schools lies with the state legislature or in statewide votes, such as the January income tax surcharge. The State Legislature has failed to deal with the lack o f tax revenue that will be available for schools in the next few years. Morrow County Schools are quickly eating down our limited cash reserves as current staff and programs cost more money than the state is sending us; indications are that they will send even less next year. There will be no way to avoid difficult cuts in our schools. As we start that process, the manner in which we educate ourselves with the facts, and find w ay s to p re se rv e th e best education for all children o f Morrow County will truly test the character o f those who care about children in the county. We need to be able to work productively with one another, if our communities and our children’s education are to survive this crisis. Our focus n eed s to be on u sin g th e resources we have efficiently to get the most “bang for our buck” an d on g e ttin g th e S tate Legislature off the dime to find a w ay to a d e q u a te ly fund education in this state. We wall have to work together to achieve either. One way you may be able to make a difference is to join the “Coalition for School Funding Now”, (503) 309-1665, a group that is w orking directly on lobbying for school financing. Another is to work on positive, communication and interaction as we work through difficult times. Our kids need us to be up to the challenge. How we conduct ourselves as we make decisions m ay be the m ost important educational lesson we can give our children. (s)JohnRietmann M em ber, M o rro w C o u n ty School Board lone W IL L O W C R E E K C L IN IC announces an OPEN HOUSE November 25 and 26 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 2 - 5:30 p.m. TAMMY IS MOVING! We’ll miss her at Willow Creek Clinic and we know you will too Stop in, say good-bye and have refreshments 13 2002 , Answers to the Mystery of Education by Dr. Jack Crippen Morrow CountySchool District Superintendent From Tillamook County to Morrow County. From months o f no sunshine to months o f no clouds.From July temperatures in the 60’s to July temperatures in the 90’s, From limited vistas of tree trunks to open vistas where one can see for miles and miles. From 100” ofrainayear, Morrow County is a great place to live. Inspiring students to reach for their dreams 1 ’m very happy to be the Superintendent o f the Schools o f Morrow County. I'm very excited about the opportunity the Heppner Gazette Times has given me to talk to the people o f Morrow County about our schools. We are in very challenging and exciting times in education. To quote a bard, "the times they keep a-changing” . A little poetic license with that quote perhaps, but education has been undergoing constant change for the last decade and 1 don’t see it slowing down in the near future. As a part o f this monthly column, I would like to invite you to send me questions about education, either in our district or education in general. Please send them to me in care o f the Heppner Gazette Times 147 W. Willow Street, Heppner, OR 97838. Today I would like to respond to three items I am often asked about. What is the Board of Directors focus this year? At the beginning o f the school year, July 1, the Board meets to set it’s goals. This year the board set four areas on which they wanted to focus. The goals included the areas o f budget and finance; state testing and standards; communication - both internally and externally; and updating the policy manual, beginning with the area o f Policy 1131 Elected Advisory Committees. What is happening with school funding? At this time, the state has lost $ 1.75 billion in revenues this year. The legislature in its five special sessions tried to minimize the loss of income to education. O f the $756 million K -12 education could have lost, the legislature found “one time money.” That is money available only this year in the amount o f $529 million. They have referred Ballot Measure 28 to the voters in January, which contains $95 million for this year. This results in a reduction in revenue for this year o f $ 132 million to K.-12 education, or approximately a $625,000 loss to Morrow County. The local impact o f Ballot Measure 28 is approximately $450,000 for Morrow County. If the Ballot Measure fails in January, the district will not receive the $450,000 this school year. This could result in a total loss to Morrow County o f $1,075,000. What about the opening of the new elementary schools in Boardman and Irrigon? The District anticipates that those two elementary schools will not open next year. In the above question, 1 talked about the hundreds of millions o f dollars in cuts the State is facing and the over a million dollars in money that the district could be losing this year. According to slatfc economists, they expect the revenue jqss to grow from the $1.75 billion it is now to a total for jfri^yeqr <?f clqse to $2,4 billon. The district feels that we may still lose more money this year, plus our costs will increase just to maintain this year’s level of teachers and programs. If we open the two new buildings in Boardman and Irrigon, we will have additional costs for electricity, water and sewer, etc., plus secretaries, custodians, etc in addition to what we now pay. We also believe we will lose teachers next year because of the revenue reduction. With the loss o f teachers, class size will go up creating vacant rooms in Sam Boardman and A.C. Houghton. It doesn’t seem reasonable to move teachers out o f those buildings and into the new buildings creating even more vqpant rooms in Sam Boardman and A.C. Houghton. Another reason is we have not seen the increase in students that we have in the past years. We really see this as an adjustment period. Some businesses haven’t grown as fast as they expected and others haven’t moved into the area as quickly as we thought. That will happen, but with the decrease in teachers resulting in the increase in class sizes, as well as a slow down in growth, we will not need the rooms as soon as we thought we would. However the interest rates make this a great time to be building and having the space ready to be occupied is better than needing it and then having crowded conditions while one builds. Chamber Chatter By Claudia Hughes Chamber Executive Director Veteran’s Day was sunny and warm. It was the day to say “Thank You” to our veterans and if you didn't, then today and everyday is not too late. What a shame that there are veterans who have to go to work on the day that honors them while others are at play. There is something wrong with this picture! What can we do to fix it? Recent minus 7 degree weather caused thoughts to turn to winter, the holidays and the new year. The Heppner Chamber o f Com m erce, “a non-profit o rg a n iz a tio n d e d ic a te d to creating a positive environment where business, community and people thrive,” is always working hard to create a balance for H eppner’s future. Enthusiasm, fun, events, community activity, job creation and the fixture o f Heppner’s business community are at the top o f the list as the year ends. Please mark your calendars and be a part o f these events that help create a balance and continue to keep Heppner healthy and vital. * Third Tuesdays - Nov. 19 is an opportunity for all retailers to come together for lunch at noon at John’s Other Place to plan what we can do together in 2003 for our business community. Retailers will be in v ited to share ideas and requests for programs, talk about what works and doesn’t work, make plans to recognize great employees, discuss dreams for Heppner that will attract more re sid e n ts and v isito rs thus enhancing the economy, and much more. The success o f these third Tuesdays will depend on the in te re s t show n. C h an g e is happening all around us and we may have to paddle a little harder. * Stroll Heppner and The Light Parade - Thursday, Dec. 5. A fter T hanksgiving dittfier. put your heads together and create a light parade entry. The more entries, the better. * Christmas At The Courthouse - Saturday, Dec. 7. Sign up at the C ham ber to decorate and donate a three to four foot tree for this event, finalizing the 100th anniversary. Magnetic Door Signs Order Yours Here In terms o f the high school in Irrigon, the Board approved that to happen only if seven contingencies were met. They haven’t been, among them were increased funding and an increase in High School students. What can I as a parent do? You can phone or write your legislators: Call Senator Dave Nelson at (503) 986-1950 or (503) 522- 5924(Cell Phone) or write him at 900 Court Street, NE S-223, Salem, OR 97301; Call Representative Greg Smith at (541) 676- 8719 or (541) 676-5154 or write him at P.O. Box 219 Heppner, OR 97836-0219 Or fax him at (541) 676-5989; or call, Elizabeth Scheeler at (541) 276-2949 or write her at 1207 S W Frazer Ave Pendleton, OR 97801-2899, and tell them what you want them to do. Your voice as a parent is louder than mine. You can also join the Coalition for School Funding Now. It is a state organization of parents and concerned patrons interested in education. They have chapters all over the state. Join one or start one. For information call the Heppner Gazette Times office at 676-9228 or call Julie Ashbeck at the School District Office at 989-8202 and request brochures, or you may call the coalition directly at (503) 309-1665 or E-mail them at: info@schoolfunding.org Now that we have answered a few o f the mysteries o f education, send me a few more. MC W G meeting set for Nov. 15 The M orrow County Wheat Growers will hold their an nual fall m eetin g at the Heppner Elks Club in Heppner on Friday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. A hosted social and dinner will follow. Speakers will include Larry Frey, State Director. Farm Service Agency; Dave Paul, R eg io n al D irecto r, R isk M anagem ent A gency; Tim Wright, Basin Team Leader for NRCS; and Tammy Dennee, Executive D irector, O regon Wheat Growers League. All growers are invited and encouraged to attend. Door prizes will be awarded. Heppner Gazette- Times * * * * * * * * * * * * ^ * * * The trees will be auctioned off to the public to assist in funding ongoing Chamber projects such as the hanging baskets, Christmas w reaths and banners. (O ne decorative wreath for the light poles is over $200.) Thought for the week: “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not m andatory.” ...Denning election results continued from page one lo n e C ity M ayor: Betty L. G ra y -103; and Gayle Eynetich-61. Ione City Councilor- Pos, 3: Richard L. Graham- 147. Ione City Councilor- Pos. 4: M ark B runo- 100; Samuel A. Backman- 61. Ione City Councilor- Pos. 5: Dennis S tefani-135. lone City Councilor- Pos. 6: Cathy Gates- 65; James L. S w anson-105. Irrigon City Councilor (Elect 3): John Swanson- 229; Arnold Joseph Theisen- 204; D onald W. H urd- 125; and Robert Flournoy- 203. L exington Town Mayor: Ron G McDowell- 90. Lexington Town City Councilor- Pos. 3: Jim Nelson- 82; and Marcia Kemp- 25. Lexington Town City Councilor- Pos. 4: Jean M. Brazell- 75. State M easure 14 (racial references): Yes- 1595, No- 1143. State M easure IS (bonds for p u b lic ed buildings): Yes- 1080, No- 1651. State M easure 16 (b onds for em ergency services buildings): Y es-1103, No- 1625. State M easure 17 (age requirement for state legislator): Yes- 521, N o- 2304. State Measure 18 (tax districts): Yes- 807, N o-18$7. State M easure 21 (judicial vacancies, none of the above vote): Yes- 1156, No- 1546. State M easure 22 (O regon Suprem e C ourt judges): Yes- 1556, N o - 1183. State M easure 23 (health care finance plan): Yes- 498, No- 2279. State M easure 24 (d en tu rists-d en tist): Yes- 2004, No- 721. State M easure 25 (Oregon minimum wage): Yes- 1529, No- 1294. State M easure 26 (p aym ent for p etition signatures): Yes- 1929, No- 821. State M easure 27 (la b elin g o f g en etica lly - engineered foods): Yes- 545, No- 2288. M easure 25-41 (Recreation Dist. Electoral Zones): Yes- 902, No- 1781. * * * * Recepient o f die 2 0 0 2 O SU Extension Service Cooperator Aw ard * * AACGG serves * Morrow County Grain Growers, Inc. 472 m em bers & their fam ilies; provides fu ll-tim e jo b s for over SO em ployees & fam ilies; Supports over 15 local com m unities; and Serves 6 cou n ties. * * * * * D id you know that M C G G donates over f * $ 3 0 ,0 0 0 annually to causes like: 4 -H and FFA Projects; School Athletics d Programs; Crop Tours; Tractor Training; ^ County Fairs; Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo; Corporate Sponsor - Dufur Threshing Bee; 5^ Wilkinson Arena; Little League; Museums; )$- Parks; Safety Workshops; Commodity Groups; Sherman Experiment Endowment Fund. * * * * ^ ^ ^ Jf Morrow County Grain Growers M * 1-800-452-7396 • 989-8221 • 350 Main • Lexington, Oregon M F o r fa rm o q u ip m o n t. v is it o u r w ob alto a t w w w m e g g n i t ^
