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
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Letters to the Editor
Editor's note: Letters to the Editor must be signed. The Gazette-Times w ill not publish
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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
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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$7.
State M easure 21
(judicial vacancies, none of
the above vote): Yes- 1156,
No- 1546.
State M easure 22
(O regon Suprem e C ourt
judges): Yes- 1556, N o - 1183.
State M easure 23
(health care finance plan):
Yes- 498, No- 2279.
State M easure 24
(d en tu rists-d en tist): Yes-
2004, No- 721.
State M easure 25
(Oregon minimum wage): Yes-
1529, No- 1294.
State M easure 26
(p aym ent for p etition
signatures): Yes- 1929, No-
821.
State M easure 27
(la b elin g o f g en etica lly -
engineered foods): Yes- 545,
No- 2288.
M easure
25-41
(Recreation Dist. Electoral
Zones): Yes- 902, No- 1781.
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Recepient o f die 2 0 0 2
O SU Extension Service Cooperator Aw ard *
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AACGG serves
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Morrow County
Grain Growers, Inc.
472 m em bers & their fam ilies;
provides fu ll-tim e jo b s for
over SO em ployees & fam ilies;
Supports over 15 local com m unities;
and Serves 6 cou n ties.
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D id you know that M C G G donates over f
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$ 3 0 ,0 0 0 annually to causes like:
4 -H and FFA Projects;
School Athletics d Programs;
Crop Tours; Tractor Training;
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County Fairs; Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo;
Corporate Sponsor - Dufur Threshing Bee;
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Wilkinson Arena; Little League; Museums;
)$- Parks; Safety Workshops; Commodity Groups;
Sherman Experiment Endowment Fund.
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Jf Morrow County Grain Growers M
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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
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