Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2003)
tW O - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 22, town and country The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow H eppner G A Z E T T E -T IM E S U.S.P S. 240-420 M o r r o w C o u n t y ’s H o m e - O w n e d W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Pub lishe d w eekly and entered as periodical m aner at the Post O ffic e at Heppner, O re go n under the A c t o f M a r c h 3, 1879. P e n o d ic a l postage p aid at Heppner, O rego n. O ffice at 147 W W illo w Street T elep hone(541 >676-9228. F a x (5 4 1 )6 7 6 -9 2 1 1 E -m a il gtiu heppner net or gtui rap id scrve net W e b site w w w heppner net Postm aster send address changes to the H ep p ne r G azette-Tim es, P.O. B o x 337, Heppner, O re g o n 97836. Sub scrip tions; $ 2 4 in M o rr o w C ou nty ; $ 1 8 senior rate (in M o rr o w C o u n ty on ly; 62 ye a rs o r older); $ 3 0 else where. D a v id S y k e s .............................................................................................. P u b lish e r K atie W a ll .................................................................................................... Editor New* deadline it 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 5 0 * 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: www.heppner.net • Start or C hange a Subscription • Place a C lassified Ad • Subm it 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 Cazette-Times will not publish unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone num ber o n all letters for use b y the G -T office. The C-T reserves the right to edit. The G-T is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. (Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks “at a cost of $ 7.) Keep the state afloat and vote yes on 28 cost the av erag e O regon taxpayer less than $ 10 a month. Please vote yes on Measure 28 and turn in your ballots by Jan. 28. (s) Jan Schott Fossil To the Editor: M easure 28 is a tem porary th re e -y e ar tax increase, the kind that kept our state afloat during the recession of the early ‘80s. Measure 28 will Don’t let the cuts happen, vote Yes on 28 To the Editor: Did you know that in 1981 Oregonians paid an income tax of 10 percent? Did you know that in 1982 Oregon had a budget crisis? Here is the information that I acquired from the O regon D epartm ent o f Revenue. In 1981, our income tax was 10 percent. In 1982, ’83 and '84, the surtax raised it to 10.8 percent. In ’85 and ’86, it went back to 10 percent. In 1987, it went to nine percent, where we are currently. Yes, the 1982 Legislative Assembly had the intestinal fortitude backed by the Governor to implement a surtax for three years. Did you know that in overall taxes we pay less than 43 other states? Did you know that on Jan. 1, 1996, PERS state employees went to a Tier 2? That is 41 percent o f the current work force that have earned only 0.82 percent of the money going into PERS in the last six years. That is less than one percent and these folks will never receive the lavish retirements that Oregonians are upset about. My spouse and I will be voting for Measure 28 and hope the cuts to so many programs and jobs will not happen. We also hope the Legislative Assembly will finally step forward and do their job. (s) Keith Jordan Bums School district office never offered the School District office is definitely a consideration the town council would have to look at. But let us let the truth be known. The Town Council of Lexington never said, “They did not want the District Office.” They did not take any action because they were never given the option to take action. (s) Glenn Anderson lone To the Editor: The Town of Lexington was not offered the option of taking over the Morrow County School District Office Building located in Lexington. It was rumored that this was one ofthe options being considered but the town council has yet to receive any notice or options concerning this. Since the town council was meeting the same night as the school district to discuss their options, it would have been speculation on the town’s part to assume this rumor was true. In addition, the agenda for this meeting was set and full. The town council took no action on this rumor since it had received no official contact (and still has not). To take action on something that was never offered would be presumptuous. I cannot speculate what action the Town Council of Lexington would take ifthey were offered the School D istrict Building. The reason stated in the Gazette-Times, claiming why the Town of Lexington did not want 2003 DA’s Report On Jan. 16, Cynthia O lson, 42, Boardm an, was convicted of the Class C Felony, Unlawful Use o f a Weapon. M orrow C ounty D istrict A ttorney, D avid C. A llen, dism issed the charge o f A ttempted M urder after an extensive investigation revealed a history o f domestic violence between Olson and the alleged victim, her husband, Walter Olson. Olson was given 36 months of formal probation and will be required to undergo alcohol treatment and mental health counseling as part o f her sentence. Market, Heppner, purchased the business about two years ago from F orrest and G ail Burkenbine. Houwelings came down from the vicinity o f Gig Harbor, WA, along with their two children, Charlene, a ninth grader and Jason, a seventh grader. The have become an active part ofthe community not only at the store but in many other aspects of community life. They give back one percent o f receipts collected by local non-profits and provide discounts for many local groups. The help arrange for and provide a tra ile r from soft drink distributors forevents. The store also helps as corporate sponsors of the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo, and has provided space and help with the Chamber of Commerce reindeer and Santa project. Kim helped to set up pictures with Santa this past year and both helped w ith the Heppner Light Parade. Kim has also organized flea markets for St. Pat’s Celebration. She works behind the scenes at the store, helping out when needed and devotes much o f her time to being a full-time mom. She works with her church and is active in many other community activities. Bert was bom in Holland and came to the U.S. at age six. He started with Fred M eyer’s while still in high school and worked his way up to become th e ir you n g est ev er store manager. He later went to A sso ciated G rocers in management. In the community he is part o f the Chamber of C om m erce board and a supporting o fficer o f Odd Fellows. Bert enjoys spending time with his horses when not at the store or with his family and Kim enjoys golfing. According to Cliff Green, who “heard from reliable sources,” Bert’s long time dream has finally come true, he has a new bam where he spends a lot of his free time. “So when he gets in trouble, he is not in the dog house, but in the bam,” joked Green. Educator o f the Year, Cherry Webber, who retired in June o f2002, taught for 22 years in H eppner, startin g w ith kindergarten and moving to first grade, with a few blended first and second grade classes. Webber graduated from Pasco High School in 1963, and was voted “Best Dressed.” She then went on to Washington State University where she graduated in 1967 and began her teaching career in Port Hueneme, CA. She moved back to the Pullman area in 1969 and spent two years with family members in northern Idaho, living the rustic life, but finally decided she was “sick and tired” o f it and came back to the civilization o f Issaquah, WA. She was teach in g preschool and class called "Walkabouts”, for 18-month olds when she received a call from Don Cole, inviting her for an interview in Heppner. She decided to come to Heppner because she thought it was a “cute” little town. Although she has retired from teaching, many ofher things are still floating around HES in Get The Most Out Of Your Heating System With Our “20 Point Check” “A 23% refrigerant undercharge (about the amount in a large juice glass) can result in a 52% efficiency loss. -Texas AAM University ” h i H ard To Bmp A Trent lx Zeller, S e n ice lech n ic ia n Sales Ty, a member o f EHC, has been in the HVAC industry for the past 10 years and holds many certifications and licenses. xlipse Hermiston, Oregon Good People-Great Service With our 20 Point Check, we can help identify problems with your heating system to prevent future damage or loss of efficiency. As a part of our check, we evaluate the refrigerant charge of your system. A unit can be undercharged or overcharged, with either way affecting the energy efficiency of the Ca|| Us At (541) 564-1031 continued from page I different teacher’s classrooms. Webber’s daughter. Laurel, who took after her mom and joined the teaching profession, also adorns her classroom with many ofher mother’s things. Cara Osmin, presenter o f the award, shared memories o f many o f Webber’s former students who remembered how she taught them their numbers, letters and created a fun environment in which to learn. Due to a recent surgery, Webber could not be at the banquet, but her husband, Tim Gray, accepted the award for her. Youth of the Year, Diana McElligott, a senior at lone High School has been extremely active both in school and community. She has many accomplishments, almost too numerous to name. She is the daughter of Paul and Charity McElligott of lone. McElligott has helped with lone’s 4th of July celebration, gathered food for the Heppner Neighborhood Center, delivered Christmas tree to local residents, coached and refereed lone’s Pee-Wee basketball program, and has helped lay sod at the Morrow County fairgrounds, painted bleachers and helped w ith set-u p , and she has volunteered with the 4-H snack shack. She is part of the STARS and OSSOM programs, has served as class officer in a variety of capacities and clubs, including National Honor Society and the Letterman’s club. McElligott has represented lone at Girls State. She also serves as assistant athletic direct for both lone Middle and High schools and is a tutor to many students in the athletic programs. She is active in her church and the lone youth group. She has worked with the group gathering baby clothes for needy infants that come through Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston and has gone along on the youth group trips to Burnside Street in Portland. This fall, McElligott was honored as the W endy’s Heiseman winner for the State of Oregon. Not only is she active in her sports, but maintains a 3.85 GPA, is an active member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders o f America. She has been on many first-team a ll-sta r team s, participating in volleyball, basketball and track. She was also selected as one o f the nation’stop junior girl athletes last spring. McElligott is also active in numerous other organizations and activities. Finally, but certainly not least, this y e a r’s Lifetim e Achievement award went to lone resident, Bill Rietmann. According to Jannie Allen, who presented the award, he is an individual who believes in being positive. Rietmann and brother Bob farmed the family wheat farm with pride, energy and honesty for 40 years. He was a dedicated farmer who served as an example for many others in Morrow County. While not in the field, he found an amazing amount of time to serve his community. Rietmann was mayor of lone for eight years and served on the lone City Council for 20 years. He currently serves on the South M orrow C ounty Scholarship Committee. He is a lifetime member of the Oregon Wheat League, American Legion Post #95, and the BPOE #358. He was instrumental in formed and maintaining the lone Rural Fire Protection Board and currently serves as chairman. Rietmann is an active member o f his church, lone United Church of Christ, having served as a moderator, deacon, trustee, served on the search com m ittee, the building committee, which orchestrated the new church building, and served as a co n feren ce representative. “And he rarely misses a Sunday,” added Allen. Rietmann and brother, Bob, organized and coached farm team baseball for their boys and other children in the area before Little League. He is “a shining example o f the perfect family man,” commented Allen. Son, brother, husband, father and grandfather are honors he has worn well over the years. His children, Mark and Tami, Brian and Sharon and Gregg and Shelly have made his life a busy one w ith nine grandchildren. Rietmann does not miss an event and can be seen at both lone and Heppner sporting events in his “Papa” shirt with both a Mustang and a Cardinal on the chest. nursing home cuts continued from page one Vander Does said that small nursing homes would suffer most, because they don’t have the numbers to compensate for the losses. He said he has learned that the Wallowa nursing home is considering shutting down. He feels that one of the problems is that federal monies earm arked for health care through the Pro Share program have been used by the Oregon legislature to balance their budget. “One hundred thirty million went into the general fund last year that was supposed to go into health care,” he said. And, since the state is not spending the money as was d esig n ated , the feds are c o n tem p latin g w h eth er to discontinue the program. What’s the solution? “The idea of major subsidies would go a long way,” Vander Does said. He said he has also heard that suits against the state are being prepared to be filed on behalf o f some residents in danger of losing their benefits. Obituaries Josie L. Peck Josie L. Peck, 92, of Heppner, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, at Pioneer M emorial Hospital in Heppner. A memorial service was held Jan. 18. Peck was bom May 30, 1910, at Molalla, to William and Martha Bonge Rowell. She grew up in the lone area and attended area schools, graduating from lone High School in 1928. On Nov. 25, 1928, she married Henry Glover Peck at lone. The couple lived at lone and later at Hermiston before moving to the Hood River Valley where they operated an orchard. They moved to Condon for a tim e b efo re retu rn in g to Hermiston. In 1976, they retired to the fam ily ranch betw een Heppner and Lexington. Peck was a member of the R ebekah Lodge and Lexington Grange. S u rvivors include daughters, Dorothy Tucker of Salem, Jeanette Henkins o f Douglas, Alaska, and Martha Corcoran o f Juneau, Alaska; sons, Ronald Peck o f Moro, Lyle Peck and Richard Peck, both of Heppner, Burton Peck of Hermiston, William Peck o f Nebo, N.C., and Raymond Peck of Lexington; 30 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; a son, James Peck; and 11 brothers and sisters. Memorial contributions may be m ade to P ioneer Memorial Hospital, or Pioneer Memorial Home Health, P.O. Box 9, Heppner, OR 97836. Sweeny Mortuary o f H eppner is in charge o f arrangements. Racine Mae Jensen Racine Mae Jensen, 75, o f Irrigon died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003 at her home. A memorial service was held Jan. 18. Jensen was bom April 15, 1927, at Pawnee, OK, to Raymond and Bertha Bames Homaday. She was raised and attended schools in Oklahoma and later moved to Twin Falls, ID. R x P R E S C R IP T IO N P R O F IL E S for tax o r in sura n ce p u rp o s e s available u p o n re q u e s t. MuMuj'i D juu ) On Feb. 25, 1947, she married Clinton G. Jensen at Elko, NV. They lived at Twin Falls where they owned and operated Norge Village Laundry and Dry Cleaning until their retirement in 1992. They recently moved to Irrigon to be with family. Jensen was a member of the Church o f Jesus Christ o f * Latter-day Saints and was a v o lu n teer at the Irrig o n - Boardman Emergency Assistance Center in Irrigon. She enjoyed archery and co m p etitio n sh o o tin g , the outdoors and spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Clinton of Irrigon; son, C lin to n , Jr. o f F irth, ID; daughters, Beverlee Frandson of Twin Falls, ID, and Barbara H ulse o f Irrig o n ; 15 grandchildren; and many great g ran d ch ild ren . She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, M adine LeForce. > Burns M ortuary o f H erm iston is in charge o f . arrangements. 2003 Fair and Rodeo Court gearing up for busy year The 2003 F air and Rodeo Court is getting ready for a fun-filled year representing Morrow County. After being selected in N ovem ber, Princesses Megan McCabe and Lexi Kennedy have been busy getting their official outfits ordered. They were in the Heppner Starlight Parade in December, and were officially introduced at the Heppner Town and Country Banquet on Jan. 16. Their next public appearance will be at the MCGG custom er breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 15. The co u rt is doing fundraisers this year to help offset some of the traveling and clothing expenses that they will endure this year. They are collecting Red Apple Grocery receipts, with drop sites at Murray Drugs, Bank o f E aster O regon in Heppner and lone, and the MCGG Food Mart in Lexington. The court is also selling raffle tickets for a gift basket with gift c e rtific a te s from M orrow County businesses, and two drawings for half a hog each, with cutting and wrapping donated by M ike’s Mobile Slaughter o f Stanfield. We Print Envelopes Heppner Gazette-Times 6 7 6 -9 2 2 8 I