Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2003)
tW O - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppnef, Oregon Wednesday, February 5, 2003 The Official Newspaper o f the City of Heppner and the County o f Morrow H eppner G A Z E T T E -T I M E S U S P S. 240-420 Morrow County's Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper Published weekly and entered as periodieal matter at the Post Office at Heppner. Oregon under the Aet of March 3. 187V. Periodical postage paid at Heppner. Oregon. Office at 147 W Willow Street. Telephone (541 »676-9228. Pax (541 »676-9211. E-mail: gt(a heppner.net or gtiurapidserve.net. Web site: www heppner net. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O Box 337, Heppner. Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $24 in Morrow County; $18 senior rate tin Morrow County only; 62 years or older). $30 else where. David S y k e s................................................................................................................ Publisher Katie W all.................................................................................................................... Editor News deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. For Advertising advertising deadline is Monday at 5 p.m Cost for a display ad is $4 75 per column inch Cost tor classified ad is 5 0 f 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 Publtc/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 H EPPN ER WEBSITE: www.hvppner.net • Start or C hange 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 Report cards out for Morrow County schools T h re e s c h o o ls in M orrow County im proved the state report card status, while the other four schools in the county stay ed about the sam e. T he O re g o n D e p a r tm e n t of Education rates public schools in five overall ratings categories: exceptional, strong, satisfactory, low, or unacceptable. The scores are based on the 2001-2002 school year, in which schools are ju d g ed in areas including: test p e r f o r m a n c e , a tte n d a n c e , improvement, dropout rate, and test participation. The overall scores for M orrow C ounty schools is as follows: Heppner Elementary School (grades K-6): Received an overall score of'Exceptional,” an improvement from last year’s report card. Heppner High School (grades 7-12): R eceived an 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 (or use by the G-T office. TheG-T reserves the right to edit. TheG-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.) overall score o f “ Satisfactory.” Who would benefit if we retreated? o f “ Strong.” To the Editor: I, again, hear the call for peace. It comes especially loud from the young, even from high school students. W in s to n C h u r c h ill, reputed to be a wise person, said som ething to the effect that the young must be liberal, otherwise they have no heart, but that the o ld m u st be c o n s e r v a tiv e , otherwise they have no brain. All decent humans upon their recognition o f the cruelties o f w a r e x p e rie n c e a stro n g emotional reaction o f horror. A ll th in k in g p e rso n s recognize that, to quote the Judo- C hristian bible, (reputed to be another source o f wisdom,) there is “a time for war.” W ould the young have e n o u g h lif e e x p e r ie n c e to recognize that, possibly, they are substituting reason with emotion? Is it possible that during a tim e w hen the leaders o f our government have determined that war, or the threat o f war is in the best interest o f our country, that th e s e p e a c e m a r c h e s a re organized by those w ho have differing interests and goals than those o f our governm ent? T h e fa c t th a t p e a c e m a rc h e rs d e m o n s tr a te d in considerable num bers, in our country, in Saudi A rabia, in England, in Iran, in France, in Iraq, in Germany, in Pakistan, in C anada, and in K uw ait, on the same day, is a sure indication that th e y w e re in no w ay sp o n tan eo u s, that they w ere organized by som eone with a great deal o f power and money. Think! Who would most benefit if we apologized and retreated with our tail between our legs? (s) F. Green W hite Heppner Elks to hold benefit dinner HHS to hold service auction T h e H e p p n e r E lk s Lodge will be holding a Ladies’ Night/Benefit Dinner for Darcy Coil, Thursday, Feb. 6. LeA nn Wright and Ronda Helfrecht and crew will be service a C hinese dinner from 6-8 p.m. The public is invited to attend. T h e H e p p n e r H ig h School senior class will hold a service auction, Friday, Feb. 7, before the varsity b o y s’ gam e begins. If there is not enough time to auction everyone, there will be a silent auction held for the remaining students. HEPPNER ELKS 358 676-9181 "Where Friends Meet" 142 North Main Thursday, February 6th LADIES NIGHT / BENEFIT DINNER fo r DARCY COIL LeAnn Wright, Ronda Helfrecht and crew will be serving a Chinese dinner from 5-8 p.m. The public is invited to attend . Who takes care of them if they’ re taking care of you? No one can predict what will happen in the future. But Farmers* Long-Term Care Insurance can get your family’s lifestyle hack where it belongs if something happens to you. Don't wait until it’s too late to give yourself and your loved ones the financial freedom to choose how and w here you receive care. Call your Farmers agent today to find out more about long-term care insurance. Teleflora's Chocolate Rose Bouquet Plus, check out our balloons, candy, plush toys and gift baskets! V alentine's D ay is Friday, February 14 th Brenda Sherrell 676-5818 Country Rose 233 N. Main • Heppner Farmers' Lit* Insurance farmers com A .C . H oughton Elementary (grades K-5): R eceived an overall score o f “Strong,” an improvement from last y e a r’s report card. Sam Boardm an Elementary (grades K-5): R eceived an overall score o f “Satisfactory.” C olum bia M iddle School (grades 6-8): Received an overall score o f ““Low.” Riverside High School (grades 9-12): R eceiv ed an overall score o f “Strong,” which w as an im provem ent from last y e a r’s report card. MCHD passes by-law amendment O n Jan. 31, 2003 the B o a rd o f D ir e c to rs o f th e M orrow County Health District passed a resolution amending the d i s t r i c t ’s b y -la w s to be in com pliance w ith O regon state law. B eginning w ith the M ay election, all directors will be elected at-large from the entire district, which is the boundaries o f M orrow County. T h e o f f ic e o f th e S e c re tary o f S tate, E lectio n Division, has issued a letter to the M C H D stating that all health districts in the state o f O regon elect the directors at-large. The M ay election will have tw o positions open for election at-large. Previously zone 4 (lone and Lexington) will now be position number 4. Previously zone 5 (Heppner) will be position num ber 5. In M ay 2005, the three remaining positions number 1,2 and 3 will be up for election. “ T he m ajority o f the board o f directors o f the M CHD appropriately m ade this change to th e b y - la w s to b e in com pliance w ith O regon state law,” said M CH D C E O Victor Vander Does. Be sweet. S IIE R R K L L INSURANCE 127 N. Main, Heppner lone School (grades K-12): Received an overall score 676-9426 100% pure Belgian chocolate Chamber Chatter By Claudia Hughes Chamber Executive Director If calls to the C ham ber w ent unansw ered last week, I appreciate your patience. Gallons o f water broke through the wall and saturated the office, which meant wading through a couple o f inches o f w ater to reach my desk. N eedless to say, it was im p o s s ib le to tu rn on m y c o m p u te r o r fu n c tio n w ith vacuum s sucking up water, fans d r y in g o u t th e ro o m , a n d everything in piles! These things happen and work continues for a w h ile w ith o r w ith o u t technology. It’s tim es such as th e s e th a t I c o n tin u e to be especially grateful to Klam ath First for not only providing space for the Chamber, but also for their staff', w ho assists in many ways and com es to the rescue in a crisis. A rem inder to all the g re a t v o lu n te e rs w ho m ade H ep p n er tw in k le d u ring the holiday season and through Town and Country: it’s time to take the tree lights down. From this voice o f experience, buds and new grow th can be a hindrance, so please don’t wait any longer. This 1 learned on Sunday. The lights were so cheerful and welcoming during our many gray days. T h e p a s t w e e k th e C ham ber Board o f D irectors spent a day w o rk in g on the C h a m b e r 2003 focus. M uch energy went into the discussion and planning on how to "M ake H eppner the Place To Be In 2 0 0 3 .” S o m e o f th e id e a s generated w ere m arketing the ATV Trail; creating more events; m e e tin g w ith th e R o d e o C om m ittee to discuss ideas to bring m ore people to H eppner that weekend; Third Tuesdays for m erchants, custom er training; improved website; distribution o f the new H eppner brochures; c o n tin u a tio n o f the pie and C h ristm as tree au ctio n s and w o rk in g on o th e r n o n -d u es events; individual outreach for new C h am b er m em bers; the future o f the Wee Bit O ’ Ireland Celebration; bringing people in to “shop Heppner”, new products; and even doing a bit o f dreaming about a “ Shoe Box T heater” w here m ovies m ight be shown, local talent could entertain with m usic and plays, and people w ould com e to sh are a new experience. M ore about this at a later date. M em bership dues are coming in. Chamber membership is open to anyone desiring to see H eppner grow and thrive. Your investm ent helps the Cham ber achieve goals. M em bers may give as m uch or as little tim e as their life allows. Visit a meeting on T uesdays at Jo h n ’s O ther Place. C all the C ham ber, 676- 5536, for a m em ber application. D o n ’t f o rg e t th e c o m m u n ity h a p p e n in g s this Thursday, Feb. 6. Take time for the Chinese dinner benefit at the Elks and then head for St. Pat’s Parish Hall for “Mulligan Stew”, Flood History, Shenanigans, and dessert. This is what Heppner is all about. T hought for the week: “In stooping low and bending to a n o t h e r 's a id w e r is e .” - Unknown Justice Court Report The Justice Court office at the courthouse in Heppner reports handling the following business: D avid Stephen Brown, 22, Stanfield, VBR 67/55, fine $77. Patrick W. Sweeny, 52, Heppner, VBR 75/55, fine $77. S h irle y R u g g , 73, Heppner, VBR 68/45, fine $ 132. G aylin B. Fickel, 59, H eppner, Failure to Yield to a V ehicle (M V A ) and D riving Uninsured (MVA), fine $211. Annie M arie Hisler, 22, Gresham , VBR 71/55, fine $87. T iffa n y N . R ill, 2 3 , Heppner, VBR 79/55, fine $ 132. Answers to the Mysteries of Education By Superintendent Jack Crippen I was disappointed in the outcome o f the Measure 28 election. This places even more pressure on the legislature’s work for the OS- OS budgets. However, that is now behind us and we will m ake the adjustments required and concentrate on the look o f education in the next tw o school years. It is now' even more necessary that you let our Legislators and our G overnor know how you w ould like our new reduced quality o f life to look. Please let them know what services should be dropped and what services should be kept and to what level. Speaking o f politics, let’s move on to our first question, which deals w ith school board elections. What is different about this year's school board election? This year the four people elected to the four-year positions and the one person elected to fill a two-year position will all be elected as “at large m em bers.” In previous years board m em bers were elected to represent geographic areas o f the county. Last spring the Board changed from zones (representing a geographic area) to positions (representing the district "at large” or the entire county rather than one area). The Board feels it is necessary for board members to represent the w hole district not ju st one com er or com m unity. To help with this idea the Board has been meeting with each faculty and staff prior to the school board m eeting at each school. The Board rotates its monthly meeting among the schools and the district office each year. Also, the Board has set up a schedule to provide for two board m em bers at each advisory com m ittee m eeting on a rotating basis. This will help all board m em bers to know the m em bers o f each com m ittee and to be aware o f issues and concerns around the county. The tim e com m itm ent o f our board m em bers rem ains enormous, and now more than ever, they all need to be familiar with and know ledgeable o f all the com m unities in the county. As you encourage people to seek re-election or election for the first tim e, please talk to them about their knowledge and understanding o f the district as a county unit. What is this I'm hearing about musical chairs with the Principals? In an effort to stream line the schools and district office adm inistration we are making som e changes that will result in one less administrator. In December, Karen Cooley retired as Director o f Special Education, w hich was a h a lf tim e position. In January, Mrs. Tolar retired as Principal o f Sam Boardman Elementary School. In Decem ber, the Board made the decision to cut the head teacher positions, the largest one being the half time position in Heppner now held by recently retired principal, Mr. Allen. The Board also m ade the decision to close the district office in Lexington. Last year when Mr. Keown retired, many o f his responsibilities were given to building principals. Spreading out those responsibilities has created some problem s in com m unication and com pletion o f reports to the State D epartm ent o f Education. With the new burdens o f the N o Child Left Behind Act o f the federal governm ent we see an increase in the time needed to manage these programs. Given our money problems, we have been looking for a way to make the process work better as well as cut costs. At this tim e we expect the follow ing to happen: we are appointing Mr. Stuart, current principal o f lone schools, to split his tim e betw een the lone schools and the H eppner schools. We have created the position o f Director o f Programs at the district level, which will be filled by Mr. Yecha. This leaves the principal positions at Sam Boardman Elementary and Riverside High School to be filled. In the process o f filling them we expect to reduce the vice-principal positions at Riverside High School and Colum bia M iddle School to half time positions. We expect m ost or all o f these positions to be filled from within the district; which is why people may be referring to the process as musical chairs. Is it true that lone is going to leave the Morrow County School District? Som e m em bers o f the lone com m unity are discussing the idea o f secession. It is a very complex issue. In July, when the Board established their goals for the year, one goal w as to create equity in spending am ong the schools. Since the passage o f M easure 5 in the early 1990’s, the state has been funding their schools on a formula that sets an amount o f money per child. It includes adding additional money for certain programs in the form o f additional children known as weighted-children. Through a series o f Board meetings they looked at various ways o f staffing and/or funding schools for the 2003-2004 school year. In D ecem ber, the Board m ade the decision to reduce funding to the schools to m eet the states funding guidelines. This created the need to reduce funding to lone School by approximately $275,000, H eppner schools by approxim ately $528,000 and Riverside High School by approximately $12,600. All schools in the district may still have additional cuts in funds depending on the actions o f the legislature. W hen the M orrow County School D istrict w as form ed in the late 1950s, it was believed that as one district we could provide the best education for all o f the county’s children at a cost the county was willing to pay. Since M easure 5, the cost has shifted to the cost that the state is w illing to pay. It requires us to have a different philosophy on w hat education is to look like and how it is to be delivered to our children. We will still provide an excellent education so our children may reach for their dreams. Classes may be bigger in Morrow County, and the variety o f offerings may be different in some schools, but the quality will remain as it always has. H ow ever, lone is concerned about tw o things. First, with additional cuts that m ay be m ade, the Board m ay choose to consolidate lone’s seventh-12th grades with H eppner’s seventh-12th grades. Hie second issue tied closely to the first, is that the closing o f lone's Jr/Sr High School would mean the loss o f the lone community. M em bers o f the lone com m unity have em barked on a series o f meetings to discuss all areas o f the problem. Secession from the school district is one such area. If you have questions or desire an explanation o f items concerning education, please w rite or E-m ail m e in care o f this new spaper or to the M orrow County School District office at P.O. Box 368 Lexington 0 9 7 8 3 9 . HHS Senior Class to hold dinner T h e H e p p n e r H igh School Senior Class invites you to brin g y o u r sw e e th e a rt or special friend for a candlelight Valentine's dinner at the Heppner High School on Friday, Feb. 14 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. The dinner will be held in conjunction with the basketball gam es against Umatilla The dinner menu consists o f b arb ecu e c h ick en , baked potato, salad, garlic bread and dessert. C ost is $10 for adults and $6 for children.
