Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2010)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 20,2010 Letters to the Editor ~ ~ The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the follow ing criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you prov ide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the right to edit. The GT 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 $10. 66 & 67 Lets stick it to the rich Water, where did it go? Be in charge in 2010 To the editor: Recently we received voter information regarding voting “Yes” for 66 &67 in the mail. We are especially disturbed by the philosophy endorsed that rich or upper income people and businesses don’t pay their fair share of taxes so let’s stick it to them. Big industries that support a “NO” vote on 66&67 such as the Oregon Auto Dealers Association, Oregon Forest Industries Council and oth ers linked into the heresy are farmers, ranchers and small business corporations are all evil and have not been paying their fair share of Oregon taxes so it’s ok to vilify the rich for the sake of the poor. One advertisement even linked this measure to being Oregon government’s bailout for the family. We believe that Oregon’s sad state of financial affairs is due to the fiscally irresponsible people that are running the State of Oregon from the governor on down and are running this once great state into the ground. If this measure passes it w ill be the last nail in the coffin lid of this state, we will be financially bankrupt...oh wait, Oregon is already is bankrupt. How much longer will you allow our Oregon legislature to recklessly spend your hard earned dollars that you return to them in the form of taxes from your paycheck? Do you care that when government budgets, they pay for all their pork first, then when it comes to schools and other needed services they discover there is not enough on the bottom line to pay for everything so they hold you hostage by saying school and emergency response service budgets must be cut. How many times will you continue to be held hostage by our public ser vants? Do you enjoy having a gun held to your head like this? Think back, every time the State of Oregon needs more money there is a “crisis” and if you don’t meet their demands you will suffer. It’s simple trickle down tax economics here, whoever has to pay for this tax measure will eventually trickle down the costs to you and you will pay in the form increased cost of goods and services you and your family use daily, you lose big time. The gun is pointed at your head again... what are you going to do? I suggest you call in the special crisis hostage team negotiator...yes that’s you and vote “NO” on measure 66&67. Stop reckless government spending now. Arman Kluehe Sandra Kluehe lone To the editor: Our water resources in South Morrow County are drying up, the springs that flowed into our streams, ponds, and cisterns are no longer productive. Why? Is it because of the over growth of bushes and trees along our creek banks and streams or is it because of the over growth and dead trees in our forested areas where no logging or hin- ning is being done? Or is it because of the deep irrigation wells in the north end of our county? I can remember when our streams and creeks flowed year around. When I was young, many of my friends and I enjoyed the great trout fishing these streams provided and I am saddened my grandkids will never be able to enjoy these simple pleasures. We had several ponds on our ranch which we stocked with trout and always welcomed kids and their parents to come and fish. These ponds have all dried up. The spring which feeds our cistern for our household needs dried up last summer and the well which we use to irrigate our yard and horse pastures can only be run for short periods of time. The creek in front of our house which our horses and cows depended on is completely dry. Having been a resident of Morrow County for almost 70 years, I have witnessed many changes in our weather. But in the winters of 2007, 2008, and 2009 our snow pack in the mountains and foothills was one of the largest we have ever had. We had 49 inches of packed snow at our Camus Prairie Ranch. When fall came around, the springs and streams were still at very low levels, so I am pretty sure the annual rainfall is not to blame for our falling water levels. Where has all of our water gone? I believe it is because of failed conservation practices and the deep wells for irrigation in the north end of the county. What do you think? Bob Mahoney Heppner To the editor: One of the biggest blessings of this life is the wonder of each new day. Then each January, in the deep darkness of winter, the miracle of the seed of new oppor tunity is given with the beginning of the New Year. The past year has been one of great difficulty in our country - and also one of much growth in people’s awareness of the need to participate in the process if we are to maintain the unique liberties we have enjoyed for over 200 years. If society is to flourish I believe a present trend must be halted as quickly as possible. The wise have al ways had a long-term vision - seeing the consequences of their actions and the possible results that will affect the future. Our society is presently living much too much in the now - (while forgetting the blessings of the past). If someone will buy us what we perceive we want right now - we are more than willing to avoid thinking of the long-term consequences: for our economy,^for our liber ties, for the good of society and individuals as a whole. This is happening presently at the federal level with the Healthcare Legislation - TARP money is being sent in massive amounts to states whose representatives will vote with the administration. Many are buying into to this one with amazing abandon. We have an extremely important vote coming up in January that is a local example of what is happening on a national level. Our state representatives have passed a gigantic and oppressive set of taxes that will break our state economically, chase business from our state, and break the backs of small businesses. This legislation is ba sically supported by government unions and the teacher’s unions. It ignores the basic economic principles of free enterprise. The jobs it creates and protects are government jobs - the government becoming a living entity instead of an instrument of the people. It seems evident to me that we need to be working to defeat this legislation by voting NO on the implementation of these taxes. Rep. Greg Smith and Rep. Bob Jenson betrayed their supporters as the only Republicans in the state to vote for these taxes. They accepted a direct bribe in return for their vote - in money to be sent to our side of the state. While the money may be beneficial for programs in this district - the overall effect is disastrous. Especially as all those businesses to be taxed will additionally be burdened with the excessive federal taxes that the U.S. Congress is reaching for. I believe that we are in a time when the politics of corruption and bribery is becoming a wide-open norm - rather than an occurrence. While it may have happened in the past it was not something that society in general just observed and accepted. We as citizens bear much of the responsibility for this. If our representatives can bring us the goods - we manage not to see the long term effect of massive taxation on individuals, world-class healthcare systems, or the price we pay in government control of our lives. Many good-hearted people will defend their ac tions with the deep concern about services that might be lost. The operative word here is “might”. Who loses what is also the purview of the legislature. Their technique is to cause panic about lost services and to cut places that cause as much concern as possible- rather than cut excess government. Where they cut is a choice. Government must learn to live within its means. I believe Oregon State is buying into the same mentality that pervades the federal government. State government jobs have increased by 5,100 jobs during the same time period that 131,500 private sector jobs were lost. Yet this same government is asking the private sector to provide them with more income at the same time. Government has no money other than that of the people. Our local representatives had a choice. When the economy is doing as poorly in this state as it is, any representative of character should understand that allowing free enterprise to flourish and leaving more money in the pocket of the public allowing the economy to grow is the right thing to do. This should not be about short term goodies, but about the long term health and well being of this state. When businesses leave or shut down - government income also goes down. When people are struggling is not the time to raise taxes. We have a New Year of possibility before us. We need to embrace it with joy and realize that participation and a deep sense of long-term responsibility can make this country - this state - a better place for many New Years to come. I encourage you to vote no on Measures 66 and 67. This will be a step that will continue to keep us personally in charge of our own future. Kerry Rietmann lone Vote “NO” on Measures 66 & 67 To the Editor: Many of us ordinary folks are aware of the fact that we are experiencing a severe recession. As a result, money is tight. What to do? Most folks tighten the belt, conserve, pinch pennies and ride it out as best they can. Governments seem to do just the opposite, like spend more, borrow more, and, of course, tax us more in order to pay for it. That is exactly what measures 66 & 67 will do if they are passed. Measures 66 & 67 will constitute the largest tax hike in Oregon history! And it will be retroactive back to January of last year. It was not withheld. There will be a tax bill for the whole year, due all at once. It is estimated that Oregon has lost 130,000 jobs since this recession began. Unless you vote “NO” on this, the state could stand to lose another 70,000 jobs. Farms, ranches, and small businesses will be especially hard hit, forcing repercussions down the line to employees, other business’ etc. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you need to vote any other way than “NO” on these measures in order to stop them. Voting “NO” on Measures 66 & 67 is the only way to stop the largest tax increase in Oregon history. Listen to what President Obama said on NBC news last August: “The last thing you want to do is raise taxes in the middle of a recession...”. We agree. Please vote “NO” on Measures 66 & 67. Jack Meligan Sam E. Hombeck Oscar A. Kennard Lynnea Sargent Dexter M. Miles Joe Möller Corinne Miles Arman B. Kluehe BonnaRae Miller Bill E. West Sandra K. Kluehe Dick Sargent Shirley Rugg Pioneer Memorial Hospital lives up to its name To the editor, The Pioneer Memorial Hospital lives up to its name. Many dedicated pioneers have labored diligently against multiple challenges to preserve and sustain the outstanding and life saving medical services rendered there. My wife and I appreciate all who have labored to keep the doors of Pioneer Memorial Hospital open as well as the dedicated professionals that work there. In early December I brought Julie into the emer gency room suffering pneumonia symptoms. In actual fact she had a tumor in her heart that had been missed with a CT scan. Dr. Berretta discerned a problem in Julie’s heart from a chest x-ray. Open heart surgery at Kadlec Hospital successfully removed a benign tumor nearly the size of a tennis ball that was dangerously close to breaking from the heart wall causing instant death. The astute medical expertise and care of Dr. Ber retta and the staff at Pioneer Memorial was the primary source that saved her life. She is making a remarkable recovery. May God bless all the care givers and those that prayed faithfully and diligently for Julie. Stuart and Julie Dick Pendleton Colt Basketball to hold adult basketball league The Heppner Colt Basketball Program will be holding an adult basket ball league. Games will be Sunday afternoons starting on February 21 and extend ing through the month of March. Cost of the league will be $30 per player and will include a jersey and cover the costs associated with use of the facilities. The rest o f the proceeds will be donated to the Colt Basketball program. The league is open to both women and men who are out of high school. If there is enough interest there will be separate men’s and women’s teams. If there is not enough participants for multiple women’s teams NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET HEARING • U m tor supplemental budget proposing a change m a fund1« expenditures of 10 pareen! or mor». A public haartng on a proposed supplemental budget (or MORROW IRFPD 6-604 (O ia tn c l n a ir * ) Kinzua Lunch Group meets (C o u n ty ) IONE FIRE HALL State of Oregon, for the hacal year July 1, 2009 to June 30. 2010, will be held at (L o c a tio n ) The hearing wilt rake place on the FEBRUARY 8TH, 2010 (Orta) □ am 0 PM 7:30 mew at The purpose of the hearing is to discus» the supplemental budget with interested persons. A copy of the supplemental budget document mey be inspected or obtained on or after__________ F E B U R A R Y 9 T H __________ « t _ Pue 0 AM ________________M C G G -I O N E O F F I C E ________________ b M v »e n the hours of « 00 O -M . P AM and 5.00 0 PM Hesamn) SUMMARY OF SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET puer ien ore.» moea rumie « w o mooi « o PU*«* GENERAL FUND Resource 1 Requirement Amount B EG IN N IN G FU N D BALANCE M S ,000 1 2 2. a 3 $65,000 Re-deed Total Resources THAW SPP.lt TO C A P irO L tM P H O Y fM F ltT ntviM o lo w rteqmremerus Amount $66 000 $65.000 Conwwtfi! Th is scrpplsmsntal budget will be used to transfer funds already allocated ¡n the 09-10 budget for capital improvements for the addition of 2 bays being added to the existing fire hall. Published: January 20, 2010 Affidavit Í the league will be co-ed. Anyone interested in playing can email Josh Coiner at coinerj@gmail. com and provide a jersey size. There will be an or ganizational meeting and open gym on January 31 at 4 p.m. in the grade school gymnasium to outline the format and schedule for the league. * The Kinzua Lunch Group met at Service Creek on January 15 and visited away the afternoon while having lunch and marion berry pie. Those attending were: OL and Jean Ann Adams, Bonnie Campbell, Rollene Allen Windy (Gael) Liptak, Bob and Lavonne Stinkard, Mike Wright and daughter Stephanie, Midge Geer, Bob and Mary Lee Britt, Marilyn Garcia, Pay Hyatt, Scotty and Pat Reed, Ada Schell, Jerry and Joyce Kay Hollomon, Bill and Pat Maclnnes, and Bill Potter. The Kinzua Lunch Group will meet in Prin- eville February 19 at the Apple Peddler. I Garden Club puts Tippage monies to use As president of the Heppner Garden Club, JoAnne Burle son applied for money from the Tippage Fee in 2008-2009. The Garden Club spent the money on beautifying the city. Top Left Photo: The Henry Heppner Plaque. Top Right Photo: The Patriot Tree sign at the fair grounds. Bot tom Photo: Heppner Blarney Stone. The Garden Club also had new planters built for the mini park and flowers for some of the areas we plant and maintain. -C ontributed Photos I
