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