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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2010)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 12,2010 ~ Letters to the Editor ~ The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following 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 provide 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 reserv es 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 o f Thanks” at a cost o f $10. Smith a consistent, conservative Setting the record straight Spicer to bring tough, fair, common voice sense approach as Justice of the Peace To the Editor: Politics is rough. 1 was a Union County Commis To the Editor, To the Editor: This is just one report of many good reports about Ann Spicer, my candidate of choice for Morrow County Justice of the Peace. I first became acquainted with Ann when a group of Morrow County citizens decided to build an assisted living facility to serve the needs of our elderly and disabled. At the beginning of our four years journey of planning and building this facility 1 went to Ann to seek legal advice for our board. She remained our lawyer throughout those four years and she never sent us a bill. Ann did all of our legal work pro bono. Ann Spicer has a long history of volunteer service in Morrow County. She has been a tireless volunteer for our library district and is at present the chairman of the Oregon Trail Library District. She has served as a member of the Heppner Economic Development Commission, the Heppner Chamber of Commerce, St. Patrick’s Commit tee and auction co-chairman and the Domestic Violence Board of Directors. She also has served as a 4-H Club leader. I know Ann Spicer will do an outstanding job for us as Justice of the Peace. She will bring a tough, fair, common sense approach to the position of Justice of the Peace. Suzanne Jepsen Heppner Go Greg! Letter to the Editor: In the coming weeks, we urge each citizen to cast their vote for Rep. Greg Smith. Greg has been a vital participant in many projects in our area; he gets things don. With all of the important concerns facing District 57, Rep. Smith has never been too busy to speak with us or go over issues of concern. We appreciate the fact that when we need to speak to our state representative, he’s there. Rep. Greg Smith has been endorsed by members of important organizations like Oregon Right to Life, the National Rifle Association, the Oregon Health Care Association, and Oregon State Council for Retired Citi zens, Oregon State Firefighters Council, Oregon Nurses Association and the Oregon Education Association. This broad range of support is testimony that Greg Smith is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get the job done for the betterment of Eastern Oregon. Vote Greg Smith, the only choice for rural Or egon. John and Betty Sprenger La Grande sioner for 12 years. I expect that. When people start accusing ME -with my vocal record- of not fighting federal land ownership, its time to question the laundry list letter sent out and the radio ads accusing me of any number of non-conservative stands; in particular ads designed to mislead people about my rating with the NRA. I’m disappointed in Representative Smith and his supporters for sending out vague, last minute letters, running ads accusing my non-support of conservative is sues, and deceptively claiming I doubled county budgets - indicating an ability to raise taxes. Commissioners don’t raise taxes- however, state representatives do. Now a Smith radio ad infers that gun rights are in danger if I am elected. That is dishonest and irresponsible. I received a 100% A rating, the highest rating available to me from the NRA. Smith received the same score but garnered an A+. They only give a plus to incumbents. Again, voters deserve information, not insinuation. Despite other vague letter accusations, I am defi nitely pro-life and a conservative fighter to the core. Smith calls my supporters “special interest groups.” Curiously, those maligned ‘groups’ were once his welcomed, former supporters; the people tasked by our Eastern Oregon neighbors with minding our rural issues in the legislature. He has previously run ads thank ing their ‘special’ support. They are most certainly not the enemy. When I bring Smith’s record up to voters, such as his vote to increase personal income taxes (Measure 66), his vote to allow violent felons to be released early to save money (Senate Bill 2001), or his vote to drasti cally increase gas taxes and car registration fees (House BiU 2001), I am happy to provide clear references and citations to the bills and measures. Colleen MacLeod La Grande Primary ballots will be coming soon, and most have the voter’s pamphlets in hand. 1 write to share some information and may be helpful in deciding for whom to vote in the House District 57 race. In early February Colleen MacLeod came to Wal lowa County to present her candidacy to a small group, in a closed meeting. She explained that during the last legislative session a group of special interest persons met with Rep. Smith pressuring him for a no vote on a tax measure. Not getting the outcome they wanted, they told him that they would have his job. The group, according to Macleod, then recruited her. As I recall, I was the only person to ask questions of Ms. MacLeod. I asked whether anyone in the state Republican Party had recruited her, she answered, they had not. I also asked for her stand on life. Her answer revealed that she is on both sides of the debate. At issue here, for me, is a person’s integrity. I wasn’t in favor of the vote Rep. Smith made. However, I do understand that on a bill that was going to pass with out his vote, he obtained a tangible good for people in Eastern Oregon. I also understand that he is a man who will stand up to special interests and to his best ability, represent the folks in his district. For me, it’s a matter of looking at the big picture, not staring a small piece. Smith has voted on literally thousands of bills and while we may not always agree with each vote, he has been a consistent, conservative voice. When big lobbyist pressured Rep. Smith he stood up to them. When they came calling Ms. MacLeod, she said count me in. I will be voting for Greg Smith. Annette Lathrop Joseph Return Greg to Salem to continue the “good fight” on our behalf Letter to the Editor: As owners of a family business celebrating 51 years serving Eastern Oregon in Morrow, Gilliam, and Wheeler Counties, we write this letter in support of Representative Greg Smith. We have known Greg for many years and he has always been there for our small business when it has required legislation to be created, changed or even stopped. It is evident that he cares for the people in his district. We have personally witnessed this time and time again. Greg is a solid voice for citizens and businesses. Organization ranging from the Oregon Health Care As sociation, National Rifle Association and Oregon Right to Life support he re-election to the Oregon House of Representatives. To view these associations, you can log on to his website at www.repgregsmith.com. You can also view all of the residents of his district that support sending a trustworthy voice back to Salem! Lastly, please do not be fooled by the political rhetoric coming out of the Salem/Portland area. We sin cerely believe they are upset with Representative Greg Smith for one reason: he has no qualms about supporting the needs of his constituents over special interest groups in Salem. He is our voice, with our values. We need to return Greg to Salem to continue the “good fight” on our behalf. John and Arth Murray " Heppner ■ Morrow County Court weekly meeting held The Morrow Coun ty Court met on May 5 in Boardman with Judge Tallman and Commissioner Grieb in attendance. Fol lowing is a summary of the meeting provided by Leann Rea. The court reviewed and approved the minutes from the September 30, 2009 meeting. ■ The court reviewed and approved account pay ables and SUTA taxes in the net total am ount o f $161,674(21. Road Report L exington C em etery Road: The crew has finished the shoulder work on this road and the only thing left to complete the project will be to paint stripe the road this summer. South End Transfer Station: The crew finished paving at the south end transfer station. Lexington yard: Once the transfer station was paved the crew paved a few places in the Lexington yard. A new approach into the yard, the area around the fuel pumps, and around the culvert storage area was paved. Laurel Lane Road: The crew has been work ing on the shoulders along Laurel Lane to widen the pavement to 28 feet. The crew finished the shoulder work and moved the pav ing equipment to the site Tuesday. The crew started paving the road this mom- CITY COUNCIL -Continued from Page ONE mentary School sidewalk renovation including repair and replacement of existing retaining wall artd replace ment of the sidewalk and replacing 300 ft. of safety rail ($119,220). 5. Install sidewalks to and from Heppner High School starting at the junc tion o f Gale and Water Streets up Water Street to Willow View Drive at the High School and then to the Junction o f Spruce and Morgan Streets, about 3,300 feet, and then on to the intersection of Morgan Street and Riverside, anoth er 1,100 feet ($477,760). 6 . N ew s i d e walks-on Hager, Cowins and Gilmore streets, ap proxim ately 4,000 feet. ( $ 100 , 000 ). 7. Stabilize an al leyway hill slope failure on Hill Street ($100,000). However, none of these projects can move for- ward until the city finds out first if the repeal measure will be on fhe ballot, and second if it is will voters approve it. In other business at the monthly meeting, council members were told to expect a shortfall in the PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) fund ing and that the city is go ing to have to make up the difference and pay more into the system next fiscal year. City Manager Dave DeMayo did not know how much the city was going to have to come up with, but said “we (the cities) will be required to pick up the slack.” In other business it was announced that as the result of a special council meeting April 29 to discuss city employee pay scales and compensation rates, next y e a r’s budget will see the possibility o f an increase in merit pay and vacation days award from \ ing. If all goes well the project should be finish in two days, which will be Thursday the 6th. The Port of Morrow is assisting with this project. Road Grading: The crew is continuing with grading the gravel roads. This week one grader is in the Shaw Grade area, one in the Stock Drive area near Heppner, and one in the Spring Hallow - Upper Rhea Creek area. They are getting some roads graded that were too wet earlier or just needed touched up. Sheriff's Report Kenneth Matlack, Morrow County Sheriff, provide the court with a report on the progress and issues surrounding taking over the Parole and Proba tion Program. The Sheriff reported that last year his department received about $50,000.00 in grant funds and that he will again be applying for this grant. Fol lowing is a brief incident report: Heppner, lone, and Lexington area: Search and rescue o f a party o f four stuck in the snow and an as sault incident at Lakeview Heights. Irrigon area: Ma rine Call regarding a boat with three males, unable to make it back to the Marina due to high winds and a report of pit bulls fighting in a backyard. Boardman area: Responded to a single vehicle roll-over with two adults and three children involved, a roll-over of a pick-up pulling a trailer of hay on I 84 and an accident involving a car that ran off Bombing Range Road into a pond with about three feet of water. Planning Department The second read ing of the Ordinance for a zone change for the Love’s Travel Stop and C oun try Store was provided by the planning director, Cirla McLane. The court reviewed and signed the ordinance. The court conduct ed the following business: Contracts regard Forest Ser- vice Roads were reviewed and signed. A new Intergov ernmental Agreement for the Umatilla Water Basin Commission was reviewed and signed. Discussed and decided to change the date of the Wednesday, June 16 meeting to Thursday the 17th as some o f the com missioners will be attending the Association of Oregon Counties Spring Confer ence in Bend. M iscella neous correspondences and upcoming meeting notices were reviewed. If you would like to be placed on the list to receive county minutes, please contact Karen Wolff at (541)676-5620. between one and three per cent to two to four percent increase in merit pay and vacation days awards. The council also heard a report from the sheri fTs department about activity in Heppner during April: Traffic Enforce ment- There were two traf fic citations issued and eleven traffic warnings. C ode E n fo rce ment- A citizen was bitten by a dog. Two owners were given citations as a result. One of the dogs was sur rendered by the owner. Theft Complaints- A Deputy investigated a report of an unknown caller requesting $ 100,000 or their son would be arrested. A citizen reported a lock on her shed had been stolen. It was determined the caller gave permission for a neighbor to remove the lock. MCSO received a report of stolen flowers/ flower boxes. All Other- A Dep uty contacted a citizen re garding fishing in Willow Creek during closed fishing season. A person was ar rested for H arassm ent, Domestic Violence, and transported to the Umatilla County Jail. A citizen reported a neighbor had been harass ing her about her dog. A Deputy made contact with the citizen. The citizen did not want any further action taken. Deputies investi gated seven juvenile com plaints. A juvenile was rid ing a bicycle in an unsafe manner in the roadway; juveniles were retrieving a ball from Willow Creek, report of juveniles harass ing livestock, and a curfew violation. A grade school student was cited for pos sessing tobacco and brass knuckles. A high school stu dent possessed tobacco. A juvenile was warned about riding a scooter without a helmet. MCSO (M orrow County Sheriff Office) re ceived three parking com- plaints. The owners/drivers were contacted. Two adults were issued citations for possess ing less than one ounce of marijuana. MCSO responded to the Shell Station regard ing found m arijuana. A resident reported finding a shotgun. A female requested a welfare check three dif ferent times for her infant child, which was in the custody of the father. , MCSO received a report of a gunshot. A deputy responded and dis covered it was kids playing basketball. MCSO received a report o f juveniles fight ing at the fairgrounds. A deputy was unable to locate anyone. MCSO received a report of an intoxicated male sitting on the foot bridge. A deputy was un able to locate the male. Two prisoner trans ports were completed for court regarding a Heppner case. In other action the council learned that follow ing a survey done in Kirk Alley it was determined that a new property owner in the area actually owned the property on which the city had been using as an alley way. The new owner had said last month he would “work with the city” to resolve the issue and allow access through the alley, but as of this month nothing had been worked out. Council was told about 30 sq ft piece of ground would have to come into city ownership in order to re open the al ley way. DeMayo said he would approach the prop erty owner about resolving the issue. Also Public Works D irector Brian Harmon gave a report and said there had been an overflow April 18 on the sewer line on Bruce Kelly Way by the cemetery. The overflow was fixed and the crew is check ing the grease traps at the SRTF and Assisted Living Center to make sure they are working properly.
