TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Official Newspaper
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
~ Letters to the Editor ~
H eppner
The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the
following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need
to hav e the name of the sender along w ith a legible signature. We are
also requesting that sou 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 reserves the right to edit. The
GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any
letters expressing thanks w ill be placed in the classifieds under "Card
of Thanks" at a cost of $ 10.
GAZETTE-TIMES
U.S.P.S. 240-420
M orrow C ounty's Hom e-Owned Weekly N ewspaper
Published weekly by Sykes Publishing, LLC and entered as periodical matter at the
Post Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879 Periodical postage
paid at Heppner, Oregon Office at 188 W Willow Street Telephone (541) 676-
9228 Tax (541) 676-9211 T-mail editor urapidserve net or david'ir rapidserve
net Web site: www heppner net Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner
Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner. Oregon 97836 Subscriptions $27 in
Morrow County ; $21 senior rate (in Morrow County only; 65 years or older); $33
elsewhere; $27 student subscriptions
David Sykes............................................................................................... Publisher
Andrea Di Salvo.............................................................................................Editor
All News and Advertising Deadline is Monday at 5 p m
For Advertising advertising deadline is Monday at 5 p m Cost for a display ad is $5 per
column inch Cost for classified ad is 50« per word Cost for Card of Thanks is $10 up to
100 words Cost for a classified display ad is $5 75 per column inch
For Pubfic/Legal Notices public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p m Dates for pub
lication must be specified Affidavits must be required at Ihe time of submission Affidavits
require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be
specified if required)
For Obituaries Obituaries are published in the Heppner GT at no charge and are edited to
meet news guidelines Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines
or who wish to have the obituary wntten in a certain way must purchase advertising space
for the obituary
For Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor M UST be signed by the author The Heppner
GT will not publish unsigned letters All letters M UST include the author s address and phone
number for use by the G T office The GT reserves the right to edit letters. 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 $10.
The Wells brothers
Some people in this pner Market, located near
area will still recall Gene the old City Hall on Willow
Wells and the H eppner Street. Gene then made a
career with the Portland
Market.
Bom and raised in Provision Company sell
Union, Gene and his twin ing Oregon Chief meat in
brother. Dean, dropped much of Eastern Oregon,
out of high school to join including Heppner’s Cen
the Marine Corps during tral Market.
Being a life mem
World War II. Despite be
ber of the Heppner
ing separated into
Elks, he returned
different units, they
many time for the
managed to meet
annual meetings.
to g e th e r— along
Gene died in 2010
with older brother.
at age 85. His wife.
Bob— for several
Jackie, lives near
hours on Guadal
their daughter in
canal, Christm as
M o n tan a. D ean
Day, 1943. Gene
lives in Portland,
and Dean were both
and Bob recently
critically wounded
passed aw ay in
in 1945 during the
California.
Okinawa invasion.
All three brothers
Heppner
returned home to Gene Wells
recognizes the ser
vice of Bob, Gene
marry, raise fami
lies and lead productive and Dean to their country'
lives.
and their communities.
Information sub
Gene lived in Hep
pner from the late 1940s mitted by Heppner resident
to4iiii^50s. He and Merle Carl Martin
Burkenbine had the Hep-
Ski outing enjoys
new snow
Twelve skiers from the Arhuckle Nordic Club had a great
time last weekend as they hit a trail covered with new snow...
always a more enjoyable experience. Participants parked near
the top of Coal Mine and then skied across Herren Meadow
on the 750 road. After a warming fire and lunch, the sunshine
broke out for their trek back to the trailhead. Club members
look forward to seeing more faces, both new and familiar,
when Steve Brownfield leads the trip next weekend. Pictured
(L-R): Steve Brownfield, Sandy and Dan VanLiew, Luanne
Brownfield, Sherry and Bill Ewing, Molly Rhea, Jonathan
and Doreen Enz, Kristi Crowell, and Scott and Laurie Allen.
-Contributed photo
*******
■ Exalted Ruler Tim
/ Dickenson & his wife,
Beth cordially invite you to
Heppner Elks BPOE 358 for
the 115th Annual
UA Night in the
Old Wild West”
Saturday, February 18, 2012 Ladies
Tea & Social begins at
3:00 p.m.
Lodge 3:00 p.m.
Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Harson’s Famous Pork Tenderloin
Music & Dancing 7 p.m. -10pm
Please dress in yo u r finest
western attire
BPOE0358,
142 N. Main St.
Heppner, Oregon 97836
541-676-9181
~ Op/Ed ~
Preserving Oregon’s environment,
ecology, economy and way of life
Solutions for Oregon need to come from
our local communities
The protection of Oregon’s heritage could per
haps be one of the best descriptions of those who are
working in the Oregon livestock industry. Day after day,
ranchers are working out on the land, raising their animals
to produce a quality project. Preserving the land is part
of that work...not unlike it was for the first settlers in this
state. Conservation, sustainability and protection of the
land and the wildlife that count on it for food and water
have been constant values for Oregon ranchers.
Like current rhetoric being broadcast by cam
When we look at issues that can have a significant
paigning politicians, there’s as much fiction as fact. A impact on the makeup of our economy, our environment,
statement in last week’s GT credited to OSU Micro even our way o f life, it is important for Oregonians to
economist Bruce Sorte is highly questionable. He said consider the spirit that has driven this state. We under
“rural people want big government,’’ and also he stated stand that the best ideas for a problem come from those
that “rural folks built big government.”
who are most involved. Local solutions that come from
Oregon’s economy is based on agriculture, in the individuals who best understand the many facets of a
cluding the processing of food and fiber. Government community, an area, or a region can result in reasonable,
intervention is often a hindrance. Property taxes support fair and effective answers to some of our most difficult
local government; however, in today’s world, everything issues we face daily.
that needs to be accomplished is bound by some type
Oregon’s natural resources are some of its most
of regulation. Years ago people banded together to fix precious resources. While the face of the state has changed
problems without government help. Rural folks weren’t with cities and industry popping up, Oregonians still
bonded or unionized in the days w hen road improvements care deeply about the land we call home. As ranchers,
were mostly done by farmers. They didn't wait to have an we know that it is the preservation of this land, the many
environmental assessment, an appraisal of construction natural resources that it provides and the wildlife living
costs or an architect telling them how to proceed, they here as a system that will help to sustain our work in the
just knew how to do it. Like my Dad. ranchers took their beef industry. Oregon’s agricultural sector is the second
work teams and fresnos and made roads or repaired wash largest economic contributor to our state economy. The
outs. There might have been a lost salamander or two but beef industry is a large part of that sector, which means
a passable road, without costly measures, gave farmers contribution to the economic growth of our state economy
access to markets as well as school bus routes.
and Oregon’s comeback from this most recent economic
Most rural communities thrive thanks to perse downturn is also on the minds of cattle ranchers.
verance of agriculture operators and the support services
The ranchers who work their land every day to
that small towns provide. Progress is often hampered by raise cattle have faced serious challenges in managing
regulations handed down by state or federal government. their business and investment with the very real and
Farmers and ranchers feed themselves and 155 others documented threat of predator kills, including the Cana
worldwide. Sorte inferred it is a mistake that government dian gray wolf. Recently, several groups with a variety of
continues to subsidize farmers with price supports and interests have called into question the work of ranchers to
other direct payments. Without subsidies, food prices protect their land and their animals. Different proposals
would soar. In times of drought, price supports enable a have been brought forward by various groups to address
producer to survive another season and retain his prop those issues. In order for a real conversation to occur
erty even when crops fail. The government stores surplus between differing opinions, we want to state clearly
food supplies to avoid disasters when droughts cause that the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association is committed
crop failures. During the Depression of the 30s there to finding solutions that are based in science-based data
was no welfare or food stamps to help hungry folks. The and research and make sense for the local communities
government-stored wheat became flour to feed people and residents involved.
who waited in long “bread” lines in cities. Country folks
Since the re-introduction of the Canadian gray
did what they could to help others less fortunate. I recall wolf in the US, there have been millions spent to define
my folks sharing eggs, meat and milk with town folks management practices at the state and local levels. Yet,
whose money was lost when the banks closed and people with all of that investment, we have not realized solutions
had no money to buy anything during that time.
that can provide responsible, professional, science-based
As to the other direct farm payments mentioned management of the wolf population. The population of
by Sorte, those programs have been a boom to preserve wolves overall has risen far beyond the levels that were
habitat and reduce soil erosion by both wind and water. planned for—and lack of locally-based management
Some government programs have targeted range improve plans have caused conflict and unnecessary spending of
ments, creating more vegetation for both livestock and landowner, state and federal dollars—all over the United
wildlife along with countering noxious weed invasions or States.
controlling pestilence. These programs have a direct im
Oregon Wild has publicly contacted the Oregon
pact on the environment to the advantage of everyone.
Cattlemen’s Association to sit down and discuss their
Sorte also suggested that the area should possibly suggestions on how the livestock industry should conduct
invest more in education. Locally, this county focuses on their business. The OCA is always willing to engage in
the best education program possible while coping with a constructive and fair conversation on topics of mutual
diminishing school funding. Heppner’s future economic interest, whether we agree or not. But we also must insist
developments pale compared to Boardman’s opportuni on seeing the data behind the ideas, assumptions and
ties—enhanced by its location—with access to freeway, statements that are presented. We need to understand
river and railway transportation. However, the Willow who makes up the coalition of groups that are promoting
Creek Economic Development Group continues to pursue increases in the wolf population for Oregon. We want to
all possibilities. Heppner residents have a much better understand their interests and intent in the issue.
understanding of their situation than a college professor.
It is important to the OCA that groups, stating
And while the whole country suffers from an economic they know what Oregonians prefer, what they support
downturn, it doesn’t hamper our community spirit as and what they embrace, have the data behind these state
volunteers join forces to celebrate the town’s heritage ments. We want to know they are working at the local
with our upcoming St. Patrick’s festivities.
level here in Oregon to learn what Oregonians want and
Merlyn Robinson
what they need. Plans for control and management of
Heppner, OR
predators and natural resources cannot come from large,
nationally-based organizations that are headquartered
in states other than Oregon. Solutions that are best for
Oregon's economy and environment need to be based in
the experience and expertise of its communities. When
large organizations, headquartered outside of Oregon,
target Oregon for the promotion of their particular brand
The Heppner Awana Club will be sponsoring of conservation, Oregonians are subjected to the views
a Grand Prix race on Thursday, March l for all Awana of people who do not live here, in our local communi
kids and their families. The event will be held at Willow ties. They aren't working hard every day to make a living
for their families within the local communities they are
Creek Baptist Church starting at 5:30 p.m.
affecting.
They aren’t participating daily in those local
Weigh-in will begin at 5:30 p.m.; a hot dog meal
towns
and
cities that make up our state.
will be provided at 5:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies will
We
would like to know that the ideas or sugges
start at 6:30 p.m. with the races to begin shortly thereafter.
tions
presented
on behalf of Oregonians have been vetted
Awards will be given, and lots of fun is planned for the
locally
first...in
the communities that will be impacted.
whole family.
And
with
the
individuals
who will feel the results, both
Anyone who has questions can contact Dale
positive
and
negative,
from
predator and wolf manage
Bates at 676-5773 or 541-980-5694.
ment.
We ask that the stakeholders referenced by
Oregon Wild be sure they take a look at what ranchers
are doing daily to manage predator wolves in non-lethal
ways.. .and the outcomes of those efforts.
Ranchers and the beef industry are proud of our
Breakfast will be served this Sunday, Feb. 19, at commitment to conservation and sustainability. We have
the Heppner Christian Church from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. numerous documented examples of work done at the
Everyone is welcome.
local level to restore waterways and land for the benefit
of livestock and wildlife. Rangeland provides a critical
source of water and food for Oregon’s abundant wildlife,
Due to the Morrow County Fee schedule order No. OR-20-2011 as of
many o f which are preyed upon by the same predators
january 1, 2012 the Morrow County transfer stations will increase their
as cattle.
fees 20% for removal of waste. Due to inflation of annual operating cost
and other expenses beyond our control.
We are ready to find solutions to Oregon’s strat
egy of wolf management that reflects the needs of live
Morrow County would like to encourage and
stock and wildlife, and of the people involved. We seek
remind you the free disposal of latex and
to find ways to answer some of Oregon’s critical issues
enamel paints, computers, computer towers and t
televisions free of charge. Remember residence
with answers that make sense for Oregonians. And those
are still allowed to dump the large appliances
answers come from the people who call this state their
and household items such as refrigerators,
home. We look forward to engaging in that work with
stoves, dishwashers, washer/dryers, water
heaters, mattresses, sofa, loveseats and lounge
others who are invested in Oregon’s success economi
chairs free of charge. Thank you. North end
cally, environmentally and for the future of all who call
Transfer Station, 69900 Frontage Lane, Boardman, OR. 97818. South
Oregon
home,
end Transfer Station 57185 Hwy 74, Lexington, OR. 97839, Both hours
of operation 9:00 - 4:00 Saturday and Sunday. Any questions o r con
Curtis Martin, President
cerns may be addressed to (541) 989-9500.
Oregon Cattlemen’s Association
OSU economist was
wrong
Awana plans Grand
Prix races
Christian Church
serves breakfast
»