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Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 9,2013 - THREE AMERICAN SNIPER MOVIE Heppner chamber holds annual luncheon -Continuedfrom PAGE ONE information in the story. “I really don’t know the panoply of where it needs to go for Warner Brothers,” McEwen says. “1 do know one of the things they want to do is make it as close as possible to the actual events and things as they were de scribed in the book.” Though DeFelice had to bow out of involvement in the m ovie, M cEwen says the book’s main man, Kyle, will obviously also be closely involved in the making of the film. McEwen says they had many interested parties when it came to film rights, with negations taking place with studios of all sizes. “ We had earlier had some offers with another major studio to do an epi sodic TV series. Chris and I turned that down. There was a lot of interest from a lot of different parties but Bradley Cooper showed he really wanted to do this and really wanted to produce this from Warner Brothers,” he says. In fact, it turned out Cooper was the determining factor...not for his famous face, but for his commit ment to Kyle’s story. “He was serious about wanting to do this role and about his vision of depict ing what really took place. That was what Chris and I were most impressed by,” says McEwen. M cEw en adds th at Cooper, who was the driv ing force behind Warner Brothers’ acquisition, is an “educated individual” and not your typical Hollywood pretty face. “He has a degree from an Ivy League college. He analyzes his projects and takes them on based on an in-depth analysis of what he wants to do with them,” McEwen explains. “I’ve been very impressed with his professionalism and how he approaches his projects.” M cEw en says that, w hile there is obvious glamour involved with Hol lywood, he was struck by the business savvy o f the players involved. “I was struck by how conscious they are of the market, their recognition that they d o n ’t take on projects unless they're go ing to sell. I was impressed by their professionalism. There’s the glitz, but there’s a business that’s very pro fessionally analyzed,” he says. While many may feel that Hollywood is slightly out o f touch with reality, McEwen says he feels the people involved with the American Sniper movie— Cooper, Russell and Hall, among others—understand the message of the book and want to communicate that on the screen. “I feel as if the people who are involved have the same vision we did when we started the project. For that reason, I’m confident they’re going to come up with a good product, a good movie,” says McE wen. “The script writer is really excellent; Jason Hall is an A-list writer in Hol lywood.” McEwen says he nev er would have expected to come this far when he started working with Kyle to get the SEAL’s story published. “No one could envision that,” he says. “ I always thought the story was ex tremely compelling but I never thought it would take off like it did. It was in the top 15 books, rated 11th of all nonfiction books sold in the U.S. last year. That’s pretty good company.” McEwen estimates that, barring major glitches— if the project gets greenlit, production starts in the next few months, everything goes smoothly and the plan ets align— fans can expect to see the American Sniper story on the big screen early in 2014. For himself, he’s happy to see a Hollywood ending for an American hero. “I’m just happy that it worked out well and that C hris and his w ife and children are doing well. So far I’m very happy with what it has done for Chris, and for recognition of other warriors.. .the positive, pro- U.S. type of film. That’s what I wanted,” McEwen says. “I’m happy that every body’s OK. I like a happy ending.” § 2013. Father C ondon was recognized for his involve ment in the community, and Lisanne Currin was recognized for her years of serving as the treasurer for the chamber board. Updates to the by-laws were ratified and Tricia Rollins installed the new board. The Stable o f Youth catered. Town & Country awards this Thursday M atthews o f Windwave Communications. A no-host bar will be provided by Bucknum ’s Tavern. Dinner will be ca tered by A lvin Liu and Cornerstone Gallery, and will feature barbecue bris ket, barbecue baby back ribs, barbecue beans with bacon, Al’s favorite corn- bread muffins, oven-roasted garlic and herb potatoes, and vanilla ice cream with chocolate-mint topping. Along with some ac com panying festivities, the awards ceremony will honor those chosen as Busi ness of the Year, Woman of the Year, Man of the Year, Citizen-Educator o f the Year and a Youth Recogni tion award. The chamber asks that those planning on attending purchase tickets as soon as possible if they haven’t already done so. Tickets are $20 each and can be pur chased at Bank of Eastern Oregon, Heppner Chamber of Commerce, Community Bank and Murray’s Drug. DA’s Report Smith retains chair in Democrat-controlled legislature Rep. Greg Smith (R- Heppner) is one of three Republicans in the Oregon House retaining a chair man position. He is also the senior house member on the Joint Ways & Means Committee. “ I am very pleased with my appointments and particularly welcome the opportunity to serve as co-chair of the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on General Government. These committees signifi cantly impact legislation af fecting House District 57. “Having served on these committees during previous legislative sessions, I have a thorough understanding of the policy areas and know what it takes to be a produc tive committee member,” said Smith. Representative Greg Smith's appointments are The Heppner Chamber of Commerce held its an nual luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 3. During the luncheon, cham ber m em bers said goodbye to chamber presi dent Les Paustian and hello to Jeff Bailey, president for The Heppner Chamber o f C om m erce’s Annual Town and Country Com munity Awards will take place this Thursday eve ning, Jan. 10, starting with no-host social hour at 6 p.m. at the Morrow County Fairgrounds. This y ear’s theme is “Our Community Volun teers, Our Country Gold.” Attendees will be treated to a slide show, “Your Com munity on the Big Screen,” prepared by Dale Bates of CenturyLink and Sandy Propheter, $350; and third, Elks Legacy Scholarships Garret t and Buchanan Memorial Robinson, S c h o la r $ 200 . ships.” W om D ic k Morrow County Dis en: F irst, enson add trict Attorney Justin Nelson Maggie ed that both has released the following Collins, F o w l e r ’s report: and C o l $700; sec -Antonio Pete Espino, Garrett ond, Juli- Robinson l i n s ’ a p Julianne 23, was convicted of felon plications Carlson anne Carl possess firearm, a Class son, $350; went on to C felony, and sentenced and third, Stacee Halvorsen, the district to three years supervised contest to compete against probation, subject to 180 $ 200 . “Many the top finishers at nine sanction units and 90 jail o u ts ta n d other Elks lodges in the units. Probation conditions ing young district. include five custody units m en an d Fowler placed second to be converted to 80 hours women in the dis community service and 30 com peted trict co n custody units converted to for awards Maggie test, earn 30 days jail time with credit this year. Collins ing an extra for time served. Total fines, U n f o r tu $1,600. fees and assessments were nately, we cannot award F o r $60. scholarships to all of them,” m o re in -A ngelique L. Ket- said scholarship chairman form ation Stacee tlewell, 19, was convicted Tim Dickenson. “The com about Elks Halvorsen of theft in the first degree, mittee would like to thank s c h o l a r a Class C felony, and sen all the applicants for their ships, contact Dickenson tenced to two years super impressive brochures and at 541 -676-8990 or dicken- vised probation; conditions want to encourage you to sonchiro@centurytel.net. of probation include a writ apply for the upcoming ten apology to the victim and custody units converted to 120 hours community service. Total fines, fees and assessments were $200. -Juan Escalante Her nandez, 25, was convicted of harassment constituting domestic violence, a Class B misdemeanor. Sentence as follows: Joint Ways & represent. Smith said, “It is of 90 days jail time was sus Means Committee, Senior an honor to retain these po pended and the defendant House Member; Joint Ways sitions, and I am fortunate given 20 days jail time and & Means Subcommittee to have a very experienced on General Government, and efficient staff. We work Co-Chair; Joint Ways & as a team and effectively Means Subcommittee on balance all of the respon Heppner Capital Construction; and sibilities. Thursday. Jan. 10: Hep Consum er Protection & “The opportunity to pner C ham ber’s Annual G overnm ent Efficiency serve on these committees Town and Country Com Committee. is a privilege. We expect munity Awards will be held When asked about the to work hard to serve the at the Morrow County Fair increased workload these people o f House District grounds and will begin at 6 committee appointments 57.” p.m. with a no-host social hour. Cornerstone Gallery will be catering the meal and will be serving the “Ultimate Barbecue Feast,” consisting o f barbecued brisket, barbecued baby back ribs, barbecued beans with bacon, Al’s favorite com bread muffins, oven- A ribbon cutting will be held Friday, Jan. 11, at 10 roasted garlic and herb a.m. for Scott Coe, Farmers Insurance agent, at 133 N. potatoes, vanilla ice cream Main Street in Heppner. with mint chocolate sauce Coe will be renting space from Willow Creek Re and country straw berry alty. lemonade. The tickets will Elks awards valuable student scholarships The Heppner Elks Lodge #358 recently announced the winners o f the Elks Most Valu ab le S tu dent Schol- a r s h i p c o n te s t. The schol arships are a w a rd e d each year Bryce Fowler to qualified seniors based on scholar ship, leadership, commu nity service, extracurricular activities, financial need and an essay. Local ly, the Hep pner lodge a w a rd e d three male and three female s c h o la r ships total Earl ing $2,500. Propheter The re cipients are: M en: F irs t, B ryce Fowler, $700; second, Earl Pictured are the 2013 chamber board members (L-K): John Gould (second VP), Matt Combe, Michael Blauer, Kay Fowler, Kim Cutsfoth, Ann Murray, Nancy Snider (first VP) Taw ny Miles (treasurer) and Jeff Bailey (president). -Contributedphoto 24 months bench probation. Total fines, fees and assess ments were $440. -Suzanne Bergo, 28, was convicted of Assault in the Fourth Degree-Consti tuting Domestic Violence, a Class A misdemeanor; sentence of 180 days jail time was partly suspended and the defendant given five days jail time and 24 months bench probation. Bergo was further con victed of Criminal Trespass in the First Degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Sentence of 180 days jail time was partly suspended and the defendant given five days jail time and 24 months bench probation. Total fines, fees and assessments were $ 1,606. -Cheri Ann Sink, 41, was convicted o f Failure to Appear in the First De gree, a Class C felony, and sentenced to 24 months su pervised probation, subject to 120 sanction units with 60 jail units. Total fines, fees and assessments were $678. -Wallace Gary Smith, 42, was convicted of Crimi nal .Driving While Sus pended or Revoked, a Class A misdemeanor; sentence of 180 days jail time was suspended and the defen dant given 36 months bench probation. Smith was fur ther convicted of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, a Class A misdemeanor; sentence of 180 days jail time was sus pended and the defendant given 36 months bench probation. Fines, fees and assessments totaled $600. -M ichael Paul W il liams, 32, was convicted of three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class B felony, and sen tenced to 75 months prison time on each count, two counts to run consecutive and the third count to run concurrent, with credit for time served and no consid eration for early release. Defendant was also given 10 years post-prison super vision on each count, minus time actually served. Wil liams was further convicted of one count of Coercion and sentenced to 36 months prison time with credit for time served, to run con current with other counts, and three years post-prison supervision. Fines, fees and assessm ents totaled $3,326. Chamber Chatter Farmers agent opens Main Street Heppner office » be $20 per person and will be available for purchase. The theme for this year is “Our Community Volun teers; Our Country Gold,” and the sponsors are Ambre Energy’s Morrow Pacific Project and Portland Gen eral Electric. Peterson’s Jewelers will be donating jewelry, with the winner to be drawn sometime during the evening. Chamber lunch costs: Effective Jan. 3, the weekly lunch expense will be $10. Mexican dinner fundraiser planned The Mustang softball team will be having a din ner to raise money for the program during the home basketball games versus Pilot Rock on Friday, Jan. 18. Dinner will include a tostada (a tradition^) Mexi- I can fried tortilla with top pings), homemade salsa, rice, beans, dessert and a drink. The cost is $5 per person. Proceeds will help the Mustang softball team purchase equipment and gear for the 2013 season.
