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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 2016)
State audit gives look at county inances HEPPNER G T 50¢ Morrow County ifth highest in income, and sixth highest in property taxes ifth highest in the state and a 30 percent increase from 2009. For comparison, the lowest county income is in Malheur at $27,661 per person, and the highest is Sherman at $58,011. On the other hand, Morrow County residents pay a higher property tax rate than most counties in Oregon. At $4.13 per thousand dollars of valu- ation, that compares to a state-wide average of $2.82 per thousand. Josephine County had the lowest rate at .59 and Sherman had the highest at $8.71 per thousand. Also in tax revenue comparisons Morrow County collects $1,101 on average per year for every person in the county, while the state-wide average is $300 per person. Once again Josephine is lowest in this category at $181 and Sherman is highest at VOL. 135 NO. 24 8 Pages Wednesday, June 22, 2016 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon $8,454 in taxes collected per person. This does not mean individuals pay this amount. As the report point- ed out “Gilliam and Sher- man counties, on average, generated the largest local revenues per capita, which were ive times greater than the next highest county. Revenues generated from wind farms, and/or landill recycling centers contrib- uted to the high averages in Portland, OR—Sen. these counties,” the report Jeff Merkley will stop in stated. The report did not Morrow County next week break out how much money as part of a series of town was received from wind or halls throughout several other sources in any of the counties. counties. The town hall will take Issued every two years place this Sunday, June 26, since 2012 by the Secretary at 1:30 p.m. at the Lexing- of State, the report’s pur- ton Grange Hall, 66296 pose is to show the inancial Marquardt Road, Lexing- condition of all 36 counties ton. in the state of Oregon. The Merkley will update report looked at 10 indica- constituents on his work tors of inancial health. In in Washington, DC, an- addition to those above the swer questions and invite following indicators were suggestions about how to studied: tackle the challenges facing Ione seniors toss their caps in celebration during the graduation ceremony in Ione. Ione High School recognized its 11 gradu- Timber revenue: Oregon and America. ates at commencement exercises the evening of June 3. -Contributed photo Morrow County has none. “These town hall meet- The highest in the state ings are crucial to learning is Douglas County with what is most important to 15.5 percent of its income Oregonians received from federal tim- and how I ber payments. The lowest can most measurable amount was effectively Multnomah at .04 percent. advocate for A full day of fun at gether in the ‘70s at West- -See COUNTY AUDIT/PAGE O r e g o n ’s THREE Ione’s Fourth of July cel- ern Oregon University in priorities,” ebration this year will Monmouth, where they said Merk- Sen. Jeff culminate in a headline fell in love and got mar- ley. “I invite Merkley performance by hit duo ried. While completing all residents their teaching degrees, they Quarterlash at 8:30 p.m. of Baker, Union, Wallowa The popular duo of began performing in bands, and Morrow Counties to Marv and Rindy Ross, bet- with Rindy playing sax come and discuss what we ter known as Quarterlash, and singing Marv’s guitar- need to do to strengthen our is best known for its 1980 driven compositions. state and nation.” After teaching three chart-topper “Harden My Since joining the U.S. years in Central Oregon, Heart.” Senate in 2009, Merkley has While many have heard they took very early retire- held a town hall in each of of that hit single, most ments and formed Seafood Oregon’s 36 counties every people may not be aware Mama, a popular dance year. Baker, Union, Wal- that Quarterlash has deep band that played “every lowa and Morrow Counties Oregon roots. Rindy and smoky hippy bar between nd th will be his 282 -285 town Marv first performed to- Seattle and Portland” in the Heppner students Kol- halls as a senator. late 1970s. by and Jacee Currin have In 1980 they recorded each earned spots on the Marv’s song, “Harden My Oregon state National High Heart,” which became their Marv and Rindy Ross of Quarterlash School Rodeo team and first hit and led to Gef- will be traveling with their fen Records signing them. Center for the Performing born keyboard master who teammates to Gillette, WY Over the next decade they Arts to rave reviews and 13 performed with German July 17-23 to compete at the orchestras by the age of 16. 68 th annual National High released four albums under sold-out performances. In 1968, he discovered rock School Finals Rodeo. Recently, Marv and a new name, Quarterlash, music, and has since toured Rindy were awarded West- garnering gold and plati- Kolby, an 11 th -grade the world with legendary ern Oregon University’s num records and tours with student at Heppner Jr./Sr. Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Alumni Award of Excel- rock bands, perfecting his High School, qualiied in lence and released a new own style utilizing his clas- the steer wrestling, cutting and others. In 1991 they formed Quarterlash CD, “Goodbye sical background and rock and light rile events. Jacee, inluence. Ross Productions to create Uncle Buzz.” a ninth-grade student at All the music is free, HHS, qualified in break- While Quarterflash music for northwest audi- ences. Their first project may be the highlight of the thanks in part to funding away roping, goat tying was a commission from the evening, there’s a schedule from the Morrow County and pole bending. Jacee state of Oregon to produce a full of entertainment during Uniied Recreation District. also won the Oregon High musical based on diaries of the day and evening July 4 Audience members are School Rodeo Girls Rookie asked to bring their own All Around for 2015-2016. immigrants on the Oregon in Ione. chairs or blankets, as no The music kicks off Trail. From that project Featuring more than seating is provided in the 1,650 contestants from with the Corey Peterson came The Trail Band and nine CDs of traditional Band at 2:45 p.m. Local grass amphitheater. 43 states, five Canadian As if all that isn’t Provinces and Australia, Americana music. A deep talent will take the stage at interest in Native Ameri- 4:30 for the talent show, and enough, there’s a full day the NHSFR is the world’s can music prompted Marv Iron Butterly former lead of activities planned, begin- largest rodeo. In addition to write his second play, singer Martin Gerschwitz ning at 7 a.m. with a 5k fun to competing for more than “The Ghosts of Celilo,” a will heat things up at 7 run and walk, followed by $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR Broadway-styled musical p.m. Gerschwitz is a clas- -See CURRINS AT NHSRF/ -See QUARTERFLASH AT featuring Native American sically-trained, German- PAGE THREE IONE/PAGE TWO music and culture. “Ghosts” was presented in October These American kestrels have made themselves at home on CONTACT 2007 by Artists Repertory the front of the Hardman Community Center. See more HCC Theatre at The Portland JASON news on PAGE THREE. -Contributed photo azette imes By David Sykes Morrow County boasts an above-average income for the state of Oregon, but also a higher-than-average property tax rate, says a recently-released state re- port on the overall health of Oregon’s 36 counties. According to the re- port, which is released ev- ery two years, residents of Morrow County have an average $42,033 per- person income, which is Merkley Ione seniors launch into a new life to hold town hall in Morrow County Quarterlash to headline at Ione Fourth of July Currins qualify to compete at world’s largest rodeo At home on the range AT MCGG FOR MORE INFO! 541-989-8221 ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. Morrow County Grain Growers Lexington 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396 For farm equipment, visit our web site at www.mcgg.net