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
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Morrow County Grain Growers
Lexington 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396
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