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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2019)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 22, 2019 -- THREE ~ 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 reserves 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 of Thanks” at a cost of $10. Lexington minutes approved without vote To the editor, I attended last week’s Lexington town council meeting with great interest after reading in the Gazette about the goings on there. The meeting started well and was conducted profes- sionally at first until a coun- cilmember questioned the previous month’s meeting minutes. There was a quick addendum added and as two of the councilmembers were still looking over the minutes the other coun- cilmember motioned to accept the minutes. Then without a second to the mo- tion, nor a vote by the coun- cil, Mayor Marcia Kemp simply banged her gavel and alone approved the minutes without a council vote. A clear violation of the law, bylaws, character and ethics of a sitting mayor. Mrs. Kemp then quick- ly moved on and shortly thereafter the vacant coun- cilmember subject came up. Kemp then began to act like a child having her favorite toy threatened, yelling over the other councilmembers and refusing to let the mat- ter be resolved. Mrs. Kemp insisted that she, as mayor, vote on the matter. It clearly states in the town charter section 26 “the mayor shall have a vote when necessary to break a tie.” Mrs. Kemp insists that in this case, and this particular case only, she can and will vote. The only reason Mrs. Kemp wants to unethically and wrongfully interject her invalid vote is to create a tie. This goes against any reasonable log- ic in interpreting the town charter. I asked Kemp in the meeting (on record) if it was her intention to create a deadlock and accomplish no progress. Mrs. Kemp and councilmember Marcia Sticka both joyfully smiled and said, “Yes.” Is this how a town council is supposed to function? Is this the ac- tion of reasonable adults? Is this in the best interest of Lexington. No it is not! It was obvious by the end of the meeting Mrs. Kemp only wants complete control. Is that democracy? I agree with a previous letter to the editor from last month’s meeting that Kemp doesn’t seem to be fit to be the mayor of any community. Will Lemmon Lexington, OR Caution against climate strike To the editor: If Winston Churchill was alive today, he would caution the youth of Mor- row County planning a climate strike, “The farther backward you look, the farther forward you see.” In 1975 the national press and media were issuing dire warnings that fossil fuels and capitalism were caus- ing catastrophic damage to the environment. News- week proposed a solution in the April 28, 1975 edition that included outlawing fossil fuel engines to save the planet from the coming ice age. Fast forward 25 years to the dawn of the 21 st century and Al Gore’s “An inconvenient truth” pro- vided graphic images of apocalyptic consequences if fossil fuels were allowed to continue warming the planet. The national press and media and school cur- riculum deluged our youth with pictures of ‘global warming’ – melting gla- ciers, dying polar bears, coastal cities inundated by massive floods, cities wiped out by hurricanes and tornadoes and food supplies exterminated by drought. “Global cooling” and “global warming” have lost their luster so the new mantra of “climate change” has frightened the present generation of our youth to take action against the catastrophic consequences of carbon dioxide emis- sions and fossil fuels. The New Green Deal proposed by Rep. Alexandria Oca- sio-Cortez would replace fossil fuels with ‘renewable energy’ to save America from the approaching cli- mate catastrophe. The cost of this Socialist Marxist social engineering proposal to save America from fossil fuels and CO2 emissions: $66 to 100 trillion over ten years, or $350,000 to $650,000 per family. Print more money, raise higher taxes, get rid of the Con- stitution and everything else that restricts the fed- OWC to hold meeting The Oregon Wheat Commission (OWC) will hold its annual budget hear- ing and regular meeting to discuss commission busi- ness on May 29 beginning at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center, 402 East Scenic Drive, The Dalles, OR and lunch will be pro- vided. Commission meetings are open to the public and anyone wishing to attend is encouraged and welcome to do so. Dress is business casual. The meeting loca- tion is accessible to persons with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with dis- abilities For additional infor- mation, contact the Oregon Wheat Commission office at 503-467-2161. eral government from con- trolling Americans from birth to the grave under the guise of saving the planet. Here are the facts young citizens of Morrow County preparing to “fight for our future” May 24. The USA could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 100 percent and it would have no impact on ‘global cool- ing,’ ‘global warming,’ or ‘global climate change.’ What will impact your lives is the 20 plus trillion-dollar USA debt plus the accruing interest your generation will be required to pay. This debt could well devastate your future and end your hope for the lifestyle you now enjoy. I exhort the youth of Morrow County to study history; do not be manipulated by Demo- crat Socialist scare tactics and indoctrination that will bankrupt America, destroy your future and have zero impact on saving the planet. Stuart Dick, Morrow County No veg- etarian cooking class for May There will be no veg- etarian cooking class this month. For additional in- formation contact Cynthia Wenberg at 541-561-9132 or via email to heppners- da@gmail.com. E PRINT! W COMMUNITY CLEAN UP Organized by the City of Heppner FREE DUMPSTER for garbage collection available at the City yard on Riverside Ave. Thursday May 16th through Monday May 27th. There will also be a spot to leave yard debris and burnable material. The City will not accept tires, hazardous waste or household chemicals. City of Heppner residents only Please contact the City of Heppner for more information 541-676-9618. SINESS CAR BU TERHE DS AD LET BROCHURES FLYERS AND MORE! The Heppner Gazette-Times 188 W. Willow Call Dave Today (541) 676-9228 Teachers’ contract ratified The Morrow County School Board, at its May 13 meeting at Irrigon El- ementary School, ratified the Morrow County Edu- cation Association licensed (teachers’) contract which will expire June 30, 2022. The teachers’ contract calls for 150 teacher-stu- dent contact days, six eight- hour employee in-service days, seven eight-hour em- ployee work days, four paid holidays-Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Memori- al Day, President’s Day; two four-hour Friday work days, two four-hour Friday in-service days, two days or 16-hours for conferences and two hours for open house (to be added by the building principal), total of 171 contract days, a $1,525 insurance cap, 80 hours sick leave and a three-percent salary increase. The board approved the teachers’ salary sched- ule as follows: bachelor of arts or science degree plus zero to 15 college cred- its ranging from $40,143 pay starting, to $47,708; teachers with a BA/BS degree plus 30 college cred- its-$41,100-$51,740; BA/ BS plus 45 credits-$42,128 to $59,506; STD plus zero credits, master of arts or science plus zero, BA plus 60 credits-$43,182 to $68,633; STD, MA/ MS plus 30, BA plus 95 credits-$44,259-$70,348 and STD, MA/MS plus 45 credits-$45,365-$72,107. The board approved teachers’ step increases ranging from $235 for teachers with a BA/BS with no additional credits to 15 credits to STD, MA/MS de- grees plus 45 credits-$422. They also approved extra duty salary schedules ranging from $1,453 to $4,615 depending on steps and categories. And the board approved coaches’ salary schedules ranging from $1,040 for an assistant junior high coach at step zero to $5,045 for a high school athletic director at step four. At the meeting MCSD Superintendent Dirk Dirk- sen commented that state school funding is “kind of flat,” but added that the Morrow County Unified Recreation District will increase funding to schools by $100,000. “It’s a win- win there,” he said. He also said that the budget for next year will include a special education teacher at Heppner High School, a math teacher and PE teach- er at Riverside High School and the district is looking at hiring an instructional coach for fourth-sixth grade students at Boardman and Irrigon schools. He said a work study program will now pay stu- dents for their work. Dirksen said the district is supporting a “meals on wheels” summer lunch pro- gram for students in Board- man, Heppner and Irrigon and added that he’d like to continue that program on Fridays through the school year and during Christmas and spring breaks. In recognizing teacher appreciation week, Dirksen commented, “I wouldn’t be here without the support of teachers.” In other business, the board: -received the follow- ing May enrollment re- port: A.C. Houghton Ele- mentary, Irrigon-268; Sam Boardman Elementary, Boardman-336; Heppner Elementary-167; Irrigon Elementary-218; Windy River Elementary, Board- man-295; Heppner Jr./Sr. High School-167; Irrigon Jr./Sr. High School-363; Riverside Jr./Sr. High School, Boardman-429; Morrow Education Center, Irrigon-57; total-2,300. Su- perintendent Dirksen said that the enrollment is up 22 students from last year. -approved the follow- ing employment action: Resignations/non-renew- als-Robert Barker, RJSHS head girls’ wrestling coach, Susan Booher, RJSHS Spanish teacher, end of 2018-19 school year, Da- vid Boor, RJSHS junior high head wrestling coach; Jessica Flower, ACH ed assistant, end of 2018-19 school year,, Nikki Go- forth, IJSHS assistant high school track coach, end of season, Adam Lemmon, ACH/IJSHS PE teacher, end of 2018-19 school year, Tiffany Locey, IJSHS assis- tant high school volleyball coach, Jeny Mendoza, SBE ed assistant, Kyla Tonfa, WRE sixth-grade teacher, end of 2018-19 school year. -approved employ- ment/promotions/trans- fers-2019-20: Rhon- da Boor, RJSHS junior high math teacher, Laura Browne-Winters, SBE ELD teacher, Shanna Evans, WRE fourth-grade teach- er, Jessica Flower, WRE sixth-grade teacher, Ian Hampton, District Office special education coor- dinator, Crystal Hussey, IJSHS head cook, Dawn Kennison-Kerrigan, IES/ WRE instructional coach, MeKayla Kindle, SBE kin- dergarten teacher; Sariena Garrett, HES temporary ed assistant, Belinda Lomas, SBE ed assistant. -approved an extra duty contract for Leah Gadsden, IJSHS assistant high school volleyball coach, 2019-20. -approved the 2018-19 fall and winter coaching staff, recommended for re- hire for 2019-20 (Heppner schools listed only)-Hep- pner High School: Greg Grant, athletic director, head football coach, Virgin- ia Grant, half-time cheer- leading coach, Les Payne, Robert Wilson, assistant football coaches, Mindy Wilson, head volleyball coach, Kelly Wilson, assis- tant volleyball coach, Russ Nichols, head cross country coach, Antonia Nichols, as- sistant cross country coach, Jeremy Rosenbalm, head boys’ basketball coach, Ken Grieb, assistant boys’ bas- ketball coach, Robert Wil- son, head girls’ basketball coach, Russ Nichols, assis- tant girls’ basketball coach, Mark Lemmon, head boys’ wrestling coach, Alaina Lemmon, head girls’ wres- tling coach; Heppner Junior High: Chad Doherty, head football coach, Joe Armato, assistant football coach, Terri Gentry, head volley- ball coach, Danielle Eber- hardt, assistant volleyball coach, Rocky Turner, head boys’ basketball coach, Doug Boor, head girls’ basketball coach, Rick Worden, assistant girls’ basketball coach, Ken Bai- ley, head wrestling coach. -approved the 2018-19 extra duty non-coaching positions recommended for rehire for 2019-20 (Hep- pner listed only): Hep- pner Elementary-Madison Rosenbalm, Talented and Gifted coordinator, Sarah Matheny and Melissa Coin- er, half-time DART, Mary Ann Elguezabal, English Language Learner site co- ordinator; Heppner Jr./Sr. High-Jeremy Rosenbalm, annual, Rick Drake, band, Alaina Lemmon, drama advisor, fall/winter and spring, John Flaherty and Petra Payne, half-time Tal- ented and Gifted coordina- tor, John Flaherty, DART coordinator. -approved the first read- ing of rescinded, new or re- vised policies on Individual Board Member’s Authority and Responsibilities, Un- manned Aircraft Systems (drones), Mother Friend- ly Workplace, rescinded and new policy, Staff-HIV/ AIDS and HBV (Hepatitis B Virus), Staff-Student-Par- ent Relations, Hazing, Ha- rassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Menacing or Cy- ber Bullying, Domestic Vi- olence, Harassment, Sexual Assault or Stalking Leave, Interscholastic Activities, Graduation Requirements, Staff-Student-Parent Re- lations, Admission of Non-Resident Students, Interdistrict Transfer of Resident Students, Haz- ing-Harassment-Intimida- tion-Bullying-Menacing, Cyber Bullying-Teen Dat- ing Violence or Domestic Violence-Student. -adopted a resolution accepting and appropriating $4,850 in unanticipated rev- enues from InterMountain ESD, Chronic Absenteeism Region H. -reviewed the follow- ing board calendar: July 12-no meeting, August 12-District Office, HES, September 9-RJSHS, Oc- tober 14-SBE, November 12 (Tuesday)-ACH, De- cember 9-WRE, January 13 (work session)-IES, February 10-IJSHS, March 9-HJSHS, April 13-IES, May 11-HES, June 15- MEC. -heard a presentation on Irrigon Elementary after school programs. -heard the following announcements: Seniors’ last day-Thursday, May 23; Memorial Day Hol- iday, Monday, May 27; graduations-Saturday, June 1, with Riverside High School graduation at 10 a.m. with board members Marcy Rodelo and Mary Killion in attendance; Ir- rigon High School gradu- ation at noon with board member Richard Cole in at- tendance and Heppner High School graduation at 2 p.m. with board Chair Becky Kindle in attendance; stu- dents’ last day-Wednes- day, June 5; next board meeting-Monday, June 10, Morrow Education Center, Irrigon; summer school schedule-June 11-26, ACH, IES, HJSHS (credit recov- ery only), IJSHS, RJSHS (credit recovery only); sum- mer school schedule-July 30-August 13, HES, ACH (kinder jump start only) SBE/WRE, RJSHS. Boardman increases garbage rate The Boardman City Council, at the May 7 meet- ing, passed a resolution in- creasing the city’s garbage rate beginning July 1, 2019. The increase is in response to a rate increase by the city’s garbage contractor, Sanitary Disposal, Inc. of Hermiston. Mike Jewett of Sanitary Disposal said it was necessary to raise the fee to the city due to an increase in operating expenses for Boardman, at about 8 percent overall. This is the first increase in garbage rates in Board- man since 2016. The cost of a 90-gallon residential cart will go from $12.10 per month to $13.22 per month. For more infor- mation please contact the Boardman City Hall.
