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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2019)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 29, 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. Mayoral faux pas continues To the editor: Mayor Marcia Kemp of Lexington and her inef- fectiveness continues to fly in the face of laws, rules, regulations, order and, well . . .maturity. Her ability to control the town council meet- ings, maintain order, act within her authority with- out coloring outside the lines, and treat her fellow council members and the public with respect is all but non-existent. She continues to act without authority by pass- ing motions without a sec- ond, discussion or council vote, tables agenda items without motions, unilater- ally kills motions that have been seconded, attempts to exert her vote where she has none other than to break (not create) a tie, per the Lexington town charter, and the list goes on. However, all that aside, the way she treats fellow council members and the public attendees of the town council meetings is most reprehensible. These are the people she was elected to represent and work in concert with. Should you feel compelled to disagree with her, rather than rising to the stature of the office she holds for the people she represents, Ms. Kemp sim- ply takes the low road and invites you to “take it up at the ballot box and get rid of her.” She even went on to explain how we, the people, could recall two council members who disagree with her, leaving herself out of that possibility. This is absolutely no way to be the leader, face and example of a commu- nity. It more resembles a school yard bully than a town mayor. May I make two sug- gestions? First, I highly recommend Ms. Kemp add “Robert’s Rules of Order” to her summer reading list and am happy to donate a copy to her so she can learn how to properly conduct a meeting. Secondly, her re- call suggestion certainly has merit and I strongly urge the community of Lexington to consider it . . .for her. She has certain qualities that are an asset to the office (such as her ability to seek out and secure grants, etc.), but Lexington deserves a mayor who represents all of the community and respects the oath of office. In closing, I would like to address a couple of spe- cific items discussed at the last town council meeting. -Jake Brakes making noise: it would behoove Mayor Kemp to do a min- ute or two of research. While there are no signs or town ordinance against their use, it literally took less than 10 seconds for me to find the relevant Oregon statute for this. Pursuant to 2-17 ORS811.492: Engine Braking: 1. A person commits the offense of engine brak- ing if the person is oper- ating a motor vehicle on a highway and uses an unmuffled engine brake. (Last time I checked, Hwy. 74 and Hwy. 207 are both state highways.) 2. The offense de- scribed in this section, en- gine braking, is a Class A traffic violation., 3. A person is not in vi- olation of this section if the person uses an unmuffled engine brake in an emer- gency situation to avoid im- minent danger to a person or property. (1993c.31457) -Council position still unfilled: This subject in my opinion, needs to be addressed and remedied immediately and the po- sition filled post-haste by either of the two people who have submitted letters of interest: Curtis Thomp- son and Sheila Miller. This council needs to be able to make progress for the com- munity and the continued vacancy is only impeding that ability. Finally, I would like to extend profound thanks to Mr. David Sykes for his exemplary coverage of the town meetings and Mr. Lemmon for his very on- point letter to the editor in the May 22 issue of the G-T. Perhaps with continued coverage and public opin- ion, Ms. Kemp will finally become the mayor Lexing- ton deserves or vacate the office to a more qualified individual. (s) Cheyenne M. Rogers Heppner, OR Heppner could be bedroom community To the editor: Hopefully we had a beautiful spring holiday weekend. For this is the greatest country in which to celebrate such an important anniversary and it’s a great time to be alive. It’s time for some ‘Trumped-up” ideas that might counter a force trying to destroy our strong republican leadership. But this where this little engine begins to lose power like a slow pulse needing more oxygen. From my excellent viewpoint on one of Hep- pner’s fabulous green hills it’s a wonder that some Amazon investor has not yet constructed a sprawling, show-stopping dwelling overseeing the town. This could be the beginning of a type of bedroom communi- ty since the Hermiston area is growing and groaning. It is like the fat lady having to wear a size too small bikini on wash day. Instead of the future of Heppner being re- duced to smaller offerings, here is an alternate, perhaps entertaining, lifestyle. Take the nearby Blue Mountain OHV Park that is notoriously busy for just part of the year. Picture, if you can, some hot babe astride her motorbike just blasting down the hill into Main Street Heppner. Oth- ers could also find open air shopping to their liking whether it’s the corner bis- tro or the latest in upscale hot tub exercises. Take your pick. What about summer’s dust you say? Everything is going to be piled thick with crop residue from hemp, our new cash crop. And the advantage there is to have a little “boot-scooting-boo- gie” on the side. Perhaps I might add to A View from the Green Senior golfers play at Echo Hills Several senior golf- ers from Willow Creek Country Club played in the Columbia-Blue Senior Golf Association tournament on May 13 at the par 72 Echo Hills Golf Course. Winners from Willow Creek in the Columbia Division (handicap 18 and below) gross category were Ron Bowman in third with 82; Barry Munkers with 83, fourth; Dennis Peck with 85, sixth and Dave Pranger with 87 in seventh place. In net John McCabe took fourth with 71; Dale Boyd, seventh with 72 and Mark Schlichting eighth with 73. Blue Division (handi- cap 19 to 24) winner was Delbert Binshus in eighth place net with a score of 91. In the Senior Division (handicap 25 and above) Roger Ehrmantraut took seventh in gross with 100. Jeff Cutsforth and Greg Greenup tied for third with a score of 68 in net. Also in net, Mike Sweek was seventh with 70 and John Collin was eighth with 71. The next Columbia Blue Senior Golf Associa- tion tournament will be at Willow Run Golf Course in Boardman on June 10 with tee times at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required for the morning tee times by calling 541- 481-4381 to register and request a riding cart. Lunch will be available at the golf course. Over the Tee Cup Fourteen of the Willow Creek Country Club ladies attended the May 22 play- day where the weather was cold and damp. Low gross on the field went to Judy Harris, low net to Karen Haguewood and least putts of the field went to Bev Steagall and Jackie Allstott. Flight A low gross win- ner was Karen Thompson with Eva Kilkenny winning low net. Flight B low gross went to Sarah Rucker and low net to Pat Dougherty. Sharon Harrison took low gross on flight C and low net was Jean Creswick. Least putts went to Josie Kindsfather and Sue Edson. The mystery net winner was Sarah Rucker and mys- tery gross went to Sharon Harrison. Men’s golf group holds scramble The Willow Creek Country Club Men’s club hosted a three-man scram- ble event on Sunday, May 26. The team of Jerry Gen- try, David Creswick and Roger Erhrmantraut won first place with a score of 55. Tom Shear, John Ed- The Umatilla National Forest, in partnership with the City of Ukiah, local businesses and community members, are hosting a Free Kids Fishing Day at Twin Ponds on Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fishing instruction, a raffle, snacks, activities and prizes make this event a day of fun for children and adults alike. The first 100 children will receive complementary buckets with free fishing tackle. The event will also include a raffle featuring various prizes donated by local residents. Addition- ally, there will be many giveaways for children that have been donated by area businesses. Participants of all ages may enter the raf- fle and the winners will be announced toward the end of the event. The Kids Fishing Day is free for children ages 16 and under. This event falls on Oregon Department of Wildlife’s free fishing weekend so no license, tags or endorsements are need- ed. Children participating in this event must be accom- panied by an adult. Fishing poles will be available on loan for those who do not have one and volunteers will be on site to provide instruction to first-time anglers. Free hot dogs and soda pop will be provided to all kids who register and participate. “The Kids Fishing Der- by is a great opportunity for families to visit Ukiah and the North Fork John Day Ranger District. The com- munity’s response to the return of the derby has been enthusiastic and generous, so come out and spend the day with us,” said Paula Guenther, North Fork John Day District Ranger. Twin Ponds is located 6.7 miles south of Ukiah, OR. Drive south on Camas Creek Road/County Road 531/ FSR 52 for 6.7 miles and turn right onto a flagged unnamed road. Roads will be marked with banners. For more informa- tion on the 2019 Ukiah Kids Fishing Derby, please contact Steve Boe at 541- 427-5305 or stephan.boe@ usda.gov. For additional information on the Umatilla National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/ umatilla. Morrow SWCD to meet Morrow SWCD will meet Tuesday, June 4 at 1 p.m. at the Ag Service Center, in Heppner. Agenda items include comments from the public, minutes of the April meeting, financial report, partner reports and staff reports. Meetings of Morrow SWCD are open to the public. mundson and Gene Orwick For questions or more information, contact Kevin Payne scored 59 to take second. at 541-676-5452 ext. 111. Each team had a low, medium and high handi- cap player and the tee-offs were set at back, middle United Methodist volunteers will serve lunch on and forward locations for Wednesday, June 5 at St. Patrick’s Senior Center. Lunch each of the handicap levels. will be an open face turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, Players seemed to enjoy the green salad, mandarin oranges, cranberry salad and apple modified scramble format. cobbler for dessert. Milk, coffee and tea is served at each meal. Suggested donation is $3.50 per meal. Menu is subject to change. Community lunch menu Speech therapy screening offered Pioneer Memorial Therapy Services is offer- ing free speech therapy screening Friday, May 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The screening is open to chil- dren two years of age or older. While kids aren’t ex- pected to be able to speak perfectly, they should be producing certain sounds at certain ages. Speech delays in preschoolers can often persist into school years if not addressed early. Ukiah kids fishing derby to be held NOTICE! Speech therapy services can Morrow County road department will be help school age kids speak conducting a chip seal project which will more clearly and improve impact Kunze, Wilson and Tower Road in self-esteem. This screening Boardman and Columbia and Patterson will help give parents the Ferry in Irrigon area on and around June tools to know if their child 3 to July 4th Morrow County Road Dept. may need speech services would like to remind all motorists that and provide information with any road maintenance project to be about private speech thera- aware of the workers, they are very py options. important to us. Watch for signs, flags and Pioneer Memorial work-zone employees and equipment. Therapy Services is located Morrow County's goal is to provide a safe at 150 Rock Street, Hep- roadway. However, it is always up to the pner. Walk-ins are welcome motorist to drive according to conditions. or parents can call 541-676- Be patient and plan ahead. Leave early 2945 to schedule a time. if you know you will be driving through a Congratulations!! Heppner Ione Saturday, June 1 Friday, May 31 2:00p.m. 7:00p.m. work zones. Please use extreme caution and common sense. They will do their best and would appreciate your patience. ATTENTION! FOR THE GRAD! - HALLMARK - Gift Ware - - Cards - Party supplies -Balloons - - Floral arrangements - the fun and games part that can amuse our kind of peo- ple. For instance, let’s give Congresswomen Omar the opportunity to dress in her finest outfit complete with stately turban and flowing robes. She could be the star in a game of chase. Add some undetected ba- con grease and invite the nearest wolf pack in. One could also invite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to be a final participant. Viva the delightful Democrats. Merlyn Robinson Heppner Morrow County would like to notify residents that, due to bridge deck and guardrail replacement that will be taking place on the Keene and Snyder bridges, both on Rhea Creek Road, between Brenner Cyn Rd and Social Ridge Rd will be CLOSED from May 13th- June 7th 2019. Please use alternate routes. Any questions of concerns, Morrow County Public Works Dept., 365 W. Hwy 74, Lexington 541-989-9500 ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
