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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2019)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 18, 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. Recall not handled properly To the editor: First let me introduce myself. I am Lexington councilmember, Bill Beard. I’ve been on the Lexington town council off and on for a number of years. Recently I’ve had a city employee of whom I was a supervisor bring a recall against me on charges that I single hand- edly brought on the city clo- sure in July. I didn’t know I had that much power. It was actually brought on by the current mayor disregarding all previous protocol. He is also claiming, and I quote, “He has caused a hostile workplace if he argues with him or doesn’t do what he wants, legal or otherwise.” Let me translate this. If I threaten to write him up for blatantly lying to me or not doing his job this is a hostile work environ- ment. I’m sorry. I thought this was a supervisor’s job to make sure things are done properly. Also legal or otherwise means something he doesn’t want to do. I would like an explanation of anything illegal I have asked him to do. The cur- rent mayor has informed him and the council that he shouldn’t need a supervi- sor. So he obviously wants anyone who can give orders out of the way. He also told a town citizen not to over his head to the coun- cil members because they can’t do anything. Really? Last time I checked they are legally still his boss. Has all that changed? Looks like a serious case of ego here. I believe in my heart that the town of Lexington has more good people who can see through the temper tantrum of a disgruntled city employee who has a vendetta over doing his job and wants anyone out of the way who may give him or- ders or hurt his fragile ego. Secondly, we have the handling of the recall paper- work and the way they went about informing me. The rules are that you have five days to respond to a recall from the date of the letter in order to have your re- sponse on the ballot. I have to give them credit when it comes to corrupt, it was handled in true Kate Brown form. The letter was dated Thursday, August 28, day #1; postmarked Friday, 29, day #2. You can’t get mail Saturday, Sunday or Mon- day (Labor Day), day #5. So when I picked up the let- ter Tuesday at somewhere around 4 p.m., my time for a response had expired. Very well played, kudos to the team for hamstringing me. Not only this but the charges to respond to were not included with the letter. It was just a letter stating I had a recall against me and five days to respond. It wasn’t even signed by anyone (weird). As to what I was sup- posed to respond to I didn’t know, so Wednesday morn- ing I asked what the charges were. It took them another day after that to respond with only a partial cover of what was going on. This has been a valuable lesson on working the system and corruption. I would like very much to point out the problems all started with the new mayor and her Kate Brown speech on having a transparent city government (transparent as mud at this time). This may- or has caused more division and fighting among every- one involved and refuses to work with the town council and firmly believes that all the power sits with the may- or and the council is merely a thorn in her side and only there to agree with her. So I ask the citizens of Lexington, as a coun- cilmember and a neighbor, when you vote please think about honesty and the cor- rupt tactics used in this recall. I am very concerned for the future of Lexington and its good citizens. Sincerely, Bill Beard Lexington coun - cilmember A View from the Green Golfers hold cross country event Willow Creek Country Club Men’s Play hosted 25 golfers at their playday on Sept. 15 for a cross country event. Dallas Harsin finished first in net with a score of 69 and Charlie Ferguson was second with 73. A tie for third was between Jeff Cutsforth and Gary Proph- eter with 75. Greg Grant took first in gross with 75, Matt Berg- strom second with 79 and John McCabe was third with 89. A fourth-place tie with a score of 90 went to Josh Coiner and Kelly Fox. Dave Gunderson got KP on number one, Greg Grant on number eight and another on number 17. This event was the last for the 2019 season. The award for participation and performance, the Buck Cup, was awarded to Charlie Fer- guson. David Creswick was second and Gene Orwick was third. Over the Tee Cup Eighteen Willow Creek Country Club ladies played in their weekly playday on September 10 under cloudy and wet skies. Low gross of the field went to Nancy Propheter. Low net winners were Kar- en Haguewood and Bunnie Lindsay. Least putts of the field went to Betty Burns. Flight A low gross was Karen Thompson. Eva Kilkenny had least putts and Karen Thompson had the long drive. Flight B low gross win- ner was Pat Edmundson and Tiffany Clement got low net. Pat Dougherty got the least putts and Karen Haguewood got long drive. Sharon Harrison and Bev Steagall took low gross on flight C. Low net went to Betty Carter and Kris Lindner. Least putts went to Lorrene Montgomery and Sharon Harrison made the longest drive. Longest putt winner was Kris Lindner. Pathfinder Club registration open Pathfinders are a world- wide club of young peo- ple sponsored by the Sev- enth-day Adventist Church, though young people of any religious persuasion, or none at all, are welcome and encouraged to join the club. The local club is the Oregon Trail Pathfinders and is sponsored by the Heppner SDA Church for children who are 10 years and older. Pathfinders offer a wide range of activities includ- ing, but not limited to: -Camping and camp- ing/survival skills. -Grade appropriate leadership training. -Activities promoting community pride and in- volvement through out- reach activities such as helping in downtown soup kitchens, collecting food for the disadvantaged, cleaning and maintaining city and county parks, visiting and encouraging the elderly and many more. -Interactive training in a variety of recreational, ar- tistic, nature, conservation, vocational and outreach areas, with awards (honors) given for successful com- pletion of the interactive training modules. -Personal care and en- couragement by a caring staff member. Those who are inter- ested and would like to see what it is like or have any questions are invited to come to the club registra- tion nights, Monday, Sept. 16 and Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Heppner SDA Church, 560 Minor Street, Heppner. For additional information call Cynthia at 541-561- 9132. T h e H e p p n e r G a z e t t e - Ti m e s w a n t s pictures of your trophy animals from this hunting season for our Trophy Corner. Stop by to have your picture taken, drop off photos, mail them to PO Box 337 in Heppner, email them to editor@rapidserve.net or text cell phone photos to 541-980-6674. Heppner youth experience Umatilla National Forest through employment As part of a long-stand- ing tradition, the Communi- ty Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPE- CO), in partnership with the Heppner Ranger District of the Umatilla National For- est, employed five Morrow County youth to complete important project work on the National Forest this summer. This program is possi- ble through a grant from the Oregon Youth Conservation Corp (OYCC). This grant allows CAPECO to hire a small group of young adults (ages 16-21) during the summer months to assist with a variety of tasks on the Heppner Ranger Dis- trict over a six-week period. This summer four young adults and one crew lead were hired for the group. OYCC is a program designed to emulate the Ci- vilian Conservation Corps (CCC) of the 1930s, which was started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his New Deal in 1933. The CCC hired un- married men, ages 18-25 that had difficulty finding jobs during the Great De- pression into conservation and development jobs on the nation’s public lands. OYCC shares a similar mis- sion in empowering youth by providing outdoor work and stewardship experienc- es throughout Oregon. OYCC crew members spend their summer learn- ing about career develop- ment, natural resources, multiple uses on the Forest, and real job opportunities within the Forest Service. As part of CAPECO’s mis- sion the program is de- signed to also provide youth the skills needed to succeed in their communities and as part of the workforce in the future. The crew lead assesses the youth on 10 transferable soft skills, such as problem solving and attendance. “These are skills that are crucial for youth to have as they move into the current work force. We feel careers in the future. Sev- it is important that youth eral former OYCC crew learn these skills as part of members are now Umatilla this program,” said Susie National Forest employ- Stuvland, CAPECO pro- ees who started out on the gram lead. Heppner Ranger District. In In addition to learning fact, the OYYC crew leader valuable career skills the from this summer was able crew accomplished a great to transfer her job skills and deal of work by partnering experience into a temporary with a variety of program Forest Service position with areas within the Forest the Umatilla National For- Service including; range- est on the Heppner Ranger land management, timber District.” and recreation. Some of “The partnership be- the OYCC crew’s accom- tween the Heppner Ranger plishments this summer District and CAPECO is consisted of campground integral to the success of the maintenance, tree marking program, they commented. for a timber sale, fence re- Forest Service and CAPE- pair and construction, and CO staff communicate reg- other tasks. This exposure ularly in order to respond to to different jobs expand- crew and program needs. ed OYCC crew members’ The long-standing collab- knowledge of how the For- oration between the two est Service operates. groups has built a great “It is great to get working relationship that this important work done has resulted in a successful around the forest but con- program.” necting with our youth and Houck commented that community is what is really the value added to the com- special about this program,” munity would not be pos- said Brandon Houck, Hep- sible without CAPECO for pner District Ranger. partnering in this program. “The interconnected- The OYCC program ness of rural communities, is an annual opportunity mat of meeting with each For additional information contact Heppner High such as Heppner, and the open to youth ages 16-21 Forest Service is undeni- on the Heppner Ranger parent at the beginning of School. able. Not only do programs District. For those seeking their high school journey such as this provide youth more information please has proven to be very ef- employment opportunities, contact Becky Weseman at fective. We strive to have but these programs also 541-676-9187 or rebecca. great working relationships can provide an avenue to weseman@usda.gov. with all parties to create the best possible outcomes for A safety committee The monthly meeting our students to succeed,” of the Ione Library Dis- meeting will be held after stated Matt Combe, HHS trict’s Board of Directors the regular board meeting. Principal. will be held Monday, Sep- Everyone is welcome and "WHERE FRIENDS MEET" tember 23 at 6 p.m. at the encouraged to attend both 541-676-9181 142 N MAIN ST Ione Public Library, 385 W. meetings. Second Street. Freshman conferences scheduled Heppner High School will be conducting freshman conferences on Wednesday, September 25. The con- ferences will focus on the partnership between HHS staff, parents and students. Conferences will begin at 6 p.m., with parents attending with their child. “This conference for- Ione Library board to meet HEPPNER ELKS 358 Reversing Diabetes Seminar HUNTER'S NIGHT Thursday, September 26th 6 Week Workshop October 2 - November 6 Wednesday Evenings 6:00 pm Heppner SDA Church Workbooks are $45 per person/$60 couple Call to register (541) 561-9132 1/2 OFF WORKBOOKS WITH THIS COUPON THE BURNING BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED FOR THE CITY OF HEPPNER Burn Permits purchased before September 16th 2019 are no longer valid Beef Ribs Cole Slaw Garlic Bread Drawings for prizes Dinner at 6:30pm Members Only
