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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 14, 2025)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 14, 2025 -- THREE Health District CEO search ~ 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 $16 Email to editor@ rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Honesty Seems like something’s missing these days and I think I’ve figured out what it is. I think it’s truth. Not talking about “my truth” or “your truth.” I’m talking about the truth. Seems like forever since you could turn on the evening news and know you’re not getting snowed. Today’s agenda-driven reporting should come with a disclaimer: “Facts have been changed to protect the guilty.” Remember Walter Cronkite? He closed every newscast with “And that’s the way it is.” We never really felt the need to ques- tion him. If Walter said it, you could count on it being the truth. Just the facts. No commentary necessary. Today you have to do a 30-minute research to try and confirm one statement. Boy, do I miss Walter. I feel for the younger generation. Their world of AI, Photoshop and Vir- tual Reality has to make deciphering the truth dif- ficult…and exhausting. Meanwhile, they’re being bombarded with ridicu- lous notions like…biology means nothing, boys can be girls and girls can be boys…because pretend- ing something makes it real. And people who don’t pretend with you are just being mean. I believe it was Hitler’s chief propaganda guy who said, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” He had a point. Woke Folks have become masters at that technique. One of the big lies today is that the truth doesn’t re- ally matter. I recently heard a young person say, “Just don’t do it, and say you did.” Broke my heart. To them, lying was an accept- able option, and not even a difficult one to choose. I think we’re missing some- thing in the education and direction of kids today. “Follow your heart. My truth, your truth.” Parents need to drive home the fact that if you lie, you’re a liar. And remind them who the father of lies is. I think honesty is prob- ably the most important character trait. Without it, you’ve got all the integ- rity of a cheap, wet paper towel. When can you trust a liar? That’s simple…nev- er. I’ve heard people say, “Oh I wouldn’t lie about that.” Really? Then could you please publish a list of all the circumstances in which you would not lie, just so those around you don’t have to guess? Catch someone in a lie, and it takes away every ounce of integrity so that you ques- tion anything they’ve ever said or done or will do in the future. And being lied to isn’t a great feeling. Does God forgive liars? Yep… but they need to ask. Sometimes truth isn’t easy to say or hear. Lying may seem like a simple fix, but nothing is worth your integrity. And wouldn’t it be nice to trust people again? So speak the truth. Maybe if we say it big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool” (Prov- erbs 19:1). Susie Crosby Prineville, OR Vote yes to support our children I am writing to endorse bond measure 25-104 for our school districts. We have been a part of this community for over 50 years; both my wife and I graduated from Riverside High School. Our business, Rock Enterprises, has con- tributed to the region for 47 years. I want to ensure that the decades ahead of us are the best they can be. One of the best predictors of our county’s future is the kind of education we provide, which will shape our workforce, leaders and citizens of tomorrow. We have been a pre- ferred contractor for Mor- row County Schools for several years. We have worked at our schools from Heppner to Irrigon. We know the conditions of the schools. After extensive work over several months at the Irrigon High School, we know the condition of the building. We support a new high school. We have done substan- tial work at Heppner High School. The building is dated and needs a major remodel. Riverside High School needs love. When we at- tended, it was one of the nicest high schools in East- ern Oregon. Now it has holes in the walls. The influx into our elementary schools has been drastic. We need to follow this growth to keep our ele- mentary schools efficient and capable of handling the students presented to them. The infrastructure we use today throughout the county and the schools we have exist because our elders planned ahead for us to have what we need to thrive. Our county is thriv- ing. We need to recognize that and not take second seat to adjacent counties. We need to plan for this growth as our parents and grandparents did. Voting for this bond is about making sure that our schools are ready to help our children and our children’s children develop and maintain those skills needed for Morrow County. In many ways, the failure of previous bonds has been a blessing. It has allowed us to refine the needs of our school district and discover major issues we didn’t know existed. Please vote yes for Morrow County Schools. We need to support our children be- cause, in the end, they will support us. Thank you, Cecil O. Rock President Rock Enterprises Inc. Vote yes for school bond To the voters in the Morrow County School District and other con- cerned citizens: RE: Upcoming school bond. This is a quick letter in support of the upcoming school bond. I am an 18- year (retired) employee (music teacher) of Morrow ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. County School District. Any of us that live in an apartment or a house, re- gardless if we own or rent, realize that buildings and infrastructure to support those buildings are “biode- gradable” products, mean- ing that without intentional and specific maintenance and upgrades, their usabil- ity goes downhill, some things quickly, others over a longer period of time. Our school buildings need help. Measure 25-104 ad- dresses the needs of our aging school buildings. $204.4 million is a tremen- dous amount of money. Estimated nearly $3 per $1000 is a lot of money for an individual taxpayer (me). I hope all of you had the opportunity to read and digest the letter to the editor: (Heppner Gazette- Times, Wed., May 7, 2025) “School bond: money left on the table?” John Murray, very succinctly, laid out the advantage of passing this bond, rather than voting no. My take: We have the chance to drastically im- prove the physical safe- ty and condition of our schools. Through certain nego- tiated contracts within our tax district with businesses and industry, we have the possibility of reducing the length of payment on this bond. No, it will not mean a reduction of the monthly (or yearly) payment of the obligation however, it will reduce the duration of pay- ments. I see that similar to the 30-year mortgage on my house being paid off in po- tentially 15 years because someone else picked up part of the tab.... Please vote yes for measure 25-104. Richard Drake Retired music teacher, RHS and Heppner schools Heppner, OR -Continued from PAGE ONE Godsend for all you serve in our county and all the other counties,” she said. “I’m so thankful for it.” The board also ap- proved Jamie Houck, reg- istered nurse and inpatient services director, as acting administrator and director of professional services for MCHD home health if Spencer is absent or inca- pacitated. Another hot topic at the health district involves the recent resignation of former CEO Emily Roberts, who took over the position in June of 2021. According to the separation agreement between Roberts and the health district, her resig- nation was voluntary and not requested by the health district board. As part of the sepa- ration agreement, Roberts will receive her current salary, including scheduled increases, for 12 months, paid bi-weekly starting from the last day of em- ployment. She may opt for a lump-sum payout of the remaining amount any time, payable within 10 business days. She will also receive benefits for the 12-month period, excluding vaca- tion/sick leave accrual. That includes five percent contribution to her 401a retirement plan, Tri-Coun- ty Ambulance Association and LifeFlight member- ships, death and disability insurance, and medical, dental and vision insurance at no cost to her. In return, the agree- ment protects both parties from future legal disputes, as both Roberts and the health district agree not to file claims, lawsuits or ad- ministrative actions related to Roberts’s employment. The agreement includ- ed a list of health district contributions Roberts is credited with, including opening a mobile rural health clinic extension, improving clinic produc- tivity while reducing costs, implementing primary care behavioral health, and en- hancing employee engage- ment and patient satisfac- tion. Price Reduction $220,000 The agreement also department visits and 254 states that no future MCHD hospital outpatient visits. board or employee can Home health and hospice change the agreement’s had 237 hospice days and payments without mutual 76 home health visits. Health district Chief consent from both parties. I n o t h e r b u s i n e s s , Financial Officer/Chief Op- Burke gave his first report erating Officer Nicole Ma- as CEO, though he said honey reported $9,964,456 he might discontinue the gross patient revenue year- verbal report and only ad- to-date, less $99,226 con- dress the CEO Dashboard tractual adjustments and and EMS stats if the board provision for bad debts, has questions. He also sug- for total net patient reve- gested the board consider nue of $10,063,682 YTD. a “true consent agenda” She also reported tax and for several sections of the other operating revenue of $3,406,021 for total operat- agenda. The CEO Dashboard ing revenue of $13,469,703 for April shows 53 days YTD compared to a budget cash on hand, 98 days AR of $16,074,471 YTD. Mahoney also report- on Cerner and 127 days in AR for all records sys- ed operating expenses of tems. The health district has $15,786,695 for a net loss changed electronic record of $934,744 YTD. In other business, the systems several times in the board authorized check last couple of years. The Dashboard also signers Diane Kilkenny, shows a 9.4 percent turn- Board Chair; Scott Ezell, over rate, 13.1 percent va- Board Vice Chair; Den- cancy rate and 14 open nis Burke, Interim Chief Executive Officer; Nicole positions. “Some of these num- Mahoney, Chief Operating bers are very, very good Officer; Staci Hedman, numbers,” Burke told the Revenue Cycle Director; Sheryl Angell, Director of board. P i o n e e r M e m o r i a l Nursing Services. The board also ratified Clinic reported 166 visits, Ione Community Clinic physician agreements with 207 visits, Irrigon Medical Daniel Lancefield, MD, and Clinic 251 visits and Board- Stuart Clive, MD. The next regular meet- man Immediate Care 128 visits. Pioneer Memorial ing of the MCHD Board of Hospital had 287 hospital Directors is scheduled for admit days, 91 emergency May 19 at 6:30 p.m. Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription The Gazette Puzzle Pop Sharpen your mind with our Gazette Puzzle Pop! Weekly math, word, and local trivia from our five towns—no internet or phones allowed. Answers in next week’s edition—grab a pencil and show off! Math Quizz Level - Easy Q: A snail climbs 5 meters up a wall each day but slips back 3 meters at night. How many days to reach 10 meters, and why’s it so determined? Jokes Level - Easy Q: Why don’t raindrops ever lie? Morrow County Trivia Challenge 177 N Main St. Heppner, Or 97836 O: 541-676-9228 E:sykeschris@hotmail.com Level - Moderate Q: In which Morrow County town was the Star Theatre opened on February 5, 1919 and destroyed by a fire in 1962? Discover a timeless treasure with this beautifully preserved Craftsman-style home, featuring 1,174 sq ft on the main level and an additional 1,008 sq ft in basement, perfect for storage or extra space to customize. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath gem combines classic charm with modern comforts, including a newer furnace, forced air heat, and a freshly painted exterior. Located in a prime spot near the school and within walking distance to downtown Heppner, this home provides both convenience and a sense of community. Experience small-town living with easy access to downtown. Don’t miss the chance to make this spacious, character-filled home your own! 240 N COURT ST Heppner MLS#:24652848 Puzzle: Speedy Delivery Q: A delivery truck travels 60 miles to a warehouse at an average speed of 40 mph. On the return trip, the driver takes a faster route, increasing the average speed to 60 mph. What is the total time for the round trip? A: Solution: The round trip takes 2.5 hours. Joke Q: Why did the tomato turn red at the vegetable quiz show? A: Because it saw the salad dressing! Morrow County Trivia: What yellow wildflower, common in Morrow County’s sagebrush flats, is one of the first to bloom in early spring? Answer: Sagebrush Buttercup. Upcoming Events ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: Youth Night May 15th - 6:00 pm - Open to all youth, gun raffle, general raffle, Spaghetti dinner Lodge Hours: Wed 4pm to close with dinner at 6pm Thurs 4pm to close (Lodge at 8pm) Fri & Sat 4pm to close with dinner from 5pm to 8pm off the menu Members and their Guests Answers from May 7th edition MONDAY AT 5:00 P.M. Seniors Matter May Menu May 6 - Baked Pasta, Garden salad, Garlic bread and dessert May 13 - Hot Turkey Sandwich, Mashed potatoes, Pea salad, Dessert May 20 - Taco Bravo Bar, Spanish Rice and Dessert May 27 - BBQ Beef Sandwich, Jojo potatoes, Coleslaw and Dessert Ad sponsored by Bank of Eastern Oregon
