Thursday, February 25, 1971
Th« Nyssa Gat« City Journal, Nyssa, Oregon
Pag« Eight
Hunter Firearm Accidents
Reported Down In 1970
Nyssa Beats
Payette, 63-51
Oregon hunters chalked up a
Some accidents occurred
pretty good record last year in while hunters were crossing
relation to firearm accidents, fences, driving the back roads
winding up the season with the with loaded firearms in vehic­
lowest number of casualties in les, dropping rifles or shot­
the past 14 years and matching guns, or tripping or falling over
the fewest number of deaths obstacles. Revolvers and pis­
since record keeping began back tols (illegal for hunting game
in 1950.
animals) were involved in 15
The final tally for 1970, ac­ accidental shootings, all but
cording to Cal Giesler, hunting one of which were self-inflicted.
safety supervisor for the Game Several years agoapistol-toter
Commission and official keeper tried to quick-draw on a blue
of the records, shows that grouse and shot himself in the
hunter-caused firearm casual­ leg. Last year the same story
ties totaled 53, with three of was told, only the shooter’s
these being fatal. The three intended victim was a pine
fatal accidents was the lowest squirrel. If the truth will out,
recorded since 1951.
we’d probably find a few more
We always dislike reporting pistol accidents which fall in the
on hunting accidents since the quick-draw category.
common reaction with some
Twenty-three hunters either
people is to blast this great, shot their hunting companion or
challenging sport as highly dan­ some other hunter. Causes gi­
The girls above are on the AHS Tum-
second in the trampoline division; Loretta
gerous. The cold statistical ven include the six victims out
Woodland, third in the balance beam; Sue
facts presented, plus the cus­ of sight and the three hit by bling team that placed in the gymnastic
competition last Thursday night at Adrian,
Olsen third in the trampoline division; Mary
tomary blazing headlines, lead ricochets, three mistaken for
Looney, third in mat tumbling; and Sheila
some people to believe that game, several victims who step­ There were seven schools that participated
They are from left to right: Ro-
Pratt, second in Free X.
hunting is some form of sui­ ped into line offire, and the rest in this,
cidal recreation that for all good just accidental discharge. I berta Asumendi, first in mat tumbling, and
purposes should be abolished. think you can see that your WAVAWAVAWAV,
The truth is, hunting is one chances of being shot by some
of the safest outdoor sports in other hunter are indeed mighty
which a person can participate. slim.
“Excellent water supplies will be available in Malheur county
by Sue Olsen
Statistics show that only a
Although comprising only a
to water users having access to stored water,” said S. Duane
minute percentage of hunters small portion of the total num­ AVAV.VAVAVAVAV Town, Soil Conservation Service District Conservationist at
that go afield are ever in danger. ber of hunters, we find juveniles
Vale. Due to rainfall and warm temperatures streams which
OUEEN OF HEARTS
In Oregon last year only three involved in a disproportionate
The 1971 tip-off queen was normally run off during the next three months flowed heavily
individuals were mistaken for share of accidents with 26 Vikki Shenk. She was crowned in January. Users dependent on this later runoff will observe
game, two for deer and one for youngsters from 6 to 19 years at the Adrian vs. Melba game some shortages.
The snowpack is practically all gone now
elk, and one of these occurred of age either shooting them­ on February 13. Vikki is the except at the highest elevations where it is normal or above.
when spotlighters were illegally selves, their huntingcompanion daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Watershed soils are saturated and streams should respond
hunting deer at night. Three or some other hunter. Juvenile Schenk of Route 1 Homedale. well to any precipitation that comes from now on. Reservoirs
other accidents occurred when casualties also totaled 26. Thir­
stored much of the January runoff and are almost twice as
AHS BASKETBALL
individuals were shooting pro­ teen of these were self-inflicted
Last week end Adrian played full as usual.
tected wildlife or were poaching and only one was the result of Nampa Christian and Wilder in
out of season. One death is adult carelessness. Horseplay their last two games of the sea­
"Eldorado
Pass had a snow depth of 19 inches with a 5.3
still under investigation and it led the list as the leadingcause son. Adrian traveling to Nampa inch water content as of Jan. 29,” Town reported. This is
remains doubtful that it was of juvenile accidents. Several Friday night, found that the quite a bit more than the average water content of 2.5 inches for
actually a hunting accident.
youngsters were hunting without victory
bell was not to be this snow course. Snow shoes were not needed to get over the
In almost all instances the adult supervision, several more sounded for them as they lost to snow as it was crusted and frozen so hard that a horse could
cause of injury or death can had no training in the safe hand­ the Trojans.
have easily walked on top.
be laid directly to carelessness ling of firearms, and two ju­
Flow in streams ahd rivers was 2 to 2 1/2 times the normal
Saturday night found the AHS
or ignorance in the safe handling venile accidents resulted from team on the road again. This during the month. A few areas produced heavier flows, such
of firearms, This carelessness hunting with faulty firearms^
time to Wilder to battle the Wild­ as the inflow into Owyhee reservoir which was seven and one-
resulted in 29 self-inflicted
Now, we have a few cold facts. cats. After a very close game half times the January average. Some of the runoff was from
woundings, one resulting in We could make them even more Adrian came in second, 3 points melting snow which normally would have contributed to later
death.
As can be seen, the dramatic by recounting how behind, losing their last game streamflow in March and April. Streamflow forecast have
hunter is his own worst enemy, some of the accidents happened, of the season. Yes, this was been adjusted downward to account for this factor.
with danger to other individuals such as the youngster wounding a bad year for the Adrian teams,
Prospective April-September streamflow for some re­
quite remote.
two companions with a single both in football and basketball. presentative streams are as follows;
Of the 53 accidents, only nine shot. Or it might be the young Nobody knows this better than
Stream
Forecast (As%of‘53-‘67 Ave.)
can be classed as purely ac­ fellow who shot himself while football coach Grant Jokl and Owyhee net inflow
119
cidental. These accidents oc­ illegally hunting quail on his basketball coach Beck, and of Malheur near Drewsey
138
curred when six victims were parents’ farm. It could be the course, the players. Next year Silvies near Burns
138
completely out of sight of the pistol-toter who deliberately holds new challenges and new John Day, Middle Fork near Ritter
134
shooter — in most Instances aimed at his partner and pulled games and above all new hopes.
Soil moisture on the Malheur River Basin is 114% of the ave­
the shooter did not know of the the trigger -- the classic an­
rage; and on the Owyhee River Rasin it is 100% of average.
BAND
victim’s presence -- and three swer to this one was, ‘‘I didn’t
At present the reservoirs are storing water as follows;
This Thursday night is the
victims were hit by ricocheting know it was loaded.” Or how annual Pep Band-Stage Band Owyhee 683,980 acre feet; Warm Springs 137,625 acre feet;
bullets.
about the adult sitting in the Concert. Starting at n:30 p.m. Beulah 41,130 acre feet; and Bully Creek 20,700 acre feet.
Also following the pattern back seat of a moving vehicle with Stage Band.
at past years, the vast majority working the action of his loaded
of accidents occurred at very shotgun while his finger was on 8TH GRADE BEATS
close range with 39 reported the trigger and the muzzle rest­
By Robert F. Smith, Speaker assessed value of all owner-
at distances of 25 yards or less ing on his left foot?
VALLIVUE, 32 - 29 of the House and Sen. Anthony occupied residences.
and 35 of these within three
But we’ll spare you the details
Yturri
The State Department of Re­
yards or less of the firearm. of these foolish acts because we
The Nyssa 8th grade basket­
venue estimates that this will
One of the major causes of still make the claim that hunt- ball team edged past Vallivue
The major property tax re­ provide $28 million in direct
close-range accidents is the ing is one of the safest of all last Friday in a home game.
lief measure of the 1971 Legis- tax relief to some 375,000 Ore­
foolish practice of pulling sports. It ranks near the bot- Close all the way, the half-time
lature--and one which should gon homeowners in the coming
loaded firearms from or plac­ tom of the list compared with score was 13-13, and only in
generate broad bipartisan sup- two years.
ing them in vehicles and the other accident categories inclu­ the last few seconds Nyssa
port--has been proposed by Re­
The proposal is expected to
act of shooting from vehicles. ding all types of outdoor re­ gained a 3-point advantage and
publican members of the Senate eitempt some $561 million of
Thirteen accidents of this type creation,
Actually, a person went on to win 32-29.
and House.
residential property from pro­
were recorded last year.
is safer out hunting than he is
The program, as designed by perty taxation.
Top
scorer
was
Chris
Lords
taking a bath in his own home.
Another major portion of the
with 9 points,
Kevin Adams its GOP sponsors, addresses
Since 1954 when a uniform scored 7, Roy Mosqueda 7, itself directly to the problem plan would free Oregon’s senior
hunter casualty reporting sys­ Paul Short 4, Ted Joyce 2, of providing significant property citizens from the threat of los­
tem was established, the number Sam Hartley 2, and Joe Mar- tax relief for those citizens ing their homes through con­
whose need is greatest.
fiscatory property taxes.
of hunter-caused firearm acci­ tinez 1.
Under the plan, property taxes
The progressive nature of the
dents has fluctuated up and down
Next week Nyssa will be com­ Republican proposal is unique would be frozen at their pre­
from a low of 35 including 7
Physicians
peting with Emmett for theSRV among property tax relief plans sent level for all Oregonians
ile.itlis in 1957 to a high of 94
Championship in 8th grade com­ which have been discussed in age 65 or older. In the future
and Surgeons
including 14 deaths in 1967.
petition.
previous years.
when an Oregonian reaches age
In thesame period the number of
K. E. KERBY, M. D.
Also unique is the fact that 65, his property taxes will be
hunters in the field has climbed
K. A. DANFORD, M. D.
dramatically by almost 100,000
Unfortunately, there probably this measure would not be de­ frozen at that level, never to
Physicians and Surgeons
persons
from
the
259,000
li
­
always
will be a few hunting pendent upon the enactment of increase again.
Dial 372-2241
provide our
This should
censed hunters in 1954.
accidents, caused by a few low- a new tax or a broad-based
senior citizens with an oppor-
HOURS: 9 to 12 noon & 2 to
powered minds handling high- increase in existing taxes.
This total program will be tunity they deserve--the oppor­
5 P.M. - Monday through
So, when you stop to consider powered rifles and shotguns.
that almost350,000hunterswith But the Game Commission’s financed in the greatest part tunity to live in dignity and se­
Friday. 10 to 12 Saturday.
rifles and shotguns spent over excellent training program for through cuts in proposed bud­ curity and to have the guaran­
MAULDING CLINIC
3 1/2 million man-days afield juveniles in the safe handling of gets for state agencies and de­ tee that their savings and income
L. A. Maulding, M. D.
in 1970 in pursuit of the va­ firearms --as well as for adults partments and through a re­ will not be gobbled-up by fur­
Charles E. Vanetti. M.D.
rious game animals, yet had only --will in the long haul tend to alignment of budget priorities ther property tax increases.
Physicians and Surgeons
This freeze will provide Ore­
53 accidents with firearms, it all reduce even these small odds as recommended by Gov. Tom
McCall.
gon
’s senior citizens with a
Dial 372-2216
adds up to a minute percentage
Nonetheless, when it comes to
With all of its features con­ minimum of $2.4 million tax
HOURS; 9 to 12 noon and
figure with very little risk to the living a long as well as enjoy­
2 to 5 P.M., - Monday,
individual hunter. Records (ex­ able life, hunting is really the sidered, the plan would provide relief during the coming two
Tuesday, Thursday and
cept firearm accidents) are not best health insurance a person direct tax relief of $33 million years.
The third leg of the plan
kept on the many hunters in can have.
Friday. 9 to 12 noon, Wed­
And to this old during the coming two years.
Recipients of this significant would encourage home improve­
pursuit of the nongame species ridge-runner who spends about
nesday and Saturday. Weight
labs. "By appointment only”
such as rabbits, crows, and as much time out in the boon­ relief will be Oregon home­ ments by allowing a$500 annual
others but a conservative esti­ docks as he does at home, there owners, who should realize income tax deduction for money
Wednesday.
mate places this popular hunting is little doubt that his health a property tax reduction of 10 spent on home improvements.
DAVID W. SARAZIN, M.D.
»In the past, Oregon tax laws,
pastime at another million man- is always at its best in the percent on a statewide average.
Physician and Surgeon
The major feature of the have discouraged home im­
days in the field.
HOIRS; 10 to 12 noon A
Home Preservation Plan, as it provements because they in­
2 to 5 P.M. - Monday,
has been labeled by its sponsors, crease the assessed valuation of
Tuesday, Wednesday, Fri­
is an exemption from property the property and this results
day. 10 to 12 Saturday.
All
Day
and
taxation of $1,500 in the in higher taxation.
Phones: Office 372-3365
This home improvement ex­
Residence 372-3173
All Night
emption will result in direct tax
All Sizes of
relief of $4 million in the next
Optometrist
biennium.
DR. JOHN EASLY
Republicans, in proposing this
387 S. W. 4th Avenue
taxpayer assistance, have emp­
Ontario, Oregon
hasized that it is a minimum
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by Jack Zimmerman
What kind of a session is the
When it comes to the en-
1971 meeting of the 56th Le- vironment and consumer move-
gislative Assembly?
ments, total numbers of bills
With only six weeks of the regarding these subjects so far
session completed, it’s pretty are misleading. Quite a num­
early to characterize and ca­ ber of bills involving both sub­
tegorize. Nevertheless, spe­ jects have been introduced and
culation and conjecture are more will follow. But quanity
part of the "scene” at Salem. doesn’t always portend quality
Pre-session
guesstimates legislation.
Fully half the bills introduced
went something like this; There
will be a record number of bills. each session of the Oregon Le­
The session will be a long one, gislature never get out of com­
And the most sub­
possibly a record-setter. No mittee.
new tax programs will evolve stantial changes in state law
to provide long-sought property likely could evolve from a mere
tax relief. The environment and handful of bills.
There are these types of
consumer
movements will
occupy the bulk of news space “substantive" bills in abun­
and time devoted to the session. dance this session because of
And a sagging economy — unprecedented interim com­
coupled with a lack of carry­ mittee activity. One such bill
over surplus from the last bien­ is SB 40, which would revise
nium, will produce an austerity the Oregon Criminal Code. An­
budget for all concerned.
other is SB 20, revising state­
Whether or not these pre­ wide election laws.
dictions come ture, Oregon law­
On the environmental and con­
makers already have upset the sumer "fronts,” the action is
prognosticators... Prior to Jan­ interesting from two particular
uary 11, for instance, who was standpoints.
First, there’s a
predicting
Portland’s John scramble of sorts by Legis­
Burns would emerge as Senate lators to be associated with
President?
these popular causes. And, sc -
And despite repeated pledges cond, there’s a whole new lobby
SACHIO HORI WINS to the contrary, House Re­ on the jobs in behalf of both-
publicans have submitted a pro­ drawn largely from the ranks
IN JUDO TOURNEY posal that would provide pro­ of housewives and students.
Nyssa had one winner at the perty tax relief to senior citi­
The popularity scramble so
Ore-Ida Invitational Judo Tour­ zens, all homeowners generally far has produced some ex­
nament at Ontario Saturday. and a bonus for those who make pected confusion. Duplicating
Sachio Hori, son of Mr. and" improvements to their homes.
measures are commonplace.
Although some might argue
Mrs.
Kiyomaro Hori, won
The Attorney General and con­
second place in the 11-12 year whether the property tax relief sumer interests have compe­
package involves new taxation, tition Deceptive Trade Prac­
old middleweight division.
Observers said that this tour­ cigarette smokers likely will tices Acts, for instance. Con­
nament was the largest that pay an extra nickel-a-pack to sumer protection advocates
they have seen of several held support their habit if the GOP have introduced a batch of bills,
program prevails.
in the Northwest.
each aimedatrightingaspecific
Meanwhile, it appears the
single alleged wrongful practice.
number
of bills introduced
Business, on the other hand,
could set a new record at the
has countered with one com­
Statehouse. A third of the way prehensive measure that would
into the session, lawmakers cure most of the ills and still
make it attractive for merchants
Billy Jacobs, son of Mr. and have introduced two-thirds of
to keep their doors open.
Mrs. L.L. Jacobs, 750 S.E. the total number of bills intro­
Environmental bills are more
Fourth Street, Ontario, holds duced in 1969. Some observers
complicated. Attracting most of
the rank of a Life Scout. On predict total bills will come
the public attention will be anti­
Saturday, February 20, he com­ close to 2,000 to this session-
litter bills involving taxes or
menced a special project which compared with 1,554 in ‘69.
Length of session is up for
deposits on beverage bottles
when completed will be one of
and cans and shipping con­
the requirements which will grabs. After a two-week Se­
tainers. Less glamorous en­
eventually lead him to scout- nate organizational delay, Ways
vironmental bills involve strong
ing’s highest rank—that of an & Means is really just begin­
new powers for enforcement of
Eagle.
Billy is going to or­ ning the struggle of balancing
existing anti-pollution laws and
ganize and supervise a trash the budget. It still looks like
placing the state’s environmen­
cleanup of one mile of street an austerity instrument. But
tal watchdogs on an expanded,
and/or park area in Ontario. revenue estimates by guberna­
fulltime paid basis.
This will be accomplished by torial advisors are holding up
So far most of the big head­
the aid of other scouts who will so far and there’s a faint note
also be working on Conserva­ of optimism among those who
lines have concentrated on
determine how the state will
granting 18-year-olds the right
tion Merit Badges.
to vote, control of explosives,
This whole project got its spend its money.
With the economy still slug­
field burning and disposition of
start last year when Ore-Ida
Camp Adair.
Foods purchased a mile of gish, however, the session’s
February’s a lousy time to
cleanup offered by the Boy length (always dependent upon
guess what the Oregon Legis­
Scouts at the 1970 Fundsy Auc­ Ways & Means deliberations)
lature will be doing in May.
tion in Boise.
Adult super­ probably won’t be estimated
But by May it should be re­
vision for this project is being accurately until State Income
latively simple to talk about
given by Glen Green, manager- Taxes are collected and added
what will happen in June.
developmental engineering, up some time after April 15.
Ore-Ida Foods, Inc., in Ontario.
The entire scoutingorganization
hopes that this demonstration
of city beautification might en­
courage others to discontinue
harmful littering practices and
also have the desire to clean­
This week SOLV, INC., (Stop paign to finance SOLV programs.
up unsightly trash that has been Oregon Litter and Vandalism)
“Nickels and dimes from
thrown in parks and along the is launching the first phase of youngsters mean commitment,”
highways and streets in all of its three-phase 1971 program Kel Kellner SOLV finance chair-»
our cities.
for a cleaner Oregon. A pro­ man says. “We must have a
gram predicated on partici­ commitment from everyone.
Oregon Eagles Show pation by every man, woman Our $100,000 budget must be
and child in Oregon, it already supported broadly across the
Membership Gain
is the envy of many other states state to operate a successful
program.”
in
the nation.
Oregon Eagle Lodges have
What does SOLV do with the
Phase I of the 1971 program
joined the ranks of the Bell
is
called
Design
for
a
Cleaner
How does it help Oregon
funds?
Ringer States having had a fan­
tastic membership year, an­ Oregon. All public and private to be a better place in which to
nounced Herman Schmidt, State schools students in Oregon, live and visit?
grades 1 through 12, are being
In just this way. By example,
President.
The state membership to date asked to participate in the de­ SOLV officials say, they intend
has been excellent, having re­ sign of an emblem (button) for to show that good citizenship is
ported 10.5 per cent in new SOLV. What SOLV needs and the most important factor in
members since last June 1. wants is a readily recognizable litter clean up. Everyone must,
trademark. To get it they have do his part. We help to show
The monthly state bulletin is
gone to the schools seeking that part by education, by film
edited by State Membership Di­
help from Oregon’s nearly showings throughout Oregon
rector W.M. Loy. In leadership
half-million school youngsters. schools, by assisting all or­
programs, support of Grand
And it is quite a carrot they’ve ganizations who want to do their
Aerie programs and in state
projects, Oregon has been ex­ held out to promote participation thing to prevent litter and van­
by these young citizens. First dalism, by making everyone in
emplary.
prize is a $500 Meier and Frank Oregon aware that there is;
The state has longbeen famed
Co. gift certificate.
something he can do individually.
for its program of providing
The design for aCleaner Ore­
We look forward to seeing
hearing aids to needy children
gon contest ends midnight March SOLV’s new emblem trademark.
with hearing problems.
19, with winners to be an­ We look forward to the action
nounced at a breakfast March for cleaner Oregon in April,
program, and a beginning only. 27.
and we pledge ourselves to make
We intend to continue with our
Phase II, Action for aCleaner a contribution to buy our share
efforts to identify additional Oregon, follows closely after in a cleaner Oregon.
state funds which can be cut from the approval of the new trade-
From now onSOLV’s success
proposed budgets and applied to Mark: April 3, a clean-up day is dependent upon what we can
throughout Oregon.
property tax relief.
do to support this organization
We believe this is a respon­
Official activities are being that has received nation-wide
sible approach to a vexing pro­ planned in 30 of Oregon’s 36 acclaim.
blem, and we are optimistic that counties
where SOLV local
support for this program in the chairmen have been preparing Riding Club To
Legislature will be broad-based for months to zero in on clean­ Have Pancake Feed
in nature.
up activities in cooperation with
Members of the Owyhee Rid­
other groups.
ing club will meet Friday, Feb­
The establishment of the local ruary 26, at the Oregon Trail
county organizations is a mea­ hall with the business meeting
sure of SOLV’s state wide suc­ following the pancake feed at
cess. “We must have total in­ 7 p.m.
volvement to do a credible
Each year the men of the club
job,” SOLV officials say. The prepare and serve the women
response has been, we think,
members at a pancake supper.
exceptional.
A short program will be pre­
Following
closely
after sented.
Phase 11 is the final emphasis
of activities that will last though
Journal Classifieds
the year, and the most impor­
tant.
Bring Results!
Phase III is the fund cam-
WATER SUPPLY FORECAST
THE 56TH LEGISLATURE
The Nyssa Bulldogs won their
12th game of the season Friday
night with a 63-51 win over the
Payette Pirates at Payette.
Nyssa led throughout the bat­
tle by 15-11 after a quarter of
play, 30-22 at halftime, and
45-37 going into the final period.
Both squads were cold from
the floor with Nyssa at 29%and
Payette shooting26%. The Bull­
dogs scored 21 points from the
foul line to the Pirate’s 19.
Greg Blanch was high for
Nyssa with 18, followed by Ron
Moffis 13, Felipe Martinez 8,
Steve Ross 7, Keith Oldemeyer
4, Dan Nichols 4, Scott Eng-
trom 3, Paul Trost 2, Jack
Moore 2 and Dave Manley 2.
Sherer scored 14 for Payette,
followed bySeaweardl0,Toda8,
Fales 5, Daniels 4, Browning
4, Sherich 4, McCallum 2.
The Junior Varsity Bulldogs
continued their winning ways
with a 68-47 victory over Pa­
yette JV’s in the preliminary.
Rod Lewis was high with 21
points, followed by Geren Man-
ley with 14, Lowell Williams
12, Jerry Wilson 5, Pat Ross
4, Nico Hopman 4, Kevin Eng­
strom 2, John Bernal 2, Tim
Lopez 2, and Mike Fitzsimmons
2.
Salem Scene
Scout Organizes
Street Cleanup
SOLV Launches Campaign
For A Cleaner Oregon