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About Nyssa gate city journal. (Nyssa, Or.) 1937-199? | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 1974)
Nyssa Gate City Journal 68th Year 37th Issue The Sugar City Nyssa, Oregon Thursday, September 12, 1974 Thunderegg Capital 15C Per Copy City Council Approves 24-hour Fire And Police Dispatch Service The Nyssa City Council moved Tuesday night to provide 24 hour dispatch service with combined func lions as both fire and police dispatcher and jailer. A starting date was not of- fu tally disclosed although the service may begin within two months. The Nvssa City jail will be opened to overnight use with the acquisition of the dual dutied night dispatcher. Pre viously, Nyssa has been using Ontario dispatching and has sent prisoners to Vale to be held until the prisoner’s case came to court. The City Council made the move citing the rising costs of transporting the prisoners to Vale as a major reason for the move, in addition to rising costs of meals and boarding, and the cost of home-phone fire telephone lines presently needed for volunteer firemen It was stressed the jail would be opened as a "temporary lock up facility.” and not as a permanent jail. Prisoner will not be held in Nvssa longer than seven days. A year ago the City of Nvssa upgraded and re modeled the tail, but couldn't hold prisoners overnight w ith out the 24 hour surveillance on an hourly basis. The night dispatcher, ac cording to City Manager Henry Schneider, will also handle some administrative chores now handled bv fire and police officers, such as fire reports, police shift reports, and police monthly reports which are now handled by officers in their off-duty hours. Schneider said three new persons would be hired to handle the 24 hour dispatch ing chores, with a back-up crew of present city hall staff Nyssa School Board Takes Two-day Trip BOR SENEY, HANKED by hi« two well traveled horse». Trooper on the left loaded with paik supplies and Frosty, pauses for a moment near Nvssi while en route to Port Angeles. Washington, the end of a 3.000 mile journey that started in Yuma. Arizona. Odyssey Through lite West - Oil llorsehuck By Merlin Mann When Bob Seney retired from the Air Force a few years ago he decided to stay strictly on the ground Literally. Seney is spending his summer vacation this year traveling around the western half of the United States - on horseback Senes and his two horses. Trooper and Frosty, passed by Nvssa last week on their way to Port Angeles. Wash . the end of Seney'» summer vacation which started back on March 17 when he left Yuma. Arizona He and his two horses have been on the road for sis months and Seney doesn't plan to roll into Port Angeles until the middle of October The seven month trip will have covered 3.(XXI miles Seney and his horses started from Yuma and ventured cast into New Mexico before heading north through Colorado, into Wyoming, a corner of Utah and then across Idaho Hc crossed into Oregon south of Adrian and is now headed TVCC Offers Ari Class At Adrian The Treasure Valley Com munity College Office of Community Education will offer a section of oil painting this term in Adrian The class, which will be under the instruction of Mike McGuire, will meet Tuesday afternoons 2 p.m to 5 p m., tn the Adrian Grade School. The class carries two adult education credits and is designed to satisfy a wide range of abilities The first class meeting w ill be Septem ber 24 west along the John Day highway. Seney stays away from the well traveled freeways. thus picking the John Day route rather than along Interstate KO North His horses are on their fourth set of shoes since the odyssey began sis months ago One more shoeing will be necessary. Seney said, before they reach their destination. For Seney it’ll be his third extended trip on horseback through the Western U.S. In 1967 he took his first long trip, traveling the sky-line trail from Mexico to Northern Washington along the ridge of the Cascade and Sierra mountain ranges In 1970-71 he wandered for IK months on a 7,000 mile trip that circled the West. Leaving Port Angeles he journeyed east across North ern Washington. Idaho. Montana and North Dakota Turning south he went through the Plains States to Texas. Then it was east to California and norlh along the Sky line Trail again He left in the spring of 1970. visited 14 states and didn't return for a year and a half. What makes a retired 63 year old take to the road on horseback? ”1 don’t really know." he said "I've tried to figure it out myself and I don't know why. I just like to travel and I like to do it on horseback So he rides horses to do his traveling And the trips keep the slender well-built Senev in surprisingly good shape "I feel real good This keeps you in good shape." said the red laced traveler His nose was a deep, burnt red. like any nose barely unshaded by the brim of a hat in a hot bright summer. Seney’s summer has been particularly hot and dry. "I haven’t seen an inch of rain during the whole trip.” he said. But all that will end. he figures, during the next few weeks as he heads into the home stretch through West ern Washington At night Seney and his horses will catch sleep along the highways or in parks, "wherever there is a little grass." Last week he stayed at Owyhee Junction one night before moving on. He travels six days a week, averaging 20 miles a day. then takes off one day a week for rest. By the time Seney makes Port Angeles he’ll probably have the most well-traveled horse in the country. "I’ll bet money, and give twe-to-one odds." he said, “that my horse Trooper has walked farther than any horse in the country.” And how far is that? Ten thousand miles and 17 states Trooper went on Seney s last trip which covered '.(XX) miles and 14 states, then on the present tnp which Seney estimated at 3.000 miles (picking up the three West ern states he missed on hts long trip). Seney has now ndden through the 17 Western states, a fete few. or possi bly no one else tn the world, has accomlished. Hts next trip? it will be taken. "Oh. I guess, whenever I get the urge.” Some members of the Nyssa School Board and school administrators left Wednesday morning for a two-day tour of school buil dings through Central Ore gon and the Willamette Valley. In plans announced at the Board's regular meeting Mon» day night, the group of seven was to leave early Wednes day morning and arrive at Hermiston High School by 10 a m. Madras would be a 2:30 p.m. target with Redmond scheduled for 4 p m. weeks and readv for presen tation to the insurance companies. The board also approved an affirmative action policy stating its policy of non-dis crimination in the hiring and promotion of teachers on the basis of race, creed or sex. The board received a vocational program planning grant in the amount of $3,000. which the board moved to use a part of to cover the expenses of the trip Wednesday and Thursday into Central and Western Oregon. The busy day would be concluded with a long drive to Salem that night. At 8 a m on Thursday morning the group was to meet at the State Department of Educa non At 9:30 the group would visit Cascade High School and Stayton at noon. The board also approved pavment of the bills for August which totaled $129.- 836.84. of which a sizeable part will be reimbursed by the insurance-claims ’ The purpose of the trip was to study the vocational programs of the schools. the general layout of the schools, and most specifically the size and capabilities ot the gym nasiums. The plans for the new Nyssa High School complex were high-centered two weeks ago over the size of the gymnasium the high school should have. In other business, the school board heard Junior High Principal Dan Martin report that the inventory of the loss in the June 5 fire would be completed in two NYSSA PT A meeting Nyssa PT A will hold its first meeting of the 1974-75 year. Thursday, September 19, in the multi purpose room at 8 p.m. Program will consist of reports from students Terry Fife. Kathy Kunkel and Nina Vanetti. who attended OMSI a Summer Science Camp at Terramaor. near Coos Bay. Oregon. Everyone attend is invited to *WE ATHEN • • • • • at the Nyssa Swimming Pool over the weekend caused city crews many extra hours of work vacuuming the pool and cleaning out the debris before the pool could be used Water Superin tendent Ralph lowe is shown skimming grass off the surface. Paint, dirt, manure, grass, pinto beans, oatmeal, glass and other objects were thrown DAMAGE over the fence, with some of the stuff thrown in plastic bags. City Manager Henry Schneider said there was absolutely no excuse for such action, as the whole purpose of the pool is to serve the people, and particulars the young people of the community. School P I classes are using the pool now. but were unable to use it Monday because of the vandalism. U ritinji (lass Offered Freelance Writing will be offered by the Treasure Valley Community College Office of Community Educa tion during fall term. The course will be taught by Linda Fillmore, whose ex perience includes staff wri ting for the Chicago Tribune and freelance sales to maga zines including Ms The course content will include writing query letters, selecting a subject, getting the information, interviews, library research, planning and slanting an article, writing the lead, manuscript form and market study. Participants in the class will select at least one subject and develop it through the term into a potentially saleable article. Participants will also be urged to submit their pieces to commercial markets for publication. to the city. At present the city is required to inspect the proper zoning restrictions of a building site and the proper distances between the build ings and streets, but the actual building inspection is done by the state. City Manger Schneider said the state should either do it all. or let the city complete the inspection and collect the funds for doing so The state officials will meet with representatives of Ontario and Nvssa on Monday, September 16 at the County Library in Ontario. In other business, the Council heard the third reading of the curb cut or dinance. but requested a minor change and will have one more reading. The code establishes distances pro perty owners are permitted to cut in the curb for a driveway. The distance allowed for the curb cut will be not less than 12. nor more than 20 feet per driveway. Two driveways on one building site must be se parated by 20 feet. The council also heard the third and final reading of the amusement machine taxing changes, which alter the payment schedule for amuse ment machines from a yearly basis to a monthly basis. The ordinance is a temporary one, until the council adopts a revised code for license fees. It was also reported at the meeting that no one had yet filed candidacy for the city council positions which are up for election in November Three positions will be open. Area Officials Discuss County Port District Forming a port district in Malheur County was the topic of interest Monday evening as Floyd Shelton, port division, Oregon De partment of Transportation, met with county and city officials from Nyssa. Ontario and Vale, chamber of com merce members, and repre sentatives of several farm organizations. Shelton told the group that considerable economic ad vantage has been gained by formation of port districts throughout Oregon, and par ticularly Portland and Uma tilla. There are now 23 port districts formed, with others considered. The district in Malheur County would be a dry land district, but there is no difference in their forma tion. according to Shelton. County Judge Roy Hirai told the assembly that the first step in formation of a district is to define the boundary, hire an attorney, and let the people know the facts concerning the forma tion of a port district. It was pointed out that to attract industry with its economic benefits can be well worth the small investment in tax money needed to form and operate a district. Discussion brought out the fact that communities on the Oregon side of the Snake River have lost new business to Idaho because of the Oregon tax structure, and because a port district has not been available to help in the financing. Further exploratory work will now be done by a steering committee towards getting opinions and infor ming the people of this area. The ngid schedule would be capped with the long drive home again Those indica ting they would go on the trip were Board members Don Engstrom. Mark Hartley, Gene Stunz and Gerald Simantel. plus Superinten dent W L McPartland. High School Principal Gene Ches ter and building committee member Dick Tensen. The agenda includes an introduction of teachers and the teacher’s reception, ac cording to Glenda Barnes, president. MALICIOUS and police officers. The ouncil directed Schneider to proceed with the develop ment of specific plans and to e stablish a starting date so that present services could be phased out in an orderly manner. The initial salary costs of the dispatchers will be handled by SETA, a govern mental emergency training agency in Ontario, according to Schneider. The agency will fund the dispatchers through the training period which will extend through June. 1975. Beginning July the dispatchers' salaries will then be figured into the new Nvssa budget In other council business, the council received a letter from State Building Code officials rejecting its request to either take complete control of building site inspections, or turn the complete inspection job over • • •••••<» • • MIN MAX DATE 46 89 Sept. 4 56 85 Sept. 5 48 89 Sept. 6 48 88 Sept. 7 51 90 Sept. 8 5J 89 Sept. 9 49 74 Sept. 10 50 Sept 11 Owyhee Reservoir storage 9 11 74-419,(XX) Acre Feet 9-1173 414.310 Acre Feet PRINCIPALS IN THE ORGANIZATION of a Port District for Malheur County arc from left. Floyd Shelton. Oregon Department of Transportation. County Judge Roy Hirai. Garv Lions Broom Sale Plan ned Nyssa residents, and peo ple throughout Treasure Val ley. should be on the lookout for Lions Club members in their yellow vests next Wednesdav and I hursdav evenings September 18 and 19 are the dates for the annual Live. Inc sale held each year for many years for the benefit of the Lions' sight program Most of the usual items will be sold again this year, such as brooms, push brooms door mats, chimes, rugs and tow straps. These items are made by handicapped per sons employed by Live. Inc. in Boise. Jim Robinson is chairman of the sale this year, and asks that Nyssa residents support the Lions as they go door to door in this annual sale for a needy cause. In addition to their sight pro gram. Robinson said that the club plans to improve play ground facilities in the parks Another project in the planning stage are some benches downtown to accom modate elderly citizens who need a rest while shopping Cole To Graduate William B Cole will be graduating from the De Vry Institute of Technology in Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday, September 17. Guest speaker will be Senator Berry Goldwater. Cole is the son of Mrs. Royce Cole. McGraw. Vale; Gordon Schneider. Nvssa. Capps. Ontario; and Henry Argus Photo County Assessed Valuation Shows Increase Malheur County Assessor Oscar Bratton said that the new valuation figures and tax rates for 1974-75 have been computed. Malheur County has a new assessed value of $353,891,358. This reflects a growth over last year of $25,505,397, an increase of just over seven percent. Bratton said that the inventory piiase out of 40% (which now includes farm machinery), the processor's, veteran's; mobile homes, vehicles, camper trailers for sale and other exemptions total $42,725,639, resulting in a net assessed total of $311,165,719 Bratton said that in addi tion to this exemption figure, an estimated $20.(XX).(MX) has been removed from the assessment roll due to "Farm Use" applications and the county zoning which went into effect January I, 1974. Oregon Law. Bratton said, requires that land zoned F-l (exclusive farm use) automa tically be assessed "Farm Use Value" (income to landlord) instead of "Market Value" (what it would sell for). Lands zoned for other purposes. Bratton said, and used for farming may also receive this "Farm Use" assessment if the owner so desires and makes appli cation with the assessor, an estimated 95% of all farm property is now under "Farm Use” assessment. Real property, Bratton said, showed a growth (not including utilities or mobile homes) of $17.852,5’’6. Personal property (not inclu- KRAZY DAZE The 15th annual “Krazy Daze" will be held next Thursday. Fri day and Saturday, Sep tember 19, 20 and 21 ac cording to Bob Wilson, chairman of the Nyssa Chamber of Commerce Merchants Committee. This is traditionally the largest sales week end of the year in Nyssa, and merchandise is mar ked down in every store in Nyssa. Saturday of that weekend salespeo ple dress in crazy garb, and a parade and other events for the kids is held The Journal will again blanket the sales area with a special edition, and advertisers are ask ed to get their copy in early. Watch next week's paper for the complete schedule of events, and check each ad for the best bargains of the year and save like crazy. ding mobile homes assessed as personal property) in creased $5.100.4J1 over last year. Mobile homes, both real and personal property, show an increase from $4,147,991 to $4,993,236 for an $845,245 increase. Bratton said that of the 44 codes (taxing districts) in the county, 17 codes have a decrease in tax rate and 26 have an increase. One new district had no previous history. Of all the codes. Bratton said, the Rockville District (Code 37) has the largest decrease from last year's tax rate of $22.62 per thousand assessed value to $11.72 for a reduction of $10.90 Annex District (Code 10) has the largest increase from $15.88 to $21.38, a raise of $5.50. The City of Vale dropped from $28.JO to $26.24 while the City of Nyssa increased from $28.30 to $29.66 and the City of Ontario increased from $23.18 to $24.45. Utilities. Bratton said, are up $1 707.145 for a total this year of $28,J66,9.30 TVCC has a tax rate of $2.54 as compared with last year’s $2 45. Bratton said that the total advolorem tax to be collected within the county this year will be $6,750,888 61. This is to be compared with $6,286.- 271 68 for last year