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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 2015)
22 Wednesday, February 11, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Slaid Cleaves returns to Sisters Feb. 20 The Belfry will host an evening with Slaid Cleaves Friday, February 20, at 7 p.m. Slaid Cleaves spins sto- ries with a novelist’s eye and a poet’s heart. Twenty years into his career, the celebrated songwriter’s CD “Still Fighting the War” spotlights an artist in peak form. Cleaves has performed multiple times at the Sisters Folk Festival and has become one of the region’s most beloved touring singer-song- writers. His songs are cine- matic, often wryly funny, and always cut to the bone. “Slaid’s a craftsman,” says Terri Hendrix, who sings har- mony on “Texas Love Song.” “He goes about his songs like a woodworker.” Cleaves is a native of Maine who moved to Austin, Texas, to become a key fig- ure in that town’s thriving music scene. Doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m. Food and drink are available for purchase. Tickets are $18 online at bendticket.com or $23 at the door. Governor faces ethics allegations, calls to resign By Jonathan J. cooper Associated Press SALEM (AP) — Oregon’s governor is struggling to deal with allegations that his fian- cee used his position to land clients for her environmental consulting business, claims that have drawn an ethics investigation and the scrutiny of the state’s attorney general. Although his role in arranging the deals isn’t clear, the scandal has posed a threat to the decades-long political career of four-term Democrat John Kitzhaber, Oregon’s longest-serving governor. The editorial board at the state’s largest newspaper, The Oregonian, called for him to resign this week, saying the controversy has become such a distraction that he can’t effectively lead. Two advisers to the Republican he defeated last year took early steps Friday to begin a recall effort. A series of newspaper reports since October have chronicled Cylvia Hayes’ work for organizations with an interest in Oregon pub- lic policy. During the same period, she worked as an unpaid adviser in the gov- ernor’s office. The spot- light on Hayes led to her revelation that she accepted about $5,000 to illegally marry an immigrant seeking immigration benefits in the 1990s. Later, she admitted she bought a remote prop- erty with the intent to grow marijuana. A S O C O: Taxes • Accounting • Business • Offi ce Probate • Trusts • Wills — Over 30 years experience — E G e949@aol.com • 541-771-1799 Window Blinds Draperies “Recent allegations relat- ing to Gov. Kitzhaber and Ms. Hayes are very serious — and troubling,” Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement. “My office is considering all of our legal options to ensure that we are best serving the state.” Rosenblum’s spokes- woman, Kristina Edmunson, would not elaborate on which allegations troubled the attorney general, who is a Democrat. Under Oregon law, the attorney general’s authority to investigate and bring criminal charges is lim- ited, but her office sometimes assists district attorneys with complex cases. Kitzhaber has repeatedly declined to appoint a special prosecutor, saying it’s unnec- essary. He has refused to step aside, no doubt emboldened by his re-election victory three months ago. Even after the first strands of scandal became the centerpiece of his rival’s campaign, Kitzhaber won by a larger margin than he managed four years earlier. “I was elected by the people of this state to do a job, and I’m going to do it,” Kitzhaber said in a Jan. 30 news conference that failed to quell the growing storm. A fiercely private per- son, Kitzhaber has been forced to answer embarrass- ing and personal questions about his relationship. In response to questions at the news conference last week, Kitzhaber told reporters that he’s in love with Hayes, but he’s not blinded by it. Some state leaders from his party have openly criti- cized him. Others have nota- bly avoided defending him. “The governor is facing serious challenges and he’s hurting,” said Democratic Senate President Peter Courtney of Salem, a long- time legislator who has worked with Kitzhaber for decades. “I want to be fair. I want to be compassionate. I want to do my job the best I can. I will not speculate on his future.” Kitzhaber met Hayes before the 2002 election, when he was governor and she was a candidate for the state Legislature. She lost her race, but they later recon- nected after Kitzhaber’s term ended. After eight years out of office, Kitzhaber was elected governor again in 2011. Hayes used the title “first lady,” though the couple has never married, and she took an active role in his admin- istration. They were engaged last summer. Media reports have accused Hayes of using her position to get private con- sulting work; earning money from companies that wanted to influence the state; and directing taxpayer-funded staff to make travel arrange- ments on behalf of her pri- vate business. SISTERS GARAGE DOORS This Valentine’s Day, give her a vacation and the tan to go with it! Sales • Service • Installation Life is like a garage door; it has its ups and downs. Dale Lester CCB#151832 541-815-1523 Last month, EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group reported that Hayes earned $118,000 over two years for a fellowship with a green energy group. The Oregonian reported that the money didn’t match her earnings reported on her tax returns, which she’d previ- ously given to the newspaper. Kitzhaber said the couple files taxes separately and refused to answer questions. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has opened an inquiry and will decide in March whether a formal investigation is war- ranted. The commission enforces conflict of interest laws for government officials and can impose civil penal- ties, but can’t levy criminal charges. Kitzhaber has said he and Hayes recognized the poten- tial for conflicts between her public and private work and tried to avoid them. He said last week it’s up to the ethics commission to decide whether they were successful. The recall effort, filed by the former campaign manager and policy direc- tor for Republican Dennis Richardson, would require 220,000 signatures within 90 days — a difficult and expen- sive task. Oregon’s chief elections official, Secretary of State Kate Brown, said Friday that the recall must wait until Kitzhaber is six months into his term. Sarah Rybka, Owner/Technician Gift Certifi cates Available 473 W. Hood Ave., Ste. 101 Spray Tans • Mani’s • Pedi’s Hope for a child. Change for a nation. 30% OFF Exclusive Signature Series ® Window Treatments by Budget Blinds ® Locally Owned & Operated. Offer valid thru 3/25/15. Locally owed by a Sisters family 541-788-8444 FREE CONSULTING www.BudgetBlinds.com Hunter Douglas ® Window Blinds Shutters Draperies • Solar Shades Vertical Blinds • Woven Woods CCB Licensed #197715 Bonded | Insured 30+ Years Experience Offer valid through Budget Blinds of Deschutes County only. Offer not valid with any other offers. $35 a month. 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