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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2020)
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 OWNERS Continued from Page 1A our best feature. They are amazing. You are only as good as your employees,” he said. Bruce’s staff is helping him not only add breakfast but also serve up new entrees for those keeping an extra eye on their health. The menu now includes organic steaks from grass-fed beef and in the near future he plans to add gluten-free products. “We want to give people more healthy menu options. A lot of people are on a health kick,” Bruce said. “We want to cater to their needs.” Meals at Bud Jackson’s are prepared quickly but not at the expense of taste. “We don’t cook fast food. We cook fresh food as fast as we can,” Bruce said. BARRY Continued from Page 1A and counties in three ODOT districts that combined encompass Union, Wallowa, Baker, Morrow, Grant, Mal- heur and Harney counties. “My job, essentially, is sup- porting cities and counties,” Barry said. He said his experience working as the liaison offi cer has prepared him well for some of the challenges he would take on as a county commissioner. “The learning curve most candidates go through, I already have,” Barry said. He explained his back- ground has helped him develop an understanding of the process of governance. “You are not born with this, you learn it,” he said. Barry fi rst worked as a geologist for the state road department and then as District 13 operations coor- dinator. Barry, who grew up in Lakeview in a sheep and cattle ranching family, has a bachelor of science degree in geology from Oregon State University and is a Regis- WORKSHOP Continued from Page 1A Continued from Page 1A to declare a state of emer- gency and to provide roughly $120 million in funding to help create more shelters, build affordable housing and preserve existing affordable housing stock. What’s at stake: The living arrangements for thousands of Oregonians who are con- fronted by rising rents and a thin supply of housing they can afford. Moving people off the streets and out of cars makes it easier to provide social services to homeless people who have mental health, addiction and other challenges. Key players: Kotek, state Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer, chair of the House Hu- man Services and Housing Committee, and state Sen. Shemia Fagan, chair of the Senate Housing and Devel- opment Committee. Wildfi re The issue: Oregon could change the way it prevents and suppresses wildfi re. The governor’s Council on Wild- fi re is proposing better ways to plan fi re suppression, as- in football, basketball and baseball. “Everyone in Eastern Oregon is a sportsman,” he said, explaining he con- siders those who like hiking and fi shing as sportsmen also. Bruce, whose previous experience includes years of managing food service operations at the Eastern Oregon Live- stock Show, bought Bud Jackson’s from Victor “Bud” and Brenda Ashcraft, who owned the restaurant for more than a decade. Victor Ashcraft is known to many as Bud Jackson. Bruce said he is good friends with the Ashcrafts. A longtime Union County resident, Bruce is enjoying his fi rst stint as a res- taurant owner because he loves people and likes cooking, which he has done all of his life after learning from his mother. “Cooking is an art,” Bruce said, “and I like people who like good art.” tered Professional Geologist. He said as a commissioner his objectives would include working to secure infra- structure such as bridges, roads and sewer and water projects in Union County; getting broadband internet service for Union County schools; creating opportu- nities for young people to get training in trades that would allow them to secure living-wage jobs here so they do not have to leave the area; and making sure industrial lands, including industrial parks, are protected. Barry, Beverage and any- one who fi les for Position 3 on the Union County Board of Commissioners will be on the ballot for the May 19 primary election. A candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote will win outright. However, if no candidate tops the 50% mark, the top two fi nishers will run against each other in the November general election. The deadline for fi ling for the Union County commis- sioner and other elected positions is March 10. Coat drive, live performance, fi lm showing celebrate MLK Day James said. “My mother is white and my father is black, and I have seen my mother and grandmother take an active role in supporting me and providing access to op- portunities that systems and communities have previously left me out of. I am thank- ful for their advocacy and I want everyone regardless of their race or background to be able to feel loved and included.” She defi ned a white ally as “someone who takes an active role in conversations about injustice and uses their white privi- lege to speak up and speak out on behalf of marginalized groups.” James said now is the right time to have this conversation because people are more willing to talk about these issues. “It’s diffi cult to know if this is a change or if there are more supports to engage,” she said. “I can say from my experience people from all backgrounds, race, region, class, ethnicity are craving deeper connections and that requires that we are able to have hard conversa- tions and practice vulnerability.” Kristy Athens, the outreach specialist for the development district, noted that white members of the community have privileges because of the color of their skin, and the purpose of the event is to help raise awareness about privilege and discuss ways people can reexamine their presumptions. “These privileges mean they might have opportunities others do not,” she said, “and they might not even realize it.” She said there is a misconception that race is not an issue in small towns such as La Grande because of the lack of SESSION The new owner also is striving to emphasize that Bud Jackson’s is a family-friendly establishment. “This is not a bar with a restaurant,” he said. “We are a restaurant with a really nice bar.” The restaurant will continue to focus on community events, including programs such as youth sports. Photos highlighting the success of local youth athletic teams fi ll the place. “We are a huge supporter of the town. We want to support all local youths,” Bruce said. Bud Jackson’s was previously named Bud Jackson’s Sportsman’s Bar and Grill. The sports memorabilia and big screen televisions showing an array of athletic contests remain in place. Still, the new owner wants everyone to feel welcome there, not just those interested Eastern Oregon University announced its Offi ce of Student Diversity and In- clusion partnered with groups across campus and the region to launch a three- day celebration this week in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideals and legacy. The events begin Wednesday and are free to the public. For more information, contact the Multicultural Center at 541-962-3741 or visit www.eou.edu/news/. racial diversity. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Union County is 92.6% white, with Hispanic or Latino making up the largest minority at 4.9%. Athens said because of this, the public isn’t see- ing the diversity here and thinks there is no need for conversations about privilege and racial inequality. James said the conversation of race has so much stigma, and she has seen people, in particular white people, feel shamed and blamed. “I believe that feeling of shame only gets in the way of the connection we are craving,” she said. “That’s not to dismiss the historical and current atrocities happening across the nation, but many of us are not actively engaging in racist acts. It’s much more subtle, and I want to address that nuance.” Athens said she believes having these conversations can lead to improvements to the economy and businesses. She said more diversity in the workplace, and more allyship with that diversity, means businesses can keep staff longer with less turnover because they are more comfort- able at work when they feel included. “Really, it is about making everyone in the community feel welcome,” Athens said. Compared to the community at large, there is more racial diversity at Eastern Oregon University. sess risk and prevent fi res. Gov. Kate Brown intends to ask for up to $200 million over two years for the work. Sen. Herman Baertsch- iger, R-Grants Pass, wants to modernize the state Forestry Department and expand its ability to use aircraft on wildfi res. What’s at stake: Despite an average fi re season last year, where about 16,867 acres burned, the growing threat of climate change has lawmakers and forestry offi cials feeling like they got lucky. Wildfi re costs in 2017 and 2018 set new records. Such costs are expected to grow if the state does not spend more to prevent and mitigate fi res, placing continuing strains on state budgets. Key players: Jason Miner, the governor’s natural re- sources policy adviser; Matt Donegan, chair of the state Council on Wildfi re; Baer- tschiger; Sen. Jeff Golden, D- Ashland; the state Forestry Department. Guns The issue: Democratic law- makers are making another attempt at a “safe storage” Whites make up 74.5% of the student body, and 6.8% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to www. collegefactual.com. Bennie Moses-Me- subed, the director of student diversity and inclusion at EOU, said the univer- sity is making efforts toward helping students and faculty feel included, citing as examples the multicultural center and the yearly diversity and inclusivity conference. “A big part of this issue is that when there are few people of color, it can be like we are invisible or not present,” Moses-Mesubed said. “Conversations like this one can help bring people of color to the forefront.” With such a large percentage of white students the topic is especially relevant, Moses-Mesubed said. White students may not think they are part of the conver- sation because they aren’t dealing with some of the issues of racism, she said, but the purpose of diversity training and conversations is to gain understanding that we all live in a multicultural society and are responsible for inclusion. James believes discussions about inclu- sion and specifically race are long overdue. “Racism and exclusion of ‘minorities’ has been around for centuries,” she said, “and the only time we have seen move- ment toward racial equity is when we center it in conversations and action.” gun control bill. Another bill would allow local govern- ments to ban fi rearms from public buildings. What’s at stake: Advo- cates say their proposal is intended to reduce deaths and injuries in Oregon caused by guns. The legisla- tion also could broaden the public buildings where guns could be banned. Key players: State Reps. Rachel Prusak, D-West Linn; Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro; Oregon Firearms Federa- tion; the NRA; Oregonians for Safe Gun Storage and Reporting Lost/Stolen Fire- arms; Moms Demand Action. Environment The issue: Democrats are pursuing limits on green- house emissions by industry in their latest version of a cap-and-trade program. What’s at stake: Scientists say the impact of climate change grows more distinct each year and environmen- talists contend Oregon needs to be a leader at taming damaging emissions. But opponents in industry and agriculture say new costs would harm employers and consumers. THE OBSERVER — 5A GOODRICH each day. “It’s a pretty good sys- tem,” he said. “The rural fi re system provides trucks, per- sonal protective gear and training; the people provide the work.” The same fi re truck may show up, but the person- nel is constantly changing, making it a little tricky to manage large fi res when the overhead team doesn’t know who will be showing up each day. Goodrich said managing fi res is the same no matter where you are, but the fuels throughout the state are different, requiring different tactics. He said like Oregon, New South Wales has a variety of ecotypes from the coast inland to the drier bush country. “There is heath and other coastal vegetation similar to chaparral by the coast in sandy soil. Inland there are dense groves of eucalyptus and palmetto,” he said. While techniques such as burning ground between the fi re and fi re line are used in Australia as they are in America, Goodrich said it is more like fi ghting fi re in the southeast states where ground litter is gen- erally leaves and branches. Some of the deciduous trees, he said, don’t drop their leaves and maintain a thick canopy with little underbrush. “When it gets windy the fi re will run up slope and into the crowns,” Goodrich said. Goodrich said there are 15 types of eucalyptus, which is known for habitat and food for koalas. Some are 150 feet tall and 5 feet across at the base. Another variety in the eucalyptus family has stringy bark like juniper and when it burns, chunks of burning debris can get airborne, potentially setting spot fi res. Goodrich said he spent his time in the interior of the country, not along the coast where television news captured burning homes and injured animals. He said he saw plenty of wom- bats and kangaroos, but where he was stationed the fi res were relatively slow moving and the animals were able to get out of the way. The American and Canadian fi re managers were sent over as part of an agreement made among the countries of Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada and the United States 15 years ago to share fi refi ght- ers in times of dire need. Goodrich said the Austra- lians regularly send troops to the U.S., but Americans haven’t been dispatched down under for 10 years when fi res killed 180 people on what was referred to as “Black Saturday.” 541-786-8984 Alliance Self Storage Continued from Page 1A 2105 E L Ave., La Grande • allianceselfstorage123@gmail.com Thank You Chamber Members TOWN SQUARE PUBLICATIONS www.VisitUnionCounty.org TREE FACT: The “knock on wood” tradition comes from a time when primative Always pagans used to tap FREE Estimates or knock on trees to summon the protective 3110 10th Street, spirits that resided Baker City in them. Key players: Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland; Sen. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay; Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem; Baer- tschiger.. Campaign fi nance The issue: Oregon is one of a handful of states that don’t limit donations to political campaigns. Sup- porters say major donors have an outsized infl uence on Oregon politics while opponents say campaign donations are a form of free speech that shouldn’t be restricted. New limits could change Oregon campaigns because candidates would have less money to market themselves. What’s at stake: Voters will consider a constitutional amendment in November that would free the Legisla- ture to regulate campaign fi nance. Legislation could be considered that would script new campaign limits if that ballot measure passes. Key leaders, including the governor, have backed away from pushing such legisla- tion for now. Key players: Golden; Hon- est Elections Oregon. Call today to connect with a SENIOR LIVING ADVISOR INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE A Place for Mom has helped over a million families find senior living solutions that meet their unique needs. There’s no cost to you! (888) 651-5669 ! 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