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About The Record-courier. (Haines, Baker County, Oregon) 1932-2016 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 2016)
4 i Record-Courier THURSDAY, JANUARY 28,2016 Letters Exercise Some Legislative Change To the Editor: | have read your coverage of the Harney County rancher situ ation and agree with your conclusions regarding federal over reach. For many years, the activity of some of the BLM agents, and to some degree, the U.S. Forest Service^ have encroached on the rancher population of the United States. Somewhere over the years, the rules and regulations have become more dictatorial. I often have wondered what has happened to common sense. In my opinion, sometimes these federal employees forget who they are working for. The Hammond's sentence is way too harsh. Who will help them with their ranch while they are incarcerated? I would hope the Oregon legislators wil] intercede on their behalf. Exercising protest rights is not enough. Someone needs to ex ercise-some legislative change. Carlyle Staab (Former Baker City resident) Chehalis, Washington Most Pro Abortion President Ever . To the Editor: I was quite impressed by Obama's tears for the tragedy 'at . Sandy Hook.-It was a terrible tragedy which could have been lessened a lot if a responsible person could have had access to a gun to stop this mentally deficient idiot. It would be heartwarming to see Obama shed some tears for the millions of little babies that Planned Parenthood is killing every day (over 4,000 in the United States). Of course, Planned Parenthood is doing a thriving business of selling baby parts, the livers, hearts and brains are very valuable especially If they can harvest them while the baby is still breathing. This Is a fact , as the lady doctor was bragging about what a good job she had . done, all this, while she was having lunch. This is the most pro abortion president ever! If Hillary gets elected she will continue this horrible crime. I do not want my money going to support these abortion mills. Pat Culley, Baker City Editor's Note: Following is the published statement from Vice President of Communications, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: “In health care, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases. Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different. At sev- era! of our health centers, we help patients who want to donate tissue for scientific research, and we do this just like every other high-quality health care provider does - with full, appropriate con sent from patients and under the highest ethical and legal stan dards. There is no financial benefit for tissue donation for either the patient or for Planned Parenthood. In some instances, actual costs,’ such as the cost t& transport tissue to leading research centers, are reimbursed? which is standard across themedical field." & il - •I Gentry, Arthur n DOB: 08/04/1992 Sex: Male Race: White Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Hazel < Height: 5'9" J Weight: 160 111 ■ -Ma Convictions: Delivery of Meth The person above has criminal warrants. If you see this person, do not attempt to apprehend them yourself. If you know where this person may be, contact Parole and Probation at 541-523- 8217 or your nearest police department. You may also e-mail parole@bakercounty.org .................. MUOW Drug Arrests Follow "Capa's" Alert of Illegal Narcotics On Jan. 22, 2016 at about 10:30 p.m., Baker City Police Department officers stopped a 1997 Chevy Lumina for a traffic violation at Main and Campbell Streets in Baker City. During the stop, drug detec tion canine “Capa” was de ployed on the vehicle and alerted to the odor of illegal nar cotics in the car. Subsequently, BCPD Officers searched the vehicle and located approxi mately two grams of metham phetamine and two firearms (handguns) that were con cealed in the vehicle. Arrested at the scene for Possession of a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine was: Thomas James Barger (12/04/1990). Arrested at the scene for Possession of a Con trolled Substance Methamphet amine and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm was: Desiree Marie Barnett (12/30/1986). Baker City officers were as sisted by an Oregon State Trooper during the investiga tion. This investigation will be continuing and additional charges and/or arrests are likely. City Police Chief Says Militia Members Made Threats to Law Enforcement In a press release issued by the Baker City Police Depart ment, local authorities state on Jam-17,2016 a Baker City Po lice Officer-traveled to Bums to assist with the safety and secu rity of the citizens in Burns, Oregon. "This decision was made after a request by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association and after discussions with the com mand staff already in place in Harney County," the press re lease stated. The BCPD officer completed their tour on Jan. 21, 2016. "The identity of our officer will not be released, due to safety concerns that arose after Militia members made threats to Law Enforcement serving in Harney County. The Baker City Police Department feels strongly that supporting our regional law en forcement agencies, and their communities, must be a priority. An incident such as what is oc curring in Harney County could easily occur in Baker County and it would be our agencies reaching out for support from our neighbors," said Chief Wyn Lohner. See the Record-Courier online at www. therconline.com Am I the cutest little guy or what? My name is Jackson and I am a male Dachs hund, perhaps a mix. It was determined that I am about months old because I still have all my tiny "needle" teeth. I am doing very well living in a foster home with two adults, one very cute little female Yorkie and some cats. My foster mom is teaching me about manners, walking on a leash, first commands and of course potty training. Even though I am still a little nervous in my new home, Tam enjoying the attention and all the love. I weigh about 8 pounds right now and if I am exercised and have a healthy diet, I should not get to be a very big dog. I will make a great family pet for adults or a family with children. I do require a secure fenced yard for my safety and exercise. I will have my first vaccinations and be ready for adoption. I am not neutered, but there will b an adoption agreement requiring that I be neutered at 6 months. If you would like to learn more about me or want an adoption application, please call Best Friends or Carmen at 541-519-4530. Call Best Friends of Baker, Inc. 541-519-7387 Sheriff Latest to be Badgered at County Commission Meeting By Gina Perkins Sheriff Ash went before the County Commissioners at the Jan. 20 reg ular meeting to request approval for the purchase of a cargo trailer to be used by Search and Rescue (SAR). Ash explained SAR had obtained a Leo Adler grant in the amount of $7,500 for this purpose. Three quotes were obtained and the lowest was from Big T Auto, a locally owned business. Ash stated that he wished to go with the quote from Big T, not just because it was the lowest, but also to keep the business local. Other available Search and Rescue funds would comprise the remaining balance, Ash stated. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the purchase. At the conclusion of Ash's presentation, he was asked by Commis- sioner Harvey if he would provide an update of the situation in Harney County. Ash had just returned from serving for three days in Harney County as part of a request from the Oregon State Sheriffs Association. Many counties throughout Oregon have provided support. Ash declined, stating he did not want to provide any comment given the highly volatile nature of the situation. He stated that any comment should come from the Harney County Sheriff, David Ward. David McQuisten (not to be confused with Dan McQuisten who works for the county and owns the Eltryrn Theater with his wife, Teresa) then spoke up from the audience. Ash, who was preparing to leave, stopped and listened to McQuisten ask him whether a deputy would have been sent if Sheriff Ward supported the Hammonds. Ash indicated this was not the issue and McQuisten repeated the question. "I think Sheriff Ward does support the Hammonds," Sheriff Ash finally replied. "I don't think he does," McQuisten answered. Sheriff Ash said that he was willing to sit down and talk to McQuisten about the situation despite the fact they may not agree. At the beginning of file meeting McQuisten also asked the commis- sioners about the county's cooperative law enforcement agreements with federal agencies, expressing disdain. McQuisten contends that the sheriff is supposed to "stand between you and big brother" (the federal govern ment) and that he would much rather have his sheriff arrest him and be held in county jail rather than in a federal prison. John Creighton said that he believed McQuisten's statements were very important. He recently attended a community meeting in Bums and said that he believes that "it's coming here," referring to the Harney County situation. Harvey said that because Baker County is proactive and not reactive, he doesn't believe a similar situation would happen here. McQuisten was among those from Baker City who participated in the protest held in Bums earlier in January to show support for the Hammonds and to demand that Sheriff Ward "stand between them and the federal government." See COMMISSION MEETING on page 5 Guest Opinion Dear Attorney General Lynch and Director Corney: 1 am writing on behalf of the Burns Paiute Tribe regarding the armed occupation of Malheur Nationàl Wildlife Refuge. I recognize the great strain that this unlawful takeover of a federal facility has placed on federal and state law enforcement officials.. Neverthe less, the Burns Paiute Tribe has grave concerns regarding the present handling of the occupation as wélf as the prosecution of the militants. The land on which the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is located is in the heart of our Tribe's ancestral territory. This is sacred place to the Burns Paiute Tribe. The Refuge and the Refuge buildings hold invaluable, irreplaceable, and endangered aspects of the Tribe's cultural heritage. Specifically, thè building currently occupied by the armed militants holds over 4,000 Tribal artifacts, site records, maps and confidential documents related to the Tribe's cultural resources. The militants recently posted a video on the internet showing that they have entered the storage areas where the Tribal artifacts had been secured for safekeeping. The video clearly shows they have uriféttered access to the Tribe's sacred artifacts. Thè militants have also built a road through the Refuge and taken down a fence. We fear that the demolition and construction activities of the militants may have harmed our burial grounds and disturbed Tribal artifacts. Law enforcement continues to allow the armed militants to come and go from the Refuge as they please. Additionally, new armed militants arrive daily. Allowing the militants free passage to and from the Refuge must stop. The lawbreakers who occupy the Malheur headquarters continue to seek outside financial support for their efforts. We fear that our Tribal cultural patrimony provides an all too easy funding source for the militants. Unfortunately, there is a long history of a black market for Native American antiquities. There continues to be a robust market for the sale of tribal artifacts, notwithstanding the out right illegality of their acquisition. Allowing the militants free passage from the Refuge means that pur cultural patrimony is unprotected and easily transported outside thè Refuge for sale or misappropriation by the militants. Allowing a porous boundary between our community and anarchy also undermines our personal safety. Recently many of our people have peen subjected to harassment by individuals who either carne here to support the protesters or have been embold ened by their example;to voice bigotry and hatred toward the Indigenous people of Harney county. There is constant interaction between the lawbreakers and outsiders. We even saw a recent photograph showing a Federal Express delivery to the refuge occupiers! Condoning the illegal occupation of a federal facility by armed lawbreakers only encourages others to believe they can behave inf he same way, with impunity. Undèr the terms of pur treaty with the United States, the federal government guaranteed it would protect the safety and the property of the Northern Paiute people. The Government commit ted to inflict punishment for "Any crime or injury [that] is perpetrated by any white man upon the Indians aforesaid ... according to the laws of the United States and the State of Oregon," The United States also has a trust responsibility to the Tribe and prior to this occupation had exclusive custody and control of the artifacts-at the Refuge. The Burns Paiute Tribe requests the United States Government terminate the militants' free passàge from the Refuge to protect the Tribe's irreplaceable cultural heritage. Further, the Tribe requests that the United States prosecute the militants for any theft of cultural patrimony, sacred objects or damage to the burial grounds at the Refuge. The Tribe offers its assistance to the United States in its effort to prosecute the militants and requests that all possible charges are considered. If the occupiers disturb, damage, remove, alter or deface any archaeological resource on the Refuge prop erty, the tribe requests that the United States bring criminal charges under the Archaeologic Resources Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. 4700ee, against the individuals who are responsible for the depredation. The Tribe further requests that the United States consider charges under ORS 97.740 for any harm to burial grounds, human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects under cultural patrimony. In closing, we ask that you undertake a swift resolution of the occupation and that you take additional steps to protect our cultural patrimony. We offer our full cooperation to ensure lawbreakers are punished to thè full extent of the law. This unfortunate chapter in Oregon's history must end. Charlotte Roderique, Chairperson
