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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2016)
REGION Friday, January 15, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3A While rest of Oregon grew, +DUQH\&RXQW\IODWOLQHG special interest groups, it forces them whose district includes Harney County, to focus on single (wildlife) species and said the actions of the “Bundy bunglers” spend their dollars on planning rather who took over the wildlife refuge should not diminish the “incredible problems” Harney County, now the scene of a than on the ground.” 7KH GHFOLQH RI 3DFL¿F 1RUWKZHVW that dog rural residents. militia takeover, has been economically Bentz said the Forest Service spends its timber industry is an old story, but rural stagnant for nearly 40 years. 5HVLGHQWV DQG HOHFWHG RI¿FLDOV VD\ residents point out that nothing has EXGJHW¿JKWLQJ¿UHVLQVWHDGRISUHSDULQJ that’s the reality at the root of the area’s replaced it, economically. The govern timber sales, and the BLM creates “study muted support for the takeover, even as ment’s role is borne out by statistics: after study” and “haystacks of regulation” in anticipation In Oregon, the they disavow the militia’s tactics. of litigation. The While the rest of the state increased federal govern complexity of manages jobs 74 percent since the late 1970s, ment management the number of jobs in Harney County 60 percent of the rules becomes dropped by 10 percent, according to a state’s forestland “crazily exagger produces VWXG\E\WKH2UHJRQ2I¿FHRI(FRQRPLF but ated,” he said. only 12 percent Analysis. “Pretty soon The county has lost 99 percent of of annual timber nothing happens its wood products jobs since 1978, harvest, according because the land dropping from 768 to just six in 2014, to the Oregon managers are analyst Josh Lehnersaid in a new report. Forest Resources so busy trying “Relative to the late 1970s — just Institute. to create a plan Harney Coun before the state went into the severe that’s bullet early ‘80s recession and timber industry ty’s population — Steven Grasty, proof, and fail,” restructuring — the number of jobs stood at 7,126 in Harney County Judge he said. today in Harney County is 10 percent 2014, a 4 percent Meanwhile, drop since below back then,” Lehner said. “Clearly, struggling rural that is a really long time with essentially the 2010 U.S. Census. Since 1980, when the popula business owners are faced with such no growth.” Harney County residents know that tion was 8,314 and the job losses began, things as a state proposal to raise the the county has lost nearly 1,200 people. minimum wage, Bentz said. Businesses ¿UVWKDQG Those remaining represent an aging operating in larger cities may be able to County Judge Steven Grasty said there is a “feeling of despair” in the demographic, as young people seek absorb the increase, but in rural Oregon, county due to job losses. Federal and opportunity elsewhere. As of 2014, 22 only businesses that are part of national state agencies, primarily the Bureau percent of county residents were 65 or chains will be able to pay it. He said the small town of Halfway, in of Land Management, manage about older, compared to 16 percent statewide. The county unemployment rate Baker County, needs $4 million to build 75 percent of the land in the county. Those agencies are so locked into ZDV SHUFHQW LQ 1RYHPEHU a sewage treatment plant as required process and so fearful of lawsuits from compared to the statewide average of under the federal Clean Water Act, but has no way to afford it. environmental groups that they become 5.7 percent. Grasty, the Harney County judge, Bill Wilber, a retired rancher in paralyzed and do no management at all, Harney County, said a drumbeat said economic problems in rural areas Grasty said. As a result, many residents are no of government action or proposals have ripple effects that might not be longer able to depend on logging, mill involving the federal EPA, BLM, state noticed elsewhere. If a ranch goes out or ranching work to sustain themselves. Department of Environmental Quality, of business, for example, the local “We believe the wealth of a nation is sage grouse, “waters of the U.S.” and ¿UH¿JKWLQJ DVVRFLDWLRQ ORVHV VRPHRQH based on its natural resources,” he said. other issues is tough for residents to who’s out on the ground and can spot problems early, he said. “We’ve lost access to natural resources, take. Grasty said he’s trying to put together “It’s continued rules and regulations in particular, timber. “Our community wants to be good WKDWGRHYHU\WKLQJWRPDNHLWPRUHGLI¿ an economic strategy for the county. “People are so frustrated that they’re stewards of the land,” Grasty said. cult to make a living, to pay your bills “When we managed the land it looked educate your kids, pay your mortgage slowly being undermined out of exis tence,” he said. “We’re not being heard. better than when the BLM does it. and lead a good life.” Wilber said. 6WDWH 5HS &OLII %HQW] 52QWDULR We’re listened to, but not heard.” Because of rules and pressure from By ERIC MORTENSON EO Media Group “We believe the wealth of a nation is based on its natural resources. We’ve lost access to natural resources, in particular, timber.” HERMISTON MILTON-FREEWATER FFA team takes first in vet science Defendant claims money for sex lead to robbery, assault charges By GEORGE PLAVEN East Oregonian $WHDPRI¿YH+HUPLVWRQ High School students is headed to the 2016 FFA 1DWLRQDO &RQYHQWLRQ DIWHU ZLQQLQJ ¿UVW SODFH LQ YHWHU inary science at last month’s state contest in Ontario. ,W LV WKH ¿UVW WLPH +HUP iston FFA has ever competed in the vet science event. The team consists of sophomores Gissep Marin and Hannah Walker; juniors Tanna Osmin and Sevana Patrick; and senior Dru Walchli. Hermiston FFA also took third place in agricultural sales at the state competition, which was Dec. 5 at Treasure Valley Community College. That team featured junior Shasta Jundt, alongside seniors Claire Wilson, Jessica Smelser and chapter Presi dent Emily Vandehey. The vet science team beat out more than 15 others from around the state to earn top honors. They will travel to ,QGLDQDSROLV 2FW IRU the national convention and expo, which draws more than 64,000 people from across the country. Despite winning in their YHU\¿UVW\HDU:DOFKOLVDLGLW wasn’t easy. Vet science is a grueling event that includes a ZULWWHQWHVWHVVD\VPLQXWH presentation and math appli cations. Students must also be ready to identify more than 500 animal species, of which they will be tested on 30. “We knew it would be hard, but we had no idea just the sheer number of things we’d have to memorize,” Walchli said. The team decided to take on the challenge in October, and practiced for two hours every day the week leading up to competition. As hard as they prepared, Walchli said they didn’t expect to win. By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian Photo contributed by Leah Smith Hermiston FFA won first place in vet science at the state competition Dec. 5 in Ontario. From left: Tanna Osmin, Dru Walchli, Hannah Walker, Sevana Patrick, and Gissep Marin. Photo contributed by Leah Smith Hermiston FFA took third place in ag sales at the state competition Dec. 5 in Ontario. From left: Shasta Jundt, Claire Wilson, Emily Vandehey and Jessica Smelser. “I think we were all shaking for about 10 minutes after (the announcement),” she said with a laugh. Things only get more GLI¿FXOWIRUQDWLRQDOV2VPLQ said they will get back to practice soon, and are trying to get internships at a local vet clinic to stay on top of their game. “We’re really involved,” she said. The state agricultural sales team came in third out of 18 teams at Ontario. That’s an Live Music (OL]DEHWK 6W 0LOWRQ)UHH water, and Glasby and Phillips followed. Phillips got out and told /LWFK¿HOG WR KLW WKH URDG Glasby claimed, EXW /LWFK¿HOG protested he already paid 1RHWKH *ODVE\ said there was a confrontation and a police car cruised by. Glasby said he hustled out of the car, fearful DQ RI¿FHU ZRXOG recognize him and arrest him for illegal driving. An angry Phillips returned, Glasby said, and they left, and he was again at the wheel. Glasby told jurors he and his friend argued, so he pulled over and got out. By then it was around 4 a.m., and he walked away and called a friend. Kelly +DJJHUPDQ WHVWL¿HG VKH picked up Glasby around 4:30 a.m. and brought him to her place, where he stayed until around noon. Glasby’s trial wraps up Friday, and Phillips has D WZRGD\ WULDO VWDUWLQJ Tuesday with Circuit Judge Christopher Brauer SUHVLGLQJ 1RHWKH¶V sentencing is Thursday, Jan. 21, in Hampton’s courtroom. We’ve Moved! Home Health/Hospice 3001 St. Anthony Way (Medical Office Building - Level 2) 9:00 Introducing PM Jon Evans , Director Home Health/Hospice FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 Carter Freeman 8 S.E. COURT, PENDLETON 541.278.1100 improvement over last year’s ¿IWKSODFH¿QLVK Leah Smith, Hermiston FFA advisor, said she was pleased with their overall showing at state, ZKLFK SURYLGHV UHDOZRUOG KDQGVRQ H[SHULHQFH IRU WKH students. A defendant in a 0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHU NLGQDS ping and robbery case told jurors the real crime was a prostitution deal that went south. Trial began Wednesday in Umatilla County Circuit Court, Pendleton, for Skyler Ian Glasby, 27, of Dayton, Washington. Judge Lynn Hampton is presiding. *ODVE\ DQG FRGHIHQGDQW John Adam Phillips, 33, of Walla Walla, have separate trials for kidnapping, assault, robbery and more. A third defendant, Samantha Kaye 1RHWKH .HQQHZLFN cut a deal with prosecutors in October and pleaded guilty to one count each of VHFRQGGHJUHH UREEHU\ DQG kidnapping. The state has accused the two men of beating and UREELQJ $QGUHZ /LWFK¿HOG 31, also of Walla Walla, then taking him against his will early Sept. 1, 2015 LQ 0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHU WKHQ kicking him out of a vehicle near Bennington Lake east of Walla Walla. Glasby took the stand Thursday afternoon and told the jury of eight women and four men he made a mistake when he lied to a detective about his involvement in the events that night, but he was telling the truth now. Defense attorney Thomas Gray of Pend OHWRQVDLG1RHWKHWHVWL¿HG for the state that she and Phillips concocted a plan to EHDWDQGURE/LWFK¿HOGWKHQ brought in Glasby and later met to split up the cash. *ODVE\WROGMXURUV1RHWKH lied, there was no plan, but he knew what went down. The group met outside 0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHU around 3:30 a.m. that morning. Phil OLSV DQG 1RHWKH are boyfriend and girlfriend, Glasby told the court, Glasby but she accepted PRQH\ IURP /LWFK¿HOG WR “get a room together” at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino motel near Pendleton. Glasby said he was going with them to gamble and, while he did not have a license, he drove Phillips’ car and planned to take back roads to the casino to DYRLG FRSV 1RHWKH GURYH /LWFK¿HOG LQ D VHFRQG FDU The groups stopped at a food mart, Glasby said, then hit the road. Moments later, Glasby WHVWL¿HG 3KLOOLSV JRW D FDOO IURP1RHWKHZKRZDQWHGWR break off the transaction with /LWFK¿HOG ZKHQ KH PDGH statements about raping KHU 1RHWKH SXOOHG LQWR the parking lot at Orchard +RPHVDSDUWPHQWVDW1 3001 St. Anthony Way Pendleton, OR 97801 541-276-4100 www.sahpendleton.org
