A4 THE BULLETIN • TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021
Border
Continued from A1
The Move Oregon’s Bor-
der campaign suggests agri-
cultural counties in Central,
Eastern and Southern Ore-
gon divorce themselves from
metropolitan areas, and
marry more like-minded
Idaho.
“The value of the United
States having multiple states
instead of just one big state
is that it allows differenti-
ation, different laws in dif-
ferent states,” Taylor said.
“And hopefully those state
boundaries can reflect actual
boundaries between groups
that want one kind of law
and other groups that want
another kind of law.”
Oregonians who don’t like
new laws that decriminal-
ized drugs, Taylor suggests,
may feel more at home in
Idaho. He contends Idaho
has lower taxes, less regula-
tion and lower unemploy-
ment.
The campaign proposes
a border along the De-
schutes River, which splits
the county, leaving Warm
Springs and Camp Sherman
in Oregon. Bend would stay
in Oregon, but Redmond
and Terrebonne would
become part of Jefferson
County. La Pine would be in
Idaho, but Sunriver would
remain in Oregon.
Simmelink raised con-
cerns the boundary shift
could disrupt long nurtured
relationships.
“Our tribal interactions,
and tri-county interactions.
There’s so much we do be-
tween the tri counties here,
whether it be health care,
mutual aid in law enforce-
ment,” Simmelink said.
“It just seems very com-
plicated with irrigation wa-
ter coming out of Wickiup
and going through Bend,”
said Commissioner Wayne
Fording.
The proposed state line
puts Jefferson County’s irri-
gation water source, Wick-
iup Reservoir, in Greater
Idaho, then flowing through
Deschutes County, Oregon,
before coming to Jefferson
County.
“I know a lot of our ag
community has worked on
water issues for years that
they just recently got an
agreement on, and I don’t
know how those would
change,” Fording said.
Jefferson County resident
Kim Schmith worries about
people with professional li-
censes in Oregon that Idaho
might not recognize. “In the
medical community, this
is being talked about a lot.
There would be an exodus
of all those people who need
to be licensed. They may or
may not leave our county,
but they certainly would
not be able to work in our
county.”
And what about the
county name? Idaho already
has a Jefferson County. Jef-
ferson County, Oregon,
would need to change its
name under this new union.
Through all the uncer-
tainty, Jefferson County
commissioners want to
make one thing clear: This is
not their idea.
“We’re not the ones to
carry the torch and do the
work,” Fording said.
“I don’t think as a county
commissioner that we have
any position,” said Commis-
sioner Mae Huston. “It was
a ballot measure that was
passed by the voters, and
we’re waiting to see how it’s
going to work out.”
The measure voters
passed in November re-
quires another meeting in
August to discuss the issue.
Union County — the only
other Oregon county to pass
a similar measure — has al-
ready held the first of three
meetings. The Move Ore-
gon’s Border campaign is
working to get similar mea-
sures on the ballots this May
in Malheur, Baker, Grant,
Lake, Harney and Sherman
counties.
Simmelink says propo-
nents of a Greater Idaho
didn’t need a ballot measure
to get commissioners to dis-
cuss the idea. “I’ll be honest
with you, they could have
addressed this like an agenda
item at each county.”
Haaland takes helm of Interior
Democrat will lead
agency that makes
decisions on relations
with Native Americans
BY MATTHEW DALY
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The
Senate on Monday confirmed
New Mexico Rep. Deb Haa-
land as Interior secretary,
making her the first Native
American to lead a Cabinet
department and the first to
lead the federal agency that
has wielded influence over the
nation’s tribes for nearly two
centuries.
Haaland was confirmed by
a 51-40 vote, the narrowest
margin yet for a Cabinet nom-
ination by President Joe Biden.
Four Republicans voted yes:
Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sulli-
van of Alaska, Susan Collins of
Maine and Lindsey Graham of
South Carolina.
Democrats and tribal groups
hailed Haaland’s confirmation
as historic, saying her selection
means that Indigenous people
— who lived in North America
before the United States was
created — will for the first time
see a Native American lead the
powerful department where
decisions on relations with the
nearly 600 federally recognized
tribes are made. Interior also
oversees a host of other issues,
including energy development
on public lands and waters, na-
tional parks and endangered
species.
“Rep. Haaland’s confirma-
tion represents a gigantic step
forward in creating a govern-
ment that represents the full
richness and diversity of this
country,’’ said Senate Major-
ity Leader Chuck Schumer,
D-N.Y.
Jim Watson/Pool/AP file
Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., speaks during her confirmation hearing as Interior secretary nominee in Febru-
ary. On Monday, the Senate confirmed her on an almost party-line vote.
“Native Americans for far
too long have been neglected
at the Cabinet level and in
so many other places.”
— Sen. Chuck Schumer,
majority leader
“Native Americans for far
too long have been neglected
at the Cabinet level and in so
many other places,’’ Schumer
said.
Haaland, a member of
the Laguna Pueblo and a
35th-generation resident of
New Mexico, thanked hun-
dreds of supporters at a virtual
party hosted by Native Ameri-
can organizations.
Her confirmation shows that
tribal members are “visible”
and being taken seriously, Haa-
land said after the vote. “And
no, it should not have taken
more than 200 years for a Na-
tive person to take the helm at
Interior, or even be a Cabinet
secretary for that matter.”
Haaland said she was “ready
to roll up my sleeves” so Inte-
rior can play its part in Biden’s
plan to “build back better” and
“responsibly manage our nat-
ural resources to protect them
for future generations.’’
Terry Ketchum
of Bend, OR
May 5, 1949 - March 8,
2021
Arrangements:
Niswonger-Reynolds
Funeral Home is honored
to serve the family.
541-382-2471 Please
visit the online registry for
the family at www.nis-
wonger-reynolds.com
Services:
Thursday March 18 2021
Catholic Rosary 9:30am
Mass 10:00am
Graveside 11:00am Green-
wood Cemetery
Contributions may be
made to:
Humane Society of Central
Oregon
Family Kitchen
Reverse Mortgages
Life in reverse…financial longevity and peace of mind.
Debbie Tallman
Reverse Mortgage Advisor
NMLS-248704
OBITUARY DEADLINE
(541) 390-0934
Call to ask about our deadlines
541-385-5809
debbie.tallman@financeofamerica.com
Monday - Friday, 10am - 3pm
©2020 Finance of America Mortgage LLC is licensed nationwide | Equal Housing Opportunity | NMLS ID
#1071 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) | 300 Welsh Road, Building 5, Horsham, PA 19044 |(800) 355-5626.
For licensing information go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
This is not a commitment to lend. Prices, guidelines and minimum requirements are subject to change without notice. Some products may not be available in all states.
Subject to review of credit and/or collateral; not all applicants will qualify for financing. It is important to make an informed decision whenselecting and using a loan product; make sure to compare
loan types when making a financing decision. This document is provided by Finance of America Mortgage. Any materials were notprovided by HUD or FHA. It has not been approved by FHA or any
Government Agency.When the loan is due and payable, some or all of the equity in the property that is the subject of the reversemortgage no longer belongs to borrowers, who may need to sell the
home or otherwise repay the loan with interest from other proceeds. The lender may charge an origination fee, mortgageinsurance premium, closing costs and servicing fees (added to the balance
of the loan). The balance of the loan grows over time and the lender charges interest on the balance. Borrowers areresponsible for paying property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, maintenance,
and related taxes (which may be substantial). We do not establish an escrow account for disbursements of thesepayments. A set-aside account can be set up to pay taxes and insurance and may be
required in some cases. Borrowers must occupy home as their primary residence and pay for ongoingmaintenance; otherwise the loan becomes due and payable. The loan also becomes due and
payable (and the property may be subject to a tax lien, other encumbrance, or foreclosure) when thelast borrower, or eligible non-borrowing surviving spouse, dies, sells the home, permanently
moves out, defaults on taxes, insurance payments, or maintenance, or does not otherwise comply withthe loan terms. Interest is not tax-deductible until the loan is partially or fully repaid.
Find it all online
bendbulletin.com
No death notices or obituaries
are published Mondays.
Email:
obits@bendbulletin.com
SAVINGSEVENT
V I SEV
EVENT
E
EV
VEN
Mattresses
Recliners
Sofas
Sectionals
Bedroom Sets
Lift
Chairs
Chofa
Just
From
$549
$699
Dining Sets
Accessories
Swivel
Glider
Recliner
Just
$549
FREE
Foundation or
FREE Pillows
with
Purchase
FREE DELIVERY
& SPECIAL
FINANCING
AVAILABLE*
*Subject to credit approval. See store for details
2071 S. Hwy 97, Redmond 541-548-2066 • www.wilsonsofredmond.net • 63485 N. Hwy 97, Bend 541-330-5084