Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2016)
A4 Opinion Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, January 27, 2016 L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR Sheriff is professional, kind and honest Much at risk in grazing contract protests T he armed protesters occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon’s Harney County want ranchers to tear up their federal grazing contracts and turn their cattle out on their allotments without paying their fees. We understand how ranchers might be tempted to go along with the plan, if for no other reason than to protest the way the federal government manages public lands. But that would be a mistake that could result in harsh ¿nancial conseTuences for the individual producers, and hand opponents of public lands grazing the ammunition they need to shut down contested allotments. The protesters made their pitch to Harney County ranchers last week. It’s based on their misinterpretation of the Constitution that holds that the United States government can’t own property within any state not purchased or otherwise deeded to it by that state. Public lands in the West belong to the states and the counties. Because the federal government can’t own the land, it can’t charge ranchers grazing fees or otherwise regulate the use of the range. Easy-peasy. That this arrangement isn’t recognized by the federal government, the state of Oregon or the elected of¿cials of Harney County — let alone the surviving members of the Burns Paiute Tribe, whose ancestors were on the land prior to white settlement — is of no concern. According to our colleagues at Oregon Public Broadcasting, LaVoy Finicum, an Arizona rancher who has served as the protesters’ de facto spokesman, told ranchers that he’s done it. More importantly, Cliven Bundy, the father of refuge occupation leader Ammon Bundy, has been doing it for more than 10 years. The elder Bundy owes the government more than $1 million in fees and penalties while continuing to graze his cattle on 90,000 acres of federal land in Nevada. That is probably the most persuasive argument Finicum could make. If Bundy can get away with it for more than a decade, all the while ignoring the Endangered Species Act and other federal regulations, wouldn’t you be a chump to pay and follow the rules? Scott Horngren, an attorney with the Western Resources Legal Center who has represented ranchers in grazing lawsuits, says ranchers shouldn’t use Bundy’s case as a precedent. He says breaches of grazing contracts may effectively end a rancher’s ability to ever again release livestock onto public lands. Government agencies have a number of legal avenues available to collect past-due accounts. Any of these conseTuences could all but end a rancher’s business. Waiting in the wings are the environmentalists who want to end grazing on public land. Ranchers tearing up their grazing contracts and Àouting the law would be a boon for their agenda. Ranchers, farmers and loggers have legitimate disputes with the way federal lands are managed. The key to settling these disputes is constructive engagement with the government and the public at-large. While protest can also be an effective tool, ranchers must always be mindful how their actions will be judged in the court of public opinion. W HERE TO WRITE GRANT COUNTY Grant County Courthouse — 201 S. Humbolt St., Suite 280, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0059. Fax: 541-575-2248. Canyon City — P.O. Box 276, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0509. Fax: 541-575-0515. Email: tocc1862@centu- rylink.net. Dayville — P.O. Box 321, Dayville 97825. Phone: 541-987-2188. Fax: 541- 987-2187. Email:dville@ortelco.net John Day — 450 E. Main St, John Day, 97845. Phone: 541-575-0028. Fax: 541- 575-1721. Email: cityjd@centurytel.net. /ong CreeN — P.O. Box 489, Long Creek 97856. Phone: 541-421-3601. Fax: 541-421-3075. Email: info@cityoÀongcreek. com. Monument — P.O. Box 426, Monument 97864. Phone and fax: 541-934-2025. Email: monument@oregontrail.net. Mt 9ernon — P.O. Box 647, Mt. Vernon 97865. Phone: 541-932-4688. Fax: 541- Blue Mountain EAGLE P UBLISHED EVERY W EDNESDAY BY 932-4222. Email: cmtv@ortelco.net. Prairie City — P.O. Box 370, Prairie City 97869. Phone: 541-820-3605. Fax: 820- 3566. Email: pchall@ortelco.net. Seneca — P.O. Box 208, Seneca 97873. Phone and fax: 541-542-2161. Email: cityseneca@centurytel.net. SALEM Gov .ate Brown D — 254 State Capi- tol, Salem 97310. Phone: 503-378-3111. Fax: 503-378-6827. Website: www.governor.state. or.us/governor.html. Oregon Legislature — State Capitol, Salem, 97310. Phone: (503) 986-1180. Web- site: www. leg.state.or.us (includes Oregon Constitution and Oregon Revised Statutes). State Rep CliII Bent] R-Ontario (District: 60), Room H-475, State Capitol, 900 Court St. N.E., Salem OR 97301. Phone: 503-986-1460. Email: rep.cliffbentz@state. or.us. Website: www.leg.state.or.us/bentz/ home.htm. To the Editor: Recently several letters and opinions have been posted in the Blue Mountain Eagle stating Sher- iff Palmer should stick to his sheriff duties and not have an opinion on the Malheur refuge group. , ¿nd it interesting that these “writers” can express their own opinions, but our sheriff is not al- lowed to do the same. In the 37 years I’ve lived in this county, I’ve found Sheriff Palmer to be profes- sional yet kind and honest. Yes, he believes in upholding our constitu- tional rights. We’re Americans — shouldn’t we all be thinking along those lines? To date, I’ve not seen or heard that he has taken a stand for or against the group. If he garners in- formation from persons linked to said group, that would be simply good detective work, not a state- ment he’s joined up! In closing, I have a suggestion. You’ve heard the saying “Love it or leave it.” Many westsiders are kick- ing the constitution to the curb. Eu- gene would certainly love to have you! Marsha Christensen John Day Nothing wrong with sheriff meeting To the Editor: I don’t see anything wrong with the sheriff meeting with people who voice concerns over constitu- tional issues that could affect Grant County. I attended that meeting and found it informational. The people were not the Bun- dy group. Sheriff Palmer listened to what they said. You apparently have minimal knowledge of the U.S. Constitution or you would recognize that the owning of more than 50 percent of 12 western states is a serious problem. The eastern United States has only 4 percent federal ownership. This whole is- sue is about the Hammond family being attacked by rogue BLM em- ployees and a rogue U.S. attorney in an attempt to force the sale of their ranch to the federal government! To charge them with terrorism is outrageous! This could be resolved by President Obama releasing the Hammonds from prison. This whole incident reÀects poorly on the government. Black Lives Matter and associated groups riot and burn cars and buildings and shoot police of¿cers over what they feel are in- justices. Why is a peaceful protest such a big deal in Eastern Oregon? I suspect part of it is because they are white Christians. If it was Occupy or any of the left wing radical Democrat organizations it would be no big deal! H. Stangel Dayville We are lucky to have sheriff Palmer To the Editor: Recently there have been some letters criticizing Sheriff Palmer. I have lived in Grant County ever since Tom Negus was sheriff. We have had a couple who weren’t too good. I have known Glenn Palmer a long time. He has always been a strong supporter of the county in so many ways I have lost count. If he had lunch with some of the Burns occupiers, it was to ¿nd out what their plans were that might have affected Grant County. A lot of us agree with the people who are on that reserve, but not the guns. Don’t get me wrong, I think all of us need to be armed. We have a ¿ne sheriff, and those that try to detract him are wrong. No one is perfect all the time, but we are lucky to have Glenn. Joe Clarke Long Creek Sheriff candidate explains decision To the Editor: Today, Jan. 25, after observing the sheer audacity of individu- als who think they can dictate the course of Grant County, without the input of all, I have decided to ¿le for the position of sheriff. Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper P UBLISHER ............................... M ARISSA W ILLIAMS , MARISSA @ BMEAGLE . COM E DITOR .................................... S EAN H ART , EDITOR @ BMEAGLE . COM A DMINISTRATIVE A SSISTANT ........ K RISTINA K REGER , KRISTINA @ BMEAGLE . COM E DITORIAL A SSISTANT ................ C HERYL H OEFLER , CHERYL @ BMEAGLE . COM C OMMUNITY N EWS .................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM S PORTS ................................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM M ARKETING R EP ....................... K IM K ELL , ADS @ BMEAGLE . COM O FFICE M ANAGER ..................... L INDSAY B ULLOCK , OFFICE @ BMEAGLE . COM MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION I understand the magnitude of the situation and that this decision of mine can help steer the course of Grant County’s future, no matter which way the voters choose. I believe Grant County is part of a republic, and not an oligarchy, which is what it appears it is trying to become. Let us keep it a republic. When I took my ¿rst oath of of- ¿ce as a reserve deputy on April 3, 2000, it was that I would support the Constitution and the laws of the United States and of the state of Or- egon, and to honestly and faithfully perform the duties imposed upon the member under the laws of Or- egon. I do not remember that there were any clauses that told me this was optional, and up to my interpre- tation of the Constitution and laws. People of Grant County, this is our county, not exclusively some individual group’s. You have a voice. Let it be heard, as it has been heard in the past. Todd McKinley John Day Refuge occupation an attack on tax- paying citizens To the Editor: The Bundy occupation is an at- tack on every law-abiding, tax-pay- ing citizen of Oregon. They have no legal or moral right to take the law into their own hands and make demands. Their only power comes from their guns and the threat of vi- olence. The Malheur refuge belongs to all Oregonians, and is beloved by thousands upon thousands of hunt- ers, ¿sherman, bird watchers and outdoorsmen. The Bundys and their followers will take all that away, giving nothing of value in return. They dishonor all Americans in uniform, whether in the military or in law enforcement. They are anar- chists, criminals and bullies. If you want to see what happens to citizens who act independently of Bundy and his vigilantes, just look to Harney County and Burns. They are shadowed, harassed and in- timidated. Ultimately, they will be “tried” in a court of jurors selected by the vigilantes, judged by some- one selected by the vigilantes and the inevitable guilt sentence will be carried out by the vigilantes. Does this sound like justice? Bundy and his group are trying to spread their tyranny to Grant County. Please stand up to them as the courageous people of Burns have done. Bundy is a wolf in sheep’s clothing who will devour your rights to satisfy his lust for power. Ted Gaty Salem Were sheriff’s comments personal or professional? To the Editor: In response to Jan Mead’s letter to the editor published in the Jan. 20 edition of the Blue Mountain Eagle, the editor posted a clari¿cation say- ing that our sheriff had responded, “I don’t know” when asked whether he approved of the occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, who are using public buildings and vehicles, destroying fence that is not theirs, endangering or destroy- ing artifacts with their road-build- ing, illegally using computers and preventing public access to public lands. Sheriff Palmer praised the armed occupiers as “patriots” and indicated he didn’t go down to visit them only because Harney County Sheriff David Ward asked him not to. It’s hard not to see that as ap- proval of their illegal actions with- out a clear statement from him to the contrary. It is always dif¿cult to separate the professional and the person- al, and it’s even more dif¿cult in a small community. It is not clear to me at this point whether the sher- iff was expressing himself as a pri- vate citizen or a public of¿cial, and whether the meetings took place on work time or when the sheriff was off work. I hope Sheriff Palmer and the Eagle will clarify these import- ant points as soon as possible. If the support is purely personal, 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including online access) Grant County .....................................$40 Everywhere else in U.S. .....................$51 Outside Continental U.S. ....................$60 Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery Government should honor commitment to veterans To the Editor: Recently I went to the Veterans Hospital in Portland. The sign enter- ing the approach to the hospital read “The Price of Freedom is Visible Here.” It certainly is! People, men and women, with no limbs, eyes, numerous bodily inju- ries. It is appalling knowing the fact our veterans have been betrayed by our government of¿cials not keep- ing promises/contracts. I joined the United States Marines in October 1969 with the promise of free health care for the rest of my life (for veter- ans honorably discharged). George W. Bush could not even make his Army Reserve meetings in Texas. Didn’t have to. Daddy was a senator. No prosecution of deserting. Long story short, vets have lost travel pay, payment for medications, etc. Horrible medical care. And by the way, vets have taken cuts in their bene¿ts right and left. When is the last time a senator, congressman or president took a pay cut? Tim Jewell Kimberly Libelous allegations shouldn’t be aired in public forum To the Editor: The comments in a letter to the editor written by Jan Mead and the large paid advertisement by Judy Schuette (both in the Jan. 20 of the Eagle), demonstrate the most libel- ous and unwarranted attacks I have ever observed in this newspaper. Both were aimed at Sheriff Palmer and reÀect completely unbalanced views about what is legal and what is not. The list of allegations range from “supporting criminal actions” to having “anti-government feel- ings.” I wonder which government these complainers consider them- selves part of. Sheriff Glenn Palmer is the most law abiding and skilled member of our county’s law enforcement community. He and his family are among the most giving and honor- able people in Grant County. Sher- iff Palmer does not sit at a desk all day. He is directly involved in the daily rescue operations and crimi- nal investigations as well as appro- priate contacts with many ongoing events. Why would anyone attack this valued man who has the highest ethical standards and puts his life on the line for our residents every day? The hidden agenda of the com- plainers has most to do with the fact that this Sheriff supports our U.S. Constitution while others do not. This Sheriff made an oath that is not to partisan politicians, not to the Forest Service and not to the federal government. Our country has been divided by the current federal administration, which has an incredible amount of litigation ongoing in response to their violations of our Constitution. Communist and Islamic factions strongly support throwing out our law while discrediting our law en- forcement across the nation. Never before has a president endorsed such lawless actions and inactions in their selective application of laws. This is a time to support our law abiding sheriff. He and the other members of law enforcement put their lives on the line for our resi- dents. Those who have joined the other “faction” need to send their allegations to an appropriate inves- tigative body — not to air libelous false allegations in a public forum. Tom McHatton Long Creek Periodicals Postage Paid at John 'a\ and additional Pailing oIÀces POSTMASTER send address changes to: Blue Mountain Eagle 195 N. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845-1187 USPS 226-340 wwwMyEagleNewscoP I hope the occupiers do not mistake it for an invitation from a public ¿gure to come here and disrupt the life and economy of Grant County as they have already done to Harney County. If it was offered as a pub- lic ¿gure, many of us will Tuestion the ability of our public servants to represent all their constituents fair- ly and to stick to their job descrip- tions, which are available from the county. Janine Goodwin Prairie City Copyright © 2016 Blue Mountain Eagle All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means — graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping or information storage and retrieval systems — without written permission of the publisher. wwwIaceEooNcoPMyEagleNews @MyEagleNews
