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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2016)
A6 News Blue Mountain Eagle A mission to facilitate wellness Group to study feasibility of rec center in John Day PALMER Continued from Page A1 By Sean Hart Blue Mountain Eagle “A multi-use activity center to promote and facilitate well- ness throughout the greater community, including space for aTuatics, ¿tness, athletics, community gatherings and wellness education” could be coming to John Day. A group of interested stake- holders met for two hours Friday to discuss the mission and vision for a recreation center they would like to see established. Ideas for the fa- cility included an indoor pool, a soaking tub, a sauna, a full- court gymnasium, exercise equipment, an indoor walking track and space for ¿tness and wellness classes. The possible project is still in its early stages. Mytchell Mead, who volunteered to serve on a feasibility study committee, said the next step would be determining if the center is feasible — in terms of not only initial cost and con- ¿guration but also long-term Wednesday, March 23, 2016 The Eagle/Sean Hart Mike Dugas, Vision Creation Consulting, facilitates a meeting in John Day March 18 to determine the purpose and vision for a potential recreation and wellness facility. Attendees agreed the next step would be to conduct a feasibility study to determine whether the project is plausible. ¿nancial viability. +e said an initial plan to share costs with Blue Mountain +ospital and house its physical therapy de- partment did not come to fru- ition, but the project was still possible. “It looks like we’re going to move forward on this,” he said. County Commissioner Chris Labhart said he would not give up on the project. “We’re just trying to see if it’s possible,” he said. “Why not at least try? Grant County needs something to work on that’s positive.” Labhart said people he has spoken with have reacted posi- tively to the idea of a recreation center. Lisa Weigum, a John Day city councilwoman, said the council has discussed retain- ing people in the area. She said sometimes risks are necessary to obtain a bene¿t. “We have to be willing to take some risks,” she said. “It’s scary, but I think we need to be willing to go there.” For more information, contact Mead, 541-575-0284, m@mytchell.com. boldens them,” he said. Palmer’s approach to the occupiers was very different from other law enforcement, but his approach to his role as sheriff is, too. Most Ore- gon county sheriffs sent dep- uties to assist with law en- forcement patrols during the occupation. Palmer did not, although he did house +ar- ney County inmates at the Grant County jail for about a week to help free up space and staff in Burns. The Oregon State Sher- iff’s Association made a public statement opposing the actions of the “militia men and women” at the ref- uge, and called their behav- ior criminal. In contrast, in an interview with the Blue Mountain Eagle, Palmer referred to the occupiers as “Americans” and “patriots.” Law enforcement of¿- cials in charge of the fatal traf¿c stop were wary of Palmer’s approach to the occupiers. The report de- tailing the investigation into Finicum’s death revealed that the roadblock was orig- inally planned for Grant County, but was moved to avoid involving Palmer. Now, Palmer is under scrutiny for his interactions with the leaders of the armed occupation. The state De- partment of Public Safety Standards and Training has received at least nine com- plaints against Palmer. “The number of com- plaints is a little odd,” said Linsey +ale, director of the agency’s professional stan- dards division. “Typically we don’t get a volume like this on one particular situa- tion or one particular indi- vidual.” The DPSST recommend- ed the Oregon Department of Justice investigate the sheriff. The state DOJ said March 16 that the agency has opened an investigation into one of the complaints about Palmer, although the agency won’t describe the complaint while the investigation is on- going. Evidence of wrong- doing could lead to criminal charges and revocation of Palmer’s law enforcement certi¿cation. Beyond the investigation, Palmer’s statements about the occupation have some Grant County residents worrying that the next an- ti-government action might happen in their community. Palmer has become a focal point of the “what’s next?” now that the refuge occupa- tion is over. Some in Grant County see him as a rogue activist more interested in advancing an anti-federal government agenda than protecting public safety. “Sheriff Palmer’s blatant disregard for the potential consequences of pushing his personal agenda over the welfare and safety of the general public that he is sworn to protect is at the very least an ethical trans- gression,” Valerie Luttrell, John Day’s emergency dis- patch manager, wrote in a complaint to state regulators. But to many in the grow- ing “patriot” movement, Palmer is the lone elected hero standing up to federal agencies and ¿ghting to pro- tect individual liberties. In addition to the complaints, state regulators have re- ceived three letters in sup- port of Palmer. “+e has been an exem- plary sheriff,” Melvin and +arriet Crum wrote state regulators. “As an elected of¿cial he represents all of Grant County fairly and is See DOJ, Page A7 Volunteers needed for flood mitigation project By Sean Hart Blue Mountain Eagle Grant County has com- pleted a signi¿cant portion of a Àood mitigation project on Canyon Creek, but if Àood- ing occurs, volunteers will be needed. County of¿cials are asking members of the public to place their names on a list of volun- teers if they would be willing to help in the event of a disas- ter. Emergency Management Coordinator Ted Williams is maintaining the list. Project engineer Doug Ferguson said the project designed to keep high-Àow surface water — about 1,000 cubic feet per second — from leaving the channel is about 5 percent complete. +e said, however, certain portions of the project cannot be com- pleted until Àooding actually occurs. To accommodate the work necessary during a Àood, Fer- guson said equipment must be staged in strategic areas, and up to 50 physically capa- ble volunteers may be need- ed to help place sandbags. Without the volunteers and a coordinated effort, he said the entire project could be in jeopardy. “It has to be done,” he said. County Judge Scott Myers said he knew people would heed the call to volunteer when a disaster struck but that it would be preferable to have a list of volunteers gen- erated beforehand for liabili- ty purposes. County Commissioner Chris Labhart agreed having volunteers organized in ad- vance would be helpful and said he believed the Àood mitigation project was “mon- ey well spent.” “It’s better to be proactive than reactive,” he said. “We hope we never have to use it.” For more information or to volunteer, contact Williams, 541-575-4006, williamst@ grantcounty-or.gov. To sign up for the county’s alert sys- tem, visit public.alertsense. com/signup/?regionID=1170. Church Services In Grant County Redeemer Lutheran Church Come Worship with us at 627 SE Hillcrest, John Day 1 st & 3 rd Sunday Worship & Communion ...............................10 am 2 nd , 4 th & 5 th Sunday Worship ..........10 am Wednesday Evening Bible Study.......6 pm For information: 541-575-2348 Cornerstone Christian Fellowship 139 N.E. D AYTON S TREET , J OHN D AY 541-575-2180 Sunday Worship Service 10 am Pastor Levi Manitsas cornerstonejohnday@gmail.com CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Sunday School..............................9:30 am Sunday Worship Service .............. 10:45 am Sunday Evening Service................6:00 pm Children & Teen Activities SMALL GROUPS CALL FOR MORE INFO Weekdays: Sonshine Christian School 521 E. Main • John Day • 541-575-1895 wwww.johndaynazarene.com
