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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 13, 2016)
WILDFIRE PLACE SECOND AT STATE The Grant County’s newspaper since 1868 – PAGE A8 The Grant County Wildfire 13-14-15 softball team at the Oregon State Championships Blue Mountain EAGLE The Eagle/Marissa Williams W EDNESDAY , J ULY 13, 2016 • N O . 28 • 16 P AGES • $1.00 www.MyEagleNews.com BATES POND FUTURE IN QUESTION The deep blue water of Bates Pond is a refreshing sight while meandering the trail that encircles the pond and others throughout Bates State Park. The Eagle/Cheryl Hoefler Work group to discuss alternatives to improve fi sh passage By Sean Hart Blue Mountain Eagle work group of stakeholders will hold its fi rst meeting next week to discuss the future of Bates Pond and the management of Bates State Park. County Judge Scott Myers said he was in- vited to represent the Grant County Court at the meetings. The fi rst is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the conference room at the Grant County Regional Air- port. Myers said, while some fi shing, conservation and tribal A groups would like to remove the dam on Bridge Creek to re- turn the stream to its natural state for fi sh passage, he did not believe it would be in the county’s best interest. “Most of us that have been here for a while are interested in preserving the pond,” he said. “It has recreational poten- tial for kayakers, boaters, swimmers, fi shermen. It has a very strong sense of place for past generations and future genera- tions of families from Bates and Austin.” Myers said the meeting will be hosted by Oregon Consen- sus, from the National Policy Consensus Center in the Hat- fi eld School of Government at Portland State University, on behalf of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. See BATES, Page A16 Commissioner recall petition moves forward Britton files statement of justification, won’t resign By George Plaven EO Media Group The recall petition against Grant County Commissioner Boyd Britton is moving forward, but he does not plan to resign. County Clerk Brenda Percy said she certifi ed 505 signatures as of Thursday to place a recall on the bal- lot for Aug. 16. At least 490 signatures were needed for the petition to move forward. The effort to recall Britton comes a little more than a week after residents in neighboring Harney County voted overwhelmingly to keep Judge Steve Grasty, who earlier this year denied Ammon Bundy and other members of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation from meeting at a county fairgrounds building. A prospective petition to recall Britton was fi led March 28. It accuses him of failing to represent constitu- ents on road and access issues; refus- ing to call for an investigation into the handling of the 2015 Canyon Creek wildfi res; failing to recuse himself in decisions with agencies where he ben- efi ted both personally and fi nancially; and deliberately misrepresenting his intentions of at- tending a commu- nity meeting Jan. 26. Britton, now in his fourth term as a commissioner, fi led his statement justifi cation Boyd Britton of against the allega- tions July 12, asking citizens to vote against the recall. “The reasons offered for my recall are baseless,” he said in the statement. “More importantly, I’ve had the priv- ilege of living here for 20 years and the honor of serving as your Coun- ty Commissioner for 13 years. I’ve worked hard to represent the entire county...” Julie Carr, of Dayville, was the chief petitioner for recalling Britton. She said she could not discuss it in depth on Thursday, but was pleased to see it move ahead to the ballot. “I’m glad, because a lot of folks were afraid to sign the petition,” Carr said. “I’m glad enough people want to fi nd positive change.” Frances Preston, of Prairie City, also volunteered to circulate the pe- tition and gather signatures. She said most people she talked to were excit- ed to sign, and spur additional change See RECALL, Page A16 Kodesh indicted on shooting charges Blue Mountain Eagle David Robert Kodesh, who has been indicted on charges related to a shoot- ing in John Day July 2, is set to enter a plea at 1:45 p.m. Aug. 3. Kodesh appeared in Grant County Circuit Court Tuesday, repre- sented by attorney John Lamborn, who said he is working on a motion to reduce his client’s bail, which was original- ly set at $50,000. K o - desh, 21, of Mt. Ver- non was indicted by a grand David jury July Kodesh 8 on one count each of second-degree assault, a class B felony; unlawful use of a weapon, a class C felony; menacing, a class A misdemeanor; and second-degree disorderly conduct, a class B misde- meanor. John Day Police Ser- geant Damon Rand said Kodesh was reported- ly arguing with Mathew Walker, 32, of John Day on the evening of July 2 in the alleyway behind Chester’s Thriftway in John Day when the shoot- ing happened. Rand and other offi- cers responded at about 7:30 p.m. Walker was treated and released from Blue Mountain Hospital for a gunshot wound to the up- per arm. Kodesh was arrested in Prairie City the afternoon of July 3 and is being held in the Grant County Jail in Canyon City. In a separate case, Walker was arrested in John Day the afternoon of July 3 for a parole vi- olation and possession of methamphetamine. He is in jail for the parole vio- lation. Officer Mike Durr of the John Day Police De- partment said the gun be- lieved to have been used in the shooting was re- covered from a John Day residence the afternoon of July 7. O N THE T OWN : G RANITE Fremont Powerhouse, Olive Lake are nearby attractions By Cheryl Hoefl er Blue Mountain Eagle In the far northeastern corner of Grant County, nestled high in the Blue Mountains, is the charming community of Granite. With a population of only 38 — according to the 2010 census — Granite is the small- est community in the county, and the fourth smallest incorporated town in Oregon. It’s also the only town in the county not located on a major highway or state route. But it’s not difficult to reach, at least in summer, and any trip to Granite is well worth the venture. Visitors to the area should be prepared for a departure from civilization and an entrance into the great outdoors. Stellar scenery and just about every type of outdoor recreation imaginable awaits in the surrounding region. Olive Lake, 13 miles to the west, is a Visitors to Granite should check out the restored Historic Fremont Powerhouse Site, built in 1908, about five miles west of Granite. treasure not to be missed. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, wildlife view- ing, bird-watching and swimming are all Eagle file photos See GRANITE, Page A16 Granite may be small in size, but big when it comes to welcoming visitors.