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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 2016)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, August 24, 2016 A5 C OPS & C OURTS Arrests and citations in the Blue Mountain Eagle are taken from the logs of law enforce- ment agencies. Every effort is made to report the court dispo- sition of arrest cases. Oregon State Police • Aug. 18: An Oficer re- sponded to a call stating a man had accidentally shot himself in the leg. Subject was taken to Blue Mountain Hospital. • Aug. 18: Shawn Colman Kite, 48, was arrested for DUII and charged with domestic vi- olence after oficers responded to a domestic violence call in Prairie City at about 10:37 a.m. When oficers arrived, Kite had already led in a 1993 Pontiac Bonneville. About an hour later an oficer located and stopped the vehicle. Kite appeared to be under the effect of a controlled substance. He consented to so- briety tests and was arrested and taken to the Grant County Jail. Aug. 20: A single, non-in- jury crash occurred near mile- post 134.5 on Highway 26 in Grant County. The lone driver was headed east when they lost control of the vehicle on a right-hand turn. The airbags did not deploy and the driver was wearing a seatbelt. The road was covered with gravel due to an ongoing chip sealing project. Grant County Sheriff. CANYON CITY — The LETTERS Continued from Page A4 There are yellow signs on property where homes have burned to the ground. The owners have moved. They have not been asked permission to post on their property. This is taking advantage of an- other person’s tragedy. As of the writing of this letter those yellow signs are still posted. The petitioners for this recall want to hold our elected oficials to certain stan- dards, but the petitioners do not seem to feel the need to hold themselves to stan- dards of civility, decency and respect. I know the petitioners feel justiied in all they have done. I do not agree with them. There is enough turmoil in the world that we don’t need to create our own. The cost of the recall may seem small to some, but that cost has taken a bite out of the already tight county budget and impacts every county department, the departments you depend on for service. Let’s put this train back on its rails and do something nice for each other. Eva Harris Canyon City The Oregonian’s ire investigation was unbalanced To the Editor: It’s easier to criticize than condone. For 20 years, I’ve owned a residence on a 40-acre timbered property in the Pine Creek drainage, visiting approximately one week each year. Ironically, when i- nally living seasonally in this residence Grant County Sheriff’s Ofice reported the following for the week of August 14-21: • Concealed handgun licens- es: 3 • Average inmates: 11 • Bookings: 11 • Releases: 11 • Citations: 2 • Fingerprints: 5 • Civil papers: 19 • Warrants processed: 3 • Asst./welfare check: 3 Justice Court CANYON CITY — The Grant County Justice Court re- ported the following ines and judgments: • Exceeding the speed lim- it: Daniel Gabriel Cohrs, 23, last year, and while working in a spike ire camp, the Canyon Creek Complex ire burned it down. I was left with the clothes on my back. I spent the remainder of last season living in a tent. The Oregonian’s published investi- gation of the Canyon Creek Complex ire was anything but an example of “bal- anced” journalism. Residents who lost their homes were interviewed and quoted. Where were the interviews of residents whose homes were saved by the efforts of ireighters? Where were the interviews of those who worked the ire and lost their homes? Other (Forest Service) person- nel lost their primary residence to the ire while working in ire camp. Because the Oregonian chose not to contact people in this unusual position, I thought to provide the facts of my experience: 1) An extensive network of ire lines were dug by hand crews on the slope around my residence. 2) A sprinkler system was set up by hand crews, with sprinkler heads around my residence. 3) Firewood piles were moved away from my residence by hand crews. 4) While hand crews were busy sav- ing my neighbors’ homes, the burning bole of a large tree rolled down a 35-de- gree slope, hitting my residence, resulting in an explosion of red-hot embers. I’m not by any stretch an expert on forest ire behavior. But no matter how many ire lines are dug and sprinkler sys- tems are put in place, they can’t possibly stop a burning bole from rolling down a 35-degree slope. The basis of my objectivity is three- fold: 1) I spent my working career outside of government; 2) I’m an “outsider” to Cornelius, 77/65 zone, Aug. 10, ined $135; Anthony Wyatt Hall, 19, Canyon City, 77/65 zone, Aug. 13, ined $135. • Violation of the basic speed rule: Stephen R. Johnson, 67, New Orleans, 75/55 zone, July 31, ined $160; Renea Lynn Ostermiller, 42, Portland, 74/55 zone, July 16, ined $160; Tim- othy Mitchell Jaureguy, 46, Se- attle, 75/55 zone, July 31, ined $160. John Edward Mallars, 64, Pilot Rock, 75/55 zone, Aug. 9, ined $160. • Driving with a suspended license: Benjamin Keith Lee, 36, Canyon City, June 30, ined $435. • Semi Trailer exceeding 53 feet in length: Ioan Calaras, 45, Grant County; and 3) I work seasonally for the (Forest Service) as a semi-retire- ment job, so my livelihood and well-be- ing are in no way dependent upon the (Forest Service). I’ll reserve my criticism for the un- balanced journalism published by the Oregonian. John H. Van Gundy John Day Sheriff should resign To the Editor: From the Washington Times, April 15, 2014: “Former Arizona sheriff Rich- ard Mack says he and other organizers at Cliven Bundy’s ranch in Nevada were contemplating using women and children as human shields in case ‘rogue federal oficers’ opened ire. Appearing on Fox News’ ‘The Real Story’ on Monday, for- mer Sheriff Richard Mack said he and other protesters ‘were actually strategiz- ing to put all the women up at the front. If they are going to start shooting, it’s going to be women that are going to be televised all across the world getting shot by these rogue federal oficers.’” Sheriff Palmer has aligned himself with Mack and the CSPOA, accepted their national award and endorsed and ap- peared at Mack’s speaking engagement in John Day. Palmer’s name appears on CSPOA letterhead as a member of the Council of Sheriffs and Peace Oficers. In January, Sheriff Palmer met with Jon Ritzheimer and Ryan Payne at length in John Day, so impressed with what they had to say he had them autograph his pocket constitution. These two at the time were committing a criminal act at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, have since T hank Y ou G RANT C OUNTY This past recall election has been difficult for the community and frankly for Bonnie and me. It is over and time for all of us to move forward and put it behind us for the betterment of Grant County. I want to thank all of the great people that supported me, whether it was Voting No, financial campaign support, recording radio ads, writing letters of support to the editor, running our Facebook page, putting up signs or just stopping by the shop and offering encouragement. It was very humbling. I also want to thank the “Vote No” Recall committee that worked tirelessly on my and Grant County’s behalf, especially Lynn Larssen, our treasurer. Grant County has come a long way in the last 10 years but that’s not to say we still don’t have significant issues ahead of us. We are a strong, resilient community and I believe that working together makes us much stronger and more powerful than the issues that pull us apart. Once again, thank you Grant County for keeping me as your County Commissioner. I will continue to work hard for all of you. S incerely, B OYD & B ONNIE B RITTON Paid for by Vote No on Boyd Britton Recall Mississauga, Aug. 10, ined $95. • No operator’s license: Al- lison M. Cifuentes, 23, Prairie City, May 22, ined $260. • Unsafe passing on the left: Kelli Dawn, Sterling, 50, Puyal- lup, July 31, ined $260. Dispatch John Day dispatch worked 153 calls during the week of August 14-21. Along with the various trafic warnings, tres- passing, injured animals, noise complaints and juvenile com- plaints, these calls included: • John Day Police: Aug. 15: Responded to a reported break in at John Day Video. Aug. 16: Arrested Devan pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. This year, from February to July, there were six emergency management meet- ings including discussion of looding (of serious concern this year on Canyon Creek), a community wide disaster drill for all agencies and Cascadia earthquake updates. The sheriff did not take part. At the invitation of two of Palmer’s special deputies, Michael Emry came to town along with a stolen fully automat- ic machine gun with the serial number missing. Emry was arrested by the FBI and is awaiting trial. A botched response and a non-investi- gation into a shots-ired call in January of 2015, legal proceedings involving com- plaints iled with DPSST and DOJ, re- fusal to disclose public records requested and possible deletion of email messages are just some of the things that have been on the table for months, and are the pro- verbial tip of the iceberg. It’s not only time to say, “enough is enough,” we should be asking this sheriff to resign. Judy Schuette John Day Think of climate change during election To the Editor: Your vote in November is crucial to ability of the United States to imple- ment timely signiicant action on climate change (CC) issues. Delaying strategies of many elected oficials are costing tax- payers untold amounts in dollars and hu- man suffering, but more importantly, de- lay lessens our ability to affect required changes. Haynes, 23, on a Grant County felony warrant. Aug. 18: Arrested Shawn C. Kite for assault after responding to a domestic disturbance call at 470 N. Washington St. Aug. 19: Arrested David Wesly Burke, 22, on fraud charges. Aug. 20: Responded to a complaint of a suspect driving with an open container near John Day Park. The subject was found to be drinking root beer. • Grant County Sheriff: Aug. 19: Responded with OSP to report of shots ired. • John Day ambulance: Aug. 16: John Day and Sen- eca ambulances responded to reports of a gunshot injury. Many Republican candidates adhere to party lines regarding CC issues, but many Democrats also refuse to prioritize CC issues either out of ignorance or fear. I believe if a candidate does not have CC issues as a priority, they are irrelevant and unable to function in current and fu- ture political arenas. I ask while considering a candidate to be mindful that immediate and effective action on CC issues should be a declared priority by the candidate as this will de- termine the quality of life on the planet for current and future generations. Require that your candidate detail their understanding of CC issues and commitment to action. This applies to all elected oficials at every level of govern- ment. On the state level, we have oppor- tunities to design/implement effective paths (put a price on carbon) to transition away from fossil fuels and to implement effective mitigation and adaptation strat- egies, which may serve as models for na- tional programs. Nationally, implement- ing realistic pricing schedules on carbon emissions (studies show this to be the most effective method for immediate re- ductions) is a top priority for moving us toward an emission-reductions trajectory that may provide a chance to stabilize the rate of climate change. If you have trouble elevating this in your priorities, try to have a discussion with your children/grandchildren or a youth group and explain to them the con- sequences of no action by your candidate of choice. Chuck LeBold Union T HANK Y OU , G RANT C OUNTY F AIR V OLUNTEERS & S PONSORS ! The 2016 Grant County Fair was a huge success because of all of you. Mary, Mindy, Dusty and the Grant County Fair Board can’t say thank you enough to both the volunteers and sponsors that made this possible. Your time and contributions are great appreciated. Gold Sponsors - Free Day Wednesday Specialty Sponsors Les Schwab KJDY 94.5 Len’s Drug Muzzy’s 123 Dollar Store Prairie City Hardware & Gifts Subway Corner Cup 1188 Brewing Company LLC Advantage Dental Crown Paper & Janitorial Doug’s Motor Vehicle Repair Inc. Dr. Virginia McMillan, DDS Duke Warner Realty Figaro’s Pizza Friends of Ted Ferrioli Ticket Sponsor - Saturday Day Sponsor Gardner Enterprises, Inc. Chester’s Thriftway Johnson Holding, Inc. Day Sponsors Loop Ranch Thursday Sponsor- Tidewater Maria’s Traditional Mexican Food contractors & Standard Mossy Oak Properties Cupper Creek Land Co. TV & Appliance Old West Federal Credit Union Friday Sponsor- Blue Mountain Hospital Outpost Pizza, Pub & Grill Strawberrry Wilderness Community Clinic DP Home Entertainement/Radio Shack & Rob Rascho, Attorney at Law U.S. Bank Saturday Sponsor - Chester’s Thriftway & McDaniel Ranch Bank Of Eastern Oregon Mt. View Mini Mart T&H Automotive Silver Sponsors BCH Cattle Company Driskill Memorial Chapel Green Mountain Grills Pioneer Feed Ferguson Surveying & Engineering Bronze Sponsors Oregon Telephone Corporation Triangle Oil Feature Sponsors John Day River Veterinary Center State Farm Insurance Mary Ellen Brooks Gibco Ag & Industrial Claude & Bobbie Baker Eastern OR. Building Maintenance Eberhard’s Dairy Ed Staub & Sons Hodgen Distributing Holliday Land and Livestock Huffman’s Select Market John Day Auto Parts/NAPA John Day Dairy Queen John Day True Value Long View Ranch Malheur Lumber Company Mobile Glass of Oregon, Inc. Oregon Trail Electric Co-op O’Rorke Logging, Inc. & Ranch Oster Professional Group Pendleton Bottling Company Sisul Engineering Southworth Brothers, Inc. Widows Creek Ranch Wright Chevrolet Mattecheck &Associates, Inc. (Ansel Krutsinger) Bar BW Nydam’s Ace Hardware Fair Sponsors Blue Mountain Angus Rod & Sandy Kuhn AmeriTitle Country Preferred Realtors Echanis Distributing, Inc. Life Flight Mosier’s Home Furnishings Strawberry Mtn. Graphics Blue Mountain Chiropractic Columbia Power Corp. Grant County Arts Association Bauer Forest & Cattle Eastern Oregon Realty Mills Building Supply Prairie Springs Fish Farm Green Thumb Garden Club Ranch Hands Wool Company James & Lynette Sullens TG Cattle/Alfalfa Ranch Bill & Gloria Wilcox John Day Video Shoppe Sarah Russ Shannon Voigt Construction LLC El Cocinero Mexican Restaurant Prime Time Video Box T Ranch In Kind Sponsors A Flower Shop N’ More America’s Best Value Inn Better Blooms & Gardens Clark’s Disposal A Cut Above John Day Polaris Byron’s Excavating Grant County Road Department City of John Day City of Prairie City