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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2016)
Opinion/News Blue Mountain Eagle LETTERS Continued from Page A4 ‘Should we fear avowed protesters within our county?’ To the Editor: People that would become Grant County Positive Action were present with signs at a Jan. 26 meeting in John Day at the Senior Center to protest the occupation of the wildlife refuge in Burns. While attempting to attend the meeting, LaVoy Finicum was killed by police just south of the county line. Without doubt, citizens were exercis- ing a legal right to protest and did so in a controlled manner. Since those individuals wear the mantle of protest- ers, should they be held in the same standing in Ferguson, Chicago, Philadelphia and Detroit where irebombs were thrown at police, buildings looted and set ablaze? After all, those people were iden- tiied as “protesters.” Should we fear avowed protesters within our county? It might be signs and free speech now, but what next? There is no doubt that “protesters” have become vi- olent and dangerous. Should there be a presentation on riots in cities and ties to pro- testers, even here? One can easily read the connection that is being made to patriots, and that cannot be ignored when discussing protesters. Let us compare apples to apples, oranges to oranges. Anything else is simply propaganda. Ron Ballard John Day Inept agencies and reckless spending To the Editor: Why is the state of Ore- gon/ODOT and Gov. Kate Brown spending $1 million on an audit? How much are the director of ODOT and other management individuals paid? Maybe they aren’t earn- ing their salaries if the agency is in such bad shape that they need to be audited. I’ve had my own issues with ODOT and a rest area that my grandparents deeded to the state of Oregon for a park. It became a “rest area,” and I have tried several times to get them to take better care of it. I am told they don’t have the funds. It’s time to do something about the ineptness of agencies and the reckless spending of money in Oregon. Sharon Livingston Long Creek Where’s the debate? To the Editor: As an interested voter, I have been watching for a candidate debate between in- cumbent Sheriff Palmer and challenger Todd McKinley. In the past, debates have been sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce or other organiza- tions. The League of Women Voters has fair and consistent guidelines for conducting a debate. In such an important election, it would be very helpful to see the two candi- dates discuss the important issues and answer questions from the voters. So, my ques- tion is, where’s the debate? Carla Zinn Canyon City Something’s in the air in Grant County To the Editor: I am a native of Grant County, I know Grant County and I have been at a loss to ex- plain how so many residents have become so irrational in their thinking. I would call to your remembrance that Grant County was the irst, and re- mains the only county in the U.S.A., to vote the United Nations to be illegal within its boundaries. The United Na- tions had designated certain remarkable places throughout the world as special heritage sites. To this date, none have in any way been occupied or under the rule of the U.N. Next, the Grant County sheriff declared himself not only the enforcer of laws but the only interpreter of the Constitution. When our sher- iff went on to be recognized as the nation’s irst constitutional sheriff, he drew unwanted at- tention on our county as a rad- ical and whacked-out place. More recently, in neigh- boring Harney County, some like-minded people took over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. In the ensuing days, some of the occupiers were traveling to John Day to pro- mote their interpretation of the Constitution. One was shot to death by the state po- lice as they were arrested en route. As implausible as it seems, the conspiracy-minded folks in Grant County blamed the government for “mur- dering” their new martyr. I thought this was probably as wild as their thinking could possibly get. But they have outdone themselves with another ex- ample of absurd thinking. They believe that the va- por trails (contrails) left by high-lying aircraft are, in fact, mind-controlling chem- icals being dispersed on the population by the govern- ment. I really laughed when I heard this. I thought this was the most ridiculous bit of rubbish they have come up with yet. However, after reviewing all the irrational ideas they have thus far produced, I’m quite sure that they must be inhal- ing something besides Eastern Oregon air. Terry Steele Ritter graphed or video recorded. Does Grant County have a reputation that visiting speak- ers need to be protected? Grant County Positive Action is to be commended if their ef- fort was to educate the public. However, the presentation by Rural Organizing Project was far from “fair and balanced” and failed miserably when they refused to address re- quested questions from those attending. By the way, written by a patriot. Dave Traylor John Day ‘How does one tell the difference between a good patriot and suspect ones?’ ‘God bless Glenn and Roseann!’ To the Editor: A presentation by Rural Organizing Project hosted by Grant County Positive Action held at the Canyon City Com- munity Hall on Friday Oct. 7 could have been informative except for the one-sided nar- rative on just what a patriot is. Organizations from here in the West and across the nation were identiied and the in- ference was, “approach with caution.” I was surprised that the American Legion and Vet- erans of Foreign Wars were not mentioned. A question-and-answer pe- riod was announced with writ- ten queries placed in a basket. Only several questions were aired, and then people in the audience with hands in the air were ignored and “meet- ing over.” I will probably be known as “someone who dis- rupted the meeting” because I stood and asked why the requested questions submit- ted by the audience were not being addressed. I too was ignored so to the consternation of some present I read aloud the deinition of a patriot, which is “a person who loves, supports and de- fends his or her country and its interests with devotion — a person who regards himself or herself as a defender especial- ly of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.” My question was, “How does one tell the difference between a good patriot and suspect ones that were mentioned?” Un- usual for a meeting in Grant County was the four young men at the meeting with ear- phones. One stood shoulder to shoulder with the speaker, while the other three main- tained positions overlooking the audience. Everyone at the meeting was duly photo- C OPS & C OURTS Arrests and citations in the Blue Mountain Eagle are taken from the logs of law en- forcement agencies. Every ef- fort is made to report the court disposition of arrest cases. Circuit Court CANYON CITY — The Grant County Circuit Court reported the following ines and judgments: • Caleb Joe Vielma was convicted of failure to appear in the irst degree, endanger- ing a person protected by a FAPA order and menacing constituting domestic vio- lence. He was sentenced to 50 days jail, 8 years probation, 100 hours community service, ined $1,400 and ordered to pay $1,000 to the victim. • Bryan K. Holestine’s di- version for driving under the inluence of intoxicants was revoked. His driver license was revoked for life. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years probation and ined $1,255 with $300 sus- pended. Grant County Sheriff CANYON CITY — The Grant County Sheriff’s Ofice reported the following for the week of Oct. 13: concealed handgun licenses, 7; average inmates, 16; bookings, 8; releases, 8; citations, 1; in- gerprints, 5; civil papers, 12; warrants processed, 6; asst./ welfare check, 1. Justice Court CANYON CITY — The Grant County Justice Court reported the following ines and judgments: • Driving with a suspend- ed license: Talia Christine Maloy, 40, Prairie City, Aug. 25, fined $435; James Ed- ward Jewel, 34, Creswell, Aug. 9, fined $435; Camden Jay Rhinehart, 19, John Day, Sept. 16, fined $370. • Driving uninsured: Talia Christine Maloy, 40, Prairie City, Aug. 25, fined $260. • Exceeding the speed limit: Jacob WIlliam Obrist, 32, La Pine, 42/25 zone, Sept. 29, fined $160; Gerald Paul Hampton, 54, Haines, 75/65 zone, Sept. 20, fined $135; Kate Lorraine Hart- nell, 30, Shedd, 50/35 zone, fined $160. • Violation of the basic speed rule: Lucido Salva- tore, 62, Carmel Valley, Cal- ifornia, 72/55 zone, Sept. 30, fined $135; Ronald A. For- syth, 60, Seneca, 70/55 zone, Sept. 28, fined $135; Thom- as Lee Watson, 48, Estacada, 74/55 zone, Sept. 30, fined $160; Willard B. Wolf, 65, Ashland, 72/55 zone, Oct. 4, fined $160; Tami Sasser, 34, Kimberly, 69/55 zone, Sept. 29, fined $160. • Semi-trailer exceeding 53 feet in length: Rafael Obregon Barajas, 45, Pan- orama City, California, Sept. 21, fined $110; James M. McCracken, 57, Boise, Sept. 21, fined $110. • Operating with a leak- ing or sifting load: Ivan Keith Mulder, 69, John Day, Sept. 27, fined $220. • Use of cellphone while driving: Kimber- ly Diane Neault, 32, Prai- rie City, Sept. 25, fined $135. Dispatch John Day dispatch worked 167 calls during the week of Oct. 10-16. Along with the various trafic warnings, tres- passing, injured animals, noise complaints and juvenile com- plaints, these calls included: • John Day Police Oct. 10: Received a report of a restraining order vio- lation. Responded to a dog complaint in Prairie City. Oct. 12: Arrested a 30-year-old woman on a pa- role and probation violation detainer warrant. Oct. 13: Responded to a re- port of harassment and arrest- ed a 26-year-old for probation violation. Oct. 14: Responded to a report of a break in. Conduct- ed a trafic stop and cited a 27-year-old John Day resident for driving with a suspended license and driving uninsured. Performed a trafic stop and arrested a 37-year-old Mt. Vernon man for DUI. • Grant County Sheriff Oct. 10: Dispatched to a report of a dog complaint. Oct. 11: Took a report of possible animal abuse. Oct. 14: Received a report of gas being siphoned. Re- ceived a report of vandalism of phone company equipment. Oct. 16: Received a report of someone placing a dead deer on the county courthouse steps. • John Day ambulance Oct. 11: Responded for an 85-year-old female who was choking. • Oregon State Police Oct. 11: Arrested a 44-year-old on a Crook Coun- ty warrant. To the Editor: My family has lived in Grant County since the spring of 1957; during that time, we have met a lot of people. People that are still in this community; one of those people being Glenn Palmer; although at that time, 1968 to be precise, Glenn was just a irst-grader at Humbolt Ele- mentary School here in Can- yon City. Time continues on in this small community of ours, and I started working with a group of friends on building a skateboard park for the young people in this com- munity. Roseann and Glenn Palmer became very active in this group. The name of the park is Smokey Gibson Me- morial Park. April 7, 1997, the group had a grand open- ing for the skateboard park at the Seventh Street Complex in John Day. As Gerald (my husband) and I grew older, we became more in need of per- sonal help. Glenn’s name was one of the people to be called on to help us, when the call went out for help. In the last months of Gerald’s life, Glenn was called several times to come help me with his care. Glenn as sheriff came to me after I returned home from Idaho with my daughters, to talk about Gerald’s passing, giving me and my daughters great comfort. Glenn is still the person to answer the call when I am in need. Twice this summer, Glenn came in re- Wednesday, October 19, 2016 sponse in my time of need. The most recent being in the last couple of weeks, when I tripped over one of my dogs during the night. Glenn was there for me. Glenn and Roseann are very good friends to me. God bless Glenn and Roseann! Jessie M. Lewis Canyon City ‘Serve and protect without prejudice or favoritism’ To the Editor: Election time is upon us, and we are about to choose a sheriff for the next four years here in Grant County. I strongly encourage ev- eryone, especially those of you who are still undecided to attend one of the meet and greet Todd McKinley com- munity meetings published in this week’s paper. You will ind a man that will give straight an- swers. A man who strong- ly believes and lives our Constitution. A Christian family man who has a wonderful wife and seven children. In Todd McKinley, you will ind a man who will have his priorities focused on the administration of the Grant County Sheriff’s Ofice with- out distraction. This is a man who carried a lost and disabled man out of the woods on his back. A man who gave little or no thought to his own safe- ty as he went door to door and evacuated folks who were in peril in our terrible ire. Get to know Todd McKin- ley. He will carry the weight of the responsibility of our next sheriff with the same dedication and enthusiasm as he has shown countless times in the past. So many times when there is a call for help, a ire or a young person just needing some positive guidance, Todd McKinley is there to serve. Serve and protect without prejudice or favoritism. A5 It is time for a new leader in the Grant County Sheriff’s Ofice. Vote for positive lead- ership. Todd McKinley for Sheriff, 2016. Dan Maynard John Day Vote for Hillary To the Editor: It seems like the election season has gone on forever, but now it is time to make our decision on who will be our next president. Over the past few months, the choice has become clearer and clearer. One of the candi- dates, Hillary Clinton, brings a lifetime of relevant experi- ence to the position, having served as irst lady of Arkan- sas, irst lady of the United States, as a U.S. senator and for four years as our secretary of state. All of her life, she has worked for the betterment of our country. The other candidate, on the other hand, brings his own rather spotty business experi- ence as a real estate developer and reality TV star. During the campaign, he has shown a questionable temperament, which should worry us all. Is this really the man we want to put forward to our children as a role model and to represent us before the world? A man who coins phrases such as “Lyin’ Ted” or “Crook- ed Hillary,” and whose behav- ior would have him sent to the principal’s ofice in any ele- mentary school I ever worked in. The proudest moment of my public service career was representing the voters of Eastern Oregon as a Hillary Clinton delegate at the 2008 Democratic National Conven- tion. She was the right person for the job in 2008, and she is the right person today. I urge you to cast your vote, when your ballot arrives, for Hillary Clinton for president. Jack Lorts Wheeler County Demo- crats vice-chair Fossil
