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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 22, 2017)
A10 State Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Republican spearheaded naturalization ceremony By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau SALEM — While many Oregon politicians hail for- mer Republican Gov. Tom McCall as their role model, Republican Rep. Julie Par- rish idolizes former Gov. Victor Atiyeh, the nation’s first Arab-American gover- nor. “Oregon had rich histo- ry … of welcoming immi- grants,” Parrish said. The oft-rogue Republican from West Linn wanted to remind legislators and Or- egonians of that important history when she suggested hosting a naturalization cer- emony on the floor of the House of Representatives. The ceremony was held in conjunction with Oregon’s birthday and Valentine’s Day Tuesday on the House floor. Parrish was an infant when her Lebanese father was naturalized as a U.S. citizen. In 2011, she became the first known Arab-Ameri- can woman to be elected to the state Legislature. “I had never been to a naturalization ceremony be- fore,” she said. (Parrish was three months old when her father took the oath of alle- giance to the United States.) In January, she attended a naturalization ceremony at a U.S. Citizenship & Im- migration Services office in Courtesy Speaker Tina Kotek Michael Hickman, Portland field office director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, conducts the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony Tuesday in the Oregon House of Representatives. Portland, where Republican Dennis Richardson spoke as part of his first official event as newly-elected secretary of state. Parrish ran Rich- ardson’s campaign against Democrat Brad Avakian, who was seen as the likely victor. “It’s pretty impressive, pretty powerful,” Parrish said of the naturalization ceremony. “At a time when the conversation around im- migration is not very posi- tive, this was an important opportunity to remind folks that we are a nation of im- migrants. “I thought legislators should see that and experi- ence that.” Naturalization ceremo- nies had been hosted at the state Capitol in the past but were booked in the basement, far from the public eye. Par- rish and one of Richardson’s staff members approached House Speaker Tina Kotek to get permission to hold the ceremony on the House floor. Kotek, D-Portland, agreed to host the ceremony to mark Oregon’s 158th birthday, which coincides with Valen- tine’s Day. “That’s the first time we have done one on the House floor,” Kotek said. “We think it’s a really important symbol- ic way of saying that everyone is welcome here in the state of Oregon.” Fifteen people were natu- ralized as U.S. citizens during the ceremony. They come from four countries: Mex- ico, China, the Philippines and Denmark, said Lindsey O’Brien, Kotek’s spokes- woman. Michael Hickman, Port- land field office director of the U.S. Citizenship and Im- migration Service, conducted the oath of allegiance during the ceremony. “I feel like it was a neat thing to have it on the state’s birthday,” Parrish said. “They were able to say not only am I an American citizen, I’m an Oregon citizen,” Parrish said. Oregon wolf count, management plan update delayed “ By Eric Mortenson Capital Bureau SALEM — Oregon’s heavy snow in January caused problems for wildlife staff who track the state’s wolf population. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said ex- treme weather in northeast Oregon, where most of the state’s wolves live, interrupt- ed airplane, helicopter and ground surveys of wolfpacks. As a result, the annual wolf report has been delayed a month and won’t be delivered to the ODFW Commission until its April 21 meeting in Klamath Falls. The report usually is re- leased in March and typically includes an updated wolf pop- ulation count and information on the number of breeding pairs in the state. The count provides an information base- line as the commission con- siders updates to the state’s Wolf Management and Con- servation plan. The plan is reviewed every five years, and the commission will most likely adopt an updated ver- sion later in 2017. Although heavy snow and an extended cold snap delayed ODFW’s field work, depart- ment spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy said it probably didn’t harm Oregon’s wolves. “Wolves typically do quite well during the winter,” she said by email. “Winters that are hard on deer and elk may actually be easier on wolves. There is winter (prey) loss to scavenge and it is harder for ungulates (deer and elk) to es- cape in the deep snow.” Oregon had a minimum of 110 wolves at the end of 2015, according to figures re- leased by ODFW in February 2016. At least seven wolves died in 2016. Four members of Wallowa County’s Imna- ha pack, including venerable alpha male OR-4, were shot by ODFW in March 2016 after repeatedly attacking, killing and eating livestock. Wildlife biologists speculat- ed at the time that the group began attacking livestock due Winters that are hard on deer and elk may actually be easier on wolves. There is winter (prey) loss to scavenge and it is harder for ungulates (deer and elk) to escape in the deep snow.” Michelle Dennehy Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Two adult wolves from the Walla Walla Pack were caught on remote trail camera Jan. 16, 2016 in Northern Umatilla County. Extreme weather in northeast Oregon interrupted airplane, helicopter and ground surveys of wolfpacks. As a result, the state’s wolf plan update will be delayed. to OR-4’s advanced age and the fact that his longtime mate limped from an injured leg. They had two yearlings with them, and the four appeared to have separated from or been forced out of the main Imnaha pack. I found Dad’s remote in the fridge again. …I’m beginning to get worried. IT’S NOT LIKE HIM. Monday - Thursday 7am- 6pm Friday 8am - 5pm Mendy Sharpe FNP Apppointments available In addition, a female wolf designated OR-28 was found dead in October 2016 in south-central Oregon. Of- ficials have not said how the wolf died, and Oregon State Police are investigating. A $20,000 reward for informa- tion is available. State police also are inves- tigating a wolf found dead in Northeast Oregon in March 2016. In May 2016, a sheep herd- er shot a wolf from the Walla Walla pack that was attacking sheep. State police judged the shooting was lawful under the “caught in act” provision that allows producers to kill wolves that are wounding, biting, killing or chasing live- stock, according to ODFW. 541-620-4255 March is Senior’s Month! Within John Day - free! Outside fares $2 off. You never need a taxi until you need one; put me on speed dial. Richie Colbeth/ Owner/Operator 05304 Family History and You THE GRANT COUNTY SNOWBALLERS WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION IN 2016 & 2017. • John Day True Value Hardware • The Cut Above • Old West Federal Credit Union • John Day Auto Parts • Eastern Oregon Realty • Chester’s Thriftway • Grant County Automotive • John Day Polaris • Les Schwab Tire • Lens Drug • Mills Building Supply • 1st Choice Auto Body • Chamber of Commerce WE CAN HELP. Call us with questions about aging and Alzheimer’s. 1-855-ORE-ADRC When: Saturday, February 25, 2017 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Where: LDS Family History Center 2625 Hughes Lane, Baker City, Oregon (Enter from the east side of the building.) 05274 Debbie Ausmus 245 South Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845 OPEN WED. & THUR. 9 am - 5 pm 541-575-1113 HelpForAlz.org 05311 OREGON DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM A Free Family History Activity - Everyone Welcome! THANK YOU, Tim R. Holly - President 24 hrs/7 days wk debbie.ausmus@ countryfinancial.com
