Seeing Harney County for what it is Editorial Sam's Soapbox January 6, 2016April 18, 201618 As a local reporter, you’d think I’d be chomping at the bit to cover the story that’s been making headlines across the nation. You’d think I’d be pointing my camera and tape recorder in the face of every man, woman, and child in Harney County in order to get “the scoop.” You’d think I’d be thrilled to watch a sensational scene unfold in my own backyard. But that’s simply not the case. I know that big, dramatic events sell newspapers. I’ve seen sensational journalism advance reporters’ careers. I know I could exploit this situation for my own personal gain. But that’s not why I got into the business. I decided to study journalism because I like to help people tell their stories. After earning my degree, I decided to return home to Harney County because I wanted to provide this service for the village that raised me. I consider it an honor and a privilege to bring Harney County its news because I genuinely love this land and the people who live in it. Thus, this week, I’d like to use the inches allocated to my column to bring media attention to a really sensational story, and that is Harney County itself. I hope that when people think of this county, they’ll recall its incomparable beauty. I hope they’ll remember feeling like kings and queens as they stood at the top of Steens Mountain, peering down at the captivating cracks of the Alvord Desert. I hope they’ll remember the smell of the sagebrush during a thunderstorm on a scorching August afternoon. I hope they’ll relive the nights when the stars shone so clear and so bright that they felt like they could reach up and pluck them out of the sky. Perhaps they’ll recollect the time they harvested the perfect Christmas tree from the Malheur National Forest every time their olfactories are greeted with the sweet smells of pine and chainsaw gas. Maybe they’ll envision the kaleidoscopic colors that appear in the sky when the sun wakes up in the morning or puts on its pajamas for the night. Perhaps images of fall foliage will color their memories of this vast and magnificent county, a place where the uninterrupted skyline allows viewers to behold both ends of a rainbow. But most of all, I hope Harney County will be remembered for its people. Like the sagebrush that blankets the landscape, our people are strong and resilient. Accustomed to working with limited resources and short supplies, we are resourceful, creative, and innovative. Geographically isolated, we are forced to depend on each other, work collaboratively, and solve our problems by communicating with one another. This is a community that takes care of its people, whether its organizing a spaghetti feed to raise money to purchase a new projector for the local movie theater, collecting clothing for a family who lost everything in a house fire, or pulling over to assist a stranded motorist with a flat tire or dead battery. This is a place where time moves slower, and everyone waves as they pass each other on the street. Sure Harney County has its problems. Some are large, some are small, and some may seem insurmountable at times. But those of us who are fortunate enough to call this place our home have always had the will to figure out a way. Comments? Email Samantha White at swhite@btimesherald.com
Nicely written, sounds like a great place for resourceful and creative people to live. Thank you for sharing this ‘local view’. Reply
You’ve portrayed the ‘local’ perspective very eloquently. Thank you from all of us on the outside peering in. Reply
Hi Holly, It has come to our attention that some are having trouble reading this post on a mobile device. We are working on that. In the meantime, you should be able to view it on a computer. We apologize for the inconvenience. Reply
Samantha White wrote a nice fluff piece, but we’d like to know if the “Patriot Militia” standoff is yet another theatrical hoax being perpetrated by the US Government to justify their gun control and Police State agenda, via faked domestic terrorism and FBI-puppet Militias. Why are the Federal, State, and local Governments cooperating in so many ways with these ridiculous “Patriot Militia” protesters? Reply
Many of us watching with great anxiety from other parts of Oregon think that the feds were hoping the militants would just go home. The feds wanted to avoid bloodshed so that we don’t end up with another incident like Waco or Ruby Ridge. Whether it was justified or not, I am so sorry that LaVoy Finicum was killed. Reply
Beautifully said Samantha! I have always enjoyed your column. I love your point of view. I might add the Crane Hot Springs,Malheur Cave,Warm Springs reservoir…Harney County is full of beautiful treasures and if you grew up there as I did…they are great memories. Reply
Quit frankly Samantha, if the “occupiers” don’t gain anything out of their stand, all Harney County will have is a dwindling few people left and a distant look at that beautiful scenery. The Feds will close off all access to enjoying the land whether visitor or resident. I am praying for Harney County to take back ownership of their land for all to enjoy. Reply
Samantha, I was raised in Harney County, love it with all my being, and even though I don’t live there anymore, it’s still home. This was one of the best articles and ‘you hit it right on the head’ pieces that I’ve read in a long time. Thank you for not exploiting the situation of what is happening. Reply
Samantha, My name is John Potter. I also was raised in Harney County. Graduated from Crane High School in 1973. I now live in Dallas Tx. Moved here in 1982. My parents, , sister, nieces, and nephews, still live in Harney County. From what they tell me, most of the people are for the Bundy take over of the Malheur Refuge. In support of the Hammonds. That’s not what I see on national tv or news. With your local connections to the people. It would be great to see what the ranchers and town people are saying. Take a poll from both sides. Report the truth for all to hear. Thank you. I look forward to seeing what they say. Especially from a local newspaper. Reply
I remember all the things you mentioned from my brief time – a year and several months – working in Harney County. I enjoyed my time there very much. But the situation needs to be examined, and there is no one like a local reporter to do that. Why this, why now, why Harney County? It’s a story that needs to be told from a local viewpoint, not from the point of view of people who have no idea what the area is like from day to day. And not only because the nation needs to hear that point of view; local folks also need to stop and think about it, rather than just circling the wagons against the national spotlight. Reply
While I am a Portlander, I have spent many days walking in Harney County, mainly with family who have lived there all their life. It is truly a beautiful place in this world. I am so impressed with what you can see, hear and smell while walking in desert area of this county. It is truely a unique area to roam and see many wonders of nature. Reply
I love this piece about Harney County! It captures what I remember most from my visits there on Cycle Oregon. Reply
Thank you Samantha White for this lovely piece. I am a resident of an unincorporated part of Lane County but have often enjoyed Harney County over the past 30 years. It is a beautiful place but I have also been very impressed by the people of this county. To me, the people of Harney County seem to be exemplary in the way they work so hard to find middle ground and live together. This is not easy or glorious work but you should be proud of the people of Harney County. I wish you a peaceful and healing time. Reply