Resident says Bundy doesn’t speak for county

During its regular meeting on Feb. 3, the Harney County Court held a lengthy public comment session to discuss recent events related to the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Pacific Patriots Network sends letter

Harney County Judge Steve Grasty discussed a letter of intent from the Pacific Patriots Network (PPN) that was delivered to 9-1-1 dispatch.

The letter, which was signed by Bruce J. Soper II, Brandon R. Curtiss and Joseph A. Rice and notarized by January Kolar, requests an address of grievances.

The letter calls for “immediate detention by investigating agency of the FBI special agent in charge, along with all agents and LEOs [law enforcement officers] involved in the shooting death of LaVoy Finicum.”

Robert “LaVoy” Finicum was shot and killed by police Jan. 26, during an enforcement action to arrest several individuals involved with the occupation of the refuge. The incident occurred about 20 miles north of Burns on Highway 395.

The PPN letter states that, “a firsthand eyewitness account in conjunction with FBI-released video presents reasonable probable cause for arrest while the investigation takes place.”

In a letter written to the PPN, the court replied that Oregon Revised Statutes require that any use of deadly physical force by a police officer that causes the death of a person be investigated. The Deschutes County Major Incident Team is investigating the circumstances of the incident. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency on this investigation, assisted by detectives from the Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, and Oregon State Police.

The court’s letter also explains that Harney County District Attorney Tim Colahan has transferred review of the investigation to the Malheur County District Attorney “in the interest of transparency and to prevent any perceived conflict of interest.”

The PPN letter also calls for “immediate removal of all militarized FBI personnel and equipment from Harney County,” adding that, “all state and county law enforcement officers are not included and requested to stay and assist in the process to keep the peace.” The letter also requests that the remaining refuge occupants “be dealt with by local and state law enforcement with the assistance of federal negotiators.”

The court responded that “neither the Harney County Court nor the Harney County Sheriff has the authority to remove the FBI from activity on federal lands within Harney County, particularly in light of the continuing occupation of a federal facility. The recommendation of use of a federal negotiator is being followed.”

The PPN also called for the immediate resignation of Grasty, Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward, Harney County Commissioner Pete Runnels, and Harney County Commissioner Dan Nichols. All four individuals have declined this request.

The court encouraged anyone who is concerned about county officials’ performance to attend county court meetings to discuss the issues face-to-face. The court also encouraged participation in the election process.

Runnels said, “If people don’t want us here, vote.”

Jory responds to Cliven Bundy’s letter

Cathy Jory read a letter that she wrote to Cliven Bundy, the father of refuge occupier Ammon Bundy.

Jory’s letter states, “We the undersigned legal residents of Harney County are telling you right now, you do not speak for us. Mind your business in Nevada and let us mind ours in Oregon.”

Jory’s letter is in response to a letter that C. Bundy wrote to Sheriff Ward, which states, “This is notice that we the people of Harney County and also we the people of the citizens of the United States do give notice that we will retain possession of the Harney County Resource Center (Malheur National Wildlife Refuge). Remove all federal and state policing agents out of Harney County. Place a Harney County sheriff guard post at the entrance road of the Harney County Resource Center, stopping all from entering or exiting for a time.”

The return address on C. Bundy’s letter is Bunkerville, Nev.

“People outside of here are trying to talk for the people of Harney County,” Jory said. “I refuse to give up my right to speak for myself.”

Jory said a copy of her letter is available at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center for community members who wish to sign it.

In response to Jory’s letter, Nichols said, “I couldn’t have said it better.”

Rally at the courthouse

Shana Withee thanked law enforcement officers for keeping county employees safe during the rally that was held at the Harney County Courthouse Monday, Feb. 1.

According to the organization’s website, the PPN organized the rally to “support Harney County citizens and demand accountability of LaVoy Finicum’s death.”

A sizable group of Harney County community members held a counter protest to show support for local and visiting law enforcement officers, as well as FBI and local elected officials. The group also urged the PPN and other outside groups to leave the area.

Runnels said the rally was “civil, but heated,” comparing it to a basketball game between two opposing schools.

He said he believes there were locals on both sides, but thinks most support the court.

“There’s a lot of support about how this is being handled,” Runnels said. “I really truly think this community is together.”

But Paul Hyland said he noticed a division.

“I went out there, and the people were divided,” Hyland said. “I didn’t know what to do to tell you the truth…my heart was telling me that both you guys are wrong. Sitting there and hollering at each other, that’s not going to do anything. I want to do something. I’d like to do things to have our community heal, but I don’t know what to do.”

“I appreciate what you said,” Grasty replied. “It’s hard knowing what to do. We’ve got to figure this out or we are going to be having the same debate with ourselves again in a month, a year, a decade.”

Vanessa Leathers said moments of prayer and silence were supposed to be held during the rally.

“I saw the saddest, most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever seen — a community screaming over a prayer, a prayer said by local pastors for the people who were screaming,” Leathers said.

However, Runnels said  neither he, nor the reverend who he was standing next to, knew about the prayer.

Leathers replied that it was announced on social media, but admitted that not everyone knew about it and some couldn’t hear it over the yelling.

Leathers added that the rally was “a perfect example of how divided the community is.” She said, “It looked pretty 50/50 to me. It’s not a majority thing that I’m seeing on either side. It’s pretty split down the middle.”

Leathers encouraged the people who are in the middle to get more involved. She also encouraged the court to use social media to reach out to the younger generation to encourage participation in meetings and collaborative efforts.

Grasty said he admires Leathers for getting involved.

Harney County Committee of Safety

Leathers also provided an update on the Harney County Committee of Safety.

She said she isn’t on board with everything the committee is doing, but agrees with some of its causes such as helping the Hammond family, repealing or changing mandatory minimum sentencing, gaining more local control of natural resources, and opposing the proposed Owyhee Canyonlands  Monument. She said the committee is also looking at changing its name and having a new election.

A member of the audience invited the court to attend the Committee of Safety meeting that was being held later that evening.

Grasty said he’d probably attend. However, he noted that a committee member recently called him a murderer.

Leathers replied that two members of the executive committee are not on the same page as the rest of the group.

“That is being dealt with,” she said.

Mental health

Representatives from the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Public Health Division, and Symmetry Care attended to discuss stress and mental health concerns related to the ongoing occupation.

Symmetry Care Director Chris Siegner said counselors have been available in local schools to assist children who might be struggling. He added that an article was recently published in the Burns Times-Herald containing tips for managing stress, and stress management workshops are being organized.

“I would be kind of hesitant asking someone for help managing stress,” Grasty said. “How do you help people over that hurdle?”

Runnels said some people who work for the government feel trapped in their homes and afraid to go out. He added that getting them back to work will help with their mental health.

Siegner agreed that making government workers feel safe and getting them back to work will be the best for their mental health. He added that people who are interested in counseling can go to Cornerstone (a private practice) after hours, speak with counselors over the phone, or meet counselors at another location.

Part of the community

Karen Moon said she was married to a local rancher who has Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and refuge permits, and she learned where some of the sentiments and frustrations are coming from. However, she added that, through her job with the Harney County Watershed Council, she has worked with staff from a variety of government agencies.

“These people want to help,” she said. “They can bring money here.”

For example, she said the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) voted Jan. 26, to allocate more than $1.6 million to support a diverse partnership working to improve habitat values and water quality in Malheur Lake and other Harney Basin wetlands. The funding set-aside, one of a half dozen made for OWEB’s new Focused Investments Program, represents the down payment on a proposed six-year, $6 million commitment to the Harney Basin Wetlands Initiative.

Moon added that the concept of Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs) was introduced by a BLM employee. In a CCAA, landowners voluntarily agree to manage their lands to remove or reduce threats to a species. In return, they receive assurances against additional regulatory requirements should that species ever be listed under the Endangered Species Act.

“If not for that, we would be looking at sage grouse as an endangered species,” Moon said.

“The agencies, and people within agencies, are part of this community,” Nichols said. “That has been said, but it needs to be said more often. They are doing a job. They are put in positions that they don’t want to be in sometimes.”

Praise for Sheriff Ward

Grasty said no one could have handled the ongoing situation better than Sheriff Ward.

“I continue to be amazed and impressed,” Grasty said.

Ward replied that “no system run by human beings is perfect,” adding that things can be improved at every level of government. However, he added that citizens have the responsibility to express their opinions appropriately.

He said, “I’ve got friends and neighbors that stand on the other side of the fence from me. That doesn’t mean I love or respect them any less.”

End the occupation

Rob Frank said he doesn’t think the community can come together until the occupation ends. He added that the refuge occupiers, patriot groups, FBI and media all need to leave.

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The next regular meeting of the Harney County Court will be held Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. at the courthouse.