Barbara Cannady for Burns Times-Herald

Roxane Worley may be the most prepared in-coming City Administrator Hines has ever known. Born and raised here, and graduating from Burns High School, gives her an advantage of understanding this community on all age levels. Roxane worked briefly at the Mill before going off to college in Lewiston, Idaho.

After college, she transitioned to the big city of Phoenix to work as a Sergeant in Corrections at the Arizona State Prison. Finding the work intense, the commute miserable, day care unfordable and 24 hour on call status exhausting, Roxane wanted to come home and raise a family. Her husband, Angelo, was from Southern California. As they relocated, the small town quiet he was promised was interrupted by the Refuge occupation. Culture shock to be sure, but he and their daughter, Amiyah, call Hines home.

Roxane had been working with the Hines Police Department for three years when then County Sheriff, Dave Ward, approached her about running the county jail. She was serving on the Hines City Council for over a year when the former City Administrator, Kirby Letham, announced his plans for departure. Sometimes destiny just happens.

Roxane is grateful for the training opportunities and background that her previous jobs have provided in grant preparation and execution, inspections and evaluations as well as administrative best practices.  She still anticipates a sharp learning curve and is appreciative that Kirby is currently available to assist with identification of professional connections.  Kirby is recognized for his professional accomplishments as well as serving as a role model.  

Immediate works in progress include acquiring a new water leak finder. All of the new water lines and meters have been checked.  But with the age of connecting systems, there may be small formerly unrecognized leaks on private property.  

The City Council recently approved a new public portal for the residents to be able to check their water usage on-line. Residents will be receiving information on that roll-out soon. This software, along with the water leak finder, should be a major benefit to Hines water users.   

In 2025, the City will be involved in a new data conversion program with Burns and the County to support law enforcement through the 911 program.  The three entities joined forces for a $563,953 grant to purchase Motorola Solutions Software in this unification effort.

Roxane plans to continue serving on the committee to establish a new Justice and Training Center at the former Lincoln Jr. High building. The same concerns with safety, privacy issues and infrastructure remain whether discussing the current jail or new facility. She is focused on the need to incorporate “Best Standards.”   

Long term projects include the possibility of a Town Hall to assess community needs. Current plans include a parks expansion project and some new playground equipment to the tune of over $700,000. The Master Plan includes the possibility of a combination Ice Ribbon (winter ice skating) and Roller Blade Skating surface (Spring/Summer/Fall) in the form of a large multi-use re-connecting pathway.  

Roxane has also visited John Days’ Splash Pads where cooling areas are provided during the summer heat. On and off buttons, as well as a timer, control the spray and water usage.  Another idea to explore! After all, she has just started.

Communication and leadership development are on Roxane’s agenda.  She is anticipating working with Burns, the County and our state representatives on legislative issues. And she is hoping others will join her on her personal journey through a juvenile leadership program that she envisions within the City possibilities.  

The Burns Times-Herald is looking forward to following a trail of positive possibilities.