Have a Happy New Year!

Oregon Old Time Fiddlers, District 9, meets the first, third and fourth Friday of each month. Call Julia at 573-2770, for time and place.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Friday at Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

Diabetes Support Group meets at the Harney County Health Building, 420 North Fairview, the first Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.

Alanon holds an open meeting each Saturday at Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Sunday at Foursquare Church for 12X12 study, at 7 p.m.

Medicare Assistance Program, through the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center is held the first Monday of each month from 1-3 p.m. Call 573-6024 to make an appointment.

Harney County Search and Rescue meets the first Monday of each month at the Harney County Courthouse basement meeting room at 7 p.m.

Masonic Lodge meets the first and third Monday of each month at the Burns Masonic Lodge, 1210 West Taylor, at 7 p.m.

The Burns Lions Club meets each Monday at noon at the Burns Elks Lodge, 118 N. Broadway, for lunch. Those interested in serving the community are welcome.

HDH Sports & Physical Therapy will offer a free athletic injury clinic at that facility, 559 West Washington, every Monday from 5-6 p.m.

A physical therapist will assess and treat athletic injuries and provide education for athletes and parents on self management of injuries. For more information, call 573-1543.

Narcotics Anonymous holds an open meeting each Monday at 7 p.m. at Foursquare Church.

PRIDE meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 8 a.m. in the conference room at the Chamber office at 484 N. Broadway.

Medicare D assistance is available on the first Tuesday of each month, from 1-3 p.m., at the Harney County Senior Center. If you need help before that date, call 573-6024.

Harney Basin Writers meets at the Harney County Library the first and third Tuesdays of each month, from 2-4 p.m.

Harney Hospital Foundation meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Hospital Conference Room at 7 p.m.

Sylvia Rebekah Lodge meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the I.O.O.F. Hall, 348 North Broadway at 6:30 p.m.

The Chamber Orchestra meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Burns High School band room, 1100 Oregon Ave., from 7-8:30 p.m. with Ken Peckham directing.

Harney County Democratic Party meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Harney County Courthouse, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7 p.m.

Tai Chi is held every Tuesday at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome to participate.

Patient Assist, Needy Med Program trained volunteers will be at the Harney County Senior Center each Tuesday, from 1-4 p.m. For appointments call the Senior Center at 573-6024.

Boy Scout Troop 440, sponsored by the Burns Lion’s Club, meets each Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the LDS Church in Hines. Boys ages 11-18 are welcome to join.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds an open meeting each Tuesday at Foursquare Church, at 7 p.m.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

County Commissioners from District 60 — Harney, Baker, Malheur and Grant counties — met on Jan. 22 in Ontario to elect a replacement for State Representative Tom Butler.

Based on county population, the votes from each commissioner varied in the actual count, from 1/3 of a vote to four votes per commissioner. Malheur County commissioners represented the majority, with 12 total votes; Baker County counted for 10 1/2 votes; Harney County’s three commissioners represented four votes, and Grant County’s accounted for one. The total available votes during the process was 27.

Cliff Bentz of Ontario was the unanimous selection by District 60’s commissioners, receiving all 27 votes. Bentz is an attorney and partner for Yturri Rose, LLP. He was raised in Drewsey, and continues to have ties to Harney County, both personally and professionally.

“Cliff brings experience and vision that are going to be a tremendous asset to the people of House District 60,” said Senator Ted Ferrioli. “I look forward to serving together as strong voices and advocates for Eastern Oregon.”

Bentz will represent District 60 through the remainder of Butler’s term, but will have to run for the office during the May Primary Election. According to Harney County Clerk Maria Itturiaga, he will not be listed on the ballot as the “incumbent.”

His opponents for the District 60 appointment were Tim Smith of Burns, and Deon Strommer of Baker City. Smith, Strommer and Bentz have all filed as candidates in the May primary.

Following Bentz’ selection, Strommer told The Oregonian newspaper he was remaining in the race, but knew it wouldn’t be easy to beat Bentz. “Cliff’s well-known, and a good guy, you’ve got to overcome that if you want to do this.”

Smith released a statement last Friday, reiterating that his intention to run in May’s election had not changed. “While the vote of the county commissioners on Jan. 22 in Malheur County was certainly disappointing I remain confident that my support from the people of the district remains strong,” he said.

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

Curbside recycling could be a reality for the City of Burns if the management at 4R Recycling Center and C&B Sanitary can come to an agreement.
Wayne Baron, manager of the 4R Recycling Center, brought the issue before the Burns City Council at the Jan. 23 meeting. Baron said that since the center opened last year, there has been a lot of local interest in curbside recycling. Currently, locals can drop off their recyclables six days per week at the center. “The public has asked us time and time again to do curbside recycling,” he said.

However, Baron noted that in talking with Burns City Manager Justin Boone, he found out the city’s franchise agreement with C&B Sanitary doesn’t allow it.

Boone agreed and said that C&B Sanitary has all the curbside recycling rights. The city has nine years left on its 10-year agreement with C&B. But the agreement is subject to annual review.

Rod Dinsmore, owner of C&B Sanitary, was present at the meeting, and Councilor Len Vohs asked Dinsmore whether or not the business had any intention of instituting a curbside recycling program.

Dinsmore indicated that perhaps at some point in the future that could be a possibility.

“If these people,” Vohs said, indicating 4R Recycling, “are ready to do it … is there some way this can be worked out?” he asked.
“Maybe we can have a closed door discussion about this,” Dinsmore said.

City Manager Boone said he would arrange a meeting with Baron, Dinsmore and himself to see if they could come up with an agreement.
In other business:

• the council held a public hearing to obtain input on the updating planning ordinances.

Planning commission members John Reponen and Lee Williams were present to answer questions on the proposed changes. The planning commission held a public hearing regarding the same ordinances on Dec. 20, and after some discussion, recommended that the council approve the proposed changes.

Reponen explained that most of the changes update the ordinances to reflect changes that have taken place in the community. For example, he said the old language still refers to the Edward Hines mill. “It’s just an update to take us out of the Edward Hines era,” he said.

Councilor Vohs pushed to approve the proposed changes sooner rather than later because the council would still be able to make later amendments if some more changes were needed. He was concerned that outdated ordinances could make the city ineligible for potential grant funds.

However, city attorney Steve Finlayson didn’t feel the ordinances were ready for approval. He recommended the city hold the hearing open until the Feb. 13 meeting at which the council may act on the proposal;

• Burns Police Chief Rob Nou said that new officers Newton Skunkcap and Jeff Brewer will begin active duty on Feb. 6 and Feb. 19, respectively;

• the council went into executive session to discuss with counsel threatening litigation;

• the council heard an update from City Clerk Dauna Wensenk on the aircraft fueling ramp project at the Burns Municipal Airport. The Airport Committee met with engineers Fred LeLacheur and Tim Orthomeyer of Morrison Maierle to go over the project specs. The project is scheduled to go out for bid on Feb. 3.

Councilor Vohs reminded the council that the fire suppression issue at the airport should not be forgotten. In May 2006, the state fire marshal gave the city five years to come up with a more permanent fire suppression system at the airport.

The next Burns City Council meeting will be on Feb. 13 at Burns City Hall.

The Harney County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 58th annual Banquet to honor the Outstanding Citizens of Harney County
on Saturday, Jan. 26.

Award winners

Student of the Year — Burns…………………Sarah Fitzpatrick

Student of the Year — Crane…………………Rena Barrett

Senior Woman of the Year…………………….Zora Retherford

Woman of the Year……………………………….Jolyn Wynn

Grassman of the Year…………………………..Ed and Leilani Davis

Lumber/Ind. Person of the Year……………Jim Campbell

Senior Man of the Year…………………………Bob Sands

Outstanding Young Farmer/Rancher…….Rich Jenkins

Outstanding Educator………………………….Angie Halvorson

Distinguished Service………………………….Heather Bailey

Business Person of the Year………………..Gary and Jill Miller

Boss of the Year…………………………………..Tom Rogers

Man of the Year……………………………………John Petty

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns Hilander wrestling team placed sixth at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions held Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26, in Hillsboro.
The tournament featured 23 of the top wrestling teams in the state from all classes, 1A-6A.

Joe Drinkwater was the lone Hilander to earn an individual championship as he placed first in the 152 pound weight class. Drinkwater got an escape in the third period to decision Mitch Sturdevant of Newberg 1-0 in the title match.

In his first match of the tournament, Drinkwater beat Sam Hartley of Redmond 14-2. He pinned Zack Reser of Westview (3:58) in his second match and then advanced to the finals with a 7-0 win over Brock Halter of Glide.

Also placing for Burns were Josh Cate, who took third at 140 pounds, Mike Schaff, fourth at 135 pounds, Patrick Stampke, fifth at 119 pounds and Brendan Palmer, sixth at 125 pounds.

In the JV tournament, the Hilanders’ Chance Peasley placed second at 119 pounds and Raymond Wright finished fifth at 140 pounds.
Newberg won the team title with 193 points. Newberg placed five wrestlers in the finals and had two individual champions.

Final team standings are as follows:
1. Newberg 193.0, 2. Hermiston 142.5, 3. Canby 139.0, 4. Roseburg 130.0, 5. Crook County 127.0, 6. Burns 94.5, 7. Sprague 91.5, 8. Culver 88.5, 9. West Salem 84.0, 10. Hillsboro 79.0, 11. Cleveland 76.5, 12. Crater 71.5, 13. Oregon City 71.0, 14. Grants Pass 66.0, 15. Tillamook 66.0, 16. Redmond 65.5, 17.

Thurston 65.0, 18. Scappoose 63.5, 19. Glide 55.5, 20. Gresham 51.0, 21. Westview 42.0, 22. Glencoe 27.5, 23. West Linn 17.0