By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald
While the big news at the Feb. 13 Burns City Council meeting centered on the police department, another topic concerning the city’s logo prompted an interesting discussion among council members. The city would like the public’s feedback on the proposed new logo.
Burns City Manager Justin Boone presented the council with the new logo, created by Design Journeys of Frenchglen, featuring Steens Mountain. The new logo also features a new slogan, “The Heart of Oregon’s Big Country.” The Steens logo would replace the old picture of the Scotsman with the word Hilanders below it on the city’s letterhead. In his written report to the council, Boone said it was his intention to foster a more professional image for the city to allow for greater marketability.
Boone noted that not everyone in Burns has Scottish heritage and that to him Steens Mountain has a broader appeal.
Councilor Jim Eshelby noted that, “We’ve been Hilanders for a long, long time.” Boone stressed that the city would still be known as the home of the Hilanders, it just wouldn’t be on the city’s letterhead.
There was some discussion about the nature of the artwork. “It doesn’t look like the Steens,” Councilor Craig LaFollette said. “It looks like a bat.”
Mayor Laura Van Cleave said she liked the new slogan.
Councilor Bill Renwick said he felt the community should be able to have a say on the logo as well.
To give feedback on the new and old logos, call the City of Burns at 573-5255 or e-mail cityofburns@centurytel.net.
After hearing what residents have to say about the proposed logo, the council will make a decision at the next council meeting.
In other business:
• Manager Boone updated the council on his meeting with representatives from C&B Sanitary and 4R Recycling, which did not produce an agreement between the two parties. Wayne Baron, manager of 4R Recycling, said his proposal to have C&B Sanitary workers conduct curbside recycling to be dropped off at his facility, was rejected.
At the Jan. 23 meeting, the council heard from Baron who said he would like to offer curbside recycling to Burns residents. However, he is prohibited from doing so by the city’s franchise agreement with C&B Sanitary.
Councilor LaFollette said he thought it was unfortunate that a representative from C&B was not at the Feb. 13 meeting. “They have a legitimate business reason for their decision,” he said.
In a phone interview after the meeting, C&B Sanitary owner Rod Dinsmore said regarding the recycling issue, “There are a lot of variables that aren’t feasible.” He also mentioned some permit issues. “So I guess right now, things are up in the air,” he said.
Mayor Van Cleave said the council needs to take another look at the franchise agreement with all the involved parties present and left it at that.
• the council discussed an agreement with a Unicel representative about leasing the water tower site to Unicel so they can set up a cell tower. The tower would provide better cell coverage in downtown Burns. The site would be leased for 25 years as a rate of $1,000 per month. City Attorney Steve Finlayson wanted a few changes made to the proposed contract, and the council instructed Finlayson, Boone and Unicel to work out the details for approval at the next city council meeting;
• Manager Boone noted that Cindy Witzel of Design Journeys has been working on the city’s new Web site at www.ci.burns.or.us and the public will be able to access city ordinances, the city charter, council minutes and the council packet on the Web site;
• resident Yvonne Warden addressed the council asking about Councilor Linda Johnson’s absence. Mayor Van Cleave responded that Councilor Johnson asked to be excused for a couple of months due to travel plans;
• the council appointed Boone to be the city’s budget officer for the 2008-2009 fiscal year;
• the council approved a number of ordinances regarding changes to the city’s comprehensive plan and approved a resolution for Burns’ representation and participation in the Harney County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The next Burns City Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at city hall.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:14 am
As someone who is no longer living in the community but hopes to return, here are my two cents. The highlander is traditional and based on the history of the city’s founding. That particular one is dated–the high school dropped the happy go lucky highlander in exchange for the warrior themed highlander. Perhaps that is in order.
As for the city manager’s statement that “not everyone is of Scottish heritage”–big deal. That smacks of the “let’s include everyone so we can all feel special” mentality. How would the city still be known as the city of highlanders if it’s not noted?
As for the new logo, the drawing is crude. If it’s going to be used it should be more detailed. Take a look at the Faith Baptist Church logo to get a better idea, sans the Bible and ribbon inclusion. The font looks dated. Who came up with the slogan–If Burns is the heart of Big Country then what does that say about Drewsey, Crane, Hines? And though it costs more, why not a bit of color?
The highlander sets Burns apart from the rest of the county and the rest of the state. It focusses on its unique-ness. If Burns wants to show a more professional atmosphere it should remodel the city hall. The last time I was in there (granted it was a few years ago) everything was jammed together, looked unattractive and I’m sure was uncomfortable for the employees.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Click here to download plugin
Flash is mostly advertisements, for that reason I don’t have Flash installed on my Firefox Browser.
Design Journeys could do better by publishing all the city pages in .pdf format. Otherwise, A bit of text and a link inviting me to view the media would be more thoughtful.
What am I missing? Probably a mesmerizing slide show of the Steens mountains hundreds of miles away from Burns. Burns is connected with those vistas because, it’s the last place to fill up your cooler and gas tank before heading out to go camping.
Design Journeys submission is printable on all official city letterheads. With more effort and higher cost, I could imagine a montage of sights around town to include the old post office, the new hospital, and the sun shinning of brass marching in a parade.
It makes no difference to me, when does anyone ever see it? Probably when your dog becomes a nuisance or you don’t cut your weeds, then Burns sends you a letter with the awe inspiring Steens Mountain to accentuate their heartfelt greetings.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
The town was named after Robert Burns…the most notable of Scottish poets…our teams are Hilanders and Scotties…and Justin Boone wants to dump on that tradition by featuring a poorly drawn logo of the Steens mountains? For what? Marketability?
Perhaps doing more to make the downtown area more attractive and increase business would be a better start than worryign about what is on the letterhead.
Yes, not everyone is Scottish. And as one with Scot blood in my viens, let me say I doubt ‘we’ wanted to monopolize the city logo. I am sorry if the city history doesn’t jibe with Mr. Boones ideas of what makes a town attractive. But many people also dont give too much care about the Steens either. I never go there. And I fail to see how a picture of them represents the city of Burns or its tradition the way the Hilander man(it should be Highlander by the way)does.
How does trying to make the town more like other cities set you apart? Instead of shunning the traditions, the city of Burns should try embracing them and playing on those while at the same time doing more to promote incoming business.
I also agree that the modern Hilander currently on the high school is a good choice.
But then again, this is another reason…albeit a small one…that I am glad I live in Hines.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:00 am
Definitely agree that the design shown looks like a bat, sorry. Why not make everyone happy and superimpose the Highlander standing in front of the Steens?
February 24th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I have to agree with Mr. Taylor in that while we are not all Scottish not all of us have been to the Steens or care to. I’m not seeing what the Steens have in common with Burns? And what would become of the schools’ representation? Would we change that as well? We should all be proud of our little communities and stick with the past we have all known for so long.
Again I agree with Mr. Taylor… I’m glad to be living in Hines.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Burns to the rim is just shy of 100 miles according to Google maps…I also wonder why the Steens are being looked at for the letterhead, there must be something closer, right? I was in High School during the time the image of the mascot was changed, we wanted something that had a stronger image, although it was still a cartoon, the new image looks much stronger an a lot less like Elmer Fudd which was the intention at the time. Maybe Burns needs a stronger image, but regardless of the heritage, the namesake of the city can never be changed without changing the name…my suggestion is to tie in the heritage with that image. Additionally, correspondece that comes from the city to your house is only part of the issue, the correspondence from the city to other cities or state government and beyond is what I believe Mr. Boone is trying to change…other folks might not take Burns as seriously if we send them letters with cartoons on them, right?
February 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am
WHAT IS WRONG WITH TRADITION?…My great grandfather, George McGowan, named the city of Burns in 1883 with a vision for eastern Oregon that would distinguish it with pride for his and future generations. Although I no longer live in Burns, I feel strongly that the logo as well as other historic dedications should remain intact.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Sounds to me like the few of you who are glad to live in Hines need to mind your own Hines business. Same goes for the rest of you who do not live in Burns.
March 1st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
First of all, in response to the comment from Sarah Thompson — no, I no longer live in Burns, but for those of us who still read the paper after many years, I feel it is our business. As my brother mentioned, our great grandfather founded the town of Burns and my father was born and raised there. I lived much of my life there and graduated from Burns High School. I was proud to wear the Highlander cheerleading outfit at all of the games. I mentioned once to a co-worker last year that I once lived in Burns, and she said, “oh yes, that’s the home of the Burns Highlanders.” She also said that it was very special. I doubt that a logo of the Steens Mountains would allow for greater “marketability” than that. No, I don’t live in Burns any longer, but I still attend my reunions, visit the cemetery, walk through the town, and I have wonderful memories. I hope to attend Bobby Burns Day again also. Please leave the logo as it is. I have always enjoyed going to the Steens Mountains, but it would never have the meaning and tradition connecting it to Burns as the little Scotsman has.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:42 pm
As I am a graduate of Burns Union High School, “Class of 58,” I can’t imagine not having the beautiful Scotsman logo. To change it to anything else would be like committing a murder in Burns, OR. I hope, when we have our fiftieth class reunion this summer in Burns, that the Scotsman logo is alive and well.
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:30 am
I too, much to the dismay of a previous responder, would be considered an “outsider” as well. Since the intent of the proposal is to “foster a more professional image for the city to allow for greater marketability” I would think the council would appreciate an “outsiders” perspective. Afterall, wouldn’t that be the group they would be marketing to? I for one, am a firm believer in history and tradition - and don’t see that the proposed change would accomplish the aforementioned goals.
I think the Bard himself said it best ” There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing” Robert Burns
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Personally, I agree with Mr. Peter Zoli. I am indeed an outsider, but I think, contrary to what Ms. Sarah Thompson wrote, that the council would appreciate a non-resident’s opinion. Being an old-fashioned supporter of heritage, I think that it is important to keep the little Scott. Burns’ founder, George McGowan, was Scottish and came to America in 1883. I think that it is very important to keep the symbol as a little reminder of a big part of the city’s heritage. And besides, like Mr. Ron McGowan so passionately wrote: “WHAT IS WRONG WITH TRADITION”. I definitely don’t mean to be disrespectful, but come on Justin Boone! So what if not everyone in Burns has Scottish heritage? Not everyone in the United States has colonial heritage, but yet our flag resembles the thirteen ORIGINAL colonies? And quite irrelevantly, I think that the current logo looks just fine and that the proposed logo does not resemble the Steens in the least, and how, might I ask, are the Steens Mountains really individually related to Burns?
Sincerely, Collin Steinauer
March 7th, 2008 at 12:13 am
I think the city has many other items on the agenda that need to be brought to the table besides a bunch of rif-raf about a new logo. Besides the point that the Steens represent the COUNTY (HARNEY COUNTY) as a whole. NOT THE CITY! If the COUNTY were to be discussing a new logo, perhaps the steens logo(but with a better drawing) would be appropriate! I have lived in Burns all my life (20 years). Currently attending college at OSU in Corvallis… I come home quit a few times a year. I always notice something that needs attention around the city; horrible weed problems, trashy looking properties that are breaking code, vacant building all over, and business after business going out of business!!! When the day is over, who cares about the little inch square at the top of the letter head for the city. Lets put our energy to work on issues that need the attention, rather than stiring up another problem/debate/delima!!!
Best regards-
Nathan Ritches
May 21st, 2008 at 7:33 am
I definitely agree with the comments that Mr Taylor made back on February 20th. Further, my cousin was one of the creators, if not, the main creator of the original Hilander man which at one time had been prominently displayed in front of BHS from the late 60’s to 1986, outside of the gymnasium. At best update the Hilander with the current Highlander man which our graduating class of 1986 created and is still proudly displayed in place of where the previous Hilander once was. I too was once a Hines resident and concur with Mr. Taylor’s sentiment. Cheers!