Teague Motor Company will continue to be a Chrysler dealership but not GM

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

For Teague Motor Company, the bankruptcy restructuring of Chrysler and GM was a case of “win one, lose one.”

After Chrysler was forced into federal bankruptcy protection in early May, the decision to close 789 Chrysler dealerships around the country soon followed.

Fortunately for Harney County, Teague Motor Company in Burns was allowed to keep their dealership, which they’ve had for 43 years, and they will continue to sell and service Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brand vehicles.

Peggy Asmussen of Teague’s said she believes they kept their dealership because of customer service and location. “We’re pretty much always at 100 percent in customer service,” Asmussen said. “And we sell a lot of Dodge trucks.”

However, Teague’s will not retain their GM dealership, along with about 1,100 other dealers in the country. “It could happen as far out as October 2010, but I think it’ll be sooner,” Asmussen said.

Where the loss of the dealership will be felt the most, according to Asmussen, will be warranty work. “If somebody has a GMC vehicle that needs warranty work done, they’ll have to travel 145 miles to Payette, Idaho,” Asmussen said. “I guess that’s what upset me the most is that our customers won’t be able to get warranty work done here.”

She stressed the fact that they can do all other service work and have ordered a new machine that will allow the service department to work on just about every make of vehicle. “We’re here to take care of our customers,” Asmussen said.

Because GMC was the only dealership Teague Motor Company had from GM, they aren’t expected to see a big drop in sales, and believe they can make up the difference with Chrysler vehicles, such as Dodge pickups.

“Chrysler wasn’t that far in the hole, so they’ve come through pretty good,” Asmussen said. “But I don’t know if GM will make it.” She added that the Chrysler workers are doing what they can to make the company successful by taking pay cuts.

There may also may be changes in the vehicles offered by Chrysler, as most of their assets were sold to a new company run by the Italian car manufacturer Fiat. “I expect them to maybe integrate some of their engineering ideas into the Chrysler vehicles,” Asmussen said.

From the time the business started, Teague Motor Company has also sold Studebaker, Rambler, American Motors and Datsun models at one time or another, and they look forward to continue serving Harney County residents. “It’ll be 48 years in August, and we expect to stay here,” Asmussen said.

Energy grant would provide money for construction

Doug Gochnour, Malheur National Forest Supervisor, announced approval of a wood to energy grant for $5 million dollars to design, permit, and construct a pellet plant in Harney and/or Grant County. This grant is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was released by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan on June 11. This project is among 30 wood-to-energy grants and biomass utilization projects funded at $57 million located in 14 states.

“These projects are in keeping with President Obama’s interest in innovative sources for energy and will promote the development of biofuels from wood and help private sector businesses establish renewable energy infrastructure,” said Merrigan. “Additionally, hazardous fuels reduction projects utilize biomass from forested lands that, when left untreated, increase wildland fire risks to communities and natural resources.”

The $5 million grant will be competitively advertised through a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the Oregon Economic Community Development Department (OECDD) within the next couple of weeks. OECDD will select a technical evaluation board to review proposals and choose a recipient or recipients to award the grant funds to. The process is anticipated to take 30-45 days from advertisement of the RFP.

Location of a pellet plant within Harney and/or Grant County would provide a facility to utilize the growing backlog of biomass that needs to be treated across the Malheur National Forest. Removal of biomass for utilization would provide the benefit of reducing hazardous fuels, therefore decreasing risk of wildfire. Funds derived from the sale of biomass would stay on the Malheur National Forest and be used to accomplish additional fuel reduction projects.

These ARRA funds may help to create markets for small diameter wood and low value trees removed during forest restoration activities. The work will result in increased value of biomass, the removal of economic barriers for using small diameter trees and woody biomass, and the generation of renewable energy.  In addition, funds may help communities and entrepreneurs turn residues from forest restoration activities into marketable energy products.

Information on Forest Service ARRA projects can be found online at: http://fs.usda.gov.

The Kids Club of Harney County hosted this year’s Hines 5K Run/Walk, and the event attracted 76 participants.

Winners in the different divisions and their times are as follows:

5K Walk

Female
14 & Under — Raychel Scarlett 50:17
15-21 — Ashley Schouviller 48:14
22-35 — Dawnetta Hauth 37:02
36-49 — Margarita White 40:40
50-62 — Ann Ross 37:07

Male
14 & Under — James Obradavich and Taylor Klus 45:19
22-35 — Toby White 46:45
36-49 — Shawn Cray 44:02
50-62 — William Jaques 37:31 (New record)

5K Run
Female
14 & Under — Madison Winn 28:19
22-35 — Tori Haynie 25:51
36-49 Sue Hueckman (Time not provided)

Male
14 & Under — Mitch Wulff 28:33
22-35 — Thad Labhart 21:18
50-62 — Bob Walker (Time not provided)

10K Runners

Female
Darbie Kemper 44:55
Lizzie Zabala 60:50

Male
Nick Miller 34:33
Troy Hooker 42:36
Talon Hoffman 44:48

Virgil V. Van Alstine, 101, died on June 10.

He was born in Yulesses, Kan., on Aug. 17, 1907.

Van Alstine moved to Vernonia in 1923 from Fredonia, Kan. The trip took 28 days in a Model T Ford sedan. He went to school in Vernonia and Rainier.

Van Alstine served in the United States Army Tank Corp. He spent nine months in Juno, Alaska, building military warehouses and barracks.

Van Alstine was a millwright worker and helped build mills in Rockport, Calif., Alturas, Calif., Longview, Wash., Vernonia, and Hines. He settled in Burns and married Helen Jones in 1927. They raised two children, Arthur and Novella.

Van Alstine re-married in 1945 to Alberta Rose. She died in 1981. He re-married in 1983 to Ann Cimino. She died in 1999.

He worked as a ranch hand on the Alvord, Whitehorse and Izee ranches and also worked a short time with the Bureau of Land Management. Van Alstine followed the mill industry to Prineville and Winston. After retiring, he returned to Prineville, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, dancing and his grandchildren. He loved horses and the outdoors.

In 2003, Van Alstine moved to his son’s home in Oregon City, where he lived until he died. He was a member of the St. Paul Episcopal Church, Beavercreek Lions Club and Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union.

He is survived by his son, Arthur Van Alstine and wife, Jan of Oregon City; daughter, Novella Hammock and husband, Willard of Prineville; step-daughter-in-law, Donna Rose of Vancouver, Wash.; and 15 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 38 great-great grandchildren.

Van Alstine wanted his ashes spread over Steens Mountain. His family will be carrying out his wishes on July 18. A memorial service will be held  on June 27 at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oregon City, 822 Washington St.,at 2 p.m. A reception at the church will follow. A memorial will also be held on Aug. 15 at the Van Alstine Family Reunion in Oregon City, at 4 p.m. at 20435 S. Leland Road. Donations in Van Alstine’s memory may be made to Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation or The William Temple House.

Delmer O. Falk died on May 25 at his home near Burns.

He was born on March 13, 1929, to Louis R. Falk, Sr., and Anna Drone Falk at the family home near Halsey.

Falk attended grade school at a small, country school near Halsey. He then worked on the farm and at a lumber mill in the Brownsville area. He joined the United States Army in the late 1940s, and then completed high school after serving.

Falk drove a log truck and worked on his brother’s farm for a couple of years in the Burns area, before returning to the Willamette Valley. He worked in the logging industry for C&V, Inc. for nearly 10 years before moving to Sisters in 1969 to work for Babler Brothers Construction. He remained with Babler Brothers for 12 years.

In 1983, Falk began spending the summer months in Alaska working on road construction, the pipeline and building airports as far north as Barrow. He retired in 1992.

Falk’s hobbies included building a wood splitter, tinkering with small equipment, camping, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed building ridable, motorized toys for his great-granddaughter, who he helped raise for nearly 13 years.

Falk is survived by his wife, Audrey Hill Falk; great-granddaughter, Shannon Quillin; step-son, Harold M. Curtis; sister, Betty Alexander; sister-in-law, Judy Falk; and numerous step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Falk was preceded in death by his brothers, Charlie, Louis, Jr. and Stanley Falk; and sisters, Ava Thompson, Edna Porter, Luella Starnes and Ardella Reese.

At his request, no services will be held. LaFollette’s Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Calvin H. Mosley died on June 22. He was born on Oct. 20, 1924.

Services for Mosley will be held on Saturday, June 27, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burns at 1 p.m.

A range field day will be held on Wednesday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, west of Riley.

The Harney County Cattlewomen will hold their quarterly meeting on June 24 at 6 p.m. in the conference room at the Tax Office of Melodi Molt,  92 West Adams St. For more information, call Melodi Molt at 573-1519.

Harney County Health District board of directors meets the fourth Wednesday of each month in the board conference room of the hospital, in the entrance off of N. Grand, at 6 p.m.

Burns City Council meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Burns City Hall, 242 South Broadway, at 6 p.m.

High Desert Park and Recreation District board of directors meets the fourth Wednesday of each month in their office at the former Lincoln Junior High School, 550 North Court, at 7 p.m.

Storytime for preschoolers is scheduled at the Harney County Library, 80 West D St., each  Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Contact the Harney County Library for more information 573-6670.

Burns Fire Dept. meets each Wednesday at the Burns Fire Hall at 7 p.m.

Burns Elks Lodge, 118 North Broadway, meets each Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Wednesday at the Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

Be Creative at the Harney County Library, by participating in the summer reading program for kindergarten through 5th graders at 9 a.m.

Late Night for Teens, will be held at the Harney County Library on June 25, from 6-8 p.m. This program is open to students in grades 6-12.

Disabled Services Advisory Council (DSAC) meets every fourth Thursday at the State Office Building small conference room, 809 West Jackson, at 1:30 p.m.

Harney County Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the Rory and Ryan Best Western in Hines from 5-7:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Dr. Tom Fitzpatrick and the Mobile Health Clinic, sponsored by Harney District Hospital, will be in Frenchglen on Thursday, June 25, at the Frenchglen School, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. This is a full-service health clinic which comes to you. Appointments are encouraged to ensure adequate time, supplies and equipment, but walk-ins are welcome. Call the High Desert Medical Center at 573-8894 to schedule an appointment, and bring your insurance information to assure proper billing.

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

Kiwanis Club of Burns-Hines meets for a no-host luncheon each Thursday at Glory Days Pizza, 690 Oregon Avenue, at noon.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets each Thursday at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at noon. Call 573-2896.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Thursday at the Foursquare Church, at 7 p.m.

Wildlife artist and cowboy storyteller Ron Jahns will be featured at the Aspens Assisted Living Center on June 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The evening will include music, art, a book reading and signing of “Kids on the Ranch.” For more information, call Tami or Pam at 573-2222.

A special summer reading program event, Snip, Snap, Snout, the Tale is Told Out! will be held at the Harney County Library at 6:30 p.m. on June 26. Storyteller Christopher Leebrick will tell tales of adventure, enchantment and fun for families.

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.

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