By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

Representatives of 4R Recycling, including the manager Wayne Baron and a few board members, attended the Harney County Court meeting on Wednesday, July 15, to give an update on the business, and it was obvious the court was not happy with what they heard.

Baron told the court volume at 4R Recycling was way off, and he had made a recommendation to the board of directors that they drop the $4 drop charge. “It’s hard trying to start back up after being shut down,” Baron said.

Harney County Judge Steve Grasty reminded Baron that at a previous  meeting, the court had set a list of conditions that needed to be met, including keeping bills paid and meeting with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Baron stated that he had not paid the rent or the baler payment. He added that a representative of the DEQ showed up unannounced on a day that the facility was closed, walked around the outside, and sent him a letter.

The court asked if 4R had received non-profit status yet, and Baron said the $750 application fee was holding them up on that. “Are you OK with saying that you’re ‘non-profit’ on the radio?” Grasty asked.

Baron said he tells people that they are applying for non-profit status.

Grasty wanted to make it clear that he absolutely supports recycling and the community seems to support it as well, but he felt the court couldn’t continue to throw public resources into the land and building. “Where are we at with this?” Grasty asked.

Board member Desiree Taylor said they are trying to get people to realize 4R was open again, but they had limited financial means to work with.

Grasty again asked, “How are you going to move this ahead? What are your plans?”

Baron said they were exploring finding other ways to make money without having to rely on the recycling market, such as a redemption center for cans and bottles.

Natalie Richardson said they had recently moved to Harney County from Portland, where they offer curbside recycling, and wondered why Harney County doesn’t have it.

Rodd Dinsmore of C&B Sanitary, who has the franchise agreement with Burns and Hines, said the curbside service doesn’t make sense economically. “We can do recycling, but the rates will double,” he said. “And that’s just to break even as a business.”

After Grasty again asked Baron what the court is supporting, and how he plans on succeeding as a business, Baron asked Grasty, “What do you want from me?”

Commissioner Dan Nichols replied, “We need you to pay the bills. People tell me they don’t want their tax dollars going to recycling. This should be a private enterprise.”

Nichols added that the court has asked Baron for a business plan for several meetings, and he has yet to produce accurate financial statements or projections.

Grasty stated that 4R has been heavily subsidized by the county, and they are still six months behind on bills.

Board member Astrid Alexander said to get the business off the ground, they’re going to need help, especially as a non-profit entity. “Tell us what you want, and a time frame,” she said.

Nichols said that Baron told them three or four months ago that he was applying for the non-profit status. “Now today you tell us you’re held up by the fee,” Nichols said.

Dinsmore’s wife, Karen, said the court had recommended at a meeting in May that 4R Recycling contact C&B to see if they could work together. “Nobody has talked to us,” she said. She also stated that the only city  in Eastern Oregon that has curbside recycling is La Grande. When asked why, she said, “The cost. It’s a losing business.”

After more discussion, Grasty said he was prepared for the county to get out of subsidizing the business. “I’ll even make the motion to end this relationship,” Grasty said. “I should make the motion today, but I’ll give you until the next (court) meeting. If you leave here today with a resolve to get  it together, I’ll give you until then. But we want the rent paid.”

Nichols then questioned Baron about the bins that have been placed around town. “We haven’t seen anything that shows the bins are all paid for. How much outstanding debt is there?” he asked.

The court agreed to give Baron and the board until the court’s next meeting date, Aug. 5, to come up with a feasible business plan.

•••

State Representative Cliff Bentz was in attendance and gave an overview of the legislative session just ended.

Bentz gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the various committees and sub-committees he served on, and the bills which came before them.

When asked if he was going to run again, Bentz said he would. “I learned so much this time around, the next time we can actually get something done,” he said.

The court thanked Bentz for the work he has done in the legislature, and noted they had heard a lot of positive feedback from other legislators about Bentz’ work.

•••

Jim Nanson from the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) and Peggy Asmussen presented the court with a letter asking them to consider a work release program for OYA youth who qualify.

Nanson said he had worked at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, and they used to bring youths from there to serve on work crews in this area, with no problems.

The youths would have to earn the right to serve on a work crew, which would be comprised of five individuals doing work for the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife or other community programs.

“It would give these kids a chance to see something other than the facility’s walls. Right now, the only outside they see is straight up,” Nanson said. “If you want to control kids, you don’t take things away. You add incentives.”

Asmussen acknowledged the fact that one of the conditions in establishing the OYA was that there was to be no youth outside the facility, but she felt conditions had changed. “I volunteer at the OYA, and know each of these kids personally,” she said. “I wouldn’t be afraid to be with any of them.”

Judge Grasty said that before the court makes a decision, he felt there should be community meetings held to hear what the public has to say. “We need to have community meetings so we don’t back away from a commitment made 15 years ago,” Grasty said.

The court they would set a time and place for a public forum and proceed from there.

•••

In other business, the court:

• heard a request from the Zeta Sigma sorority for a $500 donation to sponsor a DJ event during the Desert Dash Rally;

• re-appointed Dave Arntz to the county Planning Commission. They noted he was the only one who submitted a letter of interest;

• reviewed and agreed to comment on both the Jane Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project and the BLM’s South Harney County School District #33, Fields, Recreation and Public Purposes Classification and Land Sale Environmental Assessment;

• approved a motion to sign the 2009-2011 Interim Intergovernmental Agreement with the Oregon Commission on Children and Families, and heard an update on the Harney County Commission from director Patty Dorroh.

The next county court meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the courthouse.