The land has been identified and needs to be rezoned

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

After many months of planning and teamwork, the cities of Burns and Hines, Harney County, the Burns Paiute Tribe and the Eastern Oregon Economic Revitalization Team (ERT) identified 100 acres in the county that would be suitable for an industrial park.

The land, located just east of Monroe Street and adjacent to the Oregon Youth Authority facility, is outside the floodplain, and currently zoned residential.

Approximately 40 acres of the site are owned by Harney County, while the Burns Paiute Tribe owns the remaining 60 acres, which is trust property.

In order to place an industrial park at the site, the land would have to be rezoned from residential to industrial/energy development.

The Burns City Council was ready to discuss three ordinances aimed at the rezoning at their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, but a late finding put the discussion on hold for a couple of weeks.

During a public hearing on the matter, City Manager Don Munkers told the council that he received word about an hour before the council meeting that the city has no authorization to rezone the 60 acres owned by the Burns Paiute Tribe as that is sovereign nation land. He explained that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has jurisdiction over that parcel, and the city would need to work with them to get a decision.

Munkers advised the council to recess the hearing until they can get authorization from the BIA to rezone the land.

Scott Fairley, ERT Regional Coordinator, was in attendance to speak in favor of the industrial park, and to express his appreciation and thanks to everyone for pursuing the opportunity for economic development. “Economic development starts back in the planning stages,” Fairley said. “You have to identify opportunities and what’s needed for infrastructure.

There are other cities around the state that are envious of what this community is doing.”

Fairley added that there are basically two types of communities: Those that are happy with the way things are, and far fewer are those that are pro-active in bringing new ideas and businesses in. He said the ERT and the governor’s office wholly support this endeavor.

Harney County Planning Director Brandon McMullen said there was a lot of appreciation for the economic value of the project and the work put into it. “It’s success with results,” he said.

McMullen said even if it doesn’t work out getting the  60 acre parcel rezoned, getting the 40 acres rezoned would be a success.

The council agreed to recess the hearing until the next council meeting.

In other business, the council:

• passed Resolution No. 09-513 authorizing the purchase of two police vehicles. Munkers said two of the vehicles Burns Police are currently using have served their usefulness, but now need to be replaced.

The resolution authorizes the purchase of two 2010 Police Package Dodge Chargers for the sum of $60,000. “These vehicles are fully equipped and ready to hit the streets,” Munkers said.

Councilor Craig LaFollette stated that Police Chief Randy Cook, the Police Committee and the council had done a lot of research before arriving at the decision to purchase the two new vehicles;

• Madeline Casselman was in attendance to ask for a clarification on the policy regarding cell phone use for employees. Munkers read the policy and provided Casselman with a copy;

• LaFollette commended the Burns Public Works Department for their quick response in getting the water back on in one part of town. He said the water had been turned off for repair on a Friday, and it was discovered the water was still off the following day. He contacted the public works, and the water was back on in a timely fashion.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at city hall.

Kevin Taylor submitted his resignation at the Sept. 15 meeting

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

The Hines Common Council has a new member.

At the Sept. 15 meeting Councilor Kevin Taylor submitted a letter of resignation. He stated he would be leaving the area to attend school in Bend.

John Mims was in attendance at the Sept. 22 meeting to state his interest in the open council seat. “I’m at the point in my life where I’d like to do a little bit more,” he said.

The council made the decision to appoint Mims to fill the remaining three and half years of Taylor’s term. Mims will be given the oath of office at the Oct. 13 meeting.

•••

The City of Hines is proceeding with a project to install a flashing light that will be activated by pedestrians at the intersection of Barnes Avenue and Highway 20. The county will pay the required $7,500 for the project and that amount will be matched by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

City Administrator Pam Mather said she contacted Tom Kuhlman, ODOT region 5 traffic/access engineer, and gave him the go-ahead on the project.

In other business:

• County Veteran Service Officer Guy McKay gave a presentation to the council on the work he is doing with local veterans. “I still meet people who don’t know about the services that are offered,” he said;

• Police Chief Randy Cook stated that new radios are being installed in their vehicles, and that the new guns have arrived and the officers have been certified to use them. He also asked that the city renew its dues, which are $95, with the NRA;

• Fire Chief Bob Spence said the Hines firefighters had a joint training with the Burns firefighters.

Recently, they responded to a hay trailer fire at milepost 98 on Highway 20.

He noted that the radiator in the fire truck needs to be replaced at a cost of $3,000.

Spence also noted that the burn ban within the city limits is still in effect until the city receives some substantial rain. “Fire season is still going,” he said;

• the council approved a business license for Charles Dickinson who is starting a business called On the Spot Welding.

Dickinson said he used to work at Monaco Coach and wanted to stay in the community, and he figured a way to use his skills would be to start a portable welding business;

• the council discussed paving the parking lot at Hines Park. Mather said the estimate from Harney Rock and Paving was $25,000 to $40,000;

• Mather noted that there are three pieces of broken equipment at the Skate Park that will be removed by city staff;

• Councilor Crimson Presley asked if the bathrooms at Hines Park could be left unlocked during the soccer jamboree held in October. Mayor Ruth Schultz said she thought that could be arranged.

The next Hines Common Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 13.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Hilander cross country teams hosted the Burns Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 22, with the 5K race at Idlewild campground.

The Burns boys team placed first with a total of 21 points. Vale came in second with 34 points, Ontario was third with 77 points and the Lakeview team was incomplete.

The Hilanders were led by Ralph Caldwell who placed second overall with a time of 25:41. Brendan Palmer placed third (25:58), Victor Kegley fourth (26:02), Kraig McCanna ninth (28:14), Tyler Rowley 10th (28:20), Brennan Bailey 18th (30:48), Kyle Krause 24th (35:44).

There were 27 runners in the race, and the overall winner was Gabe Leal from Lakeview in 25:10.

The girls race featured 21 runners, and was won by Kassie Anthony of Vale with a time of 23:55.

For the Hilanders, Anna Clemens placed fifth (25:40), Kiely Banton ninth (28:57) and Hannah Caldwell 15th (34:53).

Vale placed first in the team standings with 20 points, followed by Lakeview with 47 and Ontario with 57. The Burns team was incomplete.

The Hilanders travel to Ontario to compete in the Crosby Invitational on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Funeral services for long-time Harney County resident Ronald Clark will be held on Friday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. at Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville.

Clark died on Sept. 28, in Prineville. He was born on Aug. 1, 1936.

For contribution and arrangement information, call Whispering Pines Funeral Home at 541-416-9733.

Bernice Johnson Cote died on Sept. 20 at her home at the age of 99 1/2.

She was born on Feb. 1, 1910, in Albin, Calif. Cote was married twice and had two sons — Walter and Roger.

Cote loved the outdoors and all creatures large and small. She did like to hunt some of the larger creatures.

Cote had two granddaughters, Debbie and Susanne, and consequently, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Cote will be held on Friday, Oct. 2, at 2:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church. Home made refreshments will be served following the service. Contributions in Cote’s memory may be made to the family.

Donald Maxwell Miller died on Sept. 24 in Burns.

He was born on Sept. 19, 1922, in Burns to Taft and Nellie Miller.

Miller grew up in Catlow Valley on the “Homestead” with his three brothers and three sisters. When he was 22, he got sick with spinal meningitis. After many unsuccessful visits to traditional doctors, Miller went to John Day to the Chinese doctor and thereafter swore that was the cure.

One of the joys of Miller’s early years was the time he spent coaching a young boys basketball team with “Pinky” Catterson. He loved children, and it always seemed they knew that about him.

Miller married Florence Reed in 1951 in Reno, Nev. They had four children — Beverly, Donna, Ronald and Daniel. Later, in 1963, he married Janet Rygh in Moscow, Idaho. She brought two children — Skip and Sheri — into the marriage, and in 1964, Gary was born, completing the family of seven children.

Miller is survived by his wife, Janet; children, Beverly Fagen and husband Harry, Donna Smith and husband Mike, Ron Miller and wife Nye, Skip Miller, Dan Miller and wife Suzanne, Sheri Ebar and Gary Miller and wife Michelle. He is also survived by sister, Virginia Maize; brothers, Jerry Miller and wife Linda, and Joe Miller and wife Ingamoe, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gene Miller; and sisters, Lucille Franklin and Delta “Tiny” Garrett.

Funeral services for Miller will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m. at the Harney County Fairgrounds Memorial Building.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Harney County Rodeo Club or Harney County Hospice, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.

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 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.

Dr. Tom Fitzpatrick and the Mobile Health Clinic, sponsored by Harney District Hospital, will be in Drewsey and Crane on Thursday, Oct. 1. This is a full-service health clinic that 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.

Burns Butte Sportsmen’s Club meets the first Thursday of each month at the State Office Building, 809 West Jackson, at 7 p.m.

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.

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.

Friday Morning Book Club with Lisa, a new program for kids ages 7-10, will be held at the Harney County Library from 9-10 a.m. The program will include stories and crafts.

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.

Pet owners are invited by Save a Stray to bring their small animals, fish and birds to Washington Park in Burns on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. for a Blessing of the Pets. Local church ministry will be present. For more information, call 589-2635.

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

Harney County Farmers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 3 at Hines Park. Pick your produce, craft your craft, set up a table and buy or sell locally produced items. The market will be held every Saturday until gardens are no longer producing, due to frost. To reserve your space contact Kelly at 541-573-1809 or harneycountyfarmersmarket@live.com.

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