Noncompliance issues prompt council discussion
By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald
As the City of Burns Cemetery Committee continues to work on the re-plotting and long-range planning of the cemetery, Councilor Dan Hoke said they are now asking for the public’s input to deal with the sensitive topic of noncompliance issues within the cemetery.
Speaking at the Burns City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6, Hoke said items that are not in compliance with regulations include secondary markers, ornamental memorials, solar lights, iron works, flowers (both real and plastic) and planted trees.
Hoke stated that the committee is trying to bring the regulations up-to-date and they need to decide if they are going to continue to allow some of these items or hold fast to the regulations. “We are asking for the community’s input on how to deal with these noncompliance issues,” Hoke said. “If they want to see these items remain, we have to figure out how to do it within the regulations.”
Hoke added there may be a public meeting held, and when they get the information compiled, they will then address the council with their recommendation.
Comments may be submitted to Burns City Hall or Councilor Hoke at 573-7759.
Scott Franklin attended the meeting to express his concerns regarding the city’s Airport Committee. Franklin said City Ordinance 782 describes the Airport Committee and states that they shall not meet less than four times annually. Franklin stated the committee hadn’t met for several months and questioned why they hadn’t met. He also asked to be reappointed to the committee as his term had expired.
Burns Mayor Len Vohs asked Franklin to put his request for reappointment in writing and submit it to the city clerk.
Vohs explained that the Airport Committee had been temporarily suspended while an audit is being conducted on issues at the airport, and the council couldn’t discuss the restructuring or other issues per their attorneys. Vohs said once the restructuring is completed, the committee will be reappointed. He added that they hope to have the matter resolved within the next few weeks.
John Ebar was also in attendance with questions regarding safety issues at the airport.
City Manager Don Munkers reported that someone had replaced the fence around the VHF Omnidirectional Range navigation system (VOR) with metal panels that affected radio signals and that was a big safety issue. Munkers said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) came and installed a new fence.
A public hearing was called to order just before 7 p.m. regarding the street vacation on South Harney Avenue.
Munkers told the council the vacation was necessary for the Monroe Street reconstruction between Teague Motor Co., the city and the state as according to the Monroe Street Project. A portion of the corner of West Monroe and Highway 20/395 will be given to the state, and South Harney between both properties of Teague Motor Co. will be given to them with an easement for the existing water line.
There was no public comment and the hearing was closed.
In other business:
• Police Chief Randy Cook informed the council the two new police vehicles should be arriving in Oregon within the next 10 days. They will then be painted and readied for operation.
Burns officer Newton Skunkcap also gave the council a presentation on a new video/audio piece of equipment the department recently purchased;
• City Manager Munkers recommended that the city give their 1976 American LaFrance pumper truck to the City of Hines with the condition that they cannot sell it. The discussion was tabled until the council can get input from Fire Chief Bill Guindon, who was on vacation;
• the council voted to donate $75 to the Robert Burns Night Scottish Dinner;
• the council voted to adopt Resolution 09-518 regarding a fire grant from the Oregon Department of Forestry.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at city hall.
Loading ...
January 13th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Cemeteries are an odd lot in my experience. I was about four years old when I was dragged along by mum and grandma to see where grandpa was laid to rest. All I remember was something that looked like an uncomfortable pillow, a rock solid headstone. Then, there were the bugs. Summertime may be anyone’s favorite season but in the mid-west, the bees, gnats and mosquitoes are enough to spoil any good day.
The next boneyard I visited was with a friend who valued those places for different reasons than I. He had a story for each member of his family buried there. An elaborate, little fenced compound was the shrine of a child lost at birth. It seemed impractical to me. Despite the embellished memorial, my friend had nothing else to say.
Then I saw some plaques, flat discs flush to the ground. Similar to benchmarks I’ve seen marking latitude, longitude and elevation above sea level, those were not inscribed with any more than a serial number and perhaps some other cryptic symbols. There were quite a few of those stark markers, almost a preponderance. I asked about them too. The somber reply I got from my old friend was, “Oh, some drifter who came into town. No one knew who he was, probably got shot by a jealous husband at a card table or, an unceremonious kick of a horse.
Well, If you don’t golf, you can always enjoy the cemetery. But, don’t look for any of my evidence there. The County will probably spread my ashes up the road a ways, with the other other rubbish.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Everyone come to the Robert Burns Night Dinner on the 16th at the Elks! It will be a great meal and lots of family entertainment with music, dance, poetry, and more! Only $15 for adults and less for the wee ones! Tickets available at the Chamber of Commerce and the Book Parlor.
Thanks to the Burns Council for supporting this event and helping maintain cultural diversity and education in Harney County.