Takeover Day 19: Governor angry over feds’ refuge response

Oregon’s governor expressed anger Wednesday over federal authorities’ handling of the occupation of a national wildlife refuge by an armed group and said she intends to bill the U.S. government for what the occupation is costing state taxpayers.

Gov. Kate Brown said federal officials “must move quickly to end the occupation and hold all of the wrongdoers accountable,” The Associated Press reported.

“The residents of Harney County have been overlooked and under-served by federal officials’ response thus far. I have conveyed these very grave concerns directly to our leaders at the highest levels of our government: the U.S. Department of Justice and the White House,” she said at a news conference in Salem.

Exasperated by a tense situation that has caused fear among local residents since it began Jan. 2, Brown said, “This spectacle of lawlessness must end, and until Harney County is free of it, I will not stop insisting that federal officials enforce the law.”

She said the occupation has cost Oregon taxpayers nearly half a million dollars. She didn’t say what those costs entailed.

“We’ll be asking federal officials to reimburse the state for these costs,” she said.

Federal authorities did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Brown had originally called the news conference to discuss her agenda for the upcoming legislative session, but she focused on the occupation by Ammon Bundy and his armed group of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

After refuge occupiers traveled to Burns for an emotional community meeting Tuesday night, things appeared calm at the refuge itself on Wednesday, Day 19 of the takeover, with mail being delivered, another argument with counter-protesters and a new, outward sign of prepping for potential trouble.

The Oathkeepers group has set up a medical triage tent neaer the refuge, as Harney County Sheriff David Ward also said the area’s hospital has been advised to be ready if there’s a need for added medical care.

Several boxes from Amazon.com were among the packages delivered Wednesday to the refuge occupiers, after some recent hate mail — including sex toys — sparked an angry video posting by one militia member that went viral.

On Tuesday, group leader Ammon Bundy said the group is not there to negotiate with the FBI — and later in the day joined others in a surprise visit to Burns High School for a community meeting.

The unannounced trip came a few hours after Harney County Sheriff David Ward issued a statement that among other things said law enforcement and hospitals are preparing for “any situation that may occur.”

The surprise appearance of Bundy and about a dozen fellow militia members added to the already emotionally charged atmosphere of the latest weekly community meeting called by the county.

The split in the community stuck in the glare of a national media spotlight was evident.

“I agree with you 100 percent, but get out of my yard!” one person told Bundy as he sat in the bleachers with the others in his group.

Another resident didn’t hold back, telling Bundy: “How dare you come here into our school? Go home and I hope you get arrested on the way there!”

That got applause from some in the crowd.

But others still feel differently, even with all the concerns being raised.

“Until changes come about, I’d rather see the Bundys stay here,” another in the audience said, to applause.

And another resident had a question for Rep. Greg Walden, who was not in attendance: “How are you getting the Hammonds back home?”

One speaker said the “Bundys have not only hijacked a peaceful protest, they have also hijacked the Hammonds’ case.” But to a broader point, another said that “mandatory minimum sentencing is wrong, not just for the Hammonds.”

Harney County Judge Steve Grasty said earlier he wants Bundy to leave and would be willing to meet with him “in towns in Idaho.”

And later, the room erupted when Grasty pointed to Bundy, sitting in the bleachers, pointed his finger and said, “It is time for you to go home!”

And when the meeting ended they apparently did head “home” — back to the refuge.

Bundy did not address the crowd, but asked by NewsChannel 21 as he left what he thought, he replied, “I thought it was a wonderful meeting — very wonderful.”

Someone beside the camera told Bundy, “Have a safe trip back down.”

Earlier Tuesday at the refuge, Bundy said they hope to spark a revolution to push the federal government out of state and county matters. He said it will be a long process, but they’re there to see it through — that as hundreds gathered at noon Tuesday rallies around the region, from Portland and Eugene to Bend and Boise, demanding the group end its takeover.

The group also announced that the daily media briefings at the refuge – which now are drawing protests of their own a few miles away — will move to weekly, on Wednesdays instead.

Bundy said the group has assembled “rapid response” teams to assist people in defending themselves against the federal government.

“We also want to give warning to federal agencies that begin to try to put the chains back on these people,” Bundy told reporters.

Tuesday evening, Sheriff David Ward put out a lengthy statement of recent incidents “involving criminals heading to or from the refuge,” including a Montana man whose vehicle was stopped for a lighting violation and was arrested on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. The vehicle had switched plates and was uninsured, he said.

Ward also revealed that while Kenneth Medenbach of La Pine (OSP listed his hometown as Crescent) was arrested last Friday for driving a vehicle stolen from the refuge, the occupants of a second recovered stolen vehicle fled before police arrived. (See the sidebar for a link to Ward’s complete statement.)

“Every time a trespasser from the refuge operates a vehicle that belongs to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they are committing a crime,” Ward wrote. “We will not tolerate it when they come into our community driving stolen vehicles.”

Ward also confirmed a Sunday crash near Highway 20 involved a California man, Darrow Burke of Ukiah, who lost control on an icy corner, causing his van to overturn. He was unhurt but was cited for not having a driver’s license. Ward said Burke told OSP troopers he’d been at the refuge for the past week.

“We will continue to work with our partners to keep Harney County safe while the FBI works toward a peaceful resolution at the refuge,” the sheriff wrote. “Additional law enforcement resources have been moved towards locations to be poised to react to any situation that may occur.

“This includes notifying the hospital of more people in town and ensuring they have the capability to handle any medical emergency,” he added.

A few miles away from the headquarters, a group of counter-protesters have camped out, with signs that say, among other things, “Keep Public Lands Public.”

Kandy Henderson from Washington said Tuesday, “We’ve been threatened every day — except for today. It’s been a good day.”

Diagnosed with cancer in November, Henderson sees the fight for public lands as too important to miss.

“So after my six weeks of radiation treatment, I plan on coming back out here, and staying until they are gone,” she said.

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At a meeting in Crane Monday night, the group said its asking area ranchers to stop paying their federal grazing fees. Bundy said at least two ranchers, from Oregon and New Mexico, will announce Friday they will no longer pay those fees.

On Monday, NewsChannel 21 learned two more alleged militia members had run-ins with law enforcement last week.

According to E&E Publishing, Ammon Bundy’s bodyguard, Brian Cavalier, 44, was arrested in Arizona on an outstanding warrant. No details were released on what the warrant was for. Cavalier was later released from jail.

Cavalier was part of the early stages of the occupation and was often seen at Bundy’s side. He introduced himself to reporters as “Fluffy Unicorn” and said he has the words “Game Over” tattooed on his eyelids.

Cavalier referred often to his time as a Marine, but according to the Daily Mail, there are no records of him ever serving. He’s been arrested numerous times for DUII, including an “extreme DUII” in 2005.

Arizona laws include an “extreme DUII” charge if the blood alcohol concentration is .15 or higher within two hours of driving.

On Friday, Finicum told NewsChannel 21 on Friday his main source of income comes from fostering troubled teens, and his foster children have been removed from his house since he joined the occupation.

“I’m sure the pressure came from the federal government,” Finicum said. “But the governor’s office came down to my licensing agency, and they ripped my boys out of my home.”

He said his boys called him, crying.

“It was a sad day,” Finicum said.