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REDMOND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioner Alan Unger spoke with Congressman Greg Walden (R-Hood River) earlier this week about the standoff near Burns. Unger told him about a recent conversation with his counterpart, Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. "Judge Grasty told us ‘be aware in your other counties, they might be looking around to expand their influence; so, be watching and be careful.’"
Unger added, "Judge Grasty looks at this as an opportunity to have a conversation with the federal government. He wants to get into an appointment with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to start talking about some of the issues that really underlie a lot of the problems that are there." He noted that Deschutes County sent several deputies to help patrol in and around Burns during the occupation.
He also thanked Walden for supporting Harney County leaders, including Grasty and county Sheriff Dave Ward.
