Learn the processes of SROA’s volunteer based Design Commitee. Page 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE SROA News ................... 4 Calendar ..................... 13 SHARC News ............... 22
Public Safety ............... 27 Classified .................... 38 Letters ........................ 39
SHARC hosting Spring Break egg dives and duck races. Page 22
S U N R I V E R
S C E N E A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
MARCH • 2018
VOLUME XLIV • NUMBER 3
Police chief resigns; new interim steps in District starts search for new fire and police chiefs
Susan Berger, Sunriver Scene On Feb. 2, Sunriver Police Chief Marc Mills tendered his resignation to the Sunriver Service District (SSD) under a negotiated separation agreement. The district has accepted his resignation and subsequently concluded its administrative investigation. In a formal press release, the SSD noted that they had not made a final decision related to the employment of the police chief. Mills recognized that, under the circumstances, it was untenable for him to continue his leadership of the Sunriver Police Department. “Chief Marc Mills is a good police officer,” stated Sunriver Service District chair Jim Fister in the press release. “One of his most recognized sayings is that the rules apply to everyone equally, and I greatly respect that Marc recognizes this in making his decision.” In December 2017, the SSD board was made aware of a complaint reported to law enforcement alleging Mills had struck another officer in front of other department personnel. Mills was placed on paid administrative leave on Dec. 3, and the district was notified that the incident had also been turned over to the Oregon Department of Justice (ODJ) for investigation. In January, based on facts revealed by the ODJ, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel charged Mills with the misdemeanor crime of harassment for striking Sunriver Police Sgt. Joe Patnode. The SSD board also initiated its own administrative investigation into the incident. During the course of the district’s investigation, other employees raised complaints causing the district to expand the scope of the investigation, including allegations of other temperamental outbursts, fears of retaliation and other inappropriate behavior inconsistent with the district’s policies and standards. Mills has more than 40 years of service T C, SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XLIV • NUMBER 3 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
The 2016 Sheridan Fire, located a few miles southwest of Sunriver, is a good reminder that we all live within a Wildland Urban Interface.
‘Era of Megafires’ in Sunriver on March 21 As winter fades to spring, summer temperatures and fire season will be here before you know it. In March, local partners are coming together to offer three “Era of Megafire” presentations for Central Oregonians. The Sunriver Owner’s Association,
Deschutes Land Trust and Sisters Camp Sherman Fire are sponsoring events in Sunriver, Bend and Sisters. Last year was a record fire year with 9.1 million acres burning across the U.S. More that 680,000 acres burned in Oregon in more than 30 different
fires, one of which was classified as a megafire that burned more than 190,000 acres. Nationally recognized ecologist Paul Hessburg presents options for reshaping our wildfire problem during his engaging, multimedia presentation about wildfire, its natural role in our local forests, and how that role has changed. Hessburg will talk about options available to our community to reshape the wildfire problem and how we can all better learn to live with fire. Hessburg is a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station. He has been studying historical and modern era forests of the inland West for the last 32 years, publishing extensively in leading national and international journals. His work documents large changes in forest conditions and how these changes, along with climate change, have set the stage for large and severe wildfires. This presentation is an outgrowth of T M,
Lucky to be alive: Dog wins silver at K-9 Keg Pull By Susan Berger, Sunriver Scene While watching a spirited Chihuahua-mix pull a beer can down a snowy runway during the February K-9 Keg Pull – no one would have guessed that the little dog had recently used up most of his nine lives (do dogs have lives, like cats?) Known as Little Big Man, the plucky pooch almost died alongside his owner, Brian Harris, in a Dec. 6 crash on Highway 97 near the South Century exit to Sunriver after their truck was rear-ended by an alleged drunk driver. The story of Little Big Man (LBM) began even before the tragic accident – arriving in Central Oregon with a shipment of other rescue dogs from California. Harris adopted LBM from Redmond’s Brightside Animal Center in April 2017, and the two became inseparable. Witnesses to the crash stopped to assist while waiting for emergency responders. Sunriver resident Aaron Beaty noticed the injured dog. “I asked (Harris) if I could take his dog to the
vet he said ‘yes, please,’ ” said Beaty. Paramedics arrived and administered medical aid to Harris but he died at the scene shortly after. Beaty rushed the injured pooch to Sunriver Veterinary Clinic in the Sunriver Business Park. The Chihuahua mix had three hip fractures, two broken legs, broken ribs, partially collapsed lung and bruising as well as numerous cuts, puncture wounds and abrasions. Clinic staff provided initial X-rays and bloodwork and stabilized the dog’s injuries and then transferred to Animal Emergency Center of Central Oregon. “I offered to pay for everything but I didn’t have to,” said Beaty. “Sunriver Veterinary wiped their bill clean. It’s amazing how all the vet clinics and community came together. It shows a lot about Bend and the Central Oregon Community.” LBM eventually ended up at Brookswood Animal Hospital in Bend, where LBM had been a regular patient and often spent time with staff when his owner was tied up with work or appointments.
Little Big Man and owner Ron Pugh
Sunriver area resident Ron Pugh heard about the tragic story at a local watering hole from a staff member of Sunriver Veterinary Clinic. “She was telling everyone about the T D, PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213