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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Muralist paints colorful entrance to Ashland's Calle Guanajuato ... Toxicology tests shed no light on distance runner Todd Ragsdale's death ... SNYP president fights pet overpopulation ... Muralist paints colorful entrance to Ashland's Calle Guanajuato ... Toxicology tests shed no light on distance runner Todd Ragsdale's death ... SNYP president fights pet overpopulation ... CENTRAL OREGON Burns braces for recall election Chairman of county commission didn't support wildlife refuge takeover Comment By Gillian Flaccus The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Gillian Flaccus The Associated Press Posted Jun. 13, 2016 at 8:49 PM By Gillian Flaccus The Associated Press Posted Jun. 13, 2016 at 8:49 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Voters in a rural Oregon town are receiving ballots in the mail for a recall election targeting a judge who opposed the armed takeover of a federal wildlife refuge earlier this year. Harney County Judge Steve Grasty decided to fight the recall even though he is retiring this year. The recall has stirred passions in Burns, which held the national spotlight for weeks during the standoff at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Ammon Bundy and others occupied the refuge this winter to protest federal land policy and the imprisonment of Dwight and Steven Hammond, two ranchers sent to prison for starting fires. The 41-day standoff ended Feb. 11 and included the fatal shooting by police of rancher and occupation spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum. The recall election is June 28. Though his title is judge, Grasty's position is essentially chairman of the county commission. He was outspoken in his opposition of the occupation and the ranchers holed up in the refuge. Their supporters blamed Grasty for not doing more to protect the Hammonds. Some Burns residents are rallying around Grasty as the recall election draws near. About 100 people attended a rally for him last week and an ad running in the local newspaper this week will list the names of up to 150 supporters. "I think he's done a really good job for us," said Jeanette Vinson, a nail technician who supports Grasty. "It's ridiculous. Why go through all this? Why put the county through this?" Kim Rollins, who initiated the recall and gathered enough signatures to get it on the ballot, declined to comment. Grasty said he'll be relieved when the election is behind him, no matter the outcome. "I've always had good solid communication and relationships with folks and it's very humbling to go to the grocery store, to go to the hardware store and every time someone expresses support," said Grasty, who's served in his position since 1999. The occupiers wanted the federal government to relinquish public lands and free the Hammonds. Neither demand was met. Two of 26 defendants indicted on a conspiracy charge after the standoff have accepted plea deals. A September trial has been scheduled for the remaining 24 defendants, including Ammon and Ryan Bundy. By Gillian Flaccus The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Gillian Flaccus The Associated Press Posted Jun. 13, 2016 at 8:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501