Summary: An Oregon Judge says he will bill Ammon Bundy $70,000 a day to reimburse the county for security costs.
Wildlife refuge occupiers in Oregon under the watch of Ammon Bundy have bled their area of resources. Now Harney County Judge Steve Grasty has decided to hold Bundy accountable by billing him $70,000 a day. That’s the average cost that taxpayers are paying for the area’s security because of the group.
On January 2, Bundy and other militants seized a visitors center at the Malheur National Wildlife Preserve. They wanted the land to be transferred from federal control to county control, and they were willing to use any means necessary to get it.
While the group has supporters for their cause, the way they went about their mission is dangerous.
Since January 2, the group has taken it upon themselves to commit changes. Sources say they tore down fences owned by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, rifled through government files and accessed computers.
Some Fish and Wildlife employees have been relocated for their safety, and nearby schools were temporarily shut down.
Bundy’s group also changed the building’s name to “Harney County Resource Center” and even put up a new sign. Oregonian photographer and videographer Dave Killen pointed out that while Bundy’s group may think they are in the right, at least the government allows public votes for changes like that.
“At least the gov’t gives us a vote; I didn’t get a vote on that sign” #Oregonstandoff pic.twitter.com/J3njMJlLcz
— Dave Killen (@killendave) January 12, 2016
Sheriff David Ward has set up concrete barriers and other security measures after Bundy’s group threatened him and other officials. Ward has also called for the out-of-state militants to leave the area.
“Go home,” Ward said at a public meeting this week, and his words were met with cheers, according to Raw Story.
It was at this meeting that Grasty announced his plans to bill the group.
Source: Raw Story
