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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2015)
8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 Local Walden attends Rotary Club luncheon By Brian Addison Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com US Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) visited Baker City January 19, and joined about 40 fellow Rotarians and guests for a noontime luncheon and legislative update. Walden has represented the 20 counties of Or- egon’s Second Congressio- nal District since 1999 and explained on Monday that his stop in Baker City was part of his 512th round-trip between his Hood River, Oregon home and Wash- ington DC. Walden had lunch at a table that seated, among others, military veteran Casey Taylor, who was injured in duty by an im- provised explosive device. After finishing lunch Walden spoke and an- swered questions for about an hour. The first question came from Military Police veteran Casey Taylor who was injured in action 12 years ago and still awaits adequate medical care from the Veteran’s Admin- istration for his injured shoulder. Taylor cited the $7.8 bil- lion in Veteran’s Adminis- tration funding and asked for accountability for the lack of adequate medical treatment he and other veterans have endured. Walden said that the Congressional Veteran’s Affairs Committee has dived into the complaints from veterans and legisla- tive action has begun to demand accountability. “The VA has not been providing services and has been lying to Congress,” said Walden. Walden explained that he proposed legislation targets the need for accountability from Veteran’s Administra- tion heads, and to provide medical care locally rather than forcing veterans to travel to Walla Walla or Boise for treatment-an inconvenience and travel safety issue that grows more serious as WW II, Korean, and Vietnam era veterans become older, he said. “There’s gotta be a bet- ter way and we should fix it,” Walden offered. East Baker County resi- dent James Iller, represent- ing the local chapter of Oath Keepers, introduced the American Lands Coun- cil position on the disposal of public lands to local jurisdiction. “The concept makes sense,” responded Walden. “If the federal government can’t manage these lands let’s find someone who can.” Iller asked if the federal government has a duty to dispose of public lands. Walden answered by saying that the disposal of public lands to local juris- diction remains a difficult task and requires a vote by Congress. He explained that in several rare instances, through an act of Con- gress, several tracts of public ground in central Oregon has been trans- ferred to local jurisdiction. The next question posed by a local audi- ence member dealt with immigration reform and President Barack Obama’s recent decisions regarding amnesty of immigrants in this country without proper documentation. Walden referred to Obama’s executive actions regarding immigration as, “illegal and unconstitution- al,” adding that the House has passed a Homeland Se- curity bill to “push back on the President’s executive orders and to strengthen our borders.” Walden said there are currently about 12 to 13 million immigrants with- out proper documentation residing in the US. “We shouldn’t have the people who are trying to get here legally being jumped over by people who are here illegally,” he said. Jan Kerns asked about progress on pushing back against the encroachment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Water Act regula- tions. Walden said there was language in the recently passed government Omnibus budget bill that protects local interests. First, he said language in the bill disallows the US Fish and Wildlife Service from including the Greater Sage-Grouse on the federal endangered species list in the year 2015. He explained that delaying decisions on the endangered species listed provides time for local land managers and private property owners to put in place measures to protect and improve habitat for the Greater Sage-grouse. He also announced a vic- tory for agricultural opera- Brian Addison / The Baker County Press US Representative Greg Walden stops in Baker City to address his fellow Ro- tarians during a luncheon at the Sunridge Inn, Monday, Jan. 19. tions in that the Environ- mental Protection Agency cannot expand the defin - tion in the Clean Water Act of ‘navigable waters” to include stock ponds and other non-navigable bodies of water used for agricul- tural operations. Walden said the budget bill also disallows the raising of grazing fees on public land through the year 2015. Walden said that after the November elections there is hope that Congress can move forward in a more productive manner refer- ring to the decisions by the county’s voters last fall as “a referendum election.” “The Republican party grew to the largest major- ity since Babe Ruth swung a bat,” Walden quipped. As Walden departed for his journey back to Wash- ington DC, local mining geologist engineer Ken Anderson slipped a letter into the Representatives hand. In the letter, Anderson sends Walden a message to carry back to DC, a theme Anderson has repeated many times and has be- come known for, “All New Wealth Comes From the Ground, there is no other source.” Editor’s Note: Mr. An- derson also submitted the letter to us this week as a letter to the editor. It runs in its entirety in this issue on page 4. Menzie was born Feb. 4, 1922, to Menzie and Myrle Palmer McKim in the front upstairs bed- room of his parents house located at 1535 2nd Street, Baker City, Or. This is now known as the Palmer House. Dr. Menzie lived a full and adventurous life. He graduated from Baker High in 1939 and then entered the US Navy dur- ing WWII. He served 182 days which qualified him for the GI Bill. He attended Jefferson Medical College majoring in urinalysis, pathology, surgery, and psychology. He graduated Salutatorian of his class in 1947. Shortly afterwards, he was recalled to active duty by the US Army to serve in the Korean War. He was sent to Okinawa as a urinary surgeon for one of the first MASH Units. It was there that he worked with Dr. Dick Hornberger who co-wrote the book Mash. This book was lat- erproduced in the famous movie based on the skill- ful, caring work, and rather outrageous humor of the operating staff. The family still argues about whether Menzie was Hawkeye or Trapper John. Upon his return to Baker, Menzie (also called Kimmie by those who loved him) practiced at the old Baker Clinic with his brother, Dr. Palmer Mc- Kim, and Dr. Carl Kostol. In 1979 Dr. Kostol and Dr. Menzie built the new Baker Clinic, located on Pocahontas Road, and were later joined by Drs. Robert McKim, Menzie’s nephew, Jon Petterson, and son, Thomas McKim. Years of high-quality surgery and family practice were considered to be outstanding by many in the community. Dr. Menzie retired from practice in 1989. Menzie had hobbies. He loved fishing, football, his faithful hunting dogs, work and parties at the family cabin on the Snake River, harassing his good buddy Cliff Bond, and watching his wonderful family grow. Volunteer Community Service was also an impor- tant part of Menzie’s life. He served as a Director of the Baker School District, a 50 year member of the Masons, and 45 years with the Elks. Preceding Dr. Menzie in death were his parents, his wife Elizabeth Hanes McKim of 60+ years, and brothers Dr. Palmer Mc- Kim, Robert McKim, and Donald McKim. He is survived by his wife, Holly Sullens McK- im, of Baker City, OR; his son, Dr. Thomas McKim (Dr. Cynthia McKim), of Eagle, ID; daughter Nancy Galvin (John Galvin), of Boise, ID; stepson Eric Menard, of Monterey, CA.; and sister-in-law, Jean Hall, of Boise, ID. Four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and numer- ous nieces and nephews also survive. Memorial contributions in Dr. Menzie’s memory may be directed to The First Presbyterian Church or Soroptimist Internation- al of Baker County. This may be done through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97814. — Obituaries — Continued from Page 2 Bethel Robinson Bethel is survived by her son Ron and his wife Mary Lou of Springfield, O - egon; grandchildren Leslie Robinson of Los Angeles, California, Cassie Stock- ton of Springfield, Oregon and Patience Robinson- Campos of Austin, Texas; one great grandson Walker Stockton of Springfield, Oregon; numerous Ran- dall, Johnson, Duncan, and Robinson nieces and nephews who were and are very important people in her life; Also many friends in the U.S. and Canada. For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Bethel, the family suggests the New Bridge Grange or charity of choice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Half- way, Oregon 97834. David Aubrey Wolf Huntington, 1945-2014 David Aubrey Wolf, 69, died at his home in Huntington, Oregon on December 1, 2014. There will not be a service. David was born on Oc- tober 26, 1945 in Eugene, Oregon to Buzz and Jean (Latrell) Wolf. He attend- ed Sacred Heart Catholic school in the Eugene area. Dave married June M. Howland on July 10, 1965 on the Cuyuse Indian Res- ervation. They had three children Ginia, Chance and Starr. Dave continued his schooling receiving a mining engineer degree. They moved to Baker City area in the late 60s where Dave enjoyed mining. In 1971 he was involved in a mining explosion. Injuries occurred in that accident and one that was odd and unexplained for a while. Dave had a lump in his arm which took some time to determine what it was. It was finally found to be, imbedded in his arm, a finger from a fellow miner who had also been involved in that accident. After that incident, his wife June was main support of the family. Dave and June also lived in Sumpter and also on Conner Creek. They enjoyed camping in the summertime. They also lived in Colorado Springs for a short time after the kids were grown. Later in life, Dave moved to Huntington, Oregon. Dave enjoyed playing guitar and singing at various venues in the area. He was preceded in death by his wife June; parents Buzz and Jean Wolf and sister Starr Wolf all of Halfway, Oregon. Dave is survived by his children Ginia Jenkins and her husband Joe of Emmett, Idaho; Chance Wolf and his wife Rachel of Emmett, Idaho; Starr Monson and her hus- band Tom of Huntington, Oregon; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grand children; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements were un- der the direction of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services. On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispine- valleyfuneralhome.com. Marilyn Moore Baker City, 1951-2015 Marilyn Jean Moore, 63, of Baker City, OR, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at her home sur- rounded by Marilyn her family. Moore Marilyn was born on September 18, 1951 in Hillsboro, Oregon to Alvin and Jean Ann Mohr. She was raised in Oregon attending school in North Plains and graduat- ing from Hillsboro High School in 1969. She then attended Oregon State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree. She married Theo “Tik” Moore on November 11, 1978 in Ontario, OR after an intro- duction by Tik’s parents. Two children were born to this union, Jennifer and Randy. Marilyn worked for 37 years for the OSU Ex- tension Service and was very involved with the 4-H program in Oregon. She was a 4-H shooting sports coordinator and was involved with the Youth Pheasant Hunt. She was honored as an Oregon State University Distinguished Alumnus and in 2013 she was inducted into the OSU 4-H Hall of Fame. She enjoyed fishing, the county fair and teaching her grandchildren and her favorite color was obvi- ously 4-H Green. She is survived by her husband, Theo “Tik” Moore of Baker City, OR; A daughter, Jennifer (Marc) Slatter of Baker City, OR; a son, Randy (Marjie) Moore of Plenty- wood, MT; two “special” daughters, Chandra Mc- Cain and Meghan Gallant; a brother, Robert (Lisa) Mohr of Gresham, OR; a sister, Janis (Paul) Mohr- Tipton of Applegate, OR; seven grandchildren, Lindsey, Coton and Weston Slatter, Joshua, Levi and Brandon Moore and Tren- ton Cates; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 at the Ontario Presbyterian Church, 401 NE 3rd St., Ontario, OR. Services are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome. com Memorial contributions may be made to a 4-H memorial trust fund. Please make checks payable to Theo Moore in Trust for Marilyn Moore at any Umpqua Bank. Menzie McKim Baker City, 1922-2014 Dr. Men- zie McKim Jr. Retired, 92, died December 10th, 2014, Menzie at his home McKim in Baker City, OR. A Memorial Service for the McKim Family was held at the First Presbyte- rian Church on December 27th with Pastor Katy Nicole. Thirty-seven mem- bers of his family attended.