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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 2016)
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Opinion — Editorial — Richardson for Secretary of State With no hesitation, we endorse former state representative and former gubernatorial candidate Dennis Rich- ardson for Secretary of State. Richardson put up an impressive fight during his bid for governor, sweeping most counties in Oregon, but ultimately hitting up against the western Oregon population, which always swings to the left. Even at that, in Oregon’s biggest race, he came closer than most. Richardson not only knows how things work in Salem, but he’s trav- eled the rest of the state—including Baker County several times—enough to understand that Portland and Salem attitudes don’t reflect those in the rest of the state. The most likely Democratic op- ponent for this position in November will be Rep. Val Hoyle, who is basi- cally bought, sold and paid for by New York’s Michael Bloomberg in exchange for attacking our 2A rights. We believe one recent Bloomberg do- nation to Hoyle was in the neighbor- hood of $250K with another coming in from a D.C.-based special interest PAC at $100K. We believe Richardson has the strongest change of any to defeat Hoyle. Now, we heard Republican guber- natorial candidate Bruce Cuff allege last month that Richardson isn’t a true conservative, fiscal or otherwise, and we know from personal experience with Richardson and his family that this just isn’t the case. Dennis Richardson would be a tremendous asset as Secretary of State, and we wish him the very best. —The Baker County Press Editorial Board — Letters to the Editor — Not for Trump To the Editor: After what seems a never-ending elec- tion cycle, it is now Oregon’s turn to vote. For the last several elections it has been said that “this is the most important elec- tion our lifetime” and this year, it’s more true than ever. At the beginning the primary season, the Republicans provided a candidate field of great depth, albeit, much too large. We’ve watched one after another suspend campaigns leaving two major contenders, along with debris from the ugliness of this year’s process. Zealots in each campaign are still energized but the mean 7th grade mentality have left way too many disgust- ed. While it was hoped to hear policy and principle discussions, we have witnessed bullying, personal attacks and bait and switch deceptions. With the raucousness of the internet wars, the bias of a media valuing profit over fact, the truth is that the consequenc- es of this vote are so important that the America I have grown up knowing, hangs in the balance. Anger and frustration, it is said, fuel Trump’s candidacy. I’m angry and quite frustrated with what has happened over the last eight years. Trump, everyone agrees has tapped into our anger and has great campaign slogans. Being an effective president requires more that arousing large crowds. (I still see Obama standing in front of Greek columns.) To be a president who navigates America out of these turbulent times requires many skills and character traits such as trust, honesty, faithfulness, Trump has a recorded history of lacking these. Also lacking is any history of con- servative convictions. Like most conservatives in the last two election cycles, I held my nose voting for McCain and Romney. Please consider very carefully when voting, a Trump nomination ensures a Hillary presidency for like thousands of rock solid conser- vatives across the country. I will not for Trump in November. Annette Lathrop Joseph Nichols ignorant on issues To the Editor: The battle in the Commissioners race has been an interesting race to say the least. All of the candidates have been thoroughly vetted in numerous candidate forums. Bruce Nichols stood out as the most ignorant of issues facing the county in the short and long term. The list is long and the problems are complicated, with Fed- eral overreach being the biggest problem Baker County faces. From the Endangered Species act (Sage Grouse) which Bruce was told not to comment on at the forum (wouldn’t say by who when asked). The Owyhee Canyon Lands Monument lock up. The Blue Mountain Revision coupled with the Travel Management proposing to take out over a 1,000 miles of our Public Land roads. The transfer of Public Lands has been a hot button issue, but not for Bruce. Lastly Bruce has stated he thought that Baker County needed to Cooper- ate with the Forest Agencies instead of Coordinate in which the Agencies have to tier their plan to Baker Counties Resource Plan. But as Bruce stated in the Forum “I do have an opinion on those issues.” Lord help us, vote Kody Justus long time rancher for Commissioner.. Chuck Chase Baker City Nichols presents conflicts To the Editor: Houston, is there a problem? The position with Mr. Nichols election as a Baker County Commissioner is not his Financial Knowledge as a “asset” but that it presents itself as a “liability” for Baker County. The County, in order to legally protect itself and citizens would be required to implement some sort of oversight commit- tee to neutralize any “ Conflicts of Inter- est” between Mr. Nichols CPA (private) and Mr. Nichols Commissioner (public). Because of the potential Financial Li- abilities for Baker County, this process could not be left to Bruce’s discretion, as he alluded to at the first forum. Instituting this oversight committee by Baker County would require man hours and expense that would not be required if he were not operating a for profit CPA business, which may or may not conflict with companies, or other Counties doing business with Baker County. Ron Davis Baker City Can’t vote here, but like Nichols To the Editor: My extended family has lived in Baker County since it was first settled. My grandparents, Skinner and LaVaughn Kirby were cattle ranchers in Durkee. I hold Baker close to my heart – In fact, I married a Baker boy, Doug Schmitt. Our roots in Baker run deep and we return many times a year to visit. Because we care so much about the area, we want to share why we think Bruce Nichols is the best candidate for Baker County Commis- sioner. First, he has excellent financial manage- ment skills. Bruce Nichols is our personal accountant. We trust him and have the utmost faith in his financial knowledge and skills. These skills as a CPA / financial expert will serve the county well. Second, Bruce is in tune with the needs of Baker County. When we have had questions about charitable contributions to Baker area charities, Bruce has put us in contact with the right people. Third, Bruce Nichols is a connector. He doesn’t just watch things happen or com- plain about things happening, he makes things happen. Just one example is his part in ensuring that the Leo Adler House is currently managed by the Adler Founda- tion and not by a bank in a different state. Bruce Nichols has outstanding financial acumen, is a straight-up kind and honest man, knows the needs of the commu- nity, is a connector, and can make things happen. These are exceptional skills that I think we can all agree are hard to find in political candidates these days! I hope voters see this unique opportunity to elect the kind of person we all want working to improve Baker County as Baker County Commissioner. Bruce Nichols is the ideal candidate for the job. Amber Schmitt Round Rock, Texas — Letters to the Editor — Also can’t vote in Baker County, but like Nichols To the Editor: For over 25 years, I have relied on and trusted the expertise, always provided to me by Bruce Nichols, of Nichols & Mitchell, CPA. He has served this county with great care for decades. I went to work for the City of Huntington, in 1977, as their City Recorder, Bookkeeper, Mu- nicipal Judge, Budget Officer and any- thing the Council directed me to do, as do most small town City Recorders. Over my 25 years of working in that capacity for the City of Huntington, I was fortunate to work many with excellent people, leaders, judges, attorneys etc. I found Bruce a dependable, knowl- edgeable, associate that was proven time and time again with the work he put forth as our City Auditor. His know-how, pro- fessionalism and ability to communicate allowed me to not only learn but serve confidently in knowing that we had his talents available to the City. Even after I had retired as City Record- er, and became the Mayor of Huntington, Bruce continued to serve the City and Baker County. Providing the qualified assistance a successful City requires. Most notably, Bruce was instrumental in helping me to convince to the Hunting- ton City Council, Baker County District Attorney and the State of Oregon, how a City of Huntington Employee was seri- ously misappropriating large amounts of municipal funds. This was a complex task that Bruce was able to manage without problems. Real Experience Counts. Vote for Bruce Nichols. Donna Rush Ontario, Oregon Liberals are supporting Nichols en masse To the Editor: I found it interesting that letters to the editor a few days ago submitted by Susan Bolgiano and Ed and Suzanne Moses are in complete lock-step with a well- organized effort of democrats supporting Bruce Nichols. Mrs. Bolgiano is one of many who changed their party affiliation to republican in what appears to be an ef- fort to support him in this closed repub- lican primary election. Ed and Suzanne Moses are current Democratic Precinct Committee people for the Baker County Democrat Party. They openly support Mr. Nichols. In fact, their letters sounded much like the positions taken by Gary Dielman (who has Nichols signs up in his yard), and many others whom I recognize as well established liberal democrats in the county. Why is Bruce Nichols the appar- ent candidate for the local progressive liberal movement? The obvious answer to me is that Bruce doesn’t really have a position other than to sit idly and let the status quo prevail. The democrats love this! They keep harping on the fact that Kody Justus will stand up against the federal agencies who are steal- ing our way of life here in Baker County. Well, that is an effort that I applaud and will support. Kody Justus is young and has the energy to represent Baker County well. He has proven that he can handle fiscal respon- sibilities in the private sector. I’m most impressed by his command of not only the day to day tasks needed to run this county, but also his vision and grasp of where this county needs to go if we’re going to have a future. Join me in voting for the con- servative choice: Kody Justus for County Commissioner. Keith Jones Bridgeport Comparing County Commissioner candidates To the Editor: We’re looking at the candidates for Baker County Commissioners, Bruce Nichols and Kody Justus. Bruce Nichols, whom we personally do not know, has been stated as fine upstand- ing person. We don’t feel he is the best representative for County Commissioner of Baker County. It sounds like he is partial to the Federal Government, to the point of going along with whatever they say. We believe decisions within our State and in this case Counties should involve more local control as originally intended. In the voter pamphlet , Bruce has stated “partnering more effectively with the agriculture and timber industries.” At the Baker County Livestock Forum, it seems Bruce knew little about the topics he was given. Bruce stated he had an opinion about them all, but had been told not to talk about some things. Who tells you what you can or cannot say? How does that work Bruce? If you are going to part- ner with these industries, you need to be able to talk about all the issues and prob- lems they are confronted with, whether it is endanger species or EPA Regulations. It sounds like you are not telling us the whole story about who you really are. We do not see or hear anything about Bruce stating he will support all of our Constitutional Rights. This is a big issue for us. Will he stand up to the Federal Government to follow the law? Kody Justus stood side by side with our family, on the fireline for days as we battled the largest wildfire in the history of Baker County on our family property, with no government agency help. Kody did not come to our aid because we asked, he showed up on his own because he cares about the people, their needs and their livelihoods. Kody can relate to our issues, struggles and concerns. Kody also helped on the fires in Richland/Halfway. Kody was involved with Bill Harvey and Mark Bennett, with issues regarding the way the fires were handled. Kody contacted us and asked our input on the making of a documentary film, of the fires, to take to government agencies to make the necessary changes in the fighting of fires. This is what a County Commis- sioners should be doing. They need to be out and about the County talking and interacting with the people about issues, concerns and what is the best solution. Kody was doing that last year! Kody cares about people, Baker County and upholds the Constitution. Kody Justus is the one candidate, who has truly demonstrated that he cares about protecting our rights and freedom in Baker County. Kody has our votes. Larry and Tammy Davilla Baker City — Contact Us — YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS The Baker County Press President Barack Obama PO Box 567 Baker City, Ore. 97814 202.456.2461 fax Open Monday-Thursday for calls 9 AM - 4 PM Open 24/7 for emails 202.456.1414 Whitehouse.gov/contact US Sen. Jeff Merkley 503.326.3386 503.326.2900 fax Merkley.Senate.gov Phone: 541.519.0572 TheBakerCountyPress.com US Sen. Ron Wyden 541.962.7691 Wyden.Senate.gov Kerry McQuisten, Publisher Editor@TheBakerCountyPress.com US Rep. Greg Walden Wendee Morrissey, Advertising and Sales Wendee@TheBakerCountyPress.com 541.624.2402 fax David Conn, Advertising and Sales David@TheBakerCountyPress.com Published weekly every Friday. Subscription rates per year are $29.95 all areas, e-mail delivery. $39.95 print issue, home delivery, Baker City city limits only. $49.95 print issue, mail delivery, outside Baker City city limits only. Payment in advance. A division of Black Lyon Publishing, LLC 541.624.2400 Walden.House.gov Oregon Gov. 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