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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2016)
10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 Local County: Fair brings in less, Griefshare Sheriff’s offi ce gets tech upgrades program offered BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker County Board of Commissioners held its last, regular session of the month, on Wednesday, Oc- tober 19, 2016, 9 a.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Baker County Court- house. Topics included discussion of a document regarding mining issues by Jefferson Mining District Coordinating Offi cer Art Sappington, a Fair update from Baker County Fair Manager Angie Turner, and a Technology update, from Baker County IT Director Bill Lee. Present from the Board were Chair Bill Harvey, Commissioners Mark Ben- nett and Tim Kerns, and Executive Assistant Heidi Martin. Attendance also includ- ed Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash, Baker County Facilities Maintenance Foreman Dan McQuisten, John Creighton, Ken An- derson, Ed Hardt, and Tork and Wanda Ballard. The session was called to order, followed by the optional Invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance, both led by Harvey. With no changes noted to the agenda, it was then ad- opted, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. Citizen Participation included Hardt and Sap- pington. Hardt commented on the number of political signs he observed had been stolen locally, and he said, “With a little community like this, we should be beyond that.” Harvey said, “I agree.” Sappington, on behalf of the Jefferson Mining District (JMD), and for the record, presented copies of a letter to the Board, one he had sent to Congress- man Greg Walden, on March 30, 2011, regarding claimed legal violations, against miners. “This ar- ticle was written on behalf of locatable miners who have been brought before the criminal court system in total violation of due process...” the letter states. “Basically, what the letter does is, it reiterates the statutory criteria, and the fact that the agencies- -both the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), and the Forest Service—are not following them, and that they’re actually creating laws, which we call CFRs (Code of Federal Regula- tions), out of thin air, to make criminals out of citi- zens...” Sappington said. He references this letter, because he said, as elec- tions near, it’s as pertinent today, as it was when he wrote it. Originally, four locatable mineral grantees were charged in Oregon Federal District Court, on December 1, 2010, “... of violating information with unlawfully maintain- ing, occupying, and using a residence on National Forest System lands...” while on their valid mining claim, Sappington said. Sappington said the miners were convicted of their charges, and there was some further action, but the cases currently are at a standstill, as well as any actions from the JMD, which is trying determine its next move. Sapping- ton’s letter concludes: Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press Baker County IT Director Bill Lee discusses the upgrades this year to the Sheriff’s Offi ce. “How is the mineral grantee today such a small part of the whole of society (less than one quarter of one one-thousandth of a percent of the total labor force) get to petition his government, and what is the procedure for him to know how to produce the needed minerals and en- ergy, for the rest of society, and yet, pay his bills?” The minutes from the October 5, 2016 regular session were approved, with no noted changes, with a motion from Ben- nett, and a second from Kerns. Turner provided an update, which included some fi gures from the 2016 Baker County Fair, which she said was a huge success, better than last year: $20,675 in sponsor funds, broken down as $12,900 in cash dona- tions (an increase of about $2,000, over last year), and $7,775 in in-kind sponsor funds; and 1,518 exhibits, and 475 exhibitors. The biggest fundraiser this year was the Friends of the Fair pie auction, which brought in around $6,200, she said, $3,000 of which will be used to install fencing, along with some grant funding. Future projects include grandstand and en- trance upgrades, possibly in the spring, Turner said. She said that the 4-H livestock auction brought in less this year, because less buyers participated, and the total from that was around $252,000 (not a fi nal fi gure). Funds from the Oregon Lottery are received (divided among 37 Fairs, statewide) for purposes of fairgrounds improvements, equipment purchases, etc., and these funds (about $50,000 last year) depend partly on a yearly report from Turner, which she has fi led already, she said. The theme for the 2017 Fair will be “100 Years, Celebrate The Tradition,” Turner said, to commemo- rate the 100th anniversary of the Baker County Fair, 1917-2017. On Novem- ber 4-5, 2016 (Friday and Saturday), the “No Regret Dog Trial” is scheduled to be held at the Baker Coun- ty Fairground, Conference & Event Center, 2600 Cedar Street. Other events include the Baker County Mounted Posse Gun Show, the weekend of Thanks- giving, with 80 vendors, and the “Local is the New Black” Christmas Bazaar, also held there, November 19-20, 2016 (Saturday and Sunday), with 72 vendors, an event organized by Kristy Backlund. Lee provided an update, including mentioning that a web cam had been installed at Holcomb Park, in Richland, which he said was well received by the public. Other items there include a previously ex- panded wi-fi range of 200 feet, which he said has also been popular. The major focus for upgrades this year was the Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce, Lee said. This included upgrades to the jail notifi cation system, which notifi es victims when inmates are released, and upgrades to the Sheriff 911 websites. 911 Con- solidated Dispatch Center equipment was also re- placed, including the older recording system, server upgrades are being imple- mented, and UPS (Uninter- ruptible Power Supply) equipment was replaced. The system now includes two UPS batteries, which are “hot swap” capable, instead of the older, single battery pack. Additional upgrades in- clude Offi ce 2016 software (still in progress). Lee said that one of the most interesting upgrades to him was the installation of a cradle point, which uses cell phone technology to add mobile capability to the Sheriff’s Offi ce/Court- house network. The next session is No- vember 2, 2016, 9 a.m. Why advertise with us? David Conn david@thebakercountypress.com or call 541.523.5524 Baker City, Haines • Low rates per column inch & promotional deals • Color at no additional charge as space permits • Friendly, professional sales staff Wendee Morrissey wendee@thebakercountypress. com or call 541.805.1688. Sumpter, Bates, Richland, Halfway, Medical Springs, Keating Family owned and operated. Packed with local news! • All display ads are also posted to our Facebook page, which means thousands of individuals see your ad from that source alone. We’re the only local paper that offers this service! Community members who have experienced the death of a family member or friend are invited to register for the GriefShare program held at Calvary Chapel Baker City. This nondenominational program features Christ- centered, biblical teaching that focuses on grief topics as- sociated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by small group discussion about what was seen on the DVD. Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent. You will fi nd encouragement, comfort, and help in grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, other family member, or friend. This is an opportunity to be around people that understand what you are feeling. You will learn how to recognize the symptoms of being stuck in grief and that you do not need to live in bondage as a slave to certain emotions. You will learn valuable information about facing your new normal in life and renewing your hope for the future. You are welcome to start at anytime during the 13 week session. GriefShare will be held Thursdays Nov 3 - Feb 2, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Our fi rst session on November 3 will begin at 5:30 for orientation and registration. We will be meeting at Calvary Chapel Baker City located at 1668 Resort Street Suite B. To Register or for questions, call 541-519-1644. The total cost is $15. There are scholar- ships available. Child care is available. Minner arrested for burglary On October 18, James Minner (DOB 01-02-1997) was arrested for Burglary in the First Degree and Theft in the Second Degree. The arrest stems from a Burglary com- plaint that was received on February 19, 2016 from Linda Miley, a Halfway resident, who reported cash and food items stolen from her home. On February 20, 2016, Deputies investigating the crimes spoke with Minner in a phone interview, during the interview Minner admitted to the crimes. Minner was believed to have left the state immediately following the incident but recently returned to Baker County. Minner turned himself into the Sheriff’s Offi ce Tuesday, and was arrested and lodged in the Baker County Jail. Contest for kids This is the 7th year Community Bank has asked kids to design the holiday lobby poster for their branches. It may be a little early to start thinking about the Christmas holi- day, but in order to collect entries, select the top 3, and run a Facebook voting contest to determine the winner, the bank needs to have entries turned into a local branch by Thursday, November 3rd. Entry forms with rules can be found online at commu- nitybanknet.com or at your local branch. Kids Kinder- garten through 4th grade are invited to enter. The winner of the contest receives a $100 Visa Gift Card, one roll of dollar coins ($25), a large poster of their design, and a set of 20 cards featuring their artwork to send to their family.