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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 6, 2015)
8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 Local Snake River Economic Alliance meets in Ontario By Eileen Driver Eileen@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Snake River Economic Development Alliance (SREDA), whose mission is to bring eco- nomic development and prosperity to the region, hosted the 2015 Western Treasure Valley Economic Breakfast at the Clarion Inn in Ontario, Oregon on Friday, February 27 at 7:00 a.m. The breakfast topic was “What makes a Successful Downtown Revitalization Effort?” and was attended by approximately 100 business owners, elected officials and non-profi members from Malheur and Baker Counties in Oregon and Payette and Washington Counties in Idaho. A breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, orange juice, tea and coffee was served buffet style to all attendees. The meeting was opened by SREDA Chair Patrick Nauman, owner of Weiser Classic Candy, with a welcome for all in atten- dance as well as the Pledge of Allegiance. SREDA Vice-Chair Logan Hamil- ton, owner of several small grocery stores in Eastern Oregon, introduced the speakers and reminded everyone that, “Economic development starts in this room, with all of you.” First to speak was Tom Hemenway, VP of Colum- bia Bank, who gave us an agriculture and banking update. Hemenway said, “Do business with busi- nesses who do business with you. We should shop little and local.” He report- ed that the onion market is way down and contracts are scarce, sugar beets and potatoes are holding their own, and the cattle market is strong with demand staying steady. In the bank- ing industry loan rates will be going up and banks will Eileen Driver / The Baker County Press Representatives from Baker County regularly attend SREDA meetings to learn about Malheur and Baker County Economic Development efforts. continue to change and consolidate through more and more mergers. Jerry Miller, economic development specialist and Idaho Main Street Program Coordinator informed us of the “Show me the Money” newsletter with listings of grant opportuni- ties published by the Idaho department of commerce, about the upcoming NW Community Development Institute being held at the Riverside Hotel in Boise, Idaho from June 15-19, which is a week- long intensive course in community development with a program certificate available after the third year of study and the new addition to the Main street program for small rural communities who have a hard time qualifying for the regular program called the Downtown Improve- ment Network. Sherri Stuart, Oregon Main Street State Coordi- nator and keynote speaker for the event, with 25 years of experience in economic development and the Main Street programs in both Oregon and Washington, told us of the impor- tance of revitalizing our downtowns. “People are disenchanted with malls and retail is returning to downtown,” Stuart said. “But the 9 to 5 shopping hours are obsolete due to the two-earner household, the only people who can shop 9 to 5 are the unem- ployed.” The reasons why Main Street is important are the following: 1. It’s the employment center, 2. civic center, 3. tax base, 4. historic area, 5. shopping and service center, 6. promotes public and private investment, 7. large tourism draw, 8. provides city with sense of community and place, and 9. is the “original green.” The message that came across loud and clear was that smart cities are those that value and promote their downtowns. The 2014 Oregon Main Street Annual report, given out at this event, reported that Historic Baker City (HBC) went thru sev- eral organizational changes in 2014 and launched a new membership drive. HBC worked on enhanc- ing existing events and adding new ones to pro- mote and highlight all that downtown has to offer. Some of the highlights were the HBC Holiday Parlor Tour, the Taste of Baker City and Halloween activities. It also states that physical improvements continue with new banners and facade improvements. Sponsors for the 2015 Western Treasure Val- ley Economic Breakfast included Weiser Classic Candy, Snake River Economic Development Alliance, Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce, Country Kitchen restau- rant, The Argus Observer, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center, Farmer’s Mutual Telephone Company, Clar- ion Inn and Idaho Power. Man arrested for Small flue fire animal abuse put out quickly Chad Tyler Vaughan, born 6/11/1995, of 2630 Resort Street in Baker City, was arrested Tuesday night at his home for Aggravated Animal Abuse. Vaughan is accused of torturing a cat and record- ing the act with his phone. A small flue fire at residence on C and 5th Streets in Baker City, was put out quickly on Wednes- day morning, according to responders. Two engines were called to the scene. No injuries were reported. Witty Continued from Page 1 Salary Recap A third candidate for the superintendent position, Outgoing Orofino, Idaho supe - Superintendent intendent Robert Vian, Walt Wegener withdrew his name before $113,209 the board meeting on Thursday. Incoming Witty leaves his job Superintendent of five years as superi - Mark Witty tendent in the drastically $124,500 shrinking Grant County School District. He also Curriculum Director, served as principal for Anthony Johnson Grant Union High School $98,065 for 12 years. He plans to take over the top-spot Assistant for Baker School District Superintendent near the end of June, said of Curriculum and Board Chair Andrew Instruction, Betty Bryan. Palmer Walt Wegener, current —Salary has not superintendent for the been set Baker School District, will be asked to finish out the remainder of his contract concentrating on legislative issues and as an advisor. Palmer will step in March 9 as interim superintendent until Witty becomes available in late June. Knight Resigns. Also during Tuesday’s meeting, school board director Kyle Knight tendered his resignation from the board. Knight wrote, “I will be relocating out of the area to focus on school and military service. I feel that it is in the best interest of both myself and the District if I step down early from the board. I will relinquish all of my responsi- bilities and privileges as a board member effective March 31, 2015. I apologize for any inconvenience that my res- ignation may cause to the school board, and will make all efforts to help decrease any such inconvenience. I have greatly enjoyed the experience of serving on the school board during my term and am thankful to the community for the opportunity. I am honored to have worked with such fine people in the capacity of improving the school and its functions for the students of the District.” Congratulations! David McQuisten / The Baker County Press Congratulations to Debbie Swinyer of Baker City! Debbie was the winner of our February Beef Month Celebration random drawing. New and renewing subscribers were automatically entered into a draw- ing for a package of tender, Baker County-grown sirloin steak, raised on the family ranch.