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Friday, April 17, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 16
Council sets 2015-2016 goals
• 2015-2016 goals
adopted, Langrell
lawsuit settlement
finalized, fees and
ordinances discussed
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
A dusting of spring
snow fell on the metal
rooftops visible through
the Council Chambers’
windows as Baker City’s
City Council met primar-
ily to discuss 2015-2016
Council goals, City fees,
and vote to fi nalize the
settlement in Councilman
Richard Langrell’s lawsuit
against the City.
After a half-hour execu-
tive session to discuss legal
matters per the agenda, the
Council opened its general
meeting at 7 p.m. The full
Council was present, be-
ginning with the Pledge of
Allegiance and an invoca-
tion led by youth pastor
Luke Remboldt.
Citizens’ Participation
Yvonne Da Torre of
Baker City, as well as two
other citizens who ar-
rived with her, spoke of
their concerns about using
herbicides such as 2,4-D,
particularly in the City’s
playgrounds and parks.
“I would like to see them
banned in public spaces,
especially where children
play,” Da Torre said.
Participants suggested
that the City research the
potential carcinogenic
effects of herbicides and
consider natural herbicides
such as vinegar instead.
Public Works Director
Michelle Owen will pull
together more information
about which herbicides
are currently used. A City
ordinance already requires
posting notices in sprayed
locations, but the citizens
who testifi ed think this step
isn’t suffi cient to protect
against health hazards and
lawsuits.
Tree Board.
Two applicants, Jeff
Stahman and Christine
Howard, applied to one po-
sition on the Tree Board. In
a split 4-3 vote, Stahman
was appointed. Howard
was encouraged to keep
her application active as
openings occur regularly.
Resolutions.
All the resolutions on the
agenda passed unanimous-
ly. Most included budget-
ary and fee issues.
SEE CITY PAGE 10
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
Councilor Richard Langrell recused himself as the
rest of the Council unanimously voted to fi nalize a
$50,000 settlement in his lawsuit against the City.
Marijuana
debate hits
County level
• Commissioners discuss marijuana
dispensaries, appoint Natural
Resource Advisory Committee members
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
L-R: Julie McCormick, Lt. Kirk McCormick, and Bonnie McCormick say farewell to Baker City.
SEE COUNTY PAGE 4
Onward and upward!
• Local police
lieutenant, Kirk
McCormick, accepts
Police Chief position
in South Dakota
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On Wednesday, co-work-
ers, family and friends
in the community held
a farewell celebration in
the Council Chambers of
Baker City Hall for Lieu-
tenant Kirk McCormick,
who is resigning from the
Baker City Police Depart-
ment after 20 years of
service, in order to relocate
to Scotland, South Dakota,
to become its new Chief of
Police.
Wyn Lohner, Baker City
Chief of Police, said, “I
want to thank everybody
for coming down today.
As you know, Lieutenant
Friday
Saturday
McCormick is going to be
leaving the department,
leaving the city, and leav-
ing the state of Oregon.
He couldn’t get far enough
away, so, he’s going all the
way to South Dakota.
“I hope everybody
understands what he’s
invested in this commu-
nity over the last 21 years
almost. He’s gone from
being a dispatcher, to
working drug enforcement,
into investigations. He’s
run investigations for a
lot of years, and then, was
promoted to Sergeant.
“He’s been Operations
Sergeant, Administrative
Sergeant, and fi nally, this
last year, he was promoted
to Lieutenant, which, in ef-
fect, he’s been for probably
the last fi ve or six years. I
know he’s made my job a
whole lot easier. Someone
that you can count on to be
there, day in and day out.
I probably never served
with anybody in my career
Clear and warm with a high around 70.
Temperatures dropping to the upper 30s at
night.
that stayed as level and
even-keeled the way that
Kirk has. It doesn’t matter
whether it’s a bad day or a
good day as far as the calls
or service, he’s always the
same person.
“He shows up every day,
he enjoys his work, and I
have no doubt that, when
he goes back to Scotland,
he’s going to carry that
with him. He’s going to go
back to a small community,
with a lot of really good
people.
“It’s going to be a tre-
mendous opportunity for
him to go back there, and
do what every one of us
in law enforcement truly
wants to do, and that’s
work with people to solve
problems. I just want
you to know how much
I appreciate you’ve done
for me, and especially for
our community, because,
that is why we‘re here, for
this community. I know
that’s what you poured
The full Baker County Board of Commissioners met
Wednesday with an agenda spanning marijuana dispensa-
ries to mining to committee appointments.
Attendees included Baker County Planning Director
Holly Kerns, Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash, Baker
County District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff, Baker County
Assessor Kerry Savage, Baker County Assistant Assessor
Shawn Berry, Attorney Dan Van Thiel, Haines Mayor Jim
Brown, Blue Mountain Translator District Manager Bev-
erly Beach, Ed Hardt, Ken Anderson, Wanda and Tork
Ballard, Bobbie Danser, Chuck Chase, Gary Dielman and
Bruce Morrison.
your heart into for the last
20-plus years.”
Mike Kee, Baker City
Manager, said, “I agree
with all of that. I’ve
worked with you for fi ve
years, and actually knew
you before that. We have
shared a lot of good times.
We’ve laughed together,
uncontrollably. We’ve
cried together. This is
from the City, and I just
wanted to express how
grateful we are, Kirk, and
how much we’re going to
miss you.”
Kee presented Mc-
Cormick with a desk
plaque, which reads “In
Recognition of Exceptional
Service, Honoring Lt. Kirk
McCormick, with sincere
appreciation for your 20
years of dedication, loyalty
and commitment. Thank
you for giving of yourself,
honorably serving the citi-
zens of Baker City, OR.”
A haven for
gamers is
now open
• NEW BUSINESS, GAMER HAVEN, OPENS
INSIDE AMERICAN LEGION BUILDING
BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH
Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Baker City now offers a dedicated gaming space and
store: Gamer Haven.
Scott Violette and partner, Josh Neilson, rented out half
of the American Legion building and did a soft opening
of Gamer Haven about three weeks ago.
As explained on their website, gamer-haven.com, “For
years Scot and Josh have been trying to fi gure out what
is wrong with our beloved Baker City. After one of our
famous bull sessions we have realized there are no havens
for us gamers to play at!”
SEE GAMER HAVEN PAGE 3
SEE McCORMICK PAGE 5
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
MEDICAL SPRINGS: WOLVES v. ELK
GRANT CO. FOREST ACCESS
Another sunny day with highs in the upper 60s.
Lows at night will be around 30.
SAGE-GROUSE CCAA MEETING
AMERICAN LEGION CHANGES
Sunday
Highs around 68 to round out a fully sunny
weekend. Clouds increase as Monday ap-
proaches. Lows at night around 35.
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
2015 Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 2 | John Day
ST. AL’S: FIVE YEARS IN BAKER CITY
TRINDLE, SUMPTER RR AWARDS
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