GUEST OPINION: Dennis Linthicum
discusses PILT and SRS funding. PAGE 4
HAINES FIRE DEPARTMENT: New sign
thanks to Eagle Scout project. PAGE 10
The
Baker County Press
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Friday, April 24, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 17
Teacher files suit against Pine-Eagle School District
• ACTIVE SHOOTER
DRILL FROM 2013
TRIGGERS LAWSUIT
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
An elementary school
teacher in Halfway fi led a
civil rights lawsuit last Fri-
day afternoon against the
Pine-Eagle School District
61; Alpine Alarm Commu-
nications and Construction,
LLC; the members of the
Pine-Eagle
School
Board
at that
time—John
Miniarch,
Mark Butler,
Submitted Photo.
Krista Den- Mike
nis, Bill John- Corley.
son, David
Schmitt, Dwight Saunders,
Robert Seal; Superinten-
dent Mike Corley, school
Principal Cammie deCas-
tro and District Safety
Offi cer Shawn Thatcher.
Linda Mallery McLean,
through her
attorneys
Ralph E.
Wiser and
Roderick
Boutin from
Boutin &
Submitted Photo.
Associates
Cammie
out of Lake deCastro.
Oswego,
claims that while she was
working as an elementary
school teacher in Half-
way, her civil rights were
violated during an April
26, 2013 “active shooter
drill” at the school during
a teacher in-
service day.
According
to several
residents,
about stu-
dents were
Submitted Photo.
present on
Shawn
site during the Thatcher.
drill, despite
the in-service-day timing,
and witnessed at least a
portion of it.
That drill made national
news at the time, and to
this day, citizens in the
small community of Half-
way (population less than
300) remain divided in
their opinions on whether
the drill was harmful or
helpful.
The U.S. Civil Statute
under which the suit was
fi led is 42 USC Section
1983 with deprivation of
civil rights and state law
tort claims listed.
The suit itself was fi led
in United States District
Court for the District of
Oregon in Portland, and
has six claims: 1. 14th
amendment violation, state
created danger / failed to
protect; 2. 14th amend-
ment violation, failure to
train or supervise; 3. 14th
amendment violation,
false imprisonment; 4.
14th amendment violation,
procedural due process
violation, deprivation of
a liberty interest without
due process; 5. Intentional
infl iction of emotional dis-
tress; and 6. Claim against
Civil Assault.
SEE PINE-EAGLE PAGE 10
1-63 issue
heats up
Baker Rural wins annual fire
service exercise troph y
• PROPONENTS DECLINE QUESTIONS
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
Volunteers and paid fi refi ghters alike gathered at the Baker City Fire Department at 8 a.m. to begin the day.
• TROPHY AWARD TO WINNING TEAM
INTERRUPTED BY REAL CAR FIRE
Initiative 1-63 asks a simple question, “Shall Baker
County commissioner positions become nonpartisan in
2015?” That question, however, belies the complexity of
the issue.
The initiative was placed on the ballot for this May’s
election due to a signature-gathering effort on a petition
spearheaded by Democrat Randy Joseph of the Sumpter
area. 1-63’s most outspoken opponent is The Baker Coun-
ty Republican Central Committee, whose members voted
unanimously last year to fi ght the nonpartisan effort.
This week, Chief Petitioner Joseph declined to expand
on his personal background in an interview. When asked
how he arrived at the idea of 1-63, he also declined to
comment. When emailed, “What do you think is wrong
with our current system that 1-63 would fi x, in your opin-
ion?” Joseph again gave no response and referred The
Baker County Press in general to his web site.
As part of the “yes on 1-63” campaign thus far, yard
signs, a Facebook page and a web site have been con-
structed. Outspoken opponents of the initiative also report
receiving calls and visits from those on the “yes” side
attempting to persuade them to change their minds.
SEE 1-63 PAGE 8
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On Saturday, area fi re service agencies came together to
participate in the 11th annual fi re service exercise known
throughout the agencies as “The Scavenger Hunt.” In the
end, the Baker Rural Fire Protection District took home
the four-foot-high trophy.
The six teams that competed this year were the Baker
City Fire Department, Baker Rural Fire Protection
District, Haines Fire Department, Bowen Valley Fire
Protection District, Eagle Valley Fire Protection District
and Powder River Fire Protection District. Each fi re
agency was dispatched to a skill station and upon arrival,
performed a variety of fi refi ghting tasks on which they
were evaluated and scored.
Each team was required to work through the emergency
situation presented and was scored on safety, coordina-
tion and organization, communications and appropriate
completion of the scenario-based incident.
New scenarios are developed each year but past skill
stations have included radio communications, techni-
cal scene size-up, apparatus operation and working with
equipment such as ladders, hydrants and fi re tools.
This yearly event began in 2005 as a way for the
participants to practice skills in real life scenarios and to
highlight the need to fi nd new volunteer fi refi ghters for
Baker County fi re agencies. The realistic scenarios are
meant to challenge the crews.
The fi rst skill station, reached by some teams just after
8 a.m., was staged at Marvin Wood Products. Employees
who are part of Marvin’s safety team were involved in
this exercise as well, with Michelle Boudreau playing the
role of an injured victim.
“Being part of this is training for us as well,” Boudreau
said of the company’s cooperation in the exercise.
New to the exercises this year was a wild land-urban
interface station staged out at Benny Ruda’s Events Cen-
ter on West Campbell.
SEE FIRE TRAINING PAGE 9
Friday
Saturday
Clear and warm with temperatures hitting 70.
Lows at night around 36.
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
Michelle Boudreau plays the role of the injured
victim.
School
board fills
empty seat
• MELISSA IRVINE APPOINTED TO
REPLACE KYLE KNIGHT ON 5J BOARD
BY BRIAN ADDISON
Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
A car fi re was part of the fi nal scenario at the Baker
City Airport.
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
The Baker 5J School
Board responded to the
resignation of board
member Kyle Knight by
appointing Melissa Irvine
to the open position during
the school board meeting
Tuesday, April 21.
Irvine accepted the ap-
pointment and now serves
Brian Addison /
out Knight’s term ending
The Baker County Press
June 30, 2015.
Melissa Irvine.
Irvine still plans to run for
the position, unopposed, in
the May 19, 2015, Special Election. Irvine brings to the
board a 13-year background in fi nance after working in
banking, real estate, and accounting.
SEE IRVINE PAGE 5
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
RICHLAND: CATTLEMEN AND BRAND FEE
PRACTICAL SHOOTERS HOLD MATCH
Sunny and slightly cooler, highs in the upper
60s. Lows just below freezing at night.
HUNTINGTON: FOOD BANK
SUMPTER: SMALL CITIES FORUM
Sunday
Sunny and warm once again, highs in the upper
60s. Increasing clouds with lows in the mid 30s
as nighttime falls.
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
2015 Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 2 | John Day
TRANSIENT LODGING TAX: GRANTS
OMSI DELIGHTS BROOKLYN STUDENTS
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