POT BAN PROTEST: A group against new
local ban gathers at Courthouse . PAGE 7
GUEST OPINION: Oregon Republican Party
Chair speaks out on local 1-63 . PAGE 4
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Friday, May 1, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 18
Travel Oregon stops by
• TRAVEL OREGON
MEETS AT HISTORIC
GEISER GRAND
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Palm Court at the
historic Geiser Grand
provided the backdrop for
a Travel Oregon meeting
on Tuesday.
The meeting, hosted by
Barbara Sidway of the
Geiser Grand, was facilited
by Scott West and Linea
Gagliano of Travel Ore-
gon. The meeting was also
was attended by Timothy
Bishop of Baker County
Tourism and a board
member of the Eastern
Oregon Visitors Associa-
tion (EOVA) and Oregon
Tour Travel Association,
Alice Trindle, Executive
Director of EOVA, Kristen
Dollarhide, Executive
Director of Union County
Chamber of Commerce
Director and Union County
Tourism whom also sits on
the EOVA board.
Carrie Folkman, Chair-
man of the Lodging Tax
Committee for Baker
County said, “I’m very
well aware of the eco-
nomic impact of tourism
because we’ve owned a
campground for 56 years,
I’m third generation in a
family business.”
Also present for the
meeting was Mark Ben-
nett, Baker County Com-
missioner, who said, “As
Barbara pointed out for
all of us that have visitors
come stay in our homes,
we really aren’t giving the
community a boost. As
Carrie would say ‘they’re
not paying the transient
room tax.”
Sidway, owner of the
Geiser Grand Hotel added,
“I know the community
doesn’t understand how
important tourism is to our
overall economy.”
EOVA represents 11
counties and accounts for
one-third of the state—the
largest region in Oregon
as designated by Travel
Oregon.
Bishop opened the meet-
ing introducing West and
Gagliano. He said, ““They
are making their way
around the state talking
about the economic impact
of tourism throughout the
state. We’ve got some
really exciting numbers in
terms of what the tourism
industry means for the
state of Oregon.”
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
Scott West and Linea Gagliano from Travel Oregon
visited Baker City and the Geiser Grand this week.
SEE TRAVEL OREGON
PAGE 8
OGEC can’t
address
Kerns ethics
complaint
• OREGON GOVERNMENT ETHICS
COMMISSION SAYS CONFLICT OF
INTEREST COMPLAINT FALLS OUTSIDE
ITS JURISDICTION
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Brian Addison / The Baker County Press
Paul Joiner, Oregon Department of Transportation Regional Field Coordinator, meets with students Bran-
don Howard from Irrigon, Hector Gomez from Umatilla, and Lou Allman, and Wyatt Johnson from Pendleton
during the Eastern Oregon Construction and Utility Career Day hosted by ODOT in Baker City April 23.
ODOT’s huge career day
SEE ETHICS PAGE 8
County
bans pot
• CONSTRUCTION AND UTILITY CAREER
DAY DRAWS 456 PARTICIPANTS
BY BRIAN ADDISON
Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Blue skies and warm temperatures prevailed as 348 stu-
dents from 20 schools including Baker High’s Technical
Institute and Burnt River, had a day out of the classroom
Thursday April 23, for the Eastern Oregon Construction
and Utility Career Day hosted by Oregon Department of
Transportation (ODOT). Students representing a geo-
graphical range from Ontario to Heppner attended classes
and demonstrations at the ODOT Region 5 shop build-
ings to learn more about career, training, and educational
opportunities from community partners and profession-
als. The ODOT shops are located east of Baker City with
access improved by the recent upgrade of Best Frontage
Road.
“ODOT hosts the event in partnership with Bureau of
Labor and Industries, local industries, and the Education
Service Districts within Region Five,” said Feather Hues-
ties, Offi ce of Civil Rights Region Five Field Coordina-
tor. “Construction and Utility Career Day gives kids an
opportunity to try out different careers in the highway
construction trade and apprenticeship.”
The students were accompanied by 33 chaperones, 46
ODOT volunteers helped plan and demonstrate how to
use equipment, and 29 business and exhibitor volunteers
providing equipment and hands-on activities and infor-
Friday
Sunny and very pleasant conditions, highs in
the mid-70s. Partly cloudy at night with a low
around 40.
Saturday
Sunny with the occasional passing cloud, highs
in the mid to lower 70s. Passing clouds at night
with a low in the mid-30s.
Sunday
Sunny and pleasant, highs near 70. Another
cool night with the possibility of a passing cloud.
Lows in the mid-30s.
Early Monday morn-
ing, the Oregon Govern-
ment Ethics Commission
(OGEC) confi rmed receipt
of a formal request for
review of Baker County
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
Commissioner Tim Kerns’
Tim Kerns.
involvement during the
appointment of his wife,
Jan Kerns, to the Natural Resources Advisory Committee
(NRAC) during their March 18, 2015 meeting.
Wednesday afternoon, OGEC said the complaint fell
outside its jurisdiction and no investigation would ensue.
• PROTESTERS GATHER OUTSIDE
COURTHOUSE ON WEDNESDAY AS
COUNTY ORDINANCE IS PUT IN PLACE
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Brian Addison/ The Baker County Press
Students from the eastern Oregon region attended
equipment demonstrations and career classes.
mation. Offi cial participation was pegged at 456, accord-
ing to Huesties.
ODOT crews led students through equipment dem-
onstrations and together with several of the region’s
educational and industry professionals distributed career
information on highway construction and related fi elds.
Those participating included Portland engineering fi rm
Akana, Treasure Valley Community College, Blue
Mountain Community College, Idaho Work Opportunity
Network, and Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. Eagle
Cap Innovative High School Culinary Program provided
lunch.
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
2015 Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 2 | John Day
On Wednesday, April 29, 2015, the Baker County
Board of Commissioners held a special session at 1 p.m.
at the Baker County Courthouse, to hold a public hear-
ing regarding Ordinance No. 2015-02, with the title “An
Ordinance Regulating Marijuana Within Baker County;
And Declaring An Emergency.”
Present from the Board were Chair Bill Harvey, Com-
missioner Mark Bennett, Commissioner Tim Kerns, and
Executive Assistant Heidi Martin.
Attendees included Baker County District Attorney
Matt Shirtcliff, Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash, Baker
County Planner Holly Kerns, Baker County Juvenile
Court Supervisor Staci Erickson, Al and Carol Free,
James Millwood, and Rod Shaw.
SEE COUNTY BANS POT PAGE 7
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
WWNF, County: Map confusion
The Outdoor Column: Wolf OR-22
Herbicides hot City Council topic
Sumpter Council has full agenda
Richland WWII vet turns 90
Wellness Watch Column
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