8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015
Local
Public Arts Commission meets Locals travel
• TERRI AXNESS TO
STEP DOWN AFTER
TERM ENDS
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Public Arts Commis-
sion met Tuesday evening
at City Hall. All commu-
nity volunteers currently
appointed to serve were in
attendance; Ann Mehaffy,
Corrine Vegter, Brian
Vegter, Derek Hosler and
Terri Axness. City Staff
Representative Mike Kee
and City Council Repre-
sentative Mack Augenfeld
were not present.
As everyone was ar-
riving and assembling,
Public Works Director
Michelle Owen, who was
not officially attending the
meeting, quickly addressed
those present regarding the
need for some further di-
rection in deciding on op-
tions for a trash receptacle
to be placed at the trailhead
extension of the Leo Adler
Parkway. “A table is being
donated by the Lions Club,
their standard table. But I
don’t have a bike rack, I
don’t have a garbage can,”
Owen said stressing the
need for these and deci-
sions to be made.
“In terms of a budget,
do you have what we can
spend to produce those
items?” Mehaffy ques-
tioned.
Owens said, “I need to
know what it is you want
to do and I’ll try and make
that work. We’re still play-
ing with the numbers. I
guess just get your designs
chosen and take them to
Natural Structures, see
how much it will cost.
You’ll probably have a
couple thousand bucks to
work with. I don’t have a
bench either, we do have
one bench.” The bench
Owens mentioned honors
Dave Banta, who passed
away recently that has
been donated. “That will
be installed along the path-
way, not in the trailhead
area. The garbage can is
tricky in the sense that it
has to be something we can
empty easily and quickly.”
Owen referred to plans
she had seen that included
a designed lid or culvert
as not being ideal in terms
of ease and speed. She
suggested again turning
to Natural Structures to
create an enclosure similar
to those already in use
downtown.
Mehaffy said she would
put it as a first action plan
to be worked on within the
next couple of weeks, get
some decisions made and
get back with Owen. “That
sounds great then I can get
some orders placed and
feel like I’ve checked some
boxes that need checked,
even though I have some
bigger things to get done,”
Owen said.
As Owen left, the final
members of the commis-
sion arrived. Mehaffy
informed the members
that were not present when
Owen addressed them of
the conversation. Mehaffy
indicated she would call
Natural Structures to set up
an appointment to go over
the needs. Her intention is
to get two different times
in an effort to accommo-
date all committee mem-
bers.
“I would like to be there
since I’ve invested quite a
bit of time and energy into
it,” Terri Axness said. She
has provided sketches of
ideas for the items needed.
Mehaffy then officially
began the meeting. Before
moving forward with busi-
ness on the agenda, the
commission voted to ac-
cept the minutes from the
March 17th meeting.
Merry-go-Round.
The first item on the
agenda was an update
on the Merry-go-round
project.
Tom Novak submitted a
proposal which addressed
the idea of the “graffiti
alley” that was discussed at
the last meeting.
“I think creating this is
a great idea,” said Derek
Hosler. “I happened to be
working in the alleys the
last couple of days and
I’ve noticed graffiti—and
it’s not even attractive. The
paint job to try and cover it
up is even worse.”
The group discussed the
idea inviting graffiti artists
to a round table conversa-
tion about the idea. Most
of the projects the Public
Arts Commission is orga-
nizing revolve around local
artists.
“All the projects that the
Public Arts Committee is
involved in deal first and
foremost with local artists.
This would be something
where it could be invited
artists to take part in some-
thing, and like the one in
Boise, it’s ever- changing.
It’s for a period of one year
or something like that.
Everyone that is involved
knows that it’s going to
change on an annual ba-
sis,” Brian Vegter said.
“I am more than happy
to entertain the idea of the
mural project; it’s just that
it’s one more thing and I
think we need to chip away
a bit at some of these other
things and get them taken
care of first,” Mehaffy
said.
The commission then
returned to the Merry-
go-round itself, in which
Novak suggested bird and
animal bronze figures in
addition to the children
figures.
All thought the addition
of birds and animals was
a good idea not previously
included.
The question was raised
as to whether or not the
two artists who had previ-
ously submitted proposals
had been contacted regard-
ing the committees request
that they collaborate on the
project.
Vegter indicated they
had and that was still
being worked out. With
the addition of Novak’s
ideas further discussions
regarding collaborations
would need to be had and
that it seemed to him that
the proposal and develop-
ment phase was not over.
He personally was open to
more ideas before deciding
on one concrete plan as the
commission likes elements
to Sugar Pine
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
L-R Corrine Vegter, Derek Hosler, Terri Axness, Ann
Mehaffy and Brian Vegter.
from all submitted propos-
als but doesn’t feel any
one has captured the vision
completely.
“We will continue to
steer this project,” Vegter
said.
“If we could put togeth-
er sketches or a model to
take out to the community,
to the organizations so we
can talk about public art in
Baker. Having something
to show the community
to build excitement and
enthusiasm, then we can
start raising funds to make
things happen,” Mehaffy
added.
Vinyl Wrap Project.
The commission then
turned its attention to the
vinyl wrap project. The
idea there is to “wrap”
necessary but unattractive
things like electrical boxes
with art by local artists.
Costs involved need to
be determine but the ideas
is that the artists contribut-
ing the art and designs for
the wraps will allow the
use of their art with the
understanding that they
will be credited for their
work and be allowed to
advertise with informa-
tion about their work by
including links to websites
that showcase and sell their
work and possibly even
a way to scan a QR code
from a mobile phone for
information as well.
Mehaffy lightheartedly
coined the project, “It’s a
wrap.”
Inmate Collaboration.
On March 25, 2015
the commission had a
luncheon at Powder River
Correctional Institution
with officials to inquire
about possible future
collaborations between in-
mates and the commission.
Mehaffy indicated that the
prison administration was
very receptive to the idea.
“They need enhanced
vocational training pro-
grams, post release skills
programs and even com-
munity service programs,”
she said.
According to Mehaffy
and Hosler, the woodwork-
ing and welding shops the
prison offers were fabulous
and could be used to create
some exceptional work,
the welding shop can even
produce laser cuts.
The possibilities of this
venture were exciting to
the commission. There
are no immediate plans on
the table, however there
was discussion of utilizing
the prison inmates on the
Merry-go-round project in
the near future.
Corinne Vegter com-
mented, “They are very
eager to do stuff regularly.
One thing is that they make
things for fundraisers.
Something to maybe think
about is to have them make
some things to present as
fund raising to help push
forward the arts commis-
sion.”
There was also men-
tion of the commission
working with Baker
Technical Institute at the
High School to complete
projects providing students
with “real world” experi-
ences. The commission
also addressed the fact that
July is public art aware-
ness month. Crossroads is
already making plans to
participate with a transient
art demonstration, no defi-
nite details were available
at the meeting.
Chalk.
“Chalk It Up” where art-
ist create sidewalk art with
chalk is also scheduled for
July.
Other ideas to infuse art
into our community during
that time were discussed
although nothing definitive
was decided upon. More
information about these
events will be discussed
at a later meeting with
decisions being made
as to what ideas will be
incorporated. The final
detail of the meeting was a
quick discussion about the
master plan.
Mehaffy was going to
scan into her computer and
email out a copy of a plan
in which they will model.
At the next meeting she
expects to finalize details
concerning the plan.
Terri Axness.
As the meeting was
concluding Terri Axness
informed the commission
that her term has expired
and it was not her intention
to continue on.
“I think that you guys
need some other resources,
fresh insights. I would like
to be involved in whatever
but I feel a new commis-
sioner is needed. I am very
dedicated to Public Art in
Baker, as you all know. I
would like to stay on the
committee to finish this
park and I’d like to be
involved in the Merry-go-
round project,” she said.
Axness did express
willingness to continue
her involvement on some
level. The Public Arts
Commissioners seemed
disappointed at her news.
According to Axness, Mike
Kee indicated he would be
collecting applications to
replace her.
One member of the Baker County Oath Keepers, who
declined an interview, as well as Alex Sealey, President of
Oregon III Percenters, recently traveled to the Sugar Pine
Mine in Josephine County. The owners of that mine and
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are facing off
in a legal battle, which came to a head about three weeks
ago.
According to Jake Brown of the local Oath Keepers,
“Oath Keepers, III Percenters, and any other liberty
focused Americans” have been on site for the last three
weeks. All involved stress emphatically that the situation
in southwest Oregon is not a Bundy Ranch-style standoff
by any means. Due to a cease and desist letter issued by
the BLM prior to the Sugar Pine Mine’s upcoming hear-
ing in court, the mine’s owners fear that the BLM will
come onto the site and confiscate equipment before the
case can be sorted out legally.
The mine was discovered in 1858 with the current title
originating in 1876, making it the oldest active mine in
Oregon.
The BLM says that the 1870s mining law under which
the mine operated, changed in the mid-1950s. At that
time, they say, the owners lost their surface rights while
maintaining mineral rights. In 1961, they argue, the Sugar
Pine’s surface rights were ceded back to the BLM.
Co-owners Rick Barclay and George Backes state that
the BLM is incorrect and they indeed have paperwork
showing proof of their continued ownership of the surface
rights as well the mineral rights.
Mineral rights involve the legal ability to extract miner-
als beneath the surface of the earth. Surface rights involve
the ability to operate across the surface of the ground,
which would include the building and location of struc-
tures, travel across the mining claim, etc.
The local Oath Keepers say those wishing to donate
supplies or funds can call Richard at 541-523-1533 or go
online to http://oathkeepersjoco.com/Articles/Status/sup-
ply_request.php.
Oath Keepers and III Percenters state they will simply
be on site to guard the mine’s property and equipment
until due process has played out one way or the other in
court. The national group stated that their staging area is
carefully monitored, and those looking for a militia-type
confrontation will be turned away.
The Sugar Pine Mine will be the discussion topic on
the World Gone Crazy radio show this Sunday, 9 p.m. on
1490 AM, KBKR.
Ash sworn in
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
At 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, Lieutenant Travis Ash
was sworn in at the Baker County Courthouse by County
Clerk Cindy Carpenter, as the new County Sheriff, effec-
tive May 1st.
Present for the ceremony, held in the Commission
Chambers, were around 20 people, including Ash’s wife,
Katie, their two children, Josie and Justin, outgoing Sher-
iff Mitch Southwick, County Commissioners Bill Harvey
and Mark Bennett, and many Sheriff’s Deputies.
Carpenter administered the Oath to Ash, and both
signed the document immediately afterward, followed by
congratulations from the attendees.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity,” said Ash.
Ash’s oath is as follows: “I, Travis Ash, do solemnly
swear that I will support the Constitution of the United
States of America, and the Constitution of the State of
Oregon, and the law thereof, and will faithfully, honest,
and impartially demean myself in the office of Sheriff to
which I’ve been appointed, to the best of my ability, so
help me God. This swearing in is effective as of May 1,
2015.”
On Thursday, Ash issued a memo to the department
and all its staff informing them all Lexipol policies and
procedures currently in place will remain in place.
Within the next two weeks, Ash plans to swear in the
Sheriff’s Deputies, he said. This process takes place each
time there is a new appointment or a reappointment for
Sheriff. New I.D. cards will also be issued at that time.
Ladies bridge winners
The Quail Ridge Ladies Day bridge winners were an-
nounced for April. Golf scores were unavailable.
The April 15 bridge winners are: 1st Della Steele, 2nd
Konnie McManus, 3rd Ginny Kostol.
The April 22 winners were: 1st Betty Combs, 2nd
Marlene Cross, 3rd Janice Smull.
The April 29 winners were: 1st Della Steele, 2nd Jean
Heizer; 3rd Nancy Ferree.
Haggen transition shuts Albertsons two days BMTD goes digital
Temporary store clo-
sures have been announced
for the transition of the
Baker City Albertsons on
Campbell to Haggen.
6 p.m., Thursday, May
14 - Baker City Albertsons
Store closes; 12:01 a.m.,
Friday, May 15- Haggen
takes ownership of the
store; 4 p.m.*, Saturday,
May 16 - Store opens as
Haggen. The pharmacy
will remain open during
the conversion starting late
morning May 15.
Haggen will hold a com-
munity meeting, 5-6 p.m,
Tuesday, June 30 at the
Baker County Conference
and Event Center. With
each store opening, Hag-
gen will partner with five
local non-profits and will
give $1,000 to a single
organization the when
the store opens. Several
months after the store is
converted, Haggen will
donate 2% of sales on four
Saturdays to four local,
non-profit organizations.
The Blue Mountain Translator District on Monday, May
4th, converted the last analog channel (KPDX) to digital.
With this conversion we also began broadcasting Boise’s
24/7 news and the Justice Network from Mt. Fanny.
Customers may have to re-scan their televisions. See
www.bmtd.org for more information or call the district
541.963.0196 or 541.406.4900. BMTD thanks the com-
munity for its support.