10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015
Local
Locals advocate for Older Salt lick
Americans Act funding
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
July 14, 1965 President
Lyndon B. Johnson signed
into law the Older Ameri-
can’s Act (OAA) as part of
the Great Society Reform.
This act followed closely
behind the Civil Rights Act
and the Economic Oppor-
tunity Act, an eventful time
in history.
Ramona Creighton of
Baker City is advocat-
ing for these programs to
remain intact.
The OAA was created
in response to concerns
regarding the lack of
community social services
for our Nation’s senior
citizens. The OAA was the
fi rst federal level initia-
tive aimed at providing
comprehensive services
for older adults. It cre-
ated the National Aging
Network comprising the
Administration on Aging
on the federal level, State
Units on Aging, and Area
Agencies on Aging at the
local level.
The network provides
funding, based primar-
ily on the percentage of
an area’s population 60
and older, for nutrition
and supportive home and
community-based ser-
vices, disease prevention/
health promotion services,
elder rights programs, the
National Family Caregiver
Support Program, and the
Native American Caregiver
Support Program.
Funding for many of the
programs included in the
Great Society Reform suf-
fered during the Vietnam
War and the structured
programs and agencies
began dismantling as other
administrations took over.
Some programs, such as
Medicare and Medicaid
that fall under the umbrella
of the OAA survived and
continue to survive.
The OAA states its
purpose is to ensure equal
opportunity to the fair and
free enjoyment of adequate
income in retirement; the
best possible physical and
mental health services
without regard to econom-
ic status; suitable hous-
ing; restorative and long
term care; opportunity for
employment; retirement in
health, honor, and dignity;
civic, cultural, educational
and recreational participa-
tion and contribution; effi -
cient community services;
immediate benefi t from
proven research knowl-
edge; freedom, indepen-
dence, and the exercise of
self-determination; and
protection against abuse
neglect and exploitation. In
2006 congress reauthorized
the act in its entirety. But
these federally mandated
programs are at risk of
being cut.
Creighton wrote in an
email, “These programs,
mandated federally, pro-
vide a range of home and
community based services
to help seniors stay as
independent as possible
in their homes and in their
communities. These servic-
es and supports also help
seniors avoid unnecessary
hospitalization and facility
based care, saving federal
and state budget dollars.”
Creighton points out
that some of those pro-
grams include supportive
services like case manage-
ment, in-home services, in-
formation and referrals for
services, family caregiver
support, health promotion
and disease prevention,
elder abuse prevention,
senior center services that
offer wellness and social-
ization, transportation,
nutrition programs includ-
ing Meals on Wheels, and
senior center group meals.
“Although programs
receive federal funding,
many states help with these
programs, as the benefi ts
are critical to the well-
being of growing senior
populations,” she writes.
“However, with a quickly
expanding older population
funding is losing ground
with the ever increasing
need for services. The need
is far surpassing avail-
able services in all areas
of the state and programs
are continuing to see high
and continually increasing
demand.
“In Fact, 500,000 se-
niors have been served in
ways such as 1.6 million
home delivered meals
that have been provided
to seniors via the Meals
on Wheels program with
another 970,000 meals be-
ing provided at senior meal
sites. 138,485 rides have
been provided to consum-
ers, 20,420 rides with an
attendant and 9,718 older
American consumers ac-
cessed legal services that
were made available. A
recorded 36,547 units of
service were provided by
unpaid family caregivers
serving seniors, 212,776
hours of homemaker/per-
sonal care services have
been provided and 47,377
hours of home care ser-
vices have been provided.”
Creighton added,
“The Oregon Legislature
provided support for these
services and supports for
Oregon’s seniors. Through
an investment of $2 mil-
lion, it was possible to
avoid closure of meal sites
in areas around the state,
reduction in staff working
directly with seniors, wait
lists for services and sup-
ports, reach out to isolated
seniors, avoid elimination
of services in many rural
areas and avoid limitations
on services in urban and
rural areas continuing sup-
port for Oregon’s Seniors.
Oregon’s seniors are count-
ing on this Legislature to
maintain the investment in
Oregon’s Older Americans
Act services and supports.
Without maintenance of
2015 these funds, it will be
impossible for many areas
of the state to maintain the
necessary and critical help
that is provided to seniors,
helping them remain inde-
pendent and in their own
home and community. The
Governor’s Recommended
Budget included $2 million
in continued funding to
support Oregon’s seniors
through these services and
supports. Without this in-
vestment, there is a strong
potential for a reduction in
meals for seniors, support
for caregivers, reduction in
personal care services and
reductions in transporta-
tion as well as reduction
or elimination of staff.
However, there will be no
reduction in the demand
for services. Protect the
independence, dignity,
choice and safety for Or-
egon’s seniors. I know we
all have parents who cared
for us and now it is time
we care for them.”
Margaret Davidson,
Executive Director for
Community Connection
Northwest said, “The
federal money does not
pay for the full costs of
services, approximately
25 percent is all. The state
money to support the OAA
is something that is in the
Governor’s budget and is
waiting for the legislature
to approve, change it or
deny it.
“We encourage people to
call our State Senator Ted
Ferrioli and State Repre-
sentative Cliff Bentz to let
them know that we’d like
them to support the State
money for OAA services.
We just really want people
to know that there is an
opportunity for the Oregon
Legislature to support
these services and if the
residents of Baker County
could call that would be
excellent, gather support
for these services.”
The current legislative
session adjourns by the
end of June and although
Davidson was unsure of
the exact date of the legis-
lative vote she urged, “The
sooner people could call or
email the better.”
Legislative contact infor-
mation is printed on page
four of this issue.
Red Cross releases tips on how
to beat coming heat wave
With temperatures
expected to hit 100 degrees
or above the next several
days, the American Red
Cross has issued some tips
for facing the heat.
"High temperatures,
humidity and hot, in-
door environments can
quickly cause heat-related
emergencies," said Troy
Jenkins, Red Cross Health
& Safety training manager.
"Excessive heat can lead
to sunburn, heat cramps,
heat exhaustion and heat
stroke."
The Red Cross has some
simple steps to help beat
the heat:
• Never leave children
or pets alone in vehicles.
The temperature inside can
reach a dangerous level
within a few minutes.
• Drink more water than
usual - even if you're not
thirsty.
• Wear loose-fi tting,
lightweight, light-colored
clothing.
• Avoid working out-
doors; if you must do so,
take frequent breaks and
use the buddy system.
• Check on family,
friends and neighbors who
do not have air condition-
ing, who spend much of
their time alone, or who
are more likely to be af-
fected by the heat.
• If possible, bring
animals inside. If not,
frequently check to ensure
they are comfortable and
have water and a shady
place to rest.
• Community cooling
centers are available in
Portland metropolitan area.
Check with your local
county offi ce to locate
centers near you.
This weekend tempera-
tures are expected to reach
record highs, possibly in
the triple digits. And with
the increased heat, more
and more people will take
up swimming to cool
themselves off.
"Many people will fl ock
to local lakes, rivers, pools,
and the coast," says Brian
Hoffmeister, American
Red Cross aquatic special-
ist. "This year Oregon
has already experienced a
record number of drown-
ings. There are ways to
stay safe."
Helpful tips before rush-
ing to pool parties or rivers
and lakes this weekend:
• The water is cold. Cold
water can easily lead to
hypothermia and put even
strong swimmers in a dan-
gerous situation.
• Be careful around mov-
ing water which may be
much faster and stronger
than it appears. This can
swiftly push you down-
stream or exhaust strong
swimmers. Be honest with
yourself about your swim-
ming abilities.
• Look before you leap!
Don't blindly jump into
unfamiliar water. Under-
water obstacles can cause
signifi cant injury or death.
Always jump feet fi rst
especially this year with
severely low water levels.
• Never swim alone.
Always swim with others,
preferably in a supervised
or lifeguarded area.
• Wear a lifejacket. They
are simple to use and can
prevent most drowning
events. Make sure jackets
are properly fi tted and
contain a U.S. Coast Guard
Approved label.
* Know how to respond
to a water emergency.
Swimmers in distress need
help immediately; reach or
throw, don't go. Call 9-1-1.
Additional resources for
heat waves, and swimming
safely in lakes, rivers and
streams are available from
the American Red Cross.
The free Red Cross
Emergency App provides
instant access to expert
heat safety tips. Users also
have the option of receiv-
ing alerts for excessive
heat watches, warnings and
heat advisories.
The Red Cross Pet First
Aid App has steps pet
owners should take to help
keep their furry friends
safe during hot weather.
People can fi nd the apps in
their app store by search-
ing for American Red
Cross and at redcross.org/
apps.
People can learn how
to prevent and respond
to heat-related and other
emergencies by taking a
Red Cross First Aid and
CPR/AED or Advance
Child Care Training
course.
A variety of online
and in-class options are
available. Course and
registration information is
available at redcross.org/
takeaclass.
As the crowd applauded, Valerio said, “The original
idea was to make this one 40 feet tall, but we just didn’t
have enough money to make it happen. I just want to say
one more thing and that is sometimes you run into some
community members that make something different out
of a personal challenge. Because of the vision of Whit,
he was able to actually take a personal challenge and turn
it into an inspiration to many of us. So I’d really like to
recognize Whit for what he has done for all of us to make
us think in a bigger and better way.”
Deschner then addressed the crowd. “First off, I’d like
to take a moment or two of silence for all the artists that
we ate today.” Only a second later he said, “Okay, that’s
enough. Recently I had a friend up in Seattle call me. She
has Parkinsons, and she said, ‘Whit, you wouldn’t believe
this but these people that we know drove through Baker,
Oregon and they have a bronze salt lick down there
dedicated to Parkinson’s.’ I thought, well that’s great, it
just really spreads the word around. It’s very nice to have
a community that stands behind all of this. Thank you
very much. Thank you for coming today. Oh, one more
thing, I’d like you all to stick your head through the hole
please.”
Trucker found
dead at rest area
On June 19, 2015, at about 9:48 a.m., the Oregon
State Police Southern Dispatch Center received notifi -
cation that a commercial truck had been located at the
eastbound Deadman’s Pass rest area (I84 exit 228) for
about fi ve hours.
Another driver stopped and checked the commercial
truck, located a suicide note, and called police.
Oregon State Police Troopers from Pendleton responded
to the rest area. They were contacted by a subject who
was geocaching in the area and located the deceased
truck driver approximately 100 yards from his truck in a
wooded area. Evidence at the scene and evidence discov-
ered during the death investigation were consistent with
suicide as the cause of death.
The deceased was identifi ed as Guy S. Kravitz, age 51,
of Twin Falls, ID. The investigation is still continuing by
the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Offi ce.
Help is available for community members struggling
from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. Sui-
cide is preventable. If you or someone you know needs
help with suicidal thoughts or is otherwise in an immedi-
ate mental health crisis, please contact your local crisis
help resources.
In addition to local resources in your community, a toll
free line is available for Oregon Partnership Lifeline/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
(1-800-273-8255).
SUV catches air
in Hwy. 7 crash
On June 22 at about 08:17 hours, Deputy Eric Colton
responded to a motor vehicle crash that occurred on
Highway 7 near mile post 49 involving a dump truck/
dump trailer and a sport utility vehicle.
The Kenworth Dump truck received damage to the
driver front side and the Mercury Sport Utility Vehicle
was totaled with damage reaching all around the vehicle.
Prior to the crash, the dump truck had been operated by
Earlin Bennett Jr. (Baker) and the passenger car was oper-
ated by Mary Donald (La Grande.)
Both vehicles were traveling Southbound on Highway
7. Donald attempted to pass the Dump Truck while at the
same time, Bennett Jr. was making a left turn. Donald's
vehicle collided with the front tire of the dump truck and
was airborne for a short distance.
Donald's vehicle crashed into an ODOT sign post that
held a screen for the ODOT weigh scales. Bennett Jr.'s
turn signal was activated as he made the left turn. Bennett
Jr was not injured.
Donald received small facial cuts but denied medical
attention. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by
tow trucks and were off the roadway and didn't interfere
with routine traffi c.
Wicked
Ways
Masquerade Ball
HALLOWEEN NIGHT 2015
at the historic Geiser Grand
Tickets are just $20 each.
Buy yours today at the front desk of
The Geiser Grand Hotel or online at
www.theBakerCountyPress.com