CAREER: “What it’s like to be...” series with veterinarian Brett Hamilton . PAGE 9 The LOCAL: Union Pacific builds new bridge in Baker City. PAGE 12 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, September 4, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 36 Bennett meets with Governor, Secretary of Ag • BAKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER TRAVELS TO PORTLAND, DISCUSSES FIRES, SAGE-GROUSE BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com Baker County Com- missioner Mark Bennett attended a meeting in Portland on Thursday afternoon, August 27th, to discuss with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Governor Kate Brown and others, the topics of the Greater Sage-Grouse and the effects wildfi res have had on eastern Oregon. Bennett, who was invited to the meeting mainly because of his years of experience addressing Sage-Grouse issues, said, “The Governor listened to our concerns about the Sage-Grouse, and that’s going to be a long, unfold- ing process. The Secretary announced, primarily, that there are going to be additional funds—$200 million—for the 11 states that have Sage-Grouse, for ranchers, to assist them with conservation strate- gies that improve the Sage- Grouse.” He gave examples of those strategies, such as addressing the issues of invasive weeds and juniper trees. He said, “There’s going to be more of an emphasis by the BLM (Bureau of Land Manage- ment) and the (U.S.) Forest Service on fi res that are impacting Sage-Grouse areas.” Bennett said that, long- term, there will be a slight de-emphasis regarding juniper treatments, as more is removed, and more of a focus on invasive species like grasses, and “improv- ing the sagebrush,” a term Bennett heard mentioned, which he stated could use more clarity. SEE GOVERNOR PAGE 10 Submitted Photo. Baker County Commissioner Mark Bennett while on site at the El Dorado fi re near his property. Sumpt er holds ‘emergency’ meeting • NEW HEAD OF COUNCIL APPOINTED BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com Sumpter City Council held a brief Emergency Meeting Friday evening, August 28th. The meeting was called to add and remove signers to all accounts, elect a new Head of Council, and review Letters of Intent from those inter- ested in serving on Council. About sixteen people attended the meeting, including Commissioner Bill Harvey and wife Lorrie, Sheriff Travis Ash and deputy Rich Kirby. In addition, City Council- ors LeAnne Woolf, Ann Oakley, and City Recorder Julie McKinney were present. Submitted Photo. SEE SUMPTER CITY COUNCIL PAGE 8 A truck and dozer owned by McKinney Trucking, alongside a weed washer and water tender truck. Cutting the fire breaks • A LOOK AT ONE COMPANY WORKING DURING FIRE SEASON BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com While aerial retardant drops and yellow-shirted hand crews may certainly be two irreplaceable—and also the most visible—as- pects of any wildland fi re- fi ghting effort, behind the scenes another integral part of the effort literally dozes ahead, largely unsung. That part is the heavy equipment operator. For Jerry McKinney and Paula Sawyer of McKin- ney Trucking, driving and operating a dozer to cut fi re lines becomes a way of life for three months of the year. Friday Saturday Sunday “We did construction and wanted to add another branch,” McKinney said. “So we did.” The company provides an ‘86 pumper truck, but primarily a dozer and transport to wildfi res. Registered as an in- dependent contractor to the Vale Dispatch Center of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), McKinney said, “We’ve been doing construction forever—at least 15 years. We’ve been fi ghting fi re for the past fi ve or six.” This year, McKinney and Sawyer have been on the Bendire, Lesley Gulch, Ship Rock, Owyhee and Lime Hill fi res. McKinney, whose com- pany is based in Ontario, grew up in Bridgeport and graduated from Burnt River High School in Unity. Mostly sunny with a chance of afternoon show- ers/storms. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Low near 40 at night. Sawyer is also known to most in Baker City as the owner of The Flower Box. While McKinney is on site in the dozer, Sawyer drives the “chase rig.” She explained, “It’s loaded with dozer fuel and I fol- low him around in it. He doesn’t need to leave with the cat—we can fuel up on the spot.” McKinney says fi re season typically begins mid-June and continues through August. “This year is a little dif- ferent,” he said. Added Sawyer, “It’s been pretty active. Last year, we did do 14 days straight at the Crane fi re, though.” As Sawyer explained, during the fi re season, in- dependent contractors wait for “the call” to come. SEE FIRE BREAKS PAGE 5 Chance for a lingering shower, otherwise mostly sunny. Chance of precipitation is 20%, highs in the lower 70s. Partly cloudy and cool, lows near 40. • BHS BOILER NEEDS REPLACED SOONER THAN EXPECTED, SRO TO START IN FALL BY BRIAN ADDISON Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com Submitted Photo. Paula Sawyer. Submitted Photo. Jerry McKinney. Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County. Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Mostly sunny skies with highs in the mid 60s. Partly cloudy with a chance for an overnight shower. Lows in the upper 30s, chance of precipitation is 20%. Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. McKim resigns from 5J School Board Four members of the Baker School District Board of Directors, chairperson Kevin Cassidy, Andrew Bryan, Chris Hawkins, and Melissa Irvine attending via tele- phone, accepted the resignation of fellow board member Richard McKim. McKim vacates his position on the board with about two years remaining on his term to accept a job with the Veteran’s Health Administration in Roseburg, Ore. McKim was not in attendance at the Aug. 27 board meeting but had his resignation letter read: “I will be relocating out of the area to a position with the Veteran’s Health Administration. Therefore, I will be resigning from the 5J School Board immediately. It has been a pleasure to serve, and you will be missed.” SEE SCHOOL BOARD PAGE 8 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE HBC holds second plug-in meeting NRAC chair discusses coordination Commissioners take heat for hiring Eagle fi re still threatens cabins Mosquitos test positive for West Nile Water leak on Court Avenue Page Page Page Page Page Page 3 4 5 7 7 9