CAREER: “What it’s like to be...” series
with veterinarian Brett Hamilton . PAGE 9
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LOCAL: Union Pacific builds new bridge in
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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
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