The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current, November 13, 2015, Image 3

The Baker County press., November 13, 2015, Page 3, Image 3

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Newspaper Page TextTHE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015 Business & Ag Albertsons bids on local Haggen CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Of the 95 Haggen stores for sale at auction in Ari- zona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, Albertsons (Albertsons, LLC) submitted bids for 36 Haggen stores, including four located in Oregon— Ashland, Baker City, Eugene and Springﬁeld. Of the four, the prop- erty in Baker City received the largest baseline bid, $300,000, followed by Ashland and Eugene, both at $200,000, and Spring- ﬁeld at mere $1. Baker County lists the Baker City building’s value at $2.8 million, $3.4 million including the land on which it sits. On January 30, AB Acquisition, LLC, the owner of Albertsons, LLC, merged with Safeway, Inc., acquiring all of Safeway’s outstanding shares. As a condition of the $9.2 billion merger, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ordered Albertsons and Safeway to sell 168 stores (146 acquired by Haggen) in eight states, in order to avoid violating antitrust regulations by creating monopolies in 130 dif- ferent markets, including Baker City. This was the largest USFS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Harvey introduced Montoya, who explained, “We’re here to talk about the draft forest plan for the Blue Mountains Forest. That includes the Wal- lowa-Whitman National Forest, of course.” He said that, while many were concerned about access, as South- worth explained, access wasn’t the sole focus of the meeting. Montoya said, “It’s an umbrella document (the Forest Plan Revision) that guides how we’re going to move forward with management. It’s a vision of where we want desired conditions for resources out there, and helps to guide those site-speciﬁc projects that many of you are probably most con- cerned about… Our plan is from 1990, so, 25 years has gone past. So, it’s a little outdated… I hope you all agree that now’s the time to move on with our forest plan, and build something that works for you all, the public.” Montoya went on to explain that he seeks solutions from the public regarding a better revision process, including better scientiﬁc data, and to put together a plan that works for everyone. “I don’t always agree with the way road den- sity is used, I’ll be honest with you,” Montoya said, addressing a topic that he said has caused concern among many individuals. He stated conﬂicts with analyzing road densities and resources, and he said it oftentimes doesn’t make sense to him. Addressing another is- sue, he’s heard the forest discussed as either in an “open” or “closed” state, and said, “Personally, I don’t think that kind of language paints the right FTC-ordered supermarket divestiture to date, accord- ing to the agency. Haggen acquired the former Baker City Alb- ertsons, converted it, and opened for business in mid-May this year. In all, Haggen grew from 18 stores with 16 pharma- cies to 164 stores with 106 pharmacies, and from 2,000 employees to more than 10,000. Albertsons sued Haggen for more than $41 mil- lion in damages on July 17, 2015, claiming that Haggen owed Albertsons for unpaid inventory, and, in response, Haggen sued Albertsons for more than $1 billion in damages on September 1, 2015, claiming that Albertsons engaged in efforts to eliminate competition, and made false representations to Haggen and the FTC. That Albertsons has been allowed to purchase the local Haggen store has caused some confusion, since the FTC had origi- nally ordered Albertsons to sell the store to Haggen, in order to break up what the agency saw as a monopoly with merged Albertsons and Safeway, which still resides directly across Campbell Street from the current Haggen store). “I think it’s a really unfortunate circumstance that the federal govern- ment (Federal Trade Commission, FTC) has, in typical form, decided we couldn’t have a monopoly with two stores, so, now, we have one (Safeway). The public will suffer with that. Lack of competi- tion is not a good thing, and, Baker’s right on the cusp of being big enough to support two or more, or, maybe not. But, then, the economy here is pretty soft,” said Greg Sackos, who owns the ground where the building sits, but in a contract arrangement, leases the building to Hag- gen through a company he manages, BTI II, LLC. “I think that the FTC was in error when they made them—I don’t think they thought about—you know, if you get rid of four gro- cery stores in Las Vegas, Nevada, that’s a whole lot different than getting rid of a store in Baker City, Or- egon. La Grande supports two very well. I would hate to see our people have to go to La Grande for buying food, basic items. I think that Haggen (Haggen Holdings, LLC), who’s controlled by Comvest (Comvest Haggen Hold- ings III, LLC, Comvest Haggen Holdings IV, LLC, and HHI Corp.), had this thing set up for failure. I think it’s inappropriate that Haggen has some of their entities in bankruptcy on the operating side, and they’ve got some of their companies on the property ownership side not into bankruptcy. It makes me wonder how that can even be.” Sackos made a reference to bankruptcy docu- ments which indicate, for example, that Haggen, Inc., Haggen Opco North, LLC, and Haggen Opco South, LLC are all listed as co-debtors, and Haggen Property South, LLC and Haggen Property North, LLC are listed as creditors, at the same Bellingham, Washington address. “I’m angry about what’s happening. I think it’s horrible, and, I hope that ultimately, they discover who is proﬁting by this. So, you can thank Alb- ertsons, in part. I think they’re complicit in this, as well. They went along with the program, and, who knows,” Sackos said. Haggen is slated for clo- sure sometime this month. Areas of the store, such as the periodicals and phar- macy have already closed down within the store. picture, folks. Your na- tional forests have always been open.” Though, he said there will be continu- ing debate and issues re- garding access for multiple uses. On the topic of multiple uses, he said that handi- capped access is also very important to him, but, “Legally speaking, an ATV is not a wheelchair, so, we simply cannot open every square mile of the national forests for ATVs, for disabled use.” Montoya’s heard strong opposition to the require- ment of designated routes, but, he has to follow guidelines he can’t himself change, he said. He’s impressed with the passion individuals have shown at previous meetings, for the love of the forest system, and for the stewardship that’s also been displayed, he said. Southworth handed the microphone to Wallowa County Commissioner Paul Castilleja. He said, “I think it’s important for all of us to know, that our forests are in bad shape… I think it’s time that we really take a really great look at what changes we want to have made, and, to make this happen…” He spoke about minimizing the time it takes to ac- complish goals, about the devastation from wildﬁres and disease, and said, “I can honestly say that, everybody here is taking a stand. Now, I’m going to be asking the Forest Service, that it’s time for you to take a stand.” Castilleja’s comments were followed by applause, which was to be repeated throught the meeting, after each speaker. Chuck Chase, Executive Director for the Eastern Oregon Mining Associa- tion (EOMA), said, “It’s a very key ingredient (open roads, including to min- ing resources). There’ve been too many closed roads in the Wallowa- Whitman. I’ve watched over the years—for the last 24 years—almost a reverse of the open policy of public land…” He said, without process, arbitrary road closings have been implemented, followed by a “Here, here,” by an attendee. Bobbie Danser, EOMA Treasurer, said, “I’d like to know, under that statute (unclear at the time), where does that enable you to designate routes, reduce road densities, obliterate roads, deny public access in any form, be it grazing, logging, mining, or other resource use. Give us the statute that you draw your authority from, for these heinous, anti-public actions that are being proposed.” Montoya responded that, under the Travel Manage- ment Rule of 2005, the USFS isn’t required to close roads, but rather, designate routes, depend- ing upon the different needs and uses. Danser said, “Rules are not stat- utes.” Christina Witham, with the local off-road 4x4 group Locked & Loaded, spoke about the economic beneﬁts regarding road access to the forest. Baker County Commis- sioner and rancher Mark Bennett said, “We need to protect our working land- scape, for multiple use. Not protect the landscape, but the working landscape. There’s a big difference there, if you think about that for a moment. We need to really value the community’s values, the customs of forest use, the culture, access, recreation. This puts together eco- nomic stability…It’s really said, when you look at what happened on Dooley Mountain…” Paraphras- ing explorer John Wesley Powell’s report to the U.S. Congress, Bennett said, “The most important decision on the landscape will be made by the local population.” Former Oregon Cattle- man’s Association (OCA) President and land owner John Hayes said, “You can waste all the ink you want to, push all the papers you want to, get everything going you want to do, but, until you get control of people like Oregon Natu- ral Desert (Association, or ONDA)…and creeps like that, that are out to do nothing more than kill the food chain of America, and, they’ve done a good job.” He said he lost his Burnt River area ranch in 2005 because of lack of USFS support, issues with claimed Canadian lynx habitat, and Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) litigation. Ron Carpenter men- tioned in all the years he’s traveled throughout the forest system, he hasn’t seen USFS personnel pick up any road trash, stating, “As far as I’m concerned, you guys have got a long way to go to get my vote.” Jan Alexander, EOMA Minerals Director, voiced issues with the USFS’s lack of partnership with Baker, Grant, Union, and Wallowa counties. She said, “We count. We’re important. But we sure don’t feel like it.” Ken Alexander, EOMA President, talked about the history of the 1897 Organic Act and the 1905 Forest Transfer Act. He said, “…the decisions were supposed to be made by the local people, and the forest was supposed to be used, and not just locked away. It’s absolutely for the use and beneﬁt of graz- ing, mining and logging, of the local people.” Leo Castillo, radio host and member of the Baker County Chapter of Oath- keepers, while explain- ing he had no animosity toward USFS personnel, discussed issues with sus- tainability of the national forests, the positive effects of the defeat of the Travel Management Plan in 2012, and waking up and assum- ing control of local lands again, because federal control doesn’t work. SEE USFS MEETING PAGE 8 — Weekly Hay Report — Friday, November 6, 2015 — Eastern Oregon Prices trended generally steady compared to week ago prices. Export sales have picked up slightly. Retail/Stable demand for all types of hay from Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Wasco counties con- tinues to be good. Many producers have decided to hold on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher prices. Snow has hit some of the hay producing areas. Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa — Large Square, Supreme 100 235.00-235.00 235.00 Alfalfa — Small Square, Premium 50 215.00-215.00 215.00 Alfalfa / Orchard Mix — Small Square, Premium 50 215.00-2150.00 2150.00 Alfalfa / Orchard Mix — Small Square, Premium 40 200.00-200.00 200.00 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 1,676 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 274.00 - 306.00 Top 315.00 400-500# Bulk 203.00 - 258.00 Top 265.00 500-600# Bulk 188.00 - 217.00 Top 218.50 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 221.00 - 254.00 Top 263.00 400-500# Bulk 173.00 - 196.00 Top 199.00 500-600# Bulk 171.00 - 194.00 Top 195.00 600-700# 700-800# 800-900# 900-1,000# Yearling Steers Bulk 161.00 - 190.00 Top 193.50 Bulk 151.00 - 179.00 Top 183.50 Bulk 151.00 - 163.00 Top 164.00 Bulk 143.00 - 150.00 Top 152.00 600-700# 700-800# 800-900# 900-1,000# Yearling Heifers Bulk 159.00 - 179.00 Top 183.75 Bulk 153.00 - 172.00 Top 176.00 Bulk 141.00 - 150.00 Top 152.00 Bulk 129.00 - 147.00 Top 148.00 Thin Shelly Cows 40.00 - 64.00 Butcher Cows 66.00 - 75.00 Butcher Bulls 78.00 - 94.00 Stock Cows Yng. 1375.00 - 1625.00 Younger Hfrts. 112.00 - 138.00 Stock Cows Older. - 980.00 - 1375.00 ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon Doug Fir is $415.00/mbf White ﬁr is $365.00/mbf Ponderosa Pine is brought sold on diameter splits 6 to 11 inch dib $300 to $310/MBF 12 to 17 inch dib $350 to $375/MBF 18 to 23 inch dib $400 to $430/MBF 24 inch plus dib $450 to $500/MBF DIB is diameter inside bark at small end of log. MBF is thousand board feet lumber, net scale. People interested in selling logs should call and get speciﬁc quotes from saw mills. Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1,087.60 Silver: $14.37 Platinum: $900.80 Palladium: $598.50 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $359.00/bu/USD Wheat: $490.75/bu/USD Soybeans: $855.50/bu/USD Oats: $226.50 bu/USD Rough Rice: $11.88/cwt/USD Canola: $468.00 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $129.30/lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $164.15/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $53.93/lb./USD Bloomberg.com