10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
Local
Gold Rush to film in Baker County 5J School
Board meets
Sunny Werner / The Baker County Press
Sophia Hanson, 3rd grade Student of the Quarter,
receiving her award from 5J chair Kevin Cassidy
with Brooklyn principal Gwen O’Neal and teacher
Angela Wilson.
BY SUNNY WERNER
Sunny@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Submitted Photo.
The Gold Rush guys visited a bit with former Truck Corral employee Shelley Jampolsky at that establish-
ment after a meeting there will Phillip Wirth.
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 1
Location, location,
location.
The new location itself
is a claim with which most
Burnt River residents
are familiar, located just
around the bend from
Ann Racey’s home, and
somewhere up the hill
toward Dooley on the other
side of Highway 245 from
Boone Sullivan’s ranch in
Hereford.
Decades back, a local
miner named Sam Drefs—
“Seldom Seen Sam” ac-
cording to the late Andrew
Racey—was notorious for
disappearing for weeks in
the area of that sagebrush-
laden claim, returning to
town with pockets full of
gold flakes.
The gold was then sold
via the local post of-
fice in Baker City where
employee Gilbert Jones,
now deceased, recounted
that Drefs would always
respond, “Sam knows,”
when asked where he’d
found his treasure.
Flash forward to today,
and the primary claim in
that area is now owned by
the Wirth family.
Jan Alexander of Unity
tackled some of the oner-
ous state permitting
process for the Wirths’
Western Mine Develop-
ment, LLC, and attested to
the value of the claim.
“There is good gold
there, and the program I
watched last night was
right on as far as values.
I wish them lots of luck
and sure am hoping having
the show filmed here will
help the economy of Baker
County,” Alexander said.
“We tested that mine
during the last episode,”
Hoffman said. “We got
good gold there but less
overburden to move. So
it’ll be a smaller, more
meticulous production than
up in the Klondike. This
will be more like a treasure
hunt.”
Wirth said that episode
featured his two sons, Wil-
liam, 24, and Jared, 22.
“They’ve been work-
ing hand-in-hand with me
since they were little kids,”
Wirth said. “They’ve
farmed and ranched—and
mined. Like most kids who
grow up that way, they
can operate just about any
piece of equipment there
is.”
According to Hoffman,
historical records show a
700-ounce quartz and gold
nugget was once removed
from that claim, but miners
eventually broke it up into
smaller pieces.
While the “Gold Rush”
crew has no specific goal
this coming season in
terms of ounces, Hoffman
said he would love to un-
cover a 100-ounce nugget.
The Wirth family also
owns a second claim, The
Buckland, a few miles
down the road in Bridge-
port, up Clark’s Creek to
be precise.
The property, a split-es-
tate situation, is owned by
the Elliot Ranch of Bridge-
port with the mineral
rights in possession of the
Wirths. A conditional use
permit application has been
submitted to the County,
asking for approval for po-
tential housing on that site
for up to 30 individuals.
The production and
economy.
Many locals are won-
dering when exactly film-
ing will begin and end. The
production company for
the show wrote in an email
via their public relations
representatives at the Dis-
covery Channel, “It’s too
early to tell. But we envi-
sion that each one of the
main episodes will feature
Todd in Baker County.”
Around 20 crew mem-
bers are expected relocate
to the area to be on site in
Hereford, as well as a pos-
sible base in Baker City.
Said Commissioner
Bennett, “The production
is an exciting economic
opportunity for the county
and the community. Pur-
chasing vehicles, supplies,
equipment and services.
Most importantly hiring
approximately 70 staffers
at family wage salaries.
This infusion of dollars
will result in a multiplier
effect of seven times the
expenditure into our local
economy. While the initial
production is slated for
approximately six months,
we have the potential for a
multi-year opportunity to
showcase the county.”
A Discovery Channel
representative also said
that production manage-
ment plans to hire locally
for several positions, but
was unable to specify the
type at this early date.
Hoffman corroborated
that statement. “We’ll be
hiring locals,” he said.
“Bringing in tourism will
have a definite impact in
Baker County.”
When asked what kind of
impact in terms of dollars,
Hoffman said, “In the mil-
lions—if we can make it a
success.”
Hoffman pointed to sig-
nificant economic growth
in the areas where other
seasons were shot.
Another member of the
production stressed the
desire to “put the money”
into the Burnt River area
and around the County
in finding housing there,
promoting tourism, etc.
For those wondering
whether their favorite min-
er will return for the Baker
County season, Hoffman
said simply, “Most of my
guys will be back.”
Hoffman believes filming
in Baker County will be
more visually appealing
than the Klondike for pur-
poses of cinematography.
“It’s much prettier in
Oregon than the Klond-
ike—it can’t hold a candle
to Oregon,” he said. “We
are so looking forward to
bringing some economic
development to the area.”
Hoffman also pointed
out, “We were nominated
for a reclamation award for
the Klondike last year. We
worked hard for that and
have a very good history
environmentally.”
Hoffman said they won
first runner-up, and intend
to apply those same recla-
mation skills next season.
The future.
Hoffman stressed that
the future of “Gold Rush”
in Baker County is largely
dependent on the reaction
of the community.
“We’re pretty low key,”
Hoffman said. “We’re all
about faith in Jesus and
our families. This doesn’t
mean we’re perfect, but
to be able to come home
here is far better for our
families.”
While production plans
past this coming season are
largely unknown, Hoffman
did say there is a possibil-
ity, as Bennett mentioned,
for more than one season
to happen in Baker County,
depending on whether a
number of variables line
up.
“We’re looking forward
to working with the com-
munity,” Hoffman con-
cluded.
The cast of “Gold Rush”
is already tentatively
scheduled to appear at the
Wicked Ways Masquerade
Ball on October 29, 2016
at the Geiser Grand. Tick-
ets will go on sale for that
event this spring with up-
dates posted on The Baker
County Press Facebook
page and web site.
Should this season of
“Gold Rush” be a suc-
cess for the local area, it
could turn into, well—an
economic gold mine.
“I’m so excited to see
the show come to Baker
County and bring its gold-
rich history back to life,”
said Wirth. “It’s what we
were founded on here.”
Baker County GOP banquet
planned for March 19
The Baker County Re-
publican Party will hold its
annual banquet featuring
Congressman Greg Walden
on Saturday, March 19th
at the Elks Lodge in Baker
City.
Tickets for the prime rib
dinner are on sale now and
can be purchased through
any Republican precinct
committee person.
Tickets are also on sale at
Tom Van Diepen Insurance
Agency on 10th Street in
Baker City.
State Representative
Cliff Bentz will be in at-
tendance.
As this is an election
year candidates from local
Baker County races and
statewide races will also be
in attendance.
Come join the group for
a fun evening of conserva-
tive politics. There will be
door prizes, silent auction
items and oral auction.
The oral auction will be
performed by Mib Dailey
and Congressman Walden
who always brings inter-
esting items of his own to
donate.
Social hour begins at
6:00 p.m. and a prime rib
dinner begins at 7:00 p.m.
Deadline for purchas-
ing tickets is Wednesday,
March 16th.
No tickets will be sold at
the door.
For more information,
call Suzan Ellis Jones,
541-519-5035.
Tickets are $35 per
person.
The regular meeting of the 5J School Board was opened
with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Student of the Quarter from Brooklyn Elementary,
Sophia Hanson, was presented by her teacher, Angela
Wilson. Wilson explained to the assembly that Sofia is “a
great example of perseverance and internal drive.”
BHS Promise Student of the Month Koby Hansen
could not attend and will be recognized next month.
Both FFA and FBLA have qualified to go to State.
Wrestling is also going to State.
The District Championship game for girls was in La
Grand. District Championship for boys was at home.
The volunteer help with the parking management for
the District games has been tremendously helpful.
The Meeting Agenda was approved. The Minutes of the
January 21 and the February 2nd Executive Session were
approved.
Information.
The Working Groups who report to the Superintendent
are: OSEA Negotiations—Chris Hawkins and Kevin
Cassidy; Calendar—Melissa Irvine and Autumn Harrell;
Facilities Master Planning—Kevin Cassidy and Autumn
Harrell; Baker Technical Institute—Andrew Bryan and
Kevin Cassidy; BEA Negotiations—Chris Hawkins and
Melissa Irvine.
Second Reading of Policies for Web Academy Sup-
port.
According to Melissa Irvine, there have been “lots of
changes and organizing taking place.” Scheduling issues
have precluded some meetings from taking place.
Andrew Bryan stated, “2017 will be a major year for
the Web Academy.
Superintendent Witty explained, “Baker is doing inno-
vative work. Not all web academies are equal to Baker’s.”
Superintendent’s Report.
Witty’s report included “the need to get meetings orga-
nized to make the planning productive.”
Witty went on to explain, “ Long-term planning needs
to be included, and the Budget Board members must be
involved all the way through the process.”
Summer Academy teachers and community partners
are already involved in deciding which classes should be
offered. Witty went on to explain that “much delibera-
tion and input from staff, community, School Board and
Administration is needed regarding the proposed Calen-
dar. The Calendar must be completed to allow secondary
decisions to be made.”
The Assistant Superintendent, Betty Palmer, presented
her report to the Board. Palmer said that benchmark test-
ing was beginning now, with a follow-up in March.
Palmer also described some of the activities in which
the instructors have been involved. “Curriculum Associ-
ates has trained 20 teachers in analysis. We had K through
12 grade teachers involved; they actually took the same
tests the kids take,” she said.
Palmer explained that instructional staff are being sent
to various conferences and trainings.
She said, “Educators need 75 professional credit units
each time they reapply for licensure—these trainings help
our teachers obtain relicensure.”
CFO Doug Dalton informed the Board, “Budget plan-
ning needs to be in first draft form by March.” Dalton
explained the reasons, including the fact that school staff
need to be able to begin their planning for the coming
school year. Dalton said Baker 5J has a 28-million-
dollar budget. Dalton went on to inform the Board that
“property taxes are in, and the District is in good shape.”
Dalton explained the summer school program already has
grant funds dedicated. Further budget reporting covered
the Seismic Grant, which was submitted December 31.
Dalton hopes to hear results by March.
An engineering service company has been hired. They
have produced all the documentation regarding their dis-
trict-wide engineering audit. The company has installed
data recording equipment at the High School and Baker
Technical Institute welding shop.
All deadlines are being met and the engineering facts
will be collected by March 10, 2016.
Baker Technical Institute has been selected as “Success
of Eastern Oregon.” The Institute has been working with
WorkSource Oregon to pre-screen applicants, some of
whom are then having their tuition paid by the Training
Consortium. Behlen Corporation will be hiring some of
these students upon their graduation.
Finally, Laurel Calaway was hired as BHS Assistant
Track Coach.
As reported last week, Ben Merrill will leave as prin-
cipal of the high school and take a new position at Eagle
Cap.