The Baker County press., March 04, 2016, Page 5, Image 5

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Local
County Commissioners
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 1
The BHS FFA team
presented its debate during
the segment Citizen Par-
ticipation. The members,
in pairs of two to three or
more, debated the pros and
cons of grazing, and wild-
fi re fuel reduction. Noting
the large amount of acre-
age burned during the 2015
wildfi re season, the team
focused on one element—
fuel—of the three elements
necessary for fi re—heat,
air, and fuel.
The issue of the preven-
tion of wildfi re to begin
with, via the reduction of
fuel—grass, shrubs, trees,
etc.—was emphasized by
the team, including the
pros and cons of livestock
grazing, and targeted graz-
ing.
The minutes from the last
regular session, Wednes-
day, February 17, 2016,
were approved, with a
motion from Bennett, and
a second from Kerns. Har-
vey introduced to Lindsey
to attendees.
Smith provided a Road
Department update, and
said, “Budget-wise, we’re
in pretty good shape.”
He discussed issues
with SRS (Secure Rural
Schools) funding, stating
that there needs to be a
more permanent, secure,
long-term funding plan.
Other details Smith
mentioned are that the
Halfway and Richland
areas had been hit heavily
with winter snow, which
the Department has been
working hard to clear from
the roads; the Department
is in the process of hiring
a new mechanic; and, the
Department’s equipment is
in good shape currently.
Carpenter discussed a
2016 STF (Special Trans-
portation Fund) Discretion-
ary Funds Grant applica-
tion. According to the
application, the purpose
of the STF Discretionary
Program “...is to provide a
fl exible, coordinated, reli-
able and continuing source
of revenue in support of
transportation services for
people who are senior and
people with disabilities of
any age.”
The stated purpose of the
project is to “...retrofi t one
transit bus, four cutaway
buses, and three minivans
with appropriate cameras
which will face forward,
back, toward the passen-
ger entry door, and at the
wheelchair lift, as needed
for each style of bus. It
will also purchase the
necessary monitoring hard-
ware and software, as well
as installation and training
costs.”
The total estimated proj-
ect cost is $27,000. The
application was approved,
with a motion from Ben-
nett, and a second from
Kerns.
Carpenter also discussed
a Regional Vanpool
Development Proposal,
prepared by Northeast Or-
egon Public Transit for the
Board of Commissioners
of both Union, and Baker
Counties.
According to the docu-
ment, the project would
allow groups of fi ve people
or more to ride share,
resulting in signifi cant
savings in fuel, insurance,
maintenance, and other
operating costs.
Citing the need for more
research into details of the
project, the decision was
made to continue the dis-
cussion to the next, regular
session, on Wednesday,
March 16, 2016, with a
motion from Bennett, and a
second from Kerns.
Addendum No. 1 to
a Professional Services
Agreement, between Baker
County, and St. Luke’s
Regional Medical Cen-
ter, Ltd., for a Mid-Level
Provider, for the School
Based Health Center, and
Addendum #1 to a Profes-
sional Services Agreement,
between Baker County,
and St. Alphonsus Medi-
cal Center-Baker City, for
a Mid-Level Provider, for
the School Based Health
Center, were approved,
with a motion from Ben-
nett, and a second from
Kerns. Both contracts
include the term of January
Todd Arriola/ The Baker County Press
Gary Dielman objected again to prayer/invocation again at a County
Commissioners’ session this week.
31, 2016, through June
30, 2016, with payment
from the County to each
contractor, at the rate of
$55 per hour.
Dielman began the topic
of the Invocation before
Commission sessions, by
stating that he has an issue
with, according to him,
the seemingly one-sided,
Christian prayer Harvey
recites before each session,
prior to the Pledge of Al-
legiance. Dielman says this
invocation is unconstitu-
tional, and excludes other
religions.
He said, “You know my
position is, because, I’ve
provided you with plenty
of written information.”
He went on to discuss a
program produced by the
Oregon Public Broadcast
System in January as
part of Oregon Experi-
ence detailing the lives of
people of Jewish descent
in Oregon, and specifi cally
Baker County.
Dielman provided infor-
mation for the program,
including historical docu-
ments, and photos, about
the “... Jews in Oregon,”
he said, and he explained
some details regarding the
program, and of experi-
ences here. “I mention this,
because the Jews don’t
believe in Jesus Christ,
and my objection is that
you say, ‘In Jesus’ name,
I pray.’ So it’s a Christian
prayer, and I don’t stand
for it because, it is discrim-
inatory... I’ve never seen
you poll your audience,
to fi nd out the religious
beliefs, of anybody who
might be sitting there ...”
Dielman, who stood for
the Pledge of Allegiance,
but not the Invocation prior
to this session, said he
was singled out as a non-
Christian because he did
not stand, and he said that
prayers should be given
with attendees all seated to
prevent discrimination.
Harvey noted the lack of
Dielman’s presence at most
of the previous Commis-
sion sessions, and said,
“You asked us to change
the order, which we did
(Harvey had initially begun
sessions with the Pledge
of Allegiance, then the
Invocation, but, changed
the order per Dielman’s
request) ... You actually
complained again, stating
that we hadn’t, and yet,
you’ve never been her to
actually see it...I really
don’t think I’ve singled
anyone out ...”
Noting that Martin had
previously spoken about
the issue, having stated to
the Commissioners that
the Board isn’t violating
the law, Harvey said, “I
exercise that (freedom of
religion), and I’m thank-
ful for that because I don’t
have to leave it at the door
when I come in here to do
my job.”
The discussion, heated
at times, continued, and
Dielman asked Bennett and
Kerns where they stand on
the issue and why prayer
is included as part of the
sessions.
SEE COUNTY
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