LOCAL: Blue Mountain Translator District
discusses flat fee, OPB. PAGE 8
The
LOCAL: Sam-O Swim Committee goes over
repairs, pool projects ahead. PAGE 7
Baker County Press
TheBakerCountyPress.com
75¢
All local. All relevant. Every Friday.
Friday, March 11, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 11
Geiser Grand to offer real
ranch experiences to guests
• HOTEL’S REAL
ADVENTURES
EXPANDS
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Geiser Grand Hotel
on Main Street has just
fi nished expanding its pre-
vious “Real Adventures”
packages, which have been
offered to guests for quite
some time.
Now, travelers to Baker
City have a chance to
visit local area ranches and
experience fi rsthand what
Baker County ag life is all
about.
Said Geiser Grand
owner, Barbara Sidway,
“We’ve been offering this
Real Adventures program
since the Hotel re-opened
in 1998. We developed
it to enable our guests to
access the rich and varied
experiences that are avail-
able here in the Baker Val-
ley. It’s called concierge
service in big city hotels.
We do it, at no charge,
for our guests because
we deeply believe in the
quality of what we offer
here, and know that when
we share it, our guests are
delighted.”
The new Grand Ranch
Experience shares ranch-
ing culture and heritage.
Guests will get to know
what life’s like on a real
ranch, and how agriculture
really works while they
meet local ranchers and
farmers.
Available activities vary
with the seasons, with
all locations less than an
hour’s drive from Baker
City.
Proceeds of $39 per per-
son, for a two or three-hour
visit, go to the cowboys,
farmers and ranchers; no
tipping needed.
Submitted Photo
SEE REAL ADVENTURES
PAGE 3
The Geiser Grand on Main Street.
Baker County goes to
Idaho Sportsman Show
State
dismisses
911 Call
Center ethics
complaint
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On February 26, 2016, the Oregon Government Ethics
Commission (OGEC) ruled that they “did not fi nd cause
to proceed with an investigation” regarding an ethics
complaint fi led against former interim Baker County 911
Dispatch Center Director Jerry Boyd.
Boyd, the former call center director, was brought back
in an advisory capacity last spring, then served in an in-
terim director position during the search for a permanent
director, which occurred during the winter.
Boyd also serves as Reserve Commander for the Baker
City Police Department.
The claim was fi led December 17 by Dispatch Center
employee, Jessica Lynch. A preliminary review com-
pleted on January 14 recommended dismissal of the
complaint at that time—a recommendation that was made
offi cial last Friday.
Lynch contended that Boyd had violated use of offi ce
and nepotism provisions outlined under Oregon Ethics
Law after his daughter, Ruthie Boyd, was promoted to a
full-time Dispatcher position.
Eileen Driver / The Baker County Press
Dan Mitchell and Barbara Jo Stacy behind counter at the sportsmans show in Boise.
BY EILEEN DRIVER
Eileen@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Nonprofi t and for profi t-groups from all over Baker
County showed up to encourage visitors at the Idaho
Sportsman Show to plan their vacations in Eastern Or-
egon.
The Sportsman Show was held March 3-6 at Expo
Idaho located at 5610 N Glenwood St, Garden City,
Idaho and hosts the Idaho State Elk Calling Contest, a
kids archery shoot and seminars on fi shing, hunting, and
boating.
Also on display are boats, RVs, ATVs as well as the lat-
est hunting, fi shing, and camping equipment.
With thousands of people walking through the expo
during the four days of it being open, the Baker County
Booth, sponsored by the Baker County Tourism Commis-
ion, was able to reach many people who were not aware
of all that Baker County has to offer.
On hand Friday night was Dan Mitchell of Richland
who is an avid fi sherman, Ari Sharp of Newbridge and
Steve Sharp, a rancher from Richland, Barbara Jo Stacy,
caretaker and park manager of Hewitt Holcomb Park,
Allan Driver, President of the Huntington Lion’s Club,
and Betty Tamburello, secretary Huntington Chamber of
Commerce.
Crowds of people stopped by the Baker County booth
Friday
Mostly cloudy with rain showers. Chance of
precipitation is 60%. Highs in the low 50s. Lows
in the mid 30s.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a chance for rain showers.
Chance of precipitation is 40%. Highs in the low
50s. Lows in the mid 30s.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a chance for rain showers.
Chance of precipitation is 20%. Highs near 50.
Lows near the freezing mark.
to hear about the 14th Annual Panfi sh Tournament in
Richland held June 4th during Oregon’s free fi shing
weekend.
Sharp explained to all that the proceeds from the tour-
nament go toward “Creating Memories”—a group that
enables handicapped children to enjoy the great outdoors
by taking them fi shing and camping. They can be reached
at www.creatingmemories.com.
Also a big draw at the booth was the Huntington Lion’s
Club Annual Catfi sh Derby held Memorial Weekend,
May 27-30 with a grand prize of $500 for the biggest
catfi sh of the weekend and the Catfi sh Cookoff on Satur-
day, May 28th where people can sample different ways of
cooking and eating the fi sh they catch.
More information on these events can be found at www.
visithuntingtonor.org.
Also available in the booth were brochures, maps and
information on events, trails, fi shing, hunting and camp-
ing in all areas of Baker County. From the Sumpter
Dredge to the Wallowa-Whitman national forest, from the
Geiser Grand Hotel to the Hells Canyon Adventure Boat
Tours, the Baker County area was talked about to all who
would listen.
According to Timothy Bishop of Baker County Tour-
ism Commision, “The more people we talk to about the
wonders of Baker County the more who will come and
experience it for themselves.”
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
SEE ETHICS COMPLAINT PAGE 5
Interim
Budget
Board meets
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On March 2 a gathering together of the newly appointed
budget committee members, new City Councilors and
seasoned veterans from the budget board committee,
Councilors and staff came together in a meeting giving an
overview of what to expect in upcoming budget meetings.
Mayor Mosier called the meeting to order welcoming
those who were in attendance and advising that she had
asked City Manager Mike Kee to provide everyone with
a copy of the Councils Goals that they had come up with
because as Mosier stated, “I would like everyone to keep
these in mind as we review our budget. I believe our bud-
get should refl ect our goals. Our goals refl ect our values.
So this is the time to keep in mind what it is we are trying
to pay for.”
SEE BUDGET BOARD PAGE 12
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
County work session: Finances
Sumpter Council hears reports
City Manager to stay extra month
First Friday: Timber and Events
Large number of PCPs fi le for offi ce
Crossroads to swap art
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
3
5
9
10
10
12