10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
Local
Timber, events on minds of County work
public at First Friday
session
BY TODD ARRIOLA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The monthly First Friday
with the Commissioner,
hosted by County Com-
mission Chair Bill Harvey,
was held last Friday at 9
a.m., in the Commission
Chambers of the Baker
County Courthouse.
Joining Harvey for the
informal meeting were
Baker County Chamber
of Commerce and Visitors
Bureau Executive Director
Shelly Cutler, Bill Bishop,
Ed Hardt, Ken Anderson,
Chuck Chase, Bobbie Dan-
ser, Tork and Wanda Bal-
lard, and Arvid Andersen.
The meeting began with
an announcement from
Danser that she has a peti-
tion for which she’s gather-
ing signatures, in order to
place a referendum on the
election ballot for No-
vember, “...to force the leg-
islature to quit putting all
of these emergency clauses
on all the bills,” she said.
Danser received several
signatures post-meeting,
in the Courthouse parking
area.
Anderson said, “I’m
wondering what’s hap-
pening, in regard to our
(government-to-govern-
ment) coordination...
Have you heard anything
back, from your letter?”
Harvey regularly sends
letters, to representatives
of the United States Forest
Service (USFS), and the
Bureau of Land Manage-
ment (BLM), regarding the
County’s firm stance as a
coordinating entity, and the
agencies’ need to follow
policies and regulations.
Harvey responded that
he hasn’t heard much in
return, but he’ll keep com-
municating.
Chase said, “John
Day’s got a long way to
go,” speaking about the
lack of government-to-
government coordination,
and other issues, including
the apparent adoption of
an ordinance banning all
militia groups, according
to Chase.
Hardt spoke about an
article in the New York
Times, which he said
included the term “militia,”
to describe the Oath Keep-
ers, but the group does not
refer to itself as such.
Chase, referring to
the group the Three (III)
Percenters, which he said
is a militia group, said,
“You know, there’s noth-
ing wrong with a militia,
it’s in the Constitution...
There was nothing they did
wrong over there (during
the occupation at the Mal-
heur National Wildlife Ref-
uge, in Harney County).”
Wanda said, “You know,
Tork and I talked about
this—trying to bring about
change, and, get a voice
about the overreach of the
Federal government. They
(occupiers of the refuge)
didn’t burn anything down,
they didn’t break out win-
dows... The injustice is so
blatant, and it’s still going
on...”
Cutler arrived early
during the meeting, and
Harvey introduced her to
attendees.
She said, “I’ve been in
Baker for about six years.
I got a job at the hospital ...
I got laid off out there, and
I applied for the Chamber
... I was from the Treasure
Valley ... I always looked
out over this way, and
said, ‘Gosh, wouldn’t it be
great to live there? What a
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
Chamber Director Shelly Cutler (right center) addresses those who gathered for
First Friday.
beautiful place...’”
Anderson spoke about
issues with the perception
of mining, and said, “Most
of the mining companies
feel that Oregon is so green
(a reference to the environ-
mentalist movement), and
anti-mining, that they’re a
little reluctant to jump in
here, and take hold, and,
so, this is a battle we’re
fighting right now...”
Anderson spoke about
the need to explore mineral
deposits locally, noting
the back side of the Blue
Mountains specifically.
Andersen questioned An-
derson about an open-pit
mine, regarding restora-
tion, feasibility, bond
issues, etc., and Anderson
said, “Miners don’t mind
environmentalist controls,
if they’re reasonable, but,
we’ve come to the point
where, they get so carried
away, they’re hard to live
with... Oregon is tighter
than almost any other
State...”
Andersen said, “I really
appreciate you doing that,”
referring to Anderson’s
efforts, related to mining,
and mining issues.
Cutler, the new Chamber
Executive Director, said
she’s been working in
that position for 60 days.
She said the Chamber
plans to be more involved
with community projects,
including resuming its po-
sition as the organizational
head of Miners’ Jubilee in
the near future, and revital-
izing the event, because
the Chamber has organized
the event in the past (The
Baker City Herald cur-
rently has that role).
Cutler also said that the
Chamber will be assisting
with the Bulls ‘n Broncs
event, and organizing the
Relay for Life this year.
Relay for Life is sched-
uled for June 10, 2016, at
Geiser-Pollman Park, 6
p.m. to midnight, she said.
She said the Cham-
ber is working with the
Baker Heritage Museum
to host events in 2017,
and/or 2018, to celebrate
the 50-year anniversary
of the movie “Paint Your
Wagon,” which was filmed
in Baker County.
Danser mentioned
asking Clint Eastwood to
attend, and Cutler said,
“We’re going to ask every-
one who participated.”
Cutler said the Chamber
is assisting with organiza-
tion of the Hells Canyon
Motorcycle Rally this year.
She said that the Bulls
‘n Broncs event may be
moved to Haines next
year, because the area
near the Army National
Guard Armory in Baker
City, where the event’s
beer garden (a significant
source of revenue) and live
music bands have been
normally located, is being
developed.
Bishop, after thank-
ing Harvey for the open
forum setting of First
Friday meetings, said, “I’m
wondering, where are the
younger advocates going to
come from?” in reference
to issues with recruiting
younger people for posi-
tions in membership, and
leadership, including those
of the American Legion
Post #41, in Baker City, in
danger of losing its charter,
due to inactivity.
Harvey noted that he
now hosts First Thursday,
and First Friday meetings.
“We tried a new forum last
night (Thursday at 6 p.m.),
because, one newspaper in
the County said that I don’t
make myself available
enough, which is amazing
... They weren’t there...
Much of the criticism I get
from newspapers—not all
of the papers, but some—is
on topics they never come
to find out the facts on ...”
Tork prompted a fur-
ther discussion regarding
coordination, and a recent
meeting in Prineville, at
which Harvey spoke to a
crowd of over 70. Tork
said, “It sounded like it
was super successful.”
Harvey expressed his
frustration with the terms
“collaboration,” and
“cooperation,” referencing
issues with government-to-
government partnerships
in Harney County, as an
example. In response to
Harney County’s political
processes, he said, “How
do you folks get used to
the splinters in your butts,
from riding the fence all
the time?”
Danser prompted a dis-
cussion about salvage and
danger tree logging, during
which Harvey said that he
is emphasizing the return
of logging mills, and that
the USFS and the BLM are
both working on timber
sales. He said that danger
trees are being removed in
the Dooley Mountain area,
and that timber in addition
to a 500-acre USFS sale,
and a 250-acre BLM sale,
are being pursued.
He mentioned that the
County, and the BLM, are
working on a potential
future timber sale, of up to
5,000 acres (collectively,
from different parcels).
Hardt, prompted by
Creighton’s mention of
a discussion during last
Wednesday’s regular Com-
mission session, said, “It
was an open meeting...
Gary Dielman (a former
City Council member)
came in, condemning Bill
(Harvey) for having prayer
(before the sessions)...”
Bishop mentioned how
he, and other pastors, had
taken turns with prayer
at different City Coun-
cil meetings, and while
Bishop waited for his turn
to recite his prayer once,
Dielman sat next to him,
displaying the yellow Star
of David on his clothing,
one of the symbols Jew-
ish people were forced to
wear as a form of identity,
in Nazi Germany (Jewish
people also wore it as a
symbol of defiance against
Nazi antisemitism).
Dielman left the build-
ing during the prayer, and
returned once it concluded.
Bishop said to Dielman
at a later point, “ ‘Gary,
you know, we have a court
system. You need to take
your concerns about that
into court.’ He knew he
couldn’t win in court—he
was just being Gary.”
Creighton said to Har-
vey, “What authority do
they (USFS and BLM law
enforcement) have over us,
on County roads?”
Harvey said, “They
have no authority, off of
Federally-managed lands.”
Creighton said, “Has our
Sheriff signed off, to give
them authority over us?”
Harvey said, “No, abso-
lutely not, because, all he
has signed is that he will
be free for the services the
County will provide. It’s
the only thing that’s been
signed, because, he can’t
sign an agreement with the
Federal government, if I
don’t sign it ...”
Creighton said, “Be-
cause, personally, I have
every confidence in our
County, City, and State
(law enforcement) ... I
have faith in our existing
police force...”
He voiced concerns
about Federal law en-
forcement, attempting to
enforce laws, outside of its
jurisdiction. Harvey ex-
plained any tickets issued
by Federal law enforce-
ment, off of Federally-
managed lands, will most
likely be dismissed out-
right by the local Court.
Harvey expressed his
disgust with the treatment
of the Hammond family of
Harney County, by Federal
authorities, and he said he
didn’t believe the claim of
poaching, in association
with other claims made by
the Federal government.
Anderson said he’s
heard, unofficially, that the
discovery of uranium de-
posits could be a possible
connection with the Fed-
eral government’s desire
to acquire the Hammonds’
and other ranchers’ lands.
Harvey said, “I’m
hoping, through the light
of day, this (and other
scenarios) will get out,
and more people will see
it, and start raising a big
enough ruckus...”
The next First Thursday
with the Commissioner,
and First Friday with the
Commissioner are sched-
uled for Thursday, April 7,
2016, at 6 p.m., and Friday,
April 8, 2016, at 9 a.m.,
both at the Baker County
Courthouse.
According to documentation, she stated, “As you can
see, .in my opinion, our current contingency ($694,882)
and unappropriated ending funds ($700,000) are at the
level required to help insure the County has funds to op-
erate between July 1 (2016) and November 1. There are
no ‘extra’ funds unbudgeted.”
McQuisten discussed several potential projects with the
Board and other attendees (for informational purposes).
This included a potential new County Health Department
location; a County Jail/Justice Center addition; Road
Department plans for a steel building on County property
at 13th and H Streets; and options for the Sumpter Valley
Railroad Depot, at 10th and Broadway.
The Health Department desires to relocate, citing long-
term costs, additional needs for space, security issues,
and the need for a more centrally-located facility. The
department is currently located at 3330 Pocahontas Road,
in a 3,200 square foot building, and there is an oppor-
tunity for the purchase of a 10,000 square foot building
and parking area, which would better meet community
needs, and goals, according to the Staff Report. The new
location would allow for expansion of services, includ-
ing: increased services to veterans, storage of records and
files by the District Attorney, and retention of the State
Water Resources Department. The County pays more
than $3,700 a month for the current Health Department
location.
A proposal prepared by the Justice Center, and staff of
the Sheriff’s Office includes a 40’ by 40’ addition, which
would add two additional office spaces, and a training/
meeting room. The project would allow training oppor-
tunities on the site, for Sheriff deputies, Jail deputies, 911
Dispatch Center, Parole and Probation, and Emergency
Management, among other benefits. The estimated cost is
$75,000 to $100,000.
The Road Department has submitted plans for approval,
to erect a 126’ by 60’ steel storage structure, on a por-
tion of the County’s property, at 13th and H Streets. This
would require 175’ of the 275’ of 13th Street frontage,
according to the Staff Report.
The Sumpter Valley Railroad (SVRR) Depot building,
located on property leased from Union Pacific Railroad
(UPRR), sits near the intersection of Broadway Av-
enue, and 10th Street, and the County may be required
to remove the building, foundation, and other personal
property, upon termination of the lease. A 20-year lease,
initiated in 1995, includes four five-year options, to renew
it at the cost of $1 per year, according to the Staff Report,
and Harvey recently executed a year-to-year lease, at
a cost of $3,000. According to the report, significant
private funds from the Eccles family were used for the
beautification, history boards, and paving of the property.
The next Commission meeting, a regular, bi-monthly
session, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at
9 a.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Baker County
Courthouse.
46 Republican,
19 Democat
PCPs file
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The most grassroots level of any major political party
at the County level is the Precinct Committee Person or
PCP. Last year, each party had 50 PCPs based on popula-
tion. This year the number decreased to 48 each.
46 Republican PCP candidates filed for 44 of the 48
slots, meaning two of the candidates (the male and female
Haines precinct positions) will face competitive races.
The Democrats filed 19 candidates:
Maryalys E. Urey, Roxanna R Swann, Donna C Landon,
David Burris, Gary R Dielman, Marshall O McComb,
Suzanne B Moses, Ramon C Lara, Carolyn R Lara, Jo-
seph Verge, Amver M Martell, Edward R. Moses, Mary
Sue Rightmire, Roger M Chase, Bruce B Raffety, Peter W
Hall, Craig Martell, Randy Joseph, Linda Joseph.
The Republicans filed the following:
John Hoopes, Matt Shirtcliff, Lauri Hoopes, Alice
Knapp, Ed Hardt, John Creighton, Ramona Creighton,
Gina Swartz, Ken Hackett, Terry Speelman, Lorri Speel-
man, Sherri Chapple, Arvid Andersen, Lance Cosby,
Tristan Sand, Carole Dyke, Kerry McQuisten, Esa
Murrell, Wayne Dyke, Chuck Chase, Dick Flemming,
Laurene Chapman, Susie Dyke, Alisa Anderson, Tom
VanDiepen, Kadie Cosby, Kent Justus, Hanna Miller,
Cal Ransom, Carmelita Holland, Tim Kerns, Kurt Lewis,
Lorrie Harvey, Connie Pound Lewis, Keith Jones, Suzan
Ellis Jones, Kody Justus, Heidi Justus, Jake Brown,
Kate Grace, Jim Longwell, Peggie Longwell, Henry
Quandt, Julie McKinney, Bill Shumway, Sally Shumway.
As elected officials, PCPs are tasked with duties such as
facilitating voter registration, leading get out the vote out-
reach efforts; distributing campaign and party literature;
promoting the party; and addressing voter concerns.
PCP positions are strictly volunteer.
PCPs at the County level can work up the ranks to
Congressional District, State, and sometimes National
positions.