Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 25, 2016)
BUSINESS & AG: Economic Development to pen letter to FTC about grocery situation. PAGE 3 The SPECIAL: Easter greetings from businesses. PAGE 10 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, March 25, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 13 What is BCVIBE? BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com A BCVIBE (short for Baker County Vibrancy) meeting was held Thursday in the Commission Cham- bers of the Baker County Courthouse, in order to discuss plans for attracting people and businesses to the community, and to dis- cuss the scope of work for the position of Facilitator, a role yet to be created. Attendance included Baker County Commission Chair Bill Harvey, Baker City Manager Mike Kee, Baker Technical Insti- tute (BTI) Director Jerry Peacock, Baker County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shelly Cutler, Baker County Eco- nomic Development Direc- tor Greg Smith, Smith’s assistants Julee Smith, and Phil Scheuers, Baker City Council member Sandy Lewis, Baker City Coun- cil member Dan Lowe, Historic Baker City (HBC) President Larry Abell, Baker City Council mem- ber Rosemary Abell, Baker County Economic Devel- opment Council (EDC) Chair Craig Ward, Bake Heritage Museum Director Lea Hoover Gettle, Dot & Rosie owner Chris Parker, Short Term Gallery co- owner Brian Vegter, Burnt River Irrigation District Chairman Lynn Shumway, Business Oregon Busi- ness Development Offi cer Melisa Drugee, Catalyst Consultant/Grant Writer Kat Davis, Crossroads Art Center Executive Director Ginger Savage, and Baker County Library Director Perry Stokes. Kee began the discus- sion, by speaking about the aging population of the county, displaying graphs with statistics, and stating that increases in the local population will be depen- dent upon migration from other locales. Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press A group of City and County offi cials and other interested parties gathered at the courthouse to discuss the “BCVIBE” idea. SEE BCVIBE PAGE 7 BCPD hires new officer A night of politics BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com Johnathan Stanley is start- ing as the Baker City Police Department’s newest offi cer on April 20, 2016. Roughly one month after his start date, Stanley will attend the academy in Salem, which is a 16-week course. Stanley currently lives in Middleton, Idaho, and Photo courtesy of the BCPD. works for Garden City, Idaho public works in the Johnathan Stanley. water department. According to Lt. Dustin Newman, Stanley comes to Baker City with no prior experience, but grew up with a mother who was a Deputy Sheriff in Douglas County, Oregon. Stanley’s wife also has family in the local area. Kerry McQuisten/ The Baker County Press Congressman Greg Walden and State Representative Cliff Bentz hold a Ken Helgerson Bronc and Bull Riding art print, which was one of the oral auction items at Saturday’s fundraising banquet. • ANNUAL BAKER COUNTY REPUBLICAN BANQUET SEES LARGE TURNOUT BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com Haines PCP race no longer a competition BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker County Republicans hosted their annual spring banquet last Saturday night at the Elks Lodge. As always, the event, which included a prime rib dinner, oral and silent auctions, and door prizes, fi lled the banquet room with around 150 in attendance. Chair Suzan Ellis Jones said that this year was record- breaking in terms of the generosity of local businesses. Said Jones, “The outpouring of donated prizes and auction items was incredible this year. Business owners across the county got behind our event and expressed their support of our positions and candidates in an amaz- ing way. The feedback was very humbling.” Congressman Greg Walden continued his tradition as keynote speaker for the event. Rep. Cliff Bentz and wife, veterinarian Lindsey Bentz, travelled from Ontario to attend as well. From the west side of the state, Senatorial candidates Mark Callahan and Dan Laschober attended, each hoping to make it through the GOP primary in order to face off against incumbent Sen. Ron Wyden in the fall. Kerry McQuisten/ The Baker County Press Precinct Committee People Peggie and Jim Longwell signed in guests at the door. SEE REPUBLICAN ANNUAL BANQUET PAGE 5 Friday Mostly cloudy with snow showers possible. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Highs in the low 40s. Lows in the mid-20s. Saturday Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs in the upper 40s. Lows near 30 at night. Sunday Increasing clouds and mild temperatures. Showers possible late. Highs in the lower 50s. Chance of precipitation 30%. Lows at freezing. Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County. Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. Two Precinct Committee Person (PCP) slots, both Republican, both representing the Haines Precinct, at fi rst looked like competition after all candidates fi led earlier this month. But now that competition is down to one slot—that of Kurt Lewis versus Tim Kerns. Lorrie Harvey had initially fi led to run against Connie Pound Lewis for the PCP slot reserved for women, but says she never intended on a competition. When Harvey learned Lewis had also fi led, she sought to withdraw her name, only to learn from the County Clerk’s Offi ce that it was a tad too late—her name had already gone to the ballot. Harvey is tossing her support behind Lewis. Harvey said, “I have nothing but respect for both Con- nie and Kurt and believe they will make a superb team in representing my home precinct. I was hoping to with- draw my name from the ballot but was unable to due to ballots already being printed. I look forward to both Kurt and Connie winning this position and ask everyone to vote for the Lewises in this primary.” ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Sumpter Museum’s new exhibit NRAC: Feds and wildfi res, etc. Police investigate stabbing Spring prescribed burns City rate hike, community dev job? Dooley salvage logging Page Page Page Page Page Page 2 3 5 7 8 10