8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016
Local
Economic Development: BCVIBE
mechanics needed, mining
summit coming to town
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Baker County
Economic Development
Council (EDC) held its
regular Board meeting on
Thursday, April 14, 2016,
9:00 a.m., in the Com-
mission Chambers of the
Baker County Courthouse,
which included a discus-
sion with local automotive
repair business owner J.R.
“Grumpy” Streifel, who
spoke about the struggle
to find and retain good
mechanics.
Present from the Board
were Chair Craig Ward,
Baker County Commission
Chair Bill Harvey, Baker
Technical Institute (BTI)
Director Jerry Peacock,
Baker City Manager Mike
Kee, and Baker City Coun-
cilman Richard Langrell.
Attendance also in-
cluded Baker County
Economic Development
Director Greg Smith,
Smith’s assistant, Julee
Hicks, Blue Mountain
Community College Small
Business Development
Center (BMCC SBDC)
Advisor Jeff Nelson, Baker
City Council member
Dan Lowe, Baker County
Chamber of Commerce
and Visitors Bureau Direc-
tor Shelly Cutler, Historic
Baker City (HBC) Presi-
dent Larry Abell, Baker
City Council member
Rosemary Abell, Baker
City Mayor Kim Mosier,
Lisa Dawson and Mike
Hogan, of Northeast Or-
egon Economic Develop-
ment District (NEOEDD),
retired BMCC SBDC
Advisor Bob Savage, and
BMCC Dean Carl Melle.
Craig called the meeting
to order, and introduc-
tions were made of those
present. The previous
meeting’s minutes were ap-
proved, noting no additions
or changes, with a motion
from Kee, and a second
from Langrell.
Harvey provided a
Commission Chair update,
speaking about timber
salvage projects, includ-
ing present, and upcoming
sales. This includes the
present work in progress
on Dooley Mountain, with
salvage and danger tree
removal.
Nelson provided a
BMCC SBDC update, in-
cluding introducing Melle,
and speaking about busi-
ness expansions. He said
that, through the program
Hatch Oregon (the Baker
County Chamber of Com-
merce has a component),
four business owners have
completed classes, and
will possibly be pitching
their Community Public
Offering (CPO) ideas in
mid-June. He said that the
next Pub Talk will be on
May 18, 2016, 5:30 p.m.,
at Lefty’s Taphouse, on the
topic of Economic Devel-
opment, followed by two
more Pub Talks, later this
year.
Cutler provided a Cham-
ber update, mentioning an
open staff position avail-
able at the Visitors Bureau.
She said the Chamber is
working actively on three
projects: the Relay For
Life, on June 10, 2016; the
Miners Jubilee Parade, on
July 16, 2016; and the first
annual Soap Box Derby, a
fundraiser, on August 20,
2016, the poster of which
she displayed for attendees
to see. She said Chamber
membership, which has
increased significantly this
year, is probably around
300 currently.
Dawson provided an
Economic Development
District update, speaking
about some difficult proj-
ects in the Richland, and
Halfway areas. The diffi-
culties include installation
of a sewer line though sites
of archaeological remains,
and the cost of the projects,
at least $100,000 so far.
Peacock provided a BTI
update, speaking about a
video titled “The Promise
Of Oregon,” which show-
cases the efforts of BTI
students, and the accom-
plishments of BTI.
He said, through grant
funding of $350,000, the
BTI welding facility has
received updates, including
electrical and other work.
This project is ongoing,
with more updates to be
implemented. He also said
that through the Brown-
field program, students
are working, among other
projects, on assessments
for the Lime plant, near
Huntington.
Kee provided a City
update, and he said that the
goal-setting meeting last
week included comments
about the desire to have
more City representation
within the EDC. Mosier
added that several Coun-
cilors have expressed the
need to have a more active
City role in economic
development.
Smith began an EDC
Director update by speak-
ing about Grumpy’s Auto
Repair, owned by Streifel,
at 225 H Street, in Baker
City. Smith visited Strei-
fel, and the facility, and he
said that there’s a major
struggle to find trained
mechanics.
Streifel said that it’s
difficult to find individu-
als willing to commit to
working full-time. As an
example, he said there
was recently a potential
employee who didn’t show
up to finish the interview
process, because, he said,
to Streifel’s surprise and
disappointment, he was
making too much money
on unemployment.
Streifel expressed his
frustration, and he had
called different colleges
throughout the years, to
speak about recruiting
from the schools, with little
success. He spoke with
Smith, and Smith arranged
an appointment with staff
at Portland Community
College (PCC), with a
training location in Nampa,
Idaho.
He said that he’s im-
pressed with the facility,
and he’s found PCC as a
solution to finding more
trained mechanics, and to
bringing more people to
Baker City. He said that he
sees issues with younger
generations, including
lack of enthusiasm with
commitment to work, and
working towards goals,
which is discouraging to
him. This includes some
adults, too, he said.
Streifel said that his
company offers many
benefits, like training,
medical insurance, sick
leave, 401(k), etc., and
that his goal is to have the
biggest, and cleanest shop
in the area, with planned
bay expansions hopefully
in the near future. Despite
the nickname “Grumpy,”
Smith said that Streifel is
one of the most gracious
individuals he’s known.
Smith mentioned the
next Eastern Oregon Min-
ing & Aggregate Develop-
ment Summit, scheduled
for Tuesday, April 26,
2016, from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m., at the Baker County
Event Center, 2600 East
Street. The event, spon-
sored by the Oregon Min-
ing Association, Oregon
Concrete & Aggregate
Producers Association, Or-
egonians In Action, Baker
County Economic Devel-
opment, and the Eastern
Oregon Mining Associa-
tion, includes a variety of
speakers. Topics will
include the importance of
mining to Eastern Ore-
gon’s economy; legislative
updates; legal updates; and
mining on Federal land.
Among other topics,
Smith spoke about the
issues with local busi-
ness, Tasty Bake, currently
owned by Cereal Holding
Company, of Illinois. He
said that Cereal Holding
Company (currently being
sued, along with Tasty
Bake, in Baker County
Circuit Court), has filed
for bankruptcy (this could
not be confirmed as of this
writing). He said that a lo-
cal company has expressed
interest in purchasing the
Tasty Bake property on
8th Street, but pending
litigation would delay that
process.
Baker City FD wins exercise
Photo courtesy of Chris Galiszewski
Baker City won the 2016 Baker County Fire Service Task Performance Exercise on April 16. The exercise is
held annually. L-R: BJ Lynch, Tabbitha Jensen, and Brandon Hargous (Jason Jacobs, on team not pic-
tured).
Savage said that the position would probably last three
to six months, and that she wishes to begin the procedure
to advertise, receive applications, etc., as soon as pos-
sible. She said that numerous, young business owners
expressed excitement about the position, and about mar-
keting Baker City, and Baker County, and they would like
to assist in some way, because they desire to have more
people like them move to the area.
Kee said that he spoke with Davis, and that, initially, an
RFP (a Request for Proposal) would be what’s most likely
needed. He said he would probably have that completed
by the end of this week.
The purpose of the Development Contract Facilitator,
according to the rough draft of the scope of work, is “...
to serve as a catalyst, community mobilizer, community
change encourager, partnership broker, and the builder of
the capacity of BCVibe community initiative. (To) bring
together local partners, to facilitate the emergence, and
strengthening of community-led initiatives, to improve,
and sustain the well-being, and livelihood of our com-
munity.
The rough draft also explained the purpose of BCVibe:
“BCVibe is a community initiative to attract the ‘creative
class’ (ages 25-45) to Baker City, an age group that is
currently declining in Baker City. This is an effort to
stimulate, and sustain the economy in our community.
We believe that Baker City has the attraction to draw
this age group here. Baker City has everything that a
young couple is looking for, including (but not limited
to) affordable housing, visual appeal, an active outdoor
lifestyle, a walkable downtown, an up-and-coming artisan
community, and an opportunity to open new businesses
in Baker City, including in Historic Baker City’s vibrant
downtown core.”
The group discussed the issues with traditional fund-
ing sources, versus non-traditional, in the area of art/
artisan craftsmanship, and with bringing individuals in to
the community, by providing appealing incentives, and
by making funding and housing/rental processes more
streamlined.
Bishop gave examples of artwork, and the Farm-
ers Market, as appealing draws, and he said that there
needs to be a focus on how to market the area, including
looking at non-traditional funding sources in order to
bring people in. Rosemary emphasized the quality of the
instruction available from area schools, another prime
selling point.
Election tidbits
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The Independent Party, now a major party in Oregon,
opened their nomination process to non-affiliated voters
giving them the opportunity to request an Independent
Party ballot for this Primary Election only. The Oregon
Secretary of State’s office sent postcards out to all non-
affiliated voters with this information notifying them to
request this ballot in writing from the local election office
by April 26, 2016.
April 26, 2016 is the deadline for any political party
changes and for registrations for those electors new to the
state of Oregon. One can register to vote or update their
current registration by returning a voter registration card
to the Election office by 5pm or online at oregonvotes.
gov by 11:59pm.
2. When will ballots be mailed in Baker County?
Baker County ballots will be delivered to the Baker
Post Office on Wednesday, April 27th. Voters who do not
receive a ballot through the mail by Wednesday, May 4
should call the Election office at 541-523-8207.
Ballots are not forwardable. Therefore, if an elector has
moved or changed a mailing address without notifying us
it is likely their ballot will be returned to us as undeliver-
able. It is important that electors update their voter regis-
tration with their current address or for a name change.
3. When will Voters’ Pamphlets be delivered?
The Oregon Secretary of State’s office produces and
prints their Voter’s Pamphlet. Baker County’s Voters’ can
go to the County internet site bakercounty.org to read
about local candidates and Measurers. The State Voter’s
Pamphlet will be delivered, one per residential household,
between April 20th– 22nd. If one is not received, the post
offices and the Election office have additional copies or
available online at oregonvotes.gov. It is the candidate’s
choice whether or not to be submit a statement in the
Voter’s Pamphlet for a fee.
4. Why do some voters receive two ballots?
If a voter changes their party close to the registration
deadline, they may receive two ballots. Ballot packets are
assembled for mailing prior to the registration deadline
because of volume. Only one ballot will count. The first
ballot is inactivated when the second ballot is issued.
5. When are write-In votes tallied?
Write-in votes will not be tallied on Election Day. The
abstracting process for determining all the various write-
in names will begin after Election Day and continue until
completed. It is anticipated that those results will be
released at the same time the election is certified on June
6th.
When there is a candidate listed on a contest, the write-
in votes are only abstracted for names if the total number
of write-ins equal or exceeds the votes for the listed
candidate.
Per OAR 165-007-0030, the Vote By Mail Manual, mis-
spelling or abbreviations of the names of candidates are
disregarded by the Election Board if it cannot be ascer-
tained from the ballot for which the vote was intended. A
first initial is not sufficient, but an abbreviated version of
a first name is allowed (example: Bob for Robert).
SEE ELECTION PAGE 11