FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Opinion / Local
— Letters to the Editor —
Justus for Baker County!
To the Editor:
How can our commissioners bring back logging, min-
ing, and other productive, sustainable, living wage jobs
that were robbed from us by the very people who claim to
have a voice for the trees and critters that were burnt to a
crisp not long ago?
If we took back our county, which our framers are
rolling in their graves watching fruit of their labor die in
vein, then our counties public lands would not be in the
disrepair as they are today. The only climate change to
blame is the political climate change.
Why go to an accountant if you need heart surgery?
Our county needs a multiple bipass surgery because some
federal agency’s agendas have became the plaque that has
blocked nearly every artery left in the heart of our county.
Kody Justus, Bill Harvey and Mark Bennett are the
qualified surgeons we need to bring the county back to
life.
I urge you to vote for Kody Justus. Without his vote,
all of the selfless efforts made behind the scenes that was
for the betterment of this county and citizens for the last
year will be undermined.
I listened to Kody speak at many of the long nightly
meetings I went to before he even thought about becom-
ing a commissioner. Where were the other candidates?
He is spot on with the issues we are facing and the solu-
tions necessary to shift the pendulum in the right direc-
tion.
I want to know my inalienable rights are being rep-
resented which is what the fundamental purpose for
government is and that’s what he will do for us.
Carrie Matthews
Baker City
Political race is no place for politics
To the Editor:
The County Commissioners job is to manage Baker
County. This consists of many areas, roads, property,
land use, parks, law enforcement funding (which includes
search and rescue), and social services. These are just the
ones that come to mind.
In my opinion politics and party affiliation should not
play a part in these decisions. The main consideration in
selecting our Commissioners should be their ability to
manage our money and select the people that keep our
county running smoothly.
Bruce Nichols is the candidate with the best skills and
experience to make all of this happen.
Brent Kerns
Haines
Nichols has the right financial experience
To the Editor:
Every administrative, governing body supported by
our tax dollars needs members with experience. Bruce
Nichols has experience and it is my privilege to support
him as Baker County Commissioner.
As a long time Baker County resident, I have served on
local committees and boards for over forty years. One
such position was on the Burnt River School District 30J
board. Bruce Nichols was the district accountant and
auditor. We respected and trusted his work and the sound
advice offered. I can assure you that on more than one
occasion his advice was instrumental in assisting the
board in making critical decisions that kept our financial
house in order. On the occasions when personnel were
involved he was direct, honest, and neither glossed over
nor shied away from the consequences resulting from his
assessment.
We need financial experience in the commissioner’s of-
fice. We need Bruce Nichols.
Kent Nelson
Baker City
Nichols knows numbers
To the Editor:
I support Bruce Nichols for Baker County commission-
er. He is smart. He has been an accountant for decades.
He knows the math, and the numbers in a budget spread
sheet, to run a county efficiently. Because he has worked
with these numbers for years, his business has been audit-
ing city governments for years. He knows what it takes
to have efficient government, a government that has a
balanced budget.
This is so important. He has worked with local employ-
ees on these issues, for years.
I trust Bruce. He is an easygoing, and happy person.
He needs to be our next Baker County Commissioner.
Lisa Rimer
Richland
Justus understands forefathers
To the Editor:
I have read some of the letters to the editor in support
of Bruce Nichols. Although he may be an upstanding per-
son in the community this letter is not to attack him, but
bring out some points about his supporters and ask you,
the citizens of Baker County to consider some things.
I am part of the so called radical vocal minority here
that Dave and Joyce Hunsaker describe in their April 18
letter. So what? If exercising my right to keep and bear
arms, my right to freedom of speech, or to voice my
disgust about our tyrannical federal and state government
and out of control bureaucracies makes you uncomfort-
able just remember: To exercise rights is only uncomfort-
able to two classes of people. Tyrants and slaves.
What outrageous acts have we committed? We are law-
ful and productive members of the community. What type
of men were our forefathers? Were they not perceived
radical by some?
This years elections are by far the most important in our
lifetime. If we are to return to our children the Liberty
that our founders envisioned, then we must return to the
principles that our forefathers laid out. Our freedoms can-
not long endure unless we, the People, reaffirm what was
well understood by our Founders: Liberty is “endowed by
our Creator”
Kody Justus understands and believes this and that is
why I believe he is the best man for the job. Join me in
voting for voting for Justus for County Commissioner.
David McQuisten
Baker City
Nichols will keep Baker County friendly
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter in support of Bruce Nichols for
Baker County Commissioner. In the years I have known
Bruce I have found him to be honest, fair and of high in-
tegrity. I think he is the strongest choice for County Com-
missioner and one who will question and work within the
budget to ensure that the citizens are receiving the best
value for their local tax dollars. He is aware of all the
issues in the County and will work within the law to ad-
dress them. He will also be committed to keeping Baker
County a friendly and supportive environment where
small businesses can continue to grow or be welcomed to
start or relocate here.
Please join me in voting for Bruce Nichols Baker
County Commissioner.
Mitch Southwick
Baker City
Nichols speaks out about Clark’s Creek
To the Editor:
Recent events noted in various letters to the editor as
well as the Republican Candidates Forum last Tuesday,
have prompted me to set the record straight.
The news articles have indicated the commissioner race
has become contentious. I could not agree more.
I have always believed, if there are statements made or
issues discussed that do not contain the whole truth, then
the discussions and statements should not be believed.
Truth that consists of half-truths, ones partially twisted or
knowingly distorted and in any way, stated with the intent
to deceive, no matter how you add them up, the results
still equals a lie.
I have not attacked, nor will I ever attack Kody Justus’s
character, without just cause. I am not responsible for
Kody’s character or his actions. Only Kody is respon-
sible for his character and actions. Likewise, I alone am
responsible for my character and actions; no one eIse.
Regarding the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Clarks
Creek Holdings, LLC, I was “blindsided” with a question
at the forum by Jake Brown. I had no idea what he was
talking about or why he would ask such a question. Later
discussions with Ed Hardt about a damaged alfalfa field
gave me insight that there was more to the question than I
first realized.
Twin Lakes Ranch, LLC was the operating company
for the active mining operations. The operations for both
Clark’s Creek Holdings, LLC, in conjunction with Twin
Lakes Ranch, LLC were shut down almost immediately
when the owners realized the mine was failing badly. The
mine owners instructed me to liquidate all assets and pay
all known obligations as quickly as possible, subject to
the approval of the owners for each and every significant
transaction. This essentially meant “fire sale” prices.
I was not, nor ever was, the managing CEO during any
of the active the mining operations. I became the fidu-
ciary CEO for the liquidation of both companies once the
mining operation ceased.
My character and my actions speak for themselves.
Bruce Nichols
Baker City
BCCC grant deadline approaching
The Baker County
Cultural Coalition is
welcoming grant applica-
tions for the current round
of Cultural Participation
Grants with funding made
possible by the Oregon
Cultural Trust. The dead-
line to submit grant appli-
cations is May 16, 2016.
The Baker County
Cultural Coalition is a
nine-member planning
committee appointed by
the Baker County Commis-
sion to serve the goals of
the Oregon Cultural Trust.
A primary purpose of the
coalition is to re-grant
funds it receives from the
Cultural Trust to local arts,
humanities and heritage
projects, which is done
twice annually in mid-
December and May.
Applicants may only
receive grant awards once
during the year. New grant
applications will not be
considered if grant reports
from prior awards have not
been received.
All recipients must sub-
mit a grant report indicat-
ing how funds were used
by October 31st.
The Oregon Cultural
Trust designates approxi-
mately one third of the
funds it distributes annu-
ally as Cultural Participa-
tion Grants to cultural
coalitions in Oregon's 36
counties and nine feder-
ally recognized tribes.
These funds are to be used
for cultural activities and
priorities, and local pro-
grams that increase access
to cultural resources and
opportunities.
To obtain a grant ap-
plication, visit the Baker
County Cultural Coalition
website at:
http://www.bakercounty.
org/cultural_plan/grants.
html. Forms must be com-
pleted, hand delivered to a
Coalition Board Member
or e-mailed (preferred) to
bccc@bakercounty.org by
May 16th. More infor-
mation is available at the
website.
To learn more about
how you can benefit by
helping to support cultural
programs like this, visit
the Oregon Cultural Trust
website: www.cultural-
trust.org.
24 distracted
driving warnings
issued Friday
On April 22, 2016, between 10:00 a.m. and noon, the
Baker City Police Department and the Oregon State
Police conducted a “Distracted Driving Awareness Cam-
paign” in Baker City. Officers and Troopers were primar-
ily looking for motor vehicle operators who were using
their cell phones while driving their vehicles.
Law Enforcement officers were on foot in the down-
town area, primarily near the Main and Broadway inter-
section and the Main and Campbell intersection, looking
for violators. During the two-hour campaign officers and
troopers conducted numerous traffic stops. A total of 24
violations were observed, which all resulted in written
warnings. The main focus of the campaign was to edu-
cate drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.
The State of Oregon has seen a rise in traffic fatalities
recently and it is our goal to remind motorists of the need
to remove distractions when operating motor vehicles.
ODOT signage to
be updated here
Over a dozen areas in Eastern Oregon will see various
transportation signs upgraded this summer thanks to the
Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).
Nearly two-dozen locations in Baker, Harney, Malheur,
Morrow, Umatilla, and Union counties will have stop,
curve warnings, traffic direction arrows, street name, and
other signs changed or improved at select locations.
The work is needed to ensure signage meets current
federal standards. This may include replacing damaged
signs, adding new signage such as additional curve warn-
ings, relocating signs to improve site distance/safety, or
upgrading existing signs to comply with changed sign
requirements (i.e.: new size standards, updated calcula-
tions for curve speeds, etc.).
In addition to the sign upgrades a new pedestrian acti-
vated Rapid Flash Beacon will be installed in La Grande
on Cove Avenue near the Albany Street intersection,
adjacent to the community/senior center. Rapid Flash
Beacons incorporate bright strobe lights with pedestrian
crossing signs to help warn motorists that someone is
crossing the street. This multi-location sign project will
improve safety for all users along the upgraded roadway
sections.
Blair promoted
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
David Blair prepares Sara’s collar, supported with
plastic inside to support the pins that go with the
uniforms.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
When scores went to the assessment center for review,
Blair prevailed, said John.
In addition to added responsibility, Blair said she’ll still
be “doing projects and running calls.”
Blair, who was raised in the area, said, “That was my
goal to come home. It’s great to have the (career) oppor-
tunity here.”
The new lieutenant’s twelfth anniversary of service will
be May 10. Over the span of her career she recalls a wide
range of education and training that have built her current
skill set, including an opportunity to go to the metro fire
academy in Portland and to work here in the capacity of
a juvenile fire service specialist, helping to assess and
redirect children and adolescents with fire-setting issues.
The Baker City Fire Department has evolved greatly
since the time several local fire battalions combined back
in 1909 to form the municipal department. These days,
the department handles over 1,900 calls per year. Fire
Chief John’s crew includes three assistant chiefs—Cliff
Hall who handles operations, Tom Everson with support
services and inventory, and Dan Curtis who takes on fire
prevention and community services. Then, each shift has
one of three lieutenants—either Blair, David Blair or Don
Taggart. There are six firefighters, two per shift and a
number of part-time staff. Rural fire departments are also
vital in providing mutual aid.
John said the structure, with the addition of Blair in her
new role, should help reduce overtime for the depart-
ment, a constant struggle.
Blair encourages anyone interested in building a career
such as hers to call the Fire Department at 523-3711.
Ride-alongs and volunteer programs are available.