FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Opinion / Local
— Letters to the Editor —
Nichols helped with hospital
To the Editor:
For almost thirty years it has been my privilege and
pleasure to work with Bruce Nichols on behalf of mutual
clients. For many of those years Bruce and I also served
on the Hospital Board during the period of time when
our community was in the greatest danger of losing that
all-important facility. He served on the Finance Commit-
tee and was critical to the decision making processes that
allowed Baker County to keep its Hospital.
Having also audited numerous municipalities, Bruce
completely understands institutional and municipal fi-
nance – where the dead wood and fat are hidden and how
to get the most out of each dollar of scarce resources. At
a time like the present, when a good hospital and school
system, together with a responsive and responsible local
government are of the utmost importance to the county’s
economic viability, no better person than Bruce could of-
fer his services to the voters.
Bruce is not a showman. We don’t need slogans and ill
considered, emotionally based calls to action that, while
making for good press, almost inevitably lead to disaster.
At times like this we need a thoughtful person like Bruce
to offer considerate, calm and measured responses to very
challenging problems. He has a habit of listening before
he speaks and is respectful to all involved. His knowl-
edge of public finance and appreciation for his fiduciary
responsibility to the voters are something that is sorely
needed at the Courthouse.
Let’s help Bruce help us to return to economic and
political sanity.
Martin Leuenberger
Sumpter
Again, Nichols served on hospital board
To the Editor:
I have known Bruce Nichols for over twenty years, and
served with him for many of those years on the hospital
Board of Directors and the hospital Finance Committee.
In addition, he has done tax preparation work for
several members of my family. Bruce and I have worked
together on the Clark H. and Joe Ann Carnes Memorial
Scholarship Selection Committee. Bruce is the admin-
istrator of this scholarship fund which annually awards
over $20,000 to Baker County students.
Many generations of Bruce’s family have called Baker
County home. He is hard working and absolutely honest.
I am voting for Bruce for Baker County Comissioner,
and I strongly urge you to do the same.
Laurence Levinger
Baker City
Justus will help assure Baker County’s
future
To the Editor:
In a country that is rapidly approaching $20 trillion
in current debt and nearly a $130 trillion in unfunded
liabilities over the next decade, it’s obvious we won’t be
taxing ourselves out of this mess. As such, does it seem
reasonable to gamble Baker County’s future on financial
handouts, PILT, SRS, and other revenues derived from
this same federal coffer?
Why would anyone vote for a commissioner like
Bruce Nichols, who wants to gamble our local future on
handouts from a government that is technically already
bust? Where do we go when those handouts inevitably
disappear?
Kody Justus realizes that this county can stand on its
own two feet by becoming financially viable in utilizing
the resources we have right here under our noses. He
has a vision of a thriving economy with jobs and indus-
try that can bring abundance back to Baker County. He
believes that these mountains, rivers, streams, rangelands,
and vistas belong to We the People. As a member of the
Baker County Natural Resource Advisory Committee, he
knows that we can protect and preserve our environment
while utilizing industries that will bring us prosperity.
He has already taken a stand against the Forest Service’s
travel management plan that seeks to lock us out of the
mountains. But to continue this, we have to have leader-
ship that will challenge the status quo, that will fight for
the people, that will stand up against land grabs like the
millions of acres being stolen from ranchers and farmers
next door in Malheur County for the private interest of
the political elite.
Support our commissioners in doing what is right. It
won’t be easy, but what in life worth fighting for is? If
we desire a future for our retirements and our children,
we need to take proactive measures now. Join us in vot-
ing for Kody Justus.
Kadie Cosby
Baker City
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Greater Bowen
Valley
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Volunteers must be at least eighteen years old and no
experience is necessary. All training is provided through
the District 13 Academy. The Greater Bowen Valley
department drills the last Wednesday of each month.
There is also plenty of practical experience. Jensen said
between January and August last year, there was a fire
every month.
Greater Bowen Valley is working on increasing its
ISO (Insurance Service Organization) rating. Jensen
explained this will have a positive impact on home
insurance rates for those within the service area. Chris
Galiszewski said the ISO rating is a combination of many
factors, including levels of testing, being able to move
a certain amount of water in a certain amount of time,
makeup of the district or town, paved or unpaved roads,
water system, and property access. The department is
working on increasing its rating from 10 to 8B. Jensen
said this is in contrast to the Baker City Fire Department,
a 4 or 5 rating, with “fire hydrants on every corner” and a
fully staffed fire station.
Galiszewski also mentioned the need for volunteers
in other areas, including administrative or maintenance
tasks. He said there’s plenty to do; it’s “not just running
into a burning building.” Anyone interested in volunteer-
ing can download a membership application at greater-
bowenvalleyfire.com or call the firehouse at 541-523-
3688.
Water rates
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Two citizens also attended the meeting in person to
express their opposition to a rate increase.
Karen Woolard called the proposed hike a “huge sub-
stantial” increase—and one that was uncalled for consid-
ering the City was not in a crisis. Woolard suggested that
the City be made to save its money before spending it,
and that the projects outlined didn’t “have to be done all
at the same time.”
Woolard pointed out that many cities do not employ
both a City Engineer and a City Director of Public Works.
She stated that the engineer position alone has the creden-
tials and education to make the decisions currently made
by both positions. She guessed that Public Works Director
Michelle Owen’s position probably cost taxpayers in the
ballpark of $100,000 per year with salary and fringe, and
if that position could be eliminated, half a million dollars
would be saved over the course of five years.
Council did not engage in discussion over that idea.
Baker County Commissioner Bill Harvey testified as
a business owner, not as commissioner, also stating that
the 25% proposed increase, or one in that neighborhood,
was too much all at once and that local small businesses
would suffer as a result.
In the end, Councilors settled on the 11.2% increase.
Though the increase is for one year only, the resolution of
which the hike is part, will include the recommendation
from current Council that future Councils adopt an identi-
cal hike for each of the two following years. This means
by the end of the third year, if future Councils agree and
follow suit, water rates will increase more than 30% from
the present rate.
Projects outlined to be funded by the increase include a
backup groundwater well system.
At the request of Fire Chief Mark John, ambulance
charges for out-of-city residents versus residents within
the City Limits were also increased $500, for a total
$1,000 differential offsetting fuel coasts, vehicle wear and
tear, etc.
Regarding other agenda items, Council voted to for-
mally approve their 2016-2017 goals, which remained as
previously reported.
Council also heard a presentation from Paula Moe and
Heidi Dalton outlining Sam O Swim’s operations and
fnancial situation. The facility serves 5,000 individu-
als per year from North
Powder and across Baker
County, and boasts right
at 100,000 visits per year.
Day-pass revenue re-
mained consistent over the
past year, but overall rev-
enue was down slightly,
primarily in response to
the November pool closure
for repairs, said Dalton.
Dalton also pointed out
that operations expenses
had increased slightly,
whereas personnel costs
had decreased—a change
in both areas due to out-
sourcing janitorial services
rather than hiring staff to
complete these tasks.
Sam O continues to
operate at a loss each year,
and remains operational
due to a $90,000 infusion
of taxpayer dollars each
year.
Moe highlighted an in-
creased number of school
swim lessons given in the
past year to students in
schools from most corners
of the county.