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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2016)
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016 4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Local / Opinion County Commissioners CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Attendance also included Baker County Asses- sor Kerry Savage, Baker County Justice Trial Court Administrator Michael Finney, Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash, Baker County Facilities Main- tenance Foreman Dan McQuisten, Lisa Wilson and Alan Mendenhall of the Sunridge Inn, Baker County Transient Lodging Tax Committee (TLTC) members Lea Gettle, and Karlynn Dolby, Baker City Library Budget Board President Gary Dielman, Baker Heritage Museum Board Vice Chair Dave Hunsaker, Life Flight La Grande Base Manager Peter Benjamin, Jefferson Mining District Coordinat- ing Officer Art Sappington, Ed Hardt, Ken Anderson, Eastern Oregon Mining Association (EOMA) Executive Director Chuck Chase, Bobbie Danser, John and Ramona Creigh- ton, Tork and Wanda Bal- lard, and Vickie Valenzu- ela. The session was called to order, followed by the optional Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, both led by Harvey. With no changes or ad- ditions noted, the agenda was adopted, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Kerns. Citizen Participation included comments from Sappington who provided an update regarding the Jefferson Mining District, and legal criteria which he had presented, as handouts, during the 2016 Mining Summit in Baker City last month. He said the District is working with attorney Fred Kelly Grant, to resolve coordination issues, with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The minutes from the April 27, 2016, May 4, 2016, and May 11, 2016 sessions were approved, with a motion from Ben- nett, and a second from Kerns. Lindsey provided an update regarding the Dispatch Center’s Stancil recorder, which had failed completely on Monday evening of last week. She said that there are vari- ous changes and updates being implemented at the Center, and that the recorder was successfully installed last Friday (instal- lation crews were there at 9 a.m.). Lindsey said that updates to the recorder are being implemented, to also streamline City Fire Department access to the system. She said that in regard to records, the Center is be- hind on reports, because of technical equipment issues. The Center has spent $482 for employee membership to APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communica- tions Officials), and so far, $1,400 has been granted for membership scholar- ships, Lindsey said. Among other items, she said that the Center is short two reserve dispatch personnel, and there’s been trouble covering shifts, resulting in a lack of meeting state and national standards (90% of the calls being answered in 10 sec- onds or less, for example). She said the average is a 15-second response, which falls short of the standard. Center staff are working to address the issue, whether it’s problems with equip- ment, and/or personnel. Holly initiated a dis- cussion regarding the American Stewards for Liberty, an organization the Board had approved of seeking assistance from at a previous Commis- sion session, in order to gather information, to draft a County response to the BLM’s proposed revisions to its planning regulations (the initiative is known as “Planning 2.0”), which would adversely affect government-to-government relations, between the BLM, and the County. “Private individuals stepped, and paid the $1,000 for member- ship (the funds were, in fact, privately raised and donated), I believe, to the American Stewards of Liberty. Mr. Harvey, can you explain this process, whether it’s finalized?” Holly said. Harvey responded that it is, and Holly asked how private individuals could do that, in the name of Baker County. Holly voiced an issue with “spe- cial interest groups” who “funneled money through Baker County,” and Harvey said that it’s not special interest groups, but individuals who donated the funds. She asked if it’s a matter of public record, which in- dividuals had donated, and Harvey said “No, ma’am.” She responded that it’s an interest to members of the County, when certain individuals make dona- tions for the County’s use, as the rest of the citizenry of the County may not be aware of the process. She wondered whether the American Stewards for Liberty listed donors on its website, and Harvey said he didn’t know. She repeated that that informa- tion should be a matter of public record. Harvey said, “It (the funds) didn’t even come to the County. Other groups, on their own, initiated the effort to donate money to that purpose (Planning 2.0).” Holly asked if it was donated in the name of Baker County, and Danser said, “In support of Baker County.” Valenzuela spoke next, and said, “I also have great concern about an organiza- tion that is not disclosed, private individuals not disclosed, and funneling money into Baker County, to an organization that you guys have no control over...I talked to Mark Letter to the Editor Policy: The Baker County Press reserves the right not to pub- lish letters containing factual falsehoods or incoherent narrative. Letters promoting or detracting from specific for-profit business- es will not be published. Word limit is 375 words per letter. Letters are limited to one every other week per author. Letters should be submitted to Editor@TheBakerCounty- Press.com. Advertising and Opinion Page Dis- claimer: Opinions submitted as Guest (Bennett), and he said that he is not in favor of having an organization that you can not be on the Board of...” She said there was not adequate notification of the public about the effort with the organization, that the Board had involved “special organizations,” and that it’s totally inap- propriate. Harvey said he didn’t involve anybody, the Commissioners chose not to use County funds, and the funds, and effort were volunteered from donors. Valenzuela said, “What is the overall purpose of this organization?” She cited an example, the Oath Keep- ers, calling them “anti- government militia.” Oath Keepers, in fact, are not a militia. Harvey said he wished to not disseminate misinfor- mation, and they debated about the source for that information. She voiced her concern about the “...perception that Baker County is somehow attached to this organization (American Stewards for Liberty).” Harvey responded that the County is not con- sidered “attached” to the organization. She said she wishes to see the County not proceed on a “slippery slope,” and that the County proceed slowly, in order to attain its intended goal. Harvey interjected with a statement from the Honorable Jim French, of Humboldt County, Nevada, regarding the need to seek assistance from outside organizations, when neces- sary (such as American Stewards of Liberty). Harvey clarified Bennett’s position, stating that Ben- nett didn’t support the use of County funds to seek that assistance, but he does support the idea of using American Stewards of Liberty. Harvey said that a response from the County to the BLM’s proposals is due by May 25. Valenzuela asked Ben- nett for his position, and he said that he doesn’t have an issue with private funds being utilized, for the purpose of seeking as- sistance from the American Stewards of Liberty (or other organizations), and he repeated that he doesn’t support the use of County funds for this, and that he understood that the County is not actually a “mem- ber” of the organization. He cited some examples of experiences with the BLM, that the relationship is positive (he mentioned specifically the efforts of BLM Vale District Manager Don Gonzalez), and that Planning 2.0 has the potential to change that relationship, in a nega- tive way. “My thought is that, as long as we weren’t using County money... we ought to take look at it (the effort and information from the organizations).” — Guest Opinion — Giving law enforcement tools they need to help victims in an emergency By Rep. Greg Walden On December 1, 2013, Kari Rene Hunt was brutally murdered by her estranged husband in the bathroom of a motel room in Marshall, Texas. Her three children listened through the door as she was stabbed repeat- edly. Kari screamed to her nine year old daughter to “call 9-1-1.” The girl did as instructed, frantically dialing 9-1-1 four times. But each time, she heard static on the other end of the line. What she didn’t know is that, be- cause of the way the motel’s phone system was set up, she had to dial “9” first to reach an outside line. She told her grandfather later, “I tried, but it wouldn’t work, Papa.” On June 2, 2007—just days after her high school graduation—Kelsey Smith went to a Target store in Kansas to buy a present for her boyfriend. She was abducted from the parking lot in broad daylight, and law enforcement began a massive search her. They were unsuccessful for four days until her cell phone’s location information was turned over to law enforcement. Kelsey’s body was then found in about 45 minutes. The House Communications and Technology panel, which I chair, heard these stories recently from the parents of both the slain young women. No family should have to face situ- ations like these. And they were made worse by a confusing patchwork of laws that govern telephone and com- munications systems in this country. If the laws were different at the time, is it possible that Kari Hunt and Kelsey Smith would be alive today? Perhaps. That’s why I’m helping to lead an effort in the U.S. Congress to pass two bills to ensure that law enforcement can help victims faster in an emergency situation, when time is precious. One proposal, known as “Kari’s Law,” would require that all multi-line telephone systems, typically found in hotels, offices, and schools, be con- figured to reach 9-1-1 without any additionally prefix. After all, children are taught from a very young age to Submitted Photo Greg Walden represents Oregon’s Second Congressional District, which covers 20 counties in south- ern, central, and eastern Oregon. simply dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, not “9-9-1-1” or “7-9-1-1” or anything else. This fix would be both easy and inexpensive. Many hotels around the country have made progress addressing this problem, but we need a uniform, national standard to make sure what happened to Kari Hunt and her family never happens again. It’s been said that you may only dial 9-1-1 once in your life, but that time will be the most important call you ever make. We should make sure it’s as easy as possible so you can get the help you need when seconds count. Another proposal, known as the “Kelsey Smith Act,” would give law enforcement the tools to locate victims in emergencies, using location data from their cell phone providers. By creating a narrow set of circum- stances in which law enforcement can access this type of data, the bill seeks to protect the privacy of users while still allowing access for law enforce- ment when the situation demands it. The Kelsey Smith Act is already the law in 22 states, including right here in Oregon where it was approved by the legislature unanimously in 2014. The federal bill would take the Oregon standard and apply it nationwide. It’s just common sense. Both these proposals were recently approved unanimously by the Com- munications and Technology panel I chair, as well as the full Energy and Commerce Committee. The next step is a vote in the full U.S. House of Representatives, which I hope will take action soon. These plans would save lives using existing technology and don’t cost taxpayers a dime. It’s time they become law so that what happened to the families of Kari Hunt and Kelsey Smith never happens to another American family again. — Contact Us — YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS The Baker County Press President Barack Obama PO Box 567 Baker City, Ore. 97814 202.456.2461 fax Open Monday-Thursday for calls 9 AM - 4 PM Open 24/7 for emails 202.456.1414 Whitehouse.gov/contact US Sen. Jeff Merkley 503.326.3386 503.326.2900 fax Merkley.Senate.gov Phone: 541.519.0572 TheBakerCountyPress.com US Sen. Ron Wyden 541.962.7691 Wyden.Senate.gov SEE COMMISSIONERS PAGE 5 Opinions or Letters to the Editor express the opinions of their authors, and have not been authored by and are not necessarily the opinions of The Baker County Press, any of our staff, management, independent contractors or affiliates. Advertisements placed by political groups, candidates, businesses, etc., are printed as a paid service, which does not constitute an endorsement of or fulfillment obligation by this newspaper for the products or services advertised. Kerry McQuisten, Publisher Editor@TheBakerCountyPress.com US Rep. Greg Walden Wendee Morrissey, Advertising and Sales Wendee@TheBakerCountyPress.com 541.624.2402 fax David Conn, Advertising and Sales David@TheBakerCountyPress.com Published weekly every Friday. Subscription rates per year are $29.95 all areas, e-mail delivery. $39.95 print issue, home delivery, Baker City city limits only. $49.95 print issue, mail delivery, outside Baker City city limits only. Payment in advance. A division of Black Lyon Publishing, LLC 541.624.2400 Walden.House.gov Oregon Gov. Kate Brown 503.378.3111 Governor.Oregon.gov State Rep. Cliff Bentz 503.986.1460 State Sen. Ted Ferrioli 541.490.6528 Baker County Commissioners Bill Harvey; Mark Bennett; Tim Kerns 541.523.8200 Copyright © 2014 -2016 541.523.8201
