FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Local
Wyden town hall
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 1
Merrill introduced in-
coming ASB (Associated
Student Body) President
Kara Bennett, who acted as
moderator for the meet-
ing. “I’m glad to hand
over this job to Kara’s
capable hands...” Merrill
said, reminding attendees
to silence cell phones, as
he stated the importance
of the meeting. He also
asked students to remain
seated when the bell rings,
indicating second period,
to allow Wyden to finish
responding to a question
first before politely leaving
the auditorium.
Merrill said, “I’m look-
ing forward to a meeting
with good, substantive
questions, and comments.
It’s my hope that students
in attendance get a great
deal out of this big op-
portunity, and thank you
again, Senator Wyden, and
welcome to Baker High
School.”
Prior to introducing
Wyden, Bennett explained
that the meeting would
be held in a question-and-
answer format, and she
would announce commu-
nity and student numbers
(stubs of which attendees
held), in the order they
were submitted, to allow
those present to ask ques-
tions.
“I would like to intro-
duce Senator Ron Wyden,
who ran for the Senate
in 1996, in Oregon’s first
vote-by-mail election...”
Bennett said. She briefly
recapped his background,
explaining that he attended
college in California on a
basketball scholarship, law
school at the University
of Oregon, that he serves
on committees such as
Finance and Revue, and
Environment and Natural
Resources, and that he’s
the senior Democrat of the
Finance committee. She
said he’s made a point of
holding Town Hall meet-
ings (this meeting was
Town Hall number 773) in
every county, every year,
since first being elected to
the Senate.
Wyden explained his
pledge upon being elected,
to hold these meetings,
in order to “...do it the
way the Founding Fathers
wanted us to do it...to
have everybody in Baker
County educate me on
what’s important,” he said.
In recognition of local
contributions and efforts,
Wyden said, “Mr. Tim
Kerns is a Baker County
rancher, and for over 15
years, he has served as
County Commissioner, and
Mr. Kerns is now retir-
ing from that post. Now,
retirement is probably a bit
of an unusual word for the
Kerns household, because
my sense is that he, and his
wife Jan--they are a part-
nership, in every sense of
the word--are not going to
be just sitting around...Tim
Kerns has been a responsi-
ble voice for agriculture...
There’s no question, he’s
going to continue to be a
community leader. There’s
also no question, that I’m
going to keep asking him
for his advice... He’s been
telling it like he sees it,
for a long, long time...I’ve
been able to get one of
those (an Honor Flag,
which had been flown at
the Capitol building, in
Washington, D.C.) for Tim,
and his wife, Jan... Let’s
do a big shout out to the
Kerns family.” Applause
followed this, and Wyden
asked the couple up to the
stage, where he presented
them with the flag. The
Kerns’ made brief state-
ments, in appreciation of
receiving the Honor Flag,
including the mention by
Tim, of Wyden’s efforts
with COOL (Country of
Origin Labeling) legisla-
tion.
Bennett drew numbers
associated with those wish-
ing to ask questions, and
this included the following
questions and discussions
(not all-inclusive), fa-
cilitated partly by Wyden’s
Business Outreach/Field
Director Neel Pender, who
held one of the micro-
phones used by attendees.
From former Oregon
Cattlemen’s Association
(OCA) President, and cur-
rent Baker County Live-
stock Association (BCLA)
member Curtis Martin:
“Have you actually gone
there recently(to Malheur
County, location of the im-
pending Owyhee Canyon-
lands monument designa-
tion), and visited with the
community members?
Are you fully aware of the
position the community
has taken, in opposition
to these extremist orga-
nizations, that are trying
to influence President
Obama...?” He elaborated
on his question, and the
impacts of the designation.
Wyden responded that
he has been there, and he
emphasized the importance
of agriculture, stating that
he had co-sponsored a bill
with Republicans, to assist
farmers and ranchers with
funding for equipment, for
example. He said there’s
ample opposition in the
surrounding communi-
ties to the designation,
his focus is protection of
the economy, and he and
others have voiced this
opposition to the President,
however, the President has
the authority, under the An-
tiquities Act, to designate
the Owyhee Canyonlands
as a national monument.
From Anna Sullivan:
“I’m with the Oregon Farm
Service Agency (FSA), and
I’d like to thank you for
your support...I’d also like
to thank you for reopen-
ing re-staffing of the Grant
County FSA office. It was
close to 2012...We really
do appreciate it, and I hope
the producers in that area
appreciate it, as well.”
Wyden responded by
expressing appreciation for
the FSA, and he explained
the obstacles involved with
improving local econo-
mies, providing jobs, and
dealing with regulatory
agencies, like the Environ-
mental Protection Agency
(EPA). He emphasized the
importance of connecting
with local communities,
throughout the State, not
just the metropolitan areas,
like Portland.
From a student: “Do you
believe that America is in
a post-Constitutional state,
and if so, how will you
fight for, and reinforce the
Constitution, as a compass
for our government, as the
Founding Fathers intended,
if you’re reelected to the
Senate?”
Wyden responded that
it’s important to recognize,
with all of the challenges
of today, that the U.S.
is the freest country in
the world, and that most
people seem to want to em-
igrate from their country to
the U.S., and not the other
way around. He said he’s
on the Intelligence com-
mittee (his child calls it the
“So-called Intelligence”
committee, he said), and he
cited an example involving
issues of protecting both
national security, and indi-
vidual liberty—cell phone
data encryption technol-
ogy, and the attempts and
arguments to gain access to
that data through the court
system, by the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation (FBI).
Wyden said he doesn’t
support these attempts, or
arguments, and he supports
policies that protect or im-
prove security, and liberty.
From a community
member: “I was wonder-
ing what it would take to
get Amtrak back through
here?”
Wyden responded that
he and Idaho Republican
Senator Mike Crapo have
been working on that issue
for several years, and that
if the communities along
the Amtrak route, espe-
cially in rural Oregon and
Idaho, would make finan-
cial and service commit-
ments, it could be possible.
He said it would be a very
important service the area,
and that recreation is now a
big economic component,
stating that recreation and
tourism in Oregon have
produced as many jobs as
the number of people it
would take to fill Autzen
(Eugene, University of Or-
egon, capacity of 54,000),
and Reser (Corvallis,
Oregon State University,
capacity of 45,674) stadi-
ums together, at the same
salaries.
Wyden asked the com-
munity member to stay in
touch with him regarding
the topic.
From a student: “Do
you suppose that constitu-
tionalism, and free market
capitalism are trampled by
massive, over-regulating
bureaucracies?” Wyden
responded that he’s always
felt that, as long as the
playing field is leveled,
with fair rules, a free mar-
ket is far superior to any
other market. He said that
rules aren’t fair in today’s
world, and he works on
tax reform, for example,
to enable everyone to
have a chance at success.
He made a reference to
Henry Ford, saying, as
Ford would say, “I’m an
industrialist. I want to
do well...But, for me to
do well, my people have
to have enough money to
buy my cars,” a notion
which reflects Wyden’s
own judgments, he said,
with respect to econom-
ics. He cited issues with
the government, giving
an example of the Federal
Drug and Food Adminis-
tration’s (FDA) change in
regulations, which altered
the way “spent grain” was
used, as a bi-product of
craft beer brewing. Prior
to the change, he said, the
spent grain was utilized,
and the scenario was
“win-win,” even receiving
support from environmen-
talists, however, after the
FDA’s added rules and
regulations, he spear-
headed efforts to reel in
the government agencies,
stating, “Look, I may not
know everything about
beer, but I know when a
federal agency has had
one too many,” prompting
laughter from those pres-
ent. He said he and others
then remedied the federal
overreach.
From a community
member: “Are we keeping
up with the threats, and
reality of this thing called
‘Global Warming?’”
Wyden responded that
Patty Trost
he believes that global
warming is very real,
considering his analysis
of data from different
agencies, and sources. He
respects different views,
because not everyone
agrees with his, but his
reading of the data is
that there is an issue. He
said that one of the best
responses to that issue is to
diversify the State’s energy
portfolio, and Oregon is in
a good position to do that,
including implementation
of geo-thermal power,
steam power, hydro power,
bio-mass power, and a va-
riety of approaches, to deal
responsibly with climate
change.
From a student: “Today,
with everything that’s
going on, in Washington,
it seems, the Republicans
and Democrats can’t
work together on a lot of
things...I want to know
how you personally work
with Republicans...and
also, what your experi-
ences are?”
Wyden responded that
he spends more time in
Washington, D.C., work-
ing with Republicans and
Senators, who don’t neces-
sarily share his views,
because it’s the only way
to get things done. He said
that, in January of 2017,
after a new President is
elected, neither the Repub-
licans, nor the Democrats,
in the U.S. Senate, will
have enough votes to get
their way, which means,
“Either we will have bi-
partisanship, or we won’t
get anything done. It’s just
that simple.” He stressed
the importance of work-
ing together, regardless of
political affiliation, and
he tries to find common
ground (his number one
priority, he said). At this
time, almost all of the
students who were pres-
ent needed to leave the
auditorium, because of the
period bell.
From a community
member, a Trail Tenders
volunteer for the Oregon
Trail Interpretive Center
(OTIC): “It’s my under-
standing that the tourism
industry has already in-
creased...We have several
programs, up at the Oregon
Trail Interpretive Center...
My question has always
been, when are you going
to come to work with me,
at the Interpretive Center?”
Wyden responded that
OTIC is a wonderful pro-
gram, and that he will find
a way to make that happen.
The volunteer responded
that students have opportu-
nities, though not paid, to
volunteer during the sum-
mer months, at OTIC.
From BCLA member,
and Public Land Commit-
tee Chairman Ed Trindle:
“Due to our fires last
year, we had a number of
permitees, who had no
pasture to go to. We (the
BCLA) went to work with
the BLM (Bureau of Land
Management), and the
(U.S.) Forest Service, to
try to find an open permit,
that these people might go
to...The Forest Service said
that there was a possibility
of looking at a grass bank,
and/or a grazing associa-
tion...” Trindle cited lack
of communication from
Wyden’s office, and the
Forest Service, regarding
resolution of the issue, and
Trindle asked, “Can you,
and will you open those
communication lines back
up, for the livestock indus-
try, in this County?”
SEE WYDEN PAGE 8
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Trost switched to the Ironside Route, driving “Buster”
the bus, when the school district contracted with Mid-
Columbia Bus Company. That route later expanded to
include Brogan as well.
Trost said, “I had 15 students on the route then, but the
numbers went up and down depending on whether the
ranch hands who moved in had kids. Going to Brogan
made my day long as I was now working in the class
room all day. I was doing more activity trips, too.”
In June of 2007, Trost was awarded Oregon School
Bus Driver of the Year and received the award from the
Oregon Pupil Transportation Association. She was nomi-
nated by Bruce Flatt of La Grande, who was the owner-
supervisor of Mid Columbia at the time.
“I was surprised and truly honored,” she said.
Buster was retired that same year, but not before Trost
had put 264,000 miles on the vehicle.
Trost got to keep the bus’s mud flaps. “They were filled
with bite marks from two dogs who waited for their little
human to come home every day,” she said. “My new bus
was a 22 passenger with heated mirrors, air conditioning,
and automatic drop chains for the snow and ice. The kids
named that bus Scooter.”
Scooter had racked up 174,000 miles by this year.
In 2010, budget cuts necessitated the elimination of
the teaching assistant positions at the school, but Trost
continued to drive the Ironside route along with various
special school trips. Future Farmers of America and Fu-
ture Business Leaders of America are two active groups
in the school.
“We averaged between 50-60 trips each school year
and between Rod Wilson and myself, we got our precious
cargo to and from school safe and sound,” said Trost.
Trost reminisced, “I have a lot of good memories and
funny stories that kids have shared over the years. To this
day, every time I see a llama, I think of a little boy named
Zeb. He told me that he knew a lot about llamas and with
the most serious look on his little face, he informed me
that when a baby llama grows up it turns into a camel.”
The most embarrassing bus driving moment came dur-
ing her first year on the Bridgeport Route.
“It was spring,” she said. “Cattle were being turned
out, and if you’ve ever been on the Hereford highway,
it’s very narrow. I came upon a huge black bull romanc-
ing a cow right in the middle of the highway. I couldn’t
go around; I had to wait. But all my kiddos were ranch
kids and this was nothing new to them. One of the scari-
est moments was driving up Brogan hill and the pickup
ahead of me lost his little flatbed trailer. It came rolling
back toward us but fortunately ran into the bank.
“I always greeted each student boarding the bus with
a ‘good morning’ and ended with a ‘see you tomorrow’
or ‘have a great weekend.’ I got to see a lot of awesome
sunrises and sunsets to begin and end my day. I never got
tired of my route because there was something different
to see each day. I’ve had close calls with deer and elk—
and even hit an antelope one day. Fortunately, the ante-
lope got up and ran off. I’ve had snowshoe hares race
beside the bus on a cold snowy morning and encountered
jack rabbits in Cow Valley playing chicken with the bus.
Driving through cattle drives might have slowed us down
a bit, but how many people even get to see a cattle drive?
I’ve driven in every type of weather imagineable, the
worst being thick fog or a white out from a snow storm.
We might have been late to school, but we always made
it there.”
Trost added, “I’m going to miss my co-workers, the
kids, and everyone else at school. But I will get to see
them from time to time as I’m going to help Christy
Swindlehurst out in the cafeteria whenever she needs
me.”
Now that she’s officially in retirement, Trost plans to
spend more time with her family—her four children,
Andy, Nathan, Brian and Tara, all graduated from Burnt
River. Trost has seven grandchildren. That family time,
she said, also will include checking off some of the proj-
ect on husband Rick’s “honey-do” list.
“I’m also going to start hunting again,” she said.
“I’m old enough for an Oregon Pioneer Hunting/Fishing
license and I got one. We’ll see if I get that elk tag I ap-
plied for last month.”
Trost was presented with a bus-shaped cake and a plaque
during the week day of school in honor of her career.
Union Pacific to repair
tracks in Oregon
Union Pacific plans to invest $34.6 million in 2016
to improve Oregon's transportation infrastructure. The
company's multi-million dollar private investment will
enhance employee, community and customer safety and
increase rail operating efficiency. Freight railroads like
Union Pacific operate on track built and maintained with-
out taxpayer funds. Union Pacific's private investments
sustain jobs and ensure the company meets growing
demand for products used in the American economy.
Union Pacific's planned investment covers a range of
initiatives: $28.5 million to maintain railroad track and
$3.8 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects
planned this year include:
$4.5 million investment in the rail line between Che-
mult and Oakridge to replace 33,372 railroad ties.
$3.6 million investment in the rail line between Bridal
Veil and Hood River to replace 28,342 railroad ties.
$3.2 million investment in the rail line between Stan-
field and La Grande to replace almost 4 miles of curve
rail.
This year's planned $34.6 million capital expenditure in
Oregon is part of an ongoing investment strategy.