The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current, December 30, 2016, Image 4

The Baker County press., December 30, 2016, Page 4, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextFRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016 4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Opinion / 2016: A Year in Review — Letters to the Editor — Collaborative has stolen the voice of the people To the Editor: A ‘quieter federal land battle unfolds’ If you really look at what is unfolding, it’s a battle for who speaks for local resi- dents and how they use public resources. Mr. Webb, executive director for the Forest Service supported Blue Mountains Forest Partners (Collaborative) worked hard to disband the forest commission. A commission that friends of Mr. Webb’s sat on for years, and never once ques- tioned the legitimacy of the commission. Mr. Bevlerin, supervisor for the Malheur National Forest, told forestry leaders that if road closures were opposed, no harvest would come off the forest, meaning “part- ners” of the “Collaborative” would not see their 70 million dollar “Stewardship Contract” come to pass. So, what were Mr. Webb and Mr. Beverlin to do, could they sit back and watch “their” collaborative not be the sole “voice” on the Malheur National Forest, No. Could they sit back and watch people they supported for the commission lose in the primary and see their “infl uence” dwindle to nothing, as the forest com- mission could be used in Grant County directly “Coordinating” on projects in the county? No. They were left with only course of action, disband the commission, steal the voice from the people of Grant County, and remove the last effective tool the people had to affect change on bad proj- ects. This, doesn’t not even mention Mr. Webb’s growing infl uence and wage as the executive director of the collaborative, that is in direct confl ict with the commis- sion. Were Forest Service “Collaboratives” formed to bring people together, or to con- trol a message? Seems more to the latter anymore. Do what the collaborative says, and you can proceed, go against the col- laborative, and they send in their execu- tive director to kill public participation. Nice model you have Mr. Webb and Beverlin, maybe you should take it nation- ally—oh wait, it already is. John George Bates Marijuana opinions aren’t facts To the Editor: In response to the letter submitted by Mr. Jerry Boyd (Friday, December 16, 2016) concerning marijuana I think some facts need to be pointed out that Mr. Boyd seems to be unable to ﬁ nd references for due to concerns “for brevity”. Perhaps I can help with the education of the “Reefer Madness” believers (but I doubt it). Some of the “information” Mr. Boyd presented (without references “for brevity”) is hear- say or, at best, uneducated speculation. But some of the concerns Mr. Boyd brings up are, in fact, accurate, at least partially. Mr. Boyd stated: “1. In states that have “legalized” mari- juana injury and fatal trafﬁ c crashes have increased signiﬁ cantly.” Actually, according to this report in the Washington Post trafﬁ c fatalities in Colorado are at near historic low levels. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/ the-watch/wp/2014/08/05/since-mari- juana-legalization-highway-fatalities-in- colorado-are-at-near-historic-lows/) Also, referenced in that article was a study done by The University of Chicago Press Journals that states: “the ﬁ rst full year after coming in to effect legaliza- tion (of medical marijuana in 19 states) is associated with an 8 - 11 % decrease in trafﬁ c fatalities.” However, in a recent study at Washing- ton State University (included in the same article) states “the percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes who had traces of marijuana in their blood has doubled since marijuana was legalized. While the study can’t prove that marijuana was a key cause of those crashes, it is likely that marijuana is at least one contributor to those fatal crashes. It’s possible that po- lice are simply testing for THC more often now that the drug has been legalized, and are therefore catching people who might have been missed in previous years.” In driving simulators people who are high are less likely to weave out of their lane and speed than drunk drivers, a 2015 study in The Journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found. According to this study done at Wash- ington State University and reported about in USA Today : “What’s more unex- pected, the odds — adjusted for age and gender — of a driver with THC in his or her system crashing are only 5% higher than those of a sober driver.” (http://col- lege.usatoday.com/2015/02/17/new-study- shows-no-link-between-marijuana-use- and-car-accidents/) I’ll offer more facts in response to Mr. Boyd’s letter about the “perils” of mari- juana in a future edition. Steve DeFord Sumpter Happy New Year 2017! STRONG FOUNDATIONS STRONG FUTURE Ash Grove Cement 33060 Shirttail Creek Road Durkee, OR 97905-0287 Letter to the Editor Poli- cy: The Baker County Press reserves the right not to pub- lish letters containing factual falsehoods or incoherent nar- rative. Letters promoting or detracting from speciﬁ c for- proﬁ t businesses 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 Edi- tor@TheBakerCountyPress. com. Advertising and Opinion Page Disclaimer: Opinions submitted as Guest Opin- ions 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 afﬁ liates. Advertisements placed by political groups, candidates, businesses, etc., are printed as a paid service, which does not constitute an endorsement of or fulﬁ llment obligation by this newspaper for the products or services advertised. TRIPLE REDI-MIX INC. C Since 1989 A happy 2017 to everyone! Triple C Redi-Mix Inc. 42430 Atwood Rd. (Atwood Road & Hwy. 86) Baker City • 541-523-6648 • CCB 90220 March Columbia Basin Helicop- ter wins new victory over County On Thursday, February 25, 2016, Umatilla County Circuit Court Judge Ronald J. Pahl issued an opinion in the matter of Baker County vs. David M. McCarty, aka Columbia Basin Helicop- ter, Inc., Case No. 11-653, stating that the defendant’s attorney fees are reason- able, and that they should be granted. Huntington hosts basket- ball tournament The 53rd Annual Hun- tington Middle School Invitational Basketball Tournament was held on Friday, February 26th and Saturday, February 27th. The purpose of this tournament is to provide an excellent opportunity for athletic competition, social development and recreation for the children involved. Geiser Grand to offer real ranch experiences The Geiser Grand Hotel on Main Street has just ﬁ nished expanding its pre- vious “Real Adventures” packages, which have been offered to guests for quite some time. Now, travelers to Baker City have a chance to visit local area ranches and experience ﬁ rsthand what Baker County ag life is all about. March 9, 2016, including Representative Cliff Bentz, and Senator Ted Ferrioli via telephone, in support of a singular goal: to oppose the proposed 2.5 million acre Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument desig- nation. State dismisses ethics complaint On February 26, 2016, the Oregon Government Eth- ics Commission (OGEC) ruled that they “did not ﬁ nd cause to proceed with an investigation” regard- ing an ethics complaint ﬁ led against former interim Baker County 911 Dis- patch Center Director Jerry Boyd. Johnston sentenced in tampon-fl inging arrest On March 9, 2016, a 12-person Baker County Circuit Court Jury con- victed Marlene Frances Johnston of one count of Aggravated Harassment, a Class C Felony, with a vote of 11-1. Republican banquet sees large turnout The Baker County Republicans hosted their annual spring banquet last Saturday night at the Elks Lodge. As always, the event, which included a prime rib dinner, oral and silent auctions, and door prizes, ﬁ lled the banquet room with around 150 in attendance. Baker County goes to Idaho Sportsmans Show Nonproﬁ t and for proﬁ t- groups from all over Baker County showed up to encourage visitors at the Idaho Sportsman Show to plan their vacations in Eastern Oregon. Cattlemen to fi ght Owyhee Monument Between 30 and 40 people attended a special Baker County Livestock Association (BCLA) meet- ing at the Sunridge Inn Restaurant, on Wednesday, BCPD hires new offi cer Johnathan Stanley is starting as the Baker City Police Department’s new- est ofﬁ cer on April 20. April Museum mural project completed Tom Novak’s mural proj- ect was a labor of love four years in the making. Originally planned to be completed in 11 months, but delayed by the artist’s illness, the 18-mural series ﬁ nally found its place along the exterior walls of the Baker Heritage Mu- seum last Saturday. Hughes arrested on meth charges BCPD Detective Sharon Bass was able to observe what appeared to be a delivery of narcotics at a local residence and then Ofﬁ cer Rand Weaver conducted a trafﬁ c stop on the vehicle the suspect was traveling in, near the inter- section of 5th and Myrtle. Arrested at the scene for Possession of a Controlled Substance Methamphet- amine and Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine was Tracy Leroy Hughes, age 50. Rising police, fi re needs focus of presentations On Monday evening, about a dozen attendees including several City Council members, City Manager Mike Kee, and department heads, gathered in the City Hall Council Chambers to begin outlin- ing Council goals for the coming year. Rollover kills three Oregon State Police (OSP) Troopers are con- tinuing the investigation into this Monday morn- ing’s fatal crash on Inter- state 84 westbound near Baker City, near milepost 306. The child and an adult passenger, Wayne A. Ow- ens, age 35, from Portland, suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene. ORP adopts Transfer of Public Lands Resolution Baker County Republican Chair Suzan Ellis Jones and Baker County Repub- lican Corresponding Secre- tary Carole Dyke traveled to Medford last weekend Kerry McQuisten/ The Baker County Press History in the making as Sara Blair becomes the Baker City Fire Department’s ﬁ rst female lieutenant. L-R: Alan Blair, Sara Blair, David Blair and Fire Chief Mark John. for the Oregon Republi- can Party’s (ORP’s) state meeting. Man arraigned on sex abuse charges On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, Antoine Mulder, born November 30, 1949, of 2306 Church Street in Baker City, was arraigned on a Grand Jury Secret Indictment alleging one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class B Felony. Nichols to look at consoli- dating police and sheriff At an April 1 meet and greet in Halfway for Coun- ty Commissioners candi- dates, candidate and Baker City CPA Bruce Nichols was asked by a member of the audience to address rumors circulating that he would explore consolidat- ing the Baker City Police Department and the Baker County Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce should he be elected. Nichols’ answer regard- ing local law enforcement consolidation? A deﬁ nite maybe. SWAT robot fundraising begins Last Saturday, Boyd demonstrated the Avatar III robot, which is the model the Northeast Oregon Regional SWAT team hopes to purchase—what they say is a vital piece of equipment that will add to the safety of their team members, victims and even crime suspects. Standoff ends safely On Tuesday, April 12, at approximately 5:33 p.m., Baker City Police Ofﬁ cers made contact with a male subject in Baker City’s Mount Hope Cemetery, 1000 S. Bridge St. after a family member reported concerns the male was suicidal. Candidates forum held About 165 Baker County voters headed to the Sun- ridge to hear what Repub- lican candidates for Baker County Commissioner Kody Justus, Jeff Nelson and Bruce Nichols had to say Tuesday night. Patriots’ Day celebrated Patriots’ Day was estab- lished on April 19, com- memorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, and this year it was celebrated in Baker County for the ﬁ rst time. ‘Gold Rush’ begins fi lm- ing The cast and crew of The Discovery Channels’s mega-hit show “Gold Rush” are settled in Baker County, and according to one of the series’ stars, Todd Hoffman, “It is un- believable how welcoming the people around eastern Oregon have been.” Fire Dept. hires fi rst ever female lieutenant “In the long history of this ﬁ re department, this is really a very signiﬁ cant event,” said Baker City Fire Chief Mark John.