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Friday, May 26, 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 21
Crowd turns out to support forest access
• ANNUAL FOREST
ACCESS FOR ALL
BANQUET A HIT
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Over 130 people at-
tended another successful
Annual Forest Access For
All (FAFA) Banquet and
Auction, held in the Sun-
ridge Inn Restaurant’s Blue
Mountain and Sunridge
rooms, on Saturday eve-
ning, May 20, 2017. The
event, in its fourth year,
featured guest speakers,
live and silent auctions,
and prime rib and halibut
dinners, from the staff of
the Sunridge.
Guests mingled during
Social Hour, which began
at 5 p.m., and viewed the
live and silent auction
items, the latter displayed
in the Sunridge’s Library
room, the former within
the combined area of
the Blue Mountain and
Sunridge rooms (the wall
between the two rooms is
removable).
At 6 p.m., FAFA
member and emcee John
George said, “I want you
all to know how much
we appreciate you being
here...It’s been a great deal
for us, the last three years
prior...” He emphasized the
pivotal role donators play
as a driving force behind
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
Emcee and member John George with auctioneer
Mib Dailey (seated).
FAFA’s efforts, as he noted
their recognition in the
middle two pages of the
event program (the design
and printing of which was
donated by Rock Creek
Developments, LLC, man-
aged by Lorrie Harvey),
and their presence at the
event, which was followed
by applause, after they
stood. “We appreciate ev-
erybody... who’s donated,”
George said.
In preparing guests for
the lively atmosphere,
George joked about them
discovering and using
guest speaker and Grant
County Sheriff Glenn
Palmer’s bid number dur-
ing the auctions, and he
said, “I don’t know how
many folks here have
ever watched (auctioneer)
Mib Dailey do an auction
before, but it’s probably
one of the funnest evenings
you’ll have in a long time.”
Dailey said, “Maybe.”
George introduced and
recognized the elected
offi cial guests, including
Oregon State Republican
Representative Greg Bar-
reto (a guest speaker), Bak-
er County Commissioner
Mark Bennett, Baker
County Commissioner Bill
Harvey (a guest speaker),
and “the hooligan from
Grant County,” Palmer, all
of which was separately
followed by applause.
SEE FAFA BANQUET
PAGE 3
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
FAFA President Tork Ballard talks with Oregon State Rep. Greg Barreto from
Cove, who was a guest speaker during the evening’s event.
City’s new fee ordinance Speelman
pleads
passes first reading
guilty
• CITIZENS TURN OUT TO EXPRESS THEIR
CONCERNS, OPPOSITION
before June 30, 2017.
The Ordinance had been reviewed by the City’s legal
counsel Warner advised.
The ordinance specifi cally stated that the revenue col-
lected would go into the general fund for the city, shall be
reviewed and set annually and has a sunset clause of June
30, 2020.
It also outlines an appeal process that directs the City
Manager to review and decide appeals in lieu of a public
safety committee.
On May 18, 2017,
Beth Marie Speelman,
(DOB 5/22/1984) of 1695
Auburn #3, Baker City,
OR pled guilty to Crimi-
nally Negligent Homicide,
a Class B Felony and
Unlawful Possession of
Methamphetamine a Class
C Felony.
One count of Man-
slaughter in the Second
Degree was dismissed as
Photo courtesy of the
part of a plea agreement
Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce.
with the District Attor-
ney’s Offi ce.
Speelman was sentenced Beth Speelman
by visiting Circuit Court
Judge Lane Simpson.
Judge Greg Baxter recused himself due to a confl ict of
interest. Speelman was sentenced pursuant to the sentenc-
ing guidelines to optional probation. The Court had the
option to sentence Speelman to prison for 22 months or
probation with jail time.
Speelman was sentenced to 6 months in the county jail
with three years probation. Once Speelman has completed
her jail sentence she will transfer to an inpatient drug
treatment program to complete drug and alcohol treat-
ment. If Ms. Speelman’s probation is ever revoked, she
would serve 22 months in prison. She must complete drug
and alcohol treatment while on probation.
SEE CITY’S NEW FEE ORDINANCE
PAGE 3
SEE SPEELMAN
PAGE 5
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Mayor Downing called the Tuesday evening City Coun-
cil meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He then led the Pledge
of Allegiance and provided the invocation. Robin Nudd,
Community Development Coordinator fi lling in for City
Recorder Julie Smith called roll. All were present, with
the exception of Councilor Abell who arrived at 7:30 p.m.
Next Mayor Downing turned to the consent agenda.
Councilor Joseph moved to approve the agenda with a
second heard by Councilor Nilsson followed by a unani-
mous vote.
Next Mayor Downing called for citizen participation,
hearing none, Council then moved forward with the
agenda.
Ordinance # 3354 Public Safety Utility Fee
City Manager Fred Warner addressed Council briefl y
stating that the ordinance before them had been reworked
as they had directed at the last council meeting. He
also stated that this new ordinance was based on the $3
residential and $6 commercial amounts the Budget Board
had agreed on in the fi nal budget meeting Wed. May 17th
as a revenue enhancement.
By imposing this amended amount, cuts to fi re and
police services were averted.
However, this ordinance must be passed by City Coun-
cil and then added to the City’s Fee schedule by resolu-
tion before the of June.
Failure of the Council to pass this ordinance would
require Council to then revisit the approved budget, mak-
ing cuts where necessary before adopting the fi nal budget
Friday
Mostly sunny skies with mild conditions. highs
near 70. Friday Night: Mostly clear and cool.
Low near 40.
Saturday
Mostly sunny skies with mild conditions. highs in
the mid 70s. Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows
in the upper 40s.
Sunday
Mostly sunny skies with warm conditions. highs
near 80. Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the
upper 40s.
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
Citizen Tom Muller addresses Council.
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Logging truck has mishap
Huntington represented on Boise panel
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
Steele convicted on sex abuse
Man arrested after being served
OTEC gives capital credit notice
New BCPD offi cer sworn in
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