FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Local
Forest Access for All Banquet Speelman
pleads guilty
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 3
Palmer was referring to
media spin regarding the
Malheur Wildlife Refuge
occupation, his being the
subject of a Department of
Justice (DOJ) investiga-
tion, and the respondent in
a lawsuit regarding public
records.
On the subject of FAFA,
he said, “We’re all here for
one cause, and it basi-
cally revolves around our
public lands...” When local
communities aren’t seeing
revenue from the sales of
timber, for example, he
said, the result is cuts in
services, such as school
districts. “We’ve got to
look at young people, and
encourage them to run for
public office...and encour-
age them to be our next
leadership...and carry this
torch for us...” he said. He
emphasized the need for a
major cut back in govern-
ment regulations, and he
criticized the Equal Ac-
cess to Justice Act (EAJA),
because “It’s detrimental
to us; it’s killing us...We’ve
got to fight back...I appre-
ciate what FAFA does...” A
standing ovation followed
Palmer’s speech.
George introduced Har-
vey, and George criticized
some surrounding counties
for their government-to-
government method of
interaction with federal
agencies, “collaboration,”
as opposed to a stronger
county stance that Har-
vey heavily promotes and
practices, “coordination,”
with those same agencies.
“Bill’s the only one you’ve
really got, in Northeastern
Oregon, that I’m aware of,
that’s doing that...” George
said.
Harvey said, to Palmer,
“...I can’t thank you
enough for standing up,
and staying in there...We
would hank you for your
service to us...” He praised
the group FAFA and its ef-
forts throughout the years,
and he said, to guests,
“You’re helping them to
finance the next fight...If
you don’t think it’s com-
ing--sorry, it’s coming...I’d
like to say--unfortunately,
Mark (Bennett) and I have
to say--we’re the govern-
ment (Harvey, Bennett,
and Commissioner Bruce
Nichols, comprising the
County Commission
Board), and we’re here to
help you,” which prompted
laughter. “We are your
government--we don’t rep-
resent anyone else outside
this county...”
He said that the Fed-
eral government no longer
makes that statement or
offers help, but rather,
battles citizens at every
turn, while daring them
to respond. In refer-
encing government-to-
government coordination
meetings in regards to the
U.S. Forest Service’s Blue
Mountains Forest Plan Re-
vision (BMFPR), he said,
to Forest Service staff,
“We will work through
your...Plan Revision, and
we will come to some
consistencies--some agree-
ments...”
He said that the process
worked for a while, but it’s
become frustrating, the
Forest Service has stalled
progress, and asked the
County to blindly sign
off on the Plan that’s in a
seemingly vague status,
and he said, to Forest Ser-
vice staff, “You’re really
staring to sound like, and
look like (Democratic U.S.
House Minority Leader)
Nancy Pelosi,” which
prompted more laughter.
“We don’t sign something
that’s wrong...This group
(FAFA) has fought since
2004...”
Harvey criticized the
Forest Service regard-
ing blocked road access
and “Designated Routes,”
which he said is unaccept-
able to the County, but to
local Forest Service staff’s
credit, he said it isn’t really
them ultimately dictating
what will and will not hap-
pen, but that those orders
and philosophies come
from Washington, D.C.
In discussing the causes
of fires, he said, “We don’t
have man-made global
warming, okay? That’s
pathetic...” He cited major
reasons for the pattern
of large wildfires--over-
grown, huge fuel loads,
and mismanagement of
National Forest lands, in-
cluding the lack in logging
and timber sales, which
he said could provide jobs
and an economic boost.
“Thank you so much for
helping us tonight, to raise
some money, to continue
the battle...Awareness is
what we’re looking for.
Help people to under-
stand...” Harvey said.
George provided a
brief FAFA update, which
included the detail that
FAFA is working with
Portland-based attorney
Tyler Smith, on some
issues, including draft-
ing letters to the Forest
Service regarding the
BMFPR, and around 550
outreach letters, to those
people who commented on
the BMFPR.
George said that the
timeline for the release of
the Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS)
for the BMFPR is confus-
ing, because he’s heard
different dates, anywhere
from June, to August, of
this year. He said that
FAFA watches these time-
lines closely, but citizens
need to ultimately provide
comments on released
documents, because, “We
cannot comment for you..
Your voice matters, and
you’ve got to use it...We’re
going to need your help...
It’s serious...I’m not some-
body to bluster and (exple-
tive) you...I’ve watched
Forest Rangers and
District Supervisors laugh
at people, and tell them...”
that they don’t have ac-
cess to certain roads, and
he criticized the Forest
Service on the subject of
Travel Management.
After about a fifteen-
minute break, George
announced the closing of
the silent auction, and he
introduced Barreto, who
provided a legislative
update.
Barreto said, in refer-
encing State budget issues,
that Democrats have
proposed cuts where “...
it hurt people the most...”
During a meeting that
included Democratic
Senator Richard Devlin, a
member of the Ways and
Means Committee, Bar-
reto asked Devlin, with the
knowledge that ten years
ago the State would be
facing these issues, why a
proper budget couldn’t be
proposed, and Devlin said,
“The scope of what we
think we should provide,
we find we cannot afford,”
which prompted laughter.
“That is the problem we
have over in Salem...” Bar-
reto said..
He said that members of
the Legislature should be
working together and find-
ing compromises, if need
be, to come to budget solu-
tions, but he faces frustra-
tion, and the reality is that
“It doesn’t work like that,
over in Salem, and typi-
cally, rural Oregon gets
the brunt of any decision
that’s made. Do I have
great news for you? No,
I don’t,” which prompted
more laughter. “I really
wish I did,” he said.
Barreto said that the
Legislature spends major
funding to promote the
idea of business in Oregon,
while stifling it, which
makes no sense, and
that charging businesses
more for taxes is not go-
ing to promote growth.
“That’s what we’re up
against, over in Salem...
There are days when you
say, ‘There’s no common
sense here.’ You gotta get
involved...” he said, as he
encouraged participation
in voting, though he rec-
ognized that many don’t
feel their vote counts on
State matters. A standing
ovation followed Barreto’s
speech.
George announced
the winning ticket for a
Windham Weaponry AR-
15 (Armalite Rifle), in .223
caliber, which was donated
at a reduced rate by York’s
Park Grocery & Sporting
Goods. Lorrie Harvey
was awarded the rifle, and
she in turn donated it to be
auctioned off, to George’s
surprise and appreciation,
who said, “Rifles are like
shoes for women--you
can never have too many,”
which prompted laughter
and applause.
George, with the help of a
couple of young and enthu-
siastic assistants, dispersed
the silent auction items to
the winning bidders. He
recognized Lorrie, Pam
Noble, Cindy Frazier, Jo
Marlette, Bille Jo George,
and John Phillis, for their
efforts in association with
the event. George said
that he was recognizing
the ladies, and that, while
Phillis is a not a lady, he
also put forth major effort,
selling tickets.
Dailey began the live
auction at about 8:15 p.m.,
the AR-15 rifle being the
first item up for bid, which
went to Kerry Matthews,
for $800. Dailey said,
“Remember, it’s not what
you’re buying, it’s what
you’re doing--to kick some
butt, on the Federal gov-
ernment side.”
With several young and
enthusiastic assistants
helping to model and dis-
perse the rest of the items,
Dailey continued the live
auction, to which he added
his own personal form of
entertainment, including
jokes throughout, confirm-
ing George’s earlier claim
of Dailey’s ability.
SEE FAFA BANQUET
PAGE 8
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The Criminally Negligent Homicide charge stemmed
from the death of her infant son Tracin Givens. Speelman
was co-sleeping with the child, which was determined to
be the cause of death by the Oregon Medical Examiner’s
Office.
Speelman’s toxicology results indicated she had
actively been using multiple drugs but there was strong
evidence she was under the influence of hydrocodone at
the time of the death. Speelman did not have a prescrip-
tion for the hydrocodone.
“Drug use was a key factor in obtaining the indictment
in this case. Through the investigation it was determined
that Speelman had been counseled on the risks of co-
sleeping at Saint Alphonsus Hospital when her child was
born. Clear evidence of prior knowledge of the risks of
co-sleeping and drug use at the time of the co-sleeping
led to the indictment and conviction in this case. The fact
that Speelman has taken responsibility for her child’s
death, and is a good candidate for intensive drug treat-
ment were factors taken into consideration by the Court
in allowing her to be on probation once she has served
her jail sentence,” said D.A. Matt Shirtcliff.
Steele
convicted on
sex abuse
charges
On May 23, 2017 Alan Steele (DOB 04-11-1961) of
47887 Clear Creek Rd. Halfway, Oregon pled guilty to
three counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree one
other misdemeanor count was dismissed as part of a plea
agreement with the District Attorney’s Office.
Steele was sentenced by Baker County Circuit Court
Judge Greg Baxter to two years in the Baker County Jail
on two of the sex abuse charges. On the third charge,
Steele was sentenced to one year in jail suspended upon
successful completion of formal probation for five years
with the sex offender package. Steele will be required to
register as a sex offender.
Steele was originally charged with three counts of First
Degree Sexual Abuse which are class B felonies and
carry prison time. He was also charged with one count of
Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree a class A misdemeanor.
The maximum sentence for a class A misdemeanor is one
year in jail. Through further investigation by the Baker
County Sheriff’s Office it was determined that the victim
was 14 years old at the time of all of the offenses which
only allowed the charges to go forward as class A misde-
meanors.
Said District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff, “The goal was
for Mr. Steele to serve prison time on the felony charges
but the age of the victim did not allow that to occur under
Oregon law.”
Steele will receive credit for time served on one of the
misdemeanors counts as he has been in jail for one year.
He will now serve another year in the county jail on the
second misdemeanor count. Upon release he will be on
probation on the third misdemeanor count and will have
to complete sex offender treatment. If he violates his
probation, he will serve an additional year in jail.
Man arrested
after being
served
On May 22, 2017 at approximately 5:00 p.m., Baker
County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at a residence on Val-
ley Street in an attempt to serve a restraining order on
Kevin Beauford (DOB 11/2/62).
When deputies arrived, they were met on the front
porch by Beauford. Deputies advised him that the court
order required that he leave the residence. At this time,
Beauford became agitated and attempted to flee into the
residence. A brief struggle ensued. Deputies were able to
gain control and place Beauford in handcuffs. There were
no injuries sustained during the altercation.
Beauford was transported to the Baker County Jail and
charged with Violation of a Restraining Order and Resist-
ing Arrest.
Transportation
commission to meet
The North East Area Commission on Transportation
will hold its next meeting on June 1 from 9 a.m. to noon
at the Oregon Department of Transportation Region 5
Headquarters located at 3012 Island Avenue, La Grande,
Oregon. The general public is invited to attend. The meet-
ing location is accessible to persons with disabilities, per
the Americans with Disabilities Act. Questions: 1-877-
336-6368.