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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (July 14, 2017)
FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017 Classifieds / Local HELP WANTED BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach at BHS. For a complete description of the position and the application process, go to www.Baker5J.org. For additional informa- tion, please call Cathy Martin at 541-524-2261, or email at cathy.martin@bakersd.org. 7.14 BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT is currently accepting applications for two Assistant Volleyball Coaches at BHS. For a complete description of the position and the application process, go to www.Baker5J.org. For additional information, please call Cathy Martin at 541-524-2261, or email at cathy.martin@bakersd.org. 7.14 BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT 5J is currently accepting applications for a Paraprofessional at South Baker Intermedi- ate. Closing Date is July 19, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. For a complete description of the position go to www.baker.k12.or.us. You may also call Cathy Martin at 541-524-2261 or email cathy.martin@bakersd.org. 7.14 BAKER TECHNICAL INSTITUTE is currently accepting applications for a Part-time Health Services Instructor. Posi- tion open until filled. For a complete description of the position and the application process, go to www.Baker5J.org. For additional information, please call Cathy Martin at 541-524-2261, or email at cathy.martin@bakersd.org. 7.21 BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT is currently accepting applications for Bus Driver(s) and Substitute Route Drivers. Closing Date is July 24, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. For a complete description of the position and the application process go Job Openings at www.Baker5J.org. You may also call Cathy Martin at 541-524-2261. 7.21 County CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Kerns and Harvey em- phasized that the process is not some form of “witch hunt,” that County staff don’t drive around looking for violations, and that the process has to be, and is complaint-driven. Kerns said that she’ll research how other coun- ties are addressing this process, and she’ll provide an update to the Board. The Board discussed some County-associated issues and concerns with Billman, who’s been a Field Representative for Walden for three weeks. Billman said that he planned to meet with different County Commis- sioners, for such a discus- sion, including those of Malheur, where he traveled to after meeting with the Baker County Board on Wednesday. Bennett encouraged Walden’s participation in resolving Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Pay- ment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding issues. He pointed out the need for local revenue from sus- tainable logging contracts, and he said there was a failure during the severe winter of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid the County with funding. Among other issues, Bennett also spoke of the high level of poverty throughout the County. Nichols said, in addi- tion to issues with SRS funding, there are too many conflicting laws and regulations, which causes more harm than good, and processes are delayed for years. He cited the example of U.S. Forest Service versus Bureau of Land Manage- ment rules and regulations, which differ greatly. He said that the County needs to have a bigger voice, and that there needs to be better communication from various agencies. Harvey said he would like for Walden to be able to spend more time discussing issues and con- cerns with the County, one of them being the lack of logging and revenue from that activity. Harvey said that the Forest Service needs to be able finish timber projects, with funding remaining in place. Among other details, he elaborated further on the THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7 LAWN / GARDEN LAWNMOWER. Craftsman lawnmower. Works great but owner has upgraded to an easier to start mower for herself. Retailed for around $350. Asking $100 OBO. 541.519.0572. Leave a voicemail. PUBLIC EVENTS LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS. 4 to 6 pm at Geiser Pollman Park Baker City Events presents Powder River Music Review. Public invited, attendance by suggested $5 per person donation. Weekly raffle winner! For complete list of events: www.facebook/powderrivermusicreview or www. bakercityevents.net. • During Miners Jubilee the live music schedule changes! Please see the Community Calendar on Page 2 of this week’s issue for that schedule. • issues regarding timber sales and logging, blocked access to roads, livestock allotment maintenance, wolves and other endan- gered species, and the general economic survival of the County. Billman, having grown up seeing similar types of issues the County is expe- riencing, provided his own understanding and input during each discussion. Bennett, speaking about tourism, said that it’s great, but that it’s cyclical, and it’s dependent upon a vari- ety of factors. Billman agreed that the community needs to have sustainable and dependable revenues year-round. Other discussions in- cluded the still unresolved issues with management and structure of the Tri- County Weed Management Area (TCWMA). Harvey and Bennett pointed out problems with the lack of staff for Baker County, and the lack in communications, among other issues. Harvey said that the County wants to work to resolve the issues with the TCWMA, but that one way or another, there will be staff located in Baker. Wolf depredation committee discusses Range Rider BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker County Wolf Depredation Compensation Committee held a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 5, 20 17, 3 p.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Baker County Court- house, including a discus- sion of the objectives of the Range Rider position, in response to the largest missing livestock claim in the history of the State compensation program, which was submitted by Baker County producers for losses last year. Present were com- mittee chair and Baker County Commissioner Mark Bennett, committee member Steve Edwards, Baker County Commission Executive Assistant Heidi Martin, and Baker County Soil and Water Conserva- tion Districts (SWCD) District Manager Whitney Collins. Bennett said that more thorough records are needed from SWCD- contracted Range Riders, including GPS points, map information, time sheets, and any coordination with producers, among other details, which prompted the meeting. He also mentioned the option of using regular riders for area producers as Range Riders. “We want to make sure that, which- ever option is chosen, it’s something that is truly in the spirit of the preven- tion, of the program, so that we’re getting the best bang for our buck, and we’re helping the folks out there—that was the goal of this,” Bennett said. Edwards spoke of the general options, and Col- lins said, “I had a ton of in- terested people call—I had over 80 people call, who were interested (in apply- ing as Range Rider), but I had one who was qualified, because you have to be a licensed independent con- tractor, to carry an actual contract with the SWCD (for liability purposes)...” Edwards asked, “It’s not just construction? Any type of contractor?” Collins said a general independent contractor, but technically, the license should be in a related field, for example, as a horse trainer, a designation the first Range Rider held. Collins said that the SWCD is probably between 60 and 90 days from recruiting a rider, because of bid require- ments, proposals, ranking of applicants, etc. Bennett asked about the possibility of expediting that process, and Martin asked, “Due to the time constraints, why don’t we just stick with the same guy (Halfway-based James Chetwood, the most recent Range Rider), and just have him do what we need him to do?” Collins said that a bid is still required, because the contract is worth over $5,000, and the SWCD went through this process every year, with the Range Rider. Bennett asked if an emergency contract could be sought, and Collins said she would check into that possibility. In 2016, Chetwood logged 318 hours of riding time, at $22 per hour, for a total of $6,996, the amount that was awarded through the program for limiting wolf-livestock interaction. This year, that amount is $6,599. Bennett said that one of the main requirements for the Range Rider would be to meet weekly with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) staff, including Baker District Wildlife Biologist Brian Ratliff, landowners, and others associated with the program. Other re- quirements would include providing maps where the rider had been, among other details. In response to the sug- gestion of an emergency bid and contract, Collins said, “I’m just not comfort- able with an emergency contract on it... I don’t think it gives people enough time to really consider...” She suggested that land- owners could have a more active role on a year-long trial basis, including acting as riders in more heav- ily affected areas, turning in time sheets, and being compensated, resulting in a more focused process. “In the past, it was a great partnership with us, but we’ve got to sit down—I think we need to have a hard look,” she said. Bennett said that, while exploring different options, he and Martin need to determine what the fairest and most equitable way would be, and Collins needs to speak with SWCD staff and legal counsel, if applicable. Martin said, based on history, there are at least five ranchers who would meet qualifications for par- ticipation in the suggested trial option. ODF raises fire restrictions Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) instituted a set of fire prevention mea- sures in a Regulated-Use Closure starting at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday July 12, 2017. Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, char- coal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations. Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the wa- ter, or at a cleared area free of flammable vegetation. Non-Industrial chainsaw use is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohib- ited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment is pro- hibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops. Use of fireworks is pro- hibited. Possession of the follow- ing firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and drive- ways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extin- guisher. Debris burning is prohib- ited, except in burn barrels for which a Burning Permit has been issued. Use of exploding targets is prohibited. Use of tracer ammuni- tion or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited. The use of sky lanterns is prohibited throughout the year in Oregon. The Regulated Use Clo- sure for ODF’s Northeast Oregon District affects private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and small portions of Mal- heur, Morrow and Grant.