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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2017)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMER 1, 2017 THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5 Local County has new auditor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Harvey called the meet- ing to order, and provided the Invocation and led in recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. As there were no previ- ous meeting minutes to ap- prove, and there was only one item on the agenda, Harvey asked Hardt if he had any public concerns to discuss. Hardt said that, during a previous session, he had asked Harvey to look into resolving issues between a miner and the U.S. Forest Service, since the For- est Service had required a bond on a bridge in the Eagle Creek area, and that the Forest Service was planning to increase the amount of the bond. Hardt said, “There shouldn’t even be a bond on it, I would think.” Har- vey said that he’s looking into the issue. Cook said that, in late May, Guyer & Associates told the County that the firm would not be continu- ing to perform the Coun- ty’s annual audit, which prompted a Request For Proposals (RFP) for bids on the services. Two firms responded to the RFP: Pauly, Rogers & Co., PC, and Barnett & Moro, PC. The informa- tion provided to the Board includes a bid of $33,500 from Pauly, Rogers & Co., for complete services, and $43,000 from Barnett & Moro, for the same; $30,000 for the annual County audit from Pauly, Rogers & Co., and $41,000 from Barnett & Moro, for the same; and $3,500 from Pauly, Rogers & Co. for a single audit, and $2,000 from Barnett & Moro, for the same. Nichols explained that the figures were provided to “compare apples to apples,” with both firms, in order to make the best choice, and Bennett, in referencing the City’s audit delays, and expressing concerns about possible delays with completing the County’s audits, asked Nichols about time frames for completion, extensions, and penalties for delays. Nichols explained that a single audit would have to be completed by December 31st, but that an extension could be allowed, which would mean probably January or February next year, for completion of the audit. Nichols said, “Auditors are becoming quite scarce in eastern Oregon, so, it’s a little difficult to get auditors who want to take on a project this size (the County audit)...” He asked Dave Lindley, of Guyer & Associates, to recommend auditors for the task, and Nichols said that Lindley recommended both firms. Cook said that she had contacted entities the firms provided services for, and that, “They had noth- ing bad to say about the groups...” Nichols said, “One of the things I liked about their firm (Pauly, Rogers & Co.) is they have two CPAs who are also forensic fraud auditors. I don’t think we need that at all, but ... they may ask to see things that other auditors may not...” He said that he likes to see that extra detail and education, and while both firms are qualified to provide audit services for the County, and that he wouldn’t have an issue with either firm, he sees more benefits with choos- ing Pauly, Rogers & Co. The Board discussed some concerns with Cook about employees’ comfort level in voicing concerns about issues such as po- tential fraud, and Nichols explained that the ap- proved firm would address these concerns, and would communicate regularly with the County. Bennett said, “I just believe that, over the years, we have learned a lot of information that not necessarily was fraudu- lent, but helped improve our operation, and make it better for the community, the employees, and the County.” Nichols said, “That’s what audits are supposed to be about—to help you.” Nichols said he approves of the idea of encouraging County employees to visit auditors with concerns. Bennett moved that the Board accept the recom- mendation of the Audit Committee, and enter into an agreement with Pauly, Rogers & Co., PC, to perform County audit services, Harvey seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Cook said she will notify the firm, and that there will be a contract ready for ap- proval by the next regular Commission session, scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 9 a.m. 27th Annual Memory Cruise held BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com August 26th, car lovers and enthusiasts attended the 27th annual Baker City Memory Cruise held at the Geiser-Pollman Park. Those attending were able to participate in the Show-n-Shine followed by awards, the Poker Walk, the Poker Run and down- town Cruise, and a bar- beque at the Quail Ridge Golf Course. Cheryl and Dan Haber- man, owners of the Baker City Dairy Queen, and Wayne Ryder the owner of NAPA Auto and Miller’s Lumber, organized the event. The Haberman’s have or- ganized the Show-n-Shine for the last twenty years. Kailyn McQuisten / The Baker County Press The Show -n- Shine in the park showed off many of the cars that were later cruised up and down Main Street that evening, including this orange Plymouth belonging to Keith and Janet Jensen. Dan Haberman explained that members of the group who ran the event before them began losing inter- est and it was going to be dropped. He and Ryder did not want to see it go away and they decided to pick it up. Ryder explained that the event was started by a group called the Thunder Mountain Motor Sports to build a drag strip at one point and the show, along with other events, was put on to raise money for it. Haberman explained that he begins setting up the event at the beginning of the year. They set up the trophies for the event, coordinat- ing with the City to have things done, setting up music, and gathering the raffle items. They also look for dona- tions, from sponsors, to help with the event. There were about 20 businesses that sponsored the event and they buy two plaques as trophies that are given away at the end of the show. Some of the sponsors for the event were Superior Towing, Grumpy’s Auto Repair, NAPA Auto Parts, and Dairy Queen. They purchase a lot of the raffle winnings and some of the proceeds made from people purchasing raffle tickets goes to pur- chase raffle item. Community Bank do- nated $100 this year to go towards raffle prizes. Some of the proceeds also go to Veterans. Cheryl Haberman explained that they had around 180 people partici- pate in the event last year, but they average around 160 to 165 generally. “This brings lot of peo- ple to Baker,” explained Ryder. “The Car Culture’s a group of people that, it’s their life, their hot rod car is their life.” Dog park CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bornstedt discussed that they have a few community members helping by soliciting donations, through which they raised $1,285. Duman explained that a community member came for- ward with another grant possibility and they are working on other fundraising ideas for the park. One fundraiser they are doing is the 1st Annual Dog Jog Fun Run/Walk on October 7th. It will start at Central Park at 9 a.m. that day and will end at Central Park. All proceeds will go to the construction and maintenance of the Dog Park. Prizes will be awarded for best “dressed” pet and participant. Having a dog is optional for participation. Registration forms are available at Baker City Hall or for download on the Baker City Partners for Paws Facebook page. “Originally thinking just, for a fund raiser,” Duman explained about the Dog Jog. “But now that we got that grant, we’re thinking that this will help to maintain the park every year—and make it a yearly thing.” Their construction plans for the park are adding bench- es, fencing, planting trees, and adding a water source. Duman explained that most parks have a double entry, to help get dogs settled down, and so other dogs cannot escape while people are going through. They are thinking they will begin construction around spring next year and they have three years to utilize the grant funds. They also have three sponsors for the Dog Jog so far; Baker Valley Physical Therapy, the Baker City Herald, and the YMCA. ODOT launches distracted driver campaign SALEM — Who are Oregon’s safest drivers? That’s what a new campaign created by AAA Oregon/Idaho, ODOT and the Oregon State Police seeks to discover. DriveHealthy’s aim is to help reduce the incidence of distracted driving in Oregon by introducing friendly competition. Why the need for this? A recent survey found that while 69 percent of Orego- nians are very uncomfortable riding with a driver who is sending a text message, 72 percent admit to driving distracted themselves. In Oregon on average eight people are hurt or killed by a distracted driver each day. This has contributed to the largest increase in traffic fatalities in Oregon in a decade. At the same time, cell phone use in vehicles has strong addictive properties: Changing this behavior will be dif- ficult. “We’re connected to each other socially with technolo- gy,” said ODOT Director Matthew Garrett. “And the fact is, that connection doesn’t stop when we get behind the wheel. So we want to replace the addiction to the phone by using those same social connections, combined with immediate feedback on driving and friendly competition.” “Here’s how it works,” said Garrett. “It’s simple. You get with your closest friends, family or co-workers and form a group. Your group works together to beat others in the same category—like schools, civic clubs, religious organizations or co-workers at other Oregon businesses. You can also compete on your own as an Oregon resi- dent.” Organizations can register at www.DriveHealthy.org. Starting September 1, they can download a free app from Lifesaver https://lifesaver-app.com/ and the competition begins. Each month is a new opportunity to compete. Will it be effective? Data suggests that a recent similar campaign in Boston reduced distracted driving among participants by 47 percent. By not opening your phone while driving, you keep your score high. At the end of each month, the groups with the highest scores win bragging rights on the DriveHealthy website. “We’re convinced,” said Garrett, “that while technol- ogy helped create the problem, technology can also help provide a solution to distracted driving.” DriveHealthy started as the result of a statewide task force, which also recommended passage of tougher cell- phone laws. House Bill 2597 takes effect October 1 and, among other changes, increases the penalty for using a mobile electronic device while driving to $2,000. Businesses, corporations, organizations and media out- lets can support the DriveHealthy campaign in a variety of ways: Adopt the campaign as a cause for your organization Sponsor media promotion for DriveHealthy in your local market Sponsor monthly rewards for the best drivers For information on how to sponsor DriveHealthy monthly rewards, contact LifeSaver (info@lifesaver-app.com). For information on how to adopt DriveHealthy in your community, contact Tom Fuller (503-986-3455, Thomas. Fuller@odot.state.or.us). “Our goal is lofty,” said Garrett. “We want to change cultural norms around distracted driving like they changed regarding seat belt use and drunk driving. It took decades to make significant progress in those areas. Today things change at Internet speed so I’m hopeful the norms around driving healthy can become a part of our culture quickly.”