FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
Local / Opinion
Prepping for winter
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 3
Christy explained that
winter accidents don’t
appear as violent as sum-
mertime driving. He said
that when a car is spinning
sideways and going into
the median, the slickness
of the snow will make
them skid where the car
stays upright.
If they do roll, the snow
cushions them a bit. He
explained they don’t see
a lot of bodily injury in
the winter as they do in
summer.
With commercial trucks,
a majority of what they do
is jackknife situations.
They service all of Baker
County, covering from
Halfway and Hells Can-
yon, to Austin Junction and
beyond.
On two lanes, they go to
Haines and North Powder
and on the freeway; they
go from Farwell Bend typi-
cally to North Powder.
“We are prepared all the
time, like the Fire Depart-
ment,” explained Christy.
“We take almost daily
inventory of all the trucks,
we staff continually for
worst case scenarios and
we will be out this winter
doing what we do best,
which is keeping the roads
open and offering service
to the people of Baker
County. We’ve done it for
20 years, we have no plans
of quitting, and we’re here
to help.”
City Council
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 2
Lohner began by explain-
ing that the ordinance’s in-
tention is to deter repeated
criminal activity and deter
repeated violations of City
Property Ordinance viola-
tions at “chronic proper-
ties.”
Lohner explained that
chronic properties are
defined as properties where
at least three or more
incidents during which the
property had been cited for
violating the City’s prop-
erty maintenance codes,
animal regulation code and
include arrests for certain
crimes occurring within a
six-month period at said
property.
Once a property reaches
two incidents a warning
letter would be mailed.
If a third incident occurs,
an order would be sought
in Baker Justice Court that
would allow properties to
be closed to access for at
least three months but not
longer than a year.
Lohner clarified by
saying that the purpose of
the ordinance is to address
properties where there are
repeated crimes or city
code violations, for which
the current remedies are
ineffective.
Lohner went on to
say that after receiving
complaints over the years
from neighbors of chronic
properties where reoc-
curring crimes, property
maintenance issues and
drug activity are consis-
tently happening he began
searching for solutions.
One neighbor of a
chronic property shared
an ordinance with Lohner
from Tualatin, OR ad-
dressing the exact same
problem.
Lohner had already
contacted the Police Chief
of Springfield, OR where
a similar ordinance is
already in place.
Lohner said that the
Springfield Police Chief
told him that the City had
only closed one property
due the ordinance and felt
that the possibility of
losing access to one’s
property seemed to be an
effective deterrent.
Chief Lohner stated that
his main goal by enacting
such an ordinance was to
encourage property owners
to resolve issues, find solu-
tions for compliance.
He said that it was his
hope that seeking court
orders to restrict access to
properties would be un-
necessary.
One by one residents
came forward to express
concerns about passing
such an ordinance.
Targeting people was
of concern for several
residents who are unable
to maintain their property,
like seniors or people with
disabilities.
Morgan Davis said, “My
property is probably one
of the ones Mr. Lohner is
talking about.”
Frustrated, Davis contin-
ued explaining some of her
hardships and reasons why
she was unable to clean
up her property herself.
“Instead of having help for
people like me, you guys
want to kick me out of my
home?” she asked.
Lohner had earlier stated
that often property mainte-
nance issues are related to
drug activity.
Davis argued this point
saying that just because
she has “junk” on her
property didn’t mean that
there is a meth lab on it.
She agreed that while such
an ordinance in a larger
city might be effective she
did not see its usefulness
for the community.
Joni Miner spoke again
voicing her concern
regarding seniors and the
disabled. She asked, “What
comes next? Where does it
stop?”
Another concern that
was voiced was, that if
there was an ordinance
such as this it would sim-
ply allow the City to “get
rid” of what it didn’t like.
Jerry Shaw stated that
he agreed with the pro-
posed ordinance. He said
that many of the problem
properties today were the
same properties that were
a problem when he was a
kid.
He felt that maybe an
ordinance such as this
might make landlords
accountable and there-
fore more responsible for
whom they rent to and
what actives occur on the
property.
As Council discussed the
issue, Councilor Nilsson
brought up private prop-
erty right concerns.
He felt such an ordinance
would give the City too
much jurisdiction over the
uses of private property.
He warned fellow Coun-
cilors to be cautious before
making any decisions
regarding this ordinance as
the consequences may be
unfavorable.
“Every situation has
a story. We need to dig
deeper,” he said alluding
to a “one size fits all” ordi-
Letter to the Editor Policy: The Baker County
Press reserves the right not to publish letters con-
taining factual falsehoods or incoherent narrative.
Letters promoting or detracting from specific for-
profit 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 Editor@TheBakerCountyPress.com.
Advertising and Opinion Page Disclaimer:
Opinions submitted as Guest Opinions or Letters
nance may not be the best
way to go in addressing the
problem.
Councilor McQuisten
stated that he felt that he
didn’t “have enough infor-
mation” currently to “make
an informed decision.”
While he stated that
he understood Lohner’s
reasoning for the proposed
ordinance, he had gotten
feedback from concerned
residents that was causing
him to take pause.
He did say he agrees that
the City needs to address
chronic problems at indi-
vidual properties but felt
there were concerns with
some aspects of the ordi-
nance in its present state.
Acting mayor Abell said
she felt that the idea of the
ordinance was not a bad
idea but that the ordinance
as it was is “too complex.”
Council voted upon a
motion by Councilor Jo-
seph, seconded by Coun-
cilor Nilsson to table the
matter for the time being.
City Manager/Director
Comments
City Manager Fred
Warner Advised Council
that they should expect to
see some revised parade
rules before them soon as
they were being worked on
currently.
Public Works Director
Michelle Owen advised
Council that one of the
City’s front loaders was
experiencing mechanical
issues and they may see
before them soon a request
to purchase a replacement.
Lohner took a moment
to clarify some numbers
regarding Muller’s earlier
comment about census
numbers.
He stated that in 2016 the
census reported the popu-
lation of Baker City to be
the same as it was in 2010.
He stated that the popu-
lation was the same, but
their case load had risen
significantly.
He also noted that there is
a huge heroin epidemic in
this country that currently
it is to the north and south
of Baker City, the problem
is quite large but not here
because as he said, “We
address drugs.”
On a final note Smith
commented that the ap-
plications for firefighters
through the acceptance of
the SAFER grant was the
highest it’s been at 26 ap-
plicants. Interviews would
begin soon.
Council Comments
With none Abell ad-
journed the meeting.
to the Editor express the opinions of their authors,
and have not been authored by and are not neces-
sarily the opinions of The Baker County Press, any of
our staff, management, independent contractors or
affiliates. Advertisements placed by political groups,
candidates, businesses, etc., are printed as a paid
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of or fulfillment obligation by this newspaper for the
products or services advertised.
— Letters to the Editor —
Thanks to the Elks #338
To the Editor:
As an Army Veteran & former Army Avi-
ator who is also a member of the Baker
Elks Fraternity, I want to express my pro-
found appreciation to the “core” members
who hosted that fine dining experience
last night. It was a VERY large crowd that
showed up! A lot of hard work went into
that “production”. The Baker Elks are a
vital & integral part of this community &
adds many benefits to not only this area
but, in the country at large with it’s vari-
ous programs to help others including this
nation’s veterans. It is uniquely American
& you must be a US citizen to join. I
joined the Elks very shortly after my wife
& I moved here some 13 years ago. It’s
been a very rewarding experience.
I’ve served as chaplain several times &
by being involved have met some very
fine people who are concerned for their
fellow man’s welfare & not just their own.
Many charitable works & good deeds
are performed for the benefit of the least
fortunate around us. Holiday food baskets
being distributed come readily to mind. In
my view, charity is the most noble of hu-
man attributes & that’s one of the reasons
for being a member & to help that noble
work go forward & come to fruition. The
Elks Lodge here in Baker City has made
our community a better place to be. It’s a
real red, white & blue outfit & that pleases
me greatly to honor our wonderful if im-
perfect country, my/our beautiful America,
a country like no other in the history of
mankind. May Almighty GOD help us
defend & protect it.
My sincere appreciation and heartfelt
thanks to all my fellow Elks who make
this work & contribute to making Baker
City the nice place that it is. Elks Care &
Elks Share. Absolutely true!
Don Burrows, Chaplain, Emeritus
Baker City
Ferrioli speaks out on
appointment
Senator Ted Ferrioli
(R-John Day), released
the following statement
Wednesday:
"Today, by unanimous
vote, the Senate has con-
firmed my appointment
to the Northwest Power
Planning and Conservation
Council.
“This appointment will
allow me to serve in some
of most important policy
areas facing Oregonians,
including Native American
Tribal and Treaty Rights,
aquatic and terrestrial
species recovery, stream
and habitat restoration
and maintaining the most
efficient, most renew-
able energy system in the
world.
“I look forward to work-
ing with my NWPPC
Commission colleagues
from Oregon, Idaho,
Montana and Washington
States.
“I am grateful for the
opportunity to work with
Senator Richard Devlin,
also confirmed today, on
such important issues as
carbon reduction through
careful planning, enhanced
conservation and efficient
management of clean,
renewable wind, solar,
geothermal and hydroelec-
— Editorial —
Crying wolf
It’s fascinating that liberal con-
servation groups intent on protect-
ing and promoting the local wolf
population are given any atten-
tion on matter of the hunter who
killed a wolf in self-defense. (See
Todd Arriola’s article on Page 1.)
Sadly, big media has done just that,
prompting us to give our contrary
opinion.
First, these groups are openly
promoting an agenda—one that
in no way shows them as neutral
parties. Second, they’re armchair
quarterbacking from in front of
their social media accounts.
It is documented and not un-
heard of for wolves to threaten, kill
tric energy.
“In my 20 years as State
Senator, I've represented
frontier districts containing
more electrical energy co-
operatives and public util-
ity districts than any other,
along with hydroelectric
generation facilities on
the Columbia and Snake
River systems and much
of the electrical energy
distribution network for
Oregon's renewable energy
resources.
I have enjoyed working
with my Senate colleagues
and am deeply appreciative
of their confirmation vote."
and consume humans when they
stumble upon a person in the wild.
The hunter was there in person.
He knows what he saw and felt.
Having any wild animal, be it a
coyote, cougar or wolf, run at you
from just 80 feet away would be
enough to get the adrenalin flowing
in just about anyone.
Law enforcement was present
afterward to go over the physical
evidence. They had no reason not
to be objective when they did.
The hunter, if he was intent on
deception, could have walked away
and left the wolf to lay without
reporting it.
We’re not sure what these groups
hope to prove or accomplish other
than vilify a hunter who had to
make a judgement call and act in a
split-second. Asking the Governor
to step on OSP’s determination is a
colossal waste of taxpayer dollars.
—The Baker County Press Editorial Board
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