i Record-Courier
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THURSDAY, MARCH 10,2016
Kee Will Stay Through May
News of Record
Story /photo by Gina Perkins
The Baker City Council voted to extend the current City
Manager's contract through the end of May at which time
a Department Head yet to be identified will assume'
interim City Management duties. Councilors Langrell and
Thomas voted against extending Kee's contract,
preferring a Department Head assume those interim
responsibilities at the end of April.
The timeline to identify and hire a new City Manager
has been extended. Kee believes there are 29 applicants
and it's estimated that interviews with finalists will be in
mid to late April. Conducting final background checks and
providing time for the successful candidate to give appro
priate notice to a current employer, suggests it will be well
after May 31 before the new manager would be in place.
Kee cannot stay longer than May 31 because of laws
pertaining to PERS.
Citizen Expresses Concern about Rants in Letters
to the Editor
During the citizen's comment portion, Mr. Terry
McQuisten addressed the Council regarding his concerns
about a Feb. 26 letter to the editor written by Clair Button.
In the letter, Button stated, "If Mr. Justus chooses to sup
port criminal activity and be an accessory to it, he does
not have the judgment I ask of a county commissioner.
Nor do I want my commissioners to encourage armed
thugs to impose their version of fascist rule on any
community, destroy property, or threaten others, whether
they are elected officials or government employees and
their families."
McQuisten asked Council members if they had ever
been called a fascist or had it implied they were a fascist.
McQuisten expressed concern about people writing
letters in the paper without points of fact and suggested
that he would like the Council to "use their power" to
encourage people not to do so.
"We don't need all these rants," said McQuisten.
Specifically referring to the Rural Lives Matter Rally held
in Halfway, McQuisten made several comments, "To
imply people there were fascist...there were single moms
there, families, and really old people. These are good
folks trying to do good things. We weren't there to cause
trouble. County Commissioners and people running for
office spoke there. I think it is very important to respect
how people feel....Maybe that person who was carrying
a sign knew LaVoy Finicum....I went to Burns but I didn't
take take supplies. I figured they could get their own."
McQuisten
also
asked the Council as
they
consider
whether to address
the "railroad curbing
their whistles" to have
them curb the graffiti
and vulgarity on the
train
cars.
He
suggested having the
trains put covers over
the cars when they
come through town.
Update from OTEC
In other business,
Lara Peticlerc Stokes Mr. Terry McQuisten expressed
from
OTEC concerns to the Baker City Council
presented
the regarding letters to the editor writ
City
with
a ten without points of fact.
franchise check for
$113,812.31. She also provided a project update and
reminded Council of the open call for nominations for the
Civic Leadership award. The deadline is April 1.
Introductions
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Shelly
Cutler introduced herself to Council and said she has
completed 60 days on the job. She said that membership
is growing.
Kody Justus introduced himself to the Council as a
candidate for County Commissioner and said he came
to learn more than he came to share.
Water Rate Increase to be Discussed
Council unanimously passed the Water Master Plan.
Fees and rates will be discussed at a future meeting. A
recommendation exists for a minimum rate increase of
10 percent, but passing the Master Plan was not an
approval of a 10 percent rate increase Public Works
Director, Michelle Owen, assured the Council.
Golf Course Irrigation System Replacement
"We're pasting millions of gallons of water at the Golf
Course. That's why we need to replace the irrigation
system," explained Jeff Stahman, Superintendent of the
Golf Course. Council voted to award the design of the
golf course irrigation system for 18 holes to Baer Design
Group, LLC of Boise contingent on the granting entity's
approval of the change from nine to 18 holes.
Individuals, Partnerships
and Corporations
Tax Preparation
Nichols & Mitchell, PC
Certified Public Accountants
Complete Residential
& Commercial
Bruce Nichols, CPA
Stan Mitchell, CPA
NEW - REMODELS - REPAIRS
Serving Union & Baker Counties
Tax Preparation & Electronic Filing
Payroll Services - Estates & Trusts
Located at 2550 Broadway
in Baker City
CCB# 103084
Baker City 541-523-7990
La Grande 541-963-9534
Dave Billings & Wendy Kohl-Billings
Owners -
Kick-Off Spring Break with
Free Concert
Baker City welcomes back Ryan Steven
son in concert Thursday, March 17 at the
Baker City Nazarene Church*. Doors open at
6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
Limited seating is available on a first come,
first served basis.
Immediately following the concert will be be
a teen game night with games, refreshments
and fun.
541-523-6471
Advanced Notary Class Offered
TO ALL VETERANS
The Baker County Veteran Services Office f- ‘:
provides access to a wide range of benefits and
services to veterans and’their families.
Health Care, Education,
Compensation and Pension, Burial
Benefits and much more
Rick Gloria, Veterans Services Coordinator
1995 3rd Street • 541-523-8223
Baker City Janitorial
A Supply Company
L
• Commercial Cleaning Supplies
• Restroom Paper Products
Free Delivery in Baker City & La Grande
Rick and Bekki Hurley
!
541-403-0574
Participate in blood panel screenings offered by
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center—Baker City
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
March 17 18 19
Join us!
7:00 a.m.—9:30 a.m.
Saint Alphonsus
Medical Center—Baker City
Powder River Conference Room
Use Administration entrance (old care center entrance)
located in the back of the hospital near the ffi entrance
Basic Package: Lipid panel—$0 (no charge)
Comprehensive Package: Lipid panel, CSC, -
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel—$20
TSH: $10
No Appointment Needed.
Your results
will be mailed to you.
IMPORTANT: Please abstain from al! food and
drink at least 12 hours before you.- blood
screening. Drinking plain water is encouraged.
“Insurance will not be billed. You will receive a receipt and description of the tests.
Individuáis are responsible for checking with their insurance carriers
for possible reimbursement.
If you have questions, call Laura Huggins at 541-523-8102.
because it's all abouy^/z.
3325 Pocahontas Road
Baker City. OR 97814
54Î-523646J
ritalphnntio orq/bakerr ity
Saint Alphonsus
Xr Medicat Center
SAKO? CITY
This March 24 class is appropriate for
experienced, commissioned notaries and will
be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Blue
Mountain Community College in Pendleton.
The class is free and will cover such areas as
employee
notary
issues,
comparing
signatures with identification, notario and
elder abuse fraud, and journaling witnesses.
The classes are two hoiirs long and will
include time for questions and answers.
Register for the class labeled "Current
Notaries Only" at: http://notsem.sos.state.or
.us/ Or call us (503) 986-2200.
Spring into Nature at the
Interpretive Center
“Spring into Nature” March 21-24
Monday through Thursday of Spring Break,
the Interpretive Center will offer one-hour
classes aimed at younger visitors. We will
explore what happens in springtime in the
natural world - the life cycles of plants and
animals, bats and bees pollinating, bird nesting
and migration, hibernation and baby animals.
Workshops will be offered at 10 am and 1
p.m. each day.
Monday, March 21: Nesting.& Migration
Tuesday, March 22: Pollination &
Interconnections
Wednesday, March 23: Hibernation &
Spring Growth
Thursday, March 24: Life Cycles & Habitats
Class size is limited, pre-registration is
suggested by calling 541 -523-1855. A small fee
of $5 covers all supply costs.
Feb. 22 - Unlawful Possession of a Furbearer:
Bobcat, Prohibited Trapping Method to Wit, and
Unbranded Traps: David Sanders, 56, of Elgin,
Ore., at 6:07 p.m.; citations issued by Oregon
State Police Fish and Wildlife Officer.
Feb. 25 - Warrant Arrest for Theft ll(Union
County): Morgan Louise Davis, 27, of Baker City,
at 5:32 p.m., 1540 Campbell St.; jailed.
Feb. 28 - Resisting Arrest, Assault on a Police Offi
cer x2 and Harassment: Tessie Ann Smith, 28, of
1745 D St., at 9:30 a.m., 2525 Court Ave.; jailed.
Feb. 28 - Parole Violation (Out of County): Caleb
Leon Elmer Pierce, 31, of 125 E Monroe St.,
Huntington, Ore., at 1:35 p.m. at his residence;
jailed.
Feb. 28 - Assault IV and Assault IV (Baker County
Warrant): Brendon Michael Smith, 21, of 1560 In
diana Ave., at 4:55 p.m., 1560 Indiana Ave. #211;
jailed.
March 1 - Driving Under the Influence of Intoxi
cants: Jeffrey Clifton Littig, 56, of Ft. Worth,
Texas, at 6:18 p.m. on Interstate 84, milepost 306
eastbound; jailed.
March 1 - Probation Violation and Criminal Tres
pass II: Neil Sloan Lewis, 33, of 2430 Sth Street
at 2:58 p.m., 2505 Broadway Ave.; jailed.
March 1 - Contempt of Court (Baker County Circuit
Court Warrant): Linda Diane Peterson, 48, of
Baker City, at 4:15 p.m., 944 Elm; jailed.
March 1 -Driving Under Influence and Out of State
Warrant for Failure to Appear: Tina Marie Carter-
Bahmer, 46, of 1100 NW Warrenton Dr., Warren
ton, Ore., at 9:12 p.m., between Third and
Campbell Streets; jailed.
March 2 - Contempt of Court (Baker County Jus
tice Court): Henry Earl Koos, 37, of 265017th
St., at 12:18 p.m. at his residence; cited and re
leased.
March 3 - False information to a police officer:
Shelby Suzett Statham, 39, of 570 N Contour
Ave., Idaho Falls, Idaho, at 2:59 p.m., between
Resort St. and Washington Ave.; jailed.
March 4 - Warrant Arrest (Baker County Justice
Court): Lonnie Mae Persicke, 37, of Baker City, at
1:01 a.m., 2425 Oak St.; cited and released.
March 4 - Criminal Trespass II and Disorderly
Conduct II: Oral Tobias Holt, 57, of Baker City, at
8:00p.m., 2005 Valley Ave.; jailed.
March 5 - Warrant Arrest (Umatilla County Warrant
for Failure to Appear): Kevin Duwayne Amerson,
59, 9:52 a.m., 150 2nd St W.; cited and released.
Marriage
Feb. 29 - Trenton Austin Mitchell of Westwood,
Cali, to Christine Nicole Brown of Baker City.
Judgments
Feb. 1 - Michael Andrew Scott vs. Renae M. Scott
for Domestic Relations Dissolution.
Feb. 1 - Monica Thomas and State of Oregon vs.
Shalon M. Spriet for Child Support. Oregon De
partment of Human Resources Administrative
Order.
Feb. 3 - Breanna M Davis and State of Oregon vs.
Patrick Walker for Child Support. Oregon Depart
ment of Human Resources Administrative Order.
Feb. 3 - Heather Matheny and State of Oregon vs.
Judah G Leos for Child Support. Oregon Depart
ment of Human Resources Administrative Order.
Feb. 3 - Aleasha Watkins vs. Johathon Romine for
petition for Restraining Order; Order allowed and
signed.
Accidents
Feb. 25 - On Interstate 84, at 12:02 a.m., milepost
323.5 eastbound: A Freighter driven by Joshua
Edward Mathews, 30, of Lancaster, Cali, was in
volved in a single vehicle accident. Mathews fell
asleep and drifted off the roadway, hitting the
rumble strips. Mathews panicked and steered
hard causing his truck and trailer to overturn. The
passenger, Ricardo Agustin Martinez, 23, of Bak
ersfield, Cali., was transported with minor injuries.
March 1 - On Interstate 84, at 12:25 p.m., milepost
286 westbound: A gold Honda Civic driven by
Tommy Jo Gentry, 40, of Parma, Idaho, drifted off
the roadway. Gentry overcorrected and veered
into the other lane causing his vehicle to roll mul
tiple times. Gentry was cited for Failure to Drive
within Lane and was later life-flighted due to in
juries.
March 1 - On Interstate 84, at 4:15 p.m., milepost
284.5 eastbound: A Dodge pickup driven by Ray
mond Douglas Stevens, 27, of La Grande, was
passing a semi driven by Shane Raymond
Freese, 32, of Salem, Ore. Stevens drifted into
the rear trailer of the semi, disabling his vehicle.
No injuries were reported and the semi was
driven from the scene.
t
£
FBI Releases Statement on La Voy Finicum Shooting
On Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 10:43 a.m. the
FBI stated:
On Jan. 26, 2016, along Highway 395 in
Harney County, Oregon State Police (OSP)
troopers and FBI agents put themselves in
harm's way as part of the effort to bring the sit
uation at the refuge to an end peacefully. I can
assure that no one, from the Director of the FBI
down to each and every employee who was
working in Harney County, wanted this situation
to end in violence or death.
However, Mr. Finicum chose to break the law,
put other people's lives in danger, and, as the
investigation shows, provoke a confrontation
with law enforcement. As the sheriff and DA
have shown, the threat Mr. Finicum posed to
OSP troopers and agents along Highway 395
on that day was real and imminent, and certainly
justified the use of deadly force by law enforce
ment.
As you have heard today, the investigation
conducted by the Tri-County Major Incident
Team determined that OSP troopers fired three
shots at Mr. Finicum's vehicle as it approached
the law enforcement barricade at a high rate of
speed, the vehicle nearly hitting a law enforce
ment officer. The team also determined OSP
troopers fired three additional shots that struck
and killed Mr. Finicum as he reached for his
weapon after exiting his vehicle.
The county's investigation also indicated that,
in between the two series of shots fired by OSP
troopers, one, and possibly two, additional shots
were fired by law enforcement as Mr. Finicum
was exiting the vehicle after hitting the snow
bank. As autopsy results confirm, neither of
these shots struck Mr. Finicum. The question of
who fired these shots has not been resolved.
Upon learning this, and given the FBI presence
on scene, I immediately contacted our Inspec
tion Division which notified the United States
Department of Justice's Office of Inspector
General which is currently investigating this
matter.
Because this is an ongoing matter, it would be
inappropriate for me or anyone to speculate or
comment further, but I can tell you that the FBI
is fully cooperating with the Office of Inspector
General.
Since Jan. 2 the FBI has worked in partnership
with Harney County and our law enforcement
partners throughout the state to resolve the
situation at the refuge. Since that time, hundreds
upon hundreds of FBI employees traveled to
Burns with the sole .purpose of bringing this
situation to a peaceful conclusion.
Working together with our partners, we have
been able to do just that. The refuge is clear and
will be re-opening soon. People who once
feared for their safety are back in their homes.
Those who chose to break the law will have their
day in court. Life is not yet completely normal,
but we are on the path to reconciliation and
recovery.
t