i Record-Courier
5
THURSDAY, MARCH 10,2016
Editorial
Op-Ed
Division in County
Heightened by Election
Need For Transmission
Project is Still Strong
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FINANCIALt_^¿
AUTO I HOME I UFE | BUSINESS | RETIREMENT
Cindy Endicott
Baker City
541-524-9930
541-519-2612 Cëll
By Gina Perkins
Baker County is deeply divided politically. While many may
agree on the perceived problems, far fewer agree on the
solutions. 2016 events in Harney County and a rally held
outside of Halfway in February seem to underscore the
division. As the election ramps up, one only needs to take a
glance at the different candidates in the Sheriff and County
Commission races to see the opposing stances.
Robert Crawford of Halfway wrote a lengthy piece which
appeared in the Hells Canyon Journal regarding the rally that
was held on Feb. 6 outside of Halfway. He also addressed a
letter which was written by Jake Brown local Oath Keeper and
strong supporter of Kody Justus, candidate for Baker County
Commissioner and John Hoopes, sheriff candidate, who is
part of the 'Constitutional Sheriff' movement. Crawford
expresses his opinion as to why many locals had negative
perceptions about the rally in Halfway that weren’t just out of
"ignorance and shortsightedness."
“Both the timing and the tone of the rally seemed geared
toward bringing to Halfway the very sort of mess that was still
going on in Burns," wrote Crawford.
"Like many people, I first became aware of the planned rally
on Jan. 28, when a flyer advertising it was posted on the
Facebook page 'There Really Is a Place Called Halfway,
Oregon," Crawford wrote. “At that point, the occupation of the
Malheur Refuge headquarters by an armed group of
squatters had been going on for most of a month, and strong
opinions about that occupation were deeply entrenched,"
Crawford continued. LaVoy Finnicum had also been shot and
killed by the OSP after fleeing a roadblock.
Crawford said the timing and tone of the Halfway rally
caused concern for many citizens writing,".... under the stern
image of a martial-looking drummer boy in Colonial garb,
appeared the words, 'DEDICATED TO THE HAMMONDS and
TO THE MEMORY OF LAVOY FINICUM and JACK YANTIS.”
(I cannot for the life of me figure out what Jack Yantis had to
do with any of this except as an emotional ploy, but there he
was.) After that, the planned agenda: 'Peaceful Protest Main
Street March'—as in Burns, a month before. After that, the
target:' “FEDERAL OVERREACH.' Hey! Same as in Burns!
After that, an invitation to 'Come a day early if you want—RV
spots available.' RV spots? As in 'out of towners' like the ones
who descended on Burns? Strangers with guns?”
"As for Sheriff Ash...,“ Crawford wrote:
“Travis Ash is one of the finest men I know, a man I am proud
to have tauqht in school and proud to see as Baker County
Sheriff."
“I absolutely cannot find it in myself to blame our sheriff,
sworn to serve and protect the citizens of this county, for
declining to support or attend an event apparently drummed
up out of the explosive emotions of the moment... .or for trying
to discourage an event that showed real potential to become
a public safety issue."
"If he [Ash] failed to support this rally, however that may
shock and sadden its sponsors, it may be that he does not
share the organizers’ interpretation of either the Constitution
or his duties.”
"As far as I’m aware, neither Sheriff Ash nor anyone else was
being asked there to present an opposing viewpoint or
debate anyone—the rally wasn’t advertised as a forum to
discuss whether there really is a problem with federal
overreach, what to do about it....Instead, the stated agenda
seemed to suggest that those issues were already decided,
and the imperative now was to get fired up over a pre­
conceived strategy for rooting out the feds. Aside from any
concerns the Sheriff might have had as a police officer,
responsible for maintaining public order and safety, I cannot
imagine why anyone should expect him as a citizen to have
supported or attended an event that espoused opinions he
might oppose."
"As for his being a 'Constitutional' sheriff, I very much hope
that people concerned about this will clarify what they mean.
The word 'sheriff' appears nowhere in the Constitution of the
United States, so I am left to wonder whether the word
'Constitutional' is being used here as it is in the literature of
any number of somewhat shadowy groups who adhere to
their own particular notions of what the Constitution means.... "
In other words, the understanding most of us have of how
the rule of law operates in this country and how our founding
document should be interpreted are brushed aside and
replaced with the interpretations of self-appointed 'experts.'
Is this what is meant by a 'Constitutional' sheriff?
Other such groups call on the sheriff to block federal agents
from operating within their counties—even to arrest agents
attempting to serve federal warrants—or to refuse enforce­
ment of laws they consider unconstitutional. When we
examine this view closely, we see clearly what’s at stake.....
and why rational citizenship requires us to yield to that Court’s
decisions even when we disagree with them. A national
patchwork of semi-sovereign counties, some hewing to the
Constitution as we know it and some choosing to interpret the
founding law by their own lights, would be a Balkanized mess
in which people could merrily commit crimes in one county
and flee to.the protection of the next to avoid punishment.”
“It’s not too great a leap to imagine armed standoffs
between deputies at the county line, and gross levels of
abuse and corruption would be virtually guaranteed. 'Equal
protection' would become a joke as this county or that one
decided that laws protecting the rights of minorities were best
left to 'local control.'
"Is this the construct Sheriff Ash should support?"
"Other groups declare that the States are sovereign—never
mind that both the Constitution and President Washington’s
letter of introduction specifically say otherwise, and that this
question should have been settled to anyone’s satisfaction at
Appomattox Courthouse in 1865. Is this what we’re asking of
our sheriff?"
"I'd very much appreciate clarification of what
'Constitutional' means here. If it means lawlessness, a great
country torn asunder, attempts to root out the federal
presence without any coherent plan to replace it, and so forth,
I’m afraid I’m not interested, and hope our sheriff is not
interested either..." said Crawford.
Idaho Power looks forward to reaching some
major milestones for the Boardman to
Hemingway transmission line project in 2016.
The federal permitting process is in the home
stretch, with a final Environmental Impact
Statement expected from the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) this year, and potentially
a Record of Decision, too. Idaho Power will
finalize its application for Oregon’s facility
siting process after the momentous BLM
events.
It has been a long, productive road to get to
this point. Idaho Power’s 2015 Integrated
Resource Plan (IRP), a long-term resource
planning study, recently reaffirmed that B2H is essential to serving
future growth in customer demand. Previous IRPs also have identified
the need for this transmission project, going back to the 2006 IRP.
The need for B2H is still strong. When finished, the project will help
provide low-cost energy to Idaho Power’s customers in southern Idaho
and eastern Oregon. The project also will interconnect with existing
transmission facilities owned by our project partners PacifiCorp and the
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), allowing greater amounts of
electricity to move throughout the Pacific Northwest. This helps meets
a regional need and provides benefits to the entire area, much of which
is served, directly or indirectly, by those two providers. In addition, the
project allows Idaho Power to serve its growing load without building
a carbon-emitting resource.
We thank all of the communities along the B2H route for their past
input and continued engagement with the project. That public involve­
ment began in 2010 with the year-long Community Advisory Process
and continues today. The hundreds of hours spent by numerous folks,
from landowners to public officials, to help find the best route for the
project have been invaluable. We look forward to continuing to work
with you as permitting of B2H continues, and through the construction
of this project that benefits the entire region.
About the Author: Mitch Colburn is the leader of Idaho Power’s
500-kV projects group.
Guest
Opinion
What's New at
the Chamber?
I’m happy to say that in my
first 60 days at the Chamber,
I’ve worked with our Board of
Directors and Office Manager,
Cassie Petrucci to bring about
many changes.
Internally, we’ve adjusted
staff and office efficiency, re­
viewed our programs and
events to make positive
changes, and enhanced the
benefits of membership. We
have increased our outreach
into the community through the
press and revamped many of
our communication pieces to
focus on members. Our team is
stronger than ever and always
here to assist our members.
I always want to hear our
member’s concerns and what
they need from us. As a mem­
bership organization, I know I
am here to serve our members.
Given that, we have restruc­
tured to focus on our member’s
needs and are working with
legislators to hear their voice.
Our focus for the future is jobs,
growth and a pro-business
agenda.
The economic partner of the
Chamber, Baker County Eco­
nomic Development, strives to
bring new businesses, and
therefore jobs, to our commu­
nity. It is through their efforts
that we have seen continued
interest in our great area. Visi­
tors from out of the area
amazed by the high quality of
life and low cost of living we
enjoy. Travelers are mesmer­
ized by the beauty of this com­
munity and are thrilled with the
activities and sites Baker
County has to offer.
Going forward, we will con­
tinue to actively develop our re­
lationship with the Transient
and Lodging Committee in
order to cultivate a robust
tourism experience that sup­
ports area businesses. The
weeks and months ahead will
be an important time for our
community and the Chamber.
We will continue to strive to be
one of the best Chambers in
the state and stand behind our
members to make their busi­
nesses flourish.
We hope you join us and
enjoy the many benefits of a
membership with the Baker
County Chamber of Commerce
and Visitor’s Bureau.
Shelly Cutler,
Executive Director
Baker County Chamber of
Commerce and Visitor's
Bureau
490 Campbell Street,
Baker City
541-523-5855
shelly.cutler@visitbaker.com
www.visitbaker.com
www. countryfinancial. com
/cindy.endicott
1214-047
’PonatUAe
Track &RV Wash
We wash anything on wheels!
Exit 304 off 1-84
2410 Plum Street, Baker City
541-523-5070
541-519-8687
G’z/Z Certificates Available.
www.paradisetruckwash.com
BLUE
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WP OIL
The Petroleum Company
Jeremy & Ashlee Yerrick
288513th Street, Baker City
541-523-4779 / 541-403-0215
Cardlocks
• Baker City • Haines
• North Powder
Join us for Easter
Sunday on March 27
Haines United Methodist Church
721 Robert Street, Haines, Oregon
Sally Wiens, Lay Minister • 541.963.6991 (home phone)
Saturday, April 23
Baker High School
SCHOOL
EAST
A ona-day minHXillege lor family lorestfand
owners, foresters, farmers, contractors, loggers,
arborists, teachers, and the general public
25 Education classes, including
Presented
by
• Post-Fire Forest Restoration
• Making Money with Juniper
• What’s Killing My Trees?
OregonState
• Surviving in the Wild
• Applied Issues in Honey Bee Health & Biology
• Minimizing Your Federal Tax Burden
• Water, Timber & Easements
• Understanding & Protecting Real Property Rights
• Chainsaw Operation & Maintenance
Plus vendors, exhibits and demonstrations.
osu
$50 per person, includes snacks & lunch.
Register by April 15 by calling 541-523-6418
or online at extension.oregonstate.edu/baker
North Powder Girls’
Volleyball/B«sketbaH
14th Annual Alaskan
Halibut Fundraiser
April 23, 2016
4 sessions
Powder Valley Gymnasium
1:00 to 2:00 P.M.
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
4:00 to 6:00 P.M.
6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
$20 per plate
(Please make checks to PV Girls’ VB/BB Teams)
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Includes: Alaskan Halibut, baked potato,
coleslaw, french bread, dessert, and drink
Hotdog tickets are also available for $5.
This includes hotdog, chips, cookie, and drink.
Benefits Powder Valley Girls’ Volleyball and
Basketball teams - Camps and Activities
For more information, please contact:
Coach Allen Bingham 541-898-2871
Coach Marji Lind 208-880-5855
Coach Suzi Dixon 541-898-2244 ext 8887(school)
Betsy Nedrow 541 -898-2862 (home)
541-898-2244 ext 8847 (school)