Image provided by: Baker County Library District; Baker City, OR
About The Record-courier. (Haines, Baker County, Oregon) 1932-2016 | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2016)
i Record-Courier THURSDAY, MAY 12,2016 ■» EAGLE VALLEY Collision Rebuilders Inc. Mike Fiala 541-523-1057 Dell 541-403-1138 • Fax 541-523-1059 2155 Windmill Road Baker City, Oregon 97814 Email: evcr@uci.net HS © »CHIEF E53 Giving law enforcement tools they need to help victims in an emergency TFN By Rep. Greg Walden 'errwe' Residential & Æ Commercial Electrical Ross Bond, Owner 3782 10th Street, Baker City 541-523-2135 CCB# 108407 Free Estimates AUTOGLASS REPLACED AND REPAIRED Free Mobile Service Window Tinting for Cars, Home and Office 2975 10th Street, Baker City, OR 541-523-5839 ; 26 La Grande Office 541-963-0832 see JR at ASE C ertified G^vS’sRepaX. V/ Auto, Truck and Motor Home 541-523-3200 225 H Street Baker City, OR 97814 Grumpy’s Repair, Inc. Auto • Truck • Motor Home TFN Gunsmithing and Firearm Sales Edward Frazer Owner GUNWORKS, LLC 2616 Bearco Loop, La Grande, Oregon 97850 541-663-8000 52 gunworks@frontier.com ISHEDS è I On December 1, 2013, Kari Rene Hunt was brutally murdered by her estranged husband in the bathroom of a motel room in Marshall, Texas. Her three children listened through the door as she was stabbed repeatedly. Kari screamed to her nine year old daughter to “call 9-1-1.” The girl did as instructed, frantically dialing 9-1-1 four times. But each time, she heard static on the other end of the line. What she didn’t know is that, because of the way the motel’s phone system was set up, she had to dial “9” first to reach an outside line. She told her grandfather later, “I tried, but it wouldn’t work, Papa.” On June 2, 2007—just days after her high school graduation— Kelsey Smith went to a Target store in Kansas to buy a present for her boyfriend. She was abducted from the parking lot in broad daylight, and law enforcement began a massive search her. They were unsuccessful for four days until her cell phone’s location information was turned over to law enforcement. Kelsey’s body was then found in about 45 minutes. The House Communications and Technology panel, which I chair, heard these stories recently from the parents of both the slain young women. No family should have to face situations like these. And they were made worse by a confusing patchwork of laws that govern telephone and communications systems in this country. If the laws were different at the time, is it possible that Kari Hunt and Kelsey Smith would be alive today? Perhaps. That’s why I’m helping to lead an effort in the U.S. Congress to pass two bills to ensure that law enfprcement can help victims faster in an emergency situation, when time is precious. One proposal, known as “Kari’s Law,” would require that all multi-line telephone systems, typically found in hotels, offices, and schools, be configured to reach 9-1-1 without any addition ally prefix. After all, children are taught from a very young age to simply dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, not “9-9-1-1” or “7-9-1-1” or anything else. This- fix would be both easy and inexpensive. Many hotels around the country have made progress addressing this problem, but we need a uniform, national standard to make sure what happened to Kari Hunt and her family never happens again. It’s been said that you may only dial 9-1-1 once in your life, but that time will be the most important call you ever make. We should make sure it’s as easy as possible so you can get the help you need when seconds count'. Another proposal, known as the “Kelsey Smith Act,” would give law enforcement the tools to locate victims in emergencies, using location data from their cell phone providers. By creating a narrow set of circumstances in which law enforcement can access this type of data, the bill seeks to protect the privacy of users while still allowing access for law enforcement when the situation demands it. The Kelsey Smith Act is already the law in 22 states, including right here in Oregon where it was approved by the legislature unanimously in 2014. The federal bill would take the Oregon standard and apply it nationwide. It’s just common sense. Both these proposals were recently approved unanimously by the Communications and Technology panel I chair, as well as the full Energy and Commerce Committee. The next step is a vote in the full U.S. House of Represen tatives, which I hope will take action soon. These plans would save lives using existing technology and don’t cost taxpayers a dime. It’s time they become law so that what happened to the fami lies of Kari Hunt and Kelsey Smith never happens to another American family again. “More Than Just a Shed” Top Quality Custom Storage Buildings Greenhouses (800) 682-0589 (541) 663-0246 10102 S. McAlister Rd., Island City www. CountrysideSheds. com Certified & Professional Trained Techs Repair: Cell Phones, Tablets, Gaming Consoles, iPhones, & more! Sellln9: US6<i Cel1 Phones & 10505 W. 1st St, Island City, OR 97850 www.thecellfix.com Rep. Greg Walden / Submitted photo Important Message from County Clerk "Our office has received several inquires when voters are receiving more than one ballot and questions as to which ballot to vote. I just want to encourage anyone who may have any ques tions or concerns regarding any ballot to call our office, This has been confusing and we need to have any voter know their questions will be re viewed, answered and clarified immediately. Thanks so much, " said Cindy Carpenter, Baker County Clerk. Baker High School Honors and Awards Night Alfalfa • Grasses • Grains 100 "D" Street North Powder, OR 97867 will be held Wednesday, June 1, at 7 p.m. at the BHS Auditorium. Graduation will be Sunday, June 5,2 p.m. Bulldog Memorial Stadium. 541.898.7333 Black Distributing Inc. Gas • Diesel Tractor and Hydraulics Parts - Sales - Repair Ag - Industrial Construction - Logging Non-Ethanol • Heating Fuel Your one stop source for hydraulics 2150 Broadway Baker City, OR 97814 Pumps - Valves - Cylinders Seals - Adapters Hose assemblies while you wait 541-523-4575 (cell 541-519-5717) ^6$ Lubricants 41438 Hwy 30 - Baker City 541-523-9537 Baker County Museum Commission to Meet The next Baker County Museum Commission meet ing will be on June 9,2016 at 1 p.m. at 2480 Grove Street in Baker City. Baker County Cultural Coalition Announces Grant Deadline The Baker County Cultural Coalition is welcoming grant ap plications for the current round of Cultural Participation Grants with funding made possible by the Oregon Cultural Trust. The deadline to submit grant applications is May 16, 2016. The Baker County Cultural Coalition is a nine-member planning committee appointed by the Baker County Com mission to serve the goals of the Oregon Cultural Trust. A primary purpose of the coalition is to re-grant funds it re ceives from the Cultural Trust to local arts, humanities and heritage projects, which is done twice annually in mid-De- cember and May. Applicants may only receive grant awards once during the year. New grant applications will not be con sidered if grant reports from prior awards have not been re ceived. All recipients must submit a grant report indicating how funds were used by October 31. The Oregon Cultural Trust designates approximately one third of the funds it distributes annually as Cultural Partici pation Grants to cultural coalitions in Oregon's 36 counties and nine federally recognized tribes. These funds are to be used for cultural activities and priorities, and local programs that increase access to cultural resources and opportunities. To obtain a grant application, visit the Baker County Cul tural Coalition website at: http://www.bakercounty.org/cultural_plan/grants.html. Forms must be completed, hand delivered to a Coalition Board Member or e-mailed (preferred) to bccc@baker- county.org by May 16. More information is available at the website. To learn more about how you can benefit by helping to sup port cultural programs like this, visit the Oregon Cultural Trust website: www.culturaltrust.org. MH Experience Counts county’s economic viability, no better person than Bruce could To the Editor: offer his services to the voters. For over 25 years, I have relied Bruce is not a showman. We on and trusted the expertise, don’t need slogans and ill consid-, always provided to me by Bruce ered, emotionally based calls to Nichols, of Nichols & Mitchell, action that, while making for good CPA. He has served this county press, almost inevitably lead to with great care for decades. I went disaster. At times like this we need to work for the City of Hunting a thoughtful person like Bruce to ton, in 1977, as their City offer considerate, calm and Recorder, Bookkeeper, Municipal measured responses to very Judge, Budget Officer and challenging problems. He has a anything the Council, directed me habit of listening before he speaks to do, as do most small town-City and is respectful to all involved. Recorders. His knowledge of public finance Over my 25 years of working in and appreciation for his fiduciary that capacity for the City of responsibility to the voters are- Huntington, I was fortunate to something that is sorely needed at work many with excellent people, the Courthouse. leaders, judges, attorneys etc. I Let’s help Bruce help us to return found Bruce a dependable, knowl to economic and political sanity. edgeable, associate that was Martin Leuenberger, Lawyer proven time and time again with Sumpter the work he put forth as our City Auditor. His know-how, professionalism and ability to And, Yes, the Record- communicate allowed me to not Courier DOES Reach only learn but serve confidently in knowing that we had his talents a lot of Folks! available to the City. To the Editor: Even after I had retired as City My extended family has lived in Recorder, and became the Mayor Baker County since it was first set of Huntington, Bruce continued to tled. My grandparents, Skinner serve the City and Baker County. and La Vaughn Kirby were cattle Providing the qualified assistance ranchers in Durkee. I hold Baker a successful City requires. Most close to my heart - In fact, I mar notably, Bruce was instrumental in ried a Baker boy, Doug Schmitt. helping me to convince to the Our roots in Baker run deep and Huntington City Council, Baker we return many times a year to County District Attorney and the visit. Because we care so much State of Oregon, how a City of about the area, we want to share Huntington Employee was why we think Bruce Nichols is the " seriously misappropriating large best candidate for Baker County amounts of municipal funds. This Commissioner. was a complex task that Bruce was First, he has excellent financial able to manage without problems. management skills. Bruce Nichols - Real Experience Counts. Vote for is our personal accountant. We Bruce Nichols. trust him and have the utmost faith Donna J.Rush, Ontario in his financial knowledge and- Proud former Baker County skills. These skills as a CPA/.fi-* Resident for over 50 years nancial expert will serve the- county well. Second, Bruce is in time with' Dear Lord: Please the needs of Baker County. When Restore Sanity to we have had questions about char-- itable contributions to Baker area Baker County charities, Bruce has put us in con To the Editor: tact with the right people. For almost thirty years it has Third, Bruce Nichols is a con-- been my privilege and pleasure to nector. He doesn’t just watch- work with Bruce Nichols on things happen or complain about* behalf of mutual clients. For many things happening, he makes things - of those years Bruce and I also happen. Just one example is his* served on the Hospital Board part in ensuring that the Leo Adler -' during the period of time when our House is currently managed by the' community was in the greatest Adler Foundation and not by a danger of losing that all-important bank in a different state. facility. He served on the Finance Bruce Nichols has outstanding Committee and was critical to the financial acumen, is a straight-up decision making processes that kind and honest man, knows the allowed Baker County to keep its needs of the community, is a con Hospital. nector, and can make things hap Having also audited numerous pen. These are exceptional skills municipalities, Bruce completely that I think we can all agree are understands institutional and hard to find in political candidates municipal finance - where the these days! I hope voters see this dead wood and fat are hidden and unique opportunity to elect the how to get the most out of each kind of person we all want work dollar of scarce resources. At a ing to improve Baker County as time like the present, when a good Baker County Commissioner. hospital and school system, Bruce Nichols is the ideal candi together with a responsive and date for the job. responsible local government are Amber (Mires-Comett) Schmitt of the utmost importance to the Round Rock, TX