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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2017)
A18 News wallowa.com DUNN Continued from Page A1 Dunn emphasized he did not want big changes in the county, but wanted to maintain the quality of life while mov- ing forward. “We don’t want to lose all the things we have here, or change all the things we have here, but we do want to try to build on what we have here,” he said. The candidate said he’s seen a slight change of direc- tion with the federal govern- ment, which seems to listen more to community concerns, something he noted in the Wal- lowa-Whitman Forest Plan Revision. The county seriously objected to several aspects of the plan, especially grazing management. “After a meeting between the commissioners, National Marine Fishery services and the USFS, the group found what may be a negotiated path to consensus recognition for rural counties ... and this is the first time we’ve gotten the recognition,” he said. “I think they’re starting to pay attention.” For the future, Dunn said he visualizes the county mov- ing forward in creating more family-wage jobs and ways to stem the “brain drain” that sees young people going to col- lege and never coming back because of the lack of sustain- ing work. “I think we can do that if we work at it,” he said. “Not just December 6, 2017 talk about it but work at it.” While Dunn recognizes that tourism is a substantial part of the economic base and should be promoted, it isn’t the county’s economic backbone. “So much of our exis- tence here is based on natu- ral resources,” he said. “Tour- ism is not paying the tax bill. Tourism isn’t fixing the streets in Joseph, and they have more tourists than any place else. We like the tourists spending money and helping local busi- nesses, but it hasn’t helped our BOGGAN’S FUNDS Continued from Page A1 Continued from Page A10 be our first choice.” Bill and Ferrel are experi- enced business people, with backgrounds in business own- ership stretching back to their youth in Anchorage, Alaska. As they matured into septua- genarians, they continued to manage Boggan’s by employ- ing managers to do the “heavy lifting.” Much of their kitchen and wait staff hails from Anatone, Wash., a tiny hamlet 13 miles up the road. One seasonal worker comes all the way from Pomroy, Wash., staying in a camp trailer during season. “A lot of our employees have been here quite a while,” said Farrel. The cabins, trailer parking and campsites up on the lit- tle hill above the property are filled through the summer with campers, outfitters, anglers and photographers. Flocks of bicyclists and motorcyclists have discovered Boggan’s and meet there, and many go home and write about their trip. “The word of mouth keeps spreading,” Ferrel said. Boggan’s Oasis can be In late October, news emerged of $74 million in possible overpayments to the CCOs between 2014 and 2016. OHA has already recouped $10.1 million of that. The errors are likely due to misclassification of certain patients who were also eligible for Medi- care, and it’s not clear how much of the money the state must repay the federal government. Other issues have sur- faced since, bringing the possible liability to $112.4 million in additional costs. The repayments could also impact revenue available for the Wallowa County project. The Oregon Department of Forestry estimates that to-date, the 2017 fire season has cost it $38.9 million. Certain property own- ers pay a state assessment to help cover firefighting costs in addition to money the Legislature appro- priates from the general fund. The state has also had an insurance policy most years since 1973 to help cover firefighting costs. But before it can tap that coverage, the state has to spend $50 million of Kathleen Ellyn/Chieftain Where Dreamz Road meets Highway 126 just before it cross- es the Grande Ronde River, dreams are being revitalized af- ter Boggan’s Oasis burned down. expected to continue to be a going and growing concern, the Vails said. If they rebuild, it will be a different Boggan’s. The his- toric photos and artifacts that graced the walls of the old café are ashes. But the spirit of the place and the joy of marking a trip through the twisty and dra- Introducing our new Physician Dr. Kelsey Allen matic landscape of Rattlesnake Grade with a stop at Boggan’s Oasis would remain. Some of the many rural friends of the Vails figure that locals, outfitters, ranchers and vacationers may contribute photos and other items to help recreate the original ambiance. The cause of the fire has not been determined, though the Vails themselves suspect it will be something to do with older portions of the electrical wir- ing. The cafe has been remod- eled twice, but some of the wiring was still old, Bill said. NUAL THE AN TOY Call Dr. Allen to schedule your appointment today! Mountain View Medical Group Steve Tool/Chieftain This is the remains of a truck that caught fire and exploded near Troy, killing its owner, Ryan Sullivan of Baker City, on Nov. 29. Baker man killed in bizarre accident By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain A Baker County man died in a grisly accident at a Grizzly Flat campground near Troy during the early morning hours of Nov. 29. Ryan “Sully” Sullivan, 37, Baker City, died when his Chevrolet duel cab pickup accidentally rolled to a stop over a live campfire and burst into flames with Sulli- van inside. He and another Baker City man were on a fishing trip to the area. According to Wal- lowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers, personnel from the sheriff’s office, the county’s district attor- ney’s office, Oregon State Police, U.S. Forest Ser- vice, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ore- gon State Fire Marshal and the Wallowa County Med- ical Examiner investigated the scene. Rogers stated that the reason for the truck roll- ing over the campfire is yet unclear. Sullivan left behind his wife Nicole, and two small sons, Declan and Jack, as well as a child on the way. A gofundme site has been established: gofundme. com/ryan-sullivan-memori- al-fund. DRIVE Bring am unwrapped toy to Les Schwab Tire Center Now through December 20th and 541-426-7900 (next to Wallowa Memorial Hospital) Enterprise, Oregon 97828 its own money, according to Ken Armstrong, public affairs director at the Ore- gon Department of Forestry. The additional mil- lions would likely have to be appropriated in 2018. In addition, Eastern Ore- gon lost one of its staunch supporters when Presi- dent Trump appointed for- mer state Republican Rep. John Huffman to lead the Agriculture Department’s rural development office in Oregon. Huffman’s district included territory from The Dalles on the north to Sis- ters on the south and as far east as Spray. Several other changes in personnel that could have been key to a success- ful grant proposal in 2018 have also been moved to other positions, according to Wilson. Wilson said he believes the project has a solid chance of receiving fund- ing, given the remote loca- tion of the county and the sparsity of health services, particularly in mental health areas. The funding would be requested through the com- mittee process in the leg- islature and would have to be forwarded to the floor in both the house and senate to be approved, then signed by the governor. Les Schwab is partnering with Enterprise Christian Church for Dr. Allen is a doctor of osteopathic medicine, and completed her residency in family medicine. She is now accepting new patients! 603 Medical Parkway base infrastructure at all.” Dunn said he’s not moti- vated to run for the position because of a lack of something better to do. “I realize it’s not a glory position at all,” he said. “To say this is a stepping stone to higher and better things -- I don’t think so. I’ll try very hard to help the county like I’ve been trying to do for the 30 years that I’ve been here.” Diane Daggett has also announced her bid for the seat. Wallowa County Chieftain Help fill the box! Joseph Clinic 100 N. East St. Joseph 541.426.7900 802 NW 1st St. Enterprise 541-426-3139 Jonah Phillips This week’s athlete of the week is first-year wrestler Jonah Phillips, a five-year-old on the Northeastern Oregon Wrestling Club. At the club’s home meet at Quinn Court in Enterprise on Saturday, Dec. 2, Jonah won his first match of the year. Phillips pinned his Elgin Extreme Team opponent in short order for the win. After the match, Phillips said he was enjoying his first year experience. Asked if he planned to return next year, he answered, “Yeah.” Phillips is the son of Mitch and Vanessa Phillips.. CALL Jeff Courtney 541-379-6400 ON APPROVED CREDIT ON APPROVED CREDIT ON APPROVED CREDIT 201 E. Hwy 82, Enterprise 541-426-0320 www.edstaub.com ON APPROVED CREDIT ON APPROVED CREDIT Proudly Sponsored By: Eastern Oregon’s Full Service Propane Supplier Got a Golfer on that Christmas List? Alpine Meadows Golf Course has Gift Certificates available for just about anything they may want: * Rounds of Golf with a Cart * * Range Balls * * Season Memberships * (including the new Youth Membership for $50) For more information and to purchase, please call ĂĀĉċĈąăċĆĆĈĈƫħƫāċĉĀĀċĈćĊċĆćĆą Kathy Reynolds 541-263-2424 ĂĂĀăƫāć ƫ2! !3%/0+*Čƫ ƫĉăĆĀā 0$ SERVICE HOURS: MON-FRI 7 am – 5:30 pm SAT 8 am – 5 pm SALES HOURS: MON-FRI 8:30 am – 6:30 pm SAT 9 am – 6 pm SUN 10:30 am – 5:30 pm 66098 Golf Course Rd, Enterprise, OR 97828