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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 4, 2019)
BAKER CITY HERALD — 5A WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 Phone repair shop opens By Samantha O’Conner soconner@bakercityherald.com The founders of a phone repair shop in Ontario have opened a second store in Baker City. Bradley Anderson, 28, and Rudy Santiago, 28, started Phones Plus Phone Repair in Ontario two years ago. Both had worked for Sprint for several years. Anderson, who also worked for Verizon, is oper- ating the Baker City store, at 2080 Third St. (the corner of Third and Broadway, the former location of Baker City Carpet Express), along with Jack VanderWaal, 28. Anderson said he and San- tiago, who continues to run the Ontario store, were mo- tivated to open the business by the customers they met while working for Sprint. “It’s something I always saw,” Anderson said. “People were coming in, ‘my phone’s cracked’ and they had no- where to fi x it.” Anderson said he advised customers who had insur- ance to send in their phones for repairs, but not many wanted to do so. Opening a business to help people in that predicament seemed an obvious step, he said. “It just made sense,” Anderson said. “It was something viable to open and people needed it. I saw it By Aubrey Wieber Oregon Capital Bureau S. John Collins / Baker City Herald Bradley Anderson's Phones Plus Phone Repair business services problems with phones, iPads and tablets. every day.” Anderson said he has en- joyed his time in Baker City. “Baker’s really cool,” he said. “I mean everybody was really nice up here. Every- body we met when we were checking places out was very nice, and it was just cool. (It) seems like everyone was re- ally proud of the town, which is awesome.” Phones Plus focuses on phones, iPads, tablets, “basi- cally anything mobile” for repairs. The business offers a variety of services, including fi xing glass backs, screens, batteries, water damage and others problems. For water damage, work- ers use an ultrasonic cleaner that is typically used to clean jewelry. “When you drop it in there, it clears off all the cor- rosion and at that point we can examine for more dam- age on the device,” Anderson said. The business also sells and activates AT&T mobile services. “It’s been like a year in the making and we fi nally got approved for AT&T and that was the big step for coming up here because there’s no AT&T store,” Anderson said. “So we just fi gured it was something that was needed and phone repair, of course.” The new business owners moved into the former Baker City Carpet Express build- ing about a month ago. They have been painting, setting up the tint for the windows, and fi lling the empty area. Anderson said he plans to add accessories in the future, such as headphones and Bluetooth speakers. The business is open, and plans a grand opening Oct. 4. Phones Plus Phone Repair’s number is 541-239- 5550, and it has a Facebook page. Nonprofit conference Sept. 26 at Ontario EO Media Group ONTARIO — The Center for Nonprofi t Stewardship hosts the Eastern Oregon Nonprofi t Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. MDT on Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario. A number of speakers will provide informative talks and interactive work- shops in addition to opportunities for networking during the daylong event. Chuck Sams III, the board chairman for the Oregon Cultural Trust, will be the keynote speaker. His address, “Building KOOPMAN Cultural Capital in the Pacifi c North- west,” will discuss how the nonprofi t sector is key to meeting community needs. Sams serves as the communications director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He has worked in the nonprofi t natural resource management fi eld for more than 20 years. The 2019 Eastern Oregon Nonprofi t Conference will include 12 sessions that cover topics, such as fund development, fi nancial accountability and organiza- tional and board development. A “Meet the Funders” panel is scheduled to allow those attending to participate in roundta- ble discussions with funders from across the state. Confi rmed funders who will take part include representatives from the Oregon Community Foundation, Col- lins Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the Ford Family Foundation and Travel Oregon. The day begins with on-site registration and light refreshments at 8:30 a.m., with the welcome and keynote address sched- uled for 9:30 a.m. To register or for more information go to www.nonprofi tsteward. org or call 541-230-1036. “By helping students embrace distance and videostreamed education, we have helped them complete a degree in two years.” merce Board. He served as the 2018 Chamber board president. Continued from Page 1A Koopman says because of his But he was happy to be in the devotion to the Lions Club and community where his father, Calvin the good work its members do, he H. “Bud” Butts, lived until his death — Daniel Koopman, refl ecting on intends to retain his Lions Club at the age of 86 in September of last his time as Baker County director membership and support the group for Blue Mountain Community year. Butts had grown up in the in any way possible while he’s away Halfway area, but moved away as an College theses next few years. adult. He returned to Baker City in Looking over the past four years the early 1990s to retire and spent As part of that job he served for of his work in Baker City, Koopman the rest of his life in the community. two years as dean of Correctional points to innovative programs he’s Koopman is proud of his heritage Education. In that role he was the supported to help students succeed. as a fi fth- or sixth-generation Or- administrator for the prison educa- “By helping students embrace egonian. His father’s adopted family tion programs for inmates at the distance and videostreamed educa- came West in 1845. He’s proud of his Powder River Correctional Facility tion, we have helped them complete “deep roots” in the history and tradi- in Baker City, Eastern Oregon Cor- a degree in two years,” he says. tions of the state and Baker County. rectional Institution in Pendleton The Associate of Arts Oregon Now that his dad is gone, Koop- and Two Rivers Correctional Institu- Transfer degree allows students to man is leaving for a while on a new tion at Umatilla. pursue bachelor’s degrees at any adventure, he says. He completed his doctorate in Oregon university as juniors and the But he plans to be back. The Adult and Higher Education at the one-year Oregon Transfer Module 60-year-old says he’ll return to his University of South Dakota in 2015 transfers entry level classes to any property at the base of Hunt Moun- just before moving to Baker City. Oregon four-year university. tain in six to eight years. He recalls telling his supervisor BMCC also offers a variety of This week, he’s starting a new back in 2013 that if the Baker City career pathway certifi cates, one-year position at Southwestern Commu- director’s job ever came open, he’d be certifi cates and two-year associate nity College in Coos Bay where he’ll interested in order to be closer to his of applied science degrees ranging serve as dean of the college’s Career aging father. from accounting technology to con- and Technical Education program. “The opportunity came when I struction trades, criminal justice and Koopman, who began his employ- least expected it,” he says. diesel technology. ment with BMCC in 2010, worked Koopman was eager to become “What an absolute honor this has in the same role at Blue Mountain a part of the Baker City commu- been,” Koopman says of his time in for a number of years before taking nity once he made the move in Baker City. “The individual students the Baker City director’s job for the 2015. In addition to his day job, he I’ve met along the way have been college. From 2010 to 2015 he also also served as a Baker City Police absolutely heartwarming and to served as associate vice president reserve offi cer and volunteered with see more of our students fi nish in a of instruction on the Pendleton the Baker City Lions Club and the timely manner and to bring more campus. Baker County Chamber of Com- resources than we thought we could NO MORE GUTTER CLEANING, OR YOUR MONEY BACK – GUARANTEED! 0 % AND! FINANCING* 15 % OFF SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS &RQWDFWXVIRUDGGLWLRQDOGHWDLOV FREE ESTIMATES! 1-855-536-8838 Promo Number: 285 Sen. Mark Hass running for Secretary of State Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAF- FNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registra- tion# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registra- WLRQΖ55HJLVWUDWLRQ9+5HJLVWUDWLRQ3$6XRON+Ζ&/LFHQVH+ State Sen. Mark Hass on Tuesday offi cially launched his campaign to be Oregon’s next secretary of state. After helping lead a victorious fi ght to better fund education, Hass said it’s time to move on to a higher offi ce he’s long had eyes for. “When we completed a major landmark in that area this year, I felt it was a natural place for me to pivot and look at this role,” he said. Hass will continue to work as a senator and par- ticipate in the 2020 legislative session as he seeks the statewide offi ce. The Beaverton Democrat made the announcement on Twitter, about two weeks after saying he would not seek re-election to the Senate and that he was consid- ering a run for secretary of state. “This is an offi ce where the work effects every single person in this state, and it’s critical,” Hass told Salem Reporter Tuesday morning. “It needs someone strong there.” When reached, Hass said he was closing out his email account in his “soon-to-be old job in the private sector” as he takes the next step in his long career of public service. In addition to being a lawmaker, Hass works as an account manager for advertising fi rm Cappelli Miles. Hass said he’s long been interested in the functions of the secretary of state’s offi ce, specifi - cally audits, campaign fi nances and elections. But as a lawmaker, he has been deeply involved in the push for increased education funding. Hass on Monday tweeted out a campaign ad in which he touts his work on the passage of the Student Success Act, a historic school funding package he cham- pioned. Hass said it was the toughest thing he’s done in his career. Hass said if elected, he would make sure the $1 bil- lion per year is used properly. “The very fi rst audit will be to ensure the student success function, the money and the fund, is all dis- tributed as the Legislature intended; to teachers and classrooms,” he said. Hass started in the House in 2001 before being ap- pointed to the Senate in 2007. He has largely focused on tax reform and education policy. When asked who will take on that work when he leaves, Hass said there are several lawmakers who could fi ll that role. Hass previously worked as a TV journalist for 20 years. There, he said, he learned the importance of the audit function. Under his leadership, that would be a focus of the offi ce, he said. Hass is the second Democrat to announce his candi- dacy in what is shaping up to be a formidable primary. Jamie McLeod-Skinner, a Central Oregon Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Greg Walden for his congressional seat, announced her interest earlier this summer. White-Zollman said. Koopman worked during the sum- mer to help get the center prepared for the coming year, she said. Fall term starts Sept. 23. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, the Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to welcome students to the Baker City program. They will have the opportunity to register for classes, meet face-to-face with staff to ask questions and meet with success coaches. Their role is to guide stu- dents through their college experi- ence with “support, information, and access to important resources,” the BMCC catalog states. A special welcoming event for all BMCC students is scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 18, on the Pend- leton campus at 2411 N.W. Carden Ave. The event is titled “Welcome to Seeking a new director the Pack,” with a nod to the college’s BMCC will continue its efforts to mascot, the Timberwolves. Students fi ll the vacancy created by Koop- will be welcomed at 8 a.m. and the man’s resignation, said Casey White- orientation program will take place Zollman, vice president of college from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day’s relations and advancement. events are aimed at helping stu- The salary range for the position dents connect with faculty members is $54,280 to $63,825, depending on and to learn more about resources experience, she said. available to them, White-Zollman Directors from other centers will said. be providing administrative cover- Lunch will be served, special age in Baker City until the new events are planned and prizes will person is hired. be given away throughout the day, “We will be screening applica- she said. tions (this) week and hope to fi ll the For more information, go to www. position some time in September,” bluecc.edu when I started.” While the college had once hoped to move the Baker program into a new building, that plan has been put on hold. The focus has moved to making the investment to upgrade the current BMCC Baker City center at 3275 Baker St. on the west side of town, Koopman said. As he looks to the future of the Baker City program, Koopman hopes to see BMCC work more close- ly with the Baker School District. “We hope to collaborate with 5J to the point that we have a steady stream of 5J students here,” Koop- man said. “I am immensely hope- ful that we can see an increase in collaboration so families can make well-informed decisions to help them save money when it’s time to go to college.” Your Family Deserves The e Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Call for your FREE Information Kit! BEST Technology... Value... TV!... Add High Speed Internet Get help paying dental bills and keep more money in your pocket. 1-877-599-0125 www.dental50plus.com/25 Coverage not available in all states. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. 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