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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2020)
2A — BAKER CITY HERALD FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 PARKS Continued from Page 1A B AKER C OUNTY C ALENDAR FRIDAY, JAN. 10 ■ Live Music by Keith Taylor: Ragtime piano, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Crossroads, 2020 Auburn Ave.; no charge. ■ Eagles Past Presidents Club Dinner: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eagles Lodge, 2935 H St.; dinner is lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert for $8; members and their guests welcome. SATURDAY, JAN. 12 ■ Baker County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet: 5:30 p.m., Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St. MONDAY, JAN. 13 ■ Baker County Library Board: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Riverside meeting room at the library, 2400 Resort St. ■ Medical Springs Rural Fire Protection District Board: 7 p.m. at the Pondosa Station. TUESDAY, JAN. 14 ■ Baker City Council: 7 p.m., City Hall, 1655 First St. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15 ■ Baker County Board of Commissioners Work Session: 9 a.m., Courthouse, 1995 Third St.; to discuss requests for proposals (RFPs) for Hewitt-Holcomb parks and a proposal for a Sumpter Event Center. T URNING B ACK THE P AGES 50 YEARS AGO from the Democrat-Herald January 10, 1970 If all goes well, the Catherine Creek reservoir project could be completed by 1974. The larger Grande Ronde project, which is tied in most aspects to the Catherine Creek dam, could stay in the planning stages forever. 25 YEARS AGO from the Baker City Herald January 10, 1995 If you like snow and cold weather, the fi rst half of De- cember was great fun. The second half was alternately depressing and boring. Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, the temperature reached 40 degrees just twice at the Baker City Municipal Airport. 10 YEARS AGO from the Baker City Herald January 11, 2010 In unemployment history, 2009 might go down as the fi rst year in more than three decades in which Baker County’s average unemployment rate was below the state average. Harvey said ending the coordinator position, which Karen Spencer has had since 2007, and hiring a contrac- tor will save the county an estimated $100,000. Spencer’s salary for the cur- rent fi scal year, which started July 1, 2019, was $61,032. In an interview after Wednesday’s Board of Com- missioners meeting, Harvey said the county does not have enough park-related work to justify a full-time coordinator. “And Karen was really fi lling the role of contract services basically because she was doing the work along with the temporary seasonal help that she had,” Harvey said. Spencer’s offi ce is in Baker City, about 46 miles from the two parks. Harvey said the county will try to lease that space, in the historic Sumpter Valley Railroad station near Broadway and 10th streets. The independent contrac- tor the county wants to hire by April 1 would live on the park property year-round, in a county-owned home. The county will provide the housing, including utilities, for free. Harvey said the contractor’s presence will help discourage vandalism. Commissioners considered two other possible options. One is to ask voters to approve a property tax levy to raise money to operate the parks, similar to the existing levies that support, among other services, the library district and mosquito and noxious weed control. Commissioners decided not to put a tax levy before voters. A second possibility that commissioners have broached is asking Idaho Power Company to consider taking over maintenance of the two parks, which are on the Pow- der River arm of Brownlee Reservoir. Idaho Power owns and operates Brownlee Dam, and the Boise company also operates its own parks on Brownlee, Oxbow and Hells Canyon reservoirs. Harvey has written letters to Idaho Power on the mat- ter. The company responded by offering the county up to $10,000 to hire a consultant to look at ways to boost tour- ism, but declined to operate the two county parks. Idaho Power gives the county $25,000 annually to hire seasonal parks employ- ees and also pays for litter removal. Commissioners will meet in a work session on Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. at the Courthouse, 1995 Third St., to discuss the request for proposals for the parks contractor. Idaho Power will still provide a seasonal employee and help pay for maintenance work. Spencer and other county offi cials say inconsistent water levels in Brownlee Res- ervoir, which at times have made it diffi cult or impossible to launch boats at the two parks, along with occasional health advisories for toxic blue-green algae in the water have contributed to a drop in visitor numbers. The county collected a yearly average of about $57,680 from the two parks during the 2016-17 and 2017- 18 fi scal years through a combination of camping fees, season passes and sales of ice, fi rewood and water. The yearly average for the previous two fi scal years, 2014-15 and 2015-16, was O BITUARY about $70,900. During the 2008-09 and 2009-10 fi scal years, revenue from the parks averaged about $85,000 annually. In the past the county has bolstered the parks depart- ment budget by selling timber from several county- owned parcels, but given the slow growth of trees in Baker County, that’s a rare revenue opportunity. The county hasn’t received any money from timber sales since the 2011-12 fi scal year. Another revenue source is selling those parcels outright. The county received $134,000 in the 2017-18 fi s- cal year from the sale of two parcels near Eagle Creek, and $64,000 in 2013-14. The county is seeking now to sell three other parcels — a 121-acre property near Eagle Creek with a market value of $82,700, according to the county assessor’s offi ce, and two parcels near East Pine Creek east of Halfway. A 40-acre parcel at East Pine Creek has a market val- ue of $41,600, and a 60-acre parcel is valued at $46,800. Harvey said revenue from land sales would be put in reserve for major capital expenses at the parks, not for regular operations. “We want to leave the park revenue there to take care of the daily needs of the park,” he said. Peter Johnson, general manager for Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, told commissioners Wednesday that the resort, which also operates several Forest Service campgrounds and recently agreed to take over management of Quail Ridge Golf Course in Baker City, is open to partnering with the county to help with the parks problem. Harvey and other com- missioners emphasized that despite the budget problems, both Hewitt and Holcomb parks will remain open, and that the county is taking res- ervations for camping now. “I think we need to prob- ably do a far better job of communicating with the community, especially the community out there (near Richland), that we plan to keep the park open,” Com- missioner Mark Bennett said. “What that will look like, we’re going to kind of see as money is available.” Larry Smith told commis- sioners that fl uctuating water levels in the reservoir is responsible for lack of interest in the parks. “The fl uctuation of the wa- ter is what’s killed that park down there,” Smith said. In other business Wednes- day, commissioners: • Approved the road de- partment’s Managing Oregon Resources Effi ciently Inter- governmental Agreement (MORE-IGA), which allows Roadmaster Noodle Perkins to rent the county’s new road shoulder machine to the city and other counties so long as a Baker County employee is operating it. • Approved grant funding request for a part-time victim assistant specialist with the District Attorney’s offi ce. • approved the updated Baker Heritage Museum assistant and director job descriptions as requested by the county museum board. • approved the clean-up ex- tension request for property at 14094 Pine Creek Lane. Harvey did not vote on mo- tion as the property belongs to his brother-in-law RODEO and bull riding competitions will air about two weeks after they happen, Mattox said. He said that although he could televise every event on the Challenge of Cham- pions Tour, he picks fi ve or six annually based on their popularity and status. Mattox said adding the Baker City events to that list “was an absolute necessity.” “The way your town just fl ocks to it is amazing,” he said. “I want the rest of the country to see what your community has created.” In a recent announcement that management of the Baker City Bronc and Bull Riding events were trans- ferring to the Challenge of Champions, Shane Pierce of Baker City, a member of the local board of directors as well as McPheron’s son, said the board was committed to ensuring that the rodeos continued. “We’re super excited,” Pierce said of the transition. The board of directors includes McPheron, Ken Helgerson, Rich Lien, Greg Hammond and Nick Lien. More information about the Challenge of Champions Tour is available at cctbull- riding.com Continued from Page 1A ONE YEAR AGO from the Baker City Herald January 11, 2019 Loran Joseph received fi ve of the seven votes, not four votes as City Recorder Julie Smith announced, when the Baker City Council chose a mayor from among its ranks Tuesday night. The City Council violated Oregon’s Public Meetings Law because Smith did not announce how each individual councilor had voted. Councilors fi lled out paper ballots — which state law allows — but after Smith collected the ballots she announced only how many votes the two candidates, Joseph and Mike Downing, had received. The Public Meetings Law requires that each councilor’s vote be announced. Smith told the Herald Thursday afternoon that fi ve councilors voted for Joseph — Doni Bruland, Lynette Per- ry, Randy Schiewe, Arvid Andersen and Joseph himself. Two councilors voted for Downing — Ken Gross, and Downing himself. Downing had served the past two years as mayor, hav- ing been elected in January 2017. O REGON L OTTERY MEGABUCKS, Jan. 8 14 — 16 — 25 — 33 — 37 — 42 Next jackpot: $1 million POWERBALL, Jan. 8 2 — 4 — 7 — 43 — 56 PB 22 Next jackpot: $277 million WIN FOR LIFE, Jan. 8 27 — 36 — 43 — 69 PICK 4, Jan. 9 • 1 p.m.: 5 — 9 — 3 — 8 • 4 p.m.: 9 — 0 — 1 — 0 • 7 p.m.: 1 — 4 — 1 — 9 • 10 p.m.: 1 — 2 — 8 — 9 LUCKY LINES, Jan. 9 3-7-9-14-20-22-25-29 Next jackpot: $54,000 S ENIOR M ENUS ■ MONDAY: Chicken broccoli Alfredo over fettuccine, carrots biscuit, fruit cup, brownie, biscuit, fruit cup ■ TUESDAY: Salisbury steak, potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, bread, green salad, cake Public luncheon at the Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $4.50 donation (60 and older), $6.75 for those under 60. C ONTACT THE H ERALD 1668 Resort St. Open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Telephone: 541-523-3673 Copyright © 2020 Fax: 541-833-6414 Regional publisher Christopher Rush crush@eomediagroup.com Publisher Karrine Brogoitti kbrogoitti@lagrandeobserver. com Jayson Jacoby, editor jjacoby@bakercityherald.com Advertising email ads@bakercityherald.com Classifi ed email classified@bakercityherald.com Circulation email circ@bakercityherald.com ISSN-8756-6419 Serving Baker County since 1870 Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays except Christmas Day by the Baker Publishing Co., a part of EO Media Group, at 1668 Resort St. (P.O. Box 807), Baker City, OR 97814. Subscription rates per month are: $10.80; by mail $12.50. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Baker City Herald, P.O. Box 807, Baker City, OR 97814. Periodicals Postage Paid at Baker City, Oregon 97814 Aurilla Hubbell Formerly of Haines, 1933-2019 Aurilla Mae Young-Hubbell, 86, of Butte Falls, and formerly of Haines, died Dec. 23, 2019, surrounded by family. Services will take place Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Butte Falls Community Bible Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Conger-Morris. Aurilla was born on Oct. 24, 1933, at Haines to Charles Henry Young and Susie “Benona” York-Young. She was the Aurilla second oldest of four children and the Hubbell only daughter. Aurilla attended school at Haines and graduated from Baker High School. Aurilla married her one love, Keith O. Hubbell, on Sept. 29, 1952, at Weiser, Idaho. They were married 55 years and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2002. In 1965 Aurilla and Keith moved their seven children to Butte Falls. Aurilla enjoyed tending to her fl ower and vegetable gardens, canning much of it for use through out the year. Aurilla was the family historian as she thumbed through books, newspapers and gathered information before computers were readily used. Aurilla had a wonderful and sincere hug that her family will greatly miss. Aurilla was a longtime member of Al-Anon of the Upper Rogue and served as a sponsor to many indi- viduals seeking to fi nd meaning and balance to their lives. Aurilla was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, roles that she cherished. Aurilla was able to celebrate her last Thanksgiving with her six living children and families from across the U.S. at her home in Butte Falls. She is survived by her children: Ralph of Weldon, California, Ronald of Eagle Point, Oregon, Raymond of Bakersfi eld, California, Russell of Pikeville, North Carolina, Amelia McKinley of Butte Falls, and Rodney of Butte Falls, her sisters-in-law, Wanda Hubbell-Dick- enson of Kennewick, Washington, and Jackie Hubbell of Spring Hill, Tennessee; her brother-in-law, Curtis Hubbell of North Bend; 16 grandchildren and 19 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Keith O. Hubbell; her son, Richard; and her brothers, Clayton, Charles and Emil. Rachel Pregnancy Center 2192 Court Avenue, Baker City • 541-523-5357 Pregnancy Help: • Free pregnancy tests • Adoption referrals • Pregnancy options counseling Parenting Help: • Maternity clothes • Baby clothes up to size 3 • Diapers and formula if needed • Baby furniture and items • Referrals for other help Educational Program: • Prenatal classes • Infant care classes • Parenting classes • Bible studies We off er a Post-Abortion Recovery Bible study for women who need emotional & spiritual help aft er an abortion. Th ank you to the community for your support! A resource center for families Mattox said the local orga- nizers have been “absolutely wonderful to work with” in planning the transition. “This is their baby,” he said. “They have been so help- ful with whatever I need. They’ve been doing it for 25 years and we’d like to keep doing it for 25 more.” Mattox said his goal is to put on as good a show as spectators are accustomed to. “Our goal is to keep it the exact same as it is, the same feel,” he said — including VIP and general admission ticket prices. The same except for the addition of TV cameras, anyway. Mattox said both the bull and bronc riding competi- tions will be televised in 2020 on the cable and satellite network, The Cowboy Chan- nel. That’s a sister station to RFD-TV. The Cowboy Chan- nel is available in more than 25 million homes, on provid- ers including Spectrum, Dish Network and DirecTV. Because the network doesn’t yet have the capabil- ity to broadcast the events live, the Baker City bronc N EWS OF R ECORD DEATHS Patricia Radabaugh Erving: 93, a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 3, 2020, at Austin, Texas. Wesley Allen Epler: 69, of Baker City and Sumpter, died Jan. 8, 2020, at his residence in Meadowbrook Place. A private family graveside service will take place Friday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. at Fir Lawn Memorial Park in Hillsboro. Memorial contribu- tions can be made to the charity of one’s choice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814. To light a candle in Wes memory or to offer online condolences to his family, go to www.grayswestco.com FUNERAL PENDING James Harrison: His funeral will be Saturday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Richland Christian Church. Pastor Shawn Thatcher will offi ciate. Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck reception after the service at the Eagle Valley Grange (corner of Moody and Main streets in Rich- land). Arrangements are under the direction of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Ser- vices. Online condolences can be made at www.tamispine valleyfuneralhome.com Wayne Wilson: Memorial service will take place Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Pine Bap- tist Church in Halfway. Arrange- ments are under the direction of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Online condolences can be made at www.tamispine valleyfuneralhome.com POLICE LOG Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce Arrests, citations FAILURE TO APPEAR: Aaron Ray Hansen, 44, Baker City, 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Courthouse; cited and released. PROBATION VIOLATION (Union County warrant): Kirk Wil- liam Roberts, 56, of Baker City, 2:35 a.m. Thursday at the Baker County Jail where he is being held on other charges.
