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:
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Postmaster: Send address changes to
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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.