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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2020)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 BAKER CITY HERALD — 3A L OCAL B RIEFING County needs volunteers for boards What’s New At The Library Baker County has vacancies for volunteers to serve on the following: • Economic Develop- ment Council • Transient Lodging Tax Marketing Com- mittee • Eastern Oregon Co- ordinated Care Advisory Committee • Parks and Recre- ation Board Volunteer forms are available at www. bakercounty.org/com- missioners. • 2400 Resort St. FICTION • “Hindsight,” Danielle Steel • “The Book Woman of Trouble- some Creek,” Kim Michele Richardson • “Nothing to See Here,” Kevin Wilson • “Trust Exercise,” Susan Choi • “The River Murders,” James Patterson NONFICTION • “When Harry Became Sally,” Ryan T. Anderson • “How To Be Well,” Frank Lipman • “What Is a Girl Worth?” Rachael Denhollander • “Open Borders Inc.” Michelle Malkin • “The Book of Gutsy Women,” Hill- ary Rodham Clinton DVDS • “Girl on the Third Floor” (Hor- ror) • “Humanity Bureau” (Action) • “Joker” (Drama) • “Monsters: Dark Continent” (Sci-Fi) • “Whitney” (Documentary) H EART TO H EART Testament to our school system Sarah Spaugh is one of yours; just one more product of the Baker County community and the excellent public education system avail- able here. (“Across the Outback...” Jan. 1, 2020). She entered South Baker Elementary as a fourth-grader, participat- ed in arts and athletics programs at Baker High School, and graduated from Baker Web Acad- emy 2014 with valuable college-classroom experi- ence. The Baker 5J District offered many academic choices to Sarah while she was a student here, and offers today’s stu- dents even more. We were pleasantly surprised to see the Herald’s article on our daughter. We hope it reminds every student in this community: “Baker County can meet your educational needs, and you can accomplish any- thing that you are willing to work for.” With thanks. David and Stephanie Spaugh Baker City Sierra McClain/Capital Press fi le photo Representatives of the Timber Unity movement organized massive protests at the Oregon Capitol in Salem last year against climate legislation. The organization is planning to protest a new climate change proposal that will be considered during the upcoming legislative session. Timber Unity group braces for return of carbon cap legislation By Sierra McClain Capital Press SALEM — The Oregon state legislature’s short ses- sion begins Feb. 3, with law- makers planning to resurrect climate legislation after last session’s controversial “cap- and-trade” proposal failed. And Timber Unity, the group heading protests last year, will be back. On Feb. 6, Timber Unity will organize a convoy of log- ging trucks to Salem and a rally on the Capitol steps. On the group’s Facebook event page, as of Jan. 7, 936 people have said they will go to the protest, more than 3,100 have marked them- selves as interested and 97 have pledged to drive semi- trucks. “We want to stop cap and trade,” said Adam Lardy, a Timber Unity spokesman. “Politicians may want to run with a watered-down version this year. But once they get a foothold, why wouldn’t they run with it? So we can’t let them get a foothold.” Last year Timber Unity formed to protest House Bill 2020, last year’s cap-and- trade bill, which passed the Oregon House. The legislation was designed to cut carbon emissions, but it roused op- position from farmers, loggers and others who argued the bill would raise fuel and natu- ral gas prices. The protests culminated with the walk-out of Senate Republicans, infl aming party tensions. The bill stalled in the Senate at the end of the session when it failed to gain adequate support. According to Harry Esteve, communications manager for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, it’s too early to know the specifi cs of a renewed cap-and-trade proposal. Kate Kondayen, deputy communications director for Gov. Kate Brown, said the governor is focused on an economy-wide strategy with enforceable carbon limits. Kondayen said Brown plans to “ensure the bill protects jobs and livelihoods in rural communities” while still achieving state emissions goals. “Doing nothing is not an option,” said Kondayen. Although Timber Unity formed to protest HB 2020, the movement has ballooned into something bigger. “The movement is shifting,” said Lardy, the spokesman. “We’re fi ghting overregula- tion. We’re fi ghting laws that kill jobs and communities. It’s not just about cap and trade anymore.” The movement bears resemblance to the “yellow vests” in France, a grass- roots citizens’ campaign that started as a fuel tax protest and has morphed into a nationwide anti-government movement aimed at economic justice for the working-class. Timber Unity also echoed a global trend. In what experts have dubbed the Global Protest Wave of 2019, demon- strations erupted in the Arab world, France, Catalonia, Hong Kong, Latin America and beyond. According to the United Nations, demon- strators around the world sought autonomy, freedom from political corruption and economic fairness. As Timber Unity’s ranks swell in 2020, its leaders say they are determined to keep protests peaceful. “I’m an Army wife. I stood up for Gov. Brown when she walked into our caucus room,” said Julie Parrish, a former state legislator and current board member for Timber Unity. “It’s about respect. If any policymaker will speak with us, we’ll take the meet- ing.” The movement’s success, said Parrish, also depends on how protesters treat one an- other. Parrish said the Timber Unity movement is far from homogenous. “We’re a voting bloc of over 50,000 people now, and we’re not all politically the same,” said Parrish. “I don’t own a gun or hunt or fi sh. Some Secretary of State sued over rejection of two clean-energy ballot measures SALEM (AP) — Environmental advocates are suing Oregon’s Secretary of State over her rejection of two clean-energy ballot initiatives, claiming the action was without legal reason- ing and constituted an abuse of power. The Statesman Journal reports in a fi ling to Marion County Circuit Court Wednesday, complainants asked for an expedited review to allow Initiative Petitions 48 and 49 to continue the process that would allow them to put the measures before voters in November. Eric Richardson, chief petitioner and execu- tive director of NAACP Eugene/Springfi eld, said the actions by Secretary of State Bev Clarno and Deputy Secretary Rich Vial are unconstitutional. The blocked initiatives would require Oregon to produce all of its electricity through renewable and carbon-free sources by Jan. 1, 2045, up from about half today. Washington, California and Nevada already have similar targets. One of the two proposed initiatives would also require utilities to more aggressively invest in benefi cial electrifi cation programs, such as electric car charging infrastructure. Clarno rejected the initiatives because she said they violated the single-subject provision of the Constitution, which requires that initia- tives address only one subject. In September, she rejected three forestry- related initiatives. people are pro-choice, some pro-life. Some are hell-bent on electing Trump, and others would never vote for him.” She laughed. “It makes managing the dialog inter- esting sometimes. But we’re trying to focus on common ground — economic issues.” Timber Unity’s fi nancial muscle comes from its donors, both through direct giving and in-kind donations. The group fi led as a 501 C (6) membership-based nonprofi t, and also runs the Timber Unity Political Action Committee, or TUPAC. Since its genesis June 6, 2019, TUPAC has brought in over $177,000. TUPAC has been criticized for its partisan and special-in- terest donors, such as Andrew Miller, a prominent timber executive. Timber Unity’s leaders, however, say they’re undaunt- ed by criticisms. Parrish said the organization will extend its reach by helping plant local chapters across Oregon, California and Washington. Timber Unity, said Parrish, also plans to host training sessions and teach civic en- gagement workshops. On Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m., board member Angelita Sanchez will discuss upcoming carbon regulations at the Northwest Ag Show at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. “You can only tax people so much,” said Lardy. “It all started with a rally, and we’re doing it again.” Watershed Council meeting Monday The Powder Basin Watershed Council will celebrate its 25th anni- versary with a planning meeting Monday, Jan. 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 2034 Auburn Ave., Suite B. People planning to attend can RSVP by calling 541- 523-7288. ‘Bag It’ movie to be shown Jan. 15 The documentary “Bag It,” which follows a man who’s trying to reduce his use of plastic, will be shown for free on Jan. 15 at the Baker County Library, 2400 Resort St. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the fi lm starting at 6:30 p.m. The showing is sponsored by Baker City Trash Talk and the Baker Food Co- op. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Please bring drink and food containers if possible. 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