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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2020)
BAKER CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2020 BAKER CITY HERALD — 7A Betty Milliman Damon Rose Heather Sells Jason Spriet Gretchen Stadler Age 64, retired risk manage- ment consultant. 14-year Baker City resident, plus 11 more years ranching in Baker County, six of those years also here in Baker City as a business owner manufacturing tooling for the wire, cable, medi- cal and fi ber optic industries. We moved from La Grande to Washington State about 1980 because of the recession. We kept our house there until years after we returned to Northeast Oregon, but liked Baker City better, so we sold off and bought a ranch out near Keating. Damon Rose, 45, busi- ness owner (Marilyn’s Music Plus); musician. Resident of Baker City for 7 years. Hello Baker City! I am Heather, a 28-year-old mar- keting program manager who has been part of the Baker City community since 2015; however, my extended family fi rst called Baker home back in 1910. I hope to see our special town continue to be a home to other well-established families and be a place that new residents can choose to raise the future generation. Jason Spriet, 49 years old, I have worked for the State of Oregon Water Resources Department for 25 years and am currently the East Region Manager. Lived in Baker all 49 years, except for the time I spent in college from 1990-94. My name is Gretchen Stadler. I am 61 and have lived in Baker City for 4 years. I am re- tired after working as a Baker Food Co- op grocery assistant, family caregiver, Medicare counselor, job developer, and high school and university student services coordinator. I have served people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and helped folks successfully navi- gate educational and healthcare systems. I have been married for 29 years and have one son. Employed at Washington State as an employment/ personnel risk management consultant. While there de- veloped a statewide program, coordinating between agencies, other states and federal agen- cies. Appointed to Governor’s Safety Committee, Legislative Review/Reports, ADA Com- mittee; adjudication of assault and personnel claims, advised/ researched/consolidated with assistant attorneys generals pertaining to active cases. A big issue I feel the council- ors need to responsibly address and ensure protection of is our water supply. Over the years we have been at the top of the list for best tapwater. The 2013 cryptosporidium incident really took us by surprise, but should serve as a warning to be proac- tive in protecting a most vital resource for every single resi- dent. As a military brat I lived in multiple places. It became routine to taste the tapwater as soon as we moved to a new place. A town in California’s water smelled and tasted like rotten eggs, full of sulfur. A city 15 miles away had water as brown as a dark tea in your glass ... they told us it was safe to drink (both of those were in the 1960s and ’70s). Another had actual gravel in the water. I remember in the late ’70s watching a report on the water system in the Bay Area of Cali- fornia ... recycled water ... yup, recycled sewage and everything else that goes down their drains ... had deadly stuff in it, but they thought a few deaths per ... was tolerable. Really? It still tastes nasty to this day. I, like Ben Franklin, believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Addressing city park safety and use seems to be an in- creasing concern. The new all abilities equipment needs to be available to those most likely to benefi t from them. Park security, and consideration of new recreation opportunities particularly for youth, could improve Baker City’s liveability. I would love to succeed in obtaining family sustaining wages and employment for our current and upcoming work- force. It is a shame so many of our high school graduates feel they have to leave Baker City to obtain the security of steady, good paying employment. I was impressed when I fi rst learned of Baker High School offering technical training. Experience is such a valuable and market- able job qualifi cation to have on anyone’s resumé. I would like to encourage new and exist- ing businesses to develop job growth to take advantage of that training. Part of that goal would be to obtain affordable housing to help support the improved employment oppor- tunities. A goal accomplished would see the criminal element leave Baker City. To make that hap- pen I believe we need to coor- dinate between the emergency and city service personnel to fi nd every way we can sup- port them in their duties, and how they can help each other. Sometimes different divisions can step in the way of another’s progress unnecessarily. Some- times a fresh look can identify a solution. Baker City Public Arts Commission, 2016-2019; Commission Chair, 2019; Baker 5J Ski For The Health Of It chaperone, 2018-2019; Central Park Awareness Concert Organizer, 2016; Baker Youth Activity Center Board member, 2018; Churchill School Cleanup Committee Member, 2019; Jesse Butler Music Fund For Kids Board member, 2020; Baker High School Community Volun- teer Award recipient, 2019/2020 1. Addressing the po- tential negative effects of the upcoming expiration of the Oregon Eviction Moratorium on Dec. 31, 2020. How tenants, as well as landlords, navi- gate through these times will have a direct impact on the immediate future of our city. We already have a homeless problem in Baker which I fear is only going to get worse. The City needs to lever- age its access to grant and state funding to increase rental inventory. This will also help to at- tract employers to town, as many see our lack of workforce housing as a deterrent. 2. Helping Baker City small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local businesses were already experiencing loss of revenue due to increased internet competition (Amazon, etc.). Baker City Downtown had been doing an impressive job increasing downtown vitality and awareness prior to the outbreak, but pandemic-related shut- downs and regulations have made it especially hard for many business- es to pay the bills. We have to keep momentum with our “shop local” and “put your money where your home is” campaigns while preparing for tour- ism to resume. 1. Enabling through a permit process the possi- bility of allowing alcohol service in city parks for special events. Baker City is well-known for Barley Brown’s and Gla- cier 45, we are also well- known for our parks and recreation (shout out to Lisa Jacoby and Joyce Bornstedt!). Al- lowing a beer festival at Geiser-PollmanPark, for example, would bring in tourist dol- lars that are currently unavailable. Weddings, company picnics, and family reunions would bring lodging tax dollars to the county and tourist dollars to the city. 2. Improving access to business class inter- net through research and grants that would enable businesses that work remotely to move to the area. The cost of living and recreational opportunities here would be reason enough to move a small busi- ness here if internet access was better and more affordable. Having online school this fall has shown that our ca- pacity is limited. I would utilize public/private partnerships to leverage city access to funds with local technical experts. I have been responsible for creating and managing digital marketing pro- grams, running corporate events and meetings, build- ing project timelines, and balancing a $1.5 million budget for the past 8 years. Although if elected, this would be my fi rst oppor- tunity to serve on a public council, I am no stranger to hard work, dedication, learning new procedures and representing those who wish to have things work a little different than they have in the past, all to better support the changing world we live in. Two issues I think will be vital for the council to deal with are the results from the presidential election and the ongoing response to COVID-19. As our state continues to be divided, I believe the Council will experience many different opinions presented in front of them based on this sepa- ration of ideas. It will be the responsibility of a good council, to support what is most important to Baker City and its community members. This includes bringing on new city lead- ers and making decisions that support the people, not anyone’s personalized agenda. I also anticipate the global pandemic will continue to be a large topic of discussion. City Council members will be challenged to fi nd new ways to do things they always used to do, but with a different execution. It is a great op- portunity for us to reevalu- ate how we as a community approach these challenges and how we will fi nd new ways to overcome them. If elected, a goal of mine would be to increase support and resources to all Baker City emergency service departments (fi re, police and EMS). At a time where many communities throughout our nation are making tough decisions to defund these vital roles, they need our support more than ever. Not only should these groups be fully equipped with the proper technology and tools to support their daily, and sometimes life-threatening tasks, but they also need the proper emotional resources available to help guide them through diffi cult situations. It is im- portant that we can build a community where these critical members choose to stay and raise their fami- lies, so we can eliminate the desire to leave for a better opportunity. I will also look for and encourage ways to support our local small shops, res- taurants, retail stores and community-run businesses. I feel that it is a commu- nity effort to help our own citizens keep their busi- ness doors open, so they can support their families and continue to call Baker City home. Showing that our community can run successful businesses in a small, rural town also drives more revenue and potentially, more new busi- nesses altogether. I have worked for the public for over 25 years, and since 2012 have led a diverse team of profes- sionals in managing water resources across Eastern Oregon from the Washington border to Nevada. I also served as a member of the Baker County Planning Com- mission for 2 years early in my career. In 2019 I completed the Leader- ship Oregon course, a year-long leadership training with 29 other Oregon managers from various backgrounds. I also spend signifi cant time assisting in the development of admin- istrative rules to protect senior legal uses of water across the state, to ensure Oregon has a healthy water future. Two issues I think are vital for the City Council to deal with over the next 2 years are fi re/ambu- lance service and water security. I believe it is very important to main- tain a properly function- ing ambulance service for the citizens of Baker City and surrounding com- munities. I believe it is the Council’s role to work with our partners in the County to ensure that the ambulance and service are of the highest quality by maintaining a crew of properly trained emer- gency services personnel and equipment that is appropriate for a city like Baker. Additionally it is also important to make sure the city has a reliable and consistent source of water for its citizens. Baker City is very unique in that we have a very clean and reliable source of moun- tain stream water. The ongoing pipeline project is vital to replace the aging infrastructure that cur- rently exists. This project along with the city’s plan to drill an additional groundwater well, will help keep the high quality Baker City water fl owing into the future. I believe Baker City is at its best when its citi- zens and businesses are successful. It is my goal to provide opportunities for both businesses and citizens that will help achieve this goal. There are a number of exist- ing ordinances that may need to be modifi ed to relieve some unnecessary burden on local interests. Local service is diffi cult to beat, and we have some excellent opportunities to expand local resources with some minor changes to antiquated policies. It is also very impor- tant for the council to listen to citizen concerns and consider many dif- ferent perspectives on city activities. I believe the council does a good job when concerns are brought forward, and would like to continue to be proactive to encour- age and expand citizen participation in city government. We all benefi t when we work together to make this city we love prosper to its full potential. Serving on Baker City Council will be my fi rst time in an elected position. I am a founding member of Baker City Trash Talk, a com- munity group formed to address local waste management issues. I am especially enthusiastic about Baker Sanitary’s pilot compost- ing program. I also volunteer with Baker City Cycling Classic, American Association of Univer- sity Women, and the Powder River Cleanup, and have participated in numerous city council meetings and work sessions. I served as a board member for the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project for two years. We are living in a challenging time with the COVID-19 pan- demic and related economic issues. It is vital that the city council continue to secure and equitably distribute fi nancial support from the CARES Act and other grant programs to our local businesses and non-profi t organizations. In addition to responsibly allocating outside resources, the council must use creative problem-solving to ad- dress city funding shortfalls that are likely to occur. We must ensure our fi re and police are adequately funded and our city’s infrastruc- ture is maintained. As we work to preserve basic city services, we also need to envi- sion a positive future and continue moving forward to enhance the health, safety and well being of our community. Our new all-inclusive playground at Geiser-Pollman Park is an excellent demonstration of community support and coop- eration that we can all be proud of. Funding for this project came from Moda Assist, state and city funds, foundation grants, private busi- ness and local fundraising events. Residents of all ages voted daily and enabled Baker City to easily win the Moda Assist competition. There will be many opportuni- ties like this where we can work together to decide what is best for our city. Public input and involve- ment will be essential as we work with our new city manager, fi nd solutions to property cleanup issues, address the needs of our teens, evaluate the analysis of a train quiet zone, design the North Baker Transportation Improve- ment Project, and negotiate a new waste management contract. As a city council member I pledge to commit the time and energy required to be an effective repre- sentative for all Baker citizens. I will devote myself to learning the details of daily management including budget development, city ordinances, repair and mainte- nance of city property, law enforce- ment, community and economic development, and other projects of city departments and commit- tees. It is my goal to develop strong working relationships with all city staff, local residents and fellow elected offi cials. In challenging times like the one we are currently facing, coming to- gether as a community is essential. Being good neighbors to one an- other — respectful, compassionate, and supportive — is necessary if we are to fi nd the best path forward. One of my goals as a city council member is to encourage neighbors to look out for each other and fi nd creative ways to work with what we have. Many residents already volunteer and donate individually or through service clubs like Rotary and Soroptimists. Churches are vital to meeting the needs of many families. I admire the Baker culture of taking care of our own in times of prosperity and struggle, and I will strive to nurture that community spirit at all times. Let’s share our strengths to meet our needs. Johnny Waggoner Sr. My name is Johnny Waggoner Sr., and I am 55 years old. I was born and raised in Texas, graduating from high school in 1983. I enlisted in the Army in 1986, and was stationed in Cali- fornia, Oklahoma and Panama. In 1991, I received an honorable discharge. I moved to Baker City in 1995. I retired from the State of Oregon in 2019. I am married with fi ve children and eight grandchildren. I was a public servant for 23 years, working for the Or- egon Department of Corrections from 1996 until my retirement in 2019. The fi rst issue that I think will be vital for the City Council to ad- dress is being able to maintain the current level of city services without raising taxes. There is a lot of work to be done in Baker City, including but not limited to, streets that badly need repair and a major cleanup of the watershed to reduce the risk of fi re. The second vital issue is fi nding a way to pro- mote growth in Baker City without losing the livability and abandoning our rural roots. The livability of Baker City needs a boost and could ben- efi t from even small improvements like a designated city-wide cleanup week and more attentiveness to parks and pathways. Many businesses are struggling with the current COVID re- strictions and the loss of revenue from can- celed events. The City Council needs to play a role in helping these businesses safely prosper and having events return to Baker City even if only on a smaller scale. Two goals that I would like to pursue if I am elected is to update the city charter and to make Baker City safer for our residents. The city charter continues to have additions made to it, but the time has come for the entire document to be reviewed and updated where ap- propriate. COVID restrictions have resulted in our law enforcement offi cers being unable to do their jobs effectively and Baker City has been plagued with thefts and burglaries. The police need to be able to enforce the laws and there needs to be consequences for those who break them. If elected, I am looking forward to helping champion improvements for both the police and fi re departments.