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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2021)
LOCAL & NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 BAKER CITY HERALD — 5A INAUGURATION DAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Joe Biden becomes 46th president, saying ‘democracy has prevailed’ By Jonathan Lemire, Zeke Miller and Alexandra Jaffe “We have much to do in this winter of peril, and signifi cant possibilities: much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain.” Associated Press WASHINGTON — Joe Biden became the 46th presi- dent of the United States on Wednesday, Jan. 20, declaring that “democracy has pre- vailed” as he took the helm of a deeply divided nation and inherited a confl uence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors. Biden’s inauguration came at a time of national tumult and uncertainty, a ceremony of resilience as the hallowed American democratic rite unfurled at a U.S. Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. The chilly Washington morning was dotted with snow fl urries, but the sun emerged just before Biden took the oath of offi ce, the quadrennial ceremony persevering even though it was encircled by security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic. “The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” Biden said. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in his- tory and hope, of renewal and resolve.” And then he pivoted to chal- lenges ahead, acknowledging the surging virus that has claimed more than 400,000 lives in the United States. Biden looked out over a capital city dotted with empty storefronts that attest to the pandemic’s deep economic toll and where summer protests laid bare the nation’s renewed reckoning on racial injustice. — President Joe Biden they could use violence to silence the will of the people,” Biden said. “To stop the work of our democracy. To drive us from this sacred ground. It did not happen. It will never hap- pen. Not today, not tomorrow. Not ever. Not ever.” The tense atmosphere evoked the 1861 inauguration of Lincoln, who was secretly transported to Washington to avoid assassins on the eve of the Civil War, or Roosevelt’s Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via Associated Press inaugural in 1945, when he Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John opted for a small, secure cer- Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the U.S. Capitol. emony at the White House in the waning months of World “We have much to do in this the presidency, staked his can- well as a depth of experience War II. winter of peril, and signifi cant didacy less on any distinctive forged from more than four The day began with a reach possibilities: much to repair, political ideology than on gal- decades in Washington. At age across the aisle after four much to restore, much to heal, vanizing a broad coalition of 78, he was the oldest presi- years of bitter partisan battles much to build and much to voters around the notion that dent inaugurated. under Trump. At Biden’s invi- gain,” Biden said. “Few people Trump posed an existential More history was made at tation, congressional leaders in our nation’s history have threat to American democracy. his side, as Kamala Harris from both parties bowed their more challenged, or found Biden did not mention Trump became the fi rst woman to heads in prayer in the socially a time more challenging or by name in the early moments be vice president. The former distanced service just a few diffi cult than the time we’re of his inaugural address but U.S. senator from California blocks from the White House. in now.” alluded to the rifts his prede- is also the fi rst Black person Once at the Capitol, Biden His predecessor’s absence cessor had helped create. and the fi rst person of South will be administered the oath underscored the healing that “I know the forces that Asian descent elected to by Chief Justice John Roberts; is needed. divide us are deep and they the vice presidency and will Harris will be sworn in by Flouting tradition, Donald are real. But I also know become the highest-ranking Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the Trump departed Washington they are not new. Our history woman ever to serve in gov- fi rst Latina member of the on Wednesday morning ahead has been a constant struggle ernment. Supreme Court. Vice Presi- of the inauguration rather between the American ideal The two were sworn in dur- dent Mike Pence, standing than accompany his successor that we all are created equal ing an inauguration ceremony in for Trump, was sitting to the Capitol. Though three and the harsh, ugly real- with few parallels in history. nearby as Lady Gaga, holding other former presidents — Bill ity of racism, nativism, fear, Tens of thousands of troops a gold microphone, sang the Clinton, George W. Bush and demonization that have long are on the streets to provide National Anthem accompa- Barack Obama — gathered to torn us apart,” Biden said. security precisely two weeks nied by the U.S. Marine Corps watch the ceremonial transfer “This is our historic moment of after a violent mob of Trump band. of power, Trump, awaiting his crisis and challenge, and unity supporters, incited by the Re- The theme of Biden’s ap- second impeachment trial, is the path forward and we publican president, stormed proximately 30-minute speech instead fl ew to Florida after must meet this moment as the the Capitol in an attempt to will be “America United,” and stoking grievance among his United States of America.” prevent the certifi cation of aides said it would be a call to supporters with the lie that Biden came to offi ce with a Biden’s victory. set aside differences during a Biden’s win was illegitimate. well of empathy and resolve “Here we stand, just days moment of national trial. Biden, in his third run for born by personal tragedy as after a riotous mob thought Biden will then oversee a “Pass in Review,” a military tradition that honors the peaceful transfer of power to a new commander in chief. Then, Biden, Harris and their Baker County Monthly Unemployment Rates: 2019-2020 11/19 12/19 01/20 02/20 03/20 04/20 4.0% 3.8% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 13.0% 13.2% 10.9% 9.8% 05/20 06/20 07/20 08/20 09/20 10/20 11/20 8.1% 7.5% 6.5% 5.9% Source: Oregon Employment Department JOBS opment Center, said he was a bit surprised at how many Continued from Page 1A jobs the county has recovered The number of jobs in since last spring. Baker County then increased “Baker’s doing very well,” in fi ve of the next six months. Nelson said. The one exception was An obvious exception to September 2020, when the that assessment, Nelson said, county’s private, nonfarm is the leisure and hospitality workforce dropped slightly, industry, which has endured from 4,350 to 4,330. long periods of severe restric- Jeff Nelson, Baker County tions, including the current business adviser with Blue ban on indoor dining at Mountain Community Col- restaurants. lege’s Small Business Devel- Restaurants and bars have been limited to takeout, delivery or outdoor dining Baker County — the latter not especially Unemployment: feasible in midwinter given Baker County’s climate — for Annual average all but two weeks since early • 2019: 4.6% December. In a December 2020 report, • 2018: 5.3% Christopher Rich, Eastern • 2017: 5.5% Oregon regional economist for the Employment Depart- • 2016: 6.3% ment, wrote that “leisure • 2015: 6.8% and hospitality has taken the brunt of the impact. The • 2014: 8.3% industry remains below • 2013: 9.6% seasonal expectations and below recovery as it rides an • 2012: 10.6% operational roller coaster.” • 2011: 10.9% As of November 2020 — December statistics will be • 2010: 10.3% available next week — the • 2009: 10.4% number of leisure and hospi- tality jobs in Baker County • 2008: 7.1% was 600. That’s 20 fewer than • 2007: 5.8% in November 2019. Rich said in an interview • 2006: 6.3% on Wednesday, Jan. 20, that • 2005: 7.4% he expects the December report will show a decline in Source: Oregon leisure and hospitality jobs Employment in the county, and a resulting Department increase from November’s 5.9% jobless rate. The December fi gures will refl ect effects of the ban on indoor dining, Rich said. Bryan Tweit, the county’s economic developer, wrote in an email to the Herald that some local restaurant workers have moved to Idaho, where restaurants are not restricted as much as in Oregon. “I think we will have a hard time getting those peo- ple back into the workforce locally when we get to open completely,” Tweit wrote. Manufacturing jobs have actually increased over the past year, with 590 in Baker County in November 2020, compared with 560 in No- vember 2019. Nelson pointed out that the county’s larger manufac- turing employers, including Behlen Mfg. Inc., Marvin Wood Products and Ash Grove Cement, are not subject to the restrictions that the state has imposed on restaurants and some other retail businesses. Manufacturing fi rms have also avoided COVID-19 out- breaks, which have affected similar businesses in many other counties. No Baker County manu- facturing company has had an outbreak, according to the Oregon Health Authority. 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Later, Biden will join the end of a slimmed-down inau- gural parade as he moves into the White House. Because of the pandemic, much of this year’s parade will be a virtual affair featuring performances from around the nation. In the evening, in lieu of the traditional glitzy balls that welcome a new president to Washington, Biden will take part in a televised concert that also marks the return of A-list celebrities to the White House orbit after they largely eschewed Trump. “I protested 45’s inaugura- tion, and I wanted to be here when he left,” said Raelyn Maxwell of Park City, Utah. “And I wanted to celebrate the new president.” She brought a bouquet of roses she hoped to toss to Harris and some champagne to toast the occa- sion. Trump is the fi rst president in more than a century to skip the inauguration of his suc- cessor. In a cold wind, Marine One took off from the White House and soared above a de- serted capital city to his own farewell celebration at nearby Joint Base Andrews. There, he boarded Air Force One for the fi nal time as president for the fl ight to his Florida estate. “I will always fi ght for you. I will be watching. I will be listening and I will tell you that the future of this country has never been better,” said Trump, who wished the incoming administration well but once again declined to mention Biden’s name. Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers The Oregon Public Utility Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $21.00 per month and business services are $33.00- $37.00 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request. 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