A4 BAKER CITY HERALD • THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
BAKER CITY
Opinion
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Baker City, Oregon
EDITORIAL
Boys Jungle
opportunity
B
aker City might have a chance to acquire the
property known to generations of local res-
idents as the Boys Jungle, for use as a public
park. It’s an opportunity city oﬃ cials ought not let
go without a thorough examination of the possible
options.
Th e Boys Jungle, for those unfamiliar with either
the name or the place, is an undeveloped piece of
ground, covering about two acres, just north of D
Street on the east side of the Powder River. Th e Leo
Adler Memorial Parkway runs through the east side
of the parcel.
Its name derives from the thickets of cottonwoods
and willows interspersed with patches of dense
shrubbery.
Most of the trees remain. But the underbrush is gone.
Th at’s the most dramatic evidence of the work
that Gust Tsiatsos, a La Grande builder and develop-
er, has made since buying the property last year.
Tsiatsos bought four other parcels in the area,
and his main focus is building small cottages that
military veterans could either rent or buy. Tsiatsos,
whose company is GCT Land Management Inc., ob-
tained a $1,475,000 grant from the Oregon Housing
and Community Services for the ﬁ rst phase of the
veterans housing project, which will be built on a
lot between F and H streets, east of Elkhorn Village
apartments. He also plans to invest $350,000 to
$450,000 of private capital in the project, which Rick
Gloria, Baker County’s veterans service oﬃ cer, said
will be a boon for local veterans looking for housing.
Tsiatsos said he would prefer that the Boys Jungle
parcel be used as a park.
Th at’s been its unoﬃ cial — and illegal — status
for decades. Th e property has always been privately
owned, but people, and in particular youths, have
frequently treated the place as a de facto park, and
one with access to the river.
Over the years, city oﬃ cials, including police,
have expressed concern about underage drinking
and other illegal activity at the Boys Jungle. Tsi-
atsos said that aft er buying the property he found
evidence that homeless people were camping there.
Th at’s one reason he felt compelled to clean up
the parcel.
His crew did a nice job. Th ey left most of the big
trees, although Tsiatsos said many trees seem to be
close to the end of their lifespan.
He said his initial idea was to donate the property
to the city in exchange for a reduction in utility fees
he’s paying for his veterans housing development.
But Joyce Bornstedt, who oversees city parks, said
that’s not possible because the utility departments
are separate parts of the city budget, distinct from
the parks department, which is part of the gener-
al fund.
But city oﬃ cials shouldn’t pass on this opportuni-
ty because of what amounts to a bureaucratic obsta-
cle.
Th e Boys Jungle would be a wonderful addition to
the city’s roster of parks. Th e site would complement
Geiser-Pollman and Central parks, both of which
also border the Powder River.
Turning the Boys Jungle into an oﬃ cial public
park would not be free, of course, even if the city
doesn’t have spend any money to acquire the prop-
erty itself. Th e city would be responsible for de-
veloping and maintaining the parcel in perpetuity.
And Baker City’s parks department is not ﬂ ush with
case — its budget for the current ﬁ scal year, which
ends June 30, is a decidedly modest $124,000, and
much of that — about $74,000 — pays a contractor
to maintain existing parks. Th e city parks board
has also discussed other improvements, such as a
splash pad.
Nonetheless, adding the Boys Jungle to the city’s
list of parks properties needn’t be terribly expen-
sive. Indeed, it makes sense to maintain its relatively
primitive condition rather than planting grass and
installing expensive accoutrements such as play-
ground equipment. Putting in a few benches and
picnic tables probably would be suﬃ cient. Baker
City also has beneﬁ ted the past two years from
the eﬀ orts of volunteer Tom Clement, who has led
campaigns to trim trees, remove brush and make
other improvements along the Leo Adler Memori-
al Parkway, so there’s another potential option for
maintaining the Boys Jungle that wouldn’t saddle
the city’s parks budget.
— Jayson Jacoby, Baker City Herald editor
YOUR VIEWS
Baker County Republican leaders
should apologize for episode at
candidate forum
Editor’s note: This is a letter the author
sent to candidates who attended a
Republican gubernatorial forum in
Baker City on March 25.
Dear Friend and Candidate,
We, the true conservative Repub-
licans of Baker County, would like
to thank you for your efforts in both
choosing to run for Governor and in
bringing your campaign hopes to Baker
City. All campaigns require energy and
money that once expended must be re-
newed to carry your message forward.
We understand the complexities and
truly appreciate the difficulties faced
when your message is prevented from
reaching your desired audience.
Worst yet is the frustration you must
have felt when you were forced to have
your personal time with the voters com-
promised by a format replete with out-
rageous rules on your selves, and worst
yet upon your audience. Since each of
you faced a highly regulated presenta-
tion which denied you essential feed-
back from your audience, your attempts
to reach us were all the more appreci-
ated. Your frustration was matched by
ours, your prospective supporters.
To be told by the self-appointed con-
vening authority how we, the audience
must behave, was a losing proposition
for a gathering of proud, free Amer-
ican adults. Each of us has our own
story and nowhere in our lives have we
encountered such an insulting list of
made-up rules. At least not since the
insane and pointless Covid mask rules.
Naturally, there was a little push-back.
One fine gentleman wanted to record
all of you. Perhaps he, as I, has trouble
hearing well enough to follow your pre-
sentation. A recording of you all would
make it possible to review your messag-
ing and allow further understanding of
your platform.
The authoritarian nature of the
sponsoring party was uncalled for and
harmed you in getting your message
across. We feel that Baker County Re-
publicans leadership, by virtue of their
actions and rules, owes you for wasting
your time and energies. They are not
representative of the people of Baker
City and its environs.
As for the true Republican conser-
vatives, particularly those of us who
had the opportunity to meet you, how-
ever briefly, we found you all to be
exemplary and charming and hope
to hear more from you in advance of
the election. We must strive to save
the Republican Party, our state and
our nation. God Bless you all and God
Bless America!
Till we meet again,
The True Patriotic Conservative
Republicans of Baker City and Baker
County.
Rick Rienks
Baker City
County weed district shouldn’t
compete with private businesses
amazing opportunity and our grandson
is so excited about next year. He went
from never being on skis to swooshing
down intermediate slopes safely, thanks
I had the opportunity to attend the
Baker County Weed District meeting on to the professional lessons and his peers’
March 29 at 1 p.m. I have been a propo- encouragement. Our 5-year-old grand-
nent of the Baker County Weed Levy my daughter can’t wait for her turn! They
entire time as a property taxpayer. Back- have an amazing beginners hill, and who
ground, I’m born and raised in Baker,
knows, she and grandma may check it
1982. I understand I’m still young, how- out next year because anyone over 70
ever I also have spent the last 17 years as can ski FREE! Good job, Baker, this is
a crop consultant in Baker and Union
such an amazing place to live!
counties under two different companies.
Pat Brougham
After attending the meeting, I encourage
Baker City
a NO vote on any continuing weed levy,
as the Baker County Weed District is not County commissioners need to
fulfilling its commitments to spraying.
make a decision on constitution
Per the meeting, it was stated there
resolution
was minimal broadleaf management
last year and many of the gravel roads
It’s time for the Baker County Com-
were not treated last fall. It would seem missioners to make a decision on the
constitutional counties controversy. The
the district responsible for enforcing
issue has been divisive and has unnec-
the control of noxious weeds in our
essarily taken time and attention away
county is not taking care of their own
from vital county responsibilities like
spraying duties.
ambulance service.
I have no complaints with the cost
Commissioners have basically three
share program the Baker County Weed
choices — adopt the resolution, oppose
District has implemented over the past
it, or refer the question to voters. It’s time
years. This program is a cost share for
to pick one and get back to business.
spray to control noxious weeds on pri-
But when they choose, they need to
vate property. The Baker County Weed
District Board of Directors has approved keep in mind their responsibilities and
their jurisdiction. It is not up to commis-
the proposal to both sell chemical and
sioners to pick and choose which state
rent equipment (cite 3/29/22 1 p.m.
and federal laws to follow or to reinter-
meeting). Which is in direct competi-
tion with at least 16 local businesses who pret the state or federal constitutions.
In sports, it isn’t up to the coaches to
provide certified commercial applicators
pick which rules to follow or to over-
and/or licensed pesticide dealers. Also,
rule the referees. Their job is to lead and
a credit card reader has been ordered
support their team. In government, our
(first in Baker County Government’s
elected representatives make laws, our
history). A card reader costs my busi-
ness 3% per transaction. If the cost share executive branches apply those laws, and
our courts interpret them so that they
program works for spray, why isn’t the
Weed District offering a cost share pro- are consistent with each other and with
gram for spray application or the rental the Constitution. I understand and re-
of spray equipment rather than directly spect anyone’s right to disagree with our
government. I often do, too. But we need
competing with local privately owned
businesses? After the state COVID man- to accept the authority of elected and ap-
pointed officials. When we disagree, we
dates, putting local restaurants out of
need to express our opinions with our
business, who is to say the government
won’t step in and say there aren’t enough voices and votes, while respecting the
rights of other to do the same. It is also
sandwich shops to cover the needs of
our community, while using our tax dol- our right to ask the courts, not county
lars to open up a new sandwich shop in commissioners, to intercede when we
town. This is a very slippery slope and I believe government has misused its
don’t feel it is necessary or appropriate to power.
Commissioners’ roles are a blend of
fund the government to compete directly
with my small business, or any other pri- legislative and executive functions, but
their jurisdiction is local, as laid out in
vately owned business.
Joe Hill Oregon’s constitution and laws. Since
Baker County 1787, courts have ruled on the scope of
government powers and responsibilities.
Thanks to Anthony Lakes, Baker
They’ve also ruled on search and seizure
of property, gun ownership, the rights of
School District for youth skiing
the accused, mask mandates, and many
program
other issues named or implied in the Bill
Our family would like to say thank
of Rights. So, no matter what our com-
you to the Anthony Lakes Ski Area and missioners decide on the constitutional
the Baker School District for making the counties proposal, they will always be
“Ski For The Health of It” winter youth
responsible to serve all of the citizens
program possible. For $80, our 12-year- of Baker County and to abide by all of
old grandson received all his rental
the Constitution and the laws that flow
gear, an awesome helmet to keep, pri-
from it.
vate lessons, and bus rides to and from
Mark Bogart
the mountain for 8 weeks! It’s such an
Baker City
CONTACT YOUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
President Joe Biden: The White House, 1600
Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. 20500; 202-456-
1111; to send comments, go to www.whitehouse.
gov.
office: 14 N. Central Avenue Suite 112, Medford, OR
97850; Phone: 541-776-4646; fax: 541-779-0204;
Ontario office: 2430 S.W. Fourth Ave., No. 2, Ontario,
OR 97914; Phone: 541-709-2040. bentz.house.gov.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley: D.C. office: 313 Hart Senate
Office Building, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C., 20510;
202-224-3753; fax 202-228-3997. Portland office:
One World Trade Center, 121 S.W. Salmon St. Suite
1250, Portland, OR 97204; 503-326-3386; fax 503-
326-2900. Baker City office, 1705 Main St., Suite 504,
541-278-1129; merkley.senate.gov.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: 254 State Capitol, Salem,
OR 97310; 503-378-3111; www.governor.oregon.gov. Baker City Hall: 1655 First Street, P.O. Box 650, Baker
City, OR 97814; 541-523-6541; fax 541-524-2049. City
Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read: oregon.
Council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7
treasurer@ost.state.or.us; 350 Winter St. NE, Suite 100, p.m. in Council Chambers. Councilors Jason Spriet,
Salem OR 97301-3896; 503-378-4000.
Kerry McQuisten, Shane Alderson, Joanna Dixon,
Johnny Waggoner Sr. and Dean Guyer.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum:
Justice Building, Salem, OR 97301-4096; 503-378-
Baker City administration: 541-523-6541. Jonathan
4400.
Cannon, city manager; Ty Duby, police chief; Sean
Lee, fire chief; Michelle Owen, public works director.
Oregon Legislature: Legislative documents and
information are available online at www.leg.state.
Baker County Commission: Baker County
or.us.
Courthouse 1995 3rd St., Baker City, OR 97814; 541-
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden: D.C. office: 221 Dirksen
Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-
224-5244; fax 202-228-2717. La Grande office: 105 Fir
St., No. 210, La Grande, OR 97850; 541-962-7691; fax,
541-963-0885; wyden.senate.gov.
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (2nd District): D.C. office: 1239
Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C.,
20515, 202-225-6730; fax 202-225-5774. Medford
State Sen. Lynn Findley (R-Ontario): Salem office:
900 Court St. N.E., S-403, Salem, OR 97301; 503-986-
1730. Email: Sen.LynnFindley@oregonlegislature.gov
State Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane): Salem office:
900 Court St. N.E., H-475, Salem, OR 97301; 503-986-
1460. Email: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
523-8200. Meets the first and third Wednesdays at 9
a.m.; Bill Harvey (chair), Mark Bennett, Bruce Nichols.