LOCAL
Council
Continued from Page A1
If the city does cease am-
bulance service, it would lose
about $1 million in annual
ambulance revenue. The pro-
posed city budget for the fis-
cal year that starts July 1 does
not include ambulance service
beyond Sept. 30, and the bud-
get also calls for laying off six
firefighter/paramedics, half
the number allocated for the
current fiscal year (although
two of those positions are va-
cant now).
A standing room only
crowd attended Tuesday’s City
Council meeting, and 18 peo-
ple spoke, all urging council-
ors to keep operating ambu-
lances and avoid layoffs in the
fire department.
City manager, councilors
concerned about aspects in
county’s request for proposals
During Wednesday’s work
session, Cannon and council-
ors talked about several con-
cerns they have with require-
ments listed in the county’s
RFP, saying that in some cases
the city couldn’t comply with
its current staffing, and that
meeting the standards would
require the city to hire several
new firefighter/paramedics
and buy or lease at least two
new ambulance.
That would cost the city
hundreds of thousands of dol-
lars.
Councilor Dean Guyer said
he believes the county’s RFP
is not necessary, and that he
prefers the city and county try
to reach an agreement for the
city to continue ambulance
service for the next fiscal year.
Guyer described this idea
as a “bandaid” that would
give the county time to pro-
pose an ambulance district,
with a new property tax levy,
that voters in the Baker Am-
bulance Service Area could
potentially decide on in a fu-
Cannon said the city has two
ture election.
ambulances in good condition,
Guyer said he hopes that
one that’s not in good shape
could happen as soon as the
and a fourth that is not cur-
Nov. 8, 2022, election, but he
rently capable of meeting basic
noted that county officials have standards.
suggested May 2023.
He told council-
“Why are we
ors he’s worried that
spending all this
to meet the county’s
time going through
RFP requirements, the
an RFP when all
city would potentially
we’re trying to do
need to buy or lease
is provide some ac-
(the latter being his
commodation?”
preferred option) two
Guyer said.
ambulances. A new
Nichols
Mayor Kerry Mc-
ambulance costs an es-
Quisten said that
timated $375,000, he
during an April joint
said.
meeting between the
Cannon said the city,
City Council and
in its response to the
county commission-
RFP, can simply list
ers, she urged com-
the ambulances it has
missioners to not
available.
send an RFP.
“We would say, this
Cannon
“They don’t legally
is what we have, and
have to do this,” Mc-
we’re not going to buy
Quisten said. “And
any and if one fails,
they came back at
then we’re going to
us and said, we are
have to just deal with
doing this no mat-
that,” he said.
ter what and so, now
Cannon cited the
they’ve started this
RFP’s requirement
legal process where
that if either primary
Guyer
this is what they’re
ambulance assigned
doing. And if we
to service in the Baker
can’t talk them out of
ASA becomes inoper-
it, what other option
ative or leaves the ASA
do we have?”
for any reason, it shall
Councilor Ken-
be replaced by an iden-
yon Damschen said
tical ambulance imme-
he wants the city to
diately.
focus on trying to
“We’re not going to
Bennett
reach an agreement
be able to meet this,”
with the county that
Cannon said. “Because
keeps the city operat-
if we go to Huntington
ing ambulances.
and we have an ambu-
“I’m just looking
lance in service over in
for us to actually
Boise, I don’t have two
communicate and
back ups, I don’t have
try with the county
two ambulances.”
to resolve this,”
Cannon said the city
McQuisten
Damschen said.
would not be able to
Cannon expressed
meet a requirement
concerns about parts of the
in the RFP regarding transfers
RFP, including the requirement of patients to hospitals outside
that the ambulance provider
the area.
have two ambulances available
Councilor Joanna Dixon
at all times and a backup am-
pointed out that the late Leo
bulance.
Adler had always supported
Playground
ries in the nearby forests, and
the city’s annual Huckleberry
Continued from Page A1
Festival each July, Wendt said.
The city park, until now, did
and a jungle gym with a double not have a formal name.
slide and a curly slide attached.
The new playground equip-
These items replaced the
ment at the park cost $67,000
previous equipment that was
and was purchased with
in poor condition because of
money raised from donations
age, according to Beth Wendt, and grants.
North Powder city recorder.
The new equipment was in-
Almost all of the children
stalled last fall and since then
who participated in the rib-
finishing work has been con-
bon-cutting event were kinder- ducted. Children began using
garten, first and second grade the new playground once the
students at North Powder El-
new items were put in.
ementary School and were
“Some children were even
brought to the playground by
using them when there was
their teachers.
snow on the ground,” Wendt
The grand opening was con- said.
ducted at what is now G.M.
Today, many more chil-
Huckleberry Park Playground. dren are coming to the play-
The name reflects North Pow- ground than before the new
der’s reputation for huckleber- equipment was installed,
Brian Richard Trost
April 1, 1976 - May 4, 2022
Brian Richard Trost (April
1, 1976 - May 4, 2022) was
born in Ontario, Oregon, to
Rick and Patty Trost. He grew
up and attended school in
Unity, graduating in 1994.
In 1998, he married Shelly
Cornford, and together they
had Taylor and Brytney. They
lived in Unity for a while
and later moved to John Day
where he worked for the mill.
During his time in John Day,
he attended Northwest Lineman School in Idaho. Brian
moved back to Unity and began working with his dad
in construction.
In 2008, he married Brandy Carter. He gained a
daughter, Chloe, and together they had a son, Lane. He
and Brandy moved to Redmond where he continued to
work in construction.
In 2020, Brian moved to Unity to work with his
dad. Brian was a hard worker and a perfectionist.
Besides building new houses, he made pole furniture
and railings for decks. Brian loved to hunt and fish and
enjoyed anything outdoors. He was usually the first one
to find the morels that popped up in the spring. He was
a good cook and liked to use his Traeger to smoke the
game he hunted, including a rattlesnake one time. He
enjoyed taking family trips to the Oregon coast and
going deep-sea fishing.
Brian loved animals and they loved him. His dog and
cat, Bella and Muzzy, were constant companions and
followed him everywhere. Rocky the dog and Brian are
now together to keep each other company.
He is survived by his parents, Rick and Patty Trost;
friend, Brandy Trost; grandmother, Doris Jenson;
children, Taylor Trost (Kenya), Brytney Trost (Jeffrey
Berkebile), Chloe Loranger, and Lane Trost; siblings,
Andy Vogt, Nathan Vogt, Tara Martinez (Art). He is
also survived by his nephews, Austin, Connor, and
Braden Martinez, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Brian loved his grandbabies, Remington and Stevie
Mae Trost, and Mia and Ridley Berkebile. He will be
terribly missed by his family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in
Unity, Oregon.
To leave an online condolence for the family of
Brian, please visit www.grayswestco.com
Wendt said. Sometimes the
playground almost seems too
popular.
“Hardly a day goes by when
the fire department, including
buying several ambulances for
the city over the decades. She
suggested the city talk with the
trustees who oversee the Leo
Adler Foundation regarding
potential financial help with
the city’s ambulance fleet.
Cannon also talked about
the number of fire department
employees the city would need
to meet the requirements in the
RFP, including that paramed-
ics be assigned solely to ambu-
lance service. That’s a problem
for Baker City, he said, since
the fire department is a du-
al-role agency, its staff trained
to respond to fires as well as
ambulance calls.
Cannon told councilors that
based on his reading of the
RFP, the city could potentially
need 18 firefighter/paramedics,
to ensure six were on duty at all
times. The current shifts have
three people on duty.
He also cited a section in the
RFP that calls for the ambu-
lance provider to pay overtime
to employees who work more
than eight hours per day or 40
hours per week.
Cannon said the RFP seems
to be designed more to appeal
to companies that only oper-
ate ambulances, rather than
dual-role agencies such as the
city’s fire department.
Cannon also said he’s con-
cerned about the potential cost
to the city to comply with other
aspects in the RFP, including
monthly reports, yearly crimi-
nal background checks for em-
ployees, and billing discounts
for people with an undefined
“severe financial hardship.”
“I think they are making de-
mands that no provider is go-
ing to be able to live up to all of
these,” McQuisten said.
Commissioners ‘mystified’ by
city officials’ reading of RFP
Baker County Commis-
sioners Bennett and Nichols,
who along with Commission
Chairman Bill Harvey ap-
I don’t look at that playground
and wonder if the children
there are skipping school,” she
said.
Deward Dwain Thompson
July 22, 1957 - April 19, 2022
Deward Dwain Thompson
64, of Durkee, OR, passed away
unexpectedly, of a cardiac arrest,
on April 19, 2022. A celebration of
his life will be held Saturday, May
21, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. PDT at the
Durkee Community Center, 28716
Hwy. 30, Durkee.
Deward
was
born
in
Cottonwood, Idaho, to Dwain and
Wilma Thompson. His parents moved a lot before they
settled in New Plymouth, Idaho, where he graduated
high school in 1975 and attended TVCC. As a kid he
showed steers in 4-H and helped work cattle with his
family and friends.
Deward sold livestock supplies for a short period
where he got over his shyness and developed his people
skills meeting many ranchers around the area. After
that he followed his passion for ranching, working
on different ranches before he settled down with his
family working for Lee and Glenora Wright, (L3 Cattle
Company) for many years. He was a stickler for good
fences and had his own fencing business. Deward
inherited his dad’s talents running dozers, backhoes and
other equipment. He was a man with a vision when it
came to designing and building projects.
Deward married Connie Johnson at age 24 and
was an instant dad to two little girls, Marti, five, and
Mindi, three, who he treated as his own immediately.
Deward and Connie completed their family with Ashley
and Amy. It wasn’t unusual to see him with the girls
working livestock, building fence, driving a pickup, or
just making memories. They had a band of sheep and
later upgraded their ewes to produce champion bucks
and multiple grand champion 4-H market lambs.
In 1999, he married the love of his life, Kathryn
Flack. They spent 23 wonderful years together working
side-by-side living their dream on the 32 Ranch they had
in Huntington and Durkee, Oregon. He enjoyed many
of the fun-filled adventures, building the cabin, fencing,
hunting, gathering cattle and branding. Deward’s fun,
witty and caring personality surrounded him with a
lifetime of wonderful people he truly treasured.
Deward was a very generous man, especially with his
time, always ready to help a friend or neighbor. He was
a member of the New Plymouth Rodeo Board as well as
the New Plymouth Volunteer Fire Dept. He was a very
active board member of the Burnt River RFPA helping
prevent rangeland fires. He was the community “fixer”
and always took time to help, find a part, or just to talk.
Deward is survived by his best friend and wife,
Kathryn; sisters, Anita Carol (Gary) Cooper of
Hermiston, OR and Tammy Jacobs of Payette, ID;
daughters, Marti Hutchinson of Boise, ID, Mindi Madrid
Thompson of Bernalillo, NM, Ashley Eckelberry of
Fruitland, ID, Amy (Ben) Coburn of Durkee, OR;
grandchildren, Justice, Gianna, Journee, Indiana, Ayden,
Aleah, Bradly, Zach, Connor, Deton, Natalie, Harley,
Breyden and Tilly.
Deward was preceded in death by his parents, Dwain
and Wilma Thompson, son-in-law, Steve DeFrance,
and many treasured family, friends and dogs. Deward’s
dogs were especially important to him and he was rarely
without one by his side.
For those who would like to make a memorial
donation in memory of Deward, the family suggests
either the Durkee Community Corp or Baker FFA
Alumni through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O.
Box 543, Halfway, Oregon, 97834. Online condolences
may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.
com.
BAKER CITY HERALD • SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022 A3
proved the RFP, both said on
Thursday, May 12, that they
were “mystified” by the city
councilors’ comments about
the document.
In response to McQuisten’s
comment that no applicant
could comply with everything
listed in the RFP, Bennett and
Nichols said that although the
document does include the
verbs “shall” and “will” fre-
quently, the RFP is not, and
was not intended to be, an ex-
haustive list of mandates that
prospective ambulance provid-
ers must meet in every detail.
“I don’t read it the way they
do,” Bennett said.
Bennett said he expects that
Baker City’s proposal will list
the services the city was capa-
ble of providing. He said he un-
derstands that that list would
not fully comply with every
part of the RFP.
“I can assure you (the city)
would not be dismissed out of
hand” if its proposal doesn’t
meet every item included in
the RFP, Bennett said.
Bennett said his preference
has been, and remains, that the
Baker City Fire Department
provide ambulance service for
the Baker ASA.
“The people are served well”
with the current operation, he
said.
As for Cannon’s concern
about overtime pay, and his
contention that the RFP is bet-
ter suited for an ambulance
company rather than a du-
al-role fire department, Ben-
nett said the county included
that section to cover the possi-
bility that it would receive pro-
posals from ambulance-only
providers.
He said commissioners un-
derstand that the city fire de-
partment has 24-hour shifts,
and that prospective provid-
ers do not absolutely have
to comply with the overtime
provisions.
Nichols agreed with Ben-
nett’s assessment of what the
commissioners expect with re-
gard to responses to the RFP.
Nichols said he hopes the
city, rather than point out
the aspects of the RFP it can’t
comply with, at least not with-
out having to add staff and
equipment, will instead sub-
mit a proposal that lists the
services the city can provide —
even if that’s equivalent to the
current ambulance operation.
If the commissioners se-
lect the city’s proposal, they
can negotiate the details of a
contract with the city, Nich-
ols said.
“Anything you can’t meet (in
the RFP), just say so and we’ll
deal with it in the contract, if
they get selected,” he said. “I
am willing to negotiate those
things. Make us some sort
of offer.”
Nichols said he doubts any
prospective provider could
meet every requirement in the
RFP.
“That’s why it’s called a pro-
posal,” he said.
Guyer said during the
Wednesday work session
that he believes the RFP is a
“boilerplate” document, with
generic language, and that
commissioners are willing to
discuss proposals that don’t
comply with the RFP in ev-
ery regard.
“This isn’t the end all, be
all,” Guyer said.
Robert Isaac Watson Jr.
March 22, 1934 - April 27, 2022
Robert Isaac Watson Jr., 88,
died April 27, 2022, at his home in
La Grande, Oregon. He was born
March 22, 1934, to Robert Isaac
Watson Sr. and Irene May (Goff)
Watson.
Robert graduated from Baker
High School in Baker, Oregon. He
served 4 years in the United States
Navy aboard the USS Vaughan and
Richard aircraft carrier.
After the United States Navy, he worked for and
retired from the United Pacific Railroad. He worked
various truck driving jobs. He worked for Community
Connection and retired there.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time at his
ranch in Keating, and loved visits from his grandkids
and great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Lea Wat-
son, and son, Daniel Scott Watson, his parents, 1 broth-
er, and 2 sisters.
Survivors are son Douglas A Watson (Michelle),
grandkids Stephanie Barnett (Kirk), DJ Watson (Mor-
gan), David Watson (Kellie), three step-granddaugh-
ters and 12 great-grandkids, his siblings: two brothers
Mike Watson (Debbie), Larry Watson (Myrna), three
sisters Helen Lefever, Sharon Brainard (Jerry), MaryJo
Zimmer (Allan) and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at a later date at Mount Hope
Cemetery in Baker City, Oregon.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ameri-
can Cancer Society through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer
Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
To leave an online condolence for the family of
Robert, please visit: www.grayswestco.com.
Douglas Dale Nichols
June 1, 1951 - December 12, 2021
Douglas Nichols passed away December 12th, 2021,
at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center at the age of 70.
Doug was born June 1st, 1951, to Tom and Bernadine
Nichols in Baker, Oregon.
He graduated from Baker High School in 1969.
Following graduation he joined the United States Air
Force becoming a sergeant as an aircraft mechanic and
was honorably discharged in 1974. In 1971 he married
his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Inez Ego, and
they went on to spend 50 years happily married, rarely
leaving each other’s side. In 1972 they welcomed
their daughter, Kellie, while stationed in Bakersfield.
California. In 1974 they then welcomed their second
daughter, Carrie, while residing in Heppner, Oregon.
After Doug sustained a severe hand injury while
working at a mill in Heppner, they decided to move
to Albany, Oregon, where he attended Linn-Benton
Community College, earning a bachelor’s degree in
wastewater treatment. He excelled in his career over
the next 37 years and in 1995 he became the project
manager on the big island in Hawaii. Eventually
his career moved him and Marilyn back to Oregon
where he became the project manager in Hood River,
Oregon. He retired in 2017 after 37 years with OMI/
CH2MHILL. Retirement then brought Doug and his
wife to Sandy, Oregon, in 2018 where they could be
closer to their daughters. Doug was a movie buff and
a puzzle fanatic. A true family man with a big heart.
He is deeply missed by so many.
Doug is preceded in death by his father, Tom Nichols,
and sister, Cindi Spriet.
He is survived by his mother, Bernadine, brother,
Dan Nichols and brother, Terry Nichols, his wife,
Marilyn Nichols, daughter, Kellie McDonald and her
fiance Fred McAfee, daughter, Carrie Gough and her
husband John Gough, his grandsons, Joey McDonald,
Myles McDonald and his wife, Katie McDonald,
Douglas Gough, Nicholas Gough, and two great-
grandchildren, Lucy McDonald and a great-grandson
expected in September, as well as many aunts, uncles,
nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held May 21st at 1 p.m.
at the Lynchwood Church of God, 3818 SE 174th Ave,
Portland, Oregon, 97236. In lieu of flowers, donations
can be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.