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Wings Over Baker Airshow Returns
By Jason Smith
The Wings over Baker Airshow is returning Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24, for its 8th year. For some, this may be a much-waited event due to last year's cancellation for economic reasons.
Mel Cross, who has flown for over 30 years and helps run the event, explained a little of how it all began. “It started in 2002,” said Cross. “I had to finance it, and the first few years were tough. The first year was a benefit for 85 people. I decided to do another one, and it grew.” Cross emphasized proceeds from the airshow will be given to the airport. Cross also said that when the airshow grows and more revenue is made, he would like to see a scholarship of about $1,500 or so be given to a high school student who wants to learn how to fly.
Residents Say Proposed Transmission Line Route Could Negatively Impact Oregon Trail History Tourism
By Debby Schoeningh
Idaho Power's latest proposed route for the 500 kV Boardman to Hemingway transmission line is unacceptable to Baker City resident Stan Wellman. The line route was changed from going in front of the National Historic Interpretive Center, to behind it, but is still in plain view of the old Oregon Trail, less than a mile from the Center.
"I just feel sick about this," said Wellman. "Something has to be done. We've spent years promoting the Oregon Trail and using it as an educational tool for kids, and a place to hold wagon encampments."
Wellman said the transmission line will mar the landscape that is part of the area's history.
Ginger Savage, Executive Director, Crossroads Selected To Participate In American Leadership Forum
The American Leadership Forum (ALF) of Oregon has selected Ginger Savage to participate in the statewide American Leadership Forum of Oregon program for the 2010 - 2011 year. Savage will join 20 other notable leaders from around the state to participate as part of the organization’s Class XXV Fellows Program.
The American Leadership Forum of Oregon is an independent chapter of the National American Leadership Forum, a non-profit organization that works to join and strengthen leaders in order to better serve the public good. ALF Fellows will participate in a number of seminars over the course of the coming year, concentrating on essential topics related to collaborative leadership and community building in the State of Oregon. Over 475 senior level leaders from the public, corporate and non-profit sectors throughout Oregon have completed the ALF program since its inception in 1986.
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County Has Until Aug. 1 To Decide On Taking Over Anthony Lakes
By Jason Smith
The public hearing held Wednesday, July 7, at the Baker County Courthouse to consider the county's takeover of Ski Anthony Lakes drew in a crowd that filled the room. Many came to voice their support for the county accepting the gift from the current owners.
Marie Hall, who traveled from Pendleton to attend Wednesday's meeting, said, “We look to the future too. We feel that you're approaching this the right way. I support the gift of the Anthony Lakes to Baker County. I think Anthony Lakes' future is bright. We encourage you to look forward.”
Steve Edwards echoed some of the same feelings with his remarks. “I think this resort is crucial for the economy. We need a way for the county to step in and have an interim oversight. I think the risk can be ameliorated. I believe people in both counties (Union and Baker) will be supportive.”
Judge Denies Motion For Suppression Of Evidence In Cole Case
By Eden Taylor
Brian Cole of Baker City has been charged with two counts of providing liquor to a person under 21 and four counts of third degree sex abuse. In May, his attorney Bob Moon, filed motions to suppress all physical evidence and statements obtained through Cole’s stop by police and the subsequent search of his car as well as evidence of the text messages obtained from the minor’s cell phone records.
After a full-day hearing May 21 in which Judge Garry Reynolds from Pendleton heard evidence from both sides, Reynolds took several weeks to read case-law pertaining to the evidence and motions. He handed down his decision in a written Memorandum of Opinion filed July 6.
Council Begins Search For New City Manager, Discusses Requirements For Keeping Official Council Meeting Minutes
By Mark Bogart
After starting with disagreements over official minutes, the Baker City Council showed consistent consensus on issues including city manager recruitment, appointments to committees and a vision for the city’s future.
Mayor Dennis Dorrah reported that he had contacted the League of Oregon Cities and initiated the process of recruiting a new city manager to replace Steve Bogart, who plans to step down in September. After Bogart explained options for selecting a replacement, the councilors expressed support for a plan suggested by Dorrah.
The first step, which is already under way, is to send recruiting letters to current city managers and other potential candidates in Oregon included on a list from the League of Oregon Cities. Bogart said that city managers across the state often get several such letters every week. Responses must be received by July 23. In the meantime, Bogart is contacting several recruitment firms, sometimes called “headhunters,” to get information on their services and fees. While making the process faster and easier for the council, the use of these firms comes at a price, Bogart cautioned.
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Photo by Tammy Bloom
Baker City Data Center To Create Jobs And Innovation For Eastern Oregon
Synergy Data Center and Services (Synergy DCS) opens this July in Baker
City’s historic Baker Tower, bringing much-needed jobs. The Tier 2+
data center will provide data hosting options from colocation to
Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud hosting services for government
agencies and private business throughout the nation. It will also be
the completion of a vision for a partnership committed to creating
prosperity in Eastern Oregon, an area previously known for its
agricultural and timber industries. The partners of Synergy DCS hope to
make Eastern Oregon known for its high-tech industry.
Oregon based companies Chaves Consulting, Inc. (CCI), Arikkan, Inc. and
Sace, Inc, formed a partnership to build Synergy DCS. The partners plan
to invest several million dollars over the next five years to provide
over 20,000 square feet of data center space. Approximately $1 million
will be invested in Phase 1 of this state-of-the-art data center that
is secure, “green” and cost effective. Their vision is to be recognized
as one of the premier data hosting solution providers in the nation,
while creating family wage technical support and help-desk jobs in
Eastern Oregon.
Andrew Bryan to Serve on School Board
By Eden Taylor
The Baker 5J School Board members selected Andrew Bryan to fill the board vacancy left by Deon Strommer. Bryan is appointed to serve until July 1, 2011.
Bryan recently resigned from the Baker City Council. He was also contracted by Baker County as their Marketing Director. He was replaced as Marketing Director on July 1 by Timothy Bishop. Bryan now works as an educational consultant. He and his wife recently closed down their business, Mad Matilda’s.
A May 27, 2011, election will give the public a chance to vote on school board personnel. Bryan’s position as well as Rusty Munn’s, Ginger Savage’s and Damien Yervasi’s seats will be open at that time. Candidates can file for election between Feb. 7, 2011, and March 17, 2011.
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Photo and story by Tammy Bloom
Ground Breaking — From left, Alice Trindle, Baker County Planning Commissioner, Betty Mathews (Forest Service), Steve Ellis, supervisor of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; Jen Fitzpatrick (Forest Service), Bruce Nash with High Desert Aggregate and Paving and Bill Junnila of Anthony Lakes, break ground June 24 for a $1.98 million road project on the Anthony Lakes Highway.
The Elkhorn Drive Road Reconstruction Project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Project begins at the forest boundary where the Federal Highway Project ended two years ago, and continues approximately 10 miles to the junction of Forest Road 43 (past the Anthony Lake Ski area).
High Desert Aggregate and Paving Inc. of Redmond is the general contractor for the project, which includes slope stabilization, culvert replacement, asphalt res-surfacing and erosion control.
The public can expect up to one hour long delays on the road throughout the summer. Completion is expected by late fall 2010.
City Council Approves Budget Cuts Of Three Positions, City Manager Resigns
by Mark Bogart
After failing to reach agreement on a budget at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 22, the Baker City Council got the job done at a special meeting the following day. However, the repercussions of that spending plan have included the loss of three management level positions and the resignation of the city manager (see related article Page 4).
Tuesday’s meeting was complicated by the expected loss of revenue resulting from the City Budget Committee’s plan to eliminate funding for economic development from budget. Before it could reach a final decision, the City Council had to figure out how to apply the loss of revenue without significantly reducing its projected unexpended ending fund balance (the money needed at the end of one year in order to carry over into the next). Further complicating the decision was a combination of confusion and mixed feelings about the staffing needed for the police department.
Baker County Commissioners Consider Taking Over Operation Of Ski Resort
By Jason Smith
The Baker County Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, June 23, to discuss contract reviews, documents to be signed, and document ratifications. Among the topics discussed was whether Baker County should take over Anthony Ski Lakes’ lease and assets and the current situation with wolves in Oregon.
The owners of Ski Anthony Lakes had recently submitted a proposal to Baker County in which the county would take over the ski area operation, ownership of buildings and other assets, as well as the lease with the Forest Service.
“Anthony Lakes is a valuable asset for Baker County,” said Fred Warner Jr., County Commissioner Chair, “and I think the same can be said for Union County.” It had recently been hoped that Union County would partner with Baker County on an interim basis to operate the resort. Warner, however, said although Union County commissioners had not officially looked at this, they did not seem interested in being a full-fledged partner.
BLM Makes Improvements To Virtue Flat Staging Area
By Jason Smith
The Bureau of Land Management is making extensive improvements to its staging area at Virtue Flat, just off State Highway 86, about 11 miles east of Baker City. For ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) riders, that means their tax dollars are going to work.
The ATV fund was created in 1985 to provide off-road recreation financial support from gas tax revenue for off-road ATV use. According to the Oregon OHV guide, OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) riders have a unique opportunity in Oregon because they support the OHV program when they purchase operating permits and pay taxes on their OHV fuel. “It's a program paid for by the user for the user,” states the OHV guide.
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