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News Archive
At Historic Baker City’s Annual Awards Night on Thursday, April 22, Whit Deschner entertained the crowd with "The Wit of Whit,” which included three sets of “Whit Clips.” The event was held at Crossroads Art Center.
HBC Board President Jeff Nelson introduced the organization’s Board of Directors: Jacki Adams, Vice President; Julie Zaccone, Treasurer; Tony Corig, Terry Drever Gee, Gail Duman, Chris Dunn, Debbie Fisher and Brian Olson; Don Chance, Baker City board liaison and City Planner; and Jenny Long. He also introduced HBC Program Director Ann Mehaffy.
Nelson cited several accomplishments HBC has made in the past year including resuming the Destination Downtown façade improvement program. With these funds HBC was able to offer grants to 18 property or business owners for projects ranging from doors, windows, awnings, paint, façade repair and restoration.
“We also installed another highway sign eastbound side of I-84 between the rest stop and exit 298,” said Nelson. “This sign is similar to the Pleasant Valley highway Historic Baker City sign.”
Council Approves Budget Adjustment On D Street Project, Discusses Rally Parking
By Mark Bogart
Baker City received a special award for its 25th year as a Tree City U.S.A. during the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday. Then, with some moments of conflict, the council approved three budget adjustments, but held off on a decision regarding downtown parking during the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally. Prior to the regular meeting, the council met with attorneys to discuss ongoing litigation with the federal government regarding the right-of-way for the city’s pipeline from the watershed to its storage reservoir.
The Tree City award was presented by state Director of the Department of Forestry Marvin Brown. Brown summarized the benefits of trees to the environment, economy and people’s lifestyles. Taylor Murphy represented her 4-H club, which planted two trees at the Baker County Fair Grounds in honor of Arbor Day. Then Mayor Dennis Dorrah read a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day as April 30, 2010.
5J Reaches Settlement With BEA
Baker School District 5J and the Baker Education Association (BEA) have reached a settlement, pending final board and BEA approval, with regard to the dispute over the reduced 08-09 school year.
The agreement provides each certified teacher a one-time payment of one and one-half days of wages. In addition, the association and district completed contract negotiations for the upcoming 10-11 school year that includes freezing wages and benefits at the current rates allowing steps and experience increases already included within the current contract.
The District also agreed to provide a day and a half of professional development training for the teachers scheduled for later in 2010.
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BEA’s Grievance Goes to Arbitration
Talks broke down in the Baker Education Association (BEA) grievance negotiations with the Baker 5J School Board and the grievance has gone to arbitration.
Last May the school year was cut by five days in order to balance the reduced budget because the School Board stated, “we are in the worse recession in 75 years.”
The budget had been cut by the state three times since the start of the year. The classified (bus drivers, cooks, janitors, etc.) voted to give up the five days as did the administration and staff. The teachers union did not agree to the cut and said they would seek retribution if the contingency fund wound up being more than $50,000.
Top Superintendent Candidates Selected
By Eden Taylor
Even though the school board meeting was held on April 1, it was no joking matter selecting the superintendent candidates for interviews.
The screening committee, composed of 18 members of the district and/or community, had rated the 27 applicants as they reviewed the applications. Each member of the screening committee made his/her own determinations and then Forrest Bell, Executive Search Consultant for OSBA, compiled the findings into a list rating each candidate. Screening committee members were praised for their work on this “arduous task” and thanked for their time and efforts.
The school board members then determined how many of the candidates would be interviewed. The decision was to interview the top six who were still interested in the position. It was determined that the interviews would be for one and a half hours with a half an hour between each.
Council Discusses Funding City Water Systems
by Mark Bogart
Facing aging infrastructure and new requirements, the Baker City Council, staff and advisors, listened to a presentation on utilities funding options on Tuesday evening at City Hall. The presenters were Jake Salcone and Chris Marko from Rural Community Assistance Corporation. RCAC, they explained, is a private nonprofit organization which helps small communities deal with water and waste water issues. Funding for the presentation came from the United States Department of Agriculture. Because of its federal funding sources, RCAC is able to provide training, analysis and short-term revenue sources to rural communities.
The good news, according to Salcone, is that Baker City has been able to begin addressing some of the needs through its regular budget due to a rate study and adjustment about 10 years ago. He also pointed out that Baker residents pay lower rates for utilities than users in many communities due to the high quality surface water resources in the watershed. Councilors agreed that water quality is a strength of the community.
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Senator Ferrioli Addresses Baker Rotarians
By Mark Bogart
Wearing a green ribbon pinned to his suit jacket, State Sen. Ted Ferrioli addressed the Baker Rotary Club at its luncheon meeting on Monday. The Senator reviewed the recent special session of the Oregon Legislature and discussed a variety of local and state issues, including electricity, water, and budgets.
The green ribbon, Ferrioli explained, was a symbol being worn by Grant County residents to express their opposition to the Aryan Nation leaders who are looking at the area as a possible headquarters. He described the group from Northern Idaho as “domestic terrorists,” who are “involved in a criminal enterprise” both within and outside of northwest prisons. He said a group of Portland lawyers had volunteered to help residents who are trying to resist the establishment of an Aryan branch in the John Day area.
Planning Commission: Sullivan Calls It Quits
By Suzan Ellis Jones
At the end of the regularly scheduled meeting and continuing public hearings on the proposed zoning ordinances, Commissioner Anna Sullivan of Hereford resigned her position, effective immediately. Sullivan’s resignation leaves a gap on the commission with no representation from the agriculture community on the now all-male board. Sullivan has been on the Commission for over three years.
The remaining five members of the planning commission are mostly from Baker Valley, with Chairman Joseph from the Sumpter area. In her resignation letter, she read several items she hoped the Board would consider before changing the Timber-Grazing portion of the zoning ordinance in addition to mentioning ill-will between some commission members. In an internal e-mail between Commissioners, Jim Grove chided both Sullivan and Bill Harvey for their “rants” at the February meeting. Grove has been on the commission six months.
Bentz To Hold Baker City Town Hall
State Representative Cliff Bentz and the Baker County Chamber of Commerce will hold a town hall meeting in Baker City at the Sunridge Inn on Wednesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. (PDT).
Rep. Bentz will provide a review of the 2010 Special Legislative Session, highlighting important (and not so important) bills and will discuss the state’s budget woes.
Other topics include Business Energy Tax Credit reform, Annual Legislative Sessions, the status of the state’s unemployment trust fund, and Measure 49 amendments.
Rep. Bentz encourages residents of Baker City and the surrounding area to attend the meeting.
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Beef — It’s What’s For Lunch
The Baker County Livestock Association fed 340 kids and adults lunch at Brooklyn Elementary School in Baker City last Friday, March 19.
Local ranchers barbecued marinated tri-tip beef on an outside grill. The 180 pounds of meat was provided by the Harrell Hereford Ranch. Students and those attending the lunch were also treated to baked beans, corn and rolls. Ice cream was provided by Sutton Creek Cattle Company.
Saturday, March 20, was National Ag Day, so along with serving up the beef meal, the Baker County Cattlewomen visited the classrooms to teach students about the local beef industry.
City Discusses Challenges Of Completing And Funding Capital Projects
by Mark Bogart
The Baker City Council adopted public works plans for management of water, wastewater and pavement in its regular meeting on Tuesday night. It also approved the new codification of ordinances, a continuation of the Community Visioning process, and an engineering task order for the airport. Instead of setting goals for the coming year, the council approved a list of priorities. With no citizens in the audience and two councilors absent, the council took care of business in about an hour.
Although the Capital Plan for water, waste water and storm water was approved quickly, the challenges of completing and funding the projects will be major tasks for the city in the coming years. A memorandum prepared by Assistant Public Works Director Gary Van Patten explained three major projects.
Baker City Planning Department Drafts Vision Project
By Mark Bogart
The big picture in the Baker City visioning process focuses on “retention of a unique and authentic small town culture and improved economic sustainability,” as stated in “Vision Baker: 2030,” a draft prepared by the Baker City Planning Department. The challenge for the city will be how to bring about growth and accentuate the strengths that currently exist.
So far in the visioning process, 14 focus groups of local citizens have given their input, and the Planning Department has created the draft to set the stage for community-wide involvement. Now, Planning Director Don Chance wants direction in setting a course for slow to moderate growth that will maintain small town culture with an emphasis on the historical and physical attributes of the city and surrounding area.
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