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Opinions
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—Editorial—
Rally, Races, Celebrations and Parades
Baker County has been hopping lately with local events including the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally, the Elkhorn Bike Races and the Leo Adler Day and Parade, Catfish Tournament, Train Robberies, Eagle Valley Days.... and it's not over yet, still to come the Haines Stampede and Rodeo, Old Fashioned 4th of July in Haines, Huntington and Halfway, Sumpter Flea Markets, Miners' Jubilee, Elks Bull and Bronc Riding, Shrine Game, Halfway and Baker Fairs, Highland Games, Fall Fest... I would venture to say that our little chunk of rural eastern Oregon "is where it's at!"
Boise may boast and Portland may pontificate about all of the things they have to offer, but Baker County has bragging rights that equal, and in some areas surpass, any metropolis. What we lack in chain store giants, operas and red carpet premiers, we more than make up for in clean air, beautiful scenery and friendly people.
It never ceases to amaze me how the people in Baker County can pull together and put on the ritz for nearly 6,000 visitors like we had for the recent Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally, and provide entertainment with mostly local talent. Baker County residents opened up their homes and properties to house the visitors, businesses extended their hours, service clubs donated their time and labor, Historic Baker City, Inc., the Chamber and Biker City Riders as well as numerous individuals all promoted, worked during, and organized the event. We even had a group from out of the area, Bikers Fighting Cancer, who raised money with a raffle and sales booth for a local child. The local police department worked extra shifts to ensure the safety of participants and the community.
I'm sure I'm leaving out many of those who worked behind the scenes on the Rally and continue to work on local events, but my point is — where else could you garner this kind of support and camaraderie to not only bring in outside dollars, but provide entertainment for the local community as well. I heard many comments during the Rally from out-of-town guests who said they were overwhelmed by the hospitality shown to them, the warm and friendly greetings they received and the overall beauty of the area.
Our little slice of heaven on earth though doesn't just happen by accident, it's due to the hard work of the city and county officials, the clubs and organizations, the business owners and the residents. I'm proud to live and work in a community that cares, a community that shares, and a community that continues to give as much as or more than it receives.
I'm sure you can dance in the streets at concerts, taste home grown food at the local Farmers' Markets and enjoy a double mocha latté at a cafe with sidewalk seating in just about any town, but we have something really special here — a community spirit that you won't find everywhere. Thank you to all of those who helped make the Rally and Bike Race a success, and thank you in advance to those who are working on the events that are being planned for the remainder of the year.
And thank you to all of those who continue to offer their hands in friendship to visitors, their time to worthy causes, and their trademark Baker County smiles to everyone. (DS)
—Letters—
‘Final Shot’ At Advisory Committee’s Worthless Evaluation
To The Record-Courier:
On Thursday The Record-Courier featured an article concerning Mr. Dielman and how his advisory committee rated Mountain Valley Mental Health. As I am the retiring Chairman of the MVMH Board of Directors, I thought I couldn’t pass up this opportunity for a “final shot” at this worthless evaluation, and the paper, for that matter, for printing such drivel.
The purpose of the Mental Health Advisory Committee is to inform the County Commissioners concerning the needs of the community. Mental health agencies are evaluated by the State of Oregon Mental Health Division. Why Mr. Dielman, who has no mental health training, believes he has the expertise to evaluate MVMH is incomprehensible. Mr. Dielman has always been antagonistic toward MVMH.
Furthermore, there is a member of his committee who is the spouse of an individual who was fired by MVMH. Certainly this creates a conflict of interest, and an atmosphere where any evaluation of our services would be suspect.
Recently MVMH was evaluated by GOBHI and by the State of Oregon. While there were three areas involving internal documentation, which need some work, the State awarded MVMH a two-year certificate, and interestingly, the surveyors, commented on the quality of care provided at MVMH.
Until the County Commissioners appoint an Advisory Committee with a serious interest in mental health and not just a political agenda, we will look at the group as merely an inconsequential irritant.
Laurence W. Levinger M.D.
Nothing To Hide?
To The Record-Courier:
Dr. Larry Levinger, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mountain Valley Mental Health Programs, Inc., condemns an evaluation of MVMH recently conducted by the Baker County Mental Health and Developmental Disability Advisory Committee, of which I am the current chairman.
What Levinger does not tell the readers of your newspaper is that all 10 active members of the committee signed off on the report and evaluation. In calling the committee's report "worthless," Levinger disparages 18 months of diligent and conscientious work on the part of all the committee members, members who were specifically appointed by the Baker County Commission because of their expertise and broad representation of the social service agencies and citizens of Baker County.
Levinger has some words for me personally. He states correctly, "It is well known that Mr. Dielman has always been antagonistic toward MVMH." However, that antagonism — I would call it "active concern" — which comes from many months of study of MVMH's operations and employment practices, does not disqualify me from being a valuable member of the advisory committee. I'm just a messenger, I'm not the problem.
The problem — the major problem — is MVMH's lack of transparency in spending over a million dollars of public money channeled to it via a contract with the Baker County Commission. The board of MVMH hides its decision making by having secret monthly board meetings, a secrecy it justifies with the oft-repeated phrase, "We're a private non-profit corporation." What Levinger does not point out is that for many years the MVMH board opened its meetings to the public and welcomed public input, until the present board came into being. Nothing to hide? Then why the secrecy?
Gary Dielman, Baker City
(This is my personal statement and not made in my role as committee chairman.)
Diversity Of Issues
To The Record-Courier:
Isn’t it interesting how so many things that effect us are on the rise these days? It can be weather related, gas prices soaring. Now they are predicting $5 to $10/gal. Awk! Just wish they would let things be as they are or have some stability to say the least. Wishful thinking I do believe.
With all the summer activities, gardening, etc., it makes me wonder if those things might cease in the future. I hope not. Anyway, with all the activities taking place and my new found interests related to work, and many of you have noticed the ads and cards in and around the city. I would like to thank all who have complimented me on my letters to the editor and supporting my work related interests. And of course to The Record-Courier in keeping my letters as is as much as they are able to and even some titles, and they usually in some cases came up with even a better title... most of us like a little humor if it makes sense, and something to think about. Some of course have a sense of dogmatic issues, and others, well, whatever goes!
I would also like to thank Bi-Mart for exchanging my iron for a new iron even without the receipt, but one needs to have a receipt when returning their items. They were very good to me knowing I needed a professional one to do what I am doing. It is pretty rare that I ever have to return anything.
If I ever get a funny bone and I am amused in observation, or whatever the issues, and just can’t wait for it to go to press, in the newspaper that is, fax machines are simply wonderful, or email because it could get burned in the other direction. My letters won’t be as often. There is enough to keep anyone busy, yard work, etc. As Paul Harvey would say, “and that is the rest of the story, good day.” Thanks again. Coffee anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
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—Letters—
What Is The Real Motive?
To The Record-Courier:
First, let me say that I agree with Randy Joseph’s recent letter, June 13, 2008, stating that “We need to quit thinking as Democrats or Republicans.” But considering that Mr. Joseph is very active and partisan in the Democratic Party, I am puzzled about what his real motives were in attacking Congressman Greg Walden.
Like the Baker City Herald said in a recent editorial, June 6, 2008, we here in Baker County care about reality and our dedicated and honest Congressman, Greg Walden, opposed a false promise for the “county payments” program put forth by Congressman Peter DeFazio from Eugene. DeFazio proposed to pay for the county payments program by breaking federal contracts with other American companies, and by this same means has been killed three times by the U. S. Senate. It was bound to go nowhere and doesn’t solve the problem. This bill was so disingenuous and full of counterfeit money that it failed miserable by 56 votes including opposition by many Democrats.
I am sure if anyone had a contract from the Bonneville Power Admin-istration to move wind generated energy from Baker County to other American consumers he or she would demand that the federal government honor those contracts. We will want a leader like Congressman Greg Walden standing up for us. I for one am grateful that Eastern Oregon can count on Greg Walden as our own.
Alice Knapp
Baker City
Show Your Support
To The Record-Courier:
As the Baker County Fire Defense Board Chief I am writing in regard to the upcoming community meetings being held across the county. These meetings are being held by several of the Rural Fire Protection Districts and City Departments and will often include representatives from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management and the Unites States Forest Service.
These meetings are held each year to be a forum for you to receive information about a wide range of topics, which could include: burn barrel requirements, burn permits, fire prevention information, water supply, road access for emergency personnel, just to name a few.
Please plan on attending the community meeting in your area and show your support for your fire department.
Buzz Harper, Fire Chief
Keating Rural Fire Protection District
Myths Debunked About Measure 11
To The Record-Courier:
Clatsop County D.A. Marquis’ spin on Measure 11 deserves some common sense questions drawn from Oregon’s Public Safety statistics.
First of all: How come since 1995 we now have five more prisons and more than double the prison population if M-11 was successful?
Some other questions:
Only 9 cents of every tax dollar to Corrections? To be fair, Public Safety, which includes all law enforcement, is more nearly 11 cents of every tax dollar. In 1995 we spent $1.7 billion on Public Safety. Today we spend 3 times as much, according to the State Budget.
Instead, 60% of prisoners are incarcerated for violent crimes, I’d ask if, as reported in earlier Introduction to the Budget, that 80% of convictions were related to drug/alcohol addiction? This doesn’t seem a logical conclusion from what we know about how crazy people become on drugs and alcohol.
I’d add it was good of Mr. Marquis to alert us to the kind of Attorney General we’d be electing if we vote for Mr. Kroger. Do we really want more of our young people locked up instead of spending those tax dollars on treating and education?
Helen Solem
Oregon Justice Watch
Vernonia, Ore.
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—Letters—
Are We Ready For An Earthquake?
To The Record-Courier:
When I saw the pictures of the destruction in China following the recent earthquake and the aftershocks with the loss of lives of many children who were in the schools there, I was reminded of a tour I took of the Carnegie Building during the retrofitting process. This tour was early on in the work; it was major with the lower level torn up while it was being made seismic-proof. Apparently those schools in China had not undergone such a process.
I don’t think many buildings in Baker are seismic-proof. I believe it is only required when new buildings are being built or old ones are being remodeled. When I am in the finished Carnegie Arts Building now, I admire the beautiful finishing. But I am also grateful for the basic, not beautiful, work that was done early on to make it seismic-proof.
Maryalys Urey
Baker City, OR
Walden Voted Against Needs Of Eastern Oregon
To The Record-Courier:
We need to quit thinking as Democrats or Republicans and do what is right for our children and our communities.
Greg Walden has unfortunately voted against the needs of Eastern Oregon by opposing the county payments bill that would have provided much needed funding for our roads and schools. Congressman Walden has once more supported the profits of big oil companies and the failed economic policies of this administration over the well being of Oregonians. Previously, Congressman Walden voted twice in opposition to renewable energy.
Additionally, last week, Greg Walden voted against the "21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act" that would provide low interest loans to school districts for construction and modernization of public schools. With energy costs skyrocketing, our schools will need assistance in becoming energy efficient. Energy efficiency will reduce our expenses for fuel and put the savings into the class room where it belongs. But Greg Walden does not think this is important.
Randy Joseph
Baker City
It’s Getting Deep
To The Record-Courier:
Obama keeps saying he is for change. He may know what he is talking about. All I have to say is we better watch where we step, and maybe roll up our pant legs too.
His idea of change means no good for USA or our soverignity. The UN will count more than the US Constitution.
Ann Racey
Baker City
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—Editorial—
Local Kids Can Enter A Contest And Let Their Imaginations Soar, While Flying With Wings Over Baker Airshow
The Record-Courier, Baker 5J School District and the Carnegie Center For Performing Arts have embarked on a contest this summer that we hope will provide activities for Baker County's school age children as well as some "Summer Fun."
The "Summer Fun" contest is open to 1st through 12th grade students and will have three categories - writing, photography and art. Each category will be broken down into four age groups including 1st-3rd grades, 4th-6th grades, Middle School and High School. With prizes being awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, there will be be a total of 36 opportunities to win.
Winners will be printed in The Record-Courier's special back to school edition in August.
Student's entries will be displayed at Crossroads, where they will also be judged, and the community will have an opportunity to select one for a People's Choice award.
The Baker 5J School District generously donated their time designing and printing a flyer announcing the contest, which they distributed to students throughout the school district.
We have had overwhelming support from the community with the donation of prizes for the contest. The 1st place prize in each age group and category will include an airplane ride by Wings Over Baker Airshow, a pass to the Historic Eltrym Theatre and $50 in cash. All of the places will include cash awards thanks to the generous support of the local Lion’s Club, Oregon Trail Electric Co-op, Marvin Wood Products, Baker Rotary, Elkhorn Title, Chris Blacker Memorial, Team Rudi and Guyer, Lindley, Bailey & Martin.
Two lucky winners will receive a two-hour ride along with a Baker County Police Department Officer. There will also be fire truck rides with the Baker City Fire Department, Horsemanship classes with Alice Trindle, and music lessons with Direct Music Source and Keith Taylor.
Other prizes are being sponsored by Kathy Sherman of the Last Resort, Sam-O Swim Center, Dominos Pizza, Elkhorn Lanes, Charlie’s Ice Cream Parlor, Marilyn’s Music Plus, Paizano’s Pizza, Movie Gallery, Betty’s Books, Black Lyon Publishing, Elkhorn Embroidery, Behlen Country, Blue Mountain Design Works, Trendsetters and Kathy Gover-Shaw Creative Memories Consultant.
We are so fortunate to live in a community that gives back to help support activities for children. We would like to heartily thank those who have given their time and donations to this project.
We hope students will take this opportunity to explore their artistic talents and with the prizes, try new adventures. And of course have some “Summer Fun!” (DS)
—Letters—
Baker City Ambulance Appreciated
To The Record-Courier:
My husband and I would like to express our gratitude to the Baker City Fire Department.
On Memorial Day evening a relative visiting for the holidays was in need of emergency attention.
The ambulance arrived at our home in Haines in just 15 minutes. The EMS providers were both courteous and professional.
We are indeed fortunate to have this service available in our rural communities.
Julie Johnson
Haines
For The Birds
To The Record-Courier:
In watching an old movie here the other day, I just happened to turn to the movie channel just to see what the movie was about. I’m sure many of us if not all of us flip through the channels to see if there is anything decent to watch these days.
I was humored by this part of the movie where the guy was doing something that he didn’t want anybody to know about and was trying to be quiet without being heard. Well he happened to turn around and saw two birds sitting on their perch. He looked at them and realized that they could do a lot of squawking if given a need to.
So he looked at the birds and gave them the quiet sound with his finger to his mouth. Those poor old birds looked at each other frowning some and said to themselves even humans think that we’re stupid and think we are going to be quiet just for them! He has got to be kidding. It is too bad that if any sound was going to be made their destination would be short lived. But don’t birds fly when they see danger?
I receive a lot of emails having to do with animals, etc., with what they show us of their intelligence. And we see many of them on TV as well. They are all different in character. So woe be it if an animal is to think like a human or the other way around. Now doesn’t that sound like kids in a lot of ways?
I have a dog friend that likes to go to yard sales with us. She seems to associate me with food so to speak, especially breakfast. It doesn’t take much on that one to know what’s up. Need to get motivated to do some yard sales now in the midst of our diversity of weather these days…just doesn’t seem like yard sale time at the moment.
Coffee anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
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—Editorial—
Show Veterans You Care
Heroism comes in many different forms. There are every day heroes who arise morning after morning and trudge to work to feed their families. There are heroes who overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and carry on even though ill or debilitated. And, there are heroes like Cpl. Jessica Ann Ellis who sacrificed her life so that others may live.
I attended Cpl. Ellis’ funeral last week and tears welled up in my eyes, even though I didn’t know her, because I knew what she had done for me, and our nation. I can’t even begin to imagine the heartache her family and friends must feel, but I know everyone in the church that day, including myself, left a part of their heart with Jessica.
I admire Jessica for what she stood for and I am grateful for her service to our country.
But words seem so insignificant at a time like this, yet how else do you convey the feelings of admiration and appreciation that you have for someone. I didn’t have to ponder this too long because Monday when I attended the Veteran’s Memorial Service at Mount Hope Cemetery, the guest speaker Lyle Defrees gave me the answer. He said the best way to honor those veterans who have died for our country is to seek out the living veterans and their families, and show them that you love them and are interested in them.
When I heard this, I realized by the comments made by Jessica’s family about her unselfish and caring attitude, this is exactly what she would have done. Just as she didn’t wait for wounded soldiers to come to her, she would have sought veterans out. She would have embraced them and showed them how much she cared.
I’m certain that the majority of Americans, and Baker County residents, share my feelings of admiration and gratitude toward our veterans, but how will our veterans know unless we tell them or show them?
Memorial Day gives us a day to reflect on the losses we have endured, but it also gives us a day to reflect on the living who still need our love and support. We may not all be cut out to be heroes on the level that Jessica was, but we can hold what she stood for in our hearts and use it to inspire us to go that extra step, that reach of our hands in friendship, and that genuine smile that Jessica was so well known for to let our veterans know we care.
Thank you Jessica, and thank you America’s Veterans and your families, for it is you who have made the sacrifices and you who are responsible for the freedoms and the lives that we enjoy to today. (DS)
—Letters—
Conservative Friends In The 60th House District
To The Record-Courier:
As you probably know by now I wasn't able to muster the horsepower to get my message out to enough people to win this election for State Representative. Most of all, I would like to thank you all for your support, assistance and words of encouragement over these last 8 1/2 months. I knew going in it would be a tough fight against 2 opponents, 12 Commissioners and a local newspaper, but I had enough ego or arrogance to believe I could do it with your help. We did put up a good fight. Over the next months or years as I go about my efforts to help rural Oregon, I hope I will have a chance to personally thank you for your support.
This will be my last shot at a serious political position and I would like to leave you with a simple but crucial thought....No matter how long conservative leadership as we know it, is on sabbatical, as it is now, it is up to you as leaders and believers in social and fiscal conservatism to stand strong on your beliefs. The left and, as we call them now, the moderates, believe that if we just sit tight and compromise with our antagonists that the government will grow large enough and smart enough to fix all our problems. When someone espouses this naive and failed philosophy to you just ask them "Where in our constitution does it say that the government is responsible or constructed to solve our problems?"
In contrast, our constitution expressly was set up to limit government's affect on its people to critical services such as providing for the common defense and allowing us to pursue life, liberty and happiness. The rest they wisely left for us to control ourselves. You are the remaining bastions between total socialism with attending gross failure of our Republic and the life of liberty that was fought for and created for us.
You have two choices; to step up to the battle with sufficient passion and resolve to take our government back or you can sit back, save your resources and watch it continue its path to abject failure and then try to resurrect our land back to a semblance of a functioning democratic republic. I personally don't know the best course of action at this time. I do know that our beliefs are the right ones and we must hold them dear to us and when the time is right we must stand up and demand the independence, self accountability and the freedoms our forefathers so wisely outlined.
No government can give this to you in any shape, form or style of grant. We must work for it and win it every day to deserve it.
Tim K. Smith
Harney County
Todd Bentley Spreading The Word
To The Record-Courier:
This I believe is one of the most important letters I’ve written to the Editor and to the body of Christ! The information to and about the body of Christ is some of the most important to come in many years! What am I talking about? I am talking about the might move of God that is happening right now in Lakeland, Fla. Some know about it, and some don’t. So this letter is mostly to you who don’t know.
Forty-nine days ago as this writing of May 22, and still going, a God ordain Revival broke out in Lakeland, Fla., in a 700-seat church, had to move to a 1,000-seat, then to a 5,000-seat area, then to the largest baseball stadium in Lakeland with more new people coming every day. People are being healed of every kind of disease.
Blindness, deafness, cancer, tumors, etc. Last count, some 40 people were raised out of their wheelchairs and walking on their own. Last count, 12 raised from the DEAD! Yes, from the dead, two of them babies! You don’t believe this can happen? Maybe you had better go back and read your Bible where Jesus said this would happen in the last days, which according to Scripture and world events we are in those days, believe it or not!
Jesus said in the last days God’s Spirit would be poured out upon ALL flesh. Millions are coming to Jesus by these out pouring. People are coming from all over the United States, from China, Russia, Iceland, Australia, England, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Africa, and many more! Even an underground church from Iraq, in which they could be killed if discovered. Why are they coming to this outpouring in Lakeland? Because they know this is of the real God and they are taking the fire and anointing back to their church and country.
You can watch this move on “God TV” on the dish, or the Internet, www.God.tv. This all started through an Evangelist from Canada by the name of Todd Bentley. A man some religious thinker would never think God would use. A man with tattoos all over his body, and ministers in jeans and T-shirts. Maybe we will finely understand that there is a great different between nose in the air and a true relationship with a living God! God looks for those who will let the Holly Spirit have His way, not theirs. This is Todd Bentley!
Now we’ve got a man from Africa, Rodney Horard Brown, who is great, and Todd Bentley from Canada. Could God be saying, America wake up? Is this an end time revival for souls to get saved? Yes, yes! Is it a sign of Jesus soon Return? Yes again! Is it the very end? I don’t know! Should you be ready? Yes again! Pastors have you informed your church body of this outpouring? Bless you if you have, shame on you if you haven’t. You know, because I called you about it.
Richard Fox
Baker City
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—Editorial—
We’re Unwittingly Part Of The Frankenfood Experiment
Got milk? If so, it may have been produced by dairy cows that eat genetically modified alfalfa, corn or soybeans. Those same dairy cows may be genetically cloned. But you wouldn’t know in either case because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require labeling of genetically modified (GM) food items.
It has been estimated that with 40 varieties of GM crops approved for marketing in the U.S. as much as 60-70 percent of the foods you purchase in the grocery store contain genetically engineered components. The FDA requires food labels that tell how many calories are from fat, how many milligrams of salt and the daily percentage of vitamin C a food contains, but apparently they don’t think we need to know that the food we put in our mouths may be cobbled together by mixing different genes of plant and animal species in a laboratory.
Frankenfoods, as GM products have become known due to the comparisons of Dr. Frankenstein’s village monster he created utilizing parts from different sources, have the potential to cause allergies, antibiotic resistance, unwanted cross-pollination of crops leading to a loss of crop biodiversity and the creation of super weeds that can no longer be controlled with herbicides. The crops that are genetically modified to resist herbicides will also allow farmers to apply more of the weed killing chemicals to the foods we eat.
Opponents of GM foods say they contain substances that have never been a part of the human food supply, and they are not subjected to rigorous pre-market safety testing.
The Bush Administration’s recent proposal to provide $770 million in food aid to underdeveloped countries earmarks $150 million to be used on development farming and the use of GM crops. The GM crops are of little value to farmers in underdeveloped countries who can’t afford the herbicides such as Roundup, which the plants have been engineered to work with.
Many countries have rejected the use of GM crops, which causes a financial hardship on U.S. farmers who export their crops. Even if they don’t raise GM crops, they have to pay for testing to make sure their conventional crops haven’t been cross-pollinated by a neighboring GM field.
The big winner in this food technology is the biotech and agribusinesses that manufacture the seeds, and not by accident, the herbicides they work with.
Even so, there is an up side to raising GM crops, including improvement of pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance and higher yields. I certainly don’t have a problem with technology that has the ability to increase the global food supply, but what I do resent is the government using us as guinea pigs and literally shoving it down our throats without us knowing which products contain it.
Since no one knows for sure what the long-term consequences to health and the environment are, Americans are in the middle of an experiment with GM foods, and most don’t even know it. Those who ethically and or religiously oppose the use of products that are not part of God’s original design are in danger of violating their standards, but have no choice in the matter.
If the FDA insists that Frankenfoods are safe and the long-awaited answer to the global food crisis, then why are there no labels? Why can’t we know which foods contain them and decide for ourselves whether or not we want to be a part of the experiment? (DS)
—Letters—
Huntington Auction Very Successful
To The Record-Courier:
The Huntington Museum and the Chamber of Commerce wish to thank all of the people from Huntington, Baker City, Ontario, Fruitland and Weiser who donated new items for our Auction on May 5, 2008. We netted a little over $1,200, which will be split between the Chamber of Commerce and the Museum. We had a beautiful day for it, but not a very big crowd. The Museum uses the money for expenses on our building and the Chamber uses their money to put on the "Pioneer Days" in August. Thanks also to the people who came and bid on our auction items. We greatly appreciated it.
Norma Barton
Huntington
National Foster Care Month
To The Record-Courier:
May is National Foster Care Month and the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare, in Baker, Union and Wallowa Counties would like thank the families who open their hearts and homes to abused and neglected children. Throughout the nation and in our communities people are helping children build brighter futures by serving as their foster parents, relative care givers and adoptive parents. If you know someone who provides foster care, tell them THANK YOU for sharing their hearts and homes with children who need them.
DHS has a continual need for foster families to allow children to remain within their own communities. For more information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent please contact your local Child Welfare office. In Baker County call 523-6423; Union Co., 963-8571 or Wallowa Co., 426-4558.
Tammy Pierce, Community Development Coordinator
Baker City
Your Stimulus Check
To The Record-Courier:
I read the responses to the question in your “For the Record” column on the economic stimulus checks. One wondered where the money came from. I’ll explain it. Since the government produces nothing of value it must finance its activities by means other than commerce.
The government uses three methods to obtain revenue:
1. Taxation: This is a term used for legalized theft of money earned by others. It means less money in the pockets of the victims (American taxpayers). Less purchasing power. Less funds for necessities and trivialities.
2. Borrowing: This means that your children and grandchildren must pay for the services and benefits you receive. They probably won’t have those services and benefits, but at least they’ll have the joy of knowing they paid for yours. As this country now owes over $9 trillion, as well as $40 trillion for funding of programs enacted by “our” Congress, your children will be in debt their entire lives.
3. Printing fiat money: This has been the favored method of financing government activities since the Federal Reserve Bank was unconstitutionally brought into being. This method is the main reason your dollar no longer purchases what if did just last year. In 1913 a loaf of bread cost one nickel. Bought a loaf recently?
As far as spending the economic stimulus, your money was spent even before it was taken from your paycheck. The money you’ll receive will come from one of the three methods of revenue mentioned above, perhaps two or maybe all three.
Using it for travel — The country was freer, healthier and more prosperous when the government was inactive in the economy. By the time you decide to use the money to travel it won’t buy you a bus ticket to Boise and you probably won’t be allowed to travel anyhow.
David Chaney
Baker City
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Letters
Appreciate God’s Blessings
To The Record-Courier:
Please allow me to express my very most heartfelt appreciation to your young columnist Miss Sam Ragsdale. I gained an immense insight into life’s proper prospectives. She, for such a young tender aged lady, quite properly sets the tone of our best realization of how extremely blessed we all are to experience all of God’s blessings day to day.
I have suffered so greatly since losing my parents 11 months ago. Her insights in the May 1 edition of The Record-Courier puts everything into its proper perspective when we reflect upon Paul’s trials.
Bill Voit
Florence, Ore.
Blessed To Live In Baker
To The Record-Courier:
Once again we can be very proud of our residents in Baker County!
Congratulations to Tom Isaacson and the Bel Canto choir for the third straight win of the state championship.
Former Baker County Librarian, Aletha Bonebrake, was one of only five extraordinary women in Oregon to achieve the prestigious White Rose Award by the March of Dimes. Aletha spearheaded the drive for the Library various activities. Peggi Timm and Mary Jane Guyer were past recipients of this award.
Carl Swiner of Sumpter received the President’s Call to Service Award for transporting veterans to Boise for medical care.
The founding of Historic Baker City was one of the very best decisions we ever made. We thank Ann Mahaffey for her leadership and enthusiasm. We are truly blessed to live in Baker County, Oregon.
Frances Burgess
Baker City
Concerned Gun Owner Speaks Up
To The Record-Courier:
I am writing this letter as a very concerned gun owner as well as a concerned citizen of this wonderful country we live in. I don’t want to become nothing more than a subject by people in power who can and do try to take my Constitutional rights from me. What concerns me even more are those of you who don’t understand or don’t seem to care!
Maybe you don’t understand that the Second Amendment of the Constitution of our United States is what holds the whole Constitution and our rights as citizens and not subjects to government power over us. What other rights are you willing to give up? Maybe freedom of speech, which has in many ways already become unlawful.
Now be careful what you say, it may insult someone. We have become so thin-skinned, that it has become normal to fight over words. Once these two rights are shortened or gone, you and I are no longer citizens, but have become subjects.
There is no workable way to stop all the law-breaking. But some believe taking your rights, in some magical way will stop crime. You have to be an idiot to believe that! There’s an old saying, but it’s true, “When you take the guns from honest citizens, only outlaws will have guns!”Why? Simple! They don’t obey the law to start with!
As a citizen of Oregon, it saddens me that this state has already been declared a winner for the Anti-Second Amendment gun-grabbers, all Democrats! Hillary Clinton has already been proven to want to reintroduce all the gun bans that we had to fight Bill Clinton over for his eight years in office. If it had not been for the NRA and members, we would have lost many of our rights. Make no mistake, if elected, she and Bill will try again! Obama is in the same boat. He’s fought and voted against every Pro-Second Amendment bill before him. He’s voted against your right of self-defense or defense of family! He wants a “common sense gun law,” whatever that means. Do you know that right now in some states right here in America you can face prosecution for self-defense, or defense of your family? It’s true, “common sense?”
Obama says citizens should not have the right to “concealed weapons permits, only cops.” Senator Obama is lying to us when he says he supports the Second Amendment. There is also another type of gun ban lifting its head in 13 states. It’s called “Coded Ammunition.” The gun grabbers in Congress are calling for registration of ALL ammunition buyers and ballistic “fingerprinting” of all ammunition and firearms. Any ammo you have now will have to be disposed of, possibly your gun also. I don’t know about you, but for myself, I don’t want any person in power especially one running for the highest office of the land, so dumb that he, she thinks taking your or my rights away is going to stop crime! I see a whole deeper reason for this, hope you do also.
Richard Fox
Baker City
County Needs Proactive Weed Program
To The Record-Courier:
Many of Baker County’s weeds call County rights-of-way “home.” It has been a priority of the Road Department not to allow their siblings to venture out into adjacent lands. This is a tall task, given declining revenue. Without a continued proactive weed program, weeds will quickly gain the upper hand.
I support the proposed Weed Levy and feel it will give a shot in the arm to the battle against weeds that call Baker County rights of way “home.”
Ken Helgerson
Baker City
Representation Needed
To The Record-Courier:
“Taxation without representation” - that is part of our treasured heritage from the very beginning of our country. But, take note, it is not saying “No taxation.” The important message is that we demand representation for those decisions.
It would help us get the true message if we thought of taxation as the means we have to do with our fellow citizens those tasks which are too demanding for us to do alone: build roads, promote new industry for our community, develop a tourist attraction with our historic downtown — for starters.
But never forgetting the importance of having our own representatives involved, we do have to make sure those representatives are up to the task.
Maryalys Urey
Baker City
Smith Will Make Things Happen
To The Record-Courier:
I have to respond to the Argus Observers endorsement of Cliff Bentz for District 60 state representative.
I usually never agree with newspapers today because the majority of them are owned by either a liberal or environmentalist.
So I find myself disagreeing with the Argus Observer in the case of their endorsement for Cliff Bentz for District 60 state representative.
I have been involved in politics in Eastern Oregon for over 50 years and in that time I have never heard of, met, spoke to or read of any accomplishments that he did. Now Eastern Oregon is a large area, but a small area when you are dealing with politics so if you are involved you will eventually meet everyone who is anyone politically involved.
I have met, spoke with, worked with and came to realize that Tim Smith is a well versed, competent, honest, involved person who knows all the problems of Eastern Oregon and the State of Oregon. He knows his way around Salem and both halls of the legislature.
Tim Smith will make things happen when he is elected as District 60 Representative to better the needs of District 60 and Eastern Oregon.
I ask the readers of the Argus Observer and all voters in District 60 to vote for Tim Smith and send the best to Salem to represent us.
James Burns
Weston, Ore.
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