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Opinions
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—LETTERS—
Curious — Why?
To The Record-Courier:
A recent Courier article stated “Main Street will not be closed... for the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally. Main Street closure requires sizable liability coverage in order to have ODOT close this state highway.”
Why, then, is it okay to close Highway 30 for the Elkhorn Classic? Are we being told the truth or is the insurance issue just a legitimate excuse? Enjoy Historic Downtown Baker City from the parking lot at Sunridge Inn!
Ted White
Baker City
Let’s Stop Trying To Rewrite The Mining and Environmental Laws
To The Record-Courier
More about the RS2477 “Ways” (roads) mandates under the 1866, hard rock mining laws, revised by the 1872 acts by Congress, etc., and terminated by the act of 1976 Federal Lands Management Act. The intent of the U.S. Congress that the “Ways” or roads prior to this act were to be grandfathered in as prior rights to egress, the public domain. This is a civil liberties issue to tort claims by citizens as to a “public trust’ by Art. 1, Section 9 & 10 of U.S. Constitutional law (Expost facto law) and the enumerated powers of the 9th Amendment – Bill of Rights to Art. IV, of the property clause that delegates only Congress, not the Executive branch, to make rules and regulations to lands belonging to the United States under Art. 1, Section 1, first paragraph, U.S. Constitution!
In the debate about the Spaulding Ridge Road (Ways) in regards to the RS2477 Ways (access) to the old mine site (Mammoth mine) would be grandfathered by the 1976 Act of Congress, under U.S. Codes, not to be compromised by the local road master. (The tail wagging the dog?) All roads leading from the Forest Service boundary if were prior to 1976 act are all grandfathered, Valid Existing Rights (VER’s) by federal law! Burdon of proof lies with old maps of the area in all cases of deputes.
However, points made by Attorney Mr. Leuenberger, as an expert on mining law, has the most standing to “Rule of Law” to Revised Statues 2477 Ways issue.
The “sound bite” by the commissioners to designate this road as a local access public road is weasel worded in such a way that compromises the real intent of Congress. Hum? Come on guys let’s get real. It’s egress-ingress by the citizens of the United States to access the public domain situated within the national forest open to the 1872 acts of Congress to access to the development and discovery of mineral resources vital to the security of the natural resources belonging to the people of all the states as the public domain implies. Let’s stop trying to rewrite the 1872 acts – mining laws three “liberalism” and the Environmental laws that self destruct to the economics of exportation of jobs overseas venders. Some folks liken this to subversive activities by the leftwing radicals.
The U.S. Supreme Court made the final ruling in 1987 that the use of the Eco/environmental language clashes with the Federal land use planning of uses of the Public Domain lands under Art. IV, property clause that vests only congress to this authority. This authority to States, especially Oregon’s DEQ head quarters to control land use by using pollution permits, or the denial there of to uses of lands falling within the Public Domain, as the 9th district court (S.F. Calif.) was over ruled by the U.S. Supreme Court 1987 decision ruling.
Let’s stop the inter-dependence-rule of new world order.
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore.
Five Generation Family Graduates From BHS
To The Record-Courier:
Baker Schools throughout the years have offered quality education to thousands of students.
It has come to my attention that 5 generations from the same family have graduated Baker High .
The first graduating class to have completed 4 year study in the (new) gray stone building on Washington street was 1921.
Crystal Stouder (Cook) graduated, in that class. 1921.
Her daughter, Carleen (Cook) Griffith graduated BHS 1948.
Son, Larry Griffith, graduated BHS 1967.
Margaret (Griffith) McDohnough graduated BHS 1991.
Helen Galiszewski graduated in current BHS class 2011.
Another item of interest is that Jeanette (Holloway) Jampolsky graduated BHS as Valedictorian in 1946. Sixty five years later, her Granddaughter, Ellen Jampolsky, gained honors as Valedictorian of this year's 2011 BHS graduating class.
Phyllis Badgley
BHS Class 1942
Thanks For The Donation!
To The Record-Courier:
On behalf of the Commissioners of the Baker Heritage Museum, thank you for your donation of your father’s publishing papers. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Without folks like you who support our efforts we would not be able to preserve the rich history of our area.
Your donated papers will be cataloged, conserved and added to our collections where they will be available for research and use in future exhibits.
Again, please accept our thanks for your generosity.
Chris Cantrell, Director
Baker Heritage Museum
DAs Defend Rep. Bentz Against Unjust Advertisements
To The Record-Courier:
As elected District Attorneys, our mission is “to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution and the laws of the State of Oregon, to preserve the safety of the public, to protect the rights of crime victims, and to pursue justice for all citizens with skill, honor, and integrity.” It is a mission we take very seriously and one, we think, that is shared by a capable, honest, and committed legislator, Representative Cliff Bentz.
The recent radio and print ads coupled with “robo-calls”, those annoying automated calls that ruin your family dinners, have caused us to join together to correct the implications contained in those paid attacks that seem to paint Rep. Bentz as soft on crime and unwilling to stand up for public safety. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the 2009 legislative session, when public safety was being assailed by urbanites who felt that the sentiments of Oregonians were with them, Representative Bentz questioned the motivation and the mettle of lawmakers who would have rolled back public safety throughout the state, but especially here in Eastern Oregon. As the final days of the legislative session wore down, so did many other lawmakers’ reserves, but not Cliff Bentz’s. He held firm in negotiations with fellow House members who held a Democratic supermajority and, in doing so, almost single-handedly saved the Burns Oregon Youth Authority facility from the very real threat by those lawmakers to close it.
The ads against Cliff Bentz imply that he hasn’t supported strong public safety policy. We understood the need for more severe penalties for repeat property offenders under Measure 57 and we support its reinstatement today. However in 2009, we also came to understand that both the budget and the politics would never have allowed the measure to be fully implemented. Cliff Bentz argued to maintain the will of the voters, even in the face of certain defeat. In doing so, he leveraged that vote to maintain 50 family-wage jobs at the Burns facility and the successful treatment and supervision of our most troubled juvenile offenders in the process. It was an important vote and one that the residents of Baker, Grant, Harney and Malheur counties should be proud of.
From Dale and Haines to McDermitt and Denio, from Nyssa and Oxbow to Buchanan and Dayville, residents of House District 60 are lucky to have Representative Bentz standing up for the public safety values that District Attorneys believe in so strongly. He deserves our gratitude.
Matt Shirtcliff, Baker County District Attorney
Ryan Joslin, Grant County District Attorney
Timothy J. Colahan, Harney County District Attorney
Daniel O. Norris, Malheur County District Attorney
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—LETTERS—
BHS Graduation Impressive
To The Record-Courier:
The 2011 Baker High School Graduation was a wonderful event. It was very impressive to see the graduating seniors proceed onto the field of Bulldog Memorial Stadium while the band played “Pomp and Circumstance.” It is a beautiful setting.
The student speakers all spoke so well; you could hear every word. Dan Brooks, the commencement speaker, and 1976 graduate of Baker High School, gave some good advice and also shared his memories of growing up in Baker City.
The senior choir sang the National Anthem as it should be sung. It was beautiful. Thanks to everyone who made this event so memorable.
Frances Burgess
Baker City, Ore.
Weiner Should Be Fired
To The Record-Courier:
Your editorial last week was two very long columns which consisted of news about Anthony Weiner with which we had been bombarded for two weeks. You said nothing about the fact that he had a vote in the U.S.Congress and that he had had this vote for a very long time. With a man with such incredibly bad judgment wielding these votes, the amount of damage he may have produced over the years is mind-boggling. He should be fired as quickly as possible.
Carl R. Kostol
Baker City, Ore.
Predictions vs. Raptures
To The Record-Courier:
Well with all the recent issues and some predictions it makes one wonder what is really the issue. To begin with, let alone being raptured for what it is worth, now we have until October. So it seems, you might say, we have to get our act together and rightful, oh my. We will have to see what beholds the issues of my title in itself unless the one doing the prediction, it is to his liking, or even knows anything to begin with. It is something like take a number please and please wait until the next available customer can represent you .......ha!
Now I am not trying to knock the issue but there are some not all together upstairs, as some would call it, in our wonderful brain and in what we can conjure up even for the sake of some to gain attention.
Guess we will have to watch this and see what arises and what happens to the guy himself and see if he misses the target, round two at that, and what his reasoning will be if he misses once again.
As far as I am concerned only the good Lord knows when things will happen and when our time is up. However it happens and whatever happens, we can never out guess God Himself, for those of us who believe the way we do considering the issues unless we want to make true spectacles out of ourselves for the sake of attention.
Makes me wonder how much the guy got paid for just doing what he was doing in his knowledge of what he thinks is to be at that just to be on t.v. In my thinking let God be God and don’t try to out smart Him because it won’t add up. Even in the political sense of Israel and all it seems to me God could be trying to say something there as well for those of you who are Bible believers of what is happening in order to preserve Israel even weather related and all.
It does say in the Bible that there will be rumors of wars and things will get more say, but it doesn’t even mention as to the coming of such and when.
The one that really gets my goat in watching is the Casey Anthony trial how they go to the extreme on the news media over how a dead body smells, and other related findings. Why don’t they just take a sample to the media. I believe that would stop the questions and the assuming of this and that or one or the other. It is sad though that some with children go to this extreme, if she is found guilty and all. I am surprised she is holding out, knowing her guilt of what happened and how she could even bring herself to doing what she did to a beautiful girl, her daughter.
And now, the Anthony Weiner scandal coming out. What a unpredictable world we live in. What else is next?
Now that will have to do for awhile on the above accounts. Looks like our weather may be panning out after all, and I am more than busy with yard doings, and my wonderful clients that keep me busy ironing. I really appreciate the support.
Coffee Anyone or Ice Tea?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City, Ore.
Congratulations To Baker City
To The Record-Courier:
Baker City is a finalist in the Most Beautiful category in the inaugural search for Best of the Road® by Rand McNally with USA TODAY. More than 20,000 Americans have registered on bestoftheroad.com to vote, post pictures and share reviews of their favorite places in the U.S. As a town finalist, it is truly a testament to your community’s pride to be among the top 5.
On June 23, each of the five Best of the Road finalist teams will depart New York in search of the best small town in America in an assigned category which will be revealed that morning. In the spirit of the great American road trip, they’ve afforded each team the freedom to choose the timing of their route, but Baker City must be a stop during their cross-country adventure.
Best of the Road judges will announce the winning towns at the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Annual Convention on July 22. The top towns will be highlighted on www.bestoftheroad.com and in the 2013 Rand McNally Road Atlas, as well as on USA TODAY's Travel site.
John T. Peters, CTIE
Rand McNally
Victoria L. Borton, USA TODAY
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—EDITORIAL—
Rep. Weiner Should Resign
Rep. Anthony Weiner (New York 9th District) admitted this week to engaging in inappropriate behavior via almost every social network at his disposal: Twitter, Facebook, email and phone, with the apex being the distribution of a shot of his crotch, albeit underwear clad.
He said he had intended to send the photo privately to a woman in Seattle, but mistakenly posted it on Twitter for all of his followers to see. He said once he realized he posted it to Twitter he immediately took it down and tried to cover up his techno faux pas maintaining that his Twitter feed had been hacked, which he later admitted was a lie.
He said he lied "because I was ashamed of what I had done and didn’t want to get caught.” Wow, there's a revelation! We never would have guessed he lied because he didn't want to get caught... We’re also taking a wild guess here that he didn’t want to get caught because he knew what he was doing might be construed as wrong.
He said during a press conference that he has exchanged explicit messages and photos with about six different women over the past three years. When asked if he had sexted (sent text messages with sexual content) underage girls, the congressman said, “To the best of my knowledge, they were all adults.” Now all we have to do is figure out what the "best of my knowledge" means to a person who admits he first lied about the situation.
In his almost startlingly weak defense Weiner said most of this behavior occurred before his marriage a year ago and some has "sadly taken place after," including a predecessor to the crotch shot, a shirtless picture of himself he sent to a woman just last month. Weiner said his lewd relationships were strictly sext-based and he never actually met any of them in person.
So basically, since he didn't actually meet and have sex with any of the women, it was just a "sad" situation. He appears to be sloughing his actions off as little more than the unintentional precocious antics of a teenage boy. Taking a photograph of one's own crotch would require at least a little thought and planning, if only to figure out how to achieve the correct angle and focus. Assuming of course he did take it himself, which if not, opens up another whole area of ew ick. The only unintentional thing he might have done is thinking he Tweeted the photo to an individual rather than to his entire list of followers, some 46,000, on Twitter, which of course lead to his getting caught, not only by his constituents but by his wife. When the scandal broke in the media, Weiner gained an additional 10,000 Twitter followers, another sad development.
What's really sad though is that Weiner didn't reveal his true nature sooner rather than now, 10 years into his congressional service. What's even sadder is his refusal to resign. Sure, there are all kinds of creeps and sexual deviates on the Internet, especially on social medial sites, that most of us learn how to avoid. But we certainly don’t expect to have to avoid or screen out lewd posts/photos made by our elected officials.
In a press conference this week Weiner said, "This was me doing a dumb thing and doing it repeatedly and then lying about it, and that's all there is." That may be “all” there is, but it's certainly a lot more than his constituents expected.
He also said, "I don't believe that I did anything here that violates any law or that violates my oath to my constituents.”
Well, the House Ethics Committee rules, based on the Code of Official Conduct state a member, “shall conduct himself at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.” Whether or not he demonstrated a lack of morals with his online buffoonery is really not the issue, Weiner lied to his constituents and violated their trust, which goes way beyond an inappropriate crotch shot.
Resign Weiner and save yourself, your family and your state from further embarrassment and disgrace. In time, your constituents and even your wife may forgive you. But take this opportunity to prove that even though you have exercised poor judgment in the past, you will exercise good judgment now and remove yourself from the position people of your state entrusted to you. Don’t fail them yet again. (DS)
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—LETTERS—
‘Single Payer’ Health Care Has Unpleasant Side Effects
To The Record-Courier:
People who sing the praises of “single payer” health care programs seldom tell us of their unpleasant side effects. One is that governments running these programs use rationing of health care as an attempt to control costs.
In Canada, for instance, each area is allotted only a certain number of maternity beds. Recently a Vancouver woman had to deliver her baby in Edmonton, Alberta, [seven hundred miles away across the Rocky Mountains,] as that was the closest available maternity bed. A minor inconvenience in her case, but health care rationing can have more serious effects.
Say your doctor tells you that you need a hip replacement. “Don’t worry,” he assures you, “It’s covered. However, since your condition is not life-threatening, you have to get in line. We’ll get back to you in six to eight months. In the meantime, here are some pain pills so you can at least hobble around.”
As a consequence, many Canadians who can afford to forego their “free” medical care in Canada and instead come to the United States, where they pay for it out of their own pocket. One such person made the news recently, as he was the Prime Minister of Newfoundland. He went to Florida for his health care.
Another way governments with single payer health care systems attempt to control costs is to scrimp on advanced medical equipment. Canada has far fewer of these per capita than we do, and they tend to be the older, less effective models, another reason why Canadians come here for their medical treatment.
Tax rates in countries with single payer health care programs are significantly higher than they are for us, another unpleasant side effect of socialized medicine. [In Sweden, for instance, the government takes over half of your income in taxes.] So to keep their citizens healthy, those governments take a healthy bite out of your wallet, but then deliver an inferior sort of health care. No thanks!
Pete Sundin
Baker City
It Was Appropriate To Put School Tax Option To Community
Before Pink Slips Went Out
To The Record-Courier:
On behalf of the Baker 5J School Board and administration, I would like to extend my personal “Thank you” to the members of the Local Option Tax Committee. The effort you put into helping your community is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank all those persons who supported students, families and their community with your positive votes.
Many wonder why the school district even tried a local tax. Unlike other branches of government, schools must always balance their budgets. When revenue shrinks, so do school budgets and in turn the programs and staff to support our children. We are still challenged to keep our schools open and we will do the best we can with the resources allotted to us.
However, when faced with huge fiscal cuts caused by cuts in the budget of the State of Oregon and the loss of a significant piece of federal funding, we needed your help. Help to support a major community institution like our schools. Not only a resource for our children and families but also a leading employer. And with the potentially catastrophic outcomes to many Baker City families it is appropriate, ethical and moral to put the measure to the people before the pink slips went out. Asking for help was a good thing, and necessary. In the weeks and months ahead it will be a difficult time for our district as we have to lay off many talented educators, paraprofessional and administrators.
The school district did carefully and significantly make preparation for this election result with our planning of the four-day student week. This will provide an avenue through restructuring to increase student-teacher contact time, enrich student choices and offer a high quality education for our children. We believe that high quality schools are a key economic driver if Baker City is to rebound from this recession.
We look toward the end of this school year with a heavy heart. We will again graduate another outstanding class of students to go out into the world and become successful members of society. We will also say goodbye to many wonderful staff members. Yet, come August, our schools will open and the remaining professionals who work in them will continue to provide students with an exceptional educational experience.
Walt Wegener
Superintendent, Baker 5J
EOMA Challenges Authority By Common Sense Values, Arbitration
To The Record-Courier:
This is in response to an article in May 12, 2011 issue of The Record-Courier about the EOMA’s Police State authority with County Commissioners.
The opinion of the 9th Circuit Court in Pendleton, as a State court, in effect, would not be a court of competent jurisdiction where a controversy is between the federal government (federal lands) and the State. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling of disputes of citizens regarding federal land use planning does not have standing in conflicts by State’s statutes (ORS) (OAR) or State’s judiciaries as not courts of competent jurisdictions. See case law, California Coastal Community vs. Granite Rock Co. 1987 final rule.
The E.O.M.A. appears to challenge authority by common sense values by arbitration, not legal terms, which is good reasoning.
However, unions like to bargain by their collective bargaining (arbitration) rather than rule of law in which the issues at hand are all about. In a sense, the E.O.M.A. is a tax deductible (IRS) organization like all unions, (as a club).
Independent miners, like myself, use case laws (rules of law) as to procedures of law based on court’s decisions instead, being by U.S. Supreme Courts rulings final (arbitrations) case laws.
I’m not anti union (organized) when it comes to arbitration between private companies such as employees of Durkee Lime Quarry plant here in Baker County, but small scale week and type miners, not business oriented should have protections under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as rule of law by U.S. legislative acts of Congress. President Bush was supposed to enforce this act when he took office by Executive Orders in early term of office, but never proceeded with the E.O.’s. Hum? Overruled? Puppet? Front Man?
The 1872 acts of Congress (grants) are not a collectivist, central control, thru arbitration by unions. The acts, such as 1872 acts, are rights by federal statues, via Article IV, property clause; all property belonging to U.S. is vested under U.S. codes, i.e., Congress, (tort claims?) civil rights.
Under the Recreation act of 1927, certain lands were withdrawn from the public domain such as Union Campground on the Mason Dam here on Powder River water shed. Under 36CFR parts 261 and 262 (Forest Service) are part of the F.S. units of system lands, not subject (reserved) from the location laws met by Congress. Location laws are not part of the contracted bidding process such as logging contracted bidding.
Contrary to the views of the U.S.F.S. the 1872 acts of Congress, as a Statutory Right and the plans of operations are not subjected to the open public bidding process such as used by the saleable wood products of the logging industry or coal, oil, shale, or gas products of the federal system lands as units of the system lands designations. The county commissioners are not a party to these final decisions.
Under 36CFR Part 262, as F.S. law-support activities, are not intended to enter (police) of the federal mining claims, with valid locations, unless the claims are used for productions of Ag products such as pot, controlled Ag, substances (by congress?) This is different than M.O.U.s between Forest Service vs. BLM.
The State’s have the authority (sole) when crimes of capital offenses such as murder, etc., but not civil such as traffic violations, contract violations under State’s civil laws. States have no adjudicative authority over federal lands, nor does the U.S.F.S. or thru collusion by these to both parties, only the Dept. of Interior/BLM is vested by Congress, as delegated powers to federal land uses planning legal analysis.
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore.
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—LETTERS—
Medicare Spending Cuts, Nothing More Than A Kill Switch
To The Record-Courier:
In April our Representative Greg Walden voted for the GOP's budget which effectively ends Medicare, slashes Medicaid, drastically cuts domestic spending AND extends the tax breaks for the wealthiest 2% of Americans.
Medicare in its present form represents freedom for senior citizens. Freedom from being at the mercy of big insurance companies who add 15-30% to health care costs for overhead and profit and have the power to deny and delay claims and raise premiums. (My premiums have risen each of the last three years as it did for my employers every year — a good argument for Improved Medicare for All.) According to the Social Security Administration only 13% of the elderly had health insurance when Medicare was enacted in 1965. Medicare was created because seniors couldn't afford health insurance and insurance companies didn't want to cover seniors because of their high costs.
Because of the public's backlash against killing Medicare, Republicans are changing tactics. Instead of outright killing it, they are now proposing spending caps to trigger massive cuts to Medicare. These spending cuts are still nothing more than a kill switch.
The Republican plan is not just bad policy, it is immoral. We can't balance the budget on the backs of senior citizens and the poor (who make up a large percentage of Baker County residents as pointed out in Elliott Averett's May 13 letter). Not while we are giving huge tax breaks and subsidies to big corporations and income tax rates for the wealthy are at historic lows.
So while it may appear Republicans have started backing away from their immoral budget, don't be fooled. As Rep. Boehner said that is just "for now." Meaning the minute America has a Republican president with a Republican majority in the House and Senate, they will move to privatize (kill) Medicare and Social Security so fast it will make your head spin. A vote for ANY Republican is a vote to kill Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance and all safety net programs while giving tax breaks to big corporations and the wealthiest 2%.
Marilyn Dudek
Baker City
GOP’s Plan For Medicare
To The Record-Courier:
There is so much disinformation in Marilyn Dudek’s letter that one shakes his head in dismay. Consider her opening statement: "In April our representative Greg Walden voted for the GOP budget which effectively ends Medicare …" The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office is predicting that Medicare will go bankrupt in 2021. The Democrats’ solution for this crisis is contained within Obamacare. Beginning in 2015, there will be a cap on total spending on Medicare. If spending threatens to exceed this cap, a new board will cut Medicare payment rates for medical service providers.
This four-decade-old approach for controlling Medicare’s costs hasn’t worked yet, but does drive out willing providers. Already some Medicare beneficiaries are finding it difficult to find doctors. Further provider cuts will only make this situation worse. And even with Obamacare in place, the Congressional Budget Office is still predicting Medicare’s bankruptcy in 2021.
Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan’s Medicare proposal is that current retirees and those retiring through 2022 will continue to receive traditional Medicare. After that, those beginning their retirement will be enrolled in a health care plan similar to the current program for prescription drug coverage, which was enacted in 2003.
Today, Medicare beneficiaries can choose from several dozen plans offered by multiple providers for their prescription drug coverage. With so many plans to choose from, each person can find a plan which best suits one’s own circumstances. Best of all, at the end of each year, anyone dissatisfied with his insurer for any reason can change to another insurer. As a result, most seniors are satisfied with their coverage.
Competition is stiff, and insurers know that they must keep their rates low to attract price-conscious enrollees. Consequently, costs for this program are expected to come in at 47% below expectations for the first decade.
This is the GOP plan for Medicare for which our congressman voted. Nothing will change for present retirees. In the future, retirees will have a health care program similar to the successful prescription drug coverage now in place, a program which shows that spiraling out-of-control Medicare costs can be brought under control.
Pete Sundin
Baker City
Rep. Paul Ryan's Proposal To Privatize Medicare Is Inefficient Corporate-Controlled Management
To The Record-Courier:
In Pete Sundin's recent letter to the editor, it appears he is a believer in the hodgepodge of over 1,000 private insurance corporations in control of the nation's health care: the most ineffective and costly health care system in the developed world.
U.S. health care costs twice as much as in other industrialized nations. And what does it buy us? A 37th rank among nations on the healthiness scale of the World Health Organization!
We don't get what we're paying for, because insurance companies use a third of what we give them for processing claims, marketing, and profit.
62% of bankruptcies in the U.S. are brought on by medical debts. And 2/3rds are filed by persons with health insurance! Locally several times a year caring citizens put on fund raisers to help out families hit by catastrophic health care costs.
The rest of the industrialized world has single-payer health insurance. Our Medicare for seniors is a single-payer system spending about 4% on processing claims, while insurance companies spend about 30%.
Rep. Paul Ryan's proposal to privatize Medicare, endorsed by Sundin, is just more of the same inefficient corporate-controlled management we presently have.
The U.S. will eventually be forced to go to a single-payer system (a type of Medicare for all), because the cost of our present wasteful system is just too expensive.
Gary Dielman, Baker City
Retiree and Medicare recipient
Thanks To Voters For Supporting Library
To The Record-Courier:
I’ve received many happy congratulations this past week but the credit is truly due to the wonderful Baker County voters. Thank you for your remarkable support for the library (65.1%) on this recent election and congratulations to you all since everyone benefits. According to State Librarian Jim Scheppke only nine Oregon library elections in the last 10 years have achieved a 'yes' vote of 65% or better (that's 9 out of 83). The renewed levy will uphold library operations, lifelong learning and literacy programs in Baker County for five years, from 2012-2017. We will strive for continued excellence, to have something for everyone, and to be here when you need us.
“Our prosperity as a nation is directly correlated to our literacy,” then Senator Obama said to the American Library Association in 2005. “At the moment that we persuade a child, any child, to cross that threshold, that magic threshold into a library, we change their lives forever, for the better.”
It is never too late to be that child. Come on down to the library and experience your local “Department of Transformation”.
Perry Stokes
Baker County Librarian
State Employees Could Pay 6% For Their Health Care Plans
To The Record-Courier:
Below is the last two correspondences between Representative Cliff Bentz and myself regarding the negative impact of the Governor’s proposed cuts to Oregon Health Plan and Medicaid reimbursements.
Dear Tim,
I share with you the concerns you have expressed about the budget. I completely agree that small hospitals are much less able than large hospitals to manage the cuts that are currently proposed. I will continue to speak with those on the Ways and Means Committee about this challenge to the survival of our rural medical facilities. It would help me tremendously if I could hear from you on where the Legislature should look for the money needed to help our facilities. I guarantee you that I will be asked by those on Ways and Means what I will be supporting that raises more money for this help.
Tell me if you want me to support and vote for new taxes or fees or changes to tax deductions to keep the hospitals safe, and of course, to help the assisted living centers, which would also be in great financial difficulty if these reductions in reimbursements are implemented. Please keep in mind that we have already passed the Education budget leaving very few sources of funds from other areas, so this is a very difficult and challenging issue to say the least. Also, if you have ideas about where we could reduce state spending, those ideas would be of great interest and very helpful. I look forward to hearing from you.
Rep. Bentz
Dear Representative Bentz
Thank you for your response to my concerns about cuts to OHP reimbursements.
I have attached a PDF of a spreadsheet done for me by our Harney District Hospital CFO, Catherine White and our CEO Jim Bishop. It clearly shows the dramatic impact of the proposed cuts to the OHP on small rural hospitals, using Harney District Hospital (HDH) as an example. It will be over $1M loss over the first two years and we have already trimmed all the fat out of our operating that we can find.
As a side line to this, instead of creating jobs when we really need to be doing just that, these proposed cut will reduce jobs in our hospital and in Oregon’s medicine field across the board. Most of these will be family wage clinical jobs.
You have asked me below to tell you where I would propose to reduce state spending to make up the funds in order to reduce these cuts to some reasonable level. I have no doubt that if you do the math and take the number of state employees that pay zero for their health care plans and have them pay in 6% of their gross salary, like HDH employees do, the difference needed between what the state pays in and what is needed to make up the HMO shortfall would appear.
Our CEO informs me that our employees pay $400 more per month than do State employees for their health care and other benefits. How many State employees there are I do not know, but the folks in Salem do. A final comment from our CEO is; this plan ...."would eliminate roughly $1.5 billion in Federal match dollars coming into the State--very short-sighted way to solve a budget deficit".
Finally, I do not want you to raise taxes or cut tax exemptions until the state employees are compensated on a par with the private and other non state employees.
I hope you will use this information to stand up for our rural communities. Like Senator Whitsett says, “if we don’t stand up, for rural Oregon, no one will.”
Tim K. Smith
Chairman, Harney District Hospital Board of Directors
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—EDITORIAL—
This We Think...
Burn Permits
We urge the City to carefully consider the proposed annual burn permit fee of $25. We understand open burning could cause a little more work for the Fire Department, however going from $0 to $25 is likely more than our good citizens will tolerate. Rather than reconsidering their policy of burning as the City Manager suggested and encourage recycling, many will instead burn without a permit possibly causing more work for city departments in the long run as they are called upon to verify permit status.
School Board Tax Option
The tax option was turned down, the people have spoken, they can't afford any more taxes. This isn't in any way a reflection, however, to the communities' commitment to education. Residents want the best education for the area’s children they can afford, and as we have stated before, that's the key — the best they can afford. In these economically depressed times, everyone but the wealthiest are forced to cut back. No one likes to see jobs lost or wages and programs cut, but neither can people afford to pay more than their wallets will allow.
Reverse 911
We see the county's new Reverse 911 system as a valuable asset to the communities it serves. Many thanks to 911 Director Jerry Boyd and staff for bringing this service to Baker County. We received the first test of the Dispatch's Code Red Emergency Public Notification System last week and urge everyone in the County to sign up to have notifications sent to their cell phones and e-mail addresses by visiting www.baker911.org.
Extension Office Copier
We were disappointed to learn that Baker County Commissioners approved the lease of a copy machine for Baker County OSU Extension office from a La Grande business. We have no doubts that Eagle Office Concepts in La Grande provided the lowest/most cost effective quote, but the problem is, only three quotes were obtained, two from La Grande firms and one from OSU on continuing their current lease agreement. There are two very competitive and qualified businesses that provide copier services and lease agreements in Baker City that were not contacted for a quote. We hope commissioners will reconsider and at least let the local businesses have an opportunity to submit a quote before deciding to do business out of town.
Editor’s Note: I have been asked by several readers if I wrote the editorial, “Royalty Needs To Set Better Moral Example.” No, I did not. It was written by a member of our newspaper staff. In the future we will initial editorials so our readers will know who to direct comments to. (DS)
—LETTERS—
Kudos To ‘Nunsense’
To The Record-Courier:
“Nunsense” — What a fabulous show. We are so fortunate to have Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre active in the community. Thanks to Lynne Burroughs, director, Kelly Brickman, music director, the five women who were the singing nuns and everyone who was a part of this wonderful production. It was a very time-consuming effort for them all.
“Nunsense” plays again this weekend at the Iron Gate Theatre in the Basche Sage Mall. Don’t miss it!
Frances Burgess
Baker City
Thanks For Helping Clean Up Our Community
To The Record-Courier:
I would like to thank the statewide organization SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) for helping us sponsor a community clean-up event along the Leo Adler Memorial Pathway, Baker Sanitary Service for providing special waste collection facilities, Lew Brothers Les Schwab Tires for donating special service, and Ash Grove Cement for tire collection and re-use.
These partners helped us clean up large volumes of trash and help mediate an illegal dump site near Wade Williams Park. Also, Mike Clark, a member of the Baker City Tree Board donated the use of his personal truck and a whole lot of physical labor to clean up the dump site with me. Despite the rain, we had eight volunteers who gathered litter and made a great contribution to making our community a little cleaner and safer. I want to thank them all.
Clair Button
Baker City
Loose Talk Aids Enemy
To The Record-Courier:
As a former naval officer who served a tour of duty as an intelligence officer, I am astonished at the covert information released to the media by the U.S. government. The operation against Bin Laden is an example of this problem.
The media reported details of the military operation, including the designation of the units assigned to the task. They received access to information on a dog involved in the operation, the name of the dog trainer and the location of the training base. When President Obama visited the troops to congratulate them the names and faces of many individuals were plainly visible on TV.
The media reported we captured Bin Laden’s computers, CDs, and telephone numbers with information on numerous al-Qaida terrorists and future plans of the terrorist group. It even received some access to Bin Laden tapes.
One story reported the activities of the U.S. intelligence agencies and how they found Bin Laden. They even reported on a CIA operation inside Pakistan.
And why didn’t we keep the death of Bin Laden a secret while we mined the information we gathered and sought out al-Qaida terrorists?
Our loose talk and openness continues to aid the enemy.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
Today's Issues and Changes
To The Record-Courier
Ah yes, seems now those inspecting at our local airports, etc., are going to extremes even with our children, not to mention cameras, you name it. This patting down issue especially with children and now babies is absurd. Who’s to say what is and who is really behind those cameras and what those pictures will be used for down the road with no control by the parents.
The latest of this issue is using cameras in the lunch room to see what the kids are eating for their lunches and all... so where are those pictures going to end up with the Internet system and all? They could be caught up in the world of pornography.
Seems like there is no way to protect the kids these days. No matter how harmless it may seem to be using cameras — not to mention spending money unnecessarily just to watch our kids eat. And then there’s the budget school crisis and schools closing, etc. and going to the four-day week which is good to save where they can. But still all the building keeps going on. I’m not really knocking the issue but how many more of the restaurants and convenience stores, do we really need? What we really need is a Walmart, just to save on gas. Why not a mini Walmart here? Bet one would do really well out on the other side of our freeway. It would also add more jobs for our area. Why are we building more convenience stores when all the empty buildings remain, not to mention more on the way for the cost of raising taxes and you name it. Seems to me we have enough of everything.
Wonder how many of us will detour to get around the activity on Campbell Street? I know I will. Hughes Lane adds to the scenery better than what’s being built, and knowing that there is more than one down Campbell Street as it is. Can hardly wait to see what else will go up that doesn’t need to go up that we already have.
At this rate I doubt that we will ever see a dramatic improvement in our economy, etc. with prices surging on every issue at that.
These wonderful talk shows we watch for the sake of humor seem to think to have all the answers. What if this, and what if that. No wonder those Turner Classic movies and the Looney Tunes are more entertaining than those trying to figure our wonderful system out and have all the answers. Think a good name for that is what you call brainwashing.
Now, the latest with all the flooding, etc., and sinking into more debt just to rebuild, it’s a wonder some of those people aren’t finding their way out here to have a better way of living. But still life goes on for them and how they make it makes one wonder. We can be truly blessed to have what we have here in spite of all that is happening with building, etc.
Coffee Anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
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—LETTERS—
Reporting From Richland: Man Arrested For Shooting Chicken
To The Record-Courier:
Around the middle of April, right here in Richland, a gang of seven males and two females went on a crime spree. They were in fact, caught pillaging a man's taters. In defense of his property, the Gardener attempted to frighten this gang of thugs away by firing his 22 rifle in their direction, inadvertently hitting one of the assailants in the breast. As the other eight perpetrators scattered like a bunch of chickens, the one who was hit ran about 10 feet and fell over dead.
Though the thugs have not been questioned by authorities, and are still on the loose, it is believed the male who was killed was the notorious gang leader only known as Red. It is rumored this individual came here from Rhode Island and may have used the alias Foghorn or Leghorn.
This just in....Breaking new information: An unnamed source has revealed to this reporter that the Gardener and an estranged friend had been living on the property where this incident occurred. Furthermore, and this is unbelievable, the two had actually claimed joint ownership of the nine pillagers. Yes it's true, arguments had occurred over whether or not to keep these individuals caged on the property. This sheds new light on this horrible incident. It seems the Gardener wanted to keep the nine caged up and only allow them basic rations of dried food and water, claiming it was for their own good. While the friend insisted they should be loose and left to scratch out their own existence. The gang's numbers have been dwindling lately. Being forced by the friend of the Gardener to spend their nights unprotected, many have been packed off by wild beasts, killed and eaten. Even so, it was the same friend of the Gardener who notified authorities of the shooting of Red.
Two sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene and dutifully arrested the Gardener. They handcuffed him and took him off to jail. Unbelievably, he was released the next morning after posting bail (which had been set at $38,000).
As for the gang of thugs – they can still be seen marauding on Dry Gulch Road. None speak English. The County Sheriff's office may currently be seeking an interpreter in an effort to hear their side of the story.
As for Red – He is Dead.
As for the Gardener, he had recently moved here from California for the same reasons many are flocking here, to escape from the direction that California politics and law enforcement agencies are going. He is now awaiting trial in Baker County courts.
As for the Gardner's friend – hopefully he'll move back to wherever he came from.
As for the arresting deputies – come on guys, really? Barney Fife comes to mind.
As for the charges – animal abuse, offensive littering (throwing the chicken in the ditch), menacing, reckless endangerment. Are you serious?
As for the whole thing – chicken %&#* comes to mind!
As for the D.A. - can you not find something more worthy of prosecution than a chicken being killed?
Reminder – this is Eastern Oregon. We do not arrest people for killing their chickens here. I would hope that our sheriff's office and district attorney could find better ways to spend our tax dollars.
Lyn Akers Richland, Ore.
Editor's note: District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff said the incident started out as a domestic disturbance between the two men Larry Wampler (Gardener) and Brian Winston who were roommates. He said, Wampler allegedly knowingly shot the chicken. Shirtcliff said although there were several charges made at the time of the arrest, Wampler has been charged by the District Attorney’s office with animal abuse.
Who Will Pay?
To The Record-Courier:
I was over in Whitney Valley going up Gimlet Creek, and was appalled at the destructive scene that I came upon. Is this what our Forest Service is doing to our Public Lands?
Drive to the town of Whitney, turn right and go past the Dunbar Ranch house and keep going a little over ½ mile. Go past a cattle guard and take the first left past the cattle guard (road 7386). This is called Gimlet Creek, and it is a seasonal creek. Drive up this road and look at the destruction of the trees that the Forest Service has fallen into the creek. Drive up the road and see what the flooding has done to the road caused by the falling of trees. Is this what they call management? If this is not a shame, I do not know what is! Why was it done in the first place?
If you or I did this kind of damage, they would throw us all in jail or fine us. Who in the Forest Service is going to take responsibility and pay, (out of their own pockets) to repair this damage? They cannot possibly think they will leave this ugly eye sore as it is!
If a gold miner did this DEQ would fine them for destroying and polluting the stream. I have always enjoyed this little creek area for hunting and it was a beautiful drive to go up this road and now it is in ruins.
I would like the District Supervisor to explain why, how and when this area will be repaired. It will be years before it is as beautiful as before. Is this why the Forest Service is closing all the side roads, in their management plan, so that we cannot see how poorly they are managing OUR forest. What a shame...drive up there and see how they are doing for yourself.
Dale G. Demaris
Sumpter, Ore.
Disgusting Politics
To The Record-Courier:
Yes, it seems that politics are getting more disgusting on whatever gets drummed up to see how far one can go.
I just have to shake my head in wonderment of how all the issues are so ripped apart. Not to mention characterization by some — no matter what it seems everything gets distorted and then damage control begins in more ways than one, whether it be for good or bad.
It makes me wonder who is trumping who just to get ahead whether it be running for office or just to get ahead and see how far one can to go to get recognized. I like playing Pinochle and Spades but wonder how many issues will come out of who gets “trumped”?
In the sense of a person or persons being here illegally, they have their own better mind about themselves of how clear they can be for themselves and still be honest whether it be work related and all. I know I would have a guilty complex if I was.
Now on those being elected, this especially one makes me wonder what kind of company some keep and the background of such company, and what kind of reflection they will have if the individual or individuals get elected as our president, so be it I guess.
The only way I figure that one can vote with a clear sound mind knowing that if you don’t like what is being presented and all, and determining who is fit to run for president or various offices, then vote for the one that is least being voted for. Then that could keep you free and clear. That is the way I am going to vote and call it good, better that way than not to vote at all.
Now, I am sure we will still hear a lot of trumping around of who trumps who or who calls a spade a spade, and whether or not stalemate will be justified.
Here not too long ago I went into a business to inquire of treatment on a specific fabric, and the gal was very helpful, and she was helpful in other directions of my ironing services too. She was very gracious in taking my name and number at that, which surprised me. I really appreciated the response of her manner in handling the situation. Very positive and on the up.
Now they are talking about price wars or price gouging on gas so I am only a week off about that $4 issue by Memorial Day it will be hovering around the $5 mark and even heard $6 down the road or down the hatch, the cost of everything is going up, up, up and away.
Now wonder what Superman would say to that one. Turner Classic movies here we come.
Coffee Anyone,?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City, Ore.
Need Comprehensive Energy Strategy
To The Record-Courier:
The increase in gasoline prices reflects the instability in the Middle East and attendant speculation in the oil markets. We need to address the huge runup in oil prices with comprehensive policies designed to provide solutions to our energy consumption problems. Unfortunately, past administrations have failed us.
The Obama administration should continue to promote democracy in North Africa and the Middle East, and hopefully democratic reforms in these countries will provide some stability in the region and thereby help decrease speculation in the oil markets.
The U.S. has to increase domestic oil production, including oil derived from our Western U.S. oil shale and Alaskan oil deposits; build new refineries; build nuclear power plants meeting stringent U.S. specifications, including strict siting requirements; increase power production from natural gas and alternative energy sources, e.g. biomass, wind and solar; promote public transportation; and conserve energy in our homes, businesses, vehicles and in our travels. Another way to conserve gasoline consumption is to decrease the speed limits to 55 mph or 60 mph on our expressways, and we have to enforce these limits. Unfortunately many states have increased speed limits to between 70 mph and 85 mph. Some studies have shown going from 75 mph to 55 mph will reduce gasoline consumption by 33%.
U.S. nuclear plants should be designed to withstand a 9.0 earthquake, tornadoes, category 5 hurricanes and floods, and have battery and diesel generator back-up to provide power to coolant water for at least one month. Existing plants can only withstand a 7.5 earthquake and have four hours battery back-up; and spent fuel rods are currently stored on site. A reprocessing system must be established to neutralize or reuse these fuel rods.
We need the Obama administration to provide some leadership and implement a comprehensive energy strategy.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
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