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Opinions
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—Letters To The Editor—
Elkhorn Wildlife Viewing Is Real Learning Experience
To The Record-Courier:
Your picture of the horse drawn sleigh in the Historic Baker County section (Monday, Jan. 19) was very timely as we’d just visited the Elkhorn Wildlife Viewing area, and were so enthralled by the magnificent team of Percheron horses that Alice Trindle and Susan Triplett use.
As we all grumble about the day-after-day of freezing fog, and cold temperatures, I’d like to encourage people to take advantage of a real “learning” experience – right here in our locale.
Imaging yourself seated on a “semi-padded” seat on a railing-enclosed trailer, being pulled by a team of matched, black horses. You have an unrestricted 360-degree “up close and personal” view of elk munching on freshly fed, high quality hay.
Susan continues a non-stop biological, ecological, and factually accurate discourse about the elk that you’re viewing, while inserting asides about the individual characteristics of some of the animals. Having lived “up-close and personal” for 40 years with elk, we were astounded at how much we didn’t know about them.
While Susan is giving her information, Alice is guiding the trailer around the actively feeding elk using an indescribable technique. For anyone who has read “The Horse Whisperer,” observing Alice is like seeing the book in real life. She is quiet, soft in her rein handling, and constantly reassuring the team that they are performing how she wants them to work. She’s a highly skilled teamster – getting the horses to do exactly as she wants. It’s like viewing a symphony orchestra respond to a really good conductor.
Wear warm clothing and take a camera. To be that “up-close and personal” with those magnificent wild animals is an experience that everyone in Baker County should have. It’s a tour for young, old, and those who don’t move very fast. They’re gracious, and very knowledgeable, hostesses.
Jan Kerns
Haines, Ore.
Wake Up America
To The Record-Courier:
This bad dream we are having about the economy is actually real and will get much worse. The problem is, we don’t see it clearly nor really understand what we see. The reality is, WAKE UP AMERICA, OR YOU WILL BE NO MORE! Even now may be too late. Over time we have elected people to high office who have ignored our Constitutional and good economic sense. And we just did it again!
The official national debt, as of last August, was $9.5 trillion. The “unfunded” debt plus the War in Iraq and Afghanistan brings the total to $50 trillion or more. Our national debt now grows at about $1.8 billion each day of the week. (The New American, 1 Sept. 2008) And our elected officials still GIVE many billions of dollars each year to foreign nations, most of whom are not our friends. And yet we re-elect them.
The U.S. Constitution prohibits, among other activities, our engaging in foreign wars. It also provided for sound money that could not be inflated. But now at least 70% of current federal involvement is in violation of our constitution. So is the need for the many thousands of graves with white crosses over them!
And here at home federal agencies are locking up our forests to deprive us of the resources needed for prosperity. Our elected officials seem willing to help them seal our fate. Why are there so few residents, intended victims of this proposed atrocity, ready to fight for what is ours?
Then, even harder to understand is, why our own Baker County government is revising a County Ordinance to make it even more restrictive? For instance, road requirements for rural home construction exceed many existing city streets. New cabins on patented mining claims are mostly prohibited. Such restrictions limit freedom and drastically limit future economic opportunities. Why would our elected officials want to restrict where we live and limit access to valuable natural resources? What is there about freedom that they don’t understand?
One must wonder whether government officials at all levels have lost their bearings, and whether we, the electorate, have lost our courage.
Jasper Coombes
Richland, Ore.
Spread The Word
To The Record-Courier:
Have you ever just been siting around, doing nothing of any importance, just minding your own business when all of a sudden the Lord speaks to you about something He wants you to do? Well that is just what happened to me today. To speak and write about the UNBELIEF in the Church and the body of Christ today, those confessing Christianity, but with little or no power in word or deed.
The name Christian means Christ-like. Just that would put many of us in the outer courts! Not saying we are not saved, just saying many are still in religious unbelief and not in Godly relationship. Some have been raised in a religious surrounding, even taught in church many men’s views, not Gods. Think not? Then read on! Have you been taught HEALING is not for today, like TONGUES pass away with the early church while millions are dying today of all kinds of sickness and disease?
That God put this thing on you to teach you something? What did you learn? These are all lies right out of the pits of HELL! God has always provided healing for His people as well for unsaved ones. Jesus also said healing was in the hands of the BELIEVER! But it is to be taken to the one in need with FAITH.
Here’s a big one! Speaking in TONGUES, or in the Spirit, a Spiritual Language some say not for today! Religious teaching again, NOT BIBLE! It’s a prayer language given by the Lord when believed for to every born-again believer. Jesus said in First Corinthians 12, “be not ignorant of Spiritual gifts.” Have you heard this? I’m just being humble by taking whatever God wants to send my way. That’s not humble, that’s plain stupid. God has made provision of any and every need, but you must be knowledgeable about them.
God loves the poor! Sure He does, but He doesn’t say you have to stay that way! ALL believers are to be able to be more then meet their own needs plus the needs of others. That’s why God speaks of financial blessing throughout the Bible. Some believe, Pastors included, that it’s God’s job to send the unsaved to them, that all they need to do is wait on God to tell them, or set up somewhere they are seen. Jesus already said and teaches us to GO out to where they are, even house to house. If your Church has no EVANGELISM or OUTREACH teaching or PRACTICES to the lost, it is in Bible DISOBEDIENCE! The Bible says “it’s a wise man who saves souls.” Ever wonder what He says or calls one who does not? That’s the main reason Jesus went to the Cross, to save ALL who would receive His sacrifice and miss a real HELL! Now Jesus has left that responsibility to every born-again believer to spread this “Good News”. Folks let’s spread the Word through out the city!
Richard Fox
Baker City
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—Editorial—
It’s Time To Support The Leader We’ve Chosen
Barack Obama took his place in the Oval Office this week with all of the pomp and circumstance befitting a... well... president. His inauguration was expensive and grandiose. But we need to keep in mind that this was also a milestone and celebration for our nation with the election of America's first African American president. This is proof that the majority of Americans have overcome racial bias.
In less than 60 years we are a nation of people who have gone from ostracizing each other because of our differences to embracing our differences. We can’t just throw a baton in the air and let out a whoop for such a monumental and history-making occasion. It deserves recognition. It is one of the single most important national-scale events that will happen in our lifetime. We should all be dancing in the streets; however, we could have celebrated it just a little cheaper…
More important than the cost of the inauguration though, is that even if you didn't cast your vote for Obama, and even if you don't like America's choice for president from a political standpoint, you can still be proud that we are a nation where equality reins. A nation where dreams, such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of a day when his children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, comes true.
But now that we have a man who’s appointment has literally changed our society do we blindly follow him because of the significance of this event? No. Just like every other president, we question, we criticize, we voice our opinions, and when we feel he makes a mistake, we call him to task.
However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t support our new president. If ever there was a time that we needed to present a united front, that time is now.
Much of our country's strength is in our democracy, our ability to let the masses choose who will lead us. When we rally behind our president and elected officials, no matter how we personally voted, this shows other countries that we are solid, that we are not divided within our own country. Other countries are watching — national security is still a major concern — with the economic crisis and presidential passing of power we need to show them we support our president and our democratic process.
Former Speaker of the House and staunch Republican Newt Gingrich was quoted, "Once President Obama takes office, Republicans should be eager to work with him when he is right, and, when he is wrong, offer a better solution, instead of just opposing him." Gingrich said in doing so the Republican Party can become known as the "better solutions" party, not just an opposition party. He also said providing solutions to the problems we face is the only way Republicans will ever regain the trust of the voters.
Gingrich is right. Even if you are Republican, you can still support a president who is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Obama has demonstrated by his selections for Cabinet positions that he is not exclusive to his Democratic Party and its agenda. He has chosen people with a wide variety of ethnic and political backgrounds, as well as experience to help stabilize the economy and put the country back on solid ground. Obama has even said he doesn’t want to surround himself with “yes” people. He wants people with differing opinions, who will question him, and help him find solutions to our nation’s problems.
Let’s not allow past presidential mistakes, past party disagreements and economic upheavals to dampen our spirits or our faith in the world’s strongest nation. It’s a new day, we have a new President, let’s rally behind Obama, and help change our world for the better for ourselves and future generations. More important than being a Republican, more important than being a Democrat, and more important than racial differences is being an American. (DS)
—Guest Opinion—
County Should Opt Out Of Statewide Land Use Planning
By Steve Culley, Baker City
I attended all of the meetings on Baker County’s land use ordinance and the meetings on LCDC’s Big Look report to the legislature. It seems like the transportation plan got a lot of opposition, as it should have because it is more of the Feudal state, Oregon way, zoning by money for a new royal class. If you can afford to build roads you can live in the country. The fire chiefs and Randy Joseph seem to think that they are responsible for your personal safety. They do a good job, if it comes down to personal freedoms and decision making you should be allowed to make those decisions. The nanny state seems to have completely matured. Old concepts like being responsible for yourself are gone. Simple things like the fire districts informing you that they can’t provide fire protection and letting the free market work by being able to get insurance and financing from banks has been taken over by the planning and zoners.
Oregonians made a lot of sacrifices in the years since the implementation of statewide land use planning with the loss of personal property rights and the state veto power over every decision made on private land in the attempt to mitigate the federal government’s policy of rapid and constant population increases through liberal legal and illegal immigration. We added 3 million more Americans last year mostly immigration related. We lost 3 million jobs. Naturally Oregon will ask us to mitigate the results of more people with more restrictions on freedom. Native born commoners can no longer hope to own a small parcel of land outside an urban growth boundary that isn’t on a government approved rock pile or a city in the country. Elbow room has been saved for the new royal class who made their money in large urban areas who now want to come and own a castle on a hill or a spread of land to raise a herd of cows and get the tax deductions. Locals “sprawling” and messing up their views or encroaching into their private domains is an affront to their sensibilities. We aren’t people anymore, just nuisances in the way of the progressive new way. That was one of my main objections to the plan. The definition of “person” in the ordinance. Even foreign corporations are allowed to come and buy what the locals couldn’t possibly afford because of artificially high land prices caused by supply restrictions through zoning.
I recall the instance at Bly, Ore., a few years back where the terrorists bought a ranch so they could train to kill us. It’s really good to know that under the Oregon way of saving farm land, open space and wildlife habitat that there are no provisions for being an American citizen. Good to see Baker County agrees with this policy.
Oh well, it will soon be law and you can go through the hoops, cross the T’s and dot the I’s and kiss the planning commission and director czar in all the proper places and maybe nobody will appeal their decisions to LUBA in Salem, but maybe not. You could be tied up for years in appeals. Kind of like the fast track of Measure 49 that was going to solve all of our problems, but has yet to get on the track. If you object to all this then in the years to come you can again attend meetings and testify on the county plan designed to please the state. Soon we will be able to start all over and testify on the comprehensive plan and after that maybe the state will decide that the local yokels passed enough restrictions that they will O.K. it. Hell, maybe this legislature will actually take a look at the testimony on the Big Look and give some local control back to the region and create an eastside LCDC, with veto power resting in Salem, of course, and we can start the lawsuits and Salem hearings on regional control. With the state going bankrupt the budget might take up the whole session and land use might not even get talked about.
There is another way, but a generation that grew up under LCDC might have trouble with the concept of not kissing keister, but it is simple. Get two county commissioners to vote an ordinance opting out of statewide land use planning. Put the county plan and comprehensive plan in a box, send it back to Salem and say we quit, we’re done, we don’t need your guidance anymore. Land use decisions remain in the county. Do it right now while the legislature is in session. The state will threaten, The Oregonian will scream bloody murder, Thousand Friends will look for friendly lawyers, but more eastside counties will follow suit. The planners and zoners and controllers will have a fit, fearing that the sky will fall with no law to direct our daily lives, but I’ve already volunteered to write a simple law, in under 200 words, that says don’t bother me and I won’t bother you. Conflicts go the county commissioners and if there is no satisfaction then the Constitution would come in to play. You know the jury of your peers thing. One additional provision would prohibit any monuments to Tom McCall.
There would be other benefits. The county zoning commission could quit spending all those endless hours protecting us from ourselves. They could move out of the courthouse and we could put in a pool room or day care center or something useful, or board it up and save money on the heat bill.
If we can’t find two commissioners now we can try to get new ones or go to a local initiative process or start withholding county property tax payments. It takes a while to foreclose on property and the county needs the money. Creative thinkers could find a way. Freedom and rights aren’t so bad, you could get used to it. Not all revolutions have to be bloody. If we can’t change our county then we need to think about two different states. It might be time to part with The Valley. Leaving urban Oregon in charge of the basics of life with a potential economic meltdown is not acceptable. You might need those person property rights to save your land from the banks. Selling off a few acres might be preferable to selling it all because the estate mandates large land blocks.
And with late breaking news, the best president Mexico ever had, George W. Bush, just commuted the sentences of Capeon and Ramos. The two border agents that have spent the last two years in prison for shooting the Mexican drug smuggler in the butt. Maybe being like a bothersome horsefly to those in power eventually makes the most stubborn of mules finally react. Today, after I turn this in Barack Obama will become president. He’s going to need a lot of skill and luck to get us out of this mess. I predict the urban left will soon push the gun control and open borders agenda and the globalists will force Obama to renege on the review of NAFTA and trade deals with China. That will set the state for a come back for the traditional American. We’ll see how long the honeymoon lasts.
—Letters To The Editor—
Who Is Listening?
To The Record-Courier:
At the last miners’ meeting in Baker, Colby Marshall, from Greg Walden’s staff, advised organization and correspondence in the struggle with the Wallowa Whitman Forest Travel Management Plan. This past year has been filled with correspondence and organization. Still I wonder who is listening. The upcoming Forest Service public meetings, when the alternatives are presented, will signify if the message was heard.
All last year, throughout meeting after meeting with the public, Forest Service, and county commissioners, public sentiment consistently reflected support for maintaining public access and opposition to further regulations and road closures. Boxes of written comments decrying further regulations have been submitted. 6,000 signatures on a petition, each of which reflected opposition to further road closures, have been presented to county representatives, state and federal representatives, and forest service officials.
All the obvious arguments have been repeated time and again with letters to the editor. To take Colby’s advice, here I am again repeating just a few of my tired old lines. Again, I return to the Federal Register. “Local” is used in the section concerning travel management in nearly every column, including a quote about no additional funding for the implementation of the new rule.
Sadly, another agency has taken a stand for total closure. Branch Chief of the National Marine Fisheries Service, Spencer Hovekamp, has lined up behind ODFW, plus every conservation group that anoints itself with a title, supporting closure. Sediment in the spawning grounds being a concern. Hells Canyon Dam is impassable, I guess human created spawning tanks are now considered spawning grounds.
We all need to focus on keeping the remainder of the Wallowa Whitman open. Cross country travel has somehow morphed into closing roads. Many of us hope the presentation by Fred Kelly Grant will take us down a new path, a path that protects public access and the use of our natural resources.
The “no change” alternative is the only acceptable choice for the stakeholders. Whether it be mineral, grazing, or recreation we stand to lose a traditional way of life.
Wanda Ballard
Baker City
The Pickens Plan
To The Record-Courier:
I am thrilled to see oilman T. Boone Pickens acknowledge that we can't drill our way out of our energy crisis. Our foreign oil imports have grown from 24% in 1970 to 70% today.
Pickens has put his money were his mouth is, and has launched a massive media and grassroots/online campaign — the Pickens Plan — calling for major investments in windpower for electricity, while freeing up more clean burning natural gas to be used for autos. The goal is to reduce our oil imports by at least 1/3 in 10 years.
To make this happen, we need broad public and political support. I recently signed up as a supporter on www.pickensplan.com and wrote Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congressman Walden, urging them to do the same.
As a Democrat, I am proud to join Republican T. Boone Pickens in his bi-partisan effort to help save our economy and environment by investing in renewable power. Please take the time to check out the Pickens Plan.
Grant Schott
Fossil, Ore.
Every Qualified American Should Get Concealed Weapons Permit
To The Record-Courier:
In response to the realization of the negative effects of the gun control and seizures in The United Kingdom and Australia and in view of current proposed legislation across this country, I would like to make a few comments. (for details of the UK story go to this web site) http://www.youtube.com /watch?v=yTq2NEUlhDE.
There are those out there who are again aggressively after our guns and ammunition. See the “Ammunition Accountability Acts” etc. Without ammunition our guns won't defend us from “enemies both foreign and domestic.”
On last Monday I spoke with our local sheriff and there are movements abroad and already court cases, which say that the agreement’s made with the State and our local County Sheriff’s office to carry a concealed weapon should be open public knowledge and concealed weapons permit holders’ lists printed in the newspaper etc.
If I were a non-permit holder I would be as outraged at this as the permit holders should be. The non permit holders have just been put on the other list that says, “These people are less likely to be able to defend themselves therefore they make an easier target for the bad guys.”
I will say it again that every qualified American should get and maintain a concealed weapons permit. This will neutralize those extorted lists and make them worthless to those who would fragment us to control us or would deprive us of life, liberty or property.
Tim Smith
Harney County, Ore.
In Memory Of Bruce Klunder
To The Record-Courier:
On our beautiful, historic courthouse grounds we pay tribute to heroes and patriots and a flame burns eternal in their honor. These brave Americans served their country in all branches of our military.
Did you know there is one name missing? Did you know he was not in the military and he did not wear a uniform. Did you know he gave his life for a cause that we all believe in: that we are all created equal and free.
He was a Baker boy. Maybe you know his mother, Marie Klunder, who was our County Treasurer for many years. He went to Sunday school and to church in Baker and graduated from Baker High School in 1954. He went to Yale and became a Presbyterian minister and was one of the first people to die in the modern day civil rights movement. Bruce was killed (crushed by a bulldozer) on April 7, 1964, while protesting the construction of a segregated school in Cleveland, Ohio. He was 27 years old.
A memorial to civil rights martyrs with 40 names, selected out of thousands, stands in Montgomery, Alabama. Bruce Klunder is one of those 40 names inscribed, with his story, on the circular granite table memorial designed by Maya Lin, creator of the Vietnam Memorial. It is washed with water continually just as water for cleansing and reconciliation are spoken about in holy writings, worldwide. From Dr. King’s Dream Speech echo these words inscribed in the granite memorial “...until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream...”
On this Martin Luther King holiday let us reflect on Dr. King and Bruce Klunder of Baker who is remembered in Montgomery next to Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King, and the untold numbers who died to further the cause of land of the free and home of the brave.
It is befitting that Baker, far removed from the violence and tyranny of the Civil Rights movement during the 50’s and 60’s, not only remember one of their own who gave his life for that cause, but should we not also have a permanent remembrance in our town honoring Reverend Bruce Klunder’s sacrifice?
Susan Castles, Retired
Baker City
Big Brother Is Watching
To The Record-Courier:
I certainly agree with The Record-Courier editorial of Jan. 15. Big Brother is watching you. Apparently not close enough to suit our governor. He wants a GPS in everyone’s vehicle, to be checked so our government can check you each individually and tax you on the miles you drive. Tax at the pump is not good enough, or just not enough to suit the spending habits of State government officials? The liberals and environmentalists (one and the same) seem to want gas to stay at least $3.50 a gallon. Most of those spendthrift idiots are on the public tit or have so much money they feel no pain.
If you want to know which way this country is going, you should read “1984” by George Orwell and “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. I remember well when Nikita Kruschev said at the end of the Cold War with Russia: all they had to do was wait because with American youth having sports, drugs and sex being their dominant interest, the USA would fall like a ripe plumb into “their hands” (communist hands). And look what we have now: a socialist (to be kind) for president, and all people with their hands out for freebies. It all started with outrageous gas prices (and USA has its own, plenty of oil in our country). But idiots in charge won’t allow the use of our own resources. The inmates are in charge of the asylum.
Ann Racey
Bridgeport, Ore.
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—Editorial—
Mileage Tax Is Another State-Created Money Pit
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has proposed a new mileage tax, which is based on the miles driven per vehicle. This, he says, is the answer to funding transportation systems, which the current gas tax can no longer support due to Oregonians driving less, and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
A GPS-based tracking system would be attached to vehicles to monitor miles and when a car is gassed up, the GPS data would be read at the service station. A 1.2-cent per mile fee would then be tacked onto the cost of fuel purchased. The current gas tax would stay in force, but Kulongoski has proposed that it be raised 2 cents for vehicles not yet equipped with a GPS device to pay the mileage tax.
This idea sounds plausible in theory, but brings up several concerns:
In the interest of fairness, the State says it does not want to tax drivers for miles they put on their cars outside of the state, which is what they base the need for GPS devices on, rather than using a vehicle’s odometer to keep track. But what about people who drive on private property such as farmers and ranchers, and on logging roads where state money is not allocated for maintenance either? Will they be exempt from this type of road mileage they incur also?
As Oregonians become more energy/pollution conscious, which the need for has been touted for decades, if people pay the same amount in mileage tax for a fuel efficient Toyota Prius as they would a big one-ton dually pickup, what would be the incentive to drive more fuel efficient autos?
With mileage being taxed, will people be inclined to travel less therefore resulting in a reduction in the tourism market that local economies depend on?
Many are concerned that having their vehicles equipped with a government readable GPS device will be an invasion of privacy. If the GPS can keep track of both Oregon and non-Oregon miles and log them into a computer, then it stands to reason the government will know, if not where you are, everywhere you’ve been. Whether or not they chose to store/use this information, it sounds similar to the GPS monitoring devices given to high-risk parolees awaiting trial.
The mileage tax would also cause financial hardships to the already struggling auto industry, which would be mandated to install GPS equipment on all new vehicles resulting in the need for additional equipment, time and labor. Those increases would, as always, be passed on to the consumer. It’s estimated that the GPS system will add about $225 to the cost of a new car.
On the plus side, it’s true that vehicles, no matter what type of fuel economy they get, even hybrids and electric cars (to a lesser degree because they are lighter), cause wear and tear on the roads, and that is the main reason for the mileage tax — road maintenance. This does somewhat level out the playing field because everyone who drives — no matter what they drive — gets taxed the same.
But why not just raise the gas tax instead of creating yet another Oregon tax-funded money pit that they estimate will cost $20 million just to see if a mileage tax system would even be commercially viable? Where will the money come from for this in an already stressed State budget? And, if implemented, think of the cost to equip gas stations with the GPS reading devices, computers and perhaps extra staff needed to operate it.
Gas taxes are collected when the sale is made. There would be no further investment by drivers, gas stations or the State to implement an increase in gas taxes.
The big winners in the mileage tax proposal of course would be the GPS equipment manufacturers.
The mileage tax proposal appears to be too complicated, too invasive and too costly. (DS)
—Letters To The Editor—
Old Stories Wanted!
To The Record-Courier:
I would like information or fantasies of the old “Prune Orchard.” It was located east and above the old city dump, now Windmill Rd. I would guess it to be five acres. It was irrigated by a pump house on Smith ditch where the power line crossed the ditch.
I don’t think it was ever very successful and my memories were mostly of the skeletons of the rows of dead trees.
The years of the effort were in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Valley Ave. was the best access and the orchard, Smith ditch, Smith reservoir, the city dump and Coyote Peak was the play ground of the east side kids. What fond memories.
Remember when the KKK burned crosses on Coyote Peak? It was later the motor cycle trail up the north side of the hill. It still shows up just off the freeway.
We would like some information and stories to tell among us kids who are still around telling stories about the past. 523.3908.
Gilbert Jones
Baker City
Mental Health Board’s Dangerous Gamble
To The Record-Courier:
The Mountain Valley Mental Health board of directors is engaged in a dangerous gamble. It’s rolling the dice using assets of MVMH that it will win the lawsuit two former employees filed last June in Federal District Court alleging MVMH retaliated against them for whistleblowing.
Larry Levinger, former chairman of the board, claimed in a letter to the editor that the lawsuit is “frivolous.” His judgment of what’s frivolous isn’t very good. He predicted that the Bureau of Labor and Industries complaint filed by one of the employees would be thrown out. It wasn’t. After a thorough investigation, the BOLI investigator found “substantial evidence of an unlawful employment practice (retaliation) on the basis of protected whistleblower activity” by MVMH toward the former employee.
With that precedent, that’s exactly what a jury may find in the Federal lawsuit. Such a finding could lead to a multi-million dollar judgment against MVMH.
Now, that wouldn’t be all that disastrous, except for the fact that MVMH has no liability insurance. "We thought we had insurance," said Milo Pope, present chairman of the MVMH board of directors, at the January 7 Baker County Commission meeting. Pope acknowledged publicly for the first time that MVMH’s insurance carrier refuses to defend the private-nonprofit corporation in the whistleblower lawsuit. Pope didn’t explain why. And I bet the County hasn’t even asked.
It gets worse. Pope divulged that MVMH is engaged in a second lawsuit, one it is bringing against its insurance carrier.
MVMH is caught between a rock (a lawsuit) and a hard place (an insurance carrier that won’t cover legal expenses and costs of a judgment).
And then there’s the very sticky wicket that without insurance, every dollar paid out in legal fees is coming right out of money budgeted for service to MVMH clients. With its cash carry-over the last five years declining to almost nothing, that’s a double whammy to MVMH’s service budget.
At the January 7 meeting, I asked what is the amount paid so far to lawyers and what service cuts have been made to free up money to do so. “What good would it do to know?” asked Pope. And Baker County Commission Chair Fred Warner, Jr., indicated the County doesn’t need to know the amount because the County doesn’t “micro-manage” MVMH.
Yet it’s the County’s fiduciary duty as contractor to provide reasonable oversight of the contract. How can the County provide meaningful oversight, if it doesn’t know how taxpayer dollars obtained via the contract are being spent? Incredibly, the contract doesn’t even require that MVMH supply such financial information! Where’s the accountability? Where’s the transparency?
Nationally the country is suffering its worse recession in fifty years, due in large part to lack of oversight of the banking and investment industries by the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Federal Reserve and SEC dropped the ball. And we’re all suffering for it.
Similarly, Commissioners are dropping the ball by not wanting to know what mental health services are being cut to pay legal fees. And MVMH’s clients are likely to suffer reduced services as a result of Commissioners’ lax oversight of MVMH’s $1,000,000 operation.
So, who provides oversight of the Commissioners? You and me. The public can get involved by attending meetings of the Commissioner-appointed Mental Health Advisory Committee. Its next meeting will be 5:30 p.m., January 28, in the north meeting room at Baker School District 5J’s administrative building at 4th and Broadway.
Gary Dielman
Baker City
Know The Bible
To The Record-Courier:
I’m going to write about some things that will probably get me in trouble again with some church leaders as one of my letters did some time back, never the less, I must go the way I’m being led.
First questions. Where are the leaders and teachers that preach and speak the Word of Jesus on all subjects without compromising? Time is short and getting shorter every day. Every Bible teacher and believer should know exactly what I’m referring to. Jesus is coming soon folks! I believe He will come before my time is up. The Bible and the signs of things going on in our world now, today totally agree. Still, most of us are still sitting on our backsides inside the church walls thinking or taught it’s God’s job to send the unsaved to us, when He said quite plainly we are to go to them.
Pastors, wake us up to the truth! I think maybe we have it backwards. Maybe we’re not taught discipleship or maybe we’ve grown hard hearted? Jesus did teach inside the church, but most of His teaching was outside the walls. Jesus made statements about converts and disciples and the difference. (Converts are those who are saved, will probably make Heaven mostly by the skin of their teeth with nothing or very little to show for their faith). Now the disciples are the ones who make their faith known to others and lead them by the Word into the Kingdom of God. They are the ones that believe the Word, practice it, and pray it without any compromise. These are the ones God will say, “Well done good and faithful servant!”What will you say to Jesus when He asks what have you done with your Christian life/ What will He say to you? I’ve been told by some leaders that many Christian in Baker are satisfied where they are in their Christian walk, and don’t need or want more. I hope this is not true, for that is a Satanic trap and it will strangle your ability to learn or receive from God! God has much that He wants to give to you and me, plus to others through us. Pastors, if you are not a true disciple yourself and not teaching the ones God has put in your trust to be disciples and not just converts, I wonder what Jesus will say to you?: soul-saving is the most important part of the Gospel! Healing, deliverance, finance, all needs being met belong to us, but the saving of lost souls is much more important than any of these! Winter is here and it’s cold, good time for Pastors to be and teach those in your care to be soul winners now and in warmer weather, not only to teach but lead by being an example. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with Christianity, just the way some teach it.
Richard Fox
Baker City
Conspiracy
To The Record-Courier:
In the annotate (text) to provide the meaning of RS2477 Rights of Ways, with out details and the exhibits, the lands falling within the U.S. National Forest are divided, basically, in two types of uses, of “use of lands”, saleable v. leasable.
The first is public lands (public domain). These lands are not subject to the leasing and contracted agreements by federal agency rules and regulations. These are open lands by congressional grants such as the 1872 general mining laws, and RS2477 uses of egress-ingress to these open lands, (saleable surface resources).
The second called units of system lands in which are segregated lands from public lands in which all surface and subsurface resources, including base and precious metals are subjected to leasing and contracted agreements; i.e. dominance and influence, and the egress-ingress to these reserved lands are the subject to acquired controversy in disputes by Federal agents to the accesses over these segregated lands as to the issue of U.S. congressional grants. Conflicts? Did congress intend to include these reserved lands from the RS2477 grants and across private lands as well (pre 1976 act).
What and where are these reserved lands, as units and withdrawals located? In system lands.
The recreational lands such as Union Camp Grounds, and Mason Dam-Phillips Lake area as reserved lands, set aside by congress as part of the units of system lands. Other reserved lands such as acquired lands, under the Week’s Act (1911) and various lands, as acquired, that were lumped together under the Materials Act of 1947 were in the 1976 Act called Forest Service system lands as various units within the national forest lands as reserved lands.
The catchall as to the acquired lands status are just where are these acquired lands, thru the various exchanges, land swaps, etc., and what, where and if leasable to minerals, that may commingle with lands open, public domain (public lands) to the 1872 general mining laws, to location laws by the citizens (free and open) that may, without restrictions, enter and locate, via upon discovery of valuable minerals that give full enjoyment and exclusive possessory rights with in the lines of their mining claims?
Any where in between where the units of system lands are located, the conflicts arising over status to egress-ingress, as a non-discretionary, non-exclusive uses of RS2477 ways, as grants by congress, would indicate that RS2477 Rights of Ways cannot preclude/denial, to enter adjoining units of system lands that adjoin the public domain (public lands) that are contained within the U.S. National Forests Lands as to the phrasing of “out to in”-”into out” of these various units of acquired lands and lands of public domain (public land status) as “in and out” of these various units of system lands.
No doubt, the USFS, via chief of forestry has the responsibility to administer these units of acquired lands and the locations of where these units exist, as reserved but not to preclude the rights of citizens to enter “free and open” that all the citizens of the U.S. has a preemptive RS2477 uses to egress-ingress federal lands to this statutory claim via sovereign immunity of any liability against suits in common interest and public trust.
In this respect the U.S. Forest Service would be like trying to swallow a big mac in one bite, as units of the acquired system lands are like a phantom land status as to what’s leasable minerals? And what is not by subscription?
As enlightenment, MOU’s are none binding to agreements between F.S. and BLM, a double edge sword? What’s interesting, how will this conspiracy coincide with the state’s land uses compatibility statements (LUCS) to federally and state lands as a unified (unitary) combined, as one state (status) government? Germany 1933?
Bruce Parke
Sumpter
Miners Contribute To The Benefit Of The Community
To The Record-Courier:
This letter is in response to a recent article published in the Baker City Herald by Jane Danowitz, director of the Pew Environmental Group. It is typical propaganda piece put forth by environmental groups to convince congress bureaucrats and the public to put all lands under strict environmental control.
They have succeeded to the point that all our basic industries have been seriously damaged. This is the main reason our economy is heading toward total collapse. The basic industries that harvest and recover the resources of the earth are the foundation of all economies.
Miss Danowitz depicts the mineral industries as a group of multinational companies that rape and pillage the land at no benefit to anyone except themselves. Oregon doesn’t have this problem, because it ran all the major mining companies off in 1992, when our DEQ issued regulations so wrong no company could meet them.
The neighboring State of Nevada is a little more realistic in its regulations and mining companies working there have contributed to jobs, taxes and benefits to the state that equal the gaming industry for many years. The only miners in Oregon are a few stubborn old timers, who are willing to fight the bureaucratic red tape and regulators of the Forest Service, BLM, DOGAMI, DEQ and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) to try and find a little gold.
Even the small miners contribute to the benefit of our economy. There are about 200 small mines in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and more on BLM. About 1/2 of these are part time operators that contribute as tourists, as much as, gold producers. That leaves about 100 mine operators that work their claims from spring to freeze up.
If these 100 mines produce one ounce of gold per working day, it would add $80,000 of new wealth to our working area. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that when raw mineral is concentrated, refined and processed into workable form and manufactured into saleable items, the value is increased 30 to 60 times, which benefits the economy. Thus, locally produced gold would add $80,000 x 40 times to equal $3,200,000, to the overall economy of our Nation every working day.
If Oregon DEQ’s chemicals in mining regulations were revised similar to that which protects Nevada citizens, Oregon would soon multiply our gold producing jobs, taxes and benefits to our State. The 1872 Mining Law is not just for large companies, it allows every citizen the right to prospect and file and claim on unappropriated public land. So those environmentalists, who think miners are getting rich at their expense, can also go prospecting, file a claim, do their assessment then buy some equipment, a backhoe, small dozer, tommel, dump truck, pumps, hoses, generator and whatever incidental equipment the mine property might require to work and hope that there will be enough rewards to pay for all their fuel and operation costs. The odds in mining are like playing a slot machine, many losers, a few teasers that break even and the jackpots that pay off are far and few between.
Mining is the world’s most vital industry. No other business or industry can operate without using minerals! I challenge any environmentalist to name one material thing that could be made available to them without using minerals directly or indirectly.
The policies laws and regulations we now have brought on our economic troubles and if, as you hope our new Congress expands our restriction on use of our land, they will hurry the downfall and create a death sentence for our country and many of our citizens. The only thing that might have a chance to save our country would be if Congress declared a moratorium on all regulations that restrict production and give our citizens the freedom to produce the things on their own.
If Congress can’t face that, I guess we can all sit out in our backyard gardens and look at our beautiful mountains, while we slowly starve to death.
Kenneth Anderson
Retired Mining Geologist/ Engineer
Baker City
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—Guest Opinion—
Did the Four Horsemen Destroy The Auto Industry?
By Darin Gilley
The day of reckoning has arrived for the U.S. auto industry and much like the four horsemen of the apocalypse (strife, war, famine, death) our nation’s policies (tax, trade, health care, energy) have helped decimate American manufacturing. As a result, America has gone from the world’s greatest creditor nation to the world’s greatest debtor nation.
Let’s look at how these long-standing policies have virtually eliminated several industries from the productive side of the American economy – shoes, TV’s, textiles, electronics, and potentially the auto industry.
Horseman No. 1 – Tax Policy
Other nations gain an advantage through their use of a Value Added Tax (VAT) system. A VAT is a levy on the “value added” to goods and services as they pass through each stage of the production process. The advantage is gained when a foreign manufacturer exports their goods to the U.S., where at that point the exporting nation rebates the Value Added Taxes back to the manufacturer. This allows foreign goods with no tax cost component to “compete” with American goods that must include U.S. taxes as part of their price. This generally gives goods from VAT nations a 10 percent advantage. To make matters worse, VAT nations assess the tax on American goods entering their market.
U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud of Maine estimates this produces a $375 billion burden on American goods and services. Fortunately, he plans on introducing legislation in the next session of Congress to address this problem. This simple tax issue will immediately assist the auto industry and other manufacturers to be more competitive.
Horseman No. 2 – Trade Policy
America cannot continue to lead a free trade agenda while other nations strategically subsidize, support, and protect their industries at our expense. For example, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee has found that Japan manipulates its currency to give their vehicles a $2,000 – $8,000 advantage when imported into the U.S. This also raises the cost of American vehicles that are imported into Japan by the same amount.
Currency manipulation and other non-tariff barriers allow Korea to export over 600,000 vehicles to the U.S. last year while only importing 5,000 from America.
We could learn from Europe as well. If a foreign automaker wants to open a car plant in Europe they must use 80 percent locally produced parts, far higher than the 35 percent average content American transplants currently use. This would generate almost two million American jobs. In addition, Europe puts a ceiling on the amount of state subsidies provided so that those plants actually benefit the local economy and not siphon off tax dollars to shareholders.
Horseman No. 3 – Health Care
The United States pays twice as much per person for health care as other industrialized nations. It has been estimated that if GM were a Canadian company it wouldn’t be asking for help. Economist Dean Baker estimates if GM had purchased the same health care used in Canada it would have saved over $22 billion over the last decade. In fact, if health care costs were the same here as in other industrialized nations 80 percent of the Big 3 losses would disappear.
Horseman No. 4 – Energy
In the late 1990s a barrel of oil sold for $10. The Big 3 enjoyed strong sales and consistent profits. In 2008 a barrel of oil sold for $147. If legislators had developed an energy policy then, all industry, but especially the auto industry, would have had a foundation on which to design, engineer, and build vehicles.
Instead we watched our elected officials vote to unleash the “market forces” that came with deregulating the futures commodity market (Commodities Futures Modernization Act). This resulted in gas exploding to over $4 a gallon. The consequence of this decision was the entire economy devolving into a recession while oil companies reported record profits.
Obviously, the financial crisis is the immediate cause of the worldwide auto crisis, but these four policies or lack thereof have long been a cause of American manufacturing decline. It is time for responsible legislators to take the reins and look for solutions that will put domestic manufacturing on at least a level playing field in their own market. Our economic recovery depends on it. No nation has ever consumed its way to greatness, nations must produce their way to greatness.
Gilley is president of UAW Local 1760, in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
—Letters To The Editor—
Mining Is The World’s Most Important Industry
To The Record-Courier:
Most of the people of our Country are aware, some quite painfully, that the economy of our Nation is in serious trouble. Even Washington D.C. has become aware and started throwing Billions at the wrong end of the problem. This may slow the money problem, but unless we understand and face the basic facts of life, total economic breakdown is inevitable.
The situation didn’t just happen; it is the result of more than 30 years of short sighted unwise decisions on access and use of our lands. One undeniable fact, you must know is that “No life can exist on this planet unless we harvest the produce and resources of the earth.”
Thus the basic industries, mining, oil, timber, agriculture, fishing, etc. are the foundation of any economy. Another fact you must know is that “All new wealth comes from the ground,” there is no other source. Wealth can be expanded by processing and manufacturing useful products. All other income comes from distributing the products or providing a service for one another.
A few years back the Society of Mining Engineers made a study of land available to mining and found that more than 65 percent of the land was off limits to mining. To make the matter worse, much of the closed land is in the mountains and the same forces that uplifted our mountains brought the minerals to the surface of the earth where they can be recovered. Miners like oilmen and loggers must have access to areas where resources occur, they can’t be relegated to land no one else wants.
Mining is the world’s most important industry; no other business or industry can operate without using minerals, directly or indirectly. You cannot make anything without using minerals. So what do we do? Buy raw materials from other countries that have little or no concern for the environment, and shut all our industries down. To buy the minerals we need, what do we pay for them with? Many nations, including China will no longer accept our dollars. We have been printing money so fast and furious without any backing; it has become more worthless every day.
It’s time to reevaluate the laws and regulations that are stopping or holding up production of oil, minerals, and timber and agricultural products and food. If we fail to do this soon, jobs will continue to fail until total collapse. Maybe I worry too much, Baker County Commissioners and the others in the surrounding counties, evidently, are not concerned about jobs and businesses, because they are going blithely along working with the Forest Service to take thousands of acres of mountain land out of production by road closures, which will give an additional pinch to our economy and hurry our downfall along.
Kenneth Anderson
Baker City, Ore.
Don’t Let The Government Condemn Us To Poverty
To The Record-Courier:
I have begun to wonder whether others in this community are getting as uncomfortable as I am with the governmental straight-jacket as it continues to restrict our personal and community activities. Wouldn’t it be unique to have a local government with individual freedom as it’s main objective rather than conformity? Do we really need to enact, or permit, the same restraints on how we live as others have allowed?
Wouldn’t it be refreshing, and beneficial, to have a local government that represented us, rather then “big brother?” A local government that has, for example, the courage and knowledge to effectively prevent a mere federal agency from closing access roads that lead to our natural resources?
The system that our present elected leaders appear to be in agreement with would blow an intelligent person’s mind. The Forest Service proposes a system of roads in OUR forests where some roads are open, but most are closed. The ridiculous part is that neither closed or open will be indicated! Each slave will need to get from the almighty Forest Service a map that indicates the status of each road. If you get caught on a road that the map says is closed, guess what? You get to help finance the mighty FS. What absolute dictatorial nonsense! Would any but an imbecile propose such a system and yet another agree that the public should, or can, comply?
One thing is certain, if we allow any agency to close usable roads and thus deny our access to existing forest products and minerals we will have permitted them to condemn us and our children to continued poverty! If you are concerned about the future of our community your County Commissioners need to hear from you, now! (541-523-8200)
Jasper H. Coombes
Richland, Ore.
Coordination A Powerful Tool
To The Record-Courier:
Coordination — What is it? The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary 2008, states, “to put in the same order or rank.” Some have thought to cooperate is the same as to coordinate, but this is not the case. The dictionary states to cooperate is “to act or work with another or in compliance.” To cooperate as in compliance with the goal of the Forest Service in its Travel Management Plan is what the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is all about. This is the agreement that five counties signed with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (WWNF).
“Coordinate” is the word used by Congress in its environmental and land management Acts; the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) directs the U.S. Forest Service to “coordinate” its land and resource management plans “with the land and resource management planning processes of State and local governments…” The Latin word means to “co-ordain”, it is used in the Act to require the Federal Agencies to coordinate their plans with those of local governments as equals on land and resource management planning.
So what happened, when the five counties signed the MOU with the WWNF? It means that the counties agreed to act together in compliance with the goal of the Forest Service on travel management. The counties also agreed to recognize “that participating as a cooperating agency does not confer standing to appeal or litigate any decisions resulting from the travel management environmental analysis…” (MOU [E] Counties Shall (5)).
This is why it is necessary for the five counties to rescind their participation as “cooperating agencies.” The counties have a governmental obligation and primary responsibility to secure and promote the general welfare of the citizens in each of their counties. The goal of the Forest Service is to close about 60 percent of the roads in the Wallowa-Whitman Forest. How much effect on the custom, culture, economic stability, access and use of the forest will this have on the citizens in our counties?
Baker County has already passed Ordinance 2001-1; it requires all Federal and State agencies to coordinate with the County on land and resource “Plans, Programs and Projects,” and to coordinate as equals. However, as long as County officials remain committed to the Travel Management MOU, the County will not be able to require the Forest Service to come to the County’s table on road closures.
In the MOU “All decision making authority for management of the National Forest is held by the Forest Service…” In the Baker County Ordinance, under “Procedures,” “…all federal and state agencies shall…8. Avoid taking actions that have the effect of obstructing or making agriculture and livestock production or timber and wood products or mineral extraction economically infeasible in Baker County.” The County’s ordinance has as its “Objective” “7. To plan and manage natural resources consistent with environmental and community standards and for the public good.” The counties cannot participate as cooperating agencies and at the same time require the Forest Service to coordinate their travel Plan. The next step is in the county’s court.
Guy Michael
Durkee, Ore.
Drug Abuse In The Teens: A Parent’s Dilemma
To The Record-Courier:
Description: How should a family handle the situation when they suspect drug or alcohol use by their teenaged child? How can they combine trust with protection? Here are some guidelines.
When children hit their teenaged years and are not so dependent on parents for companionship or support, it's easy to breathe a sigh of relief and reduce one's monitoring. If this reduction is met with changes in behavior that might indicate drug or alcohol use, it's important for a parent to know what to do next.
What changes may indicate drug abuse? Mood swings from grumpy to happy without apparent reason; withdrawal from family members and activities; carelessness about personal grooming; loss of interest in sports, studies or favorite activities, changed sleeping patterns; emotional blowups or abuse; being absent from school or from home for long hours; making excuses for behavior; overreaction to criticism; needing money or having unexplained money. The appearance of these signs does not indicate drug abuse in every teen, but they should raise red flags.
Parents suspecting drug abuse may ask their children outright if they are abusing drugs, be answered with "Of course not, I would never do that," and then not know how to proceed. Parents want to love and trust their children and not accuse them unfairly. But when these signs continue, a parent must change tactics in three important ways.
1. Make it harder for the teen to engage in drug-related activities. Restrict use of cell phone or car. Require more attendance at family dinners or outings. Require more reporting on whereabouts and confirm the accuracy of the reports. Provide less cash which may mean you have to accompany the teen on purchasing trips.
2. Open the channels of communication by letting the teen know that you will accept any communication from them without blame or shame, and then make opportunities for them to talk privately with you. And if they do tell you startling news, you have to keep that promise.
3. Provide the teen with drug education they can understand, identify with and use. Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education centers have a variety of effective drug education materials available, many free for the asking. These can be obtained by calling Narconon Arrowhead in Canadian, Oklahoma at 1-800-468-6933.
As well as being dearly loved, our children are our most precious resource for the future. They deserve a present and a future free from drug abuse and need to be taught how to avoid this danger that they are all too likely to encounter at a young age.
The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program was founded in 1966 by William Benitez in Arizona State Prison, and is based on the humanitarian works of L. Ron Hubbard. In more than 120 centers around the world, Narconon programs replace the loss and pain of alcohol or drug addiction with productive, enjoyable lives. Anyone can find out more about the Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program by visiting www.stopaddiction.com.
Kathryn Whiteley
Canadian, Okla.
www.stopaddiction.com
Space Vs. Technology
To The Record-Courier:
Here we go again. It seems as though it is hard to stay focused on so many changes of life in general and how every little issue is affecting us these days, and so much more to come.
Are we all going to look the same now with all the satellite dishes that look like Star Trek or close to it? Not to mention costing us taxpayers money etc. Even “My Favorite Martian” with his satellite signal, wasn’t too far off in this general direction.
Yes, how we have come a long way with all the color and glamour, and remembering our black and white television sets of history not so long ago. It sure didn’t take much even back then. Even before television sets they read mostly and were busy working the farms, etc., not much for electricity even back then with the use of kerosene lanterns. Wood stoves were used and open fire pits for cooking. At least we still have the pleasure of some history in itself these days. It seemed like there were fewer environmental issues unlike there is today. Not to mention the horse and buggy days as well, and the Pony Express for getting our mail delivered no matter how long it took — sometimes you got it and sometimes you didn’t. To bad we couldn’t go back in time.
Now with all the building that is going on in space these days, will there be all the luxuries etc., and what will our future be? I can even imagine them building escalators and making it an easy way to get there, the price tag of a ticket would be rather costly at that, our gas issue should be less of a problem, let alone all the gas that filters the air these days. It seems there would be less pollution. I’m surprised they haven’t come up with that issue yet. So time will tell of where our resources of space, communication, etc. will lead us to next, whether it be that of the past, in the here and now or in the future.
Coffee anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City, Ore.
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—Editorial—
When The Smoke Clears
Oregon's new law banning smoking in bars, taverns, restaurant lounge areas, bowling alleys and bingo halls. goes into effect today. The law bans smoking within 10 feet of a door or window, even private and fraternal organizations and work vehicles occupied by more than one person now must become smoke-free.
There are several positive outcomes from this law. Those who want to quit smoking will have more incentive to do so. Those who don't smoke will not be subjected to secondhand smoke. People who did not frequent these places because of the smoky atmosphere may now do so. Also, those who work in these places will not have to endure secondhand smoke either.
This is a great day for nonsmokers, but for those who smoke, there's nowhere to go, but outside. Even outside will be difficult with the 10-feet rule in the downtown area. Since this new law is enforceable with fines, this may put added work on our local law enforcement to respond every time someone is seen lighting up in a smoke-free area.
There's no question now as to whether second-hand smoke, which has been deemed "a serious health hazard" by the Surgeon General is bad for you. The only question is, are we being fair to those who do and want to continue smoking and to those businesses that generate income from smokers who frequent their establishments?
We think it's a fair trade to protect our non-smoker's health. The law doesn’t take away a person's right to smoke, but it protects those who don’t care to smoke from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Smokers can still smoke at home, in their car or outside in appropriate places. In contrast non-smokers have no choice, but to inhale when smokers are around.
Business owners who wish to continue allowing people to smoke can provide adequate outdoor facilities for smokers. Most smokers are already accustomed to having to smoke outside because of previous laws passed regarding smoking in public places. A lot of smokers even choose to smoke outside of their own homes to protect other family members and keep their homes from smelling like smoke, which can hurt the resale value of a home.
When the smoke clears, however, is probably one of those areas like the Hatfields vs. the McCoys (smokers vs. nonsmokers) and will never be completely settled. At some point we may see "smoker's only" establishments that cater exclusively to those who smoke, which is not a bad idea. Or even some type of elaborate indoor ventilation system that sucks up smoke as it leaves the host. Maybe a smoker’s stool equipped with a hood that covers the smoker’s head? Of course, this all depends on how badly people really do want to continue smoking.
We think the new smoking ban law is a good thing for Oregon, but in all honesty, we don’t smoke... (DS)
—Letters To The Editor—
Holiday Greetings From The Sheriff’s Office
To The Record-Courier
From all of us at the Sheriff's Office who work for all of you, we wish you a very happy, safe and secure holiday season!
On Wednesday Dec. 30, 2008, at 2 p.m., I will be sworn in as the Baker County Sheriff for my second term. I would like to invite anyone interested to attend the ceremony at the Courthouse. I would like also to tell the citizens of Baker County how much I have appreciated and enjoyed being your Sheriff. I have been in Law Enforcement since 1972 and over the years have had many different assignments and duties that have all been interesting, challenging and sometimes exciting. Being the Baker County Sheriff has definitely been the highlight of my career and the most interesting. I would just like to thank the voters for again putting their trust in me and voting for me for a second term.
Finally, as the hustle and bustle of the holidays draws you in, I hope you will find time to relax, appreciate your family, friends and community. We are privileged to live in Baker County and have all that we do.
Mitch Southwick
Baker County Sheriff
For The Record
To The Record-Courier:
Once again I feel compelled to respond to an inaccurate letter written by Gary Dielman. As he has no involvement with Mountain Valley Mental Health, or the Advisory Board, he must use a Ouiji board for his “data.”
Although I retired from the Mountain Valley Mental Health Board of Directors in June, I know for a fact that MVMH has paid all of their bills and ended the last fiscal year with a small surplus. Furthermore, the organization continues to do well.
MVMH is currently facing what I believe to be a frivolous law suit by two ex-employees with a primary desire to tear down the organization. MVMH will survive this onslaught and will be here long after the lawsuit and Gary Dielman are history!
Laurence W. Levinger M.D.
Baker City
Travel Management Plan Has Problems
To The Record-Courier:
The Wallowa- Whitman National Forest (WWNF) is currently in the process of writing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to implement a stand-alone Travel Management Plan. Their proposal is to designate a few roads on a map that they will allow the public to travel, and to close around 4,000 miles of National Forest system roads within five counties; Baker, Grant, Union, Umatilla, and Wallowa.
The WWNF’s proposal to close all these roads on the National Forest is their way of implementing the 2005 National Travel Management Rule. This Rule didn’t tell the Forests they had to close roads. In fact, the Malheur National Forest chose to meet the intent of the Rule by simply issuing a map to the public showing the existing open roads on that Forest.
But the Wallowa-Whitman took the complete opposite tact. They decided to write an EIS, which proposes to close almost every road on the Forest except for a few main roads. A Draft EIS is in the works, and the WWNF says the EIS will be released for public comment sometime in January 2009. Every citizen who is concerned about his or her right to access within the National Forest needs to make comments on this Plan. If you use the National Forest for any purpose, whether it is for recreation, ATV riding, snowmobiling, logging, wood cutting, mining, grazing, hunting, fishing, mushrooming, camping, berry picking or just disabled, you are the one who will suffer. You are the one who will lose your use of the National Forests if the WWNF proposed action goes through.
The Wallowa-Whitman proposal is not even legal. The current 1990 Forest Management Plan is very access friendly. The current Forest Plan encourages use of the roads within the Forest, and allows for cross country travel, as long as resource damage is not occurring. Because the Forest Service is required to operate, right now, under the 1990 Forest Plan, they are bound by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to tier any new EIS to the parent Land Use Plan. This simply is not possible with the proposed Travel Management Plan, since closing all the roads is 180 degrees in the opposite direction from the access friendly 1990 Forest Plan.
The WWNF is trying to convince the public that their road closure proposal is not a significant amendment to the 1990 Forest Plan. But the facts speak for themselves; the WWNF Travel Management Plan proposal is a significant change to the 1990 Forest Plan.
The Forest claims it has old NEPA decisions that entitle it to close a lot of these roads. However, the Forest Service has been unable to provide an accurate map of the existing forest roads, and under a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the Eastern Oregon Mining Association, 19 NEPA documents for closing miles and miles of roads didn’t even list which roads these pertained to. The Forest Service was busy closing roads on Dooley Mountain two months ago, but when asked about their authority to close those roads (one of which was a county road) they couldn’t provide the NEPA document that gave them the authority.
The only legal EIS road closure alternative that the Forest Service can choose now is the No Action Alterative (no additional road closures). They have wasted hundreds of thousands of tax-payer dollars writing an EIS with a proposed action that is not even legal, since it represents a significant amendment to the access friendly 1990 Land Use Plan.
The WWNF should drop the EIS, and can do one of two things; (1) rewrite every reference to user friendly access within the 1990 Forest Plan, or (2) rewrite the entire Forest Plan, and bring it up to date, since that Plan is 19 years old. Either of these scenarios will take many years, and there will be much public input. Only after the Forest Plan is revised, with complete public and county input on what the road system should look like in the Forest, can the WWNF legally rewrite the travel portion of the Land Use Plan.
Guy Michael
Durkee, Ore.
Back In Business
To The Record-Courier:
Bronson Lumber Company is proud to announce that we will be opening our new store on the week of Jan. 12. This will be a soft opening, and will be followed by a grand opening celebration in April.
The support from the community during our tragic fire and rebuilding has been overwhelming. The construction crews involved in our new building have been instrumental in getting our building ready in record time. We owe them a huge thank you. We also want to thank all of the local newspapers and radio station for their support and for getting the word out to our customers that we were still standing.
We also want to thank all of our customers for their loyalty and support. We want them to know that not rain, nor wind, nor fire will ever stop the Bronson Lumber Company from providing the service that our customers deserve. Our doors will always remain open to all of our customers, even if all we have to open is an empty door frame. The communities of Union, Baker, and Wallowa Counties have been behind us 110% and we are proud to serve as Eastern Oregon’s lumber supplier.
Mace, Sherry and the entire crew from Bronson Lumber Co.
Island City
In God’s Words
To The Record-Courier:
First, let me inform those who attack the Christian who is speaking or posting God’s Word from the Bible are in great error and danger of God’s judgement. The true believer is protected by God, and against His enemies. Why? Because the attack is on God and His Word not the believer! I can tell you from personal experience it’s a battle you cannot and never will win! NO OTHER book on ANY other belief or religion has stood the test of time, not one of them! The proof is in the Bible, past, present and future! As I said before, no other religion or belief can pass this test! It’s been said, “a loving God would never send anyone to HELL! That’s right, the choice is yours! “Well, there’s more then one way to Heaven.” Not according to God’s own Word! Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth, no man (or woman) comes to the father (God, Heaven) except through me.” The Bible says NO other way! The views of the world may and do change, but God and His ways do not! Sin is still sin, good and bad are still good and bad, and God will still be our judge. Being “BORN-AGAIN” is not just a saying it’s what Jesus said in John 3 to be saved, to inhered Heaven and miss Hell! It doesn’t matter if you are straight, gay, good or bad, you must come to Jesus, for He said He desired that none should perish. It’s also time for all ministers to proclaim the Word of God without compromise as so many do! God created Adam and Eve for marriage, male and female, not Adam and Steve or Eve and Eve. Does not take a rocket scientist to reason why! God loves the homosexual, but their deeds without a change will destroy them and lose them heaven. Again, this is God’s own Word, not the Christians. Christians should be praying “the blindness of the sinner be removed so they can be set free and saved. This is the calling of every born-again believer! I don’t understand why anyone would turn down a God who has provided complete healing of our body (no sickness of any kind). Deliverance from any and all kinds of devil possession or oppression. Protection from enemies, and peace of mind.
Think what this would save you financially. God also said He wants to meet ALL your needs including financial blessings. Anyone who has REALLY studied the Bible knows it’s not just a gook, but a Supernatural book of books. It has been supernatural accurate about the past, it proving itself in accuracy of today. It will be totally accurate in its predictions of the future. Christian it’s time for you and I to stand and be the voice of God to the world. We are the only wall between good and evil. Remember, the ONLY reason for the season is JESUS!
Richard Fox
Baker City
State Control Is Not In Your Interest In These Times
To The Record-Courier:
A recent Sunday Oregonian ran a front page story on the great depression. One thing came across out of the stories of survivors. Those who lived on farms or had relatives on farms made out a lot better than those who were city dwellers. The United States had 121 million people at that time. Today we stand at 305 million and are almost totally urbanized. In the case of Oregon it is forced urbanization. I wrote The Oregonian a letter pointing out the down side of forcing almost everyone behind an urban growth boundary in an attempt to mitigate the resulting problems associated with a rapid population growth due mainly to an insane immigration policy. The letter never appeared because it is an eastern Oregon point of view that doesn’t agree with Oregon’s top down from Salem land use system. You will never be able to point out in a letter to The Oregonian editors that Oregon has become a haven for the newly arrived rich who can afford the huge land blocks mandated by comprehensive plans that are mandated by the state. Small blocks of land where people might be somewhat independent of an uncertain money economy are basically outlawed.
In the last year or so there has been some different attempts to limit governmental powers brought on by the federal government moving to set limits on 4 wheeler use in the forest and Baker County’s attempt to write a new land use ordinance. Probably the most controversial has been the road requirements that the fire chiefs want so they can get their equipment to fires. Many have caught on to the fact that even though the volunteers really are concerned about public safety it is just more of the Oregon way of zoning by money. If you got the bucks to build a road then you can join your privileged class of country dwellers. The old Oregon where in a man could hope to save up some money and after finding a willing seller could build a house or put in a mobile home, doing most of the work himself, start his own small homestead where he might raise a beef or two or have a garden area or an orchard. All of that has been denied by the new utopians who assure us that if we just plan and zone and restrict rights we can continue to import people and export jobs. this is where the world view of the globalist meets the locals.
Some are catching on and trying to fight back in various ways. They would like their property rights back. Oregonians in Action has been the lead force on fighting the state, most recently with measurers 7 and 37 only to have the legislature, Thousands Friends of Oregon, and the Oregonian propaganda machine push measure 49 that basically destroyed the work many contributed to passing grass roots initiatives. Measure 49 has been a failure, the fast track appears to be a rocky road through the wilderness of Salem, and a federal judge is now involved in Jackson County saving that measure 37 claims were valid contracts and the issue is headed to the liberal 9th Court of Appeals where property rights will probably lose. Meanwhile a debate about cooperation and coordination between the counties and the federal government is going on. Personally I see the two different animals.
The counties have a relationship with the federal government and it is OK to try and assert local county rights with them, but the real loss of property rights was the relationship between the counties and the state. It goes back to Senate Bill 100 in 1973 and the creation of a statewide land use law. It only affected privately held land. It does not have anything to do with federal and state land. Loss of personal rights came about with what was early on called LCDC or the Land Conservation and Development Commission and is now DLCD or Department of Land Conservation and Development or some damned thing like that. The monster might have changed its acronym, but it’s the same thing.
We’re at a critical time right now. The 2007 legislature realized that revolution was brewing because of Oregon’s top down from Salem land use dictatorship and in response to measure 7 and 37 created the Big Look task force to take a look at what Oregon’s 34 years of state control of land has actually done to or for Oregon and report to the 2009 legislature. I attended meetings and put in a lot of testimony, as did Carl Stiff, a county commissioner, at La Grande and I think Tim and Fred came to the Baker City meeting with the head of the DLCD. A recommendation from the Big Look is for a return meeting with the head of the DLCD. A recommendation from the Big Look is for a return to County control or at least partial control. Thousands Friends and The Oregonian have a back up plan if it looks like the legislature might get smart and let us handle our own business. They want a regional LCDC. I say don’t fall for this one. It is just more of the same. Salem will still have final say on all land use decisions. What we need now is a coordinated effort between the county commissioners and our state legislators. The commission needs to tell the state we are taking back our land use rights, right now. All land use decisions start and end with the county. No more state mandated ordinances. The state will threaten us but eastern Oregon is eastern Oregon. I predict that the counties east of the Cascades will join the rebellion and we will see the LCDC is a house of cards. Control of our lives could be back. We can still fight over land use if we choose, but it will be a Baker or Grant or Wallowa County decision. The lefties in Portland will scream, but who cares.
Ferrioli and Bentz need to represent us on this issue and the next legislative session starts in January. An open revolt would give them ammunition for returning power where it belongs, at the county level. In uncertain times having control over your lives is important. A top down slow moving dictatorship in Salem is not in your best interest. Now is the time to call your legislator, the legislature in Salem or write a letter to the editor. Sleep through this opportunity and it will be years more of the same.
Steve Culley
Baker City
TVs To Go Digital — So Much For The Good Old Days
To The Record-Courier:
Well wouldn't you know it, everything seems to be going digital these days even our TVs.
So much for the good old days when TVs used to really be in their time — all the TV series we used to watch. We have nothing to say on the issue of what we watch these days. They seem to do it for us then they wonder why we have violence etc., on the increase.
So now they are saying unless you do it their way you will have no TV at all.
I admit we went to Direct TV because cable was going up in price all the time and taking a lot of the shows off that we liked and enjoyed watching. Now you have to buy the series in DVDs etc. Awk!
I hope with this new digital system they will make all the remote controls etc., easy to use. A lot of people that I know are not accustomed to doing anything other than turning on their TV, and bingo you have it!
Maybe we should all protest and do away with our TVs and see what can really happen business wise. But not many are willing to do that let alone ourselves even if we have to watch the same oh programs, and have to put in a DVD of Hogan's Heroes just to see something different.
We can still watch Tom and Jerry, and Popeye, etc. on 298 channel.
Whatever happen to Gilligan's Island series — they are all on DVDs now. So many changes, historically speaking, the list goes on.
Coffee anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City, Ore.
Working Together Works!
To The Record-Courier:
Winter has arrived in Baker City! The Baker City Public Works Department motto is “Working Together Works” and the men and women of the department are committed to that philosophy. We are proud to serve the citizens of Baker City each and every day of the year.
This time of year cooperation among the crews and citizens is so important. Snow removal is a challenge in any community and Baker City is no exception, but we are prepared.
To serve the community better the City has invested in a new 7yd Sterling Dump Truck with an underbody scraper. This piece of equipment, along with the 1982 CAT grader, a rental grader, the O.D.O.T. Grader (when available for use), backhoes, one loader and two older 5 yard dump trucks with plows, remove an enormous amount of snow from the nearly 70 miles of city streets and State Highway routes within Baker City. The salt truck and sander also make daily trips through town and attack major intersections. Three 10 yard dump trucks also haul hundreds of loads of snow from downtown areas each winter.
The Snow Phone (524-2021) is updated regularly with a description of snow plowing activities for the day. The snow plow priority route map is available online at www.bakercity. com.
Elderly and disabled citizens may be eligible for the Driveway Stake Program. This program provides a stake to mark driveways the crews will clear with after the grader goes by. View the website www.bakercity.com for more information.
You can “Work Together” with us by:
*parking cars in driveways when possible until snow is cleared from the street,
*moving vehicles from north-south streets to east-west streets and then back again when the streets have been cleared on Priority 4 residential neighborhood streets
*keeping a safe distance from snow removal equipment
*allowing plenty of time to get to your destination
*traveling at a safe speed
*enjoying winter
The Public Works Department works hard to clear as much snow as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. The budget is a fixed dollar amount of just over $68,000 this year and needs to last through the last snowflake sometime next spring. Let’s work together to make this year a success.
Michelle Owen
Director of Public Works
City of Baker City
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—Editorial—
Playing Well In The Sandbox
Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan or even just getting together with family and friends this holiday season, we hope you will take time to remember the truly important things in life.
It doesn’t matter which side of the political fence you rest on, it doesn’t matter what religion you are, what race you were born to or what social/financial status you have. It doesn’t even matter whether you say Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas or Have a Great Day. We are all part of mankind, we are all interconnected, we all share in the planet and its resources, we are all bigger than ourselves, and we are all in this life together.
When we are young we are taught to share and play well and fair together in the sandbox. We are taught that if we work together, we can build a much better and bigger sandcastle than we can on our own. We are taught to be nice and polite, we are taught to respect each other’s person and property.
Somewhere along the road to adulthood we forget these early lessons. Somewhere along that road we decide that it’s more important to be a Republican or Democrat, to be Christian or Jewish, to be white or black, or to be rich rather than poor. And somewhere along that road we decide that whatever we are, whatever we do, whatever we believe is right, and everyone who doesn’t share these same ideals is wrong.
Wrong is when you add 2 plus 2 and end up with 5. Wrong is when you stick your wet finger in a hot light socket thinking you won’t get shocked. Wrong is when you won’t tolerate someone else’s opinion, belief or skin color that is different than yours.
Tolerating other people’s differences, opinions and beliefs doesn’t in any way shape or form imply that you are not right. It implies that you remember how to be polite. You remember how to be respectful. You are confident enough in your beliefs to let others have theirs.
Our wish for you, and ourselves, this holiday season is that we learn to accept and embrace our differences and use them together to work for the benefit of all mankind; that we never underestimate the impact of a kind word, a smile or a thoughtful gesture; and that we remember how to play well and fair in the sandbox.
—Letters To The Editor—
Power Line Route Though Keating Most Intrusive
To The Record-Courier:
The most logical and economical route for the 500kV line is the route originally proposed by Idaho Power. The arguments supporting this choice are presented below. The comments address issues #5 & 6.
Baker County has little to gain from permitting the construction of this line. This line is not “A Given” yet and if you are interested in the proposed transmission project please check out the website, http://stopidahopower. blogspot.com/ .
Comments on Issue #5: Effects on Soil & Water Quality: Idaho Power has not performed the necessary soil and geological surveys to ensure that the proposed alternative routes can sustain the construction and the infrastructure for the B2H-IP transmission line. If the 500kV transmission line is allowed to go through Baker County, the route should be the Proposed Route because the most geological information is already known about this route.
Construction of the power line on the Keating/Medical Springs Eastern Route will incur the GREATEST DAMAGE to soil and water quality than the other proposed routes. Idaho Power proposes to traverse forest lands which protect the headwaters of the Powder River located near Medical Springs. The forest will not be allowed to recover within the corridor and harsh land treatments (which will necessarily include chemical applications) will be recurrently used to inhibit regrowth.
The Keating area includes some of the driest watersheds in the Powder River Subbasin. No part of these headwaters should be caused to be “at risk” in this fragile environment. Furthermore we only need to look at “Hole in the Wall” on Oregon Highway 83, just east of Keating, for evidence of the instability of soils in this area.
Comments on Issue #6: Land Use Conflicts and Consistency with Land Use Plans.
The Proposed Route is in proximity to the designated “western energy corridor.” This route presents the LEAST CONFLICT with local land use plans.
The #1 eastern alternate route traverses public lands designated for conservation of natural resources, preservation of wildlife habitat and for public recreational access. Installation of a 500 kV power line will have significant impact upon these land use designations. Yet these are public lands supposedly owned by all. If the line must traverse Baker County for the public good, the line should be built on public lands.
The Keating/Medical Springs Eastern Route is the most intrusive route proposed. It transverses approximately 24 miles of privately owned lands. These private lands, for the most part, are designated farm use (EFU). Stewardship of farm land should NOT include living and working around and under 500 kV transmission lines.
There is at least one organic farm certified by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) within the designated corridor of the Keating/Medical Springs Eastern Route. The proposed route will impact current certification standing. OTCO inspectors have voiced concern over ramifications of “stray voltage” upon organic compliance and they have not yet ruled on this issue.
Finally, the issue of property taxes should be addressed. Information from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission states, “… the landowner (will) typically still own(s) the land and (will) pay(s) taxes on the right-of-way ….” The rest of this comment is self-evident.
Thank you for your patience with the length of these comments. If timing was not such a factor in Idaho Power’s decision-making process, I would not submit multiple comments. But the project is being “fast tracked” and there is little time left to comment.
Vicki T. Wares
Baker City
Scots Are Back
To The Record-Courier:
The Scots of Baker City are stirring as the call goes out for our loyal supporters to begin gathering in anticipation of the second season of events put on by the Baker Valley Highland Games Association. The opening event for the season, the Robbie Burns Dinner, will once again be held at the VFW Hall in Baker City on Jan. 24. Early reservations are necessary to assure enough food to sustain all through the evening of fun.
Our first Burns Supper drew 80 people, and all had a great time. We were concerned about not over selling this year so we wanted to set a top limit. The Burns Dinner is a regional event, featuring Scottish cuisine and the songs, stories, and poetry of Robert Burns, the Bard of Scotland. Burns is the author of a song sung by many but understood by few — Auld Lang Syne.
With the success of the first season’s activities the International Scottish Community will be more interested in Baker City and it’s ability to host remarkable Scottish cultural events.
The Baker Valley Highland Games Association’s mission is to enrich Baker City by bringing visitors to our town while enjoying some of the cultural activities of those other Highlands, across the Atlantic. The Highlands of Scotland and those of Oregon have similar weather and the people share similar characteristics of independence and fortitude.
On behalf of all the folks who made last season so great, I would like to extend A Scottish Christmas Wish. There’s snow upon the thistle as winter prepares for Christmas in the highlands of Eastern Oregon. May the purity of the new snow inspire your hearts and lift your spirits for the Holidays and all the days to follow. A time of peace and love expressed to one another, all of us one great family surrounded by the protecting arms of the mountains in their winter raiment.
Baker Valley Highland Games Association extends Christmas Wishes to all our friends, members, and sponsors. May 2009 be a safe and Happy Year for all.
Ryc Rienks
Baker City, Ore.
Remembering Sisley Creek
To The Record-Courier:
I receive the Baker paper thanks to some friends here in Salem who pass it on to me. I enjoy reading it and it is such a good way to revive my “roots.”
Although I’ve been gone for some years now, I enjoy reading about the names and places I have known. The pictures give me a nice view of the once-familiar Baker County of my youth.
From my limited background in journalism (High School Editor of the Huntington High School Locomotive) with proof reading thrown in, I could not help but notice on the front page of your Sept. 25 paper, an article that I felt I had to write to you about.
Under the heading, “Let there be ...” and in the last paragraph regarding Dick Kirby, ranching in Durkee for 43 years, it says that he ranched with his parents and on his own for eight years on Sisley Creek (spelled by your paper “Sissley.”
My great grandparents with Eugene and Minnie Sisley who homesteaded in and around Weatherby, the creek was named for them and should be Sisley Creek.
I hope that it was just an error and that they have not changed the name.
Connie Griffith Melo
Salem, Ore.
Editor’s Note: Yes, it was a typo and the name has not changed.
Good News, Bad News
To The Record-Courier:
As the old saying goes, “I have some good news and some bad news, which do you want first?” The good news is, Baker County is quite rich in forest product and minerals. The bad news is that both the federal agencies and county government seem to want us to remain one of the poorest counties in Oregon.
These are not good times country-wide. In fact, according to the news, we have been in a recession for over a year. The economy is falling apart. Banks are going broke, and large companies are laying off thousands of workers. The House and Senate are throwing Billions of dollars at the luckiest of firms in an attempt to keep them from bankruptcy. This entire country has moved into action. That is, all but good ole Baker County!
Our top county officials, in cooperation with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land management, seem to think this is the perfect time to tighten the screws on our economy. Our County Commissioners think the best thing to do is sit at the table with the Forest Service and agree on which forest roads to leave open so the rest can be closed, denying us access to the many resources contained there. A great deal of County wealth in natural resources lies beyond those closed roads, out of reach at the time they are most urgently needed.
Then we have the Baker County Department of Planning and Community Development whose motto is, “Ensuring the Premier Rural Living Experience.” Wow! What irony. Rural home construction will be limited to areas where road access will accommodate city fire-fighting equipment. In many cases the road, built to their requirements, will cost more than home construction. The “Premier Rural Living” will henceforth be reserved for the wealthy. What a shame!
But even worse, the planners would cut off our access to future wealth by limiting house construction on PATENTED MINING CLAIMS to those locations with 18-foot wide paved roads. These mines have proved mineral wealth and can not be worked safely without on-site residents. This is yet another assurance that we will remain poor. Baker County needs a change of long-term perspective or we will remain the poorest of the poor.
Jasper Coombs
Richland, Ore.
Permits Are Not A Grandfathered Right
To The Record-Courier:
In reading the Article about “miners should not be penalized, Jasper Combes and retired officer, Mr. Barnes, about the same issues on Egress-Ingress to various kinds of property.”
The bottom line to all this has to do with the permitting process via the local planning commissioners and the uses of permits and fees. Most people can’t see the “barb on the hook” as to micro manage how people travel about, as to part of the socialist scheme to people control. It’s the same thing about getting a permit to work, and tax people on the right to work.
What’s not really recognized, is the fact that permits are not a grandfathered right, as the planners make the planning and permits subject to constant changes requiring more fees, etc. This can be backed by heavy fines to compliance via intimidation to review enhancement.
We even had the federal agents to permits to parking on the public lands and the Corps of Engineers (Army) that even required a permit to cross streams and rivers plus fees on federal lands.
The use of denial of permits is used thru a series of subrogations against dissenters via the planning “commissaniets” and a chain of commands to usurpation of god given, inalienable rights, i.e. mob rule.
The assertion of Revised Statues 2477 is being abrogated by this local planning committee to claim the RS2477 ways as a county property right is nonsense.
It’s the use of the egress-ingress, not as a property right, just a phantom expression used in the language of law a non discretionary-non exclusive use that was grand fathered prior to the 1976 act, as a statutory right. What some may call a MOU is misleading as to subrogate or sub-delegate authority, when none of the authority was granted to either party in the first place. Congress, its apparent, prior to the 1976 act, declared the rights via the “phantom” expression to non exclusive-non discretionary uses of these ways on public lands. No one party of Federal, State or local government can make a claim as exclusive tax property right to all the “factions” created by the myth of a property right.
The permitting process is a hoax being perpetrated by the county, USFS-MOU’s.
Article III Judiciary, the laws of the United States (under US Constitution) to the controversies between a State or the citizens there of means a federal court action such as the 1872 acts and RS2477 ways grants.
The Interior Board of Land Appeals unlike the Oregon’s State Administrative “Quazi” judicial court, was set up as a reference to the federal land disputes, that requires no personal appearances, only via mailings via the BLM and Dept. of Interior, not the USFS. This would include the permits by DEQ permitting process that involve federal lands planning etc. The State’s officials can’t intervene in, as F.S. knows, to uses of lands or ways in conflict with federal laws.
However, under case law, a New York Appellate court in a Fletcher Gravel Co. vs. Thomas C. Jorling, commissioner and the States DEC, i.e. DEQ unanimously held that a mine operator does not have to file a new permit application on its already permitted sites when there has been no change in the level or/and scope of operations.
The decision affirms that a gov. agency cannot exceed its delegated powers by indiscriminately over riding fundamental property rights and protections. Instead the court ruled the DEC (DEQ) is charged only with administering regulatory statues, not expanding them at the agency’s whims.
This ruling halts an unfortunate trend toward increasingly far reaching, time consuming, and costly reviews of business permit renewals by the DEC (DEQ) one of the most important and powerful agencies in New York Sate government.
This precedent not only applies to the mining industry, but to all industry in New York State, and in other highly regulated states nationwide, (i.e. Oregon’s DEO-Star Chambers) to save jobs an reduce unnecessary permitting costs and time delays, the attorneys noted, by the 15 attorneys of an environmental practice group in Syracuse, New York. This attorney group stated the impact of this decision has yet to be realized by industry as a whole. The significance of the Fletcher Gravel decision is that an Appellate Court (case law) in an unanimous decision systematically eliminated any DEC (DEQ) rationale for imposing exhaustive environmental review on long standing operations. Mine operators through out New York State, and else where, are elated about this victory. Actually, whether your a mine operator, a chemical co., or any type of manufacture, the Fletcher reasoning is applicable in the permitting process, explained the attorneys.
What this means under Article IV of US Constitution of law “full faith and credit” clause gives equal protections of the law, and the New York’s Appellate Court trumps/preempts Oregon State’s Administrative law judge, employed by the office of Administrative hearings, as to Oregons “Star Chambers” court of raw arbitrary power, set by Measure 49 initiative and Gov. Kulongoski style of justice. I’m involved in this dispute as right now, via the Dist. Attorney’s Office, to see how “procedural law’ will play out. The rule by men vs. rule of law by Baker Co. officials.
This decision by an Appellate court and the Baker County up coming (called) comprehensive planning and the DEQ’s land use compatibility statement (LUCS) will be related to the Appellate Court decision or is down played by the establishment and new world order advocates.
The power is in the land of the people, not the Gov. as to petition by a recall, to get the mischief makers out of office as to “special elections” by the ballot box (local) such as the ballot box of Measure 49, as putting control back in the hands of local charters/villages.
United we stand, divided we fall? Don’t let the “factions”, I.E. conflictuanagers settle it for us. As stated by Guy Michael, the 6000 petitions, used relitly will make a difference and the Appellate Courts (case law) to hold the feet to the fire. My mining claims (federal) are long standing “ORS” over 30 years as long standing permitted vs. DEQ requirement to constant renewals. This should apply to patented claims as well.
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore
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—Letters To The Editor—
Response To Article
To The Record-Courier:
Several people commented about my 1934 doll article, included in the
November Courier.
Among them was a phone call from Ontario from friend, Lois McKinney
Garrison, who indicated she had a doll exactly like mine. Her doll sits in
a highchair, wrapped in a blue and pink blanket made 80 years ago. Lois's
Mother handcrafted the blanket for Lois's personal use...then the doll
inherited it.
The high chair, itself, built by Lois's Grandfather, in the same era, has
accommodated numerous children of the family for several generations. The
original enamel dish and spoon complements the heritage highchair.
Lois recalled youthful years, growing up in Pondosa, Ore., during the 1930s
when the lumber company was running full time shifts, under the managership
of Paul Clemens. During that era, Lois's Dad, Virgil McKinney operated a
stage line between Pondosa and Baker.
Incidentally, McKinney Stage terminal at Red's Delivery, owned by my Dad,
"Red" May. Friendship between Lois and the writer developed during that
time.
A black/white snapshot remain from 1937, showing Lois and Phyllis at
Pondosa.
In conversation, Lois recalled working long youthful hours helping the Foye
family at nearby Medical Springs. They operated a medical bath business,
plus the Medical Springs swimming pool, which was a popular establishment
for patrons who chose to drive the 22 miles from Baker, to swim there.
In recent years, Lois helped organize the Annual Pondosa Picnic comprised of
former residents who worked at the mill when it operated full capacity. The
Annual Picnic reunion brings together people, from several states. They
gather to reminisce about the former town of Pondosa, and take a memory
stroll into the the "Company Store" the only remaining business currently
open.
Lois indicated after 40 years of active involvement and partnership with
Janis Foye Baxter, Lois stepped aside as chairman of the Reunion Food
committee. At age 80, it was time to allow someone else the privilege.
She enjoys retirement in full view of her prized doll, like the one shown in
Courier.
Phyllis Badgley
Baker City, Oregon
More Comments On Proposed Alternative Power Line
To The Record-Courier:
The most logical and economical route for the 500kV line is the route
originally proposed by Idaho Power. The arguments supporting this choice are
presented below. The comments address issues #2,3 & 4.
Baker County has little to gain from permitting the construction of this
line through the county and much to lose. This line is not “A Given” yet and
if you are interested in this topic please check out the website,
http://stopidahopower.blogspot.com/ .
Comments on Issue #2: Effects on Visual Resources: The proposed B2H-IP line
will definitely impact the currently beautiful views of the Wallowa and the
Blue mountain ranges in Baker County. The Proposed Route presents the least
intrusive route through our beautiful county because it limits itself to an
already designated corridor of development through Baker Valley and hugs the
base of the lower foothills just east of the freeway. Transmission lines
have already been constructed here and the B2H-IP line should be positioned
as close to them as safety will allow. When modified by the approximately
2mi alternate route option tucked under the Oregon Trail National
Interpretive Center, the visual impact will be even more reduced than that
of the original proposal.
The #1 Eastern Alternate would be more disruptive visually than the Proposed
Route, Instead of hugging the edges of the valley floor it will transverse
ridges and open range and will somewhat inhibit the full expansive views of
the open sage brush steppes and the rugged mountain ranges.
The Keating/Medical Springs Eastern Route is the MOST visually invasive
route. Approximately 33 miles of 500 kV transmission line will be installed
in a presently undeveloped rural setting, disrupting countless views of
Baker County scenic heritage. “Ramblin” is just one new recreational
proposal being considered to enhance enjoyment of our county’s extraordinary
visual heritage. The value of unimpaired views and the resulting economic
opportunity for many rural landowners in Keating and Medical Springs should
not be ignored. Highway 203 to Union is a designated scenic by-way and
should be preserved as such for future generations.
Comments on Issue #3: Effects on National Historic Trails and Viewsheds: It
cannot be denied that the proposed B2H-IP line stands to impact the Oregon
Trail National Interpretive Center and its viewshed. If, however, the
proposed route is modified with the short, <2 mile loop under the
Interpretive Center, that impact will be considerably lessened. Many think
that the viewshed will remain virtually intact.
The effect upon the viewshed of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center,
however, should not be a consideration for opting out of the Proposed Route.
The role of an interpretive center is to educate. It is my understanding
that the purpose of the Center in Baker Valley is to demonstrate the history
of American expansion and the resulting ecological, technological and
cultural evolution of Oregon as one state in the United States. The Center
is fulfilling this goal admirably! But even if the 2 mile alternative were
not taken, the Proposed Route does not present an obstacle to the Center’s
achievement of its purpose. The public can view and understand the necessity
of economic progress for the “greater good” by understanding the changes
which brought Baker Valley from the pioneer’s Oregon Trail to the present
day, which will include a 500 kV power line through the “viewshed”. If Idaho
Power must traverse Baker County, the “progress for the greater good of all”
should be made apparent as an opportunity to understand where we have been
relative to where we are going.
Comments on Issue #4: Effects on Native American traditional cultural
properties and respected places: Idaho Power has not performed the
necessary cultural surveys and permitting applications required to propose
any alternative routes to the original Proposed Route. It is my
understanding from two public meetings that the original route most closely
follows the Western Energy Corridor (WEC) set aside by government easements
and closely parallels an existing transmission line already approved by the
necessary permitting and EIS studies. The Proposed Route must be the route
used to ensure that the project will not defile historical cultural sites
and economic feasibility.
Thank you!
Vicki T. Wares
Baker City
Citizens Should Attend MVMH Meetings
To The Record-Courier:
Mountain Valley Mental Health Programs, Inc. (MVMH) is bleeding cash to pay
for lawyers to defend against a lawsuit brought by two former employees
alleging retaliation for whistle blowing. How much has the lawsuit cost
MVMH so far?
Last week I asked that question of County Commissioners Fred Warner, Jr.,
and Carl Stiff. They couldn't tell me, because they haven’t been monitoring
the financial health of a $1,000,000 enterprise the commissioners have
contracted to provide mental health services.
I also asked that question of MVMH Director Vicki Long and Milo Pope,
Chairman of the Board of Directors. Neither responded.
At a County Commission hearing two years ago, a MVMH board member said the
private non-profit had spent over $24,000 on lawyers. That was before a
lawsuit was filed last June. It has probably cost MVMH another $40,000 to
$50,000 and the suit is just getting started.
Now I’ve learned MVMH's liability insurance does not cover this type of
lawsuit and that MVMH has initiated a lawsuit against the insurance company.
With less and less money coming from the State every year, MVMH acknowledged
last spring that its reserves of $900,000 five years ago had been spent down
to just $80,000.
So, without liability insurance, where's the money coming from to pay for
both defense and prosecution of lawsuits?
The common sense answer is that money budgeted for services is possibly
being diverted to pay lawyers.
I’ve been criticized by County Commissioners for dwelling on the past and
“not moving on.” How, I ask, can we move on, when the same unenlightened
management practices still prevail at MVMH that two years ago led the most
qualified staff to leave and one was fired?
The Board propped up a miserable director for a year before firing him. And
dealt with complaining employees as if they were criminals rather than
rewarding them for their efforts in exposing the former director. The
result of this intransigence on the part of the MVMH administration is a
lawsuit that could have easily been avoided.
I encourage citizens to attend Mental Health Advisory Committee meetings.
Gary Dielman
Baker City
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