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Opinions
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—Letters To The Editor—
Young Men Went The Extra Mile
To The Record-Courier:
Often you read about young men who commit crimes or harm others but seldom do you read about young men who stop and help. I had a flat tire out in Ruggles Creek Loop road on Sunday, July 18, 2010.
When I got my tools out to change the tire, the lug wrench in the tool kit was too small. No cell phone service. Sitting there wondering what to do, up the road comes a SUV with two young men in it. I asked them if they had a star wrench. They didn't but said they would drive up the road to the parking lot to see if their friend had one. I thought I might never see them again. After awhile I saw a dust cloud coming down the road. The friend had a star wrench and they put my spare on. I never got their names.
They may never see this letter, but I want you to know that their mothers and grandmothers can be very proud of them. Thank you whoever you are for going the extra mile.
Wyona Edwards
Grandmother from Halfway
Repower Or Replace? Your Choice Could Cost You Thousands
To The Record-Courier:
When serious engine trouble hits, the Engine Repower Council (ERC) recommends that vehicle owners ask themselves if they should repower or replace the vehicle. Many motorists don’t consider repowering and instead take on the financial burden of buying a new car. That choice can result in a cost difference of thousands of dollars.
With repowering, the vehicle’s engine is disassembled, cleaned, machined and remanufactured to be as good as new. This is the best option, since repowered engines are dependable, reliable and backed by excellent warranty programs. Some may choose a used or junk yard engine. The risk here is that the used engine has an unknown performance and maintenance history, which means you may be asking for more problems.
The Engine Repower Council has created a cost comparison chart of popular vehicles to illustrate the cost difference between repowering and purchasing a new vehicle. For example, to replace a worn out engine with a remanufactured/rebuilt engine in a 1980 to 1995 full size V8 domestic pickup would cost $2,700 to $3,450 compared to an average cost of $30,000 to purchase a new vehicle. The cost savings is significant even without taking into account auto loan interest and increased insurance rates.
To learn more about engine repowering and view the Engine Repower Council’s cost comparison chart, visit www.enginerepower.org and click on Cost Comparisons.
Ken Carter
Chairman
Engine Repower Council
This Country Blessed By God
To The Record-Courier:
Seems like there are still some ungodly idiots out there. Has anyone heard any more about the memorial cross being stolen from the hill in California? This was a shameful and ungodly act and a slap in the face of all veterans.
Let’s go back a while and review where the United States once stood and where some want to take it today. This country was and is blessed by God because of its ways, its policies and its beliefs in a true God. No other country young or old can make that statement. No other country has the foundation that this country was and is based on. The Constitution and Bill of Rights gives the power and right to the people and limits big government intrusion. Which in case you didn’t know, it is based on the only true God and Biblical Scripture. The Bible is the ONLY BOOK that has proven itself to be completely accurate in every detail of man, nature and the world, past, present and future. How so? Because it’s the Word of God spoken through Jesus who was God in the flesh, not some sick, hateful false prophets who keep the people in bondage to them. It would destroy them if the people got free. The God of the Bible is love, forgiveness and in Him there is no darkness. He is the God of all: white, black, red, yellow, etc. God sees two races, the saved and the unsaved, not color. He can bless the saved because they’re his children; the unsaved have His hands tied because they are not His.
So why are believers letting ungodly idiots slowly remove God from our lives and country and shove Him under the hand basket not to be seen or heard? What is their end agenda? Think! I wrote a piece a while back, “Citizen to Subject” about big government and restricting how much you can make in finance, regulating Wall Street and so on. Spreading the wealth, “Socialist Communism.” Obama believes in Collective Salvation, he said so, all of us together, which is not Biblical, but Marxist. Mrs. Obama, “First time proud of her country. Its been good to her!” Obama, “We’re not a Christian Nation.” Then what are we sir? I believe sir that you sit too long under Rev. Wright who GD’s America and maybe listen too much to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharply who both are racial integrators. The black Panthers and white supremacist are both wrong. It’s doubtful if either has read the Bible or knows God. The NAACP calling the T-party racist is like the kettle calling the pot black. The T-party keeps it out but their party is full of it. Last word: You can try to hide the truth, but it will always show up!
Richard Fox
Baker City
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—Editorial—
Anthony Lakes Could Be A Gem For The County
So the question has been asked, Should Baker County acquire the asset of Anthony Lakes, is it a gem or a mill stone? The answer is yes! A gem, when polished, shines for many to see its beauty. Isn’t a mill stone the corner stone for production?
While we do not always support government being involved in the running of private recreation in this case it may be necessary for the County to take the necessary steps to ensure the continued operations of Anthony Lakes.
The Baker County Commissioners have been working hard researching all of the information that has been provided to them, they have asked the public for their opinions and they are listening.
Under the current business model the area has needed cash support from its current owners. If that business model were to change and the area was able to operate under a different tax structure such as a 501 (c) 3 the business could become self-supported and maintained.
The County could also choose to lease out the area to private individuals or nonprofit organizations. Any of these changes could ensure winter recreation for us and our children for many years to come, because what are our children going to be doing if they are not at the mountain? We believe that Anthony Lakes is a positive driving force of our local economies supporting the local restaurants, motels, suppliers, fuel providers, contractors and shop owners.
When the founders were in the early stages of developing Anthony Lakes they were sold on the concept of winter recreation not only for the skiers but for all winter enthusiasts. These founders were and are your neighbors and local business owners, they believed in developing and sustaining businesses and assets for the entire community. Many things have changed since the early development of Anthony Lakes, but the love of the sport and the opportunities that winter recreation create for our communities is still endless.
—Letters To The Editor—
Thank You Gene Stackle
To The Record-Courier:
Thank you for your dedication and loyalty to the people in Baker City/County and beyond that have a love and interest in setting up a business here. Your professionalism and integrity are above reproach.
Thank you for the hours you put into business development, business retention and presenting potential business owners with information they need to put a business plan together, to start a business. You always work with the public, setting them up for success. Not giving them the fish, but teaching them how to fish. And the people you saved from themselves who were not ready or prepared to start a business.
I have had the honor of serving with you on several volunteer boards and have always trusted your judgment and honesty. I admire your desire to do what is right and how you search for ways for potential business owners to succeed. You do what is best for the community. I am a past BEGIN (business development) Board member; I read the reports of new contacts (business started and retained). Your efforts have brought economic benefits to all of us who live in Baker City/County.
What an awesome team you and Jennifer Watkins are. You both have brought into our community a lot of money and your talents will be hard to replace. How sad for Baker City/County that we lose two of the people who have the ability to bring in money. Oh, the three people let us not forget Steve Bogart. Steve, I am proud of you for standing by your employees and saying it like it is. We are going to miss you too. Thank you for your professionalism and integrity.
Out of the ashes the Phoenix will rise. Ya think?
Thank you Jennifer Watkins.
Jennifer, thank you for the millions of dollars you’ve acquired in grants and the businesses you have brought into Baker City/County that have benefited our communities throughout Baker County.
Thank you for all of your dedicated time administrating the grants once the grants were awarded.
Thank you for not giving up on potential businesses that have moved into our community because of your continual contact, even after several years. You got them here, I know – they told me it was because of you that they are here.
Thank you for attending all those meetings, after hours in the evenings, and on weekends. You did what needed to be done to get the project completed. I appreciate what you have done for this community. I am very blessed knowing you for the past 15 years. Working with you on projects, and watching you grow, becoming the respected professional you are, with grace and integrity.
I am so sad I will not be able to call you at the City anymore. This community is truly at a loss without you. God Bless You.
Terry Drever Gee
Baker City
Councilor Explains The City Budget Process
To The Record-Courier:
The Record-Courier editorial on July 8 made a couple remarks that made me believe someone was not aware of what budget processes are about.
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 294 establishes the authorities and procedures for municipal budget committees.
Baker City Charter, Section 22. Subsection (c) (8) states that the manager shall “Prepare and submit to the budget committee the annual budget estimate and such reports as may be required by that body.”
Under ORS 294 and Baker City Charter, the City Manager prepares estimates of financial resources and costs. He prepares the budget message and “proposed financial policies of the municipal corporation.”
The purpose of having a budget committee includes:
(4) To provide specific methods for obtaining public views in the preparation of fiscal policy;
(5) To provide for the control of revenues and expenditures for the promotion of efficiency and economy in the expenditure of public funds; and
(6) To enable the public, taxpayers and investors to be apprised of the financial policies and administration of the municipal corporation in which they are interested.
The budget committee is composed of all members of the council and an equal number of unpaid citizen volunteers who together serve with staff to advise the council. City Staff is by State law excluded from voting on the final budget recommendation. The committee serves to deliberate and decide upon actual budget expenditures and uses of funds. Thus taxpayers who have no vested interest in maintaining jobs, salaries, or tax revenue streams thereby control the process and result. The law intends to give taxpayers and not municipal employees control of expenditures and decide upon services they think are needed. If the staff proposal does not meet their concerns, they have authority to make changes.
The budget process is a policy advisory process. The City Council either accepts or modifies the recommendations of the full committee. By law, neither the City Council, nor the citizen budget committee is intended to be a rubber stamp for the recommendations of staff.
The process can be obscure. It is not always clear for example, that funds you think were set aside to cover employee retirement costs have been spent down. You might have plenty of employees, but not have money to buy asphalt to keep them busy paving the streets. You might not have planned enough money to pay expenses during the next budget year until revenues start coming in.
Each one of us can improve our skills, and in my view, could have contributed to improving the process and communication. To his credit, Budget Committee Chairman Randy Daugherty did specifically ask the City Manager what he needed to make the budget goals work. It was an opportunity to negotiate, to find ways to make cuts in other areas and add back other parts. Most of us are bottom-line money managers in our own experience. The Council made some choices to add back some funding, and responded to the reduction in lodging tax revenue by re-balancing the budget.
The City Charter, approved by our citizens, gives us our government structure. It provides division of power and authority for good reasons. It protects the taxpayers from run-away government and provides reasonable protection from political interference in the day to day administration of government. The Council may not eliminate the position of City Manager. If you want a “strong mayor” form of government, you will have to modify the City Charter.
While it may feel good now and then to take a cheap shot and make a remark about the council not listening to the City Manager, from what I have observed, we all do listen and value professional staff input. When we disagree, it is the Council that has authority to direct the City Manager on policy matters, not the other way around. You elect us and you have the choice to re-elect us or not. When you take your turn serving on the City Council after I am gone, I hope you will put as much time, effort, and thought into the budget process as we did this year. I hope you will be concerned about holding down taxes, covering expenses without borrowing more than you have to, and maintaining a balanced budget. Yes, budget cuts may mean jobs are lost or readjusted. These are not easy choices.
Clair Button
Baker City Councilor
Former City Manager Loses Job After Fraudulent Vote
To The Record-Courier:
The current news tells us little about the history of the city manager problem. But listen to your elders. In the early 1950s Baker had the mayor form of city government. Ming McKim was mayor for a while and he was followed by Jim Hanley (Tom's grandfather). Then an old high school classmate of mine, Bob Applegate, was hired as city manager. I think that Bob was doing a good job, but after a few years of shouting and waving of arms, a measure appeared on the ballot to return the city to the mayor form. This measure passed. Poor Applegate began looking for a job and soon found one in El Cajon, Calif. But, wonder of wonders, a judge declared the previous vote fraudulent and ordered a new vote. This time the measure failed.
Now Baker was without a manager and Applegate had a very good job. El Cajon began to grow very fast and Applegate stayed there until he retired.
While he was in Baker little was known of Applegate's record in WW II. He had told me that he was shot down in the Pacific and had been fished out of the water by an American submarine. But this year a new book is just out called “Whirlwind The Air War Against Japan” by Barrett Tillman. On page 211 you can read that: Rookie Corsair pilot, Lt.(jg) Robert M. Applegate traded gunfire with Kaneyoshi Muto. Both fighters went down but the 23 year old Oregonian slew the "toughest dogfighter in the Imperial Navy and lived to tell the tale."
Elsewhere in the book several pages are devoted to Muto's previous exploits.
Carl R. Kostol
Baker City
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—Editorial—
This We Think...
City Position Cuts
City Manager Steve Bogart recently resigned because the City Council disregarded his proposed budget recommendations and instead adopted changes that resulted in four employees losing their jobs and the city turning over economic development to the county.
Whether or not shifting economic development over to the county was a good move, only time will tell. But we were disheartened to see that 12-year veteran for the City, Jennifer Watkin’s position was terminated because of this budget move. As assistant city manager and director of the community and economic development department she has been an instrumental cog in the last decade of whatever wheels of success the City has turned out. And we wish Bogart would have had an opporunity to do his job.
When deciding which positions to cut for the budget perhaps city councilors should have considered cutting the city manager’s position since city councilors don’t appear to utilize the experience and recommendations of the person they hire for city manager anyway...
—Letters To The Editor—
A Loss at City Hall — Politics 4, Citizens 0
To The Record-Courier:
The forced departure of Jennifer Watkins from city hall is a tragic loss. Her in-depth knowledge of local government administration and her willingness to help with a cheerful attitude have long been appreciated by the citizens of Baker City.
For many years she has been the go-to person to resolve issues, has spearheaded community development, written many successful grants, provided the calm during frequent political storms and has represented Baker City with credibility throughout the region.
It appears that she is being washed away by political undercurrents that are sweeping the town backward.
City Manager Steve Bogart is to be complimented on his strong stand in the face of a mandated budget that he felt compromised the city by eliminating key departments and key people such as Jennifer Watkins.
To Mr. Bogart's credit he refused to be involved in a direction that he believed to be detrimental to the community, one he could not manage with integrity. He is widely respected for his high ethical standards and solid government management experience. Steve’s departure will leave a large void, and yet again, another city manager exits under duress.
One wonders if the budget's structure is more than cost cutting to increase the ending fund balance; is it also a thinly disguised directive to cause targeted personnel changes?
It is very distressing that capable government officials have been struck down by the axis of political turmoil.
Jake Jacobs
Baker City
Parade And Flag Kudos
To The Record-Courier:
Thanks to the sponsors of the window flags that were included in the newspaper (Baker City Herald).
I'm especially thankful for the flag etiquette shown on reverse. I hope residents take time to read the rules, as I've noticed several flags displayed incorrectly lately.
It was eons ago, when I was in 6th grade that we were taught the rules, but I still remember that the "field of Blue" is always hung to the left, when displayed.
Another subject: Kudos to Lynette Perry and her helpers who provided impetus for the July 3 Kiddies Parade. These events don't "just happen," but take much planning and organizing.
I liked the idea of SIDEWALK parade better than having the children tread middle of Main street. Children beamed with pride, bathed in security, as parents accompanied them.
From shimmering sparklers of Red, White & Blue to the occasional bark of a leashed pet dog, participants brought joy to the onlookers. Continuous clapping rewarded them.
In 2 weeks, spectators will again be treated to sights of a parade, as the focus on Jubilee parade unfolds July 17.
Phyllis Badgley
Baker City
Submitting City Manager Turnover To ‘Guiness Book of World Records’
To The Record-Courier:
Congratulations to our micro-managing city council. I am submitting their record of city manager turnover to the “Guiness Book of World Records.” Another first for Baker City!
Just think — in a little over a year, they have fired a city manager for being rude and hot tempered less than a month after praising his management skills, Some of what he accomplished before his unceremonious firing was to: 1.) Solve the police housing dilemma. 2.) Save the cost of a full time attorney. 3.) Convince Mr. Chance to come on as a city planner and revise our antiquated city code and outline ideas for future city growth. As a reward, four councilors avoided any discussion or citizen input to the surprise and chagrin of the other three councilors, fired him.
Since Mr. Brocato’s firing they have: 1.) Offered the manager’s position to a candidate that their search team recommended they not hire. 2.) Indicated to interim manager Collins that he might not be welcome any longer. 3.) Micro-managed Manager Bogart to the point where they adopted Councilor Bonebrake’s budget changes over his, hence his resignation. 4.) They let the county take over funds from the Transient Lodging Tax in the process turning down over $130,000 in economic development in order to create a large savings in cash carry over. Undoubtedly, they are encouraged by the fact that savings banks are paying a little over 1/2 of 1 percent in interest! 5.) By adopting the larger cash carry over, they axed four jobs including that of Assistant City Manager Jennifer Watkins, the city’s most valuable employee, due to her wide range of knowledge about city matters.
The items listed above are only a few of the good things they have done for us.
In closing, I would like to make one prediction and two suggestions for city voters to ponder before the November election.
Prediction: Our council by a vote of 5 to 2 will opt to settle the Brocato lawsuit out of court saving us $100,000 or so and avoid the embarrassment of a trial in federal court.
Suggestion 1: Return to the pre-50’s mayor council government — no city manager with Mayor Dorrah in charge and Ms. Calder as vice-mayor.
Suggestion 2: For an advanced preview of what we can expect Baker city to look like under the leadership of this “Dynamic Duo” please read about Thalia, Texas in Larry McMurtry’s novel “The Last Picture Show.”
John Heriza
Baker City
Garbage, Noise And Crosswalks
To The Record-Courier:
I have noticed in our neighborhood local garbage bins, for our area and others as well, that should not be getting cluttered up with garbage of bigger items and taken to the sanitary site. This is, by the way, free of charge by calling them and asking them which items can be taken, which will include most items. This can make life much easier for the tenants in our local neighborhood to be able to get their garbage in before pick up day. We have noticed in a particular area there is wood debris. Why can’t the tenants take it out to the dump rather than cause rates to go up? This is filling up the bins and if this is continued, it wouldn’t surprise me to see garbage rates go up because of this. Why should we take on any more on the account of certain individuals doing just that and not charge the specific ones who are making it a problem?
Another issue is the noise that we have had to deal with especially after 10 p.m. in the evening (saws, and not to mention foul language is loud enough that kids and all neighbors around them can hear all this).
For those who are hard working people looking for a hard night’s sleep, maybe a curfew hour should be put in place for our local trailer parks? Never had a problem with noise until now. Beats me!
So hopefully something will be done before school starts this fall.
There are several kids in the area of H Street and a bus has been stopping to pick the children up. There are no crosswalks, no slowing down signs of children playing during the summer, and as far as I am concerned it is an accident waiting to happen. Someone will get hurt. Cars drive thru here so fast that it can be a little nervy to even walk across just to get your mail. I would like to see some crosswalks in place. If anyone cares to look in to this matter we face every day on this street, let alone animals getting hit, and not to mention people still talking on their cell phones, it would be appreciated. No public safety is present. It would be a sense of relief for those in the general area.
Coffee Anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City, Ore.
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—Editorial—
Celebrating Our Freedoms
This weekend as we barbecue, watch or participate in parades or shoot off fireworks, let's not forget the reason we celebrate the 4th of July.
Through decades of civil strife, military rebellion, acts of heroism and treachery and differences of opinions between defenders of the old government and supporters of the new, our nation finally came together on July 4, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
A brief history: The Declaration was submitted by a committee of five, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. It was written by Jefferson and changes were made by Franklin and Adams before it was submitted to Congress.
On July 1, 1776, Congress convened. The discussion in Congress resulted in some alterations and deletions, but the basic document remained Jefferson's. The process of revision continued through all of July 3 and into the late morning of July 4. Then, at last, church bells rang out over Philadelphia; the Declaration had been officially adopted. Most of the delegates signed the Declaration Aug. 2, 1776.
John Hancock, the President of Congress, was the first to sign the sheet of parchment measuring 24- 1⁄4 by 29- 3⁄4 inches. He used a bold signature centered below the text. In accordance with prevailing custom, the other delegates began to sign at the right below the text, their signatures arranged according to the geographic location of the states they represented.
The first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence were turned out from the shop of John Dunlap, official printer to the Congress. On the morning of July 5, copies were dispatched by members of Congress to various assemblies, conventions, and committees as well as to the commanders of Continental troops.
Only 40 years after the ink was first affixed to parchment, the signatures began to fade and the Declaration went through numerous preservation attempts and had many homes, from humble lodgings to government offices before reaching its current destination at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Its ink may have faded, but its meaning and intent have remained intact.
This Independence Day take a few moments to ponder the freedoms we are celebrating and if you haven’t read the Declaration since high school, this might refresh your memory:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
To learn more about our National Treasure visit http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/ declaration.html.
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—Editorial—
This We think....
We think the Baker City Council made a wise decision in selecting Gail Duman to fill the council seat recently vacated by Andrew Bryan. She has the experience as a former city councilor, she had the votes (she missed getting re-elected in 2008 by a mere 105 votes) and she has indicated she wants the position.
With only six months to go to fulfill Bryan's term, there was no need to open this position to applicants, and possibly spend weeks debating over who the best
candidate is, voters will decide who will fill this position soon enough.
In the meantime Duman knows the job and can step in without hardly missing a beat or disrupting the flow of city business.
—Letters To The Editor—
Allegations Not True
To The Record-Courier:
At the last regular Baker City Council meeting--the same meeting at which Councilor Milo Pope pointing at the audience angrily said to Mayor Dennis Dorrah, "Would that gentleman be asked to shut the hell up?"--Pope lamented that, if city council appointed Gail Duman to the position recently vacated by Andrew Bryan, he and Councilor Sam Bass would be in a 2-5 minority.
But aren’t many City Council votes 7-0? Perhaps Pope’s 2-5 comment makes sense if Pope had hoped to some day increase, rather than decrease, the number of like-minded councilors from three to four, so they could rehire Steve Brocato as city manager. After all, that appeared to me to be the strategy behind the attempt to recall Mayor Dorrah and Councilor Beverly Calder that failed last October with a majority of citizens voting NO by over 2 to 1.
I'm referring to the same Steve Brocato--fired a year ago as Baker City manager--who last month filed a Federal lawsuit against Baker City, the four city councilors who voted to fire him, and me. Surprisingly Brocato's attorneys advertised the lawsuit in a "PRESS RELEASE" issued to Oregon news media announcing in all caps and bolded: "FORMER BAKER CITY MANAGER STEPHEN BROCATO FILES WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT AGAINST BAKER CITY, COUNCIL MEMBERS."
Here’s my opinion on the merits of Brocato’s case. The whistleblower allegation against the City will fail, because, 1. It is not true; 2. There were other legitimate reasons to fire Brocato; and 3. Under the City Charter and without a contract, City Council doesn’t need a reason to fire a city manager, just as a city manager without a contract may resign without reason and at a moment’s notice. Political pressures, not legal ones, keep City Councils and city managers from acting irresponsibly.
And I predict the allegations that four city councilors and I defamed Brocato will fail, because they are not true.
If any defamation has taken place, it comes from Brocato’s lawsuit, in which he has publicly essentially labeled all five of us liars. To me, that sounds like a winnable defamation suit.
Gary Dielman
Baker City, Ore.
Then And Now
To The Record-Courier:
Of all of the tragedies that have happened in our lifetime this oil well accident will no doubt go down in history as one of the worst ever. We can’t help but wish it had never happened but we also recognize the fact that all of the new technology that we develop there are risks involved and man’s ingenuity will no doubt help solve it.
This accident has brought about much anger, frustration and long term ecological problems to every segment of the economy of the entire Gulf Coast.
I can’t help but think about what happened in our own community without any big outcry from the general public. Just think what action by tree hugger environmental groups, government and spotted owl did for this community.
The local lumber industry probably had over 300 employees plus all the other businesses that supported these workers.
This was all a man made disaster, it didn’t have to happen. Remember I am from the government and am here to help you.
Eric Romtvedt
Baker City, Ore.
Traffic During Elkhorn Classic Bike Races Was A ‘Nightmare’
To The Record-Courier:
The traffic layout for the Elkhorn Classic was a nightmare. It took me 45 minutes to get to the other side of town. The signage on the barricades directing people to detours was unreadable unless you came to a complete stop, which many people did.
The traffic controllers were children. What do you do when a child is holding a stop sign in one hand and waving to you to drive across an intersection with the other?
The bicyclists chose to disregard the simplest traffic laws, such as stopping and yielding to the right.
The organizers of the Elkhorn Classic should be required to use electronic reader boards to alert car traffic to detours. These signs should also be posted on exit 304 and 306.
Children should not be used for directing traffic on any streets. Volunteers should take a flagger's course and wear a uniform so that they are safe and visible.
If the bicyclists and its organizers are unable to behave and follow the laws of Baker City, the city should drop all support for this event.
Paul Dunkak
Baker City
Federal Government Unprepared For Disasters
To The Record-Courier:
Our federal government under two administrations has dropped the ball with a major regional problem and unfortunately the Gulf oil spill debacle succeeded the hurricane Katrina debacle in the same region of the country. Where are FEMA and other government agencies when these problems occur?
The Gulf oil spill started on April 20, 2010. Louisiana asked for federal assistance within a few days, but the federal government did not start recognizing the seriousness of the problem until May 1, 2010. In late April, Louisiana asked the federal government (Army Corps of Engineers) for dredges to build protective sand berms on the coastline, but permission to build the berms was not provided until early June, which was too late to protect the coastline..
Approximately 150 boats equipped with oil skimmers are trying to siphon off the oil from the surface of the Gulf, but a thousand additional boats could be needed. Why isn’t the federal government demanding BP hire and outfit with skimmers additional boats that are available in the Gulf of Mexico? Why doesn’t the federal government make Navy and Coast Guard boats available? I believe they could be equipped with skimming equipment.
Someone mentioned the need to have large tankers on site to help suction up the surface oil. Why wasn’t BP required to provide the tankers? The U.S. merchant marine has ships on call for emergencies. The U.S. Navy has oilers (tankers).
Talks by President Obama,visits to the Gulf beaches by the administration, meetings with BP, restitution by BP, and the eventual cleanup of the ecological disaster will not stop the flow of oil from the leaking well. With all of our technology why haven’t we been able to figure out how to stop/contain the leak?
And why were oil companies allowed to drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico without the installation of emergency remote control shut off systems? The systems are currently employed on foreign deep water oil wells.
The federal government, with all of its resources, continues to be unprepared to respond to and manage the resolution of major regional disasters.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
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—Editorial—
It Was A Bit Of A Scare
When Oregon Legislature proposed cuts last week because of a $577 million budget shortfall that would result in the release of incarcerated criminals, we were concerned. When it was announced that the three prisons closing included the local Powder River Correctional Facility, we were really concerned. We had to wonder how much more of a hit could our already employment distressed community take?
However, Kulongoski later announced that he would not allow the three prisons to close and no prisoners would be set free before their time is up.
It was kind of like watching a scary movie where the woman hears a noise and goes into the basement to check it out. Only instead of getting assaulted by a knife-wielding maniac, she finds a harmless kitten roaming around. It doesn’t turn out well like this in the movies very often, and likewise when it comes to budget cuts. We had a little scare, but now it’s O.K. Or is it?
Communications spokesperson for Kulongoski, Anna Richter Taylor, said as an alternative to closing the prisons, the Governor supports dedicating the $15 million needed to keep the prisons open be taken out of State emergency funds of which there is currently about $50 million available.
We applaud the Governor for declining to close the three prisons! But exactly where are we going to make up the remaining $562 million shortfall?
We of course, understand the need for budget cuts, but in these economically troubled times, we agree with Kulongoski that closing one of a community’s larger employers is not a prudent move. Nor do we like the idea of criminals going free before they have served their allotted time.
We would rather see, as was suggested to the Governor by Oregon legislators, across the board cuts spread wide, taking smaller cuts over a multitude of services and jobs rather than see the entire cancelation of any one entity. Although the three prisons were initially included in this “across the board” tactic, we don’t think they spread it far enough across the board.
Folks can usually get by with a little less, but they can’t afford to lose their entire income. And when they do lose their jobs it further taxes the already stressed State coffers with unemployment payments and aid. It is estimated that one in five Oregonians is already on food stamps.
Opponents of across the board cuts have called it callous. But what is more callous — taking away the entire income of several hundred families or asking everyone dependent on State wages to take a little less?
—Letters To The Editor—
Don’t Blame The City For Kicking Rally Out Of Downtown Area
To The Record-Courier:
Things aren't always what they seem. Because the rally is poised to expand in the future, it became apparent to us that Main Street was not going to be a viable long term solution for the rally. We love Baker City and its charm and Main Street will always be part of the Rally. It just won't be the only part. We started this trend last year and it worked well.
So don't blame the City, they didn't kick us out of downtown, it was our choice to focus our efforts at the Sunridge. We will continue in our efforts to improve the Rally and strengthen our ties with the great people of Baker City.
Steve Folkestad
Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally
Forest Service Must Act Consistently With Federal Policy
To The Record-Courier:
The Organic administration Act of 1897 makes clear that the Forest Service must act consistently with the federal policy of promoting mineral development. Section 1 of that act precludes the Secretary of Ag from taking any action that would “prohibit any person from entering such national forests for all proper and lawful purposes, including that of prospecting, locating, and developing the mineral resources there of” 16 U.S. code 478 to “reasonably” protect the environment.
United States Dept. of Ag, forest service minerals program handbook preface (1983). See also forest service manual 2802 (Dec. 1986) (stating that the F.S. policy is to “ensure that exploration, development, and production of mineral and energy resources is done in a sound manner.” See PL187 the “Surface Resource” Act of 1955 for surface use(s) “incidental there to” (30 USCS 601 et seq) provided by Section 612 (b) “that any ‘use’ of the surface of any such mining claim by the United States, (i.e. F.S.-B.L.M.) its permittees or licensees, shall be such as not to endanger or materially interfere with prospecting, mining or processing (Plans of aps?) (or P.O.O.) “uses” reasonable incident there to.” This, public law 167, precludes all State’s land use(s) planning by virtue of Art IV, Section 3, 2nd para – Property closure is to be vested (public trust) by U.S. Congress, not by the State’s administrative fiat, as the United State’s Supreme courts decision was reversing 9th Circuit Court appeals, that quote; “distinction between land-use planning and the environmental regulations (of states) (Oregon)? Was unsupportable, either as an integration of the “governing statutes “or as a matter of logic.” –pg. 8-480 U.S. 572; 1075.CT.1419-94L.Ed2d577-(1987).
In the language used in the Surface Resource Act PL 167- “Permittees” or “licensees,” congress didn’t intend to make a “permittee” of persons acting under 1872 acts.
This language implied that the 1872 acts were a “statutory grant” by U.S. codes 30, sections 22 & 26, and not subjected to P.O.O. (plans of ops), as a permittee, in the land use(s) planning, not subject to federal mineral leasing laws, reserved from 1872 acts.
Under rule of law; Possessions 22-pre-emption by federal law, statutes. State law (pg 8) head note (12A) (12B)- State law can be pre-empted in either two general ways; (1) if congress evidences an intent to occupy a given field (1872 acts?), any state law falling with in that field is pre-empted; or (2) if congress does not entirely displace state regulation over the matter in question, state law is still pre-empted to the extent, it actually conflicts with the operation or objectives of federal law-that is, where the state law stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment of the full purposes and objectives of congress. (See Surface Resource Act-PL 167-1955 act-intent.)
See also National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980, 2(a)(1), 30 USC and 1601 (a)(7) (congressional finding that the availability of minerals “is essential for national concerns for energy and the environment”; 3,30 US Code – 1602 (It is the continuing policy of the U.S. to promote and adequate and stable supply of materials necessary to maintain national security, economic well being and industrial production will appropriate attention to a long-term balance between resource production, energy use(s), resources conservation, and social needs.
See also mining and minerals policy act of (1970) 2,30 US Code 21a., as the demand for minerals has increased during the last century, congress has emphasized that an economically sound and “stable” domestic mining ---industry is important to the economy and national security. (2, 30 US code 21a.)
It would appear that the state (gov office) and cabinets and the federal agencies, under the Pres. Obama administration-cabinets,- by fiat, are to a conspiracy to the above citing to the development of said conditions, to “boot strapped” the congressional intent? As “partners” or “comrades” to a conspiracy via “agents of law,” Admin Police State???
Liberals are anti mining?
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore.
Bonebrake Good Choice For State Library Board
To The Record-Courier:
Gov. Ted Kulongoski made a very astute decision to appoint Aletha Bonebrake to the State Library Board.
Aletha spear-headed the drive to establish the Baker County Library District and then the levies to remodel the Baker City building and establish branch libraries in Haines, Halfway, Richland, Huntington, Sumpter and Unity.
The Library Journal named the Baker County Library as one of the three best small libraries in America. What an honor and a tribute to Aletha ad all of those who devoted time and energy to improve library services.
Frances Burgess
Baker City, Ore.
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—Letters To The Editor—
Thanks To Duck Derby Participants
To The Record-Courier:
The Huntington Historical Museum would like to thank everyone that helped make our Duck Derby on Memorial Day weekend a huge success.
We want to thank all of the people who helped at the River, the Merchants that helped sell our ducks and to all the people who purchased ducks. We put the ducks back in the river and it all went very well. We did this in Memory of our Chairman Beverly McLean who passed away April 30. She will be greatly missed.
It was so great to see our community come together and work as a team for the weekend festivities. We had many people visit our Museum over the weekend. We would like to invite all people from Huntington and our surrounding towns to visit our Museum. We are open on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. PDT, every weekend through Labor Day.
We will look forward to seeing all of you and thanks from the Museum Board of Directors.
Norma Barton
Huntington
Reality vs. Illusions
To The Record-Courier:
In this day and age whatever happened to modernization in all facets of life? Even in the simplicity of life itself, whether it be politics etc., you name it!
Even just to be one's self as such is almost impossible depending on the surroundings and circumstances involved etc. I have had many remind me to be myself, which is easier said than done in lieu of issues we have had to deal with. For the lack or the betterment of one's idiotic judgement, assuming they know what they are really all about without getting to know the character themselves to see what the issues really are. Having things misconstrued in all directions, etc., behind one's back is no fun especially when sacrifices are made to keep a happy medium where all are concerned and to hopefully smooth things over.
For example, with myself I had a carefree Christmas holiday away from family and enjoyed myself immensely given the nice day we had during the winter, which was unlike last year’s winter. Then we were back on the old roller coaster again....whatever that is these days. Not to mention though we were really blessed by some dear friends and all at Christmas time and so a little of good and all seemed to put things in perspective.
So in the Christian sense of the word judge not least you be judged, whatever is measured out shall be measured back...if you have anger within you it will be in anger and have side affects etc. that would make things more unbearable to deal with than with the here and now. And having rightful attitudes and approaching things in a different manner as such, is more in the positive than the negative.
It is a sad state of the art how the news media etc. can blow things out of proportion and add more to it than meets the eye and make costly mistakes at that.
I have been really blessed thru the years with co-workers, friends etc., who have been very supportive and positive in all walks of life in livelihood and home, and my wonderful clients for ever spreading the word, and supporting my services and the wonderful compliments from those who like to read my letters. So why make a mountain out of a mole hill, and just let things be and get on with business as usual, and get off the old beaten track of making life miserable for those as such and enjoy life for what its worth.
The old saying goes "Life is too Short," enjoy the blessings of life and all that we have.
Coffee Anyone,
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
Community Proud Of Carter
To The Record-Courier
Glenda Carter I hope you know this community is proud of you. To see you chosen and honored at the 2010 Memorial day Concert in our nation’s capital for work you have done for all the young widows was truly inspiring.
As your story was reenacted on stage I thought of queen Esther as her uncle admonished her with “…and who knows but what you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?”
I feel humbled thinking of the help you have been giving and continue to give thru your book and your web site. God bless you for your efforts and know we’ll claim you in Haines anytime.
Evelyne Fisher
Haines, Ore.
Commander-In-Chief Went AWOL
To The Record-Courier:
As a Navy veteran, I am appalled President Obama, our Commander-In-Chief, did not lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2010. Instead, he went on vacation.
The Commander-In-Chief has an obligation to fulfill his responsibilities to our deceased soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who gave their lives to keep this country free. He has a duty to respect our veterans and support our military forces who are currently fighting two wars.
If a military member did not show up for duty he or she would be punished, including the possible loss of pay, a reprimand, a demotion, or in a theater of war operations, the potential exists for incarceration. Our Commander-In-Chief deserves to be punished, and the punishment is to make him a one term president.
Only two previous presidents missed laying the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery. Ronald Reagan was caught up in a prolonged economic summit in 1983 and George H. W. Bush was campaigning in 1992. Prior miscues by presidents cannot justify Obama’s dereliction of duty. He should have changed his vacation plans or taken time out to be at Arlington National Cemetery.
Our phantom Commander-In-Chief, who refused to wear an American flag in his lapel during the presidential campaign, and who did not place his hand over his heart for the national anthem at another campaign event, has just gone AWOL on Memorial Day 2010.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
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