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Baker County Events Center Open For Business
By Brian Addison
The newly renovated Baker County Event Center complete with commercial kitchen, luxuriously roomy restrooms and space to accommodate up to 420 people served its inaugural function, a wedding reception March 29.
Colleen Taylor of the Baker County Fair Board pulled out the fairgrounds facility schedule and pointed to several large functions coming to the Event Center over the next several months. Preparations begin soon at the Event Center for the Baker High School Junior/Senior Prom.
Local Oregon State University extension agent Cory Parsons has reserved the Event Center to hold the Baker County Juniper Management Workshop on April 15. The Juniper Management Workshop starts at 7 a.m. and includes an afternoon field trip with county noxious weed warrior Arnie Grammon. Parsons expects between 50 and 100 participants with maybe half of that number being visitors from outside Baker City.
Mayor Makes Decision On Citizen’s Complaint Against City Manager
By Debby Schoeningh
Baker City Mayor Jeff Petry has reached a decision regarding a complaint filed by Vickie Valenzuela against City Manager Steve Brocato.
“I have received, reviewed and have read the written statements from all the witnesses on Ms. Valenzuela's complaint,” said Petry. “My Decision: I see no merit in her accusations, in fact her actions and statements were disrespectful, badgering and her subsequent actions somewhat odd.
“Our City Manager Steve Brocato handled himself with professionalism in this matter. It's an unfortunate fact that City Staff has to prepare themselves for these types of situations.”
Valenzuela filed a complaint following a Feb.29 unscheduled meeting with Brocato at City Hall where she claimed he had been rude to her after she requested records regarding the city's purchase of a building for the police department located on Auburn Avenue.
Chaves Third Generation Start Local Business
By Brian Addison
The Chaves family continues building the local economy one generation after another. Ryan and Kaylin Chaves have opened their new business “Kicks Sportswear” offering Baker City shoppers a local outlet for athletic shoes, apparel and sporting equipment. The new Kicks Sportswear is located in the Palmer Brothers building at 1801 Main Street.
Ryan and Kaylin follow in the entrepreneurial tradition as the third generation of Chaves to own and operate a local business in Baker City. Ryan’s grandfather, Art Chaves, owned and operated Chaves Foodland located where Thatcher’s Ace Hardware is today. And, Ryan’s father, Richard, started Chaves Consulting, continuing strong today located on the fourth floor of the historic Baker Tower building. Ryan and Kaylin also have a business in Bend named Chaves Labor, Inc.
“We opened Kicks because we know the town needs this type of convenience, to provide a service long needed in Baker City,” said Ryan on Monday morning.
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