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April 24, 2008 Opinions |
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Letters
MVMH Praises
To The Record-Courier:
Over the past two years, Mountain Valley Mental Health has received much negative publicity from a few members of the community and from the press. When a site survey done by GOBHI and the State of Oregon in December 2006 found deficiencies, it made front page headlines. A follow-up survey done last spring demonstrated “remarkable improvement.”
This week MVMH again underwent a site survey. Both GOBHI and the State of Oregon noted the quality of care provided at MVMH. From this survey MVMH will be certified for at least two years.
Congratulations to Director, Vicki Long, and the entire staff at MVMH. Only through an incredible amount of hard work and dedication was this possible - a job well done.
Laurence Levinger, MD
Chairman, Board of Directors Mountain Valley Mental Health Programs, Inc.
Baker City
Is There An Elephant In The Room?
To The Record-Courier:
“…nobody is knocking on our door to spend $50 million” said Brian Cole at the Economic Development Councils meeting a couple of weeks ago and he is right – they are knocking on our door to spend $500 million.
Having attended a portion of the Economic Development Councils meeting, where Brian Cole spoke, and reading about the rest of the meeting in the April 7 Baker City Herald – Economic strategy: A 42-point plan – I commend the EDC on the six strategies selected. But are the six strategies, business retention, value-added agriculture, downtown development, business recruitment, destination tourism and value-added forest products, sufficient?
Present interconnection requests with Idaho Power for wind projects in Baker County total 263 megawatts (MW). With new wind energy development costs approaching $2 million a MW we will be looking at a $500 million investment in Baker County when these projects are built. Additionally there is a 150 MW project proposed for Union County and a 252 MW project proposed for Wallowa County totaling 665 MW in the three counties for new investments of over a billion dollars in Northeast Oregon for wind generation. And there are additional projects proposed that have not yet requested interconnection with Idaho Power. Also Idaho Power is proposing a new 500kv transmission line to run through Baker County paralleling their existing 230kv and 138kv transmission lines. It seems like some big players have recognized the opportunity to provide clean renewable electricity with the resources we have in Baker County and Northeast Oregon.
What does this mean for Baker City and Baker County? Jobs – initially there will be an influx of construction workers into the area during the development and construction phase of these projects and those workers will be staying in RV parks and motels, eating in restaurants, and shopping at local businesses. Concrete providers will be kept busy and machinery repairs and parts will be needed for all the trucks, bulldozers, excavators, and other equipment used to construct and erect the wind turbines. When construction ends operation and maintenance begins with eight full time family wage jobs per 100MW of installed capacity. And what about taxes? This question is too involved for this letter but the income from tax revenue will be substantial; more than enough to offset the lost timber revenues. The investment in transmission lines and the jobs created to install the new transmission lines is above and beyond the wind projects mentioned above.
Columbia Gorge Community College has begun a Renewable Energy Technology program to train their children to work in their community with wind generated renewable energy and they are integrating the program into the surrounding high schools. Where does Blue Mountain Community College fit into the development proposed for Baker County? What is the potential for additional renewable energy jobs in different technologies, solar, geothermal, biomass, for our area? How do we integrate renewable energy technology into both the community college and the high school? What is the opportunity for Eastern Oregon University to provide education for engineers, both mechanical and electrical, to work in the renewable energy field?
When we consider the threat from global warming, the true cost of imported oil, and the demands a growing population places on existing energy resources, can we afford not to embrace the opportunities that renewable energy will provide?
The question I keep asking myself is — “How strategic is a strategic plan that does not recognize this opportunity?”
Randy Joseph
Baker City
We’re Not Giving Up Our Guns
To The Record-Courier:
Fellow Citizens, Patriots and Warrior Heroes, Saturday, April 19, 2008, marked the 233rd anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord that started the American Revolution with the “Shot Heard Round the World.” It is a fact that a ragtag, often disorganized force of American colonials, wielding their own arms, was able to defeat what at the time was the most powerful armed force in the world. Our forefathers, armed with their won flintlock rifles and pistols, and an assortment of muskets--the ‘assault weapons’ of their era--threw off the yoke of oppression under which they were forced to live.
Simply put, without their own guns two centuries ago, we would still likely be saluting a king instead of electing a president. We would likely be British subjects instead of electing our own Congress and state legislatures. And to this day the citizens and patriots of this great country remain ready to enforce the God given right to protect ourselves and our family and our country with our guns-the ‘assault weapons’ of our era-an individual right repeatedly affirmed by the 2nd amendment to our Constitution.
It is true that our system of government is not perfect, but America’s freedom and liberty are second to none. Otherwise, people would be waiting in line to leave instead of sneaking across our borders to get in. April 19, 1775, gave us that, and the Second Amendment protects it. And just so the national and foreign media aren’t misled, we’re not giving it up.
Bill Hanely
Baker City
Return Hofmann To The OTEC Board
To The Record-Courier:
I have known and worked with Dr. Hofmann for many years. His roots are in Eastern Oregon, being born in La Grande and practicing medicine in Baker City for many years. Chuck brings a no nonsense approach to decision making. He has been a great addition to the OTEC Board. He is a great thinker and not afraid of making tough decisions. His years as Mayor of Baker City demonstrate his ability to balance a budget and still move an organization forward.
I served with Dr. Hofmann on the Baker County Economic Development Council and he realizes our utility companies are critical partners in the future of our economies. He realizes it is imperative for them to be at the table in all communities as we move forward with economic development. Chuck will take a hard look at renewable energy projects in Eastern Oregon. If it makes business sense to OTEC, he will advocate for them.
Finally, the OTEC Board is approaching a crossroad. They must successfully negotiate a 20 year power agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration. This will be a 1 BILLION dollar decision. We need Dr. Hofmann representing us at the table when these tough decisions are made. Please join me in voting to return Dr. Hofmann to the OTEC Board
Fred Warner, Jr.
Baker City
Guest Opinion
Forest Plan Revision Process Continued
Steve Ellis, Forest Supervisor, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Cassius Cash, Acting Forest Supervisor, Malheur National Forest
Kevin Martin, Forest Supervisor, Umatilla National Forest
The U.S. Forest Service recently announced its new planning rule that will allow us to proceed with the forest plan revision process on the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. We are excited by this announcement and encourage the public to continue working with us as we chart the future of National Forests across the Blue Mountains.
The Forest Service is proud to be stewards of our National Forests, but we know we can not do it alone. We are only successful when we work closely with citizens. Our conservation ethic rests on the principle of collaboration and community-based stewardship.
The revised planning process involves early and frequent interaction with the public. Our hope is to continue the on-going conversations with you concerning your desires for the three Blue Mountains Forests. We have done a lot of work with you (our publics) since we began the revision process four years ago. We look forward to working directly with you to balance local needs with the latest science and technology. Your continued involvement will be needed as we continue working through the planning process.
We have many issues to address across the Blues, including maintaining healthy forest and grassland ecosystems, providing adequate and sustainable habitat for our many wildlife species (both terrestrial and aquatic), maintaining diverse recreation opportunities, meeting the changing expectations of the American public, and supporting the rural lifestyles people in our local communities highly value.
We have learned that long-term land management planning is not an easy undertaking --- particularly in a time of climate change and other environmental uncertainties (such as fire, insects, or wind storms). However, the new planning rule provides a mechanism where plans can be more readily adapted to reflect changing conditions such as drought and increased wildfire threats. The health of our forests and the safety of our surrounding communities depend upon this adaptability.
Some of you may have been discouraged because our previous participation efforts were stopped pending the announcement of a new planning rule. Be assured that the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision Team is still considering all comments they have received and we thank the many people who have participated in the revision process over the past four years.
We are currently working to complete draft Forest Plans for the three Blue Mountains National Forests. All of your previous comments are being considered. Once the draft is ready, we look forward to sharing it with you and hearing your comments. We are confident the revised plans will protect and manage the forest’s wildlife and natural resources, contribute to the economic stability of our local communities, and provide for your use and enjoyment.
You can learn more about the 2008 Planning Rule on the web at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/2008_planning_rule.html. If you have questions about how the new Planning Rule will impact the Blue Mountains Forest Plan revision process, contact Dave Schmitt (Revision Team Leader) at 541-523-1248.
Together, we can ensure that the beauty and the bounty of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests will be available for generations to come. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you as we continue with the plan revision process.
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