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December 18, 2008 Opinions |
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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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