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January 22, 2009 Front Page |
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Obama, America’s 44th President
West Palm Beach, Fla. — The inauguration of Illinois Sen. Barack Hussein Obama took place Tuesday in Washington D.C. Amidst 29F freezing temperatures and frigid 21F winds, blowing over millions of Americans gathered on the mall, the 44th President of the United States of America was sworn into the oval office by U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Honorable John G. Roberts.
President Obama took the podium and gave his first official address to the American people and the world as President of the United States. He greeted the nation, “My fellow citizens, I stand here today humbled by the task before us.” He thanked Former President George W. Bush, Jr., for his service to the American people and the world. President Obama spoke of the great nation of America made possible by its people. He claimed through the rising tides of prosperity, the still waters of peace, and amidst gathering clouds of raging storms, the people of the United States have remained faithful.
Coordination Is The Word-Baker County Meeting With Fred Kelly Grant
By Suzan Ellis Jones
Baker County Commissioner Fred Warner has embraced the coordination effort as explained by Fred Kelly Grant, a Nampa attorney and President of “Stewards of the Range.” Such simple wordage in Federal law can literally give power back to local governments — if exercised.
About 50 people attended the Jan. 13 meeting at the Extension Building. Also attending was Colby Marshall, Natural Resources Aid for Congressman Greg Walden, Mike Hayward, County Commissioner from Wallowa County, Boyd Britton of Grant County, Mark Davidson of Union County and Carl Stiff of Baker County.
Grant, who is 72 passionate about maintaining private property rights, the sovereignty of this nation, upholding the Constitution and keeping the government at bay. He admits that the beliefs he shares with everyone in the room are not the majority beliefs in the country. This, he states, is a hard concept to accept — but everyone who believes in maintaining private property rights must, and work from there. Rural Americans are in the minority. Through coordination with the Feds and State Agencies, local government can maintain local control and help maintain private property rights.
Baker County Planning Commission Hearing Proposed Zoning Ordinances
By Suzan Ellis Jones
The Baker County Planning Commission held last Thursday what was suppose to be the last public hearing on the proposed zoning ordinances. In reality this issue could be ongoing for many months. Approximately 40 people attended the meeting. There was testimony from nine citizens. The content of some of the testimony was the same as previous meetings, but several citizens introduced new concerns about the proposed document.
Planning Director Mark Bennett explained to the crowd that section 440 on mining was being withdrawn and it would remain the old language from the original county zoning ordinances from 20 years ago. He thought this action would reduce the concerns of the mining community.
Laurene Chapman, former owner of Elkhorn Title, testified with additional concerns about sections of the proposed plan, which hadn't been addressed at earlier hearings. Chapman addressed section 340 on both right-of-way and road easement issues. She asked the question, "Why should the county have the authority to prevent her from granting a road easement to her neighbor?" Discussion followed between Laurene, Mark Bennett and Randy Joseph, in which staff and Chair Joseph both thought the draft proposals were just for new developments. After Laurene made her arguments, they agreed that this section needs to be clarified and worded better.
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