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April 23, 2009 Front Page |
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Fire Fighter Training
The annual rural fire department “Scavenger Hunt” was held Saturday and included several training exercises. The departments responded to drills set up on Frontage Road for smoke showing from a building, for mutual aid with Baker City Fire Department at a Main Street residential fire, the Roger Hotel for smoke, a residential basement fire, and a wildland fire on Deer Park Loop. Each rural department was scored on safety, teamwork, communication and completion of the task. The department’s new mobile training unit was also used in the training exercises.
Photo by Tammy Bloom
County Commissioners Hear Update From Facilities Department, Unity Dam Project
By Eden Taylor
Jason Yencopal reported on the Facilities Department at the regular County Commissioners session on April 15. He said the Facilities Department has hired two new employees, Vince Woods, and Nathan Petrucci.
The department has been working on a variety of projects and will soon be preparing the clock tower area for the arrival of the clock to be installed by June of 2009. The department also plans on replacing the sidewalks starting with the southeast portion, as well as re-sealing the parking lot. Yencopal said they are currently in the process of finding a mason to repair the Courthouse steps and the department also plans on refinishing the floor in Circuit Court. The Facilities Department is looking at grants to provide partial funding for a new sprinkler system. In the years to come, the department will be addressing the aging trees and will come up with a plan on replacing them.
Tax Day Tea Party Revolt Rallies In La Grande: 21,000 Participants Statewide
By Candie Campbell
The courtyard next to Mamacita’s in La Grande started filling with enthusiastic supporters of the Tea Party movement around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Many people carrying signs, wearing patriotic garb and strategically placed teabags, looked for a spot from which to participate.
The atmosphere of the crowd was upbeat, albeit still apparent that they took this issue very seriously.
Speakers greeted the crowds with praise for their patriotism by coming out and exercising their First Amendment Right, followed by an impassioned Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Discuss Baker City Planner Position And Billboards
By Candie Campbell
The Baker City Council met long into the night at their regular meeting April 14 with much debate over a couple of topics including the discussion of a Planning Services Request for Proposals and discussion regarding the adoption of Ordinance No. 3291 Sign Regulations.
City Manager Steve Brocato gave a presentation about the projected City Planner position choosing Confluence Planning Services, owned by current Planning Director Don Chance, over the five other proposals received.
Council asked Brocato why they should choose a company that does not include a Planning Director that wishes to live and work in Baker City. According to Brocato the benefit of Chance’s experience outweighs the drawback of losing people to live, shop, attend schools and get involved in our community.
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