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October 22, 2009 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
This We Think...
Following the lead of the late longtime Courier publisher Byron Brinton, who wrote short opinion pieces titled “This We Think” here are some brief comments we have on various issues:
Hurts the Pocketbook, but...
Along with the risks of accident or injury, now there is even more incentive to obey traffic laws. The minimum base fine has increased by $45 (see article Page 10). While we don’t relish the idea of having to pay $142 for failure to wear our seatbelts or $192 for a U-turn, this is one of those issues that we all have a choice on. If we don’t want the fine — don’t commit the crime!
Kudos To Local Grocery Stores
Even though pigs got a bad wrap over the naming of “Swine Flu” — the virus is here in our backyard and it’s time to take action. We need to be diligent about washing our hands and protecting ourselves from catching/spreading any type of virus as we enter this flu season (see related story Page 1). We appreciate local stores like Safeway and Albertsons who both have antiseptic wipes available at their doors. Wilson’s hopes to make them available to customers this week. When you think of all the people who cough and sneeze and then handle shopping carts, it’s wise to wipe down the handle before shopping. Please take advantage of their thoughtfulness.
Local Recall
We will be glad when the ballots are in and the yays and nays are tallied and this is over — at least we hope it will be over — enough said!
Our Economy
Times are tough for almost everyone, but please remember to reinvest in your community. If you can buy it locally you are supporting not only the local businesses, but the schools, emergency services, medical facilities and city infrastructure. Because without viable businesses and jobs there would be no reason for these other services to be here.
The Internet is handy, but shopping local is quicker and you don’t have to pay shipping. If they don’t have what you are looking for, some stores will offer to order it for you. You would have to wait a few days if you ordered it yourself anyway, and this way you are spending your money local, where it counts and benefits you and your family and friends as well.
Graffiti Goobers
Last week Baker Sanitary Service’s recycling center had racial slurs and profanity written on the pavement in front of their newspaper recycling section. We always have to ask why? Who’s going to see it anyway - a handful of people who dropped off bean and tuna fish cans from the night before? Graffitti gets cleaned up quickly and there are better ways to make a statement - although there isn’t any reason for these kinds of statements, ever.
The very Goobers who commit the crimes of defacing public property are the same ones (or at least their parents), if they live here (and chances are they do), who are helping pay for the cleanup through their taxes. Who do they think they are hurting?
If you have an axe to grind or want your opinion heard, there are several other avenues available rather than writing vulgar words and slogans on buildings or pavement. If you are just being onery, then grow up!
—Letters To The Editor—
City Employees Offended By Heartless Attacks
To The Record-Courier:
We are your employees of Baker City. We are your friends and neighbors. We attend the same churches; our children go to school with your children. we volunteer our time, donate our money, belong to local clubs and service organizations, and give back to this beautiful community we call home.
We are public servants. As such it is our duty — our responsibility — to not only serve, but to protect the citizens for who we work.
We are also citizens of Baker City and County. We pay taxes, we vote and we we follow the laws we are beholden to enforce.
Recent implications questioning our credibility have been hurtful, demeaning and very damaging. Our loyalty and respect can be neither bought nor sold. Instead, they are earned by a shared work ethic and dedication to the fundamental belief that this community comes first. Anyone who knows and works with this staff will understand why we are deeply offended by these heartless attacks.
We are your employees, Baker City. And this is not a responsibility we take lightly.
Becky Fitzpatrick
Jennifer Watkins
James Price
Gary Van Patten
Wyn Lohner
Jeanie Dexter
Gary Bood
Michelle Owen
Teresa Dyke
Eugene Stackle
Joyce Barnstedt
Donald Chance
On Life In A Democracy
To The Record-Courier:
Life does not guarantee you the right to have the last word. Public life does not guarantee you the right to a public forum to have the last word.
If you lie, people will lose trust in you.
If it takes too much time to sort the truth from the untruth in what you say, people will conclude you are wasting their time.
If you still behave like a third-grader when you are an adult, you will have difficulty in life.
If you choose to fight, you will spend your time fighting.
If you fight with your boss one too many times, you will probably lose your job.
Even if you believe you are correct and others are wrong, you have only one vote.
If you try to impose your beliefs on others regardless, you will have difficulty in life.
You cannot prove you are right about issues of behavior, trust, or leadership.
If you must be in control all the time, do not make your home in a democracy.
Clair Button,
Baker City Councilor
Buy Local
To The Record-Courier:
Some folks go out of town to shop. I bought a power life recliner from a furniture store on Court St. 11 months ago. Recently it quit working.
I called the store at 9 a.m. A pleasant lady answered the phone. I told her my problem. She said she would call me. She called in 20 minutes, said the service man would be at my home shortly.
Service man and helper arrived and in 30 minutes had my recliner working okay. So shop out of town if you want. I’ll buy local if I can.
Wayne Hyde
Baker City
Afghanistan Debacle On The Horizon
To The Record-Courier:
President Obama is trying to decide our military strategy in Afghanistan. He is mulling over input from his civilian and military advisers, and members of Congress, but he cannot make a timely decision because of his lack of military and national security experience. His community organizing background is not very helpful in this situation.
It appears he will follow a path of political compromise similar to the policies that handcuffed our military in Vietnam. Obama is attempting to stifle his generals and turn them into Obama puppets, which will kill initiative and inhibit candid assessments of the war. This is a recipe for disaster in Afghanistan and could produce another war dominated by unsound military decisions made by politicians.
Predator drones, air power, missiles and mechanized armies cannot defeat the Taliban and al Qaida because of the extremely rugged terrain that is home to these fighters.
General McChrystal should receive the additional ground combat troops he requested, including special operations forces; and we need to speed up the training of the Afghan army.
We need a decisive military strategy for Afghanistan, not the indecision exhibited by the Obama Administration, which could lead to a debacle. If Afghanistan goes, Pakistan could follow.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
Brocato Did Not Follow ICMA Code Of Ethics
To The Record-Courier:
In his recall ads, Councilor Milo Pope writes, “Steve Brocato’s ethics are not in question.” He also writes that the International City Managers Association (ICMA) Code of Ethics, to which Brocato says he subscribes, does not require a city manager to remain neutral concerning council elections.
Let’s examine the facts. First, apparently Councilor Pope did not read the ICMA Code of Ethics or check with the people who administer it. I did.
I described to Martha Perego, Director of Ethics and Advocacy of ICMA, that Baker City has a seven-member city council from which the members select a mayor. I asked her if the ICMA Code of Ethics condones a city manager campaigning for or against a mayoral candidate. That’s what Brocato did 10 months ago, when he opposed Councilor Dorrah becoming the next mayor by unsuccessfully promoting Pope for mayor.
Here’s her reply. “Based on the value expressed in the Code of Ethics that a manager should serve all elected officials equally and impartially, it would not be appropriate for a manager to get involved in the selection of the mayor.” (Email to me dated 10-19-2009.)
So, in my opinion, Brocato did not act ethically according to his own avowed code of ethics.
Nor did Brocato act ethically last summer during the recall petition drive to collect signatures of 603 Baker City registered voters. Under Oregon elections law, it is a Class C felony to knowingly sign a recall petition more than once. Everyone I’ve talked to knows and abides by this law. In fact, it states at the top of all petition sheets: “Do not sign this petition more than once.”
Brocato signed petitions against both Mayor Dennis Dorrah and Councilor Beverly Calder twice each.
On June 19, Brocato signed the petition against Dorrah. The signature collector was his wife, Victoria. And on Aug. 21, he signed the petition against Dorrah again, this time the collector was Milo Pope.
Then, on June 19, his wife collected his signature on the petition against Calder. And on Aug. 21 Brocato signed the Calder petition a second time, the signature collected by Pope.
In my opinion these facts challenge Pope’s assessment of Brocato as ethical.
Gary Dielman
Baker City
Thank You For Your Support
To The Record-Courier:
To those who served on the Vote No! committee. To those who supported the cause through donations of time and money. To those who showed support through letters, signs, and morale boosting comments. To those who supported and continue to support our business in spite of the boycott and adversity. To those who voted no.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. From the depths of our hearts, thank you.
Mayor Dennis Dorrah
Councilor Beverly Calder
Baker City
Brocato Defamed Councilors, Violated Ethics
To The Record-Courier:
As the new kid on Council, I was told stories about Dorrah and Calder by former city manager Steve Brocato that, I soon learned, were untrue. Brocato tried to draw me into his orbit, which is how I heard so much.
I have witnessed these two councilors being abased in public, in private and in a team-building setting by Brocato and his crony councilors. I quickly discovered that Brocato had created a culture of secrecy and influence that excluded all but his fans. He tried to thwart council’s ability to debate public issues by using threatening language, manipulation of information and defamation. These are not idle charges, but my personal testimony.
Brocato also violated professional ethics by lobbying fiercely against Dorrah for Mayor. He knew Dorrah was an independent thinker. While councilors don’t have to agree, they have to be civil, sincere and abide by majority rule. Lately, we have experienced chaos from councilors whose behavior falls short of this standard. Mayor Dorrah was and is, in fact, the perfect unbiased citizen to shepherd council decisions through the web of secrecy and control that dominated city business.
Councilor Calder’s courage to speak in defense of the people is legendary. Citizens should be grateful to have two such genuine public servants protecting their interests. Don’t let the defamers twist the truth. Vote no on the recall.
Aletha Bonebrake
Baker City
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