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February 18, 2010 Front Page |
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Don’s Jewelry Pares Down To One Store
La Grande’s Loss Is Baker City’s Gain
Photo and Story by David Conn
Don McClure, owner Don’s Jewelry at 1937 Main Street in Baker City, was faced with a choice while running stores here and in La Grande.
“It was too stressful to run two stores,” he said, “so I chose Baker because people commented on how they appreciated what I do for the community.”
Another reason McClure chose Baker is to provide customers with better service. Strung out between two stores, he said it was difficult to provide either store with the level of service he wanted.
“I decided to put all my efforts here,” he explained. “I want to work and not just be an administrator.”
The result is that customers at Don’s Jewelry will find an almost entirely new store featuring a new look, larger inventory, and the highest level of attention to customers’ needs.
McClure is now able to devote full time to what he does best: designing, repairing and manufacturing jewelry.
New City Manager Talks About Challenges, Goals
Tim Collins stepped down this month as City Manager and handed the reins over to local resident Steve Bogart who was selected for the position by unanimous vote of City Council. Collins had been serving as Pro-tem manager since the firing of Steve Brocato in June.
The Courier recently had an opportunity to visit with Bogart about his goals, challenges and concerns for the City. The results are presented in question and answer format below:
Courier: — For people who don’t know your background, would you summarize your qualifications to be the City Manager of Baker City?
Bogart: “More than 20 years of local government experience over the last 24 years - 17 of them as the Chief Administrative Officer gives some indication of experience.
“I believe that in every community in which I've worked the county or city governing body has expressed a trust and confidence in my abilities and initiative. I think that I can show a record of sound management and demonstrated progress within each community. “
OSHA Cites Wallowa Whitman For Safety Violations During Unity Area Marijuana Clean-Up
Wallowa Whitman National Forest (WWNF) has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for safety violations, which occurred during a marijuana grow clean-up near the Monument Rock Wilderness south of Unity. U.S. Forest Service employee Steven Uptegrove, 52, of Unity was killed by a falling tree during the August 2009 clean up.
OSHA issued a notice of “unsafe or unhealthful working conditions” on Jan. 29 stating the violations must be abated by Feb. 25, 2010.
The violations included in the notice were:
• Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment. On Aug. 20 an employee, hook-up person engaged in longline operations was not wearing complete eye protection, such as goggles, while exposed to flying debris caused by the rotor wash of the Ch-47 helicopter.
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