Senator Ferrioli Addresses Baker Rotarians
By Mark Bogart
Wearing a green ribbon pinned to his suit jacket, State Sen. Ted Ferrioli addressed the Baker Rotary Club at its luncheon meeting on Monday. The Senator reviewed the recent special session of the Oregon Legislature and discussed a variety of local and state issues, including electricity, water, and budgets.
The green ribbon, Ferrioli explained, was a symbol being worn by Grant County residents to express their opposition to the Aryan Nation leaders who are looking at the area as a possible headquarters. He described the group from Northern Idaho as “domestic terrorists,” who are “involved in a criminal enterprise” both within and outside of northwest prisons. He said a group of Portland lawyers had volunteered to help residents who are trying to resist the establishment of an Aryan branch in the John Day area.
Planning Commission: Sullivan Calls It Quits
By Suzan Ellis Jones
At the end of the regularly scheduled meeting and continuing public hearings on the proposed zoning ordinances, Commissioner Anna Sullivan of Hereford resigned her position, effective immediately. Sullivan’s resignation leaves a gap on the commission with no representation from the agriculture community on the now all-male board. Sullivan has been on the Commission for over three years.
The remaining five members of the planning commission are mostly from Baker Valley, with Chairman Joseph from the Sumpter area. In her resignation letter, she read several items she hoped the Board would consider before changing the Timber-Grazing portion of the zoning ordinance in addition to mentioning ill-will between some commission members. In an internal e-mail between Commissioners, Jim Grove chided both Sullivan and Bill Harvey for their “rants” at the February meeting. Grove has been on the commission six months.
Bentz To Hold Baker City Town Hall
State Representative Cliff Bentz and the Baker County Chamber of Commerce will hold a town hall meeting in Baker City at the Sunridge Inn on Wednesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. (PDT).
Rep. Bentz will provide a review of the 2010 Special Legislative Session, highlighting important (and not so important) bills and will discuss the state’s budget woes.
Other topics include Business Energy Tax Credit reform, Annual Legislative Sessions, the status of the state’s unemployment trust fund, and Measure 49 amendments.
Rep. Bentz encourages residents of Baker City and the surrounding area to attend the meeting.
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