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Letters
Prison Labor In Private Industry
To The Record-Courier:
So our Economic Development Council has endorsed a plan for U.S. Timber to hire workers at near the minimum wage.
You may remember a time, a decade or so ago, when the use of prison labor in private industry was frowned upon in America—when we bitterly complained about China’s practice of using prison labor to make products exported to the US. It none-the-less has a long American history, going back at least to the early 1800’s when private industry would get their greedy hands on prisoners and literally work them to death. Even though it may look bad to the semi-civilized, it does kind of fit in with the sort of parochial, pre-modern, company-town, muddling toward the medieval feel of Northeast Oregon, and the practice should be a sound addition as the eighth cornerstone of the development council’s economic development plan here in Baker County. And what better way to market Baker City than to be known as the town that provides prison labor to private industry? Even if there aren’t enough prisoners to go around, the practice should help keep prevailing wages and benefits at rock bottom, which may have the effect of attracting some really sharp (as in cut-throat), no-nonsense, and otherwise intriguing business people to our little part of paradise.
And what better firm to start the practice than U.S. Timber? What with illegals getting harder and harder to find, and more dangerous to keep, a captive pool of local laborers coerced into pulling the green chain is just what the doctor ordered. With the US leading the world in an ever-expanding number of the incarcerated, prisoners might just outnumber the undocumented in a decade or so. Plus, there are some real economic advantages to using captive labor, including no vacation or sick pay, and even more attractive, no health or unemployment insurance to worry about. It is a brilliant and strategic business decision that should position U.S. Timber to be in the forefront of the prison labor boom-times ahead.
The aspect slow-growth advocates might like is that it should retard economic growth because these workers already have housing at the correctional facility, they don’t drive cars to go shopping, and traffic won’t be an issue. Growth might also be slowed significantly when the word gets out that we are becoming a prison labor center — it just might keep the namby-pamby, progressive riff-raff out, who knows.
Now I know there are those of you who object to the whole sordid prison labor thing, but look at the alternative. As hinted at by Commissioner Warner, if U.S Timber wants to attract a steady, loyal work force, they’d have to offer a living wage and benefits package that would motivate workers to pull the green chain, and what kind of American employer would want to do that?
Christopher Christie
Baker City
Haines School Is Open And Has Plenty Of Community Spirit
To The Record-Courier:
On behalf of the Haines Elementary PTCO (Parent, Teachers & Community Organization) I am writing to you regarding the Nov. 29 front page article titled “New Middle School Option Shelved‚ By 5J School Board; Emotional Exchange with Citizen Ensues,” written by Brian Addison. Particularly, we would like to address the comments quoted by Baker School District Board Member, and Haines Community Member, John Boyer. I hope the comments made by Mr. Boyer were taken out of context, and not a direct quote. Yet, due to the comments printed and the way they could be interpreted by your readership, I have been asked by our organization to submit the following:
The article quoted Mr. Boyer as saying, “The Haines community has lost the sense of community and I think this happened when Haines School closed. Since then we’ve had trouble getting people back to support us.” For your readership’s clarification, the Haines School is not closed, and has been open for the past several years. The Haines School is currently a successful and viable component of the Haines community, and is the shining star for the Baker School District. Those of us who have our children educated at the Haines School do so for several reasons: quality of education (our school was rated by the state a “exceptional” and ranked the highest in the Baker School District twice for student assessment scores, 2004-2005 and 2006-2007), the student/teacher ratio (we are a small rural school, K-6, with a total of 80 students), a student body where all kids know each other and make each other accountable for their actions, and our working partnership as parents, teachers and members of the Haines community.
As an aside, this magic happens to occur in a historic building, which has its benefits as well as its shortcomings. At one time our school housed 100 students. Today it serves the needs of approximately 80 students, yet the educational needs of today’s children take more room than in prior years. We are busting at the seams and do the best we can with the resources we have. We are proud of our little school, our excellent teaching staff, and our students. Each year we set a fundraising budget for line items not funded by the district. Our budget items include an Artist in Residence program, classroom supplies for students and teachers, one new computer a year, accelerated reader books for our school library, PE equipment, field trips, in-house presentations by traveling authors and theater performances, AV equipment for performances and assemblies, tables, chairs, and when needed coats and mittens for students. These are not luxury items. They are things we would hope all students who attend public schools have access to. Please be assured we are very active in our children’s education and we have ownership of what occurs in our school.
There are two upcoming opportunities where you can experience first hand the Haines Community in action. On Friday, Dec. 7, there will be a dinner fundraiser for the Wendt Family at the Haines Methodist Hall to offset medical costs. And, on Friday, Feb. 1, the Haines Elementary School will be hosting its annual Chili Feed, Auction & Live Auction — this is our #1 fundraiser of the year, with the goal of raising $5,000 to pay for items identified in our budget. At both events you can eat a great meal, see the spirit of our little community in action, and contribute real dollars that will go directly to real areas of need — not a study that will sit on a shelf, not administrative overhead, and certainly not a school that is closed or lacking community spirit.
Andi Sexton
President, Haines Elementary PTCO
Local Businesses Thanked For Generosity
To The Record-Courier:
It has been my great pleasure to volunteer with Historic Baker City over the past years. Businesses have been so responsive to make donations and help with special events. This year is no exception. As I collected donations for the Twilight Parade, they were very generous again.
My congratulations to Banner Bank, Blue Mountain Baptist Church, Clarke & Clarke Insurance, Coughlin, Leuenberger, & Moon PC, LaDonna’s Fiber Arts, Ma Bell’s, The Open Door, Yervasi & Pope PC, Edward Jones Investments, El Erradero, Lew Bros. - Les Schwab Tire Center, AmeriTitle, Allstate Insurance - Josie Mack Agency, Baker City Cafe, Barb & Betty’s Hallmark, Turn the Page Used Books, Mad Matilda’s Coffee House, Purple Bear Ceramics, Prospectors Chocolate Co. & Bristro, Ryder Brothers Stationary, Vision Wealth Management, Start to Finish Builders, and Sears for being such strong supporters of the community.
We are so fortunate to live in Baker City, and have so many dedicated, supportive businesses and volunteers.
Matthew L.G. Koppenhaver
2007 Holiday Twilight Parade Chair
Sumpter Valley Railroad A World Class Tourist Railroad
To The Record-Courier:
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the scores of volunteers who put on the Sumpter Valley Railroad's Christmas Trains.
Sitting in a 19th Century heated business car watching the white rails disappear behind us in the winter wonderland outside was an experience our two little boys will long remember (and Daddy thought it was pretty neat too!). And meeting Santa was an extra bonus.
So thanks to the SVRR, and to all the dedicated workers who toil year-round to give Baker County a world-class tourist railroad!
Mark Henderson
Haines
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