Babies too fragile to be shaken
To the editor:
I’m writing this letter in response to a tragic situation I witnessed this week called Shaken Baby Syndrome. This letter is to all parents who have babies, especially those between the ages of 1 and 3 months.
Please — if you find yourself in a situation of trying to cope with a crying baby, call someone. There is no shame or embarrassment in asking for help when dealing with your child. Every parent at some time has experienced the frustration and stress of a crying infant. Knowing there is help available can prevent lives from being destroyed. If you have no one close to you you can turn to for help, call this number. 1-800-4-A-CHILD. If you need someone to come to help, call me, 541-519-4230.
I hope to find volunteers in our community who would be willing to help a parent in need. Whether it’s just having someone to talk to or someone to provide you with time to rest. If you are interested in helping, give me a call. The Web site, www.copingtocare.com, has suggestions on ways to cope with a crying infant.
Put this phone number on your fridge — you may never need to call it but know it is there: 1-800-4-A-CHILD.
And remember — children are fragile; do not shake.
Baker CityEconomic Improvement District a vital part of Baker City’s future
By JENNIFER WATKINS, GENE STACKLE and JAKE JACOBS
Property and business owners in downtown Baker City are again faced with a decision: Do you continue to have the outstanding successes that have occurred over the past 20 years; or do you take your chances that future progress will happen on its own?
Historic Baker City Inc. operates under the four principles of a downtown program: organization, promotion, design, and restructuring. Its mission is to “promote a healthy and prosperous downtown.” Façade renovations, streetscape improvements, events, small business assistance and much more are made possible through the tireless efforts of the staff and volunteers of Historic Baker City. Funding through the Economic Improvement District provides for a full-time staff person to carry out the goals established each year that help Historic Baker City — and in turn, the entire community — succeed.
For residents of our fine community, it is easy to overlook the incremental improvements that have occurred in the last two decades. However, these positive changes are very noticeable to visitors, especially those looking to call Baker City and County their new home. They comment on the historic restoration of buildings, the street benches and trees, and quality downtown promotions. More importantly, they catch the spirit of revitalization that is making Baker City a standout town in rural Oregon.
Yet, in a recent community survey, those who live here also recognize the changes. Residents agreed that it is important for our historic assets to be preserved and maintained. Many respondents also mentioned downtown development as a project of which they are most proud. These responses indicate that the proactive efforts made possible through Historic Baker City and the Economic Improvement District are making a difference.
Still, the work is not complete. There are several major historic building facade restoration investments to be made. Some empty storefronts remain. Streetscape improvements to other areas of the downtown district need to be completed. Some believe that nothing is being done to try to resolve these issues. Quite the contrary is true. HBC, Economic Development and the City of Baker City work closely to encourage private investment, as well as leverage public dollars for infrastructure improvements. Without future efforts made possible by the Economic Improvement District, these efforts will be severely hindered.
In reality, while many “mill towns” throughout the Pacific Northwest have experienced serious flight of retail businesses brought about by the decline of the wood products industry, Baker City has weathered this economic storm in remarkably good condition. Without the efforts of Historic Baker City, made possible by the Economic Improvement District, it is not unlikely that we may have seen entire blocks of empty, dilapidated storefronts — similar to what we had in the mid-1980s. Clearly, residents want more retail opportunities, but they won’t materialize without a plan, resources, and people to carry out that plan.
As the economic development team for the area, we are involved in many different projects throughout Baker County. One unique asset we have is our downtown historic district. The resources leveraged by the Economic Improvement District produce a tremendous return for our community, making our town more appealing to business owners and representatives looking to relocate or expand.
We have witnessed the difficulties that volunteer-only organizations with broad and aggressive missions deal with in the absence of full-time professionals. The Economic Improvement District makes it possible for the downtown to have a professional staff person solely devoted to its needs. For those of you who own a business or property in the community’s central business district, the question for you is not “can I support the Economic Improvement District renewal?” but rather “how can I not support it?”
We encourage all of you to support the renewal of the Economic Improvement District.
Jennifer Watkins is Baker City’s community development director; Gene Stackle is economic development manager in charge of local business development; and Jake Jacobs is economic development manager in charge of business recruitment.
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Opinion 
