Letters to the Editor for June 26, 2009

Renovation record speaks for itself

To the editor:

Mr. Williams’ letter regarding my property on Valley Street is nothing more than mean-spirited propaganda. The building has been an eyesore for many, many years.  Recently it was under threat of demolition and I decided to “rescue” the former church and drug treatment center and turn it into something that contributes to the neighborhood.  

This building could be a neighborhood center; a gathering place for the east Baker neighborhood with facilities for family gatherings, art and dance classes, maybe even an elderhostel for travelers visiting Baker City and exploring our history and enjoying our community.   

My house on Dewey Street, purchased in ’93, contained over five dump truck loads of rotting garbage, animal hides and offal. The yard was even worse. It took years to transform that hovel into the beautiful home it is today, but I believe it has had a positive impact on my neighborhood.

Baker City is still a land of opportunity. I was able to afford to purchase a home here on my own, even though I bought something most people would condemn and declare hopeless. All it took was some time, some hard-earned money and a lot of elbow grease and sweat.  

Many “derelict” properties in Baker City have been revitalized. The list is long and includes some of our most beautiful homes and buildings. I don’t have deep pockets, a trust fund, or a job funded by taxpayers. But I do work hard and have put everything I’ve earned into creating jobs in Baker City that support families and reinvesting in my community.  

Since purchasing the Valley Street property last year, I’ve tried to keep the yard mowed (between rain showers) and the sidewalks clear. All of the broken windows have been removed and stabilized with plywood. There are no cats nor transients living in the basement and there are no violations of city ordinances. I didn’t make the old church an eyesore, but it is my goal to make it something the neighborhood will enjoy and benefit from.  

Beverly Calder

City Councilor

Baker City

Short move from citizen to subject

To the editor:

Forgive me if this seems like a concerned citizen letter. It is! I’ve many questions on where this present government is leading, and why. You should too.

Who is the real Obama, and who does he think he is? Do you really know? There’s more secretive about this man than any president in United States history. Where did he really come from, what are his real plans for this country?

Saying this is not a Christian country, has the biggest Muslim population of many countries. This troubles me because it’s a bald-faced lie. He claims Christianity, but then goes against God’s word on baby killing. I wonder where his faith is on other issues. Gives out information that could hurt our troops without concern about the effect? Makes policies and orders without thought out ways to carry them out. To quote the Koran but not the Bible in Muslim countries troubles me. Sir, they are not compatible in any way.

Now some are told, not asked, to join his health plan or face possible fines. Mr. President, whose side are you really on? He wants to tell you what and where you should eat, under his health care plan. He has been after our firearms even before he became president, and still is. Now I’ve just learned that customs, believe it or not, wants knives banned, even some kitchen knives. What’s next? It’s all on record.

Mr. President, are you still on-the-job training with our lives? It scares me to remember what a Russian leader said a few years ago: “United States would be overcome from the inside without a shot being fired.” How? Because the people are blind in their comfort. Politically and financially they lose their freedom. A Muslim speaker who spoke at the U.N. said later, “if the Muslims were smart enough to get into and win government seats, they could force their will and defeat this country.”

Our government is getting bigger and bigger and our freedom smaller and smaller. It’s a short move from citizen to subject. Read the writing on the wall and pray.

Richard Fox

Baker City

Recall would divide the city

To the editor:

I have lived in Baker City since 1941 and have been a registered pharmacist since 1951. Fran and I have three children, two of whom are longtime residents and all five grandchildren live here.

I have viewed the videos of the June 8 and June 12 City Council meetings. The Tuesday night meeting was a very highly emotionally charged event. Dire predictions for the future of this city were proclaimed by the dissenting members of Council and by members of the audience. Some letters to the editor have voiced similar opinions.

After a few days, the city is functioning very well. We have an outstanding interim city manager. Tim Collins has 30-plus years experience in all areas of Baker City government, including law. We have a great staff and employees on the job and they are functioning well. This will continue.

A recall is the worst scenario possible. Recalls are appropriate when a law has been broken, gross negligence, fraud, and gross moral behavior. None of this has happened. These council members were doing the job they were elected to do, in their opinion. If we disagree, we exercise the democratic way at the ballot box.

This recall movement has the earmarks of a very serious civil strife among the citizens of Baker City, within families, among friends, members of a church, members of civil organizations and others. This is a very controversial issue which needs to end. Councilors Pope, Bryan and Bass can stop it by asking the petitioners to stop at once and asking the citizens to not sign any petitions.

We all need to work together for the city we love. I am optimistic.

John Burgess

Baker City

I’ll be coming back to Baker City

To the editor:

As one of the cyclists competing in this year’s Elkhorn Classic bicycle race, I’d like to express thanks to all those making this great race possible. From the organization of the race promoters and police assistance to the countless volunteers who stood in the rain directing traffic and handing out water bottles.

Additionally, I’d like to thank the businesses who rolled out the welcome mat for all of us and accepted the traffic revisions downtown. Thank you for hosting this race and I look forward to visiting Baker City as a tourist in the near future.

Thomas Volk

Walla Walla, Wash.

Recall them all, or none

To the editor:

Recall of four members of the Baker City Council is not really necessary but looks like it might happen. So let the taxpayers and voters decide if they want Mr. Brocato in the position of Baker City Manager. If you recall a council member for doing what they were elected to do you might as well disband the City Council altogether.

It’s my opinion that the taxpayers can no longer afford Mr. Brocato’s generosity to the Baker City employees.Whether it be in salary increases or in the buying of a new building for the police department. If the vote to recall Councilors Dorrah and Calder move forward we should also vote to recall Bass and Bryan.

Who are they to get to keep their seats for doing what they were elected to do, while the others face a recall for doing the same? And if next month it’s decided to try to recall Councilors Bonebrake and Button we might as well get Pope on that recall too.

Might as well recall them all or none at all.

Frank Colton Jr.

Baker City