Letters to the Editor for May 28, 2009

Marathoner didn’t do it alone

To the editor:

There are a lot of folks to whom I owe my deepest thanks following my Boston Qualifying run at the Eugene Marathon earlier this month, starting with Ryan and Katlin Chaves for their tremendous support and enthusiasm for my running career. I also need to recognize Jim Ingram for being a great friend who made himself available to help me with my training and fitness questions from the very beginning. A special thanks goes to my running pal and fellow “Road Warrior,” Brian Cole, for all his moral support and for accompanying me on those pre-dawn distance runs. I also recognize my good friends Brian and Corrine Vegter, Jason Hardrath, Kevin Chan, and the Himmelsbach women (Kay, Heather and Jennifer) all of whom have spoiled me and ardently supported me.

I’d also like to thank Dr. Jerrod Mitzel for working hard to keep me in good health and Kimberly Zinn for her assistance in getting me back to 5x5 form after my calf injury. However, no less deserving of my gratitude is my family; my wife, my father, mother, brother and grandmother, all of whom have prayed for me and faithfully cheered me on.

Finally, I thank the Lord who has never left me lacking when I’ve called out for that extra help (usually mile 20). This accomplishment really belongs to everyone listed above, and many who are not. I know everybody says it, but I earnestly mean it: “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Now, the real work begins.     

Davey Peterson

Baker City

Geologist remains hopeful

Although I enjoyed my visit with the Baker City Herald, a better headline would have been “Local Geology Office May Stay Open.” All that is known at this time is that a reduced Baker City Field Office is included in the Ways and Means Committee’s recommended budget. Tough times lie ahead and difficult decisions remain to be made.

I deeply appreciate the efforts of the Baker County Commission and others to find innovative ways to help DOGAMI continue its mission. Briefly stated, that mission is to provide the geologic information that can be used by Oregonians to avoid hazards and identify resources.

One reason that I have chosen to remain in state service is the challenging geologic mysteries of Oregon. Pioneering work done by DOGAMI geologists such as Howard Brooks, Len Ramp, and George Priest in unraveling those mysteries has greatly advanced the understanding of geologic resources and hazards that both bless and plague Oregon. As a successor to such individuals, I feel compelled to see that the geologic maps, reports, data, and observations accumulated by DOGAMI remain available to the people of Oregon.

Baker City Field office geologists Jason McClaughry and myself will be making a presentation to the Crook County Historical Society in Prineville on June 7. The presentation, which is one way in which geologic information is passed on, will feature a very large ancient volcano that was discovered during a three-year geologic mapping project in central Oregon.     

Mark Ferns

Baker City

Students thankful for field trip

To the editor:

We want to thank Mrs. Cherrie Conklin and Mrs. Michelle Kaseberg from Baker Education Foundation for donating $500 to our field trip to Sumpter Valley Railroad.

We liked the ponds, lakes, streams, etc. Then again, we just want to say thank you.     

Alee Johnson

Mrs. Wilde’s third-grade class

Ashlie Chastain, Mr. Rembold’s third-grade class

Brooklyn Elementary School

Baker City