Leo Adler/ Baker City on OPB (Ontario, Brookings: real estate, living, restaurant)

[karlsch]

Who would you guess said this:

"I've traveled a lot and I don't think any town of the size of ten thousand can be as friendly as Baker."

If you have read and believed items ominously warning of Eastern Oregon conservative culture posted to this forum by “Progressives,” with their preconceived notions, you will probably think it was said by a white supremacist, or a neo-Nazi.

It was actually said by the son of German Jews, Leo Adler, who lived almost 100 years in Baker City and was its greatest benefactor. He is the only person I know of who received commendations from both the Vatican and the state of Israel.

He started his business career as a boy selling magazines from door to door. When he died, he left $22 million to his beloved hometown.

His story will be featured on OPB’s Oregon Experience, Monday, February 18 at 9:00pm (with repeats). Open minded people will probably want to watch:

Oregon Experience · Oregon Public Broadcasting

Baker City Herald - Online (http://www.bakercityherald.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=6000 - broken link)

[bobmulk]

Unfortunately, the "open-minded people" who need to watch this, won't. It's easier to remain prejudiced and hate-filled rather than have your sacred cow beliefs challenged or shot down.

[gypsydoc]

I just heard about it on OPB this morning and would LOVE to see it. I looked at Baker as a possible place to invest (yeah, real estate, what else?) a few months ago and was surprised and delighted by the planning this town has done! They are collectively creating a town that will be able to maximize tourist dollars as well as the agriculture and other economic resources already in place. Great idea! They certainly have the history to showcase.

[Barbara Westlund]

I'm happy to see these articles about Baker, it is the area of Oregon we plan to move to soon with our family.

[longriderjb]

Great news I am planning a move to Baker City soon. Hope to visit soon to maybe become a business owner. How is the restaurant businesses in Baker?

[hamellr]

Good, I like visiting Baker. Union about 30 miles to the north is real similar, just a much smaller town. The city has a lot going for it and I hope they can really capitalize on tourism out that way.

Unfortunately as you get closer to Ontario it becomes much poorer and more Conservative.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Good, I like visiting Baker. Union about 30 miles to the north is real similar, just a much smaller town. The city has a lot going for it and I hope they can really capitalize on tourism out that way.

Unfortunately as you get closer to Ontario it becomes much poorer and more Conservative.

Not really more conservative, more Hispanic is a more obvious difference:

Baker City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

Ontario (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

Although I have heard people say Hispanics tend to be socially conservative.

[Squidlo]

I always liked Baker. I just figured I would starve to death trying to make a living there. I could possibly split my retirement with Baker in the summer. (Brookings also pulls at my heart strings as a summer haven.) I do love the surrounding country and the people for me are just fine. You have to understand the culture. You simply cannot come from somewhere else and tell them they are flat wrong and expect a warm welcome. I respect the ways of people when I am a guest. Social conservatism is the way in most of rural Oregon. As an alternative take a look at Joseph, Oregon. There is an art community there. Possibility of meeting someone there that has "progressive" leanings would be much higher. I love Joseph too. Just a tad remote for me.

I do not know much about Leo yet. I will study up. So far a great self made man who, on his death left a great gift to the people of his community. Sounds wonderful to me. People who believe and contribute back, build our society.