Forest Service being kept mum
WASHINGTON
(AIM — Tho Bush
administration Is
trying to “gag"
U S Forost Service workers
who want to sound off against
logging national forests, an nm
ployee advocacy group and two
congressmen charges) Wednes
day.
But a Forest Service spokes
man said the critics have misin
terpreted a recent agency memo
that he said applies only to offi
cial on-duty comments from
workers, not personal criticism
after hours
“They are reading more into
it than is intended." spokesman
Denver James said
The Association of Forost
Service Employees for Environ
mental Ethics provided The As
sociated Press with a copy of an
Oct. 8 memo barring service
employees from talking to the
national news media without
prior approval from top-lovol
administrators
"Even whetfl the contact is
by telephone or Incidental —
such as to check facts or obtain
further Information — we must
notify the department immedi
ately," said j. Lamar Beasley,
deputy chief of administration
for the Agriculture Department,
which oversees the Forest Ser
vice.
"This policy is vital to avoid
ing surprises in the media, and
to enable coordination of in
quiries and stories thut may ap
pear nationally," he wrote in
the memo to regional foresters,
and station and area directors.
Joff DoBonls. a former Forest
Service timber planner who
founded the employers advoca
cy group in 1H89, accused the
agency of trying to intimidate
workers critical of government
mismanagement and environ
mental damage on forests.
Broadcasts by CBS News and
CNN about the Northwest's
old-growth forests this summer
included interviews with cur
rent Forest Service employees
voicing such concerns.
"Once again, agency officials
are trying to harass individuals
who an’ simply exercising their
First Amendment rights,*’
DeBonis said Wednesday from
Eugene.
Two congressmen from the
Pacific Northwest. Peter L)o
Fa/.io, D-Springfiold. and Jolone
Unsoeld, D-Wash . both de
scribed the Forest .Service’s po
sition on media interviews as
"outrageous."
“We aren't talking about con
Ddential. secret, classified in
formation We are talking about
day-to-day information on the
Forest Service," DeF'a/.io said
"They are suppressing their
employees — politically ma
nipulating them with a few
hacks up on top "
"What is i! they are trying to
hide from us? What is it they
are trying to keep from being
embarrassed about?” Unsoeld
suid.
Riot-related suits filed against la
LOS ANGELES (AP) — As many as 2.5(H) peo
ple who say they were Injured or had properly
damaged in (he riots this spring have filed claims
against the city ahead of a Thursday deadline
Damago claims, routinely rejected by the city,
ensure claimants will have the right to file law
suits. They must bo Hied within six months of the
loss.
One claimant was Reginald Denny, a truck
driver whose boating became one of the indelible
images of the riots that erupted April 2D after four
white police officers were acquitted in the video
taped boating of black motorist Rodney King
Denny's claim, filed Tuesday, is a first step to
ward a multimillion-dollar lawsuit, said his law
yer, Eric Porter.
Some z.300 to 2,500 riot-related claims were
submitted — all but about 20 in the past throe
days, said Steve Peters, a spokesman for City At
torney James Hahn. "As wo see them now. they
‘As we see them now, they are
going to be rejected’
Steve Peters,
/ A spokesman
are going to be rejected." he said
Claims ranged from $100 for laundry missing
or destroyed from a dry cleaner to jewelry stolon
in vandalized pawn shops und Inventory losses
amounting to thousands of dollars
Hahn's office contends the city and Its officials
am Immune from any liability resulting from the
riots, basing that conclusion on a 1909 court nil
ing that barred claims from the Watts riots
But Robin Toma of the American Civil Liberties
Union said that ruling doesn't apply to claims
arising out of racial discrimination
Campaign nuggets
"These folks have got a right to nils*' their signs and pro
test, but let our friends hear us. OK?” — Pat Buchanan, who
was heckled at a pro-Bush appearance.
"You know what's happening? Those guys fool it slipping
away from them. I feel sorry for them Believe nut, we are go
ing to win " - President Bush
! HALLOWEEN |
I FIESTA <
Wear your best costume
and join ‘ Jos'-ftaez tor a
I lalloween Fiesta.
Celebrate with our <
great Mexican h hh.1 .
and the live music \
ot Portland's
Conjunto J
Alegre i
hi. Oct. 30, 10pm nl 2am i
$5 Giver Charge *
The Best Disguise ,
Wins A Prize!
fJos tyaez j
lexicanRcitaunint an»l lininge
Mexican 1
85 Oakway Gaiter
083-5889
4
AUDITIONS
WILL BE HELD
On SUNDAY. NOV. 8 (last name A L)
and MONDAY. NOV. 9 (M-Z)
in the Robinson Theatre. Villard I kill
for three UO Productions.
ON THE VERGE by Eric Overmeyer
A surrealistic comedy about three Victorian
women who Journey through time and end up In
the 1950 s. By considering whether the women
will move on or settle down, the play touches on
such topics as finding a place
where one fits In and exploring one's potential
Directed by Amy Sarno.
Needed are 3 women and 1 man.
T BONE N WEASEL by Jon Klein
An extremely funny and poignant story of two
ex convicts, one of whom Is black They
travel around the south In search ol
security, happiness and a sense of future,
and are repeatedly confronted by prejudice.
Directed by Dr. Grant McKernle
Needed are 3 men, genuine,
with strong comic timing.
CHIMERE
A fusion theatre work Inspired by the
traditional theatre of Ball featuring music by Prof.
Robert Kyr and The Paclllc Rim Gamelan
Orchestra. Lovers, demons, spirits, monkeys and
other fantastic creatures participate In the ritual
magic. Conceived and directed by
Prof. Janet Descutner (Dance)
arid Prof Jerry Williams (Theatre Arts)
Needed are approximately 20 performers with
strong movement skills.
For more information, call 346-4171
ANDY GARCIA UMA 'THURMAN
On the trail
of a serial killer
Detective John Berlin
has no dues
no suspects
And no alibi
NOVEMBER