Opinion
A4
Thursday, August 25, 2022
OUR VIEW
Friday night
lights need
help to shine
L
ast year, we used the space on this page to
urge those who could and had the interest
to check out the possibilities of becoming
a referee for prep sports.
We did so because we understand the impor-
tance of prep sports in the communities that dot
our great region, and now our schools are facing
another shortage of football referees.
That’s not good news for the future of prep
football in our area.
Is it a crisis demanding everyone’s attention?
Probably not, but it is something our communities
across the region should evaluate on their own to
fi nd a solution.
The reason, of course, is a simple one. Prep
sports — and, in some ways, especially football
— hold a very special place in the culture of our
area. Every autumn delivers a sense of renewal
and excitement on the football fi eld.
Prep football is so much more than just a group
of people running around on a fi eld. Football
teaches discipline, courage and commitment, and
many of us enjoy the Friday nights — or after-
noons — when we can take time out of our busy
lives and stop for a moment to cheer on amateur
athletics.
However, if there are not enough referees for
the games, an entire system — carefully built
upon schedules and times — is thrown out of
whack.
That means games can be delayed or, even
worse, canceled.
That, in turn, means one of the most rewarding
elements to school — fair and fun athletic com-
petition — fades away.
That impacts students and families. The oppor-
tunity to learn about life — that often there is
defeat, but grit and determination can trans-
late into victory — vanishes when games get
canceled.
There is no use avoiding one of the other prob-
lems behind the lack of referees: They often bear
the brunt of needless criticism and insults during
a prep athletic contest. All too often passions get
super-charged, and unpleasant and unaccept-
able words are thrown out onto the fi eld toward
referees.
We can’t do much about other people’s
behavior, but we can encourage those who have
an interest to give referring a try.
Sure, you’re not going to make a million dol-
lars, and yes you will be criticized. Yet, when
the criticism does arrive, that is when referees
must remember that what they are doing is bigger
than a few words cast out by someone with bad
manners.
We need referees. Period.
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necessarily that of The Observer.
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Big changes coming to Oregon Capitol
DICK
HUGHES
OTHER VIEWS
I
f you were building a state cap-
itol, would you construct it on
stilts?
Probably not. But such an idea
would borrow from the mind of
Salem native A.C. Gilbert, who
invented the Erector Set in the early
20th century.
More than a century later, the
Oregon State Capitol is not actually
being erected on stilts. Still, that is a
handy image for visualizing the steel
shoring that will hold up the massive
1938 portion of the building while
base isolators and new columns are
installed underneath.
A base isolator is key to reducing
damage in an earthquake.
“Think of it as the building sort
of sitting on a springy cushion.
What it allows it to do is the building
stays put while the ground moves
under it,” said Jodie Jones, the Cap-
itol Accessibility, Maintenance and
Safety project director.
Major seismic upgrades are part
of phase 3, now underway. Phase 2
has included seismic work in the leg-
islative offi ce wings, hearing rooms
and underground parking garage.
Compared with what I’ve heard
from politicians, Jones off ered a
realistic answer when I asked how a
seismically reinforced Capitol might
fare in a 9.0 Cascadia quake.
“You can’t really just pick a
number and say this is seismically
safe up to such-and-such a level. The
reason for that is, it all depends on
where the original earthquake hap-
pens. What the epicenter of it is and
how close it is to where you are.
How many aftershocks,” she said.
“People always want to say, ‘Are
you safe to a Level 9?’ Well, I can’t
say that because a Level 9 under the
building is diff erent than a Level 9
that’s 50, 100, 300 miles away.”
When a quake happens, the
seismic upgrades have two aims: 1)
Enable the occupants to safely exit
the building, and 2) Get the Cap-
itol back up and running as quickly
as possible so the work of govern-
ment can continue, which is doubly
important during a disaster.
All this is part of making the
“People’s House” safe for the
people.
How to get in: The Capitol’s
main entrances are closed due to the
construction, but signs direct people
to one door each on the east and
west sides.
Parking around the Capitol is
problematic due to the construction
and other reserved spaces. Mean-
while, construction continues across
the street at the Justice and Supreme
Court buildings, although that work
should wrap up this year.
Jones said she appreciates the
patience shown by the public, legis-
lators and employees in dealing with
the noise, dust and inconvenience.
Phase 3 requires the 1938 portion of
the Capitol — including the rotunda
and governor, secretary of state and
treasurer offi ces — to be vacated for
2-1/2 years.
Still, she said, “We’re trying to
get this done as quickly as possible.”
And within budget and on time.
Other improvements: The half-
billion-dollar project includes:
• Bringing the electrical,
plumbing and HVAC systems up to
code, including improved air circula-
tion that meets the latest standards.
• Improved lighting. LED is
being installed wherever possible,
including the Senate and House
chambers.
• Two new staircases to the lower
level, which will be called the con-
course instead of the basement, and
additional staircases on the north
side.
• Four additional hearing rooms,
which will be on the concourse level.
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█
Dick Hughes has been covering the Oregon
political scene since 1976.
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• A new, larger cafe for the public.
• A new private lounge for all leg-
islators, replacing separate eating
areas for the Senate and House.
• Accessibility improvements
throughout, including building
entrances and ramps on the dais area
of the Senate and House chambers.
• Two new courtyards on the fi rst
fl oor, replacing ones in the base-
ment. The basement is being gutted,
so everything there is being redone
or moving, including the press room.
• Fire-suppression systems and
improved fi re-detection throughout
the Capitol.
• Resealing and repairs
throughout, including exterior
cleaning.
• Installation of an emergency
generator with expanded capacity.
Legislative schedule: Commit-
tees will meet virtually for Legisla-
tive Days, Sept. 21 to Sept. 23. The
Senate will have an in-person fl oor
session Sept. 23.
The Senate and House wings
are open to the public, including
all member offi ces. (Being a leg-
islator theoretically is a part-time
job, so don’t count on fi nding your
lawmaker in the offi ce during the
interim.)
The format for the December
Legislative Days has not been
announced.
Although virtual testimony
options will remain available,
in-person committee meetings are
planned for the 2023 Legislature.
Hearing Rooms A-F, 170 and 174
will be available for committees, but
not rooms in the old part of the Cap-
itol until construction fi nishes in late
2025.
The House and Senate cham-
bers will be open during legislative
sessions. Jones said public access
will be limited for fi re safety due to
construction.
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COPYRIGHT © 2022
Phone:
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