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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1979)
Two-week shutdown brings big changes in mill W.S.F.P.I. managers Ralph DeMoisy and Bob Macy oversee construction at the sawmill, the site of massive renovations. While the log-turner is removed (below) the sawmill walls are extended to accommodate the new carriage and headrig assembly, (left). Spilyay Tymoo Photos by Stowell by Cynthia Stowell The mill went into its annual shutdown as a caterpillar and will emerge a butterfly. When workers return after Labor Day, Warm Springs Forest Products Industries will have new wings to test. The metamorphosis is. less than pretty. The whole side of the sawmill is torn away, its insides spilling out into neaps of trash. The only bright spots in a scene of chaos are the colorful pieces of new equipment scattered about the premises, poised for installa tion. Double shifts of construc tion crews with their cranes, loaders and welding torches have made a beehive of the mill, as they strive to meet their September 4 deadline. By that time the better part of W.S.F.P.l.’s $5.5 million renovation due for completion by the end of 1979, will have been accomplished. The sawmill is undergoing the most dramatic change. Even from the highway, passersby can see its altered face, but a closer view reveals the mammoth proportions of the project. The entire feeding, sawing and sorting assembly has been removed and girders are framing an expanded closed area. A new carriage and head rig is taking shape inside, while outside the old elevated Livestock hearing will take place as scheduled and at that time the court will determine if the amount deposited will be forfeited to the tribes as damages or violation of the ordinance. If the court finds that the livestock were found in violation of the ordinance, the court will assess a fine against the owner not exceeding the $25 plus $2 per animal per day and may in addition require the owner to pay restitution to any person whose property has been damaged as a result of the livestock roaming at large. In addition, the court will set a date and time, which will not be less, than seven days following the date of the hearing, after which the seized animals will be consigned in the name of the Confederated Tribes to a recognized livestock aution sale at public auction. The owner at this time can still claim his animals by paying fines and costs and pay restitution ordered by the court. edge sorter on which men used dock, warehouse, and boiler to scamper at the ends of ropes will be m'ade later in the year. For now, the major effort, is is being replaced by a hand-pull focused on completing and green chain. W.S.F.P.I. manager Ralph shaking down the profit DeMoisy predicts that the making components of the sawmill will be ready for mill, said DeMoisy. While new life is being “bugging out” by the end of the shutdown. Also on schedule is breathed into the manufact the new plywood plant which is uring plants, a graveyard of being wired and readied for construction timber, scrap shakedown. It will begin metal and motors is growing. operation with one of the two Some timber will be salvaged presses from the Madras plant and the rest made available for and while the automatic lay-up fire wood to those with permits, line is fine-tuned, a process said DeMoisy. Most of the which could take from one to metal will be hauled awav by six months, the second press scrap dealers; but the motors will be dismantled and brought will be saved for parts and back-up. down to the new site. Workers whose jobs will no In the veneer plant, a new automatic stacker on the green longer be necessary with the chain quietly sits, ready to go, installation of automated and a new peeler promises to processes, need not fear the nroduce 5 cores for 2 x 4’s. same fate as the worn said DeMoisy, The stud mill has beer, equipment, refined with the addition of although there may be some new edging and sawing recycling. More than 50 jobs assemblies to ensure better will be phased out, but anyone recoverv from the logs. A new who wants to continue working piece of equipment, the will work, assured the remanufacturing edger, is due manager. A freeze on hiring to be installed late next month, will be in effect until the end of adding to the mill’s product the year, and jobs vacated will diversity by producing 1 x 4’s not be filled, bringing about an eventual reduction without a and 2 x j’s. A new planer will go in lay-off. Some workers might beside the old planer, and the find themselves reassigned to two together will enable the maintenance and clean-up in mill to plane all its lumber in the aftermath of the massive construction as the mill gears one shift instead of two. Improvements in the log up tor a new and efficient center, log sorter, loading future. Continued from page 1 Any livestock not claimed prior to consignment will be sold at a public auction with the proceeds being applied to first, the payment of fines and costs assessed by the court; second in payment of any restitution as stated by the court; and the balance, if any, will be paid to the owner or deposited in the owner’s IIM account. Residents take action Many feel that the amended ordinance is a positive step in the right direction. Nancy and Louie Pitt, who have lived in West Hills for six years and have been harrassed by the horses, circulated a petition urging action from the council. Over 200 Warm Springs residents signed the petition which the Council received on the day they approved the amended ordinance. While knocking on doors with petition in hand, the Pitts heard many similar com plaints. People spoke of the destruction, disruption of sleep and even fear of a young one’s life. Most said it was “about time” that something was done and were eager to sign. As stated in the cover letter that accompanied the petition “we are tired of the horses ruining our homes, yards, gardens, our very lives. Are we the people more important than horses?” While scrutinizing the ordinance and petition, council members were impressed with the Pitts’ efforts, recognizing that all reservation residents are Concerned. Some residents in West Hills have tried putting rinds, peelings and other vegetables that horses like in bags so that they won’t get into the garbage cans. It hasn’t worked. Others have tried shooting B.B.s and firecrackers. Even children at the Day Care are involved, playing little cowboys and hollering and running after the animals. Nothing has been effective. Interim Presbyterian pastor Bob Griffen has found it necessary to discontinue use of the church’s extensive underground sprinkler system because the horses have broken 50% of the sprinkler heads, at the estimated cost of $500. Recently, Griffen penned up six horses that were grazing around the church. Two of the horses were branded and the others were recognized on sight by Natural Resources personnel. Cause and solution Poor fencing bordering the closed areas, is felt by some council members, to be the cause of roaming animals. Council members have seen the condition of the fences and feel it is quite obvious that people, not animals, are to blame for fences being down. “We need a fence that’s people proof, not animal proof,” stated council member Zane Jackson. Delbert Frank, first vice chairman, said that “we should penalize a person, if found, who cuts the fence or leaves a gate open.” Because previous livestock ordinances have not been effectively enforced, Council members are stressing strict enforcetnent. “This ordinance will be great, if it’s enforced,” stated Jackson. Superintendent Jim Cornett says he sees horses on the campus everyday, but “no one does anything about it. The law enforcement officers shouldn’t wait for someone else to take the first step,” he says, urging internal cooperation. “Maybe we should give the Police authority to issue the complaints then ask the Natural Resources department to help round the livestock up,” he suggested. Some property owners have shot at livestock, sometimes aiming to kill. Residents should not have to take the law into their own hands, said one Law and Order committee member, saying that Warm Springs is a peaceful community. Pitt also fears violence. “I fear what may happen to the dumb animals, the residents and even the attitude of the residents if the horse issue isn’t resolved soon. The natives are getting rest less.”
