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THE
BSERVER
SERVING UNION AND WALLOWA COUNTIES SINCE 1891
'We have millions ofacres ofsecond-growth forest in Oregon that are overgrown. They're not well-suitedfor timber, they're not well-suitedfor the environment because they're overgrown. What they are well-suitedfor is forest fires and disease. I said Merkley we could put thousands and thousands ofworkers in these forests to address unemployment.'- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
THE 4TH IN PHOTOS, PAGE 10A
Big bang party
Loopholes in labor regulations cost Americans timber iobs, Merklev savs • Senator seeks reform of temporary visa program
spondents reported using H-2B workers. Three did not reply. Merkley said contractors have avoided hiring local workers by taking advantage ofloopholes in regulation. By Holly Pablo W esCom Nevvs Service They have advertised the positions in newspapers outside the state and long Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., called for reform to the H-2B temporary visa before the projects are scheduled to program at a press conference Thursday begin, which might discourage people at Deschutes County Circuit Court, needing jobs immediately. insisting that contractors have cheated The heart of the controversy lies in Americans from timber jobs by abusing contractors being able to self-attest that loopholes in labor regulations. they have scoured the countryside withAn audit of2010 projects in the Deout finding qualified Americans. But schutes, Ochoco and Winema national according to the Oregon Employment forests found more than 50 percent Department's job seeker database, there of Oregon contractors used stimulus are 5,000 individuals statewide seeking ftmds to employ foreign workers under forestry work, with approximately 1,000 the H-2B visa program, which allows living in Central and Eastern Oregon. contractors to import help if no AmeriA Merkley spokeswoman was unable cans are available. Fourteen of the 24 reSee Merkley I Page 3A
Countv board
'Hundreds' of Idahoans cross border to buy Ore. medical pot
Appeal tor home occupation permit struck down
By Nigel Duara Associat ed Press
ON THE OREGON-IDAHO BORDER- Hurtling down I-84 with a bag of medical marijuana and no legal right to possess it, the 23-year-old Idaho man with the crooked grin drove out ofOregon, making a break for home. But he was soon glancing at his rearview mirror as it filled with blue bursts from a cruiser's lights. He pulled over, studying his rearview, and watched as a very big Idaho State Police officer wearing a black Stetson walked his way. The trooper said he smelled pot. The young man thought about lying, but didn't. He stepped out of the car, accepted a pat-down and a ticket and was sent on his way. David Kosmecki was on the same trip dozens of others make on this hilly spit offour-lane asphalt every week, leaving Idaho to buy medical marijuana in Oregon. Police argue the number of travelers is more likely in the hundreds. Even in Oregon, Kosmecki doesn't have legal access to pot, but a friend does, one who strolled into a border marijuana co-op and walked out with an ounce of Hindu
Benjamin and Ariel Bean will be pennitted to continue operation of their controversial, home-based motorcycle and auto repair shop on West Road, according to a tentative decision made by the Union County Board of Commissioners Wednesday. Commission Chairman Bill Rosholt and Commissioner Steve McClure both cast votes against an appeal of a planning commission decision to grant a conditional use home occupation permit to the Beans. Commissioner Mark Davidson sat the vote out, recusing himselfbecause his engine repair shop does business with the Beans. In talk before the vote, Rosholt said he thought the board should uphold the planning commission's original decision, but change the permit's conditions so that the shop closes earlier each day. The planning commission approved the Beans' application fur the pennit foHowing a contentious hearing March 26. Bean told the planning commission that he needed to run the business at
See Pot I Page 3A
See Board I Page 3A
By Bill Rautenstrauch The Observer
INDEX Calendar ........ 7A Classifi ed ....... 48 Comics ........... 38 Crossw ord ..... 78 Dear Abby ... 108
WEATHER Health .... ........ 18 Ho roscope ..... 88 Lottery............ 2A Record ........... SA Obituaries...... SA
Opinio n.......... 4A Outdoors ....... 1C Spi ritual Life 6A Sports ............8A Tel evision ...... 3C
MONDAY IN SPORTS
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Brad Mosher /The Observer
La Grande's Fourth of July fireworks show at Community Stadium on the Eastern Oregon University campus Wednesday evening drew hundreds to lay out on the football field for a concert and fireworks show. The patriotic celebration also included rides on one of La Grande's historic fire trucks along with a test of skill and accuracy with fire hoses.
Lions induct ex-sheriff as district governor at international convention in South Korea Lion's annual international convention in Busan. Oliver and all other new governors Busan, South Korea, is a paradoxical place - a also received four days of city that is as futuristic training in a metropolis as it is anchored in the that took their breath past. away. Fonner Union County "It's the most modem Sheriff Steve Oliver of city I have every seen," Summerville underOliver said Oliver, who seiVed stands tlris well. Oliver as Union County Sheriff recently spent a week in Busan for 12 years tlrrough early taking in the city's history, its 2005. cutting edge present and getOliver said Busan is filled ting prepared for his future with towering skyscrapers, one as the new governor of the buildings which contain almost Eastern Oregon and Central all of the city's apaitments Oregon district of Lions Club and many ofits permanent International. residences. Oliver was inducted as the "I did not see any houses (in governor of District Gat the Busan)," Oliver said. By Dick Mason
The Observer
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BABE RUTH TOURNAMENT RESULTS
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Busan's modem features include Shinsegae Centum City, a 14-story shopping and entertainment complex. Oliver said it is considered the largest department store in the world. The department store and skyscrapers stand in stark contrast to the more than 25 Buddhist temples in Busan, many of which 31·e centuries old. The temples Oliver visited included Beomeosa, built in 678. Busan, which is more than 1,500 years olcL is South Korea's second biggest city, with 3.4 million people, after Seoul, which has 10 million people. Oliver said drivers in Busan are wild. Motorists often run See Oliver I Page 3A
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