2007-1570-Minutes for Meeting September 12,2007 Recorded 10/9/2007DESCHUTES COUNTY CLERKDS 0J 200101510
NANCY
COMMISSIONERS' JOURNAL 10~a9~Z007 03;40;28 PM
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0 Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.orc
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12., 2007
Present were Commissioners Michael M. Daly, Dennis R. Luke and Tammy Baney.
Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; David Inbody, Assistance
to the Administrator; Susan Ross, Property and Facilities; Teresa Rozic, Property
Manager; and, for a portion of the meeting, Keith MacNamara of Veterans'
Affairs; citizens Bob Maxwell, David Fairclo, Donald Bolduc, Lee Flegel and
Margo Flegel; and media representative Jeff Mullins of KBND Radio.
Chair Mike Daly opened the meeting at 1: 30 p.m.
1. Discussion regarding Request for Letter of Support for Designation of Highway
97 - Central Oregon Veterans Council
Keith MacNamara explained there is no clear consensus to support Dick
Tobiason's proposal to designate Highway 97 as a World War II veterans'
highway. It may take a month or longer to get a plan together. It is already a
Blue Star Highway that recognizes all veterans.
The Governor's Advisory Committee and other groups are seeking to build a
memorial at the State Capital to honor World War II veterans. There is also a
discussion taking place regarding significant signage on all major roads, not just
Highway 97.
David Fairclo added if this plan does not come together, there is no problem
with anyone thinking that the Board is not supportive of veterans. There has
not been a formal vote taken on this issue, but some are not supportive. This
will be reexamined in November. The basic concepts are right.
Commissioner Baney asked if the proposal does not go forward, are there other
ways the County can help. Mr. Fairclo said that Bob Maxwell would be the one
who would know as he has been here many years.
Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Page 1 of 5 Pages
Mr. Maxwell gave an overview of where and how veterans are honored
throughout the state. The emphasis has been on the Blue Star Highway
program but there is not a lot of other signage, especially in Deschutes County.
Commissioner Daly stated that he has a stack of letters supporting signage and
thinks this is the only county along Highway 97 that is not participating at this
point.
Lee Flegel said that no Central Oregon veterans' group has stepped forward in
support. Most of the signs in Deschutes County are not in good locations, or
are missing altogether. A letter from the Board would help with the
groundswell of folks who wish to honor World War II veterans.
Mr. MacNamara stated that the Director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs
is against this, and says it demeans the Blue Star Program by specifying one
group of veterans. They may support a different idea that includes others.
Mr. Flegel said that the local chapter will be making proposals various
organizations such as the City of Redmond, Crook County and others. A letter
from the Board would help. He feels that Central Oregon should have more
clout in veterans' issues, not just Salem.
Commissioner Daly stated that he hopes they can get a plan together, and to
keep the Board updated.
2. Economic Development Grant Requests.
• United Way - Project Homeless Connect - this will be a large meeting
meant to provide various types of outreach and services to the homeless.
Each Commissioner granted $1,000 each.
3. Project Management Update.
Teresa Rozic gave an update on the La Pine affordable housing RFP from the
State. The first draft was received, and the next step is to convene a review
committee, that would include representatives from the community and the
building industry. The intent would be to review the RFP process and make
sure the needs of the community and the intent of the Board are considered.
Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Page 2 of 5 Pages
The potential volunteers are Ms. Rozic, Terri Payne of Community
Development, Kristi Otteni of La Pine, Susan Briles and Wanda Ziegelasch of
the La Pine City Council, and Mike Jensen, an employee of COBA (Central
Oregon Builders Association).
The Memorandum of Understanding says the Board will select the bidder and
up to 4.5 acres would be donated. The group is to discuss the RFP process.
Commissioner Baney said that it needs to be determined if any of the La Pine
volunteers are related to any potential bidders. Teresa will check on this.
Commissioner Luke noted that the State said there is no need for affordable
housing in that area. Ms. Rozic said that the Bulletin misquoted a State
employee's statement. State housing is supportive. There are a large number of
seniors and veterans in this group. There is about $2 million in subsidies and
grants that can be cobbled together. The RFP needs to be structured to require
the bidder to come up with creative ideas.
He said that perhaps the water and sewer districts and others will make a
contribution as well. Ms. Rozic stated that Housing Works is trying to help
with funding ideas. These will be rental units and it is up to the bidder to
propose the type of project. Ms. Ross said that a needs assessment was
conducted and shows how many units are needed. There is a minimum of 125
families, all low income.
Ms. Rozic added that they may not want to force a high number of units into a
small space. The Commissioners wanted community input in this regard. They
have to be creative to avoid a project-type building.
4. Capital Projects Update.
Susan Ross gave an update on the work center project. There has been a
significant change order, which has nothing to do with the contractor. The
Sheriff would like to utilize inmate labor in the kitchen, and this requires
greater security in that area. The cost could be $100,000, but a deputy would
cost that much the first year.
The rest of the project is on target, and should be done by December.
Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Page 3 of 5 Pages
5. Update of Commissioners' Schedules; Meeting Details.
Commissioner Daly said he attended the close-out meeting at the Fairgrounds
regarding the RV park. There is a $40,000 expense and no consensus on how to
handle it. The excavation contractor found that the survey and engineering for
a road on the south end of the project was wrong. It was evidently a mistake of
the engineer, David Evans and Associates, but they are not admitting it. This
required an area to be refilled with rock. Commissioner Daly suggested that
George Kolb of the Road Department take a look at the plans and the results.
There should be a change order in place for this but Mr. Kanner noted that it
would not preclude a challenge to the bill.
Commissioner Luke attended the second meeting regarding the reintroduction
of steelhead. The group wants to put together a coalition of city and county
representatives to set up and staff meetings, probably through COIC, to
examine how to handle this issue. A plan is moving forward regardless of
County support. It would require a commitment of $5,000 for Deschutes
County to participate, to share ideas and expertise.
Dave Kanner said he has asked David Inbody to investigate how this issue has
been addressed in other parts of the state. There might be other ways to handle
the requirement in lieu of participation. Commissioner Luke pointed out that
the County has roads near rivers and other things going on that are involved.
This area seems to look at issues in a more regional manner than others do and
have some good cooperation established.
Mr. Kanner noted that the irrigation districts will move quickly on this, and the
conservation groups are working with them. They already know what path they
want to take. Maybe the County can piggyback on what they are doing.
Commissioner Baney said she has been attending ABHA meetings and they are
trying to make decisions on various programs and how to allocate revenue.
The AOC District meeting will be held at Brasada Ranch this year.
The Bethlehem Inn grand opening ceremony is scheduled for September 20.
Minutes of Administrative Work Session Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Page 4 of 5 Pages
6. Other Items.
None were offered.
Being no further items to come before the Board, Commissioner Daly
adjourned the meeting at 4:10 p. m.
DATED this 12th Day of September 2007 for the Deschutes County
Board of Commissioners.
ATTEST:
&UUA-~ &Atl~ 17
Recording Secretary
Tamm ey, Com ' sioner
Minutes of Administrative Work Session
Page 5 of 5 Pages
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Dennis K. Luke, Vice Chair
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.orl?
WORK SESSION AGENDA - FOR THE WEEK
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
1:30 P.M., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
1. Discussion regarding Request for Letter of Support for Renaming of Highway
97 - Central Oregon Veterans Council
2. Economic Development Grant Requests - Susan Ross
3. Project Management Update - Susan Ross
4. Capital Projects Update -Susan Ross
5. Update of Commissioners' Schedules; Meeting Details
6. Other Items
PLEASE NOTE:
At any time during this meeting, an executive session could be called to address issues relating to: ORS 192.660(2) (e), real property negotiations;
ORS 192.660(2) (h), pending or threatened litigation; or ORS 192.660(2) (b), personnel issues
Meeting dates, times and discussion items are subject to change. All meetings are conducted in the Board of Commissioners' meeting rooms at
1300 NW Wall St., Bend, unless otherwise indicated.
Ifyou have questions regarding a meeting, please call 388-6572.
Deschutes County meeting locations are wheelchair accessible.
Deschutes County provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
For deaf, hearing impaired or speech disabled, dial 7-1-1 to access the state transfer relay service for TTY.
Please call (541) 388-6571 regarding alternative formats or for further information.
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DRAFT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PROPOSAL TO DESIGNATE US 97 IN O
"WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC bil
The US 97 World War II Historic Highway Committee
of Transportation to designate US 97 in its entir
VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY to honor Or
WW II training activities and facilities along ,
during WWII. Army, Navy, and Marine with
participating trained at or near Biggs, Madr inevil
Klamath Falls. Most of the veterans who traine re
Many of the WW II facilities remain ija use today
Twelve WORLD WAR II VETERA
US 97 near the WW II training si to
recognitions.
This proposal follow uc reciat
when it renamed I he Vete s Mem
designated it a B tar Mem I Highw
of other states that na into
and veter ther uni
of loca the f am 'or hig
high gnage a ' Oregon if n
sWWllva1
and the vita
more than
le. J&mond.
Y"
Oregon Department
ie WORLD WAR II
Sn, recognize the
US 97 played
20 individuals
Beriver, and
ombat shortly a er training.
by US 97.
IC HIG Y signs would be installed on
lish ong overdue honors and
cedent es ablished by ODOT in 2000
I Highway and simultaneously
regon would also be following the lead
to highways to honor WW II veterans
ation of honors to veterans, recognition
vay through the use of highly visible
of the nation.
ODO the Oregon to F~ation of Garden Clubs, Inc. (OSFGCI) designated
us 97 a Star Mem Highway in 1959. The Committee also requests ODOT to
work with SFGCI to tore the missing Blue Star Memorial Highway markers and
rededicate th nd t ginal markers on US 97 at the proposed dedication of the
WORLD WAR NS HISTORIC HIGHWAY signs on June 6, 2008, the 64th
anniversary of the ion of Europe by US and Allied Forces that lead to the end of
WWII, a major historic event of the 20th century.
The Committee has received letters of support for the proposal from over XX groups
and individuals throughout Oregon. They include the Oregon Geographic Names Board,
all Boards of County Commissioners served by US 97, State and federal elected
officials, historic societies, mayors, veterans groups, and individuals. The letters of
support are attached.
US 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee Proposal DRAFT 9/11/2007
DATE: DRAFT (9-2-07)
TO: Mr. Mathew Garrett, Director
Oregon Department of Transportation
SUBJECT: Honorary designation of US Highway 97
respectfully requests ODOT
m/C ' omia border "WORLD
ould honor Oregon's
Iffhway 97, and inform the
derstand this would be
the ial name would be
ins, county
, fraternal
organizations, and individuals supporting thsal are attached.
We appreciate ODOT's recent decision r t uest of NSoutn Oregon
veterans to designate SR 62 (Crater Lafrom Medford to US 97 as
"Veterans Memorial Highway". kS ents that highwa y designation.
We also applaud ODOT's partiveterans ps, state and federal elected
officials, and The Oregon State Frden t
Inc, in renaming 1-205 as
"Veterans Memorial Highway" sig t n
eously a "Blue Star
Memorial Highway" in
The US 97 World War II Historic Highway Committee,
designate US 97 Highway from Biggs, Oregon to the Orec
WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY". The desig
WW II veterans, highlight historic WW II activities near U
traveling public of the vital role US 97 played during
an honorary designation and no maps, addresse ,
changed. Letters from state and federal legisl hi
commissioners, city councils, civic group etera
OREGON'S WW I RAN OULD HONORED:
Our nation's WW I rans me k n as the "Greatest Generation". Sixteen
million American vete r with more than 400,000 dying. About
600,000 ded. , three fou f the 16 million WWII veterans have died
and t ainin ' lion dying at the rate of 1,100 each day.
Acco to the U.S. rtme Veterans Affairs, Oregon is home to approximately
357,00 g veterans rese ing about ten percent (10%) of the state's total
populatio out 46,000 them are WW II veterans. They are dying at the rate of
about thirtee ) per eaning all but a few of Oregon's and the nation's WW II
veterans will h a d from our midst in the next ten (10 years) or so. Oregon's
last WW I veteran is year.
During WW II, approximately 147,633 Oregonians served in uniform and 2,835 of them
died. The State of Oregon has not honored them with a memorial highway as other
states have - notably California, Oklahoma, Virginia, Nevada, and other states.
Dedicating US 97 to honor Oregon's WW II Veterans will at long last express the
State's gratitude for their service to our nation. We have the names of the two hundred
twenty one (221) WW II veterans from the four counties traversed by US 97 who died
during WW II.
US 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee Proposal DRAFT 9/11/2007
f'
Oregon's Korean War and Vietnam War veterans are honored with grand memorials in
prominent public places in Wilsonville and Portland. Oregon's WWI and WWII veterans
are not so honored. With about 46,000 living WW II veterans, it is not too late to honor
all of Oregon's WW II veterans by simple gestures such as signs in prominent historic
places on US 97 easily accessed by the public. US 97 was selected as their "memorial"
highway because of the vital role it played during WW ll.
US 97 PLAYED A VITAL ROLE DURING WW II:
During WW II, US 97 was vital to military training acti
and southern Oregon including the Oregon Maneu,
Northwest Maneuver), the final training exercise for
supporting troops before committing them to com
General Alexander M. Patch with headquarter t
Approximately 100,000 troops trained in the uvE
and private land located in seven counties of the
II training exercise in the Northwest. One ca it
troops, equipment, and supplies on US 97.
Camp Abbot located o
engineers and served a
developed into Sunriver
exercise during the war,
at Camp Abbot and
11
Sunriver Nature C
interchange at ost
community locate
i US 97
headqua
after WW I
displa
152.8
> in
disp
IV1/ II
US 97
tie orthern, central, eastern,
imes referred to as the
e A Wantry divisions and
e mane was lead by Major
i at Camp , now Sunriver.
over eight milli cres of public
des. It was rgest
:a WW
Mthe constant ovement of
the trai ite for 90,000 Army combat
Orego neuver. Camp Abbot was
lub built there as a training
a Photographs of activities
t Grea all. A small museum at the
vities at Camp Abbot. A new bridge and
ieing constructed to serve this growing
Army pi at Airport.11rmy repair depot, Army hospital, USO
organ ;dt an r h compl ex were located in Bend. Bend supported Camp
Ab e Oreg ne with civilian personnel and services. The lumber mills
in rked day ni upplying the military with wood products and
ammun oxes as th id in I. US 97 and the railroad provided the means to
deliver tvital warti products. The former Army officers' quarters and WWII
hangar airport till in use. The Army vehicle repair facility is now used by
the US Forest is visible from US 97.
Army engineers at damp Rufus, near Biggs trained for crossing the Rhine River in
Germany. They erected pontoon bridges across the mighty Columbia and Deschutes
Rivers. Thus Camp Rufus "anchors" the WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC
HIGHWAY at its northern terminus in Oregon.
Redmond Army Airfield was located near US 97 just south of Redmond. Pilots trained
in P-38, B-17, and other aircraft there and supported the Oregon Maneuver. Redmond
AAF became Roberts Field after WW II and has provided scheduled airline service
US 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee Proposal DRAFT 9/11/2007
Y
since then. Both WW II runways and one WW II aircraft hangar remain in use today. A
display depicting Redmond AAF activities during WWII will be dedicated at the new
terminal building at Roberts Field.
Madras Army Air Base was located in Madras near the junction of US 26 and US 97.
Pilots trained in P-38, B-17, and other aircraft there. Several WW II hangars are still in
use as is the main runway.
craft. Portions of the
r
Prineville's airport was built for pilot training in US Navy W
WW II runway, an office, and a hangar are still in use. Navy and Marine fighter pilots trained at Klamath Na tation at Klamath Falls
served by US 97. Marines also operated a hospit atin urning veterans with
tropical diseases at the Marine Recuperation acks at th Falls. Nearby
Tulelake, California was the site of a Japanes nment camp OW compound
with a total population that exceeded Kla ails. US 97 serve a air station,
barracks, and camp. The only WWII fatal' resulting enemy a in Oregon
were the deaths of local citizens from a Jap e b incendiary bo in nearby
Bly.
The 173`d Fighter Wing, Oregon A al Guar erates F-15 fighter aircraft at
Klamath Falls' Kingsley Field name onor I Medal of Honor recipient
2nd Lt. David R. Kingsley. Schedule Mine is p ed at the WW II airport.
The Oregon Institute o ology to ormer Marine Recuperation
Barracks and operat enty ars afte II before being moved to
its current location
US 97 was commi ed in was only north - south highway connecting
the above military un uarters in Pendleton, Portland, and Ft.
Lewis was critica supporting combat training over its entire
lengt egon II a tes leading from US 97 to other training areas at Burns
an p Adair. ns ntities of troops, equipment, and supplies were
trans d over US 9 far ground and aviation units day and night for more
than tw rs.
LOCAL WORELWAR ILWfERANS HONORED:
Culver native 15i1 T. Barber was a WW II Army Air Corps fighter pilot and
awarded half credit r shooting down Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, architect
of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Lt. Barber received the
Navy Cross and a Silver Star for his heroic action. The new bridge on US 97 crossing
the Crooked River was named the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge in 2003
on the 60th anniversary of the historic Yamamoto Mission. It replaced the adjacent 1926
"high bridge" on US 97 which was heavily used during WW II. A kiosk in the adjacent
Peter Skene Ogden State Park displays Colonel Barber's military and civilian life and
US 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee Proposal DRAFT 9/11/2007 4
Gov. Kulongoski's proclamation naming the bridge. Barber was inducted into the
Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor located at Evergreen Aviation Museum.
The Cal Butler Veterans Memorial Parkway at Roberts Field in Redmond connects
US 97 with Veterans Way. Maj. Butler, a native of Redmond was a WW II fighter pilot
and became a prisoner of war (POW) in Germany.
The only recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor living in Oregon is WW II US
Army veteran T/5 Robert D. Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell is a long ti resident of Redmond
and Bend. County Road 42 connects US 97 to the Cascade s Highway (Route 46)
and crosses the Robert D. Maxwell Veterans Memori dge over the Deschutes
River south of Sunriver. That bridge is adjacent to the idge built during WWII
by the Army Engineers from Camp Abbot and the US st A plaque between
the bridges displays historical information for thesg& II ve L.
Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls was narr
Kingsley who received the Medal of Honor'
killed in action on June 23, 1944 after a bor
Rumania. Memorials to Lt. Kingsley are d
inducted into the Oregon Aviation W06Q Hon
Air Force Association Chapter 373 iR
LTC Bill Harris, a current resident of
(January 1943 - today) g1JINKris ho
Memorials to v
Sisters, Bend,
reflect the local
WW II veteran Lt. David R.
duri WW ll. Davi gsley was
s n
for WWII triple fighter ace
g e als of the 13th Air Force
t enemy planes destroyed.
is ver the oil feel of Ploesti,
ingsley Field. Kingsley was
at Evergreen Aviation Museum.
II veterans who have been highly
ent as well as the WW II training
Hero-eTW the High Desert" military display located
s WW II history. It and the Redmond Historical
nter, Klamath Historical Society, Oregon Military
`al Society are the major sources of the above
he WWII buildings described above have been
0 located in city parks and cemeteries in Madras, Redmond,
Sunriver, La Pine, and Klamath Falls on or near US 97. They
nities' desires to honor their veterans.
Eight Blue Star Memorial Highway markers were installed on Oregon's portion of US 97
after WW II as "A Tribute to the Armed Forces that have defended the United
States of America". The signs were sponsored by The Oregon State Federation of
Garden Clubs, Inc. in cooperation with the Oregon State Highway Department. Four of
the signs are no longer present including those at both ends of US 97. Three signs are
located in rest stops making them visible only to travelers who visit rest stops. Only the
US 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee Proposal DRAFT 9/11/2007
marker installed on US 97 at Madras is visible to travelers on US 97. The signs we
propose will be highly visible to the traveling public and are intended to compliment the
lone Blue Star memorial located similarly as the proposed signs near the road
shoulders. We urge ODOT and The Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs to
reestablish the four missing markers.
HISTORIC HIGHWAY which would also end there will be a
earliest transportation history about one hundred years
Wayside is a Klamath County park funded in part by OA
Coincidentally, US 97's southern terminus in Oregon is at the Francis S. Landrum
Historic Wayside, which commemorates the Applegate Emigrant Trail, the southern
portion of the Oregon Trail. Thus, the proposed WORLobWAR II VETERANS
request 1-5 or I - 84
is Highway as other sl
exist during WW 11, but
7 played during WW II
We recommend twelve (12) sign:
WWII veterans and the historic rc
each end of US 97, two signs (ol
US 26 and US 97 at milepost 95
two signs on the eeo ern
152.8 serving Sun leading from US 9 ey
the original site I
mpliment to Oregon's
the end of WW 11. This
dedicated in 1996.
ins Memorial
the interstate
I preserve the
WW II loans at the
Oregon to honor Oregon's
They would be located at
iv) near the intersection of
s imond at Veterans Way,
nTh new bridge at milepost
ath Fa t milepost 279 near the road
sign near the road leading from US 97 to
Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge and
:t signs with brown background and white
The signs should incorporate references to the
Redmond, Bend, Sunriver, and Klamath Falls.
DT staff to design the signs and determine where
We hope yo a~
veterans shoul
our knowledge, n
an Oregon WW II h
Fc U S 97 played a vital role during WW II and Oregon's WW II
nored by the State of Oregon sooner rather than later. To
highway has been designated or named to specifically honor
or Oregon's WW II veterans.
As an intermodal transportation feature, a World War II Veterans Historic Highway will
remind all travelers on it of its long history, linkage with the historic sites remaining from
WWII, and local veterans' memorials. We request ODOT waive any naming criteria and
fees.
US 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee Proposal DRAFT 9/11/2007
At our request, Mr. Champ Vaughan, President, Oregon Geographic Names Board sent
a letter to you on August 15 supporting our proposal. In his letter President Vaughan
states "OGNB supports the proposed designation and recommends that U.S.
Highway 97 from Biggs to the Oregon/California boarder (sic) be approved as the
World War 11 Veterans Historic Highway to honor World War 11 veterans and their
extraordinary contributions to our nation." "Thank you for the opportunity to
provide input and advisory recommendations regarding this sincere and worthy
proposal."
OREGON "HOME FRONT" BEFORE, DURING, AFTER
Gary Halvorson is Oregon's Senior Archivist
within the Secretary of State's Office. In
endorsing our proposal, he referenced
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/exhibits/ww2/ "
Responds to World War II Web Exhibit'.
compilation of historic facts that honors the
out of uniform who contributed to the war e
Halvorson states "The designation you se
gesture would offer a small to f apx
sacrificed so much to help p
we all enjoy today".
With ODOT particir
WAR II VETERANS
of "D-Day", the Alli
event of the 20th
Star Memorial Hia
Allan R. Tobiason
Chairman
organization
Committee
produced:
Oregon
)xtraordinary
nd women
s. Archivist
relatively little. But the
men and women who
rty and democracy that
dedications of the WORLD
Fson Ju , 2008, the 64th anniversary
led to victory in Europe, a major historic
time to also rededicate the missing Blue
believe the signs will increase public
Oby US 97, visits to local museums, and
II veterans who served in all wars and
Robert D. Maxwell
Vice Chairman
are any
US 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee Proposal DRAFT 9/11/2007
US 97 WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY COMMITTEE
Allan R. "Dick" Tobiason, Chairman
LTC US Army Retired
22325 White Peaks Drive
Bend, OR 97702
541 388-5591
dobiason@bendcable.com
July 30, 2007
Our Committee will be sending the attached letter to the Director of the Oregon
Department of Transportation (ODOT) requesting US 97 in its entirety from Biggs
to the Oregon/California line be designated the "WORLD WAR II VETERANS
HISTORIC HIGHWAY". Our letter provides information we believe justifies the
request to honor Oregon's WW II veterans and install twelve (12) WORLD WAR
II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY signs at specified WWII historic places on
US 97. This notice is being sent to all individuals and organizations listed in the
attached letter.
We respectfully request you review the proposal and support it by sending a first
class letter with a copy by email if possible to me before August 31. All letters of
support will be attached to the letter to ODOT when it is sent in early September.
The request will be made on behalf of all who support it and with their names
listed in an up to date attachment to the letter to ODOT.
Your letter, on your letterhead can simply state you have reviewed the WORLD
WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY proposal (attached letter) and
vigorously, wholeheartedly, etc. support the proposal. Please add background
information about yourself or your organization, why the highway designation is
important, and any information on the role of US 97 during WW II we may not
have included.
If you have questions or comments, please. call me at 541 388-5591 (cell phone
541 390-9932) or contact me by email at dtobiasongbendcable.com. Please also
let me know of any other organizations and individuals you believe would likely
support this proposal. We will inform all who support the proposal ODOT's
response to our request.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Chairman
US 97 WORLD WAR 11 VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY COMMITTEE
Allan R. "Dick" Tobiason, Chairman
LTC US Army Retired
22325 White Peaks Drive
Bend, OR 97702
541 388-5591
dtoblason@bendcable.com
July 30, 2007
Our Committee will be sending the attached letter to the Director of the Oregon
Department of Transportation (ODOT) requesting US 97 in its entirety from Biggs
to the Oregon/California line be designated the "WORLD WAR. II VETERANS
HISTORIC HIGHWAY". Our letter provides information we believe justifies the
request to honor Oregon's WW II veterans and install twelve (12) WORLD WAR
11 VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY signs at specified WWII historic places on
US 97. This notice is being sent to all individuals and organizations listed in the
attached letter.
We respectfully request you review the proposal and support it by sending a first
class letter with a copy by email if possible to me before August 31. All letters of
support will be attached to the letter to ODOT when it is sent in early September.
The request will be made on behalf of all who support it and with their names
listed in an up to date attachment to the letter to ODOT.
Your letter, on your letterhead can simply state you have reviewed the WORLD
WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY proposal (attached letter) and
vigorously, wholeheartedly, etc. support the proposal. Please add background
information about yourself or your organization, why the highway designation is
important, and any information on the role of US 97 during WW II we may not
have included.
If you have questions or comments, please call me at 541 388-5591 (cell phone
541 390-9932) or contact me by email at dtobiason(a,bendcable.com. Please also
let me know of any other organizations and individuals you believe would likely
support this proposal. We will inform all who support the proposal ODOT's
response to our request.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Chairman
D ~C
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ADMINISTRATION
Page 1 of 2
Bonnie Baker
From: Dave Kanner
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 8:46 AM
To: Bonnie Baker; Dennis Luke; Mike Daly; Tammy Baney
Subject: RE: Media Release: DESIGNATING US 97 WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY
This appears to be a request for a letter of support. Schedule for discussion at the August 20th p.m. work session.
Dave
From: Bonnie Baker
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 8:39 AM
To: Dave Kanner; Dennis Luke; Mike Daly; Tammy Baney
Subject: FW: Media Release: DESIGNATING US 97 WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY
Does anything need to be done regarding a letter?
thanks,
bonnie
From: Dick Tobiason [mailto:dtobiason@bendcable.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 12:02 AM
Subject: Media Release: DESIGNATING US 97 WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY
Below is a media release from the US 97 WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY Committee.
Attached is our "cover" letter and the July 30 letter mentioned in the release.
Thanks for helping to publicize this long overdue honor to Oregon's WWII veterans and the vital role US 97 in
Oregon played during WWII.
Dick Tobiason
541 388-5591
cell 541 390-9932
MEDIA RELEASE
IMMEDIATE
CONTACTS: Dick Tobiason, 541 388-5591 Cell 541 390-9932
Lee Flegel, 541 923-6989
PROPOSAL TO DESIGNATE US 97 WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY
A group of Central Oregon veterans proposes that ODOT designate US 97 in its entirety in Oregon the "WORLD
WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY" to honor Oregon's WW II veterans and the vital and historic role
US 97 played during WWII.
Twelve signs displaying that name would be installed at each end of the highway, and at prominent locations on US
97 at Madras, Redmond, Bend, Sunriver, and Klamath Falls where WWII history was made during the latter part of
WWII.
8/3/2007
Page 2 of 2
US 97 was the main north-south artery used during WWII by military training units in Madras (Madras Army Air
Base), Redmond (Redmond Army Airfield), Prineville (Army pilot training), Bend (pilot training, lumber mills,
military housing, hospital, vehicle repair shop, and USO center), Sunriver (Camp Abbot and Oregon Maneuver), and
Klamath Falls (Naval Air Station and Marine Barracks).
Committee Chairman Dick Tobiason, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, Vietnam veteran, and military historian
said "Over two hundred thousand Army, Army Air Corps, Navy and Marine personnel trained here on the high desert
during WW II before shipping overseas for combat. This area had the largest concentration of WW 11 training in the
Pacific Northwest. Unlike other states, Oregon has not designated or named a highway to specifically honor its
113,000 WW II veterans who served and the 2,835 who died during WWII. Only 46,000 WWII veterans of the
"Greatest Generation " are living in Oregon today and they are dying at the rate of about 15 each day. All but a few
will have vanished from our midst in 10 years or so. We must honor all of them and the vital role US 97 played during
WWII. We have a grand opportunity to do both at the same time."
A letter to be sent to ODOT signed by the Chairman and Vice Chairman Robert D. Maxwell was sent to Central and
Southern Oregon historical organizations, local governments, veterans groups, state representatives and senators,
civic groups, and ODOT District Managers located along US 97 from Wasco to Klamath Falls on July 30. The letter
was also sent to other history and veterans organizations throughout the state. Mr. Maxwell is an Army WWII
veteran (Technician 5th Grade) and the only Medal of Honor recipient living in Oregon. The Committee requested
recipients of the letter to support the proposed highway designation by sending letters of support to the Committee by
August 31. The Committee plans to send the proposal and supporting letters to ODOT in early September. Lee Flegel,
an Air Force First Lieutenant and Korean era veteran and Trustee Emeritus of the Oregon Military Museum
Foundation is the Committee's Secretary.
Tobiason emphasized that the proposed highway designation is an honorary designation and as such no addresses or
road names need to be changed if ODOT approves the proposal.
A copy of the July 30 letter is attached
8/3/2007
US 97 WORLD WAR II VETERANS
HISTORIC HIGHWAY COMMITTEE
Allan R. Tobiason, Chairman
LTC US Army Retired
22325 White Peaks Drive
Bend, OR 97702
541 388-5591
July 30, 2007
Robert D. Maxwell, Vice Chairman
Tech 5, WWII Recipient Medal of Honor
1001 SE 15th St. #44
Bend, OR 97702
541 388-1753
Mr. Matthew Garrett
Director, Oregon Department of Transportation
355 Capitol St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-3871
Dear Director Garrett:
We historical organizations, local governments, civic groups, veterans
organizations, and individuals respectfully request ODOT designate US 97
from Biggs, Oregon to the Oregon/California border "WORLD WAR II
VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY". We understand that would be an
honorary designation and no maps, addresses, or the official name would be
changed. Letters and emails from organizations in Sherman, Jefferson,
Deschutes, and Klamath Counties and elsewhere in Oregon supporting this
request are attached.
We thank you for your recent decision to honor the request of Southern
Oregon veterans to designate SR 62 from Medford to US 97 as "Veterans
Memorial Highway". Our proposal compliments that highway designation.
OREGON'S WW II VETERANS SHOULD BE HONORED:
Our nation's WW II veterans have become known as the "Greatest
Generation". Sixteen million American veterans served during that war with
400,000 dying during the war. Now, three fourths of the 16 million veterans
have died and the remaining 4 million are dying at the rate of 1,100 each day.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Oregon is home to
approximately 357,000 living veterans representing about ten percent (10%)
of the state's total population. About 46,000 of them are WW II veterans.
They are dying at the rate of about 13 per day meaning all but a few of
Oregon's (and the nation's) WW II veterans will have vanished from our
midst in the next ten years or so. Oregon's last WW I veteran died this year.
During WW II, approximately 113,000 Oregonians served in uniform and
2,835 of them died. The State of Oregon has not honored them with a
memorial highway as other states have - notably California, Oklahoma,
Virginia, Nevada, and other states. Designating US 97 in part a WW II
Veterans Highway will at long last honor all Oregonians who served their
country in uniform during WW II. Two hundred twenty one (221) WW II
veterans from the four counties traversed by US 97 died during WW II.
Oregon's Korean War and Vietnam War veterans are honored with grand
memorials in Wilsonville and Portland. With about 46,000 living WW II
veterans, it is not too late to honor all of Oregon's WW II veterans by simple
honors such as signs in prominent public places on US 97. US 97 was
selected as their "memorial" highway because of the vital historic role it
played during WW II.
US 97 HISTORIC ROLE DURING WW II:
During WW II, US 97 was vital to military training activities here in Central
and Eastern Oregon including the Oregon Maneuver (sometimes referred to
as the Northwest Maneuver), the final training exercise for three Army
infantry divisions and supporting troops before committing them to combat.
The maneuver was lead by Major General Alexander M. Patch with
headquarters located at Camp Abbot, now Sunriver. Approximately 100,000
troops trained in the maneuver over eight million acres of public and private
land located in seven counties and astride US 97. It was the largest WW II
training exercise in the Northwest.
Camp Abbot located on US 97 was also the training site for 90,000 combat
engineers and served as headquarters for the Oregon Maneuver. Camp Abbot
was developed into Sunriver after WW II. The Officers' Club built there
during the war remains in use as the "Great Hall". A small museum at the
Sunriver Nature Center displays WW II activities at Camp Abbot.
2
A new bridge and interchange at milepost 172 on US 97 is being constructed
to serve this growing community located on the grounds of Camp Abbot.
Army pilots trained at Bend Airport. An Army repair depot, Army hospital,
USO organization, and officer housing complex were located in Bend. Bend
supported Camp Abbot and the Oregon Maneuver with civilian personnel and
services. The lumber mills in Bend worked day and night supplying the
military with lumber and ammunition boxes as they did in WWI. US 97 and
the railroad provided the means to deliver these vital wartime products. The
former Army officers' quarters are still in use. The Army vehicle repair
facility is now used by the US Forest Service and is visible from US 97.
Redmond Army Airfield was located near US 97 just south of Redmond.
Pilots trained in P-38, B-17, and other aircraft there and supported the Oregon
Maneuver. Redmond AAF became Roberts Field after WW II and has
provided scheduled airline service since then. Both WW II runways and one
WW II aircraft hangar remain in use.
Madras Army Air Base was located in Madras near the junction of US 26
and US 97. Pilots trained in P-38, B-17, and other aircraft there. Several WW
II hangars are still in use as is the main runway.
Prineville's airport was built for Civilian Pilot Training in US Navy N3N
aircraft. Portions of the WW II runway, office, and hangar are still in use.
Navy pilots trained at Klamath Naval Air Station. Marines also trained at
the Marine Barracks at Klamath Falls, which is located on US 97. The 173`d
Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard operates fighter aircraft at Kingsley
Field named in 1957 to honor WW II Medal of Honor recipient 2nd Lt. David
R. Kingsley. Scheduled airline service is provided at the WW II airport.
US 97 was commissioned in 1934 and was the only north - south highway
connecting the above military units with their higher headquarters in
Pendleton, Portland, and Ft. Lewis (Washington).
Culver native 1St Lt. Rex T. Barber was a WW II Army Air Corps fighter pilot
credited with shooting down Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, architect
of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Lt. Barber
received the Navy Cross and two Silver Stars for his heroic actions then and
later.
3
The new bridge on US 97 crossing the Crooked River was named the Rex T.
Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge in 2003 on the 60th anniversary of the
historic Yamamoto Mission. It replaced the adjacent 1926 "high bridge" on
US 97, which was heavily used during WW II. A kiosk in the adjacent Peter
Skene Ogden State Park displays Colonel Barber's military and civilian life
and Gov. Kulongoski's proclamation naming the bridge.
The Cal Butler Veterans Memorial Parkway at the Redmond airport connects
US 97 with Veterans Way. Maj. Cal Butler, a native of Redmond was a WW
II fighter pilot and prisoner of war (POW).
The only recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor living in Oregon is
WW II US Army veteran T/5 Robert D. Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell a long time
resident of Redmond and Bend is Vice Chairman of our committee.
Deschutes County Road 42 connects US 97 to the Cascade Lakes Highway
(Route 46) and crosses the Robert D. Maxwell Veterans Memorial Bridge
south of Sunriver.
As mentioned earlier, Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls was named for WW II
veteran 2nd Lt. David R. Kingsley who received the Medal of Honor for valor
during WW II. David Kingsley was killed in action on June 23, 1944 after a
bombing mission over the oil fields of Ploesti, Rumania. Memorials to Lt.
Kingsley are displayed at Kingsley Field.
Thus US 97 can also be identified with several WW II veterans who have
been honored by the military and local government as well as the WW II
training activities described above.
The Deschutes Historical Center's "Heroes of the High Desert" military
display located in Bend exhibits Central Oregon's WW II history. It and the
Redmond Historical Commission are the major sources of the above historical
information. Some of the WWII buildings described above have been
designated as historic.
Eight Blue Star Memorial Highway markers were installed on Oregon's
portion of US 97 after WW II. Four of the signs are no longer present
including those at both ends of US 97. Three are located in rest stops making
them visible only to travelers who visit rest stops.
4
Only the marker installed on US 97 at Madras is visible to travelers
(northbound on US 97). No other Blue Star Memorial marker is visible from
US 97. We urge ODOT and the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs to
reestablish the missing markers.
Coincidentally, US 97's southern terminus in Oregon is at the Francis S.
Landrum Historic Wayside, which commemorates the Applegate Emigrant
Trail, the southern portion of the Oregon Trail. Thus, the proposed WORLD
WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY which would also end there
will be a fine compliment to Oregon's earliest transportation history about
one hundred years before the end of WW II. This Wayside is a Klamath
County park funded in part by ODOT and dedicated in 1996.
We chose not to request I-5 or I-84 be designated a WW II Veterans
Memorial or Historic Highway not because they did not exist during WW II,
but because we want to identify and preserve the historic role US 97 played
during WW II and honor Oregon's WW II veterans at the same time.
We estimate twelve (12) signs would be required on US 97 in Oregon placing
one on each end of US 97, two signs (opposite sides of the highway) near the
intersection of US 26 and US 97 at milepost 95 in Madras, two signs in
Redmond at Veterans Way, two signs on the ends of the Bend Parkway, two
signs near the new bridge at milepost 152 serving Sunriver, and two signs in
Klamath Falls at milepost 279 near the road leading from US 97 to Kingsley
Field.
We recommend signs of the design ODOT installed at the Rex T. Barber
Veterans Memorial Bridge (three feet high by four feet wide signs with brown
background and white lettering). Smaller signs at Madras, Redmond, Bend,
Sunriver, and Klamath Falls should be attached below them to identify the
local WW II activity: Madras Army Air Base, WWII; Redmond Army
Airfield, WWII; Army Hospital, Lumber Mills, and USO Center, WW II
(Bend); Camp Abbot and Oregon Maneuver, WW II (Sunriver); and Klamath
Naval Air Station and Marine Barracks, WWII.
We hope you will agree that US 97 played a vital role during WW II and
Oregon's WW II veterans should be honored sooner rather than later. To our
knowledge, no Oregon highway has been designated or named to specifically
honor an Oregon WW II highway or WW II veterans. We request ODOT
waive any naming criteria and fees.
5
By copy of this letter, we respectfully request the President, Oregon
Geographic Names Board provide advisory recommendations on our proposal
to the Director, Oregon Department of Transportation with a copy provided to
this Committee.
With ODOT approval, we would like to plan multiple simultaneous
dedications of the WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY
signs on June 6, 2008, the 64th anniversary of "D-Day", the Allied Invasion
of Europe that led to victory in Europe, a major historic event of the 20th
century. We believe the signs will cause increased public awareness of local
WWII history and visits to museums.
We appreciate your consideration of our proposal. Please contact us if there
are any questions or comments.
Respectfully,
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Cc: ODOT Region 4, District 9, 10, 11 Managers
Jim Willis/Director Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs
Champ C. Vaughan/President, Oregon Geographic Names Board
Dr. George L. Vogt, Oregon Historical Society
Rep. Greg Walden, Sen. Gordon Smith, Sen. Ron Wyden
Representatives and Senators from Sherman, Jefferson, Deschutes, Klamath
Counties
Oregon Departments: American Legion, Disabled American Veterans,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Oregon Council of Chapters Military Officers Association of America
Oregon State Council Vietnam Veterans of America
Individual Veterans Service Organizations from Wasco to Malin
Jerry Barnes, Former Chairman, Southern Oregon "Veterans Memorial
Highway" Ad hoc Group
Oregon Military Museum & Foundation
Pacific Northwest Historical Group
George Chandler, Second Yamamoto Mission Association
Bev Clarno Aloha Kendall Ray Vanderhoof
Richard Van Hoomissen Louis McArthur
Rick Meyers Phil Richart Gerry Egland
Mrs. Jack Brown Bill Tolke Ken Jernstedt
6
Gary Halvorson
Jan Iseli
Dale Potts
Mack Gardner
Lyle Cox
Leon Pantenburg
Ed Eberle
Rick Peters
Mark Hemstreet
Mike Donohue
Curt Lantz
Paul Patton
Organizations on or Near US 97 Requested to Support Designating Oregon's
US 97 "WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY"
(listed from north to south)
WASCO:
Wasco City Council
MORO:
County Court, Sherman County
CONDON:
American Legion Post 25
MAUPIN:
American Legion Post 73
Antelope:
American Legion Post 60
American Legion Post 91
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Lodge 1869
WARM SPRINGS:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4217
MADRAS:
Madras City Council Board of County Commissioners
Jefferson County
American Legion Post 125 Jefferson County Historical
Commission
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 2017
PRINEVILLE:
Prineville City Council Crook County Court
Crook County Historical Society
American Legion Post 29 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1412
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1814
7
REDMOND:
Redmond City Council Redmond Historical Commission
American Legion Post 44 VFW Post 4108
Rotary Club
SISTERS:
Sisters City Council American Legion Post 86
BEND:
Bend City Council Board of County Commissioners
Deschutes County
Deschutes County Historical Society Deschutes County Historical
Landmarks Commission
American Legion Post 4 Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1643 Central Oregon Chapter, Military
Officers Assoc. of America
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 820
Central Oregon Veterans Council
Greater Bend Rotary Club Benevolent and Protective Order of
Bend Chamber of Commerce
Elks Lodge 1371
Bend Downtowners
SUNRIVER:
Sunriver Nature Center
LA PINE:
La Pine City Council
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7242
KLAMATH FALLS:
Klamath Falls City Council
Klamath County Historical Society
American Legion Post 8
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1383
Rotary Club
MALIN:
American Legion Post 84
American Legion Post 45
Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 821
Board of County Commissioners
Klamath County
Klamath County Chamber of
Commerce
Disabled American Veterans of
America Chapter 12
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Lodge 1247
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6147
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