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For Immediate Release August 12, 2001 KLAMATH FALLS RELIEF CONVOY OF TEARS In April, a court ruling in a lawsuit brought by radical environmentalists forced a sudden and complete shutoff of irrigation water to over 1,400 family farms in the Klamath Basin in Oregon and northern California. Since then, the Klamath Basin community has struggled mightily. Farm worker families have literally left for greener pastures, while landowners are facing immediate bankruptcy. The entire downtown business community in Klamath is in a slump. In a gigantic show of grassroots support for a community in need, and for reform of the well-intentioned but much abused Endangered Species Act, a series of multi-state convoys have been organized. Originating in Montana, Nevada, and even Malibu, California, thousands of concerned American citizens will converge on the embattled town of Klamath Falls, Oregon, bringing donations of food, money, and of course, water to the parched Klamath Basin. A gigantic rally of support is planned for Klamath Falls on August 21, 2001. The Montana convoy will be transporting the famous Nevada "Shovel of Solidarity," which was loaned to Montana timber supporters by the Jarbidge Shovel Brigade. The "Shovel" is emblazoned with the names of thousands of Americans who support the tiny hamlet of Jarbidge, Nevada in its ongoing fight to re-open the South Canyon road. Carrying donations for Oregon farmers will be Montana's very own "Grim Reaper," a wood chip trailer now used as a moving memorial to Montana sawmills closed and Montana jobs lost, at least in part because of endless Endangered Species Act litigation brought by overzealous professional environmental groups. Accredited press wishing to make interview and/or ride-along arrangements should call the state convoy organizers listed below at least two days before the convoy reaches their state. For more backgound, or to check on schedule changes and convoy position reports, please visit the Sierra Times website at: http://www.sierratimes.com/klamathconvoy.htm 1. August 14 .2001 to August 17 from 10:00-4:00, volunteers will be accepting brass plate donations of $5 each for the new Elko gigantic bucket. At 4:00 August 17 we will be taking donations and loading the REEPER. We could use anyone that has some free time to help with this . All proceeds from these donations will go to the Klamath Falls Relief Fund. For those who are unable to get donations to the drop off points please call Jayne Strash 756-7426 or Cathy Aastrom 885-2378 and Diana Sneddon 257-9010 2. People are asked to bring a gallon of water, marked with their name and city. This water will be poured symbolically onto the parched, cracked fields in Klamath Falls on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 into The Canal A at the Head Gate. 3. Special activities at the Head Gate on August 20-21 will include: bands, BBQ, speakers, delivering food to the local food bank, and a ceremonial pouring of water into The A Canal at the Head Gate. 4. Escorting the convening convoys into Klamath Falls will be a cavalry unit of over one-hundred fifty horses and riders from the U.S. Freedom Cavalry, Klamath Regiment. Anyone interested in joining them for this historic ride to the Klamath Falls Courthouse is encouraged to call Mr. Jon Hall in Klamath Falls at cell phone number 541-331-3343. He will also have information regarding starting a new regimental cavalry unit locally. 5. On Sunday, August 26, 2001 from noon to whenever, The Edge is hosting a Community Welcome Home Party as a special thank you to all who assisted, contributed, and participated with the convoy. Because the list of people is too long to name, and thanks are expressed to its many station listeners and other interested people, this community party will show deeply felt appreciation for everyone's efforts. The party will be held at Mountain Meadows Resort, in Proctor, just south of Kalispell, Montana. The food will be potluck with music bands entertaining those attending. People are encouraged to bring their flags to the party. For more information about the Community Welcome Home Party, please call 752-2600 MONTANA-IDAHO-OREGON CONVOY SCHEDULE: --Saturday, August 18-- Kalispell,MT 7:15 AM Sendoff Rally, Ernst Parking Lot, Junction of US 2 and MT 35 8:00 AM Depart St.Regis,MT 10:00 AM Arrive Pick up donations, at St. Regis Truck Stop 10:30 AM Depart Kellogg, ID 11:30 AM Arrive Pick up donations, Silver Valley Truck Stop, Smelterville (Exit 48), 208-783-1134 12:00 Noon Depart Coeur d`Alene,Id 1:00 PM Arrive Pick up donations, lunch break, Post Falls Flying J 2:30 PM Depart Moscow, Id 4:30 PM Arrive Overnight stop, location TBA --Sunday, August 19-- Moscow, ID Depart for staging in Lewiston Lewiston,ID Pick up donations, Flying J, 3110 N S Highway 208-746-3234 7:30 AM Depart Walla Walla, WA 11:30 AM Arrive Rally, donations, Location : L&G Ranch Supply 2930 Isaacs. AVE. 509-525-3730 Depart at 1:30 Pendleton, OR 2:30 PM Arrive Pick up donations, Location : Floyds Truck Land I 84 & Exit 202 541-736-2521 3:00 PM Depart Biggs, OR 4:30 PM Arrive Pick up donations, Biggs Junction Travel Plaza, Biggs/Rufus Highway, 514-736-2521 5:00 PM Madras, OR 6:30 PM Arrive Overnight stop --Monday, August 20-- Madras,OR 9:00 AM Depart Redmond,OR 9:30 AM NO STOP Bend, OR 10:30 AM Rally, Mountain View Mall, convoy will park in front of the empty K-Mart building 12:30 PM Depart KLAMATH FALLS 3:00 to 4:00 PM estimated time of arrival For further information contact: MONTANA: Jayne Strash 406-756-7426; jayneinmontana@yahoo.com Cathy Aastom 406-885-2378 jmpnfish@aboutmontana.net WASHINGTON: Steve Washam 509-522-2783 klamath@computermail.com IDAHO: Tom Simmons 208-935-1227 tom@camasnet.com OREGON: Bill Oetting 541-850-0781 rblrzr@aol.com ELKO,NV: Rick Schwartz 775-753-8717 blackhaus@rabbitbrush.com CALIFORNIA: Grant Gerber 775-738-9258 agg@ctnis.com MOTELS/HOTELS Moscow: http://klamath.50megs.com/moscow.html Madras: Call 1-800-967-3564 or e-mail cos@madras.net They will e-mail you a complete list of accommodations. ********PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY********** Klamath Falls: Contact LeAnne at Shasta Travel 1-800-432-3451. She has arranged to secure rooms all over Klamath at a discount price. Klamath has also made arrangements for those bringing self-contained vehicles to park in fields. LeAnne is also coordinating rooms in private residences. This is a good way to meet those in Klamath and get to know them better. |
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Questions? Comments? Corrections? Additions? Convoy Logistics Discussion Board: http://disc.server.com/Indices/164197.html Klamath Basin Water Crisis: http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org
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