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--> --> Candidate urges police anti-terror training By Charles E. Beggs Associated Press Writer SALEM - The governor's office and legislative leaders plan to discuss what added security steps the state might need to take in view of possible terrorist threats, officials said Thursday. A Republican candidate for governor, former state Rep. Kevin Mannix, is urging legislative leaders to quickly fund added anti-terrorist training and staffing for state and local police agencies. "We are taking a look at various options for increased security capability," said Bob Applegate, spokesman for Gov. John Kitzhaber. "We don't have any proposal to articulate but hope to speak more about this next week, including talking to legislative leadership about budget implications if any," said Applegate. In a letter this week to legislative leaders, Mannix said a modern course in terrorist activity and prevention should be provided to all police agencies as soon as possible. "No greater emergency confronts us at this time in terms of the capability to prevent death and injury to our citizens," Mannix said. He said the Emergency Board, the Legislature's interim budget panel, could provide funding. "It's something we need to talk about," said Senate President Gene Derfler, R-Salem. "We have some preparedness for floods and earthquakes. I don't think any of us know how prepared we are for something like a biological attack," Derfler said. Trish Conrad, spokeswoman for House Speaker Mark Simmons, R-Elgin, said Simmons hadn't reviewed the Mannix letter. The House leader, though, soon plans to outline what he expects of the House Task Force on Emergency Preparedness that he appointed, Conrad said. "It's appropriate to assess what the state's need is," she said. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing