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66 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, June 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 10, 2004 County board split on Patriot Act Jackson County commissioners take three different positions on an effort to create a resolution denouncing the federal law By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Civil rights supporters criticized County Commissioner Sue Kupillas’ claim Wednesday that a resolution denouncing the Patriot Act could lead to a loss of federal funding for the county. "I think the idea that it jeopardizes federal funds has no foundation," said Bill Mansfield, a member of Citizens for Peace and Justice. "I think she pulled that out of thin air. She has nothing to support it." Mansfield, making his comments after the commissioners meeting, and other members of the citizen group made another unsuccessful pitch to the county to take a stand against the Patriot Act. Commissioner Jack Walker bristled at the idea of the resolution and delivered his harshest public criticism yet of the American Civil Liberties Union, which opposed the federal law passed after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. "The ACLU is destroying the moral fiber of this country," said Walker. "They are doing a whole lot more damage to the country than the Patriot Act." Advertisement Throughout the United States, 328 counties and cities have passed resolutions either opposing the Patriot Act on philosophical grounds or instructing local law enforcement agencies not to help federal agencies exercise provisions of the act. New York City, site of the two deadliest 9/11 terrorist attacks, also formally condemned the law earlier this year. Locally, Ashland and Talent have passed similar resolutions. "None have lost any federal funding," said County Commissioner Dave Gilmour, who supports a resolution. Kupillas, who lost her bid for a fifth term in May’s primary election, said she would let her replacement decide on the resolution, preferring not to "put the (political) target back on." She did, however, express some sympathy for those opposed to it. "I understand it is not a partisan issue," she said. "It affects our civil liberties." The county depends on about $22 million annually in federal money, which she said could be jeopardized if the commissioners took a stand against the act. "I want to have some assurance that that wouldn’t happen," she said. Mansfield said he couldn’t understand why Kupillas would try to avoid a political issue when she doesn’t have an election hanging over her head. "I think she is continuing to do as she has always done," he said. "It’s kind of like avoiding land mines on the liberal and conservative side." Representatives from the citizen group plan to meet with Kupillas in the future to see if she will at least support the idea of a public hearing on the issue. Kupillas couldn’t be reached to respond to comments Mansfield made after the meeting. The other two commissioners firmly expressed their sentiments about a public hearing. Walker said he didn’t see any reason for it, noting the county hasn’t had any known cases where someone’s rights were violated because of the act. Gilmour, who supported holding a hearing, said the recent false arrest of Portland resident Brandon Mayfield, an American Muslim, is an example of how the Patriot Act can be abused. "It sets a horrible precedent," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times