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County commissioners back from D.C. By Dani Dodge At their annual trip to the nation�s capital, county commissioners tried to persuade congressmen to shrink the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and bring federal muscle to bear on eco-terrorists. "I feel we got a very positive response," said County Commissioner Sue Kupillas. "I thought it was real productive." Jackson County�s three commissioners and the county administrator attended the National Association of Counties conference in Washington, D.C. They arrived March 1 and returned on Wednesday. Preliminary estimates show the cost for the three commissioners was about $5,500. Commissioners focused last year on a congressional bill that restored federal funding to counties historically dependent on federal revenue collected on commercial timber harvests. Last year, Commissioner Kupillas� trip cost $1,040, Jack Walker�s expenses were $2,383 and Ric Holt spent $2,795. Kupillas� costs were less than the other commissioners because she stayed with friends most of the time, rather than in a hotel, and also paid for most of her own meals. This year, she saved money again by staying with friends. At a meeting Friday, Kupillas and Walker recounted the successes of their trip. Holt was absent from the meeting. Commissioners attended a conference dealing with elections and agriculture, among other issues, and visited with Oregon�s senators and their staffs. They talked with six representatives and their staffs, including Greg Walden and Peter DeFazio. Kupillas said making direct connections with the representatives� staff members is one advantage of meeting them in person instead of using a phone. "Our members of Congress rely heavily on staff and it�s important to have that face-to-face contact and dialogue with members on issues that we deal with," she said. "And in knowing what staffers handle what particular issues, we know who to pick up the phone and call and they also recognize us." One of Walker�s main concerns was getting the U.S. Forest Service to reconsider moving its tanker base from the Medford airport to Klamath Falls. Walker said the tanker base is necessary for fighting potential forest fires in the Ashland watershed and other stands of timber in Jackson County. "I feel pretty good that they are talking about reviewing that again," he said. Walker and Kupillas also said they feel their voices were heard on concerns with the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. "We asked each member to advocate for reconfiguring the boundaries for a smaller national monument and include local governments in doing that," Kupillas said. "And also include local government and people in developing a management plan." Commissioners also talked to lawmakers about: � The county�s "small diameter materials project," a project to make it economically feasible to harvest small-diameter trees to decrease fire danger and improve the local economy. � Asked the federal government to become more involved in the investigation and prosecution of eco-terrorists. � Requested money to study the county�s situation with Gold Ray Dam. The county owns the dam and has concerns about potential liability. � Highlighted the inequities of federal Medicare reimbursements. Physicians in our area reportedly get half the money that some Florida physicians get for the same procedures. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.