LINN COUNTY ALTERS PROPOSED OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY CODE

The proposed Linn County outdoor assembly code has been changed in response
to testimony Tuesday by officials from Safari Motor Coaches, who said it
would interfere with the company's annual rally.

"One of the reasons we located in Linn County was because of the reduced
amount of regulations, compared to Lane County, for instance," company
representative LeeRoy Pasquini said. "We want to make sure we don't get
caught up in some morass of regulations that's not necessary."

Bill White, the rally director for Safari, said the ordinance would make it
impossible for the company to continue holding its annual "Homecoming Rally"
at its production center south of Harrisburg. The event draws more than 500
coaches per year.

"We'll either have to discontinue, or find some other home for it," White
said.

In response, the county has raised the attendance threshold which triggers
the ordinance from 1,000 people to 3,000.

Other changes may also be made. Dave Schmidt, board of commissioners
chairman, asked White and Pasquini if they could make specific
recommendations by today. The board has held several other hearings on the
revised ordinance and was hoping to hold a vote on the code this week.

In other testimony, Sweet Home resident Bill Porter criticized the code as
"totally outrageous," and said it was aimed directly at William Conde, the
owner of Conde's Redwood Lumber.

"I think that (Sheriff Dave) Burright has taken the law into his own hands
and has his own agenda," Porter said.

Porter said he has a long-term medical condition that is helped by
marijuana, but he hasn't applied for legal permission to use the drug.

"I'm afraid to use it, grow it or buy it, because I don't want Burright
coming in on a helicopter," Porter said.

The revised ordinance requires more specific security, traffic and medical
plans. It also places greater responsibility on the event organizer to
restrict and control unauthorized alcohol sales and illegal drug use. The
ordinance requires event organizers to place signs forbidding the use of
alcohol or illegal drugs, to eject individuals seen using alcohol or illegal
drugs from the event, and to contact the Sheriff or other appropriate law
enforcement officials.