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News & Views
from Your Elected
Representatives
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As
I write this article, I glance out the window to see, in the
heat of this mid-August day, a hint of fall’s colors fast
approaching. Our weather year of 2001–2002 is about to end,
and we begin another, an unknown future in our climate
environment.
What a difference a year makes!
Weather year 2000–2001 brought severe drought conditions to
the Northwest. We feared that, not only would we have forest
fires, but stream flows would fall short of need. There was
not enough water for irrigation, home use, fish and other
aquatic life, and most importantly, minimal water to power our
hydroelectric dams. We conserved water and power, and yet saw
our electric bills soar due to the shortage.
Early this weather year brought heavy
rains with a much-needed rise in ground water levels. Streams
and lakes filled to within normal range. The snow pack
accumulated in abundance in Oregon. In mid-May a large
contingent of cooperative managers and directors met in
Juneau, Alaska for educational workshops. We were greeted with
75° days. A drought in Alaska? At the time, yes.
Now, here at home in June, July and August
the fickle weather pattern changed again to drought-like
conditions. This, accompanied by lightning storms, has brought
one of the most serious wildfire outbreaks in this person’s
memory. Forest service personnel and resources supported by
the National Guard and volunteers have been taxed to even
contain, let alone control, these blazes, making yet another
disastrous weather year for our state and the West. Hopefully,
as you read this, conditions have improved.
This all serves to remind us that we
must have plans in place for all of nature’s foibles. Our
crews and staff at Salem Electric are well trained, like those
firefighters on the lines, to expect the unexpected, be it ice
storms, snow or downed power lines. What will our new weather
year bring? We don’t know, but we will be ready.
Alicia Bonesteele
President
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In Memoriam
Evelyn
Smith
1924 – 2002
Evelyn
Smith, a Salem Electric retiree, passed away July 22, 2002.
Evelyn retired from Salem Electric in April 1986 after over 24
years of employment. The board and staff express their deepest
sympathy
to Evelyn’s family.
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