What We Said in 2004 ? July to December
The new high school
“When people look here they can say this is a community that cares about its kids. It’s a growing community. It’s not a dying community.”
Supt. Larry Horton
Mutton bustin’
“I was hanging on around the throat. My chin kept hitting the sheep’s head. I think I was going to fall off before anyone fell off.”
Zachary Brinkley, buckle winner
Working the Post Office
“I love the customers. I like being able to talk to them. For example, when someone loses a loved one, I will talk to them and try to ease their pain. It’s part of living in a small town.”
Peg Pitts, retiring postal worker
Police Chief Bob Burford
“They finally blurted out what they found interesting was how much he looked like presidential candidate John Kerry”
From Alex Paul’s Over Lightly
Vandalizing a substation
“Anyone who would throw something with a conductor attached to it into a substation is asking to be seriously injured or killed. It’s just plain stupid.”
Dave Kuamme, spokesman for Pacific Power, after a vandal threw something into the substation on 18th Avenue knocking out Sweet Home power for five hours
Memories
“The good thing about teaching Latin is that there were always very nice kids in the class.”
The late Bill Swegar after moving to Salem
Civilian Conservation Corps
“I got out of high school ? the C’s were the place to go. So I went in and joined. I had to lie like heck to get in.”
Harry Anderson
Carving
“I carve what people want. I don’t see anything in the wood. I just start carving. If you want something, I’ll try to make it happen.”
Milton Dodge
Sustainable forests
“We present a balanced approach and show that we can have managed forests as well as sustainable environments. They’re not incompatible.”
Mary May, organizer of Tree Day
Lake levels
“It’s clear that Foster is going to be kept full and that Green Peter water will now be drawn down each summer?.”
Brian Carroll, Linn County Parks Director
Snake bites
“No you’re not. Get in the car.”
Ben Brewer arguing with his father, Dan Brewer, who was bitten by a rattlesnake and insisted he was all right
Growth
“We have a lot of folk who move here just because of the tranquillity of the area.”
Fire Chief Mike Beaver theorizing about growth in medical calls
Bigfoot
“I might be able to get one on film very clearly. I think I might be able to do that.”
Jason Valenti of Washington at a campout with the International Bigfoot Society
Iraq
“I’ve never regretted going to Iraq. It’s part of my job. Where the president says go, I go. I got to see some really neat country, some places I’d never get to see here.”
Sfc. William Keeney, helicopter crew chief on leave
Amber alert
“I had a funny feeling that something didn’t add up. He and the boy were about two-tenths of a mile from their pickup, and they didn’t have a rifle with them. The boy had a walking stick.”
Mike Latrell, neighbor hunting with Matt Dixon, who recognized a kidnapped boy and his captor from an amber alert, saving the boy’s life
Biscuit fire salvage
“They (the Bush administration) could have had it. They wanted the controversy. They’re manipulating the people in the timber communities.”
Congressman Peter A. DeFazio, District Four
Barrel racers
“If they give you a compliment, you’re doing it right.”
Rodeo Chairman Dick Coffin on the arena after receiving an NPRA award
Santa Claus
“I’m invited here by the good people of Sweet Home. I can never refuse an invitation because I always have a wonderful time opening the holiday season.”
Santa Claus while visiting Sweet Home
Murder
“Each and every one of you guys sucked me down.? It always comes down to white folks and (n-word).”
Murderer Larry B. Williams to victim’s family and friends at sentencing hearing