Group criticizes vote in favor of Iraq War funding

U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley wasn’t likely expecting a trip down the Willamette River to turn into a referendum on the Iraq War.

But when the Democratic congresswoman walked into Riverfront Commemorative Park in downtown Corvallis on Tuesday, dozens of sign-waving protesters changed the tone of her visit.

Hooley had stopped in town to trumpet proposed legislation she said will make it easier for smaller river communities to get federal money for improvement programs.

“I can’t understand why she thinks this is important to us,” said Leah Bolger, president of the local chapter of Veterans for Peace. “This is noncontroversial legislation.”

Bolger and others criticized Hooley’s decision to vote in favor of a Congressional budget directing funds to the war in Iraq.

Hooley opposed the use of military force in Iraq back in 2002. She voted to approve an emergency spending bill in April that included a timeline for withdrawing troops from Iraq. That bill was vetoed by President Bush.

Most recently, Hooley supported legislation calling for withdrawal from Iraq by April of next year and to outlaw both permanent military bases there and U.S. control over Iraq’s oil resources.

Hooley said she’d be happy to talk with anyone during one of her planned meetings in the Fifth District, but added that she wanted the focus of Tuesday’s event to be on her river legislation. Hooley’s staff said she will take questions from constituents on any topic during town hall meetings scheduled Thursday in Salem and Lake Oswego.

But protesters argued that they wanted to talk about the war with her now, not Thursday and not in another city.

“She doesn’t appear in public that often,” Bolger said. “It’s important, but it doesn’t call for seven public appearances.”

Congresswoman unveils river legislation

U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley met with a small group of local lawmakers to spread the word about proposed legislation she said would direct federal money to communities along the Willamette River.

Hooley intends to introduce the legislation in Congress this session.

The Willamette River United Act calls for the Interior Department to create a $10 million-per-year grant program for 10 years. Grants will be given by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

“Small communities don’t have grant writers,” Hooley said. “They’re at a real disadvantage.”

The legislation would require communities to match at least 35 percent of the grant amount.

By using state rather than federal agencies, Hooley said the process for getting money for projects will be easier for small cities without dedicated lobbyists.

The act specifies a range of projects eligible for funding:

• Recreation, conservation and cultural projects to attract people to the river, including those plans that provide access to the river from downtown.

• Plans to enhance water quality and improve the watershed, including outreach and education within the community.

• Land purchases for any approved project. Cities acquiring land for projects may waive the 35 percent matching requirement.

The legislation also gives the state Department of Environmental Quality $100,000 per year to fund projects designed to reduce pollution in the river.

Corvallis Mayor Charlie Tomlinson said the city could use the funding to expand parks and possibly could also use money to help pay for plans for shipping wastewater to the Greenberry Irrigation District.

The city is considering building a $28 million pipeline to transport wastewater to farmers in the district, located about 10 miles south of Corvallis.

“Thanks for putting this bill into Congress,” Tomlinson said. “We want to support you.”

Hooley represents Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes parts of Polk, Clackamas, Lincoln, Marion, Tillamook and Benton counties.

What: Hooley town hall meetings:

When: Thursday at noon and 5 p.m.

Where: At the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. S.E., at noon, and at Lake Oswego City Hall, 380 A Ave., at 5 p.m.