Was the power line project related to computers?
Not necessarily. We had a generator. Before the power line was placed underground there were many times when we didn’t have electricity, so we had to kick up that generator (43). Many of the park residents had electrical appliance problems that resulted from the power surges. Having a reliable source of power was something we needed to survive in this modern world. I’m sure they’ve got that pretty well solved by now. We were constantly working with the power company. Does the park still have a full time electrician?
Yes, or at least we try to cover those duties on a full time basis. Where did you live in Steel Circle when you were superintendent?
There are three little garages (44).
So that has been pretty constant.
I think it has.
What where the main things that you emphasized in trying to improve living conditions at Crater Lake?
We tried to have a good strong community activities in the school building. In fact, when I first visited Crater Lake in my regional staff position, they still had a school at Crater Lake. That was convenient for the employees that had kids there. Without a certified teacher and probably other factors, kids had to ride the bus to Chiloquin. Another little problem that came about relating to housing was required occupancy. About the time that I came on the scene all the employees were living in the park under required occupancy. Some GAO report said that is not necessary for all the people to be required occupants, but I think we were making special allowances after that water fiasco. About the time I got there the clamp down started on this required occupancy. We had to go through quarter’s appraisals, an evaluation program, and all.
Did you have a policy so that employees could bid for housing?
No. We tried to have housing based (as much as possible) on position and family needs, so it was flexible. We didn’t have the bidding process they had in Yellowstone and some of these other parks. It worked okay. With the tightening of the screws on required occupancy, I remember it got down to only four positions. In the mean time, the rent kept being jacked up higher and higher. We had to deduct for invasion of privacy, on the basis that some people would come into our residential area at various times. The remote location counted a lot. GAO was watch dogging this, and it seemed to be pinching our people. We tried to put our emergency response guys out near the front of Steel Circle. In case of an emergency, the people would come in and contact them first.
The quarter’s situation became quite a concern. Families with kids had a real problem with the distance to school. It handicapped them when they got into high school and wanted to participate in extra curricular activities. I remember granting Pat Smith, the chief of interpretation, permission to live in Klamath Falls because he had two boys in high school.
