The Victor Atiyeh Papers contain materials from his business, political, and personal activities, dating from 1923-2012, as well as collected materials and family papers predating the primary body of the collection. The bulk of the materials pertain to his campaigns for and his service in political office, particularly his two terms as Governor of Oregon, 1979-1987, and to the international consulting business he established after leaving office in 1987. Collection materials include appointment books, audio cassettes, awards, budgets, campaign materials, certificates, correspondence, directories, memoranda, memorabilia, notes, photographs, poll results, posters, press clippings, publications, receipts, reports, schedules, scrapbooks, speeches, and video tapes.
Letter from Robert E. Stacey Jr., staff attorney for 1000 Friends of Oregon, to Harold Sawyer from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, relating to objections over the Rajneeshpuram community's plans to host a large festival. 1000 Friends of Oregon requests that the Department of Environmental Quality not issue a permit for Waste Discharge to the Rajneesh Foundation. Instead they propose a hearing be held confirming whether or not the application agrees with the Land Conservation and Development Commission's (LDCD) goals. They state that based upon conversations had with a representative from the Bend office, the approved irrigation system is believed to be in violation of previously set standards by the LCDC. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Robert E. Stacey Jr, staff attorney for 1000 Friends of Oregon, to Wasco County Judge Cantrell and Commissioners. The general purpose of the letter is to discuss the Rajneesh Neo-Sannyasin application for a mass-gathering permit, related to a large festival they wished to hold. The land the festival is to be held on is zoned for 'exclusive farm use' which does not specify a difference between temporary or permanent use and so the application is being called into review. Individuals from 1000 Friends of Oregon wish to see that the festival does not take place or a bond assuring payment for damage be placed upon the Rajneesh Foundation. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A newspaper article from The Bend Bulletin about the disciples of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. A routing slip from Bob Montgomery is attached. He sent this clipping to Gerry Thompson in Governor Atiyeh's office due to their relevance and additional information about children involved in the Rajneesh community. The article was written by David Jordon, covering the general habits of those living on the Ranch as well as problems encountered and future construction plans. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Wasco County Judge Richard Cantrell to Bob Montgomery in the Oregon governor's office, informing him of local feelings in Antelope regarding the Rajneesh community. He states that many of the ranchers around the area believe the Rajneesh have the legal right to act as they please. However, The 1000 Friends of Oregon and some other residents continue to express animosity towards the Rajneesh. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Ma Anand Sheela, President of the Rajneesh Foundation, to Bob Oliver, legal counsel to Governor Atiyeh. The letter expresses gratitude on behalf of the Rajneesh to Bob Oliver and others, for attending a lunch meeting and providing their expertise in planning the July festival. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
An article by Dean C. Halverson titled, 'Escape...The Orange Way,' from the SCP Newsletter of February-March 1982. This newsletter was issued by the 'Spiritual Counterfeits Project,' a Christian group connected to Campus Crusade for Christ that was dedicated to exposing religious frauds. The author provides a skeptical take on the teachings, standards and beliefs within the Rajneeshpuram commune. It describes the purpose of the self-sufficient city and how one can become a disciple to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. The text further explains the Rajneesh Foundation's intention to expand the city of Rajneeshpuram. The article was intended to warn others about the dangers of Rajneesh beliefs. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Charles K. Ashaker from the Water Quality Division of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to Dorothy M. Brown, Director of Planning for Wasco County. Ashaker explains that the Department of Environmental Quality issued a permit to Rajneesh Neo-Sannyasin International Commune for a temporary sewage lagoon, which would expire soon after the end of a planned festival. They request that in the future the anti-Rajneesh group '1000 Friends of Oregon' be informed if an application is received for a permanent facility so there may be a hearing. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A letter from Henry R. Richmond, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, to Governor Atiyeh. Richmond discusses the permit given to the Rajneesh for a large festival to be held at Rajneeshpuram in July 1982. He requests a hearing to consider rescinding the permit awarded to the Rajneesh, on the grounds that they had misused of an Exclusive Farm Zone. Richmond further requests that the Governor involve the Attorney General for appropriate proceedings. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Swami Krisha Deva, also known as David Knapp, to Antelope city attorney Keith A. Mobley. On behalf of the Rajneesh living within the county, he expresses the foundation's opposition to a party being held by Loren Reynolds, a local person who had previously shown hostility towards the Rajneesh. The Rajneesh ask that the party be reconsidered to prevent potentially violent incidents from occurring. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Governor Atiyeh to Henry R. Richmond of 1000 Friends of Oregon regarding expressed concerns over the actions of the Health Division and Department of Environmental Quality in relation to a planned festival at Rajneeshpuram. The Governor assures them that the Rajneesh Foundation has only been given a permit for the temporary mass gathering and has met all Oregon Department of Environmental Quality standards relating to land use. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Memo from Archie M. Mustard, Plans and Operations Officer for the State of Oregon, to Administrator Harvey L. Latham. He writes in response to a concern that had been raised about the possibility of flash floods at the Rajneeshpuram community during a festival that they had planned. The memo notes the location is not at high risk for flash floods, and that the Rajneesh had made some preventative plans in case of flooding. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A memo from Governor Atiyeh to Henry Richmond, the Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, which was a group that opposed the Rajneesh community. He references information that 1000 Friends of Oregon had supplied to the Governor's office previously, in which they argued that a local Judge named Rick Cantrell had been paid an inflated price for the sale of his cattle by the Rajneesh, effectively constituting a bribe. Although the materials sent were of some interest to the Governor, the request to launch an investigation involving the Attorney General was denied. The case was to continue with the Oregon Ethics Commission as it is a single allegation and not a series of activities. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A memorandum to various Oregon government departments from the legal counsel to Governor Atiyeh, Bob Oliver. He covers updates regarding the Festival of Enlightenment to be held at Big Muddy Ranch by the Rajneesh. He predicts that the Rajneesh's estimation as to attendees has been inflated. Oliver further requests a meeting with the members of these departments including; the Health Division, Military Department, Department of Transportation, Executive Department, Oregon State Police, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The purpose of the meeting would be to determine any other potential incidents that could occur or where current public policy may be lacking. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
Letter from Police Major K. L. Lamkin to John C. Williams, the Superintendent of the Oregon State Police department, regarding outcomes of a security meeting in reference to an upcoming Rajneesh Festival. In attendance were members of the Oregon State Police, Wasco County Sheriff Brown, Jefferson County Sheriff Perkins, Jefferson County District Attorney Mike Sullivan, representatives from the Rajneesh commune and Project Centurion, a security based corporation. All sheriffs in attendance agreed to actively patrol the area. The security corporation, Project Centurion was predicted to receive the contract, their record showing no previous experience with crowd control. This being a concern of the department, it was filed with the rest of the Rajneeshpuram files, this one marked 'Guru file', by Bob Oliver, assistant to Governor Atiyeh.
Letter from Police Major K. L. Lamkin to John C. Williams, the Superintendent of the Oregon State Police department. The letter reports on an invited visit he made to Rajeeshpuram with other police officers and District Attorney in order to discuss safety and security issues relating to a planned Rajneesh Festival in July. Representatives from the Rajneesh Foundation, Sheila Fisher, John Shelfer and Sheela Silverman, explained the plans for transportation and housing for festival participants. Lamkin explains that there would not be patrols on the roads unless it became necessary, however, the department anticipated an increase in confrontations between individuals from the commune and residents in the area. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Memo to Robert G. Davis, a representative of the Rajneesh, from Bob Oliver, assistant to Governor Atiyeh. The letter discusses actions to take in the event of an emergency at the July 1982 Festival in Rajneeshpuram. Emergency contact numbers and individuals who can help if an urgent situation arises are included. Oliver explains the government's lack of approval of the event, yet its intention to continue protecting the public peace. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
Memo from to Governor Atiyeh from Bob Oliver, his legal counsel, regarding the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's driver's license. An attached letter signed by Ms. Doan alleged that an employee of the Motor Vehicles Divisions may have been bribed into issuing a license to Bhagwan. According to Captain Brickeen, the police department does not intend to pursue the accusation further due to it being based in speculation. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Memo to Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's Legal Counsel, from Kristine Gebbie, Administrator in the Health Division in the state of Oregon. The letter regards the water supply for the community of Rajneeshpuram. Engineering plans were submitted for a community system that would serve substantially more permanent residents. The proposal was approved for temporary use but was not for permanent use as it needed to prove compatible with statewide planning goals and land use regulations. The memo further states that the Rajneesh indicated their wish for the system to become permanent. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Inter-office memo to Kristine Gebbie, Administrator in the Health Division, from Bob Oliver, Legal Counsel to Governor Atiyeh. He reports that representative Bill Bellamy told him the Rajneesh were going to be building a crematorium at Big Muddy Ranch, which was the site of the Rajneeshpuram community. The letter expresses concerns of legality and asks for further information. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter to Swami Prartho Subhan, attorney for Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh from Bob Oliver, Legal Counsel to Governor Atiyeh. Oliver responds to their request under public records laws for access to all of the Governor's files and written information involving the Rajneesh. Oliver denies the release of these documents, including a list of memoranda between himself and Governor Atiyeh, citing various laws that protect them. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
An inter-office letter from Oregon's Public Utility Commissioner, Gene Maudlin and the Assistant to the Governor, Pat Amedeo. Maudlin explains that the Wasco County Electric Cooperative will be forcibly condemning certain land to allow additional electric lines supplying electricity to Big Muddy Ranch. Big Muddy Ranch was the former name of the land that was the site of Rajneeshpuram, a community of followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Maudlin notes that their use of electricity 'already exceeds what Wasco County can deliver with present facilities.' This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Photocopied minutes from the meeting of Coordinators at the Rajneesh organization near Antelope, Oregon, on November 14, 1982. The minutes provide information about developments in the Rajneesh community. Included are volunteer requests, proposals, reminders regarding upcoming events and proper land use, as well as general announcements within the Ashram. A highlighted and circled section notes that Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh 'wants 10,000 positive people here which will multiply to 100,000'. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A memo from Governor Atiyeh's secretary Glenna Hayden describes a conversation with Barbara Bailey from the Wasco County Planning Commission. Bailey expressed her concerns over the Rajneesh and their growing control over the county. She expresses to the governor that a meeting should be held between the Rajneesh, the Antelope people, and Wasco County planners. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A letter by Oregon Congressman Paul Hanneman to an Oregon citizen from Tillamook, D.K. Kilgore. Hanneman responds to Kilgore's letter, which is included as an attachment, in which he suggested legislation requiring all clergy to complete a minimum amount of schooling in order to receive tax exempt status. Kilgore argues that this would counteract the activities of the Rajneesh followers near Antelope. Hanneman responds to the proposal and suggests other actions. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
