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.
A May 5, 1982 letter from Henry R. Richmond, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, to Governor Victor Atiyeh regarding the Rajneesh Neo-Sannyas International Commune's plans for a 5,000-person outdoor mass gathering at the commune's Muddy Ranch. The letter discusses Jefferson County's denial of a mass gathering permit, Wasco County's approval of a permit, temporary approvals for sewage treatment and water supply, and concerns about whether the proposed festival complied with land use goals and zoning. Richmond asks the Governor to involve state agencies and the Attorney General in reviewing the issue. 1000 Friends of Oregon was a nonprofit organization founded by Richmond that advocated for land use planning within the state.
A May 6, 1982 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to Gerry Thompson regarding the Festival of Enlightenment. The memo summarizes a meeting with Pat Amedeo and Bob Stacey, representing Henry Richmond of 1000 Friends of Oregon, about the controversy surrounding the festival scheduled for July. The memo discusses requests for the Governor to direct further review of water and sewage facilities and to instruct the Attorney General to appeal Wasco County's issuance of the mass gathering permit. A handwritten note reading "agree" is visible in the margin. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
A May 7, 1982 letter from Governor Victor Atiyeh to Henry R. Richmond, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, regarding concerns about state agency action connected to the Rajneesh Neo-Sannyas International Commune's planned outdoor mass gathering. 1000 Friends of Oregon was a nonprofit organization founded by Richmond that advocated for land use planning within the state. The visible page of the letter discusses Health Division and Department of Environmental Quality responsibilities, mass gathering permit statutes, temporary water supply approval, and sewage treatment facilities. The scan also includes pages from Richmond's May 5, 1982 letter to the Governor.
A May 17, 1982 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to Governor Atiyeh regarding preparations for Bhagwan's festival, scheduled for the area of the Big Muddy Ranch. The memo summarizes a meeting with state agencies concerning public peace, health, and safety, including the State Police, Military Department, Health Division, Department of Environmental Quality, Fire Marshal, Transportation Division, and Intergovernmental Relations. Topics include expected attendance, security, National Guard readiness, waste and water systems, fire danger, medical care, traffic, and emergency operations planning. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
A January 17, 1983 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to Gerry Thompson regarding Rajneeshpuram. The memo describes a telephone call from Rajneeshee Jayananda (formerly John Sheffner), concerning plans to commission an irrigation dam on Current Creek in Wasco County. Jayananda was a leader within the Rajneeshpuram community in Oregon. Oliver reports that Jayananda asked whether a member of the Governor's staff would attend the commissioning, and discusses concerns about whether such a visit would appear to suggest the Governor's support for the project. Handwritten notes are visible on the document. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
A September 20, 1983 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to Gerry Thompson regarding rumors about the Rajneesh. The memo states that the Governor's office was receiving about twenty letters each week from citizens expressing concern about the Rajneesh, and lists rumors that writers had raised. Topics include claims about the Governor and state officials, gates and roads near Rajneeshpuram, State Police conduct, license plate numbers, public behavior, land purchases, welfare, weapons, and fears that the Rajneesh planned to take over Oregon. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
A three-page set of Oregon Department of State Police memoranda dated October 13 and October 18, 1983. A cover memorandum to Bob Oliver from Superintendent John C. Williams, by Duane A. Pankratz of the Oregon State Police, attaches a report concerning the Rajneesh organization. The attached report summarizes interviews and agency communications regarding alleged criminal activity involving drugs, including statements from a former member of the Rajneesh organization and contacts with U.S. Customs and the Attorney General's office. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
An October 19, 1983 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to the Rajneesh File regarding a telephone call from Jayananda. Jayananda was a leader within the Rajneeshpuram community in Oregon. The memo discusses Jayananda's questions about a possible Department of Education visit to Rajneeshpuram, whether the Rajneesh could operate a qualifying high school, alleged threats to kidnap a child living at Rajneeshpuram, and the effect of the Attorney General's investigation. Oliver states that the conversation lasted about fifteen minutes and was cordial. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
An October 19, 1983 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to Gerry Thompson regarding the Rajneesh. The memo refers to attached memoranda from Oregon State Police officer Colonel Pankratz and Oliver's conversation with Jayananda, and discusses an allegation that Ma Anand Sheela was keeping Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in a "drug-induced stupor." Jayananda and Ma Anand Sheela were leaders within the Rajneeshpuram community in Oregon. Oliver also references his March 1983 visit to Rajneeshpuram and notes that he and Judy did not observe evidence of drug abuse during their structured visit. Handwritten notes are visible on the document. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
A September 17, 1984 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Gerry Thompson to Governor Atiyeh regarding a briefing from John Mathis, a federal mediator from the U.S. Department of Justice. The memo discusses political and public safety concerns relating to Rajneeshpuram and Antelope, including Rajneesh leaders' requests to meet with the Governor and Attorney General, the arrival of "street people" (i.e. homeless people) at the ranch, possible violence, state police involvement, and concerns among legislators.
A hand-drawn map, apparently dated July 2, 1984, showing streets, parking areas, and buildings in the town Rajneesh, also known as Antelope. The small town of Antelope was renamed by the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in the 1980s, before it reverted to its original name. Labeled streets include E. Khar, Kabir, Ouspensky, St. Francis, Mansoor, Mela Bhagwan, and Rankisha. The map also includes labels for parking areas, a school, and other marked buildings or sites. The creator and exact purpose of the map are not stated.
A three-page September 18, 1984 Oregon State Police memorandum from Major K. L. Lamkin to Superintendent John C. Williams regarding meetings with concerned legislators and officials. The memorandum discusses concerns about the Rajneesh bringing "street people" (i.e. homeless people) to Rajneeshpuram and possibly Antelope, the effect on voting in Jefferson and Wasco Counties, State Police patrol coverage, the construction of a "man-camp" in Antelope, the possible formation of an Antelope Police Department, and concerns raised by local residents and legislators.
A four-page confidential September 19, 1984 letter from Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer to Gerry Thompson regarding recent developments in Rajneeshpuram and Antelope. The letter discusses concerns about possible election law violations, the security and integrity of the November elections, public safety, state and federal agency coordination, and the possibility of creating an interagency team based in Bend. A note at the top of the first page states that the document is exempt from disclosure under Oregon law.
A September 25, 1984 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Keith Putman, Administrator of Adult and Family Services, to Leo Hegstrom and Dave Fiskum. The memo is titled "Briefing Paper: Rajneesh Street People" (i.e. homeless people), and discusses the Department of Human Resources' lack of appropriation to assist employable single persons or childless couples. It also states that no Adult and Family Services office in the Antelope area was aware of any Rajneesh receiving assistance from AFS.
A four-page September 25, 1984 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Gerry Thompson to Governor Atiyeh regarding a briefing by Oregon State Police on the Rajneesh. The memo identifies federal agencies believed to be involved in the situation and discusses state and federal coordination, possible violence, the arrival of "street people" (i.e. homeless people) at Rajneeshpuram, Rajneesh security and weapons, hunting season concerns, media attention, and communication with Rajneesh peace officers. The memo also includes suggested responses to possible questions about the Governor's role, election security, firearms, and street people leaving the ranch.
An eight-page confidential set of notes from a federal, state, and local agency meeting held on September 26, 1984 in the Attorney General's conference room. The notes discuss land use litigation, the legal status of Rajneesh/Antelope, election process concerns, coordination among agencies, law enforcement planning, the arrival and departure of "street people," allegations and reports concerning weapons, possible emergency response, local concerns, and information from state and federal agencies. Attached or included pages contain a brief background summary on Rajneeshpuram, a warning letter addressed to "Rajneesh People," and a handwritten list of meeting attendees.
A three-page September 27, 1984 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Gerry Thompson to Governor Atiyeh regarding a planned Rajneesh briefing session. The memo discusses scheduled meetings with state officials and federal mediators, as well as issues likely to come before the Governor, including "street people" leaving the ranch, a proposed interagency team, a possible rumor control center, election monitoring, hunting season preparations, a possible visit to Wasco County, and pressure for the Governor and Attorney General Frohnmayer to meet with K. D. (or Krishna Deva) and Ma Anand Sheela, two leaders within the Rajneesh community. Handwritten notes are visible on the document.
A two-page September 27, 1984 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Gerry Thompson to Governor Atiyeh regarding a press conference held by Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer on the Rajneesh situation. The memo states that Frohnmayer discussed issues from a federal agency meeting, including concerns about "street people" (i.e. homeless people), public safety, weapons at the ranch, election integrity, a possible rumor control center, pending litigation, and emergency response. The memo also summarizes press questions about the Governor's awareness of the meeting, possible disarmament of Rajneesh peace officers, and whether the Governor should visit Wasco County.
An October 10, 1984 confidential State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to Gerry Thompson regarding the Antelope City Charter. The memo discusses a suggestion by John Stewart that the Legislature might be able to revoke Antelope's charter because the city had been incorporated before the 1906 city-home rule amendment. Oliver discusses political and legal concerns with this idea, including possible implications for other Oregon cities and the limits of legislative authority. Attached pages include a letter from John Stewart and photocopied legal reference materials. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
An October 10, 1984 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Gerry Thompson to Governor Atiyeh regarding a Rajneesh update. The memo summarizes telephone calls, meetings, and reports from October 8-10, 1984 concerning Rajneeshpuram, Antelope, the arrival and departure of "street people" (i.e. homeless people), shelter and transportation concerns, possible meetings with Rajneesh leaders, voter registration questions, and state involvement in the situation. Handwritten notes are visible on several pages.
A nine-page October 15, 1984 State of Oregon interoffice memo from Gerry Thompson to Governor Atiyeh regarding a Rajneesh update. The memo summarizes events and communications from October 11-19, 1984, including a meeting with federal mediator John Mathis, Bob Lamb, and Rajneesh representatives, proposed principles for handling the situation, radio announcements to people wishing to leave the ranch, church/state legal issues, welfare and shelter concerns, and reports involving state and federal officials.
An October 18, 1984 letter from William F. Gary, Deputy Attorney General, to State Senator Dell Isham regarding Isham's request that the state initiate deportation proceedings in the "Share-A-Home" program sponsored by the Rajneesh. This program brought "street people" (i.e. homeless people) to live with the Rajneesh community so that they could register to vote in local elections. The letter states that the Department of Justice was monitoring the program for possible unlawful activity and for potential burdens on state and local government, but that the state Attorney General's office did not have the power to initiate deportation proceedings on behalf of individuals.
A typed document dated November 1, 1984, with pages titled "Explosives" and "Confirmed Firearms and Ammunition." The first page lists explosives purchased from Pacific Powder in Newberg by J. Arlie Bryant Inc. and reportedly delivered to Rajneeshpuram for road construction. The second page lists confirmed semiautomatic weapons and ammunition. The creator of the document is not stated, but was likely either a state or federal agency.
An October 23, 1984 confidential State of Oregon interoffice memo from Bob Oliver to Gerry Thompson regarding a church-state meeting. The memo summarizes a meeting involving representatives of the Rajneesh and the Attorney General's office on October 18, 1984. Topics include legal arguments over church and government control, the Attorney General's position, possible settlement discussions, and the Rajneesh representatives' concerns about the effects of litigation on the community. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis.
