Chronology of Events Relating to Rajneeshpuram, Oregon (source document)

Title page of the document

 This page is under construction --Sugit (talk) 14:54, 29 January 2021 (UTC) 

Author: Roshani Shay Curtis, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Western Oregon University.

This is a 573 page typed document, scanned by Sw Prem Niren and OCR'd by the Wiki-team, published here with the kind permission of Roshani Shay. It is copyrighted material. All rights reserved by the author.

Download as PDF

volume 1: Media:Chron RS v1 5-81 thru 12-82 - OCR.pdf

volume 2: Media:Chron RS v2 1-83 thru 4-84 - OCR.pdf

volume 3: Media:Chron RS v3 5-84 thru 12-84 - OCR.pdf

volume 4: Media:Chron RS v4 1-85 thru 9-85 - OCR.pdf

volume 5: Media:Chron RS v5 9-85 thru 9-90 - OCR.pdf

Introduction

It was the Spring of 1982. My then husband and I were political scientists teaching at different universities in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. My husband’s friend had been hired by Ma Anand Sheela to represent The Ranch in its relations with Oregon’s governments and citizens. He had invited my husband to attend the fascinating federal mediation talks between sannyasins and nearby ranchers in Central Oregon. The tales he brought home of the meetings between the two groups were fascinating. We talked of the unique opportunity to study the culture clash and the creation of a new city from scratch, which led to our first visit to The Ranch.

I was immediately taken by every sannyasin I met. I also had the strong feeling of having found “my tribe.” It was such a joy to find other people on the planet who were attempting to live a spiritual life, while fully engaged in the practical, everyday world.

I forget when I first met Swami Prem Niren, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh’s/Osho’s attorney. But I do recall a dinner at which he expressed the wish for a simple chronology of developments, court cases, Ranch progress, the reactions of Oregon government and the like. He voiced his need for such a research document to help him prepare his cases. That was the moment that this Chronology was born.

I started on a typewriter, but soon purchased my very first computer. For the next many years of the decade, I gathered information from a news clipping service, from the courts, from city council minutes, from legislative actions and much, much more to create a comprehensive historical document about The Ranch, the City of Rajneeshpuram and City of Rajneesh/Antelope.

I have since shared this Chronology with several authors of books on the events surrounding Bhagwan Shree Ranjeesh’s/Osho’s time in the United States and beyond. I have deposited a copy in the Roshani Shay Collection on Rajneesh (archive) at the University of Oregon and with the Communal Studies Association collection at the University of Southern Indiana. It is also available as a source document in the US, Denmark and The Netherlands.

This chronology is only a compilation of factual material related to The Ranch. It in no way conveys the remarkable stories of the transformation of people’s lives which occurred. However, my hope is that it will at least help those who wish to write those stories to put them into context. If it is useful in that way, it will have been worth the many hours and years it took to create it.

Roshani Shay Curtis, July, 2020

Table of events

This is a verbatim account of Roshani's document, with some modifications to simplify searching of headings and newspapers.

For a Key to Headings [used at the start of items] hover your mouse over the link, or see Key to Headings. If you want to search for specific headings on this page, search for e.g. "[R]", with square brackets.

For a Key to Newspaper-Sources {shown at the end of items} hover your mouse over the link, or see Key to Newspapers. If you want to search for specific newspapers on this page, search for e.g. "{BB", with one curly bracket.

1981

date	event
81.05.15	[PUR] [CRMC] Castle and grounds purchased by Chidvilas Rajneesh Meditation Center, Inc. (CRMC) in Montclair, New Jersey
81.06.01	Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh departs from 6 acre ashram in Poona, India and arrives in Montclair, New Jersey (BB 8-31)
81.06.01	[J] [PER] (Date unknown, between June 1 and June 22) Rajneeshees apply for permits for 20 three- bedroom mobile homes on a ranch in Central Oregon
81.06.22	[J] [PER] Mobile home permit application hearing; 20 requested permits granted
81.07.15	[R] [PUR] [CRMC] 64,229 acre Big Muddy Ranch (19,184 acres in W County and 44,342 acres in J County) purchased by CRMC from the North Plains Land and Investment Co., Inc. of Amarillo, Texas for $6 million ($1.5 million cash downpayment raised from contributions and at least $3.5 million in the form of a mortgage to the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company) (O 8-12)
81.07.15	[W] [PER] (Date unknown, between July 15 and August 10) Rajneeshees apply for permits for 34 mobile homes, a storage shed, garage, dining hall, ranch headquarters building, barn
81.07.15	[W] [PER] (Date unknown, between July 15 and August 10) Building permits hearing; permits granted for 13 mobile homes, dining hall, headquarters building, three miscellaneous buildings, with understanding that an additional 21 mobile homes will be allowed (MP 10-8)
81.07.15	[J] [PER] (Date unknown, between July 15 and August 10) Rajneeshees apply for permits for a 4,000 sq. ft. school building and an emergency medical facility
81.08.10	[A] [PUR] Rajneeshees purchase 2 lots, a mobile home and a 30 by 12 foot shop (from Puls) to be used as a communications center (BB 8-13; DC 3-2-82)
81.08.12	[R] [IMP] By this date, 700 acres tilled and planted in sunflowers (150 acres), apple trees, corn, squash and grapes; plans for 3,000 acres in winter wheat, an elementary school, a trauma ward (the nearest hospital is in Madras, 60 miles away); bi-monthly ads quoting Bhagwan appearing in Time Magazine; several feature articles have appeared on Shannon Jo Ryan, daughter of Congressman Leo Ryan killed in Jonestown, who has been a Rajneeshee since October 21, 1980 and is presently at the Montclair, New Jersey Center; 500 centers reported worldwide; 350 book titles in publication; 50 Ranch residents reported to be from the US, Britain, Australia, Chile, Ecuador, France, Switzerland (MP 8-12)
81.08.12	[A] Some A residents reportedly upset over Time Magazine ads, as well as New York Times and Los Angeles Times coverage, saying they fear takeover (MP 8-12)
81.08.13	[A] [J] [W] [COMM] Joint meeting on the previous Wednesday of J and W County Courts/Commissicns, District Attorneys (DAs), Planners, Sheriffs and residents of A (approximately 35 people total) to discuss concerns about the impact of the Ranch purchase on permit applications, schools in A and Ashwood, property values and commercial activities in the area (BB 8-13)
81.08.17	[A] [PER] Rajneeshees apply for permits for two mobile buildings to house communications center and retail outlet for books and tapes
81.08.17	[W] [PER] W County Planning Office issues 13 mobile home permits for the Ranch
81.08.30	[A] [HILL] [RFI] Sunday Oregonian story states that 1981 roadmaps show A as a ghost town even though there are 40 residents; residents describe A as very conservative; Mayor Margaret Hill says most residents from Portland and retired, at 14 years she is a "longtimer"; Ma Anand Sheela, President of Rajneesh Foundation International (RFI), acknowledges having made offer on A store
81.08.30	[R] [IMP] Ranch named Ville de Rajneesh; overhead electricity; 20 mobile homes sited and linked with newly built roads and sewerage systems; airstrip; a two-story, 15,000 sq. ft. storage and office building; $300,000 worth of equipment purchased; 70,000 US Rajneeshees representing 41% of the total; plans for school with staff for up to 25 children and a library to house a 150,000 book collection; 2 Rolls Royces (SO)
81.08.31	[R] [IMP] [BLM] Bhagwan arrives; 58 residents; 12-pass- enger, twin-engine plane; 14,889 acres leased from the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM);centers in 22 nations; Rajneeshees average 35 years old and live in 40 countries, with most in the US, FRG, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Japan and India; 20 US centers, major ones in Essex, MA, Montclair, NJ, Boulder, CO, Seattle, WA, Laguna Beach, Lucerne Valley and Berkeley, CA (BB)
81.09.01	[E] [GER] Stern Magazine feature article on Bhagwan's departure from Poona
81.09.01	[W] [PER] [COMM] 26 total permits have been granted by the W County Court/Commission to date
81.09.01	[A] [PER] [CNCL] [CRMC] [BC] In a meeting televised by CBS, the A City Council grants permits to the Rajneeshee Balance Corporation (BC) for the sale of construction, consumer and engineering goods, and to CRMC for the sale of books and tapes; both permits are temporary, expire on December 31, and may be renewed in January if there are no objections to the businesses; 21 attend (BB 9-2; MP 9-10)
81.09.02	[J] [PER] [COMM] [SULL] County Court/Commission hearing; permits for smaller than requested school building and an emergency medical facility granted; permits for 20 three-bedroom mobile homes suspended due to information that they may have six bedrooms; J DA Michael Sullivan says the issue is sanitation (BB 9-3)
81.09.04	[R] First large media/press conference and tour of the Ranch; KATU-TV Ch. 2 and Ch. 2 in Bend cover event
81.09.04	[C] First showing of "Ashram in Poona" scheduled in San Francisco at the Lumiere Theater; film made by former sannyasin (Rajneeshee) Wolfgang Dobrowolny in 1978-79 and reported to depict sex and violence in an encounter group (BB 8-31)
81.09.14	[J] Bhagwan had received a ticket for driving 68 mph in a 55 mph zone and been involved in a minor accident by this date (BB)
81.09.15	CBS News 4 minute broadcast on R
81.09.16	[J] [PER] [COMM] [1000] J County Court/Commission reinstates 20 mobile home permits on condition that each is limited to three bedrooms and one meditation room with a functioning sink, stove and refrigerator (notwithstanding communal dining facilities); medical facility limited in size to 66 by 28 feet pending approval by county building inspector and sanitarian; school limited to one two-story building of 50 by 100 feet containing a 40 by 50 gymnasium; 1000 Friends of Oregon later takes credit for reduced size of these facilities (BB; 0 10-8)
81.09.17	ABC News broadcast on R
81.09.17	[A] [HILL] [1000] A Mayor writes 1000 Friends to ask for advice and an investigation of possible land use law problems with development at Ranch
81.09.21	[R] [IMP] Purchase price included irrigation rights for 180 acres; plans for next 2 years include spending S10 million for school, cafeteria, medical facility, library, greenhouse, mobile homes and ranch expansion; 250,000 sannyasins worldwide (OJ; MHB)
81.09.24	[A] [HILL] [LCDC] Reported that in an interview with Life Magazine A Mayor berates the State Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) for allowing too many workers and building permits at Ranch and relates phone call from Patricia Maggier, a German TV station reporter, advising her to "'Get them out of there'"; article states, "A showdown seems to be immminent" (MP)
81.09.27	[A] [HILL] Bend Bulletin feature article on A Mayor and history of A
81.09.30	[A] [PUR] [CRMC] Reported that the previous week CRMC purchased 7 city lots, all zoned commercial, for $4,400, to be used for parking space and a storage building (DC says 4 lots and a mobile home from Hicks on the 21st); CRMC has also bought back timber rights from Diamond International Corporation on 3 1/2 sections of land to prevent harvest by October 1, paying a total of $32,000, half of it in the form of a mortgage due in 1983 (BB; DC 3-2-82)
81.10.05	[R] [RFI] [1000] President of RFI writes 1000 Friends about A Mayor's letter and requests advice on how Rajneeshees can continue their work at the Ranch
81.10.06	[J] [S] Rajneeshee speakers (Sheela, Jay, Isabel, Madhukar) at Madras-J County Kiwanis meeting; 80-85 attend; Sheela explains the 3 1/2 month search for a farm of more than 300,000 acres and a dry climate for Bhagwan, who suffers from allergies, a bad back and diabetes (BB; O 10-8)
81.10.06	[W] Rajneeshees inquire of county officials about the process for incorporating a city (O 10-9; DC 10-9; BB 10-14; O 2-25-82 says on the 7th)
81.10.06	[A] [CNCL] [PER] [DEQ] [DCOM] A City Council meeting approves Rajneeshee application for a temporary mobile office on their property; Rajneeshees apply for permit for printing plant/offices, action on which is delayed pending more information, state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sanitation approval and state Department of Commerce . (DCOM) review (0 3-26-82)
81.10.08	[R] [IMP] 2200 acres cultivated or prepared for planting; greenhouse completed; construction of emergency medical facility begun; 150 to 170 residents; 12 wells, 1 at 600 gal. per minute; plans to irrigate 2000 acres; 52 dam sites selected; 17 mobile homes sited on 8 different sections of Ranch (MP 10-8; DC 10-9)
81.10.14	[W] [COMM] [BRWN] Petition and S500 to cover election costs filed with W County Court/Commission by 42 registered voters on the Ranch (of 64 total) seeking the incorporation of a new three area townsite linked by the county road on 2,135 acres (4.5 sq. mi.) of the Ranch consisting mainly of Class V and VII soils, much of it with a 20% or greater slope; W County Planner Dorothy Brown says the petitioners have addressed state land use goals (DC 10-15; 0 2-25-82)
81.10.15	[R] [1000] Rajneeshees invite Director of 1000 Friends to visit Ranch; invitation declined
81.10.18	[A] [HILL] Memorandum signed by A Mayor circulated to many residents (not including Rajneeshees) asking property owners to help the City Council modify the Rajneeshee printing plant proposal
81.10.19	[J] [S] Rajneeshee speakers (Sheela, Jay, Puja) at Madras-J County Chamber of Commerce meeting; 140 attend; need for city services and intent to preserve farmland explained (MP 10-22)
81.10.22	[W] [COMM] W County Court/Commission hears Rajneeshee testimony that the incorporation is necessitated by the need for stores, fire service, water treatment plant, hospital; Court/Commission informs Rajneeshees that 150 signatures of registered voters who are residents of the area are needed on the petition and sets November 4 as the incorporation hearing date
81.10.23	[1000] A Rajneeshee spokesperson meets with 1000 Friends attorney and planner who state that a city is not needed for the farm and religious activities planned at the Ranch and if a city is desired an exception to land use goals may be required (1000 Friends report)
81.10.23	[INS] Bhagwan applies for an extension of stay in the US as a visitor until March 1, 1982, based on the need for medical treatment
81.10.26	[O] Oregon Journal article reports rampant rumors
81.10.27	[R] [IMP] Ranch residents represent 16 western nations and India, and include 4 doctors, 3 nurses, a dentist, dental- technician, 4 pilots, a retired Methodist minister, a barber and 12 children; oldest resident is 78; two additional greenhouses under construction (OJ)
81.10.27	[LCDC] Brent Lake, LCDC Field Representative says "there is no tie between land use statutes and incorporation statues in Oregon, that 'land use goals were set up for existing cities, not new ones.' However he said that ranch managers have been receptive to land use goals, have toned down the size of their city from 10 acres to 4 1/2, and have done a good job of siting structures." (OJ)
81.10.27	[S] Rajneeshee speaker (Sheela) at Greater Bend Rotarians meeting (BB 10-28)
81.10.28	[W] [1000] [COMM] [MCG] 1000 Friends sends letter to the W County Court/Commission entering opposition to incorporation in their own name and on behalf of a nearby ranch couple; the letter also objects to the 54 mobile home permits already granted by W and J because, they claim, the County Planning Commissions have not adequately determined how much housing is necessary to support farm use at the Ranch, but the period of appeal for those permits had lapsed by this date; also by this date, LCDC Field Representative Brent Lake had notified W and J that 54 housing units were the maximum necessary for agricultural needs at the Ranch, in his opinion (DC 10-29)
81.11.02	[1000] 3 Rajneeshees meet with 2 1000 Friends attorneys and a planner; Rajneeshees state their need for farm support services and desire for municipal authority; 1000 Friends repeats their objections
81.11.02	[R] [W] [J] [CRMC] [TAX] CRMC paying $2,259 in W County property taxes in 1981 (structures will not be added to the tax rolls until January 1, 1982) and $2,965 in J County property taxes (BB)
81.11.03	[A] [CNCL] [PER] A City Council passes a motion stating that no new business licenses and no new commercial building permits will be granted or issued until the city water supply is determined to be sufficient to assure adequate service
81.11.04	[W] [COMM] [LCDC] [1000] [DONS] [CANT] W County/Court Commission holds 3 1/2 hour public hearing on incorporation of Rajneeshpuram attended by over 200 people, about 26 of them Rajneeshees; Rajneeshees show videotape and they and about 10 others testify in favor; the LCDC Field Representative testifies that LCDC will remain neutral on the issue, will not become formally involved until after incorporation and that Ranch officials had been receptive to land use goals; 1000 Friends and about 10 others testify against on the grounds that need had not been demonstrated and that incorporation would violate statewide land use planning Goals 3 and 14; the County Court/Commission accepts the petition for an incorporation election and report addressing land use goals (35 pages of findings submitted by the Rajneeshees) by a vote of 2 to 1, fixes boundaries, and sets the incorporation election date for May 18 (General-Capital Press 11-13; OJ 11-5,11-15; BB 11-2,11-5; C 11-6) (Editorials-BB 11-3; DC 11-3,11-5) (Statements-Don Smith, DC 11-5; Rick Cantrell, DC 11-7; names and arguments of testifiers, DC 11-5)
81.11.04	[CRMC] The Dalles Chronicle features story on CRMC in Montclair, New Jersey; Center is selling house for $110,000 and castle for $2 million (originally purchased for $600,000, but extensively renovated)
81.11.06	[R] [IMP] Consultant completes research for a preliminary assessment of ground water conditions at the Ranch; approximate investments total $3 million to date (OJ 11-5)
81.11.06	[C] [CHRAJ] [NO.  : Rajneeshees win temporary control of S2-4 million church property in Laguna Beach, California, but the court bars them from selling it or disposing of $135,000 in assets until suit filed by the "old" members of the Church of Religious Science, whose former minister, Henry Gerhard, became a Rajneeshee in 1978, is settled (O 11-6)
81.11.10	[A] Taping of KATU-TV Ch. 2 "Town Hall" television program during which Rajneeshees, residents of A and nearby ranchers discuss issues, events and positions (M? 11-12)
81.11.11	[1000] Hood River News reports that 1000 Friends says it will attempt to block the incorporation of Rajneeshpuram as a misuse of agricultural land
81.11.11	[R] [A] [HILL] Rajneeshees send letter to A postmaster stating that letters have been tampered with and outgoing mail not received by addressees; letter also sent to A Mayor with an invitation to visit the Ranch; invitation declined
81.11.15	[O] Statewide broadcast of "Town Hall" television program
81.11.16	[W] [1000] [S] The Dalles Chronicle reports that 1000 Friends "says it may contest the land use decision (upon which the court based its decision to allow the incorporation to proceed), but has not announced a legal filing. It has 30 days from November 4 to do so."; by this date, Rajneeshee speakers (Sheela, Jay) had appeared at a meeting of The Dalles Chamber of Commerce with 140 attending (DC 11-17)
81.11.16	[RFI] [MCCC] [NO.  : By this date, RFI had filed suit in Multnomah County Circuit Court to stop the showing of the film "Ashram in Poona" which is scheduled to open soon in Ashland and Portland (DC 11-17; OJ 11-18)
81.11.16	[R] [IMP] 4500 acres tilled; 2500 acres sown with winter wheat; 150 acres of sunflowers harvested for sileage; construction of a dairy barn begun; 190 residents (DC 11-17)
81.11.17	[1000] [GOV] 1000 Friends writes letter to Governor Atiyeh (which is received by 11-9) asking that he direct LCDC to institute legal action by December 3 to invalidate the W County Court/Commission decision in favor of the Rajneeshpuram (R) incorporation election on the grounds that it violates goals intended to protect rural lands from urban development (BB 11-19; DC 11-19; O 11-20; OJ 11-21; MP 11-26)
81.11.18	[P] "Ashram in Poona" opens in Portland at the Fifth Avenue Cinema and in Ashland
81.11.20	[RFI] [MCCC] [NO.  : RFI withdraws the Multnomah County Circuit Court motion to halt the showing of "Ashram in Poona", saying that they merely wished the contract for release and profit-sharing to be abided by; the film said to be playing to packed houses in Portland (BB 11-22; RG 11-22 says suit rejected; RG 11-23)
81.11.22	Eugene Register-Guard feature article on R
81.11.22	[R] [A] [HILL] Rajneeshees send a second letter inviting A Mayor to visit the Ranch; invitation declined
81.11.22	[R] [IMP] By this date two airplanes had been acquired and 200 residents were reported on the Ranch (RG 11-22)
81.11.23	[R] [GOV] Rajneeshees invite Governor Atiyeh and staff to visit the Ranch as a response to the 1000 Friends letter and offer to show how the area designated for incorporation conforms to the 14 applicable statewide land use planning goals; invitation declined (BB 11-24; DC 11-24)
81.11.24	[GOV] [1000] Governor's aide reports that the 1000 Friends letter has been sent to LCDC for a staff report and recommendations (DC 11-24)
81.11.24	[INS] Bhagwan applies for permanent United States resident status as a religious leader and teacher
81.11.25	[R] Consultant report on ground water conditions at the Ranch completed
81.11.29	[R] [A] [HILL] Rajneeshee invitation to A Mayor to visit the Ranch reiterated; invitation declined
81.11.30	[1000] 1000 Friends planner Paul Gerhardt says he will be in The Dalles later in the week to organize a local chapter of 1000 Friends (DC 12-1)
81.12.01	[S] [HILL] Seven Rajneeshees (Sheela, Neehar, Isabel, Vadan, Puja, Patty, MC, Jay) and the Harveys (ranch manager) hold an information meeting for Wheeler County residents in Fossil; A Mayor attends
81.12.01	[R] [IMP] 10,000 sq. ft. cafeteria/dining hall/bakery completed; 10 additional mobile homes sited; 14 wells operating at an average of 40 to 75 gallons per minute with one producing 150 gallons per minute
81.12.01	[LUBA] [NO. 81-132: 1000 Friends and 3 nearby ranch couples (McGreer, Dickson, Perkins) file a notice of intent to appeal the W County Court Commission decision to allow incorporation on the grounds that it violates land use laws intended to preserve agricultural and rural areas, that a need for additional urban development in the area had not been shown and that A is available for urban needs (DC 12-1, 12-4; BB 12-1; 0 12-2)
81.12.01	[A] [CNCL] [PER] [CANT] A City Council discusses October 18 memorandum to residents regarding Rajneeshee printing plant request and November 3 moratorium related to building permits and water supply; W County Judge/Commissioner appears to explain and answer questions related to the November 4 incorporation decision; Rajneeshee permit application for improvements to office site buildings approved
81.12.02	[GOV] [1000] [AG] Governor's aide writes 1000 Friends that an assistant AG is considering whether to take action on their November 17 request to institute legal proceedings against R incorporation
81.12.02	[R] [GOV] Rajneeshee invitation to Governor to visit the Ranch reiterated; invitation not mentioned in reply correspondence
81.12.02	[LCDC] Director Wes Kvarsten announces that LCDC will not file a legal challenge to the W County Court/ Commission's incorporation decision due to a lack of funds, budget priorities, and the involvement of constitutional issues (BB 12-3; DC 12-3; OJ 12-4; O 12-4)
81.12.03	[W] [1000] 1000 Friends holds a meeting in The Dalles to expand its membership and to raise funds in support of its new "grass roots" program
81.12.04	Ashram in Poona begins one week showing in Bend (BB 12-4)
81.12.06	[R] [1000] Ed Sullivan, land use lawyer for the Rajneeshees, first mentions that 1000 Friends is using the suit against R to build up their credibility and membership in Eastern Oregon and states that others are indulging in "nativism"; Rajneeshee spokesperson (MC) says R is adding to agricultural land since there were only 250 acres under cultivation on the Ranch before Rajneeshees arrived and 1500 acres are under cultivation now (O)
81.12.07	[W] [PLAN] Rajneeshees submit a request to the W County Planning Commission for a Comprehensive Land Use Plan Amendment to provide the Ranch with a Rural- Residential zone
81.12.08	[R] [IMP] Horse barn, warehouse, garage, school, medical facilities completed; 85 acres sown in winter barley; 1500 acres in winter wheat; plans for 4-6000 acres in wheat production next year; dam construction begun; 250 residents, most over 30, from middle/upper middle class backgrounds and well educated (WW Dec. 8-14)
81.12.10	[W] [PLAN] W County Planning Commission hearing to gather testimony on the revised County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and zoning ordinance; Rajneeshees testify on their request that the 2,135 acres falling within the proposed incorporation area be changed from Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) designation to Rural-Residential in the comprehensive plan
81.12.10	[R] [A] [ETH] Rajneeshees send letter of complaint to Oregon Ethics Commission about the conduct of A city officials
81.12.11	[W] "Ashram" begins showing in The Dalles (DC 12-11)
81.12.16	[R] [W] Reported that the Rajneeshees invite 200-300 to a party in The Dalles to celebrate the birthday of Christ (0)
81.12.17	[J] Madras Pioneer feature story on a Rajneeshee doctor (Shunyo) who has set up practice in Madras and become a member of the staff of the Mountain View Hospital
81.12.18	[R] [A] [ETH] [AG] Rajneeshee complaint against A city officials sent from Ethics Comm. to AG's Office
81.12.19	[LUBA] [NO. 81-132: [1000] [MCG] [CANT] 1000 Friends and 3 nearby ranch couples amend their appeal of the November 4 W County Court/Commission incorporation decision by filing a motion calling for an evidentiary hearing which raises the question of bias on the part of the W County Judge/Commissioner who sold approximately 50 head of cattle to Rajneeshees for $17,540, or the market price of about 50 cents per pound; contended that sale verbally consummated on Oct. 25, cattle delivered on Nov. 9 and payment received on Nov. 15; Cantrell states that he was advised by both the Secretary of State's Office and by LCDC that his action had no bearing on the November 4 hearing (DC 12-19; OJ 12-25; O 12-25; BB 12-25; OJ 2-25-82)
81.12.20	[R] [W] Approximately 45 Rajneeshees host a Christmas party in The Dalles for about 150-200 guests from the area (BB 12-20, 12-22; DC 12-21)
81.12.21	[W] [PLAN] W County Planning Commission decides to send the County Comprehensive Plan to the W Court/Commission without including the Rural-Residential zone designation requested by the Rajneeshees; the rezoning request is removed for further study by the Southern Wasco County Area Planning Advisory Group; the Rajneeshees are told that the change can be handled as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan at a later date (DC 12-21, 12-22)
81.12.22	[W] [WCCC] [NO. 17133: [1000] [MCG] 1000 Friends and 2 nearby ranch couples (McGreer, Perkins) file a petition asking the W County Circuit Court to review the proceedings leading to the November 4 incorporation decision on the grounds that: the W Court/Commission had misconstrued state land use laws relating to agricultural lands and urbanization, the decision was therefore in violation of Goals 3 and 14, the W County Court/Commission Judge had a financial interest in the decision which he had failed to disclose at the hearing, they were therefore denied an impartial tribunal, and the request for incorporation was not supported by substantial evidence (DC 12-24; BB 12-29; O 12-30; MP 12-31)
81.12.24	[R] [A] [ETH] Ethics Commission reply to Rajneeshee complaint against A city officials states that it has no jurisdiction over such matters
81.12.25	[P] It is reported that the Archana Rajneesh Meditation Center in Portland moved this month from a house to larger quarters (DC 12-24)
81.12.27	[R] [A] [AG] Rajneeshees send a second letter of complaint against A city officials to the AG's Office
81.12.29	[W] [WCCC] [NO. 17133: [1000] [MCG] Defendants W County file a motion to dismiss 1000 Friends and two ranch couples' Circuit Court request for a writ of review of the November 4 incorporation decision on the ground that the Circuit Court has no jurisdiction in the land use matter; Rajneeshee respondents file a motion for summary judgement in the same suit
81.12.30	[A] [PER] Rajneeshees file a new permit application for a printing plant (0 3-26-82)
81.12.31	Tigard Times features story on Ed Sullivan, the Rajneeshees' land use lawyer

1982

date	event

1983

date	event

1984

See continuation #1984

1985

See continuation #1985

1986 - 1990

For a brief chronological overview of later years, see #1986 - 1990

see also

Test -- Rajneeshpuram Timeline 3

Rajneeshpuram news summary 1981-1986 (source document)

The Oregonian: Chronology of major events