I had the pleasure and honor of meeting former McCall aide Don Jarvi on Friday. Jarvi worked for McCall on energy policy during his second term, and was a member of the 1978 campaign team. Don’s greatest claim to fame is coming up with the odd-even license plate gas rationing system (for those too young to remember, you could buy gas on an odd-number day if the last number on your license plate was odd, and vice versa). Jarvi had the idea while driving home one evening. He presented it the next morning, and by that night, Governor McCall was on TV announcing it. It was an idea widely copied, and it was a quintessential McCall administration innovation: it was original; it solved a problem; it was done at no cost; and it was implemented quickly. Don shared lots of great stories with me. One that stands out involves his role in allocating gas, diesel and heating oil supplies that were put under state control by the federal government. The idea was to make sure that critical locations and businesses weren’t left without fuel.
Jarvi reported to McCall that a few of his decisions may have skirted the rules.
“Did you help people?” McCall asked.
“Yes,” Jarvi answered.
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
That was the genius of Tom McCall. That is the legacy we all must carry forward.--Bill Hall
Jarvi reported to McCall that a few of his decisions may have skirted the rules.
“Did you help people?” McCall asked.
“Yes,” Jarvi answered.
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
That was the genius of Tom McCall. That is the legacy we all must carry forward.--Bill Hall
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