If everyone in the facebook group chucked in $100 it would cover...

If everyone in the facebook group chucked in $100 it would cover the costs of a pretty comfortable trip to Oregon by a representative of the group.
I suspect you would get a lot out of sending a trusted representative over there to go and actually talk to a few people on the ground.
Knock on doors and talk to their contractors, partners, neighbours etc. Maybe even have a few beers at local watering holes.
I suspect CLI are a laughing stock in the local community, and I suspect Joe Public over there would be generally sympathetic to your situation and happy to talk.
Just an idea...