Friday, August 21, 2009
A Look Back: A Disconnect Between Constituents And Supporters
""There was a clear disconnect between commissioners who leaped to support Richard Lee and the majority of his constituents who saw his actions as unlawful and self serving," said the statement from recall organizers.".... The Daily Astorian, March 25, 2008 Voters recall Lee - County commissioner removed from seat - County Commissioner Richard Lee was recalled Tuesday in an election with a 62-percent turnout.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
LNG Arrangement With Port Of Astoria Under Criminal Investigation
As reported by: Peter Huhtala - Columbia River Business Alliance
August 19, 2009
Port Agrees To Short-Term Lease Extension
A criminal investigation is underway that is related to the November 2004 Port of Astoria lease for LNG development on the Skipanon Peninsula. Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis told port commissioners and the public that the investigation was referred to the state by his office in 2006. The Oregon Department of Justice, through the office of the Attorney General, is leading the investigation.
Mr. Marquis speculated that an outcome might emerge within one month. The determination could result in criminal charges, in which case the evidentiary basis of the indictment would not be publically available. Documentation could be disclosed if a determination is made that there was no wrongdoing, there was wrongdoing but not sufficient for prosecution, or that the statute of limitations has run out on the offense.
The port commission met to discuss signing a 30-year extension of their Skipanon Peninsula lease with the Department of State Lands (DSL), the underlying basis of their sub-lease to Oregon LNG. Commissioners Floyd Holcomb and Bill Hunsinger sharply criticized the unfavorable terms of the leases, and the vast majority of public testimony suggested non-renewal of the lease. The 2004 arrangement was for a five-year lease with two 30-year extensions.
After an executive session with three attorneys present, the Commission unanimously accepted a DSL offer to extend the Port’s renewal date by two years. This effectively changes the lease terms to 7-28-30.
The commissioners explained their vote as allowing time for the state investigation to play out, and other questions regarding ownership of the property to move toward resolution.
Oregon LNG had asked the court for injunctive relief to force renewal of the lease. A court date had been set for August 31. There was no indication if the case will now be dropped.
August 19, 2009
Port Agrees To Short-Term Lease Extension
A criminal investigation is underway that is related to the November 2004 Port of Astoria lease for LNG development on the Skipanon Peninsula. Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis told port commissioners and the public that the investigation was referred to the state by his office in 2006. The Oregon Department of Justice, through the office of the Attorney General, is leading the investigation.
Mr. Marquis speculated that an outcome might emerge within one month. The determination could result in criminal charges, in which case the evidentiary basis of the indictment would not be publically available. Documentation could be disclosed if a determination is made that there was no wrongdoing, there was wrongdoing but not sufficient for prosecution, or that the statute of limitations has run out on the offense.
The port commission met to discuss signing a 30-year extension of their Skipanon Peninsula lease with the Department of State Lands (DSL), the underlying basis of their sub-lease to Oregon LNG. Commissioners Floyd Holcomb and Bill Hunsinger sharply criticized the unfavorable terms of the leases, and the vast majority of public testimony suggested non-renewal of the lease. The 2004 arrangement was for a five-year lease with two 30-year extensions.
After an executive session with three attorneys present, the Commission unanimously accepted a DSL offer to extend the Port’s renewal date by two years. This effectively changes the lease terms to 7-28-30.
The commissioners explained their vote as allowing time for the state investigation to play out, and other questions regarding ownership of the property to move toward resolution.
Oregon LNG had asked the court for injunctive relief to force renewal of the lease. A court date had been set for August 31. There was no indication if the case will now be dropped.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
ORESTAR Campaign Finance Information On Clatsop County Recall Committees
Accountability for District 2 - ID # 13910 (Patricia Roberts)
Democracy in District 5 - ID #13863 (Ann Samueslon)
District 1 for the Columbia - ID #13953 (Jeff Hazen)
Friends of Ann - ID #10227
614149 = 10/01/2009 - Original - Friends of Ann (10227) - Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Assoc. - Cash Contribution - $500.00
596645 - 08/22/2009 - Original - Friends of Ann(10227) - Ken Leahy - Cash Contribution - $220.00
Question: Contributions to V.O.C.A.(Victims of Criminal Acts) and C.A.S.A.(Court Appointed Special Advocate)? On this issue, is it appropriate or legal in Oregon (These are 12/2007 Transactions as Cash Expenditures/Contributions)
Question: $700(Transaction #'s 589097-589098) in contributions from Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, S.S.F. a Construction Trades Union, I think already committed to or stand to gain contracts from Texas based energy speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas on the construction phase of the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG Terminal?
Is that legal, ethical or conflicting? (Transaction as a Contribution of 02/05/2008 and showing up 08/03/2009?)
589827
07/31/2009 Amended Taxpayers Association of Oregon PAC (3889) Friends of Ann (10227 Cash Expenditure$150.00
Friends of Jeff - #13869
(This Transaction is not on Hazen's Campaign Finance Activity to date 08-09-2009 and leads to the question "When are you going to report this and other activity Jeff?)589828 07/31/2009 Amended Taxpayers Association of Oregon PAC (3889) Friends of Jeff (13869) Cash Expenditure$150.00
Committee to Elect Patricia Roberts - #12810
442190 - 10/10/2008 - Original - Committee to Elect Patricia Roberts (12810) - Ken Leahy
Cash Contribution - $1,000.00
Go To ORESTAR Search Page, Type In Committee ID# and hit "Submit" key
Astoria Port Commissioner Floyd Holcom On The Loss Of NOAA To Newport
From: KAST-AM/Tom Freel's Coastwatch Blog
August 18, 2009
GRP: I'm not so certain about the seriousness of the comment as it was from and in response to a discussion on a rumor regarding Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samueslon, a subject of a mounting recall petition movement, Freel said he heard at a cocktail party.
You decide on its import.
Floyd Holcom said...Lets set the record straight. The decision not to pursue the money to bring NOAA to Astoria had nothing to do with the County. I'm told it was primarily a decision based on a conversation Skip Hauke, and the CEDR Director had with the Daily Astoria owner Steve Forrestor.Apparently, as was told to the CEDR members, Mr. Forrestor had contacts in Seattle which told him that the State of Washington would never let NOAA leave Seattle. How wrong he was, but I'm sure he will never admit it. He failed to explain his role on his recent editorial.Despite personally working on this for two years on at least getting a look see, Sen. Betsy Johnson, Skip Hauke and others deserve a big thank you for turning the governments head toward Oregon, and at the end of the day, we'll keep trying to get something to our area.NOAA belongs in Oregon, I think Tongue Point, but it is a victory nevertheless and Newport will benefit greatly.We should all be happy and Astoria will see residual benfits of it being in Newport.I predict vessels parking at the POA because(You think Floyd means here that "The Bar" at the POA closes much later than "The Columbia River Bar"?) the bar closeses there much more than the CR Bar.Floyd
KAST Coastwatch Blog
August 18, 2009
GRP: I'm not so certain about the seriousness of the comment as it was from and in response to a discussion on a rumor regarding Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samueslon, a subject of a mounting recall petition movement, Freel said he heard at a cocktail party.
You decide on its import.
Floyd Holcom said...Lets set the record straight. The decision not to pursue the money to bring NOAA to Astoria had nothing to do with the County. I'm told it was primarily a decision based on a conversation Skip Hauke, and the CEDR Director had with the Daily Astoria owner Steve Forrestor.Apparently, as was told to the CEDR members, Mr. Forrestor had contacts in Seattle which told him that the State of Washington would never let NOAA leave Seattle. How wrong he was, but I'm sure he will never admit it. He failed to explain his role on his recent editorial.Despite personally working on this for two years on at least getting a look see, Sen. Betsy Johnson, Skip Hauke and others deserve a big thank you for turning the governments head toward Oregon, and at the end of the day, we'll keep trying to get something to our area.NOAA belongs in Oregon, I think Tongue Point, but it is a victory nevertheless and Newport will benefit greatly.We should all be happy and Astoria will see residual benfits of it being in Newport.I predict vessels parking at the POA because(You think Floyd means here that "The Bar" at the POA closes much later than "The Columbia River Bar"?) the bar closeses there much more than the CR Bar.Floyd
KAST Coastwatch Blog
Monday, August 17, 2009
White House Appears Ready To Drop "The Public Option"
OPR News/Associated Press
August 16, 2009
Bowing to Republican pressure and an uneasy public, President Obama's administration signaled Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new health care system.
Read Article
August 16, 2009
Bowing to Republican pressure and an uneasy public, President Obama's administration signaled Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new health care system.
Read Article
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