Friday, April 15, 2011

Clatsop County Commissions, Boards And Committees; The Law And The Bylaws!!

These were the (12) speakers, all against the reappointing of Clatsop County Planning Commission, at last Wednesday's, April 13, 2011 Clatsop County Board of Commissioners meeting and forgive me the possible inaccuracies in the spelling of their names.... Beebee Johnson Stan Johnson Cary Johnson Kathy Sanders Jeremy Baudish Margaret Hyland Art Hyland Tim Gannaway Mr. Shipley Allen Smiles Dale Barrett Christine Bridgens In the majority, if you know the names of these people and our recent history with CCBofC, you will clearly see that this is all merely a continuation of the political polarization of this community and the continued vindictiveness between the local parties, allowing it all to spill-over into Non-Partisan Government, in my view. Listen to the "Audio" and you will clearly hear that it is still only about "Political Footholds" in our community and who has slipped over the edge after years of unquestioned dominance. Now, anybody with the least common sense and especially those that follow the local mainstream parties and pay close attention to their websites can clearly see who, over recent years has worked hardest to insert their candidates into non-partisan seats on commissions, boards and committees and we all know that is the case but, the problem is, we are in some serious trouble here and party politics is not going to get us out of it and they need to be and we must insist they be left at the front and back door of the halls of Clatsop County Government. Read Them Both To Make-Up Your Own Mind

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Clatsop Farm Board Of Review Calls For Applicants


Thursday, April 14, 2011 FARM BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS Clatsop County is seeking volunteers knowledgeable and experienced in farmland values to serve on the Farm Board of Review to set assessment values for local farmland......Read Full Call For Applicants

Clatsop Board Of Commissioners Approves Land Deal With City Of Astoria


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE LAND AGREEMENT WITH ASTORIA


The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved an agreement with the City of Astoria settling a dispute over ownership of an undeveloped tract next to Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton. The county will pay $60,000 to the city for clear title to the property, which consists of two tax lots totaling about 46 acres immediately east of the cemetery. The county will also dismiss a lawsuit it filed against the city in February......Read Full Release

Clatsop County Commissioners Honor Local Volunteers



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HONOR LOCAL VOLUNTEERS

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday honored the county’s top volunteers for 2010
and expressed thanks to the hundreds of citizens who donate their time to the community.

Reserve Deputy Tom Tussing was honored as Individual Volunteer of the Year;Bill and Dorothy Davidson received the Outstanding Individuals within a Group award; and the Outstanding Volunteer Group honor went to the Caring Adults Developing Youth (CADY) mentoring program.

The board also approved a proclamation recognizing April 10-16 as Volunteer Week.

Tussing volunteers with the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Program, whose members assist regular duty personnel on patrol duties, perform civil paper service, work security for special events and help with other duties.

Ready to respond “at a moment’s notice,” Tussing volunteers an average of 60 hours a month.

“Tussing’s interest in the program has been exemplary,” said program coordinator Sgt. Mark Whisler, who nominated Tussing for the award. “He has been summoned in for various tasks including security at the Astoria waterfront fire, transport of prisoners to other facilities in the state, and volunteering to work patrol when we are short-handed.”

Bill and Dorothy Davidson are the volunteer coordinators of the Community Emergency Response Team program. The CERT teams are made up of volunteer members who provide valuable assistance during local disasters and other emergencies.

“Bill and Dorothy have given untold hours of their time to promote CERT and to train volunteers,” Clatsop County Emergency Services Coordinator Gene Strong said. “They have also been willing to respond at any time and help in the time of need.”

The CADY mentoring program, coordinated by the Clatsop County Juvenile Department, matches adult volunteers with local youth aged 10 to 17. In regular weekly meetings the mentors share their life experiences and encourage the youth to reach their dreams and full potential. The adults help keep the students in school by assisting with homework, improving academic skills and helping the youth realize the value of education.

Those honored Wednesday were among 382 volunteers who donated a total of 21, 636 hours of service with the county in 2010. That service has an estimated monetary value of $451,119.

For more information on the above volunteer programs:

· Reserve Deputy Program – Sgt. Mark Whisler, (503) 325-8635

· Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) – Gene Strong, (503) 325-1000

· Caring Adults Developing Youth (CADY) – Laura Parker, (503) 325-8601

For more information on other volunteer opportunities, go to “Citizen Involvement” on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us.

Released by:

Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners;April 13, 2011 Audio Transcript And Meeting Highlights

BOARD VOTE CRITICIZED During the Business from the Public portion of the meeting, a dozen audience members spoke out against the board’s March 23 vote vacating all seven positions on the Clatsop County Planning Commission and seeking new applicants. Planning Commission Chair Cary Johnson said the vote showed an “unbelievable lack of respect” to the panel and said no other planning commission in Oregon had ever had all its members removed at once. Commissioner Peter Huhtala replied that in recent years some citizens have been reluctant to apply for vacancies on the planning commission. Commissioners Huhtala, Debra Birkby and Chair Dirk Rohne voted March 23 to vacate the planning commission positions. Commissioners Scott Lee and Patricia Roberts voted no. Chair Rohne said current planning commission members would be considered for re-appointment if they applied. The plans to make the appointments by June 30. Audio Transcript of April 13, 2011 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting

April 13, 2011 CCBofC Meeting Highlights

North Coast Business Park Master Plan - Read And See It!!!


Port Of Vancouver Touts Impressive Growth

Port of Vancouver touts role in economy By Aaron Corvin Columbian Staff Reporter Wednesday, April 6, 2011 The news about Clark County’s economy has been gloomy over the past two years. The Port of Vancouver on Wednesday showed what it’s doing to improve it, revealing increases in cargo volumes in 2010, spotlighting the creation of jobs and pointing to more jobs to come as it invests in rail and other infrastructure improvements. The port is working “to put more of our neighbors back to work,” Larry Paulson, the port’s executive director, said during the “State of the Port Address” held at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. “This is our time to lead.”Read Full TDN Report

Cowlitz County Drug Court Takes A Dark Turn

By Tony Lystra / The Daily News Posted: Saturday, April 2, 2011 10:00 pm Editor's Note The Daily News has been following Kelso resident Don Pomerenke's progress through Cowlitz County's Drug Court program since 2009. Pomerenke graduated from the program last year. Clarification: Two Cowlitz County men had already graduated from the county's Drug Court program when Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning hired them to do landscaping work at his home last year. The men were not participants in the program when the judge, who oversees Drug Court, hired them. Both men were mentioned in Sunday's story about a Drug Court graduate's relapse. Don Pomerenke attended countless hours of group therapy, counseling sessions and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The government gave him a housing voucher so he could rent an apartment. And when Pomerenke graduated from Drug Court nearly a year ago, a judge shook his hand instead of sending him to prison.....Read Full TDN, Tony Lystra Report

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

HB-3025(D.A. Authority On Municipal Court Cases) Passes House Judiciary With A "Do Pass" Vote 8 to 1 In Favor


The Oregon House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted 8 to 1 in favor of a "Do Pass" to the floor of State Legislature on House Bill 3025 which clarifies the specific authority of Oregon County District Attorneys on all Municipal/Justice Court Cases.