An Open Letter To Clatsop County Commissioner Patricia Roberts

GRP:We would like to extend the same invitation to Commissioner Roberts that we have extended to Commissioners Samuelson and Hazen and that is to use this venue to their best advantage to inform the citizens of this community in their defense against the proposed Recall Petitioning. We would certainly like to see a response from Commissioner Roberts on the Open Letter below.

Commissioner Roberts;

On Friday, August 28th, 2009, outside the Gearhart Post Office between the hours of 10:00 and 1:00, you
made the following public remarks in defending yourself against recall. I hope you will take some time to
clarify what you meant by the following statements:

“I don’t have any control over the size of the project.”
What do you mean? That the Bradwood Landing project, as proposed, was the minimum size it could be?
Your responsibility as a County Commissioner was not to decide if it was as compact as possible, but
rather to decide if the project met the “small to medium scale development activity” test necessary to
build anything on the site at Bradwood. You voted “yes” twice.

“We just voted to give them a chance, and I think they will fail.”
At no time that I‘m aware of, acting in your role as a quasi-judicial body hearing the case, were you asked
to vote on whether the Bradwood Landing proposal deserved a chance or not. Instead, your responsibility
was to rule on whether the proposal fit numerous aspects of county and state law and zoning rules. In
what way, precisely, do you think they will fail?

“We had no choice, this is the process.”
Do you mean that the process predetermined the outcome? You clearly could have chosen to vote no. A
no vote would have been more consistent with testimony and the county consultant’s opinion. Why do
you say you had no choice? Did anyone advise you that you had no choice?

“We would be sued if we had not voted this way.”
How did you come to the conclusion that the county would be sued if you voted no? Did someone tell
you that you would be sued? If so, who and when? Would you have voted differently without the threat
of being sued?
Unsaid
On two points that were brought up however, you were strangely silent. When it was mentioned that the
river closures resulting from the mandatory exclusion zone around the tankers would prohibit cruise ships
from considering Astoria as a port-of-call, you had no response. And more importantly, when the
discussion turned to the fishing industry along the Columbia River, and how it would be severely impacted
by the closures, your only response was, “I hadn’t heard they [the LNG super tankers] would be in port
that long.”

“You just don’t understand.”
You are correct on this one, I truly don‘t understand. But I believe it is your obligation to help me and
the people of Clatsop County understand why you keep voting for LNG and the Bradwood Landing
application. The concerned citizens of Clatsop County would appreciate an explanation of your
comments.

Sincerely.

Deborah McEuen
Lewis and Clark

FERC's Order On Rehearing And Stay On Bradwood Landing

Read Complete Order Here

The GRP Straw Poll Asking: How Would You Vote On A Recall Of Clatsop County Commissiners, Jeff Hazen And Ann Samuelson Has Ended - The Results Below

Ann Samuelson

Yes To Recall
131 (83%)

No To Recall
25 (16%)

Votes on this poll: 156

Jeff Hazen

Yes To Recall
126 (81%)

No To Recall
29 (18%)

Votes on this poll: 155



The Arguement For Recall
Proponents of the recall maintain that it provides a way for citizens to retain control over elected officials who are not representing the best interests of their constituents, or who are unresponsive or incompetent. This view holds that an elected representative is an agent, a servant and not a master.

The Arguement Against Recall
Opponents argue that it can lead to an excess of democracy, that the threat of a recall election lessens the independence of elected officials, that it undermines the principle of electing good officials and giving them a chance to govern until the next election, and that it can lead to abuses by well-financed special interest groups.

The Oregonian:A Gem Of A Teachable Moment In Jewell

By: Doug Bates - The Oregonian
Thursday September 10, 2009, 4:57 PM

Don Anderson is a hard-working high school teacher, devoted to his students and the subjects he teaches. From time to time, he has brought his journalism classes at tiny Jewell High School on visits to The Oregonian's editorial department, and his students have always been well-informed about current events.

Unfailingly, they've been highly prepared with good questions, and their paper, The Jay, is outstanding for a high school with an enrollment of only 60.

Read The Full Article

I'd Like To Introduce You To ........

Miss Isabella Rose Redding
Another Blessed Gift Bestowed On Our Family
September 8, 2009
Astoria, Oregon

The Daily Astorian: Samuelson, Hazen Recalls Move Forward

9/9/2009 4:27:00 PM

Recall takes next big step toward election

By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian

Local citizens groups have turned in signatures to place the recalls of two Clatsop County Commissioners on a ballot.................


Read Full Article

LNG:The Passamaquoddy Study Shows Impacts Of LNG Development Costly, With Limted Benefit

By: Edward French

A study of the potential impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay concludes that the economic stimulus provided to the region by one or more LNG import terminals would be limited. An LNG terminal would have significant economic consequences throughout the region, with costs for public safety, staffing and infrastructure running into the millions of dollars for host communities, while the loss in property values along the U.S. side is estimated at $3 million to $8 million. Benefits would be less than expected, as the study concludes that each LNG terminal would provide only 27 construction jobs and 8 operations jobs to local people........

Read The Full Overview

From AP: Obama Speech To School Students

Obama School Speech Transcript

From The Daily "A": "The Jay" Editorial From Jewell

Jewell student editorial causes backlash
* Dave Samuelson threatens to ‘come after’ editor
* KAST-AM radio reports(September 9, 2009) Dave Samuelson saying, upon contacting Clatsop County Sheriff's Department and I am paraphrasing..."Clatsop County Chief Deputy Paul Williams stated that the complaint from Jewell School on the implied threat was so silly no report was filed"

By DEEDA SCHROEDER - The Daily Astorian
September 7, 2009

When Jewell High students wrote an editorial for the school's newspaper, The Jay, condemning the Bradwood Landing liquid natural gas project and its political supporters, they had no idea the article would make such a splash when it was published last week.

Now, after former Jewell School Board member Dave Samuelson complained about the story, those same students are afraid to speak about why they wrote the piece...

Full Article

A need for a second look

The following editorial is reprinted from The Jay, the Jewell community newspaper

Don't be fooled by bureaucratic double-speak

The Palomar pipeline that most concerns residents of the Jewell area would transport imported regasified LNG from the Bradwood Landing LNG site, about 10 miles east of Astoria on the Columbia River.This would be 36 inches wide and would wind its way about 110 miles from the terminal to Molalla, Oregon and from there another 100 or so miles to Maupin in eastern Oregon.

From there it could connect to the massive interstate TransCanada pipeline to quench California's huge thirst for natual gas.

Much of the pipeline from the Bradwood facility would go through the Jewell area. Current standards have the pipeline only three feet under ground.

The Jay challenges readers to come up with one, just one concrete advantage of having the LNG pipeline go though the Jewell area.

Over the last several years now there has been a lot of hype and hot air given by company propaganda, local and state politicians, and government bureaucrats.The issue is mired in so much red tape that it may seem to some hard to decipher fact from fiction, but that is just the way Bradwood Landing (the LNG corporation) wants it.

The more they can confuse, obfuscate and bamboozle local residents, the more sway they will have over the (unfortunately few) politicians that have your back. Let's look at some of the myths that Bradwood is foisting upon us and the facts that lie behind them.

Myth No. 1: Bradwood Landing will provide much needed jobs in the area. FALSE. Although a few local excavating and construction companies might get temporary work, once the pipeline is in place, the Bradwood Landing facility on the Columbia River uses just a small crew to operate and inspect the pipeline. The net job growth from the pipeline is close to zero. In fact, the jobs that the LNG company does have (around 40 or so) will all be state jobs and won't (necessarily) involve local people at all.

Myth No. 2: Bradwood Landing will provide much needed tax dollars. FALSE. Because of the loss in property value over land the pipeline will run, the actual projection of tax dollars reaching local schools is revenue negative. Not only that, Oregonians will be forced to subsidize the gas companies through taxes on the gas we would use. Would you buy property that had a three-foot highly explosive pipeline running through it? Property values in the areas anywhere close to the pipelines would plummet even farther than they have during this recession.

Myth No. 3: An LNG pipeline is safe. FALSE. Not only are property values at risk, so are is the safety of our citizens, our families. The final destination for all the LNG going through the Jewell area is California.

We, the citizens, students, teachers, workers of this wonderful rural area are not even taken into consideration. Many of our local politicians think we are a bunch of country bumpkins in Clatsop County and don't know how to read. But we do.

We read the facts about LNG, how it imposes safety issues that include massive explosions like those that have occurred in New York and Maryland. If you are in doubt, look them up.

Finally, California, the state that is to benefit from this LNG, has already rejected five of these proposed LNG regasification plants.

Why should Oregon do California's dirty work?

Why should we tear up our precious soil to feed the insatiable state of California?

Write your newspaper.

Call your representative or senator.

Call Bradwood Landing.

Tell your parents or kids.

Let it be known that we don't want Bradwood Landing and its pipeline running through our land.

We Are Witnessing A Piece Of Our History Die Before Our Very Eyes!

Harry Flavel Dead At 82 On May 31, 2010Read Full Daily Astorian Report

This is the Flavel House. Although the nearby home of Captain Flavel is better known, this is a Flavel house too. It was built by the Captain George Flavel's son, George Conrad Flavel Jr. It is still owned by the Flavel family - Harry Sherman Flavel (born 1927) and Mary Louise Flavel (born 1925). They are the grandchildren of George Conrad Flavel Jr. and the great-grandchildren of Captain George Flavel. The house is currently unoccupied and neglected.

Yes, the Flavel House, the other one and it is very distressing to see it deteriorate daily, with no attempt at dialogue at all by those who care with Harry and Mary Louise Flavel in whose care it is now in.

Who, out there has the magic to get the ear of these two with a solution that benefits them as well as this home's place in history?

Its value, in my view, goes way beyond becoming just the private home of some "High Roller" with a pocket full of money to restore it but should belong to us all.

Astoria-Warrenton CofC! Are You A Member Business? Do You Support The Exec. Director Hauke's Position On your Behalf?

Though I am certain "Political Posturing" on any particular issue by this organization is not permitted in its "ByLaws", what is your view, if you are a member business, of the Executive Director speaking on your behalf regarding the recall petitoning in process of Clatsop County Commissioners Ann Samuelson, Jeff Hazen and Patricia Roberts?

From The Daily "A": Samuelson Wants To Debate The Recall Petitioners?

From "The Daily Astorian" - Friday, September 4, 2009

Samuelson Wants A Debate On The Issues
GRP: As if this "Circus " hasn't already spun out of control to the side of absurdity on the part of this one County Commissioner, in my view, now she wants to ramp it up to another extreme by challenging the recall pertitioners to a debate?

Should she not be, if as she says she has so much overwhelming support from her constuituents in District 5, leaving the decision in whose trust she presumbaly serves in the hands of those constituents to determine her fate?

If they truly do trust in her leadership, what has she got to worry about? Why challenge them to a wrestling match?

Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson has thrown down the gauntlet. But nobody's picking it back up.

She's challenging the chief petitioner in a recall against her, Cannon Beach resident Betsy Ayres, to a debate at the Seaside City Hall.

She has even set a time, at 6 p.m. Sept. 24, but her main challenger isn't taking her up on it.

"I'm finding, when people gather, we don't have to be mad about something," Samuelson said. "Let's get something done."

Ayres said she and Samuelson had spoken about a public debate before."There are a lot of things the commissioners are not willing to discuss with the public," Ayres said.

Samuelson said she believes the recall petition is based on misinformation, and that it's important for her district to hear the facts. She said she will be at the city hall at the scheduled time to discuss the flier that her opponents, a group calling itself Democracy in District 5, is circulating about her service to the community.

Ayres said she's not running for office."It's not about me. It's about Ann and her record," Ayres said. "I am not interested in having a debate."

Clatsop County: The North/South Divide

Somebody want to take a shot at explaining exactly what that, "The North/South County Divide", is?

The subject was brought up at a dinner party last night and when queried as to what she meant, the exclaimer had no clue "now that you ask it but, Commissioner Samuelson says it all the time about doing away with it."

I guess you can all guess where it went after that but, please, you got an answer?

Give it to us.

The Port: Introducing The I-5 Short Sea Shipping Marine Highway

This is a Slide Show on the prospective new relationship between Port of Astoria and Santa Maria Shipping LLC in Short Sea Shipping and quite possibly a bright future for many here should the deal not be "Queered" in some way or another.

Introducing The I-5 Marine Highway

Northern Star's Salem Based Talking Head, Deister, Speaks

8/28/2009 10:48:00 AM
From The Daily Astorian - Letters To The Editor

Letter: Another viewpoint by: Charles Deister, Northern Start Natural Gas, Salem. Oregon GRP: One can only imagine whose ears this guy is bending down at the seat of our State Government and with this message yet?

The Daily Astorian's editorial (Sen. Jeff Merkley exposes the dirty little secret about Bradwood LNG" (only exposed the editorial writer's misunderstanding of basic economics and how natural gas markets work.Regarding the idea of a ban on exporting natural gas from Bradwood Landing or any other Oregon LNG terminal, NorthernStar Natural Gas is not opposed to the idea. As we have previously told several state officials, the idea of exporting LNG from an Oregon terminal is so patently absurd that we would happily sign a contract with the state of Oregon or any requisite federal authority committing that our facility would never export gas. This offer still stands...You Gotta Read This!

Port Of Bellingham Contests NOAA Move To Newport

07:54 AM PDT

Monday, August 31, 2009

By KGW Staff

WASHINGTON -- Another group is challenging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's decision to move a fleet of research ships from Seattle to Newport, Ore. More: NOAA move

Read Release

A Reminder About Shipbreaking: G.O.B. Or Tree Hugger, It Is A Dangerously Dirty Business

GRP: Listening this morning to one of our local businessmen bemoaning, in front of a sniggering and bemused Clatsop County Commission, the loss of a Shipbreaking opportunity in our community, I thought it might be prudent to update a few as to the dangers of this kind of business and no matter how one tries to twist this one, it just, in my view, is absolutely not for this part of the country.

Hazards In Ship Breaking Procedures
Article by Raunekk For "Bright Hub"

This article deals with the numerous dangers that the ship breaking industry imposes on its workers and the people living in the surrounding areas.
In a previous article we discussed the main factors for the deportation of the ships to developing countries from the rich countries. Breaking of obsolete vessels may involve number of challenges and also a high level of danger.

Read Full Article

"Pyrolysis" - Wood-To-Oil Technology May Hold Benefits In Thinning Our State Forests

By Jeff Barnard
The Associated Press
Appeared In: The Register-Guard, Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 ,

MERLIN — For the past decade that the U.S. Forest Service has been pressing to thin hundreds of millions of acres of trees in danger of burning up, it has had one nagging problem: how to come up with the billions of dollars to pay for it.
Young trees are too small for lumber. Transporting the bulky material to biomass power plants is too expensive. And cutting big trees to pay for thinning the small ones often runs afoul of environmental laws.

Read Full Article Here

GRP Straw Poll Ends: Would You Support An Initiative To Put LNG Siting And Development In Clatsop County To A Vote?

There were a total of 203 voters and of those 203 on the questions below they said:

Yes To An Initiative - 173(85%)
No To An Initiative - 22 (10%)
Yes To LNG - 33 (16%)
No To LNG -154 (75%)
Yes To Look At
Other Industry -155(76%)
No To Look At
Other Industry - 21(10%)

Split every hair, grasp every straw to spin this....uh...Straw Poll as you wish but the numbers are just as you see them.

The Port: An Exciting Prospect In "Short Sea Shipping"

"Short Sea Shipping"

Small, shallow draft coastal container ships and barges to blend with rail and road systems to move freight to waterborne transfer points way upriver?

That's a huge piece of the maritime commerce pie for us down here.

"Short Sea Shipping", that's what it's called and The Port of Astoria has just been presentented with another opportunity to pull its ass up out of "The Doldrums" it has put itself in and make a sound contribution to this community and its future in The Lower Columbia River's maritime commerce and I think we are perfectly suited to handle this well and we must not forget that these shippers, with ships getting massively bigger and with time of the essence, I believe, will threaten future upriver commerce because of time and will be more prone to patronize port systems that offer easy in and out and bypass us altogether without a solution.

A Lower Columbia Super Port? Well, it's a definite talking point and whether you know it or not, to my understanding, that think is already on paper and at one time slated for legislation.

My two questions...

* What's the deal with the lease-back and residual revenue of the vessels?

*How many Jobs?

The article below explains the overall scope and potential this opportunity offers us and hopefully we will seek the resources to ensure this deal isn't bungled

Read This Article From Professional Mariner On "Short Sea Shipping"

Columbia River Business Alliance Presents: Residential Basics Of Going Solar!

Columbia River Business Alliance is helping to sponsor this great (and free) solar workshop.
Please register early so you get a seat.
Peter Huhtala, Executive Director
Columbia River Business Alliance
PO Box 682
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Visit Columbia River Business Alliance
503 468-8038

"The future of the Columbia River estuary is our business."

Residential Basics of Going Solar - 10/1/09
AstoriaThurs, Oct 1 (6:00 - 7:00pm)

This free, one hour workshop covers the basics of why solar is a smart choice for Oregon homeowners.

We will show you:
* How well solar works in Oregon's climate
* Available solar technologies
* Financial incentives and tax credits
* How to choose a contractor

Residential tax credits and incentives often pay for up to 80% of the cost!

Participants will come away with basic knowledge about solar energy systems and will be prepared for any of our 3 hour workshops, or to do more focused research on their own and start working with a contractor.

Click Here For More Information And To Register

Remember Measure 4-131? You Know, The Pipeline Issue The Anti-LNG Element Brainwashed The Voters In Clatsop County to Support And Vote "NO" 2 to 1?

GRP: Well, could it be this is it coming at us again all wrapped in a new package to get that Bradwood LNG, 36" Diameter High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline through?

High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines through Wetlands? Good Lord! If what I'm reading on this is anywhere near correct, the issue over OPR zoning and NG Pipelines was mere childs play compared to what this circus is going to be.

Can't wait to see how this one has been rewritten to attempt to justify the changing of the Zoning and County Comprehensive Plan to appease Texas based Energy Speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas.

Excerpt from a March, 2009 Daily astorian Article:"The J & S Reserve property is a 121-acre tract made up of 47 acres zoned residential agriculture-1 and 74.24 acres zoned OPR. The landowner is requesting a change that would cut down the RA-1 zone to 21 acres and change the remaining 100 acres to lake and wetland. The zone change would reduce the number of possible dwellings on the tract from 27 to 14.VandenHeuvel said the change from OPR to LW wouldn't be necessary unless Bradwood's natural gas transmission pipeline was part of the plan."Lake and wetland is almost identical to OPR except for one important change," said VandenHeuvel. "Pipelines are allowed in the lakes and wetland zoning and not allowed in the OPR. That change is absolutely unnecessary unless you are to run a pipeline through there. There's no way this is not related to the LNG pipeline."


Press Release from Clatsop County

ZONE CHANGE HEARING POSTPONED

A public hearing scheduled to be held before the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Aug. 26 on a proposed zone change has been postponed.
The land-use application, from Mark Barnes on behalf of J & S Reserve, seeks to re-zone 121.59 acres of property in Westport. The applicant wants to change the current zoning mix from 47.35 acres Residential-Agriculture-1 and 74.24 acres Open Space Parks and Recreation to 21.85 acres Residential Agriculture-1 and 99.74 acres Lake and Wetlands. The application also includes an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 14 – Urbanization.
No new date has been set for the hearing.

Northwest Regional ESD Super Attempts To Clarify The Ethics Investigation And Recall Of Clatsop Commissioner, Ann Samuelson From Jewel School Board

August 19, 2009

From Jim Mabbott, N.W. Regional ESD Superintendent

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the recent recall effort regarding Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson and the “ethics investigation ” regarding her service as a Jewell School District Board member.

During her time on the Jewell Board, Ann exceeded the Oregon School Board Association code of conduct for Board members, worked tirelessly on behalf of students, staff, and community members, and had absolutely no ethics violations attached to her record.

Ann has also served on the Board of Northwest Regional Education Service District since July 1, 2007.

As you may know, over a year ago, a few Jewell School District citizens closely associated with John Seeley (former Superintendent of Jewell School District and who recently had his teaching license revoked by Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission, as stated in local newspapers) filed an ethics complaint against all Jewell School District Board members (current and several former).

The ethics commission found there was no merit to those complaints other than a small notation regarding a process that has been common in the great majority of school districts in Oregon: school districts commonly meet in Executive Session to discuss the need for an immediate temporary Superintendent when the current Superintendent leaves without notice, or as in this case, is put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation (I served as one of the interim Superintendents for no compensation during that time).

It is my opinion, and the opinion of the District’s attorney, that this process is consistent with Executive Session law (ORS 192.660). In fact, this was a very rare situation in that the Ethics Commission did not penalize the district in any way.

Ann Samuelson has done nothing wrong in her role as a Jewell School District Board member or as a Clatsop County Commissioner.

You may disagree with her opinions, but is that a reason for Oregonians to recall our elected officials? If so, I suspect we wouldn’t have any!

Ann Samuelson:"Just time for a short explaination of the jewell recall, many folks that signed the orginal petition on Karl and I didn't really know what they were signing, I've talked with a number of them since. Once again lies of the followers of the superintendent,(John Seeley has since met all the requirements and restrictions of his court imposed probation) who is now on probabation for mistreating his daughter, and some anti lnger's such as Auerbach signed the petition."

$8,000,000.00 In LNG Dollars And Where Does It Go? 66 Taxing Districts They Say?

How Your Clatsop County Tax Dollar Is Spent

Although you write your property tax check to Clatsop County, only some of the money goes to the county.

The county collects the taxes and then distributes the money to 66 taxing districts.

GRP: The question is...Who gets what? Anybody got a real answer to this puzzle? $8,000,000.00 to 66 taxing districts is about $122,000.00 apiece. $8,000,000.00 to 36,000 Clatsop County Citizens is about $222.00 per person. So, where's all this wealth attributable to Texas based Energy Speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas? Wonder if they can answer this riddle? Don't you think it's their responsibility to do so publicly?

For each $1 paid by the average Clatsop County taxpayer:
* 48.3 cents goes to school districts, including Clatsop Community College
* 22.3cents goes to the cities, including urban renewal districts
* 14.7 cents goes to recreation, transportation, water and other districts
* 2.6 cents goes to rural fire protection districts
Just 12.1 cents of each average tax dollar goes to the county government.
Of that 12.1 cents:
* 4.6 cents helps fund public safety and justice programs, such as sheriff's patrols, the jail, district attorney's office and juvenile department;
* 2.2 cents goes toward public service programs such as assessment and taxation, elections and records, surveyor, land-use planning and development, animal control, parks and some public health programs;
* 2 cents goes to miscellaneous services as data systems services, finance, building maintenance and veterans services;
* 1.5 cents is set aside as contingency for unforeseen expenses or revenue shortfalls;
* 0.9 cent goes for administration such as county administration, human resources, legal counsel and board of commissioners;
* 0.9 cent goes for the fair grounds special levy approved by the voters for enchanced operations and facility improvements.
Property taxes provide about one-third of the county's funding for public services. The rest comes from state and federal funds, fees for service, timber, carryover from the previous year's budget and other sources.

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.

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.

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

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

Oregon: Portland General Electric, Nissan And Etec Team Up For Largest EV Project In U.S. History

By Eric Loveday - All Cars Electric
August 7th, 2009

Recently we reported on Nissan and eTec's combined efforts to roll-out the largest EV project and charging station effort in U.S. history. Read more about it here.

Now, Portland General Electric has joined in the effort to put the charging infrastructure for EVs in place throughout Oregon as soon as possible.

PGE was selected as a strategic participant in the project and the state of Oregon has been named as one of the five markets used as a test bed for this project.

eTec chose PGE to gain understanding into EV usage patterns and how they impact the electrical grid throughout the day.

They also hope to conduct research into how EVs can interact with PGE's smart grid initiatives that kicked off recently. Jim Piro, CEO of PGE said, "This announcement is an exciting and important step forward to develop the critical infrastructure necessary in Oregon to support next-generation electric vehicles that are coming to market in 2010. This project will give us a better understanding of how charging of electric vehicles can effectively be integrated into a smart electric grid at the lowest possible cost."

In terms of electric companies, PGE is ahead of most of their competitors. They've partnered with area governments and have installed almost 20 EV charging stations in the Portland and Salem areas.

Read Full Article

From "White House.com": The Obama Health Plan Explained...???

Don't know if this makes it any easier to swallow but read it

Who Knew What And When About Calpine? A Look Back

Who knew about Calpine, and when?
By Kate Ramsayer - The Daily Astorian
"But it has emerged that all three of the region’s elected state officials, three county commissioners, all five Warrenton city commissioners, two senior county staff, and representatives of the North Coast’s entire congressional delegation all knew about Calpine’s proposal prior to the lease being signed."

Port files reveal few written records about decision-making or research

The Port of Astoria’s executive director maintains that the port did its homework and followed appropriate due diligence procedures before signing a lease that allows Calpine Corp. to go forward with its proposed liquefied natural gas receiving terminal in Warrenton.

A Look Back - Who Knew What And When About Calpine?

Wal-Mart;Wow! Was I Wrong!

All this time my money, along with a bunch of others, would have been on Wal-Mart going in out at Iverson Farms Property at Miles Crossing but, that "Secret Nygaard Property" behind Putnam's ProLube?

That's what I hear.

Yeah, that property nobody knows about.

That property that nobody in Clatsop County knows about what's going to happen there but Martin Nygaard?

Could this be true?

Wonder what's going in beside Shilo Inn?
Read Daily Article "A"
The Economics Of Wal-Mart

Local Radio Host Pleas To Warrenton Officials To Ban Recall Petition Gatherers From City Property?

"I am thankful for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech." ~Nancie J. Carmody


August 7, 2009 - 7:08AM
Tom Freel - KAST-AM Radio
New Northwest Broadcasters, Astoria, Oregon

Here's a question:

Why is the City Of Warrenton allowing petition gathering to happen on city property?

You may think that the slice of land in front of the Warrenton post office is owned by the Postal Service but not so. The spot where those who are seeking to recall Commission Chair Jeff Hazen is city property.

Read It For Yourself

We Are Ending The Recall Poll And Reformatting For A New Poll

Below are the to-date results of our existing poll asking if you support the recall of Clatsop County Commissioners Jeff Hazen And Ann Samuelson.

We are reformatting this poll for individual input for each Commissioner

Yes To Remove Hazen 57 (79%)

No To Remove Hazen 17 (23%)

Yes To Remove Samuelson 66 (91%)

No To Remove Samuelson 5 (6%)


Change your vote
Votes so far: 72
Days left to vote: 24

Local Radio Host Complains To U.S. Weather Service About The Weather

Tom Freel - KAST-AM - Coastwatch Call-In
New Northwest Broadcasters - Astoria, Oregon

July 31, 2009

To The National Weather Service

Dear Sirs,

While I understand how difficult it can be to construct an accurate forecast 100% of the time, your average is well below what one would expect for the North Oregon Coast . If we were to track forecast to actual outcomes over any given period the result would be dismal.


Read Complaint

ORESTAR Campaign Finance Information On Clatsop County Recall Committees

Democracy in District 5 - ID #13863

District 1 for the Columbia - ID #13864.

Friends of Ann - ID #10227
Question: Contributions to or from 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 in contributions from Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, S.S.F. a Construction Trades Union, I think already commited to 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

Go To ORESTAR Search Page, Type In Committee ID# and hit "Submit" key

Ann Samuelson's Comment Raises Just More Questions

Ann Samuelson said...
"Patrick, I will weigh in on your port question as well, I too think my district should have representation there, we receive very little benefit from the port although I and others have been working with Jack Crider and the port commissioners to get some benefit in District 5, and they are working on it. They helped in some trail building in Cannon Beach recently. Further, take a look at my website, there's a letter from Atlin Investment on it that explains how much I with Senator Johnsons help made the Northcoast Business Park permits happen in a timely manner so that Costco could begin construction on a schedule that was critical for them. Hazen couldn't do that due to his conflict as an employee of Costco so I volunteered to take the lead on that, and it went well. There are many opportunities we are all working on in Clatsop Co., focusing on one issue is not productive. ONWARD!!!!"

GRP: I am of the understanding that Ken Leahy Construction got the grading contract or was/is involved with this particlular Warrenton Costco's construction phase and I am of the understanding as well that this is the same Ken Leahy that is the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG Terminal property owner.

Could this be true and has it been put on record and cleared of any potential as being a Conflict of Interest or Collusion relevant to the proposed Bradwood Landing on the part of Hazen, Samuelson and Senator Johnson and others in this still unsettled and unapproved project?

Ken Leahy has also been linked(In an article published in The Daily Astorian) to Ex-Port of Astoria Executive Director, Peter Gearin in a deal to purchase Rice Island on the Columbia, upriver towards the proposed Bradwood Landing project to excavate and sell sand for profit.

2009 Oregon Fall Chinook Rules

Read Them For Yourself

The Recall

Recall elections in the United States
Along with the initiative, the referendum, and the direct primary, the recall election was one of the major electoral reforms advocated by leaders of the Progressive movement in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, although it was initially proposed in William S. U'Ren's Oregon newspaper. Recall elections do not take place at the federal level. The majority of states allow recall elections in local jurisdictions, but only eighteen states permit recall elections to remove state officials.[3]
Only two governors have ever been successfully recalled. In 1921, Lynn Frazier, Governor of North Dakota, was recalled during a dispute about state-owned industries, and in 2003, Governor Gray Davis of California was recalled over the state budget.
In Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Rhode Island, and Washington, specific grounds are required for a recall. Some form of malfeasance or misconduct while in office must be identified by the petitioners. The target may choose to dispute the validity of the grounds in court, and a court then judges whether the allegations in the petition rise to a level where a recall is necessary. In the other eleven states that permit state-wide recall, no grounds are required and recall petitions may be circulated for any reason. However, the target is permitted to submit responses to the stated reasons for recall.
The minimum number of signatures and the time limit to qualify a recall vary between states. In addition, the handling of recalls once they qualify differs. In some states, a recall triggers a simultaneous special election, where the vote on the recall, as well as the vote on the replacement if the recall succeeds, are on the same ballot. In the 2003 California recall election, over 100 candidates appeared on the replacement portion of the ballot. In other states, a separate special election is held after the target is recalled, or a replacement is appointed by the Governor or some other state authority.

[edit] Successful recalls
1916 recall of J. W. Robinson, Mayor of Boise, Idaho[4]
1921 North Dakota recall of Governor Lynn Frazier
1994 recall of officials in River Vale, New Jersey: Mayor Walter Jones, Councilwoman Patricia Geier, and Councilman Bernard Salmon[5]
1995 recall of California State Assemblyman Paul Horcher
1995 recall of California State Assembly Speaker Doris Allen
1996 recall of Wisconsin State Senator George Petak
2002 recall of Flint, Michigan mayor Woodrow Stanley.
2002 recall of Milwaukee County, WI Executive F. Thomas Ament (resigned before election).
2002 recall of Milwaukee County Board Chair Karen Ordinans.
2002 recall of Milwaukee, WI County Board Supervisors Penny Podell, LeAnn Launstein, David Jasenski, Kathy Arciszewski, James McGuigan, Linda Ryan.
All involved in the 2002 Milwaukee County elections were recalled due to a pension/retirement controversy.
2003 California recall of Governor Gray Davis
2005 recall of James E. West, Mayor of Spokane, Washington.

[edit] Unsuccessful recalls
1978 Cleveland Recall Election of Mayor Dennis Kucinich
2008 recall of California State Senator Jeff Denham and Paula Flint

[edit] Unsuccessful attempts to qualify recall elections
United States Senator Frank Church of Idaho was the subject of an unsuccessful recall effort in 1967.[6] Courts ruled that a federal official is not subject to state recall laws.
Evan Mecham, Governor of Arizona, was scheduled for a recall election on May 17, 1988 after a successful petition drive (301,000 signatures). However, the Supreme Court of Arizona canceled the election, since Mecham had already been impeached and removed from office by the Senate on April 4.[7]

Clean Coal Technology

July 27, 2009
Sarah Dowdey - How Stuff Works

Coal is the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. When burned, it produces emissions that contribute to global warming, create acid rain and pollute water. With all of the hoopla surrounding nuclear energy, hydropower and biofuels, you might be forgiven for thinking that grimy coal is finally on its way out.

Read Article

Too Much Wind Generated Electricity To The Northwest Grid?

GRP: Enough electricity on tap at one time to power 680,000 homes? Has to be curtailed to keep some kinda balance? But, what about all this Natural Gas some speculators say we need? Damn those wind generators!

Ebb and flow of wind power stress NW power grid

By DAVID LESTERYAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

YAKIMA, Wash. -- In the space of one hour last month, electricity generated at wind farms in the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge shot up by 1,000 megawatts - enough to power some 680,000 homes.
Less than an hour later, it plummeted almost as much.


Read Article

Clatsop County Commissioner Jeff Hazen States His Position On Recall Effort Against Him

Saturday, July 25, 2009
Recall
Tuesday morning, recall petitions were filed against both Ann Samuelson and me.

I learned about it after receiving a call from a local reporter. I wasn't surprised that it happened since the chants of "Recall, Recall, Recall" were heard at our July 16th meeting......


Read Statement

Daily "A": Samuelson Hits The Streets To Fight Recall

7/24/2009 12:06:00PM

The Daily Astorian

Samuelson hits the streets to battle recall
Commissioner to visit Seaside and Cannon Beach in effort to thwart signature gatherers
Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson isn't going to take being recalled sitting down.

It's not her style.

She has already scheduled appearances over a two-day period in Cannon Beach and Seaside to thwart attempts of signature gatherers for the recall campaign against her. Her actions come as supporters of the recalls are beginning signature drives.


Read Article

Oregon LNG Sues Port Of Astoria

Last updated July 25, 2009 5:02 p.m. PT
Oregon LNG sues Port of Astoria over lease
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - Seattle Post Intelligencer

ASTORIA, Ore. -- Liquefied natural gas terminal developer Oregon LNG has filed a lawsuit against the Port of Astoria to ensure a lease gets renewed as a deadline approaches with unanswered questions about who really owns the land.


Read Article

Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson Explains Her Jewell School Board Recall

GRP: To keep you informed on this issue of recall of Clatsop County Commissioners, Jeff Hazen and Ann Samuelson, we felt it important to share this, taken from "Dried Salmon Matters Message Board" with you and we thank them in advance for posting it.


GRP: Interesting Comment taken from Dried Salmon Matters
MemoryGuest
Re: Recall again?« Reply #157(July 26, 2009) Yesterday at 6:59pm »

You bet this recall has been in the works for a long time, and I bet if you strip away the layers you will find Josh(Marquis) and Cindy(Price) at the rotten center of it all.
Logged

Ann Samuelson Guest
Re: Recall again?« Reply #150 Yesterday(July 25, 2009) at 4:53pm »

Just time for a short explaination of the jewell recall, many folks that signed the orginal petition on Karl and I didn't really know what they were signing, I've talked with a number of them since. Once again lies of the followers of the superintendent, who is now on probabation for mistreating his daughter, and some anti lnger's such as Auerbach signed the petition. It only took 54 signatures, and Ole S. who is now up for felony gun charges and other things went door to door and lied to people...so there you have it, in Oregon you can just lie and recall someone, it needs to change....but the good news is I've kept in touch with the young woman who was the real victim here, and she's back in the community after more trauma yet, and doing well, she's absolutely beautiful, so that recall was successful in my mind, if that's the price I pay so a kid is safe....I'll do it again!! then false ethics charges were filed by these followers as well...ridiculous use of taxpayer dollars but there's a few in this group that are really good

"ZERO" - Electric Motorcycle Video Test Ride

Watch Jay Leno Test Ride

FYI;"Why arent' these people listening to us?" - Petition Information On The Where, When, Why For County Commissioner Recall

From: "Laurie Caplan" - "Astoria Neighbors"
Saturday, July 25, 2009 7:01 AM
Subject: Recall Petitions: Where, When, and Why

"Why aren't those people listening to us?!?!"
That Warrenton voter's outrage was echoed throughout the day Friday as voters signed petitions to recall County Commissioners Jeff Hazen and AnnSamuelson.

If you want to restore the people’s voice in our county,please sign a petition for recall.

About 500 signatures are needed in each district.

As one signer said in Astoria, "It's time for them to go!

Only registered voters from each district can sign that district's petitions.

Recall Jeff Hazen - District 1 - Covers Warrenton, Hammond, and and the western portion of Astoria westof Fifth Street, northwest of Denver Ave. and north of platted W.Niagara Avenue - Astoria has almost half the voters in District 1 ASTORIA and WARRENTON POST OFFICES Monday - Friday, July 27-31 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Recall Ann Samuelson - District 5 - Covers the area from Sunquist Road in Seaside east of U.S. 101, andCannon Beach, Arch Cape south to the Tillamook County line, east tothe Columbia and Washington county lines, including Hamlet and JewellSEASIDE and CANNON BEACH POST OFFICESMonday - Friday, July 27-31 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

For more information or to sign a petition at another time or location: District 1 for the Columbia 503-791-3006, 1fortheColumbia@gmail.com Democracy in District 5 503-755-2415, info@did5.org

The recall campaign committees give these reasons to recall Hazen andSamuelson.

RECALL JEFF HAZEN - "Whose Side Is He On?"

*Ignoring the will of the people Cheerleading for BradwoodLanding

*Wasting staff time and taxpayer money 67% of voters in District 1 and throughout Clatsop County voted NO to allowing LNG pipelines in parks, but Jeff Hazen continues to say YES to LNG. ·

*Ignored local fishermen, business leaders, and many county residents who testified more than 2-to-1 against Bradwood Landing during days of public hearings·

*Ignored the recommendations against Bradwood Landing made by the independent land use expert he voted to hire to lead county staff in analyzing the company’s application·

*Failed to demand that public safety, security, and emergencymeasures for LNG be publicly spelled out and costs guaranteed by Bradwood Landing·

*Initiated a long and expensive controversy with the DistrictAttorney with a surprise motion to deny payment of the DA’s customarystipend, which was established to cover the costs of supervising county employees and administering county programs·

*Tried to undermine the effectiveness and stability of theDistrict Attorney’s office by repeatedly and publicly attacking theD.A.’s competence, personality, and professionalism·

*Traveled at County expense to government hearings in Washington, D.C. to lobby for Bradwood Landing·

*Testified as a public official to the Oregon legislature againstThe LNG Public Protection Act, which would have required the state toshow a need for LNG as a condition for approving necessary statepermits for Bradwood Landing·

*“Forgot” to mention during his testimony in Salem that 1) the staff recommendation was to NOT permit Bradwood Landing, 2) the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals said that key points of the county’s approval did not comply with County land use laws, and 3) County voters voted 2-to-1 AGAINST LNG Pipelines in Parks in last fall’sReferendum·

*Voted to rely on Portland attorneys, paid for by BradwoodLanding, for the County’s legal counsel·

*Rejected and prevented discussion of another Commissioner’s suggestion to get an independent legal analysis of the BradwoodLanding findings·

*At public hearing in July, Hazen insisted that LNG would protect salmon and traditional gillnet fishery - and then said, “Is there going to be a loss? Yes, there is going to be a loss.”

RECALL ANN SAMUELSON - By her actions as a Clatsop County Commissioner, Ann Samuelson, has harmed the future of Clatsop County and its residents through:

*Repeatedly voting in support of proposals overwhelmingly opposed bythe public, and over the objections of professional staff.

*Squandering public funds by choosing to hire planning and management consultants and expensive attorneys but disregarding their professional advice and findings;

*Squandering public funds by unnecessary, unproductive and ill-advised travel;

*Undermining common values, adopted plans, established policies, and regulations of the County;

*Failing to be open and transparent in decision- making and development of policy, violating the spirit of public meetings law;

*Ignoring and failing to respond to the advice and concerns of paid staff, volunteer committees, and the public;

*Manipulating the membership of the Planning Commission in order to control the Planning Commission's decisions and actions;

*Endangering the public and disregarding public safety by failing to require funding guarantees for emergency services and personnel from major industrial proposals;

Creating a divisive environment that is acrimonious and counterproductive in doing the public's business........“What we tolerate, we perpetuate.” -- R. Graham

3 Mayors, Two State Legislators And Three Rabbis Among 44 Arrested In New Jersey Money Laundering Investigation

GRP. - Until one gets caught, the misery of local politics can sometimes be bearable and very profitable, it seems, for the right deal and the right prize at the end

By DAVID M. HALBFINGER - New York Times
Published: July 23, 2009

A two-year corruption and international money-laundering investigation stretching from the Jersey Shore to Brooklyn to Israel and Switzerland culminated in charges against 44 people on Thursday, including three New Jersey mayors, two state assemblymen and five rabbis, the authorities said.

Read Article

From Daily "A": LNG Opponents Work To Recall Commissioners Hazen And Samuelson!

Read Details Here!!

Bend, Oregon; Poverty With A View?

KGW.com/AP Wire: Oregon's recession is 'poverty with a view'
07/20/2009
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER and TIM FOUGHT / Associated Press
This city in Oregon's scenic high desert once had one of the nation's hottest economies. Resort developers, bankers, construction workers and luxury car dealers rushed for a piece of the action.

Read Full Article

The Curious Commissioner Hazen's Position On LNG

(The new county seal Artwork is courtesty of Marc Auerbach, borrowed from Astoria Photografix)

From Willamette Week Story Forum Archive written on September 30th, 2005 12:00amComment 9 Respond

"LNG is welcome in Warrenton
The majority of people that I have spoken with in Warrenton are in favor of the Calpine proposal to locate a LNG facility here. We have seen the decline of jobs in the fishing and wood products industry. The economic impact of having a facility that provides family wage jobs is tremendous for our town of just over 4200 people. Warrenton has long been business friendly and we welcome the addition of this facility. LNG has been safely handled for decades. One should not be influenced by the opponents "the sky is falling" arguments that siting a facility here will result in a fiery inferno. As with other industries, there are risks. However, modern day engineering provides for facilies that are designed to be safe. Controls are in place to ensure the safety of the facility and the area surrounding it. Others will accuse me of being a "paid lackey" for Calpine, but I am just a concerned citizen looking to the future economic well being of our town."
—Jeff Hazen

Jeff Hazen testimony before House Committee on Sustainability and Economic Development, April 16 2009, re HB2015 - The LNG Public Protection Act, HB 2015 would have protected Oregon's farms, forests, rivers and public lands from the irresponsible development of Liquefied Natural Gas terminals and pipelines. It died without a committee vote. After its failure, LNG opponents focused attention on HB 3058, a bill that would 'fast-track' the LNG pipeline siting process. That bill passed the House but is awaiting committee action in the Senate.

Hazen testified about HB 2015 before the Oregon House Committee on Sustainability and Economic Development, April 16, 2009, starting at 12:39pm. The audio is split in two, with the first part only 10 minutes in length, and the second part following on automatically.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/archive/archive.2009s/HSED-200904161239.ram

The question? Was Hazen out of bounds in testifying before this committee with outstanding issues, yet resolved before him? Is there cause for a conflict in this conduct?

At about 1:33:00 (on the audio) Bob Austin, Clackamas County Commissioner testified in support of HB2015.

At about 1:35:10, Commissioner Hazen began: Rep. Brad Witt: Mr. Chairman, I’d just like to recognize that Mr. Hazen is a constituent and, as you have already noted, the Chair of the Clatsop County Commission.

Chair: Thank you. Mr. Commissioner.

Hazen: Sorry for missing…I think we both missed the 100-mile check box. Chair Reed, members of the Committee, it’s an honor to be here today.

The only reason I came today was just to describe the process briefly that we went through in Clatsop County.

We have two different proposals for LNG facilities located in our county, and we went through an exhaustive review for the Bradwood Landing one.

This is a review, a land use process that took over ten months.

We had hearings last year, I think there was one day that we had a hearing….

Chair: Mr. Commissioner, I’m sorry to interrupt you. I need for you to identify yourself for the record.

Hazen: Jeff Hazen, Clatsop County Commissioner, Chairman.

One hearing, the long one, was held at the Liberty Theater, and was well over 10 hours in taking testimony, so it was a very open and transparent process.

It was something that the county has never gone through before with this extensive of a land use process.

One thing I did want to add was, you know, Senator Walker was talking about reimbursement for the State, and that’s one thing that the County does have in place. We have a Long Term Financial Plan that requires that we recover the costs of things. So, Northern Star Natural Gas has been charged with all the fees that we’ve expended for that process.

We generated well over 10,000 pages for the process.

Last year Commissioner Samuelson and myself traveled back to the FERC hearing in Washington, DC and, as you heard earlier, they had over 50,000 pages of testimony and documentation. I thought it was interesting, in that room they did bring in the carts full of all the testimony, so it was actually in the room. It was quite a site to see.

What it gets down to, I think that the question that you need to ask is: Do we need additional processes, additional bureaucracy, and I would just caution you with that in dealing with these.

So, with that, if you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to ask…answer.

Chair: We have a very short period of time. Any questions for the Commissioner? Seeing none, let’s see how many more we can get in in the remaining couple minutes. . . . .

From WhiteHouse.com:Weatherization; Green Jobs For Green Solutions

Watch This!

Al Perkins On Slide Guitar - Crossroads

Watch the Video

Stephen Forrester Op-Ed:Northern Star Lawyer Spills The Beans

7/13/2009 12:10:00 PM

Northern Star's lawyer spills the beans

It is probably too late for commissioners to behave like a quasi-judicial bodyAfter five hours of tortured, emotional discussion of the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Bradwood Wednesday afternoon, Ed Sullivan stumbled on the essence of the dilemma facing the Clatsop County Commission. To the five commissioners, Sullivan said: "You're not here to apply the will of the people."

Daily "A" Publisher Stepehen Forrester Editorial

Peter Huhtala - Columbia River Is A Public Trust

(Thoughts on Wednesday's LUBA remand hearing - besides my great respect and appreciation for all who testified.)

Peter Huhtala - Columbia River Business Alliance
July 10, 2009

I watched with amazement as Ed Sullivan, attorney for Houston-based LNG speculators, attempted to give improper direction to the Clatsop County Commission (“LNG (the sequel) ignites county hearing,”July 10, 2009).

“You’re not here to apply the will of the people,” he said. Mr. Sullivan apparently reached a point in his illustrious career where he needed to be reminded that the foundation of Oregon’s land use law is to serve the public interest.

This is all the more evident when a proposed use includes the gift of public resource – the Columbia River.

Mr. Sullivan’s client, Northern Star LLC owns no part of this great waterway, yet they’re angling for exclusive use of a significant portion of its ecosystem.

Their use would pre-empt long-standing uses including fishing.

Construction and operation would kill salmon – a species with an even longer-standing use of the river.

The Columbia River is a public trust. The Commissioners who have unprecedented say over its fate have been delegated that authority by the will of the people.

Mr. Sullivan received his reminder of this fact with the roar of collective outrage as he incorrectly characterized the decision before the Commission.

The hearing is quasi-judicial but the choice of interpretation is political.

Houston’s Northern Star should lose, based both upon facts and local sentiment.

We will see if the elected commissioners each understand their role as stewards of the public trust who were elected to do the will of the people. The deliberation and vote on Thursday July 16, at 6 pm in the Judge Guy Boyington Building may be the most significant of their careers in public service.

Let us express our standing in this matter by ensuring standing-room-only in witness to this decision.

Peter

Joe Gamm - The Daily Astorian - LNG Issue Back On Clatsop County BofC Agenda

LNG issue is back on the county agenda
By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian
Tuesday, July 07, 2009

It's just days after the Fourth of July and more fireworks are on the way.

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will address two unresolved land-use issues holding up development of a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Judge Guy Boyington Building.

Read Article

From The Daily "A" - County Adjourns Without A Decision

Palomar Says Life And Natural Gas Supply Will Go On Without LNG Speculation And Development On West Coast!

“The Palomar East pipeline would provide the NW Natural system [Oregon’s largest distributor of natural gas to homes, businesses, and industry] with benefits in terms of added capacity and options for North American gas, whether or not any of the LNG terminals [proposed for Oregon] were built,” the report states on Page 12.










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Could You Pass The Current Citizenship Test

Could you pass the latest U.S. citizenship test?

As of October 2008 a new version of the U.S. citizenship test will be taken by all applicants. Could you pass it? The questions are usually selected from a list of 100 samples that prospective citizens can look at ahead of the interview. Some are easy, some are not. We have picked some of the more difficult ones.

Give it a try

Could Oregon's Trees Make Us an Energy Exporter?

The Switch: Could Oregon’s Trees Make Us Energy Exporter?
BY ETHAN LINDSEY - OPB News
Bend, OR June 22, 2009 10:48 a.m

GRP: What used to be considered merely fuel for a bonfire is now considered Biomass.

When you flip the switch, where does your power come from? And what will power Northwest homes and businesses in the future?We're asking these questions and more for our special series The Switch.
Just like last summer, gas prices have soared again and Oregon is near the national high – about $2.81 per gallon.

Which brings us to OPB’s energy series, The Switch.

Read Article

Obama Calls Wyden Health Plan Radical?

Obama Calls Wyden Health Plan Radical
By Charles Pope - The Oregonian
Wednesday July 01, 2009, 8:53 PM

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama praised Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden on Wednesday as a "real thought leader" and ally on health care reform but said he could not support Wyden's controversial plan for providing medical insurance to virtually every American.

Read Article

Public Employees Unions;The Fight For Control Of Oregon

The Fight for Control of Oregon
By Larry Huss - Oregon Catalyst

Wednesday, July 1. 2009

The 2009 legislative session has ended. The most notable accomplishment was to raise taxes by more than $1 Billion. With the Democrats having a super majority in both houses of the Oregon legislature, the fact that taxes would increase was a foregone conclusion. The general fund budget will increase by nearly $1 Billion while the all funds budget will increase by $5.4 Billion.

Read The Details

The LNG Front; Oregon House Bill 3058 Dies Along With HB977 And State Senator Walker Is Pissed!

Walker’s adjournment more bitter than sweet
Posted by David Steves - Register-Guard
06/29/099:50pm

While everyone else in the Legislature was getting into the “sign-my-year-book” school’s out vibe of adjournment Monday night, Sen. Vicki Walker was hopping mad.

Read The Details Here

From Peter Huhtala - Executive Director, Columbia River Business Alliance - "Congratulations to all who worked to educate our legislators about the insidious foolishness of these proposed LNG terminals. The session is now over and the Oregon Senate did not take up 3058, which as you know could have expedited LNG pipeline permits.
Unfortunately, Senate Bill 977, which would have recovered some of the state agency costs associated with LNG speculation, also failed to pass. Senator Vicki Walker (D-Eugene) let both houses of the legislature know how she felt before the end of the session. http://blogs.registerguard.com/cms/index.php/capitol-notebook/comments/walkers-adjournment-more-bitter-than-sweet/ I sent a thank you note.
In defeating 3058 we showed the strength and effectiveness of our coalition. I am confident that we can persist and ultimately reject the LNG terminal proposals. And we have certainly learned a bit about those who represent us in Salem."

Peter Huhtala
PO Box 682
Astoria, Oregon 97103
(503) 468-8038
peterhuhtala@gmail.com

AP: LNG Laden Rail Tank Car Explodes In Italy, Kills 10, Injures 50, Evacuates 1000, Extensive Damage

Freight Train Derails, Kills 10 In Italy

By MARTA FALCONI – 8 hours ago

VIAREGGIO, Italy (AP) — A rail car filled with liquefied natural gas exploded when a freight train derailed in the middle of a small Italian town, setting off an inferno that killed at least 10 people and injured 50 others, officials said Tuesday.

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LNG? LPG? CNG? What's the difference?