Clatsop District Attorney Josh Marquis Serves Notice To City Of Astoria That All DUII's Go To Circuit Court

Well, of course I can editorialize the event but, here are the facts in the most recent correspondence on the issue as submitted, in response to a "Public Information Request" by GRP to Clatsop County District Attorney's Office.

Here's "The Law" - ORS 8.660
Attending court and prosecuting offenses
(1) The district attorney shall attend the terms of all courts having jurisdiction of public offenses within the district attorney’s county, and, except as otherwise provided in this section, conduct, on behalf of the state, all prosecutions for such offenses therein.
(2) A district attorney shall not conduct prosecutions under this section when:
(a) A city attorney is prosecuting a violation under ORS chapter 153; or
(b) The district attorney is prohibited from appearing in a violation proceeding under the provisions of ORS 153.076 (Conduct of trial). [Amended by 1975 c.451 §170; 1981 c.626 §1; 1981 c.692 §6a; 1999 c.1051 §116]

Oregon Court Of Appeals Reverses Ruling On Carlson & Fraser Measure 49 Claim Applications

FROM CLATSOP COUNTY:
Thursday, July 7, 2011

APPEALS COURT REVERSES LOCAL LAND-USE RULING

........."In 2008 the county Planning Division rejected the Carlson and Fraser Measure 49 applications, but later that year the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners overruled planning staff and determined that the Carlsons and Frasers had “vested rights” under Measure 49 and were entitled to pursue their respective projects."........

The Oregon Court of Appeals has reversed a local judge’s ruling that upheld the rights of two Clatsop County families to develop their land.
In a decision issued June 29, the appeals court found error with the original 2010 decision by Clatsop County Circuit Court Judge Phil Nelson and remanded the issue back to Nelson.
The cases involve two claims under Ballot Measure 49, the state law that allowed qualified landowners to develop their property under earlier, less restrictive zoning rules. James and Virginia Carlson sought to build 29 home lots on their property on Tucker Creek Lane south of Astoria, and George and Barbara Fraser applied to develop a 52-lot subdivision in Clatsop Plains near Gearhart.
In 2008 the county Planning Division rejected the Carlson and Fraser Measure 49 applications, but later that year the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners overruled planning staff and determined that the Carlsons and Frasers had “vested rights” under Measure 49 and were entitled to pursue their respective projects. The board’s rulings were appealed by the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition – Richard and Patricia Rowland joined the appeal against the Carlson application, and the Shamrock Pines Homeowners Association joined the Fraser challenge.
In November 2009 Judge Nelson upheld the board’s decision, which was then appealed to the state appeals court.
The appeals court ruled that the decision did not properly take into account the cost of home construction in determining whether the Carlsons and Frasers had made a significant enough investment into their respective properties to qualify as vested.
In 2004 Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 37, which allowed landowners either to seek compensation for loss in value to their property due to new, more restrictive zoning designations, or to apply for waivers to the new rules and develop their land under the zoning as it existed when they first acquired it.
Clatsop County received more than 100 Measure 37 applications, and granted waivers to nearly three-quarters of them, including the requests from the Carlsons and Frasers.
In 2007 voters approved Measure 49, which narrowed the qualifications for Measure 37 waivers and required landowners seeking to develop more than 10 lots to prove that their development rights were vested. The following year Clatsop County adopted Ordinance 08-06, which spelled out the factors to be considered in making a determination of vested rights, including the “good faith” of the landowner in pursuing their development, and the amount of money the owners spent on their projects before Measure 49 became law in December 2007.
The Court of Appeals ruled that in reviewing the Carlson and Fraser applications, the county was required to consider the total cost of the two projects, including the construction of homes, not just the home lots, when calculating how much the applicants had invested in their respective developments. That calculation, the court ruled, had to consider the cost of home construction as of Dec. 6, 2007, the date that Measure 49 became law.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

July 13, 2011 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Regular Meeting Preceeded By Work Session At 9:00 AM

Read Full Agenda And Packet

Maeve Grimes, New Clatsop County Clerk!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011
MAEVE GRIMES SELECTED AS NEW CLATSOP COUNTY CLERK

Maeve Kennedy Grimes is Clatsop County’s new county clerk, County Manager Duane Cole announced Wednesday.
Grimes, who currently works as victims services coordinator for the Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office, will begin her new duties Aug. 1.
Grimes will replace Cathie Garber, who took a position as assistant elections supervisor for Clark County, Washington. Jan Coleman, former Yamhill County Clerk, was appointed to head the department on an interim basis.
“This is a great opportunity to use my educational background and management skills, and work with a good crew of dedicated employees at the county clerk’s office,” Grimes said.
Grimes joined Clatsop County in 2007 as a trial assistant with the District Attorney’s Office, then in 2010 was named victims services coordinator, in which role she assisted crime victims, informed them of their rights and events related to their cases and performed advocacy duties.
Prior to coming to Clatsop County, Grimes worked in Ireland on rural transportation planning. She has also served as a records manager and deputy city clerk with the City of Santa Barbara, Calif. She has a bachelor degree from the University of California-Santa Barbara and master’s degree in public administration from California Lutheran University.
“We’re pleased to have been able to find a capable candidate for the clerk’s position from within our own ranks,” County Manager Cole said. “Maeve comes highly recommended, and we’re sure she will maintain the high level of service our clerk’s office provides.”
The county clerk is the record-keeper for the county and administers public records, archives, legal recordings, passports and marriage licenses. The office also oversees elections and voter registration, and coordinates property tax appeals.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Oregon D.O.J. Warns Of Computer Scam!

COMPUTER UNSECURITY

The Oregon Department of Justice has received more than a dozen complaints about scam artists attempting to gain remote access to Oregonians' computers. These scammers contact consumers by phone or email claiming to work for a computer company and that the consumer's computer is at extreme risk of being infected with viruses or malware due to tremendous amounts of internet activity. They offer to walk the consumer through security measures to protect their computer, and in an ironic twist, lead the consumer to download the very malware they are warning them about, and gain access to sensitive financial information.
One consumer in Lane County reported falling victim to a scammer claiming to work for a New York-based company called Login4Speed. A letter sent by the Oregon Department of Justice to the company's listed address - 257 Albany Road, New York, New York, 10280 - was returned as undeliverable. The scammer likely used a bogus United States address to appear legitimate but is actually operating from overseas.
Last year Oregonians reported losing nearly $2 million to scams. Attorney General Kroger offers the following advice to avoid falling victim:
If you receive an unsolicited email or phone call claiming your computer is at risk or needs attention, hang up or delete the email. Never open attachments or click on links from suspicious emails.
Make sure your computer has up to date anti-virus software. Perform a virus scan on a regular basis.
Pop-up ads commonly carry malware. Do not be enticed by fake offers of "free" stuff, surveys or contests. Also, never provide personal information through pop-up ads.
If you suspect a virus or malware is lurking on your computer, stop shopping, banking, and other online activities that involve user names, passwords, or other sensitive information.
For more on what to do in an e-mergency see: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=pfqm4edab&et=1106432467615&s=11311&e=001dmtQmFJ15nL92hkpp44An5lexcqGX9xLoUCRX9KVoYQPnjRSS1jtcXr6i0NHDjf2MR9AhAvdLChHoRnojEJH1_VpkdQdcHFOQ-c8iy_WnLjfTptOCiN_pmWsDFBmw0Lc
If you receive a suspicious solicitation but are unsure whether or not you are the target of a scam, please call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

July 5, 2011 Astoria City Council Agenda/Memorandum

Read Full Agenda

Update:U.S. Coast Guard Suspends Search For Man Swept To Sea At Seaview, Washington

U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for man swept to sea at Seaview, Wash.
SEATTLE - The Coast Guard suspended the search for a man that was swept to sea near Seaview, Wash., at approximately 10:00 a.m., Monday.
A group gathering on the beach approximately one-mile south of Seaview contacted Pacific County to report that the man had been in the water and was no longer in sight at 10:15 p.m., Sunday. Pacific County immediately launched two rescue boats and began a search.
A Coast Guard MH60 helicopter crew from Astoria, Ore., and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Cape Disappointment were deployed, arriving on scene at approximately 10:50 p.m. and began searching.
The man was not wearing a lifejacket and has not been located at this time. His name is not being released at this time, pending notification of next of kin. The search will remain suspended pending any new information.
For more information please contact the District 13 Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard is searching for a man near Seaview, Wash., after receiving a report that he had been swept to sea at approximately 10:15 p.m., Sunday.
A group gathering on the beach approximately one-mile south of Seaview contacted Pacific County to report that the man had been in the water and was no longer in sight. Pacific County immediately launched two rescue boats and began a search.
A Coast Guard MH60 helicopter crew from Astoria, Ore., and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Cape Disappointment were deployed, arriving on scene at approximately 10:50 p.m. and began searching.
The man was not wearing a lifejacket and has not been located at this time.
For more information please contact the District 13 Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Do You Really Know Why We Celebrate July 4th?

Why Do We Celebrate The 4th Of July?

By: NS Kennedy Posted: 21st June 2006

The 4th of July has been an important holiday but today, more and more people do not know why we actually celebrate this day. If you are not up to date on your history of the United States, July 4th, 1776 is the day that the colonies decided to declare themselves independent of Britain. By writing a very detailed decree, they decided that they no longer would need to be governed by the Kings of England that had been so very unjust to the colonists in the years before.

On July 4th, America was born.

We call the 4th of July Independence Day because this day was the day they declared independence from Great Britain.

Today, we celebrate the fact that we are a free nation that is no under the rule of another. But, there is more to the celebration of independence than just the fact that this is the birthday of the United States. In fact, there are many goals and ideas that are represented in this celebration that until this day we fight for and protect around the world.

The Declaration of Independence, the actual decree in which was signed the independence of the United States, stands as a symbol for all of the things that we, as Americans, believe in.

What are the symbols that it stands for? The right to live with the freedoms of religion, without persecution and with the ability to think and do for yourself.The courage it takes to protect freedom. It took the individuals that signed the Declaration a great deal of courage to do so as they could have been hung for treason. We use this symbol as a means to remind us that courage is often needed in times when our freedoms are threatened.A symbol that people can live in a country that is governed by its people and that every person in that country is a very important person for its well being.We celebrate the 4th of July for a number of reasons. We talk about how the United States of America was born and how many have died for that to happen. We celebrate the fact that we, as a nation, want all people to be free. And, we realize that without the courage and bravery of all those that came before us, we would not have the freedoms that we hold so very dear to us.Nicola always enjoys celebrating Independence Day. She can help you salute Old Glory in style with 4th of July tips and news, information and views at http://independence-day.your-holiday.infoThis article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.
This article is free from: ArticleAlley.com

Seattle: Container Imports Dive 27.8% With Strong Competition From Canadian Ports

Jul 1, 2011 2:52PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Container imports at the Port of Seattle fell back 27.8 percent in May from the same month a year ago in a broad decline in international shipping at Pacific Northwest ports.
The Port of Tacoma reported containerized imports fell 15.2 percent year-over-year in May and both Washington state ports showed exports flattening out this spring.
Seattle’s loaded container export volume grew 1.1 percent over May 2010 but slipped back slightly from April to May, to the lowest level since February. Tacoma said container exports expanded 3.5 percent in May compared to last year, but the loaded volume also slipped 3.8 percent from April’s export total.
The export figures sent a poor sign of outbound demand at ports that are important gateways for agriculture shippers.
But the containerized import volume also suggested a slowdown at the ports with the peak shipping season on the horizon. The Pacific Northwest ports also face growing competition from ports in Canada for inbound volume from Asia.
Seattle’s overall international loaded container volume was up 1.2 percent in the first five months of the year over the same period a year ago. But the import side was down 4.9 percent year-over-year in the January-May period.

Exxon Oil Spill In Montana River Prompts Evacuation

Published July 03, 2011
Fox News-Associated Press

LAUREL, Mont. – An ExxonMobil pipeline that runs under the Yellowstone River in Montana ruptured Saturday and leaked hundreds of barrels of oil into the waterway, causing a 25-mile plume that fouled the riverbank and forced municipalities and irrigation districts downstream to close intakes........Read Full Report

6th Astoria Citizen Police Academy Plans Plans Fall, 2011, Classes

DATE: Monday – June 27, 2011
SUBJECT: 6th Astoria Citizen Police Academy
CONTACT: Detective Andrew Randall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Astoria Police Department is hosting the sixth Citizen Police Academy this coming fall. Classes will be held every Thursday evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, beginning September 22, 2011 and ending October 20, 2011. The Citizen Police Academy is open to community members who are interested in how their Astoria Police Department works.
The goal of the Citizen Police Academy is to form and maintain partnerships between the community and the police, by educating community residents about the role of law enforcement and encouraging citizens and the police to work together.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about and experience the day-to-day operations of the department. Participants will tour the department, learn about criminal investigations, the functions of patrol, see basic defensive tactics, tour the jail and shoot various department firearms.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older. All applicants are subject to a criminal background investigation.
To request an application, or for additional information, please contact Detective Andrew Randall

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners June 29, 2011 Audio Transcript

Listen To Full Audio Transcript Of CCBofC, June 29, 2011 Special Meeting

Astoria Couple Involved In Serious Motorcycle Crash On Highway 47 North Of Vernonia

Critical Injury Motorcycle Crash - Highway 47 north of Vernonia (Photos) - 06/26/11 An Astoria couple was injured, one critically, following a Saturday afternoon motorcycle crash on Highway 47 north of Vernonia. Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash. According to OSP Senior Trooper Jeromy Hasenkamp, on June 25, 2011 at approximately 12:30 p.m. a group of 80 motorcyclists were on a ride traveling along Highway 47 near the intersection with Biggs Road. One of the motorcycles, a 2011 Harley Davidson operated by MARKKU K. TILA, age 50, from Astoria, was southbound when it traveled off the shoulder, struck a highway marker and crashed into a ditch. Passenger LESLIE MICHELE TILA, age 42, was thrown off the motorcycle and critically injured. She was transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. The operator was also transported to Legacy Emanuel with minor injuries. Both were wearing protective helmets. OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by Vernonia Police Department and Vernonia Fire Department. Photograph Source: Oregon State Police ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

New Clatsop County Planning Commission Brings Strong Backgrounds In Land Use Planning

Friday, June 24, 2011

NEW PLANNING COMMISSIONERS BRING LAND-USE EXPERIENCE

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners appointed seven new members to the county Planning Commission Wednesday.
On March 23 the board voted to vacate the seven positions on the panel effective June 30, and invited both current members and new applicants to apply for the positions.
On March 28 Board of Commissioners Chairman Dirk Rohne sent a letter to all seven planning commissioners informing them of the board’s actions, thanking them for their service and inviting them to re-apply.
“By serving on the planning commission you invested your time and talent into the community in which we live. Motivated, perhaps, by the desire to have a positive role in improving the quality of life for the benefit of all,” the letter stated. “It is our desire, with respect to your service, to cast a wider net to see what interest there may be in serving on the very important land planning commission.”
“This decision is not aimed at any one individual member and is not personal,” the letter added.
Clatsop County Ordinance 01-10 states that “all members of any board, commission or committee of the County shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners,” and that “the Board may remove any board, commission or committee member from his or her appointment by affirmative vote of at least three commissioners.”
The county received a total of 14 applications from citizens around Clatsop County. The former members of the planning commission informed the county they would not re-apply for their positions.
On June 22 the board appointed seven of the applicants to the panel. The selection complied with the planning commission bylaws, which allow no more than two members from incorporated cities and no more than two members who work in real estate-related businesses. Members are also to be drawn from the various geographic areas of the county.
The commission will maintain the staggered terms that ensure overlap of membership. Two of the terms expire June 30, 2012, three expire June 30, 2014 and two expire June 30, 2015. The Board of Commissioners left it to the new planning commissioners to choose which member will assume which term.
The new members are:
Bruce Francis of Warrenton
Susana Gladwin of Jewell
Kay Foetisch-Robb of Seaside
Jan Mitchell of Astoria
Robert Stricklin of Warrenton
Lianne Thompson of Arch Cape
Mike Tiedeman of Astoria.
The new membership includes a number of citizens with experience in land-use planning, including two former planning commission members. Bruce Francis served on the commission for 11 years, including several years as chairperson, and chaired the panel during the lengthy public hearings over the Bradwood Landing LNG land-use application in 2007. Robert Stricklin also served as chair of the commission in 1997-98.
Jan Mitchell served as a planner for the city of Fresno, Calif. for 24 years, and led a long-term planning team. Kay Foetisch-Robb, a former Community Coordinator for the city of Gresham, was a planning commissioner for the city of Troutdale from 1978 to 1990.
Mike Tiedeman is a long-time local educator and former Knappa High School principal who currently leads the Knappa Schools Foundation. Lianne Thompson, a consultant, has served on a community development non-profit in Manzanita. Susana Gladwin, a farmer, served on a local citizens advisory board when the state’s land-use system was established in the 1970s.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Port Backs A Ken Leahy(Bradwood Landing Owner)/John Dunzer(Seaside Rabble Rouser) Alternate Energy Venture!

Read The Daily "A's" Katie Wilson Report - "Port Backs Alternative Energy Plan"

Three Questions:
John Dunzer?
Ken Leahy?
Port of Astoria?

It's amazing how "Desperation" does indeed make strange bedfellows isn't it?

Not too long ago, when Ken Leahy and his confederates, Northern Star Natural Gas, were running hot and heavy trying to ram a proposed, alleged, Liquefied Natural Gas receiving terminal down our throats, and "Perpetual Candidate" John Dunzer was pimping his proposed scrap wood electric generating facility next door presumably to aid NSNG/Bradwood in warming that LNG, the last person Leahy and friends would even consider speaking to would have been Dunzer.

And now, here they are, in bed with each other with that scheme being publicy endorsed by the Port of Astoria because it "lines up with the "Port's" stategic plan as a "Generator" for jobs"?

One other question arises; What authority does Port of Astoria have at Bradwood Landing to express any legitimate endorsement for that proposed venture at all? Would it not be more appropriate for Clatsop County to endorse or diaprrove of that proposal?

And then another question arises; What about Tongue Point and Martin Nygaard's proposed Log Processing facility accompanied by a Bio-Mass Electric Generation facility that would generate enough enrgy to electrify 14,000 homes?

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners; Special Meeting Scheduled For June 29, 2011

Read Full Agenda Packet

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners June 22, 2011 Regular Meeting Audio Transcript

Listen To Full Audio Transcript Of June 22, 2011 CCBofC Regular Meeting

June 22 Meeting Highlights
PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
The board appointed seven new members to the county Planning Commission.
On March 23 the board voted to vacate all seven seats on the commission effective June 30 and to invite both current commission members and new applicants to apply. None of the current members re-applied.
Appointed to the panel were:
· Bruce Francis of Warrenton
· Susana Gladwin of Jewell
· Kay Foetisch-Robb of Seaside
· Jan Mitchell of Astoria
· Robert Stricklin of Warrenton
· Lianne Thompson of Arch Cape
· Mike Tiedeman of Astoria
Two of the seats are for terms that expire June 30, 2012; three for terms expiring June 30, 2014; and two for terms expiring June 30, 2015. The board did not assign the new appointees to particular terms but will allow them to choose their terms themselves when the commission convenes in July.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Patricia Roberts made a motion to rescind the board’s March 23 decision and to reinstate all the former members. The motion did not receive a second. Roberts abstained from voting on any of the appointments.
Chairperson Dirk Rohne explained that following the board’s March 23 decision he sent a letter to all of the then-current planning commissioners explaining that the board vote reflected a desire to “cast a wider net to see what interest there may be in serving on the very important land planning commission. We hope to have a balance of viewpoints represented, if you feel you have a different point of view, you may be re-selected for precisely that reason,” he quoted from the letter.

NEW DISTRICTS ADOPTED
The board voted to adopt new boundaries for the five commissioner districts. The redistricting project, required every 10 years to conform the boundaries to shifts in population, resulted in shifts in some boundaries but largely left the existing boundaries intact.
The board adopted without change a map approved in May by a citizen panel.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SHIFT
The board approved a resolution placing the county Community Corrections Department under the supervision of the Sheriff’s Office. The vote finalizes a reorganization plan that was given preliminary approval in February that included the closure of the Community Corrections Transition Center in April.
The board’s action included placing the Animal Control Division, which operates the county animal shelter in Warrenton, under the Sheriff’s Office, and naming the Sheriff as the sole Supervisory Authority for the county.

ZONE CHANGES APPROVED
The board approved three separate zone-change requests in Westport. They are:
· Request from Stan Egass for a rezone from Rural Community-Multi Family Residential to Rural Community Commercial for a 0.28-acre property in Westport.
· Request from Wilma Devries for a rezone from Rural Community Commercial to Rural Community-Multi Family Housing for a 1.2-acre property in Westport.
· Application by Clatsop County to rezone a property in Westport that was mistakenly zoned as Rural Community-Multi Family Residential in 2003 with the adoption of the new Rural Community zoning overlay. The county application rezones the property to Rural Community Commercial-Light Industrial.

Action on a fourth zone change application, on property on Dolphin Road near Warrenton, was postponed to allow the applicant to provide additional required information. The request is from Michael Benesch, Warrenton Fiber Co. and Waldo Veelle to rezone 13 acres – eight acres are to be rezoned from Residential Agriculture-5 to Light Industrial and five acres rezoned from Residential Agriculture-5 to Natural Uplands.

OTHER BUSINESS
In other business the board:
-Adopted the Fiscal Year 2011-12 budgets for the county, 4-H and Extension Service Special District, Road District #1, Rural Law Enforcement District and Westport Sewer Service District.
-Approved a special event permit for the 2011 Hood to Coast Relay, scheduled for Aug. 26-27. The permit includes a requirement that the event organizers reimburse the county for costs associated with the event.
The board directed staff to review the current event permit ordinance and develop language that would allow the county to act as an agent for other public entities such as fire districts that also receive reimbursement from Hood to Coast for their expenses.
-Approved a loan of $45,000 from the county General Fund to the Marine Patrol program in the Sheriff’s Office to provide operating funds until September, when the program receives funding from the State of Oregon.
-Approved the 2011-13 Public Health agreement with the Oregon Health Authority for funding of health services through the county Public Health Department.
-Approved contracts with Oregon Health Authority for addiction and mental health services and food-borne illness prevention.
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Approves Redistricting Plan At June 22 Meeting

Thursday, June 23, 2011

BOARD APPROVES NEW COMMISSIONER DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved new boundaries for the county’s commissioner districts.
The new map leaves the five districts in their same general locations, with some shifting of households between districts to account not only for changes in population but also the new method used for counting residents.
The map adopted Wednesday is the same one approved in May by a citizen committee convened by the County Clerk.
Local jurisdictions are required to redraw legislative districts every 10 years to account for shifts in population revealed in the U.S. Census. The board’s vote affects only the commissioner districts – boundaries for Oregon House and Senate seats are set by the state legislature.
Under the county charter, commissioner districts must have close to equal population, and be contiguous and as compact as possible.
The new boundaries were drawn based on total population, versus the number of registered voters used to establish the former districts. For that reason, census blocks were used to tally the population instead of voter precincts. Census blocks generally do not follow the same boundaries as voter precincts, and in cases where a census block was divided by a district boundary, the line was redrawn to move the entire block into one district, resulting in some households switching from one district to another.
In Astoria, some areas formerly in District 4 in the eastern side of the city are now in District 3, while on the western part of the city some blocks moved from District 3 to District 1, and vice versa. Parts of Olney also moved from District 3 to District 4.
In Warrenton, the DeLaura Beach area shifts from District 1 to District 2.
In Seaside, areas in the southwest part of the city, including the Cove area, switched from District 2 to District 5.
The districts and general areas they cover are:
District 1 – Warrenton and western Astoria.
District 2 – Gearhart, Clatsop Plains and portions of Seaside.
District 3 – Miles Crossing/Jeffers Garden, Lewis and Clark, Olney and central Astoria.
District 4 – Knappa/Svensen, Westport and eastern Astoria.
District 5 – Cannon Beach, Jewell, Elsie, Hamlet and portions of Seaside
To see both the new and old district maps, go to “Redistricting Plan” at http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Approve Measures To Finalize Transfer Of Community Corrections Department

Thursday, June 23, 2011

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS REORGANIZATION APPROVED

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a number of measures finalizing the transfer of the Community Corrections Department to the supervision of the county Sheriff’s Office.
The move is part of a reorganization plan that saw the closure earlier this year of the county Transition Center. The plan also brings the Animal Control Division under the Sheriff’s Office. Animal Control, which operates the animal shelter in Warrenton, has been administered by Community Corrections.
The final component of the plan approved by the board names the Sheriff as the sole Supervisory Authority for the county. The Supervisory Authority, which has ultimate authority on sanctions and transfers of people in the local criminal justice system, has formerly consisted of the sheriff, Community Corrections director and an appointed county commissioner.
The merger of Community Corrections, which oversees local parole and probation services, into the Sheriff’s Office was recommended by a consultant’s study that found the move could improve efficiency and cooperation and reduce duplication. The study also called for the Transition Center closure.
The board of commissioners gave preliminary approval to the consultant’s recommendations in February. Since then a management team set up by Sheriff Tom Bergin, with input from staff of both organizations, has worked to integrate the two departments’ operations. Plans have also been developed to boost services to Community Corrections clients, including expanded treatment services and alternatives to custody, as well as a new day-reporting system, funded by the savings realized from the Transition Center closure.
The 30-bed Transition Center opened in 2006 in the North Coast Business Park in Warrenton as an alternative sanction for local offenders as well as a transitional setting for people released from prison back into the local community. Budget projections forecast that contingency funds used to cover the center’s approximately $800,000 annual operating costs would run out in 2012, requiring the county to divert scarce General Fund dollars to maintain the facility.
Eight staff positions were eliminated as part of the Transition Center closure. The facility continues to serve as offices for Community Corrections staff, as well as the new day-reporting site for clients.
Under the reorganization the director’s position in Community Corrections has been eliminated and replaced with a lieutenant position, for which the county is currently in the midst of the hiring process.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Clatsop County Seeks More Than $60,000 In Attorney Fees From Oregon LNG/Pipeline

Monday, June 20, 2011

COUNTY SEEKS ATTORNEY FEES FROM OREGON PIPELINE

Clatsop County filed a motion in circuit court Monday seeking reimbursement for more than $60,000 in attorney fees incurred in the legal dispute over the county’s jurisdiction of the Oregon Pipeline LLC land-use application.
The motion claims the county should not be liable for the fees, which total $61,758, due to several legal maneuvers by Oregon Pipeline that resulted in unnecessary delays in the proceedings.
The county and Oregon Pipeline recently went to court on a “writ of mandamus” motion by the company. The motion claimed the county had exceeded the legal deadline for issuing a final decision on the company’s consolidated land-use application for construction of 41 miles of natural gas pipeline.
Following a hearing in Clatsop County Circuit Court last month, Judge Phil Nelson denied Oregon Pipeline’s mandamus motion. The company has appealed that ruling to the Oregon Court of Appeals.
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners originally approved the Oregon Pipeline application in November 2010. That ruling was appealed by project opponents, and in January the board, with three new members, voted to withdraw the November decision, and in March gave preliminary approval to findings denying the application.
The county’s motion seeks the reimbursement under state law allowing a judge to award legal fees to the prevailing party in a mandamus action.
In a letter in support of the county’s motion, attorney Harlan Jones of Jordan Ramis PC of Portland, Clatsop County’s legal counsel for the Oregon Pipeline application, argues that the company’s own actions are the cause of the county’s high legal bills for the mandamus proceedings. The company, Harlan states, waited almost two months to file the mandamus petition, opposed an expedited hearing on its request, and sought a change of venue, among other actions.
“Oregon Pipeline has for quite some time itself been the main cause of unnecessary delay and complexity in this case,” his letter states.
The board of commissioners was scheduled to finalize its denial of the company’s application on March 30, but was blocked by a temporary stay issued by the Oregon Supreme Court on a motion from Oregon Pipeline. The board is awaiting the outcome of the mandamus issue, including the appeal to the Court of Appeals, before taking further action on the application.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000