(Daily Astorian Photo)Hickson Article Erred
Posted: Friday, October 21, 2011 11:53 am
The Daily Astorian published an article on Oct. 7, 2011, relating to a decision by the Port of Astoria to transfer a contract for ship servicing from Anchorage Launch Services to a vessel called the Hickson, owned by the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The article appeared under a headline that read, “The Hickson heist.”
The word “heist” in that headline was rhetorical hyperbole and was meant in a figurative sense. The Daily Astorian is not aware of any evidence that any person or entity named in the article engaged in any criminal activity in connection with the Port’s decision, and The Daily Astorian did not intend to suggest that there is any such evidence.
The article also stated that Port Commissioner Floyd Holcom “contacted the tribe and suggested its members could benefit from the business.” According to Holcom, he did not initiate any contact with the tribe in connection with this matter. Rather, he says, it was Dennis Lucia, general manager of Nisqually Aquatic Technologies, who contacted Holcom about the matter. The Daily Astorian has no information to the contrary.
Finally, the article quoted an email from Lucia to Port Director Jack Crider, in which Lucia stated that “Floyd advised me that the Hickson might be put to use for line handling.” Holcom denies that he made any such statement to Lucia. According to Holcom, he told Lucia that he did not know anything about line handling and that Lucia should call Crider.
The Daily Astorian regrets publication of the errors.
(Update)Holcom;"There Was No Heist"
Posted: Friday, October 21, 2011 11:53 am
The Daily Astorian published an article on Oct. 7, 2011, relating to a decision by the Port of Astoria to transfer a contract for ship servicing from Anchorage Launch Services to a vessel called the Hickson, owned by the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The article appeared under a headline that read, “The Hickson heist.”
The word “heist” in that headline was rhetorical hyperbole and was meant in a figurative sense. The Daily Astorian is not aware of any evidence that any person or entity named in the article engaged in any criminal activity in connection with the Port’s decision, and The Daily Astorian did not intend to suggest that there is any such evidence.
The article also stated that Port Commissioner Floyd Holcom “contacted the tribe and suggested its members could benefit from the business.” According to Holcom, he did not initiate any contact with the tribe in connection with this matter. Rather, he says, it was Dennis Lucia, general manager of Nisqually Aquatic Technologies, who contacted Holcom about the matter. The Daily Astorian has no information to the contrary.
Finally, the article quoted an email from Lucia to Port Director Jack Crider, in which Lucia stated that “Floyd advised me that the Hickson might be put to use for line handling.” Holcom denies that he made any such statement to Lucia. According to Holcom, he told Lucia that he did not know anything about line handling and that Lucia should call Crider.
The Daily Astorian regrets publication of the errors.
(Update)Holcom;"There Was No Heist"
Posted: Friday, October 7, 2011 12:04 pm Updated: 10:46 am, Sun Oct 9, 2011.
The Daily Astorian
For two decades, in fair weather or foul, tiny vessels operated by Anchorage Launch Services chugged out from their Astoria waterfront moorings to service the giant ships that sail across the Columbia River bar and seek refuge on the south bank.
A phone call changed everything.
It came from the Port of Astoria. And it had the effect of a pink slip: Anchorage’s line-handling services were no longer required
Read Full Article
The Daily Astorian
For two decades, in fair weather or foul, tiny vessels operated by Anchorage Launch Services chugged out from their Astoria waterfront moorings to service the giant ships that sail across the Columbia River bar and seek refuge on the south bank.
A phone call changed everything.
It came from the Port of Astoria. And it had the effect of a pink slip: Anchorage’s line-handling services were no longer required
Read Full Article
64 comments:
As many locally here know, Floyd and I have had our differences in the past. That being said, I have to come to Floyd's defense on this one.
Anon has it nailed. The Daily A takes a non story and turns it into a negative spin on someone who has already shown a positive dedication to the community. This story was completely uncalled for and is representative of what has been going on for years.
I caution anyone who considers running for office in Clatsop County. Especially if you are a business owner. It simply is not worth it. Unless you like character assassination.
§ 777.923
Qualifications of port commissioners
(1) The board shall be composed of electors registered in the port.
(2) A person is eligible for appointment as a commissioner of the port who at the time of the appointment is a citizen of the United States and of the State of Oregon, and who has for one year immediately preceding appointment resided within the port. [1987 c.565 §5]
It is interesting that just after a Port Commissioner (Holcom) wrote a letter demanding the termination of the editor of the Daily Astorian, the said editor presents a story about the Port fiddling with the line handlers. Now, let's forget about the retraction of the editor's "inaccurate" statements several days later in tiny type on an unobstrusive page of the paper. Instead, let's ask if this just coincidence or is the editor (who is also the owner) of the Daily A pissed at the letter? Remember the law suit where the same editor sued a guy that called him a sodomite on a local radio show (he lost the suit)? Just exactly what is our "community" newspaper doing?
Anom, It is called the 1st amendment.
Actually it's called bad journalism and damages our community.
It is unfortunate that this article was published as the following facts were not included:
1. The paper itself told the public that the Nisqually Tribe was looking for work for the Hickson 30 days before the linehandeling job was given to them. In the Ear March 4th.
2. Anchorage Launch Service did not loose all its work on the lower river and is still performing as it had, just not the Cruiseships, which I'm told, not all cruiseships need this service.
3. Floyd Holcom had nothing to do with the Hickson being hired, that was strickly between the Indian Tribe and the Port as a Government to Government Contract.
4. The call to Floyd Holcom from Dennis Lucia, of the tribe, was to confirm that the opportunity existed after the Captain, a local Astorian called the Tribe to request authority to proceed. Holcom said "call Crider", as he didn't know what Line handeling was. That was my only involvement was telling Lucia to call and ask the question to the Port Manager. Which you see in the E-mail from Lucia to Crider.
5. Your Blog is spreading mistruths and inaccurate reporting and will be required to retract when the Daily Astorian does, if not sooner.
There are a few of us who have the best interest of the community at heart. Maybe you disagree, but there are those who believe in community service.
Remember the word "Malice".
Floyd E. Holcom
It is hard to believe a community newspaper editor would print simply what he thinks based on the First Amendment. Sure, that Amendment allows people in the US to say most anything that comes into their heads (just look at this blog). But, owning or running a community newspaper comes with some moral responsibilities. The paper must be a bit above the rabble in its thinking. The editors must ensure the information they print is accurate and beneficial to the community.
Simply trying to screw someone because the editor feels wounded is not proper for a community newspaper.
With that same sense of community responsibility and transparency in those that we "Elect" to "Serve" us on the doing of "Our Public Business", it would be irresponsible of Grassroots People to ignore a "Public Retraction" from the Daily Astorian" on the subject of the Hickson Controversy should it be deemed necessary and we would most definitely notify those who patronize this site of that notice.
And,with the "Interests of the Community" at heart from our perspective, please consider this a "Request for Public Information" and provide us with the specific documentation of record and fact on your five point allegation as written above to clearly and factually inform the constituents of "the Port" that they are indeed true.
We will be happy to publish every relevant piece of it that clearly supports and documents your allegations.
Patrick McGee
Grassroots People
Sounds to me like Floyd has provided documentation on four of his five points. The paper printed documentation on the first one and he was directly involved in the other three. On the forth point, well, the readers can decide that.
Sounds like?
A person, calls him/herself Floyd Holcom levels a bunch of allegations as fact and one should swallow it hook, line and sinker without any factual data to back it up?
Oh, sorry.
In your mind, and on this site then, either the person signing himself Floyd Holcom is not Floyd Holcom or Floyd Holcom is lying. Additionally, a newpaper article in not factual data.
I apologize for my error.
We'll just wait for Commissioner Holcom to repond to our request for legitimate information to prove-out his allegations and confirm that the post presumably signed by him is indeed so.
Yeah, like that's going to happen McGee.
Holcom doesnt come to this site so you're waiting for nothing
Yeah, this is Astoria.
Where if you're a big enough bully or lived her long enough, the rules just don't apply.
The Port is in hock so badly no one even wants to know.
The Port Chair apparently anonymously posts here but then signs his name?
And what about the whole idea that "conflict of interest" seems to be okay if you're one of the new or old good old boys?
Floyd Holcom:"There are a few of us who have the best interest of the community at heart. Maybe you disagree, but there are those who believe in community service."
I would think Holcom would not hesitate in substantiating his claims if there are records that prove them out and I am giving him, in the interest of "The Community" of which he serves, the opportunity to do so, once and for all in an unbiased venue.
Again, to be fair to all parties, I would suggest again that a "Request for Proposal" be submitted to both parties for a competitive bid for services be submitted to "The Port" in proper "Public Process" and for "The Public Record" to diffuse the "Public Perception" of continued questionable conduct at this public agency.
And sadly for this community it appears yet another public assault on a public servant, a public servant that really cares about our community....it begs the question...When is enough, indeed enough from the Daily Astorian?
All this is really interesting, thanks. The underlying question it poses is even more interesting.
Many people say we want government to operate like a business because business is more efficient and cost effective. So, the Port tries to operate like a business and does what it thinks will cause it to prosper. Businesses, of course, can act quickly, do not have to let bids, make public announcements or even be responsible, and can deal under the table.
Now some say the Port must act like a government with everything that is done being viewed by the public and with public approval, even when those actions are not legally required. This will make the Port operate much slower and will undoubtedly cause it to miss opportunities to do things that will make it prosper, like hire and fire contractors. Indeed, some may remember that even the Daily Astorian editor called for the Port to be run like a business prior to the hiring of Peter Gerin (who ran it like a business).
So, perhaps the problem is in part the citizenry. Should not we decide what we want government to do and stick with it? At least individually?
The Hickson Heist story erred. I'd say the persons who wrote the article erred. The editor that allowed the story to run erred. Patrick Webb erred when he read what the DA now admits was rhetorical hyperbole on Community Radio station KMUN 91.9 and was broadcast on a number of sister stations and repeater translators. KMUN unwittingly erred when they rebroadcast the same story the following Monday. How many trees have needlessly died this year because the Daily Astorian needed make corrections? Not very green if you ask me. Get it right or forget it.
Well, we will continue to tender our invitation to "Port of Astoria Chair" Holcom to validate his credibility and integrity by substantiatiing his claims posted on this site and continue to encourage him, as well, to negate any current agreements and invite both parties involved in this controversy to submit competitive bids for services through proper "Public Process".
The Daily A seems to be losing it's stones.
Too bad because in a small town where there are a bunch of bullies who think they own the town and can do anything they want, who will call them out?
It was very odd that there was no byline on the "Heist" story.
That may have been a tabloid headline but it's not slander.
More peculiar is the seeming
retraction of something documented in an e-mail from Crider.
What did it say?
Can Floyd - or anyone - just threaten to sue even in the face of documentation?
If so there will be NO oversight of
ANY of the dysfunctional organizations.
hopefully, Holcom can sue the pants off of Forrester's newspaper. They need to be taught an expensive lesson. And get rid of that idiotic Englishman, Webb. That man is an embarrasment to this community and next time I see him on the street or in a store I'm going to unload on him in real old fashioned Columbia River style. So sick of these twirps moving here and running their mouths
Floyd pointed out in another website that the Daily Astorian printed information that was not true. The Daily Astorian now agrees and has retracted the untruths. Floyd also pointed out above that this website printed information that was not true. The Daily Astorian retraction shows that is also true (likely not because Mr. McGee intentionally printed untrue information but because he regularly prints stuff he takes from the media).
This situation shows that Floyd now has no "credibility or integrity" to "validate". The Daily Astorian and, hence this website, were wrong.
So, let's now turn to why the only daily community newspaper in this area printed information about an individual that was untrue. Trust is a very important aspect of a community newspaper. We may realize that it might not always have all the facts, but we must also be able to believe that it is doing its best in an objective and professional way. Is this the case with the Daily A, or it is now being driven by someone who is not objective and is instead vendictive? That is the new question.
Another anonymous post supposedly signed by Port Commissioner and Chair, Floyd Holcom...."Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Hickson Heist!(Updated)10-21-2011 Daily Astori...":
Patrick,
First of All, in no way do my comments on your site validate anything you or your friends write or comment about in your blog.
But I will say this, to read your armchair opinions without ever seeing you participate in the actual process is your right, but lacks credibility that would further a good question. Unless your incapable of actually attending a Port Commission meeting to help find solutions, like others, you create question to your comments and places you in a position of lack credibility. That is an undisputable fact for you and your blogging.
I know that would be a big step for you to actually physically participate, but I personally find your comments lacking any credibility mainly because I never see you involved in the public discussion or process. Just snipe attacks from the distance blogs or other blogs to bring attention to your blog.
You continue to take half the story, even if its wrong, and create debate where the simple thing to do is address it publically at the time and place of a public meeting, not your blogs. Get your questions answered and if you don’t like the answer, press for a better answer if there is one. Maybe then your blog would gain some credibility, because you can say, "hey, I was there and actually saw and heard this..."
Your method of dividing the community in these type of issues, without actually participating, I believe, is not healthy for our community and does not build community. Many of us are attempting to do the right thing by serving on boards and committees where we live.
To attempt to answer your questions on Government Contracts and for your information, again, there are a lot of Government to Government agreements that don't have go to public bid. There are pros and cons to these things, but that is a fact and within the rules of government operations.
The Tribe is a Sovereign Nation and seperate government within our Country, they deserve that respect and recognition as Native American’s and allowed to do those things that are within the laws and rules of our country.
If you want to tackle that argument and change that, you should go to Congress or the State legislature to change the rules, that would be fun to watch, given your credibility.
Good Luck,
Floyd E. Holcom
Posted by Anonymous to Grassroots People at 10:43 AM .......And, if indeed this is Floyd Holcom writing this post, can we surmise, Floyd, that you have absolutely no documentation to back-up your points in the other post allegedly posted by you on this site to present to your constituents at whose leisure you and your fellow commissioners serve?
Good luck at suing the Daily A.
The owner of the Daily A made that mistake when a local conservative activist called him a bad name on a talk show several years back.
He lost because under American law if you are a public figure you not only have to prove what was said was wrong, but that the publisher KNEW it was false, and more importantly that you suffered actual damage, not just hurt feelings.
Ever wonder why you don't see more slander/libel suits? That's why, unlike in England where people go on what is called "litigation vacations" because there the press has to PROVE what they said was true.
It's a variation of the shell game "Hide the Pea".
You say what you want under an alleged anonymous profile, sign your real name anyhow then deny everything when the post comes up in the public forum.
Did he/she or didn't he/she?
It's just odd that the five points Mr. Holcom lists in the "anonymous" email are essentially the same points, almost word for word in some cases, that he made on the late October radio diatribe he entertained Ms. Ann Samuelson with.
As for suing anyone it is highly unlikely Mr. Holcom will file a lawsuit regarding slander or libel where the Daily Astorian is concerned.
There are so many facets of such a suit he would have to prove (i.e. malice) and Mr. Holcom has never missed a chance to appear in the Daily Astorian when the stories or commentary are in his favor, and there have been many times this has been true.
Plus, there's the discovery process and Mr. Holcom would have to decide if he would want to go there as part of the overall process.
He knows it, the paper's owner and staff knows it, and that's really pretty much the bottom line.
Holcom is a voluntary and self-perpetuating public figure. He just hates the fact that as such he is wide open for being looked at, looked into, and looked after.
As a result he does what he can. He zips off loopy emails in one form or another; fires off low brow tweets; goes on the radio with those friendly to him for their own reasons (really, two successful recalls and tossed out of the local political party???); and jots off the inevitable "Whine to the Editor" to the Daily Astorian.
Buy the bar a round, Mr. Holcom. Sympathy bought is your just due.
Casey Romain
"absentem laedit cum ebrio qui litigat"
Holcom's back at the top of the heap again huh McGee?
I don't think we have heard the last of this characters shenanigans either
He's no daisy, that's for certain.
Beaumont Weevil
Wow. Interesting story and thread.
Regarding running for office and the comments offering advice against doing so, especially if the candidate is a business person...
Running for political or public office has for many, many years in this country and elsewhere meant coming under the socio/political microscope.
This whether the candidate is running for a port commissioner's position, for county Sheriff, or for the highest office in the land.
As Herman Cain and each of the other presidential candidates are experiencing today - to include President Obama - it comes with the territory.
Can it become overly invasive? Certainly. And it can go in just the opposite direction, as well.
The worst case scenario is when open debate is disallowed, meaning silenced for the comfort of the most often less than honorable ruling class, social elite, or political despot.
Hence an open and free press with a multitude and wide variety of Voices so an informed individual can draw his or her own conclusions and vote as they choose.
The old saying "If you can't stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen" holds true.
And if you are or become a public servant, then you must accept the realities of daily examination and critique that comes with the title.
The "old hand" in public service gets this and moves forward regardless, learning along the way which fights are worth the effort and which are not.
Mark Twain admonished the wise to "Never pick a fight with a man who buys ink by the barrel".
Today that advice can be extended to the needless "picking of a fight" with the man or woman who runs a blog, has a well respected radio broadcasting forum, or any of the multitude of other ways we now dissect, discuss, converse, and compare candidates and issues of the day.
The Canons of Journalism recommend that errors made public in print should be corrected, amended, or made more clear if and once such an error is pointed out. Such corrections and apologies are commonplace and help to keep all involved on a clean (or new) sheet of music.
That's part of process and always has and always will be.
If one's ego is too fragile or personal/professional resume too conflicted to "take the heat" then, indeed, "stay out of the kitchen".
And perhaps go fishing, instead.
I suppose it is good that Greg, with his minimal and unfortunate time in Astoria shares his vast knowledge with us, eventhough he has never stepped forward to run for anything.
Essentially, he says, if you are not willing to let people defame you, you should not run for office. It was not always this way. Once, we elected people we respected and stood by them.
Greg will, of course, not stand by anyone but Greg.
But, is this what the rest of us have become as a County, a State a nation?
And still, not one word from Mr. Holcom to substantiate any of the information he presented as fact on this site but, we still offer him every opportunity to do so to validate his credibility and integrity as the elected servant he is to the citizens in his jurisdiction as a Commissioner for The Port of Astoria.
Actually I bought a home and established my LEO career in Astoria in 1995. I did not sell my home and relocate until 2005.
That represents roughly a decade long residency and state of employment in Astoria. Not exactly "minimal" by any current standard.
As to my time there being "unfortunate" it was no more so than other LEOs such as Funk, Lewis, and Bay. All of us became professionally unhappy in Astoria and moved - successfully - on.
Otherwise, I have enjoyed visiting, living, and commenting on the North Coast since 1986...or for 25 + years now.
At 58 years young I have both run for and held elected office in a number of grassroots organizations. Just as there is Life after Astoria there was Life before Astoria.
I totally enjoyed the experience and involvement such opportunities provided. I learned a great deal along the way regarding being in and interacting with the Public.
And I share from my professional experiences as a published author, writer, investigative journalist and former editor.
Jim is speaking broadly when he offers his views of defamation and running for public office.
I suggest he and others so concerned refer to a recent edition of Black's Law Dictionary, specifically "Journalists' privilege" and "Shield laws".
The Daily Astorian, the Oregonian, or the once published (but very underground) "Thunderbolt" are/were afforded such privileges within constraint of civil and criminal law.
What I clearly stated is neither new or earth shattering when it comes to being in the public eye and/or holding public office. If you have a thin skin, best not to play. If you cannot, or will not, grow a thicker skin, expect to be unhappy and cheerless the entire time you remain under the public microscope.
Such inspection is part of the checks and balances built into our system where public duty / service is concerned and conducted. We may not like it but we'd better be able to roll with it.
Big Boy Rules are in effect.
As for the comment that "Greg will, of course, not stand by anyone but Greg" - perhaps what Jim meant, more accurately, is this -
"Greg has never and will never stand by a swine in the form of a human being."
If this is what Jim meant to say I concur and I thank you for...that...is...true.
Great thread, great website, love the discussion :)
Just to remind us all again and to keep Floyd Holcom in accurate perspective as a presumed community leader, and a reminder as well that Glenn Taggart also served on that Commission, along with Dan Hess and Larry Pfund who, by the waty, are still there? Here it is again....
ORS 777.923
Qualifications of port commissioners
(1) The board shall be composed of electors registered in the port.
(2) A person is eligible for appointment as a commissioner of the port who at the time of the appointment is a citizen of the United States and of the State of Oregon, and who has for one year immediately preceding appointment resided within the port. [1987 c.565 §5]
Get the crux?
Floyd E. Holcom -
Stand and deliver!
This is an old story. Can't we get something a little more up to date like who shot JFK?
"Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues We write in water."
Shakespeare / Henry VIII, 1612
"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are."
Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince
"The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we would appear to be."
Socrates
"Oswald!"
Jack Ruby
Old Story?
There's still a big, sucking hole where the ending should be and we are still wating on Mr. Holcom for closure with the simple presentation of the facts to back his claims as presented.
Do you know who shot JFK Glenn?
Some people claim history will show Lyndon Johnson was the instigator of the whole thing.
It is good that we hear from the self important Greg explain his doctrine of public office while inflating his own resume. He doesn't mention why he included himself with some Astoria officers who were asked to leave, perhaps that was also his case here. His LEO "career" was 5 years in Astoria and 3 in Deschutes County with some space in between. Surely, that makes him an expert, at least in his own mind.
Hello,
I'm not sure why people think I'm campaigning or running for the Port, I have won and only a few more years left to try to do something better for the Port as one of 5 commissioners.
Thanks for the friend to tell me to read this, as I have now a little time after seeing the loss of the Nisqually Tribe to our area and we will recover, as all things do for their decision to leave. Sometimes getting kicked in the teeth leaves scars and I dont blame them, though personally I appreciate the Tribe considering their investment in Astoria.
It is true Mr. Walker and I served together in the military and were once friends, I and Mr. Walker have many disagreements, but since Mr. Walker has nothing to do with this issue, I'll leave him to armchair discussions that have no real personal impact.
As for all of you other supporters and others who have concern about my public involvement at the Port, I will continue to do my best at what I do, no matter what that is I'm invovlved with. However, I will not let inaccuracies and falsehoods remain, correct the record to the extent that I can, either printed, or verbally, and defend my family or my work to the best of my ability.
I will continue to serve as that is what I have sworn to do, either in public or private... but I will continue to serve as I believe one should give back.
As for the politics. I'm not good at it, so I have to stick with what I know which is hard real work and maintaining a strong belief in what I do and try to make our community a better place. Pretty simple, really.
As for the Bloggers... Well, you all have more time in this than I.
Thanks for all of your opinions and comments and thank you for your support. There are others that need it much more than I.
Good Luck!
Floyd E. Holcom
Uh, name please?
Might it be "Mr. Disinformation"?
Two of the three officers moved to greener pastures and their departure was a surprise to the command staff of that era.
Both were superb cops, one of them the Honor Graduate of her DPSST class.
Another later left upon arriving at the conclusion the work environment at the time was less that satisfactory. He was a "local". He went on to attend University, obtain a degree in business, and has done quite well ever since.
When I resigned I had already returned to Baghdad, Iraq, and I would later resume my law enforcement career until also returning to University where I completed my degree and changed career paths as well as lifestyle.
All four of us did/have spent more time as certified Oregon law enforcement officers than some people I know of...and some that never even got out of the gate.
And there you have it.
But, as Patrick reminds us, this thread is about one specific person being invited to share openly and on the record.
Poor old Greg ain't your whipping boy any more :) "Self important" or otherwise.
Well said, Floyd!
And as a heartfelt caveat regardless of the circumstances of our unfortunate falling out now so many years ago -
It was a privilege serving with you when our Special Forces unit deployed to Kuwait and then Iraq in 2002/2003.
Yours' and Mike's team (911) did excellent work during the ramp up to the ground war and then again in and around Baghdad.
Nothing and no one can take that away from you. I agree with Mike that you were a superb team sergeant.
After so many years in both the 12th and the 19th Special Forces Groups (Airborne) we finally got the call and the accomplishments of the unit speak for themselves.
It was certainly one of the highlights of my career and I would imagine yours, as well.
De Oppressor Liber,
Greg Walker
Retired, USASF/DCSO
Greg, your attempts to bait Floyd are disgracrful at best and disgusting at worst. Floyd has tried his best, devoted a great deal of time and energy to the Port and, many will say, done an excellent job of helping the community improve. You have not lived here for many years, you don't vote in Clatsop County and you have never stood for election here.
The only reason for you to attack Floyd is vengence and that is unbecoming for one special forces soldier to do to another, expecially a highly decorated soldier like Floyd.
As for the rest of your post, you have definately not lost the knack of twisting the facts to suit your needs. That knack has obviously made it hard for you to keep a job, but it probably helps keep you sane, more or less.
So, in essence Mr. Holcom concedes that he has no actual data to back-up his points as posted here...
..."It is unfortunate that this article was published as the following facts were not included:
1. The paper itself told the public that the Nisqually Tribe was looking for work for the Hickson 30 days before the linehandeling job was given to them. In the Ear March 4th.
2. Anchorage Launch Service did not loose all its work on the lower river and is still performing as it had, just not the Cruiseships, which I'm told, not all cruiseships need this service.
3. Floyd Holcom had nothing to do with the Hickson being hired, that was strickly between the Indian Tribe and the Port as a Government to Government Contract.
4. The call to Floyd Holcom from Dennis Lucia, of the tribe, was to confirm that the opportunity existed after the Captain, a local Astorian called the Tribe to request authority to proceed. Holcom said "call Crider", as he didn't know what Line handeling was. That was my only involvement was telling Lucia to call and ask the question to the Port Manager. Which you see in the E-mail from Lucia to Crider.
5. Your Blog is spreading mistruths and inaccurate reporting and will be required to retract when the Daily Astorian does, if not sooner.
There are a few of us who have the best interest of the community at heart. Maybe you disagree, but there are those who believe in community service.
Remember the word "Malice".
Floyd E. Holcom
Again, we will still invite Mr. Holcom to confirm this information at his leisure.
Nobody appreciates those that have served in the defense of our country any more than I do but, bad judgement and irresponsible decisions, especially when serving as an elected official stepping outside of the public process cannot be excused.
The other thing is that the people that make the most noise about community service and community building seems to be the ones that do the most to destroy it all.
So Holcom, if what you say is factual in this last post of yours, don't you think it is important to inform the....uh...."COMMUNITY" of the change in the status of this Hickson story and what is going on with it now?
Jim -
Jim Who?
Put your full name out there and I might give your opinions some consideration.
Otherwise you might as well post as Anonymous with the merit such ID is entitled to.
With all the low blows and cheap shots I'm beginning to feel like Josh Marquis must :)
Gee Greg, why should no one who knows you be surprised when you compare yourself with our hard working, long time, elected District Attorney Josh Marquis?
In truth, you deserve a status far below that of Josh, but in your mind, of course, you would believe you are equal or even better.
It must be nice to be able to distort the facts so much, but then you have had a lot of practice.
Tim, Tim, Tim...
Josh Marquis and I have known eachother and been friends since we both lived in Central Oregon.
We talk now and then even to this day.
The point, which you clearly missed, is that both Josh and I get blasted with allegations, half-truths, name-calling, and so on - all of which are meant to either distract from the real issue or play out on the politics of personality.
I guess I was too subtle for you to pick that up :(
Poor Tim.
Anyhow, the crux of the question remains the same and Commissioner Holcom may or may not respond any more or less than he already has.
I understand the Tribe was only going to participate for a short time only anyhow, and perhaps this is what occurred and they've moved on to the next job?
It has been a good exercise of free speech, the sharing of ideas, sometimes sharp commentary, and even a compliment here and there.
Adios, hijos!
VR,
Greg Walker (Retired)
USASF/DCSO
We're done with the attempt at a pissing match "Anonym".
You have anything for the Hickson/Port/Holcom issue let's here it as Mr. Walker has disengaged from your attempts to draw him into the world of the inane so, leave it at that and move on.
Thank you
I guess I can't leave things unanswered and I will point out additional information that may not be clear to a few, but known to those who are actively civic.
I'm told that the Nisqually tribe was interested in sending their tribal members to MERTS, as we all know that MERTS/Clatsop Community College has one of the best maritime programs around.
A discussion started with the Nisqually Tribe about shipboard firefighting around April of this year, which seems to be a skill not easily found here or Puget Sound and MERTS could easily train.
The Nisqually Tribe has or had access to over a million dollars a year of educational dollars and looked at the CCC/Merts as a training location for their and other tribal members.
Unfortunately, I now think that opportunity has become collateral damage to the efforts of the Daily A, mainly out of ignorance and I doubt intentional, I assume.
It troubles me that efforts are sometimes destroyed by others when they see change and dont have the whole story and act out against something when perhaps if they spent more time being involved, they might get the true story or at least have time to make an informed decision.
I hope to see the Tribe back as a member of our community, either the Nisqually's, The Chinook's, the Clatsop's or any outside investor who takes a good look at our community.
Unfortuantely, if someone does nothing positive, then the answer to community development results in the same. Nothing.
It is an economic fact that Astoria has become a user of resources and not a producer. If that doesn't change,it will be only a matter of time when the community chest savings account is empty.
One does not have to look far to compare and contrast the amount of small business Astoria has had in the last 4 decades and compare to what it has now. These businesses created wealth and taxes, supporting the purchase and building of homes and other community resources and infrastructure.
However, if one looks at the current economic facts, Government Funds supporting government related jobs are now considered economic resources to this community, which can only last so long without an infusion of private capital development, as soon government resources become depleated.
It is obvious that a few people well known to the DA editorials have not seen these results and may not be around when the real damage to our community is a result of their ignorance to real economic development. Subsidized government development has a short life span, where small family and medium sized businesses are known to last generations, they have to as a matter of survival.
However challenging, many of us look at our business as a survival for all, just not a few.
And this will conclude my comments and involvement in this Blog as my personal opinion of Patrick McGee and his disruptive, shit stiring involvement in this community has not changed.
Again, good luck.
Floyd E. Holcom
You were told Floyd?
By whom?
Care to substantiate and confirm who it was that supposedly told you this Floyd?
Disruptive "Shit Stiring" in the community.
Care to substantiate and confirm this allegation Floyd?
Do you feel that this site has not treated you fairly in the discussion of your claims on the controversy over "The Hickson Issue"?
Have you not been given every opportunity to document and prove them out on this site?
And now you present another layer of unsubstantiated information presumably told to you by another unidentified source about the loss of the Nisqualy Tribe as a potentital investor in our community because of the "Attempted Line Handling Deal" going sour with "The Hickson" that, I believe, is berthed at your Pier 39?
And you infer that the loss of the Nisqualy Tribe is due to, in your own words...."Unfortunately, I now think that opportunity has become collateral damage to the efforts of the Daily A, mainly out of ignorance and I doubt intentional, I assume.
It troubles me that efforts are sometimes destroyed by others when they see change and dont have the whole story and act out against something when perhaps if they spent more time being involved, they might get the true story or at least have time to make an informed decision."
And finally Floyd that's all we asked from you and that was to give us the whole, factual story so that we could make informed decisions on the subject of the Hickson and Port of Astoria.
Did you?
I think Floyd Holcum's own worst enemy is his mouth.
The more it talks the deeper the hole it digs for him.
I think one question for us is do we elect people to make decisions for us, or do we want all the information they have so we can determine whether or not they made the correct decision? In other words, do we have a representative democracy or a democracy?
Then, if we do not like the people we elect to office, what are we morally obligated to do as citizens? Complain about them, petition for a recall or live with the situation until the next election? And, if they are recalled or when they are up for election how do we get someone better (better meaning someone who makes decisions the way "we" would).
The Port's recent history is a good example of what happens in political turmoil where many people, most of whom will not run for office, think the Commission is not doing a good job, but, when we get new people, people consider they are not doing a good job either.
Anyone have a solution to this situation?
Democracy is not easy or pretty . It is a messy business and not for those with a thin skin who are easily rattled. This entire affair and the commission itself has a perception problem ,with real and percieved conflict of interest issues ,typical selfish, republican, protect me and my buddies business and money crap .
Recently elected Kitsap County Port Commissioner, Elliott said...the job of the port is to take public input and then turn those ideas into reality."
Holcom and the rest of that commission, as all other commissions in Clatsop County, are elected as Nonpartisans...
"In a nonpartisan system, no official political parties exist, sometimes reflecting legal restrictions on political parties. In nonpartisan elections, each candidate is eligible for office on his or her own merits. In nonpartisan legislatures, there are no typically formal party alignments within the legislature. The administration of George Washington and the first few sessions of the United States Congress were nonpartisan. Washington also warned against political parties during his Farewell Address.[2] In the United States, the unicameral legislature of Nebraska is nonpartisan. In Canada, the territorial legislatures of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are nonpartisan. In New Zealand, Tokelau has a nonpartisan parliament. Many city and county governments are nonpartisan. Nonpartisan elections and modes of governance are common outside of state institutions. Unless there are legal prohibitions against political parties, factions within nonpartisan systems often evolve into political parties."
Patrick's quote of Commissioner Elliott raises a possible solution to our politital questions. Elliott says essentially that the people provide the leadership and the Commission is the instrument that puts the public's leadership into practice.
That would sure make a Commission's job easier and the public's more difficult. It also clarifies that we do not want our elected officials to lead, but instead to manage. So, no ideas from the public for change equals business as usual.
I am not sure what the Port of Kitsap does or what it had done to improve its community, so we might want to take a look at it before it becomes a model. But, what an interesting idea.
Thanks.
We should bring Greg Walker back into this discussion. With his vast background in political science, his intimate knowledge of people like Josh Marquis and the many Special Forces leaders and his exemplary skills in understanding the meaning of things, he would really assist this discussion.
Jim?
Tim?
Aren't you the one trying to provoke Mr. Walker into a pointless discussion yourself earlier?
Actually you want to set-up your own Blog and ponder that stuff go ahead but, this discussion has already gone way away from the Hickson issue at this point so, let's just back-off those unrelated musings at least until Holcom lays some additional undocumented informatiopn on the subject for us to marvel at.
"And this will conclude my comments and involvement in this Blog as my personal opinion of Patrick McGee and his disruptive, shit stiring involvement in this community has not changed.
Again, good luck.
Floyd E. Holcom"
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First Amendment of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution
CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.
“Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime . . . .” — Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, dissenting Ginzberg v. United States, 383 U.S. 463 (1966)
“First Amendment freedoms are most in danger when the government seeks to control thought or to justify its laws for that impermissible end. The right to think is the beginning of freedom, and speech must be protected from the government because speech is the beginning of thought.”—Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Ashcroft V. Free Speech Coalition
***
Authority and power are two different things: power is the force by means of which you can oblige others to obey you. Authority is the right to direct and command, to be listened to or obeyed by others. Authority requests power. Power without authority is tyranny.
JACQUES MARITAIN, "The Democratic Charter," Man and the State
It sure doesn't seem that the First Amendment is being abused in this issue. Contributors certainly seem willing to contribute their two cents worth, even if it's only worth a penny.
Holcum has been asked on this blog to simply verify these claims directly leveled at this site and this particular discussion....Anonymous said...
It is unfortunate that this article was published as the following facts were not included:
1. The paper itself told the public that the Nisqually Tribe was looking for work for the Hickson 30 days before the linehandeling job was given to them. In the Ear March 4th.
2. Anchorage Launch Service did not loose all its work on the lower river and is still performing as it had, just not the Cruiseships, which I'm told, not all cruiseships need this service.
3. Floyd Holcom had nothing to do with the Hickson being hired, that was strickly between the Indian Tribe and the Port as a Government to Government Contract.
4. The call to Floyd Holcom from Dennis Lucia, of the tribe, was to confirm that the opportunity existed after the Captain, a local Astorian called the Tribe to request authority to proceed. Holcom said "call Crider", as he didn't know what Line handeling was. That was my only involvement was telling Lucia to call and ask the question to the Port Manager. Which you see in the E-mail from Lucia to Crider.
5. Your Blog is spreading mistruths and inaccurate reporting and will be required to retract when the Daily Astorian does, if not sooner.
There are a few of us who have the best interest of the community at heart. Maybe you disagree, but there are those who believe in community service.
Remember the word "Malice".
Floyd E. Holcom"......and so far "Nothing" but more, so far, ubsubstantiated rhetoric, no disrespect intended and GRP still leaves the invitation open to Holcom to rectify his credibility, especially since he is an elected Port of Astoria Commissioner serving in our trust.
Way to Go, Floyd.
Unfortunately you will never see this, but the sentiment is there.
"It is good that we hear from the self important Greg explain his doctrine of public office while inflating his own resume. He doesn't mention why he included himself with some Astoria officers who were asked to leave, perhaps that was also his case here. His LEO "career" was 5 years in Astoria and 3 in Deschutes County with some space in between. Surely, that makes him an expert, at least in his own mind."
***
I believe Mr. Walker officially/honorably retired from law enforcement in 2006 and does in fact possess the appropriate credential from both Oregon DPSST and his last agency of employment.
He appeared in 2010 as a guest speaker at several Oregon law enforcement agencies' training seminars as well as VA sponsored symposiums regarding veterans health care and how law enforcement might work better with our returning wounded, injured, and ill.
At least one of these was with former Astoria police chief Ron Louie, where both presented on the field of verbal communications in crisis situations.
It was pretty easy to check him out on the Internet. He works with Wounded Warriors as a non-clinical veterans health care professional these days.
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