The Hickson Heist!(Updated)10-21-2011 Daily Astorian Regrets Errors In Publication Of Story!

(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 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

"Occupy Astoria" Plans Event Beginning Friday, The 28th At 12:00PM

Friday 11-28-2011, 2:45 PM And Raining

Friday 11-28-2011, 10:20 AM - And..It Begins

Who are we?

- We are individuals from all walks of life and
situations that see the upcoming disasters in our economic systems, legal
systems, and political systems and demand immediate
change.
Why are we doing this?

– The public has fallen
asleep. We are here to wake them up and make them aware of what is really going
on with our money, security, government, and future. We are heading for a
disaster; we have to CHANGE direction NOW!

Go To Site For Details

March 23, 2011: An Eventful Evening At Clatsop County

OK, we heard NNB's Tom Freel present his slant on last night's CCBofC meeeting this morning.
We got the Daily Astorian's concise presentation this afternoon and yes, it is true, Clatsop County Board of Commissioners plans to vacate the sitting membership of the current Clatsop County Planning Commission and replace it with a new commission by June 30, 2011. FYI, CCBofC can, by statute, do this and has every right to do so.

The Board of Commissioners makes it very clear that all current members of the sitting Planning Commission whose tetm will not expire by june 30, 2011 will be invited to reapply for their seat if they so wish and be included amongst the list of candidates slated for review and appointment.

Me? Write something just to be writing something when we have, already, two distinct versions of what two professional journalists interpreted?

I don't think I will, on this one and I really want all of you to listen directly to the "Complete Audio" of last night's meeting for yourselves and then develop your own judgement as to what transpired

Listen To Full Audio Of Last Night's CCBofC Meeting

Astoria City Council Races: Who's It Going To Be for You?

Henningsgaard Announces he will not continue to seek re-election but will pursue open Astoria City Attorney Job Instead

Well, here's the list of candidates for 2010 elections for open seats on Astoria City Council.

This is an open call for all candidates to post their Press Releases or views as to why they feel they can serve the citizens of Astoria best and what they can bring to the game to lead us forward to a prosperous future and improved life quality.

Mayor

Willis L. Van Dusen
(Incumbent Mayor Van Dusen's Campaign Statement)
"I am running for re-election as Mayor of the City of Astoria. The next four years will be important to all of us. I ask for your support on November 2nd.
As the Mayor of Astoria over the past four years, I have worked as part of a team on many successful projects. Some of those projects include:
1) Supporting the officers in the Astoria Police Department.
2) Supporting the Firefighters in the Astoria Fire Department. The City Council and I congratulate the department for securing a $ 238,000 grant that enabled the city to purchase of a fire truck.
3) Re-organizing the Parks and Recreation Department. The consolidation of facilities and personnel has made us more efficient.
4) Our community has done an excellent job in improving the financial situation of the Astoria Aquatic Center.
5) Supported our Public Works Department to improve our drinking water and manage the combined sewer overflow project
6) Drafted plans to renovate our City Hall
7) Expanded our world class river walk
8) Serving as President of the Astoria Riverfront Trolley Association.
9) We worked closely with governmental agencies, such as the Astoria Schools, neighboring cities, the Military, Oregon State Agencies etc.
10) Established a street paving/repair program
The next four years have many challenges:
1) Astoria’s Bi-Centennial
2) Completing our Chinese educational park, "The Garden of Surging Waves"
3) City Hall Renovation
4) Rebuilding the athletic fields at Tapiola Park
5) Community Center in the former Armory at 17th and Duane St.
6) Rebuilding the 17th Street Dock with transportation grant funds
7) Work with businesses creating and saving jobs
8) Provide a new library through renovation or construction
9) Communicate clearly with all Astorians
10) Support our local schools
If we continue to work as a community team, Astoria will always be a great place to live and raise our families.
Thank you
Willis L. Van Dusen

Bonnie Anne Wingard (Challenger)

Ward 1

Arline LaMear
(Incumbent LaMear's Campaign Statement)
Arline LaMear – Councilor, City of Astoria Ward 1
288 Franklin Ave.
Astoria, OR 97103
alamear@astoria.or.us

Occupation
Librarian, Columbia River Maritime Museum, 1997-Present

Occupational background
School Librarian, Virginia Public Schools, 21 years
Teacher – California, North Carolina and Thailand, 4 years

Educational background
Occidental College, BA, Education
James Madison University, M.Ed, Education

Prior Government Experience
Astoria City Council, 2008-Present; Astoria Parks and Recreation Board, 2010; Astoria Planning Commission, 2003-2008; Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families, 2004-2007; Astoria Library Board, 2002; Chair of the Bicentennial Legacy Committee, 2009-Present

Candidate Statement

A job with the Columbia River Maritime Museum brought me to Astoria in 1997. Thirteen years later, my commitment to Astoria, her river, history and community has deepened. It has been a real honor to serve as City Councilor from Ward 1 the past two years. I have met with many of you on issues and concerns and pledge that I will continue to listen and act in your behalf.

Astoria will celebrate her Bicentennial in 2011. Working with our wonderful city staff and workforce, I will support continuing efforts to replace our bridges that are in poor condition, pave our streets, relocate the temporary water and sewer lines at Hume and Bond Streets, renovate our City Hall, and spruce up our downtown so Astoria looks her best for her 200th birthday.

I plan to:
Actively advocate for you and Astoria’s Ward One.
Work for the opening of a Recreation Center in Astoria for children and adults.
Advocate for an ordinance regarding derelict buildings that includes a firm, fair enforcement component.
Evaluate energy cost saving measures and implement viable alternatives.
Ensure that Astoria has a state of the art, modern library.

Committees/Membership/Volunteerism
Court-Appointed Advocate (CASA) – 2001-Present
American Association of University Women (AAUW) – President 2005-2006
Organizer and moderator for candidate and issue forums, AAUW and Women’s Political Caucus
Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce – 2003-Present
Lower Columbia Preservation Society
Friends of the Columbia River Maritime Museum
Clatsop County Historical Society

Endorsed by:

John Goodenberger
Karen Kenyon
Virginia (Gin) Laughery
Roy Little, M.D.
Laura Snyder
Helen Westbrook

Robert E. Howard (Challenger)

Ward 3

Blair Henningsgaard (Incumbent)

Henningsgaard Will Not Seek Re-Election But Will Seek Open Astoria City Attorney Job

I am running for re-election to the Astoria City Council Ward 3 and ask for your vote in November.

I can describe my past service to the City in three categories.
Emergency Events.
Hurricane, December of 2007. I am proud of the teamwork and courage of our community’s response.
Landslide at 1st and Commercial Street, April 2007. Our team ensured access, re-routed utilities, responded to citizens’ needs and obtained State and Federal assistance.
Routine (but critical) City Services
We lined and covered our reservoirs. These two changes help protect our drinking water supply with one result that the City uses fewer chemicals to treat our water.
Expensive sewer improvements are helping keep our river and bay clean. I helped spur negotiations that are expected to save over $10 million on this project.
A street paving/repair program was adopted for the first time in our history; funded with help from tourist tax dollars and state funds.
Successes.
Developing highly visible city council goals.
Representing the City Council on our award winning Riverfront vision.
Plans to make Astoria City Hall the most “customer friendly” in the county.
Saving the City over $300,000 per year at the Astoria Aquatic Center.
Acquiring the old Safeway block.
Replacing the Astoria Column steps.

I commit to economically provide needed services but also look forward to developing a new library, recycling the Astoria Armory, opening our Chinese Park and turning the old American Legion block into a public plaza.

I hope the Citizens of Astoria know how much my hometown means to me. We live in a special place; together we will keep it that way.

Karen Mellin (Challenger)

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 1, 2010

For More Information:Karen Mellin
(503) 325-5382

Karen Mellin for Astoria Ward 3 Astoria, Oregon

“I am running because Astorians need achoice,” says candidate Mellin. "I've never been afraid to speak my mind and I think Astoria is a real treasure that deserves outspoken protection."

Mellin served most recently on the Clatsop Community College Board of Directors and before that was instrumental in developing the organization now known as the Women's Resource Center.

She said she felt the values of the particularly historic district of Ward 3 needed a new voice.

"When citizens spend months of time on a public project like the River Visioning process, they deserve to have those concerns taken seriously," Mellin said."Too many people have told me they felt the City Council listened and then imposed its own voice on that process."

Mellin also expressed concern over the what she called "the continuous mishandling of DUII cases in the Astoria Municipal Court." She said that"Municipal Courts play a valuable role in dispensing community justice, but Astoria should join the other four cities in the counties in sending their DUII cases to the Circuit Court where both the judges and prosecutors are full-time professionals.""Something's not right when someone can get two or three DUIIs dismissed just because the case is in Municipal Court. Like the River Visioning process, it is a matter of fairness."

"While we appreciate the work done over the years by the incumbent," Mellin said, "I think people are ready for a change.

"Mellin just celebrated the 50th reunion of her graduating class at AstoriaHigh School.

She spent many years traveling overseas and moved back toAstoria 30 years ago and taught in the local schools until last year.

Karen Mellin's Astoria-based volunteerism began in 1986 as a programmer atKMUN.

She has been a member of the North Coast Women’s Political Caucussince 1987. That year she began volunteering at the Clatsop County Women’s Crisis Service, where she set up group counseling sessions for victims of domestic violence and soon became Executive Director.

In 2001, she waselected to the Clatsop Community College Board, where she advocated renovation of the historic property.

Ward 3 is roughly bound by 5th and 28th Streets, the Columbia River on thenorth and Niagara Avenue on the south, and is equivalent to county precincts5 and 6.

The Committee to Elect Karen Mellin, Astoria Ward 3

Oregon LNG/Oregon PipelineHearings: Clatsop County Planning Staff Report And A Truckload Of Non-Compliance

OK people, let's stay on top of this!!!!

GRP:Oregon LNG/Pipeline's attorney tries to "Pooh-Pooh" the non-compliance count as just really a couple of items overall and the actual number of items is just mis-leading but, wasn't it just a couple of niggling little items that kept coming back to sink Bradwood Landing eventually?

Here's The Complete Staff Report For Your Review And Input

Oregon DSL: Revision To Rules Authorizing Structures On And Uses Of State-Owned Submerged/Submersible Lands

GRP Note:The public comment period for these draft rules has been extended. The new deadline is 5 PM, Thursday, December 24, 2009. We hope to take these rules to the Land Board for its consideration at the Board’s February 2010 meeting.


What is This Notice About?
The Department of State Lands (DSL) has for some time had rules governing the management of, and issuing of authorizations to place structures on, and to use state-owned submerged and submersible land. These rules (OAR 141-082-0000 through 141-082-0210) were last amended in 2002. Since then, these rules have served DSL well. However, a number of changes, most of which are relatively minor, needed to be made to them to clarify various provisions; streamline some of the processes used; and to ensure that the definitions of terms used in the rules are the same as those recently used in other rules. These rules also needed to be reorganized to reflect the format now used when creating new rules or amending previously adopted rules. Consequently, DSL has revised these rules accordingly. In amending these rules, DSL has also increased the application fee for a public facility license and the fees to register structures on state-owned submerged and submersible land in order to enable the agency to recover more of the costs it incurs to administer its registration program.

Go To Oregon DSL Site For Details

Oregon D.O.J.:Ex-Port Director, Gearin Found To Have Used Official Misconduct In Calpine Dealings

The Oregon Department of Justice, in a letter from its Chief Counsel, Sean J. Riddell, has concluded, in its investigation into potential "Official Misconduct and other possible criminal violations by staff or directors of The Port of Astoria" that, after interviewing 31 people, issuing 11 Oregon Attorney General Subpoenas, reviewing hundreds of pages of documents and a three hour interview with former Port Director Gearin himself, that they believe that they could prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Peter Gearin, acting as Executive Director of The Port of Astoria committed the predicated acts of Offical Misconduct in the first degree, a class A misdemeanor under ORS 162.415.

Specifically Oregon D.O.J. believes that the evidence shows that Mr. Gearin used his position as Port of Astoria Executive Director to secure employment with Calpine Energy Group for his then girlfriend and current wife, Susan Trabucco.

Calpine Energy Group paid Ms. Trabucco $41,030.28 during her employment from October 2004 to February 2005(The Port/Calpine Lease was announced to the public on or about November 4, 2004)

Because of The Statute of Limitations on Official Misconduct, which is two years, Oregon D.O.J. is barred from prosecuting Mr. Gearin and D.O.J. has also found no additional evidence to justify any additional criminal investigation

Click Here To Go To Oregon DOJ Web Site And Investigation File Download Access

Weathering The Wal-Mart Storm

Weathering Wal-Mart: Local merchants find ways to compete with retail giant

By Carl Manning - Associated Press - In Deseret News
Published: Friday, Aug. 1, 2003 9:03 a.m. MDT

HIAWATHA, Kan. — Francis Duncan operates a farm and home store and Don Koontz runs the downtown hardware store. Like other local merchants, their biggest competitor is Wal-Mart.
"We don't try to compete with them; there's no way. We let them do their thing and we do ours," Duncan said. "If they get something we have, we just close it out."

Suggestions For Weathering The Storm

GRP: Do You Have A North Coast Business? Tell Us How You Plan To Compete With Wal-Mart.

The USS Ranger On The Coast: Should We Let This One Get Away From Us Too?

GRP: A few sites down here were looked at favorably by this foundation and will likely be back for more talks that could offer 30-plus jobs and a crapload of tourism and spin-off revenue. Should we be agressive in attracting this historic attraction here?

A Brief History Of The USS Ranger


From the USS Ranger Foundation

The US Navy announced that the USS Ranger Foundation’s Phase I application for donation of the super-carrier ex-USS Ranger has been approved and moved the group into Phase two of the four-phase process.

Now the Work Begins!
The USS Ranger Museum is a privately funded project, with individual and corporate support, and therefore will not be utilizing City of Portland/Metro funding as a revenue base.
Phase two of the process has a 12 month timeline, during which the exact location of the museum complex will be finalized, environmental, marketing, business, neighborhood support and other studies will be completed and updated. Fund raising will increase, and national and international friends will be called upon to support the project.


Read The Details

Bradwood Landing: 36-38 Miles Of Pipeline Right Of Way - Add 224.24 Acres To The Project Would You?

From John L. Kennedy, "Oil and Gas Pipeline Fundametals"

The average Natural Gas High Pressure Pipeline Right of Way is 50' wide with 35' maintained clear.

So, using this average and an average 37 Mile long NSNG controlled pipeline right of way x 5280 feet = 195, 360' x 50 = 9,768,000 square feet divided by 43560 square feet(acre) = 224.24 acres owned/controlled by who?

Where does the end of that pipeline originate?

From the Bradwood Landing LNG/Storage Terminal facility of course.

So add that 224 acres to that magic, "Bovine Scat", 40 acres NSNG says they are only using and you have 264 acres of physical property under the control/ownership of Bradwood Landing/NSNG.

Small Project?

No way in hell!!!

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.

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.

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

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

Read Details Here!!

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

Dr. Jerry Havens To Speak On: “Public Safety Implications of LNG Import Terminals.” Thursday May 21, 2009 At The Red Building, 7:00PM

----- Original Message -----
From: Cheryl & Ted
To: lower_columbia@lists.onenw.org
Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 12:50 AM
Subject: [lower_columbia] Dr. Havens speaking on THURSDAY
What does it mean to have LNG tankers on our river and terminals in our communities?

Please join us for a special event hosted by Roger Rocka, former Director of Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce and Jim Scheller, Chair of Warrenton Trails Association.

Special guest speaker is Dr. Jerry Havens, Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas. His topic is:
“Public Safety Implications of LNG Import Terminals.”

Thursday, May 21st
7:00 pm
the Loft in the Red Building, Astoria
(turn off Marine Drive toward the river at the light by Kentucky Fried Chicken)

Dr. Havens is not for or against liquefied natural gas development. “My goal is to bring good science to the table in these matters, so that decisions regarding public safety are fairly and accurately deliberated.”

Bret VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper will give an update on the LNG terminals and pipelines proposed for the Columbia River.

There will be an opportunity for Q&A following the presentations.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Bring your neighbors, bring your friends. This special evening will include refreshments and music by Ned Heavenrich, Dan Palenski and Larry Moore.

Sponsored by:
Columbia Pacific Common Sense
Columbia Riverkeeper
Cannery Pier Hotel
Columbia River Business Alliance
Hipfish
Northwest Property Rights Coalition

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Dr. Jerry Havens
Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering
University of Arkansas

Professor Havens holds the Maurice E. Barker Endowed Chair in Chemical Process Safety and the Environmental Fate of Pollutants at the University of Arkansas. He is recognized internationally for his expertise in atmospheric dispersion of hazardous chemicals and fire/explosion phenomena. The DEGADIS and FEM3A atmospheric dispersion models developed and or validated by Dr. Havens and his associates at the University’s Chemical Hazards Research Center are specified for use in LNG plant siting applications in the United States.