2/12/2008 10:37:00 AM
Criminal investigator probes Lee Attorneys say commissioner’s actions are 'adverse to county’
By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian
The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating Commissioner Richard Lee.
Though he would not give any details, Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin confirmed Monday the investigation has been going on for approximately two weeks.
Page McBeth, a criminal investigator in the Criminal Justice Division, is in charge of the investigation.
McBeth has interviewed a number of people inside and outside county government about Lee, Bergin said.
So, if the presumed fabricated article about an Oregon D.O.J. investigation of Richard Lee is indeed true, would that mean Sheriff Tom Bergin and D.O.J. Investigator McBeth would be in collusion with the Daily "A"as well?
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Richard Lee:RV Park/Golf Course Current Permit Status
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - In response to a question by a KAST-AM listener to Mr. Lee as to whether all his permits were current on his projects to which Lee stated, in essence, to the best of his knowlege they were.
Clatsop County Community Development confirms the following information: "Mr. Lee does not have all of the permits required to complete the RV park. The work that he is doing at this point is permitted. We have issued partial site work permits for utilities only for site "B" and utilities and park model set up permits for site "A". Plans for the remainder of the site, the overall site and the required bath houses have not been submitted, approved or permitted."
Clatsop County Community Development confirms the following information: "Mr. Lee does not have all of the permits required to complete the RV park. The work that he is doing at this point is permitted. We have issued partial site work permits for utilities only for site "B" and utilities and park model set up permits for site "A". Plans for the remainder of the site, the overall site and the required bath houses have not been submitted, approved or permitted."
LNG:Bradwood/Northern Star NG And What Is Their "Commercial Client
From Northern Star Community Liason, Peter Hackett to my query as to exactly what is meant by the term.... "Commercial Client".
Strangely, no mention of the proposed Palomar Pipeline?
(Hackett says...We(You and Me) will have to call Palomar for the status of that project....?)
The pipeline has a tap to the GP mill in Wauna……………and another to all industries at the Port of St Helens as well.
Ethanol and NG fired power plants.
No contracts for sales of gas……………….that happens after permitting……….and contracts for supply.
Pipelines have open capacity……….........Bradwood is a Tolling Facility (This means that companies will sign long-term terminal use agreements that will give LNG sellers access to the US market, and US natural gas buyers access to the global supplies of LNG).…………we provide a service………..storage and regasification of LNG.
Natural Gas leaving Bradwood will go to Kelso and the Williams Pipeline……….NG currently in the WP will be eventually displaced by “price taking” , lower priced LNG that gets regasified at Bradwood.
Residential and Commercial natural gas customers that use Williams will be using NG from Bradwood, as contracts are negotiated for supply.
Natural Gas Utilities in the NW would be commercial clients…………………..GP could buy gas directly………….as well as the industries at the Port of SH
Strangely, no mention of the proposed Palomar Pipeline?
(Hackett says...We(You and Me) will have to call Palomar for the status of that project....?)
The pipeline has a tap to the GP mill in Wauna……………and another to all industries at the Port of St Helens as well.
Ethanol and NG fired power plants.
No contracts for sales of gas……………….that happens after permitting……….and contracts for supply.
Pipelines have open capacity……….........Bradwood is a Tolling Facility (This means that companies will sign long-term terminal use agreements that will give LNG sellers access to the US market, and US natural gas buyers access to the global supplies of LNG).…………we provide a service………..storage and regasification of LNG.
Natural Gas leaving Bradwood will go to Kelso and the Williams Pipeline……….NG currently in the WP will be eventually displaced by “price taking” , lower priced LNG that gets regasified at Bradwood.
Residential and Commercial natural gas customers that use Williams will be using NG from Bradwood, as contracts are negotiated for supply.
Natural Gas Utilities in the NW would be commercial clients…………………..GP could buy gas directly………….as well as the industries at the Port of SH
And These People Are Extreme Activists?
The following people have graciously agreed to publicly endorse CCFOG's Recall effort.
"Extreme Activists"?....So says Richard Lee's Website Of Lee Facts!
Roger Rocka
Jan Mitchell
Carol Ray
Charlie Ray
Shel Cantor
Marc Auerbach
Mark Stefanelli
Troy Horton
McLaren Innes
Erin Moore
Peter Huhtala
Burr Allegaert
Lawrence Taylor
Scott Reuter
Helen Westbrook
Jan Coughlin
Nancy Holmes
Lynnette S. Hubert
Gail Galen
Jim Scheller
Josie Peper
Mary Ann Brandon
Leon Jackson
Mary Jackson
Dan Crockett
Jo Pomeroy-Crocket
tRalph M. Wirfs
Jim Coughlin
RD Smith
Carolyn Eady
Deborah McEuen
Karen Kenyon
Joal Morris
Stan Guenther
Joyce Jones-Guenther
Teresa Epstein
Anne S. Phillips
Tina Bigelow
Carol Newman
Pam Birmingham
Jeffrey Birmingham
John Benson
Diana Schafer
Ann Goldeen
Lori Durheim
Margot Visher
Ian Boggs
Nelson Yaple
Lynne Cavin
Jim Brien
Deborah Jaques
Don West
Lon C. Mathis
"Extreme Activists"?....So says Richard Lee's Website Of Lee Facts!
Roger Rocka
Jan Mitchell
Carol Ray
Charlie Ray
Shel Cantor
Marc Auerbach
Mark Stefanelli
Troy Horton
McLaren Innes
Erin Moore
Peter Huhtala
Burr Allegaert
Lawrence Taylor
Scott Reuter
Helen Westbrook
Jan Coughlin
Nancy Holmes
Lynnette S. Hubert
Gail Galen
Jim Scheller
Josie Peper
Mary Ann Brandon
Leon Jackson
Mary Jackson
Dan Crockett
Jo Pomeroy-Crocket
tRalph M. Wirfs
Jim Coughlin
RD Smith
Carolyn Eady
Deborah McEuen
Karen Kenyon
Joal Morris
Stan Guenther
Joyce Jones-Guenther
Teresa Epstein
Anne S. Phillips
Tina Bigelow
Carol Newman
Pam Birmingham
Jeffrey Birmingham
John Benson
Diana Schafer
Ann Goldeen
Lori Durheim
Margot Visher
Ian Boggs
Nelson Yaple
Lynne Cavin
Jim Brien
Deborah Jaques
Don West
Lon C. Mathis
Monday, March 03, 2008
Lee Dubunks Accusations - Lee's Debunkment Debuncked
Anonymous said...
Richard Lee's well-financed political machine, complete with push polls is claiming that the accusations against him are not true. The following is taken exactly from his website; http://www.richardleefacts.com/
Richard Lee's well-financed political machine, complete with push polls is claiming that the accusations against him are not true. The following is taken exactly from his website; http://www.richardleefacts.com/
Accusation: Richard Lee has harmed the future of Clatsop County and its residents through the following actions:Accusation #1: Squandering public funds by choosing to hire planning and management consultants and expensive attorneys but disregarding their professional advice and findings.
LEE: The County Commissioner's hired manager is responsible for these decisions, not the County Commission. The legal and consultant conclusions are balanced against other facts and information presented to the commissioners.
FACT: Lee has been the Chair of the Commission and the chief boss of the County Manager from 2005-2007.The county has paid for studies of the Health Department which were ignored, workload studies of the DAs office which were ignored, and most recently disregarded the professional opinion of both the county planners and the specially hired consultants concerning zoning for an LNG terminal. There have rarely been actual discussions at Board meetings chaired by Lee. It's all decided in advance by avoiding public meetings law by meeting privately with the county manager and one other commissioner at a time._____________________
Accusation #2: Undermining common values, adopted plans, established policies, and regulations of the County.
LEE: These are tied to the responsibilities of the County Manager not an individual county commissioner. There is no substance here and there are no specifics.
FACT: The report issued by all four regular county lawyers and another lawyer hired just to deal with all the legal problems Lee has created say that "Commissioner Richard Lee is a land developer who has not complied with conditional use permits and letters from the Planning Department staff requesting compliance, and who has issues of non-compliance with the Building Codes Department. He is a resistant and non-compliant Planning Department customer. Commissioner Lee and his wife have been confrontational in private dealings with Planning Staff and Building Code Officials"_____________________
Accusation #3: Failing to be open and transparent in decision-making and development of policy, violating the spirit of the public meetings law.
LEE: An outright lie. These accusations are rooted in past political wars with the DA and environmental extremist who seem to be working in collusion to oust Lee.
FACT: Lee handpicked members of both the budget and planning committee to carry out personal and business agendas. He has hated the DA since he was prosecuted for game violations in the early 90's and later for running an unlicensed puppy mill and was prosecuted for refusing to pay the county dog license fees. Lee rarely says anything in Commission meetings, instead meeting with certain other commissioners in bars and behind closed doors with the county manager._____________________
Accusation #4: Ignoring and failing to respond to the advice and concerns of paid staff, volunteer committees, and the public.
LEE: The accusers are not willing to be specific and are using these kind of issues to paint a picture that is not true. Of course, Richard Lee isn't in agreement with everyone he comes into contact with, but he has always been honest and forthright.
FACT: Lee was barely re-elected, winning by only 37 votes. He makes it clear the other half of the voters don't count. His district voted FOR Measure 4-123 yet Lee has led the attack on the DA. The County Counsel's report also says:"In spite of Richard Lee's leadership role in County Government and in the community, rather than act in a matter which is above reproach and which reflects a higher standard, Richard and Lynda Lee by their words and conduct appear to seek special treatment and favors to which others would not be entitled. Richard Lee's history of dealings with the County and Lynda Lee's recent behavior has escalated the situation. Richard Lee has hired counsel to represent him on issues arising from any "hostile workplace" allegations. The Lee development remains out of compliance with the law, and at this time they have not indicated any willingness to correct the past areas of neglect or non-compliance. Several potential legal issues related to potential litigation involving the County are raised by the circumstances, including: Wrongful Discharge under Common Law. "____________________
Accusation #5: Manipulating the membership of the Planning Commission in order to control the Planning Commission's decisions and actions.
LEE: Making leadership decisions about Planning Committee members goes with the turf. There is no truth that any decisions related to replacing any Planning Commission member was done for any other reason than for the good of the County.
FACT: Lee went out of his way to remove two planning commissioners who were not in line with his plans for development. Lee frequently attends Planning Commission meetings even though the County Manager discourages County Commissioners from attending for risk of prejudicing the Planning Commission proceedings.__________________________
Accusation #6: Endangering the public and disregarding public safety by failing to require funding guarantees for emergency services and personnel from major industrial proposals.
LEE: An outrageous claim that is simply a lie. First of all, no single County Commissioner could ever be personally responsible for such actions since it takes a majority of the commission to ratify any policy. In addition, the management of county policies and administrative duties is the responsibility of the County Manager. Perioid.(sic)
FACT: Lee has made it clear he's out to "get" the DA who has been elected county-wide 4 times. He has not supported public safety issues and has attacked the Sheriff and the DA repeatedly. As Chair of the Commission he made sure that the first cuts in the county budget would come out of the DA's office. Lee campaigned for two other commissioners who regularly vote with him on virtually every issue.He voted to make the Clatsop DA the lowest paid DA in Oregon and personally bought thousands of dollars of advertising falsely claiming that Measure 4-123 (which passed in his district) would make the Clatsop DA the highest paid in the state. The truth was if 4-123 had passed the Clatsop DA would have been anywhere between the 10th and 17th highest paid DA out of 36.__________________________
Accusation #7: Creating a divisive environment that is acrimonious and counter-productive in doing the publics business.
LEE: These are a small group of extremist views. What is more divisive and harmful to community good will than a re-call petition which is put forward maliciously and without merit for political gain. The accusers have no facts or substantiation or fact to back their claim.
FACT: Extremist views? Anyone who doesn't go along with Lee's program is apparently an extremist. Under Lee so-called "leadership" the Clatsop County Commission has been called a joke by journalists and others outside of Clatsop County. The very fact that so many voters feel he's doing such a terrible job is evidence of how divisive Lee is. Lee has hired a lawyer to SUE the county he claims to serve.
Know What This Is?
The inside of just one of 5 tanks on an LNG tanker to be filled to the top with Liquefied Natural Gas artificially kept super refrigerated to -260 degrees F.
Have you read much about "Open Ocean Piracy" these days?
You should.
Google it up.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Now's The Time To Test The "Secret By-Pass"
We hear that some serious street work is going to be done downtown at 14th street and will involve disruption for a eek or so.
Now's the time to test Marine Drive from 8th to 16th as a two way street to see how conveniently it could circuit traffic anf trucks through the downtown core which seems to be our major bone of contention by our local truckers.
Give it a try, see how it works. Maybe it will show we don't need a By-Pass after all.
Of course that may put a kink in, prophesied, Wal-Mart's plans out in Miles Crossing and Warrenton Parkway wouldn't it?
Never mind.
Now's the time to test Marine Drive from 8th to 16th as a two way street to see how conveniently it could circuit traffic anf trucks through the downtown core which seems to be our major bone of contention by our local truckers.
Give it a try, see how it works. Maybe it will show we don't need a By-Pass after all.
Of course that may put a kink in, prophesied, Wal-Mart's plans out in Miles Crossing and Warrenton Parkway wouldn't it?
Never mind.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Lee Recall: The Goldsmith Report - Read It For Yourselves
The Goldsmith Report:With all involved parties and certain media groups trying to contest the validity of this reoport, I figure you might want to read this yourselves before Monday morning's musings coming from at least one of its subjects, guided by a local and obviously supportive media outlet.
Here it is.
Click on the link below.
http://www.ccfog.org/docs/Goldsmith%20Report.pdf
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Commissioner Lee To Be On KAST-AM Monday Morning.
1370 AM Radio....Tune in to hear his side of the story in answer to the recall allegations.
Call in, make yourself heard. Of Course you may not get on the air but, call in anyway.
Actually I am certain CCFOG members that may have something to add may just be patched into the conversation as well. Call in and ask for equal time.
County Transportation and Planning.....nows your time to be heard as well. Is there really a conspiracy against Former County Commission Boss Lee? It would be beneficial to the constituents in District 3 specifically, and the rest of us as well to be able to weigh all sides to see wherein "The Truth" may actually lay and monday morning is as good a time as any so that all can have a clear picture going to the ballot for the vote.
Northern Star Letter to F.E.R.C. Clearly speaking For Clatsop County
Stating the applicant, Northern Star, get this, has voluntarily undertaken to work with applicable local authorities to obtain vatious state and local approvals. This would be obviously working with our esteemed and recently notorious Board of County Commissioners?Yes, those same people, all, seemingly in some turmoil of their own if not collectively, of late, with one even commenting to a local Radio Communicator that our local planning staff had no experience, didn't know what they were doing and allegedly are in a conspiracy against him.
And these people are the same Northern Star Natural Gas/Bradwood landing are going to rely on in their decision to seek all local land use authorizations that would otherwise be required by Clatsop County.
And all holding the Life Quality of at least 33,600 people, for decades to come, in their hands for the sake of, maybe, 60 end jobs and a few unqualified promises and still many unknowns?
Finally Someone Conveying The Aburdity Of LNG Talking Heads And Their View of "US"
Stephen McIntyreLangley, BC
An expanded booklet with more of WestPac's LNG Corporation's details on its proposed LNG [liquefied natural gas] facility is not going to cut it with people who see that their homes, health and happiness are threatened by this corporate enterprise ["Clean power bridge," February 6].
There will be no "Oh, now I see" moments for Texadans reading the subtler points of such clarifications. For example, of how LNG is only flammable when it comes in contact with air. How likely is that during an industrial accident on planet Earth?
WestPac president, Stu Leson, appears to feel that islanders' bumpkin brains can't handle all that technical information "that can seem confusing or misleading" and that, if WestPac dumbs it down further and deletes some bits, it just might wash on the next round. Perhaps he has assurances from government that the LNG plant will be a go.
After all, the Liberals gave the green light to expanded fish farming despite all the science predicting doom for wild salmon. Only an appearance of public process and environmental concern and, perhaps some sleight-of-hand, is necessary to get those permits in a row.
As for WestPac's flawed mail-out, who can believe its claim of a mail contractor error? Accidentally missed one of only two communities on the island? I think not. This trick is employed regularly in the Fraser Valley.
Yet again, Langley township is embroiled in a scandal after a secret sale of public land at a bargain price. The law requires them to publish such intent in a local paper.
That obligation, officials claim, was fulfilled, though they must now investigate why their notice did not identify the address of the parcel for sale and why it appeared right at Christmas and then only in a tiny paper that is not delivered in the area of the land sale. Indications are--wait for it--it was a "contractor error.
"This time, the people of Texada Island will not back away. This is home and there is nowhere else to go. Exchanging a shot at fortune for the grief of others is immoral. It is time for Leson and his investors to give it up.
©The Powell River Peak 2008
An expanded booklet with more of WestPac's LNG Corporation's details on its proposed LNG [liquefied natural gas] facility is not going to cut it with people who see that their homes, health and happiness are threatened by this corporate enterprise ["Clean power bridge," February 6].
There will be no "Oh, now I see" moments for Texadans reading the subtler points of such clarifications. For example, of how LNG is only flammable when it comes in contact with air. How likely is that during an industrial accident on planet Earth?
WestPac president, Stu Leson, appears to feel that islanders' bumpkin brains can't handle all that technical information "that can seem confusing or misleading" and that, if WestPac dumbs it down further and deletes some bits, it just might wash on the next round. Perhaps he has assurances from government that the LNG plant will be a go.
After all, the Liberals gave the green light to expanded fish farming despite all the science predicting doom for wild salmon. Only an appearance of public process and environmental concern and, perhaps some sleight-of-hand, is necessary to get those permits in a row.
As for WestPac's flawed mail-out, who can believe its claim of a mail contractor error? Accidentally missed one of only two communities on the island? I think not. This trick is employed regularly in the Fraser Valley.
Yet again, Langley township is embroiled in a scandal after a secret sale of public land at a bargain price. The law requires them to publish such intent in a local paper.
That obligation, officials claim, was fulfilled, though they must now investigate why their notice did not identify the address of the parcel for sale and why it appeared right at Christmas and then only in a tiny paper that is not delivered in the area of the land sale. Indications are--wait for it--it was a "contractor error.
"This time, the people of Texada Island will not back away. This is home and there is nowhere else to go. Exchanging a shot at fortune for the grief of others is immoral. It is time for Leson and his investors to give it up.
©The Powell River Peak 2008
The Port? Clatsop County Government?: Is It Time For A State Performance and Financial Audit?
How do we, as citizens and constituents of Clatsop County, being served by both these agencies, The Port of Astoria and Clatsop County Government's Board of Commissioners get all the ills that have befallen us in their dysfunction get all of them on the table for treatment and dismissal?
The only immediate and effective way, in our interest, is through The Oregon Secretary of State's Office by a Financial and Performance Audit and it is not voluntary on the part of either agency or under their control.
The question is: should we be presented with the opportunity to have these audits performed, would you as a taxpayer, citizen, voter, resident of Clatsop County approve it?
The only immediate and effective way, in our interest, is through The Oregon Secretary of State's Office by a Financial and Performance Audit and it is not voluntary on the part of either agency or under their control.
The question is: should we be presented with the opportunity to have these audits performed, would you as a taxpayer, citizen, voter, resident of Clatsop County approve it?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Clatsop County Planning Staff Says: "Go With State Sale"
Scott Derickson this morning said County Planning Staff, in their Findings of Fact, supports the sale of Delaura Beach to the State of Oregon as originally recommended.
Now our "Bleeding" County Board of Commissioners, with an estranged Commissioner who states Planning Staff is essentially inexperienced and don't know what the heck they are doing, has it in their hands today, 02-27-2008, for final disposition.
Now our "Bleeding" County Board of Commissioners, with an estranged Commissioner who states Planning Staff is essentially inexperienced and don't know what the heck they are doing, has it in their hands today, 02-27-2008, for final disposition.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
California:LNG And Clean Energy Laws Go Head To Head
LNG and Clean Energy Laws on a Collision Course in California, According to New Report
Contact: Rory Cox, California Program Director – Ph. 415.399.8850 x302 or rcox@pacificenvironment.org
A PDF version of “Collision Course” can be downloaded at http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=2710.
San Francisco – A report released today details how efforts to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into the West Coast will undermine California’s laws and policies intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy development. The report, Collision Course: How Imported Liquefied Natural Gas Will Undermine Clean Energy in California, also provides policy solutions towards a clean energy future for California.
The comprehensive report details the severe environmental, economic and energy security implications of importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the West Coast. At its core, the report finds that importing Liquefied Natural Gas is not compatible with California’s clean energy commitment.
The report finds:
Meeting the state’s renewable and energy efficiency goals requires that all additional electric generation, as well as most replacement of aging generators, built between now and 2020 come from renewable sources.
New research demonstrates that the greenhouse gas emissions from LNG, when considering the entire lifecycle of production, transportation and combustion, are often as bad as coal.
Building new fossil fuel infrastructure to supply LNG binds California to a multi-billion dollar investment. This investment requires a minimum 20 year commitment of fuel purchases by utilities, and likely longer. LNG is not a transition fuel to renewables; LNG will heighten our dependence on foreign fossil fuels for yet another generation.
LNG will compete directly with, and likely undermine, renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in California.
Sufficient natural gas supply exists in North America to meet California’s declining natural gas usage for the next several decades. This fuel burns cleaner and is more reliable than imported LNG, and we should not lock the state to a new foreign fossil fuel because of false scare tactics – propagated by the energy industry – that California needs new sources of natural gas. Responsible and efficient use of North American supplies, while cleaner alternatives are developed, is the best course.
Despite a state Energy Action Plan promoting conservation and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, California’s regulatory agencies instead favor increased natural gas dependence.
While California has an ambitious policy of getting 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and 33 percent by 2020, the state is far behind in achieving these goals.
The scale of financial commitment implied by LNG is similar in size to what is required to meet the state's clean energy goals, but LNG carries much higher environmental, financial, national security and public safety risks.
About Pacific Environment: Pacific Environment protects the living environment of the Pacific Rim. We coordinate the coalition Ratepayer for Affordable Clean Energy (RACE), which has been working with community leaders, elected officials, environmentalists, scientists and economists throughout the West Coast to prevent California’s clean energy goals from being derailed. Over 25 organizations have joined RACE to take a stance against LNG including Environment California, Greenpeace and Center for Biological Diversity.
Contact: Rory Cox, California Program Director – Ph. 415.399.8850 x302 or rcox@pacificenvironment.org
A PDF version of “Collision Course” can be downloaded at http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=2710.
San Francisco – A report released today details how efforts to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into the West Coast will undermine California’s laws and policies intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy development. The report, Collision Course: How Imported Liquefied Natural Gas Will Undermine Clean Energy in California, also provides policy solutions towards a clean energy future for California.
The comprehensive report details the severe environmental, economic and energy security implications of importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the West Coast. At its core, the report finds that importing Liquefied Natural Gas is not compatible with California’s clean energy commitment.
The report finds:
Meeting the state’s renewable and energy efficiency goals requires that all additional electric generation, as well as most replacement of aging generators, built between now and 2020 come from renewable sources.
New research demonstrates that the greenhouse gas emissions from LNG, when considering the entire lifecycle of production, transportation and combustion, are often as bad as coal.
Building new fossil fuel infrastructure to supply LNG binds California to a multi-billion dollar investment. This investment requires a minimum 20 year commitment of fuel purchases by utilities, and likely longer. LNG is not a transition fuel to renewables; LNG will heighten our dependence on foreign fossil fuels for yet another generation.
LNG will compete directly with, and likely undermine, renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in California.
Sufficient natural gas supply exists in North America to meet California’s declining natural gas usage for the next several decades. This fuel burns cleaner and is more reliable than imported LNG, and we should not lock the state to a new foreign fossil fuel because of false scare tactics – propagated by the energy industry – that California needs new sources of natural gas. Responsible and efficient use of North American supplies, while cleaner alternatives are developed, is the best course.
Despite a state Energy Action Plan promoting conservation and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, California’s regulatory agencies instead favor increased natural gas dependence.
While California has an ambitious policy of getting 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and 33 percent by 2020, the state is far behind in achieving these goals.
The scale of financial commitment implied by LNG is similar in size to what is required to meet the state's clean energy goals, but LNG carries much higher environmental, financial, national security and public safety risks.
About Pacific Environment: Pacific Environment protects the living environment of the Pacific Rim. We coordinate the coalition Ratepayer for Affordable Clean Energy (RACE), which has been working with community leaders, elected officials, environmentalists, scientists and economists throughout the West Coast to prevent California’s clean energy goals from being derailed. Over 25 organizations have joined RACE to take a stance against LNG including Environment California, Greenpeace and Center for Biological Diversity.
Push Poll - Defined And It's Still Ugly
Wikipedia Defines Push Poll As:
A push poll is a political campaign technique in which an individual or organization attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guise of conducting a poll. In a push poll, large numbers of respondents are contacted, and little or no effort is made to collect and analyze response data. Instead, the push poll is a form of telemarketing-based propaganda and rumor mongering, masquerading as a poll. Push polls are generally viewed as a form of negative campaigning [1]. The term is also sometimes used inaccurately to refer to legitimate polls which test political messages, some of which may be negative. Push polling has been condemned by the American Association of Political Consultants,[citation needed] and is illegal in New Hampshire.
A push poll is a political campaign technique in which an individual or organization attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guise of conducting a poll. In a push poll, large numbers of respondents are contacted, and little or no effort is made to collect and analyze response data. Instead, the push poll is a form of telemarketing-based propaganda and rumor mongering, masquerading as a poll. Push polls are generally viewed as a form of negative campaigning [1]. The term is also sometimes used inaccurately to refer to legitimate polls which test political messages, some of which may be negative. Push polling has been condemned by the American Association of Political Consultants,[citation needed] and is illegal in New Hampshire.
Clatsop County Commissioner Samuelson Clarifies Her Position On Jewell Recall Petition
From: North Coast Oregon
Tryan,
So here’s proof that recall petitions do not have to state what is true and still be done in the state of Oregon.
Agencies such as Government Standards and Practices and others can be used for the sole purpose of harassing elected officials that make a decision somebody doesn’t like. You could literally put on a recall petition that you didn’t like my hair color and circulate it.
The truth becomes irrelevant and meaningless. I was not at this meeting due to a family member being in an emergency room in a Portland hospital and I had to be there.
Even though I wasn’t present I am presumed guilty by this group, and the local newspaper. According to OSBA no laws were broken at the meeting.
I received the letter from the five past board members by certified mail, threatening me with a lawsuit and recall effort if we did not meet their demand to have a meeting by Feb. 15th and recind the motion.
Again, just another bullying tactic, I’m pretty much used to it at this point since the money laundering accusation, made front page.
Mr. Taylor refused my certified letter demanding a retraction. I wish we could get half this much enthusiasm for a girls state playoff game in Jewell.
Tryan,
So here’s proof that recall petitions do not have to state what is true and still be done in the state of Oregon.
Agencies such as Government Standards and Practices and others can be used for the sole purpose of harassing elected officials that make a decision somebody doesn’t like. You could literally put on a recall petition that you didn’t like my hair color and circulate it.
The truth becomes irrelevant and meaningless. I was not at this meeting due to a family member being in an emergency room in a Portland hospital and I had to be there.
Even though I wasn’t present I am presumed guilty by this group, and the local newspaper. According to OSBA no laws were broken at the meeting.
I received the letter from the five past board members by certified mail, threatening me with a lawsuit and recall effort if we did not meet their demand to have a meeting by Feb. 15th and recind the motion.
Again, just another bullying tactic, I’m pretty much used to it at this point since the money laundering accusation, made front page.
Mr. Taylor refused my certified letter demanding a retraction. I wish we could get half this much enthusiasm for a girls state playoff game in Jewell.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Richard Lee: $8000 To Finance His Own Anti-Recall Campaign?
Update 02-26-2008: Anybody from District 3 been contacted by a phone survey the last few days on the Lee Recall?
Survey Questions Asked:
"First question: If you were to vote today would you vote to recall County Commissioner Richard Lee?"
"Second Question: If you knew the recall was being run by individuals with a grudge Mr. Lee and the information was false and manufactured would you change your vote?"
This from an email:
"Now, I read Mr. Lee's wife has inserted a fresh $8,000.00 plus an unnamed, aditional $175.00 into a new Anti-Recall Campaign filed with the Oregon State's Elections Division.
I thought Mr. Lee insisted that he is guilty of nothing and his socalled "Silent Majority" of supporters in Commission District #3 were behind him all the way and would support him to the end.
If that is so, why would any of this effort be necessary and doesn't it, in some sense, infer guilt on his part to react in this manner?"
Do not publish my email address - please
Survey Questions Asked:
"First question: If you were to vote today would you vote to recall County Commissioner Richard Lee?"
"Second Question: If you knew the recall was being run by individuals with a grudge Mr. Lee and the information was false and manufactured would you change your vote?"
This from an email:
"Now, I read Mr. Lee's wife has inserted a fresh $8,000.00 plus an unnamed, aditional $175.00 into a new Anti-Recall Campaign filed with the Oregon State's Elections Division.
I thought Mr. Lee insisted that he is guilty of nothing and his socalled "Silent Majority" of supporters in Commission District #3 were behind him all the way and would support him to the end.
If that is so, why would any of this effort be necessary and doesn't it, in some sense, infer guilt on his part to react in this manner?"
Do not publish my email address - please
Op Ed: From Clatsop County D.A. Josh Marquis
Let's not squander our moral capital
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Oregonian
T he Bush administration has announced it will seek the death penalty against six of the men being held as detainees for their involvement in terrorism against America.
I have both prosecuted and defended capital cases for more than 15 years, and I am a vocal supporter of the death penalty in appropriate cases.
If it is proved that these men masterminded the murder of more than 3,000 people, such a crime would indeed warrant the death penalty.
But I'm absolutely opposed to seeking death against these men under the terms of the military tribunals the administration has put forth.
Defending the decision on PBS' "The News Hour," former Associate White House Counsel Brad Berenson explained that for most observers the trials would look almost exactly like one that would be held in one of the 37 states that have capital punishment. "There's only a 10 percent difference," Berenson claimed.
But in making a decision to execute someone, 10 percent is an unacceptably massive difference.
Under the terms of the tribunals, trials would take place at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at a location called Camp Justice. Each case would be decided by a panel of military officers, one of whom will have legal training. The rest will essentially act as jurors. In no way can a panel of U.S. military officers be compared to a jury of the peers of these terrorists. The rules of evidence will be "relaxed," meaning that hearsay evidence will be admissible.
The argument is that national security could be compromised if the source of some of the evidence is revealed. But that's no different from being unable to produce an informant against a Mafia killer because the witness is afraid to testify. In our system of justice, the defendant who faces death gets to confront his accusers, and hearsay is allowed only in very few situations. One of them is not that the witness is a secret agent.
Many of us among the 70 percent of Americans who believe the death penalty is appropriate for the worst of the worst killers would agree that the crimes these men may have committed are indeed worthy of death. We who support the death penalty believe it to be an affirmation of the importance of life. But the devil is in the details -- and that's "due process" in our legal system.
We squander our moral capital if we take a shortcut through Camp Justice to avoid having to prove these cases to the necessary level, and with a quality of proof that would pass muster in a trial for stealing a car.
The same rules of evidence apply to the shoplifter and the murderer.
by the Bush administration will undermine confidence in the American system of justice at home and abroad. The death penalty has proved to be a deterrent, but we must ensure that every defendant is factually guilty and warrants the ultimate punishment -- even for those who might prefer to be martyred.
It may well be that the government has a valid right to detain combatants in an undeclared war and deny them the same rights as citizens. But that's a far cry from executing them without due process. It may be just to imprison these terrorists for a very long period of time -- perhaps their entire lifetime -- but it would be wrong to execute them without affording them the very cumbersome but necessary rights that the American judicial system affords people it seeks to judge.
Joshua Marquis, district attorney of Clatsop County, is a co-author of "Debating the Death Penalty."
©2008 The Oregonian
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Oregonian
T he Bush administration has announced it will seek the death penalty against six of the men being held as detainees for their involvement in terrorism against America.
I have both prosecuted and defended capital cases for more than 15 years, and I am a vocal supporter of the death penalty in appropriate cases.
If it is proved that these men masterminded the murder of more than 3,000 people, such a crime would indeed warrant the death penalty.
But I'm absolutely opposed to seeking death against these men under the terms of the military tribunals the administration has put forth.
Defending the decision on PBS' "The News Hour," former Associate White House Counsel Brad Berenson explained that for most observers the trials would look almost exactly like one that would be held in one of the 37 states that have capital punishment. "There's only a 10 percent difference," Berenson claimed.
But in making a decision to execute someone, 10 percent is an unacceptably massive difference.
Under the terms of the tribunals, trials would take place at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at a location called Camp Justice. Each case would be decided by a panel of military officers, one of whom will have legal training. The rest will essentially act as jurors. In no way can a panel of U.S. military officers be compared to a jury of the peers of these terrorists. The rules of evidence will be "relaxed," meaning that hearsay evidence will be admissible.
The argument is that national security could be compromised if the source of some of the evidence is revealed. But that's no different from being unable to produce an informant against a Mafia killer because the witness is afraid to testify. In our system of justice, the defendant who faces death gets to confront his accusers, and hearsay is allowed only in very few situations. One of them is not that the witness is a secret agent.
Many of us among the 70 percent of Americans who believe the death penalty is appropriate for the worst of the worst killers would agree that the crimes these men may have committed are indeed worthy of death. We who support the death penalty believe it to be an affirmation of the importance of life. But the devil is in the details -- and that's "due process" in our legal system.
We squander our moral capital if we take a shortcut through Camp Justice to avoid having to prove these cases to the necessary level, and with a quality of proof that would pass muster in a trial for stealing a car.
The same rules of evidence apply to the shoplifter and the murderer.
by the Bush administration will undermine confidence in the American system of justice at home and abroad. The death penalty has proved to be a deterrent, but we must ensure that every defendant is factually guilty and warrants the ultimate punishment -- even for those who might prefer to be martyred.
It may well be that the government has a valid right to detain combatants in an undeclared war and deny them the same rights as citizens. But that's a far cry from executing them without due process. It may be just to imprison these terrorists for a very long period of time -- perhaps their entire lifetime -- but it would be wrong to execute them without affording them the very cumbersome but necessary rights that the American judicial system affords people it seeks to judge.
Joshua Marquis, district attorney of Clatsop County, is a co-author of "Debating the Death Penalty."
©2008 The Oregonian
Sunday, February 24, 2008
What's This?: Citizens For Elections Not Recall?
Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee
Committee Information
Name:
Citizens for Elections not Recall
ID:
12782
Statement Effective From:
02/22/2008 to present
Filing Type:
Original
Address:
42501 Bagley Ln. #5 Astoria, OR 97103
Campaign Phone:
(971)570-0670
Treasurer Information
Name:
Melissa A Cokley
Mailing Address:
42501 Bagley Ln. #5 Astoria, OR 97103
Work Phone: Home Phone: Fax:
(503)325-1662 (503)458-5350
Email Address:
mellfish15@hotmail.com
Candidate Information
Name:
Richard Lee
Office sought:
Recall Election, 3/25/08, Clatsop County County Commissioner, Clatsop County, District 3
Party Affiliation:
Nonpartisan
Candidate Address:
92257 Lewis & Clark Rd. Astoria, OR 97103
Work Phone: Home Phone: Fax:
(503)440-1456 (503)440-1456
Mailing Address:
92257 Lewis & Clark Rd. Astoria, OR 97103
Email Address:
Occupation:
Not Employed
Employer:
Additional Committee Information
Persons Associated with Committee Campaign Finance Activity
History Account Summary
Committee Information
Name:
Citizens for Elections not Recall
ID:
12782
Statement Effective From:
02/22/2008 to present
Filing Type:
Original
Address:
42501 Bagley Ln. #5 Astoria, OR 97103
Campaign Phone:
(971)570-0670
Treasurer Information
Name:
Melissa A Cokley
Mailing Address:
42501 Bagley Ln. #5 Astoria, OR 97103
Work Phone: Home Phone: Fax:
(503)325-1662 (503)458-5350
Email Address:
mellfish15@hotmail.com
Candidate Information
Name:
Richard Lee
Office sought:
Recall Election, 3/25/08, Clatsop County County Commissioner, Clatsop County, District 3
Party Affiliation:
Nonpartisan
Candidate Address:
92257 Lewis & Clark Rd. Astoria, OR 97103
Work Phone: Home Phone: Fax:
(503)440-1456 (503)440-1456
Mailing Address:
92257 Lewis & Clark Rd. Astoria, OR 97103
Email Address:
Occupation:
Not Employed
Employer:
Additional Committee Information
Persons Associated with Committee Campaign Finance Activity
History Account Summary
LNG Terminal-Employee List
From Quoddy Bay LNG
Administration Manager
Electrical Engineer
Electrician
Emergency Medical Technician
Facility Manager
General Clerk
Instrument Technician
Longshoreman
Maintenance Mechanic
Maintenance Manager
Maintenance Supervisor
Operations Manager
Operator
Process-Instrument Engineer
Security Manager
SH&E Manager
Shift Supervisor
Site Nurse
Welder
Administration Manager
Electrical Engineer
Electrician
Emergency Medical Technician
Facility Manager
General Clerk
Instrument Technician
Longshoreman
Maintenance Mechanic
Maintenance Manager
Maintenance Supervisor
Operations Manager
Operator
Process-Instrument Engineer
Security Manager
SH&E Manager
Shift Supervisor
Site Nurse
Welder
Friday, February 22, 2008
Lee: "The people of District 3 elected me to make decisions on their behalf...."
Is that the way it works?
Remember November 5, 2004 when...Who was it?...Port Commissioner Larry Pfund or Dan Hess... blurted out over the air, almost in tears...."THAT'S WHAT THEY(I guess meaning us) ELECTED US FOR?!!!!" at the announcement that The Port of Astoria signed a 65 year lease with, Enron clone, Calpine Energy Group on 90-plus acres of Skipanon Point?
Is that what we elect these people to do?
Remember November 5, 2004 when...Who was it?...Port Commissioner Larry Pfund or Dan Hess... blurted out over the air, almost in tears...."THAT'S WHAT THEY(I guess meaning us) ELECTED US FOR?!!!!" at the announcement that The Port of Astoria signed a 65 year lease with, Enron clone, Calpine Energy Group on 90-plus acres of Skipanon Point?
Is that what we elect these people to do?
Wu's Letter To The "Guvnuh"
February 21, 2008
The Honorable Ted Kulongoski160 State Capitol900 Court StreetSalem, OR 97301-4047
Dear Governor Kulongoski:
I write regarding your February 14, 2008 letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) about federal legislation to repeal Section 311 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
As you know, under current law, FERC has the sole authority to make decisions regarding the construction, expansion and operation of liquid natural gas (LNG) facilities. While the law requires FERC to consult with state and local governments, those entities have no role in the final decision, and FERC is not required to consider their concerns. I believe this is wrong.
I firmly believe all agencies at every level of government, as well as citizens and community organizations, must work cooperatively to determine what is best for the well-being of each community. It is the local citizens who should have the final say in determining whether an LNG facility is built in their area, as they will be the ones most affected by the decision.
Because I strongly believe that local and state governments should have a role in the LNG siting process, I supported the Castle-Markey amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 when it was debated in April 2005. This amendment would have ensured that states have control over whether an LNG facility is sited in any particular state. The Castle-Markey amendment would have created authority for states to have a say in the final decision. Unfortunately, the amendment failed on a 194 to 237 vote. For this and other compelling reasons, I voted against the final passage of that energy bill.
I have worked at length with members of our community to make the LNG decision-making process as open and transparent as possible. It is vital for the public to have the opportunity to add their views in this important process.
I fully support your request that the state of Oregon and local communities have meaningful input in the LNG decision process. You can be assured I will work with the Oregon delegation on your request for federal legislation.
With warm regards,
David Wu
Member of Congress
The Honorable Ted Kulongoski160 State Capitol900 Court StreetSalem, OR 97301-4047
Dear Governor Kulongoski:
I write regarding your February 14, 2008 letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) about federal legislation to repeal Section 311 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
As you know, under current law, FERC has the sole authority to make decisions regarding the construction, expansion and operation of liquid natural gas (LNG) facilities. While the law requires FERC to consult with state and local governments, those entities have no role in the final decision, and FERC is not required to consider their concerns. I believe this is wrong.
I firmly believe all agencies at every level of government, as well as citizens and community organizations, must work cooperatively to determine what is best for the well-being of each community. It is the local citizens who should have the final say in determining whether an LNG facility is built in their area, as they will be the ones most affected by the decision.
Because I strongly believe that local and state governments should have a role in the LNG siting process, I supported the Castle-Markey amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 when it was debated in April 2005. This amendment would have ensured that states have control over whether an LNG facility is sited in any particular state. The Castle-Markey amendment would have created authority for states to have a say in the final decision. Unfortunately, the amendment failed on a 194 to 237 vote. For this and other compelling reasons, I voted against the final passage of that energy bill.
I have worked at length with members of our community to make the LNG decision-making process as open and transparent as possible. It is vital for the public to have the opportunity to add their views in this important process.
I fully support your request that the state of Oregon and local communities have meaningful input in the LNG decision process. You can be assured I will work with the Oregon delegation on your request for federal legislation.
With warm regards,
David Wu
Member of Congress
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Proposed Findings Of Fact On Bradwood Landing
The Below link should take you directly to the findings.
http://clatsopcounty.us/Assets/Dept_12/PDF/Draft%20Findings.pdf
Study them thoroughly because nobody's going to do it for you.
as a matter of fact wouldn't it be prudent to put together a study group to stay in step with this....this......dysfunctional commission, reviewing this thing?
http://clatsopcounty.us/Assets/Dept_12/PDF/Draft%20Findings.pdf
Study them thoroughly because nobody's going to do it for you.
as a matter of fact wouldn't it be prudent to put together a study group to stay in step with this....this......dysfunctional commission, reviewing this thing?
Lee Releases Statement To Answer Recall Charges.
"I've spent my life in Clatsop County as a dairy farmer, small businessman and community volunteer.
I believe in public service, which is why I ran for the Clatsop County Commission and have been proud to serve the community I love as commissioner.
The people of District 3 elected me to make decisions on their behalf and I have done my best to do what I believe is right for Clatsop County, its economy, its future and the families that call it home.
One of the risks of public service is that you won't please everyone, but I stand by my record, which I believe represents the majority view of county residents.I'm now the target of a recall by a small but vocal minority.
They're certainly entitled to their opinion, but I will stand by my convictions and will fight to retain my seat on the commission.
If you don't agree with me, then you'll certainly have your opportunity to replace me at the ballot box when my term of office expires in 2010. But until then, I will continue fighting to make Clatsop County a place where people want to do business and create jobs for working people."
I believe in public service, which is why I ran for the Clatsop County Commission and have been proud to serve the community I love as commissioner.
The people of District 3 elected me to make decisions on their behalf and I have done my best to do what I believe is right for Clatsop County, its economy, its future and the families that call it home.
One of the risks of public service is that you won't please everyone, but I stand by my record, which I believe represents the majority view of county residents.I'm now the target of a recall by a small but vocal minority.
They're certainly entitled to their opinion, but I will stand by my convictions and will fight to retain my seat on the commission.
If you don't agree with me, then you'll certainly have your opportunity to replace me at the ballot box when my term of office expires in 2010. But until then, I will continue fighting to make Clatsop County a place where people want to do business and create jobs for working people."
What Can Be Built In A Natural Gas Pipeline Right Of Way?
From Nortern Natural Gas: CAN I BUILD/DIG ON A RIGHT-OF-WAY?Pipeline right-of-way must be kept free from structures and other obstructions. If a pipeline crosses your property, please do not plant trees or shrubs on or near the right-of-way without first having our Northern Natural Gas personnel mark the pipeline, stake the easement and explain construction guidelines to you.
From Umpqua Watersheds:A corridor a minimum of 100' wide will have to be clearcut the entire 223 miles to accommodate the machinery necessary to bury a 36" natural gas pipeline. 153 miles of the pipeline corridor is planned on private land, going through and near the farms and yards of thousands of people. 70 miles will be on BLM and Forest Service lands. The pipeline will be operated by Williams Pacific Connector Gas Operator LLC.
After construction, the pipeline will be maintained with a permanent cleared land opening of 75' on private land and 50' on public land. The openings are larger on private lands because the pipeline road would be permanent, whereas on public land the road would be rebuilt when needed. This clearcut corridor will completely sever southern Oregon forests and wildlife - there will be no tree bridges
From Umpqua Watersheds:A corridor a minimum of 100' wide will have to be clearcut the entire 223 miles to accommodate the machinery necessary to bury a 36" natural gas pipeline. 153 miles of the pipeline corridor is planned on private land, going through and near the farms and yards of thousands of people. 70 miles will be on BLM and Forest Service lands. The pipeline will be operated by Williams Pacific Connector Gas Operator LLC.
After construction, the pipeline will be maintained with a permanent cleared land opening of 75' on private land and 50' on public land. The openings are larger on private lands because the pipeline road would be permanent, whereas on public land the road would be rebuilt when needed. This clearcut corridor will completely sever southern Oregon forests and wildlife - there will be no tree bridges
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Jewell School Board Recall: Clatsop Comissioner Samuelson On Chopping Block With One Other....
Jewell School Board Recall Update
By KARA HANSEN - The Daily Astorian
Details are emerging on the recall effort launched today that targets two Jewell School Board members: Chairman Karl Meier and Vice Chairwoman Ann Samuelson.
Former board member Ulrich "Oly" Schockelt filed the recall petition with co-organizers listed as Carrie Thompson, also an ex-district director, and recently retired Jewell School teacher Marsha Tisdale.
The petition proposes to remove Meier and Samuelson from office and accuses them of breaking the public's trust by:
• violating executive session provisions of Oregon's public meetings law;• violating the provisions of public meetings law that require public participation in certain decisions involving the hiring of the district superintendent.........................
Click Link Below For Full Story
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=49220&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398
By KARA HANSEN - The Daily Astorian
Details are emerging on the recall effort launched today that targets two Jewell School Board members: Chairman Karl Meier and Vice Chairwoman Ann Samuelson.
Former board member Ulrich "Oly" Schockelt filed the recall petition with co-organizers listed as Carrie Thompson, also an ex-district director, and recently retired Jewell School teacher Marsha Tisdale.
The petition proposes to remove Meier and Samuelson from office and accuses them of breaking the public's trust by:
• violating executive session provisions of Oregon's public meetings law;• violating the provisions of public meetings law that require public participation in certain decisions involving the hiring of the district superintendent.........................
Click Link Below For Full Story
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=49220&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398
The Port: Put Ron Larsen Where He Does Best
Some are of a mind that Ron Larsen should be confirmed as permanent Executive Port Director.
What are your thoughts?
Me, I think Ron Larsen could serve us best by going back to the development of our airport and its future prospects.
Overall directorship of our port and its future needs to be put in the hands of someone willing to make things happen and fast along with providing effective guidance to a port commission desperately in need of it and there is no disrespect intended in any of this to anybody.
All this after a Performance and Financial Audit from Oregon Secretary of State's office to get all the grimlens layed out on the table to start fresh.
What are your thoughts?
Me, I think Ron Larsen could serve us best by going back to the development of our airport and its future prospects.
Overall directorship of our port and its future needs to be put in the hands of someone willing to make things happen and fast along with providing effective guidance to a port commission desperately in need of it and there is no disrespect intended in any of this to anybody.
All this after a Performance and Financial Audit from Oregon Secretary of State's office to get all the grimlens layed out on the table to start fresh.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Richard Lee Recall Signatures Confirmed
By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian
Friday, February 15, 2008
Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee has until Wednesday to either resign or defend himself in a public statement for a March 25 recall election.
The final stray signatures on the Lee recall petition were certified this morning.
Last week, supporters of the effort came in two valid signatures short of the needed 468 but, the group turned in six more signatures Monday, four of which counted, putting the total at 470.
Interim County Clerk Fred Neal said today.If Lee resigns, there will be no recall election.
Otherwise, residents of Lee's district have until March 4 to register to vote on the issue, Neal said.Although he has declined interviews with The Daily Astorian, Lee addressed the issue during a Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday.
"I wish to publicly state that I am not guilty of the many charges," said Lee. "Thank you for your support.
"Lee is accused of using his position on the county board to favor his business interests and circumventing regulations on permits and other matters, especially in dealing with the county planning department.
During the public comment period of the meeting, Lori Durheim, of Astoria, stepped to the microphone and asked for Lee to resign.
She was followed by Jay Kiddle, also of Astoria, who also asked that Lee resign."I find it inconceivable that he can sue my interest and still represent it," he said.
Lee has had his Portland lawyer file a tort claim against the county indicating his intention to sue if certain conditions are not met.
His contention is that he has been unfairly penalized by county planners.Two other people attending the meeting, Willard and Tammy Richardson, of Astoria, told commissioners Wednesday they, like Lee, have had problems dealing with the county's planning department.
After they offered details, Clatsop County Manager Scott Derickson said he would follow up.
Meanwhile, the other four commissioners appear to be working out their differences, which culminated in name-calling and an obscene gesture at a session last month.
Commissioner Sam Patrick, who has been the lone vote in many 4-1 decisions in the past year, read a letter into the record, explaining his actions during a one-on-one meeting between Commissioner Ann Samuelson and him during a goal-setting session in January.
Samuelson said during a Jan. 23 board meeting that his references to violence "created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
"Patrick, a former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff, said he was simply reverting back to his training and using a metaphor about an armed person barricading himself.
"I said to you, 'In a situation like that, you do everything possible to end the situation before you drop the hammer,'" he said.
He said the two continued to discuss "expedience," and he thought they were on common ground.Patrick has said he will retire from the commission when his term ends this year.
Patricia Roberts plans to file again.
Samuelson and Jeff Hazen's positions are not on the ballot this year.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee has until Wednesday to either resign or defend himself in a public statement for a March 25 recall election.
The final stray signatures on the Lee recall petition were certified this morning.
Last week, supporters of the effort came in two valid signatures short of the needed 468 but, the group turned in six more signatures Monday, four of which counted, putting the total at 470.
Interim County Clerk Fred Neal said today.If Lee resigns, there will be no recall election.
Otherwise, residents of Lee's district have until March 4 to register to vote on the issue, Neal said.Although he has declined interviews with The Daily Astorian, Lee addressed the issue during a Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday.
"I wish to publicly state that I am not guilty of the many charges," said Lee. "Thank you for your support.
"Lee is accused of using his position on the county board to favor his business interests and circumventing regulations on permits and other matters, especially in dealing with the county planning department.
During the public comment period of the meeting, Lori Durheim, of Astoria, stepped to the microphone and asked for Lee to resign.
She was followed by Jay Kiddle, also of Astoria, who also asked that Lee resign."I find it inconceivable that he can sue my interest and still represent it," he said.
Lee has had his Portland lawyer file a tort claim against the county indicating his intention to sue if certain conditions are not met.
His contention is that he has been unfairly penalized by county planners.Two other people attending the meeting, Willard and Tammy Richardson, of Astoria, told commissioners Wednesday they, like Lee, have had problems dealing with the county's planning department.
After they offered details, Clatsop County Manager Scott Derickson said he would follow up.
Meanwhile, the other four commissioners appear to be working out their differences, which culminated in name-calling and an obscene gesture at a session last month.
Commissioner Sam Patrick, who has been the lone vote in many 4-1 decisions in the past year, read a letter into the record, explaining his actions during a one-on-one meeting between Commissioner Ann Samuelson and him during a goal-setting session in January.
Samuelson said during a Jan. 23 board meeting that his references to violence "created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
"Patrick, a former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff, said he was simply reverting back to his training and using a metaphor about an armed person barricading himself.
"I said to you, 'In a situation like that, you do everything possible to end the situation before you drop the hammer,'" he said.
He said the two continued to discuss "expedience," and he thought they were on common ground.Patrick has said he will retire from the commission when his term ends this year.
Patricia Roberts plans to file again.
Samuelson and Jeff Hazen's positions are not on the ballot this year.
Richard Lee Issue: County Employee Protections
1) Reporting public endangerment resulting from an action by a public employer;
2) A public employer may not prohibit, discourage, restrain, dissuade, coerce, orotherwise interfere with any employee disclosing to any person, or take or threatento take disciplinary action against an employee for disclosing any information thatthe employee reasonably believes is evidence of:
(a) A violation of any federal orMemorandum to the Clatsop County Board of CommissionersFebruary 8, 2008Page 6state law, rule or regulation by action of the state agency or political subdivision, or
b) Mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial andspecific danger to public health and safety resulting from action of the state,agency or political subdivision.
3) No public employer may identify the employee who discloses matters described inthis rule during any investigation of the information provided by the employeewithout the written consent of the employee. And, no supervisory or managementemployee of a public employer may reveal to an employee accused of malfeasance the identity of the employee who discloses matters described in ORS659A.203 or reports described in ORS 659A.212.4)
No public employer may take any disciplinary action against an employee foremployee activity described and protected by the law. An employer, however, is not precluded from taking disciplinary action if:
a. The information disclosed is known by the employee to be false;
b. The employee discloses the information with reckless disregard for itstruth or falsity; orc. The information disclosed relates to the employee's own violations,mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, orendangerment of the public health or safety.Discrimination Based on Protected Status. ORS 659A.030 relates to claims of retaliation.
To establish a prima facie case of retaliation, a complainant must prove:
(1) she engaged in protectedactivities;
(2) she suffered an adverse employment action; and
(3) there was a causal link between theprotected activities and the adverse employment action. These elements are also stated in a corollaryfederal statute related to federal employment claims, 42 USC § 2000e et seq.
The elements of the claimare the same under federal law – that is, to establish a prima facie case of retaliation, Complainant mustprove:
(1) she engaged in protected activities;
(2) she suffered an adverse employment action; and
(3)there was a causal link between the protected activities and the adverse employment action. Ray v.Henderson, 217 F.3d 1234, 1240 (9th Cir. 2000).
Tort Claim.
The tort alleged by the Lee’s attorney, interference with the business relationship,requires proof that
1) there is the existence of a business relationship
2) intentional interference with thatrelationship
3) by a third party,
4) accomplished by improper means or for an improper purpose,
5) a causal effect between the interference and the damage to the economic relationship and 6) actual damages.Services Employees Intl, v. Walter 2007 ORCA A129008-121207, citing McGanty v.Staudenraus, 321 Or. 532, 535, 901 P2d 841 (1995).
2) A public employer may not prohibit, discourage, restrain, dissuade, coerce, orotherwise interfere with any employee disclosing to any person, or take or threatento take disciplinary action against an employee for disclosing any information thatthe employee reasonably believes is evidence of:
(a) A violation of any federal orMemorandum to the Clatsop County Board of CommissionersFebruary 8, 2008Page 6state law, rule or regulation by action of the state agency or political subdivision, or
b) Mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial andspecific danger to public health and safety resulting from action of the state,agency or political subdivision.
3) No public employer may identify the employee who discloses matters described inthis rule during any investigation of the information provided by the employeewithout the written consent of the employee. And, no supervisory or managementemployee of a public employer may reveal to an employee accused of malfeasance the identity of the employee who discloses matters described in ORS659A.203 or reports described in ORS 659A.212.4)
No public employer may take any disciplinary action against an employee foremployee activity described and protected by the law. An employer, however, is not precluded from taking disciplinary action if:
a. The information disclosed is known by the employee to be false;
b. The employee discloses the information with reckless disregard for itstruth or falsity; orc. The information disclosed relates to the employee's own violations,mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, orendangerment of the public health or safety.Discrimination Based on Protected Status. ORS 659A.030 relates to claims of retaliation.
To establish a prima facie case of retaliation, a complainant must prove:
(1) she engaged in protectedactivities;
(2) she suffered an adverse employment action; and
(3) there was a causal link between theprotected activities and the adverse employment action. These elements are also stated in a corollaryfederal statute related to federal employment claims, 42 USC § 2000e et seq.
The elements of the claimare the same under federal law – that is, to establish a prima facie case of retaliation, Complainant mustprove:
(1) she engaged in protected activities;
(2) she suffered an adverse employment action; and
(3)there was a causal link between the protected activities and the adverse employment action. Ray v.Henderson, 217 F.3d 1234, 1240 (9th Cir. 2000).
Tort Claim.
The tort alleged by the Lee’s attorney, interference with the business relationship,requires proof that
1) there is the existence of a business relationship
2) intentional interference with thatrelationship
3) by a third party,
4) accomplished by improper means or for an improper purpose,
5) a causal effect between the interference and the damage to the economic relationship and 6) actual damages.Services Employees Intl, v. Walter 2007 ORCA A129008-121207, citing McGanty v.Staudenraus, 321 Or. 532, 535, 901 P2d 841 (1995).
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Richard Lee Debacle: A Few Major Questions....
How long has Lee's project....whatever it's called...been underway, 3 - 4 years now?
Zoning approvals on questionable use of property?
Conditional Use Permits?
Whatever else and the project has reached the state that it is in now?
Me? I would never get out the door with a permit or approvals on any of this stuff right from the very start, if any aspect were left unsatisfied nor, would I expect to.
Why has this all not been addressed way, way, way before now?
22 outdated and/or unsatisfied Building Permits?
Does this bleeding go all the way through to include "Inept Administration" as well as leadership?
Who, exactly is asleep at the wheel on this and why is Jennifer Bunch become the targeted "Sacrificial Goat" on this?
Zoning approvals on questionable use of property?
Conditional Use Permits?
Whatever else and the project has reached the state that it is in now?
Me? I would never get out the door with a permit or approvals on any of this stuff right from the very start, if any aspect were left unsatisfied nor, would I expect to.
Why has this all not been addressed way, way, way before now?
22 outdated and/or unsatisfied Building Permits?
Does this bleeding go all the way through to include "Inept Administration" as well as leadership?
Who, exactly is asleep at the wheel on this and why is Jennifer Bunch become the targeted "Sacrificial Goat" on this?
LNG: "The Guv" Slams F.E.R.C. Pipeline Review
Kulongoski slams feds' gas pipeline review
Governor has a 'growing concern' about regulators' handling of the controversial liquid natural gas project
BY JOHN SCHRAG
The Forest Grove News-Times, Feb 14, 2008
Gov. Ted Kulongoski told federal regulators on Wednesday to stop their review of three liquid natural gas facilities proposed in Oregon.
In a letter to Joseph Kelliher, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the governor blasted the agency's handling of the project, and insisted that it review all alternatives to the controversial energy supply and work to restore the state's right to enforce its own environmental standards.
"I have a growing concern that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approach to the licensing of plants and pipelines has created a crisis of confidence with Oregonians," the governor wrote. "It is essential that FERC conduct a process for a regional review of alternative means of meeting future demands for natural gas that is fair to the citizens of Oregon and our neighboring states."
Three companies are working with federal regulators to build liquid natural gas terminals near Astoria and Coos Bay. The proposals would send the pipelines from two of the projects through western Washington County and northern Yamhill County.
The terminals have drawn loud crowds at rallies and sparked citizen groups in Forest Grove, Yamhill, Astoria and, most recently, Salem. The groups have raised concerns about private property rights, safety and the effect on the environment.
Until Thursday, Kulongoski was viewed as a cautious supporter of the project, having said he thought that the liquid natural gas could serve as a "bridge" to renewable energy sources. His letter signaled a sharp shift.
In the letter, the governor outlined his "concerns about lack of information on the need for LNG in the Pacific Northwest, concerns about localized impact on air and water quality, and no analyzis of greenhouse gases that may be released by specific sites in Oregon."
In addition to calling on Kelliher to review alternatives to the LNG facilities, Kulongoski said he had directed Oregon's Department of Energy to conduct its own evaluation.
Further, Kulongoski said he has asked Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers to see whether the state has the legal authority to stop progress on the federally regulated projects until FERC completes the requested review.
Finally, the governor said he was asking members of the Oregon Congressional delegation to seek a repeal of the laws that gave the FERC the authority to "preempt" Oregon's facility siting process.
Governor has a 'growing concern' about regulators' handling of the controversial liquid natural gas project
BY JOHN SCHRAG
The Forest Grove News-Times, Feb 14, 2008
Gov. Ted Kulongoski told federal regulators on Wednesday to stop their review of three liquid natural gas facilities proposed in Oregon.
In a letter to Joseph Kelliher, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the governor blasted the agency's handling of the project, and insisted that it review all alternatives to the controversial energy supply and work to restore the state's right to enforce its own environmental standards.
"I have a growing concern that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approach to the licensing of plants and pipelines has created a crisis of confidence with Oregonians," the governor wrote. "It is essential that FERC conduct a process for a regional review of alternative means of meeting future demands for natural gas that is fair to the citizens of Oregon and our neighboring states."
Three companies are working with federal regulators to build liquid natural gas terminals near Astoria and Coos Bay. The proposals would send the pipelines from two of the projects through western Washington County and northern Yamhill County.
The terminals have drawn loud crowds at rallies and sparked citizen groups in Forest Grove, Yamhill, Astoria and, most recently, Salem. The groups have raised concerns about private property rights, safety and the effect on the environment.
Until Thursday, Kulongoski was viewed as a cautious supporter of the project, having said he thought that the liquid natural gas could serve as a "bridge" to renewable energy sources. His letter signaled a sharp shift.
In the letter, the governor outlined his "concerns about lack of information on the need for LNG in the Pacific Northwest, concerns about localized impact on air and water quality, and no analyzis of greenhouse gases that may be released by specific sites in Oregon."
In addition to calling on Kelliher to review alternatives to the LNG facilities, Kulongoski said he had directed Oregon's Department of Energy to conduct its own evaluation.
Further, Kulongoski said he has asked Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers to see whether the state has the legal authority to stop progress on the federally regulated projects until FERC completes the requested review.
Finally, the governor said he was asking members of the Oregon Congressional delegation to seek a repeal of the laws that gave the FERC the authority to "preempt" Oregon's facility siting process.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Richard Lee: Recommendations By Counsel
From: MEMORANDUM TO CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSION NUMBER 2
Counsel has recommended that staff action include:
1) Enforcement action be undertaken on the Planning Code violations.
2) Stop work orders be issued on the Building Code violations.
3) No further County permits be issued until compliance is achieved.
4) Issue a letter to the Lees that they will only be permitted in Community Development offices for a pre-arranged meeting with management staff, that no other staff will be permitted to speak with them on their personal issues, and that any threatening behavior may result in the issuance of a “no trespass order” as provided for by Oregon law.At this point, Counsel would recommend that the Board consider the following actions:
1) Support the County Manager and County staff in upholding the law.
2) Determine whether you will authorize the release of this Memorandum and theGoldsmith Report to the public at this time or resist disclosure.
3) Put safeguards in place in your communications with Commissioner Lee to avoid disclosure of information material to the defense of the Lewis and ClarkDevelopment, LLC Tort Claim. Commissioners will need to careful in theirconsideration of issues and handling of documents pertaining to CommissionerLee.
4) Be aware Commissioner Lee may have conflicts in the following areas:a. Any matter involving the Community Development Department includingland use appeals.Memorandum to the Clatsop County Board of CommissionersFebruary 8, 2008Page 8b.
The Community Development Department budget, and the County budget generally if funds must be budgeted for litigation.c. Enforcement actions against him and any disputes he has with the County.
Counsel and staff will need to communicate on those issueswith Commissioners at meetings from which Commissioner Lee isexcluded and maintain the confidentiality of such communications in theinterest of the County as a whole.This unique situation is caused by Richard Lee’s actions that have placed him in aposition of legal adversity with Clatsop County.
We recommend the Board of Commissioners supportCounty Staff in enforcing the law in their decision to prohibit any construction activity on the property untilthe regulatory matters are resolved and are in compliance.
If Commissioner Lee chooses not to complythen the Board of Commissioners should make clear that the Board’s expectation is simply that staff shalltreat any member of the Board of Commissioners exactly as the County would treat any other member ofthe public at large.
On employment matters, we recommend a non-interference stance in support ofCounty administration as overseen by the County Manager.
We recommend Commissioners affirm thatthe Board does not condone any Commissioner, a Commissioner’s agent, or indeed any citizen,manifesting threatening behavior toward County Staff, and thereby acknowledge the seriousness ofthese matters.
We further recommend that the Commissioners be sensitive to the need to protectconfidentiality in the preparation of any defense to any litigation brought by Commissioner Lee againstthe County.
Counsel has recommended that staff action include:
1) Enforcement action be undertaken on the Planning Code violations.
2) Stop work orders be issued on the Building Code violations.
3) No further County permits be issued until compliance is achieved.
4) Issue a letter to the Lees that they will only be permitted in Community Development offices for a pre-arranged meeting with management staff, that no other staff will be permitted to speak with them on their personal issues, and that any threatening behavior may result in the issuance of a “no trespass order” as provided for by Oregon law.At this point, Counsel would recommend that the Board consider the following actions:
1) Support the County Manager and County staff in upholding the law.
2) Determine whether you will authorize the release of this Memorandum and theGoldsmith Report to the public at this time or resist disclosure.
3) Put safeguards in place in your communications with Commissioner Lee to avoid disclosure of information material to the defense of the Lewis and ClarkDevelopment, LLC Tort Claim. Commissioners will need to careful in theirconsideration of issues and handling of documents pertaining to CommissionerLee.
4) Be aware Commissioner Lee may have conflicts in the following areas:a. Any matter involving the Community Development Department includingland use appeals.Memorandum to the Clatsop County Board of CommissionersFebruary 8, 2008Page 8b.
The Community Development Department budget, and the County budget generally if funds must be budgeted for litigation.c. Enforcement actions against him and any disputes he has with the County.
Counsel and staff will need to communicate on those issueswith Commissioners at meetings from which Commissioner Lee isexcluded and maintain the confidentiality of such communications in theinterest of the County as a whole.This unique situation is caused by Richard Lee’s actions that have placed him in aposition of legal adversity with Clatsop County.
We recommend the Board of Commissioners supportCounty Staff in enforcing the law in their decision to prohibit any construction activity on the property untilthe regulatory matters are resolved and are in compliance.
If Commissioner Lee chooses not to complythen the Board of Commissioners should make clear that the Board’s expectation is simply that staff shalltreat any member of the Board of Commissioners exactly as the County would treat any other member ofthe public at large.
On employment matters, we recommend a non-interference stance in support ofCounty administration as overseen by the County Manager.
We recommend Commissioners affirm thatthe Board does not condone any Commissioner, a Commissioner’s agent, or indeed any citizen,manifesting threatening behavior toward County Staff, and thereby acknowledge the seriousness ofthese matters.
We further recommend that the Commissioners be sensitive to the need to protectconfidentiality in the preparation of any defense to any litigation brought by Commissioner Lee againstthe County.
Richard Lee: The Core Elements Of The Issue
From: Memorandum To Clatsop County Commission Number 2
The core elements of the situation are as follows:
* Commissioner Richard Lee is a land developer who has not complied with conditional usepermits and letters from the Planning Department staff requesting compliance, and whohas issues of non-compliance with the Building Codes Department.Memorandum to the Clatsop County Board of CommissionersFebruary 8, 2008Page 2
* He is a resistant and non-compliant Planning Department customer. His wife has madedemands upon the Planning Director that Jennifer Bunch, a Planning Staff member,should be fired for her role in seeking to enforce land use requirements for the Lee’sdevelopment.
* Commissioner Lee has taken complaints about Planning and Building Codes Staff decisions concerning his development to the Assistant County Manager, and used his access as Commissioner to interrupt meetings in her office in order to do so. On other occasions, when matters have not gone as the Lee’s preferred, they have directlycontacted the County Manager. As a result, Planning Staff feels a need to deal with themon a special basis. Despite the Lee’s efforts, the County Manager’s Office has notinterfered in the planning and permitting process.
* Commissioner Lee and his wife have been confrontational in private dealings withPlanning Staff and Building Code Officials. This behavior has caused Planning Staff andBuilding Code Officials to seek assistance from the Community Development Director, theCounty Manager’s office and County Counsel in their efforts to enforce the law andexecute their duties properly.
* Jennifer Bunch has filed a written complaint concerning this behavior with the CommunityDevelopment Director and the County Manager. She reports feeling threatened and infear of losing her job.
* The Community Development Director has voiced thoughts of resigning as hispredecessors have done, rather than continue to deal with the conflict generated by theLee’s behavior.
* On January 9 and 10, 2008, Richard Lee filed a public records request seeking disclosureto him of copies of all memos, written communication, and anything that refers to him, hiswife, or properties or projects that they are involved in, between staff members andCounty officials, Commissioners, and clients.
* On January 28, 2008, the County Manager received a Tort Claims Notice from KennethDobson, an attorney representing Lewis and Clark Development, LLC, a company ownedby Lynda and Richard Lee. The Tort Claim alleges interference with the businessrelationship by County staff.
The core elements of the situation are as follows:
* Commissioner Richard Lee is a land developer who has not complied with conditional usepermits and letters from the Planning Department staff requesting compliance, and whohas issues of non-compliance with the Building Codes Department.Memorandum to the Clatsop County Board of CommissionersFebruary 8, 2008Page 2
* He is a resistant and non-compliant Planning Department customer. His wife has madedemands upon the Planning Director that Jennifer Bunch, a Planning Staff member,should be fired for her role in seeking to enforce land use requirements for the Lee’sdevelopment.
* Commissioner Lee has taken complaints about Planning and Building Codes Staff decisions concerning his development to the Assistant County Manager, and used his access as Commissioner to interrupt meetings in her office in order to do so. On other occasions, when matters have not gone as the Lee’s preferred, they have directlycontacted the County Manager. As a result, Planning Staff feels a need to deal with themon a special basis. Despite the Lee’s efforts, the County Manager’s Office has notinterfered in the planning and permitting process.
* Commissioner Lee and his wife have been confrontational in private dealings withPlanning Staff and Building Code Officials. This behavior has caused Planning Staff andBuilding Code Officials to seek assistance from the Community Development Director, theCounty Manager’s office and County Counsel in their efforts to enforce the law andexecute their duties properly.
* Jennifer Bunch has filed a written complaint concerning this behavior with the CommunityDevelopment Director and the County Manager. She reports feeling threatened and infear of losing her job.
* The Community Development Director has voiced thoughts of resigning as hispredecessors have done, rather than continue to deal with the conflict generated by theLee’s behavior.
* On January 9 and 10, 2008, Richard Lee filed a public records request seeking disclosureto him of copies of all memos, written communication, and anything that refers to him, hiswife, or properties or projects that they are involved in, between staff members andCounty officials, Commissioners, and clients.
* On January 28, 2008, the County Manager received a Tort Claims Notice from KennethDobson, an attorney representing Lewis and Clark Development, LLC, a company ownedby Lynda and Richard Lee. The Tort Claim alleges interference with the businessrelationship by County staff.
Richard Lee: Status Of Land Use File
From: MEMORANDUM TO CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NUMBER 2
A summary of current status of Richard Lee’s land use file is as follows:
Commissioner Lee has several outstanding sets of issues with the County Planning Department.
*The first involves compliance with conditional use permits for a golf course and an RV Park and requests of the planning staff for compliance in at least two letters.
*The second involves five property transfers from Lee to neighboring property owners.
*A final issue involves compliance with flood hazard regulations.
In March 2003 Commissioner Lee was allowed to build a 9-hole golf course on property zoned for exclusive farm use. His conditional use permit is subject to nine conditions.
The first required a final design layout showing 50-foot riparian setbacks.
The seventh required certain permits prior to construction of an outbuilding. Lee has built the course but has not complied with conditions one and seven.
In January 2005 Commissioner Lee was allowed to develop a 90-space Recreational VehiclePark on 9.5 acres zoned for Rural Community Commercial use. This approval was subject to 12 conditions. Condition three requires compliance with Oregon Administrative Rules dealing with Recreational Parks and Organizational Camps, OAR 918-650-0035 through 918-650-00801. OAR 918-650-0035 requires a set of construction plans prior to the issuance of any building permits. Although construction of the park continues, Lee has not produced construction plans that comply with OAR 918-650-0035. Also see, ORS 455.680 requiring State approval of plans before construction begins.
Between 1984 and 2001 Commissioner Lee transferred portions of his property to neighboring owners without the benefit of County approval. These transfers were made by five separate deeds. County Planning Staff believes that the County land use ordinance required each of these transfers to be approved by either a Property Line Adjustment or a Partition prior to the transfer of property. It appears that the transfers involved either vacant land or were made to cure an encroachment. Planner Jennifer Bunch discovered the problem in October 2007 after Lee submitted an application to further partition his remaining parcel of property. As there was no County approval of the transfers, Lee is prohibited from further subdividing the remaining parcel and also prohibited from obtaining permits for land use activities involving this property. This prohibition includes obtaining the permits required by condition number seven of the golf course approval. Richard Lee and Lynda Lee reacted to this situation with abusive behaviors directed at CountyPlanning Staff.To resolve these problems, permits to transfer the property, development plans for the RV Parkand golf course and permits for the outbuilding are needed. The last issue involves both the golf course and the RV Park. Both developments lie within a Flood Hazard Overlay District (FHO). These districts are designed to reduce flood damage and loss of life in areas subject to periodic flooding. §4.030(4) of the County’s Planning Code requires that fill placed below the base flood elevation in the FHO be compensated for with an equal volume of excavation frombelow the base flood elevation. Planning Staff has requested that Commissioner Lee demonstrate compliance with this code section on the plans for the RV Park and golf course. Although each development must comply with §4.030(4), it is unclear whether compliance must be demonstrated on thedevelopment plans for the RV Park and golf course.
A summary of current status of Richard Lee’s land use file is as follows:
Commissioner Lee has several outstanding sets of issues with the County Planning Department.
*The first involves compliance with conditional use permits for a golf course and an RV Park and requests of the planning staff for compliance in at least two letters.
*The second involves five property transfers from Lee to neighboring property owners.
*A final issue involves compliance with flood hazard regulations.
In March 2003 Commissioner Lee was allowed to build a 9-hole golf course on property zoned for exclusive farm use. His conditional use permit is subject to nine conditions.
The first required a final design layout showing 50-foot riparian setbacks.
The seventh required certain permits prior to construction of an outbuilding. Lee has built the course but has not complied with conditions one and seven.
In January 2005 Commissioner Lee was allowed to develop a 90-space Recreational VehiclePark on 9.5 acres zoned for Rural Community Commercial use. This approval was subject to 12 conditions. Condition three requires compliance with Oregon Administrative Rules dealing with Recreational Parks and Organizational Camps, OAR 918-650-0035 through 918-650-00801. OAR 918-650-0035 requires a set of construction plans prior to the issuance of any building permits. Although construction of the park continues, Lee has not produced construction plans that comply with OAR 918-650-0035. Also see, ORS 455.680 requiring State approval of plans before construction begins.
Between 1984 and 2001 Commissioner Lee transferred portions of his property to neighboring owners without the benefit of County approval. These transfers were made by five separate deeds. County Planning Staff believes that the County land use ordinance required each of these transfers to be approved by either a Property Line Adjustment or a Partition prior to the transfer of property. It appears that the transfers involved either vacant land or were made to cure an encroachment. Planner Jennifer Bunch discovered the problem in October 2007 after Lee submitted an application to further partition his remaining parcel of property. As there was no County approval of the transfers, Lee is prohibited from further subdividing the remaining parcel and also prohibited from obtaining permits for land use activities involving this property. This prohibition includes obtaining the permits required by condition number seven of the golf course approval. Richard Lee and Lynda Lee reacted to this situation with abusive behaviors directed at CountyPlanning Staff.To resolve these problems, permits to transfer the property, development plans for the RV Parkand golf course and permits for the outbuilding are needed. The last issue involves both the golf course and the RV Park. Both developments lie within a Flood Hazard Overlay District (FHO). These districts are designed to reduce flood damage and loss of life in areas subject to periodic flooding. §4.030(4) of the County’s Planning Code requires that fill placed below the base flood elevation in the FHO be compensated for with an equal volume of excavation frombelow the base flood elevation. Planning Staff has requested that Commissioner Lee demonstrate compliance with this code section on the plans for the RV Park and golf course. Although each development must comply with §4.030(4), it is unclear whether compliance must be demonstrated on thedevelopment plans for the RV Park and golf course.
Richard Lee: Overview Of Permit File
From: MEMORANDUM FOR THE CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NUMBER 2
*Over the course of these two developments many building permits have been taken out by Lee or by contractors on behalf of Lee.
*Some of these permits have not been closed out and are now stale.
*Jim Byerly the County Building Official indicates that 22 permits are outstanding on these projects with 10 of them outdated.
*The order approving the conditional use erroneously refers to OAR ch. 618.
*Over the course of these two developments many building permits have been taken out by Lee or by contractors on behalf of Lee.
*Some of these permits have not been closed out and are now stale.
*Jim Byerly the County Building Official indicates that 22 permits are outstanding on these projects with 10 of them outdated.
*The order approving the conditional use erroneously refers to OAR ch. 618.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
LNG: Paul Sansone On Documentation Of F.E.R.C. Process Failuires
Subject: Documentation of FERC Process Failures for CommissionerWellinghoff.
Date: Tue, Feb 12, 2008, 5:39 PM
DO YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LNG REVIEW PROCESS BEING CONDUCTED BY FERC?
Did FERC fail to notify you of the LNG terminals or pipelinesaffecting yourproperty? Were you notified by misleading notices in thenewspaper? Havethe pipeline companies threatened or intimidated you to getaccess to yourland for surveys? Did you go to a FERC hearing and was unable totell whowas with FERC and who was representing the project proponents?
Have you had trouble even finding out where the proposedpipelines will evengo?
FERC Commissioner Jon Wellinghoff has asked for documentation ofthe abusesof our democratic and private property rights.
ACTION ALERT:All citizens and groups that are affected by the proposed LNGterminals andpipelines and have documentation of problems with the FederalEnergyRegulatory Commission(FERC) LNG review process should respond immediately toFERC Commissioner Jon Wellinghoff request receive information andact toresolve the deficiencies.
Concerned citizens and affected parties should provide thisinformation toOregon's Congressional delegation to deliver to CommissionerWellinghoff ina legal manner. PLEASE RESUBMIT ANY DOCUMENTATION PROVIDEDEARLIER AGAIN toprotect against any errors or omissions that we know have already
occurred.
The information will also be collected by the ColumbiaRiverkeepers andsubmitted directly to FERC. Those affected can forwardinformation by emailto the following contact people:
Emails, reference the subject:Documentation of FERC Process Failures for CommissionerWellinghoff.
Copy the following people:David M. Berick, Senator Ron Wyden's Washington officedave_berick@WYDEN.SENATE.GovMary Gautreaux, Senator Ron Wyden's Portland officemary_gautreaux@WYDEN.SENATE.GovJason Vaillancourt, Senator Smith's officejason_vaillancourt@gsmith.senate.govAnn Richardson, Representative Wu's officeann.richardson@mail.house.govMichael Carrier, Governor Kulongoski's officemichaelcarrier@state.or.usBetsy Johnson, Senator District 16sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.usDeborah Boone, Representative District 32rep.deborahboone@state.or.usDaniel Serres, Columbia River Keepersdserres@gmail.com (who will make a FERC submittal)
(Cut and paste emails below into your email)dave_berick@WYDEN.SENATE.Gov, mary_gautreaux@WYDEN.SENATE.Gov,jason_vaillancourt@gsmith.senate.gov,ann.richardson@mail.house.gov,sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us, rep.deborahboone@state.or.us,dserres@gmail.com.
We are requesting that FERC immediately stop all LNG related FERC
reviews inthe State and publicly investigate abuses and failures of thecurrentprocesses.
We also request that all LNG related proposals be combined into aProgrammatic Environmental Impact Statement including adefinitive energyneeds analysis.
Date: Tue, Feb 12, 2008, 5:39 PM
DO YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LNG REVIEW PROCESS BEING CONDUCTED BY FERC?
Did FERC fail to notify you of the LNG terminals or pipelinesaffecting yourproperty? Were you notified by misleading notices in thenewspaper? Havethe pipeline companies threatened or intimidated you to getaccess to yourland for surveys? Did you go to a FERC hearing and was unable totell whowas with FERC and who was representing the project proponents?
Have you had trouble even finding out where the proposedpipelines will evengo?
FERC Commissioner Jon Wellinghoff has asked for documentation ofthe abusesof our democratic and private property rights.
ACTION ALERT:All citizens and groups that are affected by the proposed LNGterminals andpipelines and have documentation of problems with the FederalEnergyRegulatory Commission(FERC) LNG review process should respond immediately toFERC Commissioner Jon Wellinghoff request receive information andact toresolve the deficiencies.
Concerned citizens and affected parties should provide thisinformation toOregon's Congressional delegation to deliver to CommissionerWellinghoff ina legal manner. PLEASE RESUBMIT ANY DOCUMENTATION PROVIDEDEARLIER AGAIN toprotect against any errors or omissions that we know have already
occurred.
The information will also be collected by the ColumbiaRiverkeepers andsubmitted directly to FERC. Those affected can forwardinformation by emailto the following contact people:
Emails, reference the subject:Documentation of FERC Process Failures for CommissionerWellinghoff.
Copy the following people:David M. Berick, Senator Ron Wyden's Washington officedave_berick@WYDEN.SENATE.GovMary Gautreaux, Senator Ron Wyden's Portland officemary_gautreaux@WYDEN.SENATE.GovJason Vaillancourt, Senator Smith's officejason_vaillancourt@gsmith.senate.govAnn Richardson, Representative Wu's officeann.richardson@mail.house.govMichael Carrier, Governor Kulongoski's officemichaelcarrier@state.or.usBetsy Johnson, Senator District 16sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.usDeborah Boone, Representative District 32rep.deborahboone@state.or.usDaniel Serres, Columbia River Keepersdserres@gmail.com (who will make a FERC submittal)
(Cut and paste emails below into your email)dave_berick@WYDEN.SENATE.Gov, mary_gautreaux@WYDEN.SENATE.Gov,jason_vaillancourt@gsmith.senate.gov,ann.richardson@mail.house.gov,sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us, rep.deborahboone@state.or.us,dserres@gmail.com.
We are requesting that FERC immediately stop all LNG related FERC
reviews inthe State and publicly investigate abuses and failures of thecurrentprocesses.
We also request that all LNG related proposals be combined into aProgrammatic Environmental Impact Statement including adefinitive energyneeds analysis.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Memorandum For Clatsop County Commissioners - Two On Richard Lee - February 8, 2008
From Submitted Public Information Request
800 Exchange St, Suite 410 . Astoria, Oregon 97103 . (503) 325-8449 . FAX (503) 338-2969
CLATSOP COUNTY
COUNTY COUNSEL
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION/ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGED
DATE: February 8, 2008
RE: Commissioner Lee / Human Resources, Planning & Potential Litigation/
Risk Management Issues
County Manager Scott Derickson has presented an evolving situation to the County’s lawyers and requested recommendations. He perceived potential legal liabilities and political issues, coupled with employee rights, and County responsibilities. These issues are compounded by an appearance of impropriety and the risk of compounding County liability in the event incorrect choices are made.
To Read Entire Memorandum Click Here!
800 Exchange St, Suite 410 . Astoria, Oregon 97103 . (503) 325-8449 . FAX (503) 338-2969
CLATSOP COUNTY
COUNTY COUNSEL
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION/ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGED
DATE: February 8, 2008
RE: Commissioner Lee / Human Resources, Planning & Potential Litigation/
Risk Management Issues
County Manager Scott Derickson has presented an evolving situation to the County’s lawyers and requested recommendations. He perceived potential legal liabilities and political issues, coupled with employee rights, and County responsibilities. These issues are compounded by an appearance of impropriety and the risk of compounding County liability in the event incorrect choices are made.
To Read Entire Memorandum Click Here!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Looking Back:Citizens For Clatsop County Charter Integrity?
Got this list from a citizen just looking back and spurred by the accusations of Conspiracy by The Daily "A", CCFOG and others against Richard Lee.
Filer/Committee
Contributor/Payee
Sub Type
Amount
137040
11/09/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$30.00
137048
11/09/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Bernard E Bjork
Cash Contribution
$101.00
137039
11/07/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Jeff S Hazen
In-Kind Contribution
$1,131.16
137038
11/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Hipfish Monthly
Account Payable
$160.00
137037
11/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
New Northwest Broadcasting
Account Payable
$100.00
132930
10/28/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$200.00
132931
10/23/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Tamara Broadmore
Account Payable
$395.00
120262
10/22/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$150.00
120261
10/17/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Witham & Dickey
Account Payable
$3,581.97
132929
10/17/2007
Amended
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Michael Moore
Cash Contribution
$500.00
120260
10/17/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$200.00
114572
10/10/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Lynda M Lee
Cash Contribution
$150.00
114571
10/08/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$25.00
114570
10/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
114563
10/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Carrie L Bartoldus
In-Kind Contribution
$350.00
114564
10/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$100.00
109839
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$50.00
109836
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$25.00
109834
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
109835
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$25.00
109837
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$50.00
109838
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$70.00
115835
10/03/2007
Amended
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Action Sign Works
Cash Expenditure
$400.00
109831
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$100.00
109830
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$50.00
109829
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$100.00
109826
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Sign-One Signcrafters
Cash Expenditure
$835.00
109832
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
109833
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
132932
09/27/2007
Amended
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Sign-One Signcrafters
Account Payable
$1,685.00
109828
09/27/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Sign-One Signcrafters
Cash Expenditure
$850.00
104705
09/27/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Action Sign Works
Cash Expenditure
$400.00
104706
09/27/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Action Sign Works
Account Payable
$400.00
107051
09/24/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Expenditures $100 and under
Cash Expenditure
$53.20
104702
09/21/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Jeff S Hazen
Cash Contribution
$250.00
104701
09/21/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Nancy E Harbour
Cash Contribution
$4,000.00
Interesting! A Sitting County Commissioner, one that actually authored the resolution that triggered the referendum itself, contributed Approx. $1400.00? $1100.00 or so posted a day after the vote?
Filer/Committee
Contributor/Payee
Sub Type
Amount
137040
11/09/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$30.00
137048
11/09/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Bernard E Bjork
Cash Contribution
$101.00
137039
11/07/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Jeff S Hazen
In-Kind Contribution
$1,131.16
137038
11/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Hipfish Monthly
Account Payable
$160.00
137037
11/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
New Northwest Broadcasting
Account Payable
$100.00
132930
10/28/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$200.00
132931
10/23/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Tamara Broadmore
Account Payable
$395.00
120262
10/22/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$150.00
120261
10/17/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Witham & Dickey
Account Payable
$3,581.97
132929
10/17/2007
Amended
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Michael Moore
Cash Contribution
$500.00
120260
10/17/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$200.00
114572
10/10/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Lynda M Lee
Cash Contribution
$150.00
114571
10/08/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$25.00
114570
10/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
114563
10/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Carrie L Bartoldus
In-Kind Contribution
$350.00
114564
10/06/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$100.00
109839
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$50.00
109836
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$25.00
109834
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
109835
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$25.00
109837
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$50.00
109838
10/05/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$70.00
115835
10/03/2007
Amended
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Action Sign Works
Cash Expenditure
$400.00
109831
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$100.00
109830
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$50.00
109829
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$100.00
109826
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Sign-One Signcrafters
Cash Expenditure
$835.00
109832
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
109833
10/03/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under
Cash Contribution
$99.00
132932
09/27/2007
Amended
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Sign-One Signcrafters
Account Payable
$1,685.00
109828
09/27/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Sign-One Signcrafters
Cash Expenditure
$850.00
104705
09/27/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Action Sign Works
Cash Expenditure
$400.00
104706
09/27/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Action Sign Works
Account Payable
$400.00
107051
09/24/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Miscellaneous Cash Expenditures $100 and under
Cash Expenditure
$53.20
104702
09/21/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Jeff S Hazen
Cash Contribution
$250.00
104701
09/21/2007
Original
Citizens for Clatsop County Charter Integrity
Nancy E Harbour
Cash Contribution
$4,000.00
Saturday, February 09, 2008
LNG:Martha Neuringer's Report On LNG Rally In Salem
Martha Neuringer of Washington County sent out this RALLY REPORT - it captures a lot of the energy and momentum we experienced. It was soooo heartening to see so many NO LNGers, including several state legislators in the crowd, the 10 of us from Clatsop County, and about 8 people that I know of from Washington State.Enjoy! (and then come to the state agencies meeting at the Holiday Inn Express on Weds. starting at 4!).....Laurie Caplan
RALLY REPORT: The Capitol steps were filled with at least 300 of us, including buses and vans from Astoria, Coos Bay and Klamath Falls (they had to leave at 7 AM). Five tractors were lined up across the street, plus a trailer with three huge round hay bales wrapped in white plastic with NoLNG signs.
The big highlight was a speech by Sec. of State Bill Bradbury, who made a very powerful statement against LNG, its perpetuation of our dependence on foreign fossil fuel and impact on global warming.
A choice quote: "I do not think Oregon should be the pusher, enabling California's dependence on fossil fuels." Jeff Merkley, US Senate candidate, gave a real stemwinder speech, asking the crowd if the terminals and pipelines would provide any of a long series of benefits for Oregon and getting a loud chorus of NO! after each one.
Steve Novick, also running for US Senate, gave a thoughtful speech about the impacts and dangers of LNG.
RALLY REPORT: The Capitol steps were filled with at least 300 of us, including buses and vans from Astoria, Coos Bay and Klamath Falls (they had to leave at 7 AM). Five tractors were lined up across the street, plus a trailer with three huge round hay bales wrapped in white plastic with NoLNG signs.
The big highlight was a speech by Sec. of State Bill Bradbury, who made a very powerful statement against LNG, its perpetuation of our dependence on foreign fossil fuel and impact on global warming.
A choice quote: "I do not think Oregon should be the pusher, enabling California's dependence on fossil fuels." Jeff Merkley, US Senate candidate, gave a real stemwinder speech, asking the crowd if the terminals and pipelines would provide any of a long series of benefits for Oregon and getting a loud chorus of NO! after each one.
Steve Novick, also running for US Senate, gave a thoughtful speech about the impacts and dangers of LNG.
A statement was read by an aide for Jon Kroger, candidate for Attorney General. Several other officials spoke, together with several of our fellow activists from Astoria, Coos Bay, California, U. of Oregon, etc.
In a nice touch, a peregrine falcon flew overhead (it has a nest on the Capitol building).
The rally got good press coverage. Nick Christensen did a nice front page headliner story with a big photo of Jeff Merkley speaking and Hillsboro state rep. Chuck Riley listening with his NoLNG button on, in a sea of NoLNG signs.
The Oregonian played up the split between Bradbury and Kulongoski, and quoted Paul Sansone about how we are feeling "railroaded".
There was a long story about the rally on KPTV news Wed. evening, complete with a clip of Bradbury's "pushers" line, video of exploding gas canisters and photos of LNG supertankers.
It ended with the reporter reading a final "here's the other side" canned sentence from Peter Hansen parroting Kulongoski's "bridge" line which gave the impression that "the company made us do this".
I heard that there also was good coverage on Ch. 8 and on KPOJ radio.
A reporter from the AP spoke to several folks at the rally and said he will do a longer background story.
Entertainment was provided by the Raging Grannies, a group of spunky women from Corvallis with feather boas and hats adorned with flowers and NoLNG buttons, who sang a whole bunch of great anti-LNG songs. (They are actually part of an international network of Grannies.)
An equally important part of the event was lobbying before and after the rally. Many of us met with legislators, some of whom were not informed on the issue but got a quick course--and now know that this is a do-or-die issue for many Oregonians.
The Capitol Building hallways were filled all day with antiLNG protesters, easily spotted by our buttons and red armbands, going to and from meetings with Senators and Representatives from many districts.
Betsy Johnson and Debbie Boone held a meeting with about 20 of us in the Capitol cafeteria, and agreed to talk with the Governor's key aides the next day.
Keith even got the cashier in the Capitol cafeteria to wear a NoLNG button.
Our issue is now definitely on the map and in the news! Thanks and congratulations to everyone who came and/or worked on the rally.
Kings Of Our Own Worlds
Fella walks into a bar, orders a stiff one from Charlie the bartender.
Charlie says, "Hey Mack you look a little stressed, what's up?"
Mack says, "Had another tiff with the wife last night. It was a rough one but it ended up with her crawling to me on her hands and knees after it was all over though."
"Really?" says Charlie. "Well, what did she say after that?"
"COME OUT FROM UNDER THE BED YOU LITTLE CHICKEN SHIT SO I CAN GET A BETTER SHOT AT YOU!"
Charlie says, "Hey Mack you look a little stressed, what's up?"
Mack says, "Had another tiff with the wife last night. It was a rough one but it ended up with her crawling to me on her hands and knees after it was all over though."
"Really?" says Charlie. "Well, what did she say after that?"
"COME OUT FROM UNDER THE BED YOU LITTLE CHICKEN SHIT SO I CAN GET A BETTER SHOT AT YOU!"
Friday, February 08, 2008
From The Daily "A": Portland Attorney Weighs In On Lee's Actions
Lawyer says Lee abused his position as Clatsop County Board Chairman
"County staff bent over backwards to be fair attorney says; in return, one may have been called a ‘witch’ or a ‘bitch’"
By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian
Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee's wife, Lynda, demanded staff be terminated for upholding county and state law.
That's a no-no.
So said Jill Goldsmith, a Portland attorney, in her report of an investigation into Commissioner Richard Lee's dealings with the county's own planning department released Friday.
Details of Goldsmith's report were released after the county commissioners held a meeting in executive session Friday morning.
Details of what happened in the executive session are not allowed to be reported. Lee was not present at the meeting because he was asked not to attend.
For The Full Story Click On Link Below:
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=48996&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398
"County staff bent over backwards to be fair attorney says; in return, one may have been called a ‘witch’ or a ‘bitch’"
By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian
Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee's wife, Lynda, demanded staff be terminated for upholding county and state law.
That's a no-no.
So said Jill Goldsmith, a Portland attorney, in her report of an investigation into Commissioner Richard Lee's dealings with the county's own planning department released Friday.
Details of Goldsmith's report were released after the county commissioners held a meeting in executive session Friday morning.
Details of what happened in the executive session are not allowed to be reported. Lee was not present at the meeting because he was asked not to attend.
For The Full Story Click On Link Below:
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=48996&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398
"It's A Vendetta." Richard Lee Says!!
May I ask, by who?
I invite Commissioner Lee to respond to this, on this site with a thorough explanation as to his belief.
We still have an open invitation for Commissioner Lee to post his position on this site should he or his agents choose to do so.
I invite Commissioner Lee to respond to this, on this site with a thorough explanation as to his belief.
We still have an open invitation for Commissioner Lee to post his position on this site should he or his agents choose to do so.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
From The Daily "A" Lee's Breech With County Goes Deep
Lee's shenanigans pile up
By JOE GAMM -The Daily Astorian
Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee finds himself in murky water today.
He's the focus of a petition for a recall election, and last week he filed a tort claim against the county - in essence, threatening to sue.
And, as the recall comes closer to fruition, other details have emerged about the way his business practices and government rules have clashed.
No fewer than five men have accepted the role of director of the county's home inspectors over the past few years ... and soon left.
Many are frustrated that Lee has not followed the rules, especially by not getting conditional use permits, known among planners as "CUPs."
As 2007 came to a close, a county employee filed a complaint against him.
In the complaint, Jennifer Bunch said that if the developer were anyone other than Lee, the county would not have allowed situations involved with his developments to "become such a mess, and would have put a stop to it long ago.
We would have demanded final design plans for each development (as required by both conditional use permits) and then, if any changes were made, we would have required that new conditional use permits be submitted.
"Lee and his wife, Lynda, operate a nursery, RV park and golf course in the Lewis and Clark area.
The complaint said that a problem exists when employees have concerns that their jobs are in jeopardy if they require a developer to adhere to the conditions of permits.
It asked for support requiring the couple to provide official and final design plans for their RV park and golf course.
The county has asked for those plans since Lee began developing the golf course - in 2001.
In 2003, Veronica Smith, who was Clatsop County's senior planner (and now works for NorthernStar Natural Gas Co.), refunded $2,300 of $3,150 Lee had paid for rezoning and a goal exception.
She instead allowed him to proceed with his development under a conditional use permit.
The goal exception would normally be required because the property is within three miles of an urban growth zone.But even then, she asked that he provide "a good site plan map to scale."Although time has passed, little seems to have changed.
On Oct. 17, 2007, Clatsop County sent Lee a letter stating that he must follow the state laws and county building codes, policies and procedures which are in place.
Click Here For Full Story:
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=48878
By JOE GAMM -The Daily Astorian
Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee finds himself in murky water today.
He's the focus of a petition for a recall election, and last week he filed a tort claim against the county - in essence, threatening to sue.
And, as the recall comes closer to fruition, other details have emerged about the way his business practices and government rules have clashed.
No fewer than five men have accepted the role of director of the county's home inspectors over the past few years ... and soon left.
Many are frustrated that Lee has not followed the rules, especially by not getting conditional use permits, known among planners as "CUPs."
As 2007 came to a close, a county employee filed a complaint against him.
In the complaint, Jennifer Bunch said that if the developer were anyone other than Lee, the county would not have allowed situations involved with his developments to "become such a mess, and would have put a stop to it long ago.
We would have demanded final design plans for each development (as required by both conditional use permits) and then, if any changes were made, we would have required that new conditional use permits be submitted.
"Lee and his wife, Lynda, operate a nursery, RV park and golf course in the Lewis and Clark area.
The complaint said that a problem exists when employees have concerns that their jobs are in jeopardy if they require a developer to adhere to the conditions of permits.
It asked for support requiring the couple to provide official and final design plans for their RV park and golf course.
The county has asked for those plans since Lee began developing the golf course - in 2001.
In 2003, Veronica Smith, who was Clatsop County's senior planner (and now works for NorthernStar Natural Gas Co.), refunded $2,300 of $3,150 Lee had paid for rezoning and a goal exception.
She instead allowed him to proceed with his development under a conditional use permit.
The goal exception would normally be required because the property is within three miles of an urban growth zone.But even then, she asked that he provide "a good site plan map to scale."Although time has passed, little seems to have changed.
On Oct. 17, 2007, Clatsop County sent Lee a letter stating that he must follow the state laws and county building codes, policies and procedures which are in place.
Click Here For Full Story:
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=48878
Democrats Differ Over LNG In Oregon
From The Oregonian
By JULIA SILVERMAN The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A clear divide is emerging among Oregon Democrats in the fight over whether to build three liquefied natural gas terminals in Oregon, along with hundreds of miles of buried pipelines to ship the gas to West Coast markets.
At a rally Wednesday in Salem, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, who is hoping to be his party's U.S. Senate candidate in November, came out against the proposed terminals, which would turn imported hyper-cooled fuel into natural gas. He is the second high-profile Democrat in the last week to publicly oppose the plan, joining Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.
Read Full Story
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-23/1202347173129930.xml&storylist=orlocal
By JULIA SILVERMAN The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A clear divide is emerging among Oregon Democrats in the fight over whether to build three liquefied natural gas terminals in Oregon, along with hundreds of miles of buried pipelines to ship the gas to West Coast markets.
At a rally Wednesday in Salem, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, who is hoping to be his party's U.S. Senate candidate in November, came out against the proposed terminals, which would turn imported hyper-cooled fuel into natural gas. He is the second high-profile Democrat in the last week to publicly oppose the plan, joining Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.
Read Full Story
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-23/1202347173129930.xml&storylist=orlocal
Monday, February 04, 2008
CCFOG: The Signatures Are In, Now The Elections Gauntlet
Better dot every "i" and cross every "t" and make damned sure they got more than enough legal names.
UPDATE!!
C l a t s o p C i t i z e n s F o r O p e n G o v e r n m e n t
P. O. B o x 1 8 6 , Wa r re n t o n , O re g o n 9 7 1 4 6
February 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCFOG FILES COMPLETED PETITION TO RECALL RICHARD LEE
Astoria, Oregon. Eleven days was all the time required for Clatsop Citizens for Open
Government to collect sufficient signatures to trigger a recall of Richard Lee, commissioner
for Clatsop County District 3. An energized band of volunteers began collecting signatures on
January 25, and discovered a very determined and supportive electorate willing to sign the
petitions.
The Clatsop County Elections Office has ten days in which to verify the signatures. After the
petition has been certified, Richard Lee will have five days in which to either resign or
respond with a Statement of Justification, explaining his record in office. The Clatsop
County Elections office is attempting to utilize March 18, a previously scheduled date for
special elections, as the date for the recall. If this occurs, ballots would arrive the week of
February 25.
“If a vacancy arises, our expectation is that the remaining county commissioners will
conduct an open process for identifying a replacement, including a call for applications and
a hearing with public commentary” states Scott Reuter, CCFOG volunteer coordinator. "This
is only the first, most immediate, step in the Group's strategy to help bring fairness back to
county government."
For more information about CCFOG and the recall effort, go to the website
at ccFog.org. The mailing address is PO Box 186, Warrenton, 97146.
UPDATE!!
C l a t s o p C i t i z e n s F o r O p e n G o v e r n m e n t
P. O. B o x 1 8 6 , Wa r re n t o n , O re g o n 9 7 1 4 6
February 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCFOG FILES COMPLETED PETITION TO RECALL RICHARD LEE
Astoria, Oregon. Eleven days was all the time required for Clatsop Citizens for Open
Government to collect sufficient signatures to trigger a recall of Richard Lee, commissioner
for Clatsop County District 3. An energized band of volunteers began collecting signatures on
January 25, and discovered a very determined and supportive electorate willing to sign the
petitions.
The Clatsop County Elections Office has ten days in which to verify the signatures. After the
petition has been certified, Richard Lee will have five days in which to either resign or
respond with a Statement of Justification, explaining his record in office. The Clatsop
County Elections office is attempting to utilize March 18, a previously scheduled date for
special elections, as the date for the recall. If this occurs, ballots would arrive the week of
February 25.
“If a vacancy arises, our expectation is that the remaining county commissioners will
conduct an open process for identifying a replacement, including a call for applications and
a hearing with public commentary” states Scott Reuter, CCFOG volunteer coordinator. "This
is only the first, most immediate, step in the Group's strategy to help bring fairness back to
county government."
For more information about CCFOG and the recall effort, go to the website
at ccFog.org. The mailing address is PO Box 186, Warrenton, 97146.
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