"We take the following facts from the Court of Appeals' opinion and also from the record:
"Plaintiff is a construction and development company owned by Ken Leahy and his wife. Defendant is a ship-repair company based in Portland. Ken Leahy and two partners own a tract of land adjacent to the Columbia River known as the Bradwood property. The Bradwood property consists of 270 acres of forest land and 32 acres of marine industrial land."
GRP:Who is it linked Leahy with NSNG on the property and caused all this mass and coordinated blindness in Lower Columbia River community leadership to attempt to perpetrate this scheme against its citizens?
You Read It!
Then, There's The BRADWOOD PROJECT...Read This One!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Kitzhaber: Natural Gas, Not The LNG Process, Is Our Future
7/19/2010 11:38:00 AM
By PATRICK WEBB - The Daily Astorian
John Kitzhaber believes natural gas is a much-needed transition fuel while Oregon embraces other sources, but he is wary of liquefied natural gas.
Read And Watch Full Daily Astortian Report
By PATRICK WEBB - The Daily Astorian
John Kitzhaber believes natural gas is a much-needed transition fuel while Oregon embraces other sources, but he is wary of liquefied natural gas.
Read And Watch Full Daily Astortian Report
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
LNG Opponents Appeal Oregon LNG Skipanon Lease To DSL
7/7/2010 11:50:00 AM
LNG opponents appeal Warrenton lease renewal
By CASSANDRA PROFITA-The Daily Astorian
Two conservation groups and Warrenton resident Jim Scheller have teamed up to appeal a lease renewal for the Oregon LNG liquefied natural gas project in Warrenton.
Read Full Daily Astorian report
LNG opponents appeal Warrenton lease renewal
By CASSANDRA PROFITA-The Daily Astorian
Two conservation groups and Warrenton resident Jim Scheller have teamed up to appeal a lease renewal for the Oregon LNG liquefied natural gas project in Warrenton.
Read Full Daily Astorian report
10 Super Foods To Eat Now!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 7:44 AM
By Robin Berkowitz - NewsMaxHealth.com
Want to feel better? Look no further than the end of your fork. While the benefits of a varied, minimally processed diet are well-known, certain foods are especially potent in alleviating and even preventing numerous ailments that afflict modern society, including cancer, heart disease, and other age-related illnesses. Here are 10 “super foods” that can boost your immune system, your brain function, even give you a youthful glow. No prescription needed, and no pesky side effects – just dig in.
Read The Details
By Robin Berkowitz - NewsMaxHealth.com
Want to feel better? Look no further than the end of your fork. While the benefits of a varied, minimally processed diet are well-known, certain foods are especially potent in alleviating and even preventing numerous ailments that afflict modern society, including cancer, heart disease, and other age-related illnesses. Here are 10 “super foods” that can boost your immune system, your brain function, even give you a youthful glow. No prescription needed, and no pesky side effects – just dig in.
Read The Details
Monday, July 05, 2010
House Minority leader Boehner Takes A Video Shot At Obama!
From: NewsMax.com
The YouTube video, titled “What About the Country, Mr. President?” is in response to Obama's speech in Racine, Wis., on Wednesday in which he ripped into Boehner for telling a newspaper that a major banking overhaul bill is like "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."
Read/Watch Full Report
The YouTube video, titled “What About the Country, Mr. President?” is in response to Obama's speech in Racine, Wis., on Wednesday in which he ripped into Boehner for telling a newspaper that a major banking overhaul bill is like "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."
Read/Watch Full Report
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Josh Marquis: July 4th!!
Sunday, July 04, 2010
July 4
Considering she is 234 years old today and accounting for all the wrinkles and scars, the United States of America is looking pretty good for her age.
Read Full Commentary
July 4
Considering she is 234 years old today and accounting for all the wrinkles and scars, the United States of America is looking pretty good for her age.
Read Full Commentary
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Sockeye Salmon Returning Past Bonneville In Record Numbers After A Decade!
by Keely Chalmers, KGW Staff
kgw.com
Posted on July 3, 2010 at 8:51 AM
PORTLAND, Ore. -- After more than a decade of dismal numbers, sockeye salmon are returning to the Columbia River in record numbers.
According to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers the number of sockeye passing the Bonneville Dam this year has already quadrupled the yearly average.
So far this year more than 300,000 sockeye have passed the dam. That's a pretty remarkable number considering back in the 90's only a handful made it up the river.
Now tens of thousands are passing through the dam on a daily basis.
"There was a remarkable day last week when more than 30 thousand sockeye came past Bonneville Dam and that’s never happened before," said Michael Milstein with the Bonneville Power Administration.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says the recovery is due to better ocean conditions, improved salmon habitat, and improvements made at the Columbia River dams.
The recreational sockeye salmon season on the Columbia opened June 26th and runs through July 31st.
Read And View Full KGW Report
kgw.com
Posted on July 3, 2010 at 8:51 AM
PORTLAND, Ore. -- After more than a decade of dismal numbers, sockeye salmon are returning to the Columbia River in record numbers.
According to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers the number of sockeye passing the Bonneville Dam this year has already quadrupled the yearly average.
So far this year more than 300,000 sockeye have passed the dam. That's a pretty remarkable number considering back in the 90's only a handful made it up the river.
Now tens of thousands are passing through the dam on a daily basis.
"There was a remarkable day last week when more than 30 thousand sockeye came past Bonneville Dam and that’s never happened before," said Michael Milstein with the Bonneville Power Administration.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says the recovery is due to better ocean conditions, improved salmon habitat, and improvements made at the Columbia River dams.
The recreational sockeye salmon season on the Columbia opened June 26th and runs through July 31st.
Read And View Full KGW Report
Friday, July 02, 2010
Clatsop County Oregon LNG/Pipeline Hearings: Another 50% Of Unsatisfied Issues Maintain Planning Staff's Denial Of Project
June 24, 2010
Staff Report Addendum
Oregon Pipeline LLC Consolidated Application
Staff Resopnse To Oregon LNG/Pipeline's June 9, 2010 Memorandum And Supplemental Materials
Read Full report
Staff Report Addendum
Oregon Pipeline LLC Consolidated Application
Staff Resopnse To Oregon LNG/Pipeline's June 9, 2010 Memorandum And Supplemental Materials
Read Full report
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Clatsop County Oregon LNG/Pipeline Hearings Close: Record Still Open For Public Input
Monday, June 28, 2010
From: Clatsop County Oregon
PIPELINE HEARING CLOSED; WRITTEN COMMENTS STILL ACCEPTED
The public hearing on the land-use application from Oregon Pipeline LLC concluded Friday, June 25, but written testimony will be accepted through the end of this week.
Hearings Officer Peter Livingston took testimony Friday in the second and final session of a public hearing that opened June 10.
GRP: See the "RED" on the map above? It means...."The Worst Possible Place For Major Transmission And Supply Pipelines!"
Read Full Release
Read Full Release
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Proposal To Ban Gillnetting Has Commercial Fishermen Up In Arms!
From the June 21, 2010 issue of High Country News - by Lee Van Der Loo
Updated 6/22/10
The heart of tiny Astoria, Ore., lies hidden behind the weather-beaten buildings of its gritty industrial waterfront. Docks line this lucky stretch of flat land at the base of the Coastal Range, hosting a lucrative fishing industry that reaches from Youngs Bay into the mouth of the Columbia River, several miles inland...... Read Full Article From High Country News
Updated 6/22/10
The heart of tiny Astoria, Ore., lies hidden behind the weather-beaten buildings of its gritty industrial waterfront. Docks line this lucky stretch of flat land at the base of the Coastal Range, hosting a lucrative fishing industry that reaches from Youngs Bay into the mouth of the Columbia River, several miles inland...... Read Full Article From High Country News
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Hood River Juice Cites Government Misconduct In Prosecutiong Its Case?
Scott Learn, The Oregonian
The owner of Hood River Juice has asked a court to toss out pollution charges against him based on "government misconduct" in prosecuting the case, an allegation that turns in part on the role played by Brent Foster, a former top aide to Attorney General John Kroger.
Read Report
The owner of Hood River Juice has asked a court to toss out pollution charges against him based on "government misconduct" in prosecuting the case, an allegation that turns in part on the role played by Brent Foster, a former top aide to Attorney General John Kroger.
Read Report
Pacific Seafoods Faces Class Action Lawsuit For Anti-Trust Violations
Jeff Manning, The Oregonian
In 26 years, Frank Dulcich has transformed Pacific Seafood Group from a minor fish distributor in Southeast Portland to perhaps the dominant seafood player in North America.
Read Full OregonLive Report
In 26 years, Frank Dulcich has transformed Pacific Seafood Group from a minor fish distributor in Southeast Portland to perhaps the dominant seafood player in North America.
Read Full OregonLive Report
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
From: The Week.com: Can The Tea Party Survive 2010?
With infighting reportedly on the rise, many Tea Party candidates are going down in flames. Growing pains or the beginning of the end for the protest movement?
posted on June 14, 2010, at 12:08 PM
Read The Details
posted on June 14, 2010, at 12:08 PM
Read The Details
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Ted Thomas's Call To Lame Duck Commissioners To Resign
Dear Friends,
The following is almost verbatim what I spoke to the first meeting of the Clatsop Count Board of Commissioners just after the election. The only point of interest is the fact that while I was presenting the argument below Laurie Caplan rose and departed the public meeting in a dramatic huff and said to others that day that she did not want to be associated with my words. Not the first act she has engaged in while I had my back turned towards her, I invite her to explain. Indeed I would go so far as to lay the blame for this, worst of all situations that we are now compelled to endure, with her and a few others. Their undemocratic sabotage of the recall efforts and de-facto engineering of the commission's ability to replace those successfully recalled by their own appointment of admitted, "Tea-party sympathizers," is what has gotten us in this dangerous and repugnant situation. What I am advocating for is that other's join me in calling for the long overdue resignation this oligarchy of lame ducks that cannot, or will not follow the mandate of the electorate. Although they nominally have the legal right to remain in office they are not wanted there. The alternative of waiting exposes the people to the rule of a commission that openly refutes the demonstrated will of the majority. What could be worse?
Ted Thomas
The Worst of all Situations
"The last time I spoke before the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners for my three minutes of civil rights I invoked that nobel feathered beast of the air and the swamps: The Duck. The French term fro duck, "Canard," has come to the english usage from the French expression "Vendre des canard ā maitié." literally translated it is to sell ducks by the half. The expression itself is drawn from the medieval witticism about two butchers involved in a price war over ducks. The established butcher when finally confronted with an impossible price from his competitor across the street of three franks for a duck erects a much larger sign boldly proclaiming "duck ... two franks" but in very small print at the bottom of the sign was "for half a duck." And so Canard came to mend anything paraded out in public that has the intent of being deliberately misleading.
When all our stream beds are overloaded with silts and thermal stress some might find the idea of promoting forest and aquatic health through reinstating the permission to clear cut the riparian zones up to the water's edge to be a preening Canard.
Still others might point out that feigning fiscal responsibility in cutting the District Attorneys Stipend or refusing to seek matching federal funding of the Healthy Start Program already allocated to our county at the same time that they spend tax money to fly out to Washington DC to lobby on behalf of their campaign contributers to be a big quacking Canard. And of course some would go so far as to identify the claim that the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG facility to be small to medium and protective of the fish to be a great big waddling, flapping, grand daddy of a Canard.
But I am not going to elaborate upon these dibbling downy, web footed, chicks. What I want to address is another kind of plumed foul altogether, that sad feathered, billed denizen of the swamps and water ways that cannot or will not keep up with its own flock.
The three hundred pound gorilla in the room is the fact that now and for the next 7 or so months the majority of the arguably politically wounded Commissioners are now no longer available to the voters in any subsequent election where they could be held to account for their ensuing conduct in office. Unburdened of what sense of fidelity they felt so lightly upon their shoulders already are we to understand that they now wield political office unrestrainedly for their own self interests and those interest of their confederates? Are we not right to dread 7 months of such unaccountable power? I fear this is indeed the worst of all situations that I have spoken about in private many times before.
To allay these legitimate concerns, to recover the confidence of the community and convey in certain terms a spirit of reconciliation and civil discourse in Government I humbly bring to the Commission's attention that there is no obligation currently preventing them from relinquishing office in a more timely manner. For example like the nominal duration of time that would pass between a November election and a January inauguration. Furthermore I wish to offer my sincerest invitation for those that did not prevail in the last election to resign gracefully in the interest of promoting social harmony. Seven month is a very long time to endure before following the expressed direction of the voters. What mandate do you intend to fulfill by staying when you have none from the public at all. The snow has lifted Spring is in the air it is time to move on."
The following is almost verbatim what I spoke to the first meeting of the Clatsop Count Board of Commissioners just after the election. The only point of interest is the fact that while I was presenting the argument below Laurie Caplan rose and departed the public meeting in a dramatic huff and said to others that day that she did not want to be associated with my words. Not the first act she has engaged in while I had my back turned towards her, I invite her to explain. Indeed I would go so far as to lay the blame for this, worst of all situations that we are now compelled to endure, with her and a few others. Their undemocratic sabotage of the recall efforts and de-facto engineering of the commission's ability to replace those successfully recalled by their own appointment of admitted, "Tea-party sympathizers," is what has gotten us in this dangerous and repugnant situation. What I am advocating for is that other's join me in calling for the long overdue resignation this oligarchy of lame ducks that cannot, or will not follow the mandate of the electorate. Although they nominally have the legal right to remain in office they are not wanted there. The alternative of waiting exposes the people to the rule of a commission that openly refutes the demonstrated will of the majority. What could be worse?
Ted Thomas
The Worst of all Situations
"The last time I spoke before the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners for my three minutes of civil rights I invoked that nobel feathered beast of the air and the swamps: The Duck. The French term fro duck, "Canard," has come to the english usage from the French expression "Vendre des canard ā maitié." literally translated it is to sell ducks by the half. The expression itself is drawn from the medieval witticism about two butchers involved in a price war over ducks. The established butcher when finally confronted with an impossible price from his competitor across the street of three franks for a duck erects a much larger sign boldly proclaiming "duck ... two franks" but in very small print at the bottom of the sign was "for half a duck." And so Canard came to mend anything paraded out in public that has the intent of being deliberately misleading.
When all our stream beds are overloaded with silts and thermal stress some might find the idea of promoting forest and aquatic health through reinstating the permission to clear cut the riparian zones up to the water's edge to be a preening Canard.
Still others might point out that feigning fiscal responsibility in cutting the District Attorneys Stipend or refusing to seek matching federal funding of the Healthy Start Program already allocated to our county at the same time that they spend tax money to fly out to Washington DC to lobby on behalf of their campaign contributers to be a big quacking Canard. And of course some would go so far as to identify the claim that the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG facility to be small to medium and protective of the fish to be a great big waddling, flapping, grand daddy of a Canard.
But I am not going to elaborate upon these dibbling downy, web footed, chicks. What I want to address is another kind of plumed foul altogether, that sad feathered, billed denizen of the swamps and water ways that cannot or will not keep up with its own flock.
The three hundred pound gorilla in the room is the fact that now and for the next 7 or so months the majority of the arguably politically wounded Commissioners are now no longer available to the voters in any subsequent election where they could be held to account for their ensuing conduct in office. Unburdened of what sense of fidelity they felt so lightly upon their shoulders already are we to understand that they now wield political office unrestrainedly for their own self interests and those interest of their confederates? Are we not right to dread 7 months of such unaccountable power? I fear this is indeed the worst of all situations that I have spoken about in private many times before.
To allay these legitimate concerns, to recover the confidence of the community and convey in certain terms a spirit of reconciliation and civil discourse in Government I humbly bring to the Commission's attention that there is no obligation currently preventing them from relinquishing office in a more timely manner. For example like the nominal duration of time that would pass between a November election and a January inauguration. Furthermore I wish to offer my sincerest invitation for those that did not prevail in the last election to resign gracefully in the interest of promoting social harmony. Seven month is a very long time to endure before following the expressed direction of the voters. What mandate do you intend to fulfill by staying when you have none from the public at all. The snow has lifted Spring is in the air it is time to move on."
Friday, June 18, 2010
17 Afghan Military Personel Go AWOL From Texas U.S. Air Force Base!
By: Jana Winter - Fox News
June 17, 2010
A nationwide alert has been issued for 17 members of the Afghan military who have gone AWOL from an Air Force base in Texas where foreign military officers who are training to become pilots are taught English, FoxNews.com has learned........
Read Full Article
June 17, 2010
A nationwide alert has been issued for 17 members of the Afghan military who have gone AWOL from an Air Force base in Texas where foreign military officers who are training to become pilots are taught English, FoxNews.com has learned........
Read Full Article
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Clatsop D.A. Marquis Wins Fourth Death Sentence For Double-Murderer Guzek. Next, Automatic Appeal
By Kelsey Watts, KTVZ.COM
POSTED: 5:06 pm PDT June 16, 2010
UPDATED: 4:05 pm PDT June 17, 2010
BEND, Ore. -- After only 4 1/2 hours of deliberation, a Bend jury imposed the death penalty for a fourth time Thursday afternoon against convicted double-murderer Randy Lee Guzek for his role in the brutal murders of a Terrebonne couple, after three earlier decisions were overturned on appeal over the past 23 years.
People were called back to the courtroom around 2 p.m., 5 1/2 hours after the jury got the case, following closing arguments and final jury instructions from a visiting Lane County judge.
Read And Watch Full Report
POSTED: 5:06 pm PDT June 16, 2010
UPDATED: 4:05 pm PDT June 17, 2010
BEND, Ore. -- After only 4 1/2 hours of deliberation, a Bend jury imposed the death penalty for a fourth time Thursday afternoon against convicted double-murderer Randy Lee Guzek for his role in the brutal murders of a Terrebonne couple, after three earlier decisions were overturned on appeal over the past 23 years.
People were called back to the courtroom around 2 p.m., 5 1/2 hours after the jury got the case, following closing arguments and final jury instructions from a visiting Lane County judge.
Read And Watch Full Report
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Clatsop Elections News Release:Election Filing Period Open For City Council Seats
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
From Clatsop County Elections:
The filing period is open for seats on several local city councils up for election in November.
GRP: Big questions...Is Astoria's Mayor Van Dusen going to meet a serious challenge this election and by Who? Will Warrenton's Gil Gramson be replaced? Will Astoria City Councilor Henningsgaard be unseated?
Prospective candidates have until Aug. 24 to file a declaration of candidacy for the positions, which will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
For candidates filing by petition, it is recommended that nominating petitions be submitted by Aug. 13 to ensure signature verification by the deadline.
Elections Filing Information
From Clatsop County Elections:
The filing period is open for seats on several local city councils up for election in November.
GRP: Big questions...Is Astoria's Mayor Van Dusen going to meet a serious challenge this election and by Who? Will Warrenton's Gil Gramson be replaced? Will Astoria City Councilor Henningsgaard be unseated?
Prospective candidates have until Aug. 24 to file a declaration of candidacy for the positions, which will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
For candidates filing by petition, it is recommended that nominating petitions be submitted by Aug. 13 to ensure signature verification by the deadline.
Elections Filing Information
Friday, June 11, 2010
Oregon LNG/Oregon PipelineHearings: Clatsop County Planning Staff Report And A Truckload Of Non-Compliance
OK people, let's stay on top of this!!!!
GRP:Oregon LNG/Pipeline's attorney tries to "Pooh-Pooh" the non-compliance count as just really a couple of items overall and the actual number of items is just mis-leading but, wasn't it just a couple of niggling little items that kept coming back to sink Bradwood Landing eventually?
Here's The Complete Staff Report For Your Review And Input
Saturday, June 05, 2010
FERC Report: OLNG Did Nothing Wrong
June 4, 2010
By Dennis Newman - From Natural Oregon
If LNG opponents were hoping for a new angle in their fight against Oregon LNG, this isn’t it.
A report by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) clears the company of any serious wrongdoing in how it dealt with landowners along the route of its proposed pipeline in Northwest Oregon.
“No Misconduct”
By Dennis Newman - From Natural Oregon
If LNG opponents were hoping for a new angle in their fight against Oregon LNG, this isn’t it.
A report by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) clears the company of any serious wrongdoing in how it dealt with landowners along the route of its proposed pipeline in Northwest Oregon.
“No Misconduct”
Friday, June 04, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Clatsop County Commissioner Hazen Speaks On Post-Election Resignation Request And The Daily "A"
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Laughable
At last week's commission meeting, Jay Kiddle and Ted Thomas asked for the resignation of the three of us that lost the election last month. Normally I don't respond to personal attacks during business from the public, but I was not going to sit by and not respond. I informed Ted that I was elected in 2006 to serve a 4 year term on the commission and that I was going to fulfill that obligation and have no intention of resigning........Read Full Comment
Laughable
At last week's commission meeting, Jay Kiddle and Ted Thomas asked for the resignation of the three of us that lost the election last month. Normally I don't respond to personal attacks during business from the public, but I was not going to sit by and not respond. I informed Ted that I was elected in 2006 to serve a 4 year term on the commission and that I was going to fulfill that obligation and have no intention of resigning........Read Full Comment
Business Oregon Offers Small Business Grants. Loans
Portland Business Journal
Thursday, June 3, 2010 - 8:28AM
Business Oregon, the state’s economic development department, has launched a new program to help small businesses access capital.
The program, called BOOST — Building Opportunities for Oregon Small Business Today — will loan money and award grants to Oregon businesses that create new, full-time jobs in the state.Read more: Business Oregon offers new loans, grants - Portland Business Journal
Read The Details
Thursday, June 3, 2010 - 8:28AM
Business Oregon, the state’s economic development department, has launched a new program to help small businesses access capital.
The program, called BOOST — Building Opportunities for Oregon Small Business Today — will loan money and award grants to Oregon businesses that create new, full-time jobs in the state.Read more: Business Oregon offers new loans, grants - Portland Business Journal
Read The Details
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
NWGA: Northwest Gas Association Gas Outlook 2010
NWGA 2010 Outlook Study Released
Produced annually, the Gas Outlook is a detailed look at the use and potential availability of natural gas in the Northwest through October 2019. The Outlook is unique as it represents a consensus view of the regional natural gas market developed by industry participants serving the region.
Read Full Article And Access Full NWGA Report
Produced annually, the Gas Outlook is a detailed look at the use and potential availability of natural gas in the Northwest through October 2019. The Outlook is unique as it represents a consensus view of the regional natural gas market developed by industry participants serving the region.
Read Full Article And Access Full NWGA Report
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Clatsop D.A. Marquis Prosecutes Fourth Randy Guzek Trial!
Fourth Jury Faces Choice: Life or Death for Guzek?
Opening Arguments Heard in Long and Costly Case
By Amy Easley - KTVZ.COM
POSTED: 6:44 pm PDT May 27, 2010
BEND, Ore. -- From the start Monday, jurors were told to be ready. The next three weeks would be difficult, and dark. And at the end, they'd have a tough choice: to either give convicted murderer Randy Lee Guzek a death sentence - his fourth - or life with the possibility of parole, but not for 60 years - of which he's already served 22, which would mean the now 41-year-old would be at least 78 - that is, if parole ever were granted.
.....After years of legal battles and preparation, a jury was seated and heard opening arguments in the case of Guzek, convicted for his role in the brutal shooting and stabbing deaths of a Terrebonne couple, Rod and Lois Houser, way back in 1987. Each death sentence was overturned on what any but legal experts would call technicalities.And again, prosecuting the case as he has all along, is Josh Marquis - now Clatsop County district attorney, then a Deschutes County deputy DA"...
Read And Watch Full Report
Opening Arguments Heard in Long and Costly Case
By Amy Easley - KTVZ.COM
POSTED: 6:44 pm PDT May 27, 2010
BEND, Ore. -- From the start Monday, jurors were told to be ready. The next three weeks would be difficult, and dark. And at the end, they'd have a tough choice: to either give convicted murderer Randy Lee Guzek a death sentence - his fourth - or life with the possibility of parole, but not for 60 years - of which he's already served 22, which would mean the now 41-year-old would be at least 78 - that is, if parole ever were granted.
.....After years of legal battles and preparation, a jury was seated and heard opening arguments in the case of Guzek, convicted for his role in the brutal shooting and stabbing deaths of a Terrebonne couple, Rod and Lois Houser, way back in 1987. Each death sentence was overturned on what any but legal experts would call technicalities.And again, prosecuting the case as he has all along, is Josh Marquis - now Clatsop County district attorney, then a Deschutes County deputy DA"...
Read And Watch Full Report
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tongue Point: Shipbreaking Again??
Does this crap never end and for the third attempt yet?
The Vessel Above? An 1850Ton Cargo Vessel. Click On This To Read Its Specs And You Will Find This Is Not Necessarily What Some Would Call A Small Boat?
...."However, there are still are a few companies in the business in the United States. Though rules relating to the handling and disposal of the
toxic materials that are built into old ships, including residual hydrocarbons, lead paint, asbestos, and PCBs, make the business run differently here then in the wild East ("ship breaking” is a term that is slowly being replaced by “ship recycling”). The industry is subsidized by the fact that federal policy prevents government ships from being scrapped by other countries, for the most part. With hundreds of such ships floating around the country, and around the globe, the domestic ship breaking industry is likely to continue".....Shipbreaking In America, It All Comes Apart At The Bottom of The U.S.A.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Governor "K" Calls for 9% Budget Cuts Over Grim Outlook Report
May 26, 2010
KGW.com and AP Staff Report
State Economist Explains Budget Projection
SALEM, Ore. -- The Great Recession is "likely over" in Oregon -- but the state's top economist said not to expect to see signs things are getting any better anytime soon.
To add it all up, the outlook report released Tuesday showed the state is facing a $562 million shortfall for the current biennium which runs through next year.
Read Full KGW.com Report
KGW.com and AP Staff Report
State Economist Explains Budget Projection
SALEM, Ore. -- The Great Recession is "likely over" in Oregon -- but the state's top economist said not to expect to see signs things are getting any better anytime soon.
To add it all up, the outlook report released Tuesday showed the state is facing a $562 million shortfall for the current biennium which runs through next year.
Read Full KGW.com Report
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Oregon A.G. Kroger's Reponse To Oregon Rep. Ferrioli
GRP: In what appears to be a vindictive "Witch Hunt" being concocted by, what appears again, Pro-Bradwood/Northen Star Natural Gas abettors in the hope that some of the accusations against Oregon Attorney General and Assistant Brent Foster and others may stick to legitimize the ramblings of one certain reporter at a local Clatsop County Message Board, Oregon AG Kroger has responded to a FOIA request by Oregon Rep Ferrioli.
You may read it below without the Editorializing and judge its legitimacy for yourself.
Read Complete Letter With No Editorializing
You may read it below without the Editorializing and judge its legitimacy for yourself.
Read Complete Letter With No Editorializing
Monday, May 24, 2010
Chinook Observer:Moby Dick Can Mow Till 2012
By Cate Gable - ChinookObserver Columnist
5/18/2010 - 5:19PM
LONG BEACH - The Noxious Weed Control Board meeting Tuesday evening, May 11, encompassed strong emotions but concluded with a clear-cut decision on a topic that has roiled local communities in recent months.
Read Full Chinook Observer Article
5/18/2010 - 5:19PM
LONG BEACH - The Noxious Weed Control Board meeting Tuesday evening, May 11, encompassed strong emotions but concluded with a clear-cut decision on a topic that has roiled local communities in recent months.
Read Full Chinook Observer Article
Sunday, May 23, 2010
34 Days And Still No Move By Obama To Assist In Oil Spill Stoppage
34 Days and Obama Still Lets Oil Giant Run Show
Read Full Report
NewMax.com
Sunday, 23 May 2010 06:47 PM
VENICE, La/HOUSTON – The U.S. government threatened to remove BP from efforts to seal a blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico if it doesn't do enough to stop the leak, though it acknowledged only the company and the oil industry have the know-how to halt the deepwater spill.
Read Full Report
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Oregonian's Jeff Mapes:Will Defeat Of Three Clatsop County Commissioners End The Turmoil?
Politics and environment, local government
By Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian
May 21, 2010, 9:33AM
Clatsop County had a big election Tuesday night when three county commissioners were swept out by challengers who had opposed the effort to site a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River near Astoria.
Read The Oregonian's Jeff Mapes Full Article
By Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian
May 21, 2010, 9:33AM
Clatsop County had a big election Tuesday night when three county commissioners were swept out by challengers who had opposed the effort to site a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River near Astoria.
Read The Oregonian's Jeff Mapes Full Article
CEDR(Clatsop Economic Development Resources): Just What Is It They Do These Days?
Their Website CEDR says nothing since November, 2009.
And this is the non-profit private machine that has chartered itself as the end-all, do-all consulting agency to help put us to work and foster Economic Development here on the Lower Columbia River?
Maybe I'm missing something here and I extend a sincere invitation to those involved with CEDR to come and give us a "No-Bullshit" update on exactly what they are doing to bring us good, clean, cohesive and compatible Industry and Jobs here as from all appearances they seem to be at a standstill.
GRP: CEDR Has A Pulse Afterall. Look For This CEDR Event @:
CEDR Spot Radio
Join us on the “CEDR Spot”, an examination of local business and economic development issues. We’ll focus on the challenging economic development issues facing the citizens of Clatsop County. We’ll also discuss the challenges and opportunities confronting local businesses.
When
Thu May 27 12:30pm – 1pm Pacific Time
Where
KAST 1370 AM - Repeats at 5:30 PM
And this is the non-profit private machine that has chartered itself as the end-all, do-all consulting agency to help put us to work and foster Economic Development here on the Lower Columbia River?
Maybe I'm missing something here and I extend a sincere invitation to those involved with CEDR to come and give us a "No-Bullshit" update on exactly what they are doing to bring us good, clean, cohesive and compatible Industry and Jobs here as from all appearances they seem to be at a standstill.
GRP: CEDR Has A Pulse Afterall. Look For This CEDR Event @:
CEDR Spot Radio
Join us on the “CEDR Spot”, an examination of local business and economic development issues. We’ll focus on the challenging economic development issues facing the citizens of Clatsop County. We’ll also discuss the challenges and opportunities confronting local businesses.
When
Thu May 27 12:30pm – 1pm Pacific Time
Where
KAST 1370 AM - Repeats at 5:30 PM
Friday, May 21, 2010
Applications Filed To Send New Northwest Broadcasters To Receivers!
From: Radio Online
Apps Filed to Send New Northwest to Receiver Davis
Applications have been filed with the FCC to transfer the radio properties of New Northwest Broadcasters to Alan M. Davis' Revitalization Partners as receiver.
Read Full Release
Apps Filed to Send New Northwest to Receiver Davis
Applications have been filed with the FCC to transfer the radio properties of New Northwest Broadcasters to Alan M. Davis' Revitalization Partners as receiver.
Read Full Release
Shorebank Cascadia's Role In Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area
...."SBEC proposes to work with local and regional partners to help our region be and remain resilient in the 21st century. We will weave community involvement into the development of the Management Plan. It is a goal that this heritage area reflects the people, places and economies that give our area its unique character"....
Read The Complete Outline Of Shorebank Cascadia's Involvement In CPNHA
Read The Complete Outline Of Shorebank Cascadia's Involvement In CPNHA
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Oregonian's Ted Sickenger November 16, 2007 - LNG Natural Gas Pipelines Tap Into Residents Fears
GRP: The argument is as fresh today as it was almost 3 years ago
Friday, November 16, 2007
TED SICKINGER - The Oregonian
A chorus of concerns rang out this week as landowners along the snaking route of a proposed natural gas pipeline showed signs of organizing to oppose the line and liquefied natural gas terminals along the lower Columbia River......
Sunday, May 16, 2010
FERC Tells Oregon LNG To Hold Open Season Or Withdraw Pipeline Project
GRP: Just What Does The Term "Open Season" Mean You May Ask?
FERC’s 1995 Policy Statement first endorsed the open season process in terms of mitigating rate increases on existing customers from rolled-in pricing. FERC sought to encourage capacity release from existing users prior to approving new construction. The open season process became the tool to check whether the project was the correct size.
By Robert Walton - SNL Financial
Monday, May 10, 2010 9:47 AM
If Oregon Pipeline Co. LLC wants FERC to continue reviewing its proposed system then the company must move ahead with an open season, commission staff said in a sternly worded May 14 letter
LNG Development Co. LLC d/b/a and Oregon Oregon LNG Pipeline Co. LLC are proposing to construct an LNG import terminal on the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton, Ore. A 120-mile pipeline would connect to a regional hub in Molalla, Ore. But according to FERC staff, the pipeline company has not yet held an open season, which is jeopardizing the review process.
Read Full Article
FERC’s 1995 Policy Statement first endorsed the open season process in terms of mitigating rate increases on existing customers from rolled-in pricing. FERC sought to encourage capacity release from existing users prior to approving new construction. The open season process became the tool to check whether the project was the correct size.
By Robert Walton - SNL Financial
Monday, May 10, 2010 9:47 AM
If Oregon Pipeline Co. LLC wants FERC to continue reviewing its proposed system then the company must move ahead with an open season, commission staff said in a sternly worded May 14 letter
LNG Development Co. LLC d/b/a and Oregon Oregon LNG Pipeline Co. LLC are proposing to construct an LNG import terminal on the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton, Ore. A 120-mile pipeline would connect to a regional hub in Molalla, Ore. But according to FERC staff, the pipeline company has not yet held an open season, which is jeopardizing the review process.
Read Full Article
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Oregon LNG Lease: Letters To The Port Of Astoria
Maybe You Can Find Some Words To Help Port Commission See The Common Sense In Denying OLNG's Lease
Be Forewarned - Will "The Port", In Light Of Its Current Troubles, Be Able To Withstand The Onslaught?
And here's one of the best points yet as to why "PofA" needs to stand firm and look for whatever tools are necessary to stop this bleeding and wrest that 90-plus acres of Skipanon Peninsula back from this "Energy Speculator, OLNG and put it to better use to "Our" benefit, not that of a holding company bolstered, from all appearances, private coporation that is essentially starting from dead zero on a scheme with no market and for potentially 60 years of control for $39,000 a year for God's sake?....."Cameron Horowitz, an analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, said increased domestic supplies of natural gas have slashed prices, killing the demand for LNG imports. Two other companies trying to develop LNG facilities in Oregon would face "slim" prospects of success, he said."Every year for the past five years, there's been talk that this country would be flooded with LNG imports, but it has never come to fruition," he said from Houston. "Given the outlook for U.S. natural gas prices and the rest of the world, I don't see it coming to fruition at all over the next five years."Horowitz said LNG facilities on the Gulf of Mexico have been trying to win permission to ship LNG stockpiles back overseas.NorthernStar's bankruptcy filing listed assets of $165,930 and liabilities of about $129.5 million"..
Read Them Here If You Wish
From "The Stump":Bradwood Landing's Demise A Victory For Oregon Values
Badwood Landing's demise: A victory for Oregon's values
By Oregonlive Guest Columnists
By Oregonlive Guest Columnists
May 11, 2010, 9:00AMBy Jack Marincovich, Ivan Maluski, Dave Cruickshank and Brett VandenHeuvel
Should Oregonians and our elected leaders sit by and watch Texas-based energy companies degrade our farmland, forests and salmon? Of course not........
Monday, May 10, 2010
Steve Miller:Why The Public Sector Cannot Be Run Like A Business
The public sector can certainly benefit from the adoption of many business practices, from a focus on customer service to more efficient work flow, from TQM(Total Quality Management) to greater transparency. But no matter how important these practices may be, no matter how much the public sector can benefit from their use, there is a fundamental difference between the two sectors that will perpetually lead to differences.......
Read Full Opinion
Read Full Opinion
Sunday, May 09, 2010
GRP Clatsop County Commissioner Campaign Straw Poll Ends
There were a total of 76 voters that participated(Each voter could cast multiple votes) and here are the total votes per candidate. This is a Straw Poll only. The Poll question was: Who's your candidate for each Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners open district seat in the May 18, 2010 Primary?
Key question: Which of these candidates can set aside "Party Politics" and be the "Impartial Guardians" of the "Public's Trust" in the doing of our "Public Business"?
Peter Huhtala
59 (77%)
Versus
John Raichl
11 (14%)
Scott Lee
57 (75%)
Versus
Jeff Hazen
8 (10%)
Birkby
47 (61%)
Versus
Mushen
14 (18%)
Versus
Dunzer
3 (3%)
Peter Huhtala
59 (77%)
Versus
John Raichl
11 (14%)
Scott Lee
57 (75%)
Versus
Jeff Hazen
8 (10%)
Birkby
47 (61%)
Versus
Mushen
14 (18%)
Versus
Dunzer
3 (3%)
Friday, May 07, 2010
The Hazen Campaign: Now, Wait A minute!!!
Did I hear this morning, at the end of a Hazen Campaign message..."This Message Paid For By Committee For County Prosperity"?
Maybe I am missing something but, I don't see any campaign finance activity on ORESTAR for either Hazen's ORESTAR PAC Site(#13869) Or CFCP's ORESTAR Pac Site(#13954) that reflects any contributions or expenditures that reflect this expense.
Isn't this stuff supposed to be reported and posted within a fairly prompt amount of time?
Both these PACs were formed and registered back during the recall elections against Hazen and Ann Samuelson primarily, where again, there were many questions regarding certain contributions.
Now doesn't seem to be a very prudent time to be raising questions about certain conflicting ties to questionable campaign financing especially on Hazen's part does it.
Can anybody clue us in on this?
Jeff?
Update!
Orestar shows some recent transaction activity (To 05-10-2010) on both Hazen's PAC(#13869) and Committee For County Prosperity's PAC(#13954) for you to review should you so desire. Interestingly, North Coast Retail(Developers of the new Costco and other adjacent projects) shows another recent contribution to Committee For County Prosperity of $9,000.00 on 05-03-2010?
And now, to make things more curiouser, Clatsop County Board of Commissioners has amended Wednesday's, May 12, 2010 Agenda to include North Coast Retail LLC, which plans to ask the citizens of Clatsop County to extend a $4.5 Million Dollar Promisory Note due on North Coast Business Park property for a period of two years, is it, that is now due?
Now, we will not even go into the issue that Clatsop Commissioner Robert Mushen's PAC(#14467) Treasurer holds two key positions with CFCP which is also a contributor to Jeff Hazen's re-election campaign and I cannot truly say that any of this is illegal but, would it not be prudent for both candidates to look seriously at the impropriety of any deliberations at all on this issue at Wednesday's meeting in the interest of the citizens of Clatsop County whom they serve?
From KAST-AM: Recalled Clatsop Commissioner Ann Samuelson Weighs In On Bradwood Landing
Jeff Nelson - KAST-AM
Posted on May 06, 2010 06:00
....."Former Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson comments on Northern Star Natural Gas’ announcement Wednesday that it is suspending development of the proposed LNG facility at Bradwood Landing. Asked if it’s fair to characterize her as a supporter of this specific project, but not a blanket endorsement of LNG, Samuelson says: “I don’t even know if I want to say that. What I want to say is that I’m a supporter of good government".....
Read Full KAST-AM Report
Posted on May 06, 2010 06:00
....."Former Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson comments on Northern Star Natural Gas’ announcement Wednesday that it is suspending development of the proposed LNG facility at Bradwood Landing. Asked if it’s fair to characterize her as a supporter of this specific project, but not a blanket endorsement of LNG, Samuelson says: “I don’t even know if I want to say that. What I want to say is that I’m a supporter of good government".....
Read Full KAST-AM Report
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Northern Star Natural Gas Files For Bankruptcy!
Bradwood LNG Developer Files For Bankruptcy
May 5, 2010
Dennis Newman - Natural Oregon
NorthernStar Natural Gas, the developer of the Bradwood Landing LNG project, has filed for bankruptcy.
In papers filed yesterday in Houston, the company says it’s unable to pay its debts and will liquidate under Chapter 7.
Company spokesman Charles Deister wouldn’t comment when asked about the filing. He referred me to yesterday’s announcement that the company is suspending work on Bradwood Landing.............
....."Cameron Horowitz, an analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, said increased domestic supplies of natural gas have slashed prices, killing the demand for LNG imports. Two other companies trying to develop LNG facilities in Oregon would face "slim" prospects of success, he said.
"Every year for the past five years, there's been talk that this country would be flooded with LNG imports, but it has never come to fruition," he said from Houston. "Given the outlook for U.S. natural gas prices and the rest of the world, I don't see it coming to fruition at all over the next five years."
Horowitz said LNG facilities on the Gulf of Mexico have been trying to win permission to ship LNG stockpiles back overseas.
NorthernStar's bankruptcy filing listed assets of $165,930 and liabilities of about $129.5 million"...
Read CBS News - AP Report
Read The Natural Oregon Details
Oregonlive:Details Surface On Brent Foster Resignation
By Scott Learn, The Oregonian
May 04, 2010, 8:44PM
When a judge allowed state and federal agents to search Hood River Juice in October, handcuff and cart off owner David B. Ryan and file criminal charges, a big piece of incriminating evidence was a water sample from a puddle near the plant that showed extraordinarily high pollution levels.
Turns out, there were two problems with that evidence, new court records indicate: The sample collection, including unsterile bottles and no custody seal, was flawed.
Read Full Oregon Live Article
May 04, 2010, 8:44PM
When a judge allowed state and federal agents to search Hood River Juice in October, handcuff and cart off owner David B. Ryan and file criminal charges, a big piece of incriminating evidence was a water sample from a puddle near the plant that showed extraordinarily high pollution levels.
Turns out, there were two problems with that evidence, new court records indicate: The sample collection, including unsterile bottles and no custody seal, was flawed.
Read Full Oregon Live Article
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Northern Star Natural Gas Suspends Development Of Bradwood Landing Import Terminal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 4, 2010Contact: Charles Deister (503) 949-5762
NorthernStar Natural Gas suspends development of its Bradwood Landing LNG import terminal
PORTLAND, Ore. - NorthernStar Natural Gas has suspended development of its Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas import terminal near Astoria, Oregon. "The extended delays in the processing of state and federal permits for Bradwood Landing and the difficult investment environment have forced us to suspend development," said NorthernStar Natural Gas President Paul Soanes. "In particular, the challenging regulatory environment gives investors pause, especially considering that Bradwood Landing would have such a positive impact on the Northwest's economy and environment while supporting the region's transition to renewable energy by providing a new source of reliable and affordable natural gas." Since its inception, Bradwood has worked to ensure it will provide a significant and sustainable net benefit for the lower Columbia ecosystem, and serve as a model of sustainable development. Using best available science and recovery plans, the project included innovative measures to avoid and minimize impacts, robust mitigation, and a $59 million voluntary (but legally binding) Salmon Enhancement Initiative: the largest private investment of its kind ever proposed for the region. "While we're disappointed, we are truly grateful for the tremendous support the project received from citizens in Clatsop County and Oregon's business and labor communities," said Mr. Soanes. "Bradwood Landing is a great example of a project that business and labor came together to support. Not only would it have created hundreds of jobs, but it would have provided a needed new source of natural gas, which would have helped stabilize energy costs for thousands of businesses." Initial development work on Bradwood Landing began nearly six years ago. Bradwood is the site of the former Bradwood lumber mill, company town and has a natural deep-water port. Bradwood Landing received its FERC certificate order September 18, 2008 after an extensive scientific and technical review, which took three and a half years and included an official record in excess of 50,000 pages. On March 20, 2008, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners approved Bradwood's consolidated land use application on a 4-1 vote after a nine-month public process. Earlier this year, Bradwood reached a key milestone when formal consultation began under the Endangered Species Act with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Previously, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that the Columbia River could be made suitable for the LNG marine traffic associated in its record of decision dated April 24, 2009, provided full implementation of the risk mitigation measures detailed in the Waterway Suitability Report are accomplished. Those measures were included as conditions when FERC issued its Certificate Order for the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal in September 2008. Bradwood Landing's coalition of supporters included the Oregon AFL-CIO, the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council, the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Oregon Machinists Council, the Washington Machinists Council, Carpenters Local 1707, the International Longshore Workers' Union (Columbia River Oregon Area), and the Steamship Operators Association. Bradwood Landing and its associated 36.3-mile pipeline would have provided a new source of natural gas directly into the Oregon and Washington natural gas market. It would have created more than 450 jobs over three years of construction and 65 permanent jobs while contributing more than $7.8 million annually in taxes to Clatsop County. An analysis of the effects of increased natural gas supply by former University of Oregon economist Dr. Phil Romero, showed that Bradwood Landing could reduce the wholesale cost of natural gas by 13 percent. Dr. Romero's analysis showed this decrease in energy costs would help support the creation of between 5,100 and 20,300 jobs.
###
Charles H. Deister Director, Media and Government Relations NorthernStar Natural Gas (503) 949-5762 CDeister@NSNG.com
NorthernStar Natural Gas suspends development of its Bradwood Landing LNG import terminal
PORTLAND, Ore. - NorthernStar Natural Gas has suspended development of its Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas import terminal near Astoria, Oregon. "The extended delays in the processing of state and federal permits for Bradwood Landing and the difficult investment environment have forced us to suspend development," said NorthernStar Natural Gas President Paul Soanes. "In particular, the challenging regulatory environment gives investors pause, especially considering that Bradwood Landing would have such a positive impact on the Northwest's economy and environment while supporting the region's transition to renewable energy by providing a new source of reliable and affordable natural gas." Since its inception, Bradwood has worked to ensure it will provide a significant and sustainable net benefit for the lower Columbia ecosystem, and serve as a model of sustainable development. Using best available science and recovery plans, the project included innovative measures to avoid and minimize impacts, robust mitigation, and a $59 million voluntary (but legally binding) Salmon Enhancement Initiative: the largest private investment of its kind ever proposed for the region. "While we're disappointed, we are truly grateful for the tremendous support the project received from citizens in Clatsop County and Oregon's business and labor communities," said Mr. Soanes. "Bradwood Landing is a great example of a project that business and labor came together to support. Not only would it have created hundreds of jobs, but it would have provided a needed new source of natural gas, which would have helped stabilize energy costs for thousands of businesses." Initial development work on Bradwood Landing began nearly six years ago. Bradwood is the site of the former Bradwood lumber mill, company town and has a natural deep-water port. Bradwood Landing received its FERC certificate order September 18, 2008 after an extensive scientific and technical review, which took three and a half years and included an official record in excess of 50,000 pages. On March 20, 2008, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners approved Bradwood's consolidated land use application on a 4-1 vote after a nine-month public process. Earlier this year, Bradwood reached a key milestone when formal consultation began under the Endangered Species Act with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Previously, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that the Columbia River could be made suitable for the LNG marine traffic associated in its record of decision dated April 24, 2009, provided full implementation of the risk mitigation measures detailed in the Waterway Suitability Report are accomplished. Those measures were included as conditions when FERC issued its Certificate Order for the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal in September 2008. Bradwood Landing's coalition of supporters included the Oregon AFL-CIO, the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council, the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Oregon Machinists Council, the Washington Machinists Council, Carpenters Local 1707, the International Longshore Workers' Union (Columbia River Oregon Area), and the Steamship Operators Association. Bradwood Landing and its associated 36.3-mile pipeline would have provided a new source of natural gas directly into the Oregon and Washington natural gas market. It would have created more than 450 jobs over three years of construction and 65 permanent jobs while contributing more than $7.8 million annually in taxes to Clatsop County. An analysis of the effects of increased natural gas supply by former University of Oregon economist Dr. Phil Romero, showed that Bradwood Landing could reduce the wholesale cost of natural gas by 13 percent. Dr. Romero's analysis showed this decrease in energy costs would help support the creation of between 5,100 and 20,300 jobs.
###
Charles H. Deister Director, Media and Government Relations NorthernStar Natural Gas (503) 949-5762 CDeister@NSNG.com
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Hazen Breaks The Silence!!!
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Election time
First off, let me apologize for the length of time that has gone by since I last posted anything to my blog.
Time as been in short supply over the last several months and I will do better at updating this blog on a regular basis.
I want to take this opportunity to outline some of the happenings in regards to the county commission. I will also address some of the concerns that are out there.......
Election time
First off, let me apologize for the length of time that has gone by since I last posted anything to my blog.
Time as been in short supply over the last several months and I will do better at updating this blog on a regular basis.
I want to take this opportunity to outline some of the happenings in regards to the county commission. I will also address some of the concerns that are out there.......
Hazen on "The Stipend": "Many other counties in the state do not provide a stipend. Obviously this caused a debate that still lingers today even though the commission reinstated the stipend later.".... GRP: Of The 36 counties in Oregon, my understanding is, 23 pay an annual stipend to their District Attoneys for services.
Read Hazen's Blog Post
Read Hazen's Blog Post
Friday, April 30, 2010
Clatsop County News Release - No Special Meeting Scheduled On Bradwood LNG Appeal
Department News Release
Thursday, April 29, 2010
NO SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED ON BRADWOOD LNG APPEAL
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will not hold a special meeting to consider whether to join the developer of the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG project in an appeal over the company’s land-use application.
Bradwood Landing LLC/NorthernStar LLC is challenging a ruling by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals in the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Bradwood is appealing LUBA’s April 12 ruling that remanded two issues related to the developer’s consolidated application back to the county for further clarification.
The county had the option of joining Bradwood/NorthernStar as a party in the Court of Appeals challenge, or allowing the company to handle the appeal on its own.
Bradwood/NorthernStar proposes to build a liquefied natural gas receiving terminal and pipeline at Bradwood, approximately 25 miles east of Astoria.'
The company’s consolidated land-use application was approved by the county board of commissioners in March 2008 but appealed by project opponents to LUBA, which rejected most of the appellants’ points but remanded two issues back to the county – the question of whether the development met the definition of small to medium scale, and the definition of “protect” as it relates to fishing areas.
In July 2009 the board approved new findings to address the remand issues, which were in turn again appealed to LUBA. The state panel again remanded the two issues back to the county in its April 12 ruling.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Class-Action Lawsuit Against Wal-Mart
The Class-Action Lawsuit against Wal-Mart
Carrie Lukas - The Corner - National Review Online
How do you know when someone has been the victim of discrimination? That’s the question at the heart of the class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart, which alleges that up to 1 million female employees suffered because of discriminatory employment practices. This week, the Ninth Circuit allowed the lawsuit to proceed.
Read Full Report
Carrie Lukas - The Corner - National Review Online
How do you know when someone has been the victim of discrimination? That’s the question at the heart of the class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart, which alleges that up to 1 million female employees suffered because of discriminatory employment practices. This week, the Ninth Circuit allowed the lawsuit to proceed.
Read Full Report
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Columbia River Dredging Ends This Year To Mixed Views On The End Result
Columbia River dredging ends this year, benefits end mixed
By The Oregonian - Business News
April 23, 2010, 6:35PM
The last phase of work is being completed on the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project, 20 years in the making, which deepened 103 miles of the channel by three feet.
Twenty years ago, a massive dredging effort to deepen 103 miles of the mighty Columbia River held the promise of securing Oregon's connection to the rest of the world. At 43 feet, the channel -- otherwise too shallow to compete with deep-water ports -- could play host to today's larger vessels and more efficiently send Northwest wheat and steel to markets around the globe.
Read Complete Article
By The Oregonian - Business News
April 23, 2010, 6:35PM
The last phase of work is being completed on the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project, 20 years in the making, which deepened 103 miles of the channel by three feet.
Twenty years ago, a massive dredging effort to deepen 103 miles of the mighty Columbia River held the promise of securing Oregon's connection to the rest of the world. At 43 feet, the channel -- otherwise too shallow to compete with deep-water ports -- could play host to today's larger vessels and more efficiently send Northwest wheat and steel to markets around the globe.
Read Complete Article
Bradbury Takes On Oregon LNG Siting In New Campaign Video
Bradbury takes on LNG terminal in new campaign ad
By Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian
April 22, 2010, 4:52PMFormer Secretary of State Bill Bradbury has made a lot of his staunch opposition to liquefied natural gas terminals in Oregon. Now, he's turned it into a new television commercial being launched by his campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
Read Full Jeff Mapes Report
By Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian
April 22, 2010, 4:52PMFormer Secretary of State Bill Bradbury has made a lot of his staunch opposition to liquefied natural gas terminals in Oregon. Now, he's turned it into a new television commercial being launched by his campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
Read Full Jeff Mapes Report
Friday, April 23, 2010
NSNG/Bradwood LNG Appeals LUBA Ruling
Bradwood Landing appeals Land Use Board decision
April 22, 2010
April 22, 2010
And then, all of a sudden NSNG/Bradwood's Press Release on their website announcing their plan to appeal this last LUBA Remand inexplicably diappears, can't be found nor the entire site accessed. Hmmmm! Interesting.
PORTLAND, Ore. – NorthernStar Natural Gas has filed an appeal with the Oregon Court of Appeals to an April 12, 2010 decision by Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).
That decision remanded two issues related to Bradwood Landing’s consolidated land use approval back to Clatsop County for further work.
Read Full Natural Oregon Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – NorthernStar Natural Gas has filed an appeal with the Oregon Court of Appeals to an April 12, 2010 decision by Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).
That decision remanded two issues related to Bradwood Landing’s consolidated land use approval back to Clatsop County for further work.
Read Full Natural Oregon Release
Clatsop County Proposed Budget Holds No Creative Surprises
Thursday, April 22, 2010
PROPOSED 2010-11 BUDGET PRESERVES COUNTY SERVICES
Despite a still-sluggish economy and flat revenue, Clatsop County’s proposed 2010-11 fiscal year budget maintains almost all existing county services and programs.
Read Full County Release
PROPOSED 2010-11 BUDGET PRESERVES COUNTY SERVICES
Despite a still-sluggish economy and flat revenue, Clatsop County’s proposed 2010-11 fiscal year budget maintains almost all existing county services and programs.
Read Full County Release
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Landowners Speak-Up To FERC On Oregon LNG Pipeline Conduct
April 22, 2010
10:46 AM
Cassandra Profita - The Daily Astorian
Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Bobbie McCartney presided over an unusual court proceeding in Astoria Wednesday designed to collect testimony on Oregon LNG's treatment of landowners along its proposed 117-mile pipeline route.
About a dozen people, several who live along the pipeline route in Warrenton and Jewell, attended the event at the Judge Guy Boyington Building and testified about their negative experiences with the company.
Read Full Article
10:46 AM
Cassandra Profita - The Daily Astorian
Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Bobbie McCartney presided over an unusual court proceeding in Astoria Wednesday designed to collect testimony on Oregon LNG's treatment of landowners along its proposed 117-mile pipeline route.
About a dozen people, several who live along the pipeline route in Warrenton and Jewell, attended the event at the Judge Guy Boyington Building and testified about their negative experiences with the company.
Read Full Article
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Brent Foster Resigns From Oregon AG's Office
Oregon environmental counsel resigns from attorney general's office
By Scott Learn, The Oregonian
April 20, 2010, 8:03PM
Brent Foster, the environmental activist hired by Oregon Attorney General John Kroger to lead Kroger's promised crackdown on polluters, resigned Tuesday after misrepresenting his involvement in a criminal environmental case, Kroger's office said late Tuesday.
Kroger said in a press release that he referred the matter to the Marion County district attorney's office for investigation, adding that "it is crucial that all members of the Department of Justice maintain the highest professional standards." His office declined to comment further.
Read Full Details
By Scott Learn, The Oregonian
April 20, 2010, 8:03PM
Brent Foster, the environmental activist hired by Oregon Attorney General John Kroger to lead Kroger's promised crackdown on polluters, resigned Tuesday after misrepresenting his involvement in a criminal environmental case, Kroger's office said late Tuesday.
Kroger said in a press release that he referred the matter to the Marion County district attorney's office for investigation, adding that "it is crucial that all members of the Department of Justice maintain the highest professional standards." His office declined to comment further.
Read Full Details
Monday, April 19, 2010
Clatsop Commissioner Jeff Hazen: Is He Confident Enough To Run A Stealth Campaign?
Is Jeff Hazen running a "Stealth" campaign for County Commissioner?
Those who lived here in 1992, many can remember it seemed to have worked for Julie Leonhardt when she beat Steve Gerttula for DA.
Hazen, who has a website that is on many blogrolls and was very vocal back during his own, Ann Samuelson and Patricia Ronerts recall elections, hasn't had a post since November 2009 when he mourned the loss of his pal Ann, and attempted to bolster support against Roberts recall declaring, "Make no mistake about it they are trying to take over our County Government"(They the assumption would infer would be his neighbors and constituents in Clatsop County) and aside from a few signs trying to tie him to Raichl "Support Our County, Vote Raichl and Hazen" and similar to the signs posted back during the recall campaigns, to the effect.."Support Our County, Say No To Recall", there simply is no campaign presence on the web or anywhere for Hazen.
For Hazen, it would appear back during the recalls, keeping his head down kept him from being recalled but the question now is: will it get him re-elected?
Maybe there will be a last minute campaign blitz to get him past a very viable candidate in Scott Lee(No relation to Richard Lee)?
In Hazen's three and a half years on CCBofC, what are some of Hazen's hallmarks in his tenure on that panel that seem to stand out most in the Public's perception?
1) Walking literally in lock step step with pals Lee and Samuelson until they were RECALLED?
2) Engineering the whole DA pay debacle and voting AGAINST restoring the DA county pay in March 2008 even when the other Board members voted for it?
3) LNG. How much divisiveness, how many 100,000s of dollars has to be paid before Hazen listens to 1) county staff and 2) LUBA?
4) Why does he keep flying to DC on our dollars? What exactly has the county gotten from the feds because of Jeff's "intervention"?
Mr. Hazen is most certainly invited to refute, enhance or add to this list any information he feels will help his campaign if he wishes to do so.
Those who lived here in 1992, many can remember it seemed to have worked for Julie Leonhardt when she beat Steve Gerttula for DA.
Hazen, who has a website that is on many blogrolls and was very vocal back during his own, Ann Samuelson and Patricia Ronerts recall elections, hasn't had a post since November 2009 when he mourned the loss of his pal Ann, and attempted to bolster support against Roberts recall declaring, "Make no mistake about it they are trying to take over our County Government"(They the assumption would infer would be his neighbors and constituents in Clatsop County) and aside from a few signs trying to tie him to Raichl "Support Our County, Vote Raichl and Hazen" and similar to the signs posted back during the recall campaigns, to the effect.."Support Our County, Say No To Recall", there simply is no campaign presence on the web or anywhere for Hazen.
For Hazen, it would appear back during the recalls, keeping his head down kept him from being recalled but the question now is: will it get him re-elected?
Maybe there will be a last minute campaign blitz to get him past a very viable candidate in Scott Lee(No relation to Richard Lee)?
In Hazen's three and a half years on CCBofC, what are some of Hazen's hallmarks in his tenure on that panel that seem to stand out most in the Public's perception?
1) Walking literally in lock step step with pals Lee and Samuelson until they were RECALLED?
2) Engineering the whole DA pay debacle and voting AGAINST restoring the DA county pay in March 2008 even when the other Board members voted for it?
3) LNG. How much divisiveness, how many 100,000s of dollars has to be paid before Hazen listens to 1) county staff and 2) LUBA?
4) Why does he keep flying to DC on our dollars? What exactly has the county gotten from the feds because of Jeff's "intervention"?
Mr. Hazen is most certainly invited to refute, enhance or add to this list any information he feels will help his campaign if he wishes to do so.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Continued Application Hearings On Bradwood Landing On Hold
From: Clatsop County Department News Release
Friday, April 16, 2010
REVIEW OF BRADWOOD APPLICATIONS ON HOLD
Clatsop County’s review of eight supplemental applications related to the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG project has been put on hold pending the outcome of challenges to the development.
On Friday, Land Use Hearings Officer Peter Livingston concluded an extended public hearing held regarding the eight applications, then announced that his review of and possible ruling on the applications will be continued to an unspecified future date to allow for possible appeals or other actions stemming from this week’s ruling from the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals on the Bradwood project.
Read Full Release
Friday, April 16, 2010
REVIEW OF BRADWOOD APPLICATIONS ON HOLD
Clatsop County’s review of eight supplemental applications related to the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG project has been put on hold pending the outcome of challenges to the development.
On Friday, Land Use Hearings Officer Peter Livingston concluded an extended public hearing held regarding the eight applications, then announced that his review of and possible ruling on the applications will be continued to an unspecified future date to allow for possible appeals or other actions stemming from this week’s ruling from the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals on the Bradwood project.
Read Full Release
Put The Onus Back On Northern Star
And maybe now it is simply time for Clatsop County Commission and Planning Commission, in support of its/our staff suck it up, get a spine and bring all this misery to a screeching halt by simply insisting that before any more review and approvals of NSNG's Bradwood Landing take place, that all requirements of County, State and Federal agencies be met to the letter of the law and those approvals be laid on the table for a final approval.
This is a project of such a magnitude that "Trust us, we will do the right thing" just should not even be brought into the equation.
With this last LUBA ruling the term "Action Talks, Bullshit Walks" is in full play here and to avoid any more talk or notions of "Recall" and the tearing apart the unity of this community's citizens, it is imperative we take the directorship of this mess out of the hands of Texas based Northern Star Natural Gas and put the onus back on them to satisfy us.
This is a project of such a magnitude that "Trust us, we will do the right thing" just should not even be brought into the equation.
With this last LUBA ruling the term "Action Talks, Bullshit Walks" is in full play here and to avoid any more talk or notions of "Recall" and the tearing apart the unity of this community's citizens, it is imperative we take the directorship of this mess out of the hands of Texas based Northern Star Natural Gas and put the onus back on them to satisfy us.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
From Columbia Riverkeeper:Oregon LUBA Rejects Clatsop County's Approval Of Bradwood Landing Again!!!
For Immediate Release. April 12, 2010.
Contact: Brett VandenHeuvel, Director, Columbia Riverkeeper (503) 348-2436
Dan Serres, Conservation Director, Columbia Riverkeeper (503) 890-2441
Oregon Court Rejects Bradwood Landing LNG, Again
The Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) rejected Clatsop County’s approval of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Columbia River.
LUBA found the LNG terminal violates state and county laws designed to protect endangered salmon and traditional fishing areas.
“This is a crushing defeat for Bradwood Landing. With the legal requirement to protect endangered salmon and traditional fishing areas, I can’t conceive of a way this LNG project moves forward,” stated Brett VandenHeuvel, Director of Columbia Riverkeeper, who argued the case to LUBA. “This is the second time we’ve won on these issues. Bradwood has run out of options.”
Long-time Columbia River commercial fisherman, Jack Marincovich stated, "No matter what Bradwood says, this project will harm salmon and set us back as fishermen. It's good to see the court stepping forward to protect salmon and fishermen."
“This is an important victory over LNG on the Columbia River. It not only makes the Bradwood project less viable, but it also sends a message to the other proposed LNG projects: destroying salmon habitat and the livelihoods that depend on them will be rejected,” stated Brian Pasko, Director of the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.
In a concurring opinion LUBA stated, “the county must ensure that any damage to those resources will be no more than de minimis. In other words, any such damage must be trivial.” Bradwood Landing’s proposal to dredge 46 acres of critical salmon habitat
In addition, LUBA rejected Clatsop County’s decision that the LNG terminal was “small to moderate” in scale, as required by county law to protect the Bradwood area of the estuary.
“The Commissioners made a mockery out of county law. The unprecedented damage caused by the LNG terminal is far beyond small to medium,” stated Astoria resident and retired school librarian, Cheryl Johnson. LUBA found that the county erred by failing to consider the dredging area and construction areas. The county lost on this same issue before LUBA in 2008.
Petitioners include Columbia Riverkeeper, Columbia River Business Alliance, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Columbia River Clean Energy Coalition. After prevailing on the same claims in 2008, this is the second victory for petitioners. Houston-based NorthernStar Natural Gas proposed the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal, located 20 miles upstream from Astoria, Oregon, in 2005. Legal challenges and the inability to obtain needed state permits have significantly delayed the project.
Brett VandenHeuvel of Columbia Riverkeeper and Jan Wilson of the Western Environmental Law Center represented the successful petitioners.
Contact: Brett VandenHeuvel, Director, Columbia Riverkeeper (503) 348-2436
Dan Serres, Conservation Director, Columbia Riverkeeper (503) 890-2441
Oregon Court Rejects Bradwood Landing LNG, Again
The Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) rejected Clatsop County’s approval of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Columbia River.
LUBA found the LNG terminal violates state and county laws designed to protect endangered salmon and traditional fishing areas.
“This is a crushing defeat for Bradwood Landing. With the legal requirement to protect endangered salmon and traditional fishing areas, I can’t conceive of a way this LNG project moves forward,” stated Brett VandenHeuvel, Director of Columbia Riverkeeper, who argued the case to LUBA. “This is the second time we’ve won on these issues. Bradwood has run out of options.”
Long-time Columbia River commercial fisherman, Jack Marincovich stated, "No matter what Bradwood says, this project will harm salmon and set us back as fishermen. It's good to see the court stepping forward to protect salmon and fishermen."
“This is an important victory over LNG on the Columbia River. It not only makes the Bradwood project less viable, but it also sends a message to the other proposed LNG projects: destroying salmon habitat and the livelihoods that depend on them will be rejected,” stated Brian Pasko, Director of the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.
In a concurring opinion LUBA stated, “the county must ensure that any damage to those resources will be no more than de minimis. In other words, any such damage must be trivial.” Bradwood Landing’s proposal to dredge 46 acres of critical salmon habitat
In addition, LUBA rejected Clatsop County’s decision that the LNG terminal was “small to moderate” in scale, as required by county law to protect the Bradwood area of the estuary.
“The Commissioners made a mockery out of county law. The unprecedented damage caused by the LNG terminal is far beyond small to medium,” stated Astoria resident and retired school librarian, Cheryl Johnson. LUBA found that the county erred by failing to consider the dredging area and construction areas. The county lost on this same issue before LUBA in 2008.
Petitioners include Columbia Riverkeeper, Columbia River Business Alliance, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Columbia River Clean Energy Coalition. After prevailing on the same claims in 2008, this is the second victory for petitioners. Houston-based NorthernStar Natural Gas proposed the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal, located 20 miles upstream from Astoria, Oregon, in 2005. Legal challenges and the inability to obtain needed state permits have significantly delayed the project.
Brett VandenHeuvel of Columbia Riverkeeper and Jan Wilson of the Western Environmental Law Center represented the successful petitioners.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
The Ruby Pipeline - Rivalling Current Proposed LNG Terminal Projects - On Track For Spring Start
Ruby gas pipeline -- that would rival proposed LNG terminals in Oregon -- on track for spring work
From: Oregon Business News
By The Oregonian staff and wire reports
By The Oregonian staff and wire reports
April 07, 2010, 7:37PM
CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- El Paso Corp. said today that construction of the $3 billion Ruby gas pipeline from Wyoming to Oregon is on track to begin later this spring following Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval of the project.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Bradwood Landing - The Next Round Of Hearings: You Want to Be Heard You Damned Well Better Be There Today At 1:00 P.M To Get Your Name On The List!!!.
....."Notice is hereby given that the Clatsop County Hearings Officer will conduct a public hearing, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, in the Judge Guy Boyington Building, located at 857 Commercial Street, Astoria, Oregon, to consider the following consolidated application:"....
You don't get your name on the list to present your view today, you won't get on at all so, don't think if the hearings continue to the next day or next week you can sign-up to speak that day!!
You don't get your name on the list to present your view today, you won't get on at all so, don't think if the hearings continue to the next day or next week you can sign-up to speak that day!!
Staff Application Recommendations
Shoreline Monitoring Plan - Denied With Conditions
Dredged Material Disposal Plan - Approved With Conditions
Park And Ride Lot - Denied With Conditions
Mitigation Plan - Denied With Conditions
Bradwood Landing Erosion Control Plan - Approved With Conditions
Conditional Use Permit - Approved With Conditions
Decommission Plan - Denied With Conditions
Riparian Vegetation - Approved With Conditions
(Bottom Line...County Says Meet All County, State And Federal Requirements And We'll Talk. NSNG/Bradwood Implies..."Trust Us We'll Get To All That Stuff Later")
Clatsop D.A. Marquis And Other State D.A.'s Say Suspended Measure 57 Numbers Inflated By State Law Makers
From: KATU.COM
PORTLAND, Ore. - A tough-on-crime measure passed by Oregon voters was suspended by state lawmakers because they said the state couldn’t afford it, but according to a preliminary report by district attorneys, legislators made their decision on bad data.
Measure 57 was passed by a strong majority of voters and called for cracking down on criminals habitually breaking into homes and stealing cars.
Read Full Article And Watch Video
PORTLAND, Ore. - A tough-on-crime measure passed by Oregon voters was suspended by state lawmakers because they said the state couldn’t afford it, but according to a preliminary report by district attorneys, legislators made their decision on bad data.
Measure 57 was passed by a strong majority of voters and called for cracking down on criminals habitually breaking into homes and stealing cars.
Read Full Article And Watch Video
Monday, April 05, 2010
Astoria: Derelict, Abandoned, Delapidated Properties: A Cure Or A Curse?
Tonight April 5, 2010, The City of Astoria plans to unveil the result of Acrchitects input on the remodel/renovation of our City Hall and also host a discusiion on what to do with our fine city's delapidated, abandoned and derelict properties.
An interesting irony here is that our own City Hall is adjacent and attached to an abandoned, delapidated building in the old Waldorf Hotel, itself in a forced exile for lack of an investor or real plan to bring it back to life.
Add to this the controversial downtown Flavel properties among others and other properties to east and west, we have a real mess and a very touchey situation as to how to enforce some movement remedying these, what some would call blights on our cityscape.
The big question is...Do we punish these property owners or help them and then how do we enforce the final resolution?
Just on my side of town there are several properties that alone riase some serious enforcement question of which I will let you decide and here they are.
31st & Marine: A property with a structure more commonly called "The Bunkhouse" and by the way, listed on the National Historic Register,still languishing under the ownership of a local and prominent businessman and is still a virtual, unuseable shell of a building with no indication of it or any of the other parts of the property but, one, a habitable house, progressing any further that it is now.
Empty, Unkempt Property On Marine Drive Between 30th & 31st: Just as described with no hint of any future improvement or immediate improvement.
31st & Marine Drive: More Commonly called "The Wolf House" and a onetime beautiful home left to die simply because of lack of any ind of money to bring it back as much as the owner would love to. There has been some recent work by, I would guess, Community Action, a Non-Profit assistance group that has, through grants, upgrade the entries for safer entry and exit. The owner of the property immediately behind has been restoring his own home but, Money to finish is that obstacle there.
Hauke Landslide Property: sits there,after massive mitigation of a careless and destructive mistake on somebody's part of which we will likely never, just growing rocks and Alders with no hint of any kind of use or improvement whatsoever other than a convenient place to post temporary, uncontrolled signs for whatever group that may have some event going on at the moment.
33rd and Franklin: At the gateway into the Uppertown-Adair neighborhood
that is, from all appearances, a terribly mismanaged and neglected rental property with a growing reputation of being a place of nefarious activity.
So, who and how do we punish and reward these properties and under what criteria?
Friday, April 02, 2010
Alaska Endorses 1500 Mile, 48 Diameter TransCanada NG Pipeline Overland To Alberta Over Denali Pipeline Group's Scheme
By Tim Bradner - Alaska Journal of Commerce
"The state is offering a set of special natural gas royalty and tax terms as inducements for North Slope producers to sign pipeline capacity contracts during an open season set by TransCanada Corp. that will begin May 1, state officials told state legislators in a briefing.
The incentives could be worth more than $20 billion in value to producers over the life of capacity agreements signed, assuming the entire 4.5 billion cubic feet per day of capacity is subscribed, according to estimates by Black & Veatch, a consulting firm working with the state.
TransCanada is proposing a 1,500-mile, 48-inch pipeline from the North Slope to its Aeco hub in Alberta that could cost as much as $41 billion, the pipeline company estimates.
The state endorsed TransCanada over the rival Denali pipeline group led by BP and ConocoPhillips after the Calgary-based pipeline company agreed to meet certain state goals regarding tariff structure and expansion terms."
Read Full Alaska Journal Of Commerce Article
"The state is offering a set of special natural gas royalty and tax terms as inducements for North Slope producers to sign pipeline capacity contracts during an open season set by TransCanada Corp. that will begin May 1, state officials told state legislators in a briefing.
The incentives could be worth more than $20 billion in value to producers over the life of capacity agreements signed, assuming the entire 4.5 billion cubic feet per day of capacity is subscribed, according to estimates by Black & Veatch, a consulting firm working with the state.
TransCanada is proposing a 1,500-mile, 48-inch pipeline from the North Slope to its Aeco hub in Alberta that could cost as much as $41 billion, the pipeline company estimates.
The state endorsed TransCanada over the rival Denali pipeline group led by BP and ConocoPhillips after the Calgary-based pipeline company agreed to meet certain state goals regarding tariff structure and expansion terms."
Read Full Alaska Journal Of Commerce Article
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
New York Times: Text Of Obama Speech On Offshore Drilling - March 31, 2010
.."Thank you, everybody. Thank you so much. (Applause.) Please have a seat. I've got a few introductions that I want to make very quickly before I start my remarks. First of all, I think that by the end of his tenure we're going to know that Ken Salazar is one of the finest Secretaries of Interior we've ever had. So please give him a big round of applause. (Applause.)"....
Read The Full Text
Read The Full Text
Campaign Launched Against Nestle' Cascade Locks Bottled Water Plant
By Scott Learn, The Oregonian - Oregon Environmental News
March 29, 2010, 5:33PM
Opponents of a proposed Nestlé Waters North America bottling plant in Cascade Locks launched their campaign today, handing fish and wildlife officials petitions with 3,700 signatures from Oregonians against the project.
Nestlé's first Pacific Northwest plant would tap a nearby spring that supplies an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hatchery. The agency is evaluating whether replacing the spring water with Cascade Locks well water would harm the hatchery's fish or a creek the hatchery feeds into.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Define The Term - "Port"
Port (pôrt, prt)
n.
1. Abbr. Pt.
a. A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships.
b. A city or town on a waterway with such facilities.
c. The waterfront district of a city.
2. A place along a coast that gives ships and boats protection from storms and rough water; a harbor.
3. A port of entry.
Maybe the terms..."Business Park" and "Marine Service Center" were overlooked in developing the definition of a "Port" but, they don't seem to be a relevant part of that definition.
So, are we "The Port of Astoria, Oregon", doing what a "Port" is supposed to do or do we just want to limit ourselves to just being another "Business Park"?
And by the way, how is it The Mayor of Astoria, Oregon can make promises to anybody regarding "Port Business" and is it prudent business practice for any wise business owner to use that kind of judgement in relocating his/her business?
And another question would be....How many new, family wage jobs did those business moves provide to our community workforce?
And now Westerlund wants to move in a long-term Log Export operation with 50 new jobs, jobs that we can damned well qualify for and I still believe these are non-longshoreman jobs and the biggest issue is Housekeeping and we cannot work out a solution to this?
n.
1. Abbr. Pt.
a. A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships.
b. A city or town on a waterway with such facilities.
c. The waterfront district of a city.
2. A place along a coast that gives ships and boats protection from storms and rough water; a harbor.
3. A port of entry.
Maybe the terms..."Business Park" and "Marine Service Center" were overlooked in developing the definition of a "Port" but, they don't seem to be a relevant part of that definition.
So, are we "The Port of Astoria, Oregon", doing what a "Port" is supposed to do or do we just want to limit ourselves to just being another "Business Park"?
And by the way, how is it The Mayor of Astoria, Oregon can make promises to anybody regarding "Port Business" and is it prudent business practice for any wise business owner to use that kind of judgement in relocating his/her business?
And another question would be....How many new, family wage jobs did those business moves provide to our community workforce?
And now Westerlund wants to move in a long-term Log Export operation with 50 new jobs, jobs that we can damned well qualify for and I still believe these are non-longshoreman jobs and the biggest issue is Housekeeping and we cannot work out a solution to this?
Governor Kulongoski's March 25, 2010 Letter To FERC Over Appropriate Jurisdiction And Lack Of Accurate Pipeline Information For Bradwood Landing
(Excerpt) "The NMFS fails to acknowledge, however, that the Coast Guard has specifically advised FERC and NMFS that it has exclusive jurisdiction over the screening issue and that, at present, it would not allow the use of the screening required by the FERC order or proposed by the applicant. See attached letter from J.G. Lance, US Coast Guard to Kimberly D. Bose, FERC, dated May 1, 2009.
If the Biological Opinion is to be useful, consistent with NMFS's assessment of the relative roles of the FERC and the Coast Guard, and comply with the Endangered Species Act, NMFS's Biological Opinion must consider the impact on the Columbia River fisheries of unscreened ballast and cooling water withdrawals on LNG tankers. The Draft Description should be revised accordingly.
The State of Oregon also notes that the project description does not clearly identify the final pipeline route. The Bradwood Landing EIS and FERC's order approving the project generally identify the route of the pipeline, but appear to also leave room for alternations to the route due to facts on the ground. The project description should identify the final pipeline route with sufficient detail to identify the locations that pipeline construction and maintenance will impact specific waterbodies."
Read Letter and Attachment
If the Biological Opinion is to be useful, consistent with NMFS's assessment of the relative roles of the FERC and the Coast Guard, and comply with the Endangered Species Act, NMFS's Biological Opinion must consider the impact on the Columbia River fisheries of unscreened ballast and cooling water withdrawals on LNG tankers. The Draft Description should be revised accordingly.
The State of Oregon also notes that the project description does not clearly identify the final pipeline route. The Bradwood Landing EIS and FERC's order approving the project generally identify the route of the pipeline, but appear to also leave room for alternations to the route due to facts on the ground. The project description should identify the final pipeline route with sufficient detail to identify the locations that pipeline construction and maintenance will impact specific waterbodies."
Read Letter and Attachment
KMUN - "The Last D.J." - Presents: A Conversation With Clatsop County D.A. Josh Marquis & Paul Logli
Sunday, March 28, 2010
7:00-8:00pm, on "The Last DJ"
KMUN 91.9FM KTCB 89.5 FM
on the web at: http://www.coastradio.org/
questions & comments to: asktheradio@gmail.com
* How communities can have good jails and good schools.
* How non-profits contribute to healthy communities.
* Prosecutorial ethics.
* The media and the law.
* Your questions and comments.
Join Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis and Paul Logli, former president of the National District Attorneys Association, in a lively and wide-ranging conversation about public safety.
Bio: Paul Logli
Currently: Chief Executive Officer , United Way of Rock River Valley, Rockford, IL
In 2008 Paul Logli took on the position as CEO of the United Way of Rock River Valley after having been actively involved with many human service and professional organizations. He has over 30 years of legal experience serving as an assistant state's attorney, state's attorney, judge and an attorney in private practice. He is the longest serving State's Attorney in Winnebago County (Rockford, IL) history, holding the position for five terms from 1986 to 2007. Logli also held several judicial appointments. First, in 1981, as Associate Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit serving Winnebago and Boone Counties, and later in 2007 by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court to the 17th Judicial Court as Circuit Judge presiding over all civil cases in Boone County. His appointment concluded in 2008.
Logli received his Bachelor's Degree in English in 1971 from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1974 from the University of Illinois. He has volunteered for the Boy Scouts, Rosecrance Treatment Center, Illinois Growth Enterprises and the United Way. Logli has been nationally recognized as a prosecutor and served as President of the National District Attorneys Association in 2005 and 2006. Logli also previously served as President of the Illinois State's Attorneys Association and is the Past President of the Winnebago County Bar Association. He was an instructor for the Illinois State Bar Association and served on the faculty of the National College of District Attorneys for over 20 years.
Bio: Josh Marquis
Currently: Clatsop County (Astoria, OR) District Attorney
Josh Marquis has been District Attorney of Clatsop County (Astoria) Oregon, since 1994, and is currently running unopposed for this fifth term. He is a former president of the Oregon District Attorney's Association and has served on the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association since 1997.
A graduate of the University of Oregon's Honors College and Law School, he has worked as a newspaper reporter in Los Angeles, speechwriter to California's Attorney General, and in his 18 months as a criminal defense lawyer represented three defendants in capital murder cases.
Josh is an active Democrat, serving as a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the NDAA's Board of Directors, serves on the Board of Directors of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the University of Oregon Law School Alumni Association. In July 2009 he was appointed to the Leadership Council of the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section.
Join Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis and Paul Logli, former president of the National District Attorneys Association, in a lively and wide-ranging conversation about public safety.
Bio: Paul Logli
Currently: Chief Executive Officer , United Way of Rock River Valley, Rockford, IL
In 2008 Paul Logli took on the position as CEO of the United Way of Rock River Valley after having been actively involved with many human service and professional organizations. He has over 30 years of legal experience serving as an assistant state's attorney, state's attorney, judge and an attorney in private practice. He is the longest serving State's Attorney in Winnebago County (Rockford, IL) history, holding the position for five terms from 1986 to 2007. Logli also held several judicial appointments. First, in 1981, as Associate Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit serving Winnebago and Boone Counties, and later in 2007 by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court to the 17th Judicial Court as Circuit Judge presiding over all civil cases in Boone County. His appointment concluded in 2008.
Logli received his Bachelor's Degree in English in 1971 from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1974 from the University of Illinois. He has volunteered for the Boy Scouts, Rosecrance Treatment Center, Illinois Growth Enterprises and the United Way. Logli has been nationally recognized as a prosecutor and served as President of the National District Attorneys Association in 2005 and 2006. Logli also previously served as President of the Illinois State's Attorneys Association and is the Past President of the Winnebago County Bar Association. He was an instructor for the Illinois State Bar Association and served on the faculty of the National College of District Attorneys for over 20 years.
Bio: Josh Marquis
Currently: Clatsop County (Astoria, OR) District Attorney
Josh Marquis has been District Attorney of Clatsop County (Astoria) Oregon, since 1994, and is currently running unopposed for this fifth term. He is a former president of the Oregon District Attorney's Association and has served on the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association since 1997.
A graduate of the University of Oregon's Honors College and Law School, he has worked as a newspaper reporter in Los Angeles, speechwriter to California's Attorney General, and in his 18 months as a criminal defense lawyer represented three defendants in capital murder cases.
Josh is an active Democrat, serving as a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the NDAA's Board of Directors, serves on the Board of Directors of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the University of Oregon Law School Alumni Association. In July 2009 he was appointed to the Leadership Council of the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section.
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