Update - The Astoria City Council Feb. 22, 201: Ready To Bend A Bit With D.A. Marquis On DUII Prosecutions. ACC To Draft Another Letter?

Read Daily Astorian Article "Astoria To Look Into DUII Changes!!!
GRP: Here is the text of the letter, hand delivered to District Attorney, Josh Marquis and KAST-AM Personality Tom Freel last Thursday night, to my understanding and signed as well by all members of The Astoria City Council and today I read there will be a "Special Meeting" by that same panel to approve this same letter four or five days later and after it has become more than public? Is something seriously amiss here? I would like to see another letter explaining the legality of this action. Is our city government beginning to backslide at this 200th year anniversary?Are we back to City Manager Benoit, at the urging of "The Mayor" to keep rewriting findings of fact till he gets the fact he needs to satisfy the particular agenda as has been alluded to in the past?

What specifically has CofA done to impact the admininstration and records keeping of the court to truly make it a Court of Record as Mayor Van Dusen implies and new Commissioner Mellin, who was so adament in her campaign position on Municipal Court's DUII's needing to be sent to Circuit Court and now seems to have abandoned that position?

Update - 02/08/2011 - Read Daily Astorian Report On Oregon Rep., Debbie Boone's Legislation Regarding Municipal Court DUII Jurisdiction And Prosecution Authority Change Into The Hands Of County District Attorneys.

Register Guard Editorial:Messing With The Public Meetings Law Gets Real Messy For A Couple Of Commissioners

January 27, 2011


To the Citizens of Astoria:

The Astoria City Council has decided to continue to handle DUII cases from the City of Astoria in the Astoria Municipal Court. We would like to explain this decision to the citizens of Astoria and correct recent inaccurate public statements.

Astoria Municipal Court was created over 50 years ago pursuant to Oregon statutes. Several attorneys have served as part-time Astoria Municipal Court Judge over the years. They include Jerry McCallister, Judge Phillip Nelson, Judge Paula Brownhill, and Justice of the Peace Neal Lemery. Kris Kaino currently fills the position. He is an Astoria attorney in good standing with the Oregon State Bar. Local attorney Mary Ann Murk prosecutes the DUII cases in Municipal Court. She is a skilled attorney in good standing with the Bar.

In March of 2010, District Attorney Josh Marquis contacted the City Council and said he had a proposal that would save the City of Astoria thousands of dollars. He said the City only had to transfer prosecution of Astoria’s misdemeanor DUII cases to Clatsop County Circuit Court. The City Council took this offer seriously and asked City Manager Paul Benoit to investigate the District Attorney’s claim. Mr. Benoit reported back to the City Council that this move would not save money; it would actually cost the City revenue and additional overtime to the Astoria Police Department. The Council made no changes to Municipal Court and we notified Mr. Marquis of our decision.

In August of 2010, Mr. Marquis again asked the City Council to transfer all misdemeanor DUII cases to Circuit Court. His reason this time was different. He said that there were many cases that were mishandled and justice would be better served in Circuit Court. Again we took his statements seriously. We asked him to prepare a report of the mishandled cases. He agreed to do so and in August of 2010 he submitted a report that listed 14 cases. On October 4, 2010, the City Council held a public meeting to discuss the cases. Mr. Marquis appeared in person and presented his report.

The report, which Mr. Marquis said took over 100 hours to prepare, listed 14 cases over the last eight years. Mr. Marquis acknowledged that many of the cases were handled properly. As he went through the report, we discovered that it contained many significant errors. One case that Mr. Marquis said was mishandled in Astoria Municipal Court was actually a case where the defendant was arrested in Seaside. That case was handled in Circuit Court. Also in the report, he described one defendant with two DUII cases and asserted that both cases were dismissed improperly. We learned from Judge Kaino that the defendant was never charged with DUII; this defendant had one theft charge that was handled properly.

The Astoria City Council and City staff have spent a great deal of time investigating Mr. Marquis’s allegations. We acknowledge, after discounting the incorrect information in the report, that two misdemeanor DUII cases in the last eight years were not handled appropriately. The City Council has implemented changes that will help prevent such problems in the future. We implemented a new computer system that provides for electronic citations to be sent directly by the officer to the Municipal Court, and a record-keeping system that makes it easy to find and track files. We record all DUII hearings and trials so anyone may hear what happens in court. We have an aggressive prosecutor who pursues fair and lawful resolutions of these cases.

We gave Mr. Marquis our full attention. We admit that his concerns have been one of the reasons for the recent changes in Municipal Court; however, he failed to demonstrate a good reason to transfer Astoria DUII cases to Circuit Court. He has threatened to sue the City and have a judge decide whether he can take these cases, even though it would cost the City substantial attorney fees and lost revenues. We are comfortable that our decision is in the best interest of the citizens of our City. We are committed to an annual review of Astoria Municipal Court. Please contact any one of us if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

THE CITY OF ASTORIA


____________________________
Willis L. Van Dusen
Mayor

_________________________________________________________
Arline LaMear Ward 1 Councilor

_________________________________________________________
Peter Roscoe Ward 2 Councilor

_________________________________________________________
Karen Mellin Ward 3 Councilor

_________________________________________________________
Russ Warr Ward 4 Councilor

Attorneys Use Social Networking Sites To Vet Their Jurors, Even Clatsop County

By ANA CAMPOY And ASHBY JONES - Wall Street Journal
Facebook is increasingly being used in courts to decide who is—and who isn't—suitable to serve on a jury, the latest way in which the social-networking site is altering the U.S. court system.

Prosecution and defense lawyers are scouring the site for personal details about members of the jury pool that could signal which side they might sympathize with during a trial. They consider what potential jurors watch on television, their interests and hobbies, and how religious they are.

Josh Marquis, district attorney of Clatsop County in Oregon, did background searches on Facebook to help pick a jury for a penalty trial last summer to determine if a convicted murderer should get the death penalty. He was looking for clues on how potential jurors might feel about the defendant, a man who killed a couple as a teenager in 1988. The jury imposed the death penalty......Read Full Article

City Of Astoria Notice Of Public Hearing:Exemption From Competitive Solicitation Requirements For Maritime Memorial Granite Wall Project

CITY OF ASTORIA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
February 16, 2011

FROM: SHERRI WILLIAMS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, 338-5183

A public hearing will be held by the Astoria City Council at 7:00pm on February 22, 2011 in the City Council Chambers, 1095 Duane Street, Astoria, Oregon, for the purpose of taking public comments regarding draft findings for an exemption from the competitive solicitation requirements for the Maritime Memorial Granite Wall project.
Written comments are also welcome and must be received by 5:00 p.m. February 22, 2011, at 1095 Duane Street, Astoria, Oregon 97103. Both oral and written comments will be reviewed by City Council. This meeting is accessible to the disabled. An interpreter for the hearing impaired may be requested under the terms of ORS 192.630 by contacting Julie Lampi, City Manager’s office, (503) 325-5824.
A draft copy of the findings for an exemption from the competitive solicitation requirement is available for public review at Astoria City Hall, Community Development Department, 1095 Duane Street, Astoria. Contact person for this project is Brett Estes. He can be reached at (503)338-5183.
THE CITY OF ASTORIA PUBLISH: February 15, 2011
Sherri Williams, Administrative Assistant

Kitzhaber Bio-Mass Jobs Plan May Face Hurdles

By Jeff Barnard - The Associated Press/Register Guard
Published: Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 05:02AM

Gov. John Kitzhaber wants to put Oregonians back to work in the woods.
Instead of trying to revive the glory days of the timber industry before the spotted owl, he envisions a new kind of woods work that provides green energy, healthier forests and jobs from thinning projects......Read Full Article

Clatsop County Press Release: LUBA Upholds County Board Of Commissioners Decision To Withdraw Application And Rehear Oregon LNG/Pipeline Application

Friday, February 18, 2011

LUBA UPHOLDS COUNTY'S OREGON PIPELINE WITHDRAWAL
The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals has upheld Clatsop County’s decision to withdraw its earlier approval of the consolidated land-use application from Oregon Pipeline LLC
The ruling, issued Thursday, Feb. 17, rejects a challenge filed by the project developer regarding the deadline for the county board of commissioners’ Jan. 14 decision.
LUBA’s decision clears the way for the scheduled March 9 hearing before the commissioners on its reconsideration of the application.

Read Full Press Release

Public Interest Environmental Law Conference Scheduled For March 3-4, 2011

Turning the Tides:
Creating a Green and Clean Future29th Annual PIELC: March 3-6, 2011
PIELC is only THREE weeks away! Everyone has been hard at work finalizing this year's conference; we know that it will be a great conference and can't wait see you all here!
The Panel Schedule for this year's conference is up! You can find it under the "Panels" tab in the upper left-hand corner of this page...Read Full Details

Summary Of HB3025 To Be Introduced By Rep. Debbie Boone On District Attorney District Misdemeanor Prosecution Authority

Governors Committee On DUII's Votes To Support HB 3025!!

76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in anamended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minussigns - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within { + braces and plus signs + } . LC 3089

Oregon House Bill 3025 Sponsored by Representative Deborah Boone

SUMMARY The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's brief statement of the essential features of the measure as introduced.

Clarifies that district attorney may take control of investigation and prosecution of any misdemeanor committed in county served by district attorney.

A BILL FOR AN AC Relating to district attorneys; amending ORS 8.660.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. ORS 8.660 is amended to read: 8.660. (1) The district attorney shall attend the terms of all courts having jurisdiction of public offenses within the district attorney's county, and, except as otherwise provided in this section, conduct, on behalf of the state, all prosecutions for such offenses therein. { + Notwithstanding any provision of ORS chapter 221, a district attorney may take control of the investigation and prosecution of any misdemeanor committed in the county served by the district attorney. + } (2) A district attorney shall not conduct prosecutions under this section when: (a) A city attorney is prosecuting a violation under ORS chapter 153; or (b) The district attorney is prohibited from appearing in a violation proceeding under the provisions of ORS 153.076 (Conduct of trial
(6) A district attorney or city attorney may aid in preparing evidence and obtaining witnesses but, except upon good cause shown to the court, shall not appear in violation proceedings unless counsel for the defendant appears. The court shall ensure that the district attorney or city attorney is given timely notice if defense counsel is to appear at trial. [1999 c.1051 §21])

Daily Astorian Editorial:Astoria's Culture Of Alcoholism Nurtures Astoria Municipal Court

"Voeller's case was a poster child for what's wrong with the Astoria Municipal Court. The Voeller case stands next to those of Stephen Moore, Sara Leloff and David Lee Gonzalez. In all of those cases, Astoria's court was more inclined to dismiss defendants than it was determined to prosecute them vigorously - and in the case of Moore - to the letter of the law.".........Read Full Steven Forrester Editorial

Clatsop County Files Notice Of Public Hearing On Reconsideration Of Oregon LNG/Pipeline Application

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Wednesday, March 9, 2011 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria, for the purpose of reconsidering the approval granted Nov. 8, 2010 for the consolidated land-use application from Oregon Pipeline LLC.......Read Full Notice

Oregon Attorney General/Department Of Justice Annual Report

Dear Fellow Oregonians:

As your Attorney General, I am proud of the work we do at the Oregon Department of Justice.
Our mission is to provide outstanding legal and child support services to you and your
government. We are dedicated to:

• Fighting crime and protecting crime victims;
• Improving the well‐being of Oregon’s children;
• Protecting the environment;
• Fighting for Oregon consumers, workers, investors, and taxpayers;
• Promoting a positive business climate;
• Providing great legal services to Oregon’s citizens.....Read Full DOJ Annual Report

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Agrees On Limted Hearing On Oregon LNG/Pipeline Application

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will hold a limited hearing next month as part of its reconsideration of the land-use application from Oregon Pipeline LLC.

Following a public hearing Wednesday, the board voted to limit its review to the existing record and allow testimony only from the applicant, Oregon Pipeline LLC, and project opponent Columbia Riverkeeper when it revisits the issue at a hearing March 9. The meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.....Read Full Clatsop County Press Release

Astor Hotel Fire Causes One arrest, $100 Fire Damage, $50,000 Sprinkler Damage

By Michael Russell - The Oregonian

Police arrested a woman after a small fire activated the sprinkler system at the John Jacob Astor Hotel in downtown Astoria Monday morning, causing extensive water damage to the historic structure. .........Read Full Oregonlive Article

February 7, 2011: First Day Of Filing For Election To Numerous Clatsop County Commissions And Panels

View Calendar And List Of All Open Seats ForMay 17, 2011 Special District Elections

From Oregon Attorney General John Kroger: Be Alert For Phoney Debt Collection Scam

SCAM ALERT: FAKE DEBT COLLECTION SCAMS
February 3, 2011
The Oregon Department of Justice has received several complaints regarding phony debt collection calls. Scam artists pose as debt collectors or law enforcement officers calling about an outstanding debt from an online payday loan. They frequently use fake phone numbers and official sounding business names. They also do their research. Some Oregonians have been tricked into paying nonexistent debt because the scam artist knew personal information about them, including their Social Security number, home address, e-mail, and names of family and personal references..Read Full DOJ Scam Alert

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.com Unveils "The Daily" Today

Introducing The Daily

First National Daily News Publication Created for iPad Launches today in the Apple App Store
New York, NY, February 2, 2011 - Today Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of News Corporation, unveiled The Daily -- the industry's first national daily news publication created from the ground up for iPad........Read News Corp.com Press Release

Sunset Empire Transit: New Interim Director Finds SET's Finances In Disorder!

By:Chelsea Gorrow - The Daily Astorian - January 28, 2011

(Cindy Howe Photo By: Don Anderson - The Daily Astorian)

*Three weeks ago, in circumstances that haven’t been publicly explained, Howe, the long-serving leader of the district, submitted her resignation.

*Since then, Anderson revealed that managers have found the financial record keeping in disarray.

*One issue being probed is financial. Thursday’s board meeting heard that Howe had apparently signed a $25,000 agreement with New Northwest Broadcasters for radio spots without approval........Read Full Daily Astorian Report

Conservancy Group Purchases Historic SS United States

In a long-anticipated milestone in the effort to save and redevelop the legendary ocean liner SS United States, the SS United States Conservancy will announce that the national nonprofit organization has acquired title to the nation’s historic “ship of state.”
“We are one big step closer to ensuring that this great symbol of American innovation is permanently preserved,” said Susan Gibbs, the Conservancy’s board president, whose grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the legendary liner. “Now that we have secured title, we will accelerate our efforts to redevelop the nation's flagship as a multi-purpose waterfront destination with dynamic hotel, retail, educational and museum offerings. To succeed, we will tap into the same “can-do” spirit and ingenuity that the ship has embodied since her first splash in 1952.”......Read Report

OK, Camp Rilea Gets Reba On August 14, 2011 But What About The 7 Months In Between?

Reba Update: So, The Reba Concert Has Absolutely Nothing To Do With Astoria's Bicentennial And Is Merely A Private Venture Just Using It As A Catalyst, Implies Co-Organizer Paul Mitchell On KAST-AM - "The Profits, If Any, Will Be Disbursed Locally"

Radio Ticket Sales Ads Say Concert Is Sponsored, In-Part, By "Astoria Regatta Concert Associaton"?

Reba Update:A $600,000 Price Tag?



Well, having Reba performing at Camp Rilea in August certainly gives us ample opportunity, 7 months as a matter of fact, to capitalize on Astoria's immediate assets to bolster a little prosperity to the businesses of this 200 year old city by, let's say, developing a "Performing Arts Series every weekend to bring other great talent to the area by involving all our venues in the city, large and small, in a coordinated effort to share the talent and prosperity amongst all our retailers.
And hey! How about an actual regatta and establishing the "John Jacob Astor Bicentennial Challenge Cup" by inviting two or three very competitive sailng classes to a week's elemination series culminating in match races per each class at the end of the week and the final Regatta Celebration events?
You know, it could be a blessing in disguise for Astoria, its businesses, its blessings and its residents and the visitors it will bring.
Daily Astorian Update Says Reba A $600,000 Ticket For 12,000 Showgoers At Camp Rilea

Rhythm & Keys Music Studio: Truly A Gift To Astoria To Add To The Honors Of Its 200th Year

I had the privilege of attending Rhythm & Keys Music Studio's first recital of its first crop of students this past Saturday, January 29th. The studio is at the corner of 10th and Commercial in downtown Astoria.

Now, I must admit I may be a bit prejudiced, as I have an interest here, as someone very special to me is a student there and her progress in just 4 short months, as that is how long this very important opportunity has been open, impressed me greatly and made me very proud of her hard work. There were also five fellow students of varying ages showcasing their hard worked for talents as well.

I congratulate studio owner and instructor Amy Switzer and fellow owner/business mamanger, Van Hansen for having the courage and true desire to bring this great resource for bettering ourselves to Astoria.

Have you ever had the desire to play the piano or learn percussion? This facility and its learning program is open to all ages, as attested to by one of its older students who happens to be 63 years old.

You can contact Amy at, amy@rhythmandkeysmusicstudio.com or call her at 503-505-2819

Clatsop County District Attorney, Josh Marquis Named By Daily Journal Of Commerce-Oregon As One Of 15 "Leadership In Law Honorees"

POSTED: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 05:33 PM PT

BY: DJC Staff

Fifteen Oregon attorneys have been singled out as honorees in the Daily Journal of Commerce’s first Leadership in Law awards program.....Read Full DJC Release

The Daily Astorian: Josh Marquis Guest Column: The Rule Of Law In Astoria

And Now The Letter, Hand Deliverd Last Night To A Local Radio Personality and The District Attorney Himself. Is That Correct? Signed By All Members Of The City Council?

Posted: Thursday, January 20, 2011 12:16 pm

By JOSH MARQUIS For The Daily Astorian

Over the past few years I have become increasingly concerned that drunk driving cases are not being handled fairly and consistently by Astoria's Municipal Court.
Officers from Astoria Police Department have frequently complained that the tickets they write never come to court. The Daily Astorian has documented several cases in which DUIIs have been dismissed for no apparent reason and/or offenders have been offered extraordinarily generous plea bargains that would never be made by the District Attorney’s office.....Read Full Guest Column

Naselle-Grays River School Board OK's Partnership For Home School Students

Published on Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Wahkiakum County Eagle - Betsy Nelson and Cody Cooley

Naselle-Grays River School Board members met January 18 to decide whether to pursue a partnership that would set up a school-within-a-school to focus on coursework for home schooled students.....Read "The Eagle's" Full Report

Clatsop County Commission: "The Oath" - Why Re-do It?

Like me, I am certain there are many out there puzzled by the "Re-Swearing-In" of the new Clatsop County Commissioners and already a few local blogs are trying to "Knee Jerk" it into something it really isn't, in my view.

In an effort to make sure the information is presented accurately, this is the explanation from County Manager Duane Cole: "The county staff provided the 'oath' that had the word 'appointed' instead of the word 'elected'. The last few times we used the oath, we were swearing in appointed commissioners and not elected commissioners. In discussions with Judge Nelson, he preferred to redo the oaths of office to make sure he was signing what was actually said, however, we have checked with County Counsel and the important part of the oath is the first part about upholding the laws of the State and County. All decisions made by the Board apply and they were duly sworn prior to taking any actions prior to the last meeting."

Big Story? I don't think so.

I credit this new leadership, administered by Mr. Cole, for making sure it was done right

CCC Historic Preservation Students To Replace Porch At Knappton Cove U.S. Quarantine Center

Clatsop Community C ollege Students Participate In Porch Building Workshop

Clatsop Community College Historic Preservation students, under the supervision of their instructor Lucien Swerdloff and contractor Tim Kennedy, have scheduled a porch building workshop February 5 & 6 to replace the rotted porches on the historic U.S. Columbia River Quarantine Hospital (aka the Pesthouse).....Read Full CCC Press Release

The Coincidence Theory: Ted Thomas On the Astoria Fires

Coincidence Theory - Ted Thomas - January, 2011

Let us not forget that there were two fires on the night of the 16th in the same structure. For those of you unfamiliar with the Astoria water front; the Cannery Cafe, located on Sixth Street, is connected to No 10 Sixth Street by a very wide and undamaged pier.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration there were an estimated 505,500 structure fires reported in the USA, in 2000, of which 5.5% were stores and offices like the pier. That works out to 27802.5 fires in about 4.7 million commercial buildings during that year.

Over a period of one year one fire occurred in every one hundred and sixty three commercial structures. The chance of a randomly ignited fire occurring on each particular day is 1:(365.25x169.05 ) or 61745.51 to 1.

The chance that a randomly ignited fire will coincide with another randomly ignited fire on the same day in the same structure is the product of the independent probability of a fire occurring on any specific day. In other words the probability that two fires could randomly ignite in different locations of the same structure on the same day is 3,812,508,314 to 1.

I am absolutely certain over time this event can occur somewhere in the US once every 756.92 years (if the average number of commercial structures was/will be 4.7 million).


So let me be the first to say that there is no proof that the fires at the foot of sixth street were anything other than a coincidence. Yes, that's right folks, it is entirely possible that it was just a coincidence independent of the owner's financial or personal incentives.

Having overheard speculation that the double conflagration was other than coincidental I would like to say; Shame! Shame on those that would accuse anyone of setting those dual infernos let alone the bereaved victim of a double misfortune who might be the beneficiary of an insurance policy.

What are you all going to think of yourselves when no one is accused of Arson? Boy there will sure be egg on your faces then!


There's not been any revelation that those twins of pyrolytic devastation had human agency kindling their combustion. That bilaterallity of bedtime blazes, that late night duet of phlogistic pyres, that scintillating, binary, nocturnal, scorching, sea of fire on sixth street has an undeniable measurable likelihood of being coincidence.

The fact that Police and Fire Officials have not produced proof to the contrary or made any arrests is an unmistakable demonstration of just how good they are!


Ray Bradbury would be appalled! God help us all!!

Oregon Attorney General, John Kroger's Argument To The U.S. Supreme Court On Confessed Murderer Randy Moore's Conviction Sticks

Last October, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger argued a major national case, Premo v. Moore, before the United States Supreme Court. In a USSC decision dated January 19, 2011, the Court ruled in favor of The State of Oregon and Kroger's argument, overturning an earlier intermediate court's decision that ruled to throw out murderer, Randy Moore's conviction.

In 1996, Randy Moore pled no contest to felony murder after abducting, torturing and executing an acquaintance in Josephine County. Under his plea agreement he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Later, he attempted to get his conviction reversed, claiming that he received inadequate legal assistance because his attorney did not move to suppress one of his confessions at the time of his plea. After an intermediate court threw out Moore's conviction, DOJ appealed.

Read USSC's decision on the case here

Port Of Seattle To Start Clean Trucks Program

By - eTrucker.com Staff

The Port of Seattle last week launched its program aimed at registering newer, cleaner drayage trucks that access its container terminals. All drayage trucks now must adhere to new Clean Truck Program guidelines to enter Port of Seattle cargo terminals.......Read Article

CCBofC:Notice Of Public Hearing On Oregon LNG/Pipeline

Date Mailed: January 14, 2010 Page 1 of 2
Clatsop CountyTransportation & Development Services
800 Exchange Street, Suite 100,
Astoria, OR 97103
ph: 503-325-8611
fx: 503-338-3666
em: comdev@co.clatsop.or.us
www.co.clatsop.or.us
CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
To set the scope of review for the reconsideration of the conditional approval of the consolidated application
by Oregon Pipeline, LLC, to construct a 36-mile natural gas pipeline.
DATE OF HEARING: Wednesday, February 9, 2011
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: Judge Guy Boyington
Building, 857 Commercial Street - Astoria, Oregon 97103
CONTACT PERSON: Jennifer Bunch, Clatsop County Planner

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners, pursuant to ORS
197.830(13(b) and OAR 661-010-0021, has withdrawn its decision to grant conditional approval to the
Oregon Pipeline, LLC, consolidated application that was originally approved by the Board of Commissioners
on November 8, 2010.
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a hearing to determine the procedures to be
applied during the reconsideration proceeding in this matter pursuant to ORS 197.830(13)(b), OAR 661-010-
0021, and Sections 2.185, 2.190, 2.195, 2.230(4), 2.245 and 2.260 of the Clatsop County Land and Water
Development and Use Ordinance (LWDUO), at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at the Judge
Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St, Astoria, OR 97103.
The Board of Commissioners will then reconsider the matter pursuant to such procedures on Wednesday,
March 9, 2011. Additional public notice will be issued for the March 9 hearing.
Parties to the LUBA appeal are invited to testify in person by attending the hearing, or they may testify in
writing by addressing a letter to the Clatsop County Transportation & Development Services, 800 Exchange
Street, Suite 100, Astoria, OR 97103. Written comments from the parties to the LUBA appeal may also be
sent via FAX to 503-338-3666 or via email to comdev@co.clatsop.or.us. Such written comments must be
received in this office no later than 5PM on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, in order to be considered at the
February 9, 2011, public hearing.
NOTE: Failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing, in person or by letter, or failure to provide statements or
evidence sufficient to afford the decision maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes an appeal
based on that issue.
Date Mailed: January 14, 2010 Page 2 of 2
The following documents are available for review at the Clatsop County Transportation & Development
Services office, 800 Exchange Street, Suite 100, Astoria, Oregon. A copy of the application, all documents
and evidence submitted by or on behalf of the applicant and applicable criteria are available for inspection at
the department office during normal business hours (M-F, 8-5) at no cost and will be provided in a digital
format at reasonable cost.
A copy of the staff report will be available for inspection at the Department office at no cost at least seven
days prior to the hearing and will be provided at a reasonable cost.
In general, the procedure for conduct of the public hearing will be as follows: Introductory statements by the
Board of Commissioners, staff report presentation, testimony from the LUBA parties (five minute limit), and
conclusion of the public hearing. The Board of Commissioners will then deliberate and issue a decision
regarding the procedure to be applied for the Board’s reconsideration of the matter.

Longview Daily News(TDN): EPA Eases-Up On Bio-Mass Using Operations Like Longview Fibre

By The Daily News and The Associated Press
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 7:51 pm

Biofuels power projects like one proposed by Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging may have an easier path to approval.

Under pressure from Congressional members, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is easing up regulations to control emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from facilities that burn biomass for energy....Read Full TDN.com Report

The Daily Astorian: Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Votes 4-1 To Rehear Oregon Pipeline Proposal

Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 4:31 pm

The Daily Astorian

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to withdraw last year’s approval of a liquefied natural gas land-use application and will re-examine the issue in a public hearing.

The board voted Nov. 8, 2010 to accept a hearings officer’s ruling granting approval to the consolidated liquefied natural gas pipeline application for Oregon Pipeline LLC. The decision was appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals by project opponents led by Columbia Riverkeeper.....Read Full Daily Astorian Report

The Daily Astorian: Port Of Astoria Ponders Expansion And 3 Phase Development Of Tongue Point

By KATIE WILSON - The Daily Astorian

The Port of Astoria is looking at developing North Tongue Point, located east of Astoria, in a three-phase plan that could include the purchase of the property from Washington Group, an expansion into acreage currently occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard Buoy Station and the Job Corps facilities, and the creation of additional acres by filling and paving between several of the finger piers....... Read Full Katie Wilson Report

Updated: Notice Of Hearing On Astoria Derelict Building Ordinance

The Astoria City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 1095 Duane Street, Astoria. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following request:
Recognizing a need to address the issue of derelict buildings (i.e. boarded up structures, vacant buildings, buildings in significant disrepair, etc.), the City Council set as one of their goals for the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 to develop a process for addressing derelict buildings. The goal states:
Mitigate Derelict Building Problems
 Adopt ordinance to alleviate problems and recover costs
 Initiate Code Enforcement upon enactment of ordinance

Read Full Notice

Read Full Amended And Proposed Derelict Building Ordinance Here

Brent Foster Cleared Of Any Wrongdoing Regarding Any Proposed Oregon LNG Projects As Alleged By Pro-Bradwood Landing Element

Published: Tuesday, January 04, 2011, 5:08 PM
Updated: Tuesday, January 04, 2011, 5:19 PM
By Scott Learn, The Oregonian

A former judge's review of Brent Foster's work at Oregon's Department of Justice found no evidence that Foster gave improper legal advice on liquid natural gas plants in Oregon as LNG supporters had charged....Read Full Oregonlive Report

Take Oregon ODOT Transportation Enhancement Survey

Welcome to the public involvement site for Oregon's Transportation Enhancement (TE) program. This site will serve as the method of gauging public support and concerns for TE projects competing in the 2010-2011 funding cycle. Responses will be accepted through January 28, 2011......Go To Survey Site

New EPA Rule Could Delay Longview Fibre Bio-Mass Project

By Erik Olson/ The Daily News

Posted: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 8:30 pm

Courtesy Photo - Two boilers overlook a chip pile at the south end of the Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging mill. The company is seeking to build a $100 million biomass boiler to go online 2013.

Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging officials say a new federal rule to curb greenhouse emissions could unintentionally delay or kill their effort to produce clean, renewable power at the Longview mill......Read Full TDN Report

The Daily Astorian: Port Of Astoria Revises Lease With Log Exporter

Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 12:26 pm
By KATIE WILSON - The Daily Astorian

Pier 3 Could Be Up And Running As A Log Operation Site S.

At a meeting Tuesday night, the Port of Astoria commissioners approved a revised lease with Westerlund Log Handlers, allowing the Bremerton, Wash.-based company to use Pier 3 and, in turn, allowing the Port to lease out unused space to other operations......Read Full Katie Wilson Report

No Confirmation Yet For Oregon U.S. Attorney Spot

From: Statesman Journal-USA Today-AP

Posted 12/28/2010 9:42 AM ET

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Senate adjourned without confirming President Barack Obama's nominee for the top federal prosecutor in Oregon.....Read Full Brief

From The Daily News: Washington State Joins Appeal Of Cowlitz County Commission's Approval Of Proposed Coal Export Terminal

By Erik Olson / The Daily News
Posted: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 5:35 pm
Related: Commissioners approve permit for Columbia River coal terminal

The state Department of Ecology has filed to become a party in an appeal of a coal export facility in Cowlitz County, state officials announced Tuesday. The appeal, put forward by an alliance of environmental groups, is scheduled to be heard in mid-April.......Read Full Report

From KGW.Com: Fire Destroys Seaside's 12th Avenue Market

by KGW Staff
Posted on December 28, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Updated today at 7:30 AM

SEASIDE, Ore. – A huge blaze destroyed a grocery store in Seaside early Tuesday morning.
The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. at the 12th Avenue Grocery Store.
Firefighters said they arrived to see flames shooting out of the roof and it took them an hour to get the blaze under control.
No one was injured in the fire but the building was destroyed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.....Watch Video Report

From: Oregon Attorney General John Kroger - Mortgage Payment Assistance Available To Qualified Recipient Households

Oregon has recently received $220 million in federal money to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure.

The Mortgage Payment Assistance Program pays the mortgage of a qualified recipient household for an entire year, up to $20,000. If you have suffered a loss of income of 25% or more, this program may help you keep your home. The deadline to apply is January 14, 2011. More information is available at OHSI

In many communities this program has gone unnoticed. These days, everyone knows someone for whom it could make all the difference. Please forward this important information to your friends, family and neighbors.

From everyone at DOJ, have a safe and happy New Year!

From KGW.COM: Joshua & Bruce Turnbridge Sentenced To Death

by Teresa Blackman - KGW.com Staff

Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:32 AM

SALEM -- The jury sentenced both Bruce and Joshua Turnidge to death for the deadly Woodburn bombing in 2008 that killed two police officers, maimed the police chief and injured a bank worker......Read - Watch Full KGW.com Report

The Daily Astorian: Clatsop Sheriff Tom Bergin Named Sheriff Of The Year

The Oregon State Sheriffs Association has named Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin as Sheriff of the year for 2010. He was recently honored at a ceremony in Bend for his accomplishments.....Read Full Daily Astorian report

Oregon Attorney General Cautions Alertness To Seasonal Scams

Read The Alerts

Marion County Grand Jury Clears Brent Foster!

Published: Friday, December 17, 2010, 2:14 PM
By Scott Learn - The Oregonian

A Marion County grand jury has declined to indict Brent Foster, a former top aide to Attorney General John Kroger, for his actions related to a criminal pollution case in Hood River.....Mr. Foster said: "I am obviously very pleased with the grand jury's decision. But it is unfortunate that this has taken almost eight months of my life. After over 10 years of environmental litigation, I made a mistake, voluntarily reported it to my employer and voluntarily resigned as a result. I have dealt with this mistake as best I could and look forward to moving on."His lawyers said: "This result underscores the fact that, with respect to the criminal investigation of Hood River Juice, and Mr. Foster's handling of evidence and his interaction with others involved, Brent acted entirely lawfully and in the best interests of the people of the State of Oregon in pursuing environmental enforcement for the state." Read Full Report

Daily Astorian: Astoria Fire Destroys Two Historic Downtown Buildings

By KATIE WILSON - The Daily Astorian

Photo By - Alex Pajunas
Astoria inferno destroys cafe, office block; cause not known
Firefighters are slowly bringing a two-fire blaze on the Astoria waterfront under control as of 6 a.m. Friday.
The first fire broke out in Gunderson's Cannery Cafe, No.1 building, Sixth Street, around 10:30 p.m. Thursday.
A second fire began not long after in the neighboring No.10 building which houses a variety of offices and businesses including Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare and the Lazy Spoon Cafe.
At first, fire personnel believed the fire at the cafe had spread into the No.10 building. They now have reason to believe that there were two separate fires, said Tara Constantine, public information officer with the Astoria Fire Department.
But the cause of both fires is still unknown.
The fires gutted the two buildings, eating away the roof and interior of the cafe and blasting the river side of the No.10 building. No one was injured.
A massive fire was still blazing on the Astoria waterfront at 4 a.m. Friday.
The fire, which appears to have started at Gunderson's Cannery Cafe, No.1 Sixth Street, and then spread to the adjacent No.10 building, is far from being under control, said Astoria Fire Chief Lenard Hansen.

Read Full Daily Astorian Report

These Two Properties Were Scheduled To Go To Sheriff's Sale December 30th

Clatsop County Manager Looking to Pay Consultant To Tell All How To Govern And Manage At Retreat

"A consultant for the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners is being considered to fully understand and develop the goals, values and objectives of the board." says Duane Cole's call for applicants for this mission under a one year agreement with a 30 day termination clause by either party and renewable for up to three years?

"Team Building", in lieu of "Community Building", and "Strategic Planning" is the mandate with the prospective candidate providing "Retreat" and "Goal Setting" services to the Board of Commissioners, County Manager and Department heads.

Read Full Release

ECOTROPE:What Happens In The U.S. When China Reaches Peak Coal Demand?

December 15, 2010 1:05 PM

By Cassandra Profita - ECOTROPE/OPB

New reports show China will run out of domestic coal supplies within 38 years while the U.S. has a 245-year supply. That might explain why Ambre Energy wants to export coal from Wyoming and Montana via the Columbia River.

There’s a lot of discussion lately about China’s growing demand for coal, which is becoming evermore relevant to the Pacific Northwest as Ambre Energy looks to build the West Coast’s first major coal-export terminal in Longview, Wash.

Read Full Report

Oregon Attorney General's 20 Worst Charities List For 2010

Charities are required to file periodic financial reports with the Oregon Department of Justice
documenting their national fundraising and expenditures and explaining how donations were
spent. Under guidelines issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), organizations should
dedicate at least 65% of their funds to charitable programs, with no more than 35% toward
administrative and fundraising costs.

The following charities registered to do business in Oregon failed to meet that standard based on a three-year average of annual expenditures. This is not an exclusive list, but represents the 20 charities that fell farthest from the BBB guidelines. .....Read Full Details

Derelict Properties In Astoria? A Look At The Draft Ordinance.

Any questions on how Derelict Building and Property Maintenance issues will be handled in Astoria?

Here's the Draft Ordinance to help your shape you thinking

Full Draft Of Ordinance

Cowlitz County Approval Of Longview Coal Export Facility Challenged By EarthJustice

By Erik Olson / The Daily News

Posted: Monday, December 13, 2010 12:00 pm

A Seattle environmental group has appealed Cowlitz County's decision to allow construction and operation of a coal export facility at the former Reynolds Metals Co. site west of Longview....Read Full Details

The Daily Astorian: Ohana Media Group Intends To Buy New Northwest Broadcasters(KAST-AM And Sister Stations)

Posted: Thursday, December 9, 2010 11:54 am

By CHELSEA GORROW - The Daily Astorian

WARRENTON — A deal is pending on the sale of New Northwest Broadcasters (NNB) five local radio stations in Warrenton to NNB’s chief executive Trilla Bumstead’s Ohana Media Group....Read Full Daily Astorian Report

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service Submits response To FERC On Consultation Request For OLNG Terminal & Pipeline

December 9, 2010

Kimberly D. Bose
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First St., N.E., Room 1A
Washington, D.C. 20426

Re: National Marine Fisheries Service’s Response to Request for Formal Consultation for the
Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal and Pipeline Project, Eastern Pacific Ocean and
Lower Columbia River Basin, Oregon (Docket Nos. CP09-6-000 and CP09-7-000).....

"Accompanying the request was a biological assessment (BA) that, in part, evaluates the effects of the Oregon LNG Project on 28 species under NMFS’ jurisdiction that are listed or proposed for listing under the ESA and their critical habitat, where designated or proposed, in the action area.

In the BA, FERC determined that 20 species are likely to be adversely affected (LAA) by the project and the remaining 8 species are not likely to be adversely affected (NLAA)"......Read Full Letter

Oregon Executive Sessions: Who's A Legitimate Journalist/Media Outlet and Who Ain't?

Who Decides "Journalism" and "Journalist"?
Carla Axtman - BlueOregon

A rather fascinating situation has developed in Lake Oswego over who gets to cover work done in City Council Executive Session meetings, and who doesn't.

Rebecca Randall, The Portland Trib
Recently, a media and government work group drew up a potential model policy defining who is a journalist, and therefore allowed to attend closed-door city council meetings — called executive sessions. The work group came together in reaction to a policy first written by Lake Oswego City Attorney David Powell after a blogger attempted to attend an executive session.

Read Full Blue Oregon Article
Read Rebecca Randall's Full Portland Tribune Report

Henningsgaard Frontrunner For Astoria City Attorney Spot

File Photo

It's Official!! Henningsgaard New Astoria City Attorney!!

Read Chelsea Gorrow's Daily Astorian Account

Without absolute formal confirmation and appointment, it appears that the Astoria City Council, in a special meeting Monday morning, has tapped attorney and currently sitting Ward 3 Concilor, Blair Henningsgaard as their prime candidate to fill the open spot for Astoria City Attorney, replacing Hal and Jeanyse Snow who have decided to no longer offer their services to the City.

With Henningsgaard not in attendance, Mayor Willis Van Dusen, supported by fellow Councilors LaMear, Roscoe and Warr and members of the Citizen Selection Committee observing, unanimoulsy voiced their recommendation for Henningsgaard over two other attorney firms in contention for the spot.

An Executive Session to interview, negotiate and obviously formalize their selection is scheduled by Astoria City Council for December 6, 2010 at 7:00PM.

Update:On CofA Public Hearings On Derelict Buildings December 6, 2010

Read Daily Astorian Follow-up Report On Derelict Buildings Hearing

DATE:[December 1, 2010]

TO: MEDIA AND INTERESTED PARTIES

FROM:SHERRI WILLIAMS, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

SUBJECT:PUBLIC INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN DERELICT BUILDING ORDINANCE DISCUSSION

Please publish the following public service announcement:

The City of Astoria recognizes the need to address the issue of derelict buildings. The
City Council will hold a public hearing on December 6, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at 1095 Duane Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers to take public comments on the proposed Derelict Building Ordinance. Comments received by the public and City Council will be reviewed for incorporation into a final draft ordinance. It is anticipated that the final draft will be presented to City Council for adoption in January, 2011.

For information, please contact Brett Estes, Community Development Director, 503-338-5183 or bestes@astoria.or.us

Point of Contact:Sherri Williams, 503-338-5183, swilliams@astoria.or.us

Interim Director Named For Clatsop County Corrections

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

INTERIM DIRECTOR NAMED FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Clatsop County Manager Duane Cole announced Wednesday that Justin Hecht has been appointed Interim Director of the county’s Community Corrections Department....Read Full Release

Proposed Warrenton WalMart Shows No Current Movement To Date

In response to a query by Grassroots People Blog on the current status of the proposed WalMart project, Warrenton Community Development Director, Carol Parker informs us that as of today's date, there are still no Application Submissions to her office by Walmart or their appointed agents and until that time, any other current information to the contrary would be purely speculative.

November 24, 2010: Columbia Riverkeeper And Northwest Property Rights Coalition Petition To Appeal Clatsop Commission Approval Of OLNG Pipeline

On Novemeber 24, 2010, Columbia Riverkeeper and Northwest Property Rights Coalition jointly filed Notice of Intent to appeal to, The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, the recent, November 8, 2010, Clatsop County Commision conditional approval of OLNG's, Oregon Pipeline LLC's consolidated application and geological hazard permit for a 41 mile, high pressure natural gas transomission pipeline in Clatsop County to tie-in with pipleine through adjacent counties on its way to a tie with Trans-Canada pipeline.

Current LUBA Case Number has not been assigned yet and will be forthcoming.

Ireland Appeals For International Bailout

Nov 21, 10:56 AM EST

By SHAWN POGATCHNIK and GABRIELE STEINHAUSER - Associated Press

DUBLIN (AP) -- After weeks of denying it needed a bailout, Ireland Sunday became the second European country to ask for a multibillion euro emergency loan to help stabilize its debt-ridden banks..........Read Full Report
Eu Forks Over $113 Billion To Irish Banks

Port Of Tacoma Torpedoes Coal Export Terminal Plan

Peter Gartrell - Platt's Trader 11/22/2010

The Port of Tacoma said late Friday it has nixed plans for a large coal exporting facility near Seattle after considering“a multitude of business and community factors.”

People familiar with the facility sayBNSF Railway and Union Pacific were considering a terminal with capacity to handle up to 20 million short tons a year, but port commissioners concerned with the potential outcry from environmental activists backed off the plan.....Read Full Report

Cowlitz County Commissioners Delay Decision On Coal Export Project

By Erik Olson / The Daily News
Tuesday, November 16, 2010

After four hours of testimony Tuesday, Cowlitz County commissioners delayed a decision whether to allow an Australia-based company to build a coal export facility at the former Reynolds Metals site in Longview....Read Full Longview Daily News Report

Obama Nominates Amanda Marshall For Oregon U.S. Attorney Spot

Bryan Denson, The Oregonian

President Obama today nominated a lawyer for Oregon's Department of Justice as the state's top federal prosecutor and the sheriff of Lane County as its new U.S. marshal.

Read The Oregonlive Report

How Does An Urban Renewal District Work You Ask?

Astor-East Urban Renewal District And You Don't Have a "Hoot-In-Hell's" Idea Of What It All Means?

Well here's a little primer that tells you, the citizen, exactly where, in which end, you will be hit if you are impacted.......I think.

An Urban Renwal District Primer From Portland Development Commission

Tonight! November 15, Astoria City Council To Hold Hearing To Ammend Astor-East Urban Renewal Plan

The Astoria City Council will hold a public hearing to consider
Adoption of an ordinance to amend the Astor-East Urban Renewal Plan.
WHERE: City Hall, Council Chambers, 1095 Duane Street, Astoria
WHEN: Monday, November 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

A copy of the ordinance, the amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan and
accompanying report may be obtained by contacting:
Brett Estes, Community Development Director, 503-338-5183,
1095 Duane Street Astoria, Oregon 97103
bestes@astoria.or.us

Read Full Details

Are You An Attorney? Are You Looking For An Exciting Gig?

The City of Astoria is requesting proposals from attorneys at law to provide certain legal services to the City Council, the City Manager and Department Heads.

Go Here For Full Details

The Port of Astoria And South Korea Shippers Agreement

Exerpted from The Daily Astorian article by Katie Wilson:"Port of Astoria forges close ties with South Korea"

"Commission to enter a ‘sister port’ agreement."

A memorandum of understanding lays out a relationship between the U.S. port and the Korean port. The goal is to strengthen trade development between the two ports by exchanging information about port operations, cargo handling equipment, maintenance, shipping plans and trends; by opening up the ports and studying each other's operations; by exchanging trade information that could help in the growth of the ports; and by providing introductions to key public and private officials."

Uh-Oh!

Exciting news, indeed, but for that last line in the paragraph above...."and by providing introductions to key public and private officials."

In my view and being very apprehensive at the moment about this current Port Commission, its make-up and recent decisions, I would think this decision and its magnitude should be an issue that goes way above the local GOB network and should involve all elements of County and Lower Columbia River region governments and the citizen/constituents as well before any final decision is made to avoid the likes of "The Skipanon Peninsula, Calpine-OLNG Boondoggle we are now going to be forced to live with for the next 60 years, it appears.

Let's not forget that two Port Commissioners involved in that blight on our Port history and the same local leaders approached in the private meetings are still here.

Let's pray that this will not be "Deja Vu all over again" and any introduction to and fro between "Port" and the Buson shippers inlcude all of us in this process this time.

Clatsop County Board Affirms Hearing Officer's Decison Of Conditional Approval Of OLNG Pipeline

The Clatsop Count Board of Commissioners, yesterday, November 8, 2010, affirmed, with modified findings and conditions of approval in a 4-1 vote, the hearing officer's decision to conditionally approve a 41 mile, High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline in Clatsop County.

Read Full Findings And Decision
View And Read Full Findings Of Approval

Oregon Appeals Court Rules Against Clatsop County On Bradwood Landing

By: LNG World News from The Daily Astorian, Astoria, Oregon

GRP: And is the leftover Clatsop County Commission that tried to push this project down "The Lower Columbia River's" throat still not listening to a professional county planning staff, that keeps saying no, on the proposed Oregon LNG terminal in Warrenton, Oregon?

A new ruling says Clatsop County was at fault in its handling of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project......Read Full Report

KGW Projects Kitzhaber Win From Multnomah County Vote.

By Frank Mungeam - KGW.com Staff; and AP Staff
kgw.com
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Updated today at 5:39 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Democrat John Kitzhaber is projected to defeat Chris Dudley for governor of Oregon, according to KGW news partner The Oregonian newspaper.

Read Full Report

Clatsop County Community Corrections Director Cora Lane To Depart

Tom Bennett - Clatsop County
Department News Release

Friday, October 29, 2010

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS DIRECTOR CORA LANE TO DEPART

GRP: Is it time to consider merging Community Corrections into The Clatsop County Sheriff's Department?
If "No", why not?
Would it be more cost effective to do so?
Is County Corrections and Transition Center (Offenders serving jail sanctions or sentenced to 12 months or less under oversight of the Local Supervisory Authority (made up of both the Sheriff and the Community Corrections Director)) earning it's way or operating in a deficit?

Cora Lane, director of Clatsop County Community Corrections and 34-year county employee, is departing from her post effective Dec. 1, 2010.

Lane first joined Clatsop County in May 1976 as a clerk/typist in the Assessor’s Office. During her subsequent career with the county she served as a civil process server, animal control officer and parole and probation officer. In January 2006 she was promoted to Community Corrections director.

“We commend Cora for her years of dedicated service to Clatsop County and wish her well,” County Manager Duane Cole said.

Lane will assist in the leadership transition in the department, which will likely involve the appointment of an interim director in the short term, Cole said.

Community Corrections supervises adult criminal offenders who have been sentenced to probation or released to post-prison supervisions from a correctional facility. Supervision is handled through a number of various programs, including substance abuse treatment, sex offender and domestic violence programs, social re-education and life skills, drug court and electronic house arrest. The department also runs the 30-bed Transition Center residential facility in Warrenton.

Cole said the department will maintain all services during the transition, depending on funding from the State of Oregon. The county is working to ensure that Community Corrections, which is primarily funded through the state, continues to serve the county in the event of future state funding cuts, he said.

San Bruno Explosion Should Be Final Nail In LNG Coffin

Posted Oct. 28, 2010, 12:43:00 pm

Santa Monica Mirror Archives - Thomas B. Elias, Columnist
There is no doubt that Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has acted at least somewhat more responsibly in the wake of the September natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno than BP, the former British Petroleum, did after its springtime offshore oil platform disaster in the Gulf of Mexico....Read Full Tom Elias Report

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Approve ONLG Pipeline Application With Modifications

Read Full County Release

What Is The Tea Party?

October 22, 2010 4:13 PM

David Sirota - COLUMNIST Gazette.com

What is the tea party? Many have tried to answer that question ever since CNBC’s Rick Santelli first launched the backlash with his trading-floor rant against the poor......Read Full Report

Another Perspective

U.S. House Candidate Rob Cornilles: Former Trainees Critical Of his Sports Marketing Business Ethic

Former trainees blast congressional hopeful
Rob Cornilles, the GOP candidate in the 1st District, paid $9,000 in 2003 settlement related to his sports marketing business
By Christian Gaston - The Forest Grove News-Times, Oct 20, 2010

Since he filed to run for Congress in 2009, Tualatin businessman Rob Cornilles has touted his ability to find jobs for young people in the field of sports marketing as a qualification for office.....Read Full Article

From The Daily Astorian: State Senator Betsy Johnson and House Rep. Debbie Boone Take Exception To Advert Run By 2 "Tea Party" Backed Candidates!

At left is an ad run in The Daily Astorian by two "Tea Party" backed candidates, Lew Barnes and Bob Horning, running for two seats in the Oregon State Legislature now occupied by State Senator District 16, Betsy Johnson and House District 31 Represesentative, Debbie Boone.

Click on ad at left to read its content.

Click This To Read Full Daily "A" Report

For insight into Lewis Barnes campaign finance activity, click on this to go to ORESTAR

For even more interesting insight into Bob Horning's campaign finance activity, click her to go to Horning's ORESTAR account

Oregon DEQ Sets Ground Rules For West-East Demolition And Trading's Shipbreaking Operation At North Tongue Point

Oregon DEQ NW Regional Adninistrator, Nina DeConcini, on October 18, 2010 issued a letter with conditions to Exec. Port Director, Jack Crider regarding the West-East Demolition and Trading, LLC. Click on each of the two page DEQ Requirement Letter to peruse the full content.