Monday, March 28, 2011

Clatsop County Redistricting Committee Still Seeking Applicants!!!


Monday, March 28, 2011 REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE STILL SEEKING APPLICANTS - Clatsop County is still seeking applicants for a citizen panel charged with drawing new boundaries for county commissioner districts based on the 2010 U.S. Census data. The process, conducted every 10 years following the Census, ensures that all five districts represented by the county commissioners have roughly equal population by re-drawing the boundaries to take into account any shifts in population within the county. The 11-member committee will be made up of one citizen representative from each commissioner district and a representative from each of the five cities, with a county commissioner as chairperson. City representatives will be selected by the respective city managers – Clatsop County is seeking applicants from the each of the five districts. Those members may be city residents. The committee will use the Census data to make any necessary changes in the boundaries in conformance with state requirements that districts be contiguous, of equal population, utilize existing geographical or political boundaries, not divide communities of common interest, and be connected by transportation links. To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000. Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ at “Documents” under “County Manager.” Forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, April 8. The board of commissioners will make the selections.


Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

Port Of Longview Sets Another Revenue Record


By Erik Olson / The Daily News Posted: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 9:30 The Port of Longview pulled in nearly $28 million in 2010, hitting a record for the third consecutive year, port officials said Tuesday. The $27.8 million of revenue last year was 11 percent more than the port accumulated in 2009, when it topped the $25 million mark for the first time......Read Full Report

Saturday, March 26, 2011

An Observation: Those Astoria DUII’s And Who Should Try Them: Is It Time To Take The Issue To The People?


With Clatsop County District Attorney, Josh Marquis and Astoria City Attorney, Blair Henningsgaard scheduled to be in attendance, proposed HB3025 will be heard March 31, 2011 in the House Judiciary Committee in Salem and has already won endorsement from the Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII’s at a previous meeting February 11, 2011.

This culminates a year’s worth of sparring between the Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office and the Astoria City Council over its Municipal Court and that court’s disposition of DUII cases and the issue seems far from being resolved at all but, here’s a rough and by no means, specific chronology of what has taken place to date:
* April, 2010: Astoria District Attorney presents his proposal to Astoria City Council declaring his desire to assume all DUII cases from Astoria Municipal Court.
* July, 2010: County D.A. comes back to Astoria City Council for further discussion on the issue and not well received by, then,. Councilor and candidate for new Astoria City Attorney, Blair Henningsgaard inferring a “personal vendetta” on the part of D.A. Marquis and Commissioner Russ Warr wanting statistics.
* At a Work Session in October, 2010, D.A. Marquis is back again with the results of a two month study by his office with everybody weighing-in on the results with no clear resolution on the issue but much scrutiny, on the part of the Council, to dissect Marquis’s report and defer any final outcomes till Mayor Van Dusen and Council and other parties review individual elements of the report.
* January, 2011: District Attorney Marquis publishes an Op-Ed in the Daily Astorian with his explanation as to why he is pursuing those DUII cases with the Astoria City Council their own letter to “The Citizens of Astoria” , collectively signed by all members and hand delivered to D.A. Marquis and a local radio personality in the dark of night to their doorstep and then, 4-5 days later meets to approve “The Letter”? Read The Op-Ed And Letter Here
* February, 2011: Oregon Rep. Deborah Boone drafts and introduces HB 3025 which will be heard March 31, 2011 in the House Judiciary Committee in Salem. Read “The Bill” Language Here

And so, here we are today and I’m looking at a headline in Thursday’s Daily Astorian that reads; ”Astoria DUII Battle Re-Ignites”?

Re-ignites?

I’d say that fire is still burning as strong as ever now with Astoria Police Chief Curzon weighing-in with his own statement on the issue and comes across, in my view, as somewhat generic and diluted and lends nothing whatsoever towards any resolution from his position and perspective.

Still, no clear resolution and still, many unanswered and unsettled questions remain and the true question I see arising ultimately is; Does this issue need to go before the people of Astoria to settle?

Should we hold open hearings, with testimony from all involved without fear from any reprisal or retaliation for that testimony?

I say “Yes” we should and the sooner the better and as amicably as possible.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Palomar Gas Partners Back-Off Proposed Pipeline Project, Citing Insufficient Demand To Support It.


Published: Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 8:15 PM
Updated: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 8:08 AM

By Ted Sickinger, The Oregonian

Northwest Natural Gas Co. and TransCanada Corp. have withdrawn their joint venture's application to build the controversial Palomar pipeline, telling regulators that demand is insufficient to support the project in the near term. The announcement moves the project off the map and out of a labyrinthine regulatory process in Washington, D.C., where elaborate environmental studies and high-priced lawyers can quickly lay their own high-capacity pipeline into shareholders' wallets..... Read Full Ted Sickinger Report

March 30, 2011 Special Meeting To Reconsider Oregon Pipeline LLC Consolidated Pipeline Application



Special Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 – 3:30 pm
Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria
Special Meeting: 3:30 pm
The Board of Commissioners, as the Governing Body of Clatsop County, all County Service Districts for which this body so
acts, and as the Clatsop County Local Contract Review Board, is now meeting in Special Session.
FLAG SALUTE
ROLL CALL
AGENDA APPROVAL
PUBLIC HEARING
a. Oregon Pipeline LLC consolidated application reconsideration ............................................. { }

Thursday, March 24, 2011

March 23, 2011: An Eventful Evening At Clatsop County

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

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

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

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

Listen To Full Audio Of Last Night's CCBofC Meeting

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Update:Regular Meeting Notice For: Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners, Wednesday, March 23, 2011


To: Media
Attached is second amended agenda for March 23 Clatsop County Board of Commissioners meeting. A second executive session has been added at the conclusion of the regular session, and executive session scheduled for 5:30 p.m. is now for ORS 192.660(1)(h)-Litigation.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312


5:30 PM Executive Session preceeding the regular meeting at 6:00 PM

Read Full Meeting Notice

County's Draft Of Staff Findings And Conclusions On Oregon LNG/Pipeline's Application Still Supports Staff Recommendation For Denial


Clatsop County Draft of revised Staff Findings and Conclusions on Oregon LNG/Pipeline's application for a 41 mile long, High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline still maintains denial of project.... Read Full Draft Of County's Document

Monday, March 21, 2011

Clatsop County Imate Work Crew Collects 4600 Pounds Of Trash From Woods

Monday, March 21, 2011

INMATE CREW COLLECTS 4,600 POUNDS OF TRASH FROM WOODS

On Friday, March 18 the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Work Crew completed a two-week garbage cleanup project in the Astoria Basin forest area, locally referred to as the “Pipeline” area.

This project, coordinated by Forest Patrol Deputy Michael Nelson, was carried out with the participation and cooperation of the Oregon Department of Forestry Astoria District.
4,600 pounds of garbage, discarded furniture, and appliances were bagged in 70 33-gallon garbage sacks and collected.

140 inmate labor hours were contributed to the collection and disposal of the garbage, which was transported to the Western Oregon Waste facility in Astoria. Those fees were paid by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Items found which identify potential suspects of criminal activity including Offensive Littering are being processed. Cases worthy of prosecution have been and will be referred to the Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office.

To report crimes on forestlands in Clatsop County contact Sr. Deputy Michael Nelson at (503) 791-4978.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

Update: Post After-Action Review Work Session For March 11, 2011 Release From County


Read Full County Post-Work Session Report



Members of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners plan to attend an after-action review by county staff and invited guests of the local response to the March 11 tsunami event. The review will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 18 at 800 Exchange St., Suite 430, Astoria.

Because a quorum of at least three commissioners are likely to attend, the county is required to notice the meeting as a work session of the board.

No deliberation or action by the board is scheduled to occur at this meeting.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

Clatsop County:Looks To Improve Phone Notification System


Monday, March 21, 2011

COUNTY PURSUES NEW, IMPROVED PHONE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
A key tool in alerting Clatsop County residents about the potential threat from the Pacific tsunami on March 11 was the telephone-based emergency notification system (ENS).
The “reverse-9-1-1” system allowed local emergency managers to send out recorded messages to people in selected areas, informing them of the tsunami warning and urging them to prepare to evacuate to safer ground. The calls, beginning at about 2 a.m., went out to approximately 7,500 households.....Read Full Clatsop County News Release

U.S. Department Of The Interior-BLM Gives Priority Status To 19 Renewable Energy Projects. Oregon Gets Two


U.S. Department of the Interior-BLM
Renewable Energy Priority Projects
Last Updated: March 8, 2011.


The BLM in 2011 continues work on developing a portfolio of renewable energy projects on public lands. The agency has given priority status to 19 projects (nine solar, five wind, and five geothermal)..... Read Full Details

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Circuit Court Judge, Cindee Matyas Vacates Oregon LNG/Pipeline Writ Of Mandamus Motion, Cancels Friday Hearing!!



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 17, 2011

JUDGE VACATES OREGON PIPELINE MOTION

A Clatsop County Circuit Court judge on Thursday vacated a writ of mandamus motion filed by Oregon Pipeline LLC against Clatsop County.


The action by Judge Cindee Matyas effectively puts an end to the company’s motion, which sought immediate approval for its consolidated land-use application for the construction of 41 miles of natural gas pipeline. A hearing scheduled for Friday morning in front of Matyas on the motion has been cancelled.


At the March 9 hearing the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a new set of findings that would result in the application’s denial. The board is currently scheduled to review the draft findings and possibly approve them at a special meeting March 30.
The board of commissioners originally voted in November to approve the application. The ruling was appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals by project opponents, and in January the board, with three new members, elected to withdraw the November decision in order to reconsider the application.


On March 4 Oregon Pipeline filed a request for a writ of mandamus with the court seeking immediate approval of its application. The motion argues that the county has missed the legal deadline for taking final action on the application. If local jurisdictions fail to act on an application within the required timeframe, applicants can seek to have a circuit court order the application to be approved.


Matyas signed the writ and set a hearing for March 18 to hear from attorneys for the county and the applicant. On Thursday, she rescinded her signature and cancelled the hearing.


Oregon Pipeline also claims that, once Matyas signed the writ on March 4, the application came under the official jurisdiction of the court, and that the county had no authority to hold its hearing March 9. No representative from the company attended that hearing.


At this point, Clatsop County is proceeding with the review process, including the March 30 meeting, until it receives direction to do otherwise from its legal counsel, according to County Manager Duane Cole.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

U.S. House Votes To End NPR Federal Funding!

Mark Memmott - NPR News
March 17, 2011 - 3:38PM

The House of Representatives just voted 228-192 to bar NPR from receiving any more federal funds. It was a partisan vote, with Republicans voting "aye" and Democrats voting "nay."....Read Full Report

May 17, 2011 Special District Elections:114 Open Positions, Only 32 Declared Candidates So Far As March 17, Candidate Filing Deadline Approaches

To See Elections Calendar And Who Has Filed So Far Click This!

You Gonna Run For Office? Today's Your Last Day!!!!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 3, 2011

MANY RACES IN MAY 17 ELECTION STILL SEEKING CANDIDATES

Would you like to make a difference in your community? How about lending your time and expertise to a local district providing vital services to you and your neighbors?
The deadline to file for the May 17 special district election is approaching, and many positions up for election still have no candidates.
The May election features contests for school districts, fire districts, water and sewer districts and other entities. The deadline to file as a candidate for the election is March 17.
There are a total of 114 positions on 39 different service district boards and commissions up for election, but candidates had filed for only 32 of those positions as of Wednesday, March 2.
Among the positions with no candidates are those on the Port of Astoria Commission and Clatsop Community College Board of Directors.
Here are the districts with positions on the May 17 election:

County-wide districts
Port of Astoria
Clatsop Community College
Sunset Empire Transportation District

School Districts
Astoria School District
Clatskanie School District (candidates file with Columbia County)
Jewell School District
Knappa School District
Seaside School District
Warrenton-Hammond School District

Rural Fire Protection Districts
Cannon Beach RFPD
Clatskanie RFPD (candidates file with Columbia County)
Elsie-Vinemaple RFPD
Gearhart RFPD
Hamlet RFPD
John Day-Fernhill RFPD
Knappa-Svensen-Burnside RFPD
Lewis & Clark RFPD
Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD (candidates file with Columbia County)
Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue (candidates file with Tillamook County)
Olney-Walluski Fire & Rescue
Seaside RFPD
Warrenton RFPD
Westport-Wauna RFPD

Water Districts
Arch Cape Domestic Water Supply District
Falcon Cove Beach Water District
John Day Water District
Skipanon Water District
Wauna Water District
Wickiup Water District
Willowdale Water District
Youngs Bay Water District
Sanitary Service Districts
Arch Cape Sanitary District
Miles Crossing Sanitary Sewer District
Shoreline Sanitary District
Sundown Sanitary District

Health districts
Clatsop Care Health District
Union Health District

Other Districts
Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation District
Clatsop County Rural Law Enforcement District

Candidates can file to run by fee or petition.
For a complete list of all seats up for election, the requirements for each office and other information, go to the “Clerk/Elections” page on the Clatsop County website, http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/.
The last day to register to vote in the May 17 election is April 26; more voter registration information is also available on the Clerk/Elections page of the county website. People can also check their voter registration status online by going to https://secure.sos.state.or.us/eim/vr/showVoterSearch.do

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Port Of Astoria Presented A Speculative Plan For Energy Farm At Bradwood Landing?

(The photo-rendering is of a pilot hydrogen fuel filling station now under construction in Southern California and will be the model used for the so-called "Hydrogen Highway")

Ah! "Perpetual Candidate" and "Bio-Mass Energy Project Promoter", John Dunzer, now teaming up with Bradwood Landing property owner, Ken Leahy?


Dunzer speculates using that property (Bradwood Landing) for an "Energy Farm"?
Wants to ship little bitty shiploads of LNG from Kenai, Alaska, down the coast and then upriver to Bradwood Landing to be used to whatever means necessary to recycle tires and produce Hydrogen for the future "Hydrogen Highway" and other assorted and volatile gases such as, Liquid Oxygen, Liquid Hydrogen and Argon gas?


An "Energy Farm" he calls it and wants our Port of Astoria to endorse it all?
An 11 mile, 24 inch diameter, high pressure, Natural Gas Transmission pipeline as opposed to a 30-plus mile, 36 inch diameter line going to a tie-in with Northwest Natural Gas's feeder line?
And Dunzer says it's all very simple and straight-forward and Leahy is his much-needed developer to help make it happen plus put-up the land that we all know very well, Bradwood Landing?


Bunches of questions with a few holes that really need to be plugged to make it look more realistic, in my view.


Kenai, Alaska? Kenai was in the window of Northern Star Natural Gas’s’ vision to build LNG receiving terminals at Bradwood Landing and a California project as a likely supplier of Alaskan LNG. Unfortunately, Alaska, in a joint project with Trans-Canada Pipeline opted to process and ship Their Natural Gas overland throught Alberta Province, Canada and into the U.S. Midwest and tie-in to the national pipeline system and then to the West Coast Market.


“The Hydrogen Highway”? A definite plan underway in California with a pilot Hydrogen Fuel Filling Station under construction at the moment and a fact Mr. Dunzer overlooked was that those stations when in-place will produce and dispense their own Hydrogen Fuel and will likely, as well, be positioned all along the I-5 corridor all the way up to Canada and probably beyond.
Tire Recycling? (To break those tires down to re-capture the Carbon to be re-sold) A viable but, very specialized process and sophisticated equipment to make it happen and a requirement for storage of mountains of old tires.


The Port? So, with this aggressive plan by The Dunzer/Leahy partnership, I need to ask Port of Astoria if they were just blowing smoke up our butts when they announced the proposed Martin Nygaard Timber processing and shipping project at Tongue Point accompanied by a Bio-mass power generation facility that could potentially produce enough electricity to power 14 thousand homes? In its own right would that not be an effective and purposeful “Energy Farm” likely offering many jobs?


I guess my big question is….With all these varied and specialized uses of Leahy’s Bradwood Landing property and all their inherent and sensitive and volatile sophistication, does Dunzer and Leahy actually believe this scheme will go any smoother than the last scheme on that property as attempted by Northern Star Natural Gas?


Truth is, in my view, Bradwood Landing was historically a Log/timber Shipping Operation and maybe some thought should be put into a cooperative arrangement between Leahy and “The Port” to ship those Westerlund Logs out of there, opening up the West Port facility for more Port related ventures.


GRP:This is an observation of an in-depth piece on John Dunzer and Ken Leahy's Scheme as presented to Port of Astoria and written by Katie Wilson - The Daily Astorian on March 16, 2011

Lordan Cove LNG Project Manager Says LNG Export Talk Premature

From: The World
Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 7:58 pm

The manager of the Jordan Cove LNG terminal project did tell an energy newsletter that his company had entertained inquiries about using the facility for export of natural gas, he said Wednesday.

"But the leap of faith (in the article) from 'mulling over' to 'redesign' was enormous," said Bob Braddock......Read Full Details And Updates

Circuit Court Judge Phil Nelson Denies Bail For Accused Murderer Fitzhugh


Tuesday, March 15, 2011 10:51 am Updated: 10:53 am, Tue Mar 15, 2011.
By KATIE WILSONThe Daily Astorian Daily Astorian


An Astoria man accused of murder by abuse and aggravated murder will remain in jail without bail.


According to a decision by Clatsop County Circuit Court Judge Phil Nelson released Monday, the state was able to present strong evidence that Christopher Fitzhugh “recklessly, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of life, caused the death of (his fiancée) Evelyn Decker.”.........Read Full Katie Wilson - Daily Astorian Article

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Clatsop County Invites Public Comment On Westport Corridor And Community Plan At Community Meeting


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Clatsop County is hosting a community meeting to gather citizens’ comments about the new Westport Corridor and Community Plan, 7:30-9 p.m. March 31 at the Westport Community Church.
The plan, developed by the county in partnership with local citizens and business owners with funding from a tax-penalty payment from Georgia-Pacific, includes the following proposed projects”
· New Highway 30 access for Westport Ferry/Industrial Park
· Plympton Creek restoration
· Public park on former Georgia-Pacific site
· Boat landing improvements
· Highway 30 pedestrian safety and aesthetic improvements
The community meeting will offer information on recent design progress and the next steps in the planning process.
Public input and involvement is an important part of the planning process – the proposed projects have emerged from meetings with the Westport community, business owners and county representatives.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

DEQ Officially Denies Proposed Bradwood Landing LNG Terminal/Pipeline 401 Water Quality Certification


The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has denied 401 water quality certification for the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas import terminal and pipeline in Clatsop and Columbia Counties.

Read The Full Denial Letter
Read Full Evaluation And Findings Report
Read Full "Antidegradation Report"

Monday, March 14, 2011

USCG Captain Of The Port Closes Depoe Bay, Siuslaw And Columbia River Bar Entrances

ASTORIA, Ore. — Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) for Sector Columbia River, based in Astoria, has issued bar closures for Depoe Bay, Ore., Siuslaw River, Ore., and Columbia River, Ore., at approximately 2 p.m., Monday, due to hazardous conditions.

Vessels are advised to remain at sea until conditions improve.

The bar closures are for all vessels. Any request to transit the bar prior to re-opening must be approved by the COTP. Mariners wishing to transit their vessels across the bar can contact the Sector Columbia River command center on VHF-FM Channel 16 or by telephone at (503) 861-6211.

The Coast Guard understands the effects these closures have on commerce and will make every effort to reopen these waterways as soon as they are considered safe for navigation.
For more information, contact Sector Columbia River at (503) 861-6211.

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

ODFW: Ocean Chinook Opens For Sport Anglers Tuesday, March 15, 2011




Ocean Chinook opens for sport anglers Tuesday

March 10, 2011

NEWPORT, Ore. – Ocean anglers will be able to pursue chinook salmon on Oregon’s central coast starting March 15.

“The Sacramento fall chinook salmon, which have been a major limiting stock on the ocean salmon seasons over the past few seasons, are forecast to be at near average abundance this year and will allow for much more fishing opportunity during the 2011 season,” said Eric Schindler, ocean salmon project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Fishing for all salmon except coho will be open from March 15 to April 30 from Cape Falcon just north of Manzanita to Humbug Mountain near Port Orford as scheduled, he said. Anglers fishing out of Tillamook Bay are reminded that only adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon may be retained when fishing inside Tillamook Bay and offshore waters within the 15-fathom depth contour between Twin Rocks and Pyramid Rock.

West Coast fishery managers are still working on other decisions about salmon seasons off the Oregon coast. The range of alternatives for the 2011 season was adopted for public review March 9 at the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) meeting in Vancouver, Wash.

A public hearing process will occur later this month, including a hearing in Coos Bay at the Red Lion Inn beginning at 7 p.m., March 28. The season development will conclude during the Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting in San Mateo, Calif., April 9 through 13.

“The commercial chinook salmon fishery south of Cape Falcon scheduled to open on March 15 has been delayed until April 15 under in-season action,” Schindler said. “This season will run from April 15 through 30 in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.”
The area from Humbug Mountain to the Oregon-California border will remain closed during March and April. Seasons after April 30 are being developed at this time, he said.

Contact:
Erich Schindler or Brandon Ford (541) 867-4741Fax: (541) 867-0311

Estonia? To Produce Utah Shale Oil?

Mar 10, 2011
By Oil & Gas Journal Editors

HOUSTON, Mar. 10 -- After completing the purchase of the shares of Oil Shale Exploration Co. (OSEC), the Estonian company Eesti Energia (Enefit) plans to construct in Utah a plant for producing 57,000 b/d of shale oil.
The stock purchase is pending approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS)..........Read The Details

Sunday, March 13, 2011

CCC Presents "Iron Jawed Angels" In Celebration Of Women's History Month!



Clatsop Community College is presenting
"Iron Jawed Angels"
(Introduced by Abigail Scott Duniway)
A compelling story of the radical suffragettes
who demanded that women have the right vote
by amending the Constitution.

This was the culmination of 100 years of struggle
and the reason we can be counted on to make a difference today.

Don't miss this opportunity!
Saturday, March 19th at 7:30 PM, doors open at 7 PM
The Performing Arts Center, Franklin and 16th
Art and Refreshments in the Lobby
a small donation of $5.00

Do you know who was the first woman to serve in Congress? What year?
Do you know what woman wrote the best selling book of the 19th century?
Who were the women who organized the National Council of Women in 1888?
Who was the first woman to pass exams for astronaut training? When?
Who was the first woman US Supreme Court Justice?
Who was the first woman to serve as US Attorney General?
When was Women's History Month first observed?

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Clatsop County Re-Districting Committee Seeking Citizen Panel Members




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, March 11, 2011

CITIZENS SOUGHT FOR REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE

Clatsop County is seeking applicants for a citizen panel charged with drawing new boundaries for county commissioner districts based on the 2010 U.S. Census data.
The process, conducted every 10 years following the Census, ensures that all five districts represented by the county commissioners have roughly equal population by re-drawing the boundaries to take into account any shifts in population within the county.
The 11-member committee will be made up of one citizen representative from each commissioner district and a representative from each of the five cities, with a county commissioner as chairperson. City representatives will be selected by the respective city managers – Clatsop County is seeking applicants from the each of the five districts. Those members may be city residents.
The committee will use the Census data to make any necessary changes in the boundaries in conformance with state requirements that districts be contiguous, of equal population, utilize existing geographical or political boundaries, not divide communities of common interest, and be connected by transportation links.
To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000. Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ at “Documents” under “County Manager.”
Forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 25. The board of commissioners will make the selections.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

EPA Agrees To Strengthen Ships Ballast Rule


Bettina Boxall - L.A. Times - Environment

March 8, 2011 - 6:11 PM


The federal government has agreed to develop more stringent national regulations governing the discharge of ship ballast water, which has been a major source of troublesome invasive species in California and other states......Read Full Report



CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
For the reconsideration of the conditional approval of the consolidated application by Oregon Pipeline, LLC, to construct a 41-mile natural gas pipeline.
DATE OF HEARING: Wednesday, March 30, 2011
TIME: 3:30 PM
LOCATION: Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial Street - Astoria, Oregon 97103

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 13, 2011, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners, pursuant to ORS 197.830(13(b) and OAR 661-010-0021, withdrew 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.
That decision had been appealed to the State of Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

On February 9, 2011, the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing and set the scope of review for the reconsideration hearing. The Board has determined it may consider any and all issues identified in the findings adopted in support of the November 8, 2010, Board of Commissioners decision and that no new evidence will be considered as part of its reconsideration of the November 8, 2010 findings and decision.



The criteria applicable to the Board’s decision on reconsideration are as follows:

Land and Water Development and Use Ordinance 80-14
L3.220 – Residential Agriculture 5 Zone

L5.000 – Conditional Development and Use

L3.510 – Agricultural Forestry Zone

L5.040 – Development and Use Permitted with Review

L3.550 – Forest-80 Zone L5.120 – Coastal Zone Consistency Review

L3.560 – Exclusive Farm Use Zone

L5.350 – Transportation System Impact Review

L3.740 – Aquatic Development Zone

L5.800 – Columbia River Estuary Impact Assessment

L3.780 – Aquatic Conservation 2 Zone and Resource Capability Determination.

L3.800 – Aquatic Natural Zone

L4.000 – Flood Hazard Overlay

L4.040 – Geological Hazard Overlay

L4.080 – Shoreland Overlay

L4.200 – Sensitive Bird Habitat Overlay
Standards Document
S2.500 – Erosion Control Development Standards

S3.500 – Farm and Forest Zones Dwelling and/or Use Standards

S3.650 – Tsunami Inundation Zone

S3.700 – Geologic Hazard Requirements

S4.200 – Columbia River Estuary Shoreland and Aquatic Use
and Activity Standards

S4.500 – Protection of Riparian Vegetation

S6.000 – Road Standard specifications for Design and Construction


Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan – Goals and Policies
Goal 1 – Citizen Involvement

Goal 2 – Land Use Planning

Goal 3 - Agricultural Lands

Goal 4 - Forest Lands

Goal 5 - Open Space, Scenic and Historic Areas and Natural Resources

Gosl 6 - Air, Water and Land Quality

Goal 7 - Natural Hazards

Goal 8 - Recreation

Goal 9 – Economy

Goal 10 – Population and Housing Goal

Goal 11 – Public Facilities & Services

Goal 12 – Transportation

Goal 13 – Energy Conservation

Goals 16 and 17 – Estuarine Resources and Coastal Shorelands Lewis & Clark, Youngsd, Wallooskee River Valleys Community Plan and the Elsie - Jewell Community Plan


Oral and written argument will be accepted from all of the parties to the LUBA proceedings related to the November 8, 2010 approval. Oral argument must be presented through the parties’ legal counsel only unless otherwise permitted by the Board at the hearing.
County staff will be permitted to make a staff report and respond to Board questions. All other persons or organizations who participated in the 2010 Hearings Officer and Board of Commissioner proceedings in this matter will be permitted to submit written argument only, as provided below in this notice.

All written argument submitted to and received by this office by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, pursuant to the Board’s February 9, 2011, direction, will be considered at the March 30, 2011 public hearing.

NOTE: Failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing, in person or by letter, or failure to provide statements sufficient to afford the decision maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes an appeal based on that issue.

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 is 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 in accordance with LWDUO Section 2.185(3): Introductory statements by the Board of Commissioners, staff report presentation, argument from the LUBA parties, argument from other parties, rebuttal by LUBA parties, and conclusion of the public hearing.
The Board of Commissioners will then deliberate and issue a decision.

If you have questions about this land use matter or need more information, please contact Jennifer Bunch, Clatsop County Planner, at (503) 325-8611 or via email at jbunch@co.clatsop.or.us .

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Supports Staff Findings For Denial Of Oregon LNG/Pipeline Application



Thursday, March 10, 2011

BOARD SUPPORTS FINDINGS OF DENIAL FOR OREGON PIPELINE APPLICATION (GRP: No Representative From Oregon LNG/Pipeline Was In Attendance At This Hearing)
At a hearing Wednesday the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a new set of findings for the consolidated land-use application from Oregon Pipeline Company LLC that, if adopted at an upcoming meeting, will result in the application’s denial....Read Full Clatsop County Report

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Updated GRP Straw Poll: Should DUII's In Astoria Be Tried In Astoria Muncipal Court Or Circuit Court


Straw Poll Ends With 107 Total Votes In 33 Days. Final Results:71% Say Try DUII's In Circuit Court, 28% Say Keep DUII's In Astoria Municipal Court!!

Let's settle it and pass-on the result. On your left you will see a Straw Poll(Non-Scientific) that simply asks the question:Should DUII's In Astoria Be Trien In Astoria Municipal Court Or Circuit Court?

Vote on it and lets see where "The People Stand"

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

County To Host Round-Table Conference Calls With Our State Reps & Senator



Monday, March 07, 2011

COUNTY HOSTS ROUND-TABLE CALLS WITH LAWMAKERS


Clatsop County is again organizing regular early-morning conference calls with North Coast legislators for local public officials.
The calls, beginning March 8 and tentatively scheduled to take place every other week, will enable city and county officials and other community leaders to talk directly with Sen. Betsy Johnson and Reps. Debra Boone and Bill Witt on the latest developments at the 2011 Oregon Legislature in Salem......Read Full Release

Oregon Pipeline/LNG Files Petition For Alternative Writ Of Mandamus Against Clatsop County. March 9, 2011 Re-Hearing On OLNG/Pipeline Proceeds Anyway!


(Mandamus is a judicial remedy which is in the form of an order from a superior court to any government subordinate court, corporation or public authority to do or forbear from doing some specific act which that body is obliged under law to do or refrain from doing, as the case may be, and which is in the nature of public duty and in certain cases of a statutory duty.[2] It cannot be issued to compel an authority to do something against statutory provision.)
Clatsop County Press Release!!
March 9th, Oregon Pipeline Re-Hearing To Proceed Regardless

filed a Petition for Alternative Writ of Mandamus requesting the court to compel Clatsop County to approve Oregon Pipeline's consolidated application for land use approval which would allow Oregon Pipeline/LNG to move forward with an approximate 41 mile high pressure Natural Gas transmission pipeline segment through Clatsop County.

Under Oregon Law ORS 34.130, if a county does not make a final determination on an application for a permit within 150 days after the application is deemed complete, the applicant may file the petition for Alternate Writ of Mandamus in the Clatsop County Circuit Court to compel the governing body to approve the application.

Monday, March 07, 2011

Dress Sale To Benefit Clatsop County Juvenile Department Prevention Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, March 7, 2011

DRESS SALE BENEFITS JUVENILE DEPARTMENT PREVENTION PROGRAM

Clatsop County’s Juvenile Department Prevention Program is holding a dress sale Saturday, March 12 as a fundraiser for the youth program.
The sale takes place noon to 4 p.m. at Warrenton High School gym.
Dresses are brand new, in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, and priced to sell, and are perfect for a prom, party or event.
All proceeds support the Prevention Program, which provides gender-specific programs to girls within our community; parenting classes and family activities; and community outreach to reduce underage alcohol and drug use.
For more information contact the Prevention Program at (503) 325-8673.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

HB 2800: Farm To School Bill To Be Heard Wednesday, March 9, 2011

HB 2800 Directs Department of Education to provide reimbursements to school districts that serve Oregon food products as part of United States Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

Directs department to award grants for development of
food-based, agriculture-based and garden-based educational activities.

Allocates moneys from Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to Oregon Business Development Department for purposes of reimbursements and grants.
Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2011.....Read Full Bill

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Rehearing Of Oregon LNG/Pipeline Scheduled For March 9, 2011

Read Full Hearing Notice

Full Staff Report With Findings

From Columbia Riverkeeper: 9th Circuit Court Vacates Bradwood Landing's License



Citizens and environmental groups celebrate today after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the license for the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal proposed 20 miles upriver from Astoria, OR........Read Full CRK Report

From Port Of Astoria- Seaport Air Drops Astoria To Portland Shuttle



Press Release
Date: March 1, 2011
Contact: Jack Crider
Executive Director
Port of Astoria

“SeaPort Airlines will cease scheduled flight operations between Astoria and Portland Sunday, March 13 2011 with the final flight Saturday March 12, Astoria to Portland.
"We deeply regret this decision, and the impact this will have on
SeaPort employees and their families, our customers, our vendors and other partners, and the communities in which they have been operating," Jack Crider, executive director of the Port of Astoria, and Rob McKinney, President of SeaPort Airlines, said in a joint statement.

“It’s been our pleasure and privilege to serve Oregon’s north coast communities.”
said McKinney.

The decision comes at the end of a six-week all out promotion targeting Clatsop
County in Oregon and Pacific County in Washington. In an effort to sustain air
service through the end of 2011 (Astoria’s bicentennial year), the Port of Astoria
in conjunction with SeaPort airlines designed a pre-paid ticket voucher program,
offering deeply discounted one-way tickets. Tickets were transferable, and
included up to 50 pounds of luggage with no advance reservation requirements.
“It’s the ideal airline ticket,” suggested Floyd Holcom Port of Astoria commission
chairman.

Sales of the program began at a slow pace and picked up as communities
became aware of the opportunity. A struggling coastal economic environment
has continued to be the main reason for the lack of voucher sales.

The Port of Astoria hoped to process enough pre-paid vouchers in an effort to
demonstrate to SeaPort our community commitment to local air service. There
was plenty of support from all chambers of commerce, downtown associations,
fraternal organizations, city councils, military representatives, hospitals and
concerned citizens to sustain air service throughout both counties, but it became
apparent the majority of our supporters are unable to invest monetarily during our
slow economy.

Our efforts have not gone in vain, as we have gathered new data to provide a
future airline when our economy improves. There is no doubt our communities
support air service, and the Port of Astoria is committed to finding an airline that
fits in a stronger economy.

Port of Astoria will refund 100% of all voucher sales.

Passengers with confirmed reservations after March 12 should contact SeaPort
airlines directly.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Clatsop County Announces Human Services Committee Openings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, March 1, 2011

HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE SEEKS APPLICANTS

Clatsop County is currently inviting citizens to serve on the Human Services Advisory Committee.

The committee is seeking volunteers to fill five full-term seats ending February 28, 2014. The committee advises the County Public Health Department on services for local residents with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and drug or alcohol addictions.
The Board of Commissioners will make the appointments. Applications forms are available online at http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ under “Quick Links-Citizen Involvement,” from the office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, or by calling (503) 325-1000.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Flu Vaccine Available From Clatsop County Public Health Department

MEDIA CONTACT: Clatsop County Public Health, (503) 325-8500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERS FLU VACCINATIONS
The 2010-11 flu season continues, and the Centers for Disease Control recommends vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.
If you do not have insurance or do not otherwise have access to flu vaccine, call the Clatsop County Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500 for an appointment to receive the vaccine at low or no cost.
People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 and older.....Read For More Detail

Sunday, February 27, 2011

CCBofC Votes To Accept County Clerk's Redistricting Plan



Thursday, February 24, 2011

COUNTY CLERK PRESENTS REDISTRICTING PLAN
With the recent release of population figures from the 2010 U.S. Census, Clatsop County is launching its process to redraw local commissioner district boundaries to match the new data.
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday(February 22, 2011) to approve the redistricting plan presented by County Clerk Cathie Garber.....Read Full Department Release

Wu Says He Won't Resign But, Will Seek Re-Election!


By: Laural Porter - KGW Staff

Posted on February 26, 2011 at 6:01 PM
Updated today at 8:19 AM

PORTLAND, Ore. -- In his first local interview since allegations of drug use and mental health concerns surfaced, David Wu spoke with KGW Saturday........Read/Watch Full report

Friday, February 25, 2011

Update: Transition Center Turn-over To Authority Of Clatsop County Sheriff's Department In Unanimous Commission Vote


Tom Bennett - Clatsop County

Transition Center Goes To Control Of Sheriff's Department(Wednesday Meeting, 02-23-2011)


Based on a consultant’s report on the county Community Corrections Department, which recommended its Transition Center residential facility be closed and Community Corrections be placed under the authority of the county Sheriff’s Office, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept Staff's findings and recommendations and issue authority to proceed with their implementation.

The Transition Center, opened in 2006 at the North Coast Business Park in Warrenton, is a dormitory-style residential facility that serves as an alternative sanction for local offenders. Budget forecasts indicate that the facility’s operating costs will exceed available revenue by 2012.


The county manager is taking input on the study’s recommendations and a final decision will be made by March 31.


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

STUDY RECOMMENDS TRANSITION CENTER CLOSURE
A comprehensive review completed by an outside consultant recommends that Clatsop County close its Transition Center and place the Community Corrections Department under the direction of the County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the report, rising costs and declining revenue have made the Transition Center’s operations financially unsustainable, while lack of communication between the Sheriff’s Office and Community Corrections has hampered the efficient use of sanctions for local offenders....Read Full Clatsop County Release

Clatsop County To Sue City Of Astoria For Ownership Of Warrenton Property?

Tom Bennett - Clatsop County
Thursday, February 24, 2011

COUNTY TO FILE SUIT TO CONFIRM LAND OWNERSHIP
Clatsop County is taking legal action against the City of Astoria to confirm its ownership of a disputed property in Warrenton. GRP:Hmmm! Where does this put Astoria City Attorney/Clatsop County Counsel, Henningsgaard on this issue? Is he going to have to sit this one out?
The county board of commissioners voted Wednesday to file suit in Clatsop County Circuit Court to press the county’s claim under a reversionary clause to two tax lots adjacent to Ocean View Cemetery......Read Full Release

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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

Monday, February 21, 2011

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

Saturday, February 19, 2011

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.


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

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])

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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

Friday, February 11, 2011

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

Thursday, February 10, 2011

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

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

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