Is Shell serving up a helpful and feasible Fuel?
Check this out.
http://realenergy.shell.us/?page=GTLWhatIs&lang=en_US&promo=search#GTLWhatIs
Monday, December 01, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Scuttlebutt: G.O.B.s Try A Takeover Of Clatsop County Democrat Party?
A sitting, elected official, an LNG speculator employee with a small group of other local G.O.B.s makes an attempt to take over the Clatsop County Democratic Central Committee?
Could this actually contain any truth to it?
Anybody know any deatails they would wish to share with us?
Could this actually contain any truth to it?
Anybody know any deatails they would wish to share with us?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
AP Wire; Put Restrictions On Pit Bulls?
Someone in this piece suggests that all Pit Bulls be singled out and heavy restrictions put on them.
Are these dogs any worse than Aunt Marthas little Pekingnese when it comes to bite risk in the presence of children?
Is it the dog or the owner that should bare to punishment?
For complete article click on link below.
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_112308_news_pit_bull_vancouver.1e172e86b.html
Are these dogs any worse than Aunt Marthas little Pekingnese when it comes to bite risk in the presence of children?
Is it the dog or the owner that should bare to punishment?
For complete article click on link below.
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_112308_news_pit_bull_vancouver.1e172e86b.html
Thursday, November 27, 2008
A Passing
Althea Mae Nordan-McGee
May 12, 1920 - November 24,. 2008
Today we all thank God for allowing her passage to his bosom and out of her prison of Alzheimer's.
What a wonderful woman she was.
May 12, 1920 - November 24,. 2008
Today we all thank God for allowing her passage to his bosom and out of her prison of Alzheimer's.
What a wonderful woman she was.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
From This Old House; Ten Good Reasons To Remodel
Here's some pretty good advice as to one option in expanding your housing needs in an economy in the dumps.
Click on link below for full story.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/print/0,,20195545_20444969,00.html
Click on link below for full story.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/print/0,,20195545_20444969,00.html
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
From Lower Columbia - LUBA Appeal On Bradwood
Lower Columbia - LUBA appeal on Bradwood
From:
Cheryl & Ted (ted067@centurytel.net)
Sent:
Sun 11/23/08 6:07 AM
To:
lower_columbia@lists.onenw.org
NO lngers!,
On Thursday, November 20, two heroes of the NO LNG battle presented legal arguments on why the 21 zone changes and land use amendments OKed by the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners should NOT be upheld by the state.
Brett VandenHeuvel, representing Columbia Riverkeeper (CRK), and Julie Carter, representing Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), made oral arguments before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) in two separate hearings.
Carol Carver of Wahkiakum Friends of the River (Puget Island), along with Gayle Kiser and Sandy Davis of Landowners and Citizens for Safe Community (Cowlitz County), and I journeyed to Salem to observe the process and cheer on our legal team.
It was a jolt to see Andy Jordan, legal counsel hired by Clatsop County, sitting at the table with the high-priced legal team from NorthernStar. The NorthernStar attorneys argued the county's case to LUBA. Public opposition to the Bradwood proposal has been amply demonstrated over the last few years in public meetings and hearings, official testimony, demonstrations and rallies, letters to county newspapers, and September's pipeline referendum vote. It occurred to me that had the County Commissioners had the wisdom to accept the recommendations from county staff to deny the Bradwood project, that CRK and Clatsop County would be on the same side in these legal appeals.
In the first hearing CRK and CRITFC focused on a complex combination of issues in Clatsop County:
1. The LNG terminal fails to protect fishing areas and fish.
2. There is no need for LNG.
3. The county failed to maintain a safe and adequate navigation.
4. The county failed to comply with Statewide Planning Goals.
5. The LNG terminal is not a "small or moderate" sized development.
6. The county's reliance on mitigation was improper.
7. The county failed to follow proper procedures.
The second hearing concerned Clifton Road, and CRK argued that the road improvements needed for the Bradwood site should be held to the same standards as the rest of Clatsop County and should NOT receive special privileges. (Seems like a no brainer to me!)
The LUBA ruling is scheduled for December 30th, but not expected until Jan or Feb of 2009. THANKS to everyone who donated to CRK this year, either directly or through the SPIRIT event. Your support allows citizen interests to be well represented in the ongoing legal battles.
Cheryl
From:
Cheryl & Ted (ted067@centurytel.net)
Sent:
Sun 11/23/08 6:07 AM
To:
lower_columbia@lists.onenw.org
NO lngers!,
On Thursday, November 20, two heroes of the NO LNG battle presented legal arguments on why the 21 zone changes and land use amendments OKed by the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners should NOT be upheld by the state.
Brett VandenHeuvel, representing Columbia Riverkeeper (CRK), and Julie Carter, representing Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), made oral arguments before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) in two separate hearings.
Carol Carver of Wahkiakum Friends of the River (Puget Island), along with Gayle Kiser and Sandy Davis of Landowners and Citizens for Safe Community (Cowlitz County), and I journeyed to Salem to observe the process and cheer on our legal team.
It was a jolt to see Andy Jordan, legal counsel hired by Clatsop County, sitting at the table with the high-priced legal team from NorthernStar. The NorthernStar attorneys argued the county's case to LUBA. Public opposition to the Bradwood proposal has been amply demonstrated over the last few years in public meetings and hearings, official testimony, demonstrations and rallies, letters to county newspapers, and September's pipeline referendum vote. It occurred to me that had the County Commissioners had the wisdom to accept the recommendations from county staff to deny the Bradwood project, that CRK and Clatsop County would be on the same side in these legal appeals.
In the first hearing CRK and CRITFC focused on a complex combination of issues in Clatsop County:
1. The LNG terminal fails to protect fishing areas and fish.
2. There is no need for LNG.
3. The county failed to maintain a safe and adequate navigation.
4. The county failed to comply with Statewide Planning Goals.
5. The LNG terminal is not a "small or moderate" sized development.
6. The county's reliance on mitigation was improper.
7. The county failed to follow proper procedures.
The second hearing concerned Clifton Road, and CRK argued that the road improvements needed for the Bradwood site should be held to the same standards as the rest of Clatsop County and should NOT receive special privileges. (Seems like a no brainer to me!)
The LUBA ruling is scheduled for December 30th, but not expected until Jan or Feb of 2009. THANKS to everyone who donated to CRK this year, either directly or through the SPIRIT event. Your support allows citizen interests to be well represented in the ongoing legal battles.
Cheryl
Saturday, November 22, 2008
From Clatsop County: Hand Count Proves Accuracy Of Vote Tally Machine
Friday, November 21, 2008
HAND COUNT PROVES ACCURACY OF VOTE TALLY MACHINE
On Thursday, Nov. 20, the Election Department conducted the hand count mandated by the Secretary of State’s office. A new Oregon law mandates that every county elections office perform an administrative recount, by hand, of three randomly chosen precincts, as well as three races also chosen at random during federal elections.
Precinct 26 was randomly selected by the state as the precinct to count. State measure 57, the Presidential race and Attorney General race were selected as the races to hand count.
After comparing the results of the hand count to the final results of the vote tally machine, it was shown there was no difference between the totals.
“I think this process is a great way to show Clatsop County residents that our vote tally machine is extremely accurate and something they can depend upon,” says County Clerk Cathie Garber.
HAND COUNT PROVES ACCURACY OF VOTE TALLY MACHINE
On Thursday, Nov. 20, the Election Department conducted the hand count mandated by the Secretary of State’s office. A new Oregon law mandates that every county elections office perform an administrative recount, by hand, of three randomly chosen precincts, as well as three races also chosen at random during federal elections.
Precinct 26 was randomly selected by the state as the precinct to count. State measure 57, the Presidential race and Attorney General race were selected as the races to hand count.
After comparing the results of the hand count to the final results of the vote tally machine, it was shown there was no difference between the totals.
“I think this process is a great way to show Clatsop County residents that our vote tally machine is extremely accurate and something they can depend upon,” says County Clerk Cathie Garber.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Article:Ten Reasons The Auto Bailout Will Not Work
Thursday, November 20, 2008 7:06 PM
By: Dan Weil
The auto industry sees other industries getting government bailouts, and wonders why not? Others hear the pleas of the Big Three carmakers and wonder, why?
For complete article click on link below.
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/auto_bailout/2008/11/20/153588.html?s=al&promo_code=71C6-1
By: Dan Weil
The auto industry sees other industries getting government bailouts, and wonders why not? Others hear the pleas of the Big Three carmakers and wonder, why?
For complete article click on link below.
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/auto_bailout/2008/11/20/153588.html?s=al&promo_code=71C6-1
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Statistics On Poverty And Food Wastage In America
By Samana Siddiqi
Poverty in America?
One of the richest countries in the world?
Yes, poverty is a reality in America, just as it is for millions of other human beings on the planet. According to the US Census Bureau, 35.9 million people live below the poverty line in America, including 12.9 million children....For Complete Article Click On Link Below
http://www.soundvision.com/Info/poor/statistics.asp
Poverty in America?
One of the richest countries in the world?
Yes, poverty is a reality in America, just as it is for millions of other human beings on the planet. According to the US Census Bureau, 35.9 million people live below the poverty line in America, including 12.9 million children....For Complete Article Click On Link Below
http://www.soundvision.com/Info/poor/statistics.asp
2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations Now Available
Click on below link to get you there.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2009_oregon_sport_fishing_regs.pdf
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2009_oregon_sport_fishing_regs.pdf
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
From Clatsop County: District Attorney Announces Staff Changes
Thursday, November 13, 2008
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES
The Clatsop County District Attorney's Office is welcoming two new employees, saying good-bye to a long-time staff member and announcing the promotion of two trial prosecutors.
Sheryl Holcom, who worked as a trial assistant for more than five years, has moved over to the Clatsop County Clerk and Elections Department. Taking her place will be John Wistuber, who previously worked for the Maricopa County prosecutor's office in Phoenix, Arizona. Also joining the staff as a trial assistant is Jennifer Houser, who has worked for several years as a part-time administrative assistant.
Both Wistuber and Houser will be responsible for managing a share of the more than 1,000 criminal cases handled each ear by the District Attorney's Office. District Attorney Josh Marquis said that the office had received a large number of applicants and we were able to get the very best to add to an outstanding staff.
Gretchen Ladd, a Deputy District Attorney who joined the office last October from a similar post in Newport, has been promoted to Senior Deputy District Attorney. Ladd has tried and secured convictions of a number of serious violent felonies in the last year. Also promoted to Deputy District Attorney 2 is Scott McCracken, who will continue to handle a wide variety of both misdemeanor and felony cases.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES
The Clatsop County District Attorney's Office is welcoming two new employees, saying good-bye to a long-time staff member and announcing the promotion of two trial prosecutors.
Sheryl Holcom, who worked as a trial assistant for more than five years, has moved over to the Clatsop County Clerk and Elections Department. Taking her place will be John Wistuber, who previously worked for the Maricopa County prosecutor's office in Phoenix, Arizona. Also joining the staff as a trial assistant is Jennifer Houser, who has worked for several years as a part-time administrative assistant.
Both Wistuber and Houser will be responsible for managing a share of the more than 1,000 criminal cases handled each ear by the District Attorney's Office. District Attorney Josh Marquis said that the office had received a large number of applicants and we were able to get the very best to add to an outstanding staff.
Gretchen Ladd, a Deputy District Attorney who joined the office last October from a similar post in Newport, has been promoted to Senior Deputy District Attorney. Ladd has tried and secured convictions of a number of serious violent felonies in the last year. Also promoted to Deputy District Attorney 2 is Scott McCracken, who will continue to handle a wide variety of both misdemeanor and felony cases.
Hijacked Oil Tanker Nears Somalia
A giant Saudi oil tanker seized by pirates in the Indian Ocean is nearing the coast of Somalia, the US Navy says.
The Sirius Star is the biggest tanker ever to be hijacked, with a cargo of 2m barrels - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - worth more than $100m.
The vessel was captured in what the navy called an "unprecedented" attack 450 nautical miles (830km) off the Kenyan coast on Saturday.
Its international crew of 25, including two Britons, is said to be safe.
The ship's operator, Vela International, said a response team had been mobilised to work towards ensuring the safe release of vessel and crew.
For Complete Article, Click On Link Below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7734733.stm
The Sirius Star is the biggest tanker ever to be hijacked, with a cargo of 2m barrels - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - worth more than $100m.
The vessel was captured in what the navy called an "unprecedented" attack 450 nautical miles (830km) off the Kenyan coast on Saturday.
Its international crew of 25, including two Britons, is said to be safe.
The ship's operator, Vela International, said a response team had been mobilised to work towards ensuring the safe release of vessel and crew.
For Complete Article, Click On Link Below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7734733.stm
From Ted Thomas: On One Processor That Will Get That 20% Whitefish Share
From Ted Thomas regarding local people of note
Some things you just have to share. This guy was sued for racketeering by his mother!Now he is 20 million dollars richer because the government gave him 20 % of the whitefish catch quota, as an outgoing gesture I am sure. it is a fire sale on fish. Meanwhile the smaller boats have received a portion of the fisheries so small they cannot survive on it and will be compelled to sell it to the larger operations. What happened in the bearing sea fisheries recently was that 300 out of 400 some fishermen lost their only employment permanently. It seams to me that when you own the rights to fish the boats the processing and the market that you might have a monopoly. Where are the Sherman anti trust laws when you need them?
Ted Thomas
www.times.org©2007 Cascadia Times
Order your print copy of "The California Current"Frank's World:
A Timeline
Frank Dulcich’s troubles go back to 1986 when his two siblings noticed large amounts of money were missing from the family seafood business, Dulcich Inc., also known as Pacific Seafood. They hire a lawyer to investigate.
1993: Dulcich Inc.’s Board of Directors determine Frank Dulcich took an unauthorized $288,000 from the company.claiming Frank took much more from the company than the Board said, his siblings sue Frank for securities fraud, racketeering and theft.
1994: Frank settles siblings’ lawsuit, agrees to buy all shares in Dulcich Inc. 1995: Hayes Oyster sues Frank and his company for trying to destroy its business and steal its assets.
1996: Jury finds Dulcich illegally took valuable oyster shells from Hayes Oyster, orders Dulcich Inc. to pay $46,400. In 2006 Dulcich Inc. agrees to pay $150,000 more.
1998: Frank advises his managers to “use and abuse” rival companies, and “kill our allies last,” according to court evidence. A Dulcich Inc. subsidiary begins to steal from fishermen and the state of Oregon.
1999: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality finds a Pacific Seafood plant has no water pollution permit and is dumping tons of fish waste into the Skipanon River on the northern Oregon Coast.
2000: Frank becomes a member of the “Bush Pioneers,” a group of donors who each round up $100,000 for George W. Bush. 60 Oregon State troopers descend on 2 Dulcich Inc. facilities with search warrants to collect evidence of stealing from fishermen.
2002: A neighbor of the polluting plant on the Skipanon, sick of the stink and pink slime, files a federal Clean Water Act lawsuit against Dulcich Inc. OSPIRG is also a plaintiff in the case. A Pacific Seafood subsidiary pleads no contest to first degree theft, a class C felony, for stealing from fishermen and the state of Oregon. It is ordered to pay $800,000 by the court and to serve five years probation. During the probation, the company is barred from retaliating against fishermen who testified. Frank’s company and affiliates pay more than $1,000,000 to the Gallatin Group to lobby Congress from 2002-2007.
2003: Frank’s Mom, Melba, sues her son for failing to pay her $150,000 per year as he promised in 1994 in exchange for her shares in the company. Balance owed to Mom in 2003: $1,8 million. In approving a bill sponsored by Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, Congress agrees that taxpayers must pay $950,000 to resolve Pacific Seafood’s pollution problems in the Skipanon River.
2004: Frank settles his Mom’s lawsuit.
2005: Over the years, Dulcich and his family and associates have donated $45,000 to Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith.
Smith helps Dulcich once again by sponsoring a bill designed to give Dulcich Inc. part ownership of the Pacific whiting fishery.
The bill fails.
Rod Moore, an ally of Dulcich, takes a seat on the Pacific Fishery Management Council, giving Dulcich inside access to federal fishery policy.
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski nominated Moore.
Federal Judge Ancer Haggerty orders Pacific Surimi, a Dulcich subsidiary, to close its surimi line until it gets a pollution permit and stops its illegal pollution.
Pacific Seafood is held liable for violating the Clean Water Act 1,384 times since 1999.
2007: President Bush signs a reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act providing fish processors potential ownership of catch shares in the West Coast groundfish fishery.
Fishermen go on strike claiming that Dulcich Inc. suddenly slashed fish prices just before a huge harvest.
Judge Haggerty approves a consent order requiring Dulcich’s company to spend $200,000 over 10 years to clean up the Skipanon River.
The National Marine Fisheries Service closes whiting fishery after a Pacific Seafood plant in Westport, Wash., is caught destroying imperiled widow groundfish by passing them through a meat grinder. The five years probation following the 2002 felony theft conviction finally expires on August 7.
Some things you just have to share. This guy was sued for racketeering by his mother!Now he is 20 million dollars richer because the government gave him 20 % of the whitefish catch quota, as an outgoing gesture I am sure. it is a fire sale on fish. Meanwhile the smaller boats have received a portion of the fisheries so small they cannot survive on it and will be compelled to sell it to the larger operations. What happened in the bearing sea fisheries recently was that 300 out of 400 some fishermen lost their only employment permanently. It seams to me that when you own the rights to fish the boats the processing and the market that you might have a monopoly. Where are the Sherman anti trust laws when you need them?
Ted Thomas
www.times.org©2007 Cascadia Times
Order your print copy of "The California Current"Frank's World:
A Timeline
Frank Dulcich’s troubles go back to 1986 when his two siblings noticed large amounts of money were missing from the family seafood business, Dulcich Inc., also known as Pacific Seafood. They hire a lawyer to investigate.
1993: Dulcich Inc.’s Board of Directors determine Frank Dulcich took an unauthorized $288,000 from the company.claiming Frank took much more from the company than the Board said, his siblings sue Frank for securities fraud, racketeering and theft.
1994: Frank settles siblings’ lawsuit, agrees to buy all shares in Dulcich Inc. 1995: Hayes Oyster sues Frank and his company for trying to destroy its business and steal its assets.
1996: Jury finds Dulcich illegally took valuable oyster shells from Hayes Oyster, orders Dulcich Inc. to pay $46,400. In 2006 Dulcich Inc. agrees to pay $150,000 more.
1998: Frank advises his managers to “use and abuse” rival companies, and “kill our allies last,” according to court evidence. A Dulcich Inc. subsidiary begins to steal from fishermen and the state of Oregon.
1999: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality finds a Pacific Seafood plant has no water pollution permit and is dumping tons of fish waste into the Skipanon River on the northern Oregon Coast.
2000: Frank becomes a member of the “Bush Pioneers,” a group of donors who each round up $100,000 for George W. Bush. 60 Oregon State troopers descend on 2 Dulcich Inc. facilities with search warrants to collect evidence of stealing from fishermen.
2002: A neighbor of the polluting plant on the Skipanon, sick of the stink and pink slime, files a federal Clean Water Act lawsuit against Dulcich Inc. OSPIRG is also a plaintiff in the case. A Pacific Seafood subsidiary pleads no contest to first degree theft, a class C felony, for stealing from fishermen and the state of Oregon. It is ordered to pay $800,000 by the court and to serve five years probation. During the probation, the company is barred from retaliating against fishermen who testified. Frank’s company and affiliates pay more than $1,000,000 to the Gallatin Group to lobby Congress from 2002-2007.
2003: Frank’s Mom, Melba, sues her son for failing to pay her $150,000 per year as he promised in 1994 in exchange for her shares in the company. Balance owed to Mom in 2003: $1,8 million. In approving a bill sponsored by Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, Congress agrees that taxpayers must pay $950,000 to resolve Pacific Seafood’s pollution problems in the Skipanon River.
2004: Frank settles his Mom’s lawsuit.
2005: Over the years, Dulcich and his family and associates have donated $45,000 to Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith.
Smith helps Dulcich once again by sponsoring a bill designed to give Dulcich Inc. part ownership of the Pacific whiting fishery.
The bill fails.
Rod Moore, an ally of Dulcich, takes a seat on the Pacific Fishery Management Council, giving Dulcich inside access to federal fishery policy.
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski nominated Moore.
Federal Judge Ancer Haggerty orders Pacific Surimi, a Dulcich subsidiary, to close its surimi line until it gets a pollution permit and stops its illegal pollution.
Pacific Seafood is held liable for violating the Clean Water Act 1,384 times since 1999.
2007: President Bush signs a reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act providing fish processors potential ownership of catch shares in the West Coast groundfish fishery.
Fishermen go on strike claiming that Dulcich Inc. suddenly slashed fish prices just before a huge harvest.
Judge Haggerty approves a consent order requiring Dulcich’s company to spend $200,000 over 10 years to clean up the Skipanon River.
The National Marine Fisheries Service closes whiting fishery after a Pacific Seafood plant in Westport, Wash., is caught destroying imperiled widow groundfish by passing them through a meat grinder. The five years probation following the 2002 felony theft conviction finally expires on August 7.
Monday, November 17, 2008
From Clatsop County: Final Ballot Count Produces No Changes In Local Races
Monday, November 17, 2008
FINAL BALLOT COUNT PRODUCES NO CHANGES IN LOCAL RACES
There was no change in the outcome of two close local races after the Clatsop County Elections Division tallied the last 190 ballots left uncounted from the Nov. 4 general election Monday afternoon.
The count, conducted at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, put the final tally in the race for the Astoria City Council Ward 4 race at 414 for incumbent Russ Warr and 411 for challenger Bob Goldberg. After the first unofficial count on election night, Warr had a two-vote lead over Goldberg.
Under state law, counties must conduct recounts of election races if the vote margin is less than one-fifth of 1 percent. In the case of the Warr-Goldberg race, that threshold would be less than two votes.
Goldberg or any other party can request a recount, but would be responsible for the cost. The request for a recount must be made within 35 days of the election.
In the other close local race, the Monday’s final vote tally gave Clatsop County Commission Chairperson Patricia Roberts a total of 1,466 votes to 1,444 votes for challenger Jim Scheller in the race for the commissoin’s District 2 seat. The election night tally originally gave Roberts a 15-vote edge.
The threshold for an automatic recount in the county commission race is six votes. Like the Astoria race, Scheller or another party can request a recount at their own cost.
Most of the uncounted ballots that were tallied Monday were ballots from Clatsop County voters that had been mailed to or dropped off at other counties’ elections offices. Monday's count did not change the outcome of any other race on the Nov. 4 ballot.
FINAL BALLOT COUNT PRODUCES NO CHANGES IN LOCAL RACES
There was no change in the outcome of two close local races after the Clatsop County Elections Division tallied the last 190 ballots left uncounted from the Nov. 4 general election Monday afternoon.
The count, conducted at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, put the final tally in the race for the Astoria City Council Ward 4 race at 414 for incumbent Russ Warr and 411 for challenger Bob Goldberg. After the first unofficial count on election night, Warr had a two-vote lead over Goldberg.
Under state law, counties must conduct recounts of election races if the vote margin is less than one-fifth of 1 percent. In the case of the Warr-Goldberg race, that threshold would be less than two votes.
Goldberg or any other party can request a recount, but would be responsible for the cost. The request for a recount must be made within 35 days of the election.
In the other close local race, the Monday’s final vote tally gave Clatsop County Commission Chairperson Patricia Roberts a total of 1,466 votes to 1,444 votes for challenger Jim Scheller in the race for the commissoin’s District 2 seat. The election night tally originally gave Roberts a 15-vote edge.
The threshold for an automatic recount in the county commission race is six votes. Like the Astoria race, Scheller or another party can request a recount at their own cost.
Most of the uncounted ballots that were tallied Monday were ballots from Clatsop County voters that had been mailed to or dropped off at other counties’ elections offices. Monday's count did not change the outcome of any other race on the Nov. 4 ballot.
From Columbia RiverKeepers: FERC To Grant Rehearing On Bradwood Landing Application
Hello All:Great news today! FERC has granted a rehearing on the Bradwood Landing permit, essentially admitting that their action to approve the project (last month) was premature and illegal.
We are very pleased to see that FERC is taking into consideration the requests made by the State of Oregon, State of Washington, National Marine Fisheries Service, Columbia Riverkeeper and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission to reconsider this permit.
At this point we will have to wait and see how FERC moves forward with it's consideration, but regardless of their further action on this issue we know that the commission is acknowledging the valid concerns of government agencies and conservation organizations who are all demanding to be heard on this point.
I cannot stress enough the importance and impact of our work as a broad community-based organization in affecting this change. Every step taken by state governments and agencies to challenge this project has come about as a direct response to community grass-roots action.
You all have made this happen!
Thanks to everyone who has written or called a legislator, attended a rally, or talked to a neighbor about these proposals.
Thanks to everyone who has taken time out of your busy lives to come to meetings and stay informed about this proposal or attended a public hearing to make your voice heard.
Thanks to all of you who have seen past political differences to come together to fight what would be a devestating development on the Columbia River.
And thanks to everyone for maintaining hope that as a group of individuals we can affect change!I will be sure to keep you all informed as this process develops further.
Olivia Schmidt Columbia Riverkeeper
oliviariver@gmail.com
971-533-2390
We are very pleased to see that FERC is taking into consideration the requests made by the State of Oregon, State of Washington, National Marine Fisheries Service, Columbia Riverkeeper and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission to reconsider this permit.
At this point we will have to wait and see how FERC moves forward with it's consideration, but regardless of their further action on this issue we know that the commission is acknowledging the valid concerns of government agencies and conservation organizations who are all demanding to be heard on this point.
I cannot stress enough the importance and impact of our work as a broad community-based organization in affecting this change. Every step taken by state governments and agencies to challenge this project has come about as a direct response to community grass-roots action.
You all have made this happen!
Thanks to everyone who has written or called a legislator, attended a rally, or talked to a neighbor about these proposals.
Thanks to everyone who has taken time out of your busy lives to come to meetings and stay informed about this proposal or attended a public hearing to make your voice heard.
Thanks to all of you who have seen past political differences to come together to fight what would be a devestating development on the Columbia River.
And thanks to everyone for maintaining hope that as a group of individuals we can affect change!I will be sure to keep you all informed as this process develops further.
Olivia Schmidt Columbia Riverkeeper
oliviariver@gmail.com
971-533-2390
Sunday, November 16, 2008
From Clatsop County:Final Vote Tally Due Monday November 17, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
TALLY OF UNCOUNTED BALLOTS SET FOR MONDAY
Clatsop County’s tally in the Nov. 4 general election will finally be complete Monday, when almost 200 uncounted ballots from Clatsop County voters will be opened and counted by the Clatsop County Elections Division.
Most of the 189 ballots currently received by the elections office are from county voters that for one reason or another were mailed to or dropped off at elections offices in other counties. All the ballots underwent a signature verification process on Wednesday at the County Clerk’s Office.
The ballots will be counted at the Judge Guy Boyington Building beginning at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17.
On Thursday, Nov. 20, the elections office will conduct a hand recount of ballots for three election races from Precinct 26, under a new state law that mandates sample “administrative” recounts of votes from randomly selected precincts and races by all Oregon counties. The races Clatsop County will recount are for U.S. President, Oregon Attorney General and Ballot Measure 57. Precinct 26 covers the Hamlet area.
Whether the county conducts recounts on two close local election races could depend on Monday’s tally of uncounted votes. In the race for Astoria City Council Ward 4, incumbent councilor Russ Warr leads challenger Bob Goldberg by just two votes, 413 to 411.
In the race for Clatsop County Board of Commissioners District 2 seat, incumbent Commissioner Patricia Roberts is ahead of challenger Jim Scheller by 15 votes, 1,452 to 1,437.
The county is required by law to conduct automatic recounts of individual races if the vote margin is less than one-fifth of 1 percent of the total votes cast. In the case of the Astoria council race, that margin would be less than 2 votes; for the county commission race, the margin is six votes.
If the vote margin exceeds one-fifth of 1 percent, anyone can still request a recount, but that person or party must cover the cost. Recounts must be requested within 35 days of the election.
A date for a recount will be set if Monday’s tally of uncounted votes brings the vote margin in either of the races close enough to trigger an automatic recount, said County Clerk Cathie Garber.
TALLY OF UNCOUNTED BALLOTS SET FOR MONDAY
Clatsop County’s tally in the Nov. 4 general election will finally be complete Monday, when almost 200 uncounted ballots from Clatsop County voters will be opened and counted by the Clatsop County Elections Division.
Most of the 189 ballots currently received by the elections office are from county voters that for one reason or another were mailed to or dropped off at elections offices in other counties. All the ballots underwent a signature verification process on Wednesday at the County Clerk’s Office.
The ballots will be counted at the Judge Guy Boyington Building beginning at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17.
On Thursday, Nov. 20, the elections office will conduct a hand recount of ballots for three election races from Precinct 26, under a new state law that mandates sample “administrative” recounts of votes from randomly selected precincts and races by all Oregon counties. The races Clatsop County will recount are for U.S. President, Oregon Attorney General and Ballot Measure 57. Precinct 26 covers the Hamlet area.
Whether the county conducts recounts on two close local election races could depend on Monday’s tally of uncounted votes. In the race for Astoria City Council Ward 4, incumbent councilor Russ Warr leads challenger Bob Goldberg by just two votes, 413 to 411.
In the race for Clatsop County Board of Commissioners District 2 seat, incumbent Commissioner Patricia Roberts is ahead of challenger Jim Scheller by 15 votes, 1,452 to 1,437.
The county is required by law to conduct automatic recounts of individual races if the vote margin is less than one-fifth of 1 percent of the total votes cast. In the case of the Astoria council race, that margin would be less than 2 votes; for the county commission race, the margin is six votes.
If the vote margin exceeds one-fifth of 1 percent, anyone can still request a recount, but that person or party must cover the cost. Recounts must be requested within 35 days of the election.
A date for a recount will be set if Monday’s tally of uncounted votes brings the vote margin in either of the races close enough to trigger an automatic recount, said County Clerk Cathie Garber.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Longview Daily News: FERC May Rethink Their Decision On Bradwood
Longview Daily News
By Tony Lystra
Federal regulators appear poised to reconsider their approval of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal, both supporters and opponents of the project said Friday.
But what exactly that means for the Columbia River project depends on whom you talk to.
The disclosure followed a dizzying burst of arguments from NorthernStar Natural Gas, the Houston company behind the $650 million project.
On Thursday, NorthernStar first asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to hold off on deciding whether to revisit the September decision to approve the terminal, then acknowledged on Friday that it would be illegal for the agency to do so.
Still, NorthernStar characterized FERC’s anticipated move to take up the project again as a routine, procedural measure that would not jeopardize the terminal’s fate.
The project’s opponents, however, said the approval process, which has amounted to a battle between the states and federal officials, appeared to be unraveling and that NorthernStar had engaged in a desperate bout of legal maneuvering toward the end of the week in order to save face.
“That FERC might be rethinking or reconsidering its decision is a huge setback,” said Brent Foster, the executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, one of the environmental groups fighting the terminal. “It puts a huge cloud over FERC’s decision.”
Washington’s Assistant Attorney General Joan Marchioro said Friday that NorthernStar is clearly trying to influence FERC “at the eleventh hour.”
“It appears to me that there must be some recognition on the company’s part that the motions for rehearing have merit,” she said.
FERC officials could not be reached Friday.
Agencies in Oregon and Washington have asked FERC to reconsider its decision to approve the LNG terminal, which would be built across the Columbia River from Puget Island, as well as an accompanying pipeline that would cross Cowlitz County.
The state agencies argue that FERC illegally approved the terminal before NorthernStar secured Clean Air, Clean Water and Coastal Zone permits from Oregon and Washington.
FERC has until Monday to decide whether to grant the agencies’ request for a rehearing. Should FERC decline to revisit its decision, states and others would be free to sue the federal agency in federal court.
On Thursday, NorthernStar asked FERC to hold off on its decision.
The company said in a memo that it wants time to secure necessary state permits from Oregon and Washington and to complete a massive review of impacts on endangered species.
It also said delaying would “prevent premature and unnecessary litigation that may occur if the commission issues a final order....”
“We’re saying that’s in the public interest,” Joe Desmond, NorthernStar’s vice president of external affairs, said Friday evening.
The Oregon Attorney General’s Office fired off an answer to NorthernStar’s request Friday, saying that if FERC wants to give the states time to consider Clean Air, Water and Coast Zone permits, as NorthernStar suggests, then the best course of action would be for FERC to repeal its Sept. 18 approval of the project and start from scratch.
In addition, the Oregon memo said the law does not allow FERC to delay its decision on whether to take up the case.
Desmond acknowledged as much Friday evening, saying he expected FERC will grant a rehearing “for the limited purpose of further consideration.”
That language, he said, is important because it doesn’t mean that FERC is on the brink of reversing its approval of the Bradwood terminal. Rather, he said, it would allow FERC to respond to requests for a rehearing within the time frame required by law, without triggering lawsuits.
“Certainly this is what we would expect on Monday,” Desmond said. “We’ve explained this on a number of occasions.”
But NorthernStar’s memo was surprising for several reasons, said Foster, of Riverkeeper. The company should want to blast through the federal approval process as quickly as possible because it faces competition from Oregon LNG, which also plans an LNG terminal on the river.
The memo also represents an apparent reversal of NorthernStar’s position on which permits it should secure and in which order they should be granted.
“This is just a 180-degree change in position,” he said. “This is a hail Mary.... It has got to be the absolute last thing in the world they want to do.”
By Tony Lystra
Federal regulators appear poised to reconsider their approval of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal, both supporters and opponents of the project said Friday.
But what exactly that means for the Columbia River project depends on whom you talk to.
The disclosure followed a dizzying burst of arguments from NorthernStar Natural Gas, the Houston company behind the $650 million project.
On Thursday, NorthernStar first asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to hold off on deciding whether to revisit the September decision to approve the terminal, then acknowledged on Friday that it would be illegal for the agency to do so.
Still, NorthernStar characterized FERC’s anticipated move to take up the project again as a routine, procedural measure that would not jeopardize the terminal’s fate.
The project’s opponents, however, said the approval process, which has amounted to a battle between the states and federal officials, appeared to be unraveling and that NorthernStar had engaged in a desperate bout of legal maneuvering toward the end of the week in order to save face.
“That FERC might be rethinking or reconsidering its decision is a huge setback,” said Brent Foster, the executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, one of the environmental groups fighting the terminal. “It puts a huge cloud over FERC’s decision.”
Washington’s Assistant Attorney General Joan Marchioro said Friday that NorthernStar is clearly trying to influence FERC “at the eleventh hour.”
“It appears to me that there must be some recognition on the company’s part that the motions for rehearing have merit,” she said.
FERC officials could not be reached Friday.
Agencies in Oregon and Washington have asked FERC to reconsider its decision to approve the LNG terminal, which would be built across the Columbia River from Puget Island, as well as an accompanying pipeline that would cross Cowlitz County.
The state agencies argue that FERC illegally approved the terminal before NorthernStar secured Clean Air, Clean Water and Coastal Zone permits from Oregon and Washington.
FERC has until Monday to decide whether to grant the agencies’ request for a rehearing. Should FERC decline to revisit its decision, states and others would be free to sue the federal agency in federal court.
On Thursday, NorthernStar asked FERC to hold off on its decision.
The company said in a memo that it wants time to secure necessary state permits from Oregon and Washington and to complete a massive review of impacts on endangered species.
It also said delaying would “prevent premature and unnecessary litigation that may occur if the commission issues a final order....”
“We’re saying that’s in the public interest,” Joe Desmond, NorthernStar’s vice president of external affairs, said Friday evening.
The Oregon Attorney General’s Office fired off an answer to NorthernStar’s request Friday, saying that if FERC wants to give the states time to consider Clean Air, Water and Coast Zone permits, as NorthernStar suggests, then the best course of action would be for FERC to repeal its Sept. 18 approval of the project and start from scratch.
In addition, the Oregon memo said the law does not allow FERC to delay its decision on whether to take up the case.
Desmond acknowledged as much Friday evening, saying he expected FERC will grant a rehearing “for the limited purpose of further consideration.”
That language, he said, is important because it doesn’t mean that FERC is on the brink of reversing its approval of the Bradwood terminal. Rather, he said, it would allow FERC to respond to requests for a rehearing within the time frame required by law, without triggering lawsuits.
“Certainly this is what we would expect on Monday,” Desmond said. “We’ve explained this on a number of occasions.”
But NorthernStar’s memo was surprising for several reasons, said Foster, of Riverkeeper. The company should want to blast through the federal approval process as quickly as possible because it faces competition from Oregon LNG, which also plans an LNG terminal on the river.
The memo also represents an apparent reversal of NorthernStar’s position on which permits it should secure and in which order they should be granted.
“This is just a 180-degree change in position,” he said. “This is a hail Mary.... It has got to be the absolute last thing in the world they want to do.”
Monday, November 10, 2008
Civics: Teaching Our Kids To Love Democracy
by Richard Dreyfuss
I believe America is a verb, not a noun. America is the greatest opportunity for people to live in fairness and decency, but only if you accept the idea that America is an ongoing activity, rather than a done deal. America as an evolving concept has meaning; our country offers more potential for human freedom and mobility of mind than any other sovereign nation created in the last 10,000 years. But if America is just a noun, a static object, it should be treated as any other nation. Nothing special -- simply a place that is south of Canada and north of Mexico.
Click On Link Below For Complete Article:
http://www.edutopia.org/civics-unrest-teaching-kids-to-love-democracy
I believe America is a verb, not a noun. America is the greatest opportunity for people to live in fairness and decency, but only if you accept the idea that America is an ongoing activity, rather than a done deal. America as an evolving concept has meaning; our country offers more potential for human freedom and mobility of mind than any other sovereign nation created in the last 10,000 years. But if America is just a noun, a static object, it should be treated as any other nation. Nothing special -- simply a place that is south of Canada and north of Mexico.
Click On Link Below For Complete Article:
http://www.edutopia.org/civics-unrest-teaching-kids-to-love-democracy
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Appomattox NG Pipeline Explosion - "A Fireball A Quarter Mile Wide And High! Says County Law Enforcement
Sheriff Deputy John Mattox:“The concussion of it almost knocked me off my feet a quarter mile away, and the heat… I thought it was coming for me and I couldn’t get back fast enough.”
By Carrie J. Sidener
Published: September 15, 2008
APPOMATTOX — More than a day after a natural gas pipeline explosion destroyed two homes and injured five people, nearby residents expressed concern that two pipelines are still flowing gas through their community.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Related:
Three pipelines run side-by-side between the charred and shattered brick remains of the homes of Linda Jamerson and Calvin Childress along Kelly Creek and Oakville roads in AppomattoxCounty....For Complete Article Click On Thread Title Above
Click On this Link For Aerial photos of site:
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/a_view_from_above_appomattox_pipeline_explosion/8689/
By Carrie J. Sidener
Published: September 15, 2008
APPOMATTOX — More than a day after a natural gas pipeline explosion destroyed two homes and injured five people, nearby residents expressed concern that two pipelines are still flowing gas through their community.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Related:
Three pipelines run side-by-side between the charred and shattered brick remains of the homes of Linda Jamerson and Calvin Childress along Kelly Creek and Oakville roads in AppomattoxCounty....For Complete Article Click On Thread Title Above
Click On this Link For Aerial photos of site:
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/a_view_from_above_appomattox_pipeline_explosion/8689/
Monday, November 03, 2008
545 versus 300,000,000?
545 PEOPLE
By Charlie Reese, a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper and journalist for 49 years
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. ONLY The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices, 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason.
They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House?
By Charlie Reese, a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper and journalist for 49 years
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. ONLY The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices, 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason.
They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House?
Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 3 00 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ.
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, who they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation,' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses. provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
What you do with this article now that you have read it is up to you.
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