Cowlitz County Drug Court Takes A Dark Turn

By Tony Lystra / The Daily News Posted: Saturday, April 2, 2011 10:00 pm Editor's Note The Daily News has been following Kelso resident Don Pomerenke's progress through Cowlitz County's Drug Court program since 2009. Pomerenke graduated from the program last year. Clarification: Two Cowlitz County men had already graduated from the county's Drug Court program when Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning hired them to do landscaping work at his home last year. The men were not participants in the program when the judge, who oversees Drug Court, hired them. Both men were mentioned in Sunday's story about a Drug Court graduate's relapse. Don Pomerenke attended countless hours of group therapy, counseling sessions and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The government gave him a housing voucher so he could rent an apartment. And when Pomerenke graduated from Drug Court nearly a year ago, a judge shook his hand instead of sending him to prison.....Read Full TDN, Tony Lystra Report

HB-3025(D.A. Authority On Municipal Court Cases) Passes House Judiciary With A "Do Pass" Vote 8 to 1 In Favor

The Oregon House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted 8 to 1 in favor of a "Do Pass" to the floor of State Legislature on House Bill 3025 which clarifies the specific authority of Oregon County District Attorneys on all Municipal/Justice Court Cases.

An Observation;Clatsop County Planning Commission

The By-Laws and Ordinance(01-10) have been on the books for at least 8 years and clearly defines the role of members of the Clatsop County Planning Commission and common sense would tell most people that when one is selected as a member of that panel, the acceptance of those conditions by the individual, if not protested, would be implied don't you think? So why now would it be so important to start protesting the unfairness of ordinance 01-10 and its accompanying by-laws when the majority of the current sitting commission chooses, in light of a complete redistricting, to exercise their prerogative in restructuring the planning commission? Add to this the simple fact that the members of the current, sitting, Planning Commission have been invited to re-submit their applications along with everybody else that applies. Wouldn't common sense tell us that if these members, to the man/woman, were doing the job they were appointed to do, would they still be looked at favorably to continue serving? Do you think, at the time this ordinance, 01-10 was being developed by Richard Lee, Sam Patrick, Tim Gannaway, Russ Farmer and Bob Green and approved on August 2, 2002, that they were all so naive that they didn't know what, exactly, they were approving and its true motive? So, here they are, members of Clatsop CountyPlanning Commission and I think most of us familiar with recent history of this panel on key, current issues around these parts know their association, tenure and position on them. Mike Autio Cary Johnson Brian Pogue Marcia Harper-Vellutini Clarke Powers Stephen Malkowski Pat O’Grady What do you think, who should go and who should stay? Is CCBofC off-base here or are they simply exercising their legal right?

From Clatsop County;Recreational Lands Committee Seeks Applicants

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR RECREATIONAL LANDS COMMITTEE

Clatsop County is seeking applicants for open seats on the Recreational Lands Planning Advisory Committee.

The citizen committee assists in developing long-range plans for county parks, and formulating amendments to the recreation lands element of the county’s comprehensive land-use plan.

The committee meets once a month.

The county board of commissioners will make the appointments.

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 “Board of Commissioners/Administration.”

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners;Current April 13, 2011 Regular Meeting Agenda

*AMENDED* Regular Meeting/Executive Session Wednesday, April 13, 2011 – 9:30 am Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria *Executive Session: 8:30 am 1) To consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed per ORS 192.660(1)(h) Read Full Agenda

Clatsop County Accepting Applications For Clatsop County Planning Commission

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 COUNTY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING COMMISSION

Clatsop County is accepting applications for the county planning commission.

On March 23 the county board of commissioners voted to vacate all seven seats on the panel and invite the current members and new applicants to apply for the vacated positions.

The planning commission advises the board of commissioners on land-use planning, conducts land-use hearings and implements the county’s zoning and comprehensive plan. The panel normally meets once a month.

Planning commission membership rules require that panel members be residents of various geographic areas of the county, and that no more than two members reside in incorporated cities. In addition, no more than two members may be engaged in the buying, selling or developing of real estate, and no more than two members may be engaged in the same occupation.

Appointments to the planning commission are normally for four years, but appointees to these vacancies will serve the remainder of the current terms, which expire at various dates. Two positions have terms that expire June 30, 2012; three positions’ terms expire June 30, 2014; and the remaining two positions’ terms expire June 30, 2015.

The board of commissioners will make the appointments.

To see the ordinance and bylaws governing the planning commission, go to “Land Use Planning” on the Clatsop County website, http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ and click on “Planning Commission.”

The deadline to apply is May 13.

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.”

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

From Clatsop County; Slide Blocks Washington S.R.-4. Westport Ferry On All-Night Schedule

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 SLIDE BLOCKS WASHINGTON SR 4; WESTPORT FERRY ON ALL-NIGHT SCHEDULE The Wahkiakum County, Wash. Public Works Department has announced that a landslide has blocked State Route 4 between Cathlamet and Longview. As a result, the Westport Ferry will operate through the night, Tuesday night, to accommodate detoured traffic. Motorists using the ferry, which operates between Cathlamet and Westport, are advised to expect longer-than-normal waiting times for the ferry. Released by: Tom Bennett Community Relations Coordinator (503) 325-1000

From The Daily Astorian - SETD's Howe; "I stand by my record of service"

Posted: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 11:32 am

Updated: 11:39 am, Tue Apr 5, 2011.

By CHELSEA GORROW - The Daily Astorian

It’s been kept under wraps during the layoffs, cuts and bottom lines of the Sunset Empire Transportation District and the exit of former-Executive Director Cindy Howe. But with a settlement reached, and Howe’s paid-administrative leave concluded, the investigation into Howe’s conduct is finally coming to light.....Read Full Chelsea Gorrow, Daily Astorian Report

USCG District 13; Cofferdam Construction Starts At Stranded Barge Davey Corockett

PORTLAND, Ore. - Work crews place sheet piling near the barge Davy Crockett Monday, April 4, 2011. When completed, the sheet piling will form a cofferdam encircling the barge and containing pollutants during the vessel's removal from the Columbia River. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer Shawn Eggert.......View Full Details

From Clatsop County; Transition Center Closes!!

Monday, April 04, 2011

TRANSITION CENTER CLOSES; SAVINGS WILL FUND OTHER SERVICES

The Clatsop County Community Corrections Transition Center has been closed effective Friday, April 1. The facility, an alternative sanction program for local offenders, had been slated for closure as part of a reorganization of the county’s Community Corrections Department. Friday’s closure was the result of a joint decision of the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and Community Corrections staff......Read Full Release

Astoria City Council Agenda For April 4, 2011;Goal Setting?, Another $18,000 For Another Study To Move Chinese Interpretive Center To Safeway Block?

A "Lackluster" Aquatic Center report from, still, Interim Director Moss?

Read Full Agenda/Memorandum

The Astoria DUII Issue: Want To Hear What Was Actually Said At HB3025 Hearing?

Click Here To Access The "Oregonlive" Audio For HB3025 Hearing on March 31, 2011

Clatsop District Attorney Marquis; Transcript Of Testimony At February 11, 2011 Governor's Advisory Committee On DUII's. Oregon A.G. Presents Opinion!

"What you have in front of you is a House Bill, a proposed House Bill, filed by Representative Debbie Boone, one of the two State Reps in my county, at my request. Then, right underneath it, are the statutes which it affects. Attached to that, in turn, is a packet of information which will tell you why the bill is necessary.3025 on its face is frankly something of a housekeeping bill. It relates to 8.660 which goes to the authority of District Attorneys, and the issue is where is the authority of the Municipal Court prosecutor versus the authority of the District Attorney.".......Read Full Transcript

Oregon Attorney General/Department Of Justice Presents An Opinion On The Authority of District Attorney To Transfer Municipal DUII Prosecution To Circuit Court....."we are prepared to argue that the district attorney's authority is primary in situations where the city attorney may have concurrent jurisdiction(such as misdemeanor DUII prosecutions in municipal court)."

From Clatsop County Sheriff's Office;High Angle Rescue Team, Assisted By Cannon Beach Fire Department And USCG Retrieve Stranded Surfers

Friday, April 01, 2011 SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM RETRIEVES STRANDED SURFER On Wednesday, March 30 at about 11:15 a.m. the Clatsop County High Angle Rescue Team was dispatched to the Indian Beach parking lot at Ecola State Park for a report of two surfers stranded on the rocks to the North of Indian Beach. With the assistance of the Cannon Beach Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard ground Search and Rescue personnel, the High Angle Rescue Team was able to successfully hoist one surfer to safety. A more experienced surfer rescued the second stranded surfer. The two rescued surfers were uninjured and in good spirits. The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office would like to caution people who are surfing at the Indian Beach area. This area is very technical and novice surfers should use caution and be with an experienced surfer.

Oregon LUBA Orders Coos Bay's Jordan Cove To Prove It Has Permission To Cross Proposed Pipeline Land And Show No Impact On Olympia Oysters

Published: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 5:31 PM Updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 5:38 PM By Ted Sickinger, The Oregonian Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals has kicked back Coos County's approval of the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, ordering the county to reconsider the project's impact on the Olympia Oyster and demonstrate that it has permission to cross all land along the 50 mile section of pipe in Coos County.....Read Full Report

Clatsop County Sheriff Hosts Rural Law Enforcement District Meeting

Thursday, March 31, 2011 RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DISTRICT MEETING SET FOR APRIL 12 The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office hosts a meeting of the Rural Law Enforcement District Advisory Committee on Tuesday, April 12 at 5:30 pm. at the Sheriff’s Office Conference Room, 355 7th St., Astoria.

The advisory committee meetings serve as an opportunity for the Sheriff’s Office to brief the committee and residents on the activities and programs the Sheriff’s Office is conducting. The primary purpose of this meeting is to discuss the requested Fiscal Year 2011-12 Rural Law Enforcement District budget.

The Sheriff’s Office values the opinions and input of the citizens it serves, and this is an opportunity to provide direct input to both the Sheriff and the Rural Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, which is charged with advising the Board of County Commissioners on matters that affect the citizens of our rural communities. Released by: Tom Bennett Community Relations Coordinator (503) 325-1000

Those Clatsop County Appointed Commissions

It's The Law!!!!

Signed into Law, August 2, 2002 by Sam Patrick Ordinance 01-10 Gave Clatsop County Board of Commissioners complete authority to appoint and dismiss Board, Commission and Committee members to serve at their pleasure.

Here's a brief overview of the ordinance:

* CCBofC may establish any Board, Commission or Committee as "The Board" deems necessary or advisable.

* All members of any Board, Commission or Committee shall be appointed and serve at the pleasure of CCBofC.

* Any Board, Commission or Committee may recommend to the CCBofC, the removal of any of its own members in accord with its by-laws and this ordinance.

* CCBofC may remove any approved Board, Commission or Committee member from his or her appointment by affirmative vote of at least three commissioners. Removal may be initiated in accordance to county policies and at CCBofC's discretion upon recommendation of a Board, Commission or Committee as provided in Paragraph 3.C of Ordinance 01-10

The rest you can read yourselve's

Read The Ordinance On Appointed Commissions In Clatsop County

Amended March 30, 2011 Special Meeting Agenda

*AMENDED* Special Meeting Wednesday, March 30, 2011 – 3:30 pm Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria

Read Full Details Of Notice

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