Tongue Point; What To Do With It?

Well, now what?

We are going to get our hands on a lttile real estate gem through our Port of Astoria that, if used effectively, could put hundreds of us to work in good, sustainable, well paying jobs.

What do you think could be done with that property to maximize its useability?

* Sport Fishing Outfitter/Guide/Marine Sales Center ?

* Light Marine Manufacturer/Service for 26 foot or less draft ?

* N.O.A.A. Fleet ?

* Marine Research Center ?

* ?

WU Bailout Signing Support Provides For Timber Payments

....The law, officially titled the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act but commonly known as "county payments," provides hundreds of millions of dollars to Oregon, Idaho and other states, mostly in the West, that once depended on federal timber sales to pay for schools, libraries and other services in rural areas. In all, payments go to 700 counties in 39 states.....For Complete Article, Click On thread Title Above.

Challenges Confront U.S. LNG Market

Challenges hit U.S. LNG market transformation

By Karen Boman - Energy Current - Filed from Houston 9/1/2008 3:31:57 PM GMT

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports into the U.S. remain low as high-demand, premium-price markets in Asia and Spain continue to draw the majority of LNG supply, leaving terminals in the U.S. and northern Europe underutilized.

An unexpected rise in U.S. natural gas production also is filling domestic needs, keeping U.S. natural gas prices low relative to prices in other countries.....For Complete Article Click On Thread Title Above

ACJ "Community Forum" Reopens!!

Astoria Citizens Journal's "Community Forum" reopens for prodcutive, unstifled and hopefully, responsible discussion on issues that impact all of us on the Lower Columbia...Click On Thread Title Above To Get There.

City Of Astoria To Hear Appeal For Columbia Street Pier Condos

CITY OF ASTORIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Astoria City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Astoria City Hall, at 1095 Duane Street.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following Appeal(s):

1. Appeal (AP08-02) by GRQ III of Permit Extension Request by GRQ III dba Columbia Street Pier Condos for Conditional Use Request (CU06-11) to construct a four story, 15 unit condominium and 5 unit transient lodging structure with associated garages at 10 Columbia Avenue (Map T8N-R9W Section 7DB, Tax Lot 601) in the A-2 Zone (Aquatic Two Development).

The appeal is of the Astoria Planning Commission denial of the one year permit extension.

The appellant identified the following items as grounds for the appeal:
1) there have been unforseen delays in developing over the water;
2) the project has not changed; and
3) the current housing market is depressed therefore construction has been delayed.

Development Code Standards specified in 2.525 to 2.540, Articles 4, 5, 6, 9 & 11, Comprehensive Plan Sections CP.005 to CP.025, CP.030 to CP.035, CP.130 to CP.186, CP.215 to CP.235, and CP.240 to CP.255 are applicable to the.......For Complete Notice, Click On Thread Title Above

Measure 4-131: A Proxy Vote On LNG On The Lower Columbia?

Yes, I think so and only made so by the supporters of LNG siting and development.

Columbia Riverkeepers To Take The LNG Debate To Olympia!

Fri 9/26/08 7:01 PM

From: Olivia Schmidt - Columbia RiverKeeper

Hello All:This is an official notice that we are holding a RALLY AGAINST LNG!NO LNG on the Columbia River!October 6th 11am-2pm at the capitol buildingOlympia, Washington.

This is a very important event and we hope any and all of you can attend!

This is the first event we've planned for the Washington capitol and it is absolutely necessary to have an impressive turn-out.

Washington has the power to stop LNG development on the Columbia River and has the responsibility of protecting landowners that would be impacted by LNG facilities and related pipelines.

Come to the event and tell Governor Gregoire: "We want renewables -- NOT LNG."

"Washington has the power to protect the Lower Columbia" and help hold her accountable for promises to require Washington State permits for Columbia River LNG projects.

Washington residents made the trip down to Salem for our rally in February and now it is time to offer them support in their efforts to have their state exercise it's authority over LNG in the Pacific Northwest!

Please plan to carpool or catch a free ride on the "cool bus"The Bus Named Cool will be picking folks up from two locations -- contact Olivia at oliviariver@gmail.com to reserve a seat!

Pick-up times/locations:

Portland, Oregon at the Daily Grind Parking lot (SE 41st & Hawthorne) leaving at 8:10 sharp.

Kelso, Washington at the Safeway on Three Rivers Drive (411 Three Rivers Dr.) leaving at 9:30 sharp.

Please plan to arrive ten minutes prior to departure time and be sure to reserve a seat in advance!

This is an important event to make a statement to the State of Washington and to empower residents and agencies in the fight against fossil fuel development on the Columbia River.

Now is the time to act and have our voices heard!

Please invite a friend.]

Everybody will make a difference at this event!

Olivia Schmidt - Columbia Riverkeeper - (971)533-2390 oliviariver@gmail.com

New Interim County Manager, Anderson, Seems To Have Had Some Issues In Medford As Well

Unrest over Anderson began months ago

By DANI DODGE - Mail Tribune - Medford, Oregon

The rumblings started months ago: whispered comments at an out-of-town convention, a closed council session and in recent weeks small, secret gatherings. Some Medford City Council members wanted City Manager Harold "Andy" Anderson out.
And although the full council never met to make a formal decision, on Friday a council majority took action.
At 11 a.m. Anderson received an unsigned letter: resign and leave with a generous severance package, or be fired at Thursday's council meeting. Anderson handed in his resignation before the end of the day.....For Complete Article, Click On Thread Title Above.

Commissioner Hazen's Own, Candid, Account Of "The Washington Trip"

Sunday, September 21, 2008

FERC meeting in Washington DC

As most of you are aware, Commissioner Samuelson and I traveled to Washington DC to attend the September 18th FERC meeting. The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to have both of us represent Clatsop County at the meeting.....For Complete Report, Click On Thread Title Above.

From Roberts(Patricia) For Clatsop;CCBofC Land Use Code Revision Project

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Land Use Code Revision Project

Over a year ago the County Board of Commissioners asked for a review of Clatsop County Land and Water Development and Use Ordinance (LWDUO) #80-14. The existing LWDUO was adopted September 30, 1980 and though it had been revised several times during its 28-year history, it was in need of a complete rewrite. ....For Complete Piece, Click On Thread Title Above

From The Daily Astorian; New Interim County Manager Announced

9/24/2008 8:45:00 PM

Interim county manager chosen

By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners named its interim county Manager tonight during its regular session.Harold Anderson, who was Bend city manager until this past December, will begin his service to the county Sept. 8, working with outgoing County Manager Scott Derickson.Derickson accepted the job of Woodburn city administrator Aug. 27.His last day, and Anderson's first day as manager pro tem, is to be Oct. 13, Columbus Day.....Click On Thread Title Above For Complete Article

Walmart In Clatsop County; The Guessing Game.

Where do you think it's going to go and why?

Why won't the ByPass argument die?

Natural Gas Quality Ratings; What Comes To Your House Ain't What's Necessarily In Those Pipelines

Natural gas, as it is used by consumers, is much different from the natural gas that is brought from underground up to the wellhead. Although the processing of natural gas is in many respects less complicated than the processing and refining of crude oil, it is equally as necessary before its use by end users.....For Full Story Click On Thread Title Above

Go Green!; Buy A Used Car Over A New Hybrid!

As Matt Power notes in this month's issue of Wired, hybrids get great gas mileage but it takes 113 million BTUs of energy to make a Toyota Prius. Because there are about 113,000 BTUs of energy in a gallon of gasoline, the Prius has consumed the equivalent of 1,000 gallons of gasoline before it reaches the showroom. Think of it as a carbon debt -- one you won't pay off until the Prius has turned over 46,000 miles or so.....For Complete Article, Click On Thread Title Above

We Headed For A Showdown At Today's CCBofC Meeting?

And now, another Commissioner, announces a Work Session today for a socalled "Land Use Revision Project", revising Clatsop County Land and Water Development Use Ordinance and then a "First Reading at 5:00pm?

The same ordinance they took so many libeteries with that spawned Measure 4-131?

Action Alerts?

Commissioner screaming over local Talk Radio about her own persecution?

The first County Board of Commissioners meeting after "The 4-131 Vote, is it?

Accusations still flying all over the place?

5:00pm Wednesday at Boyington Hall, Downtown Astoria.

Should be good entertainment and a chance to have your say.

From The Daily Astorian; Help For Homebuyers Forum!!!!

9/22/2008 11:29:00 AM

Housing forum offers keys to home buying

By NANCY MCCARTHYThe Daily Astorian

First-time homebuyers take heart: No matter what the headlines say about a national economic crisis, it's the best time ever to buy a house.At least that was the message repeated continually by mortgage lenders, bankers and representatives from nonprofit housing agencies speaking at the Housing Solutions forum on Saturday in Astoria.....Click On Thread Title Above For Full Article

Hydro-Energy Update

This is an overview of some hydro-energy projects that are showing much promise as alternative, sustainable energy resources on a large scale.

This may help in developing your thinking on this particular energy resource.

Do We Really Need Stop-Gap Fuels?

It’s becoming clear that energy and energy independence — you have to love that term — will be a major focus of the upcoming presidential election. While most of us are sick of the dog-and-pony shows and pundits of the past few weeks, we are also sick of the all too-easily dismissed ease of both parties’ energy policies.
Do we drill more? Do we import less? Do we use ethanol? Should all cars be flex-fuel?
There are two end goals, it seems: independence from foreign oil and eventually independence from non-renewable fuels.
I’m going to try and tackle just the first one today, and in doing so I think it might become clear that ethanol and natural gas are stopgap fuels that we just don’t need to become energy independent.
The reason I got to thinking about this was the upcoming Senate bill that would require every car to be flex-fuel... For Complete Article, Click On Thread Title Above....

Wyden Challenges Authorization To Export Natural Gas To Japan And Other Pacific Rim Countries!

Press Release of Senator Wyden

Wyden Challenges Order Authorizing Export of Alaskan Natural Gas

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citing projections that natural gas will cost Americans an average of 22% more this winter than last, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to review and revoke the Department of Energy’s recent order authorizing the export of 98.1 billion cubic feet of Alaskan natural gas -- enough gas to meet the needs of 1.4 million American families -- to Japan other Pacific Rim countries.... For Complete Press Release and Full Text Of Letter, Click On Thread Title Above

What Is An Ordinance?

What is an Ordinance?

Regulation or Law, as in: The city council passed an ordinance against disturbing the peace.www.business-words.com/dictionary/O.html

Does common sense tell you that as an elected official and when you take your oath of office , that you should freely swear/affirm to uphold the Laws/Ordinances you are charged with overseeing, administering and legislating?

And the sitting Clatsop County Board of Commissioners wants to sidestep that in their oath by leaving "Upholding all Ordinances" out of their oath?

It truly seems they believe they actually are an "Island Unto Themselves" and are completely unaccountable to the community they vow to serve.

And now, two of those characters that scoff at honoring the ordinancees of the county, one, over the airwaves, publicly chortling that honoring these ordinances could get one recalled by simply "wearing a certain type dress" and the other, as well, accusing another County Commissioner of a "Witch Hunt" in even wanting to change the County Oath of Office to include honoring all County Ordinances, wants to spend our tax money to go to Washington to attend a Federal Energy Commission meeting on the presumed current disposition of Bradwood Landing, where they have no testimony or input at all to just show their faces in representing our community?

I ask; What's the point?

They want to do something productive for us, get out there and find us some good clean industry to invite here that can put thousands in our community to work at good, living wage, sustainable jobs instead of just giving it lip service and waiting to abet the next wave of "Speculators" to wedge their jack boots in our door, uninvited by the community.

Better yet, take that $2-3,000(+) and donate it to the County Food Bank.

Any wonder why ammended County Comprehensive Plan and ammended Land Development and Water Use "Ordinance", 08-05's validity would be questioned by the Citizens of Clatsop County and Measure 4-131 get so much traction?