Kenny Roberts Re-Rides The Yamaha TZ750 At The Indy Mile

Kenny Roberts rides a piece of Motorcycle Dirt Track Racing History - The Yamaha (Beast) TZ750 at The Indy Mile

F.E.R.C. Approves Jordan Cove LNG Terminal - Governor Kulongoski In A Later Release Announces State Will Appeal

GovernorTo Appeal F.E.R.C. Approval Of Jordan Cove
With Bradwood Landing still in Appeal in U.S. Appeals Court, Governor says he will take Jordan Cove ruling to U.S. Appeals as well, if necessary, to overturn approval.
Posted 12/17/2009 12:20 PM ET

By Jeff Barnard, AP Environmental Writer Via Statesman Journal

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Federal regulators have approved construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal on Coos Bay and a pipeline to distribute the gas through Southern Oregon to the California state line.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted 3-1 Thursday in Washington, D.C., to approve the Jordan Cove project..........

Read Details

Congratulations To Robert Mushen For Getting The Nod From Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners

Robert Mushen, one of 6 candidates in consideration for the District-5 seat of ousted Commissioner Ann Samuelson, won unanimous approval from The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners after Kristin Frost Albrecht was denied the seat in an earlier 2-2 vote by The Commission.

Mushen, already being touted by some as Samuelson's handpicked replacement to continue with the existing agenda, may be wise enough to have been a keen observer of what brought on these recalls that have burdened this community by posturing himself in a position of leadership that serves the citizens of Clatsop County in the doing of their "Public Business" as opposed to serving "The Machine" and its agenda itself.

Mushen claims that he will reserve his position on LNG pending the development of further knowledge on the issue.

Hopefully he will learn more than just the PR on the subject from Bradwood Landing's "Talking Heads" as seems to be the depth of it on the majority of that panel.

Maybe, just maybe, he may be the one to push to explore other long-term, sustainable job opportunities that will put hundreds and hundreds of Clatsopians to work before this group commits this community to a lifetime of a bad marriage to what many would call a huge mistake.

A Reasoned Debate On Measures 66 & 67

By Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian

December 09, 2009, 8:42AMEconomists Joe Cortright and Eric Fruits debate the Oregon tax measures on the Jan. 26 ballot in this video from the Populations program on Portland Community Media. If you're looking for a thoughtful discussion of the issue, this is the place.

Read Details and Watch Video

Thank You Astoria Rotary International!!

Walking by the kitchen table this morning, saw a brand spanking new 'Webster's New Dictionary' lying there and asked KC, "What's this?" and she said,"Every Fourth Grader at Lewis and Clark Elementary got one with their own names in it."

Sure enough, there it was, our Olivya's name printed very nicely and below it "Presented By Astoria Rotary Club".

To them I would like to say, "Thank you very much for your valueable and thoughtful gift to our Grand'daughter and her classmates.".

Palomar Pipeline Oppostion Rallies At Northwest Natural Gas

By Keely Chalmers - kgw.com

Posted on December 8, 2009 at 5:41 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The fight to stop a new natural gas pipeline in Oregon heated up despite Tuesday's cold weather.

Northwest Natural wants to lay a new pipeline through 47 miles of Mt. Hood National Forest, clearing a 100-foot swath for the line. According to the company, the 59-year-old line currently serving metro Portland is too limited in capacity.

Read Full Report

Clatsop County Commissioner Roberts stays in office, says recall attempt has been 'very divisive' - Recall supporters happy to have 'raised awareness' despite failed campaign

By CASSANDRA PROFITA - The Daily Astorian

GEARHART - Patricia Roberts has survived the attempt to recall her from the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners.

Read The Cassandra Profita Report

Final Unofficial Count Shows Roberts Keeps Her Seat With A 58.57% To 41.43% Margin

PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 6) . . . . . 6 - 100.00 %
REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL . . . . . 3,940
BALLOTS COUNTED - TOTAL. . . . . . . 1,945
VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL . . . . . . 49.37%
RECALL OF PATRICIA ROBERTS,
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . 805 - 41.43%
No. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,138 - 58.57%

Weyerhaeuser Sells Warrenton Mill To Hampton Affiliates

FEDERAL WAY, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY) today announced it has signed a Purchase & Sale Agreement for its Warrenton lumber mill with Hampton Affiliates. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The transaction includes the mill and its land.

GRP: Hampton Affiliates plans to terminate all Weyerhaeuser employees (140 active and laid-off employees) and close the facility at the end of January and proceed with re-design and remodel of the facility before rehire of personel.

Read Press Release

Energy Action Northwest Files Complaint Against Columbia RiverKeeper To IRS

What has been, since November 25, 2009, a concerted onslaught against Columbia RiverKeeper by local pro-LNG interests, pro-LNG group, Energy Action Northwest, a coalition of businesses and unions that stand to gain financially from LNG siting and pipeline construction, attempts to ramp the battle up a knotch it appears.

Read The Details

Six Compete For Recalled Commissioner Ann Samuelson's District - 5 Seat

Monday, November 30, 2009

SIX APPLICANTS SEEK DIST. 5 COMMISSIONER SEAT

Six citizens have submitted applications for appointment to the vacant Dist. 5 seat on the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners.

Kristin Frost Albrecht, Robert Linton Mushen and Lianne Thompson, all of Cannon Beach, and John Dunzer, Russ Earl and Brian Pogue of Seaside all applied by the deadline of 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30.

The Citizens of District - 5 and Clatsop County will have an opportunity to "Meet-and-Greet" the candidates at 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Seaside Library, 1131 Broadway

Read The Full Details And View The Candidates Resumes'

How To Evaluate A City Manager; Warrenton Seems To Have Never Done This Before

GRP; At least that's what the Sound Bytes seem to convey on Radio News this morning.
Well, below is a link to a little primer that may help.

Written by Margaret T. Simpson - Public CEO.com
October 15, 2009

California is a big state with 480 cities. That’s a lot of annual performance evaluations for city managers – isn’t it?Not necessarily. “Most cities don’t do evaluations of city managers,” said Bill Garrett, executive director of the California City Management Foundation. He said the increased use of employment agreements has stimulated the review process -- when it does happen.


Talking City Manager Performance Reviews

Homage To A Fine Horsewoman; Linda Champion Inducted Into The North Carolina State Fair, Livestock Hall Of Fame

Three inducted into N.C. State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame

Leon Brickhouse, Linda Champion, Gregory Peele

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler inducted three longtime livestock supporters into the N.C. State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 at the fairgrounds.

The ceremony honored each person’s outstanding contributions to State Fair supporter, horse and swine programs.

Inducted were Leon Brickhouse of Elizabeth City, Gregory Peele of Pikeville and the late Linda Champion, whose daughter Carol Ramsey of Wendell accepted the honor on her behalf. Each inductee received a plaque and pin, and will have their pictures hung with previous honorees in the Livestock Hall of Fame Room in the Jim Graham Building.

Brickhouse, honored in the supporter category, has been involved with the N.C. State Fair livestock shows for 59 years. In Pasquotank County, he helped to complete its 4-H Livestock Arena in 1974 and provides a working show ring and equipment on his farm for youth exhibitors to train. As part of the supporters program at the Fair, he has raised more than $300,000 of buyer support for youth livestock exhibitors and assisted in more than 200 youth livestock projects.

Champion, honored in the horse category, was the first full-time manager of the James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex and helped increase entries and sponsorships for the N.C. State Fair horse show. She grew up riding horses on her family’s farm just east of Raleigh and also had horses on her Merri-Hill Farm in Knightdale. Champion is survived by sister Gayle Quinn, brother Patrick McGee and children Carol Ramsey, Victoria Paige, Monty Champion and Page Champion, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Peele, honored in the swine category, has exhibited in the junior market barrow, purebred breeding swine, performance market hogs and open market barrow shows since 1962 as part of his family’s Nahunta Farms. His father, Oland Peele, was in the inaugural class of the Livestock Hall of Fame in 1980. Peele is on the board of directors for several agricultural organizations, including the Tobacco Heritage Museum, N.C. Chester White Breeders Association and the N.C. Pure Bred Swine Breeders Association. He has also been active in FFA, 4-H and the Grange since his youth.

Federal Fish Biologists Question Bradwood Landing LNG On Columbia River

Federal fish biologists question Columbia River LNG project

By Scott Learn - The Oregonian
November 21, 2009, 7:00AM

The National Marine Fisheries Service submitted a lengthy list of questions and concerns about the proposed Bradwood Landingliquefied natural gas terminal this week, posing additional hurdles for the Columbia River project.

Full Details

527 Groups?

Committee for County Prosperity ID: 13954( Nature of Committee:
support good works of commissioners asking community to retain) Orestar Transactions show at least $6,000 in cash contrbutions from Bradwood Landing LLC funneled through this organization and intended for Samuelson, Hazen and Roberts
Oregonians to Maintain Community Standards ID: 1579 Lists Samuelson and Hazen on their roster of support

A 527 organization or 527 group is a type of American tax-exempt organization named after a section of the United States tax code, 26 U.S.C. § 527. A 527 group is created primarily to influence the nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates for public office. Although candidate committees and political action committees are also created under Section 527, the term is generally used to refer to political organizations that are not regulated by the Federal Election Commission or by a state elections commission, and are not subject to the same contribution limits as PACs. However, On September 18, 2009 the Washington D.C Federal Appeals Court ruled that these groups have a First Amendment right to raise and spend freely to influence elections so long as they do not coordinate their activities with a candidate or a party.

Oregon LNG Clears Two Hurdles Over Port of Astoria Lease

Oregon LNG wins two battles over Port of Astoria lease

By Scott Learn - The Oregonian
November 18, 2009, 5:45PM

The liquefied natural gas company Oregon LNG has gotten two important thumbs up on its controversial lease with the Port of Astoria, boosting prospects for its plans to build a terminal on 92 acres near Youngs Bay.

Full Details

City Of Astoria Planning Commission To Hold Public Hearing To Amend Astor-East Urban Renewal Plan November 24, 2009

The City of Astoria Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 1095 Duane Street, Astoria. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following requests:

2. Astoria Astor-East Urban Renewal Plan Amendment - The Astoria Planning Commission will discuss the draft Astor-East Urban Renewal Plan Amendment and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the proposed amendment. The amendment would allow for an increase in the maximum indebtedness (the financial limit of the Plan), and will end the additional urban renewal tax (special levy) within the City for the Astor-East Urban Renewal District. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council conerning possible adoption of the Plan Amendment at a City Council meeting tenatively scheduled for December 7, 2009.

Public Transit Safety Tip

The Proper Way To Hold Onto A Safety Rail While In Transit
(That would be the gentleman standing at the door is the example you want to follow)

Oregon DSL: Revision To Rules Authorizing Structures On And Uses Of State-Owned Submerged/Submersible Lands

GRP Note:The public comment period for these draft rules has been extended. The new deadline is 5 PM, Thursday, December 24, 2009. We hope to take these rules to the Land Board for its consideration at the Board’s February 2010 meeting.


What is This Notice About?
The Department of State Lands (DSL) has for some time had rules governing the management of, and issuing of authorizations to place structures on, and to use state-owned submerged and submersible land. These rules (OAR 141-082-0000 through 141-082-0210) were last amended in 2002. Since then, these rules have served DSL well. However, a number of changes, most of which are relatively minor, needed to be made to them to clarify various provisions; streamline some of the processes used; and to ensure that the definitions of terms used in the rules are the same as those recently used in other rules. These rules also needed to be reorganized to reflect the format now used when creating new rules or amending previously adopted rules. Consequently, DSL has revised these rules accordingly. In amending these rules, DSL has also increased the application fee for a public facility license and the fees to register structures on state-owned submerged and submersible land in order to enable the agency to recover more of the costs it incurs to administer its registration program.

Go To Oregon DSL Site For Details

The Truth About Tough-On-Crime Josh Marquis

The truth About Tough-On-Crime Josh Marquis

By Doug Bates, The Oregonian

November 14, 2009, 10:37AM

All three finalists for Oregon's U.S. attorney have impressive resumés, and I'm sure that whoever among them is appointed by President Barack Obama will do an excellent job.

Personally, however, I'm pulling for Josh Marquis, the outspoken and sometimes controversial Clatsop County district attorney. .............

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