Clatsop County Health Department Urges Vaccination And Prevention For Flu Season!

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011

CLATSOP COUNTY HEALTH SUPPORTS VACCINATION, PREVENTION FOR FLU SEASON

Flu season is here again, and the Clatsop County Public Health Department urges the public to protect itself from this preventable illness.

Influenza is caused by a virus spread person-to-person, through the air and on hard surfaces in droplets from sneezes and coughs. Illness from the flu can last up to 10 days and include such symptoms as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, congestion, fever, muscle aches and headache. For some people, the flu can be a very serious, even deadly disease, which could lead to secondary infections such as pneumonia. Every flu season is different, and influenza can affect people differently. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.

Each year, scientists determine the three flu strains that are likely to cause the most disease and include them in the flu vaccination for that season. The 2011-12 seasonal flu shot protects against the same strains as last year, but people who had a flu vaccination last year should also get a seasonal flu shot this year; as immunity may have worn off. Seasonal flu vaccine is manufactured by strict federal standards and thoroughly tested before it is offered to the public.

Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid catching the flu virus, and the best way to protect yourself and your community from illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone aged 6 months and older receive an annual influenza vaccination. Children 6 months through 8 years may need two doses depending on previous flu vaccine history, so it is important to talk to your provider. A seasonal flu vaccination is especially recommended for people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, people living or caring for babies six months and younger or people who are unable to be vaccinated because of health reasons, and all health care workers.

These preventive measures can help stop flu and other diseases from circulating:

· Cover your cough and sneeze.

· Wash your hands often. Use soap and warm water.

· Stay home when you’re sick. Protect others at school and work by staying home at least 24 hours after a fever (100+ degrees) subsides.

· Clean surfaces. Flu germs can live for hours on hard surfaces. Make sure your home and workspace is wiped down frequently, especially where children are playing.

Clatsop County Public Health has flu vaccine available by appointment for children 6 months and older and adults. Shots are $30 for regular vaccine and $44 for high-dose vaccine; some insurance can billed, and vaccine can be made available at reduced or no cost for those without insurance or who otherwise cannot afford it. For more information and to set up an appointment, call (503) 325-8500.

To locate other flu shot clinics near you, visit www.flu.oregon.gov or call the Oregon Flu Hotline at 1-800-978-3040.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Clatsop County Invites Grant Requests For Non-Profits

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011

COUNTY INVITES REQUESTS FOR NONPROFIT GRANTS

The Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families and the Board of Commissioners will once again distribute grants to local nonprofits that assist people in need.

This year, in the effort to increase available funding and efficiency, the board and CCF have combined their funding processes, providing grants of up to $25,000 to high quality programs that can demonstrate viable collaboration to integrate and align services to as many children, youth, families and citizens of Clatsop County as possible.

Programs must demonstrate that they:

· Provide services to all county residents, as opposed to residents of a specific geographic area, with a demonstrated ability to effectively assist citizens in need;

· Work collaboratively with other groups and actively seek and receive significant portions of their funding from sources other than the county;

· Address a need not now being addressed by other groups or agencies;

· Have missions that are consistent with the Board’s and Commission on Children and Families priorities.

· Contribute to the Governor’s goals of preparing children for school readiness.

There are seven sections listed as part of the policy and criteria for applicants to answer. The policy and criteria are available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us.

Applications must be submitted to the Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 200, Astoria, no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14.

The Commission on Children and Families will review all proposals and make funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for approval at one of its regularly scheduled meetings.

Recipients will be required to sign a grant agreement obligating the agency(ies) to carry out the program as described in the application.

For more information contact the Clatsop County Juvenile Department at (503) 325-8601.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Clatsop District Attorney Files Suit Against City Of Astoria

Well, we've quoted ORS 8.660 and accompanying text over and over and still some of the key players, it seems, continue to ignore it or better yet, just simply deny it exists.

Now, the citizens of Astoria, as of Monday, the 26th of September, are under a law suit by the Oregon Department of justice on behalf of Clatsop County District Attorney to ensure all parties comply with ORS 8.660 in the prosecution, at the least, of all DUII's cited in the City of Astoria.

You can read the full text of the suit by clicking on the text below.

Read Details Of Law Suit

Clatsop County Residents Urged To Register For ClatsopAlerts!!!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

PUBLIC URGED TO REGISTER FOR CLATSOPALERTS! NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

In the event of an emergency, local authorities want to reach you.

But they can’t unless they have your number.

Clatsop County’s Emergency Management Division is bringing its new “ClatsopALERTS!” emergency notification system online. The ENS, also known as a “reverse-9-1-1” system, enables local governments to directly alert citizens to severe weather, water contamination, missing persons and other emergencies through voice calls and text messages on their phones, computers and other devices.

Read Full Press Release

Liquefied Natural Gas Export Attempt Re-Ignites Fossil Fuel Battle

From: Read The Dirt

By: Columbia Riverkeeper: Dan Serres

Posted on: September 9, 2011

By Dan Serres, a born-and-raised Oregonian. As the Conservation Director for Columbia Riverkeeper, Dan has worked to protect Oregon and Washington farms, forests, and rivers from LNG pipelines, coal terminals, and toxic pollution. He holds a B.S. and Master’s degree from Stanford University in Earth Systems science.

Editor’s Note: This Piece by Dan Serres, Conservation Director for Columbia Riverkeeper, addresses a growing threat to the Pacific Northwest: being used to export fossil fuels. With high-bidding Asian markets willing to pay top dollar for U.S.A. fuels we run the risk of destroying our lands in the process of mining/hydrofracking and exporting fuels to be burnt is Asia. If the Pacific Northwest refuses to export we will discourage mining/hydrofracking on our neighbors’ lands, protect our land from pipelines, and help keep our fuel in the ground and out of our air. This piece concerns all 6 Essentials and is placed in our air section for this reason.

Read CRK's Dan Serres Full Article

Coos Bay's Jordan Cove LNG Is Going To Take A Run At Exporting Ruby Pipeline LNG!

(Jack Guyot Artwork)

From Southern Oregon
September 06, 2011
By Lesley Adams - Mail Tribune

The Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas proposal could be the riskiest energy project Southern Oregon has ever seen. Originally billed as a necessary effort to import energy, the corporations backing the proposal recently have admitted that they plan to export U.S. gas overseas.

Bait And Switch Tactics From Coos Bay's Jordan Cove LNG

5:15 PM Work Session Precedes 6:00 PM Regular Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting

Read Full Agenda Packet

Clatsop County Recreational Lands Committee Seeking Applicants

Monday, Sept. 19, 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 www.co.clatsop.or.us at “Committee application forms” under “Administration/Board of Commissioners.”

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Tea Party Favorite, Running As A Republican, Rob Cornilles Receives Endorsement From Several Prominent North Coasters!

Rob Cornilles, one of the "Poster Children" for the Tea Party's 2010 attempt to insert their candidates into elected Clatsop County and State Legislative seats has posted his list of endorsers for his run at David Wu's Open District One U.S. Congressional seat.

Included on that list are several prominent Oregon North Coast citizens and leaders.

The list includes:
Don Larson - Mayor of Seaside
Mark Kujala - Mayor of Warrenton
Eric Paulson - Lektro
Ann Samuelson - Recalled Clatsop County Commissioner
Patrica Roberts - Clatsop County Commissioner
Gil Gramson - Former Warrenton Mayor

Astoria DUII Prosecution Controversy Escalates

Astoria DUII Prosecution Controversy Escalates

....Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis
on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, sent notification to Astoria City
Attorney Blair Henningsgaard that the Oregon Attorney
General’s office will file suit against the city
of Astoria if the city does not begin to send driving
under the influence of intoxicants (DUII)
cases to Clatsop County Circuit Court by Wednesday,
Sept. 14.
On July 1, 2011, D.A. Marquis gave the city two months
to comply with his directive that all DUII cases
be submitted to the Circuit Court. The city has not
responded to that letter......

So, can we look forward to certain members of Astoria City Council and its Counsel to continue to attempt to bite off their noses to spite their faces on the issue of DUII prosecution when the Oregon statute 8.660 clearly states that it "IS" the "OBLIGATION" of Clatsop County D.A. Marquis to prosecute or, at least, to oversee all prosectuions of Astoria Municipal Court involving a Defense Attorney.

Other than being just plain old stubborn, as we now see with the staggering bill for the CSO updates forestalled by our own Mayor for some twenty years until threatened by a higher power, why is it City Attorney Henningsgaard would want to subject The City of Astoria to more costly expense in litigation when he knows what he should do in spite of his misguided ego in advising the members of The Astoria City Counsel and City Management?

I ask the citizens of Astoria to stand up and tell these people we have elected to serve in our trust and the doing of our public business to knock it off, honor the law and let's get on with the other issues.

City Attorney Henningsgaard wants to be a hero? How about him using his assumed lawyerly skills to wrest those depressed, debt-ridden Flavel properties downtown into somebody's hands that can make them useful again and complimentary to our status as a National Historic Register Downtown. While he's at it rescue the other Flavel House before it rots to the ground and it's too late to save it.

September 14, 2011 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting Highlights

Official minutes available once approved by board

Full Audio Transcript
Dredge plan supported
The board voted to join a declaration of cooperation in support of the “Mouth of the Columbia River Regional Sediment Management Plan.” The document was prepared by the Lower Columbia Solutions Group with funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency and states of Oregon and Washington and draws on several years’ worth of research. It lays out a long-term strategy for handling the approximately 4 million cubic yards of river sediment dredged from the mouth of the river each year for maintenance of the shipping channel and protecting navigation structures, beaches and other resources while minimizing impacts on fisheries protected species.
The plan recommends establishing four new near-shore disposal sites for the dredged material to combat erosion that threatens the jetties at the river mouth and nearby beaches. It also calls for a regional planning approach and integrated regulatory oversight among the various involved entities.

Zoning application remanded
The board voted to remand a zone-change request back to the county planning commission for further review. The application, from Michael Benesch, Warrenton Fiber Co. and Waldo Veelle, seeks to rezone a 13-acre property on Dolphin Road near Warrenton from Residential Agriculture-5 to Light Industrial and Natural Uplands and transfer two “density credits” to a yet-to-be determined location.
A review by the county’s land-use counsel raised concerns about the application’s consistency with county land-use code and standards. The applicants are now considering a partition in order to meet the requirements.

Board amends counsel contract
The board approved an amendment to the county’s labor counsel services contract, increasing the budgeted not-to-exceed amount from $15,000 to $55,000 for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The increase covers unanticipated costs of defending a grievance brought by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2746 on behalf of a former county employee, a building inspector. The case was heard by an arbitrator who on Sept. 5 rejected the grievance.
County Manager Duane Cole told the board that the grievance charged the county with firing the employee as a retaliatory measure stemming from the development of new flood-plain building rules in 2010. The ruling confirmed the county’s claim that the lay-off was solely the result of budgetary considerations. “We feel good about this decision since it reflects core county values and the excellent employment relations we support,” he said.
Money to cover the increase will come from the Building Codes budget to be adjusted at the end of the fiscal year.

Other Business
In other business the board:
-Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation for the agency to provide free of charge to Clatsop County up to $150,000 worth of preliminary engineering and design work for the planned improvements to the Wahkiakum Ferry landing at Westport.
-Approved a proposal of the Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families to take on the task of distributing $30,000 in county funds to local non-profit social service agencies. The board had previously disbursed the dollars through an annual application and review process.
-Approved a proclamation recognizing National Preparedness Month, established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
-Appointed Joyce Stuber to the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority.
-Appointed Kathy Kleczek to the Northwest Area Commission on Transportation.

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

Clatsop County Sheriff And Rural Law Enforcement Advisory Committee To Host Public Meetings September 20, 2011

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011

SHERIFF, RURAL LAW COMMITTEE HOST PUBLIC MEETINGS

The Rural Law Enforcement District Advisory Committee is hosting the first in a series of public meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 79441 Hwy 101 in Arch Cape.
The Sheriff’s Office along with the RLED panel is seeking public input in developing the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Plan for 2012 through 2017. The plan is used to guide the operations of the Sheriff’s Office with an emphasis on the following areas: Strengths, Weaknesses, Challenges and Opportunities. The intent is to develop a list of guiding strategies that then allow the Sheriff’s Office to develop specific actionable tasks or policies.
This is an opportunity for the public to provide input in regards to how the Sheriff’s Office is doing its job now, where they would like to see their Sheriff’s Office in the future and how do we get there. The meeting will include a briefing on how the Sheriff’s Office has performed on the current strategic plan. You can visit the County’s Website at http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ and go to the Sheriff’s page to view the current strategic plan.
The Sheriff will also provide a briefing on current activity levels and crime statistics. We are excited about our expanded ability to provide meaningful information from the Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management System the Sheriff’s Office transitioned to earlier in the year. We will also discuss jail proposals and outline the issues that the jail faces currently. We will be asking for public input of the various proposals.
If you are unable to make this meeting there will be more opportunity, as the Sheriff’ s Office intends to conduct further meetings in Jewell/Elsie, Lewis and Clark, Clatsop Plains/Gearhart and Knappa/Svensen/Westport areas throughout the fall and winter to seek additional input on the Strategic Plan and jail proposals.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Astoria Beating Murder Suspect, Christopher Scott Fitzhugh Gets 30 Years!

by David Krough and KGWNews
kgw.com
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Updated today at 10:14 AM

ASTORIA, Ore. -- The fiancée of a 42-year-old Astoria woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday for beating her to death.
Investigators found Evelyn M. Decker unresponsive at a home in the Emerald Heights neighborhood of Astoria in July of 2010.
Police arrested 40-year-old Christopher Scott Fitzhugh for assault and manslaughter.
The district attorney’s office said they believed it was domestic violence. His sentencing charge Tuesday was declared murder-by-abuse.

Read KGW Report, View Video Report!

Should You Join A Union? Are They Still Necessary?

Should You Join a Union?
Written by: Jean Scheid • Edited by: Michele McDonough

Updated Jul 26, 2011

BrightHub.com
Many youngsters fresh out of college wonder if joining a union is a good or bad idea. Truth be told, there are pros and cons to joining a union and many economic experts say unions are one of the reasons America is in so much financial trouble. Jean Scheid offers a bold insight on unions.
Union Perspectives

The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations aka AFL-CIO tells us right off why we need a union on their website. Although the one paragraph they provide doesn’t seem like it says it all, what it does say is that “Union members earn better wages and benefits than workers who aren’t union members.” And “…Union workers’ wages are 30 percent higher…” and “68 percent of union workers have pensions…” and finally, “Unions help employers create a more stable, productive workforce...................

Read Full Article

Food Handler Class Offered By Clatsop County Environmental Health

Friday, Sept. 9, 2011

FOOD HANDLER CLASS OFFERED MONDAY, SEPT. 12

Whether you are an employee in a restaurant or someone who cooks for the community spaghetti feeds, oyster feeds, or pancake breakfasts, knowledge of basic food safety is critical to providing safe food and a food handler card is required for the protect and health of the people in our community.
Clatsop County Environmental Health is offering a Food Handler Class on Monday, Sept. 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. to anyone 13 or older. The class will be held at Clatsop Community College South Campus, 1475 Roosevelt in Seaside.
The local class not only provides the certified food handler card required for food service workers, but is also an opportunity to interact informally with a county Environmental Health inspector to better understand the reasons behind food safety rules. The class will cover safe food handling practices, proper cooking and temperature control that prevents the growth of bacteria, how individually we can better prevent the spread of foodborne diseases, plus ways to maintain a clean, safe food service work environment.
A fee of $10 is to be paid the night of the class. No pre- registration is required. A form of ID is required for review. For additional information call Clatsop County Public Health (503) 325-8500, or log on to the Public Health page on the Clatsop County website, http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Clatsop County Hires Hiller West As New Principal Planner At Transportation And Development Services Planning Division!

Friday, Sept. 9 2011

COUNTY NAMES HILLER WEST NEW PRINCIPAL PLANNER

Clatsop County has hired Hiller West as the new principal planner for the Transportation and Development Services Department-Planning Division. He will start his new job Sept. 12.
Hiller, of Shoreline, Wash., most recently worked as community development director for the city of Monroe, Wash., a position he held for nine years. He also served as planning director in Buckley and Mukilteo, Wash. and as a planner with Pierce County and Grays Harbor County, Wash. One of his earliest positions was as a coastal planner for the Columbia River Estuary Study Task Force (CREST) in 1986-87.
As principal planner West will coordinate long-range and multi-partner projects for the Planning Division, as well as review specific project applications.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Urgent! 5:00 PM Today, September 8, 2011, Deadline If You wish To Serve On County Board Of Tax Appeals!!!

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR TAX APPEAL PANEL
The Clatsop County Board of Commissions is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on the County Board of Property Tax Appeals for the 2011–12 term.
The Board of Property Tax Appeals hears petitions from taxpayers seeking to decrease their real market or assessed property values. The board also considers requests to excuse penalties or late filings of real or personal property returns.
Applicants must be residents of Clatsop County, but cannot be employees of the county or of any tax district within the County. The Board of Commissioners makes appointments to a pool, from which the County Clerk selects three people to serve on the Board of Property Tax Appeals. Training is provided. The committee holds several daytime meetings beginning the first Monday in February to hear petitions. The committee adjourns no later than April 15, 2012, with the term ending June 20, 2012.
Application forms for the appointments are available online here or contact the Clatsop County Manager’s Office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria, OR, (503) 325-1000.
Applications must be completed and turned in by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011 to be considered.

It's Official:Ruby Pipeline Cuts Ribbon For 680 Mile Link From Wyoming To Malin, Oregon!

McClatchy - Seeking Alpha.com

September 2, 2011

Sept. 02--El Paso Corp. will cut the ribbon today on its newest pipeline, a 680-mile, 42-inch diameter behemoth built to carry vast quantities of Rockies natural gas from the Opal hub in Wyoming to Malin, on Oregon's border with California.
The $3.5 billion project, which started shipments in late July, opens at a time when demand growth and prices have collapsed from the heady levels when it was conceived. In the short term at least, that's likely to keep gas shipments well below the pipe's capacity of 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, and crimp profits accordingly.

Read Full Article

On The Matter Of Brent Foster Versus Oregon State Bar

Oregon State Bar declares no criminal wrongdoing on the part of Foster in their findings and issuance of a 30 Day Suspension in its "Stipulation For Discipline" for violating OSB-RPC 8.4(a)(3) Rules of Professional Conduct

"This matter having been heard upon The Stipulation for Discipline entered into by "The Accused" and "Oregon State Bar" and good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the stipulation between the parties is approved and the accused is suspended for 30 days for violation of RPC 8.4(a)(3), the sanction to be effective the day after "The Stipulation for Disciplne is approved.

Dated: September 2, 2011

Signed By:

William Crow

State Disciplinary Board Chairman

Carl W. Hopp

Region 1

Disciplinary Board Chairman"

Read Full Findings And Disciplinary Action

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Takes Down 91In $295 Million False Billings!!!

HHS.com
September 7, 2011
Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343
Medicare fraud strike force charges 91 individuals for approximately $295 million in false billing
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in eight cities has resulted in charges against 91 defendants, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $295 million in false billing.
Attorney General Holder and Secretary Sebelius were joined in the announcement by FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HHS Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson.

Read Full Report