Arrest Made In Fatal Crash

Brad Johnston - Astoria Police Department
On June 2, 2012 at about 4:00 PM David Shane Gutman, age 31 turned himself in at the Astoria Police Department. Astoria Police had identified him as the driver in the fatal traffic crash the night before and had been searching for him since shortly after the crash. Gutman has been lodged at the Clatsop County Jail on the following charges:

Manslaughter 1
Recklessly Endangering
Reckless Driving
Assault 1
Assault 2
DUII
Hit & Run (felony)
Hit & Run (misd)
Manslaughter 1 is a measure 11 crime with a minimum sentence of 120 months.

The person of interest located in the early morning hours at the Triangle Tavern was a second passenger in the vehicle. He has not been charged with any crimes. He sustained minor injuries in the crash. Gutman does not report any injuries as a result of the crash. The booking photo in this release is a previous booking photo of Gutman from Astoria Police Records. A full size version is available here.

Astoria police are still interested in any witnesses that may have seen Gutman or Carpenter on the night of June 1, 20012. Anyone with information is asked to contact Astoria Police Department at (503) 325-4411. Information can also be sent to arandall@astoria.or.us, submitted as a tip on www.astoriadispatch.com or sent via text to 84469 using the phrase "tip@ast911"

Additional Media inquiries can be routed to bjohnston@astoria.or.us. No further releaes are anticipated.



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Previous Release Begins Here

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Astoria Police have identified the victim in the June 2, 2012 crash on Hwy 30 in Astoria. The deceased is James Carpenter, age 29 of Hammond. He was a passenger in the vehicle. Astoria Police have determined that the vehicle struck a telephone pole in the area and that prior to the crash the vehicles passenger door was opening and closing. There is no indication that safety restraints were used.

Astoria Police are seeking witnesses to the fatal crash which occured on Saturday morning just after midnight June 2, 2012. Any one who saw a blue and black 1991 2 door Mazda Navajo SUV leaving the Merrytime Tavern or may have witnessed the crash are asked to contact the Astoria Police Department at 503.325.4411.


On 6/2/12 at 0010 Astoria Police and Fire responded to the area of Hume and West Marine Drive (Hwy 30) to a report of a crash that involved a pedestrian. When responders arrived they found witnesses to the crash and a male subject in the lane of travel who was being given first aid by a nurse who had witnessed the crash. Astoria Fire personnel gave first aid and CPR but were unable to resuscitate him. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim has been identified but no notifications have been made.
Astoria Police located the vehicle involved in the crash abandoned about a block from the scene in a parking lot. They also located a person of interest at a tavern nearby.

Astoria Police continue to investigate at the scene. They are assisted by Crash Reconstructionists from OSP, a Medicolegal Investigator and the Chief Deputy District Attorney from the Clatsop County District Attorney's office. ODOT is assisting with traffic control.

Hwy 30 is open with a detour around the crash scene.


No additional information is expected to be released until next of kin notifications have been made.

Media looking for full size photos can locate them here

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

CCBofC To Hold Special Executive Session Tuesday, June 5, 2012 Regarding Employment Of A Public Officer

Special Meeting
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
*800 Exchange St., Suite 430, Astoria
*Note location
Executive Session: 3:00 pm
1) To consider the employment of a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent
per ORS 192.660(1)(a)
Complete copies of the current Board of Commissioners meeting agenda packets can be viewed at:
Astoria Public Library - Seaside Public Library - Board of Commissioners Office
Agenda packets also available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us
This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call 325-1000 if you require special
accommodations to participate in this meeting.

Administration Says Japan Will Have to Wait for U.S. LNG Supplies

Artwork by: Jack Guyot

Sutherland - LNG Law Blog
June 1, 2012

The Wall Street Journal [subscription required] reports that
the Obama Administration has told Japan and other countries that they face a
waiting period while the United States decides whether to move forward with LNG
exports, mostly due to the political sensitivity of the issue. A Japanese
official familiar with recent talks between Japan and the United States on energy
issues stated that no decisions on U.S. LNG exports would be made before the
November presidential election.

Astoria DUII Prosecutions - Judge Norblad Discloses His Decision

Circuit Judge, Albin Norblad, on May 22, 2012, in a letter to Assistant Attorney General, Thomas Castle disclosed his decision on the issue of DUII Prosecutions in Astoria Muncipal Court and this is his statement......"It is this court's opinion the distrisct attorney controls and directs prosecutions of DUII's in all the courts in his county and in this case, The City of Astoria. This would include all DUII's filed under state statute or city ordinance. Further, it is the court's opinion that the district attorney , under ORS 221.339(5) can allow prosecutions be handled by the city attorney."

Read Judge Albin Norblad's Full Decision Document

Memorial Day - It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

New County Manager Candidate Added To List Of Finalists After Ed Green Takes Another Job.

Friday, May 25, 2012

A new candidate has been added to the list of Clatsop County Manager finalists scheduled to be
interviewed May 30.

Scott Somers was named a finalist following word that another finalist, Ed Green, has accepted a
job with another organization.

Somers will join Gene Green, Michael McNees, Tom Mitchell, Travis Myren and James Payne on the finalist list.

All six candidates will be the guests at a public meet-and-greet
reception Tuesday, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 204 West
Marine Drive, Astoria.

Citizens will be able to meet one-on-one with the applicants and ask them questions.
On Wednesday, May 30 the candidates will undergo interviews by three panels made up of the county commissioners, senior county staff and labor representatives, and local
stakeholders including representatives from cities, Clatsop Community College
and the Astoria/Warrenton Chamber of Commerce.

The county commissioners hope to make a final selection by early June.

Scott Somers is city manager of Reedsport, a job he has held since 2009. Prior to that he was the
assistant city administrator of Savage, Minnesota, from 2006 to 2009, and also
served as assistant to the city manager in White Bear Lake, Minnesota for two
years. He has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Arizona State University
and Master of Public Administration from the University of Arizona.

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

County Offers 30 Land Parcels At Auction June 19, 2012

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Clatsop County will offer 30 parcels of land at a public auction Tuesday, June 19.

The auction will be held in the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria. Bidder registration begins at 9 a.m. The auction will start at 10 a.m. sharp.

Parcels offered are in Astoria, Warrenton, Elsie, Westport, as well as two on a hillside off Highway 202 in the Williamsport area southeast of Astoria.

Minimum bids range from $50 to $45,000. All properties will be sold as-is and for CASH. Payments are due in full by 5 p.m. the day of the auction, except for eight parcels which have a non-refundable deposit of 10 percent of the minimum bid due by 5 p.m. on day of sale, closing to take place on or before 30 days from the date of sale (July 18).

Auction packets are available for $9.50 at the Clatsop County Assessment & Taxation office. For more information, contact Property Management Specialist Sirpa Duoos at 820 Exchange St., Suite 230, Astoria or call (503) 325-8674.

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

Highlights Of May 23, 2012 CCBofC Meeting

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights
Wednesday, May 23,
2012 regular meeting

Official minutes
available once approved by board

Ocean planning element adopted

The board adopted
amendments adding a Goal 19-Ocean Resources element to the county’s
comprehensive land-use plan. The amendments, which also updated related policies
under state land-use goals 5, 8, 9, 13, 17 and 18, provides the county a
framework for reviewing applications for development projects, including
wave-energy installations, within the territorial sea three miles off the
coast.

Wauna plan approved

The board held the
first reading of Ordinance 12-05, establishing a financing plan for payment of a
$2.5 million refund to the Georgia-Pacific corporation for its Wauna pulp and
paper mill. The payment, required under the negotiated settlement of a tax
appeal case filed by G-P, will be paid by all 60 taxing districts in Clatsop
County, and will be covered by 10-year revenue bonds.
A public hearing and
second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for June 13.

Service contract approved

The board approved a
contract with Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare to provide state-funded services to
the developmentally disabled in Clatsop County. Clatsop Behavioral takes over
the contract from Columbia Community Mental Health of St. Helens, which has
provided the services from 2006 but which informed the county in March that it
would end its contract this year.
The program provides
vocational and residential services to approximately 180 individuals in Clatsop
County.

Homeless plan endorsed

The board voted
unanimously to endorse the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. The document,
which identifies causes of homelessness, affected populations, housing needs and
available resources and opportunities, is the product of the Clatsop Homeless
Coalition, a partnership of multiple agencies and stakeholders formed in 2011 by
Clatsop Community Action.

Rezone ordinance read

The board held the
first reading of Ordinance 11-04, a consolidated zone change, partition and
density transfer application from Michael Benesch, Warrenton Fiber Co. and Waldo
Veelle. The application, covering 13 acres of property on Dolphin Road near
Warrenton, was originally reviewed by the board in 2011, but was returned to the
Planning Division after staff determined there were inadequate findings of
fact.
A public hearing and
second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for June 13.

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

County Manager Duane Cole Honored At Retirement Reception!

PHOTO CAPTION: Clatsop County Manager Duane Cole reads the inscription on the stock of a BB gun presented to him by Sheriff Tom Bergin on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office at Wednesday’s reception marking Cole’s retirement.

Clatsop County employees and community members bid farewell to County Manager Duane Cole at a reception Wednesday at the Judge Guy Boyington Building in Astoria.

“Duane has truly left Clatsop County a better place,” Board of Commissioners Chair Peter Huhtala told the assembled guests. “We’ve been honored to work with you.”

Cole is retiring effective May 31 following 35 years as a public administrator with cities and counties in Oregon, Washington and California. He joined Clatsop County in 2009.

Cole expressed his appreciation for the county staff and department heads. “I’m always inspired by this team, and how this positive culture is so much a part of us here.”

A native of Milton-Freewater, Cole began his career at the age of 23 when he was hired as city administrator of Pilot Rock, Ore. He subsequently worked in Pendleton, Susanville, Calif., Newberg and Walla Walla, Wash.

During his tenure, Clatsop County completed an ambitious strategic plan charting dozens of capital and planning projects; led a collaborative effort on a fix for the chronic flooding problem on Highway 101 south of Seaside; sold the former Darigold Building in Astoria to Coastal Family Health Center; completed an update of the North Coast Business Park master plan; and adopted a new development review process for the county’s territorial sea.

As one of his last duties for the county, Cole will be available May 30 to speak with the six finalists for the county manager position when they travel to Astoria for interviews.

“There’s something really special going on in this municipal corporation that you don’t find everywhere, and I’ll be sharing that with the finalists next week,” he said.

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

CCBofC Holds Executive Session To Discuss Prospective County Manager Candidates

Special Meeting
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
800 Exchange St. Suite 430, Astoria
Executive Session: 9:00 am
1) To consider the employment of a public officer, employee or individual agent per ORS
192.660(1)(a)
Complete copies of the current Board of Commissioners meeting agenda packets can be viewed at:
Astoria Public Library - Seaside Public Library - Board of Commissioners Office
Agenda packets also available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us
This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call 325-1000 if you require special
accommodations to participate in this meeting.

Clatsop County Juvenile Department Presents Free Suicide Intervention rogram

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Clatsop County Juvenile Department is sponsoring a free suicide intervention training program Thursday, May 24 in Astoria.

“Question Persuade Refer” is a simple educational program that teaches ordinary citizens how to recognize a mental health emergency. It is intended to give participants the skills to help a person at risk of suicide get the help that person needs.

The program will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Clatsop Community College Columbia Room. There is no charge.

For more information and to register, call Teresa Crouter or Laura Parker at (503) 325-8601

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

Armed Forces Day - May 19, 2012

President Harry S.
Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come
together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support
of our country.

On August 31, 1949,
Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day
to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single
day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the
Department of Defense.

Repsol Cancels Argentine LNG Exports!

18 May 2012 Last updated at 18:41 ET
BBC News

Spanish firm Repsol has cancelled a contract to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Argentina.

The move comes weeks after the Argentine government seized control of Repsol subsidiary YPF.

Repsol told news agency AFP that state-run Argentine energy firm Enarsa "has made a series of violations" and "is not respecting its terms".

Currently Argentina relies on LNG imports to meet 20-30% of domestic natural gas consumption.



Read Full BBC News Report

Six Clatsop County Manager Finalists Visit For Interviews And Reception May 29-30, 2012

Friday, May 18, 2012

The six finalists for the position of Clatsop County Manager will come to the area next week to meet county commissioners, staff and other community leaders – as well as the general public – to make their case why they deserve to be the county’s next top administrator.

The Board of Commissioners is seeking a replacement for outgoing manager Duane Cole, who is retiring May 31.

Out of an initial pool of 40 applicants, the board narrowed the list of candidates to six following recommendations from executive search consultant Greg Prothman, who conducted interviews of 15 applicants and shared his findings and impressions with the board.

The six finalists will be the guests at a public meet-and-greet reception Tuesday, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 204 West Marine Drive, Astoria. Citizens will be able to meet one-on-one with the applicants and ask them questions.

On Wednesday, May 30 the candidates will undergo interviews by three panels made up of the county commissioners, senior county staff and labor representatives, and local stakeholders including representatives from cities, Clatsop Community College and the Astoria/Warrenton Chamber of Commerce.

The county commissioners hope to make a final selection by early June.

Here is the list of finalists:



Ed Green

Home: Rifle, Colorado

Most recent position: County Manager, Garfield County, Colorado, 1998-February 2012

Education: B.S., Business, University of Colorado; MBA, Colorado State University



Ed Green was most recently County Manager for Garfield County, Colorado, a position he held for more than 13 years. Prior to serving Garfield County, he was Project Vice President and Director for Contracts and Asset Management for the Fluor Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio, an environmental remediation firm. He has also worked for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Hughes Aircraft and the Department of Energy at Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant, all in Colorado.



Gene Green

Home: Silverton, Oregon

Most recent position: Public Works Director, West Linn

Education: B.A., Organizational Administration, Alaska Pacific University; Master of Education, Boston University



Gene Green was most recently the Public Works Director for the city of West Linn, where he served the city for more than five years. Prior to that, he was City Manager of Molalla for more than eight years. He has also served as Assistance City Manager for Unalaska, Alaska, and has held management positions with the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility and the Anchorage Capital Projects Office.



Michael McNees

Home: Indianapolis, Indiana

Most recent position: Chief Operating Officer, USA Track and Field

Education: B.A., Chemistry, Indiana University; MBA, Louisiana Tech University



Michael McNees was most recently the Chief Operating Officer for USA Track & Field, a position he held for more than three years. While serving as COO, he was also the organization’s Interim Chief Executive Officer for a year and a half. Prior to working for USA Track and Field, McNees was County Administrator for Blaine County, Idaho, from 2007-2009. He was also City Manager of Sarasota, Florida, for six years, and he was with Collier County, Florida, from 1984-2001, serving in a number of capacities, including six years as Assistant County Manager/Chief Operating Officer.



Tom Mitchell

Home: Bothell, Washington

Most recent position: Chief Executive Officer, Mendocino County, California

Education: B.S., Business Administration, San Jose State University



Tom Mitchell is currently taking time out to travel and visit family following 30 years of work at the county level in California. He was most recently the Chief Executive Officer for Mendocino County from 2007-2010. Before going to Mendocino County, he was County Administrative Officer for Calaveras County for five years. Mitchell was also with the County of San Luis Obispo from 1979 to 2002, serving in several capacities, including Accountant, Administrative Services Officer and finally General Services Administrator, a position he held for 12 years.



Travis Myren

Home: Fitchburg, Wisconsin

Most recent position: Director of Administration, Dane County, Wisconsin

Education: B.A., Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Master of Public Administration, University of Wisconsin-Madison



Travis Myren has been the Director of Administration at Dane County, Wisconsin, since 2009. He has been with the county for 13 years, beginning his career there as Assistant to the Director of Administration, and serving as Deputy Director of Administration for eight years.



James Payne

Home: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Most recent position: Partner, Precision Organizing and Records Management

Education: B.A., Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; Master of Public Administration



James Payne is currently a partner at Precision Organizing and Records Management, a firm located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico that provides comprehensive records management services to corporate and municipal clients. Prior to that, he was City Manager for Rio Rancho from 2007-2008. Payne also served the City of Waukesha, Wisconsin, as City Administrator for eight years, the City of Franklin, Wisconsin, as City Business Administrator for 13 years, and the City of LeMars, Iowa, as City Administrator for four years. He was also Assistant to the City Manager at the City of Roseville, Minnesota, for three years.

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

North Coast Parenting & Clatsop County Juvenile Department Offers Workshop On Technology Impacts On Children

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

North Coast Parenting and the Clatsop County Juvenile Department are offering a workshop on technology impacts on children.

“Plugged In: The Neurological, Interpersonal and Personal Impact of Technology-Only Entertainment” will be offered Thursday, May 24 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.

Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee, a clinical psychologist in Portland, will describe how technology over-use impacts growth and development in children’s neurological function and development of a sense of self.

Pre-registration is required for the workshop. For more information and to download registration forms, go to “Documents” on the Juvenile Department page at www.co.clatsop.or.us.

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

Global Energy Firms Announce LNG Canada

Press Release
Global energy firms announce LNG Canada, consultation begins with
First Nations and local communities
Vancouver, British Columbia, May 15, 2012 – Shell Canada Limited, Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), Mitsubishi Corporation, and PetroChina Company Limited today announced they are jointly developing a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility near Kitimat, British Columbia. The LNG Canada project LNG Canada brings together the four companies’ extensive development experience, technical depth, financial strength and access to markets required to be the leading LNG developer in Canada. LNG Canada would connect the abundant supply of Canadian natural gas to growing markets around the world. This also begins the formal consultation process with First Nations and local community residents regarding the project.
Shell holds a 40-percent working interest, with KOGAS, Mitsubishi and PetroChina each holding a 20-percent working interest. “Our combined expertise, and our focus on technological innovation in delivering safe and environmentally sound LNG projects around the globe, ensures that our LNG Canada project would be well-suited to deliver long-term value for British Columbia and increase access to new export markets for Canada,” says Jose-Alberto Lima, Vice President LNG Americas, Shell Energy Resources Company.
The proposed LNG Canada project includes the design, construction and operation of a gas liquefaction plant and facilities for the storage and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), including marine off-loading facilities and shipping. LNG Canada can create significant economic benefit for the province, First Nations, local communities and the region. Such a project can create thousands of jobs during construction and hundreds of full-time, permanent jobs during operations. Such a significant energy project can also bring indirect economic development opportunities to the region.
A decision to move this project into development would be taken after conducting necessary engineering, environmental and stakeholder engagement work with start up around the end of the decade, pending regulatory approvals and investment decisions.
“As the world’s largest LNG buyer and operator of LNG terminals, we recognize the potential value of the LNG Canada project for our company and for British Columbia, and we look forward to conducting
business in B.C., with respect for all local residents and their traditions,” said Mr. Young Sik Kwon, Vice President of Korea Gas Corporation.
LNG Canada will initially consist of two LNG processing units referred to as “trains,” each with the capacity to produce six million tonnes of LNG annually, with an option to expand the project in the future.
“We have a history of working with our joint-venture partners, as well as conducting business in Canada,” said Junichi Iseda, Senior Vice President, Mitsubishi Corporation. “We look forward to continuing to invest in Canada through this project, creating economic growth and new, important trade links between our two nations.”
The demand for natural gas, the cleanest burning fossil fuel, remains high in Asia and other markets. LNG Canada would deliver a project that offers a new source of LNG to global markets, while providing benefits to Canada, British Columbia and its coastal region.
“This project will contribute to a further strengthening of trade relationships between China and Canada and will help China use clean burning natural gas to fuel its economic growth,” said Bo Qiliang, Vice President, PetroChina Company Limited.

Clatsop County And Georgia-Pacific Reach Settlement In Tax Case

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Clatsop County and the owner of the Wauna pulp and paper mill have reached a settlement over the company’s tax challenge.

The county and 60 other taxing districts will pay Georgia-Pacific a total of $2.5 million in property tax refund.

The case involves challenges filed by Georgia-Pacific against a 2008 tax penalty and the tax assessment on part of its Wauna facility.

The settlement ends a four-year legal struggle that had the potential to hit local cities, schools and other taxing bodies with a significantly larger bill. Along with the payment, the settlement also establishes a real market value for the Wauna mill that Georgia-Pacific cannot appeal for the next five years.

The county informed the other taxing districts of the settlement by letter this week.

The payment will be paid off with a 10-year loan or bond that county officials believe can be secured with an interest rate of less than 3 percent. Clatsop County’s share of the payment, including loan costs and interest, would total $375,544. Other districts’ shares would range from approximately $1 to $653,300 – annual payments on those shares will be deducted from the districts’ yearly property tax disbursements, under the terms of an intergovernmental agreement that was signed by all the districts in 2009 in anticipation of a refund payment.

The county will host a meeting next week for representatives of the affected taxing districts to explain the settlement and payment plan.

The case dates to 2004, when Georgia-Pacific was granted tax exemptions under the Lower Columbia Maritime Enterprise Zone for construction of its new No. 6 paper-making machine. Under the exemption, property taxes assessed on the new machine were to be waived for five years.

In 2007 the company was disqualified from the exemption program for failing to maintain a minimum required number of employees at the machine. As a result of the disqualification, the company had to repay the exempted taxes, totaling approximately $4.1 million. That money was distributed among the 60 taxing districts.

Georgia-Pacific filed an appeal in Oregon Tax Court challenging not only the exemption penalty but also the assessed valuation of the entire mill for three tax years. The appeal claimed that the assessment, on which Wauna’s annual property tax bill is calculated, overvalued the mill by approximately $154 million.

Tax assessments of large industrial properties like Wauna Mill are conducted for counties by the Oregon Department of Revenue, which joined Clatsop County in fighting the appeal.

In 2010 Tax Court Judge Henry Breithaupt ruled that Georgia-Pacific could only challenge the tax assessment on the new paper machine for 2004 and 2005, and the assessment on the mill as a whole only for 2007, which significantly reduced the scope of the company’s claim. On May 1 the county, along with the state Department of Revenue and Department of Justice, reached agreement with Georgia-Pacific on the terms of a settlement.

Along with the payment, the settlement establishes the real market value for the No. 6 paper machine of $291 million.

Under Georgia-Pacific’s claim, Clatsop County and the other districts could have been required to refund more than $11 million if the company had prevailed on all appeals at trial.

State statute mandates that all of the 60 taxing districts in Clatsop County are liable for a portion of the settlement, regardless of whether Wauna Mill lies within their boundaries.

Wauna pays a total of $3,410,536 a year in property taxes to taxing entities in Clatsop County, making it by far the county’s biggest single taxpayer.

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

Straw Poll For Clatsop County Sheriff - Who You Gonna Vote For?

Clatsop County Sheriff Summary
Bill Fuzia . . . . . . . . . . 1,076 - 10.78%
Jim Pierce . . . . . . . . . . 2,772 - 27.76%
Steve Barnett . . . . . . . . .. 699 - 7.00%
Tom Bergin . . . . . . . . . . 4,536 - 45.42%
Michael V Nelson . . . . . . . . 882 - 8.83%
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . ..... 21 - .21%
Over Votes . . . . . . . . . 2
Under Votes . . . . . . . . . 619

Tom Bergin
Steve Barnett
Bill Fuzia
Michael V. Nelson
Jim Pierce

Who's your candidate?

Post your choice in "Comments"

White House Official Says Analysis Will Drive LNG Export Policy

Sutherland - LNGlaw.com
Posted: May 14, 2012

Reuters reports today that Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, told an industry group that the Obama Administration was "certainly not opposed to LNG exports," and that LNG export policy will be driven in accordance with the results of the U.S. Department of Energy's forthcoming analysis of the environmental and economic effects of exporting LNG.

Historic Battleship USS Iowa To Become Naval Museum In Southern California

By ERIC RISBERG Associated Press
May 12, 2012

RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — Firing its 16-inch guns in the Arabian Sea, the U.S.S. Iowa shuddered. As the sky turned orange, a blast of heat from the massive guns washed over the battleship. This was the Iowa of the late 1980s, at the end of its active duty as it escorted reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers from the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran-Iraq war.Some 25 years later, following years of aging in the San Francisco Bay area's "mothball fleet," the 887-foot long ship that once carried President Franklin Roosevelt to a World War II summit to meet with Churchill, Stalin and Chiang Kai Shek is coming to life once again as it is being prepared for what is most likely its final voyage.

Read Full Article