Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Port Of Astoria To Offer Executive Director Seat To Hank Bynaker

Posted: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:24 pm

By EDWARD STRATTON - The Daily AstorianDaily Astorian

The Port of Astoria Commission chose unanimously at Tuesday's special meeting to extend an offer of employment to Hank Bynaker as its preferred choice for executive director.Bynaker currently serves as general manager and director of operations and marketing at Washington United Terminals, a 103-acre, 2-berth private port facility at the Port of Tacoma, Wash.

Read Full Daily Astorian Article

Ted Thomas On The Oregon LNG Open House - Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - Warrenton, Oregon


Here we go again. Oregon LNG the successor of the original bankrupt Cal-Pine company through the Leucadia fiasco has gotten around to their obligatory dog and pony show. On hand in their unused orange vest issued just for the occasion was a selection of Carpenters, Operator Engineers and Pipe Fitters. Supporters at the door greeted you with the sign in sheet, Peter Hansen was there along with new representatives from CM2H. In the entrance there was the large cardboard pictures describing this new version of their plans. In an adjoining room there was coffee and cookies to accompany the 8.5 minute power point presentation. In the presentation they describe the terminal as "bi-directional," promise more than 3100 construction jobs and thousands of full time permanent jobs, millions in tax revenues, and more.
I confronted Peter Hansen and reminded him of the meeting we both attended at the port of Astoria around the time that OLNG was suing the port when I suggested to him that what he was secretly intending from the outset was to build an export plant. At that time he led me to believe that I should take his word that that would never happen. I told him then that I didn't believe him and to mark my words that it will in fact come out eventually that that is the case.
Somehow "I told you so" is just inadequate to convey the dramatic revelation available for inspection today at the open house presentation put on in Warrenton tonight. As I predicted years ago the OLNG terminal was always intended to be an export terminal. The parties involved in the scheme to export our sovereign natural resources have represented them selves as devising import facilities. they said they would build a power station and use the waste heat they said they would bring jobs they said they would be safe. They said so many things.
In fact their monopolist fellow travelers like El Paso withheld gas supplies in order to raise prices artificially. That is the point of their admitted "Peak Shaver" : to withhold natural gas from the domestic market and force the price up. Now are we are to understand that they want to build the capacity to export it to foreign markets altogether. Even they admit that this will drive the price up.
In their powerpoint presentation they promise that they will export only Canadian gas. That if we do not the Canadians will. Can we trust anything that they say. They said they would import and not export natural gas. They lied about that. I am not psychic there is no way to tell if someone is lying to you other than their own history. It is a tradition of my people to hold that the only way to tell if a person is a lier is their past history of truthfulness. When someone make a habit of not telling the truth you need not consider anything they say as being true. That is why telling the truth always is to terribly important to my people. Without our integrity no one will trust you.
Integrity... from the word Integer as in one ... as in one faced... as opposed to being two faced. These profit mongers are only interested in making money. They openly admit to desiring to do so by buying our natural gas to resell to ourselves if you have the money or to asian markets at a profit. The poor desperate dupes they coned into supporting them with exaggerated promises of jobs. Promises of tax revenue for us I suppose and for our children.
OLNG's representative would have us believe that the Asian markets could not compete with ours that they could not buy enough to affect the local market. If this were so then why are they planning the investment of billions to build export terminal capacity? This account of affairs is not in accordance with the projected growth of the Asian markets. The asian markets will grow to larger than our own in a few brief years.
The price of natural gas in such an outcome will not increase by only 2.3% as OLNG purports, it will rise to the world market rate and maybe more as the fetish of speculation mismanages its distribution. Increases of 100, 200% or more will not be unlikely and in any account what guaranty does OLNG make that it won't increase by that much and what do think such a promise is worth after all the promises that they have already broken. The fragile so called recovery we are living through will collapse and our only competitive advantage of adequate supplies of energy will evaporate under the insatiable onslaught the voracious Asian energy appetite.
In school I had it drummed into my head that proper name given to a nation that exports raw materials and imports value added finished good is a colony. We export raw logs and import Big Box stores full of every conceivable finished good most all from China. Our people are unemployed and we lead the world in low wage jobs. Some now want to export coal and OLNG wants to export natural gas. Is there no end to America's torment?
Ted

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Astoria Key Club Bottle Tagging Project Targets Underage Drinking


PHOTO CAPTION: Bottle tagging project participants (l. to r.) Sarah Lachica-Varney, Karla Suarez, Christina Vetter, Mary Knoch, Brooke Reichert, Kristen Purdy, Ben Reichert, Bruitus Montes De Oca, Aaron Zhen, Christopher Zavala.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Members of the Astoria Key Club again spread the word about preventing underage drinking with their bottle tagging project.

On June 6 the group placed red tags on bottles of alcohol at three Astoria establishments. The tags remind shoppers not to provide alcohol to minors and note that adults found guilty can be fined up to $500.

A 2010 Oregon Student Wellness Survey reported that 75.6 percent of Clatsop County high school-age youth say is “easy” or “very easy” to obtain beer, wine or liquor. The bottle tag project, in partnership with the Prevention Works Coalition, fosters a call to action for parents and community members to be active in preventing underage drinking in our community.

“Bottle tagging was a blast!” said Karla Suarez, a sophomore at Astoria High School. “Not only did we learn about the consequences of selling alcohol to minors, but we also had the opportunity to inform our community.”

The group visited the Astoria Liquor Store, Downtown Market and Astoria Safeway.

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

Monday, June 11, 2012

Scott Somers Selected New Clatsop County Manager

Monday, June 11, 2012

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners has offered the job of county manager to Scott Somers.

Somers, 44, currently the city manager of Reedsport, is expected to start with the county July 16. He replaces former county manager Duane Cole, who retired May 31 after three years with the county.

The board is scheduled to approve an employment contract with Somers at its June 13 meeting. His starting salary will be $112,000 a year plus benefits.

“I think this is going to be a great fit,” he said.

Somers’ selection followed a thorough recruitment process, assisted by consultant Greg Prothman, that included a public reception and interviews with six finalists May 29 and 30.

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Chair Peter Huhtala said that after a search that brought in applications from around the country, “we were fortunate to find Scott right here on the Oregon Coast.

“He is intelligent, energetic and aware of Clatsop County’s challenges and opportunities,” he said. “I very much look forward to working with Scott – I believe that he can look forward to a long and successful tenure.”

Somers was born in Tucson, Ariz. and raised in Arizona and central Oregon. He earned a bachelor of social work degree from Arizona State University and master of public administration degree from the University of Arizona. His career in public administration began in 2004 at White Bear Lake, Minnesota where he served as assistant to the city manager. In 2006 he was hired as assistant city manager for Savage, Minnesota.

Somers joined Reedsport, a city of 4,300 on the central Oregon Coast, in January 2009. The city has a staff of 33 and a $14 million annual budget.

Among the city’s accomplishments during his tenure are completing a $12 million wastewater treatment plant; brokering a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and Army Corps of Engineers on levee certification; pursuing downtown revitalization efforts; and developing a strategic plan.

Somers said one of his top goals in Reedsport has been building relationships – with city council and staff, citizens and civic groups, neighboring districts, lawmakers and state and federal agencies. “I am very open to work with – people recognized that,” he said. “We may not always agree, but we can respect each other’s opinion.”

During his tenure Reedsport actively promoted itself to regional and state economic development entities, Somers said. Like communities in Clatsop County, it has faced the challenge of diversifying its economy in an area historically dependent on fishing and logging.

Somers believes the transition from city to county government won’t be difficult. He has not overseen public health programs in his city jobs, but said his background in social work – he was a case worker as a college undergraduate – gives him some insight into services provided through the county Public Health Department.

As part of the selection process the county and consultant Prothman arranged for Somers and the other five finalists to be interviewed by three separate panels: the board of commissioners; county department heads and labor representatives; and a community stakeholders panel that included city officials, Clatsop Community College President Larry Galizio, Circuit Court Judge Cindee Matyas, three citizens and state lawmakers Betsy Johnson and Deborah Boone. Following the interviews all three groups assembled to share their input.

“Elected officials, department heads and several community leaders helped the board with the interview and selection process,” Huhtala said. “We very much appreciate the participation of each of these individuals.”

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

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Action Call From Columbia RiverVision At Oregon LNG Open House, June 12th

Proposed Oregon LNG/Calpine Terminal on Skipanon Peninsula
Oregon LNG (formerly known as Calpine) first reared its ugly head before the Warrenton City Commission in November of 2005. And now they are back in Warrenton with a new plan that is outrageously worse than the original. Just like a used car salesmen, this is the old bait-and-switch.

Calpine entered our communities to convince us of the NEED to import LNG to "diversify the energy supplies" and "keep the prices low for the consumers." And now OR LNG sees the need to EXPORT LNG - for ????? Oh right, the profit of a private company - and the opportunity to dredge our river, endanger our safety, raise domestic natural gas prices and take our land through eminent domain.

Wear your red shirts, your NO LNG pins. Bring your neighbors and friends:

Oregon LNG Open House
Tuesday, June 12th - 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Gateway Masonic Lodge #175
66 SW 4th Avenue
Warrenton, Oregon


If this is your first NO LNG event, we will have shirts, buttons, car decals and yard signs for sale, OR if you are an old hand and you are dusting off your NO LNG button and finding your red shirt
We hope to see you all at the OR LNG open house!

Sunday, June 03, 2012

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

Saturday, June 02, 2012

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.

Friday, June 01, 2012

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.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

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.

Friday, May 25, 2012

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

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

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.

Monday, May 21, 2012

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

Saturday, May 19, 2012

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

Friday, May 18, 2012

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

Thursday, May 17, 2012

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