Those who oppose LNG storage facilities here have mounted a campaign to oust Clatsop County Commission Chair Jeff Hazen and Commissioner Ann Samuelson today.
This recall is in response to the latest board decision to move forward with the Bradwood Landing proposal by once again approving findings remanded back to the board by the state land use board of appeals. When the vote was taken those in the opposition in the audience shouted out "Recall" in a well orchestrated response to the 4 to 1 decision.
As far as recalls go this isn't Commissioner Samuelson's first time at the rodeo. For Hazen it's a first for someone who has donated much of his time to the role of both commissioner and chairman. I checked his blog and he is silent on this issue preferring to focus on those interesting and positive things about life in general.
The question here is whether or not these two particular people truly represent the will of the majority of the public they represent or have they gone maverick?
I find it very interesting that while the vote was 4 to 1 only two of the commissioners voting in favor face a recall petition. Commissioner Raichl would be a formidable person to recall. Patricia Roberts is safe because people in her south county district don't give a hoot about this one way or the other.
The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Dirk Rohne whose district includes the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG site. Is he off the mark on this? His district would benefit
financially from the project but he sets that neatly aside. Why? Rohne expressed serious concerns over whether fish and traditional fishing grounds would be "protected" under the strict interpretation of state land use definition. He also said the the turning basin needed to be considered as part of the overall scope of the project which brings the size of the project into serious question by expanding the footprint from dry land to submerged land. Commissioner Samuelson in seeking clarification asked if that could be considered and was told that the regulation in question doesn't cover the submerged lands. The only issue to be considered was the dry land footprint of the project.
So here we go again.
Next up lets do an analysis of this election based on what we've seen this group do before.
The Curious Commissioner Hazen's Position On LNG
ReplyDeleteThis is infuriating - the recent land use decision was legal, not emotional, which to ME means that Dirk Rohne was the ONLY commissioner who voted wrong. I am sick and tired of this small group of people trying to run our entire county. They are mistaken if they think the vast majority of people is against LNG - unfortunately, the vast majority of people just don't get involved.
ReplyDeleteMost of us are too busy working and taking care of our families to commit to these positions,YET their are some out there who for lack of anything to do seem to always look for someone to attack....I have not been a big Samuelson Fan but good grief leave the woman alone....
ReplyDeleteOnward!!!!!! There's plenty to do in clatsop county, spent the morning in cannon beach and arch cape, take a gander at my district, takes some gas and tires to be commissioner in district five....I'm squandering money but not the county's money, my own!!!, but I love this place and think we can move toward economic development strategies so that ultimately the goal isn't to build bigger and better food banks, not that they are not necesssary now, but I believe folks want to feed themselves if given the opportunity, and advocacy for jobs as elected officials, that come with a balance, should be our main goal as commissioners. All the commissioners I serve with bring something valuable to the table and we all care passionately about Clatsop County. I've been pleasantly surprised at the support I've received as a public official and the support of all the commission....heartwarming, really....thanks to all that are no longer silent!!!
ReplyDeleteThe curious Commissioner Hazen's position on LNG?
ReplyDeleteTrying to "Pooh-Pooh" the fact, Tom, that Hazen's comment in Willamette Week could be construed to be anything less than a biased prejudice, on his part, regarding LNG Speculation in the county in which he serves as an elected Commissioner and in the least should have been brought to record in the deliberations on LNG Speculation at Bradwood Landing or Skipanon Peninsula, for that matter, doesn't help his case in my view and he should address it.
To my knowledge Hazen has never brought that up at any of the deliberations on the issue of Bradwood Landing when commissioners are asked, "Do you have any conflicts of interest or ex parte contacts to report?"
That testimony in Salem on the House Bill requiring proof on need for projects such as LNG Speculation in which Hazen testified against, not as a private citizen but as a Clatsop County Commissioner involved in active deliberation and yet unsettled LNG issues to be yet unapproved and still fluid?
Could that, whether for or against the bill, not be construed as a bias that could affect his ability to fairly rule on the issue?
Of course, considering NNB/KAST's position and support of Texas based NSNG's proposed project, Bradwood Landing, the expected spin will be just that, expected but, in the interests and trust of the citizens of Clatsop County Hazen serves, it is very important, in my view.
And another valid question needs to be asked and God bless Don Webb for broaching it and a question I have personally been slammed for by event the anti-LNG element as you and the pro-LNG element seem to group all together as one:"If no LNG what?"
Has Clatsop County Commission, ever, at anytime during all this, made any effort whatsoever to explore other clean, cohesive industry/business options to this community that can bring many more than a handful of sustainable, family wage jobs before we commit finally to this Texas based LNG scheme confronting us now? And no, CEDR is in no way what I mean and I know the answer and if there is a true failure here, this is it
Can anybody truly justify the need for this Texas based LNG scheme here, especially now with evidence coming to light that we may not need this process at all in our energy needs future.
This issue also involves how much confusion and lack of direction we want in government. With the Clatsop County propensity to recall anyone that does not agree with a particular group on a single issue, other issues are simply not being treated, and that is not how government is supposed to operate. Besides that, what decent person would now want to be elected to a county commission, or a port commission, that is constantly bombarded by a small but very loud group of people who want you to vote in a particular way, but are neither willing nor able to get elected themselves? The anti LNG people do not understand government, and should be ashamed of themselves.
ReplyDeleteA recall is a serious matter and can be costly to the county's taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteI realize that the most vocal and loudest group is the anti-LNG residents. However, because they speak the loudest doesn't necessarily mean they are in the majority.
The spin on the election in which 67 percent of county voters voted in opposition to allowing LNG-related pipelines to go through parks, open spaces, and recreation land in the September 2008 is a referendum against pipelines going through those areas. That does not necessarily mean that it is a referendum against LNG. The anti-LNG group is trying to spin it that way however.
I would encourage everyone to think seriously about this recall, or, any recall. Because an elected officially doesn't vote the way you think they should vote does not warrant a recall. Good grief, if the State and Federal Governments worked that way we would constantly be having recalls in between elections.
I keep reading about all of the Ex Parte contacts.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Commissioner Rohne has come clean on this matter.
Did he not be involved in the Anti- LNG meeting and fund raiser at the Liberty?
Was he not in a documentary that they put on about LNG?
Maybe Mr. Rohne, you should explain your Ex Parte in this whole LNG issue. You seem to be in the pocket of the Anti's.