As we predicted months ago, Commission Chair Jeff Hazen handily retains his seat on the county commission .
Unfortunately, as we also predicted, the Commission Samuelson recall is too close to call with just four votes in favor of recalling the district 5 commissioner. The close numbers trigger an automatic recount with results due within ten days.
If Samuelson is recalled the commission must appoint her replacement within 45 days from the
confirmation of the election results.
Recall supporters are reluctant to say that this was a vote on LNG but I would have to say that because of the way the ballot questions were worded this is a huge victory for Bradwood Landing specifically. District 1 covers Warrenton and a slice of Astoria. District 5 covers a broad swath
from Jewell clear out to Arch Cape. To see such a positive response to the decisions made by the commission regarding Bradwood is a strong indicator of support when you consider that the voter turnout exceeded the predictions of the county election department for a special election. The turnout was higher than the previous special election regarding allowing pipelines in areas zoned for open parks and recreation which anti-LNG forces attempted to use in this recall election. It is quite clear that this strategy backfired with voters expressing some level of disgust with that tactic. That is particularly true in District 1.
It's interesting to note that just days before the election people got their property tax bills in the mail. Even with property values dropping everyone saw an increase in their taxes based on assessed value. The county instituted a policy of increasing the percentage to the legal limit of 3% every tax year regardless of actual need. Since assessed value is generally lower than real market value and certainly lower than what a homeowner might receive in the sale of a home or property then the taxes assessed annually will increase every year. At a time when local people are struggling just to hang on to their homes this policy on the part of the county likely created a backlash that impacted this recall. This would be particularly true in Samuelson's district which contains some of the most expensive property in Clatsop County.
The other factor affecting the Samuelson recall campaign would include the revelation that the commissioner contacted the Sheriff when she discovered that one of his staff had signed the recall petition. Regardless of the intent this was a miss-step in an otherwise well conceived and hard fought campaign and worked against her public image with those who would perceive this as an inappropriate use of her position quite similar to the charges leveled against former Commissioner Richard Lee in his recall from office.
Comments expressed
October 28, 2009
October 26, 2009
New York Post On Walmart
NYP reporter CHARLES PLATT went undercover in the American heartland this year going to work as an associate at Walmart and offers a different perspective on the retailing giant
including the following:
Walmartwatch.com, for instance, is partnered with the Service Employees International Union; Wakeupwalmart.com is entirely owned by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. For years, now, they've campaigned against Wal-Mart, for reasons that may have more to do with money than compassion for the working poor. If more than one million Wal-Mart employees in the United States could be induced to join a union, by my calculation they'd be compelled to pay more than half-billion dollars each year in dues.
Walmartwatch.com provides the local anti-Walmart group with much of it's ammunition as they seek to stop the retailer from locating a store in Warrenton. As to the treatment of employees at Walmart, Platt writes:
In fact, the deal at Walmart is better than at many other employers. The company states that its regular full-time hourly associates in the US average $10.86 per hour, while the mean hourly wage for retail sales associates in department stores generally is $8.67. The federal minimum wage is $6.55 per hour. Also every Wal-Mart employee gets a 10% store discount, while an additional 4% of wages go into profit-sharing and 401(k) plans.
As to the uproar over the impact Walmart has on small local business operations:
The argument, of course, is that smaller enterprises cannot compete. My outlook on this is hardcore: I think that many of the "mom-and-pop" stores so beloved by activists don't deserve to remain in business.
When I first ventured from New York City to the American heartland, I did my best to patronize quaint little places on Main Street and quickly discovered the penalties for doing so. At a small appliance store, I wasn't allowed to buy a microwave oven on display. I had to place an order and wait a couple of weeks for delivery.
At a stationery store where I tried to buy a file cabinet, I found the same problem. Think back, if you are old enough to do so, and you may recall that this is how small-town retailing used to function in the 1960s.
As a customer, I don't see why I should protect a business from the harsh realities of commerce if it can't maintain a good inventory at a competitive price. And as an employee, I see no advantage in working at a small place where I am subject to the quixotic moods of a sole proprietor, and can never appeal to his superior, because there isn't one.
I found all of this rather interesting considering this reporter didn't depend upon what is said about the company, he went to work for them to find out for himself.
Here's the link to the article:http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/fly_on_the_wal_K8hD47GcZBkh1v3SjNYldI/5
October 25, 2009
Word Of Mouth Forum: WOMF
WOMF, WOMF, WOMF
It's short for "Word Of Mouth Forum" and it is launching today for our area. The Webfoot WOMF is part of a new worldwide phenomenon in social networking. On WOMF you'll find citizen reviews of local businesses and services, a place for writing about community issues that you care about, a centralized place on the web to post community events, ask questions, start discussion threads and catch up on what local people think.
The site is family friendly with 24/7 moderation and you'll find that people who use WOMF are those who comply with some simple rules of civil discourse that are often missing in simple message boards. That doesn't mean you can't express yourself regardless of your take on what might be happening in the community.
Check it out by clicking the "Webfoot WOMF" link on this page. It's easy to join and there is a quick video you can watch to explain how it works along with simple tutorials you can access via site links at the bottom of the home page.
So let me ask you: Have you WOMF'ed Today?
It's short for "Word Of Mouth Forum" and it is launching today for our area. The Webfoot WOMF is part of a new worldwide phenomenon in social networking. On WOMF you'll find citizen reviews of local businesses and services, a place for writing about community issues that you care about, a centralized place on the web to post community events, ask questions, start discussion threads and catch up on what local people think.
The site is family friendly with 24/7 moderation and you'll find that people who use WOMF are those who comply with some simple rules of civil discourse that are often missing in simple message boards. That doesn't mean you can't express yourself regardless of your take on what might be happening in the community.
Check it out by clicking the "Webfoot WOMF" link on this page. It's easy to join and there is a quick video you can watch to explain how it works along with simple tutorials you can access via site links at the bottom of the home page.
So let me ask you: Have you WOMF'ed Today?
October 23, 2009
This Just In...
Busy news day today! Just got this from the people at Bradwood Landing and thought I'd share.
An urban legend, sometimes called a modern myth, is a story whose teller would have you believe is actually true, but is usually distorted, exaggerated or fabricated for sensational effect. Most people understand these stories for what they are: a myth meant to perpetuate a viewpoint, agenda or frighten the listener.
Some well known urban legends include stories of alligators living in the New York City sewer system, stolen kidneys and claims that the Apollo moon landing was actually filmed at a Hollywood studio. And when it comes to LNG, there seems to be no shortage of myths, all of which are easily refuted by facts.
Recently, Steve Forrester, editor and owner of a local newspaper and acknowledged project opponent, wrote an editorial speculating that Bradwood was secretly planning to export domestic natural gas.
Like anyone else, Mr. Forrester is certainly entitled to his opinion. Our initial response to this concern was straightforward: the idea was absurd, and we spelled out the reasons in detail why export could never happen in a rebuttal Opinion later published by the paper.
So you can imagine our surprise when, just one month later, a second editorial was published by Mr. Forrester that concluded again that Bradwood will export LNG, repeating the same story already shown to be false.
This sequence of events led us to take the unusual step of having to pay to place a full page ad in his newspaper explaining again the many reasons why Bradwood can never export LNG. That letter is reprinted below, together with the editorial.
So the next time someone tells you that Bradwood's LNG terminal is planning to export LNG, let them in on the real secret: it's just another urban legend, repeated by project opponents, and forward them this email.
PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.
An open letter to the Daily Astorian:
To Steve Forrester October 21, 2009
Publisher, The Daily Astorian
Your October 15 editorial, "Get real - U.S. natural gas inventory has been enlarged - terminals are for export", shows that you still don't understand how natural gas markets work.
You point to an increase in the amount of gas found in the U.S. as the reason for repeating your "LNG-as-export" claim, but you don't give your readers the details about how this gas costs more.
We have said plainly that Bradwood could never export liquefied natural gas. Here's a quick re-cap of the reasons why:
1. Oregon imports all of the natural gas it consumes and will continue to do so in the future. Oregon has no gas to export.
2. While the U.S. has large reserves of natural gas, much of this gas (such as shale gas) is more expensive to extract. And, none of the shale gas fields are near Oregon. Gas would have to be piped west thousands of miles, further increasing its cost. Piping gas to Oregon, liquefying it and exporting it into the Pacific Rim (which includes some of the world's largest exporters of low-cost LNG) makes no economic sense.
3. Because of the hills and cliffs, the Bradwood site doesn't have the space needed to build a liquefaction plant big enough to create enough LNG for export.
4. Bradwood is only permitted to import gas, not export it.
5. Bradwood will have no ability to make LNG, a process that requires completely different equipment than warming LNG back into a gas.
We've offered before to sign a contract with the State of Oregon stating that Bradwood Landing would never be an export terminal. This offer still stands.
Contrary to the claims of LNG opponents, Bradwood would benefit residential and industrial gas users by increasing competition among gas suppliers, and open the door to Alaskan LNG in the future.
Since January there have been 110 LNG cargoes delivered to the U.S. at an average price of $ 3.92 per Million British Thermal Units (MMBTU).
On October 15th, Northwest consumers were paying $4.76/MMBTU - a 20 percent increase over other U.S. regions with access to LNG imports.
* LNG is simply natural gas chilled to a liquid, making its transportation easier and cheaper. The fact remains that LNG imports are highly competitive with U.S. gas, which makes your export theory unsupportable.
An urban legend, sometimes called a modern myth, is a story whose teller would have you believe is actually true, but is usually distorted, exaggerated or fabricated for sensational effect. Most people understand these stories for what they are: a myth meant to perpetuate a viewpoint, agenda or frighten the listener.
Some well known urban legends include stories of alligators living in the New York City sewer system, stolen kidneys and claims that the Apollo moon landing was actually filmed at a Hollywood studio. And when it comes to LNG, there seems to be no shortage of myths, all of which are easily refuted by facts.
Recently, Steve Forrester, editor and owner of a local newspaper and acknowledged project opponent, wrote an editorial speculating that Bradwood was secretly planning to export domestic natural gas.
Like anyone else, Mr. Forrester is certainly entitled to his opinion. Our initial response to this concern was straightforward: the idea was absurd, and we spelled out the reasons in detail why export could never happen in a rebuttal Opinion later published by the paper.
So you can imagine our surprise when, just one month later, a second editorial was published by Mr. Forrester that concluded again that Bradwood will export LNG, repeating the same story already shown to be false.
This sequence of events led us to take the unusual step of having to pay to place a full page ad in his newspaper explaining again the many reasons why Bradwood can never export LNG. That letter is reprinted below, together with the editorial.
So the next time someone tells you that Bradwood's LNG terminal is planning to export LNG, let them in on the real secret: it's just another urban legend, repeated by project opponents, and forward them this email.
PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.
An open letter to the Daily Astorian:
To Steve Forrester October 21, 2009
Publisher, The Daily Astorian
Your October 15 editorial, "Get real - U.S. natural gas inventory has been enlarged - terminals are for export", shows that you still don't understand how natural gas markets work.
You point to an increase in the amount of gas found in the U.S. as the reason for repeating your "LNG-as-export" claim, but you don't give your readers the details about how this gas costs more.
We have said plainly that Bradwood could never export liquefied natural gas. Here's a quick re-cap of the reasons why:
1. Oregon imports all of the natural gas it consumes and will continue to do so in the future. Oregon has no gas to export.
2. While the U.S. has large reserves of natural gas, much of this gas (such as shale gas) is more expensive to extract. And, none of the shale gas fields are near Oregon. Gas would have to be piped west thousands of miles, further increasing its cost. Piping gas to Oregon, liquefying it and exporting it into the Pacific Rim (which includes some of the world's largest exporters of low-cost LNG) makes no economic sense.
3. Because of the hills and cliffs, the Bradwood site doesn't have the space needed to build a liquefaction plant big enough to create enough LNG for export.
4. Bradwood is only permitted to import gas, not export it.
5. Bradwood will have no ability to make LNG, a process that requires completely different equipment than warming LNG back into a gas.
We've offered before to sign a contract with the State of Oregon stating that Bradwood Landing would never be an export terminal. This offer still stands.
Contrary to the claims of LNG opponents, Bradwood would benefit residential and industrial gas users by increasing competition among gas suppliers, and open the door to Alaskan LNG in the future.
Since January there have been 110 LNG cargoes delivered to the U.S. at an average price of $ 3.92 per Million British Thermal Units (MMBTU).
On October 15th, Northwest consumers were paying $4.76/MMBTU - a 20 percent increase over other U.S. regions with access to LNG imports.
* LNG is simply natural gas chilled to a liquid, making its transportation easier and cheaper. The fact remains that LNG imports are highly competitive with U.S. gas, which makes your export theory unsupportable.
Not Clamming Up..Actually
Got an email from Peter Hansen saying that the Oregon LNG/Oregon Pipeline websites were actually having a server problem and they are back up and fully functional..Ahhhh technology..
WalMart Meeting
Last night CNBC ran a lengthy investigative report on Walmart. Reporters related how the company does business, how it is attacked by labor unions trying to get a foothold, the connections with shoe and apparel factories in china, and Walmart's corporate image with it's own employees. Nothing has substantially changed since the 2005 debut of the documentary film "WalMart: The high cost of low prices" that successfully opened many eyes by featuring interviews with Walmart employees who had been among the many associates who lived, ate and,drank the Walmart culture rather than the typical "expert talking heads" one usually sees in these documentary films.
Coincidentally, a local meeting was held last night in Astoria at the Red Building organized by Ted Thomas (famous for organizing the Richard Lee recall) and Lori Durheim who is often in the news expressing her opposition to LNG, amongst other things.
I decided after seeing the CNBC report that I would go to the local meeting to get a feel for this group and who might be involved. There was one guy who admitted to actually living in Warrenton but the rest were apparently Astorians. It was Sara Meyer who pointed out that if they were going to have any hope of stopping the WalMart here it would have to be organized in Warrenton with residents of that city fully involved.
The response to outreach to Warrenton residents and businesses was not terribly successful and was met largely with indifference.
It was interesting to note that some of those in attendance clearly felt that this should be a county-wide outcry. I got the impression that most were there for the same reason I showed up; a need for more information combined with a concern over the direction this group might take.
It will be interesting to watch how a group of Astorians can manage to affect what is clearly a Warrenton decision without significant Warrenton support. So far.
Coincidentally, a local meeting was held last night in Astoria at the Red Building organized by Ted Thomas (famous for organizing the Richard Lee recall) and Lori Durheim who is often in the news expressing her opposition to LNG, amongst other things.
I decided after seeing the CNBC report that I would go to the local meeting to get a feel for this group and who might be involved. There was one guy who admitted to actually living in Warrenton but the rest were apparently Astorians. It was Sara Meyer who pointed out that if they were going to have any hope of stopping the WalMart here it would have to be organized in Warrenton with residents of that city fully involved.
The response to outreach to Warrenton residents and businesses was not terribly successful and was met largely with indifference.
It was interesting to note that some of those in attendance clearly felt that this should be a county-wide outcry. I got the impression that most were there for the same reason I showed up; a need for more information combined with a concern over the direction this group might take.
It will be interesting to watch how a group of Astorians can manage to affect what is clearly a Warrenton decision without significant Warrenton support. So far.
Oregon LNG Clams Up
I was just checking the Oregon LNG/Oregon Pipeline website for any news updates they might be offering and found that for some reason every link leads you to the same page. Gone are the reports, the filings, the media section...interesting. I wonder what it means?
October 22, 2009
No Plans Yet
Apparently yesterday I may have said something that created a bad situation at the city of Warrenton planning department. We got a call from Carol Parker saying that her phones were ringing all day with people saying that I had said the city has the plans for the proposed Walmart store and was refusing to make them available to the public. That's not what I said but, never the less, the impact on Carol's day is regrettable. No plans have been submitted as yet and the city planning commission has yet to consider any formal plans for the new store. ( in a call to the show this morning Parker stated that she did get a conceptual drawing that is used to guide the very preliminary permitting process but it is not a full-blown plan)
On a related matter, in a previous post I posed the perennial question: " Is this what we want to look like?". The response in reader comments is interesting. Many state that this question is coming from Astoria and Astorians who are anti-development and worry over the impact a WalMart might have on downtown business. No. I posed this question as someone who works in Warrenton for a company that took great pains in the design and development of our new facility to ensure the structure would fit and provide value to Warrenton's downtown and surrounding neighborhood. Asking the question in the past has spurred overall visioning processes that were inclusive of the general public. This question is one that must be asked again and again as our collective area undergoes future development. It's not a threat. It's an invitation.
On a related matter, in a previous post I posed the perennial question: " Is this what we want to look like?". The response in reader comments is interesting. Many state that this question is coming from Astoria and Astorians who are anti-development and worry over the impact a WalMart might have on downtown business. No. I posed this question as someone who works in Warrenton for a company that took great pains in the design and development of our new facility to ensure the structure would fit and provide value to Warrenton's downtown and surrounding neighborhood. Asking the question in the past has spurred overall visioning processes that were inclusive of the general public. This question is one that must be asked again and again as our collective area undergoes future development. It's not a threat. It's an invitation.
October 20, 2009
Organizing Against WalMart
We received a flyer today that marks the official beginning of local efforts to stop the construction of a new WalMart store in Warrenton. The flyer reads "Don't Mourn Take Action!"
The issue with WalMart for many has nothing to do with how this company has been responsible for the death of many traditional small town businesses throughout the country. It's about how WalMart manages to offer exceptionally low prices by pressuring it's 21,000 suppliers to drop prices annually. This has significantly increased the practice of out sourcing manufacturing to low wage countries and closed factories that once employed Americans.
WalMart's website makes much of the large donations the company makes to local non-profits which is usually timed to occur with the grand opening of a new store. The WalMart Foundation is the largest of it's kind in the world.
Those would would like more information on the effort to stop the Warrenton WalMart are invited to a public meeting set for the Red Building at the port Thursday October 22 at 7pm.
While I'm aware of how WalMart does business and how the opening of a new super store in a relatively small area can do serious damage to a business community that is not prepared there are ways to get prepared. Check my previous post on CEDR business 101 seminars for more information.
Many people have told me they are excited about WalMart coming here and I would point out that WalMart stores do not spell the end of other business development. Just take a good look at Woodburn where the factory brands mall continues to expand. The questions here? Is that what we want to look like? Are we truly prepared for what this change will bring?
The issue with WalMart for many has nothing to do with how this company has been responsible for the death of many traditional small town businesses throughout the country. It's about how WalMart manages to offer exceptionally low prices by pressuring it's 21,000 suppliers to drop prices annually. This has significantly increased the practice of out sourcing manufacturing to low wage countries and closed factories that once employed Americans.
WalMart's website makes much of the large donations the company makes to local non-profits which is usually timed to occur with the grand opening of a new store. The WalMart Foundation is the largest of it's kind in the world.
Those would would like more information on the effort to stop the Warrenton WalMart are invited to a public meeting set for the Red Building at the port Thursday October 22 at 7pm.
While I'm aware of how WalMart does business and how the opening of a new super store in a relatively small area can do serious damage to a business community that is not prepared there are ways to get prepared. Check my previous post on CEDR business 101 seminars for more information.
Many people have told me they are excited about WalMart coming here and I would point out that WalMart stores do not spell the end of other business development. Just take a good look at Woodburn where the factory brands mall continues to expand. The questions here? Is that what we want to look like? Are we truly prepared for what this change will bring?
October 19, 2009
Tips, Tricks, Tonics
CEDR is doing some very good work when it comes to offering local business people the opportunity to learn how to compete in the free marketplace. Their "Business 101" seminars are right on target and the next will deal with how the marketplace changes when a WalMart comes into the picture. Heres the info from the CEDR website:
The fourth seminar in the “Business 101” series sponsored by CEDR titled “Weathering Wal-Mart” in planned for November 10. The seminar will focus on strategies for surviving and thriving with the big box stores. The cost of the seminar is $25 and will be held at the Astoria Holiday Inn on November 10 from 6:30-9:30 pm.
Sign-up by calling 503-338-2438 or 503-338-2411.
The fourth seminar in the “Business 101” series sponsored by CEDR titled “Weathering Wal-Mart” in planned for November 10. The seminar will focus on strategies for surviving and thriving with the big box stores. The cost of the seminar is $25 and will be held at the Astoria Holiday Inn on November 10 from 6:30-9:30 pm.
Sign-up by calling 503-338-2438 or 503-338-2411.
October 16, 2009
Test Drive Great!
Thanks to Chris Hayward at Oceancrest for the loan of a 2010 Chevy Traverse this week. This is the GM replacement for the old chevy blazer line and it's a huge improvement over the old favorite. Loved the heated seats, the navigation and electronic monitoring system that includes a back up camera that automatically comes on screen when you put the Traverse in reverse. Includes entertainment system with sat radio, On Star, DVD with wireless headphones. Really liked the rear seating with a large moonroof providing plenty of natural lighting for the rear of the vehicle in addition to the sunroof over the driver's area that includes a roller shade.
The Traverse is a super choice for families looking at upscale SUV's so if you are in the market make sure you check out the Chevy Traverse at Oceancrest in Warrenton.
The Traverse is a super choice for families looking at upscale SUV's so if you are in the market make sure you check out the Chevy Traverse at Oceancrest in Warrenton.
October 12, 2009
The Shape Of Things To Come
What if?
What if the voters in county districts one and five recall their county commissioners?
What if efforts to recall a third commissioner are likewise successful?
What might be the outcome of those actions and what shape would our collective future take as a result?
Since those supporting the recall are fond of using a crystal ball in their campaign to unseat Hazen, Samuelson and, Roberts let's do the same.
Since a successful recall of Hazen and Samuelson would not happen at the same time as a recall for Roberts it is entirely likely that Rohne and Roberts will deadlock on the appointment of successors. Leaving John Raichl the deciding vote. Sorry John. If the Governor becomes involved you can count on him to appoint exactly the wrong people.
Now, I don't bring any of this up to try and convince you that you should vote against the recall. It's just important to put all of this into perspective. In a normal election cycle you would get to pick who sits in that commission seat. In a recall you do not. Few people understand that fact.
By voting in favor of the recalls you place our future outside the voters hands. It's just that simple.
So let's speculate some more.
Let's say the radical Democrats of Clatsop County are successful in this recall. Let's say they also apply pressure in the right places and get their people appointed. What happens then?
Under these circumstances the anti-LNG crowd would finally have exactly what they want and any opportunity to kill either or both projects will result in an end to those.
If they are not extremely careful in how they do that the county could face a lawsuit just like the Port of Astoria is facing. Just millions of dollars larger. I suppose they've already figured out that part. No need to worry. Really. I predict we'll just lose the estimated $8 million a year in tax revenue, the fire tugs, the extra emergency equipment and personnel, the road improvements, and the new commissioners, after getting the county into the red, will end up getting the boot themselves leaving a new commission with the biggest mess in Oregon history. That will happen just as soon as the new commissioners decide to take the next steps in protecting us from ourselves.
LNG is the most public part of the agenda. The next focus will be on all other development.
Unless the deal on the North Coast Business park is firmed up Costco will end up with the biggest parking lot in this part of Oregon because those other businesses will not appear.
Planning on building anything in the unincorporated areas of the county? Good luck.
The upside to all this is that in the end we will be right back where we were in 1981. It will be quiet and the natural environment will begin to take over the scared landscape that was once a vibrant, active community. There will be plenty of empty storefronts that used to be restaurants, hardware, clothing and grocery stores.
The only jobs available will be picketing WalMart.
So go ahead and dismantle county government. After all, this is just shear speculation.
What if the voters in county districts one and five recall their county commissioners?
What if efforts to recall a third commissioner are likewise successful?
What might be the outcome of those actions and what shape would our collective future take as a result?
Since those supporting the recall are fond of using a crystal ball in their campaign to unseat Hazen, Samuelson and, Roberts let's do the same.
Since a successful recall of Hazen and Samuelson would not happen at the same time as a recall for Roberts it is entirely likely that Rohne and Roberts will deadlock on the appointment of successors. Leaving John Raichl the deciding vote. Sorry John. If the Governor becomes involved you can count on him to appoint exactly the wrong people.
Now, I don't bring any of this up to try and convince you that you should vote against the recall. It's just important to put all of this into perspective. In a normal election cycle you would get to pick who sits in that commission seat. In a recall you do not. Few people understand that fact.
By voting in favor of the recalls you place our future outside the voters hands. It's just that simple.
So let's speculate some more.
Let's say the radical Democrats of Clatsop County are successful in this recall. Let's say they also apply pressure in the right places and get their people appointed. What happens then?
Under these circumstances the anti-LNG crowd would finally have exactly what they want and any opportunity to kill either or both projects will result in an end to those.
If they are not extremely careful in how they do that the county could face a lawsuit just like the Port of Astoria is facing. Just millions of dollars larger. I suppose they've already figured out that part. No need to worry. Really. I predict we'll just lose the estimated $8 million a year in tax revenue, the fire tugs, the extra emergency equipment and personnel, the road improvements, and the new commissioners, after getting the county into the red, will end up getting the boot themselves leaving a new commission with the biggest mess in Oregon history. That will happen just as soon as the new commissioners decide to take the next steps in protecting us from ourselves.
LNG is the most public part of the agenda. The next focus will be on all other development.
Unless the deal on the North Coast Business park is firmed up Costco will end up with the biggest parking lot in this part of Oregon because those other businesses will not appear.
Planning on building anything in the unincorporated areas of the county? Good luck.
The upside to all this is that in the end we will be right back where we were in 1981. It will be quiet and the natural environment will begin to take over the scared landscape that was once a vibrant, active community. There will be plenty of empty storefronts that used to be restaurants, hardware, clothing and grocery stores.
The only jobs available will be picketing WalMart.
So go ahead and dismantle county government. After all, this is just shear speculation.
October 09, 2009
It's Time To Act
We depart briefly from the issues of the day today so I can extend you an invitation to come along on our annual listener cruise. We usually take off together in August but in 2010 we found a deal that we just couldn't pass up. Our fourth annual cruise takes off in April to cruise the Islands of Hawaii and then we cruise the Pacific to Vancouver, British Columbia.
The trip is 12 days and the base price is $1949 per person. That includes all transportation, transfers, on-board gratuities for your stateroom staff and dining room staff, the cruise aboard Carnival Spirit includes all meals, inside cabin, an invitation to our private reception aboard and your choice of a cabin credit or a bottle of nice wine delivered to your stateroom.
The itinerary calls for us to fly from PDX to Honolulu where we check in on the ship and then spend the rest of the day on your own on Oahu. The ship departs late afternoon the next day for some island hopping that includes two days on Maui, two days on the Big Island, and we also visit the garden isle, Kauai. Then it's a leisurely cruise across the Pacific to our final port of call, Vancouver B.C. where we board a motor coach for the return to Portland.
Carnival is known for it's entertainment options, excellent service, and a new focus on family-friendly cruising.
Even if you have visited Hawaii frequently in the past this is a whole new way to go about it where you take your hotel, dining, staff, and entertainment options with you to each island at a package price that is unbeatable.
Contact Sundial Travel and Cruise Center 503-325-4484 and talk to Ruth. We have a tighter timeline on booking for this cruise than in the past since we will be going in April rather than
August so please don't delay your decision. Ruth can also help you with cabin upgrades and planning excursions.
The trip is 12 days and the base price is $1949 per person. That includes all transportation, transfers, on-board gratuities for your stateroom staff and dining room staff, the cruise aboard Carnival Spirit includes all meals, inside cabin, an invitation to our private reception aboard and your choice of a cabin credit or a bottle of nice wine delivered to your stateroom.
The itinerary calls for us to fly from PDX to Honolulu where we check in on the ship and then spend the rest of the day on your own on Oahu. The ship departs late afternoon the next day for some island hopping that includes two days on Maui, two days on the Big Island, and we also visit the garden isle, Kauai. Then it's a leisurely cruise across the Pacific to our final port of call, Vancouver B.C. where we board a motor coach for the return to Portland.
Carnival is known for it's entertainment options, excellent service, and a new focus on family-friendly cruising.
Even if you have visited Hawaii frequently in the past this is a whole new way to go about it where you take your hotel, dining, staff, and entertainment options with you to each island at a package price that is unbeatable.
Contact Sundial Travel and Cruise Center 503-325-4484 and talk to Ruth. We have a tighter timeline on booking for this cruise than in the past since we will be going in April rather than
August so please don't delay your decision. Ruth can also help you with cabin upgrades and planning excursions.
October 02, 2009
That's Odd
A listener just brought something to my attention a few minutes ago telling me about an editorial in the local paper yesterday. I read it. Then I read it again just to be sure I didn't miss something.
The local editorial charges that the editorial board of the Oregonian newspaper is for sale. The writer states that the editor of the state's largest newspaper is swayed by the influence of Northwest Natural and the people from Northern Star Natural Gas to write the opinion that the recall of Clatsop County Commissioners is a misuse of the right citizens have to recall elected officials.
The local editorial makes a case that the "real" reason behind the Oregonians lack of support for the recall of three commissioners has more to do with telling Clatsop County residents to just
"shut-up and take it" when it comes to building an LNG terminal here. That's about the best example of yellow journalism since "Remember The Maine!"
This business about outsiders telling us what to do is a hot button on both sides and the local paper chooses to push that button. The local editorial does not attempt to dismantle the well reasoned case made by the Oregonian editorial writer who clearly feels the same way many locals do about this recall. The local paper instead throws around spurious charges and unsubstantiated statements worthy of a grocery store news rack tabloid. It's a little embarrassing.
The local paper is protected by the first amendment to publish what they choose. I would only suggest that they use actual journalists instead of Peter Hutula, to write their positions on issues for them. ( I guess I'm free to make wild charges now too)
The local editorial charges that the editorial board of the Oregonian newspaper is for sale. The writer states that the editor of the state's largest newspaper is swayed by the influence of Northwest Natural and the people from Northern Star Natural Gas to write the opinion that the recall of Clatsop County Commissioners is a misuse of the right citizens have to recall elected officials.
The local editorial makes a case that the "real" reason behind the Oregonians lack of support for the recall of three commissioners has more to do with telling Clatsop County residents to just
"shut-up and take it" when it comes to building an LNG terminal here. That's about the best example of yellow journalism since "Remember The Maine!"
This business about outsiders telling us what to do is a hot button on both sides and the local paper chooses to push that button. The local editorial does not attempt to dismantle the well reasoned case made by the Oregonian editorial writer who clearly feels the same way many locals do about this recall. The local paper instead throws around spurious charges and unsubstantiated statements worthy of a grocery store news rack tabloid. It's a little embarrassing.
The local paper is protected by the first amendment to publish what they choose. I would only suggest that they use actual journalists instead of Peter Hutula, to write their positions on issues for them. ( I guess I'm free to make wild charges now too)
October 01, 2009
EMAIL ME
If you have a comment but would rather send it via email you can do that at tom@kast1370.com
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