I just got this from Joni Marcks
Joni is a local who ran the office in Astoria for Bradwood Landing for years. It's worthy of a re-print here.
What we will all lose...
In all of the pro and con letters to the editor I've seen since Bradwood closed up shop, I notice there's not been much said about what our community will lose. Many people might not realize that Bradwood Landing contributed more than $100,000 per year to arts, kids, senior programs, the needy, and sponsorships for community events locally and regionally.
Some were major contributions of $5,000 or more, but often, Bradwood helped groups at a time they needed help. We made thousands of free photo copies for events. I offered free notary services. And, Pete Hackett used his carpentry skills practically every week. Here are just a few organizations and events will no longer get the help they so desperately need:
CASA
The Lighthouse for Kids
United Way
Columbia Memorial Hospital Foundation
Food Banks in Clatsop, Pacific and Columbia Counties
The Scandinavian Festival
Astoria Regatta
Astoria Music Festival
Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, which includes all of the events they produce, such as the Crab Festival, Great Columbia Crossing, etc.
Astoria Warrenton Kiwanis Club
Astoria Rotary
The Wishing Tree and other Thanksgiving & Christmas programs for the needy
Clatskanie Kiwanis Club
Turning Point Community Center, Clatskanie
Local sports teams
Clatsop County Fair and Rodeo
Loaves & Fishes
Port of Play
After the hurricane of 2007, Bradwood started the "Christmas Wishes" program with $20,000, partnering with New Northwest Broadcasters. Over the life of the program, $50,000 was given to very needy families. Many of the gifts came directly from our employees. I could paper a wall with the thank you notes and tears of joy.
Bradwood never felt that they were "buying" their way into the community. When we could help someone, we did. Pete and I volunteered hundreds of hours to make our community a better place. Over the last 5 years, I am proud to say our company made a difference.
The people opposed to LNG are cheering these days...but when all is said and done, many of our local non-profits will be hurting. And that's what is very sad. I would encourage everyone to please dig deep and give what you can to our local non-profits to help make up for the money they will no longer be getting from Bradwood Landing. And, to the anti LNG group, your work is not done; I challenge you to turn your energy and money into efforts that support these local groups.
Thanks Tom...I should clarify that Pete actually RAN the office, but I was honored to be his assistant during the time I was there.
ReplyDeleteClatsop County will continue it's industrial decline, won't have a chance at much needed added tax revenue, and charities will suffer.
ReplyDeleteBut look at the bright side - At least we won't have to put up with imported natural gas. You know, that stuff that explodes and causes widespread death and destruction.
Brought to you by Nutcases for a better Oregon.
No attempt here to be insensitive to Joni's commitment of service to Northen Star Natural Gas during their tumultuos tenure in this community but, I find it very insulting to all those groups and individuals that have supported all those same groups for years before NSNG/BWL came here and will continue to do so long after this private Energy Speculator is a vague memory and in no way deserve a vague mention as if NSNG/BWL was the cure-all for all the ills of the Lower Columbia River which many believe was in no way close.
ReplyDeleteWe must remember, NSNG/Bradwood Landing were the victims of their own doing in the end and the simple fact that there was/is truly, at this point in history, no need for the process, especially here.
Fortunately for Joni, Peter and the rest, locally involved with that company, they will still be treated with the respect they deserve as hard working members and stakeholders of this community and there psersonal contributions very much appreciated as well, I am sure.
This is a classy letter from Joni Marcks, and I hope her sincerity is not lost on those who opposed this project. The advertisements that Bradwood ran over the past few years listing some of the many benefits from the project were it completed were probably looked upon by the opposition as just one-sided bragging or empty promises, but people like Joni, who were hired by Bradwood, were a lot more than the hot air that so easily flowed from so many (not all) of the opposition. So, her challenge to those who won this economic battle is a real one, and I hope that they dig deep into THEIR OWN pockets to help those in need rather than what I suspect is likely to be their donation of choice: calling their preferred politicians to send more federal and state money in the ever expanding process of redistribution of private wealth by those who are so generous with other people's assets.
ReplyDeleteNice idea, but it will be a cold day in hell before any of the anti everything including LNG people do anything positive. We should hope Roger, the Loris, Patrick, Jan, Steve and the rest are proud of themselves.
ReplyDeleteJoni-
ReplyDeleteThe person who knows where everything is IS the person who actually runs the office...No disrepect to Pete but I'm sure he'd say the same thing :)
I want to personally thank both of you for the great relationship we had with Bradwood. A very good bunch of people.
And the same respect as members of this great community applies to every member of NNB's local community work force as well in the trials that confront them now.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, we are all truly in the same boat in a place that challenges our survival every day and there truly is no place for bitterness towards anybody that tries to make an hojnest living to survive here.
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that your first thought about my letter was that we thought we were a "cure all", and that I was diminishing ongoing efforts by other groups.
As a Kiwanian and former member of Regatta, I know first-hand of all of the hard working people around here who fund raise, and who will continue to.
Thank you to those that saw the sincerity I tried to convey.
And I appreciated your efforts at Battle of The Bands as well and continued success with that project Joni. We have so few opportunities to display the vast reserve of talent here and what great potential this event provides.
ReplyDeleteJoni,
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to write it down. This community has been put through alot in the last few years, some personally attacked by our local paper in ways I've never seen in my lifetime here. Very sad for this community overall I think, truth seems to be useless putty to some. You wrote truth here, and it was from the heart, I really appreciate you, Pete, and all the others as well. Take special care.
Ah, isn't Patrick McGee now the kind hearted, sympathetic boon to all human kind! Too bad it took him so long to turn 180 degrees. Now, as to his community involvement, let's list the many things he contributes.
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Pat, Ann...thank you both for your comments.
ReplyDeleteI had also sent this letter to every local paper in the area. Sadly, so far I've only received a call from one of them, but haven't seen it in print yet.
Thank you to Coastwatch and NorthCoastOregon for posting it!
Tom that letter reads like it is written by an
ReplyDeleteEnron groupie. I wonder what she lost.
Thomas said...
ReplyDeleteAh, isn't Patrick McGee now the kind hearted, sympathetic boon to all human kind! Too bad it took him so long to turn 180 degrees. Now, as to his community involvement, let's list the many things he contributes.
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12:53 PM
You mean unpaid service to the benefit of the community overall?
Why, I'm doing it right now "Thomas", You?