It might seem to some listeners that we spend entirely too much time covering LNG issues on the radio. I can understand that. We're all getting a little tired of it. I was very glad to see the county commission decide to hold a limited hearing in March to go over the consolidated land use application for the Oregon Pipeline LLC project. Even the major opponent stated there has been more than enough evidence gathered and sees no reason to gather more.
The issue that I didn't see coming was this bias challenge that Oregon Pipeline filed with the county this week. It's really the most obvious move they could make. The company claims that LNG was the key issue that swept the standing commissioners out the door and brought three fresh faces on board the commission. Starting with that supposition the company says there was a concerted effort to convince the previous board to delay making a decision on the consolidated application and let the new commissioners and hold-overs Dirk Rohne and Patricia Roberts make the decision. The company says that because Huhtala had direct connections to Riverkeeper and the Columbia River Business Alliance he should recuse himself now. The company claims that Birkby and Lee campaigned on the strength of their anti-LNG stance and should recuse as well.
I may not agree with the tactics used by Riverkeeper supporters (they are just plain rude) and I may not agree with those who claim science fiction is fact but I do respect how these commissioners handled this challenge publicly in answering each question in the challenge in open session. They didn't have to do that.
Now we come to the important part. Having gone on the record as having no bias against the Oregon Pipeline LLC project they really need to make absolutely sure they "walk the walk", otherwise they could face a state ethics investigation. Serious stuff. It would help if the commissioners would make public the reason for bringing the land use application back for review in the nick of time. They won't do that so I'm afraid there will always be a question as to motivation.
As usual the newbies have made promises they won't keep...too often pie eyed candidates think they will bring new and fresh wisdom to a board...when in fact they find out...facts are facts and systems are in place and if you are unbiased and lawful... You most likely will come to the same conclusions as your predecessors. If a person wants to make real changes ....stop massaging and bending perspective to fit your biases and work to change laws that allow things they are against. It's way more honest that way. If you think these newbies are going to walk the walk....I would be very surprised.
ReplyDeleteThey simply have to do one thing Lisa and I think you, of all people, know that and that is...Serve in the trust of the citizens of Clatsop County, in the doing of their "Public Business" and leave "Politics" at the front door of "The Guy Boyington Building".
ReplyDeleteIt's up to us to make sure that happens.
On the subject of "Bias" and Freel's point here, I don't think many of us around here could pass muster on many issues. The real question is...Are the incumbents willing to set their personal views and agendas aside and work completely in the interests of all of us? With the exception of one, I think this Commission is more than capable of doing that but, if they do not and as recent history has shown us, we have the power to change that don't we?
McGee says:
ReplyDelete“I think this Commission is more than capable of doing that but, if they do not and as recent history has shown us, we have the power to change that don't we?”
Let them run with trust but if they stumble we can petition and vote them out as we did the others?
What a hypocritical statement Mr. McGee.
They have been in bed with the anti everything groups and now are crawling out promising we can make decision without any bias.
How many behind the green door meetings have they held?
How many forces have given them marching instructions and guidance?
Who’s really running the railroad?
Sorry I can’t believe they can be non political.
These people are puppets for Foster and Vanderheuval, and probably the DA, period, they don't even hide it. They scripted Rohne, now they have three more. They will do what they have been put there to do, stop economic growth, stop logging and the almighty evil lng, all under the advice of legal counsel via the rivercreepers. I was told Birkby compared squirrels eating all the "nuts" they had saved before winter, to logging trees, now there's some serious analytical thinkin'!
ReplyDeleteSo "Ron", "Anonymous", you want to put a few facts with the speculation, conjecture, hearsay and accusations to just balance things out a bit?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you are privy to some information were haven't seen yet.
Share it with us would you?
I'd like to hear it.
Maybe all the Commission meetings early-on and the apparent transparency and candidness and seeming honesty of the new commissioners are just a ruse to distract us... you think?
Hey, clearly the anti LNG nuts are loud and memorable. They likely pay for advertising. Having the media give them attention is understandable. Giving them credence is not.
ReplyDeleteMcGee: Why share it you never listen. Just read Carrie’s articles that are point on.
ReplyDeleteSorry “Charlie."
Straight from Commissioner Huhtala's blog, I think it's called sequiters & nonsense: (In the end, as Riverkeeper Brent Foster said, "Every one of these projects will be stopped." There's a new sheriff in town, and this tough cop wears the face of all who care about the environmental, economic and cultural future of Oregon. Display your badge with pride!) Just sayin' anyway ya look at it this guy is COMPLETELY BIAS!!! and by the way, I thought our Sheriff was named Bergin.
ReplyDeleteFrom Willamette Week 09/29./2005 at 10:00 AM
ReplyDeleteFrom Willamette Week Article: Welcome To Gastoria
Readers Reply To Article
LNG is welcome in Warrenton The majority of people that I have spoken with in Warrenton are in favor of the Calpine proposal to locate a LNG facility here. We have seen the decline of jobs in the fishing and wood products industry. The economic impact of having a facility that provides family wage jobs is tremendous for our town of just over 4200 people. Warrenton has long been business friendly and we welcome the addition of this facility. LNG has been safely handled for decades. One should not be influenced by the opponents "the sky is falling" arguments that siting a facility here will result in a fiery inferno. As with other industries, there are risks. However, modern day engineering provides for facilities that are designed to be safe. Controls are in place to ensure the safety of the facility and the area surrounding it. Others will accuse me of being a "paid lackey" for Calpine, but I am just a concerned citizen looking to the future economic well being of our town.—Jeff Hazen. (To my knowledge, Ex-Commissioner Hazen never, once, metioned this clear Bias on his part well before his taking office.)
From ORESTAR:442190 10/10/2008 Original Committee to Elect Patricia Roberts (12810) Ken Leahy Cash Contribution $1,000.00(Ken Leahy was/is owner of Bradwood Landing and stood to gain greatly, monetarilry, should that LNG project get approval)
From ORESTAR:781130 05/10/2010 Original Friends of Jeff (13869) Committee for County Prosperity (13954) In-Kind Contribution $500.00
781132 05/03/2010 Original Friends of Jeff (13869) Committee for County Prosperity (13954) In-Kind Contribution $500.00(Committee For County Prosperity was/is a Political Action Committee formed specifically to support the campaign against the Recall of Ann Samuelson, Jeff Hazen and Patricia Roberts with approx. $11,000 in contributions from Bradwood Landing(Ken Leahy) and approx. $12,000 in contributions fron "North Coast Retail", the developers of the new Costco at the time and of which Mr. Leahy's Company had a big juicy contract with?)
Bias?
Conflict of Interest?
Ethics Violation?
Just plain "Greed" and "Bad judgement and "Palm Greasing?
Should we insist that Ms. Roberts recuse herself as well?