Three of our Clatsop County Commissioners seem vitally interested in setting parts of the Clatsop State Forest aside to be forever spared the loggers chain saw. On April 26th the Wild Salmon Center and the Sierra Club held a join organizational meeting at Clatsop Community college to organize local forces with the goal of "decoupling", as they put it, the connection between timber and Clatsop County. My sources say that this meeting was devoted to a plan that would ween timber dependent schools districts, fire departments, county government capital projects...etc from timber dollars. In concert with that effort this group has assigned members to target specific areas of the forest to preserve from cutting entirely. Commissioners Lee and Birkby attended that meeting and Commissioner Hutuala came and went I suppose to prevent a quorum being present.
It is curious that at the public hearing on the following May 11th where the commission took all that testimony from 50 speakers neither Birby, nor Lee , or Hutuala for that matter, admitted to any exparte contacts. One would think attending a meeting aimed at limiting logging would qualify.
To be fair, I would expect commissioners to make an effort to listen to all sides. If that was the case here then fine. Not declaring the contact is troubling. Not discussing what they heard and how it might affect the decision they were about to make suggests it was secretive.
My source tells me that comments made at the hearing by Commissioners Lee and Birkby echoed those made by representatives of the Wild Salmon Center and Sierra Club at that meeting. That is just plain damning evidence by itself.
The difference between a commissioner attending a meeting elsewhere and the county commission meeting is a matter of the record. Minutes of commission meetings are kept and the audio from those meetings is posted on line for anyone to hear. This is the point that Commissioner Patricia Roberts has attempted to make several times in asking her fellow commissioners to publicly discuss these matters in open session so that there is a record. It is not that the commissioners should not be free to gather information as they will.
The idea that Clatsop County should divorce itself from dependence on the forest defies logic and removes a vital revenue source that could only be replaced by such high taxes, or such impoverished services that few could live here, much less thrive.
Good one, Mr. Freel!!! Your's is an important and true voice in these troubling times. Say it loud and proud as often as you can. Hopefully, the people will wake up around here and some semblance of sanity will return to County Government before these kooks ruin us all.
ReplyDeleteDid the commissioners attend this meeting??
ReplyDeleteIf so does this have implication in public meeting laws??
Was it advertised??
Open to the public in or on a college property?? If the college is in bed with this maneuver its time to run the leaders out of town.
Socialism along with activism is destroying this county and country.
Are people this stupid to think all the will work.
Look at what we have become.
Many warned us this would take place but most laughed it off.
I am one who would support removal of these loose cannons who call themselves the change. Yeah the change - sound familiar to anyone?
Everyone should attend a meeting or check www.northcoastoregon.com for the video feed, they will find it hard to believe who their representatives are, their lack of experience, and disrespect for the honor of the office they now hold, and those of us they supposedly represent. Lies got them into office, the truth will get them out, many of us hope it will not be too late!
ReplyDeletePotential ethics violations are complaint driven through the Oregon Government Ethics Commission if my memory serves me correct.
ReplyDeleteThe "Guide for Public Officials" is posted on their website. http://www.oregon.gov/OGEC/
If there is evidence suggesting that ethics violations may have occurred, has a complaint been filed?
Ultimately, I think it comes down to someone formally filing a complaint. Any subsequent investigation follows its own course.
These people are bent on distroying our county and our country and the people in it that don't agree with them. I just don't understand the mentality of people who blindly follow idealoges that don't care what happens to their fellow citizens. No wonder our country is becoming so polorized and people are becoming so angry.
ReplyDeleteThese commissioners need to be recalled! Gotten out of office before they can do any further damage!