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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 Let’s not go quietly T he corporations don’t care about us. They have all the money and time in the world. They don’t get tired. They don’t have to sleep. They don’t run out of steam. They own legislatures. They make their own laws. They own the executive branch. The gov- ernment bails them out when they fail. They don’t go to jail. They own the courts. They bought and paid for the Su- preme Law of the Land. They claim that they are people, too. People who don’t eat, don’t drink and don’t breathe. They never die. They don’t repro- duce. They could care less about the planet that we leave to our grandchildren. They have all the time in the world. They never go away or concede defeat. They know that they win by just one little step at a time. :KR SUR¿WV LQ WKH /RZHU &ROXPELDIURPOLTXH¿HGQDWXUDO gas plants and pipelines? The corporations don’t live here. The LNG comes from Canada and will go overseas. They don’t have to give The Daily Astorian any statement. They have no conscience. They don’t need our FRQVHQW7KH\DUH¿[LQ¶WRGRH[- actly what they want to. Who in the Lower Columbia SUR¿WV IURP /1* SODQWV DQG pipelines? Follow the money. It sometimes spills too. Politi- cians, planners and their new owners who approve these riv- erfront schemes think we forget. We remember Nov. 8, 2010, when the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners hustled through its approval of the LNG pipeline without any emergency UHVSRQVHSODQEDVHGXSRQ¿QG- ings prepared by LNG (despite the LNG’s attorney’s earlier ad- mission on Oct. 27 that he had misled the board). All the while, the board expressly avoided any further public testimony. But let us not forget our lone voices in the wilderness either. Thank you, Dirk Rohne and Drew Herzig. When is enough, enough? The choices are clear. We can wallow in helpless apathy, alone and afraid at the end of the earth, or we can all get mad at what they are doing to our planet, and stand up peacefully together against them. It is getting late. It has to start somewhere. Wear a little red. We will see each other around. We the people have done it be- fore. DANI WILLIAMS, ESQ. Astoria FRIDAY EXCHANGE The end of racism begins at home O ur neighbor to the east, Clatskanie, is like most towns, divided. Ex-Chief of Police Marvin Hoover has given a black eye to the city by his ranting, raving and show of disrespectful and blatant bigotry ZKLOHRQGXW\\HWLWLVWKHRI¿FHUVZKRLQ- formed the city of his racist remarks who WRGD\IHDU IRUWKHLUVDIHW\³2I¿FHU VD\V complaint triggered retaliation,” The Dai- ly Astorian, Sept. 10). The punishment for the chief? He retired, ending the investigation, has re- ceived a bonus and a glowing public state- ment in the local newspaper by Clatskanie Mayor Diane Pohl. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around this — I want to believe that only those raised in a cave would demonstrate this kind of limited thinking and behav- ior, and yet this was the chief of police, a public man, a man who defends the city, who looks out for us. Surely he knows that opening our eyes to different cultures, languages and heritage will make us rich- HUSHRSOHULJKW"+HNQRZV¿UVWKDQGWKDW color doesn’t dictate who we are? Sadly, racism isn’t born in public, it is well seeded at home before it ever sees the light of day. Similar to brainwashing, these smart people do stupid things pub- licly because they think their opinion is shared by all. That you also think people are lesser because of their color, heritage, language or gender, and therefore support the idea that they don’t deserve the same privileges in life you do. What a crock. The good news is we can all lead the way to change. We can shape what our children learn at home. Talk with them, tonight, about right and wrong. Share the story of the Claskanie Police to help em- phasize it. Talk about racism and equal- ity. /DVWO\ ZKHQ \RX VHH RI¿FHUV $OH[ Stone or Zack Gibson thank them for coming forward. Their outcomes so far have not been pleasant, but they were right WRVSHDNXS:HZLOODOOEHQH¿WIURPWKHLU courage. NANCY ROSS Astoria of lung and breast cancers. Is WKLVEXUGHQRILOOQHVVDEHQH¿WWR society? Oregon LNG also under- states the negative impacts of light and noise pollution at the LNG terminal. These terminals will operate around the clock, lighting the night sky as part of their 24-hour surveillance re- quirements and creating loud noises as they convert natural gas into LNG. Noise exposure causes cardiovascular disease, including increased blood pres- sure, arrhythmias, stroke and ischemic heart disease; cog- nitive impairment in children; sleep disturbance and resultant fatigue, hypertension, and in- creased rates of accidents and injuries; and exacerbation of mental health disorders. The siting of the proposed gas pipelines are threats to public safety due to corrosion, HTXLSPHQWIDLOXUHDQGÀRRGLQJ The proposed LNG facility and gas pipelines would be located in areas of Oregon predicted, during the lifetime of the pro- posed facilities, to suffer the most destructive seismic event and tsunami in U.S. history. Who will be available and ca- pable of responding to an emer- gency of this type and scope? For the health of our commu- nities, we say no Oregon LNG. DR. THEODORA TSONGAS Portland ing to consider, isn’t it? Rally members care If you are concerned, as you hank you, city of Astoria for should be, attend the Federal his is in response to Jason another great service fair. So Energy Regulatory Commission Kost’s letter, “Black Lives many fun things for children to (FERC) public hearing set for Matter” (The Daily Astorian, experience — adults, as well. Monday at the Clatsop County Sept. 11). I will not rise to the The employees who rep- Fairgrounds. Two sessions are bait of defending city Councilor resented various departments available for you to speak up Drew Herzig from such vitriolic were awesome. The Public or submit your thoughts on what defamation, although I am sur- Works people had great props WKLVPHDQVIRUWUDI¿FFRQJHVWLRQ prised that The Daily Astorian and pictures. They were happy for Astoria to Warrenton, as the published this personal attack, to talk about their jobs, and how building gets under way, for and at such extraordinary length things work, and why. I learned corporate greed to devastate our — isn’t there a word limit? a lot, and have appreciation for coastal towns. I am writing as a participant the work these men and women Not to mention other im- in the Black Lives Matter rally. do. We are lucky to have these portant issues like public safety About half of the marchers, in- employees. if there is a breach in security, cluding myself, were from the Thank you all. And yes, the jeopardizing salmon runs, pol- congregation of Grace Episco- hot dogs and snacks were really lution, etc. I would think ev- SDO&KXUFKHDVLO\LGHQWL¿HGE\ good. ery business owner in Astoria our church banner. The Rev. Faulty information DIANE FINUCANE would be wanting to avoid this /DQFH 3HHOHU VSRNH EULHÀ\ DV Here is your chance was disappointed to read the Astoria WUDI¿FQLJKWPDUH²VHHPVOLNH well. ave you ever wanted to tell article “Ranchers criticize We were, and are, not part of it would cut down on people the government what you shopping in downtown Astoria. a “movement,” but marched in IRUHVWPDQDJHPHQW¿UH¿JKWLQJ think? Well, now is your chance. Avian help, research Now is the time, don’t protest and compassion for so tactics” (Capital Press, Sept. 7). hank you for the thoughtful be shy. Come one, come all, many black lives snuffed out in There were a lot of quotes from Don’t miss it. editorial on seabirds (“All it’s fair. And it is at the fair- our country, and in grief over the ranchers and very few from any- The Federal Energy Regula- tory Commission (FERC) will eyes on the canaries,” The Daily grounds from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. massacre at the African Meth- RQHZLWKH[SHULHQFHLQZLOG¿UH hold a meeting at the Clatsop Astorian, Sept. 3) and your ap- Monday. It promises to be en- odist Episcopal (AME) church ecology and behavior — a rath- County Fairgrounds on Mon- preciation of the Wildlife Cen- tertaining as they try to bluff us in Charleston, S.C., as we also er biased selection of quotes. day, Sept. 21, to hear testimo- ter of the North Coast’s efforts into thinking about jobs as the pray for the slain, and their as- Had the reporters bothered WR FRQVXOW D ¿UH HFRORJ\ VSH- ny about the proposed Oregon to care for injured and starving reason for building LNG tanks sailant. LNG export/import terminal at birds. Seabirds comprise the in Warrenton, when all we have Peace be with you, Mr. Kost. cialist, the story might have Warrenton. There will be two majority of patients at the center. to do is follow the money, right KARIN TEMPLE had a different spin. Under cer- In addition to assisting de- up to the stockholders who ha- sessions: 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 Astoria tain conditions of drought, high temperatures, low humidity and p.m. Each person wanting to tes- bilitated individuals, the center ven’t even heard of Astoria or high winds, one cannot stop tify will probably get the usual serves as a node for the type of Warrenton. LNG bad for health ZLOG¿UHV,¶YHVHHQZLQGEORZQ three minutes to have their say, research and monitoring that the Come on folks, this is a de- regon Physicians for Social ¿UHVURDUDFURVVRQHLQFKJUDVV editorial pointed out is needed. so make it count. mocracy, this is our commu- Responsibility has deep VWXEEOH :H FDQQRW ¿UHSURRI D Carefully kept seabird in- nity. Time to vote no, loud and If you aren’t sure what you could say, please don’t stay WDNHUHFRUGVUHÀHFWYDULDWLRQLQ clear. Be there, tell FERC this is concerns about the potentially forest — and it’s delusional to ocean conditions, human im- not wanted, not needed. Exit devastating, direct and indirect suggest it. home. Here are some points: impacts of the proposed Oregon The real culprit in losses If you are from the Lower pacts, and trends over time. The LNG. Columbia area, you could talk center also provides carcasses LAREE JOHNSON LNG project for local residents are private property owners. Research has shown that re- about the proposed location — of non-surviving birds to sci- Astoria and communities. Oregon LNG understates the GXFLQJWKHÀDPPDELOLW\RIWKH right on a major earthquake/ HQWL¿F LQYHVWLJDWRUV DURXQG WKH impacts of air pollution from the home ignition zone (no more tsunami zone on the beach of country. Information on plastic Sweep the roads terminal and tankers. This proj- than 200 feet out) is all that is the Skipanon Peninsula dredge ingestion, harmful algal blooms, s an avid bicyclist who ect would degrade air quality at needed to preclude most home spoils, with a water table level and seabird diet has been gained rides in Astoria almost dai- the terminal and in surrounding ¿UHORVVHV through these contributions. of only six feet deep. Numerous review studies The underlying theme of ly, I must comment on the ex- communities. LNG operations When Clatsop County got a chance to vote on the proposed all the center’s facets is to en- cessive amount of wood chips, emit air pollutants including have documented that thinning pipeline that supplies the termi- courage children and adults to glass, rocks, and other detritus diesel emissions, carbon mon- the forest does not work to pre- with gas (some of it Canadi- keep compassion and empathy that line the bike lanes on Ma- oxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur FOXGH VORZ RU KDOW ¿UHV XQGHU Climate policy now nal in their personal lives; to take rine Drive and the New Youngs oxides, and polycyclic aromat- VHYHUH ¿UH ZHDWKHU FRQGLWLRQV an), they voted 67 percent no. want to thank my represen- ic hydrocarbons from process as were experienced during the If you are from Warrenton, a moment to practice kindness Bay Bridge. tative, Rob Nosse, for partic- I’m guessing you don’t want towards another life and respect I called the Oregon Depart- equipment, diesel generators Canyon Fire by John Day and ipating in the Oregon Climate your home or business insur- all life on earth. ment of Transportation months and pumps, tankers, harbor tugs many other large blazes this summer. Fall Kickoff last week. He wrote ance rates to go up because We are grateful for the tre- ago to request that the state and support vehicles. Grazing grasses to stubble, a haiku to highlight the need you suddenly live in a blast mendous efforts of our volun- roads be swept, but I don’t think LNG tankers, some 125 to act on climate change. The zone. Warrenton is already try- teers and continued support any sweeping has occurred in per year, and the security ves- even if it were effective — event featured broad efforts of ing to challenge the new Fed- from the community, and will response. Why? With all the sels that accompany them, are which it is not — would have local environmental enthusiasts; eral Emergency Management continue to help keep an eye on bicyclist visitors and tourists to required to run their engines numerous collateral damages. from sixth graders who started $JHQF\ )(0$ ÀRRG PDSV the marine canaries. this area, the impediments to during the entire cargo loading Loss of forage and hiding cover the climate-based “Two Green for the same insurance reasons SHARNELLE FEE safe and friendly bicycling are cycle. Diesel exhaust particu- for wildlife, compaction of soils, Leaves” blog, to six Oregon — rates possibly going up. It late matter is associated with damage to riparian areas, pollu- Executive director, Wildlife surely a deterrent. legislators who have supported might make a person wonder To those who say bicyclists impaired pulmonary develop- tion of water, spread of weeds, Center of the North Coast progressive climate legislation. DEBORAH JAQUES should share in the cost of main- ment in adolescents; increased and so on. what could happen if they live, The Cap and Dividend bill or have a business, in both the Taken together, livestock are 3DFL¿F(FR/RJLF tenance, I reply, “I already pay cardiopulmonary and all-cause proposal in Oregon is gaining ÀRRGDQGEODVW]RQHV PRUWDOLW\ SXOPRQDU\ LQÀDP- the single biggest factor degrad- Astoria taxes as a motorist.” PRPHQWXPEHFDXVHRIEHQH¿WV Please don’t double dip. mation; increased severity and LQJ RXU SXEOLF ODQGV :LOG¿UHV If you are from Astoria, I to the environment and Orego- doubt you want to add hundreds Routine maintenance is all frequency of asthma attacks, do not destroy the forest, they nians alike. Higher carbon costs and hundreds of trucks trans- $ZIXO/1*WUDI¿F I’m asking for. I make a call to emergency room visits, and rejuvenate them. That should be as anyone caught in ODOT once a year, and sweep- hospital admissions in children; the message if it were based on have historically reduced the use porting construction materials WUDI¿F 6XQGD\ ZLWK WKH ing usually takes place, but it increased rates of heart attack in science, not the ill-informed and of carbon-based fuels, which from the proposed staging area is essential for stabilizing the at Tongue Point, through down- recent End of the World Rod doesn’t look like it has occurred adults; increased risk of stroke; self-serving opinions of ranch- global climate. By distributing town Astoria, and over to the Run, and all the cool vintage this time around. increased neurodevelopmental ers. GEORGE WUERTHNER carbon tax revenue, utility bills Skipanon, for the four-year con- cars from Long Beach, Wash? JEFFREY NELSON disorders including autism and Bend could be reduced for most Ore- struction period, especially after How about Hood to Coast, As- Astoria lowered IQ; and increased risks gonians. WKHLQFUHDVHLQWUDI¿FFRQJHVWLRQ toria Regatta, Fourth of July or Join us this fall to encourage Astoria experienced this past any of the many other events staged on the coast, not to legislators that the time to enact summer. Yikes. strong climate policy is now. ,I\RXDUHDFRPPHUFLDO¿VK- mention just a regular summer JEFFREY DAVIS erman, Oregon LNG’s proposal day this past season? We are Portland to dredge 1.2 million cubic yards on the map, and we better start DFUHVRIFULWLFDO¿VKKDE- thinking about an exit strategy. How about emergency ve- itat, right beside the Skipanon, The people say no! for a ship turning basin, isn’t go- hicles trying to get through o the city of Warrenton re- ing to help. You have been hurt with, say, 486 heavy truck trips JDUGLQJWKHOLTXH¿HGQDWXUDO too much already. and 812 personnel vehicle/light gas (LNG) permit (“Warrenton The $22 billion of annual duty truck trips per day that staff gives OK to LNG permits,” commerce on the Columbia Oregon LNG says it will use The Daily Astorian, Sept. 1): River will be interrupted by the WRFRQVWUXFWWKH¿UVWPLOHVRI I am a native of this town, 500-yard security zones around the pipeline for Oregon LNG born across the street from the the proposed 125 tankers per proposed in Warrenton? Warrenton Grade School foot- year. Imagine the negative im- Oh, by the way, how do they EDOO¿HOGRQ1LQWK6WUHHW,KDYH pact that could have on jobs get LNG to the Warrenton facil- lived here my entire life of 78 throughout the Columbia River ity? It will take 36-inch diameter Entry-level Customer Service Representative years. I wish to stay here, but if basin. pipelines built through Clatsop this plant is built I will have to If you breathe air anywhere, County, using a staging and for The Daily Astorian’s circulation department. A can-do attitude and move elsewhere. especially in the Lower Colum- storage site at Tongue Point, as willingness to learn are necessary. You will help customers in person, When I was in my teen bia area, why would you want stated from the Oregon LNG by phone and through email, plus do data-entry and create reports. years, I used to duck hunt at the 2.6 billion tons of carbon diox- Draft Environmental Impact This position is also a back-up driver, delivering products as needed. location of the proposed LNG ide, plus methane gas, released Statement (DEIS), Volume II, Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and be willing to learn to drive a construction site. I had to wear annually into the atmosphere? Appendix E1, from page 4-307. delivery van. Driving and criminal background checks will be completed hip boots, because at high tide The map indicates the stag- There are so many more rea- pre-hire. Hours are generally 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. the water would rise from the sons this project is a really bad ing area for a contractor and Columbia River and Youngs idea for this area we call our pipe storage yard will be Tongue Benefits include paid time off (PTO), insurances and a Bay almost all the way to the home, but I’ll leave that to you. Point. The company proposes its 401(k)/Roth 401(k) retirement plan. Skipanon River dike. The site is Oh, by the way, if you have a vehicles will travel through town Send resume and letter of interest to not stable for this project. over the Youngs Bay Bridge on red shirt, please wear it. EO Media Group, PO Box 2048, Salem, OR 97308-2048, Skip Urling, the planning CARL DOMINEY U.S. Highway 101 or the narrow by fax to 503-371-2935 or e-mail to:hr@eomediagroup.com director who wants this project, Astoria Oregon Highway 202. Interest- did not come from this area and knows nothing about the histo- ry of the land here. He has no doubt spent time in college, and was taught or received a degree in planning. He learned how to plan, but the college did not teach him the most important thing that goes with a degree, and that is pure common sense. The city made a big mistake in choosing an outsider for the job to plan for the city’s best interests. This is not the right choice. Remember: To the peo- ple, for the people, and by the people. JIM CULP SR. Warrenton Great service fair 5A T I H T O A I W T T