I'm kinda wondering what the planning commission finally will recommend. I just could not sit through the entire deliberation; kudos to you who did. In any event this LNG thing goes to the Clatsop County Commission for their preference. That may be a good thing...
What! Has Huhtala gone mad?
Hey, back off, I have my reasons to expect the appropriate action from our elected officials. First, I seriously doubt that they are subject to bribery. Second, they are generally very responsive to protecting the interests of businesses and property owners in this county. Allowing this industry in our vicinity is clearly a huge step backward for our economy. I also think that the Commissioners care about the negative cash flow the Clatsop County govenment should expect from doing business with these un-persuasive speculators.
Okay, maybe I'm wrong to trust in the good sense of the Commissioners. In that case this still goes to the Land Use Board of Appeals, and probably beyond. The measured and sensible recommendations of County staff will factor very favorably for sending these cats back to Houston.
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3 comments:
No, Peter, our elected officials are not subject to bribery, even IF NorthernStar were stupid enough to try it, which they WOULDN'T.
The people at NorthernStar are professionals...who aren't about to jeopardize their approval by doing ANYTHING that isn't above-board, regardless of what anyone thinks.
Oh, and nice pic from the previous post, although there wasn't a podium at the July hearings, so I guess you just went and found a "speaking" photo that was becoming so you'd look good.
Too bad you have to stretch like that. You are a nice guy on your own...don't use an erroneous photo to try to make yourself look more important.
Thank you for writing. At least we agree that bribery is probably not afoot. Many others disagree. I stand by my assessment that our county commissioners will look to the interests of existing local businesses, as well as to fiscal consequences for Clatsop County.
Sure, the face of Northern Star is pleasant and perhaps even professional. But doesn't Matlin Patterson still own a controlling interest? In any event, should these folks make it through permitting and legal challenges, eventually we should expect an assignment of interest to a real player that can hook up the contracts and actually build one of these things- Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, and the like.
But that's all hypothetical, because in my opinion this will never progress to the point where a major energy company would be interested in an assignment.
I'm pleased that you thought the photo made me look good. I did just as you suspected, although I intended no subterfuge. I just dug up a photo for fun and to add some visual interest to the blog. The picture was from a talk I gave when Julian Darley ("High Noon for Natural Gas") was in town.
But then again the Clatsop County Commission may have tipped their hand in a June 27, 2007, decision. From the miutes: "Appointments to Planning Commission:
Derickson told the Board there are currently two vacancies on the Planning Commission.
Roberts asked that they postpone until after the Bradwood Landing hearings. Lee said he thinks the new planning commissioners need to be in on the total process including the Bradwood hearing. Roberts made and Patrick seconded a motion to postpone appointments until after the Bradwood Landing hearings. Motion failed 3-2 with Lee, Hazen and Samuleson voting nay. Patrick made and Hazen seconded a motion to appoint Mike Autio to the Planning Commission. Motion was approved 4-1 with Roberts voting nay. Roberts moved and Samuelson seconded a motion to appoint Bill Harris to the planning commission for a second term. Motion was approved 4-1 with Patrick voting nay."
Autio was the key persuader and a deciding vote on the land use decision. We've also heard that he has displayed a pro-Bradwood, pro-lng sign in his yard. But, hey folks, we're talking Brownsmead, where all sorts of found objects become lawn art. (Throw now, I'm ducking.)
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