Blog Archives - Coos County Watchdog

SCOTUS---The American Police State

2/28/2013

Hey Folks,

The decisions made by the Supreme Court will force consequenses on the people of Coos County, so that is why I include this info in the blog. Please read the article below and decide for yourself if The Supreme's are trying to out-do each other with Nanny Statism.....Rob T.

The U.S. Supreme Court: Architects of the American
Police State
February 26, 2013

in Front Page, Government

In the police state being erected around us, the police can probe, poke, pinch, taser, search, seize, strip and generally manhandle anyone they see fit in almost any circumstance, all with the general blessing of the courts. Making matters worse, however, police dogs—cute, furry, tail-wagging mascots with a
badge—have now been elevated to the ranks of inerrant, infallible sanctimonious accusers with the power of the state behind them. This is largely due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Florida v. Harris, in which a unanimous Court declared roadside stops to be Constitution-free zones where
police may search our vehicles based upon a hunch and the presence of a frisky canine.

Related Posts:
SCOTUS---Farmer vs. Monsanto
SCOTUS---Dog's sniff was up to snuff
Oregon Supreme Court decided to erode more of the 4th Amendment
SCOTUS refuses to hear “piracy” arguments
SCOTUS declines death penalty case
SCOTUS revives challenge to ObamaCare & rejects appeal of congressman
SCOTUS denies Ohio request to curtail early voting

[OFF Alert] GUN CONTROL TIDAL WAVE INTRODUCED‏

2/28/2013

Oregon Firearms Federation
PO Box 556
Canby, OR 97013

Voice: (503)
263-5830

http://www.oregonfirearms.org
OFF ALERT 02.27.13

An avalanche of gun control bills has been introduced in the Oregon Legislature.

Among them, mandatory liability insurance for EVERY gun you own with a $10,000.00 fine for non-compliance PER GUN.

A mandatory duty to RUN AWAY from attackers instead of standing and protecting yourself.

An end to private transfers, and vast new restrictions on concealed handgun licenses.

Read all about it and what you must do at either of the following links.

http://www.oregonfirearms.org/avalanche-of-anti-rights-bills-introduced
http://www.oregonfirearms.org/?p=3166

Related Posts:
[OFF Alert] Let the Games Begin‏
[OFF Alert] Session Starts and Rally Reminder!
[OFF Alert] Rally For Gun Rights Jan. 19 In Salem‏ & Again on Feb. 8, 2013
[OFF Alert] Where We Stand After The Election‏
[OFF Alert] DOJ PROPOSED RULE ON CHL PRIVACY DRAFTED‏
[OFF Alert] "CHL PRIVACY" RULE TO BE ADOPTED‏
[OFF Alert] OFF ON THE RADIO.
[OFF Alert] Earl Blumenauer's embarrassing survey
OFF ALERT 06.29.12 Eric Holder Held In Contempt of Congress.

Video about the Minning Rally in Salem

2/28/2013

Hey Folks,
Here is the video about the Minning Rally. It was very well produced......Rob T.

Related Posts:
Action Alert:---State Legislation SB12, SB115, SB401, SB370
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2173
Action Alert:---State Legislation SB 478

SCOTUS showdown over Voting Rights Act

2/28/2013

SCOTUS showdown over Voting Rights Act
Source: Christian Science Monitor
"A sharply divided US Supreme Court engaged in a lively and, at times, impassioned debate on Wednesday in a potential landmark case testing whether key portions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act should be struck down as
unconstitutional. The 75-minute session marked the second time in four years the high court has agreed to examine the constitutionality of Sections 4 and 5 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Four years ago, in 2009, the .. justices made clear in an 8-to-1 decision that the VRA contained constitutional deficiencies that Congress should address. Congress didn't. This time around the tone was significantly more aggressive, with justices on the court’s liberal wing offering spirited defenses of the VRA in its current form and justices on the conservative wing suggesting the law is seriously flawed." (02/27/13)

http://tinyurl.com/cnf9w6q

Related Posts:
SCOTUS---Farmer vs. Monsanto
SCOTUS---Dog's sniff was up to snuff
Oregon Supreme Court decided to erode more of the 4th Amendment
SCOTUS refuses to hear “piracy” arguments
SCOTUS declines death penalty case
SCOTUS revives challenge to ObamaCare & rejects appeal of congressman
SCOTUS denies Ohio request to curtail early voting

Listen Live to The Radio Debate on The Bandon Lighting Ordinance 2/26/2013

2/25/2013

The Light Vs. The Dark
Listen Live to The Radio Debate on The Bandon Lighting Ordinance
Rob Taylor will be speaking for the Light
Tuesday, 5:00 PM 2/26/2013
http://1340kbbr.com/common/page.php?id=75

Mark McKelvey
Tuesday 4-6PM
CALL LIVE 541-267-2124
Email Mark Here

Mark McKelvey Podcasts

Related Posts:
NO on Measure 6-148 The Bandon Lighting Ordinance
Keep the Lights ON in Bandon
The Bandon Lighting Ordinance
“Coos County Today”
The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
Action Alert:---State Legislation SB 478
Public Meeting---“SAVE FAMILY FARMS” 3-6-2013
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2173---Updated 2/25/2013

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce w/guest Roy Lowe from the USFWS 2/27/2013

2/25/2013

Hey All,

The Coos Bay Chamber of Commerce is having Roy Lowe from the USFWS at their monthly meeting on Wednesday 2-27-2013. Please call the Chamber and RSVP a seat in the conference. Mr. Lowe will be speaking on Restoration in the Coquille Valley. We need people there to ask questions and remind The Service
that the people gave a resounding NO to the Bandon Marsh Expansion.

Here is the number to the Chamber:
541-266-0868

http://oregonsbayarea.org/

CHAMBER NEWS AND EVENTS UPDATES:

Good afternoon Folks!
The February 27th Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday Business Connection (WBC) will be a presentation featuring Roy W. Lowe. Project leader for the Ocean National Wildlife Refuge Complex--USFWS, with the talked entitled, "Tidal Marsh Restoration in the Coquille River Estuarty". In September 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its many partners completed a 418-arce tidal marsh restoration project on the Ni-les'tun Unit of Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in the Coquille River Estuary. The project required three years of construction and constitutes the largest tidal marsh restoration project ever completed in Oregon. The WBC luncheon in Febuary are sponsored by NW Natural. This WBC session will be held in the Saw Blade Buffet Room at the Mill Casino from 11:30 to 1:00 PM, February 27, 2013. These luncheons are open to all community members who are inerested in attending, but we ask you contact the Chamber office at 541-266-0868 or by email to ensure there is enough food prepared.
The mission of the WBC forum committee is to provide on opportunity for business to network with each other, market products and expand their knowledge of the Bay Area business climate. The forums focus on the positive aspects of doing business in Oregon's Bay Area. Speakers and subjects matter include new businesses moving to the area, business expansions, and issues or items than can impact your operations.

Related Posts:
Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
Action Alert:---State Legislation SB 478
Public Meeting---“SAVE FAMILY FARMS” 3-6-2013
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2173---Updated 2/25/2013
Congressman Peter DeFazio & The Land and Water Conservation Fund
USFWS---Three Articles relevant to the LWCF and the NFWF
Senators Wyden and Reid Planning 2013 Omnibus Federal LandsBill
USFWS & USDOT---North Bank Lane Project
Coos County Today---Sign the "NO Bandon Marsh Petition"
USFWS---Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
American Policy Center---news on more Federal Land grabs
The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
The US Forest Service Is Involved With Another Land Grab in Coos County
“Coos County Today”
Keep the Lights ON in Bandon
Congress wants answers on Oregon farmer crackdown
Land Acquisition Green Group Gets $2.4 Billion from BP Settlement
RMP's for Western Oregon
Urgent, Urgent, Urgent, House May Cave On LWCF. Call Now.
NO BME

Feedback from a Watchdog concerning the Reedsport Rally

2/24/2013

Feedback from a Watchdog concerning the Reedsport Rally

We did not know what to expect. People should turn out, but will they? That was my thought as the clock ran down. One carload arrived early after seeing our street sign. It was three people that I did not know. This kind of set the pattern.

There were about 42 attendees and a lot of them were new. I guess that there might of been 6 or 8 that were completely new to me and 10 or 12 were first timers that I did know. Some arrived after attending the
Fly fishing Expo across the street. Seeing the cars in the parking lot had attracted them. We had three very good speakers. It really was a long program but people stayed for all of it..

We led off with Frank Barth, who is our new City Councilor. His message was short, telling people that he would most likely be voting alone, but that he intends to represent the people that elected him. He primed the group to be ready to oppose the attempt to over-ride 10-119 in the May election.

Our next speaker was Tom McKirgan of Oathkeepers. Tom gave a synopsis of the Oathkeeper movement, citing the need to make the candidates oath an important element of elected service. Tom's presentation was
concluded with the group standing and repeating the Oath to protect and defend the Constitution. For many it was a re-affirmation, but there were some that did it as a first time experience.

Tom was followed by Connie Martin, who is a certified firearms instructor and a very strong constitutional advocate.

Our third speaker was Rob Taylor from Bandon. Rob started off with really challenging the group to get involved in Council or Special Board s by being a candidate or finding a good one to support. He complimented Frank for stepping forward. Rob then told of his activism in Coos County, where property rights have come under assault by the Natures Conservancy and Federal forces, who have sights set on returning a lot of Coos County to
"nature". It seems that the people of the land that are in the way of the critters. The goal is to remove all dikes along the Coquille River.

I closed the meeting telling people that if this move succeeds, they can expect to find the same thing happening in Reedsport as they surely will want to open tidegates and remove dikes to return the Waggoner Ranch, Leed's Island, the Providence Creek drainage and most of the diked areas along Smith River to "natural use".

It surprised me that the group seemed to have bonded through this experience and they stood around afterward in groups sharing opinion and concern. Several asked me if this could be repeated monthly and I said that we are looking for a satisfactory time to schedule future meetings. I think that we may have found that time and day. We certainly have a good location.

I want to send this out to those that missed this experience, but will circulate it to be sure that I have not missed
anything. Will those that receive this posting please respond with comments pro or con?

Merv

Related Posts:
Emerald Coast Defensive 'New Shooters Orientation/Basic Pistol' Class 3/2/2013
Reedsport Resistance Rally a Pro 2nd Amendment Gathering

FEMA---Flood Map Update

2/21/2013

Here is some info from a Watchdog in Coquille.....Rob T...

Hey Rob,
I was listen to a radio show which gave this site:oksafe.wordpress.com. I saw this article and thought you
would like to see it. FEMA flood map update
http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/mapScheduleSearch.action?zipCode=97423&x=27&y=17.

You would know more about the changes than I would.
Tressa

Related Posts:
FEMA---Property dispute continues in Aumsville
The Bandon City Council---Agencies struggle after FEMA cuts funds‏
AFP---Monthly Meeting w/Tom McKirgan at the ESD Building 12/13/2012 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Civilian Security Force‏
Oregon Sheriff Stand Against Feds‏
AmeriCorp, here in Bandon???...
The Dept of Homeland Security has just graduated its first class of 231 Homeland Youth
THE U.N. & LOCAL AGENDA 21
THE U.N. & AGENDA 21:

SCOTUS---Farmer vs. Monsanto

2/20/2013

The farmer vs. Monsanto: A Supreme Court showdown

February 18, 2013 10:30 pm• By Georgina Gustin [email protected] 314-340-8195

When farmer Vernon Hugh Bowman walked into an Indiana courtroom four years ago to face off against biotechnology giant Monsanto Co., he argued in his own defense.

Today, standing in the U.S. Supreme Court, Bowman, 75, will have a fleet of attorneys beside him — and the eyes of the business world on his case.

The hearings bring the Creve Coeur-based company into the country’s highest court, and could have consequences that go well beyond the company’s interests, and beyond agriculture.

In 2007, Monsanto sued Bowman, saying he infringed on its patent when he planted the offspring of the company’s Roundup Ready soybeans. Bowman argued that the progeny of those beans fell beyond the reach of the patent.

Related Posts:
SCOTUS---Dog's sniff was up to snuff
Oregon Supreme Court decided to erode more of the 4th Amendment
SCOTUS refuses to hear “piracy” arguments
SCOTUS declines death penalty case
SCOTUS revives challenge to ObamaCare & rejects appeal of congressman
SCOTUS denies Ohio request to curtail early voting
Landowner stands ground against government ‘shake-down’‏
Pacific Legal Foundation & the Sacketts win in the Supreme Court....

SCOTUS---Dog's sniff was up to snuff

2/20/2013

Supreme Court rules that dog's sniff was up to snuff in roadside search

Supreme Court rules that a signal from a properly trained drug-detecting dog is enough to establish probable cause for a warrantless search of a vehicle during a roadside stop.
By Warren Richey, Staff writer / February 19, 2013

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday tackled the tricky issue of when a sniff from a drug-detecting dog is up to constitutional snuff.
At issue in the case, Florida v. Harris, was whether a deputy sheriff in Florida's Liberty County acted properly in June 2006 when he initiated a warrantless search of a pickup truck after his drug-detecting dog signaled that it sensed the presence of illicit narcotics.

No drugs were found, but the sheriff’s deputy discovered key ingredients to make methamphetamine. The driver, Clayton Harris, was charged with unlawful possession of 200 pseudoephedrine pills for use in manufacturing methamphetamine.

Related Posts:
Oregon Supreme Court decided to erode more of the 4th Amendment
SCOTUS refuses to hear “piracy” arguments
SCOTUS declines death penalty case
SCOTUS revives challenge to ObamaCare & rejects appeal of congressman
SCOTUS denies Ohio request to curtail early voting
Landowner stands ground against government ‘shake-down’‏
Pacific Legal Foundation & the Sacketts win in the Supreme Court....

Letter to Editor---The Dark-Sky Conspiracy Continues

2/19/2013

Hey Folks,
This is a letter from a Watchdog in Coquille. I think the dog's got bite......Rob.T

Vote NO on Measure 6-148 Bandon Lighting Ordinance

The City of Bandon is considering amending their lighting ordinance to include erroneous exterior lighting regulations. While I understand the concern of intrusive glare from outdoor lighting, it’s a simple issue of courtesy and cooperation with one another.

The people behind this (Committee for Citizen Involvement) are associated with the following, whose statement reads, “The mission of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.”

They have gained an alliance with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to further promote their cause(s). The Federal Government should never be allowed to influence unconstitutional demands against individual property rights under the fictitious guise of protecting the night sky, wildlife and rocks. Yes, rocks. Unbelievable.

This is obviously another avenue of exploitation by the USFWS to greatly expand their ulterior motive of turning the entire Coquille Valley into a massive mosquito bog unfit for human habitation. The Bandon Marsh project must also be stopped. Below is a letter discussing the important “concept”of keeping the night sky free from intrusive light.

06-04-2012 Bandon City Council Agenda document: Preparation of the proposed Outdoor Lighting Regulations was initiated in 2010 by Nancy Noble Post who served as a volunteer intern in the Planning Department. She worked with the Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI), Dave Ledig of USF&W, Sheryl Bremmer, the Planning Commission, and several members of the community to promote the important concept of keeping the night
sky free from intrusive light. In September, 2011, the CCI scheduled a Community Forum at the Barn/Community Center. The intent of the Forum was to engage the public in an informative discussion regarding the protection of wildlife and preservation of the night sky.

The exhaustive and unrealistic regulations pertaining to this ordinance will cost property owners time and expenses they can not afford, especially in this economy. It will definitely cause increased spending by the city and cause great resentment from the citizens. The crime rate will increase, including but not limited to, burglary, theft, prowlers, trespassing, assaults and worse. Police, fire and ambulance have always promoted
good lighting for obvious reasons. If passed, Bandon will become a criminal’s paradise.

Requiring no more than a forty watt bulb to illuminate your door and address will not provide enough light in case of emergencies. Nor, does it allow enough light to properly see who’s at your door at night. Business owners are liable for the safety of their customers and employees by preventing accidents and crime with the proper use of lighting. Has any consideration been given to various insurance stipulations?

Besides all of that, it’s the resident that decides what is good for the safety and health for their own families and
property. It is not the decision of a few people who want to see the stars at night and find excuses to get their way at the needless expense and inconvenience to others who will be forced to shoulder the burden, and be
subjected to continual harassment in ensuring that every minor detail is enforced.

Proponents see light as polluting the night sky. Are they concerned that it will blind aircraft pilots, astronauts or space aliens? Get real. This is a very slippery slope that begs the question of “what’s next?” Since they want the light projected downward, I wonder if they’ll eventually become concerned with how it might affect your lawn, ground worms, slugs or even rocks.

The enforcement section in the ordinance is absolutely void of specifics, stating; “The Planning Department may institute actions and proceedings, either legal or equitable, to enjoin, restrain, or abate any violations of this Ordinance and to collect the penalties for such violations.”

What is the particular penalty for certain offenses? What is the violation level; infraction, criminal or civil? There
isn’t room enough here to address all of the ludicrous areas of this unacceptable and poorly written ordinance. Stop this crap and vote it into the trash where it belongs! We have much more important things to attend to like
preserving our Constitutional freedoms instead of treading on them. Please go to http://www.cooscountywatchdog.com where you can read the ordinance yourself, then sign the petition against it.

Respectfully,
Tom McKirgan
Coquille

Related Posts:
NO on Measure 6-148 The Bandon Lighting Ordinance
Letter to Editor---Relax Bandon and Let there be light...
City of Bandon---Outdoor Lighting Ordinance Measure 6-148---Updated 2/16/2013
Keep the Lights ON in Bandon
The Bandon Lighting Ordinance
Bandon: The City of Ordinances
“Coos County Today”
The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Action Alert:---State Legislation SB 478
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2173
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800

Letter to Editor
Letter to Editor---Relax Bandon and Let there be light...
Letter to Editor---WHY DID THE CHARTER BALLOT MEASURE 6-143 NOT PASS?
Letter to Editor------Feckless or Hypocritical
Letter to the editor,---Voting for the Home Rule Charter “Voice of the
Voters” measure 6-143

Action Alert:---State Legislation PERS Bill

2/19/2013

Hey Folks,

As soon as they make the number available for this bill I will post it on the site. This is a good start to a big problem......Rob T....

Sen. Knopp & Rep. Conger introducing PERS bill

by In the news Tuesday, February 19. 2013

Sen. Knopp & Rep. Conger introducing PERS bill"

Salem, OR – Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) along with Representative Jason Conger (R-Bend) are set to provide fiscal relief to communities struggling with spiraling Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) expenses. Oregon agencies have to cut their service because of staggering increases in retirement expenses. The bill will remove legislators from being members of PERS.

Related Posts:
PERS---Liability Down Strong Returns still leaves $14 Billion Deficit...
PERS---Worse than Fuzzy Math: It’s Fictional
PERS---OR Lawmakers Must Address PERS reform--Agenda 2013
PERS---Study shows advantages of 'defined benefit' pensions
PERS---issue heads back to Oregon Supreme Court
PERS---What is it?
PERS---executive director answers questions about possible reform
What is the PERS crisis?

Open Letter to the BOC

2/16/2013

Planning Director, Coos County‏

Dear Commissioners:

    When one looks at the candidates for Planning Director, there is one that matches perfectly the description submitted to you by Brooke Walton. But I ask, is it appropriate for Commissioner Melissa Cribbins' vodka
business partner to be suggesting so plainly who she would like to be the new director?

    Also, was Chris Hood involved many months back in liaison-commissioner Fred Messerle's attempt to remove Mrs Patty Evernden as Planning Director because she had not serviced one of Fred's friends to the
friend's satisfaction? Was this Chris Hood? Did Mrs Evernden resort to hiring an attorney at that time to squelch the hostile power play?   Would it look odd, or actionable, if Mr Hood was hired to replace her?

    I thank you for your time.
   Ronnie Herne
   cc: MGx, others

MGX---Planning Director....for Fun.....Lehman accepts Job

2/16/2013

Here are some articles from Mary Geddry

Chamber Plans on Planning Director
http://mgx.com/blogs/2013/02/12/bay-area-chamber-believes-bias-is-important-planning-director-qualification/

For Fun:
http://mgx.com/blogs/2013/02/01/super-secret-critical-energy-infrastructure-says-jordan-cove/

Lehman accepts job at ORCCA‏
http://mgx.com/blogs/2013/01/30/county-hr-director-lehman-to-join-orcca/

Related Posts:
MGX---Keeping The World news honest...
MGX---PSU work session update‏
MGX---Takes one to know one, a shill I mean
MGX---a few links to some very informative articles from Mary Geddry
MGX---"Change the title of the administrator to 'director' and the problem is solved."
MGX---Parry's puddle‏
MGX---Mayor Schamehorn insecurity goes too far
MGX---rat PAC(K) news‏
MGX---Spinmeisters at The World newspaper.....
MGX---plans underway to dismantle county government‏
MGX---healthy local skepticism‏

Coos County Democrats Presidents Day Celebration

2/16/2013

Coos County Democrats invited you to

Presidents Day Celebration
Monday, February 18, 2013               5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Broadway Rock Hall (next to Shark Bites)
                240 S. Broadway
                Coos Bay OR 97420

AFP---More pressure needed to stop the CRC‏

2/16/2013

AFP Action Alert: HB2800

Another legislative hearing has been set this Monday, February 18th at 3pm in Room F to continue the
testimony on HB2800. HB2800 essentially offers a blank check to fund the boondoggle known as the Columbia River Crossing (CRC). We need you to help us stop this bill from ever moving out of this joint legislative committee by coming and testifying at the hearing on Monday and to make phone calls and send emails to all of the legislators on the committee.

Why should you be concerned about CRC? Because last week at the hearing it became very clear that this project would essentially tie up all of the statewide gas tax funding in Oregon. As a result, most other projects around the state will either be put on hold or slowed down. This will result in creating pressure statewide to increase the gas tax in 2015. Are you concerned yet?

Here are some other important reasons why this CRC funding bill HB2800 should be stopped:

·The CRC will worsen traffic gridlock in other parts of Portland in residential neighborhoods, and does
nothing to increase overall freight mobility which is critical to the future of this region.

·The proposal is based on outdated and incorrect information.

·The construction and financing of the CRC will impact the ability to maintain existing roads and bridges
throughout Oregon.

·Clark County Commissioners voted on Tuesday, February 12 to officially oppose the project. However,
entrenched Oregon bureaucrats don’t seem to care. They are willing to move forward despite a critical partner’s opposition.

·There is clearly no financial plan or accountability if the project has cost over-runs. In fact, bureaucrats denied there was even a possibility of cost over runs on this project and therefore no need to plan for alternative funding. I can already picture the half built bridge to nowhere.

Please plan to attend the legislative hearing on Monday, February 18that 3pm in room F. And make a point to speak with every member of the Joint Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project committee before the hearing.Please be sure to also submit comments to the Committee Staffer so that your comments become part of the official legislative record.

Committee Staffer:[email protected]

Co-Chair Representative Cliff Bentz
503-986-1460

Co-Chair Representative Tobias Read
503-986-1427

Co-Chair Senator Lee Beyer
503-986-1706

Co-Chair Senator Bruce Starr
503-986-1715

Senator Chuck Thomsen
503-986-1726

Senator Chris Edwards
503-986-1707

Senator Fred Girod
503-986-1709

Senator Rod Monroe
503-986-1724

Representative Kevin Cameron
503-986-1419

Representative John Davis
503-986-1426

Representative Margaret Doherty
503-986-1426

Representative Chris Gorsek
503-986-1449

Representative John Lively
503-986-1412

Representative Caddy McKeown
503-986-1409

Representative Nancy Nathanson
503-986-1413

Representative Julie Parrish
503-986-1437

Thank you for all you do for economic freedom!

Sincerely,
Karla Kay Edwards
State Director Americans for Prosperity - Oregon

Related Posts:
AFP---Americans for Prosperity Monthly Meeting 2/14/2013
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
AFP---Monthly Meeting at 5:30 pm Wed. 01/16/2013 in the ESD Building
AFP---Update to the AFP Lobbying Training
AFP---Oregon Citizens Lobby Training‏
AFP---Monthly Meeting w/Tom McKirgan at the ESD Building 12/13/2012 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
AFP---2 websites as resources for us‏
AFP National Freedom Phones!

Cities are using Monopoly Utilities to Game the System

2/15/2013

Hey Folks,

The following link is to an article about how cities and counties use utilities to fund their budget's. Absent from the story is how these types of monopolies give cities the chance to maximize the process of Tax Increment Financing. When a city can lower the percentage of property taxes funding its coffers, it lowers the percentage the city will have to pay back for their share of the Urban Renewal debt. This is how Bandon only contributes 11% to the debt created by the city's Urban Renewal Agency and the Bandon School District and the County itself has to contribute more money to pay back the city’s debt. Now that is a neat trick. Imagine if you could take out a loan, but you only had to pay 11% of it back and someone else had to pitch in the rest. Sure would be a great deal and you would be nuts not to continue to take out more loans and create more debt........Rob T.

Monopoly utilities: just another way to tax us

These “other sources” of revenue now include monopoly utilities. Sometimes this revenue comes from taxes on the utility. More often, however, ratepayers of monopoly utilities are charged much more than the actual cost of providing the utility – with the difference going to government to spend on whatever they wish.

Monopoly utilities have extraordinary privileges:

Monopoly utilities have unlimited ratepayer money to:
• Buy media (advertising)
• Buy politicians
(campaign contributions)
• Buy lawyers to initiate lawsuits and/or defend even illegal/criminal activity

There are several types of monopoly utilities with widely varying levels of accountability:

Related Posts:
Action Alert:---State Legislation SB 478
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2173
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
The Federalization of Local Urban Renewal Agencies
Urban Ledger: Albany's Obligations and relying on Tax Increment Financing
Measures Would keep voters Involved and help control "Economic Fascism"
Update: Lake Oswego council could repeal Foothills urban renewal district:
Possible Nike site could be added to Enterprise Zone next week
Urban Renewal gone bad---read the stories
Coos Bay---New Information added to the Visitor's Center page...
Coos Bay---What's a measly $120,000 to $180,000 over 6 years, eh?
Coos Bay---Just a "Slight" Conflict of Interest Here. Or did ANYONE notice?
Coos Bay---Padding City of Coos Bay Salaries With Urban Renewal Tax Dollars
See the Cash Cow of Coos Bay----Hear it eat your money---The Coos Bay URA

I Spy Radio---The Fiscal Cliff: To Jump or Not to Jump‏

2/15/2013

The Fiscal Cliff: To Jump or Not to Jump

I Spy can now be heard on two different stations at different times!

Listen on Saturday:
11:00 to noon (Pacific time) on KYKN (1430-AM) or, if you’re outside of the Salem, OR, listening area, go to www.kykn.com and hit the "listen live" button.

Or on Sunday, 7:00 – 8:00
p.m. (Pacific time) tune to KAJO (1270-AM) or if you’re outside of the Grants Pass, OR, listening area, go
to www.kajo.com and hit the listen live button at the top of the page.

Our Guests: U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock & Economist Dr. Eric Fruits, co-author of ALEC’s Center for State Fiscal Reform Report: "Tax Myths Debunked"

This week: Winston Churchill once said, “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” While President Obama isn’t talking about taxing our way to prosperity anymore, he does want to spend our way to prosperity. In other words, he’s stopped standing in a bucket while trying to lift it. Now he’s pouring water from one bucket into another and claiming we have more water.

Related Posts:
PERS---Worse than Fuzzy Math: It’s Fictional
ISpy Radio---Finding Our Way Out‏
ISpy Radio---The Inside Story
I-Spy Radio---No Change in the Next Four Years Puts Agriculture at Risk and Maybe Out of Business
I Spy Radio---Free Market Systems vs. Socialized Medicine‏

Emerald Coast Defensive 'New Shooters Orientation/Basic Pistol' Class 3/2/2013

2/15/2013

Hey Folks,
Here is your chance to get some defense training or just sharpen up your shooting skills.....Rob.T

Greetings!

Due to popular demand, Emerald Coast Defensive will be offering a 'New Shooters Orientation/Basic Pistol' Class March 2, 8am-4:30pm at the Siuslaw Gun Club in Florence, OR. This is an opportunity for the complete novice or more seasoned shooter to learn basic defensive handgun skills from NRA Certified Instructors. This will also enable the new shooter to 'join up' with ECD and attend our bi-monthly skills development clinics and practice 'real life' defensive scenarios at our Action Range.

I hope you'll consider attending yourself and then joining us regularly to sharpen and maintain your skills for your personal and property protection.

Also, please feel free to mention this opportunity to interested friends or relatives, as we don't know when we'll be able to offer this again, thanks to the uncertainty of our present political environment.

Thanks to this whole 'gun control' issue, students may have difficulty even obtaining ammo for our classes, so 'getting out the word' will hopefully, allow them the time to purchase.

I appreciate your attention and support and sincerely hope you'll join up with us!

Most sincerely,

Connie Martin
www.EmeraldCoastDefensive.com
[email protected]
541-217-8363

Emerald Coast Defensive Registration Form
File Size:	155 kb
File Type:	docx

Reedsport Resistance Rally a Pro 2nd Amendment
Gathering

Oregon Farm Bureau Priority Bills

2/15/2013

Oregon Farm Bureau Priority Bills

http://naturalresourcereport.com/2013/02/oregon-farm-bureau-priority-bills/
February 13, 2013
Oregon Farm Bureau Priority Bills
By Oregon Farm Bureau

Below are a list of bills that are on top of Oregon Farm Bureau’s list of priorities. This list may be updated as new bills are introduced as the session continues. To see all the bills Farm Bureau is tracking, visit the CMS bill
tracking site referenced below.

Forestry

HB 2050 – Phases the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (fire protection) to a true 50/50 match between landowners and the state. Also, increases funds for quick response.

Labor
HB 2068 – Reverses the Appeals Court decision stating that owners and members of LLC’s are personally liable for damages arising from workers’ comp claims. The legislation extends exclusive remedy protections of workers’ compensation statutes to partners, limited liability company partners, general partners limited liability partners and limited partners. Additionally, the Cortez case is being appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court. Oregon Farm Bureau has jointly submitted an amicus brief with other business organizations.

HB 2474 & SB 323 – Extends sunset for tax credits for owning or operating farmworker housing and for lending to construct or rehabilitate farmworker housing.

Land Use
HB 2201 – Establishes conditions for approval of a reclamation plan for surface mining operation on land zoned for exclusive farm use.

HB 2202 – Prohibits the approval of mining permits on tracts of land within the Willamette Valley that are zoned for exclusive farm use and include five acres or mine of Class I and II soils.

Water
HB 2258 – Creates a statewide water development grant/loan fund. Farm Bureau is participating in a workgroup
on the details of the program. Governor’s Budget designates $22 million in bonds for water projects.

Wetlands
HB 2173 – Due to impacts publicly funded wetlands are having on neighboring agricultural land, Farm Bureau work with Representatives Krieger and Clem on this legislation. Changes status of activities conducted to create, restore or enhance wetlands on land zoned for exclusive farm use from outright permitted use to conditional use.
Exempts land zoned for exclusive farm use from limitation on liability for damage, injury or death for certain fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects and watershed or stream restoration or enhancement programs. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

SB 338 - Changes status of activities conducted to create, restore or enhance wetlands on land zoned for exclusive farm use from outright permitted use to conditional use. Eliminates limitation on liability for damages
resulting from certain fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects and watershed or stream restoration or enhancement programs. Limits purchase price paid for statutory conservation easements and highway scenic preservation easements.

Wildlife
HB 2250 - Extends the Landowner Preference Tag Program. Farm Bureau has been participating on a workgroup to the program. It is yet unknown, if the work group will agree to positive changes to the program.

HB 2251 - Makes the Southern Oregon LOP program permanent, which issues tags to landowners to address damage caused by elk. In discussions to bring the program statewide.

SB 197 - Describes circumstances in which gray wolf may be taken. Relieves injunction on the state taking wolves that are killing livestock. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Related Posts:
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2173
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
Action Alert:---State Legislation SB 478

Does Urban Renewal really create Jobs?........

2/14/2013

Hey Folks,

Below is a link to another story of the failures of Urban Renewal .....Rob T.

How many jobs have been created from CARA?

Oscar Hult, executive director of the Albany Downtown Association, said the ADA has been keeping track of jobs in the main downtown district, but only since 2010, and only for a small portion of the CARA boundaries (Water Street to Third
Avenue and Calapooia to Baker streets; a total of 18 blocks).

The agency is now planning a more thorough, annual survey of jobs lost and gained for the entire downtown, Hult said. “We just want to know whether or not downtown’s truly becoming more viable.”

Since 2010, he said, the 18-block area has gained 161 jobs and lost 71.5, for a net gain of 89.5.

How much of that is because of the urban renewal district, however, is impossible to say.

Related Posts:
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2173
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
The Federalization of Local Urban Renewal Agencies
Urban Ledger: Albany's Obligations and relying on Tax Increment Financing
Measures Would keep voters Involved and help control "Economic Fascism"
Update: Lake Oswego council could repeal Foothills urban renewal district:
Possible Nike site could be added to Enterprise Zone next week
Urban Renewal gone bad---read the stories
Coos Bay---New Information added to the Visitor's Center page...
Coos Bay---What's a measly $120,000 to $180,000 over 6 years, eh?
Coos Bay---Just a "Slight" Conflict of Interest Here. Or did ANYONE notice?
Coos Bay---Padding City of Coos Bay Salaries With Urban Renewal Tax Dollars
See the Cash Cow of Coos Bay----Hear it eat your money---The Coos Bay URA
Coos Bay Urban Renewal Minutes from 1/2/2000 to 5/15/2012 as shown
Must See Documentary---"Battle for Brooklyn"
Vote NO Bandon Pool!
A Photo Inquiry Into The Egyptian Theatre and Complete Fiscal Incompetence In Coos Bay Oregon‏
Here is a good Example of Bad Planning and Density Control....
Email Alert from a Watchdog in Myrtle Point
MGX---ORC, does it still get its enterprise zone exemptions???

The Federalization of Local Urban Renewal Agencies

2/13/2013

Hey Folks,
The link below will take you to an article about the Federalization of local Urban Renewal Agencies. Through HUD and EPA matching Grant programs, the fed plans on implementing their agenda with local property tax dollars. This is the idea of Private-Public Partnership and taken to its extreme, it becomes fascism....Rob T.

Beaverton to host first of 100 White House meetings on federal-city cooperation

Federal officials will kick off a series of visits to 100 cities around the nation Thursday as part of a White House program to support urban revitalization. First stop: Beaverton.

The city will host the feds at a daylong symposium to discuss how government agencies, nonprofits and businesses can help the city.

The event is the first in a new White House "Connecting Your Community" program, in which national leaders plan to meet with representatives of 100 cities to pair federal programs with local needs. The next 99 cities in the program have not been named.

Beaverton's agenda includes revitalizing its downtown urban renewal district, redesigning Southwest Canyon Road and constructing a community health center.

Here is a comment on the article:

tombdragon
How fitting that they will meet at a place - the Beaverton Round - that serves as a metaphor for the failure of our local Urban Renewal, and the failed idealism of the Obama Administration.

Related Posts:
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
Urban Ledger: Albany's Obligations and relying on Tax Increment Financing
Measures Would keep voters Involved and help control "Economic Fascism"
Update: Lake Oswego council could repeal Foothills urban renewal district:
Possible Nike site could be added to Enterprise Zone next week
Urban Renewal gone bad---read the stories
Coos Bay---New Information added to the Visitor's Center page...
Coos Bay---What's a measly $120,000 to $180,000 over 6 years, eh?
Coos Bay---Just a "Slight" Conflict of Interest Here. Or did ANYONE notice?
Coos Bay---Padding City of Coos Bay Salaries With Urban Renewal Tax Dollars
See the Cash Cow of Coos Bay----Hear it eat your money---The Coos Bay URA
Coos Bay Urban Renewal Minutes from 1/2/2000 to 5/15/2012 as shown
Must See Documentary---"Battle for Brooklyn"
Vote NO Bandon Pool!
A Photo Inquiry Into The Egyptian Theatre and Complete Fiscal
Incompetence In Coos Bay Oregon‏
Here is a good Example of Bad Planning and Density Control....
Email Alert from a Watchdog in Myrtle Point
MGX---ORC, does it still get its enterprise zone exemptions???

AFP---Americans for Prosperity Monthly Meeting 2/14/2013

2/11/2013

AFP Monthly Meeting 2/14/2013

The Education Service District (ESD Building)
1350 Teakwood Avenue,
Coos Bay OR, 97420
Thursday 5:30 pm
http://goo.gl/maps/9XSBk

Hi:

On February 14th, Americans for Prosperity Coos County Chapter cannot compete with your Valentine's Day plans so we'll leave it up to you to make your choice of either a quiet, romantic dinner for two at one of a handful of busy Bay Area restaurants, or, over at the South Coast ESD Building, a scrumptious, mouth-watering, high-grade cut of tender pork loin will be served, heaped onto a fresh hogie roll, and on the side, a delicious potluck dish of your choosing. To top it off, indulge yourselves in a yummy dessert of your choice. Just a reminder, store-bought or whatever, bring your family favorite. It will be a gratifying evening of fabulous food, at AFP's monthly meeting, starring, "Big Daddy" Noorlander's
nationally-acclaimed BBQ meat served up hot and juicy, an essential reward for any palate on Valentine's Day. Add in an array of citizen advocates stirring and serving up solutions in the local public policy process, and you have yourselves one Thursday evening that can't be beat! There are no guarantees, but I'm guessing your spouse will just love you!

The Education Service District (ESD Building), 1350 Teakwood Avenue, Coos Bay, is where AFP Coos Co. meets each 2nd Thursday at 5:30PM for a lip-smacking dinner and a hand-clapping and back-slapping agenda to better our local government and enrich our liberties. I didn't say "hand-wringing" agenda. That takes place at another meeting across town and on some other dark night.

We will be joined by Jason Payne, Chair of the Coos Co. Republican Central Committee. Jason is a
bright, energetic, young man with a plan and a reason to bring out real patriotism in all of us. Our country is at stake and Jason is very capable of leading out to help us act to hold on to our economic freedom. We also want to tell you about Oregon Citizens Lobby, a grassroots endeavor that, in a nutshell, we seek to empower citizens to be more involved in their government. We seek to
hold politicians accountable for their actions and make their records public. We'll begin with a prayer and a pledge at 6:30PM sharp. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Regards,
Rick Hoffine
Assistant Chapter Leader

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."--Thomas Jefferson

Related Posts:
Action Alert:---State Legislation HB2800
AFP---Monthly Meeting at 5:30 pm Wed. 01/16/2013 in the ESD Building
AFP---Update to the AFP Lobbying Training
AFP---Oregon Citizens Lobby Training‏
AFP---Monthly Meeting w/Tom McKirgan at the ESD Building 12/13/2012 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
AFP---2 websites as resources for us‏
AFP National Freedom Phones!
important case for folks impacted by the proposed Bandon Marsh project
AFP National Freedom Phones!
Americans for Prosperity Presents the
Panal on the Home Rule Charter
Next AFP Meeting at ESD on 9-13

[OFF Alert] Let the Games Begin‏

2/11/2013

Oregon Firearms Federation
PO Box 556
Canby, OR 97013

Voice: (503) 263-5830
http://www.oregonfirearms.org
OFF ALERT 02.11.13

In our last alert we told you about a bill that was scheduled for a hearing on March 5 in House Judiciary.
http://www.oregonfirearms.org/02-09-13-weekend-update

The bill, HB 2605, did nothing more than extend the protections CHL holders have to retired law enforcement agents.

Oregon law allows retired police to carry without a permit, but they don’t have all the protections license
holders have. For example, they cannot carry in public buildings.

Now we have been informed that Democratic leadership has yanked that bill out of committee and promised to try to move only anti-gun bills.

Whatever your position on gun rights, you have to find this to be an outrage. Most retired police don’t even know there are these limits and this bill extends NO new rights to anyone else.

The only person with the power to yank this bill before it even gets a hearing is Speaker Tina Kotek. 503-986-1200

We’ll update you when we get more information, but right now it seems like the fix is in. Anti-gun bills only.

Stay tuned.

Related Posts:
[OFF Alert] Session Starts and Rally Reminder!
[OFF Alert] Rally For Gun Rights Jan. 19 In Salem‏ & Again on Feb. 8, 2013
[OFF Alert] Where We Stand After The Election‏
[OFF Alert] DOJ PROPOSED RULE ON CHL PRIVACY DRAFTED‏
[OFF Alert] "CHL PRIVACY" RULE TO BE ADOPTED‏
[OFF Alert] OFF ON THE RADIO.
[OFF Alert] Earl Blumenauer's embarrassing survey
OFF ALERT 06.29.12 Eric Holder Held In Contempt of Congress.

Help Wanted: ---Volunteers needed to defeat The Bandon Lighting Ordinance

2/11/2013

Help Wanted: ---Volunteers needed to defeat The Bandon Lighting Ordinance

1.   Phone Banking---people living anywhere in Coos County can help by calling voters in Bandon. Please, send me an email and let me know how many voters you are willing to call? This will be a Courtesy Call to
registered voters to remind them to Vote No on Measure 6-148.   I have a list of current voters and their phone numbers, with a script of what you will need to say.  [email protected]

2.   Email Chain---Anyone who knows people living in Bandon should send them an email reminding them to Vote No on Measure 6-148. Then, ask them to forward the email to anyone and everyone they know living inside the city limits of Bandon.

3.   Writing Letters to the Editor---People need to write letters to the editor informing their fellow citizens of the looming Bandon lighting ordinance that will eventually be coming to a city near you. Bandon is just the first city on the list and losing this battle will make it harder to win the next one.

4.   Handing Out Flyers---Volunteers can click the file containing the Flyer to Keep the Lights ON in Bandon and make copies to hand out to the people living in Bandon.  The flyer contains some very important key points to vote against Measure 6-148 and it has the entire summary of the measure on the backside.

5.   Donate Money---Please send a check or money order to The Committee to Keep the Lights on in Bandon, PO Box 973, Bandon, Oregon 97411 and please add your name and occupation. It is expensive to cover the cost of all the material that every campaign needs for VICTORY. Remember, the opposition has unlimited financing, we do not, and anything helps. Thank you in advance.

Here are some links to more info: ·
NO on Measure 6-148 The Bandon Lighting Ordinance ·
City of Bandon---Outdoor Lighting
Ordinance Measure 6-148

Resource Material on the
results of Dark Sky initiatives:
Bike Friendly? Not with Dark Skies and No Overnight Parking!

How to Separate the Light from the Darkness

Confessions of a dark-sky skeptic

Flyer To Keep the Lights on In Bandon

Flyer To Keep the Lights on In Bandon
File Size:	476 kb
File Type:	pdf

Related Posts:
City of Bandon---Outdoor Lighting Ordinance Measure 6-148
Keep the Lights ON in Bandon
The Bandon Lighting Ordinance
“Coos County Today”
The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation