Blog Archives - Coos County Watchdog

OFF ~ Bad Idea Becomes Bad Bill SB 868

2/28/2017

02.28.17

Yesterday we told you about LC 1767 , a draft for a bill that would allow a "household member" or law enforcement agent to request that a person's guns and rights be taken away if they convinced a court that the person was an "extreme risk."

Today we can report that the draft has been introduced as SB 868

It's no surprise that Ginny Burdick is one of the bill's sponsors. The other sponsor however, is Senator Brian Boquist who has long been a supporter of gun rights.

Link to Boquist's webpage:
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boquist

While the Boquist's sponsorship is no doubt well intentioned, we still believe the bill is both misguided and counter productive. Many of the factors a court could take into account for revoking a person's Second Amendment rights would already disqualify them from having a firearm, but the court is also allowed to consider whether the accused acquired or attempted to acquire a firearm or ammunition in the last 180 days!

That could be many of us and is a pretty scary reason to take someone's rights and property away.

Given the anti-gun bias prevalent in Oregon courts, especially in Multnomah County, this bill has the potential to be very dangerous.

Please contact Senate President Peter Courtney and tell him that SB 868 is a bad idea. Point out that while the bill claims to be, in part, an effort to prevent suicide, there is nothing in it that restricts the accused's rights to have prescription drugs, knives or car keys. Instead of seeking real solutions, this bill is just another attempt to demonize gun owners.

Courtney's contact info is:
Phone: 503-986-1600
Email sen.petercourtney@oregonlegislature.gov

Related Posts:
Second Amendment Legislation Repeals Parts of Background Checks HB 2973
OFF ~ Legislative Update
Lake County BOC Public Meeting for Legal Update on SAPO February 15, 2017 10am
OFF ~ Multnomah Declares War On Gun Owners
Columbia County Voters ~ Download & Sign Second Amendment Petition
Action Alert: County Commissioners Need to Hear Second Amendment Supporters
Coos County Watchdog Public Meeting on New Initiatives March 3, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance “SAPO” Update: January 26, 2017
Coos County Sheriff Office Fingerprinting Machine Down NO CHL Until Feb 17, 2017
US Department of Justice ~ ATF ~ Firearms Transaction Record
SB548~ Relating to Residency Requirements for Concealed Handgun Licenses
Sheriff Office Fingerprinting Machine Down NO CHL Until January 25, 2017
OFF ~ The Gun Bills Are Coming, and Some Are Just Weird
OFF ~ First Anti-Gun Bill Proposed
Coos Bay Manager, Secretary of State & LOC Agree City's Laws Equal to State Law
LTE ~ Colombia County Approves Second Amendment Preservation Petition
Entering A Second Amendment Sanctuary County
Oregon Firearms Federation ~ Kevin Starret Endorses Teri Grier
Second Amendment Chief Petitioners Needed for these Oregon Counties

Second Amendment Legislation Repeals Parts of Background Checks HB 2973

2/28/2017

REPEALS Parts of SB 941

HB 2973

At the request of:
Chief Sponsors: Representative Post, Smith DB
Regular Sponsors: Representative Esquivel, Heard, Huffman, Nearman, Noble, Olson, Reschke, Sprenger, Stark, Whisnant, Wilson

Bill Title: Relating to repealing the private firearm transfer criminal background check requirement.

Summary: Repeals requirement that person who is not gun dealer obtain criminal background check prior to transferring firearm to another person who is not gun dealer.

Current Committee: House Committee On Judiciary

Some Election Results by County & Local Results

2/23/2017

Red is Republican,
Blue is Democrat.
BOLD + Underlined is the Coos County winner.
Asterisk* is the incumbent.

OFF ~ Legislative Update

2/23/2017

02.22.17

Currently we are monitoring over 40 firearms related bills and know that more are coming.
Quite a few of these bills are improvements over current law, some are housekeeping measures, some are well intentioned but dangerous, some are goofy  and some are simply awful.
All introduced bills can be seen here. We add new legislation to this page as soon as it is introduced.
As you probably know, Kate Brown held a press conference yesterday with Bloomberg stooges to promote her personal favorite anti-gun bill SB 797.

797, like HB 2237 eliminates the safeguard that allows, but does not mandate, the transfer of a firearm after 3 business days have elapsed, if the Oregon State Police do not complete a background check.
While few dealers are willing to complete these transfers (after years of being lied to and threatened by OSP) it is still an important protection and available to dealers who know their customers and know what an awful job the State Police do on background checks.

One of the main proponents of this elimination of rights is Portland uber-leftist Jennifer Williamson. Interestingly, Williamson herself has testified that 95% of delays are not justified. Now Williamson and Brown and the rest of the hard left in the Oregon Legislature want to expand a program with a 95% failure rate. (Williamson and Kate Brown have gotten big payoffs from Mike Bloomberg. It's no secret who they are working for.)

Under SB 797, if the State Police do not complete a background check you could literally be denied a firearm's purchase forever. All the State Police have to do is...nothing.

SB 797 also requires extensive new reporting and reports. Oddly what it does not require is that the State Police actually do anything when a prohibited person attempts a transfer. And that's what they typically do now. Nothing.
In spite of laughable misreporting like this, when "prohibited" persons are identified by background checks, the rate of arrests is virtually zero.  Nothing in this bill would change that. And in spite of the mandate that denials be investigated by State Police, we are now receiving reports of denied buyers not hearing from a trooper for months. Of course, a significant number of people who are denied, along with 95% of people who are delayed, are totally qualified to buy firearms.

Floyd Prozanski, the militantly anti-gun Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has stated he will be holding hearings on SB 797.  We also believe Prozanski will soon be introducing legislation to severely restrict access to concealed handgun licenses along with other far reaching anti-gun bills.

In addition to the expected attacks are many positive bills including the just introduced HB 2973 which repeals the dreadful SB 941 that outlawed lending a firearm to a friend or safeguarding a firearm for a neighbor.  SB 941 also outlawed the purchase of a firearm by a person protected by Oregon's "Address Confidentiality Program" an outrage that is being addressed by several bills.

It's a pathetic reflection on the leftists who run the Oregon Legislature that they feel the need to expend so much energy attacking your rights at a time when Oregon is racing off a fiscal cliff. But that's the way they roll. Still it's important to keep something in mind about this session.

Oregon is facing a fiscal crisis born out of the desire of legislators to spend money like a meth addict with a stolen credit card. The bill is coming due.  While the Republicans are in the minority, they are not in a "super-minority."  The only way the Democrats can get the money they continue to burn is by jacking up your taxes. They cannot do that without some Republican support. This means that, while certainly not a guarantee of success, the Republicans have the leverage to tell the ruling party that no taxes will even be considered if they push more attacks on your rights.  We will count any vote in favor of new taxes a vote against gun rights no matter how a legislator votes on gun bills, unless they have killed every anti-gun bill in 2017.

Coos Bay Taking from the Poor to Give to the Privileged Using Urban Renewal

2/16/2017

Hey Folks,
More government eco-devo, corporate welfare for downtown Coos Bay, paid for by everyone else in the county through the city's Urban Renewal Agency. The owners were very smart to take advantage of a very bad program. Anyone with any intelligence on the city council should have asked why someone who can spend $750,000 on an upgrade project cannot afford another $25,000 themselves, instead of asking it from the taxpayers. The city is asking people who do not have that kind of money to donate to someone who does. Then the city wonders why people have resentment towards their representatives......Rob T.

My Inquiry of the City of Coos Bay:
From: Rob Taylor [mailto:obetewic@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 1:16 PM
To: Jackie Mickelson <jmickelson@coosbay.org>
Subject: Re: Friday Update - February 3, 2017

Hello Jackie,
I have a couple of questions about the Friday Update newsletter.

It mentions the Fletcher Building and a $750,000 improvement project.

What is the source of the funding?

Who owns the Fletcher Building?

Rob,
The new home of the Northwest Fitness Center was awarded a façade improvement grant of $25,000. The rest of the improvement project is being funded privately.
The building is privately owned by Henry and Heather Delaney.

I hope this helps with what you needed.
Thank you,
Jackie Mickelson
Jackie Mickelson, Executive Assistant
City of Coos Bay

5oo Central Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420

541-269-8912 / Fax 541-267-5912
www.coosbay.org

BEFORE

AFTER

Northwest Fitness is Coming to Town

The building at 227 South Broadway, formally known as the Fletcher Building, is getting a major facelift and overhaul in preparation for Northwest Fitness coming to town. The improvements include making the building the first flood-proofed building in Coos Bay. Additionally, a new awning will be installed, the façade stucco and trim work will be repaired or replaced as needed, new paint on the east-facing façade, and the new owner will replace all of the windows and exterior doors.

Over the past ninety years, the building has settled due to insufficient foundation support; and it will be reinforced with strategically placed helical piles. The structural columns that run the length of the building will also be replaced, and the structure of the upper level will be reinforced by an additional pair of parallel beams. The inaccessible restrooms that were on the first floor are being replaced with code compliant unisex restrooms, and the floor is being leveled throughout the main floor. The building's heating, lighting, and electrical service for the building are also being replaced for code compliance and energy efficiency.

Due to budgetary constraints, the second floor of the building is not being prepared for construction. Only structural improvements will be pursued at this time. The existing walls will be demolished, and the existing roof structure will be reinforced with new columns and beams. The total project is projected to cost about $750,000. and it will be major an improvement to the downtown area.

Lake County BOC Public Meeting for Legal Update on SAPO February 15, 2017 10am

2/13/2017

Hey Folks,

The Lake county commissioners are going to get a legal update on the Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance at 11:00 am at the county courthouse.

However, public comment is at 10am, so get there early and speak up for your rights. Everyone & anyone who can show up should show up to support the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. If you cannot make the meeting then email the commissioners. Write one email, but send it to ALL three commissioners listed below.....Rob T.

Lake County Commissioner
Bradley J. Winters, 2016
541-947-6005
bwinters@co.lake.or.us

Lake County Commissioner
Dan Shoun, 2016 Vice-Chair
541-947-6002
dshoun@co.lake.or.us

Lake County Commissioner
Ken Kestner, 2016 Chair
541-947-6004
kkestner@co.lake.or.us

OFF ~ Multnomah Declares War On Gun Owners

2/13/2017

02.13.17

By now many of you know that Mike Strickland, a pro-gun, freelance journalist was convicted of 21 counts of self defense on Friday, Feb.10.

Strickland had been attacked by a mob in Portland while covering a "Black Lives Matter" protest. The attack was planned and coordinated in advance.

You can read more about it here. Victoria Taft has done an outstanding job of documenting the attack and the trial and you can see that here.

In truth, Mike was convicted the moment he was arrested by Portland Police for defending himself against the same kind of mobsters who have trashed Portland repeatedly. Their criminal actions are rarely punished by a county "Justice System " that encourages rioting and looting but creates political prisoners of people who attempt to defend themselves from criminal attack.

From the moment he was arraigned it was clear the fix was in. As soon as the D.A.'s office in Multnomah County realized who Mike was, they began to assure he would never get a fair trial. And they succeeded.
Mike's bail was set at an astonishing and unprecedented quarter of a million dollars!

The D.A.'s office made open and absurd accusations about him to the press. They said he was a "white nationalist" and a "racist." All of it was lies. But what would you expect from a county whose D.A. is a rabid advocate for gun restrictions? D.A. Rod Underhill has testified in favor of gun control bills in Salem and is a proud member of an anti-gun prosecutor's organization.

Multnomah County is also home to Judge Kenneth Walker who said (in open court) "If I could I would take all the guns in America, put them on big barges and go dump them in the ocean. Nobody would have a gun. Not police, not security, not anybody. We should eliminate all of them."

All complaints about Walker's clear bias against the Constitutions of the United States and Oregon were dismissed. Oregon's Commission on Judicial Fitness found nothing wrong with Walker's outburst.

When it came time to seat a jury it became clear very quickly that the chances of getting impartial jurists in Multnomah County were almost zero. Only two of the potential jurors believed it was ok to have a firearm for self protection. Both would be eliminated by the prosecutors.

Michael's lawyers made the decision to dispense with the jury and opted for a bench trial. They understood their only hope was a fair and honest judge. They hoped for too much.

As the trial proceeded, everyone: Michael, his lawyers, and supporters in the courtroom were optimistic and confident. The prosecution witnesses either admitted their criminal plans or were quickly proven to be liars. Everything seemed to be going Mike's way. But, after all, this is Multnomah County, the county that says your car and your front porch are "public places." The county that rewards rioters and elects child molesters.

On Thursday, it appeared the trial was over. A use of force expert had testified that Michael's actions were reasonable. Everyone was sure that Michael would prevail. Then the Multnomah County D.A. announced that they were going to have another surprise witness on Friday to testify that Mike's use of "force" was criminal. The observers and Mike's lawyers were stunned by this last minute ambush witness.

Keep in mind that Mike's "criminal" actions consisted solely of drawing a lawfully possessed firearm in the face of a mob of armed attackers and backing away without ever placing his finger on the trigger.

The ambush witness was Ryan Rasmussen, a Gresham cop who was not at the scene of the attack but agreed (for reasons yet to be determined) to come in at the 11th hour and testify that drawing your gun in the face of an attacking mob is not "reasonable."

Within a minute of the closing arguments, after Rasmussen finished his attacks on Strickland, Judge Thomas Ryan found him guilty on all 21 counts. Mike, his lawyers and supporters were astonished.

Keep in mind, in Oregon there is no duty to retreat from attackers. But the D.A. and their hired gun witness said Michael's behavior was criminal because he did not run away. In fact, multiple videos of the event show very, very clearly that Strickland was making every attempt to back away. Incredibly, the DA attacked Mike because, after he felt he was safely away from his attackers, he holstered his gun!

A Portland Police Sgt. who was part of the squad that arrested Michael told us he thought everything Mike did was correct. But none of that mattered. Strickland's long history of exposing the hypocrisy and tyranny of the left in Oregon meant he had to be made an example of. They had the power to silence him and chill anyone else who dared shine a light on them and they used it.

This case is about so much more than Mike. If this conviction stands, self defense in Multnomah County, and soon all of Oregon, will be a dead issue. The prosecution attacked Mike because he had backup ammo! They attacked him because he did not "run away" when in fact he did. They told lies about him to taint the jury pool and build up hatred for him in the press. Who among us is next?

If ever there was a clear cut case of self defense, this was it. But a leftist, activist judge in a leftist county decided to ignore the facts and the law and condemn Mike for doing what any rational person in his position would have done.

Multnomah County has sent a message loud and clear. If you riot, attack people and destroy property, you will be protected. If you try to defend yourself from criminals, you will be convicted and jailed. It is simple insanity.

What Judge Ryan and D.A. Underhill have said is this. "If you come to Multnomah County and a gang of thugs attacks you, lie down and take the beating. If you are not killed, you will be better off than if you defend yourself and we get ahold of you."

Because of many wonderful donors, OFF was able to contribute generously to Mike's defense. Now we have no choice but to appeal. If we don't, no one is safe and a precedent has been set for the rest of the state. Politically motivated judges and D.A.'s can ignore the law with impunity. We will sink into anarchy.

Please consider helping us help Mike and all rational people who want to be able to protect themselves from the thugs who thrive in Portland. This is going to be an expensive fight and we are going to need all the help we can get.

Every single dime you donate goes directly to Mike's defense. This battle is not just about injustice to one man. This fight is about all of us.
You can make a secure donation on line here. Please use any available box to indicate your contribution is for Mike Strickland. Time is short and this is an absolutely critical battle.

LTE ~ Not My Governor

2/13/2017

Not my Governor
Remember about 8 years ago when Obozo was violating the Constitution and ramming the not so affordable health care law down over 70% of the populations throat; you know, the biggest redistribution of wealth in the history of the world. Remember that the TEA party rose up to take back our country. TEA Party was everywhere and were attacked by the media and dimwit Demon crats for trying to save our country. The TEA party was called domestic terrorists and other pejoratives, but remained calm, didn’t leave messes, respected property rights and didn’t threaten to blow up the White House, even though we were not happy with our undocumented so called President. The left gloated and bragged about their Obozo phones.

Jump up to Occupy and how these left wingers defecated on and practically decimated the park on the waterfront in Portland. They smoked weed and did drugs while impeding traffic, committing rapes and vandalizing businesses. The Mayor of Portland enabled these cultural Marxists to rule the city with no accountability and at the end of the day, we picked up the tab.

Now we not only have left wing groups like ANTIFA, Revolutionary Communist Party, Refuse Fascism, Disrupt J20, Black Lives Matters, and other Marxist groups Rioting all over the country, stomping their feet because they don’t like who was elected President. Here in Oregon we have a number of schools that have adopted the Marxist agenda and are practicing indoctrination rather than education and we have a Demon crat Party that has gone rogue. PSU has a Revolutionary Marxist course; Lincoln High School is having a “Saturday teach in, to discuss what educators must do in our classrooms, at our schools, and in our communities to resist the Trump agenda”. Yes the Portland City Commissioner is going to attend. Guess what idiots, half of the country voted for Trump….the productive half that pays the bills and you don’t speak for us.

The other day the Governor of Oregon went on a rant about how she would form a coalition as it were to resist anything Donald Trump. In her speech she raved about how Oregon would protect all Oregonians even if they were here illegally or refugees. Are they Oregonians if they are here illegally or refugees? Kate Brown went on to say that Oregon will protect all religious freedom; I suppose that what she was saying is that she will bend over backwards for Islam because it will get her more votes, we know how the State treats Christians when they won’t participate in gay marriage…they get fined into bankruptcy. I wonder how Kate Brown will pay for her voting base extension, and the loss of Federal Funds, she can’t even come up with a budget that isn’t 1.7B dollars heavy.

The next time you want to call someone a Right Wing Extremist for standing up for our founders principles and what is really American, take a look at the left wing snowflakes and their Marxist instigators who live in a world where everything is free, there is no accountability and there are participation trophy’s for everyone. Look at these spoiled brats and their destructive ways and tell me what kind of country you want to live in. Then ask yourselves if your elected officials should be using your money to fund revolutionary Marxism. Kate Brown, we will remember that you run again in 2018….you are not my Governor, and you don’t speak for me.

In Liberty,
Chris Brumbles
Columbia County Coordinator
Oath Keepers and OFF
Co-State Coordinator, Oregon Oath Keepers

Related Posts:
LTE ~ Participation Trophies for All the Spoiled Brats
LTE ~ Election Reflections & the Legislative Session
LTE ~ Open Letter to Mayor and Councilors of Coos Bay on Wastewater Treatment
LTE ~ Colombia County Approves Second Amendment Preservation Petition
LTE ~ Occasionally the Righteous can Still Win
LTE ~ Rigging Elections Using Three Proven Mechanisms
LTE ~ Help Support the Right to Pursue Fishing, Hunting, & Plinking
LTE ~ Irrational Opposition to the Patriot Movement in Saint Helens, OR
LTE ~ An Open Letter to the Mayor of Coos Bay Crystal Shoji from Fred Kirby
LTE ~ Mark Daily Running on Two Issues, User Rate Fees & Best Available Tech
LTE ~ Judge Candidate Ryan Hughes was Libeled & Slandered Anonymously
LTE ~ Coos Bay Wastewater at a Turning Point
LTE ~ North Bend Airport Manager Might be "Nuts"

LTE ~ Participation Trophies for All the Spoiled Brats

2/13/2017

Spoiled Brats

We are witnessing the result of years of participation trophies given to our children in this country. We see temper tantrums from the left going on all over the country, but there is a special kind of stupid that is going on in Oregon. Portland has enabled leftist groups for so long with no accountability for their actions that these Marxist groups literally believe that they are above the law. I am all for protesting, it is your right, but when you beat people up, destroy property, burn flag bonfires downtown, leaving the mess and shut down traffic; you are rioting and deserve whatever enforcement you get.

The Demoncrat Party in this state and really all over the country has gone completely off the reservation. The Freedom loving Americans in this country have had to endure 8 years of country destroying policies, cultural Marxism, race baiting, bigotry, division, and violation of our Natural Born Rights from the left, but we never went around in mobs rioting and whining, like the spoiled brats we have been witnessing.

The Governor of Oregon cannot create a budget that is not 1.7B dollars over, so she has decided that she will become a community organizer and create a coalition that is against everything Donald Trump. She has chosen to advance revolutionary Marxism with your tax dollars rather than do her job and she is willing to give up Federal funds, (that is your tax dollars too), to do it. This is a mad women and a lot of her peers in the Demoncrat Party are just as insane.

I want Wyden, Merkley, Kate Brown and other Oregon politicians to remember something when you are attacking PRESIDENT Donald Trump. Half of the US voted for Donald Trump and most of the counties in Oregon did too. The half that voted for him are the ones who produce for this Country and State. We are the ones who pay the bills and we are guaranteed a Republican form of Government under the rule of law. Do your job and obey your Oath of Office, and quit participating in dividing our country further and obstructionism. You were not hired as a community organizer.

In Liberty,
Chris Brumbles
Columbia County Coordinator
Oath Keepers and OFF
Co-State Coordinator, Oregon Oath Keepers

Related Posts:
LTE ~ Election Reflections & the Legislative Session
LTE ~ Open Letter to Mayor and Councilors of Coos Bay on Wastewater Treatment
LTE ~ Colombia County Approves Second Amendment Preservation Petition
LTE ~ Occasionally the Righteous can Still Win
LTE ~ Rigging Elections Using Three Proven Mechanisms
LTE ~ Help Support the Right to Pursue Fishing, Hunting, & Plinking
LTE ~ Irrational Opposition to the Patriot Movement in Saint Helens, OR
LTE ~ An Open Letter to the Mayor of Coos Bay Crystal Shoji from Fred Kirby
LTE ~ Mark Daily Running on Two Issues, User Rate Fees & Best Available Tech
LTE ~ Judge Candidate Ryan Hughes was Libeled & Slandered Anonymously
LTE ~ Coos Bay Wastewater at a Turning Point
LTE ~ North Bend Airport Manager Might be "Nuts"

Coos County Searching for New Planning Commissioner ~ Constitutionalist Needed

2/9/2017

Oregon Supremes Rule Against Free Speech & For Union Intimidation

2/3/2017

Supreme Court Says City Councilor’s Anti-Union Editorial May Violate Labor Laws

On Thursday, the Oregon Supreme Court decided in AFSCME v. Lebanon that cities can be held liable for individual councilor statements, even when the councilor has no independent decision-making authority.

In Oregon, it is unlawful for employers to interfere with employees who wish to form a union, retaliate against employees who form or join a union, or encourage employees to disband a union. Although an individual city councilor has no independent authority to act on behalf of a city, the court explained that a city could still be liable for a councilor’s actions if employees reasonably believe that the councilor was acting on behalf of the city.

Because of the potentially far-reaching effects of this case, the League encourages city officials to review the court’s decision with their city attorney in order to make any changes to ensure compliance with state labor laws.

Contact: Sean O’Day, General Counsel, soday@orcities.org Philip Thoennes, Assistant General Counsel, pthoennes@orcities.org

FEMA ~ Public Meeting on Proposed Changes to Flood Maps Thursday Feb 9, 2017

2/3/2017

Public Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Proposed Changes to FEMA Flood Maps

With more advanced technology and better topographic data, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), has issued preliminary (draft) flood maps for the City of Coos Bay. The areas affected are portions of First Creek, Chickses Creek, and Empire Lakes (all of which are in the Empire District).

FEMA and DLCD will host a public meeting in the afternoon and early evening on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the Owens Building, 201 N. Adams St, Coquille, to discuss the draft flood map revisions and what they mean for property owners. The event will last from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm (with formal presentations at 3:15 pm and 5:15 pm). At the event, property owners and residents will have a chance to learn about the flood mapping process and what the changes mean for them. Residents will also have the opportunity to ask questions about how these maps will impact their property and community. City staff will also be present to help address questions from the public.

Flooding is the nation’s most common and most expensive natural disaster. According to national statistics, homes inside high-risk flood areas have a 26 percent chance of being damaged by flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage, compared with a 9 percent chance of sustaining fire damage. To learn more about federal flood insurance visit www.floodsmart.gov .

Citizens that have questions regarding the draft flood maps can contact the City’s Engineering Technician Jason Vinyard at 541-269-1181 extension 2249. The draft maps can also be viewed at City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay.

ODFW ~ Commercial Crabbing Closed From Coos Bay North Jetty to Heceta Head

2/2/2017

Commercial crabbing closed from Coos Bay north jetty
to Heceta Head due to domoic acid

Commercial crabbing closed from Coos Bay north jetty to Heceta Head due to domoic acid

Commercial crabbing closed from Coos Bay north jetty to Heceta Head due to domoic acid

Tweet

February 2, 2017
The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce the closure of the commercial crab fishery from the north jetty of Coos Bay to Heceta Head, north of Florence, due to elevated levels of domoic acid in crab viscera. The area is also closed to recreational harvest.

Crab meat remains safe for consumption. Domoic acid levels are elevated only in crab viscera, or the guts, of crab sampled and tested from this area of the Oregon coast. The closure is limited to that portion of the central coast. Areas south of Coos Bay and north of Heceta Head remain open to commercial crabbing.

To protect consumers, all crab that has been landed from the closed area since January 25th and currently in the harvest process will have the viscera removed by ODA-licensed processors to eliminate the biotoxin before crab goes to market.

Crab fishermen will be allowed in the closed area over the next week to clear out their fishing operations, after which a full fishing prohibition goes into place in the closed area.

ODA and ODFW will continue working closely with the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab industry to monitor the entire coast for domoic acid by testing crab and other shellfish. Additional samples will be tested and restrictions on Dungeness crab harvesting in the closed area will be lifted as domoic acid decreases to safe levels.

Domoic acid is a naturally occurring biotoxin produced by marine phytoplankton or algae that grow and bloom during certain seasons. When the algae are in high numbers, the biotoxin they produce is eaten and concentrated by crabs and other species.

Eating shellfish that is contaminated with domoic acid can cause illness in humans within minutes to hours resulting in cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, consumption can result in memory problems or even death. The toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking, adding baking soda, or any other method. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating seafood should contact a physician immediately.

Fortunately for crab consumers, the majority of domoic acid resides in the internal organs– not the meat– and is effectively removed through “evisceration” (also known as “backing”) of the crab, to remove the internal organs.

Despite the closure, all crab meat and shellfish products sold in retail markets and restaurants remain safe for consumers; whole cook crab are safe, once they have been eviscerated. For more information, call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at (800) 448-2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures web page at http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/FoodSafety/Shellfish/Pages/ShellfishClosures.

###
Contact:
ODA– Bruce Pokarney at (503) 986-4559
ODFW– Kelly Corbett at (541) 867-0300 ext. 244 or Troy Buell at (541) 867-0300 ext. 22

Oregon Republicans Question Financial Source of Gov "Trump Resistance Team"

2/2/2017

Oregon GOP Chair Questions Gov. Brown Anti-Trump Group, Source of Financing Asks if Kate Brown really thinks Oregon voters elected her Governor to play political games?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday 02/01/2016–3:30 PM PT
Contact: ORP Communications Director

Wilsonville, OR – Oregon Republican Party Chairman Bill Currier issued a statement on Wednesday in response to media reports that Oregon Governor Kate Brown had formed a “Trump Resistance Team”. Currier said that Brown’s “social action team” threatens to further divide our nation, and suggested that the Governor prefers playing political games instead of devoting herself to solving pressing problems here in Oregon. Currier also raised questions about the motivation and funding of Brown’s new campaign.

“This kind of rhetoric by a sitting Oregon Governor is inflammatory, divisive, and unprecedented. We have enough problems coming together in America without elected officials wasting time fanning the flames. The voters have spoken, and public opinion polls show general approval of President Trump’s actions so far. Governor Brown risks being left on the fringes of our society, instead of being considered a bipartisan thought leader. With mounting long term debt, state spending ballooning out of control, transparency and corruption issues, pressing transportation needs, and economic development challenges, does Kate Brown really think Oregon voters elected her Governor to play political games?”

"You also have to wonder about the origin and funding of this campaign," cautioned Chair Currier. “We’ve seen many recent examples of Governor Brown’s public policies and political motives being shaped and funded, in whole or in part, by out of state billionaires like Michael Bloomberg, Tom Steyer, and George Soros - along with in-state billionaire Win McCormack. It’s high time Oregon voters reject the extremist agenda of these hyper-rich cronies and leave the governing of Oregon to Oregonians.”

"I have to remark at the irony of this report," added Currier. "Kate’s email to supporters reads, in part, ‘Now, more than ever, we must bring communities together to resist in a divided nation.’ Yet this call to action urges her progressive activist supporters to come together to divide people. Not exactly a “uniting” approach. Past elected officials have always tried to find a way to work with a President of the opposite party, even up through President Obama’s administration. It’s time for Democrat Leaders to stop whining, get to work, and find areas of common ground with President Trump, to accomplish the important business of our state and nation."

Currier also took note of the hashtag games being played, saying, “The #teamkate hashtag is interesting, if a bit short sighted. A quick twitter search by a social media professional - or even an amateur - would have revealed that it has already been taken. Let’s hope Governor Brown does nothing more to revive the other hashtag she was known for - #korruptkate.”

Link to Online Posting:
https://oregon.gop/orp-chair-questions-gov-brown-anti-trump-group-and-financing-2017-02-01

The Oregon Republican Party is the state’s arm of the Republican National Committee. It’s Chairman and officers are dedicated to promoting Republican principles within the state of Oregon and to improving the lives and livelihoods of Oregon’s working families through economic freedom and equal protection under the law.

###
Kevin Hoar
Oregon Republican Party

Communications Director
Email: communications.director@orgop.org

Website: Oregon.GOP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oregonrepublicanparty/

Bandon Chamber of Commerce Civic Involvement Panel Presentation

2/2/2017

Civic Involvement Panel Presentation

Name: Civic Involvement Panel Presentation
Date: March 8, 2017
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM PST
Website: Bandon Chamber Professional Enrichment
Registration: Register Now
Event Description:
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT Panel Presentation
1 to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 8

Share your voice in civic dialogue. Learn how proactive business owners and professionals help their communities through productive civic involvement. Hear from county and city experts: Coos County Commissioner Melissa Cribbins, City of Bandon Manager Robert Mawson and Bandon Planning Director John McLaughlin, and South Coast Development Council Executive Director Connie Stopher.

The panel will discuss the structure and staffing of city and county offices and answer frequently asked questions for those interested in public involvement or committee service. Free event. Registration required.

Find more Bandon Chamber presentations and workshops on our Professional Enrichment page.

To Current Calendar

Location:
Bandon City Hall Council Chambers
555 Highway 101, Bandon
Date/Time Information:
1 to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 8
Contact Information:
Bandon Chamber and Visitors Center 541-347-9616
Send an Email
Fees/Admission:
Free event. Registration required.
Set a Reminder:
Enter your email address below to receive a reminder message.
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Columbia County Voters ~ Download & Sign Second Amendment Petition

2/2/2017

Columbia County Residents
Support the Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance

With the Oregon Legislature tightly in the grasp of Portland liberals, the danger of new, Bloomberg-funded attacks on your rights is a constant threat. Well, if you live in Columbia County, there is something you can do about it.
You can help your county pass a Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance like the people in Coos County did.
Spearheading this drive (only needed because the commissioners of the county refused to stand up themselves) is Chris Brumbles, who just happens to be the Columbia County Coordinator for Oregon Firearms Federation. He has filed a ballot measure to require Columbia County to adopt a resolution to protect the Second Amendment from more encroachments by the state.

You can read the proposed ordinance here.

You can download a single signer “electronic signature sheet” here.

To submit your signature for the Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance, Initiative 16-7 for Columbia County Oregon, you must:

1) Be registered as an eligible voter in Columbia County Oregon.

2) Download and fill out the E Signature Sheet

3) Mail the signed signature sheet to:
Committee for the Preservation of the Second Amendment
C/O Chris Brumbles
64835 Deer Island Heights
Deer Island OR 97054
For more information, or to assist in this effort, please email Chris at oroathkeepcontact@gmail.com

Download Petition

Action Alert: County Commissioners Need to Hear Second Amendment Supporters

2/2/2017

Hey Folks,

We could really use the help of all you Second Amendment Supporters!!!

Wednesday, the Union County BOC listened to our case for the SAPO. They have decided to consider it and bring it back to a future meeting. Their response has been atypical of the board meetings for the last two counties.

We do not want these commissioners to forget to bring the ordinance back for consideration, and it would be good to send them thanks for their valuable time. Please consider sending all nine commissioners from all three counties a quick note. For equitability, you only have to write one note for nine people.

If you know any of these commissioners personally, then you may want to send an email specifically to that person. The list is below.

We have a new CP for Linn County, Mrs. Mellissa Barnard.
For more info go to: http://www.cooscountywatchdog.com/second-amendment-preservation-ordinance.html

Emails of the county commissioners and the Dates of the Meetings
Union County BOC Meeting on February 1, 2017
Union County Commissioner
Jack Howard
jhoward@union-county.org

Union County Commissioner
Steve McClure
mcclure@union-county.org

Union County Commissioner
Donna Beverage
dbeverage@union-county.org

Malheur County BOC Meeting Wednesday January 25, 2016
Malheur County Judge/Commissioner
Dan Joyce
Dan.Joyce@malheurco.org

Malheur County Commissioner
Larry Willson
lwilson@malheurco.org

Malheur County Commissioner
Don Hodge
Don.Hodge@malheurco.org

Lake County BOC Meeting on Wednesday January 17, 2017
Lake County Commissioner
Ken Kestner, 2016 Chair
541-947-6004
kkestner@co.lake.or.us

Lake County Commissioner
Dan Shoun, 2016 Vice-Chair
541-947-6002
dshoun@co.lake.or.us

Lake County Commissioner
Bradley J. Winters, 2016 Commissioner
541-947-6005
bwinters@co.lake.or.us

Sincerely, Rob Taylor
email: CoosCountyWatchdog@gmail.com

Related Posts:
Coos County Watchdog Public Meeting on New Initiatives March 3, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance “SAPO” Update: January 26, 2017
Coos County Sheriff Office Fingerprinting Machine Down NO CHL Until Feb 17, 2017
US Department of Justice ~ ATF ~ Firearms Transaction Record
SB548~ Relating to Residency Requirements for Concealed Handgun Licenses
Sheriff Office Fingerprinting Machine Down NO CHL Until January 25, 2017
OFF ~ The Gun Bills Are Coming, and Some Are Just Weird
OFF ~ First Anti-Gun Bill Proposed
Coos Bay Manager, Secretary of State & LOC Agree City's Laws Equal to State Law
LTE ~ Colombia County Approves Second Amendment Preservation Petition
Entering A Second Amendment Sanctuary County
Oregon Firearms Federation ~ Kevin Starret Endorses Teri Grier
Second Amendment Chief Petitioners Needed for these Oregon Counties
Columbia County Receives Ballot Title for Initiative Petition 16-7
Video of the Columbia BOC Discussing the Second Amendment August 17, 2016
Columbia County Resident Files for Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance
Curry County BOC Vote to be a Second Amendment Sanctuary County
Curry County BOC Vote Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance July 20, 2016
Open Letter to the Curry County Board of Commissioners on 2nd Amendment
Curry BOC Voting on Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance Referral
An Election Message to Second Amendment Supporters