In an ongoing saga, the failed development of the Yamhelas-Westsider bike and pedestrian trail in Yamhill county has taken a political turn. A series of public records requests have revealed what both elected and non-elected officials have done to manipulate public opinion and sabotage the legal process in attempting to build a bike path at public expense through Exclusive Farm Use zoning without a Conditional Use Permit.

Over the course of the project, the State Land Use Board of Appeals has ruled five out of five times that this was an illegal action. They even awarded attorney’s fees on the fifth and final defeat handed the County. Feeling they can ignore the law, Friends of Yamhelas Westsider Trail, actively working with elected and non-elected County officials have continued to attempt to spend public dollars in a quest for a bike path.

A professionally written, misleading article by freelance writer Leah Sotille -- more a hit piece, than actual reporting -- appeared in Colorado-headquartered High Country Magazine highly critical of Commissioner Berschauer’s role in presiding over the last days of the trail. The problem with the article was all the pertinent facts were left out to mislead the reader.

A new player has emerged in the person of Phillip Higgins, a real estate broker from Newberg. Recent public records show that prior to February 3, 2021, he contacted a leftist freelance journalist named Leah Sotille to write a hit piece on County Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer. Her crime? She’s favorable to Timber Unity, an Oregon-based natural resource and agricultural activist group.

Sottile emailed back to Higgins stating she knew little about the Trail controversy and asked him for information. Higgins emailed Sottile to engage her on the project. In a later email, Higgins told Sottile that the best source of information on the Trail was Carrie Martin, Grants Administrator. Higgins became part of the Trail group as an addition to emails, also obtained by FOIA, as early as 11/23/20. He was one of a group led by Commissioner Casey Kulla plotting to move a County leased property away from a private party to gain control of what they hoped would be a Trailhead.

The plot was thwarted through legal means. County Grants Administrator Carrie Martin had the idea “floated by” her in that email. Separately, Martin was caught speaking out of both sides of her mouth about timelines to complete a Trail bridge being built illegally with ODOT grant money.

In an email to ODOT on June 17, 2020 she stated it would be 15 days to completion. That was in response to an email concerning a Oregon Department of Justice finding that the County was in breach of the terms of the grant, the basis for termination. The Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon Department of Transportation killed the Trail, but Martin was apparently trying to save it.

In another email to Commissioner Berschauer dated February 3, 2021, Martin stated it was 10 days to completion, but on that same day, she was in possession of a letter from the contractor, Farline, stating they were 70 days from completion. It was time for the Trail proponents, which includes County officials, to circle the wagons around Carrie Martin.

Back to Phillip Higgins. In a January 19, 2021 email to carriemartinconsulting and others he suggested a “strategy session” about “real honest war”. Higgins also suggested campaign ideas to use against the Commissioners who opposed the trail.

Commissioner Kulla stoked the fire stating that the use of publicly requested emails -- inferring it was the Carrie Martin emails -- was harassment. Apparently it’s just not fair to know what County officials are plotting to do with your tax dollars. The plan to beat up on Berschauer was hatched. She knew too much and had to be silenced. The High Country piece was heavy on details of Berschauer’s private life but totally lacking in substantive matters leading to the Trail’s demise through the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.

Knowing that the author confessed to little knowledge of the Trail controversy and that she was told Carrie Martin was the best source of information on the subject it is quite possible that Martin is the one working hardest to circle the wagons around herself. Her consulting business works with firms who are vendors contracting to Yamhill County on projects involving grant money. She has more to lose than just her job. County Counsel Todd Sadlo is under investigation by the Oregon Bar for his role in advising the County to continue spending grant money on a project deemed illegal as long ago as three years. He too has more to lose than just his job. Both are potentially liable personally for violating ORS 294.100 regarding wanton and willful wasting of public funds.


--Tom Hammer

Post Date: 2021-07-15 20:49:34

Last Update: 2021-07-15 21:20:38

The Oregon Legislature has approved $80 million in funding to the Oregon Department of Transportation for safety projects on 82nd avenue.

This funding also secures a future transfer of the highway from state to the local city government.

In a May 2021 agreement, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) agreed to a $185 million funding framework for eventual transfer of the roadway from state jurisdiction to local control under the city of Portland.

To address the safety issues described, roughly $95 million of the $185 million would be allocated directly toward safety improvements.

With the $80 million allocation from the legislature, ODOT and PBOT commit to making the additional investments necessary to reach the full cost to transfer. The agreement is slated to be finalized via Intergovernmental Agreement by January 2022.

“This historic funding and agreement brings real change for the thousands of residents that rely on this street. As a community organizer, I have spent the last 5+ years working on this issue." said Representative Khanh Pham (D-Portland).

82nd Avenue, also known as State Highway OR-213, is a defining roadway in Portland, however, it is also a dangerous road.

16 traffic-related deaths occurred on 82nd Avenue between 2007 and 2018. As recently as April 2021, two pedestrians were killed on 82nd Avenue.

Destinations like the Jade District and Montavilla are part of 82nd Avenue.

The road seems to be in a constant state of disrepair.

The ODOT/PBOT agreement would include the cost of bringing signals, lighting, ADA ramps (total $95 million), pavement ($78 million), and stormwater ($12 million) to state of good repair, and addressing some of the most urgent deficiencies in sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.

"Oregon Walks is dedicated to ensuring equitable outcomes along this road, not just in active transportation but also housing, economic development, place making, and safe access to schools and parks.” said Ashton Simpson, Executive Director at Oregon Walks

“This funding will transform 82nd Avenue from a dangerous dividing line into a safe, community-focused bridge,” said Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland).

This funding is within HB 5006, which already passed the the Oregon legislature and awaits Governor Kate Brown's signature. Once signed by the Governor, ODOT will begin implementation fall 2021.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-07-15 17:34:00

Last Update: 2021-07-15 17:56:15

The Salem City Council has declared through a resolution passed unanimously that health care is a fundamental right. This occurred at their July 12 meeting.

The resolution declares that "individual wellbeing and public health both benefit when all members of a community have real, meaningful access to health care."

It commits the City Council to:

• Support Oregon Senate Joint Resolution 12, which would amend the state constitution, establishing an obligation of the state to ensure "every resident of the state access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care."
• Express support for state-based universal healthcare and send a letter to that effect to the Legislature and Governor. Send a letter to Oregon's federal delegation urging them to create pathways to establish state-based systems under federal waivers that can remove barriers to receiving federal financial support.

The resolution is designed to address only local actions that the Council can take.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-07-14 17:58:05

Last Update: 2021-07-14 21:34:38

The Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, have revealed a new brand identity, including a new primary, secondary and wordmark logos, as well as a revised color scheme.

“We are so proud to finally have our own identity,” began Michael Kramer of Winterhawks Sports Group, owner and managing partner of the franchise. “We feel our new look is fresh and unique, one that we are excited about and believe our community will be as well.”

The club’s new primary logo, a right-facing hawk featured with a predominantly white head, also carries the tradition of former colors black and red. The new scheme adds “celly gold” and also squall gray, a color distinct to the new Winterhawks brand. The palette comes together on the bird to take place of an existing emblem that began representing the organization after being loaned in 1976.

Also featured on the bird head are two feathers, carrying the legacy of the franchise’s roots and serving as a subtle nod to the feathers in the previous logo. The bottom of the hawk’s head includes Mount Hood in the aforementioned new squall gray, an iconic mountain from the Cascade Range synonymous with the Portland area. Located within the Mount Hood figure are also the letters “W” and “H”, for further characterization of Winterhawks. The previous logo was the same one used by the Chicago Blackhawks.

“Under a new ownership group led by Michael Kramer and Kerry Preete, the Portland Winterhawks are embarking on a new chapter in franchise history, so it is only fitting they do so with a new primary logo design that truly represents Portland, the Pacific Northwest and its great fanbase,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The Winterhawks have a long history of success in the Portland market and I am confident their passionate fans will embrace this fresh approach and unique design when the WHL Regular Season opens in October.”

The new brand identity was created in collaboration with Portland Gear, a local Portland-based company and designed by Brian Gundell, a University of Oregon graduate that has created work for NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, MiLB, Adidas and Under Armour.

“We are very excited to played a role in the creation of a new identity for one of the Portland’s four major sports teams,” Marcus Harvey, owner of Portland Gear remarked. “This project was many months in the making and we’re thrilled to finally be able to showcase it.”

The refreshed color scheme can also be seen in the club’s new secondary logo, which features a revitalized edition of the “Portland P” that the team has utilized in the past. The logo will be worn on the team’s jerseys as a shoulder patch, with the P being in gold font at the forefront of two hockey sticks in squall gray. “Est. 1976” – a nod to the 45-year success of the franchise in The Rose City, one of the longest tenured in the WHL, is also included on the patch. “Winterhawks” can be seen hung in a banner atop the logo.

The team’s new identity goes into place effective immediately.

New Winterhawks brand gear is currently available for purchase at ShopWinterhawks.com



--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-07-14 17:16:13

Last Update: 2021-07-14 18:10:21

Governor Kate Brown announced today that she will appoint Kelly Kritzer to the Klamath County Circuit Court to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Cameron Wogan. Kritzer currently serves as the probate commissioner and law clerk for the Klamath and Lake County Circuit Courts.

Her appointment is effective immediately.

“Kelly Kritzer’s experience has given her a deep familiarity with the varied work of the Klamath County Circuit Court, and will enable her to hit the ground running immediately,” said Governor Brown. “I am pleased to appoint her to the bench.”

Kritzer grew up in Michigan and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1991 from the University of Michigan.

Kritzer went to law school at Willamette University. After graduating in 2003, Kritzer served as a law clerk for the Klamath County Circuit Court for three years and then as a Klamath County Deputy District Attorney. After leaving the DA’s office, Kritzer went into private practice from 2008 to 2016. In 2017, she was hired into her current role as probate commissioner and law clerk, where she provides legal research and writing support for judges in Klamath and Lake Counties.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-07-14 17:11:53

Last Update: 2021-07-14 17:43:51

The Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance was a campaign drive in Oregon spearheaded by Rob Taylor that now encompasses 23 counties. He led a movement to get counties to adopt a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution in 2013-2015. It was the same Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance volunteers put on the ballot starting in 2018 using the initiative process.

The initial counties are Baker, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Linn, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Wheeler counties. Crook County was actually the first to release a Second Amendment Proclamation on May 15, 2013. It all started to come together in 2015 with eight additional counties passing various Second Amendment protections:

• Sherman – February 4, 2015 – passed a resolution in opposition to background checks.
• Polk – February 11, 2015 – passed a resolution in support of Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms.
• Clackamas – February 19, 2015 – passed a resolution in support of Second Amendment Rights.
• Tillamook – March 4, 2015 – issued statement in support of the Second Amendment.
• Marion – March 18, 2015 – passed resolution in support of the Second Amendment.
• Lane – June 2, 2015 – pass resolution supporting Second Amendment Rights.
• City of Canby – June 3, 2015 – passed resolution defending the Second Amendment.
• Yamhill – July 2, 2015 – passed two pro-Second Amendment Resolutions.
• Douglas – August 26, 2015 – passed a resolution supporting the Second Amendment.
• Grant – February 25, 2015 – has a filled initiative aimed at prohibiting enforcement of laws that restrict gun possession that is still waiting a ruling by Grant County Circuit Court Judge William D Cramer Jr.

Since 2015, more counties and cities have taken action. Supporters believe they have a legal defense against the state and federal government in the Constitution. The supporters of gun control laws argue that cities and counties cannot override state laws. But Rob Taylor says the current Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance was crafted by legal minds to withstand a court challenge.

• Harney – April 10, 2019 – passed the Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance.
• Town of Lexington in Morrow – February 3, 2020 – declares itself a Second Amendment sanctuary.
• City of Nyssa – February 11, 2020 – council affirms right to bear arms.
• Malheur – April 6, 2021 – supports Second Amendment Rights.

In two counties, Lincoln and Jackson, the voters rejected the initiative on the ballot last November.

Rob Taylor is hopeful of covering the state with Second Amendment protections that will have the effect of killing bills in the legislature.

It seems like the Portland riots have had more than one impact on the state.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-07-14 17:04:23

Last Update: 2021-07-14 17:16:13

On July 10, 2021 at about 11:33 p.m., Portland Police officers responded to the sound of a loud explosion in the area of Northeast 87th Avenue and Northeast Fremont Street.

Officers arrived and found a book exchange box had been destroyed.

There was debris of wood and books spread around the scene. Flying debris appeared to have caused minor damage to at least two residences, but nobody was injured.

On July 12, 2021 at about 1:18 a.m., officers responded to the sound of a loud explosion on Northeast 148th Avenue. When they arrived they found a brick mailbox enclosure and a mailbox near Northeast 148th Avenue and East Burnside Street had been destroyed. Debris landed up to one hundred feet away. Nobody was injured.

These incidents are under investigation by the Metropolitan Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU) and the Portland Fire Arson Investigations Unit.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-07-13 19:04:53

Last Update: 2021-07-13 19:26:12

Governor Kate Brown has announced that she has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Grandview Fire that broke out in Jefferson County on the afternoon of Sunday, July 11th.

The fire is estimated to be 2,000 acres in size and is located near Culver, where there are Level 3 evacuations in place.

The fire is threatening structures in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties. The Office of the State Fire Marshal Red Incident Management Team will assume unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry, and will work to bring resources from counties around Oregon to assist in the response.

“With several large fires burning throughout Oregon, I want to reiterate how important it is for all Oregonians to be prepared and to remain vigilant about fire prevention, especially with activities that could spark fires," said Governor Brown.

In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, the Governor determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exist due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.

The Governor's declaration cleared the way for the State Fire Marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire.

The Office of the State Marshal has mobilized a task-force from Marion County to address the immediate need on the Grandview Fire.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Red Incident Management Team was also mobilized, along with three additional task-forces to support the protection of life and structures. OSFM personnel responded with a Communications Unit and a cache trailer loaded with incident support supplies, tools to enhance defensible space around structures, and other provisions firefighters need to inhabit a fire camp.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-07-12 18:55:34

Last Update: 2021-07-12 19:08:17

Peace Corps volunteers are going door to door in The Dalles to spread the word about the mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic at St. Mary’s Academy. The clinic is only here through next Wednesday, July 14, and this is a final push to get the word out.

The clinic is open daily through July 14 (except for Monday July 12), from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The volunteers work in teams of two, and they concentrate on apartment complexes, so they can reach the most people in the quickest time. They have identified some 500 affordable housing units to visit.

Max Sullivan is the team coordinator for the 10-person group of Peace Corps volunteers assigned to The Dalles for the final days of the mobile vaccine unit at St. Mary’s, located at 1112 Cherry Heights Road.

Most of the volunteers will be working at the vaccine clinic, while others will knock on doors and hand out flyers about the clinic, Sullivan said. They distribute flyers at businesses in the mornings, and start visiting apartments at around noon, so they don’t wake anyone up.

Vaccines are free, and no appointments, insurance or ID are needed at the drive-up/walk-in clinic. Wasco County residents get a $50 VISA gift card for getting the vaccine. Offered is the Pfizer vaccine, for those 12 and older, and the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those who need a free ride to the clinic can call the LINK bus at 541-296-7595.

Peace Corps volunteers have already knocked on thousands of doors in the Portland metro area. “A lot of people don’t know it’s free, or they don’t know you don’t have to have insurance, and you don’t need ID,”

“A surprising number of people don’t know how easy it is,” said Peace Corps Volunteer Charlie Yow. They only know about the early months, when getting a vaccine was difficult. Baboucarr Jallow, a Peace Corps volunteer, said once people learn they can get something free, such as a gift card, “they start coming out.”

Sullivan said the gift cards don’t turn a “no” into a “yes,” but it incentivizes people who “weren’t in a hurry” to get the vaccine to go ahead and get one.

Sometimes volunteers do door-knocking one day and work a clinic the next, and they see people they’d talked to the previous day coming to the clinics. “We know it works,” Sullivan said of doorknocking. “It’s very important to say it’s a personal decision and we’re not forcing it on anyone,” Sullivan said.

Peace Corps Volunteer Judy Jones said in-person outreach is effective. “It’s just talking to people and finding out what makes them motivated to do it.”

Someone answers the door about half the time. “If you get 100 doors and two or three are interested in it, that’s something,” Sullivan said. “Usually it’s more.”

They use the translation application Voiance to help them if they meet someone who doesn’t speak English.

“Within less than a minute we have someone on the line that can translate any language,” Sullivan said. The vast majority of people are polite, but the volunteers are trained in how to calm a situation if need be.

Their main goal is simply to notify people of the clinic and that it’s free. They are also able to answer general questions about the vaccines.

The Peace Corps volunteers were all evacuated from abroad in 2020 because of the pandemic. In all, 158 volunteers were sent to five states to help with vaccinations. It is only the second time in the Peace Corps’ history that volunteers have worked in the United States. The first time was during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-07-12 10:36:19

Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek have released the following statement on the expansion of public entry in the Oregon State Capitol:

“The last year has been extremely hard on our state. Oregonians have suffered devastating wildfires, an ice storm, a historic heatwave, and extreme drought. Through it all, we have battled a global pandemic that has dramatically changed our daily lives.

“Last March, we consulted with infectious disease doctors and public health officials about what changes were needed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the Capitol. In the end, we made the very difficult decision to limit Capitol entry to legislators, essential staff, and members of the press.

“Over 70% of Oregonians 18 and older are now vaccinated against COVID-19 and community spread has reduced considerably. We are extremely grateful to Oregonians for stepping up to help beat this pandemic. With new guidance from the Oregon Health Authority and the lifting of county risk levels, we are excited to expand entry to the Capitol today to include members of the public.”

Due to the ongoing Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety project, certain areas in the Capitol will continue to be under construction during the coming months. Access to the Senate and House wings will be limited to construction personnel only until December 2021. The State Street entrances and front steps will also be temporarily closed for construction. Visitors can use the North ADA entrances to enter the building.

Public access to the Capitol building has lagged behind other businesses, churches and public places, and many critics have noted that the Capitol building remained closed for the entirety of the legislative session. Article IV, Section 14 of the Oregon Constitution reads:

The deliberations of each house, of committees of each house or joint committees and of committees of the whole, shall be open. Each house shall adopt rules to implement the requirement of this section and the houses jointly shall adopt rules to implement the requirements of this section in any joint activity that the two houses may undertake.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-07-12 10:19:51

Epidemiology -- a field we hear a lot about these days -- is "the study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations." You might be surprised to find out that the State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger -- the one who Governor Kate Brown often turns to during press conferences, etc. -- is not, in fact, an epidemiologist. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,

Epidemiologists typically need at least a master’s degree. The degree may be in a range of fields or specializations, although a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis in epidemiology is common. Epidemiologists who direct research projects—including those who work as postsecondary teachers in colleges and universities—often have a Ph.D. or medical degree in their chosen field.

Dr. Sidelinger's official bio lists his current position with the state of Oregon, his professional experience, and his education, but no ties to the field of epidemiology:

Dean Sidelinger, MD, MSEd, FAAP is the Health Officer and State Epidemiologist for the Oregon Public Health Division. In this role he supports public health practice, programs, and staff.

Prior to joining the Oregon Health Authority, Dr. Sidelinger served as the Child Health Medical Officer and Interim Deputy Public Health Officer for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). In this role, he helped provide strategic direction for HHSA programs that impacted children and public health through the County’s vision, Live Well San Diego, to help all County residents be healthy, be safe, and thrive. He worked across programs in behavioral health, child welfare, early childhood, eligibility operations, and public health. In addition, Dr. Sidelinger worked with multiple partners in the community from the education, health, and social service sectors.

Dr. Sidelinger obtained his undergraduate degree in chemistry and medical degree from Georgetown University. He completed his pediatric internship and residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and a fellowship in Community Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. He also has a Master’s in Education from the University of Southern California.

Sidelinger has been all over the place with his epidemiological conclusions. As an example, with regards to schools being the source of infection, he's quickly flip-flopped. In April, KATU News in Portland quoted Dr. Sidelinger, saying:

"Studies from around the world and experience throughout the country shows schools are not a driver of COVID-19 transmission," Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state health officer and state epidemiologist for Oregon, said.

A few weeks later, in early May, KBND News, in Bend reported

Oregon State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger says most of the recent spike in Covid cases statewide can be traced to kids returning to school. He says only three percent of Covid cases are tied to restaurants and bars in the state - despite the tighter dining restrictions imposed by the Governor. Of the 257 new outbreaks during the last week in Oregon, Dr. Sidelinger says 30 percent were attributed to single case outbreaks associated with schools, 12 percent were attributed to two or more case outbreaks associated with schools, and four and a half percent of cases were attributed to recreational sports and sports teams.

This is surprising, as much of the epidemiological evidence indicates that the source of infections has not been schools. Perhaps the teachers' unions got to him.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-07-11 09:22:37

Last Update: 2021-07-11 10:03:03

As Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen handed over a $1,000,000.00 check to McMinnville resident Chloe Zinda as the winner of the Take Your Shot, Oregon campaign to increase COVID-19 vaccination participation, the state has been largely silent on the possible effects of taking the vaccine.

With thirty-one data dashboards on OHA website devoted to COVID-19, not one dashboard devoted adverse side effects -- including death data. More young people have died from the vaccine than the virus in Oregon, but not a mention of that on state government websites.

You can find graphs and charts for a myriad of data, including Lineage Prevalence Over Time -- where a curious citizen can follow the rise and fall of the Delta variant -- on the OHA site, but nothing that would help a concerned Oregonian make an informed decision about whether or not to get the vaccine, by presenting data about the risks, including death data.

The federal Department of Health and Human Services operates a database of Adverse Events that correlate to vaccine administration. This database lists 4,465 reports of adverse events following administration of a COVID vaccine -- 45 of which resulted in death. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, known as VAERS, by it's own admission doesn't even have reports for all events. "VAERS is a passive reporting system, meaning that reports about adverse events are not automatically collected, but require a report to be filed to VAERS. 'Underreporting' is one of the main limitations of passive surveillance systems, including VAERS. The term, underreporting refers to the fact that VAERS receives reports for only a small fraction of actual adverse events."

State and federal governments have access to the most complete set of data on any health related issue, including adverse vaccine events. For some citizens making decisions, it is incumbent on these governments to provide as honest and complete picture of what "taking the shot" truly means. Such data might be worth -- who knows -- a million dollars.


--Margo Logan

Post Date: 2021-07-10 19:28:14

Last Update: 2021-07-10 19:42:55