The City of Sandy, under the direction of Mayor Stan Pulliam has released a proposal to build a Highway 26 bypass around the city. Pulliam is also running for the Republican nomination for Governor.

"When I first ran for mayor in 2018, I was tired of past elected officials saying that solving our growing transportation problems was not possible," said Pulliam. "I knew Sandy wanted a leader who tried to say 'yes' and not 'no' when it came to such basic infrastructure needs."

The study released by the City of Sandy found that, if a bypass is not completed, intersections in Sandy on Highway 26 would exceed mobility targets, even with local street improvements. According to the report, adding the bypass is feasible, much less expensive than previously thought, and would reduce travel times through Sandy both directions.

"Politicians in Portland are spending millions building expensive light rail and other projects that will not solve congestion," continued Pulliam. "Here in Sandy we are talking about building roads, not reducing lanes."

"Sandy needs to take its destiny into its own hands and look out for its future, which is currently headed towards worsening gridlock. Building a bypass will make Sandy an even more attractive destination, not just a passthrough."

"Our city is committed to moving forward and addressing our major traffic congestion needs. We will carefully review the presented data and take action in the near future."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-12-22 10:28:22

Last Update: 2021-12-22 10:52:38

It's almost as if Governor Brown has admitted to the fraud on Oregonians in Executive Order 21-36. She extended her declaration of a state of emergency by authority conferred to her in ORS 401.165 to 401.236, and ORS 401.192 claiming the full force and effect of law with no recourse of any individual rights or privileges against the State.

• 401-165-188 – emergency declared at requests of a county, and specifies the geographical area, and Governor’s authority within the designated area including removal of disaster debris or wreckage, and providing temporary housing and unemployment for disaster victims. The Governor may issue, amend and enforce rules and orders to manage resources during and after an emergency.
• 401.192 - All rules and orders issued under authority conferred by ORS 401.165 (Declaration of state of emergency) to 401.236 (Rules) shall have the full force and effect of law both during and after the declaration of a state of emergency. All existing laws, ordinances, rules and orders inconsistent with ORS 401.165 to 401.236 shall be inoperative during the period of time and to the extent such inconsistencies exist.
• 401.204 - The Governor shall terminate the state of emergency by proclamation when the emergency no longer exists, or when the threat of an emergency has passed, or terminated at any time by joint resolution of the Legislative Assembly.
• 401.232-236 - Federal financial assistance to political subdivision, or to individuals or families. The Governor is authorized to make rules to carry out the purposes of ORS 401.165 to 401.236.
• Also brought forward from Executive Order 20-03 is ORS 401.025(1), which applies “Emergency” to mean a human created or natural event or circumstance that causes or threatens widespread loss of life, injury to person or property, human suffering or financial loss. “Emergency service agency” includes health and medical services.

Governor Brown writes in the order: “In June 2021. the state's pandemic response shifted from acute emergency response to long-term management and recovery. At that time, in Executive Order 21-15, I rescinded executive orders that had imposed COVID- l9 safety measures. Although we knew the pandemic was not over, and recovery would be a longer-term proposition, it was time to begin transitioning from managing the pandemic under emergency powers to managing the pandemic under “ordinary government processes” like legislative action to address the ongoing eviction crisis, and agency rulemaking to address COVID-19-as we would any other established public health challenge.”

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However, Executive Order 21-15 was issued June 25, 2021, two days before the 2021 legislative session ended without addressing the authority of an ongoing emergency status giving the Governor authority to extend the emergency as an “ordinary government process.”

Executive Order 21-36 is attempting to justify extending an emergency under unrelated statutes based on 2020 data. It claims that 21-15 was made law transitioning to “ordinary government processes” for managing COVID-19 was tested almost immediately, as the new Delta variant arrived in Oregon. Good thing we had Executive Order 21-15 because breakthrough cases drove hospitals to capacity all while the Governor issued orders to fire healthcare providers that weren’t vaccinated.

Executive Order 21-36 states: “I find that although we have reached the point where the vast majority of pandemic-related business and public health restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 have been transitioned to non-emergency authorities, the needs associated with Oregon’s ongoing efforts to respond to and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic constitute an ongoing statewide emergency.”

It says there is no emergency, controls have been transitioned to non-emergency authorities so they can make rules out of prior emergency orders that are unlawful. Admitting the transition seems like a direct admission of violating ORS 401.204 requiring termination of an emergency. But never mind the law, I (Governor Brown) am still declaring an ongoing emergency because I need more control and I like doing press conferences that keep Oregonians divided.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-12-22 10:06:26

Last Update: 2021-12-22 10:28:22

Governor Kate Brown once again extended her declaration of a state of emergency in Oregon, citing the impending Omicron variant surge.

“As Oregon prepares for what could be our worst surge in hospitalizations during this pandemic, I know that this is not the beginning of the new year any of us had hoped for,” said Governor Brown. “Time and again over the last two years, Oregonians have proven that we will stand with each other in our most difficult times. Your actions have saved lives, and it is because we have worked together to keep each other safe that Oregon still has some of the lowest infection and mortality rates in the nation. Please, do your part again––get vaccinated, get your booster shot, and wear a mask.”

The emergency declaration continues, with Kate Brown claiming that it is necessary to provide flexibility and resources for the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, including allowing for the use of SERV-OR volunteer medical providers in hospitals, providing flexibility around professional health licensing, and ensuring Oregon can continue to access all available federal disaster relief funds available, such as enhanced SNAP benefits. Executive Order 21-36 will remain in effect until June 30, 2022, unless earlier rescinded or extended.

Most of the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19 were rescinded on June 30, 2021.

She then issued vaccine mandates upon news of the Delta variant. She also took other steps, such as activating the Oregon National Guard, and coordinated with the Oregon Health Authority to bring healthcare workers to Oregon after mandating vaccinations for healthcare workers.

Oregon’s requirements in place today regarding masks, vaccinations for K-12 educators and staff, and vaccinations for healthcare workers do not rely on the state of emergency declaration––instead, they are covered by agency administrative rules issued under existing state authority.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-12-21 16:42:34

Last Update: 2021-12-21 17:10:30

If you're at all politically active, and political organizations have you email address or your mailing address, chances are they are asking you for donations at the end of the year. Most will reference Oregon's political tax credit, which almost sounds too good to be true. Give $50 for an individual or $100 for a joint return and all of that money comes back to you in the form of a credit -- not a deduction, as with charitable contributions -- when you file.

You can make a donation to a major political party or a minor political party or to any candidate, initiative petition drive or any political organization that has an Oregon Political Action Committee established.

As a tax credit, there is a cost to the taxpayers in tax revenue lost due to people using the credit. The Oregon Department of Revenue, under the direction of Betsy Imholt, estimated that the cost to the taxpayers would be about $6.7 million for the 2019-21 biennium. That means that about 67,000 people claim the credit each year -- a mere fraction of the 1.92 million individual tax returns filed in 2018.

According to one PAC treasurer, the program is worth it. "It keeps individual contributions flowing and that helps offset large interest and corporate donations. It is a small price to pay for keeping the grassroots healthy."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-12-20 21:35:35

Last Update: 2021-12-21 11:49:07

Progressive Yamhill gained enough signature to put Newberg School Board Chair Brian Shannon on a recall ballot. The election will be January 18th. A second recall effort involving school board member Dave Brown will conclude soon. A third recall effort involving County Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer will conclude in about two months.

The yard signs have gone up and canvassing began as both sides dig in for the contest about whether indoctrinating kids into critical theory and sexualizing them belongs in the teaching environment. Parents requests for the list of library books and the curriculum have gone unanswered by school administrators, who apparently don’t want to discuss the matter.

Recently the Newberg School Board fired Superintendent Joe Morelock for failing to follow orders. A temporary superintendent has been hired as the search for a permanent replacement continues. Many teachers are in defiance of school board decisions regarding the classroom environment. American flags have been removed by some who refer to the flag as a symbol of hate.

The Oregon Education Association has made is clear that teachers first amendment rights end when they enter the classroom. By contract they must teach the OEA curriculum in an OEA approved environment. Many parents are frustrated that they are first in line to pay for public education, but last in line when it comes to deciding how their kids will be taught.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-12-20 12:08:31

Last Update: 2021-12-20 12:15:58

Ever since a contentious 2019 session in which Republicans walked out in order to deny the Oregon House a quorum to block the passage of HB 2020 -- a sweeping bill that would have established the Climate Policy Office within Oregon Department of Administrative Services and would have directed the office to adopt Oregon Climate Action Program by rule -- Oregon Governor Kate Brown has been trying to sneak climate change legislation through the back door.

In March 2020, Governor Brown put state government under an anti-carbon regime with an Executive Order, but she lacked the authority to subject the whole state to a climate policy.

Now, the the Environmental Quality Commission -- the body which oversees policy and direction for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality -- is proposing a Climate Protection Program to do rulemaking on climate issues, much as proposed by HB 2020 in 2019.

Governor Brown has a law degree specializing in environmental law.

Oregon House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) responded to the new regulations passed by the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission that passes an aggressive version of cap-and-trade from the Governor’s office. She noted that critical public comments point to the lack of cost controls that will drastically raise prices for Oregonians.

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“This executive action is another example of how out of touch Governor Brown is with Oregonians,” said Leader Breese-Iverson. “People want more inclusive and collaborative responses to issues. Instead, the Governor is forcing people to pay higher prices to compensate for global emissions originating outside of our state. This approach is no different than a partisan proposal we saw in the Legislature, ignoring serious concerns to push an expensive and political climate plan on the state. Oregonians would be better served with a balanced approach benefiting everyone.”

A report from the Department of Environmental Quality acknowledged that this plan could increase fuel prices and the cost of goods while pushing businesses out of state.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-12-19 13:36:28

Last Update: 2021-12-19 13:34:50

In a press conference, Oregon Governor Kate Brown unveiled the state plan to fight the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. The press conference, held in conjunction with Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the State Epidemiologist, Director Patrick Allen of the Oregon Health Authority, Dr. Renee Edwards, Chief Medical Officer at the Oregon Health & Science University, and Dr. Peter Graven, Lead Data Scientist at OHSU’s Business Intelligence Unit.

In her prepared opening remarks, Governor Brown placed the most hope on boosters. "The science and data are clear: vaccinations are the strongest line of defense we have against COVID-19 -- and the preliminary research shows boosters provide a critical layer of protection against the Omicron variant.

"Today I am calling on one million Oregonians to step up and get their booster dose by the end of January. I’ve directed OHA to get the vaccine supply and distribution capacity in place to support this goal. However, we will only reach it if everyone does their part. She outlined a five point plan to address the Omicron variant which centered on boosters.

1. Oregon will urge 1 million Oregonians to get boosters by the end of January.
2. Oregon will prioritize boosters for people who are most vulnerable to becoming hospitalized if they catch the Omicron variant.
3. Rapidly deliver new COVID-19 treatments and dramatically expand needed testing.
4. Support health care workers and hospitals in the face of the coming Omicron surge.
5. Connect more people to boosters, treatments and testing.

For those hoping to keep schools open to in-person learning, Dr. Sidelinger spoke of measures being encouraged at schools, including increasing ventilation, requiring masks, and keeping students apart.

"These measures taken together make schools the least likely place where students or children will get infected. It's more in the community, in the social settings and extra-curricular activities where the risk is higher."



Not addressed by Governor Brown, her panel of state experts or members of the media in virtual attendance was the role that natural immunity may play in keeping a lid on the Omicron variant. According to some experts infection with the Omicron variant -- and its mild symptoms -- may provide better protection than even boosted vaccinations.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-12-18 11:50:18

Last Update: 2021-12-18 13:36:28

The Second Special Session for 2021 just passed legislation to hold the state accountable to the promise made earlier this year: take action against illegal drug cartels in Southern Oregon. Who thinks the drug cartels limit their activities to Southern Oregon?

The Salem Police Department Strategic Investigations Unit made an arrest late Tuesday evening, December 14, 2021, which resulted in the large seizure of narcotics, weapons, ammunition, and cash.

Arrested without incident was Rico Anthony Russell Rigutto, age 25, of Salem. A subsequent service of a federal search warrant at Rigutto’s residence in west Salem resulted in the cumulative seizure of the following:

• Fraudulent oxycodone pills, approximately 25,000 tablets
• Methamphetamine, 28 pounds
• Heroin, six pounds
• Firearms, 16, and thousands of rounds of ammunition
• Approximately $75,000 in cash

The estimated street value of the heroin, methamphetamine, and pills is nearly a quarter-million dollars, according to investigators. Lieutenant Ben Bales, who supervises the special investigations team, explained the rise in fraudulent pill distribution is of particular concern locally. Said Bales, “The increased presence of these polydrug pills coincides with the cases of overdoses in our community.”

Additionally, two of the confiscated firearms were modified to be fully automatic which is illegal without a stamp from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

Rigutto was arrested on a federal criminal complaint. His apprehension was part of an interagency partnership between the Salem Police Department Criminal Investigations Section, the ATF, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate these high-level crimes in the city. As part of the partnership, an SIU detective is assigned to the FBI Task Force.

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The federal charges mean the District of Oregon US Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Under presumption of innocence, Rigutto made his initial appearance in court during which the USAO succeeded in attaining his detention as a danger to the community and risk of no appearance.

Bales said, “We very much appreciate the partnership we have with our federal counterparts. The collaboration helps us combat serious criminal activity that affects Salem, and really, the entire valley.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-12-17 15:26:29

Last Update: 2021-12-17 16:50:18

Editor's note: The following is excerpted from a letter from a parent of a student at Salem-Keizer School District

As a parent, I am outraged with what is happening in our schools for many reasons but the fact that some public schools across Oregon are flagrantly violating the vaccination exception rules is the most frustrating issue to our family.

Schools are supposed to allow all parents volunteer and if unvaccinated, exceptions are allowed by the CDC and OHA.

This from the rule: “teachers, school staff and volunteers, and school-based program staff and volunteers must provide the school or school-based program with either:

• Proof of vaccination showing they are fully vaccinated, OR
• Documentation of a medical or religious exception.

We know students and schools have better outcomes when parent volunteers are welcomed yet Oregon’s schools are going backwards. Salem Keizer School District was contacted by a potential volunteer, and she spoke to a retired administrator -- Jim Orth -- who was called back to work to help organize the vaccine mandate for the district and was told the Executive team including HR, Superintendent and Vice Superintendent concluded that its simply “extra work for the already understaffed HR department to mitigate volunteers with exceptions.” This, despite the fact, they have the exact same protocol for unvaccinated teachers and staff.

The team’s point is moot. He said they are following the CDC guidance, but the CDC does not say they cannot have unvaccinated visitors or parent volunteers. He also said, “Frankly I believe it is not the best use of resources to be paying me to do this.” No kidding, Jim. It’s not that this or many of these schools are not allowing any parent volunteers or are gearing up for them to return in January, they are just discriminating against unvaccinated parents regardless of the rules allowing unvaccinated volunteers in schools.

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If what Salem-Keizer School District said is true and Kate Brown is going to make burdensome rules, she needs to provide the resources, which have been plentiful due to the trillions of dollars in the stimulus packages. I am tired of repeatedly being told over the past year that we are not welcomed to be present or view curriculums in our public schools. How can some public-school districts figure this out and not others? Many Private schools have been successfully allowing all parents in regardless of vaccination status.

We as parents need to be able to be allowed back into our kid’s school.

Please let me know who I need to contact to get this rule and this implementation changed asap.

Sincerely,

--A Concerned Parent

Post Date: 2021-12-17 10:13:06

Last Update: 2021-12-17 15:25:20

Since March 13, 2017, Indivisible.org has set their eyes on taking over public schools in western Oregon. They began by publishing a handbook, Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda. The book advocates for using paper terrorism tactics to harass politicians and private companies into supporting far left “progressive” causes, such as Critical race theory.

Last August, Newberg School Board took a stance against all things political in the classrooms, including BLM and LGBTQ signage, progressive political discussion and activism, unless directly related to an educational lesson. Their purpose in creating this policy was to turn the focus back to education in an effort to create a neutral learning environment where all children are treated equally.

Indivisible.org formed local chapters across the state. In Yamhill, the local group is Progressive Yamhill and is behind the recall of two Newberg School Board members, Dave Brown and Brian Shannon, whom proposed the new policy. The Media Coordinator for Say NO to the Recalls Campaign, says “these progressive organizations are sending their people into small-town America, to flip the underbelly of our communities upside down. They are taking over all local committee seats, elected seats, school board seats so that they can take over the conservative voice and replace it with their progressive voice. Right now, The Newberg School Board is being harassed, threatened and sued while the campaign to oust these conservative members is funded with out-of-state progressive Hollywood money funding the recall cause.”

Indivisible.org is aiming at more than the school board. In January 2019 Casey Kulla was elected Yamhill County Commissioner and recently announced his candidacy for Governor. In cooperation with Progressive Yamhill members, Kulla introduced a motion for Yamhill County to adopt an “inclusivity resolution” with the goal of implementing Critical Race Theory employee training to the County departments.

Critical Race Theory isn’t the only battle being fought. There is also an organized effort to radicalize, sexualize, and recruit our children by a socialist, progressive movement that aims to turn them against America. One insider says, “We have seen an unnatural number of children from the Newberg school district come out as gay or trans (mostly young girls) in the last couple of years. Please allow me to iterate that in no way do we stand against or discriminate against children who are members of the LGBTQ community. We believe all children should be loved and included and we strongly stand against any form of bullying or discrimination. We are seeing a movement that appears to be accelerating at an unnatural rate.” A video that is part of the My Future My Choice curriculum approved by the Oregon Department of Education is being shown to 7th graders as part of the sexual education curriculum called Love is Love: Free to Be Me.

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Dave Brown and Brian Shannon have taken a strong stance against the progressive agenda spreading across Oregon into local government and schools. They see this movement as stealing our children and if they lose their positions on the Newberg School Board it will send a message to Indivisible.org that Oregon no longer stands behind the constitution. They have received death threats, their family members threatened, they’ve had to pull their kids out of school, and are facing multiple lawsuits. Yet, they stand firm in their stance to protect our children from this progressive agenda. Newberg school board has the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon Teachers Union, the ACLU, and several national media sources coming against them. What should be news is the current graduation rate has declined another 25%, down from 50%, and that some Newberg teachers have even attempted to remove the American flag from their classrooms, stating it is the most political flag there is. What does this teach their students?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-12-17 10:12:11

Last Update: 2021-12-17 15:26:29

During the December special session, the Oregon Legislature approved $18 million in funding through SB 5561 for Afghan refugee resettlement efforts.

This funding is intended to provide Afghan individuals and families resettling in Oregon with housing, education, legal aid, job training and other culturally responsive services.

The Oregon Department of Human Services’ (ODHS) Refugee Program administers federally funded cash and medical supports to refugees and individuals with eligible immigration statuses, and contracts with Resettlement Agencies (RAs) to provide initial resettlement services.

The United States is currently coordinating the relocation of more than 70,000 people following their evacuation from Afghanistan.

Afghan families began arriving in Oregon this fall, and the number of arrivals will increase in the coming months.

Oregon has committed to resettling 1,200 Afghan arrivals, but existing federal funding did not provide adequate support for these efforts.

This newly approved funding will allegedly address critical resource gaps in the state’s resettlement plan.

The Biden Administration has increased the number of refugees permitted to enter the United States, but funding and capacity have remained major issues.

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Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland) and Representative Khanh Pham (D-Portland) have called for a compassionate response to evacuated Afghan allies, urging the state to address the gaps and create a strong foundation for refugees’ future in Oregon.

“We know that Afghan families and individuals coming to Oregon have experienced trauma,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht.

The approved $18 million in funding will enable the department to meet the needs of Afghan arrivals while building back refugee resettlement infrastructure to accommodate the increase in arrivals from all around the world.

Funding includes allocations for the following:

• Short-term housing and food assistance
• Long-term housing assistance
• Case management and community-based outreach and support
• Legal services to seek permanent immigration status

“The state of Oregon has really stepped up to meet the needs of individuals and families from Afghanistan,” said Claire Seguin, deputy director of ODHS Self- Sufficiency Programs and the state’s refugee coordinator. “We began this year with three partner resettlement agencies, and now we have five."

The program partners with Oregon’s five local refugee resettlement agencies (Catholic Charities, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees, Salem for Refugees, and the Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization).


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-12-16 21:42:56

Last Update: 2021-12-16 22:04:07

Leaders from across the world traveled to Glasgow, Scotland on November 6, 2021 to attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26) where they discussed the impacts of- and solutions for- climate change.

Governor Kate Brown represented Oregon at COP 26 and dramatically highlighted the impacts of climate change on Oregonians, and the actions Oregon is taking to decrease carbon emissions and transition to "green" energy.

“To put it simply, climate change is hitting Oregon like a hammer in the head,” said Governor Brown at a panel hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy on transitioning to a clean energy economy.

“I’m here to tell you that we are a warning for the rest of the world. Like the 2020 wildfires of Australia, the droughts of East Africa, the flooding and landslides of South Asia, together we are canaries in the coal mine if action isn’t taken. But, I’m also here to tell you we can tackle climate change and grow our economy at the same time. And Oregon is a shining example of how it can be done.”

Governor Brown joined discussions at COP 26 with leaders from Brazil, Canada, Japan, and fellow West Coast governors. Topics ranged from ocean acidification, to the impacts of food waste, and the important role states play in fighting climate change.

Kate Brown stated that Oregon’s low-income, rural, and communities of color are being disproportionately impacted by climate change — and around the world, poorer countries are bearing the impacts of climate change more than wealthier nations. Governor Brown believes it is Oregon’s responsibility to tackle climate challenges through an equity lens and focusing on vulnerable communities.

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Oregon lost over 4,000 houses due to the devastating Labor Day wildfires in 2020. Kate Brown says that undocumented families were impacted greatly.

The state spent millions of dollars in assisting non-documented migrants with housing.

In Oregon’s efforts to work toward 100% clean energy by 2040, the state has prioritized working with low-income families to help them access available energy.

During Governor Brown’s time at COP 26, she used the international platform to warn the rest of the world about the dire effects of climate change and showcase how Oregon is using an equity-based approach to taking climate action.

In the closing remarks of Governor Brown’s COP 26 speech, she stressed that “the future generations will judge us not on the fact of climate change, but what we have done to tackle it."


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-12-16 20:58:47

Last Update: 2021-12-16 21:15:32