GT: County issues sanctuary declaration

By a 3-0 vote on Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners declared Benton County a “sanctuary county.” --The declaration reads, in part: “The recent political climate has galvanized support of anti-immigrant, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ, anti-people of color, anti-women policies resulting in many individuals afraid for their safety and the loss of civil liberties. … We must act now and always to uphold our commitment to be a community free of prejudice, bigotry, and hate.”

Read more at Corvallis Gazette-Times

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The latest on the Bailey Branch Corridor Draft Management Strategy

Benton County released the Draft of its Bailey Branch Rail Corridor Management Strategy on July 2nd.  Public hearings were scheduled for July 8^th in Monroe and July 10^th in Corvallis to get public input on the proposed strategy.  The input they got from the public was surprising.

The Strategy itself contained five options for the future of the corridor:

1.         Railroad Only

2.         Develop Hiking/Biking Trails
3.         Maintain Current Condition and Uses
4.         Transfer (move) the Corridor Location
5.         Selling, Leasing and Granting Easements

The consensus, at least at the Corvallis meeting, turned out to be a combination of these.

Public testimony was pretty much evenly divided between cyclists, hikers and nature enthusiasts and homeowners and farmers located along the Corridor.  Many of the homeowners and farmers turned out to be in favor of Option 2, but only if it could be combined with Options 4 and 5.  Many of the Hiking/Biking community agreed for some very common sense reasons:

1.         Farming is a serious industrial operation using practices, methods, chemicals and animals to produce a product.

2.         Farming is one of the ten most dangerous occupations in America.
3.         At times, certain practices or methods can produce drifting dust or chemicals.  Even though they are non-toxic, they are not pleasant.
4.         A long, straight trail through farm country and through people’s back yards is not very scenic.

Some of the families along the Bailey Corridor have proposed purchasing the portions they are adjacent to and maintaining the right-of-way as an easement for possible return to rail use in the future.  That discussion led to a discussion of the County using the funds to widen Bellfountain Road and provide a safe, hiking/biking trail connecting the Corvallis To The Sea Trail to Alpine and the east-west Hull-Oaks section of the Bailey Branch.  Nearly everyone seemed to agree this might be the best strategy for the Bailey Branch.

Hopefully the Commissioners will agree.

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Two Republicans initiate petition to change Benton County Charter

Measure would require commissioners to represent separate districts ✧ Benton County voters may get the chance to change how the county commissioners are chosen. ✧ Jerry Jackson of Philomath and Gerald Tsupros of Alsea have filed a petition for a ballot measure to amend the county charter to require that each member of the three-person board be elected from a distinct geographic district. Read more at Gazette-Times...

Related:
Corvallis Gazette-Times, July 26, 2013 Letter (Gerry Tsupros): Geographic commission would ensure accountability
Corvallis Gazette-Times, July 24, 2013 Editorial: District elections for commission don't add up Read More......

Clackamas County to Ditch ICLEI Membership While Portland Spends and Spends

An announcement of momentous import was made at the April 26^th 2012 Board of County Commissioners meeting of Clackamas County, Oregon.  Commissioner Jamie Damon revealed that Clackamas County would not be renewing their membership in “ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA” at the next annual dues deadline.  Commissioner Jamie Damon stated, “This was brought up several business meetings ago, and I was unfamiliar with the organization, so I did some research and looked up the organization as well.  And we have decided to not continue as members of ICLEI.  So I just wanted to let you know that.” The remaining crowd in the room erupted in applause.  It was nearly at the end of the meeting around one hour fifty nine minutes (video on their web).  Read more at Red County/Colony Rabble... Read More......

Does Benton County need a Chief Operating Officer?

Corvallis Gazette-Times: County nears end of COO search

Should Republicans comment on this article and attend the interviews (if possible) and meet the candidates?

What: Public reception for the four finalists
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6th
Where: Main meeting room, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. Read More......