Election Results Tonight after 8 PM
voting
If you are new to ClatsopCounty or have changed your name or address since you registered, you can register or update your registration until August 26. Registration forms are available at the County Election office, 820 Exchange, 2nd floor, in some phone books, and at the referendum office, 375 11th at Duane.
Update: The election office announced that there will NOT be ballot drop boxes in Clatskanie or Mist-Birkenfeld.
Voters can mail their ballots in or take them to drop-off locations, including:
- County Office
- Seaside City Hall
- Cannon Beach City Hall
- Knappa High School
newS & Events
June 17, 2008
Signatures Validated, LNG Referendum A Go
Date Set For a Vote on LNG Pipelines in Parks in Clatsop County
(Astoria, OR) Despite Northern Star's attempts to derail it in court, Clatsop County residents will be able to vote on allowing LNG related pipelines in their parks. Cathie Schurman, Interim County Clerk, today certified 1117 of the 1255 signatures submitted (91%), far in excess of the 598 needed. She set the date of the county-wide vote as September 16, 2008.
Northern Star first sued in Clatsop County court to stop the referendum entirely; then to radically change the ballot language. They failed on both counts.
The change in the zoning ordinance to allow pipelines not only affects the area near the LNG terminal, but would allow pipelines in all areas designated open space, parks, and recreation. This includes Camp Cullaby, Carnahan County Park, Fishhawk Falls County Park, North Fork Nehalem County Park, and Sigfridson County Park.
"As a community we implement laws that aid in the protection of our children. How, in good conscience, could we as a community allow a 36-inch, high-pressure, interstate gas pipeline three feet below where our children play?" said Teri Sund, an Astoria mother of two.
Debbie Twombly, Astoria resident and also a chief petitioner, added, "Even people who support the LNG projects do not support the Commissioners making such a sweeping change to our laws to accommodate one company."
The group Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense (www.ClatsopCommonSense.org) is raising money and organizing for the vote. "We expect a vigorous campaign from a well-funded opposition, but we expect to prevail," said Marc Auerbach, one of the referendum petitioners and chair of the Northwest Property Rights Coalition.
--------------------------------------
June 4, 2008
Citizens Opposing LNG Related Pipelines in Parks Submit Twice as Many Signatures as Needed to County Elections Office
Astoria, OR – Backers of a ballot measure referendum aimed at overturning Clatsop County's approval of the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal on the Columbia River, submitted 1,255 signatures, more than two times the 598 signatures needed to bring the referendum to a vote this fall. County residents Marc Auerbach, Debbie Twombly and Don West filed the ballot referendum to challenge Clatsop County's decision to change County law in order to allow gas pipelines from LNG terminals to run through lands zoned as park, recreation, and open space.
The group formed to spearheading the effort, Clatsop County Citizens for Commons Sense (www.ClatsopCommonSense.org) held only one public signature gathering event on Friday, May 30, 2008 at multiple locations throughout the County. "The response was overwhelming and enthusiastic," reported Gail Galen, a volunteer with the group. "People were charging up to our tent. We couldn't hand them a pen fast enough."
"The fact that we were able to gather signatures with such ease and only one official day of signature gathering is a strong indication of the overall support for this referendum," said Marc Auerbach, one of the petitioners and chair of the Northwest Property Rights Coalition." "Warrenton, and now Astoria, have joined cities, counties, the governor, the Oregon Department of Energy and many congressional leaders in expressing doubts and concerns about the safety and need for LNG in Oregon," said Don West, petitioner. "Clatsop County Board of Commissioners is increasingly at odds with its neighbors and its own citizens in their support of LNG."
Debbie Twombly, Astoria resident and also a petitioner, added,” Once confirmed by the county Clerk and the referendum date set the citizens of Clatsop County will have a say for the first time in what happens in their county.” “We feel confident that if the question of opening Clatsop County’s parks to LNG-related pipelines is put to voters they will absolutely reject it,” says Brent Foster with Columbia Riverkeeper. “That’s exactly why NorthernStar sued to keep this measure off the ballot.”
The County Clerk has up to 15 days to validate the signatures. Once confirmed, the County Clerk is expected to finalize September 15th as the date for the referendum vote.
May 9, 2008
Court rules that citizens' ballot referendum attacking County LNG decision is legal, LNG opponents celebrate!
Astoria, OR – Backers of a ballot measure referendum aimed at overturning Clatsop County's approval of the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal on the Columbia River are celebrating a ruling by Clatsop County Circuit Court Judge Cindee Matyas holding that the referendum is legal and denying LNG backers' challenge to the measure. Columbia Riverkeeper and County residents Marc Auerbach, Debbie Twombly and Don West filed the ballot referendum to challenge Clatsop County's decision to change County law in order to allow gas pipelines from LNG terminals to run through zoned parklands, recreation, and open space. The judge's ruling blocks a move by NorthernStar and proponents of the Bradwood LNG project to keep the referendum off the ballot and to prohibit volunteers from gathering signatures for the measure.
Columbia Riverkeeper attorney Brett VandenHeuvel, who also represented the chief petitioners behind the ballot measure referendum, applauded the judge's decision. "NorthernStar filed this baseless lawsuit because they are afraid of letting the voters decide whether to allow large gas pipelines in parks. Bradwood lost because Oregon's Constitution clearly protects the people's right to vote on important decisions."
Debbie Twombly, Astoria resident and a chief petitioner, added, "They wanted to keep the public from voting on this since even they recognize that voters will decide against opening up our parks for high-pressure gas pipelines. Even people who support the LNG projects do not support the Commissioners re-writing our laws to allow pipelines throughout our parks."
Marc Auerbach, also a chief petitioner and chair of the Northwest Property Rights Coalition, looked forward to the referendum campaign. "The tainted approval of Bradwood was a mistake in law and a mistake in policy. The referendum will enable the people to voice their opposition to this regrettable project and its disastrous pipeline."
Volunteers for Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense are already amassing the necessary signatures for the referendum and will qualify the measure for the September 15 ballot.
The referendum will challenge the County’s decision to abandon existing County law, which prohibits major pipelines from being built across lands zoned for parks, open space and recreation, The Commissioners changed the law to allow major pipelines as a conditional uses in these areas because NorthernStar’s pipeline route would cross through land zoned under the Parks, Recreation and Open Space designation.
On Friday, April 11, 2008, Interim County Clerk Fred R. Neal approved the petition (the same day it was submitted). Next, Neal will forward copies of the proposed referendum to the District Attorney who will then have 5 days from receipt to draft a ballot title, per ORS 250.175(3). Petitioners may now circulate the petition and must file no fewer than 598 valid signatures of active Clatsop County electors to the Clerk’s Office no later than 5pm Wednesday June 18, 2008 in order to successfully place the referendum on the ballot. If signatures submitted by the deadline are valid, a special election in September will be conducted.
May 27, 2:00 pm Referendum Ballot: Legal Challenge to name & wording. Clatsop County Courthouse, Room 100, Astoria
Bradwood LNG Supporters File Petition Against Referendum Ballot Title
County LNG ballot title language is nailed down
Nyberg, Atwood, Hackett v. Neal - Motion
Nyberg, Atwood, Hackett v. Neal - Complaint
Attorney John M. Junkin opinion regarding proposed referendum
Petition Sheet as filed April 11, 2008 with the Clatsop County Clerk
Contribute
Volunteer Opportunities
Help get a resounding NO vote for the Sept. 16 referendum!
- Do neighborhood walk & talks.We'll provide voter lists and talking points. Plus, you'll be delighted by the many people you'll meet who agree with you!
- Help with calls, greeting visitors, and other campaign tasks at the campaign office.
To volunteer, contact Laurie Caplan, lcaplan@pacifier.com,
503-338-6508
503-325-5620
GIVE ONLINE TO
THE CAMPAIGN
Donate by Mail
Click here to
download the form.
Endorsments
Who supports the referendum? Click here to find out.
Official Ballot Language
4-131 Election Day September 16, 2008
CAPTION Conditionally Allows Pipelines in "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" Zone
QUESTION Should County Zoning Ordinance Be Changed to Conditionally Allow Cable and Pipelines in Open Spaces, Parks and Recreational Areas?
SUMMARY Clatsop County recently amended its zontng law to conditionally allow the placement of cables and pipelines in areas designated "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" for purposes such as natural gas transport from a liquid natural gas facility, water and sewer, as well as other possible applications. This vote would affect sections 5 and 6 of Clatsop County Ordinance 08-05. A "yes" vote would change county zoning law and would allow cables and pipelines as conditional uses in areas designated "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" zones. A "no" vote would maintain existing county zoning law prohibiting cables and pipelines as conditional uses in areas designated "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" zones.
Drop-in office
We have an office!
375 11th Street, Astoria
(Gold building on the corner of 11th and Duane)
Drop-in hours:
Monday – Friday, 12 - 6
Saturday -Sunday, 10 – 2
Show your true colors
Yard Signs
(18" X 24")
.gif)
LNG Pipeline referendum yard signs and stakes are available at these locations:
Astoria - Lower Columbia Clinic
595 18th St.
weekdays 8:30 - 5
Laurie Caplan, 503-338-6508, lcaplan@pacifier.com
Seaside - Nancy Holmes
503-717-1614, nholmes105@yahoo.com,
Cannon Beach - Jupiter's Books
244 North Spruce
daily from11-5
Print Your Own Window Poster
Print your own poster in 3 easy steps:
- Click on the image below to open.
- Print it on your own color printer.
- Display it in your car and home windows.
What People Are Saying
“Our parks are not only important for our quality of life, but they're important if we are going to attract new businesses and good jobs to the county. Even many people who support the concept of LNG will agree that running massive LNG-related pipelines through local parks does not make sense.”
--- Don West, a leader of the Columbia River Business Alliance
"As a community we implement laws that aid in the protection of our children. How, in good conscience, could we as a community allow a 36-inch, high-pressure, interstate gas pipeline three feet below where our children play?" -- Teri Sund, an Astoria mother of two.
"Even people who support the LNG projects do not support the Commissioners making such a sweeping change to our laws to accommodate one company." -- Debbie Twombly, Astoria resident and also a chief petitioner