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2005-02-19 Alert
Important News!
LEGISLATIVE ALERT:
Big news in the annexation wars today: ACTION Needed:
ANNEXATION HEARING SCHEDULED:
The House Land Use Committee has scheduled an offsite public hearing on "annexation and Measure 37 issues" on March 2, 6:30 PM at Mt. Hood Community College. We don't have a room # yet but will pass that on to you as soon as we know. THIS WILL BE A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY FOLKS! We need to PACK THE PLACE and RAISE HELL!
REPRESENTATIVE SMITH GETS BEHIND HB 2484!
It was with great surprise (and joy) that I read a response from Representative Patti Smith that she sent to one of our members regarding HB 2484 to interpret the voting provision of ORS-195 as "double majority." Rep. Smith said, "I believe all voters have a right to vote on something as important. I will be voting YES the way it is written."
As you know, I have opined that Rep. Smith would likely be a "NO" vote due to an acrimonious battle OCVA had with her in 2001 over the anti-SLAPP bill. Nothing I saw or heard on Wednesday led me to change my mind. But this looks to be one MORE thing I was wrong about. Some of you are probably ready to find a new secretary for OCVA.
This is wonderful news. It makes it more likely that we have the votes to move 2484 out of committee. But don't put any money in the bank - WE STILL HAVE TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON. I sent a thank you note to Rep. Smith. She'd probably appreciate a few more - along with Reps Garrard, Greenlick, Krummel, Avakian and Ackerman! The positions of Reps Nolan, Anderson and Sumner on the bill are still unknown - at least to me.
SENATE BILL EXEMPTS NIKE FROM ANNEXATION!
The rumors about a bill being introduced to grant Nike - and nobody else - exemption from Beaverton's land grab have proven true. SB-728, sponsorship listed as "Senate Environment & Land Use Committee," hit Senate President Courtney's desk today. Talk about a brazen nose thumb at trust and fairness! This while the same committee is still "sitting" on our SB-380!
As if that weren't enough, a SECOND senate bill, SB 699, sponsored by Sen. Alan Bates and Rep. Dennis Richardson, also grants annexation immunity to "certain" businesses, but not to the common citizens. It's also on Senator Courtney's desk.
CONTACT SENATOR COURTNEY: sen.petercourtney@state.or.us 503-986-1600
Tell him these bills are travesties of justice, a slapp in the face to common citizens AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO ANY FURTHER unless they are amended to grant common citizens the same right. Or some other semantics of your choosing!
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
A Washington Co. Group is interested in networking with any other groups and individuals trying to bring about annexation reform. They're willing to send out materials and work to "add to the army." You can contact Phil Decker at 503-521-0123 or "pd-law AT comcast DOT net" by email. Mr. Decker joined us in Salem on Wednesday and has been actively working the ORS-195 reform issue.
I know we've been hammering you with these alerts lately, but a lot of activities relating to annexation reform are happening very quickly in Salem. Thanks again to all of you for your support!
Jerry Ritter
Secretary, OCVA
This page last modified on 2005-11-16 08:29.
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