Jeff Nelson posted on May 06, 2010 06:00
Former Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson comments on Northern Star Natural Gas’ announcement Wednesday that it is suspending development of the proposed LNG facility at Bradwood Landing. Asked if it’s fair to characterize her as a supporter of this specific project, but not a blanket endorsement of LNG, Samuelson says: “I don’t even know if I want to say that. What I want to say is that I’m a supporter of good government. I’m not a supporter of bullyism and activism that’s underhanded. And that’s what I think we have had go on here. I’m upset that the way they (anti-LNG opposition) appear to be getting their way in the state is underhanded and not appropriate. And I see local people attacking good local volunteers. Our commissioners are volunteers. They’re not paid anything but an $800 stipend. It costs you money to be a commissioner in this county. Like I say, it’s unfortunate they have the venue they have. They have the local newspaper…they made it about voting for and against LNG. And that couldn’t be further from the truth. It wasn’t about that. And it’s very sad to see these current campaigns (for county commissioner positions) are being based on that. We need candidates running for office—which we have some--that really want the best for the whole county. This issue has split the county in ways that I don’t think are helpful to anyone other than fundraisers for the (Columbia) Riverkeepers, who are now being looked at by the Internal Revenue Service.”
Samuelson says of the anti-LNG platform: “And they have what can be characterized as support for behavior that I think isn’t really worthy of public office let alone appointments. I don’t think it’s about being supportive of a project. I’m supportive of economic development, I’m supportive of jobs. I’m supportive of people being able to feed themselves. And I’m supportive of a political environment that is friendly to those things. What we’ve seen here is new rules get created along the way so that those who get in positions of power—whether they’re in an agency or elected—get to have influence. And that’s really how the game is played. It can be a bit of a game…but I think at some point in time you have to stand up and say what you believe in. And one of the people that I’m going to give an “atta-boy” to is (state representative) Brad Witt. Brad Witt—even against all odds—he actually came out and said he was in favor of this project. Now, whether I agree with him or not, whether somebody else does or not, at least he was very clear.”
Samuelson says it’s sad that the project at Bradwood Landing has been suspended, since investors were optimistic. “Now (there) appears to be inappropriate behavior by Brent Foster (formerly of Columbia Riverkeeper) in the A.G.’s office in relationship particularly to this project from the emails I saw. It’s very sad to see that those are the kinds of forces that were at work that I certainly experienced in my recall. It’s kind of a national environmental culture that has formed. And Oregon is certainly targeted…I think that Bradwood Landing wanted to do some good things for the environment…we (the county commission) made land use decisions.”