Concerns about the wording of the document prepared by ORC to be signed by the various taxing districts caused the International Port of Coos Bay to withhold signing to extend tax relief to the strip mining operation. One hopes that the various counsel representing the taxing districts involved, the Port, City of Coos Bay, City of North Bend and the County actually review these documents before allowing the commissioners and mayors to sign away services.

The questions raised tonight could not be immediately answered by Port counsel, Stebbins, prompting the Port to put the matter aside for further review and calling for a special session at a later date. The ORC document ends with this self serving line – “The Sponsors relinquish all rights to make any additional requirements that might be reasonably requested.”

Mayors Weatherell and McKeown, if they sign, must justify to the schools and public services why ORC deserves another break.

Another concern raised at the Port Commission meeting regarding the extension is that ORC can’t very well pack up and leave to go elsewhere. Granting them a tax exemption is not the same incentive it might be to a small shop or service business that can operate anywhere. The strip miners have to be here, must use county services and should pay for them just like the rest of us.