ORC came begging for tax abatement at today’s Coos County Commission meeting and left empty handed, for the moment, at least. After three of the other taxing districts approved over $1M in corporate welfare to the strip miners, almost $400K earmarked for schools, the onus fell on the county today.
Representing ORC was Dan Smith and a contingent of ORC staff and allies along the back wall. Smith, apparently doesn’t like the roll of beggar and snapped at Commissioner Stufflebean for asking him to stand up when he spoke so everyone could hear him. “I have a big voice”, Smith jeered, “people can hear me sitting down”. People all over the room rolled their eyes in disgust.
Hard to say whether Smith’s arrogance put Stufflebean off, or whether it was the accumulation of contract wrangling over possible lease agreements, but Stufflebean didn’t champion ORC like he has in the past. Whitty, who is known to make serious policy decisions absent any certified data, moved to award the tax savings to ORC but neither Bob Main nor Kevin Stufflebean would second the motion.
There is some argument whether, Stufflebean, as chair of the commission could second the motion or if he must abstain. Bob Main earlier made his opposition to abatement as well registering his distrust of ORC for having, in his words, ‘lied to him’. He brought up the past practices of Smith’s former employer, Iluka Resources in Brantley, Georgia which elicited broad grins from Smith and someone along the back wall.
Smith, didn’t handle the stalemate well and left with his contingent immediately and was on his cell phone before he had exited the commissioners courtroom. So much for caring about county politics and issues.
Timm Slater from the Chamber of Commerce was the only person to speak in support of granting a tax benefit to ORC. Smith’s local followers seem to be dwindling over the indiscriminate hiring of non local workers and local contractors and supply outlets are viewing ORC in a new light. Out of three commissioners, Smith has completely alienated one and possible a second. When you ask for handouts you normally don’t sneer at your benefactors.
In an environmentally charged and politically polarizing industry like resource extraction and strip mining, I would have to say Smith may not be the best face of the company. Personally, I wouldn’t want him running my company.
A big thanks to Stufflebean and Main for, if not finalizing this matter today, at least putting it off for awhile.
AND? Where the hell are the 2,900 jobs Nikki promised from the 12 inch pipeline? Right where those new hires by ORC went. Right back into Jon Bartons’ arse.
There has been reporting for months now about anonymous major corporations and foreign entities funneling money through the chamber of commerce. This election they are spending $75M out of their general fund to influence elections in favor of conservative candidates prone toward deregulation and tax cuts for the upper 2%.
David Cay Johnston did a statistical analysis of the Bush tax cuts. They failed to achieve every promised goal from job growth to increased wages. They failed completely.
Despite the FACT ORC will fill jobs, regardless, Nikki votes to FORCE the citizens of Coos County to shoulder ORC’s risk even though we will not participate in the downstream profits.
What is in it for the county to lose over a million in revenue? What is in it for her?
Lets hope Stufflebean doesn’t cave into the demands of ORC.Who knows,could be a political move on his part. Like you said, I wouldn’t want Smith running or ruining my business either. If Stufflebean doesn’t cave in, this would be the best thing he’s done since being in office. Am I right that ORC has another shot at getting their Tax break? And of course Timm Slater from the Chamber of Commerce was pretty high up in ranks with Weyerhaeuser Co. when the Union was busted, wages cut and employees being laid off etc. I believe he has his own agenda also.
Unfortunately, according to Kevin, absent a decision to deny or accept, this will be heard again if ORC wants to return with its tin cup.
In a truly free market a real business has to bear its share of public services like anyone else. Sadly this is not true of utilities where these ‘regulated’ monopolies pass their taxes onto we poor ratepayers.
Offering tax abatement to ORC spreads their risk amongst the citizens but there is no mechanism to also spread the wealth.
Nikki has it in her head that ORC will only provide jobs if they get the extension but that makes no sense to their overall business plan.
My understanding is today was it, final decision on the two year extension, the County BOC had the final word, and they said no. Nothing about this two year abatement is put off, it done, no additional two years.
The however is, there is in the future the possible 15 year abatement, not sure if that is 15 total or 15 more, and if contingent upon getting this additional two that they did not get, offered by the state for over 50 million investment.