Reading Wim de Vriend’s book, The JOB Messiahs and seeing all too familiar names like Timm Slater, Jim and John and Nikki Whitty, Arne Roblan and Joanne Verger and Bill Griles associated with past failed taxpayer funded economic development schemes it is easy to see why some people would prefer the book hadn’t been written. While I am still reading the book, (backwards from today), I am astonished that some of these people still expect the public to heed their recommendations. Remember the fable about the boy who cried wolf? Well, in Coos County it should be the tale of the same people who promise jobs and never deliver.
The Job Messiahs is an important book in my opinion. Here in Douglas County the story is much the same. The writer’s political views are too evident but the facts are daming of “economic development” staegies and agencies set up by the State of Oregon and completely without accountability. I would like to see an outloine or timeline and index provided so I could send it to the elected officials who are looking the other way. We all fall short of perfection and if you like to be 40 there will be comment you wish you had never said and foolishness that blew up into unintended consequences. Wim De Vriend is no exception b ut the value of the book stands.
You are right Accountability, NO ONE in forty years has taken the time to document the history of this Port. Within a year of moving here, I began to question why this one entity just sucked up Other Peoples’ Money, but never, once produced a product of any kind. Just another couple million, another half a million, and we will lie to you face to face, aided and abetted by Clark and the World, just another grant, just one more, and THEN you will see what your $300,000,000.00 in ten years bought. And then to see the locals shriek at YOU for bringing it up? You speak or question that Port and the citizens will come at you with guns drawn. Why is that? Why no anger at the Port that lies to them and takes their money, and returns nothing, and then refuses to answer your questions at their “public” meetings. You can’t ask questions, you can only “speak” to them. Who the hell appointed these grifters (my opinion only) who have put themselves above answering to the public who pays their damn wages? I’m somehow a monster because Koch’s company lied to us, aided and abetted by Clark and his “news”paper, but Clark nor his paper, nor Koch will come out and tell us it was all a lie. One that rewarded the Port with half a million more of our dollars. What the hell is this, Stockholm Syndrome? Watch how the locals hate you for asking why they continue to get away with it? Read about the T Dock, listen to the words, then read Mrs. Messerles’ words in todays’ paper. It’s a script, it’s Kabuki Theater, and they get paid wages to continue the story that they are job creators, maybe if your name is Messerle, not much for the rest of us. Decade after decade, and woe to anyone educated enough to expose them. just watch.
The point being also that if we do not learn from our history we are destined to repeat it and is that not the scenario going on right this minute as I speak with Port of Coos Bay. The Port is once again using the same tactics that they used with the T-Dock and Barge Slip and we can all see how well those boondoggles turned out.
SCDC’s recent newsletter proves the point even more as it completely does the opposite of what the SDAT report recommended they do. They continue on in their scheming backroom ways while they work to divide the community even more. Perhaps they’re too bought off to change. They of all people need to read Wim’s book but they won’t or possible can’t because one does have to be able to read and comprehend things.
Wim and I have agreed that we can disagree on many topics but that we do also agree that economic development in Coos County as administered through the Port of Coos Bay and SCDC has been an expensive and dismal failure. This is an historical work and an excellent resource.
I have never been a fan of DeVriend. I attended his trial after the hosing incident and watched the proceedings with a prejudiced eye, but conscious that this was the best show of the year in North Bend (where it was held). But that was many years ago. Wim has written a terrific book. I do not agree with is political musings, but the history rings true to me. The only fault I see at this point is the lack of an index.
Paula? I would behoove you to learn not to shoot the messenger when he’s delivering information to you. It helps one learn more. Do I remember water hoses on women? No I don’t, I wasn’t here yet. But I sure can tell you stories about men who murdered women. Want to hear them?
The book is a wonderfully written history of The Port of Coos Bay.
Stay ignorant at your own perii. I don’t care “WHO wrote it, I am enjoying the hell out of it.. You are free not to do so.
Why give the “Rush Linbaugh” wanna be money or your reading time. He is just a self made man who loves his creator. Remember when he went to the top of his business and dislodged dirt clods to throw at women in the street? How about when he turned the water hose on them? My opinion, he is the man who wants an exception to every rule made for just him.
I cannot for the life of me figure out how he kept his head from exploding while writing this book. So much information, and he did it so well. His wife is a kick,stopped in to the signing to get my copy signed, I couldn’t wait, I picked it up on Thursday morning, I’m reading it from the back, isn’t that odd? I think tonight I might start at the first chapter.
Kudos for history lessons.
Wim’s book is nicely laid out a good read as well. Something for everyone here. Highly recommended and I’m only on the fourth chapter.
“Well, in Coos County it should be the tale of the same people who promise jobs and never deliver”
And those same lemmings who refuse to acknowledge reality will hate you for even bringing it up.
Strange this county.