Stinging from its latest failure when the last partner, Metro Ports, dropped out of its coal export scheme and its recent staff layoffs, the Port of Coos Bay is now trying to deflect attention from the expensive folly by reporting on news from last November. From a press release
An Oregon judge has ruled in favor of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay’s permit for the development of an access channel and multi-purpose vessel slip on the North Spit of lower Coos Bay.
Following the decision, the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) issued a final order this week, affirming its decision to approve the Port’s removal-fill permit for the Oregon Gateway Marine Terminal.
A 28 page Amended Proposed Order was signed on February 19, 2013 by Director of State Lands, Mary Abrams. The press release, dutifully picked up by The World cheer leading squad, goes on to spin this old news as a huge “win” citing the same people who have presided over millions of dollars of wasted taxpayer money chasing the “glass slipper”, Dave Kronsteiner and Caddy McKeown.
“This is a victory”, says Kronsteiner.
“This decision appropriately recognizes that construction of the access channel and vessel slip will create jobs, not just jobs in the Coos Bay harbor, but good jobs in the region,” says McKeown.
The decision does nothing of the kind, it simply complies with Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules that state “the appropriateness of potential users of the terminal or the products that those users may or may not transport to the terminal…” are not within the scope of the Oregon Department of State Lands. As ever, the Port refuses to learn from its mistakes and continues to mislead the public and perpetuating the fairy tale of economic development.
Read the final order signed April 2, 2013 Department of State Lands – Final Order
Remember that the head spinner lady of the port, the overpaid manager of communications, is the former city editor of the cheer leading World paper, Mrs. Hamner. Should we expect different from the lady? I met her once in a meeting with her then editor Mrs. Erickson and two reporters. Mrs. Erickson cringed as Hamner spoke; I sat there wondering if her father was Joe Pullitzer as she certainly did not get to this level without help.
Kronsteiner makes his living doing what?