On The Recall/LNG Front
Columbia River keepers ,apparently ,very actively participated in the recent recall election. It doesn't come as any surprise considering River keepers involvement in the LNG issue but the problem for the non-profit environmental organization is that 501 (c)3 non-profits are strictly prohibited from participating in political campaigns of any kind. An article on the local news website NCO reveals an email exchange between local river keeper staffer Olivia Schmidt and the organization's head guy Brett VandenHeuvel following the Hazen/Samuelson recall election where Olivia is seeking advice about how to word a news release so that it doesn't look as though anti-LNG forces completely failed to make their point with a recall campaign that was clearly a loss for them.
An independent organization that supports the energy industry has called for Columbia River keeper's board of directors to review the actions of it's staff and volunteers to determine if there was a violation of the prohibition against non-profits getting involved in any political campaign. VandenHeuvel had, during the course of the campaign, sent a message to former Commissioner Samuelson to "clear up a rumor" that his organization was involved in the recall in any way. These emails between Olivia and VandenHeuvel seem to conflict with his statements.
It's sad to see Columbia River keeper in this situation. The organization is a major player in serious waterway clean-up efforts and as such has garnered huge donations for that work. It may well be that a handful of individuals have placed this organization in considerable jeopardy.
In another development, The courts have decided that the Port of Astoria should extend it's lease with the department of state lands and with Oregon LNG for the previously agreed 30 year period rather than the two year extension on the first five year term and the Governor's office says there will be no investigation of the lease.
Posted 19 Nov 2009 (289 Views)
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Call It What It Is Tom
An independent organization is it?
Why, it's Energy Action Northwest, a coalition of businesses and unions bent on pimping the hell out of their position for potential jobs at Bradwood Landing, OLNG, accomapnying pipelines etc.
And they, on behalf of these clowns at NCO are going to ask Columbia River Keepers board to investigate the conduct of its own staff for playing politics in the recent recall elections of Ann Samuelson and Jeff Hazen?
I ask this...If there is any hint of evidence that CRK has intentionally violated any aspect of campaign law or non-profit status, why has there not been a formal complaint filed with Oregon Secretary of State's Office?
I got a feeling somebody is trying to mound up enough BS to hope that just maybe it may ferment into a legitimate story and I am more surprised that KAST-AM/NNB would even attempt to treat it as a legitimate story but, that just me talking.
Posted 19 Nov 2009 by patrickmcgee
Say, "Goodnight....
...to VandenHeuvel & Schmidt. Don't let the door hit'ya where the Good Lord split ya,"
Posted 19 Nov 2009 by Vernon Johnson
Well, What Do We Have Here?
Well Tom, Looks like we can add another couple of alleged players to the accusations of meddling in the recalls under 527 protection can we not(You do know what a 527 organization is don't you Tom?) and one, "Committee For County Prosperity" funnelling $6,000 worth of "Bradwood Landing LLC" cash through to the candidates, three sitting County Commissioners involved with the possible approval or disapproval of that project, either already faced their own recall election or one pending.
And then there's another 527, "Oregonians to Maintain Community Standards"? Proudly listing Samuelson and Hazen on their roster of support with what appears to be at least $21,000 worth of contribution in their direction?
Posted 21 Nov 2009 by patrickmcgee
What Are 527's You Might Ask?
And to be fair, there is no real indication that anything illegal is occuring here, it's simply the personal integrity of the "Elected Official" taking the money that's serving in "The Trust" of the citizens of Clatsop County that's in quewstion here and in context to the interest of the parties making the donation.
I guess one would have to put himself in that same position and ask himself, if he/she would take that money and feel it appropriate to do so.
A 527 organization or 527 group is a type of American tax-exempt organization named after a section of the United States tax code, 26 U.S.C. § 527. A 527 group is created primarily to influence the nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates for public office. Although candidate committees and political action committees are also created under Section 527, the term is generally used to refer to political organizations that are not regulated by the Federal Election Commission or by a state elections commission, and are not subject to the same contribution limits as PACs. However, On September 18, 2009 the Washington D.C Federal Appeals Court ruled that these groups have a First Amendment right to raise and spend freely to influence elections so long as they do not coordinate their activities with a candidate or a party.
Posted 21 Nov 2009 by patrickmcgee
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