He's knowledgeable He's abrupt. He's sometimes nasty. He tells it like it is: The "Shoeshine boy."  Shoeshine Boy's masquerades as a mild mannered civil servant by day, but at night, when he is most needed, he changes costumes into that of a polishing crusader. He is ever ready to expose evil, and to step up and help those who are down trodden.  Q: Why chose the name Shoe Shine? A: "Because of how government waxes everything over.....and there is always a glossy finish..."
Please note that the comments of Shoe Shine Boy are his own and don't necessarily reflect those of Bill Eagle, his family, the St. Helens Update, the street where Bill lives, or the people in the neighboring town of Scappoose.  See Disclaimer. Please send your questions to
"Shoeshine Boy c/o Bill Eagle at eaglew@sthelensupdate.com

Note to all from Bill.   The Shoe Shine Boy is a member of the Navy IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).  He has recently received his physical, and is in the process of being called to active duty.  He has his orders in hand and will soon be leaving for a location somewhere in the Middle East (My guess Baltimore).  His comments and his contributions to this web page will be missed.   We wish him a safe voyage, and a safe return.



From Doc Harry 6/6/07
Dear Mr. ShineBoy,  What is your take on the City Administrator's
resignation in Rainier and his transfer to ST. Helens City. Any
Hanky panky here? Doc Harry

Dear Doc Harry,,
So nice to hear from you again. I hear the resignation was in lieu of certain dismissal. It did cost the city a pretty penny to get a resignation. There is no real Hanky Panky on the part of the St. Helens City Council just bad timing and stupidity. A source in the Rainier Fire District tells me that Mayor Randy spent more time at Rainier City Hall than he did at St. Helens (1-2 Hrs a week ) so that's probably where the connect was made. The citizens of Rainier had put together several petition attempts over the years to get the council to oust the administrator but none had been effective till recently. While I read that he has promised St. Helens that he is only a six month temp. Look for that promise to be retracted at some point. The City fathers will rue the day they made this decision but that's what you get with Mayor Randy.....The Shoeshine Boy

From Ma Parker 6/5/07
Shoeshine Boy,
With all this attention on Betsy Johnson and her real state deal,
does this adversely affect other politicians in Columbia County who
owe their position to her?

Dear Ma Parker..
I would typically say yes but there will be a sorting out period first. Johnson will try to buy off all those at the newspapers and keep pushing her other accomplishments as a legislator. (Goldschmidt had a glowing record to but it made no difference in the end.)

Most of those who are beholden to Betsy will write letters of support to the papers and extol her virtues. It will slowly become apparent to them that they too could be investigated. They will quiet down and hope to be ignored while they examine what they have done and live in fear for a bit. Some will turn states evidence to save themselves at her expense. Others will indeed be investigated at some point and panic when they realize they are being asked about. The more prominent ones like Bernhard may think she is too personally powerful to not get covered up for and will eventually hit the front page. The guy from the Willamette Week is the one who won a prize for getting to the bottom of the Neil Goldschmidt ordeal and should catch on but he may take his time rooting out the local accomplices.....So don't expect it all top be out in a week or two....The Shoeshine BOY