lot title petition to put decisions of this type in front of the people or make any burning facility illegal to sight within the City limits. If it wasn't for guys like Baker and Little your web page wouldn't have anything to chide about.....The Shoeshine Boy


From Sylvia 5/13/07
Dear Shoe Shine Boy
The Port of St. Helens no longer has Williamson running it, even though they are still paying his salary.  They have hired a man at an outrageous salary ($110 am hour) to work Part time.

What is the Port doing for us?  Do you think that they are being fiscally responsible? Are taxpayers getting their money worth from them?  Do you have an predictions as to the future of the Port?

Dear Sylvia,
The Port of St. Helens is an interesting group and it seems the more things change the more they stay the same. Most of what you outline is what I hear as well. It seems what the candidates who are running say about themselves and their accomplishments is stretching the truth a bit.

I for one don't think we would notice it if they all just went away. With Williamson at the Port of Portland or wherever he is enjoying the payoff they negotiated with him to keep the Port from getting sued. Maybe he can talk the Port of Portland into taking over the whole salami. What do we have to thank the idiots who are on the board for anyway except muffing all the good prospects and helping screw up the Airport in Scappoose. Port Westward-Snort Westward, It's all talk and we still need jobs.

The quicker the public sends these board members home the better...Too bad the local news papers seem to be in bed with the cliques that run the County....The Shoeshine Boy

From Sylvia 4/30/07
Dear Shoe Shine Boy
We have an election for Port commissioners coming up.  I see that Mike Avent has once again thrown his hat into the ring.  I seem to recall that he was voted out of office, because many people thought that he using the port and his "Good Ol' boy Network" for his own personal advantage.   He does deal in land, wouldn't you think that this might be a conflict of interest? 
I also see that Colleen DeShazer is also running again.  I like Colleen, but doesn't she work for Mike Avent?  My suspicion is that this too might lead either a conflict of interest or at least the appearance of such a thing.
What think you?

Dear Sylvia,
Mr Avent has made a good amount of money by staying involved with several governmental groups. He is a likeable guy from what I hear but it's clear he utilizes information he gains on public boards to help his own situation. I was told that Colleen worked for him because that's the only way she can keep a job. My daughter told me she has never stayed with one real job for more than three years and was a real snake at the video store. Watching that Port Board and who runs for it I doubt the public will ever cure the conflicts of interest that continue to exist.
I saw one ad in the local press where the four who are running are advertising together. I won't vote for any of the incumbents nor will I vote for Avent again. They spent tons of legal fees on trying to fire two employees last year and ended up swallowing their accusations at the expense of the public. Then they covered up the situation by refusing to release public files and information.
They would like to be re-elected before it gets released. Four Nixons on one board. That's too much graft for me. Time to put some honest  Men and Women on the board and not a bunch of political wanna be's.........The Shoeshine Boy

From Tom Keller 4/24/07
Dear Shoe Shine Boy.  You are continually talking about Mayor Randy "Receiving Orders."  Who is he receiving orders from?  I don't think it is from anyone on the Council?  Is he receiving orders from Chief Jay or is it from "Little Brian?" 

Inquiring minds want to know.

Dear Tom;

You indeed have an inquiring mind. The Mayor started out as an everyday St. Helens lad who stumbled into fire fighting and after watching his Father rise through elected office realized he was in a position where playing the right kind of politics could bring both position and wealth.

Having never aspired to Fire Chief he could act as a ready player to play city politics in a manner that pleased both his many Supervisors and Fire Board members as well over the years. His links to both made him a natural for Fire Board members who were for the most part from Boise Cascade and retired firemen to support for higher office. His political decisions helping pay back the favors to both the district and Boise as well. So no single puppeteer but several have played a role in tailoring decisions through his (Honor ?)