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 ?)

The strings he had attached to him have made it impossible to be his own man and his actions as a councilman and Mayor have paid the dividends of inside information and investments that would only come to someone inside the clan. Be it Billboards or Cell towers and special real estate opportunities plus a lifetime of leisure in a position that paid well and held little duty. Even in retirement he continues to reap the benefits of continued duty in a position that augments his pension and keeps the strings attached. It's a sad story but just one of the many sad stories in The Naked City.....The Shoeshine Boy


From  Confused 4/23/07
I am concerned about the proposed Critical Access Hospital, what I have been hearing and reading is that the hospital board has hit a stone wall and the proposed facility that the voters ok'd three years ago is a no go, how can they continue with another type of hospital with the money that has been collected since it is not the same facility? what I have been reading is that their new proposal is not even close to what the voters ok'd, isn't that fraudulent?
Confused

Dear Confused:
You have been hearing accurately. But don't be surprised if the Hospital Board just keeps on chugging. Longtime loser board member Heide seems so emphatic about destroying his third hospital in as many try's that I expect they will continue to attempt to build and name it a hospital even if it looks more like a drive up coffee cubicle. Yes it is fraudulent but the hospital board seems to have connections to the local press and some very influential elected officials. So despite the fact that several members should face criminal proceedings they will get off scott free as they always have in the past. Don't be surprised if they say they need more money.....The Shoeshine Boy


From Bill 4/22/07
I was told today that Mayor Randy plans to ride on a float with Portland's Mayor Tom Potter at the Portland Rose Parade.    Why does Randy have time to ride in a Portland Parade, but does not have time do anything with our St. Helens Parade.  Randy has been Mayor for several years now, and he is never around to present the Mayors
Trophy to our St. Helens Parade Winner.  Is Portland more important than St. Helens?

Dear Bill,
Mayor Randy is fully aware of the fact that he is still in office despite not getting any