So much for the investigative reporting from the local fish-wrappers, the Chronicle had a front-page story regarding the court decision against REDCO. If you read Tammy's Take you might just re-call that I beat the print papers on this story last week and I have been reporting about the REDCO boondoggle though out this year, as well as previous years, reporting the hard facts something that local press always seems to omit. I have maintained that the special districts could not pay back tax-assessed monies to REDCO for the apparent financial screw-up of the century. The only one who will benefit from REDCO is US Gypsum, and like usual the losers will be you the taxpayers. Golly I hate to say I told you so!
Since REDCO and the City of Rainier knew from day one that they were going to be short $300,000.00 payment to USG, I ask you, the people who are footing the bill, why did the city of Rainier and REDCO spend collected tax monies from USG for water front improvements? Instead of saving the funds to put toward their incurred debt? I can understand that Rainier wanted and needed a face lift, I understand that they received matching grant money to help with project improvements, I also understand that grant money is not money given by the good fairy. What I do understand is that all money used by grants is money that was paid by you the taxpayers.
I also know that in the paper work involved with the payback scheme that the wording insured that the money collected by the payback could be used to make up the difference on the payment shortfall OR be used for other activities/ at their digression. What a crock of manure. While this group openly cried about a monetary shortfall to the public and newspapers, they in a sense withheld this important information out of the public eye. Anyone could have found out this important tidbit if one would do a little public record investigating. If the reporters of the local papers would do a tad bit of in-depth reporting on various important issues that concern this county, instead of reporting issues with only surface explanations. The local papers never once mentioned this very important, note worthy, bit of information in their articles on REDCO.
I know that the City of St. Helens is considering the formation of their very own urban renewal district, again at the taxpayers' expense. Chad Olsen who is the ex city administrator of Rainier who was a prominent figure in the formation of the REDCO urban renewal district boondoggle, is now poised to pursue another financial "GIVEWAY" of your tax dollar to undeserving corporations. Since so many people have ask me to follow this story I feel that it is my duty to keep you "updated" on this developing issue, which will undoubtedly effect the pocket books of those that live in the city of St. Helens and possible incorporated targets out side of the city limits.
The Update and its staff have been openly chastised by many in local government; although The Update is recognized as a legitimate news source, we unfortunately have been blackballed from participating in executive sessions, and have been the target of public political criticism by elected officials, who require us to have more credentials than print paper reporters, have been threatened for termination by those who have little regard for freedom of the press, ostracized by those who dislike our views, opinions, or facts, in opposition to their "political friends."
I will agree with our sharpest critics, at times the Update takes a hard stand on issues, policy's, and yes even politicians, I have often written very harsh articles on all subjects, I offer no excuses on what I have written. Any one, who knows me, knows that I am an open and very direct opinionated individual who likes to dig deep and get information out to the people, and I offer no apologies. Anyone with any understanding of the Constitution of this great land would understand the importance of Freedom of The Press.
I know that the City of St. Helens is considering the formation of their very own urban renewal district, again at the taxpayers' expense. Chad Olsen who is the ex city administrator of Rainier who was a prominent figure in the formation of the REDCO urban renewal district boondoggle, is now poised to pursue another financial "GIVEWAY" of your tax dollar to undeserving corporations.