Local politics, the county, and the world, as viewed by Tammy Maygra
Tammy's views are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bill Eagle, his pastor, Tammy's neighbors, Earl Fisher, Betsy Johnson, Joe Corsiglia, President Obama, Tony Hyde, Pat Robertson, Debi Corsiglia's dog, or Claudia Eagle's Cats. This Tammy's Take (with the exception of this disclaimer) is not paid for or written by, or reviewed by anyone but Tammy and she won't take crap off of anyone.

                     Oregon Now                               Oregon After Coal Is Exported through Our state

There are many critical creeks in the lower Columbia region that has been identified as critical habitat for chum salmon, all identified by the state. These are the creeks that guarantee the survival of this species and the other fish that are fed by their decomposing bodies. The main purpose of Chum Salmon is to die and be the nutrient for other fish including (smolts and fingerlings that live in the creeks and streams until nature signals them to head to the ocean) Simply the Chum salmon are a critical food fish for many endangered fish. These streams that are along and drain into the Columbia River support native steel head, sea run cuts, and other fish that are part of the entire eco system.

We have poured millions in stream restoration to make sure these fish survive and now we want to destroy the fish, waste the money, for filthy coal exports. Our elected officials need to start taking a strong stand against these carpet bagging companies that come to our state and counties with one thing on their minds, how to rape the environment, suck money from the taxpayers by receiving free tax abatements, upgrades for rail, roads all infrastructure etc.. All devised by offering a few jobs.

There needs to be a study done on the number of job losses because of the coal and the cost associated with salmon/stream restoration projects. The coals cost to Oregon's economy due to the impact on the fisheries, health problems, infrastructure upgrades etc.. As a nation we need to stop exporting our natural resources. It is proven that it initiates 

the race to the bottom. Something we should have learned from allowing the exporting of our timber. For example we export most all of our logs, thus shutting down sawmills costing jobs. Sawmills were a major employer in the state of Oregon. Now we have to buy finished products from overseas when we should have been manufacturing lumber products here in Oregon resulting in a strong steady economy. It does not require a Harvard law degree to figure this out.

Oregon boosts of being green, a leader in environmental practices and a beautiful state to live in. Why are we allowing coal companies to make Oregon a third world polluted state?

Why is the Oregon legislature introducing bills to enhance our streams, why does the state mandate certain regulations governing our air and water quality? Why does the state mandate these types of regulations on the ordinary folks then turn around and allow coal companies to pollute the air, water and ground? It is completely asinine.
It is time those in charge start making the right decisions on behalf of the people, who I might add are paying the bills, and not allow corporations to continue their rape of our country, our state and its people. We should take the money that we give to corporations and fix our roads, bridges, dams and electrical grid. That would put OREGONIANS back to work. Oregon deserves better and its people deserve better.