The recent newspaper articles involving Democrat State Senator Betsy Johnson and her apparent shady dealings are being reported by the Willamette Week and the Oregonian. These articles have caused quite a rumbling in Columbia County. Although I imagine all areas of her district are doing damage control and dealing with the uncomfortable situation, that the senator has brought upon herself and the Democratic Party.
News media through out Oregon have reported that the senator has made comments to their reporters that she had a lapse in judgment when she did not properly report the profits that she had made in a real state deal, involving the purchase of the Wagner property (Approximately $119,000.00 lapse only then reporting it, when she was caught) adjacent to Trans Western Air, then did a quick profit turn around, selling the property to a company which had been bargaining for the acreage but needed a through the fence deal to make their plan feasible. All the time Johnson was introducing a bill into the legislature to allow "through the fence" in small airports. Was this bill to benefit Trans Western Air a company which Johnson's' husband John Helm, is listed as the owner. Johnson's' bill through the fence is not popular with other states or with Federal Aviation; they feel her bill will be a security concern for the airports. (More next week on the companies involved with this questionable sale, and some interesting facts regarding through the fence and the Port of St. Helens / Betsy Johnson)
Johnson declared a conflict of interest on the bill, before voting yes, in support of the bill. Makes a person wonder why this bill was so important.
The senator also said that the deal with Arrow Pacific would of transpired with or with out her house bill, again her actions or remarks makes a person wonder just what was the Senator doing or rather what was she thinking.
The Senators lapse of judgment should not be ignored, I feel that a complete and full investigation of the senators business, her voting record, should be done. The people should know if the senator has carried out the business of the people or whether she has used her position as State Senator to further her and her husband's financial success.
In my opinion Senator Johnson's feeble excuse of a lapse of judgment does not excuse her actions nor does it constitute a slap on the hands for the senator. I think that the senator should be held accountable and should be treated the same as any citizen in the State of Oregon or of the United States that has been proved to have broken the law.
As a democratic I have spoke out against the republican party and its politicians that have broken the law, and as reporter for Tammy's' Take I have written articles on unscrupulous behavior on the most part on republicans, because they have usually been the party of crooks.
But now, I feel that it is important, that I write about the shady dealings, of one in my own party, because I feel that no one is above the law and every one should be responsible for ones own actions. Elected officials are suppose to set an example for the rest of the citizens, to excuse questionable actions, of an elected official, is simply wrong, and we of the democratic party, must led the way, in this instance, and prove to the rest of society, that we will not tolerate, inappropriate deeds, from the Republican Party, OR members of the Democratic Party. I say investigate; let the chips fall where they may. If Senator Johnson is above board fine, if not, let the legal system work and let the senator face the consequences.