Oregon Public Broadcasting

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In August I submitted a FOIA request to the EPA, which is now being delayed by Oregon DEQ, so I can say from personal experience how very difficult it is for citizens to access government records. When I initially asked the Oregon Attorney General's office for help, they were at first supportive.  But when they became aware that some of Oregon's public agencies might be involved, they withdrew their support.  The primary concern of that office, as explained to me by a public servant, is to protect those state agencies; it is not to provide transparency to Oregon's citizens. The mechanics of achieving transparency are needlessly intricate and bureaucratic because they are designed to protect government officials from accountability to citizens who might find some malfeasance in their handling of public business. By the way, Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congressmen Wu and Blumenauer came to my support for a more open and transparent government, but my experience with Oregon government makes me wonder whether local and state agencies will really be forthcoming with the information they possess.

Jerry Cressa

posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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When I first came to Oregon in the early "80's, I confess that I swam in the Willamette off Sauvie Island with my small children.  30 years later, I cringe at my ignorance then, because I've seen  the pollution along the 6 miles of the Superfund site.  So, my question is, what has been accomplished  in getting the PRPS - "Potentially Responsible Parties" - to clean up their toxic legacies on the river?  When are they going to stop talking and actually get to work on the cleanup? It's been nearly a decade since the EPA declared the Willamette a Superfund site. Environmental groups talk about the fun of canoeing, but are they pushing hard enough for a clean-up? 

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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When I first came to Oregon in the early "80's, I confess that I swam in the Willamette off Sauvie Island with my small children.  30 years later, I cringe at my ignorance then, because I've seen  the pollution along the 6 miles of the Superfund site.  So, my question is, what has been accomplished  in getting the PRPS - "Potentially Responsible Parties" - to clean up their toxic legacies on the river?  When are they going to stop talking and actually get to work on the cleanup? It's been nearly a decade since the EPA declared the Willamette a Superfund site. Environmental groups talk about the fun of canoeing, but are they pushing hard enough for a clean-up? 

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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I'd like to suggest a show idea: Who will be Oregon's next U.S. Attorney?

After 8 years of a Bush Justice Department in Oregon and across the country, it's time for a change.  Where are our senators in the process of recommending a replacement? The longer they wait, the more opportunity there is for the facilitators of the last administration to burrow into positions in the new administration, becoming stumbling blocks to President Obama's policy of transparency.

Both our senators will vote on all the U.S. judges, U.S. Attorneys and other high officials. But Ron Wyden, who has recently joined the Judiciary Committee, has the responsibility to question the candidates and then to recommend to the full Senate the person he thinks is the proper choice.

What qualities do our senators consider important in the successful candidates for these positions? Transparency? Compassion? Integrity? etc. And why? And what is their process?  How long should it take?   Other state senators have already made their recommendations to the president (i.e., Virginia). The longer our senators wait, the longer the Bush Administration stays in place. 

We need new folks in place who can pull up the shades and let some sunlight back in.

posted 3 years ago
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