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View Full Version : Commissioner Jerry Oliver sets new course for Transit at Port of Vancouver


Chief
03-10-2008, 06:44 AM
http://columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03102008_Supporters-of-third-bridge-call-for-outcry.cfm

**Snip**


But the forum’s high point came when Jerry Oliver, newly elected Port of Vancouver commissioner, stood to endorse much of Nasset’s argument.


Oliver rode public anger over the port tax to unseat three-term incumbent Arch Miller in November, making his point all the more compelling.


“I’m a strong proponent. I believe in a third bridge,” Oliver said. “We need to keep pushing, like water dripping on a stone.”


Oliver said he and most Southwest Washington residents share blame for letting the Crossing panel push a plan to rebuild existing I-5 spans.


“There is an agenda. It’s not something that’s really addressing the needs of commuters,” Oliver said. A self-described “pro-growth, pro-jobs” advocate, he predicts daily commuters to Portland will triple to 180,000 as Clark County doubles in population within 20 years, he said.

To ward off disaster, he urged anti-light rail and pro-third bridge forces to crowd critical upcoming CRC meetings.

**SCHNIPP**

Commissioner Oliver's comments appear to be directly contradictory to what the Commissioners and Port Director Larry Paulson discussed on this matter at the December 11th Regular meeting.

I realize he is entitled to his own opinions, but it appears he made a pronouncement of a new direction for the Port of Vancouver...

In addition, local polital Maven, and former Oliver Spokesman Larry Patella, frequently complains about "Portland Envy" among local politicos. I wonder what he thinks about Commissioner Oliver willingly endorseing North Portland resident Sharon Nassett's decade long crusade for her "Alternative 14"??

How is it possible that Commissioner Oliver can so casually dismiss the entire body of work that has been produced to date by well qualified Civil Engineers at the CRCP, in favor of the personal opinions of a North Portland Maven who is no more qualified to comment on these matters than Commissioner Oliver is??

But what about that tripling of the current estimate of 60,000 Clark County commuters in the next twenty years??

How is that possible, as Commissioner Oliver was elected in part on his promise to create new "Industrial Parks" in Clark County??


Inconvenient but necessary questions...

8)

karma
03-10-2008, 10:07 AM
Chief, some of us saw this coming.

Waterbuffalo
03-11-2008, 08:26 AM
Karma, I think all three of us in our own way or ways have been saying it.. Chief's just uttering it in the latest tone.

Shall I order two U-haul vans Chief?

Chief
03-11-2008, 02:38 PM
Go watch the POV meeting video from today on CVTV and see for yourself how I presented myself today about this...

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cvtv/cvtvindex.asp?section=25437&folderID=1738

Just click on "Open Forum" and let it load. My comments start about 6 minutes in, and Jerry oliver's rebuttal follows.

Chief
03-11-2008, 06:59 PM
There is a simple lesson to be learned in all of this, and if you listen to Commissioner Oliver's initial rebuttal to my remarks today, it is clear that he has not learned the lesson yet. To channel my old departed mentor Bill Buckley...I won't insult Commissioner Oliver's intelligence by insisting that he actually believes what he said...

The lesson is thus: Once you have been elected to public office, you are no longer just Joe Citizen. Certainly you still have a right to free speech just like all other citizens do, but once you have been elected, you have special new and additional responsibilities that sometimes over-ride your ability to exercise your personal rights. Sometimes you have a responsibility to keep your mouth shut, and avoid making speeches about subjects you do not understand, especially if you are going to regret being quoted about it later.

Jerry Oliver and I have been over this ground before. I have a feeling we will revisit this subject again some time in the future, and probably in front of the Port Commissioners again.

If I had not stood up there today and said something about this incident, nothing would have been said at all, and Commissioner Oliver would have gotten the wrong message about his responsibilities as an elected official to his real constituents, who do not happen to include Sharon Nassett. Next time, before he goes talking to reporters, I hope he thinks twice...

Stout Hearts...

;)

Waterbuffalo
03-11-2008, 10:36 PM
"Next time, before he goes talking to reporters, I hope he thinks twice..."

I think I'll correct this sentence a bit.. I think you meant to say "BEFORE he talks in front of the public and reporters, I hope he thinks twice.."

I hope he learns this again and again and again, may be learn to drop off at Good will all the electronic leaflets he's got for notes to speak on to be recycled, because honestly I doubt he's going to bring heavy industrial jobs to Vancouver.