Chief
05-13-2008, 05:40 AM
Making the rounds via e-mail this morning...
I'm hoping to get some feedback and comments on this form the Port again...last time one of these e-mails went out, the Army Corps responded with their side of the story, and I thought this fracas was at an end. Apparently not...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy McDonald" <Kmcdon@comcast.net>
To: "Kathy McDonald" <Kmcdon@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 10:08 PM
Subject: FW: Nationwide Boycott Of Columbia Ports Planned If Ports Use Eminent Domain
>
> The Corp needs to stop the Eminent Domain procedure, this could be very
> costly if a boycott is called. Please call, your help is essential. Kathy
>
> Land Rights Network
> American Land Rights Association
> PO Box 400 - Battle Ground, WA 98604
> Phone: 360-687-3087 - Fax: 360-687-2973
> E-mail: alra@pacifier.com
> Web Address: http://www.landrights.org
> Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE - Washington, DC 20003
>
>
> Nationwide Boycott Of Columbia Ports Planned If Ports Use Eminent Domain.
>
> The Port Commissioners for Vancouver, Longview, Kalama and Woodland on the
> Columbia River will vote on using Kelo type eminent domain against the Colf
> Family in the coming two or three weeks. You must call, fax and e-mail the
> port Commissioners listed below and let them know in no uncertain terms that
> using eminent domain against family farms and neighbors is a threat to all
> our freedom and that you will remember this anti-agriculture action come
> election time. Call your friends and neighbors to get them to call.
>
> The Columbia River Ports and the Corps of Engineer are attempting to
> intimidate the Colf family and its farming operation in Clark and Cowlitz
> counties. They are spreading misinformation that a deal is close in the
> negotiation process. It is not remotely close. The Corps is systematically
> not telling the truth about the Colf family issue.
>
> The Corps and Governor Christine Gregoire, who is supporting eminent domain
> of the Colf Family, are trying to rush the port Commissioners into making a
> quick decision.
>
> -----There is no need to rush. The Port Commissioners and their
> constituents should stand up against this threat of eminent domain and not
> be bullied into taking land by force from their local neighbors. There is
> lots of time and other options available from willing sellers.
>
> -----Eminent Domain is a very intimidating power of the Ports and the Corps
> of Engineers. Landowners need to rise up and oppose it. We will show you
> over time how to protect your land from this kind of abuse.
>
> -----Eminent Domain or Condemnation is like a nuclear bomb to landowners.
> Since the Kelo Supreme Court Decision several years ago, landowners across
> the country have realized how vulnerable they are to bad and misinformed
> government decisions and the condemnation or eminent domain of private land,
> homes, farms and businesses.
>
> The Port officials and the Corps are very glib about throwing around the
> threat of eminent domain. American Land Rights, which represents tens of
> thousands of landowners, farmers and ranchers nationwide, has no choice but
> to show the Corps and the ports there is going to be a cost if they file
> eminent domain against the Colf family farm and it is going to be painful
> and expensive. And it will likely be a long-term boycott. Landowners can
> fight back. And we will. American Land Rights has won in over 90% of our
> battles.
>
> -----Boycotts have a tendency to take on a life of their own. Once started,
> lots of people join in. It takes years to undo the negative image.
> Boycotts often lead to boycotts against customers of ports. For example,
> car manufacturers who use the Columbia River ports. And so it goes. It just
> gets bigger and bigger and more expensive. And it is completely unnecessary
> if the ports do the right thing.
>
> -----American Land Rights does not want to organize a nationwide boycott
> against the Ports of Vancouver, Woodland, Kalama and Longview. These are
> our neighbors. ALRA has been headquartered in Battle Ground, Washington for
> nearly 20 years. ALRA has a Washington, DC office as well and thousands of
> volunteers across the country.
>
> -----On the other hand, the ports are the neighbors of the Colfs. By
> exercising their eminent domain power, they have essentially declared war on
> local landowners. This is not how neighbors treat neighbors.
>
> American Land Rights has an obligation to stop the use of eminent domain by
> the ports and the Corps. ALRA will do what we have to do to protect private
> landowners, farmers, ranchers and businesses.
>
> -----The Ports, Corps of Engineers and WA Department of Transportation have
> the power of eminent domain and are being pushed by WA Governor Gregoire
> aggressively to use it. This is going on while the Corps and ports are
> supposedly negotiating with the Colf Family. That's some kind of
> negotiations.
>
> American Land Rights has led successful nationwide boycotts against, Ford,
> GE, CNN, TBS, various newspapers and other institutions. Just the threat of
> an ALRA boycott has altered the decision making of numerous other
> institutions. That's because we have a track record of success.
>
> -----So it is real simple. If the Corps, Ports and Department of
> Transportation don't use eminent domain, then there is not likely to be a
> nationwide boycott of the Columbia River ports. What happens with the
> boycott is largely up to the Ports and the Corps.
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> To e-mail recipients: Last week American Land Rights sent an e-mail and fax
> to over 240,000 direct recipients about the Colf Family farm issue. We are
> sending this e-mail and another fax this week. With forwarding, we
> calculate that our e-mails reached well over 1,000,000 households last week,
> probably closer to 2,000,000. And they are the right households. Many care
> deeply about private property and are in farming and ranching.
>
> American Land Rights has 600,000 e-mail addresses, 900,000 fax numbers and
> over 2,000,000 names and addresses. Nearly every private property or
> agriculture organization in the country is in our network. Our list includes
> over 3,000 Congressional staff and many in the Administrative agencies like
> the Agriculture Department, Interior Department and Department of the Army
> (Corps of Engineers).
>
> Our lists have our members and lots of different kinds of people and
> organizations as networking partners. Major portions of our constituency
> are farmers, ranchers and landowners.
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>
> Action Items below:
>
> American Land Rights has successfully fought eminent domain and condemnation
> many times over 35 years by the Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and
> Wildlife Service and other agencies. We saved 2,000 cabins on the
> Mississippi River from the Corps of Engineers in 1988 for example. ALRA
> will use every tool we have to stop the Colf Family eminent Domain.
>
> -----For more background on American Land Rights or Chuck Cushman, please
> type into Google: Chuck Cushman, Charles S. Cushman, American Land Rights
> Association, National Inholders Association or League of Private Property
> Voters.
>
> Go to www.landrights.org to add additional background. You can contact
> Chuck Cushman, ALRA Executive Director, at (360) 687-3087 or
> ccushman@pacifier.com.
>
>
> Background:
>
> The Corps of Engineers is in the middle of a shipping channel dredging
> project of 106 miles of the Columbia River from its mouth to the cities of
> Portland, Oregon and Vancouver Washington.
>
> As part of the project, the Corps must mitigate damage to wetlands caused by
> the project. They have chosen to take 70% of what they need from one
> family, the Colf Family of Woodland, Washington.
>
> The Colf farming family is actively led by 91-year-old Margaret Colf.
> Nancy Colf, Margaret's daughter, is head of the Family farming operation.
>
> The Colf Family has been farming the area since 1870. They don't want to
> sell. They are farmers. They want to keep the land in agriculture. The
> Colf family is not now and never has been a willing seller. They are now
> and have continued to talk to the Corps of Engineers to discuss various
> options and solutions because the Corps and the ports have placed a gun at
> their head by threatening eminent domain.
>
> The Colf Family has been through nine years of hell dealing with the Corps
> of Engineers. The Corps is now threatening eminent domain using the
> Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to carry out their
> eminent domain threat on behalf of the Ports of Vancouver, Woodland,
> Longview and Kalama along the Columbia River. The Ports would eventually
> end up with ownership of the Colf Farm land.
>
> -----The Corps has identified eight other sites along the Columbia that are
> appropriate for this wetlands mitigation. There are lots of willing sellers
> of land that can be used for wetlands mitigation along the 106 mile affected
> area of the Columbia River. That does not seem to matter to the Corps.
> They have targeted the Colf Family and plan to take their land and destroy
> an active and historic family farm.
>
> -----The Corps still has plenty of time to switch their land acquisition to
> that of a willing seller in another local area. They are trying to rush
> everyone to judgment with deadlines that are self-made. Governor Christine
> Gregoire is trying to stampede the ports and Corps into using a Kelo type
> eminent domain against the Colf family.
>
> -----The Colf Family has repeatedly offered compromise and alternate
> solutions. Often they have not been able to get the Corp or port officials
> to even talk to them.
>
> -----It is ironic that the Ports have lots of land that could be used for
> mitigation purposes. Those lands don't seem to count. They would rather
> destroy farmers.
>
> Agriculture is important to America. Small farms are disappearing every
> year. It is easy to see that the Corps of Engineers is part of the reason
> for this loss. They have been heavy handed and threatening in the process.
>
> It is important that every farmer and agriculture advocate stands up and
> fight for proud farm families like the Colf. It is only by farmers standing
> together and working in unison to protect farming and family agriculture
> operations is there a chance to save and protect productive family farms.
>
>
> Action Items -- What You Can Do:
>
> -----1. Please tape a copy of this e-mail to the front of your
> refrigerator door so you can make at least three or four calls a day, and
> send three e-mails or faxes a day.
>
> This is your updated refrigerator to do list. There are new contacts with
> phone and e-mail addresses including all the port Commissioners.
>
> -----2. Call your Congressman and both Senators and urge them to reduce the
> budget of the Corps of Engineers. I mean really go after the money of the
> Corps. The Corps must understand that we are serious about reducing their
> budget and cutting off their money so they can't go around threatening
> people. They'll have a hard time using eminent domain if they don't have
> the money. You may call any Congressman at (202) 225-3121. Call any
> Senator at (202) 224-3121.
>
> American Land Rights brought eminent domain by the National Park Service
> largely to a halt, mostly by taking away their money in Congress.
>
> -----3. Call, fax and e-mail the local Congressman, Brian Baird (D-WA).
> Phone: (202) 225-3536. Fax: (202) 225-3478. E-mail:
> Andrew Dohrmann - andrew.dohrmann@mail.house.gov and Hilary Cain -
> hilary.cain@mail.house.gov. Vancouver Office: Phone: (360) 695-6292. Fax:
> (360) 695-6197. E-mail: kelly.love@mail.house.gov.
>
> Your message to Rep. Baird and Senators Murray and Cantwell below is that
> Congress should deny the Corps and local ports any Federal funds to use
> eminent domain against the Colf Family Farm. All Federal funding for any of
> the Ports should be shut off. We'll soon find out if Rep. Baird supports
> family farms and opposes the use of Kelo type Eminent Domain.
>
> Rep. Baird and Senators Murray and Cantwell have the power to cut off the
> Federal funds and stop this eminent domain of the Colf Family farm. The
> entire Corps budget should be examined closely for other earmarks and abuses
> like this going on against the Colfs. The Corps of Engineers is where a lot
> of Congressmen hide Pork Money. There are many earmarks in the Corps
> budget. If you want to stop earmarks, then strangle the Corps of Engineers
> budget.
>
> The Corps has a record of threatening lots of other people so your calls,
> faxes and e-mails are really important. The Corps must get their funds cut.
> They must fear that going ahead with eminent domain against family farmers
> is going to cost them dearly across the board in all their programs. With
> enough calls, faxes and e-mails by you, they will eventually decide the risk
> is not worth it.
>
> -----American Land Rights is interested in hearing back from anyone who
> knows of other examples of abuses and threats by the Corps against other
> farmers and landowners. ALRA wants to hear about any eminent domain actions
> by the Corps. We just need a name and location of the victims. A phone,
> fax and e-mail would also help. The more we publicize these horror stories,
> the more difficult it will be for the Corps to get money from Congress.
>
> -----4. Call and e-mail Dino Rossi, Candidate for Washington State
> Governor. Ask for Renee Maher, Coalitions Director. (425)498-2008.
> E-mail: renee@dinorossi.com. Urge Rossi to make saving farms, agriculture
> and stopping the use of Eminent Domain against the Colf Family Farm an issue
> in the coming campaign.
>
> -----5. Call, fax and e-mail the following officials of the Corps of
> Engineers in Washington, DC.
>
> John Paul Woodley, Assistant Secretary of the Army (703) 697-8986 Fax:
> (703) 697- 7401
>
> Kathleen McGlynn (703) 697-7401 - Fax: (703) 697-7401 - E-mail:
> kathleen.mcglynn@hqda.army.mil
>
> Elwyn Darden (703) 697-8987 - Email:elwyn.darden@hqda.army.mil
>
> George Dunlop (Civilian oversight of the Corps. He is not in the US Army.)
> (703) 675-1370 - Fax: (703) 697-7401 - E-mail: george.dunlop@hqda.army.mil.
>
> Kevin Edwards (703) 697-3365 - Fax: 703 697-7401 - E-mail:
> Kevin.Edwards@hqda.army.mil
>
> -----6. Corps of Engineers - Portland area, Oregon and Washington. Laura
> Hicks, Project manager. Phone: (503) 808-4703. E-mail:
> laura.l.hicks@usace.army.mil. Col. Thomas O'Donovan is in charge of the
> Corps in the Portland area and has been transferred. Hicks bears most of
> the responsibility for the abuses against the Colf family. She has been
> involved in the Columbian Dredging Project from the beginning.
>
> -----American Land Rights will alert people everywhere Col. O'Donovan goes
> inside the territory of the USA about the abuse of the Colf family. Corps
> officials should not be able to abuse the rights of landowners and simply
> walk away. They need to get full credit for their actions. They need to
> be held responsible for their intimidation and threatening tactics. Call
> (503) 808-4703. E-mail: Thomas.E.O'Donovan@usace.army.mil.
>
> -----7. Call, fax and e-mail U. S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Phone:
> (202) 224-2621. Fax: (202) 224-0238. E-mail:
> carrie_desmond@murray.senate.gov. Vancouver office: Theresa Wagner -
> Theresa_wagner@murray.senate.gov. Does Senator Murray support farmers and
> agriculture? She can answer by helping save the Colf family.
>
> -----8. Call, fax and e-mail U. S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
> Phone (202) 224-3441. Fax: (202) 228-0514. E-mail:
> katie_kirking@cantwell.senate.gov. Vancouver Washington office: Bob
> Dingethal - (360) 696-7838, bob_dingethal@cantwell.senate.gov
>
> Does Senator Cantwell support farmers and agriculture? She too has a chance
> to show her support for agriculture and family farms by stopping the Corps
> and ports from using eminent domain on the Colf Family.
>
> -----9. Call the key officials listed below with the following Columbia
> River ports. They are going to use eminent domain against the Colf Family.
> They need to hear from you and many other people that they should not abuse
> eminent domain against the Colf Farm family. They should only buy from the
> many sellers who are willing to sell. There are lots of willing sellers
> along the Columbia.
>
> American Land Rights will be sending you more information about the ports,
> their commissioners, their election districts and what you can do to keep
> them from abusing eminent domain with the Colf family. We'll likely send
> letters to all voters residing in the port districts to get them to stop the
> abuse of eminent domain by the ports.
>
> -----Port of Portland: -- Even though the Port of Portland will not be
> involved in the eminent domain at this time, the key representative for all
> the Columbia River Ports in dealing with the Corps of Engineers and the
> Columbia River dredging project is Dianne Perry from the Port of Portland.
> (503) 944-7226 - dianne.perry@portofportland.com.
>
> Dianne Perry is very much involved in the eminent domain action and is
> pressuring the local ports to take the Colf land. She should get deluged
> with calls and e-mails.
>
> Call, fax and e-mail all the port commissioners listed below telling them no
> eminent domain of the Colf Family, period. Get your friends to call and
> e-mail also to help save the Colf family.
>
> -----Port of Vancouver (USA) Ph (360)693-3611-Fax (360)735-1565 Exec.
> Director: Larry Paulson - lpaulson@portvanusa.com Commissioners e-mails are:
> Brian Wolfe -- BWolfe@portvanusa.com Nancy Baker - Nbaker@portvanusa.com;
> Jerry Oliver - JOliver@portvanusa.com
>
> -----Port of Woodland - (360) 225-6555 Fax: (360) 225-6556 - Exec. Dir:
> Erica Rainford -- portofwoodland@worldaccessnet.com Commissioners : Dale
> Boon -- dboon@portofwoodland.com -- Jerry Peterson --
> jpeterson@portofwoodland.com -- Paul Cline -- pcline@portofwoodland.com
>
> -----Port of Longview: Phone: 360-425-3305 -- Fax: 360-425-8650
> Executive Director: Ken O'Hallaren - (360) 425-3305 Fax: (360) 425-8650 -
> kohollaren@portoflongview.com
> Commissioners: Darold Dietz -- rjohnson@portoflongview.com.
> Add President Darold Dietz (District #1) in the subject line.
> Dan Buell -- Vice President (District #2) -- bamma35@msn.com Bob Bagaason --
> Secretary (District #3) -- bobbagaason@yahoo.com
>
> -----Port of Kalama: Phone: (360) 673-5017 - Fax: (360) 673-5017 E-mail:
> pok@portofkalama.com
> Exec.Director - Lanny Cawley - lannycawley@portofkalama.com
> Commissioners: James Lucas - jameslucas@portokalama.com Fred Swanstrom -
> fredswanstrom@portofkalamacom Randy Sweet - randysweet@portofkalama.com
>
> -----The Ports in Washington have an agreement with the Washington State
> Department of Transportation (WSDOT) under Governor Chris Gregoire to carry
> out eminent domain on behalf of the Corps of Engineers and the Ports. You
> need to call and e-mail WSDOT at:
>
> Paula Hammond, Department of Transportation, (360) 705-7054 -
> hqcustomerservice@wsdot.wa.gov
>
> -----10. You should also call Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire
> through the following staff people: (It appears from the agreement between
> the ports and the State Department of Transportation that she supports the
> use of eminent domain to take private farmland and the Colf Farm. She has
> done little to head off the eminent domain of the Colf Farm.).
>
> Key official: Call him for sure. John Mankowski: (360) 902-0551
> john.mankowski@gov.wa.gov.
>
> Chief of Staff: (360) 902-4111 cindy.zehnder@gov.wa.gov
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff: (360) 902-0486 joyce.turner@gov.wa.gov
>
> Governor Gregoire has been told in the past that if the acquisition of the
> Colf Family Farm does not continue, it could stop the entire dredging
> project on the Columbia. That is complete nonsense. There are willing
> sellers all along the river. They have lots of time and there are lots of
> options. Any deadlines are self-imposed.
>
> From the information we have, the Colf Family intends to use every tool they
> can to fight in the Courts and Congress to save their farm.
>
> The Corps and the ports will only delay the dredging project themselves if
> they insist on destroying the historic Colf Family Farm. They can easily
> find another parcel from a willing seller.
>
> The key to success in fighting for private property rights and against
> agencies like the Corps of Engineers and the ports who are mistreating
> people is for all farmers, ranchers and people who care about agriculture to
> work together. Teamwork.
>
> By you making a few phone calls now, sending a few faxes and e-mails, you
> create the critical mass to cause Congress to consider forcing the Corps of
> Engineers and the ports to become better neighbors. You may get Congress to
> take away funding for the Corps and limit their ability to use Eminent
> Domain and cause trouble. So your calls really count.
>
> This is your chance to help save rural America from the Corps of Engineers
> and agencies like the ports that have the power of eminent domain. When you
> win and the Colf Family Farm is saved, that will send a message rippling
> through other ports and the Corps. Your calls, faxes and e-mails can make
> it all happen.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help in this important issue.
>
> Chuck Cushman
> Executive Director
> American Land Rights Association
> (360) 687-3087
> ccushman@pacifier.com
>
>
> Freedom is vital to America. The indiscriminate use of eminent domain and
> condemnation by the Corps, ports and other agencies threatens to undermine
> one of the basic foundations of freedom in America - private property.
>
> Large landowners as well as small landowners and businesses in both rural
> and urban areas are threatened by government agencies that lack care and
> thoughtfulness when they use eminent domain. You can stop them but you must
> take action now.
>
> There is a saying about bureaucrats who have the power of eminent domain and
> are in a rush to judgment: "If the only tool they have is a hammer,
> everything they see begins to look like a nail." In other words all private
> land begins to look like a target for eminent domain. It gets easier and
> easier for the Corps and the ports to use eminent domain. Where will it
> stop? Bureaucrats get greedier and greedier. It must stop now. You can
> stop it now.
>
> The Corps of Engineers has been threatening family farmers and other
> landowners across the country for years. They must be stopped. Congress
> must force them to become good neighbors.
>
> You can help do that by calling, faxing and e-mailing Rep. Brian Baird and
> Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. You must make sure they know they
> will be held responsible for this eminent domain action against the Colf
> Family.
>
> Help save your basic American freedoms. Help protect the ownership of
> private property. Take the eminent domain hammer out of the hands of the
> Corps and the Columbia River ports.
>
> Please make your calls, send your faxes and e-mails.
> If you wish to unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the
> subject line. If you know of others who would like to receive these alerts,
> reply with their e-mail addresses.
>
> Please forward this message as widely as possible. If each recipient
> forwards this message to at least five other people, we'll reach well over
> 2,000,000 recipients. So please take the time to forward this message.
>
I'm hoping to get some feedback and comments on this form the Port again...last time one of these e-mails went out, the Army Corps responded with their side of the story, and I thought this fracas was at an end. Apparently not...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy McDonald" <Kmcdon@comcast.net>
To: "Kathy McDonald" <Kmcdon@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 10:08 PM
Subject: FW: Nationwide Boycott Of Columbia Ports Planned If Ports Use Eminent Domain
>
> The Corp needs to stop the Eminent Domain procedure, this could be very
> costly if a boycott is called. Please call, your help is essential. Kathy
>
> Land Rights Network
> American Land Rights Association
> PO Box 400 - Battle Ground, WA 98604
> Phone: 360-687-3087 - Fax: 360-687-2973
> E-mail: alra@pacifier.com
> Web Address: http://www.landrights.org
> Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE - Washington, DC 20003
>
>
> Nationwide Boycott Of Columbia Ports Planned If Ports Use Eminent Domain.
>
> The Port Commissioners for Vancouver, Longview, Kalama and Woodland on the
> Columbia River will vote on using Kelo type eminent domain against the Colf
> Family in the coming two or three weeks. You must call, fax and e-mail the
> port Commissioners listed below and let them know in no uncertain terms that
> using eminent domain against family farms and neighbors is a threat to all
> our freedom and that you will remember this anti-agriculture action come
> election time. Call your friends and neighbors to get them to call.
>
> The Columbia River Ports and the Corps of Engineer are attempting to
> intimidate the Colf family and its farming operation in Clark and Cowlitz
> counties. They are spreading misinformation that a deal is close in the
> negotiation process. It is not remotely close. The Corps is systematically
> not telling the truth about the Colf family issue.
>
> The Corps and Governor Christine Gregoire, who is supporting eminent domain
> of the Colf Family, are trying to rush the port Commissioners into making a
> quick decision.
>
> -----There is no need to rush. The Port Commissioners and their
> constituents should stand up against this threat of eminent domain and not
> be bullied into taking land by force from their local neighbors. There is
> lots of time and other options available from willing sellers.
>
> -----Eminent Domain is a very intimidating power of the Ports and the Corps
> of Engineers. Landowners need to rise up and oppose it. We will show you
> over time how to protect your land from this kind of abuse.
>
> -----Eminent Domain or Condemnation is like a nuclear bomb to landowners.
> Since the Kelo Supreme Court Decision several years ago, landowners across
> the country have realized how vulnerable they are to bad and misinformed
> government decisions and the condemnation or eminent domain of private land,
> homes, farms and businesses.
>
> The Port officials and the Corps are very glib about throwing around the
> threat of eminent domain. American Land Rights, which represents tens of
> thousands of landowners, farmers and ranchers nationwide, has no choice but
> to show the Corps and the ports there is going to be a cost if they file
> eminent domain against the Colf family farm and it is going to be painful
> and expensive. And it will likely be a long-term boycott. Landowners can
> fight back. And we will. American Land Rights has won in over 90% of our
> battles.
>
> -----Boycotts have a tendency to take on a life of their own. Once started,
> lots of people join in. It takes years to undo the negative image.
> Boycotts often lead to boycotts against customers of ports. For example,
> car manufacturers who use the Columbia River ports. And so it goes. It just
> gets bigger and bigger and more expensive. And it is completely unnecessary
> if the ports do the right thing.
>
> -----American Land Rights does not want to organize a nationwide boycott
> against the Ports of Vancouver, Woodland, Kalama and Longview. These are
> our neighbors. ALRA has been headquartered in Battle Ground, Washington for
> nearly 20 years. ALRA has a Washington, DC office as well and thousands of
> volunteers across the country.
>
> -----On the other hand, the ports are the neighbors of the Colfs. By
> exercising their eminent domain power, they have essentially declared war on
> local landowners. This is not how neighbors treat neighbors.
>
> American Land Rights has an obligation to stop the use of eminent domain by
> the ports and the Corps. ALRA will do what we have to do to protect private
> landowners, farmers, ranchers and businesses.
>
> -----The Ports, Corps of Engineers and WA Department of Transportation have
> the power of eminent domain and are being pushed by WA Governor Gregoire
> aggressively to use it. This is going on while the Corps and ports are
> supposedly negotiating with the Colf Family. That's some kind of
> negotiations.
>
> American Land Rights has led successful nationwide boycotts against, Ford,
> GE, CNN, TBS, various newspapers and other institutions. Just the threat of
> an ALRA boycott has altered the decision making of numerous other
> institutions. That's because we have a track record of success.
>
> -----So it is real simple. If the Corps, Ports and Department of
> Transportation don't use eminent domain, then there is not likely to be a
> nationwide boycott of the Columbia River ports. What happens with the
> boycott is largely up to the Ports and the Corps.
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> To e-mail recipients: Last week American Land Rights sent an e-mail and fax
> to over 240,000 direct recipients about the Colf Family farm issue. We are
> sending this e-mail and another fax this week. With forwarding, we
> calculate that our e-mails reached well over 1,000,000 households last week,
> probably closer to 2,000,000. And they are the right households. Many care
> deeply about private property and are in farming and ranching.
>
> American Land Rights has 600,000 e-mail addresses, 900,000 fax numbers and
> over 2,000,000 names and addresses. Nearly every private property or
> agriculture organization in the country is in our network. Our list includes
> over 3,000 Congressional staff and many in the Administrative agencies like
> the Agriculture Department, Interior Department and Department of the Army
> (Corps of Engineers).
>
> Our lists have our members and lots of different kinds of people and
> organizations as networking partners. Major portions of our constituency
> are farmers, ranchers and landowners.
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>
> Action Items below:
>
> American Land Rights has successfully fought eminent domain and condemnation
> many times over 35 years by the Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and
> Wildlife Service and other agencies. We saved 2,000 cabins on the
> Mississippi River from the Corps of Engineers in 1988 for example. ALRA
> will use every tool we have to stop the Colf Family eminent Domain.
>
> -----For more background on American Land Rights or Chuck Cushman, please
> type into Google: Chuck Cushman, Charles S. Cushman, American Land Rights
> Association, National Inholders Association or League of Private Property
> Voters.
>
> Go to www.landrights.org to add additional background. You can contact
> Chuck Cushman, ALRA Executive Director, at (360) 687-3087 or
> ccushman@pacifier.com.
>
>
> Background:
>
> The Corps of Engineers is in the middle of a shipping channel dredging
> project of 106 miles of the Columbia River from its mouth to the cities of
> Portland, Oregon and Vancouver Washington.
>
> As part of the project, the Corps must mitigate damage to wetlands caused by
> the project. They have chosen to take 70% of what they need from one
> family, the Colf Family of Woodland, Washington.
>
> The Colf farming family is actively led by 91-year-old Margaret Colf.
> Nancy Colf, Margaret's daughter, is head of the Family farming operation.
>
> The Colf Family has been farming the area since 1870. They don't want to
> sell. They are farmers. They want to keep the land in agriculture. The
> Colf family is not now and never has been a willing seller. They are now
> and have continued to talk to the Corps of Engineers to discuss various
> options and solutions because the Corps and the ports have placed a gun at
> their head by threatening eminent domain.
>
> The Colf Family has been through nine years of hell dealing with the Corps
> of Engineers. The Corps is now threatening eminent domain using the
> Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to carry out their
> eminent domain threat on behalf of the Ports of Vancouver, Woodland,
> Longview and Kalama along the Columbia River. The Ports would eventually
> end up with ownership of the Colf Farm land.
>
> -----The Corps has identified eight other sites along the Columbia that are
> appropriate for this wetlands mitigation. There are lots of willing sellers
> of land that can be used for wetlands mitigation along the 106 mile affected
> area of the Columbia River. That does not seem to matter to the Corps.
> They have targeted the Colf Family and plan to take their land and destroy
> an active and historic family farm.
>
> -----The Corps still has plenty of time to switch their land acquisition to
> that of a willing seller in another local area. They are trying to rush
> everyone to judgment with deadlines that are self-made. Governor Christine
> Gregoire is trying to stampede the ports and Corps into using a Kelo type
> eminent domain against the Colf family.
>
> -----The Colf Family has repeatedly offered compromise and alternate
> solutions. Often they have not been able to get the Corp or port officials
> to even talk to them.
>
> -----It is ironic that the Ports have lots of land that could be used for
> mitigation purposes. Those lands don't seem to count. They would rather
> destroy farmers.
>
> Agriculture is important to America. Small farms are disappearing every
> year. It is easy to see that the Corps of Engineers is part of the reason
> for this loss. They have been heavy handed and threatening in the process.
>
> It is important that every farmer and agriculture advocate stands up and
> fight for proud farm families like the Colf. It is only by farmers standing
> together and working in unison to protect farming and family agriculture
> operations is there a chance to save and protect productive family farms.
>
>
> Action Items -- What You Can Do:
>
> -----1. Please tape a copy of this e-mail to the front of your
> refrigerator door so you can make at least three or four calls a day, and
> send three e-mails or faxes a day.
>
> This is your updated refrigerator to do list. There are new contacts with
> phone and e-mail addresses including all the port Commissioners.
>
> -----2. Call your Congressman and both Senators and urge them to reduce the
> budget of the Corps of Engineers. I mean really go after the money of the
> Corps. The Corps must understand that we are serious about reducing their
> budget and cutting off their money so they can't go around threatening
> people. They'll have a hard time using eminent domain if they don't have
> the money. You may call any Congressman at (202) 225-3121. Call any
> Senator at (202) 224-3121.
>
> American Land Rights brought eminent domain by the National Park Service
> largely to a halt, mostly by taking away their money in Congress.
>
> -----3. Call, fax and e-mail the local Congressman, Brian Baird (D-WA).
> Phone: (202) 225-3536. Fax: (202) 225-3478. E-mail:
> Andrew Dohrmann - andrew.dohrmann@mail.house.gov and Hilary Cain -
> hilary.cain@mail.house.gov. Vancouver Office: Phone: (360) 695-6292. Fax:
> (360) 695-6197. E-mail: kelly.love@mail.house.gov.
>
> Your message to Rep. Baird and Senators Murray and Cantwell below is that
> Congress should deny the Corps and local ports any Federal funds to use
> eminent domain against the Colf Family Farm. All Federal funding for any of
> the Ports should be shut off. We'll soon find out if Rep. Baird supports
> family farms and opposes the use of Kelo type Eminent Domain.
>
> Rep. Baird and Senators Murray and Cantwell have the power to cut off the
> Federal funds and stop this eminent domain of the Colf Family farm. The
> entire Corps budget should be examined closely for other earmarks and abuses
> like this going on against the Colfs. The Corps of Engineers is where a lot
> of Congressmen hide Pork Money. There are many earmarks in the Corps
> budget. If you want to stop earmarks, then strangle the Corps of Engineers
> budget.
>
> The Corps has a record of threatening lots of other people so your calls,
> faxes and e-mails are really important. The Corps must get their funds cut.
> They must fear that going ahead with eminent domain against family farmers
> is going to cost them dearly across the board in all their programs. With
> enough calls, faxes and e-mails by you, they will eventually decide the risk
> is not worth it.
>
> -----American Land Rights is interested in hearing back from anyone who
> knows of other examples of abuses and threats by the Corps against other
> farmers and landowners. ALRA wants to hear about any eminent domain actions
> by the Corps. We just need a name and location of the victims. A phone,
> fax and e-mail would also help. The more we publicize these horror stories,
> the more difficult it will be for the Corps to get money from Congress.
>
> -----4. Call and e-mail Dino Rossi, Candidate for Washington State
> Governor. Ask for Renee Maher, Coalitions Director. (425)498-2008.
> E-mail: renee@dinorossi.com. Urge Rossi to make saving farms, agriculture
> and stopping the use of Eminent Domain against the Colf Family Farm an issue
> in the coming campaign.
>
> -----5. Call, fax and e-mail the following officials of the Corps of
> Engineers in Washington, DC.
>
> John Paul Woodley, Assistant Secretary of the Army (703) 697-8986 Fax:
> (703) 697- 7401
>
> Kathleen McGlynn (703) 697-7401 - Fax: (703) 697-7401 - E-mail:
> kathleen.mcglynn@hqda.army.mil
>
> Elwyn Darden (703) 697-8987 - Email:elwyn.darden@hqda.army.mil
>
> George Dunlop (Civilian oversight of the Corps. He is not in the US Army.)
> (703) 675-1370 - Fax: (703) 697-7401 - E-mail: george.dunlop@hqda.army.mil.
>
> Kevin Edwards (703) 697-3365 - Fax: 703 697-7401 - E-mail:
> Kevin.Edwards@hqda.army.mil
>
> -----6. Corps of Engineers - Portland area, Oregon and Washington. Laura
> Hicks, Project manager. Phone: (503) 808-4703. E-mail:
> laura.l.hicks@usace.army.mil. Col. Thomas O'Donovan is in charge of the
> Corps in the Portland area and has been transferred. Hicks bears most of
> the responsibility for the abuses against the Colf family. She has been
> involved in the Columbian Dredging Project from the beginning.
>
> -----American Land Rights will alert people everywhere Col. O'Donovan goes
> inside the territory of the USA about the abuse of the Colf family. Corps
> officials should not be able to abuse the rights of landowners and simply
> walk away. They need to get full credit for their actions. They need to
> be held responsible for their intimidation and threatening tactics. Call
> (503) 808-4703. E-mail: Thomas.E.O'Donovan@usace.army.mil.
>
> -----7. Call, fax and e-mail U. S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Phone:
> (202) 224-2621. Fax: (202) 224-0238. E-mail:
> carrie_desmond@murray.senate.gov. Vancouver office: Theresa Wagner -
> Theresa_wagner@murray.senate.gov. Does Senator Murray support farmers and
> agriculture? She can answer by helping save the Colf family.
>
> -----8. Call, fax and e-mail U. S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
> Phone (202) 224-3441. Fax: (202) 228-0514. E-mail:
> katie_kirking@cantwell.senate.gov. Vancouver Washington office: Bob
> Dingethal - (360) 696-7838, bob_dingethal@cantwell.senate.gov
>
> Does Senator Cantwell support farmers and agriculture? She too has a chance
> to show her support for agriculture and family farms by stopping the Corps
> and ports from using eminent domain on the Colf Family.
>
> -----9. Call the key officials listed below with the following Columbia
> River ports. They are going to use eminent domain against the Colf Family.
> They need to hear from you and many other people that they should not abuse
> eminent domain against the Colf Farm family. They should only buy from the
> many sellers who are willing to sell. There are lots of willing sellers
> along the Columbia.
>
> American Land Rights will be sending you more information about the ports,
> their commissioners, their election districts and what you can do to keep
> them from abusing eminent domain with the Colf family. We'll likely send
> letters to all voters residing in the port districts to get them to stop the
> abuse of eminent domain by the ports.
>
> -----Port of Portland: -- Even though the Port of Portland will not be
> involved in the eminent domain at this time, the key representative for all
> the Columbia River Ports in dealing with the Corps of Engineers and the
> Columbia River dredging project is Dianne Perry from the Port of Portland.
> (503) 944-7226 - dianne.perry@portofportland.com.
>
> Dianne Perry is very much involved in the eminent domain action and is
> pressuring the local ports to take the Colf land. She should get deluged
> with calls and e-mails.
>
> Call, fax and e-mail all the port commissioners listed below telling them no
> eminent domain of the Colf Family, period. Get your friends to call and
> e-mail also to help save the Colf family.
>
> -----Port of Vancouver (USA) Ph (360)693-3611-Fax (360)735-1565 Exec.
> Director: Larry Paulson - lpaulson@portvanusa.com Commissioners e-mails are:
> Brian Wolfe -- BWolfe@portvanusa.com Nancy Baker - Nbaker@portvanusa.com;
> Jerry Oliver - JOliver@portvanusa.com
>
> -----Port of Woodland - (360) 225-6555 Fax: (360) 225-6556 - Exec. Dir:
> Erica Rainford -- portofwoodland@worldaccessnet.com Commissioners : Dale
> Boon -- dboon@portofwoodland.com -- Jerry Peterson --
> jpeterson@portofwoodland.com -- Paul Cline -- pcline@portofwoodland.com
>
> -----Port of Longview: Phone: 360-425-3305 -- Fax: 360-425-8650
> Executive Director: Ken O'Hallaren - (360) 425-3305 Fax: (360) 425-8650 -
> kohollaren@portoflongview.com
> Commissioners: Darold Dietz -- rjohnson@portoflongview.com.
> Add President Darold Dietz (District #1) in the subject line.
> Dan Buell -- Vice President (District #2) -- bamma35@msn.com Bob Bagaason --
> Secretary (District #3) -- bobbagaason@yahoo.com
>
> -----Port of Kalama: Phone: (360) 673-5017 - Fax: (360) 673-5017 E-mail:
> pok@portofkalama.com
> Exec.Director - Lanny Cawley - lannycawley@portofkalama.com
> Commissioners: James Lucas - jameslucas@portokalama.com Fred Swanstrom -
> fredswanstrom@portofkalamacom Randy Sweet - randysweet@portofkalama.com
>
> -----The Ports in Washington have an agreement with the Washington State
> Department of Transportation (WSDOT) under Governor Chris Gregoire to carry
> out eminent domain on behalf of the Corps of Engineers and the Ports. You
> need to call and e-mail WSDOT at:
>
> Paula Hammond, Department of Transportation, (360) 705-7054 -
> hqcustomerservice@wsdot.wa.gov
>
> -----10. You should also call Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire
> through the following staff people: (It appears from the agreement between
> the ports and the State Department of Transportation that she supports the
> use of eminent domain to take private farmland and the Colf Farm. She has
> done little to head off the eminent domain of the Colf Farm.).
>
> Key official: Call him for sure. John Mankowski: (360) 902-0551
> john.mankowski@gov.wa.gov.
>
> Chief of Staff: (360) 902-4111 cindy.zehnder@gov.wa.gov
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff: (360) 902-0486 joyce.turner@gov.wa.gov
>
> Governor Gregoire has been told in the past that if the acquisition of the
> Colf Family Farm does not continue, it could stop the entire dredging
> project on the Columbia. That is complete nonsense. There are willing
> sellers all along the river. They have lots of time and there are lots of
> options. Any deadlines are self-imposed.
>
> From the information we have, the Colf Family intends to use every tool they
> can to fight in the Courts and Congress to save their farm.
>
> The Corps and the ports will only delay the dredging project themselves if
> they insist on destroying the historic Colf Family Farm. They can easily
> find another parcel from a willing seller.
>
> The key to success in fighting for private property rights and against
> agencies like the Corps of Engineers and the ports who are mistreating
> people is for all farmers, ranchers and people who care about agriculture to
> work together. Teamwork.
>
> By you making a few phone calls now, sending a few faxes and e-mails, you
> create the critical mass to cause Congress to consider forcing the Corps of
> Engineers and the ports to become better neighbors. You may get Congress to
> take away funding for the Corps and limit their ability to use Eminent
> Domain and cause trouble. So your calls really count.
>
> This is your chance to help save rural America from the Corps of Engineers
> and agencies like the ports that have the power of eminent domain. When you
> win and the Colf Family Farm is saved, that will send a message rippling
> through other ports and the Corps. Your calls, faxes and e-mails can make
> it all happen.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help in this important issue.
>
> Chuck Cushman
> Executive Director
> American Land Rights Association
> (360) 687-3087
> ccushman@pacifier.com
>
>
> Freedom is vital to America. The indiscriminate use of eminent domain and
> condemnation by the Corps, ports and other agencies threatens to undermine
> one of the basic foundations of freedom in America - private property.
>
> Large landowners as well as small landowners and businesses in both rural
> and urban areas are threatened by government agencies that lack care and
> thoughtfulness when they use eminent domain. You can stop them but you must
> take action now.
>
> There is a saying about bureaucrats who have the power of eminent domain and
> are in a rush to judgment: "If the only tool they have is a hammer,
> everything they see begins to look like a nail." In other words all private
> land begins to look like a target for eminent domain. It gets easier and
> easier for the Corps and the ports to use eminent domain. Where will it
> stop? Bureaucrats get greedier and greedier. It must stop now. You can
> stop it now.
>
> The Corps of Engineers has been threatening family farmers and other
> landowners across the country for years. They must be stopped. Congress
> must force them to become good neighbors.
>
> You can help do that by calling, faxing and e-mailing Rep. Brian Baird and
> Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. You must make sure they know they
> will be held responsible for this eminent domain action against the Colf
> Family.
>
> Help save your basic American freedoms. Help protect the ownership of
> private property. Take the eminent domain hammer out of the hands of the
> Corps and the Columbia River ports.
>
> Please make your calls, send your faxes and e-mails.
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>
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>