By Scott Unger • Of the News-Register • 

PAC awaits ruling on trail ballot petition

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Comments

toddsadlo

Time is clearly of the essence in stopping the current anti-trail dominated board from removing the publicly-owned trail corridor from the county comprehensive plan and selling enough of it to prevent a trail from ever being built without first condemning the privately-owned gaps back. What convoluted nonsense commissioners Kit Johnston and Mary Starrett are trying to pull this time.

Mary claims the trail violates "property rights" when in fact the trail is owned by the public whose rights should be paramount.

Kit apparently thinks somehow a public trail, of the kind that cross hundreds or even thousands of miles of farmland across the country, will significantly limit or prevent farming adjacent to the sixty-foot wide road-like corridor. If past litigation gives any clue, Kit's farm buddies along the trail (a handful of them) claim a trail will stop them from spraying paraquat on their filberts. Paraquat is an herbicide used extensively in farming across the country and is highly regulated. Farmers never had the right to spray or allow drift of any herbicide or pesticide onto neighboring properties, roads or trail corridors. The vast majority of farmers know that.

There is no reason to remove comprehensive plan protection from a publicly-owned trail corridor other than to end public ownership and break it up. In next May's primary, voters should remember the kind of nonsense coming from this board's majority, and vote accordingly.

manyhands

The Yamhill County Planning Commission’s Dec. 4 hearing on the Yamhelas Westsider Trail was a waste of time. It quickly became obvious these “public servants” had already made up their minds to get rid of this treasured public asset.

Asked if he’d ever served as petitioner to LUBA on the trail, Commissioner Mark Gaibler said he didn’t know. But a quick Google search showed: “Mark Gaibler has served as a petitioner in multiple cases before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals concerning the Yamhelas Westsider Trail. He was one of several property owners and farmers along the proposed trail who filed appeals against Yamhill County’s actions related to the trail’s development.”

In 2020, the George family of hazelnut fame donated large sums to elect anti-trail activist Lindsay Berschauer county commissioner. In turn, Berschauer and fellow anti-trail commissioners Mary Starrett and Kit Johnston appointed Christy (George) Cooke to the planning commission. Rather than recuse herself at the hearing, George claimed her family’s donations to anti-trail commissioners and subsequent appointment by them would not influence her vote.

Commissioners Steven Belt and Lee Schrepel, owners of land adjacent to the trail, did recuse themselves. But they did not follow standard protocol of leaving the hearing. They not only remained seated, but offered comments throughout.

Commissioner Brett Veatch, a real estate agent specializing in agricultural land, reclined in his chair, closed his eyes and looked to be napping. Maybe he was dreaming of some land coming up for sale soon?

It was no surprise then when every participating commissioner voted to get rid of the trail.

Sadly, Mary and Kit will arrange the sale of this treasured public asset to people who already have so much and now will have more. It’s a classic case of the greedy catering to the rich at the expense of the poor.

manyhands

Trails Pac needs you to help save the cherished Yamhelas Westsider Trail!

Go to trailspac.org to volunteer and to donate ANY amount to help Trail Pac cover printing, outreach and legal costs.

President Musk

I think this trail would be a great location for some electric car charging stations.

Otis

Excellent news as of today!

The trail petition got the green light from the clerk!

Yay!!!!

Bigfootlives

Through all of the cut and paste prepared statements, no one can connect the dots on why the evil George family hates the trail. What do they stand to gain financially? Why are they (allegedly) stacking the commissioner seats with single issue, anti trail commissioners?

Anyone?

NJINILNCCAOR

I do not typically send much of my hard earned money to political causes because the small amount I can give typically won’t make a difference.

However, in this case, I will be sending money to the PAC because it will make a difference.

This is a much needed project that will make a very positive impact on the area. I have visited rails to trails projects all over the country. They are uniformly great and worth visiting and funding.

Ron

Happy new year. Thought I would start out by naming a couple names. First of all, I’m guessing Otis doesn’t even walk around the block. Also just guessing he doesn’t hit the trails very hard. One thing for sure he’s right there to push the issue and the division from the other side. Otis and manyhands can sleep well knowing you have Bubba King on the job now. Believe me, everybody knows you hate Mary and teamed up to oust Lindsay yeah you know the girl with all the signs around the country to get recalled by people like you. Hang in there you got rid of her and probably Mary next.And for the cherished piece of land blackberries, rock, and poison. that trail line has been sprayed for probably a 100 years with was some of the most potent and deadly chemicals available at the time. These chemicals aren’t even available today. And then let’s remember Southern Pacific Railroad, which owned the right away and operated it for years, towing a giant tank car around with some of the deadliest chemical available probably similar to Agent Orange. Monsanto, if anybody forgets the chemical manufacturer that caused cancer and death to millions of people. Guessing the county doesn’t want the liability or-any part of this cleanup, and monitoring as well as the maintenance and operation.The County should lick their wounds and get rid of this land.

yamhillbilly2

Wow! Now the trail right of way is contaminated by agent orange and who knows what. An unbelievable new level of ignorance! Thanks Ron for being wonderfully judgmental of others. Why would one of the prominent trail opponents want his dairy cows on that land? Should we be having his milking operation monitored more closely? Why was another of the loud opponents grazing his cattle on this toxic waste along the right of way? Really sad and stupid argument. By the way Mary is not allowed to run again, guess you understand politics as well. It sure seems like Kit should be making plans for when he is shown the door on his way out.

treefarmer


No surprises when one of our “contributors” here begins with a pleasant greeting and dives right into insults and absurdities. Inane negativity appears to be the sole objective for some folks? Vacuous and thoroughly counterproductive ~ more to be pitied than condemned perhaps?

There has been a concerted effort from a wealthy influential few to deny the many benefits of the trail to the majority of Yamhill County citizens. It will be interesting to see the results of a vote, and observe which of our Commissioners ACTUALLY represents their constituents. As noted above, Starrett is termed out so she has nothing to lose by continuing represent the demands of her donors. Johnston may have to consider his re-election when confronted by the will of the people. Bubba has maintained his intent to represent all of us and I trust him to do so. From the nation to the county it looks like 2026 will not be boring.


yamhillbilly2

We can start off 2026 by signing the petition so it makes the May ballot. It will make for great election turnout. With a good turnout, we can help Marvin Bernards exceed 50% which would mean no run off in Nov against Kit. Let’s get it rolling, we have momentum.

BC

This trail should never have been a political issue. The fact that two commissioners have done everything in their power to cater to a special interest group has made it political. Oh, and I do love our farmers, before anyone attacks me for not appreciating where our food comes from. I just happen to believe they're making mountains out of mole hills on this issue.

BTW, I think this is the first time I've ever agreed with Otis. Yay for the trail protections going before the voters.

I hope the rest of the people voting will see this for what it is, a good fit for Yamhill County rather than another political divide.

Let the voters decide.

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