Photo by Ellen Miller

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Big Day in Oregon...

No, not the National Championship, the Oregon Capitol will be the site of the inauguration of Governor John Kitzhaber, Version 3.0, and the beginning of the 2011 legislative session.  This will be the third inauguration for Kitzhaber, an Oregon first.  Since Oregon's new Governor is comfortable at most times in his blue jeans and cowboy boots will Kitzhaber completely suspend formality and become "Trey"?

Opening Day is often viewed as the best day of the legislative session: lot's of Pomp and Circumstance, home grown musical entertainment and "Let's just get along" speeches. Unfortunately, Monday may be the Highlight of the session.  Pundits and reporters expect the 2011 session to be tumultuous.  As with everything else, security will be tighter for Monday's events.

The weekend shooting of a member of Congress, a Judge, a 9 year old born on 9-11 and 15 others in Arizona has cast a pall over everything political.  It's a good thing that Governor Kitzhaber did not plan an Inaugural Ball for Monday night.  With the UO Ducks playing for the Collegiate National Championship, the billion dollar revenue shortfall Oregon faces and the Arizona shooting,  no Ball is a good thing.

Oregon's Board of Forestry will hold private interviews with six finalists for the new State Forester.  Forums with Department of Forestry employees and Forestry Stakeholders will be scheduled for the two or three candidates approved by the BOF Monday.

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