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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2016)
10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 Local Brisk winds touch Eagle Sumpter: More recalls Valley Days parade BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com Carmelita Holland / The Baker County Press Grand Marshal Frank Randall and Grand Lady Shirley Randall in the parade, and standing are Grand Marshal John Randall and Grand Lady Dorothy Randall. and strawberry shortcake failed to get pants on him BY CARMELITA HOLLAND News@TheBakerCountyPress.com was served throughout the above his knees. He made remainder of the day. The over a dozen more circles, The skies threatened music by the Silversmith running full speed before rain and a brisk wind blew entertained the crowd. he was swooped up in a in Richland on Saturday, Eagle Valley Grange towel and blanket. June 18, but Eagle Val- Master Dan Forsea wel- The most popular at- ley Grangers, partners comed visitors and hosted traction of the day was the and friends sponsoring the program which fol- Pie Baking Contest and Eagle Valley Days had one lowed at the Eagle Valley Auction by Mib Dailey, an beautiful parade at 10 a.m. Grange Community Park. annual event introduced by The parade was led by the Around noon, Eagle Sonya Weems five or six local VFW, Halfway Post Valley’s Fire Department years ago to help support #7847, with Grand Mar- Chief Dave Kingsbury the Grange’s Community shals and Grand Ladies, brought one of the local Park. John and Dorothy Randall, Fire Trucks to the Park so Thirty outstanding first and Frank and Shirley the children could play class pies, of nearly every Randall. and dodge spray from the kind, vied for honors: First The Eagle Valley Days nozzle. Turning on the prize was $75. second theme this year was, hose attracted over a dozen prize, $50 and third prize “Eagle Valley, Land That I children who were soon was $25. Love.” Among the many thoroughly soaked but still The first prize winner floats, including that of the running circles under the was Megan Morehead who Grand Marshals, was one spray. made a peach-apple pie. carrying the 4-H Club, and One little fellow around She also won second prize several entered by Eagle two or three years old, with a cherry pie. The Telephone and Comco decided clothing was too third prize winner was Lela Construction, which in- restrictive, kicked off Shold who made a huckle- cluded one whopper-sized everything, and continued berry pie. Also auctioned D 8. There were fourteen to streak around in circles were a fresh apple cake, a entries in the parade. in the spray under the plate of brownies and two The kitchen at the park hose. At one point the little barbecues. opened at 11 a.m., and streaker was captured, but It was estimated that serving of hamburgers, fought like a tiger to be about $3,800 was raised by hot dogs, nachos began, free of his captors who the pie auction. Less than a year after voting to recall their mayor and one city councilor, Sumpter voters will again choose to retain or recall their mayor and two coun- cilors. Ballots are due by June 28th. The Chief Petitioner to recall mayor Leland Myers is Robert Armbruster. His statement in demand of re- call reads, “Postponed an- nual evaluation, due April 2016 without justification. Over-reach of his authority in administering the Public Purchasing Laws, includ- ing the City Charter limit on public contracts. Paid a Volunteer for committee/ volunteer services against the Charter—this exhibits his lack of knowledge about appropriate expen- diture of public funds. He is being investigated for violating public meet- ing laws and is currently under review by the OR State Ethics Commission. Ignores $30,000 grant for Drinking Water Protection because he is “too busy” to keep your water safe. Is unable to perform his mayoral/councilor duties without guidance from his daughter Leanne Woolf—a recently recalled coun- cilor—who serves as his alter ego.” Myers’ Statement of Justification reads, “I have done nothing improper or illegal while serving for the betterment of Sumpter and its residents. As for the specific ‘charges’ made on the petition against me: The employee evaluation was postponed by a major- ity vote of Council so new Councilors could learn more at a July workshop. The Employee Handbook that stipulates annual Review was changed by the previous mayor after Council had adopted it. A reevaluation is planned after the July workshop. Some members of the council and community ap- parently do not understand the difference between capital improvements and maintenance. Maintenance does not fall under the Charter’s $500 limitation. The complaint to the Eth- ics Commission was filed by Councilors Oakley and Armbruster. It regards an executive meeting request- ed by all councilors about a potential new attorney. That attorney assured us we did nothing wrong. We met for about 10 minutes, made No decisions, then adjourned. Our water is safe. It is among the best water in the state. The grant could have produced a plan for watershed protection. It would not have paid for putting the plan into action. I will use available resources to answer questions, even if I’m related to them.” The Chief Petitioner to recall Councilor Cary Clarke is Timothy Peters. Peters states Clarke is also under review for violat- ing public meeting laws. His statement continues, “(Clarke) continues to refuse some councilors access to employee files in order to verify existence of previous write-ups and evaluations. This keeps the employees from being accountable to previous evaluations and improve- ment plans. He has made large sums of money work- ing for the City, yet refuses to comply with mandatory disclosure requirements of the OR Gov Ethics Com- mission. Councilor Clarke has been paid by the City for work performed without complying with Oregon Public Purchasing Laws and City Charter— including emergency work. He does not support com- pliance with The State of Oregon Public Purchasing Laws. He, along with the Mayor and council Person Esposito do not care about compliance with the open meeting law.” Clarke’s Statement of Justification reads, “Robert Armbruster requested a meeting w/ Dan Thiel (sic), the prospective attorney for the City. A time was set and councilors notified. Armbruster didn’t show, despite being the one who asked for the meet- ing. City attorney says nothing wrong was done. Armbruster & others have illegally copied, removed, and distributed employee records. They are cur- rently under investigation by the District Attorney and Department Of Justice. I stand by my decision to protect the privacy of our staff against illegal actions by Armbruster. As a volunteer Councilman, I am also a licensed/bonded/ insured contractor. For years I have volunteered where needed. I have at many times made my personal equipment & myself available to the City, often dropping other work that I am engaged in to be of service in emer- gency situations. The City receives competitive pric- ing & I have earned every dollar I have ever billed. I resent any implications to the contrary. All bills to the City are/have been approved by City council before payment. If accusa- tions of non compliance were true, the District Attorney would be inves- tigating. As a business owner, I comply with all laws. I care about all laws & resent these slanderous false accusations.” Finally, Melissa Findley is the Chief Petitioner to recall Councilor Samantha Esposito. She states, “Will not think for herself. Is a puppet for Clarke and My- ers. Appears Unconcerned about uses of public funds. She is being investigated for violating public meet- ing laws and is currently under review by the OR State Ethics Commission. Flagrantly disobeys City ATV and Vehicle speed limits. Participates in council meetings unpre- pared to address agenda items.” Esposito’s Statement of Justification reads, “I am being accused of not think- ing for myself and being a puppet. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not afraid to express my Opinions and will stand my ground. This goes for my entire life. Concerning the use of public funds; if I did not care, I wouldn’t be pursuing Findley and Armbruster for theft of the city’s sewer/water services, nor would I be concerned about the situations that the city is put in. I am being investigated for a meeting which Armbruster and Oakley requested; the attorney assured council it was within its right to do so. As for being unpre- pared to address agenda items, I come as prepared as possible. I do my own research, and constantly ask questions regarding the city’s affairs. Volunteering on council consumes a tre- mendous amount of time and Effort from my life regardless of what you’ve been told. I will not resign my Position from the City of Sumpter Council. Please vote no on the recall. Thank you.” After the votes are count- ed, results will be certified within ten days by County Clerk Cindy Carpenter.
