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.