Siletz news II., January 01, 1990, Page 5, Image 5

Volume n , Number 1
page 5
Siletz News n
STEDCO Task Force Report
A nearly complete STEDCO Task Force report
appears below. Unsubstantiated allegations and quotes
potentially damaging to individuals have been omitted.
One section dealing with personnel matters has been
paraphrased. Otherwise, the report appears here in its
entirety, uncensored, and with no alterations, even in the
spelling.
ad hoc Committee Responses to Rumors
1. Stolen Fish?
Royce Strong, Salmon Production supervisor,
reported possible theft of fish on May 26, 1989 to Ted
Werth and Peggy Medina. Nothing was done to deter­
mine any volume of loss. Locks were installed on the
freezer door.
Ted Werth stated that his calculations of the total
salmon losses total approximately $20,000.00. The
committee concurs. The Committee’s calculations indi­
cate a significant loss which has not been explained.
9,327 Pounds Unaccounted for, Samples, Seniors,
Stolen & Other Loss. 24,716.55 @ $2.65 or somewhere
inbetween - 74,616.00 @ $8.00 if mixed raw and proc­
essed [see chart below].
A detailed review of record kept by Royce Strong
indicates 1,765 pounds of fish was thrown in garbage.
STEDCO staff members were given fish to take home.
2. Stolen Formulas/Recipes?
Formulas or recipes for processing salmon were
not stolen. The recipes were not purchased from Orpac-
Lox. The Contract of Sale for Orpac-Lox does not refer
to the sale of formulas or recipes. The Contract of Sale
for Orpac-Lox does provide training and consultation to
a reasonable number of person for a period of 6 months.
3. Buying Bad Fish?
Bad Fish was purchased on at least 2 occasions.
Once from Idaho and one large order from Astoria
Seafood, Inc. It seems that the major issue about “bad
fish” is centered on the 6,999 pounds of fish purchased
from Astoria Seafood, Inc.
On 6/21/89 500pounds was purchased from Asto­
ria Seafood. 21 salmon were sent back and 9 sides
thrown in the garbage.
In spite of the bad fish purchased on 6/21/89, an
additional 6,999 pounds was purchased form Astoria
Seafood at a price of $3.55/lb. for a total of $24,846.45.
Of that amount, approximately 1,700 pounds has been
thrown in the garbage. This started the rumors and talk
flying around as to “who bought the fish”, “how much
was thrown away” and, “how much could have been
saved, etc.”
On 6/7/89, Ted, Tom and Royce went to Astoria
Seafoods to look at fish. Ted authorized the purchase of
up to 8,000 pounds.
On 6/26 -6/27/89 Royce Strong and [name of
production worker deleted] went to Astoria Seafoods,
Inc., to grade the fish Ted authorized to buy. The fish was
thawed, split and refrozen by Astoria Seafood, Inc.,
inspected/graded by Royce. Royce stated that he re­
jected approximately 4,000 pounds. The 6,999 pounds
of split salmon was then stored by Astoria Seafood, Inc.
until called for by STEDCO. The salmon was one (1)
year old fish at the time of the purchase.
The salmon was purchased by STEDCO based on
the visit to Astoria Seafoods, Inc. on 6/7/89 and 6/26 - 6/
27/89, and Royce’s inspection and grading the split
salmon on 6/27/89.
The Committee feels that either the inspection and
(Continued on page 8, "Task Force.”)
The Committee’s calculations are:
Bought
Processed Pounds Sold
Lost in Processing
Raw Fish on Hand
Processed Fish on Hand
Lost in Processing
Trashed in Garbage
TOTAL
Pounds of Fish
15,629
1,000
1,000
1,698
500
500
1.604
6,302
Cost
$41303
$ 8,000
$ 2,650
$ 4300
$ 4,000
$ 1325 -
$ 4350
Average PricePer Pound
$2.65
$8.00
$2.65
$2.65 ,
$8.00
$2.65
$2.65