Oregon news herald., February 01, 2025, Image 1

Vol #3 Issue #2 February 2025
Formerly the North Douglas Herald
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Roseburg Mayor launches
Council Investigation
Story by Milo Banks
Drain Welcomes New City Administrator
Story and Photo by Rusty Savage
Ken Strobeck Steps in to Fill The Vacancy
It was an unexpected announcement, the
City Administrator - Jeni Stevens, is resigning
and a new CA pro tem is being hired. That
was on the 9th of January and sure enough at
the regular City Council meeting on the 13th,
Ken Strobeck was sworn in as the interim City
Administrator for the city of Drain.
Jeni Stevens announced that she was
leaving her position on January 17th. No reason
was given for her sudden departure after nearly
4 years in that position and having been fully
engaged in her civic duties across the spectrum
of Drain’s municipal works.
Ken Strobeck introduced himself at that
Council meeting and agreed to an informal
interview a few days later. Prior to meeting
Ken there at City Hall, I decided to find out a
little more about Mr. Strobeck.
To say the least, boy was I surprised
to find Ken’s civic background was pretty
impressive. First, he graduated from the U of
O in the late 70’s, majoring in Journalism and
Public Affairs. Initially, he began his career in
Television as a news reporter, having worked
in Radio earlier. He produced a commercial
video on the Mt St Helen’s eruption. In the 80’s
he worked at KATU-TV, KGW-TV, KEZI-TV
and KOLD-TV in Tuscon.
Ken switched gears in 1988 and went to
work as Communications Director at Emanuel
Hospital in Portland. In 1992 he became
a company spokesman for Blue Cross of
Oregon, until 2000. But in 1995 Ken Strobeck
was elected to the Oregon State Legislature.
From 1995 to 2001 he served as Speaker Pro
Tem, Chairman and on the House Revenue
Committee. These years, Ken told me, were
the building blocks for his civics background.
After that he had a few positions as
spokesman, lobbyist at some Law firms and
the Red Cross. It was in 2002 He found his
calling as the Director of the Oregon League of
Cities and it was in that position that he made
his mark and showed his passion and support
and advocacy for municipal governments and
city friendly legislation.
In 2006 Ken managed to relocate to
Arizona a place he had grown to love from his
early years in TV in Tuscon. Along with the
move was a coveted position at the Arizona
League of Cities (every state has a similar
organization) and, again, as the Director.
You can easily research his many
accomplishments in the position from 2006
until 2019 and they are many. One of the
things I noted was his seeming ability to work
in many cities with very diverse constituents
and still manage to get folks to work together
for maximum results. After many accolades
for his performance, work as consultant and
an Honorary Membership in the International
City/County Management Association in 2021,
Ken returned to Oregon and listed himself as
available for consultation with the Oregon
League of Cities.
It was here, in Mid December, that Jeni
Stevens first contacted Ken and asked for his
Continued on Page 3
Beloved Dogs Lost to Poison
Story by Rusty Savage
Like many of us, Russ and Charlotte Kaleese love
their dogs. Living north of Drain out on Smith River
near Hardscrabble, they have room for their 3 dogs
to run and play and they have a happy life. Well they
had a happy life.
The other day they woke up to Blondie being
very sick and she shortly died. Leon was also sick,
Russ scooped him up and rushed off to the Vet. While
trying to revive Leon, they were able to determine it
was an ingested toxin or poison. It was a valiant effort
but unfortunately Leon did not make it.
For many who visited the Beaver Creek Unique
store in Drain, they are familiar with Leon , who was
a calming presence lounging around the store. Leon
made many friends and impressed more than a few
others with his wizened presence. As Russ & Charlotte
Continued on Page 2
Larry Rich, Mayor of Roseburg
Ward 1 Councilor Kylee Rummel
Photo Courtesy , City of Roseburgi
Photo Courtesy , City of Roseburgi
Roseburg, OR – Larry Rich, Mayor of
Roseburg, is calling for an investigation
into Council conduct after a City Councilor
resigned. Ward 1 Councilor Kylee Rummel
submitted a letter of resignation on Friday,
Jan. 24.
Mayor Rich announced his call for
an investigation at the Monday, Jan. 27,
Council meeting after sharing a statement
that Councilor Rummel had posted to her
Facebook page over the weekend. Councilor
Rummel, who chairs the City’s Economic
Development Commission, did not attend the
Monday night meeting.
“Statements have been made that could
lead to possible state law violations of Council
conduct and rules, so I have called for an
independent investigation,” Mayor Rich said
during the livestreamed Council meeting.
“We lost a good City Councilor who served
with integrity and honesty. The statements she
made are very concerning.”
Mayor Rich spoke with Councilor Rummel
before the Council meeting and obtained her
permission to read into the public record the
statement she had posted to Facebook.
“I have debated sharing this information
because there are voices that will speak loudly
the days to follow so I want to be the one
writing my own narrative. After two and a
half years of service I have decided to resign
from the city council. I first threw my hat in
the ring when the vacancy opened seeing it as
part of doing my civic duty in an opportunity
to give back to the community I love and have
called home my entire life. This position has
never been about status, power, or the ability
to influence others or push a hidden agenda.
During my time of service, I have carefully
weighed every decision acting what I believe
is in the best interest of the community and
I’ve stood for ethics, truth, and love. I do not
believe in airing dirty laundry or pointing
fingers so I will not be doing that now. I will
say though that lines were crossed by certain
members of council trying to use me to push
their own agendas and even going as far
to try and intimidate and influence my vote
by threatening my job. I’ve never been one
to quit but this is a volunteer position and
the personal sacrifices have been to great.
I will not continue to work against those
who oppose progress when my time is better
spent elsewhere. I have the utmost respect
for those on council who serve with love for
the community and for the very passionate
and talented city employees who continue to
strive to make this community a better place
to live.”
Councilor Rummel, who also chairs the
city’s Economic Development Commission,
was sworn in as a Councilor on Monday,
May 9, 2022, after she was appointed to
replace Alison Eggers. Councilor Rummel
also works as the fiscal controller at United
Community Action Network (UCAN).
The Mayor said he’s intent on determining
what led to Councilor Rummel’s resignation.
Near the end of the Council meeting, Mayor
Rich said the investigation will answer at least
these questions, but will not be limited to only
these questions:
1. Was City business conducted privately in
direct violation of the open public meetings
laws?
2. Were Councilors intimidated or pressured
into voting certain ways?
3. Were daytime jobs threatened as a way of
keeping Councilors in line?
Continued on Page 3