PAGE A10, KEIZERTIMES, MAY 14, 2021
MUDDY,
Continued from page A1
CR: Oregon State Police investigated
the incident to determine the potential
for any criminal charges. The scope of
their investigation included ORS 166.370,
which includes an exception for a per-
son who is licensed to carry a concealed
handgun.
(Editor’s clarifi cation: Eppley told
other media outlets he possesses a con-
cealed carry permit. Even if the law pro-
vides exceptions, city personnel policy
would have required Eppley to have had
permission from either himself, the chief
of police or the human resources direc-
tor to carry a gun inside the civic center.
Nothing confi rming or denying permis-
sion for Eppley to have a fi rearm in the
civic center been made public. Yet, Eppley
told an investigator that he likely asked
people to whom he showed guns that they
not to say anything because he was violat-
ing city policy.)
KT: If the council chooses not to
address the question of violating Oregon
law regarding weapons in public build-
ings, are its members concerned about
the precedent (regarding accountability)
it sets for all future Keizer city managers?
CR: Oregon State Police investigated
the incident to determine the potential
for any criminal charges. The scope of
their investigation included ORS 166.370.
The City of Keizer’s expectation is that all
current and future employees will con-
tinue to comply with all applicable laws
in the State of Oregon as well as all city
policies and rules.
KT: Why did Mr. Eppley’s disposal of
evidence not appear to trouble city coun-
cil members?
CR: City staff cannot comment on the
thought process of individual Council
members, and the basis for the question
appears to be speculative because it
assumes that council members were not
troubled by disposal of the evidence.
KT: Given all the now-known ways Mr.
Eppley violated the trust of the council
and the residents of the city he served,
what fears kept the council from sim-
ply terminating his employment rather
presenting him with an opportunity to
resign? (Please be as specifi c as possible.
Do not shy from quoting legal precedent.)
CR: Again, city staff cannot com-
ment on the thought process of individ-
ual council members, and the basis for
the question appears to be speculative
because it assumes that council mem-
bers had fears. Furthermore, to the extent
individual council members may have
had concerns regarding terminating
Mr. Eppley’s employment, the answer to
the question would likely involve attor-
ney-client privileged communications.
In general, it is typically better to allow
the employee to resign as it reduces the
employer’s potential liability.
KT: Will city policies or civic center
policies be updated as a result of this inci-
dent? If so, how?
CR: In accordance with the person-
nel policy manual the City of Keizer will
continue to prohibit “Being in possession
of guns and weapons on city property,
including parking lots or in city vehi-
cles unless approved in writing by the
city manager, chief of police or human
EPPLEY GUNSHOT FALLOUT
resource director. This prohibition does
not apply to authorized possession of
guns and weapons by law enforcement
personnel, nor does it apply to the law-
ful possession of concealed weapons in
an employee’s locked vehicle parked in a
city parking lot.”
KT: There are residents who no longer
feel safe entering the Keizer Civic Center,
even with Mr. Eppley gone. What actions
will the city take to ensure residents feel
safe when they have concerns to raise or
need to do business with the city?
CR: The basis for the question
appears to be speculative because it
assumes that residents do not feel safe.
Notwithstanding that appearance, the
City of Keizer provides multiple ways for
members of the public to raise concerns
and to conduct business with the city,
most of which do not require residents to
enter the Keizer Civic Center, especially
in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
KT: What actions will the city council
take to regain the trust of the public?
CR: City staff does not have authority
to respond on behalf of the council, and
the basis for the question appears to be
speculative because it assumes a loss of
the public’s trust. Notwithstanding the
above, the council continues to expect
staff to strictly enforce city policies and
applicable laws, including the prohibition
of possession of fi rearms on city property
unless an applicable exception applies.
Staff will review the policies and provide
additional training as appropriate.
KT: Given that numerous current
and former KPD offi cers witnessed Mr.
Eppley’s actions and did not report
it, what actions will the Keizer Police
Department take to regain the trust of the
public?
CR: Again, the City of Keizer does
not comment on employee personnel
matters, and the basis for the question
appears to be speculative because it
assumes a loss of the public’s trust.
Notwithstanding the above, all city
employees continue to be expected to
serve the citizens of Keizer to the best of
their ability and it is our hope that over
time, members of the public who may
have concerns will refl ect back on both
the actions taken by the city and the
ongoing services provided and will see
that we have been both responsible and
professional in our response.
Keizer students make the
grade at Connections Academy
Willamette Connections Academy
recently announced the school’s fi rst
honor roll for grades K-12. The state-
wide tuition-free online public school
is recognizing hundreds of students
across Oregon for outstanding aca-
demic achievement during the fi rst
semester of the 2020-21 academic year.
Keizer students who were recog-
nized include: Baylee Whetten, sixth
grade; Dario Gonzalez, kindergarten,
Paityn Polston, fourth grade; Xzavier
Moore, fi rst grade; Brody Bateman,
fi rst grade; Clara Seitz, ninth grade;
Nicholas Maheu, 10th grade; Kate
Collins, 12th grade.
“On behalf of the administration,
teachers and counselors at Willamette
Connections Academy, we congratu-
late all the students who earned a spot
on the honor roll,” said Chris Long,
Willamette Connections Academy
Principal. “There's no question it has
been a challenging year for every-
one, so we're thrilled to recognize this
year's list of Honor Roll students.”
The school’s honor roll qualifi ca-
tions vary by grade levels. Students
in kindergarten through 8th grade
are eligible for honor roll if they have
received “A’s” in all their classes
during the fi rst semester of the aca-
demic year. To qualify for the honor
roll, in 9th through 12th grades, stu-
dents needed to achieve a GPA of 3.75
and above.
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of the Week
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JASON LEWIS
Where and how
do you volunteer?
"My volunteer work over the years consists
of assisting the Keizer Chamber of
Commerce with IT & website assistance,
the Keizer Rotary Club with various
projects, including the Arboretum project
with Wilbur Bluhm. In July of this year, I
will become the Keizer Rotary President-
elect and then the club President next
year. I’ve spent many years volunteering
at our church, Lakepoint Community and
prior to that New Hope Foursquare, in
technical capacities for sound and video
as well as leadership development."
What does volunteering
do for you?
"If you have heard of the diff erent love
languages then you will know what I
mean when I say that gift-giving and
serving/helping others are high on my
list. I also love to problem solve. If there is
a technical problem that I can help with
then I feel that it’s not a wasted day."
How would you get
others to volunteer
in their community?
"I would encourage people to read the
Keizertimes and see which organizations
are helping out the community. Joining an
organization like Keizer Rotary that helps
the entire community, or committees
that support a cause of your choice,
like McNary Athletic Booster Club are
great ways to get involved. There are
opportunities from music and the arts to
food shares and services for children. The
spirit of volunteerism in this community
is contagious and the camaraderie leads to
lasting friendships. Finding a way to give
back is rewarding and since many hands
make light work, the more the merrier!"