Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 2018)
8A | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 | SIUSLAW NEWS Lacer to the City Council Can- he made in the email. Geraldine. And there was in no holding up? You’ve been on my comments to a candidate? “I think the actions of a few didate, Geraldine Lucio. Coun- way any kind of ‘gotcha’ attack mind recently. I’m writing be- cil President Joshua Greene city councilors, which may or Cease and Desist cause I am concerned. I have sentiment at all. Not at all.” “Just ue honest” Regarding the incident, Lucio made a personal visit to Ms. Lu- may not be criminal, are very It’s at that point Greene con- been told by multiple folks in “I was essentially told that Geraldine was uncomfortable tacted Lacer — who had been town that you are struggling told the Siuslaw News, “It’s un- cio’s place of business two days much unethical and inappro- ago having basically the same priate,” he said. speaking in public,” Greene The Siuslaw News contacted conversation. said. City Manager Reynolds to find These communications by sit- The idea that Lucio has an “Just from what I’ve observed, and I’m not a political expert, but we ting city councilors are totally if there were any city or state aversion to speaking in a pub- have chaos going on at a national level and, to some degree, at the state inappropriate and may well be codes, laws or regulations that lic debate was sparked when a level. It’s either one bashing the other, or another bashing them. As I more than inappropriate. To say the councilors broke in speak- series of scheduled forums that say, the 20 or 19 years I’ve been here, we’ve never had this in our com- the least, I am extremely disap- ing with Lucio. None were were to host all three candidates pointed to think that members found, and their actions appear — Woodbury, Miltenberger munity, but all of a sudden, we do. I believe [the email sent to council of our city council would take to be legal. But for Henry, the and Lucio — were cancelled or candidate Geraldine Lucio is] politically motivated.” steps to influence an election issues the email brought up go modified for various reasons. — Joe Henry, in our community. Candidate beyond concrete laws. As a result, the only real dis- City of Florence Mayor “My reasoning behind [re- Lucio is very upset, so I strongly cussion with all three candi- recommend that you cease and leasing the email] was that a dates together occurred during desist from this course of action. candidate for city council made Coast Radio’s recording of the Greene responded briefly to us aware of an email, basically Tuesday, Oct. 9, broadcast of its having similar concerns — with a fundamental require- fortunate that this has occurred. ment of being a city councilor: I would like this to be put be- Henry’s email with the follow- attempting to shame her into “Our Town” series, when host about his talk with Lucio. resigning from the campaign,” Public speaking. If that is true, hind us, move on and focus on ing: George Henry interviewed the he said. “I thought that was and you are not comfortable the important issues facing our “No habm, no foul” three candidates simultaneous- Bottom line is, Geraldine is definitely a campaign issue.” Before Greene’s meeting with speaking to a room full of peo- community. It will continue to ly. Regarding the question of “We started the interview, Lucio, he and Lacer had shared ple, I’m asking that you with- be my goal to work with every- terrific in so many ways! She is and I told them, ‘Talk about some of their concerns about draw from the election now, one for the betterment of our not ready for council. She needs whether or not Lucio was qual- to learn and work her way up. ified to hold a council seat, some of your qualities and why what they had been hearing Geraldine. I believe that you community.” That is the only comment Like the rest of us have. She ain’t Henry quoted the city’s code. you think you should be elect- regarding Lucio’s aversion to care about Florence and that “If you read our city code public speaking, which was an you want what is best for the Lucio provided regarding the got the chops … Yet. ed,’” George said. and city charter, the only qual- After Miltenberger and important topic for Lacer. To community. It would be a ter- email. However, Mayor Henry Henry was the first person ifications are to live in the city Woodbury gave their answers, her, public speaking is vital to rible disservice to our citizens said he felt it was important for for you (to) continue in the elec- the public to know what had involved with the incident to for one year, to attend meetings the position. George turned to Lucio. “As a councilor, not only do tion, if you are unable to serve occurred — something which speak with the Siuslaw News. and vote ‘yea’ or ‘nay,’” he said. “She was very nervous. She may not have happened since A week prior, he had received “Nowhere does it state that started to answer the question, you do a variety of actual public effectively. There is no shame in changing Lacer sent the correspondence some pushback regarding a being a gifted public speaker then she froze for a minute. speaking, going to talk to dif- Then I said, ‘Don’t worry, take ferent groups about whatever your mind based on new infor- to Lucio using her personal Guest Viewpoint he wrote in is required. We have council- The Siuslaw News (Oct. 13) ors on our council who rarely your time.’ We could see she was city business, you also, every mation. You may not have real- email. “I deliberately did not send it concerning the city collecting speak, and we have had some two weeks — up on a diocese, ized how much public speaking uneasy,” he said. George went to the next ques- on camera — speak in front of is required for Councilors; or from what I knew to be a pub- funding from the state. Some in the past. And that’s fine. tion, deciding to ask Lucio last a room full of people. You have you may not have recognized lic-record email,” Lacer said. “I readers considered the state- They don’t have to speak.” To the mayor’s point, for- and provide her more time to to make decisions, you have to just how uncomfortable you did not send it with the intent ments to be partisan in nature, think about her answer. “I could deliberate in public with fellow are with public speaking. Most that it would be public. It was a antithetical to the ethics of a mer councilor George Lyddon bipartisan council. He later rarely spoke in meetings. And tell she was still very uncom- counselors and make difficult people are not comfortable with private communication.” The Siuslaw News was first clarified it was his personal Woodbury, who was appointed decisions. You have to public- public speaking! fortable.” Now that you have a better introduced to the email by opinion, and a clarification ap- to the remainder of Lyddon’s He doesn’t remember wheth- ly work through compromises er it was the second or third with your fellow counselors. understanding, it’s perfectly Councilor Woodbury, who peared in the Oct. 17 edition’s term, is also known to be quiet, though he has begun speaking question, but at some point, Lu- You have to be able to do that okay to say: ‘I didn’t understand agreed to show Lacer’s let- Opinion page. “It’s part of our council code more regularly in meetings. cio said that she needed to use work to be an effective city what the position takes and I’ve ter in the context of a larger realized this isn’t what I want email chain. That chain in- of conduct that we identify the And public speaking is some- the restroom, saying she did not councilor,” Lacer said. And the microphone is al- to do; I’ve decided I am not cluded Henry who, using his fact that we’re not speaking thing that a candidate can feel good. The interview was paused as the group waited for ways on. Even if there are no au- running for council; due to new City of Florence email address, on behalf of the city,” he said. learn. But the question remains: If dience members, meetings are information, I am withdrawing forwarded the letter to other “There are people that feel that Lucio to return. “I took it as nerves because, recorded, either through video my bid for election; I’ve decided councilors and Florence City the mayor can’t have an opin- a sitting councilor does have when she came back in, she still and/or audio, and are available I am called to serve the commu- Manager Erin Reynolds. By ion and can’t state that opin- concerns regarding a candi- doing so, the correspondence ion. So, understand that any date’s ability to perform their nity in a different way; etc.’ had trouble answering,” George to the public. I know this won’t be easy, became public record, to which comments past this point are job, how should they go about Ensuring a candidate is ready said. At the end of the interview, for the position is something Geraldine. In the past, I have Henry included the following strictly my opinion, and not it voicing it? And should they? “I think a councilor, or a official on behalf of the City of George told the candidates that both Lacer and Greene said is changed my mind and quit po- comments: mayor for that matter, can put Florence.” he would not take any content important to them, as well as sitions that I had agreed to take After clarifying his position, signs in their yard,” Henry said. The following email was sent out of the interview but would the amount of preparation they on, after telling everyone that See POLITICS page 9A edit it for time, cutting out all feel is necessary before each I was going to do the thing. It’s today from City Councilor Susy Henry echoed the comments not easy, but it is the path of meeting. the pauses. “I have no personal knowl- integrity. If you know that con- “They were all okay with that, so I didn’t see any problem with edge of it, but I will say, at times tinuing on with what you said in council, it has been apparent you were going to do, is not be it,” he said. Along with Lucio, Woodbury to me that one or more of my the right decision for you, then cancelled events as well, citing fellow councilors have appeared the only ethical thing to do is prior engagements out of town. not to have read the packet stop. No harm, no foul. Thank you for being willing The Siuslaw News, which gen- because of the comments or erally does not participate in questions they have asked,” said to run for council, Geraldine. I admire your courage and your election forums, also attempted Lacer. Given that Lacer is known for willingness to serve. And I trust to set up a debate between the candidates, but Lucio said she her research on matters facing that you will find the path to was uncomfortable with debat- the council, it stands to reason service that is the right fit for ing. She did not go on record that replacing her with some- you. If I can help you with any- one with a willingness to be just thing, please let me know. giving her reasons. “I was surprised, because as thorough could be necessary The letter specifically asked I consider Geraldine to be a in keeping a balance. The staff at the Siuslaw News is preparing to After speaking with Greene Lucio to drop out of the race, little more outgoing,” Greene publish the annual Veterans Day publication, which said. “I know her in social situ- about his conversation with a sentiment that Lacer said she is a special supplement that is devoted to all military veterans who ations, and we have some mu- Lucio, Lacer felt their concerns had intended. currently are Florence-area residents or have a connection to this area. It “Yes, I was suggesting that it tual friends in common. I just had been confirmed. “I respect and admire what would be better for the city if assumed that there was no issue will be printed in the Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 edition, before Veterans Day, as far as her being capable, qual- I know about her,” Lacer said. she would drop [out]. Our cit- annually held each Nov. 11. “My feeling was, maybe she izens deserve to have an effec- ified and prepared [to speak].” If you are interested in sharing your military background information So, Greene decided to talk had signed up for something tive, capable, functioning city in the annual tribute publication, or in updating information that we have that ended up being more than councilor,” said Lacer. “I would with her about this issue. published previously, please complete this form and submit it to the Siuslaw “I do believe that I had a right she realized. I felt like throw- say that an in-person conversa- News. Service photographs are also welcome. to go — to ask her face to face ing a life ring to someone who tion would probably have been Submit forms and photos by email to mberg@thesiuslawnews.com, by — because I don’t know her well had maybe gotten in over their more appropriate, perhaps, but regular mail to Siuslaw News, Attn: Misty Berg, P.O. Box 10, Florence, it wouldn’t have been easier for enough,” he said. “And I want- head.” OR 97439; or drop off materials at the Siuslaw News office in Historic Old Lacer admits they were “ac- me because, again, I prefer to ed her to be able to tell me the Town Florence, 148 Maple St. truth. And she did. And I was quaintances, not friends,” so write. Still, to this date, I have If your profile was published previously Veterans tribute and you do not there was no occasion that the had zero response from Ger- very grateful.” wish to make any changes to the profile, there is no need to resubmit this Greene states that when he two would happen to meet, so aldine and did not get any re- form or your military information. talked with Lucio, he learned Lacer decided to write an email. sponse from the email.” Though Lacer said she meant “My comfort in communica- that she was unaware of what’s Please be sure that all materials are carefully labeled with your name and expected of a city councilor and tion is writing versus talking, the letter to be informational phone number and are submitted by Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. just a personal preference,” said and persuasive, it could also be what the process will be. Thank you for participating in this project to remember and honor our “I explained this in great de- Lacer, who wrote the following viewed as one sided. Beyond veterans. tail: The different parts of mon- email, obtained by the Siuslaw the question of how she went Name: ___________________________________________________________ ey that we use to manage the News, to Lucio on Friday, Oct. about it, there is the question of Contact Phone Number: _____________________________________________ whether Lacer should have done city, and that while the job has 12. it at all. Does a sitting council- nothing to do with politics, it Branch of Service: __________________________________________________ Dear Geraldine, how are you or have the right to make such has everything to do with serv- Rank Achieved (optional): ___________________________________________ ing the community, being fis- Dates Served: ______________________________________________________ cally responsible and making sure we don’t violate our eth- Where did you serve? _______________________________________________ ics and get the city involved,” _________________________________________________________________ said Greene. “The job entails Desiree Clifton Special Information (E.G., POW): ______________________________________________ 40 hours a month of backsto- Principal Broker ry reading and research, so _________________________________________________________________________________ 541 999-5223 that when you get up in those _________________________________________________________________________________ 402 Sherwood Lp – You must see two-hour meetings every oth- Price Reduced _________________________________________________________________________________ this 2171 sqft, 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath er Monday, you know your home with chef’s kitchen and break- stuff already.” _________________________________________________________________________________ fast area as well as formal dining, As for the tenor of the con- and large living room with corner Has your veteran information been published previously in the Siuslaw News Veterans Publication? tiled propane fi replace. Large mas- versation, Greene stated it was ter with spacious bathroom with YES NO friendly in nature, and that he soaking tub, double sinks and walk- Do we have your military photo on file? YES NO was in no way looking for her in shower. A wood worker’s dream (Note: If you have submitted photos in the past, we will still have them on file.) to get out of the race. inside garage, come see today! $299,500. #2800-18616511 “I hugged Geraldine,” he said. “I think the world of 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 POLITICS from page 1A In Honor of All Veterans Get Results...List With Desiree.
