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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2007)
Page 20 The INDEPENDENT, November 1, 2007 Reprint of article on Kline dropping intent to sue city of Ontario Editor’s Note: This is the arti- cle we believe Sally Harrison referred to as rumor during her comments on October 15 (see story on page 14) By Pat Caldwell, Argus Observ- er in Ontario, Sunday, Novem- ber 3, 2002. Reprinted by per- mission Ontario – Former city man- ager Dick Kline said Wednes- day he will not move forward with legal action against On- tario. Kline, bounced by the On- tario City Council in August 2001, is now the city manager for Cornelius, near Hillsboro. Kline told the city and the Ar- gus Observer in the spring of his intent to file a tort claim against the city in the wake of his termination. Now, Kline says, the time has come to move on. “I’m not anticipating filing a tort claim,” Kline said. “We probably don’t have a claim against Ontario. We believe a better use of our resources would be to help our kids finan- cially get through college.” When Kline was fired from his position as Ontario city manager by the Ontario City Council, the council never gave an official reason for the termi- nation. Kline, though, has maintained he was sacked be- cause of a police probe into al- legations he sexually abused a female, minor family member. Charges against Kline even- tually were brought before two separate grand juries. The first grand jury indicted Kline on two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. That indictment, however, was dismissed be- cause the grand jury inadver- tently gained access to prejudi- cial information. A second grand jury was convened and it delivered a “non-true bill,” es- sentially declaring there was no case against Kline. Kline, who went to consider- able personal expense to de- fend himself – including hiring a high-profile polygraph expert – claims he was hung out to dry by city officials because of the allegations – allegations he says were untrue. While Kline does not plan to proceed with legal action against the city, he said he is still struggling with the council’s decision. “I just thank God that my family’s mental health is intact,” Kline said. Kline said he is still con- vinced his termination and the actions by some city officials were sparked, in part, by a Holiday Bucks ready for 3rd year From page 7 On the following three Satur- day’s, November 24, Decem- ber 1, and December 8, there will be drawings from all the filled cards for $25 Cash Gift Certificates. The Grand Finale Drawing(s) (amounts to be an- nounced) will be held on Satur- day, December 15. Please check the ad in the November 15 issue of The In- dependent for a complete list of participating businesses and rules. Then, watch for the stores with the “Buck” poster in the window and have fun shop- ping and getting your card stamped in Vernonia. The program is in its fourth year and is quite popular among Vernonia businesses; wait and see what they have in store for you this holiday sea- son. Not sure if your favorite business is participating this year? Let them know how much you like the program and encourage them to take part and reward their customers for their patronage. Mariolino’s ICE CREAM 12 DELICIOUS FLAVORS TO CHOOSE FROM ! 721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018 “third force” political entity in Malheur County. “There is a group that is not elected that has a lot of influ- ence on things in Malheur County,” Kline said. Kline said while he can un- derstand the council’s decision, he is trying hard to come to terms with the council’s method. “Is what they did legal? Year. I’m not bitter against the town. But do I respect the city coun- cil? How could I?” Kline said. “I’m bitter because I never did anything wrong. I’m not the first person used by the system out there.” The city, for the most part, remains steadfast behind its policy of not commenting on Kline’s case. City manager Scott Trainor, picked by the council to fill Kline’s vacant slot, said he be- lieves Kline’s decision not to pursue legal action to be a good one. “That is really good news for the community,” Trainer said. Members of the Ontario City Council also said they are re- lieved. “I think it is closure. I think its the best thing he could do,” councilman Mike Allen said. Council president John Gaskill agreed. “I’m glad that was his deci- sion,” Gaskill said. Ontario Mayor LeRoy Cam- mack said Kline’s judgment to forgo legal action is best. “I think it is in the best inter- ests of his family,” Gaskill said. Kline said his family left Mal- heur County in the spring, after the hardware store they owned in Nyssa was sold. Kline said he and his family are happy they live in Cor- nelius. Still, Kline said they will al- ways miss Ontario. “We planned on retiring in Ontario. I never dreamed in 2002 I would be working in western Oregon. “But we do have to turn a Did You Know… From page 19 ment. For more information you can go to ACIM’s website at <www.achildismissing.org> or you can follow the link on the front page of the VPD website at <vpd.vernonia-or.gov>. page. Now I plan on retiring here,” Kline said. Cammack seemed to sum up the council’s feeling about the former city manager. “I wish him well,” Cammack said. Save Time and Money Shop Local S UPPORT THE ADVERTISERS WHO KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FREE Obituary SPENCER NEIL GORHAM Spencer Neil Gorham, 86, Forest Grove, died October 11, 2007. Ser- vices have been held. Mr. Gorham was born April 10, 1921, in Portland, to Ora and Aimee Spencer Gorham. He was raised in Mil- waukie and Portland. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and in Korea. In 1952, he married Audrey Adele Freshour. She died in 1983. He married Direct Cremation 475 $ Direct Burial 675 Maxine Elizabeth Clark in 1984. They made their home in Hillsboro until mov- ing to Forest Grove in 1991. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Spencer N. Jr. and Eric, both of Portland, Michael of Beaverton, and Gregory of Santa Barbara, California; two stepsons, Larry Lee of Banks, and Dennis Lee of Forest Grove; a sister, Betty Pelton of Kirkland, Washington; and 13 grandchildren. Remembrances are suggested to Emanuel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 505, Cornelius OR 97113, or to a char- ity of choice. Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Forest Grove was in charge of arrangements. $ Plus Cemetery Costs "A Trusted Name in Funeral Service" Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives ~ There are Options ~ www.tualatinvalleyfa.com 237 West Main St., Hillsboro 503-693-7965 Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home Third Generation Family Owned & Operated Jeffrey Hoyt, Tina Rose-Reynolds, Gregory Hoyt, Christopher Hoyt, Ross Mathews, Jane Schneider, Dan Raney, Yvonne La Mont, Julieanna Finegan, Jose Lopez Attendant: Ray Pelster 2308 Pacific Av. Frst Grv....357-2161 741 Madison Av. Vern.........429-6611 E-mail: Fuitenrosehoyt@aol.com To sign the online guestbook or send a condolence to the family, go to: www.fuitenrosehoyt.com
