The suggested select hiring committee for the new Coquille Police Chief is not, in my opinion, representative of the community. In addition to two city councilors, the mayor and a representative from the school district and district attorney, the two (why only two?) committee members from the citizenry at large are likely to be Dr Sinnott and Wayne from the barber shop. (Content Citizens of Coquille)
Why does everyone on the committee have to be so OLD? Some young adult males, the favored target of our local police department should have some say. Concerned citizens should have some say as well as contented citizens.
Please visit the Coquille Valley Sentinel and pick up a form to apply to be on the committee if you want your opinion heard. Nothing has been more divisive to this community than the conduct and policies of the previous chief and it is very important to find someone who will work with the people and not ignore them.
Once again, I firmly voice my view that city manager O’Connor has outlived his productiveness. He has become an obstacle to constructive change and improvement. The city deserves a fresh face and a new course, business as usual has not served the city well.
James Erler
Dear Editor, The World Newspaper
If you insist on destroying my career by continuing to publish this story, at least get the facts straight.
http://theworldlink.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_a3db7ed2-eb21-56a1-9dfd-c21db6092f66.html
My wife and I took on a local house painting job only to be ripped off for $3,900 in labor. When I tried to negotiate payment, was arrested for extortion completely destroying my career because I had an interview with a major Employer during the same time period. I have been a Professional Architectural Designer for over 20 years now.
I called and left a nasty message because I had already tried to solve it civilly with the Mrs. Gorman earlier that day in person, who all but told me to flake off. I was angry and called back later when the husband answered telling me not to call back, which I replied pay me at least part of what you owe, and I’ll go away and leave you alone.
I gave my cell phone to my wife cause I figured I was about to get myself in trouble, and went to the local pub to let off some steam.
When I returned a couple hours later, somehow I got hold of the phone and called again. This time a police officer was at the home taking a report, and he answered the call. He then explained I was breaking the law by calling these people and not to call back. I answered by stating if they pay me even only part of what they owe, I will leave them alone, and not take legal action. He said that I was committing blackmail by asking for money. I said, not hardly if it’s money they owe you. He got angry and said some wise crack; don’t remember what he said though, so I said what are you going to do arrest me, then hung up.
Within moments I, like and idiot, called back and said can you please have the homeowner explain to my wife why she slaved for her for 6 weeks yet isn’t getting a single dime for her work, and hung up again. (The homeowners used an unlicensed contractor, with no building permits on their remodel. They stated that this same contractor has done work on their rental homes for over 15 years now. It is required by law to obtain proper permits by the CCB for any structural remodel, so who is the real criminal here?)
The next day I was arrested for extortion, along with a hand full of other charges, (see attached newspaper story). I was booked then released.
The charges were reduced to phone harassment, which I was later fined $3,000 (later reduced to $1000), because I was unable to appear in court due to a severe H-Pylori stomach infection. I was suffering from extreme nausea from the medications alone, (a combination of Metronidazole & Ciprofloxacin), and in no shape to leave home for any reason. I contacted the court at 8:00 a.m. that morning to let them know my situation. (Coos County Circuit Judge, Paula M. Bechtold).
This officer broke the law by filing a false police report just to get me arrested because he knew they would never arrest me for a one-time occurrence of phone harassment, and I want to file official charges against him.
He is Officer Mike Keuhn, North Bend Police Department, badge #10-3153.
Coos County Circuit Judge, Paula M. Bechtold and Kathy Gorman are associated through several community agencies. If Coos County Circuit Judge, Paula M. Bechtold had any sense of justice, she should have refuked herself from this case.
This information has been forwarded to the Oregon Attorney General’s Office, Oregon Governor’s Office, Oregon State Bar Association, the Oregon State Representatives Offices, and The Oregon Judicial Department.
James & Dawn Erler
Man arrested on extortion charges
theworldlink.com
Coquille police arrested a man Wednesday who was wanted by North Bend police on charges including theft by extortion.