The World has determined that the recall committee has not made a case warranting the removal of Stufflebean.
The key question has to be whether Stufflebean’s reorganization of the Road Department was a bad decision. After more than three months of trying, his critics haven’t shown that it was.
The recall was organized by the laid-off workers and a retired roadmaster, Larry Van Elsberg. Their main complaint is that Stufflebean orchestrated the layoffs behind the scenes, without a fair chance for public discussion.
The beef is valid. Stufflebean’s handling of the layoffs was hamhanded and needlessly abrupt.
But was it a big enough misstep to justify removal from office? Not if he was right.
Gosh, read the police logs about icy roads and school busses, the ULP, the ‘approved’ public budget, the inflated maintenance costs, the organizational chart for the ‘reorganized’ road department. Then read the ORS on public meetings and records and budgets. It seems the committee and Kevin himself have provided a dearth of confirmation that the decisions made by Stufflebean may be very ill thought. Oh, and explain why Dean Caudle died. Explain why the Roadmaster has NO explanation for why there were no barriers in place on Fishtrap Road. Explain the grievances and torts and, oh yeah, investigate the reports of ongoing violations of labor practices.
The committee has brought this evidence and more to The World just as they have The Sentinel… maybe the editor there just doesn’t read or care.
The World also derides the committee for not having an alternative plan. First, this assumes the ‘budget’ used by Stufflebean to justify the layoffs was accurate and an alternative was ‘immediately necessary’. Two, the entire point is that the public, not the recall committee, the public should be involved in establishing a plan, ‘not just Kevin’.
Hi Nikki,
Thank you for your response. In my constant search for accuracy I receive feed back. I do appreciate that and that helps everyone to be on the same page.
den
I want to make a correction to this letter. The commissioners currently are operating under a two for one concept of agreement and voting outcomes when all the commissioners are together at a meeting. In fact about 2/3 of the time Kevin and Nikki vote the other way than Bob Main.
At the meeting on 4/23/09, a budget worksession there was no official vote, but there was also not agreement. There was the Two for one, agreement, Bob Main did not agree to have the road equipment presentation.
“when the presentation about equipment and auction items was to be discussed, I stated that those items were not advertised to be discussed and voiced my objection”. Bob Main.
Coos County Commissioners Nikki Whitty, Bob Main, Kevin Stufflebean.
I request that you give proper notice for the April 29, 2009 BOC meeting that an agenda item to be considered is the granting of sale or transfer of equipment from the road department and the proposed purchase of new replacement equipment for the road department.
If very clear notice of this agenda item is not provided, and the roadmaster is not allowed to give the same presentation as given at the budget meeting on 4/23/09, which was not an agenda item then, you will be adding fuel to the comments that the commissioners are not doing their job to inform the public, having the public be involved. Which goes to the issue of the opaque filter the public must look through to fine out what is happening with our County Government.
I write this letter Nikki because of your comment at the 4/23/09 budget worksession that your opinion was that no more discussion was needed at the next BOC meeting, just a vote.
Background:
The road department has been reduced by 22 workers. Leaving 14 available workers in the department.
The new road master, because of the necessity to complete task with a reduced work force has directed his energy in this situation to selecting new purchase equipment to replace and be more efficient than the current equipment doing the same job. This amounts to about $450,000 and some change. The amount has already been budget for this current year.
The new purchase dollar amount equals about 6.9 employees at $65,000, including benefits, a year salary. With money put into the employee bank current equipment could be utilized, that would also represent more efficiency.
It is not known, if for sure, new equipment will be the solution to the road department employee short fall, and the Roadmaster mission to maintaining and have safe roads to the past, or new standards. The new road master believes they will do better.
I believe, that at this time the sale, transfer or tread-in of the older functional equipment is a mistake. They are assets. It is a poor market to sell or trade for value, and cost little to continue to hold this equipment for back up or further use as may be necessitated. It is liken to burning the bridge one may have to cross again.
Denny Powell
On Apr 24, 2009, at 2:05 PM, Nikki Whitty wrote:
Denny – I was under the understanding that the only issue to be discussed was whether to try the suggested auction method or not. I don’t recall anything about making a decision on new equipment. Nikki
Nikki Whitty
Coos County Commissioner
250 N Baxter Street
Coquille, OR 97423
Phone: 541-396-3121 ext. 247
Fax: 541-396-4861
Mobile: 541-260-2188
From: Administrator [mailto:yoyoyo@oregonfcu.com]
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 9:07 AM
To: Nikki Whitty
Cc: Administrator
Subject: Fwd: BOC meeting 4/29/2009 Purchase and sale of Road Department Equipment.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Administrator
Date: April 24, 2009 10:06:31 AM MDT (CA)
To: Administrator
Subject: BOC meeting 4/29/2009 Purchase and sale of Road Department Equipment.
Coos County Commissioners Nikki Whitty, Bob Main, Kevin Stufflebean.
I request that you give proper notice for the April 29, 2009 BOC meeting that an agenda item to be considered is the granting of sale or transfer of equipment from the road department and the proposed purchase of new replacement equipment for the road department.
If very clear notice of this agenda item is not provided, and the roadmaster is not allowed to give the same presentation as given at the budget meeting on 4/23/09, which was not an agenda item then, you will be adding fuel to the comments that the commissioners are not doing their job to inform the public, having the public be involved. Which goes to the issue of the opaque filter the public must look through to fine out what is happening with our County Government.
I write this letter Nikki because of your comment at the 4/23/09 budget worksession that your opinion was that no more discussion was needed at the next BOC meeting, just a vote.
Background:
The road department has been reduced by 22 workers. Leaving 14 available workers in the department.
The new road master, because of the necessity to complete task with a reduced work force has directed his energy in this situation to selecting new purchase equipment to replace and be more efficient than the current equipment doing the same job. This amounts to about $450,000 and some change. The amount has already been budget for this current year.
The new purchase dollar amount equals about 6.9 employees at $65,000, including benefits, a year salary. With money put into the employee bank current equipment could be utilized, that would also represent more efficiency.
It is not known, if for sure, new equipment will be the solution to the road department employee short fall, and the Roadmaster mission to maintaining and have safe roads to the past, or new standards. The new road master believes they will do better.
I believe, that at this time the sale, transfer or tread-in of the older functional equipment is a mistake. They are assets. It is a poor market to sell or trade for value, and cost little to continue to hold this equipment for back up or further use as may be necessitated. It is liken to burning the bridge one may have to cross again.
Denny Powell
Yes, I think you are right. I should just stick to the issues. There might be some juice in there.
Den, I hesitate to water-down your postings. Thank you again for all your time and interest.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST:
From the “new filter” at The Simple/World:
April 23.
Donation thieves hurt families
Recall distracts us from true problem
Stufflebean wants county to improve
Quiet majority should vote no
Recall organizers want to tax us more
Barton committed to prosperity
Stufflebean wastes taxpayers’ money
Hi Nikki,
OK, At this time what applies in my email about sale (auction), still applies. The rest still applies but for a later time. And, of course for “proper notice for the April 29, 2009 BOC meeting” would apply, thus the main purpose of the email.
Thank you Nikki
den
On Apr 24, 2009, at 2:05 PM, Nikki Whitty wrote:
Denny – I was under the understanding that the only issue to be discussed was whether to try the suggested auction method or not. I don’t recall anything about making a decision on new equipment. Nikki
Coos County Commissioners Nikki Whitty, Bob Main, Kevin Stufflebean.
I request that you give proper notice for the April 29, 2009 BOC meeting that an agenda item to be considered is the granting of sale or transfer of equipment from the road department and the proposed purchase of new replacement equipment for the road department.
If very clear notice of this agenda item is not provided, and the roadmaster is not allowed to give the same presentation as given at the budget meeting on 4/23/09, which was not an agenda item then, you will be adding fuel to the comments that the commissioners are not doing their job to inform the public, having the public be involved. Which goes to the issue of the opaque filter the public must look through to fine out what is happening with our County Government.
I write this letter Nikki because of your comment at the 4/23/09 budget worksession that your opinion was that no more discussion was needed at the next BOC meeting, just a vote.
Background:
The road department has been reduced by 22 workers. Leaving 14 available workers in the department.
The new road master, because of the necessity to complete task with a reduced work force has directed his energy in this situation to selecting new purchase equipment to replace and be more efficient than the current equipment doing the same job. This amounts to about $450,000 and some change. The amount has already been budget for this current year.
The new purchase dollar amount equals about 6.9 employees at $65,000, including benefits, a year salary. With money put into the employee bank current equipment could be utilized, that would also represent more efficiency.
It is not known, if for sure, new equipment will be the solution to the road department employee short fall, and the Roadmaster mission to maintaining and have safe roads to the past, or new standards. The new road master believes they will do better.
I believe, that at this time the sale, transfer or tread-in of the older functional equipment is a mistake. They are assets. It is a poor market to sell or trade for value, and cost little to continue to hold this equipment for back up or further use as may be necessitated. It is liken to burning the bridge one may have to cross again.
I have submitted 4 public records request sense I have jumped into the quagmire.
1. County Counsel: Feb. Information on the mining agreements ORC and the Coos County. denied. ORS quoted.
2. County Counsel: Feb. Information on Dolan and Nollan, court cases, and reference to paragraphs used for proportionally. Received Cases Dolan and Nollan. Denied any additional info. ORS quoted.
3. County Highyway Department: Feb, Sandfest information. Highway request additional info, I dropped the request.
4. County Highway Department: Apr. Equipment logs data for four pieces of equipment. Have received information.
I was just at the budget meeting. I knew this last week but forgot. Planning, held last week. The County loaned the planning department money to operate on. When they cut them from the general fund a couple, or just a year ago and the economy went sour, the money coming in to the Planning through fee’s became non existent. That is why they let three or four of their personal go. They transferred within the County. One person works in the treasure office.Â
More money this morning. Health Department. The County loaned the Health Department money. I was operating the camera this morning so I did not get the figures in my head. In the budget they are setting up these loans understanding they may never pay them back. The fact is for Health when the State drops off the 30% funding they will run the programs until the money is gone, and there will no money left or from the state to pay back.Â
Contact Nikkie or Mary to get the exact amounts, I think the Planning I Think was in the $80,000.00 range. So there are some more of the timber dollars going out.Â
Maint. this coming budget is converting all the buildings, maybe not the NB annex to Natural Gas, as long as the money will run. Don’t know where those funds are coming from. Â Kevin, spoke in and did not want to include the Jail. Then said if we lose the funding for health from the state that the NB annex would not need to be converted. Nikki reminded him that the courts and jail operate out of that building. He must not have any law enforcement genes in his system.Â
I think the biggest event that happened today was the presentation and update by the road department in the sale of equipment and the purchase of new equipment. Bob main said he did think this should happen because it was not on the agenda, so stated.
John Rowe reminded him that they could talk more about it at the budget session. Two for one agreed and the presentation began. Dennis B. ask Nikki if this presentation will be given at the April 29 th BOC meeting. She said she did not see a need for it all they need to do is vote on it.
Transparency and notification just flew out the window.
Hi Jody.
I was just at the budget meeting. I knew this last week but forgot. Planning, held last week. The County loaned the planning department money to operate on. When they cut them from the general fund a couple, or just a year ago and the economy went sour, the money coming in to the Planning through fee’s became non existent. That is why they let three or four of their personal go. They transferred within the County. One person works in the treasure office.Â
More money this morning. Health Department. The County loaned the Health Department money. I was operating the camera this morning so I did not get the figures in my head. In the budget they are setting up these loans understanding they may never pay them back. The fact is for Health when the State drops off the 30% funding they will run the programs until the money is gone, and there will no money left or from the state to pay back.Â
Contact Nikkie or Mary to get the exact amounts, I think the Planning I Think was in the $80,000.00 range. So there are some more of the timber dollars going out.Â
Maint. this coming budget is converting all the buildings, maybe not the NB annex to Natural Gas, as long as the money will run. Don’t know where those funds are coming from. Â Kevin, spoke in and did not want to include the Jail. Then said if we lose the funding for health from the state that the NB annex would not need to be converted. Nikki reminded him that the courts and jail operate out of that building. He must not have any law enforcement genes in his system.Â
I think the biggest event that happened today was the presentation and update by the road department in the sale of equipment and the purchase of new equipment. Bob main said he did think this should happen because it was not on the agenda, so stated.
John Rowe reminded him that they could talk more about it at the budget session. Two for one agreed and the presentation began. Dennis B. ask Nikki if this presentation will be given at the April 29 th BOC meeting. She said she did not see a need for it all they need to do is vote on it.
Transparency and notification just flew out the window.
The World Who? It starts & stops right there. The World is owned & operated by a bunch of sixties rejects who are still stuck in yesteryear as a result of all the acid laced weed they have smoked! Come on, they walk around in a fog, hoping no one notices they have fried the last of their brain cells. If one of their puppeteers gets whacked, they will be lost in space with no one to carry on THEIR SPECIAL INTEREST AGENDA! Now that is ironic isn’t it? The best defense is a good offense, accuse the recall committee exactly what YOU are guilty of.
Your ship is sinking & you have already stomped on all the women & children in an attempt to get to your lifeboat, only to find you do not have one. Look on the bright side Kevin, you can always take up can collecting, while you use one of your signs to stand at the corner of Walmart, asking for another handout. This time they will not be so eager to line your pocket, Kevin WHO???