All in all Peter DeFazio’s August recess town hall in North Bend stayed well in control with minimal shouting but there were some interesting characters worth noting. 
A scrubs clad Christy Dresell who says she lives in Coos Bay and works for South Coast Orthopedic stood up to tell the Congressman that she believes people qualifying for Oregon Health Plan are dripping in diamonds and fine clothing while she, a college graduate and mother must go to pubic meetings in scrubs. The crowd cheered.
An elderly gentleman stood up clutching a copy of Koos News and quoted from the first page and asked DeFazio about ‘death panels’. Yep, the Koos News thinks nothing of terrifying old people by spreading this ridiculous myth just to sell advertising.
Remember how the editor lied to his radio program listeners claiming Bob Main knew about the road department layoffs when I challenged him to list a quote or name a person? Main was furious to have quotes attributed to him that he had not made. Hardly surprising the Koos News would scare old people too.
One strong indicator of how ill informed Coos County residents are capable of being was when on angry veteran stood up to ask what would happen to his veterans services at the local VA clinic if Obama’s nationalized medicine takes effect. Golly, doesn’t he know the VA is nationalized health care?
As requested a pic of the former police chief Mike Reaves attending the town hall sitting behind our commissioner Bob Main and next Coquille Councilor Bruce Parker
Funny how Ms. Dressell complains about people on the Oregon Health Plan when she gets subsidized funding for enrolling her children in Healthy Kids Oregon…which is basically the same thing.
Thank you, linski, that reminds me the ex chief’s lawyer referred to people who didn’t approve of the management skills of the chief as ‘hairy unwashed’. Probably
TeresaTara already knows that history.Sorry Tara, I have to call them like I see them.
I will fill you in on some local history.
bruce parker, city council/real estate agent, who’s licence was suspended for misrepresenting a house/roof deal. Attacked quite a few Coquille citizens, who stepped up and protested against their treatment and lack of service from the Coquille police department. WHICH WE FIND OUT NOW WAS VERY CORRUPTED.
I can’t remember his exact words, but it had to do with being unkempt, undesirables, and representing Coquille.
How ironic is it that parker shows up with the ex-city police chief ?
WHO WAS THE WORST DRESS THERE, AMONG 500 PEOPLE.
And wants to be mayor. lol
Thank goodness neither had a question to ask(surprise).
That would have been even more embarrasing.
It is hard to imagine Coquille’s new police chief dressing for a public meeting as poorly as the old one, regardless of whether he was retired or ailing so from that standpoint I agree I positively see linski’s point. However, in the case of the new chief, it might be more a matter of personal pride rather than a concern for how he reflects on the City. In my opinion, the former chief didn’t care for Coquille when he worked for it so why should he now?
Um,hi Tara.
I was a little taken aback by your first scolding about posters being mean spirited.
I really enjoy spirited sparring on a blog. If you want happy, happy, happy, perhaps you should try the World. They’re trying really, really hard to keep honest criticism from crossing the eyes of their readers.
I don’t think that is the place for happy talk. I just want the news, good bad and ugly.
Hey, not personally knowing the party being discussed, it seems to me if a person wants to dress like a pig, they should be able to dress like a pig.
Welcome
Thank you!! I will continue to read thru you blogs and comment about the topics of interest that you and I heartily share. Many thanks!
In fact, Tara, I agree with you, particularly now the former chief is retired and may have an underlying medical condition contributing to his appearance. However, I do feel it is appropriate to discuss the physical fitness of working law enforcement, firemen and emergency response personell because it affects their ability to ‘protect and serve’, to do their job.
Still, as you mention, I am ridiculed for trying to lead a healthy lifestyle and riding a bike and I think it is relevant for readers to know this type of low level discourse is pervasive in Coos County. I’m accused of being a ‘naturalist’ and ridiculed for not poisoning my property with herbicides and pesticides, I am probably ridiculed for breathing. My minor children are gossiped about and nasty, filthy minded rumors spread about them. Sadly this is endemic in Coos County.
The good thing about not censoring a comment such as linski’s above is that you called attention to it highlighting the issue for other people reading this blog. For that I applaud you and hopefully this discussion will have some benefit by raising awareness to both the people who engage is this type of behavior and those who passively accept it.
Personally I don’t think any comments about how someone looks or dresses…no matter who they are… are news worthy or make anyone sound smart. I’ve heard nasty remarks about you your self..your appearance on your bike…referring to your weight…and I don’t approve of those either. I just think it’s not necessary when there are real concerns in this world to worry about rather then demean someone else. I realize this is your blog and you are the commentator. I completely get that. It just seems to me, that by allowing people to voice nasty remarks about others, well, to me it takes away from what ever good you are trying to accomplish. IMO. Besides, I , too, struggle with my weight, and it is hurtful when people say things about it.
Thanks, Tara, for your comments, though I am not completely certain what you are speaking about as nothing in this post is intended to be funny. Indeed, much of what occurred at the town hall was down right sad.
Regarding comments about the former police chief, those are the opinion of the commenter and as the former chief was not defamed I believe the comment has validity in the context of a local citizen concerned about how the community is represented.
Mary,
I came to your blog because I am interested in the town and reading about the area. This is a real turn off to see that you have a mean spirit. Why would you think it is something that people want to read when you refer to someone like that or allow others to do so? I don’t find it funny and I don’t know any of you.
Tara
There you are, Coquille’s ex finest
Did you happen to get a picture of Coquille city council member Parker and “his date” ? If he can’t get anyone else to go with, he should at least dress him up a little better….Or maybe a old sloppy tshirt and sweatpants is all he can fit into. Please try to represent Coquille better.