The AFSCME Courthouse Workers Union, in a member update, declare vindication for actions to rein in Coos County Assessor, Adam Colby.

Commissioners Demand Assessor Reform Abusive Management Style
Outside investigation vindicates union

Recently the Board of Commissioners sent Assessor Adam Colby a letter demanding he reform his abusive management style. The letter noted the County has spent over $200,000.00 dealing with workers compensation stress claims, tort claim notices and other expenses related to employee claims since Mr. Colby took office in January 2009.

The Commission also stripped Colby of his authority to hire, fire, promote, discipline or take “any employment related action against any employee” without approval of the Human Resources Director.

According to the letter an outside investigation documented what can only be described as a hostile work environment in the Assessor’s Office created by Mr. Colby.

An email from Colby counsel, Adam Gould points out that ORS 204.601, doesn’t give the BOC authority to enforce any demands or strip authority from the assessor. Gould says Colby intends “… to work closely with Human Resources on employee matters in the interests of good sportsmanship and workplace harmony.” Gould did not comment on the outside report.

Today, I heard from a former appraiser that some of Colby’s policies, in his opinion, made it impossible for staff to do their jobs properly. In particular, he mentioned a refusal on the part of Colby to allow staff to communicate with the Department of Revenue directly in order to work up valuation studies.

Those involved believe a recall will be successful despite the outcome of the Stufflebean effort. Unlike Stufflebean, this recall has the support, evidently, of the media, namely The World. They may have a point as Stufflebean lost most of the rural precincts where other papers provided better coverage of the issues surrounding the recall.

Had The World reported as vigorously it is very likely the commissioner would have lost his 6% margin and been out of a job. One can only wonder what the editor is thinking now in light of the current meltdown.