Despite earlier reporting on MGx it appears Coos County Commissioner Nikki Whitty did NOT call for the Monday hearing to review payment of dues to SCDC and mineral leases for ORC. Whitty recently underwent major surgery to remove a growth near her spine and while details of her condition have been sparse credible rumors persist that she is very ill.
MGx was advised that Bobbi Brooks, office manager for the Coos County Commissioners office confirmed that Whitty requested the Monday hearing. Today, The World reporter, Gail Elber, learned from Whitty directly that she (Whitty) had no knowledge of the meeting.
Today, I asked Brooks who requested the meeting and she told me the ‘chairman of the board’ advised her Whitty had requested the last minute meeting, scheduled for December 27, at 3PM in the commissioners courtroom. An email to Stufflebean requesting an explanation has not been answered at this time.
Stufflebean, who lost his re-elction bid and will leave office New Year’s Eve, returned emails earlier blaming the meeting on Whitty. Stufflebean has been called out for lying several times in the past, however, establishing the agenda specific to SCDC and ORC indicates he probably wasn’t alone in this attempt to take advantage of Whitty’s condition and convene a meeting to ram through two divisive issues before new commissioner Andy Jackson, takes office.
Stufflebean’s questionable ethics and lack of integrity have been chronicled on this blog since New Year’s Eve, 2008. Even though Whitty has a history of nasty lame duck decisions, setting her up this way and making her act from her sick bed for SCDC and ORC is almost as bad as the Bush administration trying to get Attorney General John Ashcroft to sign off on torture from a hsopital ICU.
If any act has ever exposed how low some companies will stoop to get what they want or the despicable character of both SCDC and ORC, this does it.
*This post was edited to reflect The World newspaper did not attribute the meeting request to Nikki Whitty.
UPDATE:Below is an excerpt from Elber’s email regarding Whitty’s knowledge of the meeting
“They are having a meeting at 3 on Monday to discuss ORC and SCDC dues. I
talked to Nikki a few minutes ago, and Nikki said that the meeting was news
to her.She also reiterated that the only medication she is on is potassium, and
she’s going to start taking vitamin D soon.”
Jon Barton and Sandy Messerle must be very proud of themselves!
I agree, fred, the meeting should be canceled but the blame doesn’t just lie with Kevin here. Both SCDC and ORC had to be pushing for this. Kevin didn’t have to acquiesce (what is in it for him to do this?) but these two “companies” and all the ORC supporters moving to sign this before the end of the year are acting like wild dogs fighting over junk yard scraps. Revolting!
On an early Sunday morning in October 2009, you will recall, Mr. BOC Chairman, that you looked me in the eyeball and stated that – in late 2008, when faced with a difficult decision to furlough 22 road workers, you did all possible to prevent the BOC from affecting any decison until the new year. You stated that you wanted to wait for Mr. Main to take office in two weeks. OK, Mr. BOC Chairman, we’re in a similar situation here. Why rush? What’s two weeks? Why jeopardize Ms. Whitty’s health? You do not have to live with the decision; Mr. Jackson does. What’s different here? The people elected Mr. Jackson to represent them. A majority of the voters trust him to do what’s right for a majority of the people. Thanks to you, we were assured earleir this year that there is nothing corrupt about Mr. Jackson. Cancel your meeting please. SCDC and ORC can wait two weeks. I voted for you – I am opposed to SCDC – I favor ORC; but, what is lost if Jackson votes against funding SCDC? Why must ORC be the tail that continues to wag the dog? Why dont the BOC understand that the county is the party negotiating from a position of strength. Hopefully, future employment is not tied to this urgent, but unnecessary, year end vote.