Coos County Judge Michael Gillespie found three Lane County commissioners, including board chair, Pete Sorenson, guilty of violating Oregon’s Public Meetings laws.
Lane County Commissioners Rob Handy and Peter Sorenson willfully violated Oregon’s Public Meetings law by orchestrating what a judge called a “sham” vote in a public meeting.
“This court concludes that plaintiffs have proven their case that defendants violated the Public Meetings law,” Coos County Circuit Court Judge Michael Gillespie wrote.
Accusing Gillespie of unprecedented and broad interpretations of the law, Roby Handy and Pete Sorenson disagree with the decision.
UPDATE From Pete Sorenson
Yesterday was a big disappointment to me and Commissioner Handy. After word of the 44 page opinion of the trial judge reached us, we were both pounded by phone calls from media all day.
You may know that the trial judge found the following facts: in December 2009, I was chair of the Board of Commissioners and put the Amended Budget on the board agenda. Prior to the public meeting, noticed to the news media and on the county’s website, Commissioner Handy met with Commissioner Bill Dwyer to discuss this. Dwyer told him he would vote for it. Commissioner Handy also talked to Commissioner Faye Stewart, who said he’d vote no. I approached Commissioner Handy to discuss this. At the public meeting, a vote took place, 3-2 with me, Commissioner Handy and Commissioner Dwyer voting yes and Commissioner Fleenor and Commissioner Stewart voted no. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit sued Commissioner Fleenor, Commissioner Handy and me, claiming we had met as a group of three to illegally make a decision. The trial court concluded that Commissioner Fleenor had not participated in any relevant meetings, but that since all four commissioners had had one on meetings, they all willfully violated the Oregon Open Meetings Act.
By 415 pm, me, Rob, my wife Kim Leval and his wife Julie Hulme all attended a media conference. As Kim put it so eloquently — “You guys did nothing wrong. Hold your heads up.”
I have been a juror in six criminal courts – California and Oregon. Each time as jury foreman. Last time was two years ago in Judge Gillespie’s court. I have also worked within courts throughout my professional life. I have never experienced a more thorough judge. This man takes time to understand the law, understand the facts before the court, and takes time to assure that the people understand. I offered to take the time to explain to the young attorneys why the jurors found as we did. Gillespie was two jumps ahead of me and had already asked them to contact me. Of course, neither the assistant DA or Coos Bay lawyer did. I look forward to again being in his court in May when I have been called for jury duty.