A new complaint filed with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission says candidates for the office of Assessor were discussed outside of the public view. “The Executive Session was held on Friday, January 14th, 2011 and lasted all day”. The complaint is filed by Jaye Bell, one of four who sat on a panel to select an assessor after Adam Colby was recalled.
The complaint says:
Three candidates were interviewed for the assessor vacancy. Commissioner Bob Main chaired the meeting and insisted that everything to do with the assessor selection be done in Executive Session. The pros & cons of each candidate were discussed by the committee members and Mr. Main. One candidate was eliminated. Then-assistant county counsel Oubonh White sat in on the entire meeting and freely deliberated on the candidates. Three of the four panel members were hand picked by Commissioner Main, and personally known to him. Two of the committee members had been assured by Bob Main of a 6 month renewable contract as consultants on call for the assessor’s office.
The following Monday Main is reported to have told then-commissioner Andy Jackson (absent but on the phone) that the committee of four had voted three to one on which candidate to select. Although I was a member of that 4-person committee, I was never advised of a vote being taken. I would be interested in seeing the minutes of when and where the committee ostensibly assembled in order to cast their votes.
I do not know if they were in open session or Executive Session when then-commissioner Jackson cast his vote.
That deliberations occurred in executive session is not so surprising in light of the unauthorized executive session held last week to select a new commissioner. What is a startling revelation, however, is that then assistant county counsel, Oubonh White not only sat in on those proceedings but, according to the complaint, freely participated in the closed discussion about the candidates in direct violation of Oregon statute. Today, it is believed White will be promoted to replace the long absent Jacqueline Haggerty.
White formerly worked in the district attorney’s office as a prosecutor. Let’s hope Ms White bones up on Oregon’s public meeting rules going forward.
The public have the right to hear the audio proceedings of these unauthorized deliberations. Requests have been sent to the commissioners to release the audio from May 10, 2011. So far there has been no reply. It is now imperative the public demand the audio from January 14, 2011 as well. Oregon statute clearly says the public has the right to oversee the deliberations related to filling an elective office. We may have to ask the district attorney and the government ethics office to enforce our rights.
If the allegations above are true White is either not qualified to be county counsel or willingly engaged in denying the public’s right to oversee these deliberations.
To file a complaint with the Oregon State Bar simply write a letter to
Oregon State Bar
Client Assistance Office
P.O. Box 231935
Tigard, OR 97281-1935
503-620-0222 or toll free in Oregon 800-452-8260
Have sent my complaint to the bar and the ethics commission and will write a second bar complaint regarding Lehman
Yes, Robert, you are correct and I published the address to file a complaint above.
After speaking with the bar this morning, no form is required just a letter with as much detail as possible is all that is necessary to file a complaint with Oregon State Bar.
Because decisions made by commissioners and county counsel can have tremendous impact on every citizen I strongly suggest this action.
Shouldn’t a complaint also be filed with the Oregon State Bar Association (www.osbar.org) since White, Haggerty, Lehman, who participated in executive sessions that may be illegal are all active Oregon licensed lawyers who are providing leagal opinions orally and in writing and they are supposed to know and practice Oregon law as representatives and employees of the citizens of Coos County?
What the heck is Bob Main up to? He’s acting like so many others, as if Coos County is their own private litter box.
I expected more professionalism from Bob Main. After Stufflebutt, I would have thought Main and county counsel would have “boned” up on this issue, so often abused in this county prior to this. Either they didn’t do their job, or they really don’t “get” it.
So damn disappointing.
Thanks for having the courage to do the right thing Ms. Bell. I do not believe that I have met Jaye Bell or Ronnie Herne. I have communicated with them for at least seven years. I am never too busy to attempt to answer any question they may have. We don’t always agree. The planet would be a sorry place if we all agreed. They love this community as much as ten others. They constantly search for better ways to do things and for ways to make this a better place. Thanks also MGX for being first to let the people know what’s happening here re Messerle and others. What a slimebucket. Renewable contracts for jobs in the assessors office? The assessor is an elected position. Only the assessor may hire or fire in that office – by law. Main certainly ignored that fact that is known to him when releasing his 29 June 2010 letter re Colby. How many more laws will he ignore? We elected a commissioner – not a KIng. Can we say ONE TERM MAXIMUM!! I note that the daily downtown bird cage liner will be publishing week old news re Messerle today. Remember what Ghandi said:
First they laugh at you,
Then they ignore you,
Then they fight with you,
Then youwin.