According to a letter from attorney Nathan Rietmann, Coos County citizens deserve to witness a vote of the structure advisory committee members before the commission can consider the findings and conclusions presented by the committee. Nathan Rietmann is the same attorney who represented the plaintiffs in a civil suit brought in Lane County where members of the commission were found to have deliberated on decisions outside of public view. Representing Randy Sanne and Robert and Carol Fischer Rietmann sent an email to committee liaison, Fred Messerle this afternoon.
Based on my review of the Structure Committee’s public deliberations, it appears the Structure Committee has presented recommendations to the Board of Commissioners without taking a public vote on those recommendations. My clients respectfully submit that a public vote is necessary in order for the public to properly assess the Structure Committee’s recommendations.
For example, in the absence of a public vote, it is not possible for the public to ascertain whether a majority of members support the Structure Committee’s recommendations. Similarly, in the absence of a public vote, the public cannot identify the individual committee members who support or oppose the Structure Committee’s recommendations. The public needs and deserves this information, particularly in light of recent events suggesting the Structure Committee’s recommendations do not have the unanimous support of members.
Beyond the above, the Structure Committee is legally required to take a public vote on its recommendations. State law specifically states: “[a]ny authority conferred by law upon three or more persons may be exercised by a majority of them unless otherwise provided by law.” ORS 174.130. The Structure Committee is a body consisting of three or more persons, which has been granted authority by law to make recommendations to the Coos County Board of Commissioners. Consequently, the Structure Committee is only authorized to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners if a majority of members support those recommendations. A public vote is necessary to determine whether the required consensus exists.
Moreover, the Structure Committee’s own bylaws specifically require a public vote. In this regard, Section 4 of the Structure Committee’s official bylaws states: “[a] majority of members present at a meeting must vote in favor of any proposed decision or action of the Committee before the recommendation(s) are made to the Board.
Based on the above, it is evident a public vote is needed in order for the public to properly assess the Structure Committee’s recommendations. In addition, it is clear the law requires a public vote.
Co-chair, Al Pettit claimed on February 7 that the findings presented by the committee were the product of unanimous consent of all seven voting members taken on Nov 9. No public vote was ever taken on November 9 or any other date and committee member, Sheriff Craig Zanni, says to his knowledge no vote was ever taken. Zanni has since presented a minority report (also not voted upon) but representing three of the seven members that disputes or disagrees with some of the findings submitted by Pettit.
According to Rietmann, the Lane County case cost the citizens and two of the commissioners a combined total of more than $300,000 and fundamentally changed how the commissioners conduct the peoples’ business and prompted a legislative challenge to the existing public meetings law.
If you agree that a public vote is necessary please contact the commissioners and demand the committee abide by its own bylaws and Oregon statutes.
Bob Main
(541) 396-3121 ext 770
Fred Messerle
(541) 396-3121 ext 247
Cam Parry
(541) 396-3121 ext 281
He is the gift that keeps giving, sort of a shmoo of foot in mouth entertainmnent. One thing I will say about “opinion” is how grateful we should all be that Al Pettit is NOT in charge of Homeland Security cyber security division
Man I love this blog! And I love M!
This thread literally made me laugh out loud.
I, too, have missed “opinion” (Al, Charlie, etc, they are all just one chubby ball of ridiculousness) – he just can’t help himself and keeps sputtering and spitting out information the public isn’t privvy to, quickly going off the deep end into incomprehensibility – he’s just a little gift that keeps giving! Like Sarah Palin’s daughter’s-ex-baby’s-daddy Levi!
Thanks for the laugh, nice going into a holiday weekend.
Richard?
I don’t wonder why.
I know.
And you people wonder why legitimate business avoids Coos County.
PS. and Al still wants to be taken seriously?
Can’t do that and pedal backwards at the same time Al. Your words, your presentations, your actions have put you where you are today.
Don’t point your widdle fingers at intelligent women, and expect any respect from them, you’ve shown your colors, and the people of this county are/have been watching and paying attention.
Ever wonder why Jon has your ass hung out to dry?
Cuz he’s smarter than you, that’s why.
“I coulda been somethin”
My opinion only.
Hey Opinion, got a mouse in yer pocket? “We know who you are.”
Like “we” is some kind of a good thing, “we”, huh?
Do you take Fred M. to ALL your important meetings, to protect your “we” from, “us”?
You have to have a damn bodyguard in order to speak at a public meeting?
“We” indeed.
Most men , of your stature I’ve encountered, had developed a tougher skin by the time they were YOUR age. But alas, you obviously have not, you hide behind another mans’ skirt.
What a guy.
Opinion, my name is Mrs. Foissant, have we met somewhere?
Al only makes himself look like more of an idiot by hiding behind an avatar. Al’s signature style leaves a blood stain in the snow a blind mind could track. Happily, most of the readers here are NOT blind
TheMGuys. we all know who you really are.. Your hang up with Pettit is amusing at most.. he wasn’t the only one who put the list of suggestions together..as most was contributed by 6 others ,, so this attack on him is pointless because he isn’t running for anything… And again, get it through that head of yours that nothing has been implemented,,so get over it..and yes we know how you are a welfare case..don’t even get me started there how you personally suck the system dry.. Oh and you wouldn’t even believe how foolish you all were at that last meeting. You don’t even represent but an incredibly small fraction of this county. To ImaCurious.. get a life and do something worthwhile and for godsake..are you that clueless that you keep calling me Pettit. I’ve managed to figure out who you are. Where the hell are your suggestions? For once lets hear them ..with a plan.. at a meeting.
Pettit is finding out his Wednesday Circle Jerk isn’t the ONLY game in town.
“Is this the way it’s going to be?” Al Pettit whining to his Protector Fred Messerle at the public meeting, I know it’s tough to be a little fishy who wants to swim with the sharks, but Al just learned, all he is to Barton and the rest is a front man who now looks like a complete fool to the public.
I’d be pissed to Al, but you see, you and the other piglets sucking our tax dollars for your own private business? Well that’s about to end, you have sucked her dry, and the voters aren’t going to allow you any more teats.
Sorry, pay for your own damn business expenses. Freeloader.
Welfare Queen.
Poor purple, petty Pettit playing pretend
Dear Opinion (or Charlie): Welcome back. I missed your contribution to this blog. “Simply suggestions” you say. Bullcrap! Charlie has been traveling across the county selling his presentation as a final report of the committee (as in all of them other committee dudes agree with all that I say) with findings of the committee and recommendations of the committee. It was no simple suggestion when Charlie told us that we are months away from financial collapse. It was not a simple suggestion that Charlie told us we needed and could only be saved by another layer of county management; a county manager. It was not a simple suggestion when Charlie told us that the county is in a state of chaos. It was not a simple suggestion when Charlie told us that we are prepared to welcome hackers here. Charlie has been unmasked. It’s probaly not a pleasant experience for a fellow who is convinced that his crap don’t stink. Let’s see what his pal and supporter Fred who grinned, shook Main’s hand, and then stabbed Main in the back with the other hand will do now that a majority of the registered county citizen voters in all shapes and sizes have rejected Charlie and his message.
Opinion, read the letter from the attorney again. Read it slowly.
Then look up the term “non sequitur.” What you wrote is a non sequitur.
Oh, heck. I’ll save you the trouble.
non sequitur – a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
Seriously? Do you all think that for one minute that the Board…IF.. they were to consider the recommendations that first they wouldn’t dig deeper into the feasibility and logistics of the particular recommendation let alone put it out for a vote at that point and time? You act like all the commissioners are ready to implement these recommendations. The commissioners haven’t agreed on anything yet let alone haven’t even shared with the public what may be of consideration. These are simply suggestions. Right or wrong, that’s all they are. Thats where it stands. Same as you all submitting a recommendation which you have yet to do.Until something is implemented, it sits as an idea on paper. No leg to stand on just like every other complaint you’ve submitted. Its thrown back in your face.
Thanks Gmick, every call and email helps
Thank you for your hard work Mary, and for the Information you provide us.I will be calling and letting them know exactly How I feel about this. You take care. Gary.