Initial reports from today’s governance change ordinance hearing at The Mill Casino indicate attendance was underwhelming but there was overwhelming preference to put the matter on the ballot rather than just enact it by the commission. Tables and chairs were left in place from the chamber luncheon preceding the hearing and Jon Barton, Al Pettit and governance advisory committee members Bill Grile and Lance Benton attended the hearing which broke up about 3 PM. Bob Main was not at the hearing and there were rumors he would boycott the meeting if held at the casino but he is also said to be suffering from the flu.
According to witnesses, Grile and Benton encouraged the commissioners to bypass the ballot and just enact the ordinance but other speakers, including Coos Bay Mayor, Crystal Shoji, requested the people be able to decide on any governance changes. There were complaints about the timing of the hearing that prohibited people from attending and more complaints about the illegality of the meeting outside of county jurisdiction. Phil Thompson protested outside the casino and was heard telling a reporter that he was “…protecting the tribe because Cam Parry says the county has jurisdiction…”.
All in all, it appears the hearing was a bust for pro-change activists with the obvious caveat that half the required public hearings have now been held… or maybe not, if the meeting isn’t legal.
UPDATE Jessica Lloyd-Rogers of Coast Lake News attended today’s meeting and will have a write-up this evening but she said 41 people attended plus press and twelve people signed up to speak. Her story will be published here later or you can check Coast Lake News to watch for her story.
