Interim commissioners Cam Parry and Fred Messerle were the featured speakers the weekly chamber of commerce luncheon at The Mill Casino this week and performed a bizarre skit mocking public meetings law. According to statutes, elected officials may not meet in a quorum to discuss official business without first providing notice to the public. In Coos County, it only takes two commissioners to form a quorum yet Messerle and Parry are frequently observed eating lunch together, driving together and speaking together outside of official public meetings.
Even if the pair are not discussing county business it gives the appearance of impropriety but this did not deter them from enjoying lunch at the same table with Jon Barton, John Sweet and Sandy Messerle prior to addressing the crowd. This made their actions, when it came time to speak, all the more ridiculous. After their introductions they stepped up to the podium when Parry giggles, (so did I when I saw his tie), and jauntily excuses himself from the room. Messerle offers this explanation.
MESSERLE: Kind of the reason Cam had to step out is one of our challenges that we live with is the open meetings law. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to notice this meeting and in the interests of not creating any controversy it is better if we’re not listening to the same speech. It is a kind of crazy commentary on our times…
After more than a year in public office these two either still don’t understand public meetings law or they think their audience is stupid. “It is better if we are not listening to the same speech”. Really? Does that mean if they watch the meeting later and listen to the “same speech” they are violating public meetings law? Creating a controversy? As long as they aren’t debating county business or formulating a decision, giving a speech within earshot of another commissioner, with or without public notice is not a violation. Talking shop over lunch, or rehearsing publicity stunts designed to mislead the public in the car, well…
More likely than not, this cheesy bit of theater was an attempt to rationalize hiring an administrator who would run from one commissioner to the next to get a decision prior to a public meeting. It may also have been a lame attempt to explain the duo’s failure to accomplish any of the things Messerle keeps telling everyone the county “needs” during his time in office.
Surely, not all the chamber luncheon attendees are this easily duped.
And some still ask, “why is Coos County failing?”
Because THESE wankers speak for you, that’s why. Oh aren’t they just precious at their weekly Circle-Jerk? Titter, titter, titter, and the cuteness of Cam and Fred.
Aren’t we just the most special of folks? Just ask us, because we don’t go around you rabble in the streets, we are so cool, we are so smart. How many times have YOU gotten other people to put new windows in your private property, or build you brand spankin new offices right downtown, or how many of YOUR family members suck off at least one public teat of Other People’s Money? These folks are parasites on the arse of humanity. Plain and simple. Welfare Queens every one, looking down their noses at those few folks who attempt to keep their local government honest. Look how many of them there really are in that room, who knew there could be so many Fredo’s in one little hamlet???
Fredo? Dale is calling.
GOD willing, both will be gone soon.