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June 25, 2009 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
Sidewalk Boycotting Childish
The firing of City Manager Steve Brocato has brought out the worst in some people in the community. We are all for expressing your opinion, but come on... writing on sidewalks in front of businesses owned by Councilor Beverly Calder and Mayor Dennis Dorrah... isn’t that a little juvenile? If you aren’t happy with the situation, there are more adult ways to handle it.
Besides, what good will boycotting these businesses do? Sounds like the old west when they tried to run people out of town on a rail. We really doubt the four councilors who booted Brocato out will change their mind. You may not agree with their decision, but you have to give them credit for sticking to their guns and not backing down under pressure.
The recent recall petition is one way to resolve this issue; it may be an over-reaction, but at least it is more constructive than graffiti on sidewalks. You can always express your opinion by voting someone else into office during the next election - that’s the great thing about democracy.
In the past two weeks we have heard name-calling, slanderous remarks and innuendoes on both sides of the issue. When are you going to haul out the rotten eggs and water balloons?
If you want your councilors and mayor to know your opinion, call them, write them a letter or place a letter to the editor in the newspaper, but don’t resort to such childish tactics. If you do, it makes your opinion worthless because temper tantrums are supposed to be ignored. (DS)
—Letters To The Editor—
Why The City Manager Was Terminated
To The Record-Courier:
Why did city council terminate Steve Brocato’s employment as city manager?
One reason may be Brocato’s alleged violation of the International City/County Management Ethics Code: “Not engage in the election campaign of any candidate for mayor.” How did Brocato violate this code he told councilors he followed?
After last fall’s election, the likely candidates to succeed Jeff Petry as mayor were councilors Andrew Bryan and Dennis Dorrah. It was no secret that Brocato favored Bryan and did not want Dorrah to be mayor, but Bryan could not muster the votes.
Brocato couldn’t endure the thought of a Mayor Dorrah. So he asked Councilor Aletha Bonebrake on several occasions to run telling her unkind things about Dorrah, which she researched and found untrue. She declined to run.
Councilor Milo Pope with Brocato’s support tried to recruit Councilor Clair Button to run, but he was not interested.
Finally, Brocato prevailed upon his staunch supporter Pope himself to run against Dorrah. Without taking a tally of support, Pope threw his hat in the ring publicly, since by this time Brocato’s attempt to manipulate mayoral succession was being reported in the news media. Only then did Brocato and Pope realize the votes weren’t there, and Pope abruptly withdrew from the race.
At the first meeting of city council in January, council elected Dorrah mayor by a unanimous vote.
Many citizens object to this mostly hidden process of choosing a mayor. But, it’s completely legal. All the City Charter requires is that every two years council “choose from its members a person who shall be mayor.” That’s it.
But the foregoing does show a violation: Brocato’s violation of the ethics code he claimed to use to guide his conduct as city manager.
One more fact. At the meeting at which Brocato was fired, both Pope and Brocato claimed the four councilors must have met in private in violation of Oregon’s Open Meetings Law? Pope even vowed he’d sue all four councilors. Well, it turned out to be an empty charge and threat. No illegal meeting took place.
Gary Dielman
Baker City, Ore.
Swallow This!
To The Record-Courier:
I first came to Baker City in 1963. The population then was around 10,000. Wow, almost 50 years later, it’s still around 10,000.
I wonder, how did Baker survive all these years without Dotty and Basecamp?
People who come here to live and dress things up are to be commended.
This is Baker — Baker is what Baker is! A small quiet country town. If you don’t like it — MOVE! I sure as hell won’t miss you.
I looked in the dictionary the other day for the definition of “perfect.” My name wasn’t there and I didn’t see any of the councilors’ names there either.
Someone once said, “Baker loves bikes.” (The name of who said that escapes me.) I submit, Baker doesn’t love bikes!
City and county residents reject the bike races and the motorcycle rallies, closing the town. This is not your town, this is not my town, it is OUR town.
Elkhorn Classic is a pain in the butt. Each year it expands like smallpox.
The Baker City Herald took a survey on their web site, which is ongoing on the following: “Which is your favorite June Baker City event?” The multiple choice answers were: Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally, other outdoor recreation, Elkhorn Classic Bike Race, all of the above or none of the above.
The last time I looked, “none of the above” was in the front. This demonstrates the real feelings of the people of Baker City and Baker County. Not just a few who say “they are representing the people.”
This is something the council should have done years ago!
I say, put a stop to both events closing the city and stop the inconvenience to all of Baker City and Baker County residents.
Stop the personal agendas! I say both Dotty and Basecamp have this agenda.
Our town and its future as being a great little country town is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don’t get a grip, it will rage like a wildfire and destroy everything in its path, especially the small town atmosphere.
Bill Todd
Baker City
Highland Games? Who’s On First…
To The Record-Courier:
A recently received e-mail and a phone call to family in Baker compel me to write in this forum. Hopefully I can help clear up the confusion surrounding the Highland Games activities in Baker.
In the above mentioned e-mail Mr. R.G. Rienks, president of the Baker Valley Highland Games Association, states that his Association will not be holding a Highland Games in 2009. Then, during my phone call to family, I was told that my sister (a rancher in the valley) heard on the radio that there was to be no Games this year. Let me be clear; The Baker Highland Games and Celtic Festival WILL be held on Aug. 22.
In 2008 a group of people came together with a common vision to hold a Highland Games and Festival in Baker. When I heard about this I was jacked! Being from Baker and involved in Highland Games I offered my assistance as far as the athletics was concerned. Well, this group worked together, did a bang-up job and had a successful 1st Games. This is where things get confused. Within a matter of a few weeks all the officers of the Games planning board, except for Mr. Rienks and the treasurer, had been dismissed (much to their surprise). How do you dismiss volunteers? Who voted on this change of personnel?
This group of people then formed the Eastern Oregon Celtic Society and the Eastern Oregon Throwers (throwers of heavy objects) and began promoting Scottish culture and events in the region. Many people in the area have heard of, seen them in action or attended one of these events. All this without the benefit of the financial success of the 2008 Games.
In his e-mail Mr. Rienks states that the County Fairgrounds Board “in its confusion has assigned control of the August weekend to this new group without a complete understanding of the Highland Games.”
Well Mr. Rienks, there was no confusion. The Scottish American Athletic Association informed the Fairgrounds Board, that given the antics of the past, they would support the EOCS and EO Throwers.
Mr. Rienks, will you please stop trying to confuse the good people of Baker County and N.E. Oregon. As far as Highland Games are concerned, your BVHGA just confuses people. The Eastern Oregon Celtic Society is the organization with the voice.
Robert McKim, Jr.
S.A.A.A. Certified Judge
Heavy Athlete
Games Planning Coordinator
Boise, Idaho
City Councilor Recall Is Worst Possible Scenario
To The Record-Courier:
I have lived in Baker City since 1941 and have been a registered pharmacist since 1951. Fran and I have 3 children, 2 of whom are long-time residents, and all 5 grandchildren live here.
I have viewed the videos of the June 8 City Council meeting and the Friday, June 12 Council meeting. The Tuesday night meeting was a very highly emotionally charged event. Dire predictions for the future of this city were proclaimed by the dissenting members of Council and by members of the audience. Some letters to the editor have voiced similar opinions.
After a few days, the City is functioning very well. We have an outstanding interim City Manager. Tim Collins has 30 plus years experience in all areas of Baker City government, including law. We have a great staff and employees on the job and they are functioning well. This will continue.
A recall is the worst scenario possible. Recalls are appropriate when a law has been broken, gross negligence, fraud and gross moral behavior. None of this has happened. These council members were doing the job they were elected to do, in their opinion. If we disagree, we exercise the democratic way at the ballot box.
This recall movement has the earmarks of a very serious civil strife among the citizens of Baker City, within families, among friends, members of a church, members of civic organizations and others. This is a very controversial issue, which needs to end. Councilors Pope, Bryan and Bass can stop it by asking the petitioners to stop at once and asking the citizens to not sign any petitions.
We all need to work together for the city we love! I am optimistic.
John C. Burgess
Baker City
Councilors Upheld City Charter In Decision
To The Record-Courier:
Two new members came to City Council in January with a pledge to be independent and evaluate issues and situations objectively. We have done so. Yet even an independent must vote with one side or another.
Every Councilor swore to abide by the law, City Charter, and rules of conduct specified in Ordinance 3407. I have done so.
I have communicated my own standards and expectations in private and in written communications to staff and Council.
When I evaluated former City Manager Brocato, I knew it was an interim evaluation. There were still critical issues that could not be discussed in public without causing a pointless dog-fight.
Two weeks later, I was dealing with six separate issues of Mr. Brocato’s behavior and communication toward the council and his representation toward the press and public. In the end, I lost faith in Mr. Brocato’s intent or capability to change. There comes a time to let an employee go.
What makes government dysfunctional is the refusal of individuals, citizens, or councilors to be responsible for their own actions. A civil, functional community exists only if we the public hold ourselves responsible to behave appropriately.
We can move forward if we choose, cooperating even when we disagree. The same Council members who object to my vote asked me to abide by majority decisions and not challenge the Council to revisit the same issues repeatedly, nor attack their decisions publicly. Representative Democracy is still Democracy when the shoe is on the other foot.
Leaders or would-be leaders who model and approve bad behavior in the guise of dissent don’t just make bad decisions; they tear down our system of government. If a matter of opinion causes you to vilify people, sabotage, threaten or slander, then we have to examine who among us is really responsible for destructive behavior, who is unprofessional, or who creates embarrassment for the city.
How sad that someone feels they have a right to vandalize property because they disagree with a council decision. Your children might do better, but only if you teach them how.
Clair Button,
Baker City
Whose Side Is Obama Really On?
To The Record-Courier:
Forgive me if this seems like a very concerned citizen, it is! I’ve many questions on where this present government is leading us and why. You should also. Who is the real Obama and who does he believe he is? Do you really know? And if so, please explain him to me.
There is more secrets about this man then any President in United States history. Where did he really come from and what are his real plans for this country? Saying this is not a real Christian based country and has one of the largest Moslem populations in the world. This troubles me because both are bald face lies. That the Colonies didn’t base their beliefs on the one God! Another lie! Why does he put this country down instead of showing others what a great country we are?
I am not ashamed of this great country, is he? This is the greatest country in the world. Also, I am not a citizen of the world; I am a citizen of the United States. Obama claims Christianity but goes against God’s Word about killing babies. I wonder where his real faith is on other issues as well. This government is becoming our big brother on one action after another, gives out harmful information that could hurt our troops without concerting the effect, wanting to give out even more before being advised not to and makes policies and orders without clear ways to carry them out. To quote the Koran but not the BIBLE in Moslem country troubles me. Sir, they are not in any way even close to being compatible.
Some are told not asked to join his health plan if passed or face the possibility of fines. Soon the government may be able to tell you where and what you may eat. This under Obama health plan? (Just big brother looking out for the children.) Obama has been after our firearms even before he became President, and still is. His voting record proves that. I’ve just learned that some customs officials, believe it or not, want the government to start banning our pocket knives, (concealed weapon) even your kitchen knives because they can be used as a weapon. Really! Where have we heard this before? What’s next, your golf clubs? Mr. President, whose side are you really on? Are you still on OJT training?
It scares me to remember what a Russian leader said some years ago. He said, “United States would be overcome from inside without a shot fired.” How? “Because the people are blind in their comfort and won’t see it coming, both politically and financially they’ll lose their freedom.”
A Moslem speaker who spoke at the U.N. spoke later at a different meeting, saying “if the Moslem were smart and got into and won government seats, they could force their will and defeat this country.” Folks don’t let this happen! Our government is getting bigger and bigger, our freedom is getting smaller and smaller. It’s a short move from citizen to subject! Wake up America, pray for our leaders and country.
Richard Fox
Baker City
JU
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