>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Oregon has some of the strongest open meeting laws in the U.S. to ensure that the public's business is conducted truly in the open. These laws are found under ORS 192.610-690.

There are few exceptions to open meeting laws. For the city, those exceptions are for personnel (hiring, disciplining, discharge, evaluation), labor negotiations, real property transactions and potential litigation.

Executive session discussions are confidential. The media can attend executive sessions, although they may be asked to not disclose any discussion or information. All final decisions by a public body, however, must be made in public [192.660(6)].

In the area of personnel, Oregon law [192.660 (2) (b) and (i)] makes it clear that the individual may request that the hearing be held in open session. It is the individual's sole responsibility to make the decision to hold personnel discussions in closed or open session. The council cannot compel the individual to have an executive session or an open session. If the individual chooses to have these discussions behind closed doors, the council has no choice but to do so and to maintain confidentiality. To do otherwise invites litigation.

We have seven elected officials representing the citizens of La Grande. Neither the mayor nor individual councilors can accomplish anything without the majority support of the council.

The confidentiality of this process is and was Mr. Singel's decision, not the council's.

As for the process of hiring, the city is not alone in using an elaborate process to select employees. All businesses do the same thing, as do the universities and hospitals. Unfortunately, it is not a guaranteed process for any position. Resumes are reviewed, interviews are held and extensive investigation into background is done.

Even with all of these steps, sometime, the fit is not right.

Janet Hume-Schwarz

La Grande

___________________________

Sometimes people are confronted with a choice between going with something they know or taking a leap into the unknown.

The voters of Union and Baker counties are faced with that choice in the election for the ESD board position currently contested. The choice is to go with someone whose name is familiar or take a chance and vote for the candidate who has held the office for the past two years.

I am voting for Les Balsiger for many of the reasons brought forward by The Observer itself. He has been a part of the revival of the ESD, and I trust him to continue to bring open and honest representation to the board. Les Balsiger is the kind of person who gives of himself without regard to personal costs — his involvement with Printed Page Ministries and CASA are proof of that.

I believe Les Balsiger will continue to bring fresh, consensus-building ideas and out-of-the-box thinking to the Union-Baker ESD. My vote will go to Les Balsiger.

Jerry Sebestyen

La Grande

___________________________

Freedom is the only answer for Iraq. They need to exercise their freedom to vote — over and over — to overwhelm the violent efforts at totalitarianism.

Every vote in Iraq has led to increased security. Why did they stop the national elections? By switching from a people's democracy to a republican/representative government, they have lost touch with their constituencies, specifically, the people.

The government needs to frame the important questions and their solutions, then present them in frequent national elections to establish the majority rule. Everyone votes and the majority is strengthened with each vote. Together with the already well-designed constitution, this will be the beginning of democracy, the demise of sectarian struggles and the victory we need in Iraq and the Middle East.

Freedom to vote still exists in Iraq. Let's use it.

Willard Bertrand

Union

___________________________

Regarding The Observer's editorial about Union residents unwilling to support a police levy, and the comment about Charter Amendment 31-61, I would agree that if the city is to provide police, library, parks and city hall staffers, there needs to be more funding than the current general fund revenue of $302,000.

Additional funds must come through levies and bonds, but not by using water and sewer funds, because utilities are the arteries for a city's growth.

Since Measure 5 restrictions, it is easy for cities to solve funding problems by using utility revenue while ignoring water and sewer systems until a major problem occurs. Once that happens, residents have to look to a bond to fix the system. But when the city applies for bond funding, more likely than not, the lender will require an upward adjustment of the monthly water or sewer rate.

If the city is required to double or triple the monthly rate, the council can give the excuse that "the devil made us do it," instead of taking responsibility for their lack of planning and responsibility.

Starting in 1988, there was a major water system project. The Union City Council, under then-Mayor Willard Bertrand, raised the monthly water rates substantially.

So from 1988 to December 2004, we will look at all projects, including water bond requirements, sewer bond requirements, state licensing, golf course, city records from CAO Marlene Perkins, city recorder records, public meeting records held by the city, county funds prior to golf course takeover and all loans.

Did these projects meet charter requirements? As you can see, this is a long list. It will probably take six to eight months to get records, or find out if they still exist.

I believe that 31-61 should be a state-wide initiative.

Bill Lindsley

Former Councilman, City of Union

___________________________

After reading the Landon Johnston rant on Rob Cashell and EOU, I'd like to encourage Landon to become an EOU Booster, since I did not see his name in the current Booster Roster.

It was unfortunate that tough decisions had to be made at EOU because of funding issues. Former coach Wes McAllister was a college roommate of mine, and I have many memories of outstanding baseball players at EOU, so I am sorry for the loss.

Just think of what we alumni could do if we all invested a few dollars back to EOU. Maybe we could have saved baseball. The new bleachers are an investment in safety and will surely update the looks of Quinn Coliseum, which may help in recruiting student athletes to campus.

So, Landon, I'll agree: Good job, Rob!

Jack Lane

Moscow, Idaho

___________________________

Of the letters written attacking Mayor Colleen Johnson, the cheapest shot was taken by Sandra Ellston. Apparently, Ellston is still bitter and in denial about losing her position as dean at EOU. Her response is to blame Colleen for that and other recent decisions. All of this is poppycock supported only by insinuation and incomplete information.

Yes, there was a group meeting secretly because faculty members, especially those without tenure, were fearful of retribution. Face-to-face honesty was not avoided as Ellston claims. I, for one, met with her at least once, and she blew off my comments.

The result of this group's meetings was a broad-based evaluation of Ellston's performance. The results showed that she had lost the confidence and respect of the majority of the faculty. Whether her resignation was asked for or offered freely, I don't know.

Ellston suggests Colleen's opinions could convince more than 100 faculty, staff and students to vote "no-confidence" in President Fatemi. Likewise, the idea that the other city councilors would blindly follow her like the pied piper, when they haven't in the past, suggests they have suddenly lost their ability to think for themselves. Both contentions are preposterous.

Colleen actually was a strong supporter of former President Creighton and would never be part of a group trying to get rid of him as Ellston insinuates.

So, Sandra Ellston, if you really want to blame someone, just look in the mirror and quit denying your own culpability.

To other letter writers: If you don't like executive sessions, talk to your legislators, but don't beat up the city council and The Observer for following current law. If you want the issues out in the open, then convince Singel to bring them out; he's the only one who legally can.

Burr Betts

Professor emeritus, EOU

Cove

___________________________

Citizens who love La Grande, pay close attention.

Do everything you can to let the city council know that they should enact systems development charges (SDCs). Managing growth for the good of the entire community is their job, and I would hope that they take that responsibility seriously in light of the expected explosion of growth in the area.

I'm a university student from rural Oregon (Stayton and Sutherlin), and I'm in Eugene while I'm in college.

I would like to settle down in the La Grande or Joseph area, and I've been looking into local issues. I saw an online forum of locals concerned about skyrocketing housing prices. An entry from the city planning said that although systems development charges are a fair, effective way to curb out-of-control development and home prices, the city council would be unlikely to enact them because of pressure from local developers.

If developers have to pay for systems development (e.g., extension of water and sewer lines, creation of roads, etc.), they won't be so quick to squander your beautiful landscape on sprawling developments that will also siphon off the vitality of your downtown, and housing won't see such unsupportable price hikes, because rampant housing speculation will be dampened.

Therefore, ensuring that developers pay for service extensions is the way to make sure that growth happens in a responsible way and that your quality of life is not sacrificed to economic development.

Development companies will always oppose anything that might reduce their profits, but the reality is that the high projected growth in this area means they will make plenty of profit even if they have to shoulder at least some of the costs of the extension of city services.

Let's stand up for our beloved hometowns.

Joy Gipson

Eugene

___________________________

On Hillary Clinton becoming President of the United States: Let us remember how former President Bill Clinton willfully tried to increase fees for federal grazing permits in an effort to discourage and phase out grazing on federal lands. When said plan backfired, President Clinton in open retaliation ordered then Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to "Fire the Cattle Guards on federal grazing lands and leave the livestock unprotected." If that weren't enough, another federal officer recommended that instead of firing them, the "Cattle Guards" be re-trained for other jobs.

I am not making this up. The Clintons and followers honestly thought cattle guards were people, federal employees. This is a reflection of the Clintons' mentality and knowledge, or lack of, and certainly a display of tyrannical retaliation on the part of the Clintons when they could not have their way with any class of Americans they deem unfit.

Above all, actions and results thereof always speak louder than any words, and the Clinton legacy speaks for itself.

(For the benefit of the collective, "cattle guards" are metallic barriers placed in roads where fence lines cross, allowing cars to cross, holding cattle at bay.)

Ron R. Fischer

Elgin

___________________________

People engage in public office for many reasons. Some are interested and passionate about giving back to their community, helping to make it a better place to live. These people sacrifice their time and energy so that others are better off. Les Balsiger is this kind of person.

Les stepped forward and was appointed to the Union-Baker Education Service District at a time when it faced upheaval and disgrace. He helped guide the UBESD through troubled times and towards a better future by using his integrity and honesty.

Les believes that a good education means more than a positive personal future; it also means a safer and more productive society. I know Les will work to improve and broaden the services the UBESD provides to the schools of our county and thus improve the education of all students.

Please join me in electing Les Balsiger to the UBESD, a man who cares about our kids and our community, not just himself.

Steve Clements

La Grande

___________________________

I want to let the people of the Grande Ronde Valley know what a great community we have up on Pumpkin Ridge. Last January I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In March I started radiation treatment at St. Mary's Cancer Center in Walla Walla, every day, five days a week for seven and a half weeks.

My wonderful neighbors and friends took turns taking me every day, encouraging me and being there for my husband and myself. We don't know what we would have done without them. They have blessed us beyond measure.

We thank God for the Pumpkin Ridge Community. It is the greatest place to live.

Donna and Richard Mendel

Summerville

___________________________

Paul Freeland's article ("Shake-Up Unsettles Wallowa Coach," April 18) should be a wake-up call to taxpayers in Wallowa County. Being in that category as a homeowner in the county, I am personally shocked and dismayed at the self-appointed autocracy that Superintendent Mark Theilman has been allowed to create for himself within the Wallowa School District.

Theilman recently decided to open the Wallowa football and boys basketball head coaching positions, leaving Greg Oveson, the current head coach in both sports (and a coach in the Wallowa community for the majority of the last two decades), with an uncertain future. His decision to effectively terminate Oveson was made with an obvious personal conflict of interest — his son was a player on the Wallowa basketball team this past year — and a complete lack of any job-related criterion.

Making personnel and human resource decisions with public funds in a haphazard way is, at best, disrespectful to dedicated and committed community members and, at worst, potentially discriminatory with the possibility of leading to costly litigation and liability.

Oveson has been a friend of mine for nearly 40 years. I have been extremely proud of the dedication he has demonstrated as a coach in the Wallowa community, as a respected family man and father and as a mentor to many young people. He deserves a strong vow of appreciation and support from the residents of Wallowa County. It would be a travesty to deprive future student athletes of his experience and acumen.

I am grateful to members of the Wallowa Board of Education for their responsibility in using tax dollars efficiently by apologizing for Theilman's actions and doing all they can to retain Coach Oveson, one of the community's most valuable resources and deserving citizens.

Mark Mathes

Pasco, Wash.

___________________________

I write in support of Mayor Colleen Johnson. From October 2001 through September 2006, I delivered live broadcasts of the La Grande City Council meetings. During that same period of time, while working at Eastern Oregon University, I videotaped university classes for delivery by Eastern's distance education

program.

In both capacities, I worked with Dr. Johnson, both as professor and as mayor of the City of La Grande. As such, I have had ample occasion to observe Mayor Johnson over an extended period of time and under occasionally difficult situations.

While I have not always been in agreement with Mayor Johnson, I have most certainly come to respect her judgment and integrity. As mayor she serves with an even hand and, in my observation, has always placed the "public good" foremost in the administration of her duties.

I suggest that the very qualities intrinsic to good public service open that public servant to criticism. Clearly, such criticism goes with the job.

However, considering the recent spate of letters to the editor, what seems not to be understood is the responsibility of the citizenry to rise above tongue-wagging and opinion-mongering and the propagating of rumor and innuendo forwarded under some misguided and undefined sense of "rights."

Such actions harm threefold: 1. They damage the servant and interfere with their ability to govern. 2. They dampen the enthusiasm of future public servants. 3. They diminish crucial debate.

The reasoning leading to the release of the city administrator was a decision made by the city council, by majority and by law. The decision was not exclusively the mayor's. To single out the mayor in this decision is simply crazy talk.

Michael O'Connor

La Grande

___________________________

I take exception to the letter of May 4 in which the writer argues that our nation's laws are based on the moral principles found in the 10 Commandments. If you actually read all 10, the first four are not about morality or civil law but about shoring up the base of the Christian religion (you will have no God before me, etc).

Numbers 5 through 9 do address morality, but they are also commonly held beliefs in almost all cultures. And number 10 seems to make a crime out of merely thinking about wanting your neighbor's servants or livestock.

These commandments are not merely suggestions; you can't have laws without punishment. This is summed up nicely by Sam Harris (Letter to a Christian Nation): "If we are going to take the God of the Bible seriously, we should admit that He never gives us the freedom to follow the commandments we like and neglect the rest. Nor does He tell us that we can relax the penalties He has imposed for breaking them."

It's worth noting that the biblical punishment for breaking commandments number 3, 4, 5 and 7 is not trial by a jury of your peers in a court of law but death.

It's becoming increasingly clear that the real danger facing our country is not stem cell research or gay unions but the creeping influence of fundamentalist Christianity trying to unite their church with our state at the expense of the true basis of law in this country, the Constitution.

Dan White

La Grande

___________________________

I read with interest Courtney Loomis' letter, "What OTEC is willing to pay for" (Observer, April 30).

At the April 27 Energy Stewardship workshop, I learned that PP&L, a private utility, provides a $5,000 incentive for solar installation, while OTEC, our local cooperative, offers only $500.

How many of my readers knew that OTEC does indeed offer green power? I would guess not many; of the more than 30,000 households served by OTEC, only 278 participate.

As Mr. Loomis has said, OTEC is "focused on keeping electricity rates low." If we glance just a bit down the road, however, we see that in the long term, green energy will be less expensive than fossil fuels.

But there are two far more compelling reasons for transitioning to green energy. One: global warming. History will judge our generation by the environment we leave our children. Two: national security. Reliance on foreign oil leaves us vulnerable to the political instabilities of other nations and more susceptible to no-win international entanglements.

It strikes me as ironic that OTEC, a cooperative, is less socially conscious than a for-profit private entity such as PP&L.

The fault, perhaps, is in ourselves. It's so easy to flip on the light switch and pay the bill at the end of the month without pausing to think of the consequences. But our world has changed. We must take an active role in determining where our power comes from and at what costs — environmental and social as well as monetary.

It's time we all become more involved in our electric co-op. Call OTEC at 963-3155. Let them know your energy preferences. Sign up ($3 a month, about the price of a latte) for green power.

Teresa Brain

La Grande

___________________________

All small towns have problems, but Union has a confusing one. We were told there was no money to fund a police department, so they went after a police levy that did not pass and that they are going to try for again.

Now the confusing part: They are paying the sheriff's department $30 an hour for their services. Where did that money come from?

Some months ago they dropped an employee and combined the administrator job with the city recorder in order to save money, but now the council has hired a bookkeeper, a planner and added a new job title of administrative assistant.

Where did the administrative assistant come from? Months ago she was just helping out in the office and getting paid higher than the person who had been there for years. Now she is the administrative assistant, with a possible increase in pay. Could this be one of the reasons why they're going to increase the water and sewer rates, sewer by $4.25 a month?

Back in November's election, measure 31-61 passed, saying all revenues from water and sewer are to be used for water and sewer only. Now all the money that was helping other departments is being kept in water and sewer, and the extra money is banked. Is this good or bad?

They are preaching poor, but it looks like they are spending more.

Two years ago they wasted $5,000 for an outside company to evaluate the city in all areas, but they have not followed it. One council member even said if they didn't follow the report he would leave the council. Still looking for that day.

This is more like believe what I say, not what I do.

R.L. Middleton

Union