Recall not proper topic for Council

We applaud the Baker City Council for making time during its meetings for citizens to express their opinions.

However, when a resident challenges the actions of, or makes specific allegations against, a councilor, then the mayor should allow that councilor to respond.

That was wrong, and it was unfair.

Yet the episode was worthwhile in one respect — it reminded us that City Council meetings are not the proper forum for debating the proposed recall of Dorrah and Councilor Beverly Calder.

The incident during the Sept. 22 meeting started when Peggi Timm, a former council member, alleged that the councilors who support the recall — Milo Pope, Andrew Bryan (who was absent) and Sam Bass — “are out there bragging they will reinstate Brocato.”

Timm also criticized the trio for allegedly failing to tell people who signed recall petitions all the potential ramifications of removing Dorrah and Calder from office.

Yet when Pope tried to respond, saying that Timm “has made some accusations that implicate me,” Dorrah rapped his gavel and refused to let Pope elaborate.

Although we admire Dorrah’s handling of the recall thus far, in this case he disappointed us.

Dorrah damaged his credibility by letting Timm, who opposes the recall and thinks Dorrah should keep his seat on the Council, go on but then silencing Pope, who favors the recall.

It looked as though Dorrah would prefer that the audience, both at City Hall and those watching the meeting on TV, would hear only comments that question the integrity of recall proponents.

The bottom line, though, is that the purpose of City Council meetings is for councilors, and the public, to discuss matters within the Council’s jurisdiction.

The recall isn’t one of those matters.

The Council didn’t put the recall on the ballot.

Voters did.

And all 5,826 of the city’s voters, not just the seven councilors, will decide whether Calder and Dorrah stay or go.

The recall is of course an important topic. If someone wants to schedule a public debate on the recall, well, we think that’s a fine idea.

The Council, meanwhile, is scheduled to meet at least twice before recall ballots are due Oct. 27.

The discussion during those meetings should be confined to subjects which councilors have the authority to deal with.