Letters to the Editor for Oct. 14, 2009

Don’t reward revenge attempt

Baker City Councilor Milo Pope paid for a large ad in the Oct. 8 Record Courier.  He stated “I helped start the recall effort.” Is there pride in that statement? Or is there revenge in that statement?

Pope wrote at length about the city employees that spoke up in Brocato's benefit. I made an Oregon Public Records request to find out what 11 of those employees were making in salary before Brocato was hired, and what they were making when he was fired. The following employees received raises during Brocato’s employment that amounted to the following annual increases. Jennifer Watkins $16,680; Wyn Lohner $9,960; Gene Stackle $26,196; Jeanie Dexter $9,288; Jim Price $7,080; Don Chance $200 and then put on contract at unknown rate;  Michelle Owen $7,320; Gary Bood $8,940; Wayne Chastain $5,220; Joyce Bornstedt $8,460; Wayne Bailey $2,880.

With those kinds of raises under Brocato, they must have felt they owed him something.

Please help stamp out Pope’s revenge. Vote No on this inappropriate recall.

Richard Harris

Baker City

Kill ‘breathing’ wolves too?

If the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association is asking the Legislature to change the language in the wolf policy to where a wolf can be taken when seen attacking, biting, molesting, chasing or harassing livestock, herding or guarding animals, working and sporting dogs and family pets (Curt Jacobs Oct. 9 Baker City Herald), then they probably need to add the word “breathing” to the list, as it is already so vague as to defy meaningful interpretation. 

Steve DeFord

Let’s educate city government

After watching city council meetings, reading letters to the editor, and speaking with a number of fellow citizens of Baker City over the past months I would like to make a suggestion to the city council. It is apparent to me that Baker City needs to implement a method to educate every new member of city council on the rules of ethics as concerns their position. I would extend this to all department heads and salaried positions on the city staff. I mean formal training by a qualified outside expert, not handing them a book and telling them to read it.

The money spent would hopefully prevent situations like we are experiencing now from happening in the future. Both sides in the mess we are in have some serious issues in the area of ethical behavior as well as conflict of interest. This is hopefully due to a lack of knowledge of the specific rules that apply in each case, not a willful disregard for the rules of ethics.

If I were to be thinking about moving my business to Baker City the current situation would not reflect well on the city. Would you move your business to a city that is getting the image of a third world country? Before you worry about people cleaning up their yards you need to clean up the council chambers.

We spend money to educate our children, let’s spend some to educate our city government. 

Peter Tabel

Baker City

Tabloid-style attacks

There have been many falsehoods and distortions emanating from supporters of the recall, Steve Brocato, and his former cronies. The spurious, last-minute, tabloid-style attacks by Milo Pope and the recall committee show their desperation.

Ethics: They wrote that “Many believe State Ethics Law has been violated. The evidence is overwhelming.” Pope didn’t sue because he knew his claims couldn’t be substantiated. His complaint to the Ethics Commission was returned with the words “the complaint is insufficient for the Commission to take action at this time.” He didn’t respond with additional information. He can’t produce adequate evidence for any illegal meeting or conflict of interest.

Special interests: Of the first 629 petition signatures submitted, I estimated that over 44 percent of the petition circulators were, or were closely related to, police/dispatch personnel and realtors, far in excess of their percentage of our population. Several police employees actually circulated petitions and over 50 percent of the force supported in some way. Many city administrators signed the petitions and pushed the recall.

Why? Brocato granted a new police building, exorbitant raises, bonuses, promotions, and generous COLAs over a 5-year contract period, as we entered the worst recessionary downturn in decades. A sergeant’s salary with 5 years goes from $51,876/year to $61,224/year plus benefits under the Brocato negotiated contract, but the cost of living has fallen during the current period. You are paying for it despite your own circumstances. Realtors favored Brocato’s push to gentrify the neighborhoods so as to increase property values and their own commissions. The rest of the circulators were the three disgruntled councilors, a wannabe, their relatives, and Brocato loyalists.

Cronos “resignation”: Cronos lost money in the 22 months Brocato was president of Cronos Containers Limited. Dennis Tietz became CEO, cleaned house, and Brocato “resigned.” Only then did the company turn around.

Former colleague John Foy wrote “Because of his personality and way of dealing with people, I predicted that Steve would last around two years as City Manager.” Another described him as “rough around the edges and irritating at times.” The qualities described are the reasons the city manager was fired.

Christopher Christie

Baker City

Vote no on the recall

I’ve only been a Baker City resident for two years, so I don’t have the full historical perspective of the issues surrounding this recall. Recalls, in general, are for the misuse of power, legal abuses and issues of trust. They should be objective actions which can be objectively proven. They are not about differences of opinion. That’s what votes are for, whether in an election or a city council meeting.

Some impressions: For me, it seems like a conflict of interest for sitting council members to be campaigning for the recall of other members. Is that really the voice of the citizens? The continued support of the fired city manager leaves me baffled. He recently made a demand for severance pay that, as far as I can find out, he has no rightful claim to. That doesn’t sound like the kind of city manager I want running our business.

A few of our current councilors appear to prefer only “team players.” I like for someone to “stir the pot,” present other points of view and prompt discussion. And where is the team support of the dissatisfied councilors? The vote to dismiss Brocato was a majority. The reasons listed for recalling these two councilors seem to me to be opinion only and I’ve not seen nor heard any evidence of an actual violation of anything except making a few people angry.

I’m not comfortable with the idea that, if this recall is successful, those recalled will be replaced by appointment by those who simply disagree with the results of a vote. If we are going to recall anyone, we should be electing their replacements, not giving even more power to those whose behavior seems like a case of sour grapes. I have, and I urge you to vote No on the recall.

Aubrey Miller

Baker City

Why rename the schools?

I read in Oct. 7 issue that the school board will meet to discuss proposals to rename Brooklyn school.

My question is why? Is this necessary?

As for renaming South Baker school, that was accomplished several years ago, when it was named “Tiedemann” to honor Dr. Tiedemann who served long term on school board.

Apparently not many people accepted the change, as it is still referred to as South Baker Elementary.

Phyllis Badgley

Baker City

Bravo! to the postal service

I applaud our U.S. Postal Service employees in Baker. On a recent blustery Saturday, when our post office is closed to business, an employee made special arrangements for me to collect my accumulated mail, which had been held for a few days while I was out of town.

This is not the first time that I’ve been impressed by exemplary public service from these folks, who often work irregular hours under demanding conditions, yet continue to work cheerfully and efficiently.  Bravo!  

Kata Bulinski

Baker City

There’s no reason for this recall

So many have asked my opinion of the recall that I have decided to put my thoughts down on paper. I served on the Council with Dennis Dorrah from January of 2002 through January of 2005. I found him to be a thoughtful councilor who didn’t say much until he had made up his mind. When he did speak, I learned that I should listen. I find him to be much the same today. His transgression that led to the recall effort? Malfeasance? No. Has he used his office for personal gain? No, that would be someone else. Apparently, his transgression was using his best judgment for the good of the community. That’s exactly what we elected him to do.

I served on the Council with Beverly Calder from January of 2002 through January of 2003. It is no secret that when she left the Council, Beverly and I had our differences of opinion but that’s no reason for me to support the recall. Is she guilty of malfeasance? I know of no such evidence. Has she used her office for the benefit of a select few rather than the common good?  No, that would be someone else.

Serving on the Council is a thankless job. I know. I did it for 13 years. The current recall is a misguided effort to punish two individuals who have taken time from their successful businesses to volunteer for community service. It will only serve to discourage those willing to stick their necks out and serve.

One last thought. No matter how the election turns out, one thing is certain. Our City Council must set their differences aside and begin to work together to solve the problems facing our community. Those unwilling to do so should resign. Period. Please join me in voting No. 

Chuck Hofmann

Another fundraiser for Joel

The Oct. 12 edition mentioned two fundraisers planned in the near future to benefit Joel Cummings who is awaiting a lung transplant operation. Actually there is another one and it can complement the softball game scheduled for the same evening (this Friday, Oct. 16).

On your way to watch the City vs. County softball game stop by Baker High School and pick up a complete, delicious meal to go. As they have for a number of years the Baker Chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) is hosting its famous and tasty barbecue from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  You can drive up to the front of the school, pick up a great dinner to go, and take it to the game.

Tickets are available from any FFA member and are just $10 with proceeds going to help defray Joel Cummings’ medical expenses. 

Jerry Boyd

Baker City

Time to put aside the Brocato issue

I feel the people of Baker City have had enough of this Brocato issue and must move on to more important issues like the swine flu, heating costs, food for the poor, city repairs, police business, on and on with all the money we save by eliminating and putting on the shelf this Brocato incident. Make it go away! We the citizens of Baker City will benefit by putting this issue to rest. We should not be held at bay with employment problems by overpaid city employees. 

Manny Gutierrez Sr.

Baker City