Letters to the Editor for Oct. 19, 2009

Published 1:45 pm Monday, October 19, 2009

Could rift have been avoided?

To the editor:

I have read the plethora of letters and articles in the paper about the termination of Steve Brocato as city manager. Comments and opinions have varied regarding the reasons and merits of the City Council’s actions in this matter.

There have been those in support as well as those in disagreement with the Council. Whether in support or disagreement, the action has nonetheless manifested a great deal of discord in the community; created a rift within the City Council; caused consternation among city employees and management, not to mention the impact on Steve Brocato and his family. And it has promulgated an unfortunate, and perhaps unnecessary, distraction for the city in terms of its mission in carrying out the work it is responsible to conduct in support of the public interest.

I wonder if the issues that led to this unfortunate circumstance could have been avoided, particularly if certain processes had been in place that were clear and definitive.

I assume there is a human resource system in place within the structure of city government wherein the city manager’s position has a detailed written “position description” that sufficiently outlines the major work functions and duties associated with the position; that there are some identified “performance goals and objectives” directly tied to the elements of that position description; and that, within the system, there is written policy and procedural practice that provides for a “work improvement plan and process” should the performance goals and objectives for the employee (as a byproduct of the employee’s position description) fall below the standards of expectation which serves as a component of the employees’ overall “performance evaluation” process.

If such a system is not in place, certainly such an approach would help, and not hinder, the City Council (as the overseer of the city manager) in its duties of supervision without abrogating the authority it has to address any issues of an employee who happens to be serving in an employment-at-will capacity and whose performance, in some area(s), may not be measuring up to some pre-determined expectations.

Dan Johnson

Baker City

Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part letter Mr. Johnson submitted. He divided the letter in two because the full version exceeded the Herald’s 350-word limit. The second part will be published after the paper’s 15-day minimum period between letters from an individual writer has passed.

Common courtesy has become rare

To the editor:

Years ago when being polite was common, I was taught to be quiet in the library. The librarian would enforce this simple rule and if you wouldn’t be quiet, you were told to leave. It was just good manners to be quiet. It was normal and acceptable behavior. What happened?

Respecting other people shouldn’t be such a foreign idea! Be quiet and don’t bother people! It seems simple enough. It’s not that tough to be considerate and show a little respect. The idea to treat other people as well as you would like to be treated used to be normal. Show a little common courtesy!

Unfortunately, common courtesy and good manners aren’t common anymore. In the library and elsewhere, talking loudly or rudely and ringing cell phones are common. Just because it bothers other people doesn’t seem to matter. There are signs in the library to turn off cell phones or put them on a silent setting, but it’s just common sense. It isn’t that hard to turn off a phone! It isn’t that difficult to go outside when you talk on the phone, if it’s such an important call. It isn’t that hard to just be quiet and be polite.

Being polite should be normal. It isn’t that difficult! Try it, you might like it!

Jodi Thomas

Baker City

Elk hunters ‘sick’ about waste

To the editor:

In the latter part of September, two members of our family traveled to Richland looking forward to bow hunting for bull elk. They purchased their tags and headed up into the Eagle Caps. After five days of hunting, they decided to look closer to our family property on Eagle Creek.

They were very happy to find a large bull on our property. It took two more days of crawling on their hands and knees, but they managed to get three arrows in the bull. All elk hunters pray the animal does not suffer. They would then harvest the meat and celebrate a successful hunt. Unfortunately, as often occurs, the mortally wounded animal headed downhill, and the last they saw of it, it was on property owned by Peter Martin and Karen Riener.

Respecting Mr. Martin’s property rights, they approached him and politely asked to go in and harvest the animal. Mr. Martin said “no.” He also denied them any access, even to euthanize the animal.

Understandably upset, the men retreated and called the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. They referred them to a State Trooper who offered to mediate, but since the property was posted (see Pages 27 and 28 of the hunting regulations), and given Mr. Martin’s vehemence, they decided it would be a waste of their time and only make matters worse. By Mr. Martins’s own admission, this is not the first time such a thing has happened on his property.

We bought our land and built our house in Eagle Valley 35 years ago because we love the area, its beauty and the opportunity it affords to hunt elk and chukars. We respect the right to private property, but it seems it would make sense to have laws that allow the State Police or ODFW to insist a landowner allow access under these conditions.

We think Mr. Martin’s willful wasting of this wonderful animal is morally and ethically wrong. Our entire family is just sick about this episode.

Dennis and Kathy Farster

Eagle Creek Road

Brocato didn’t deserve discharge

To the editor:

Baker City politics exist in parallel universes. 1. City administration was doing fine. Nearly all City employees were entirely happy with Mr. Brocato. Annual financial audits were positive. The budget process became understandable and multiple lengthy budget meetings are a thing of the past. A $17 million enterprise was on the right track.

2. In another universe, Mr. Brocato was denigrated because he made city purchases elsewhere to save money. Never mind that state law requires such prudence. A few people just don’t like Mr. Brocato for personal reasons having nothing to do with his talent for managing time, people and money.

3. In still another, the heritage folks don’t like the aura of change. Mr. Brocato was making things happen, planning for the future even. What is Baker City going to look like 20 years from now? Well, “growth” is a bad word and we’re not going to permit Baker City to look like Bend. Their fears are unfounded.

4. And finally, at the center of it all, within the City Council, four councilors have satisfied themselves that Mr. Brocato is a rascal and deserved to be fired. Three councilors, myself included, believe that is nonsense. He is not a liar, not unethical, not intemperate. He is none of the hateful things that are being said of him. He is described by former colleagues, as a man of integrity, commitment and honesty.

I know, Mr. Dielman will trot out the former associate who is critical. I also know that that person is not a reliable informant. If he will, Mr. Dielman can check that out with Mr. Brocato or the other two gentlemen I mention.

Steve Brocato deserves none of the abuse heaped upon him. Worse, his wife and his children suffer from the clamor as well. His discharge as city manager was a monumental mistake. The indictment of him is an excuse for a mistake, it is not the truth. No one is required to accept my concluding assessment. However, anyone who writes publicly to denigrate or slander Mr. Brocato is required to disprove my assertions of fact.

Milo Pope

Baker City