Letters to the Editor for Oct. 23, 2009

Problem is blight properties

To the editor:

Regarding the recall issue: Everyone seems to think this is all about the firing of Mr. Brocato, in which I disagree.

Many of the newcomers to town are just frustrated with the lack of a city ordinance that will take care of “blight properties.” We all know about the rentals owned by the council members in question. We want results on this for the sake of our town, properties, and economic well-being.

I think a lot of people just want a council that leads by example. Not someone who is renting a “blight property” to people just to make a buck. I think a lot of votes would swing from a recall to a no recall if these council people would listen to what the public wants, and pass an ordinance that will take care of its citizens like most cities already have.

Whether or not you choose to recall Dorrah and Calder, please let your opinion be known at a council meeting on how we feel living next to some of these properties.

Steve Smithson

Baker City

What a generous city we have

To the editor:

Thank you, Baker City! I just wanted to take some time to thank the people of Baker City, once again, for their generosity.

My husband and I have been selling raffle tickets for an F-150 crew cab for Joel Cummings, who is now first on the waiting list for a double lung transplant. We have really enjoyed doing this for Joel and Saundra and wanted to show our appreciation to the community in how well this idea has been accepted and embraced by all of you.

At this point we have sold a total of 2,387 tickets! This is truly amazing and it just goes to show what a close community this is and how we can all pull together in a time of need in spite of our current economy.

Our dream is to sell a total of 5,000 tickets and have someone not only walk away with an awesome truck but allow Joel and Saundra a lifetime of happiness together. You can still purchase tickets at Gentry Ford, Last Resort Salon, Earth and Vine, and The Sycamore Tree. They are only $20 each or six for $100.

Rick and Julie Stout

Baker City

It’s almost over — and please vote

To the editor:

I would like to start out with — please remember to vote. While I’ve got you on the remembering track I’d like some of you older folks to remember back to the ’50s and ’60s there was this show called “The Three Stooges.” You know, Larry, Curly, and Moe. I personally never liked the show as a kid and I still don’t as an adult. I never really knew what a stooge was until recently when I looked it up in a dictionary, online of course.

Stooge, noun: flunky, yes-man; verb: to act in a compliant or subordinate manner; synonyms: dupe, instrument, puppet, chump, easy mark, fall guy, lackey, patsy, pushover, pawn, sap, sucker. WOW!

Folks, we have “The Three Stooges” right here in Baker City and they are in full blown living color. I’ve heard of Mr. Brocato being described as a bit of a bully. Do you remember the schoolyard bully? Sure you do — he was the one who had other guys hanging around him. When he wanted something done that was a bit distasteful he would have his flunkies do the work for him. Must be nice having that kind of power, having others do your bidding. Well, folks this is all almost over. Remember to vote and get this whole mess behind us. 

Lorelei Nalley

Baker City

Concerns about the recall

To the editor:

I have these concerns about the upcoming election:

First, voters may not realize that if Mayor Dorrah and Councilor Calder are recalled, replacement councilors will be appointed by the remaining five councilors to serve through 2010. There will be no special election to replace Dorrah and Calder. There is nothing to stop Councilors Bass, Pope and Bryan, who would constitute a majority, from appointing two councilors of like mind and then, with an even larger majority, rehiring Brocato city manager, or appointing him city councilor, or then electing him mayor.Would this help our city recover from this regrettable period?

Second, I hope voters are not taken in by a recall campaign which has relied heavily on innuendo, half-truths, irrelevant issues, and conspiracy theories. Please look for facts and evidence (or their absence). Watch out for erroneously drawn conclusions such as: This happened, then that happened, therefore this councilor obviously thinks X or secretly did Y. Examples abound and only the Herald’s space limitation keeps me from being more specific. 

Third, Brocato has been portrayed as a victim: a nice, good, innocent family man who was never provided an opportunity to correct his objectionable behavior before being dismissed. This elicits sympathy and hopefully “yes” votes from uninformed voters. 

However, it was fairly widely known that Brocato’s abrasive style in his role as city manager had alienated many citizens. The prior council in March 2008 recommended four areas for his improvement and set a six-month period for review. Were the recommended changes made? The two new councilors have testified they came on council with an open mind but it took less than six months for them to see the situation as unworkable.You couldn’t have two more level-headed and supportive public servants than retired librarian Bonebrake and retired botanist Button, two people with no ax to grind – no job, business or political baggage. We should trust their experience.

I hope you will critically evaluate the blizzard of written materials before you, consider the “no” recommendation of 17 current and former city officials, and then vote “no” on the recalls.

Suzanne Moses

Baker City