Editor’s note: See below for the recall petition text as well as the “Stop the Recall” letter.
By Brenna Wiegand
Whether on the Web, on the streets or in the paper, true to form, Silverton does not lack for community involvement.
The drawn-out process of determining – from an array of choices – how best to proceed with a downtown rejuvenation project – is a prime example of the type of citizenry that characterizes Silverton.
Well, to a point. For the fever to keep Silverton Silverton has reached a pitch that threatens to destroy one if its core characteristics – one that cannot be seen on any blueprint or placard. Many a newcomer has cited as a top reason for moving to town the friendly, welcoming people who, despite a wide range of backgrounds and views, seemingly live in harmony.
Now, fractious is a mild description for the public process that ensued until the July 25 decision to pursue ‘Concept 2’ was approved 4-3 by the Urban Renewal Agency, which is composed of city council members.
The decision fanned the ongoing flames of protest by those whose objections include feeling their opinions weren’t considered; the plan costs too much and implementation will disrupt business for too long.
Jim Squires applied for the right to petition for the recall of the four who voted for the plan, and that set into motion a push to obtain the signatures of 555 resident, registered voters per councilor by Nov. 8 to force a recall election.
This resulted in outrage by many more people, who, though perhaps differing in their opinions about what ought to be done – or not done – in the name of business district improvement, agree that holding a recall is a bad idea for the community.
The anti-recall proponents say their main mission is to provide the public with accurate, complete information rather than the half-truths or erroneous data they feel are contained in flyers, store window signs and some published statements – and to urge people not to sign the petition.
The most recent activity on the Facebook page ‘Silverton – Stop the Recall’ is the creation of a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document prepared by Victor Madge, a planning commission member, and Dana Smith, and a letter, signed by about 140 citizens, stating that they oppose the recall effort.
“The letter wasn’t designed to be a tit for tat,” said Stacy Palmer, Silverton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director who has taken a position against the recall as a private citizen.
“The group that initiated it is the same group – which includes city councilors – that has said this is not good for the community – that’s our only statement. We may disagree on streetscape or on funding or on whatever, but we all agree that the recall is not the answer.
“Through the democratic process, yes, a recall is an option, but so is waiting until the appropriate election,” she said.
Squires declined to comment and no one involved in circulating the recall petitions was willing to discuss the number of signatures collected thus far.
The question of whether city leaders should speak as private citizens keeps surfacing.
Gus Frederick, a Silverton planning commissioner speaking as private citizen, lampoons the group heading the recall effort as a “cadre of trolls” in an article on his blog, ‘Nor-Websterly Gusts.’ Both he and City Councilor Kyle Palmer intimate that Mayor Stu Rasmussen heads the group.
On Palmer’s Facebook page ‘Kyle Palmer for Mayor,’ his public response to the reasons cited in the recall petition asserts that Squires is “merely a marionette at the hands of Rasmussen, who has made every one of the above arguments in public.”
“Oh, I wish I had that power,” Rasmussen said. “I wish I could get people to just nod and smile and do what I say but I have the problem of trying to convince them with facts.”
Palmer says Rasmussen “passionately pursues replacing every councilor who does not share his opinion” – the very thing, he said, of which Rasmussen accused former Mayor Ken Hector. Rasmussen does not deny this.
“I am indeed, and I have been looking for people who are fiscally responsible with public money to run for council. I make no apology for that,” he said. However, he denies being an active part of the recall.
“I am not a petitioner… but I have to be honest and say that (the recall effort) is very supportive of the position of fiscal responsibility which I have advocated.”
“City Councilor (insert name) has consistently voted to waste your trusted taxpayer dollars. Wheather it’s gifting $50,000 to make improvements to a building owned by Orville Roth, or giving $20,000 to a city employee for building renovations, or spending $25,000 on a web site from a company in Kansas. (Insert name) just can’t say ‘no’ to wasting your tax dollars.
On July 25th (insert name) voted for a $404,000 ‘improvement’ to a project on our Main Street, an ‘improvement’ that can cripple the business on the street for months, kill the healthy, mature trees that line the street (and replace them with ‘twigs’). Most of the property owners and merchants in the affected area are against this ‘improvement,’ knowing it could put them out of business and turn a thriving, active and vibrant historic commercial street into a blighted wastelands.
These are FACTS. Don’t be misled by any ‘spin’ to explain away this waste of your trusted money. Enough is enough! Send our city a message to stop wasting our precious public money on ill-advised schemes and gifts to their pals. Vote ‘YES’ to recall (insert name) before we’re completely bankrupt!”
“We are concerned with the current effort to recall City Councilors Bill Cummins, Kyle Palmer, Judy Schmidt, and Randal Thomas. Regardless of one’s opinion about specific legislative decisions, these councilors have represented our community openly, honestly, and in a manner that reflects why they were elected in the first place.
We feel that this recall is a waste of taxpayer money and city resources, at a time when Silverton should be focused on more important issues. We feel that our great community has been divided long enough and, in order to heal, we ask all citizens to put their time and effort into creating a positive and respectful atmosphere that will provide the resolution we all need and deserve.
We are not signing any petition to recall our City Councilors.”
