By Linda Whitmore
CNN, Fox News and media outlets across the nation have been talking about Silverton in the past two weeks, and it all started with an appearance by Mayor Stu Rassmussen before students in Silverton Together’s Apple Tree Drive.
Following his July 16 presentation, Brenda Sturdevant, manager of Silverton Together, wrote Silverton City Council saying that she felt the mayor’s attire was inappropriate and not in accordance with the council’s dress code.
Rasmussen, who is openly transgender, made his response through a local newspaper, saying he thinks the council having a dress code is unnecessary. Newspapers and television stations in Salem and Portland picked up the story, which then was featured on national TV networks.
Rasmussen said he is “disappointed with the media circus.” Sturdevant said she is “shocked” at the widespread coverage and its negative focus. “It’s amazing how they distort things. It brought out ugliness and I’m shocked.”
She said the fallout was not intended and she wants the town’s principles of “compassion, giving and kindness and understanding,” to be restored. “I feel badly. I take full accountability for it, not Silverton Together, not Ken Hector.” Former Mayor Hector spoke to newscasters in support of Sturdevant’s letter, which said Rasmussen “was wearing high heels, a very short skirt and some sort of halter top revealing much of his bosom, shoulders and back” when he came to address the leadership training program for youths 12 to 17.
“Mayor Rasmussen is in violation of the City of Silverton’s Resolution No. 06.23, dated July 10th, 2006, which is still in effect,” she wrote. The dress code stipulates “business casual” attire be worn to council meetings “and all other events in which Council participates or attends.” It stipulates no tank tops or mini skirts be worn.
Sturdevant wrote that the mayor, who is also a Silverton Together board member, was aware that the Apple Tree program’s purpose includes preparing youths for the workplace, teaching business behavior and skills.
She has sent home students who did not adhere to the Apple Tree dress code, which says, “When giving presentations, students should dress in as professional a manner as possible. Examples of unacceptable dress include: Clothing with inappropriate slogans, graphics or logos, revealing necklines or bare midriffs, extremely short skirts or shorts.”
She said Rasmussen’s appearance undermined guidelines she has to enforce and “We’re all role models for the children.”
Rasmussen said he wished Sturdevant had spoken to him privately. By writing the letter to the council, the matter became a public issue. “After it became public, I went to the media,” he said. “If this is going to go somewhere, I want to be sure my feelings will be included.
“This is a subject that’s near and dear to the core of my life,” he emphasized. “People deciding what people should wear and do is not what this society is founded on.”
He said he thinks the council’s dress code is “silly.” “I don’t think it’s necessary for adults to have a dress code,” he said. One’s attire is an individual matter, “as long as it’s within the bounds of decency,” but, he acknowledged, what that means is open to personal views.
He said he’s had a lot of support.“The community decided my dress was not a factor,” when it elected him mayor last November. He admits to being irked, indicating he may file suit claiming discrimination.
“The mission of the organization (Silverton Together) is to promote the community and diversity therein,” he said.
Sturdevant, too, talks of the community’s values. She said she’s talked to the students and used the experience as a positive lesson. “Our kids are taught respect. We’re all equals and we all deserve respect.”
She’s eager for the issue to subside.
“I hope Silverton will come together again and be what it once was. It’s an amazing town,” she said. “You can’t be united if you’re divided.”
Whether the dress code issue will be discussed at the Aug. 3 city council meeting is not known. It was not on the agenda at press time, but could come up during council discussion.
