Letter: Get facts before voting on recall

Published 6:15 am Thursday, December 7, 2023

To the Editor:

Throughout the history of our country there has been disagreements and disappointments regarding those elected or appointed to represent us. Since and probably before 2016 groups of citizens including those representing us have become rude and vicious because of different points of view, etc. Instead of working through their differences they continue to criticize and are out to destroy individuals they don’t like or disagree with no matter the cost to the country or their community.

Sadly, this includes a group of citizens in our community who have been very active since the election of Mayor Heather Rookstool for the city of John Day. Now they are actively pursuing her recall.

Let’s not be ignorant of the facts and get the whole story. There are several of issues facing the city of John Day that were developing prior to the election of Heather Rookstool. She has been keeping the city functioning without a city manager, two interim city managers, lacking a full council, lacking of full staffing, etc., while working closely with the city attorney, consultants and a few helpful councilors.

The two interim city managers found it difficult to work in the atmosphere at City Hall. In fact, a grievance was filed against one of the interim city managers. During several of the council meetings I attended there has been city staff, employees and citizens who would rudely interrupt the council meeting. Point being, there is shared responsibility concerning the issues and chaos that city representatives are dealing with.

It is past time for citizens, councilors, city staff and employees to show support through helpful actions for the city of John Day, obtain the facts prior to voting on any recall effort and stop expecting the mayor to continue putting in the long hours and solve all the issues by herself. Remember she is just one of seven elected/appointed volunteers. Say thank you!

If there is a recall, who will step forward and volunteer to be the next mayor or fill another councilor’s position?

Louis E. Provencher

John Day