Letter: Rookstool part of welcome change

Published 6:15 am Thursday, December 28, 2023

To the Editor:

The divisiveness that has been brought about in our great county appeared seven years ago. It was more of a power struggle infused by a liberal outsider who sold his followers an unproven idea that you can spend your way to success. Instead, it created an “organized culture” that resulted in a nefarious plan of tax, spend and borrow.

The city employees, past administration members and a few spoiled citizens have gotten used to their way of management at all costs. This experience has been an assault on my rights as a citizen.

One instance was their attempt to forcibly annex me into the city. It failed because they did not adhere to the proper procedure, and my lawyers discovered that my tax lot fell under an “exemption” clause in the Oregon revised statute that they attempted to enforce.

It is obvious that those councilors who were removed or resigned, that voted “yes,” could not comprehend the wording of the law. An inspection was administered, and nothing could be found. One must wonder, was it an attempted retribution, or ignorance on all accounts. Only in their minds will we know.

Election Day (Nov. 22) was a welcomed turnaround, and the voters started a “cultural detoxication” within the city that needs to continue. Mayor Rookstool has brought in a more open and accurate accounting firm to track revenues and spending. She has brought in a consultant as to what grants can be used for and brought to light that the “matching funds” were not being met in proper fiscal order. When she sees a plan that is not working, she is not afraid to change her mind (R3 is the latest example).

I encourage everyone to vote “no” on this unwarranted recall effort. It is the only way forward to eventually crawl out of the abyss of debt that the last administration initiated on its citizens.

Bob Pereira

John Day