Rookstool

This is my response to Dave Holland’s guest editorial and Casey Myers’ letter to the editor in last week’s Blue Mountain Eagle.

Dave Holland claims that the decision to withdraw from R3 was an “unnoticed action” when he was out of town. The first action item on the Dec. 13, 2023, agenda was “R3 — Action needed to approve the invoice from city of Burns,” which was for services provided by Catalyst Policy Advisors from May 31-Nov. 30, 2023.

The invoices were also discussed at our previous meeting. The unapproved minutes of the Nov. 28, 2023, council meeting state the invoices did not have to be paid, none of the bills have been submitted to R3 because Catalyst and the attorney are waiting for money to come in before requesting payment. I would like to point out, those funds still have not been received. I have said many times (check the minutes from the R3 meetings) that I would not agree to obligate the city of John Day for any expenses without approval from my city council. At that meeting, board members expressed their concern about accepting liability on behalf of the city for expenses that have been incurred by R3. If payments are made to R3, they will have to be paid from our general fund.

Just a few days later, we received an invoice from the city of Burns in the amount of $9,746.03 for the costs incurred to date. Burns paid the invoices and then invoiced each of the other cities for 25%.

Mr. Holland should have also mentioned the intergovernmental agreement for R3 included with the Oct. 24, 2023, agenda. He would have noticed in Schedule 5.2.2 — Contribution percentages, “Unless and until modified in accordance with this Agreement, each party will pay the party’s percentage of all Consortium costs and expenses identified in the approved budget.” We still don’t have this. The minutes of the July 18, 2023, R3 meeting clearly state I told the R3 board that I could not commit our city council to anything financial without approval from my board.

His last statement that he has not been involved in city administration for months is far from true!

During the months of November and December, he has signed employee time cards, discussed holiday pay with some employees and participated in contract negotiations for our new city manager. Dave Holland has now admitted this was not factual. Him calling me a liar is absurd and not professional.

Casey Myers is not qualified to speak to “our new treatment plant costs.” The majority of legal fees charged to the city this past year have been related to employee issues. Mr. Myers’ facts are confused and he has made statements that he cannot back up with any factual information.

Now, I would like to address a statement made by a former council member. She has stated, “If the recall of Mayor Rookstool is successful, our community should be able to choose the next mayor.”

Apparently, she has not read the city charter, the one they are claiming I have violated during the last year as mayor.

Section 20: Vacancies: filling — states, “A vacancy in the council shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the Council.”

It does not say the council president will become mayor or that there will be an election. This is just one more lie they are trying to make voters believe.

I had a fact sheet printed in last week’s paper and I still stand by it. Everything I said on it is 100% true and can be easily verified.

I’m sure that many of you have already voted. If you haven’t, please know the facts before you mark your ballot.

I want to thank all of you who have shown support for me and my family and other council members who are being targeted. I want you to know that the majority of the city council and I have worked very hard to be transparent and do what is in the best interest of the city of John Day.

Editor’s Note

John Day City Council President Dave Holland has acknowledged that his Jan. 3 commentary in the Eagle erroneously stated he has had no involvement in city administration for several months. The Eagle regrets the inclusion of that statement.