To the Editor:

As Albert Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it.”

In response to the article about Casey Myers’ recall campaign in the May 22 issue of the BME, Casey has lost all credibility in his war to unseat the legally elected and appointed council members representing the citizens of John Day. Let’s look at the problems that his 16 years’ experience has created. In particular, the last six or seven years which he has been involved with the “organized culture” of the past administration. He has been employed as public works director for a very short time. Does this qualify him as an expert? I doubt that.

He was part of an administration which put the city in debt for the next two-plus generations with no major successes of getting projects finished. No swimming pool … failed greenhouse (still paying for and took hundreds of thousands of dollars from the much-needed sewer fund) … streets are in decay from lack of maintenance … painting curbs and signposts lacking on maintenance … bridge repair lacking, and the list goes on. If successful with this recall shenanigan, we will now be without common sense and fiscal responsibility.

Taking these experienced counselors out would be a mistake.

They do not chase rainbows and make up fairytales. Councilor Ron Phillips — lifetime of construction experience and all the issues that arise during the construction phase. Council President Sherrie Rininger — owns her own business in John Day as well was manager of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce. Councilor Eric Bush — a long career in law enforcement and at the present is the county emergency management director.

These three people, along with the now city manager, have the experience and fortitude to do what is best, with the challenges they were given, for our citizens.

Casey works for “obstruction not construction” in a plan for the future. He needs fired. He has very little actual experience in management, and it has shown in his actions so far. Citizens need to vote “no” on the recall of these well-qualified representatives for our city.

Bob Pereira

John Day