Dear West Linn Residents,
Whether you have supported the recall effort or you felt that it was an inappropriate method to address issues with West Linn Councilors, I learned today that the recall was not filed.
Mary Ann Mattecheck sent a letter today that stated in part, "every name and address on the petition will be scrutinized...available to spiteful factions. I can no longer in good conscience submit your names and addresses to a hostile city hall." The letter explains the attacks and threats these people have endured and how if the people who signed the petition are exposed, what they may have to endure by the likes of the anti-recall proponents.
I understand, first hand, what they are fearing in regards to attacks and smear campaigns. For the past year I have been in what a fellow councilor has described as a "full frontal attack" by the city manager, Carson, Burgess and Kovash.
Why? Because I will not keep information from the public. I will not sign the tax payer on to projects and developments that misuse their hard earned money. That I insist that the citizen be heard. I demand that the citizen who has a complaint or problem have that issue taken care of. That I will not, under any circumstance cover up back room deals, code changes or phony street projects.
I ask each and everyone of you to question anything you hear, see or read in newspaper. I am always happy and available to tell you the truth. I did not realize they had taken their bully tactics out on the recall people to such a serious degree. I only know I have experienced it myself and understand.
I firmly believe your tax dollars are being misused. I have asked repeatedly for reviews that would qualify how your tax dollars are being used and city manager Chris Jordan and councilors Carson, Burgess and Kovash will not allow it.
Because you are on the losing end and as an elected official my job is to protect your tax dollar, I have made a formal complaint to the State Attorney General asking that he support me in getting the proper audits done and that citizens stop being shut out of their local government.
I am so committed to seeing that this misuse of tax dollars be stopped, I also sent a copy of the complaint to the division of the FBI that addresses problems in local governments.
The truth is that you are being forced by Carson, Burgess and Kovash into the Waste Water Treatment Agreement which is nothing but you paying a high fee for sewer to Damascas, Happy Valley and North Clackamas County. Taxpayers are being forced to pay 20 million dollars for a Solar Highway project that produces electricity that costs three times as much as standard electricity. You are being charged for projects that have no testing, engineering analysis or recommendation for need. Your city manager and the three councilors will not allow me to audit projects you are paying for to be sure they are truly needed.
Although the recall is not going to materialize, the time for change is now. Please write:
John Kroger
State Attorney General
1162 Court St NE
Salem, OR 97301-4096
Tell him you want transparency, open government, up front information about expenditures, audits when appropriate, honesty, and a locally elected body of people that support their constituents. Tell him to support your Mayor in getting everything you need to see West Linn is fiscally responsible and citizen engaged.
Also, at the next council meeting I will be asking for the resignation of the city manager. I ask you support me in this and that you too, ask for this much needed resignation. A vote of "no confidence" is due. We need to take our city back.
Write the council and city manager at ccouncil@westlinnoregon.gov, cjordan@westlinnoregon.gov
Tell them you want the city manager to resign now.
As for the council, I can only look to the November election and the hope that the citizens will staunchly support candidates who will bring the change needed on our council to bring solidarity and accountability.
Share this email with anyone and everyone who needs their voice heard. I appreciate it.
Thank you,
Patti Galle
Mayor
