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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 1, 2007 Gold Hill mayor eyes insurance risk Insurer has given the council until Friday to prove it's capable of doing its job professionally By sanne specht Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — In his first official act, the town's new mayor told the City Council it must make a plan to save the city's insurance. "We have a major issue with our insurance," began Mayor Dan Morris at Tuesday's council workshop. "We're being hammered hard." City County Insurance Services (CIS) has given Gold Hill until Friday to submit a letter "documenting proof that we are a governing body capable of working in the interests of the community," Morris said. In recent months, the city's police chief was placed on administrative leave while allegations of fraud, harassment and other claims were investigated, and the city's auditor resigned after questioning "the openness of the city's leadership." Now the city is on notice that its insurance could be cancelled by the end of the month. "We've dug ourselves a pretty deep hole," said Morris. "We don't have a second chance. We've got to get it right the first time." Advertisement Morris is advocating ongoing training for council members and department heads. He also suggested the council create standing and ad hoc committees to oversee long-term goals and short-term issues. The committees will be made up of council members and members of the community. Per the city's charter, the mayor appoints all council committee members, Morris said. CIS will hold an insurance termination hearing on Feb. 14 in Tigard. The city will have a half hour to present its case, said City Recorder Mary Goddard. Morris will plead the case for Gold Hill. If the insurance board is not convinced the council can manage its liability issues, CIS will cancel Gold Hill's insurance effective Feb. 28, said CIS Executive Director Noel Klein. "We are not going to allow Gold Hill to create a liability issue for the other Oregon municipalities within our (insurance) pool," said Klein. At the heart of the insurance issue is Gold Hill's ongoing struggles with its police departments — past and present, said Councilman Gus Wolf. Wolf cited a passage from Klein's four-page letter to council: "A basic CIS recommendation urged the Council NOT to have their own police department given the past history of turmoil between the council and the police department and the unwillingness of the council to adequately fund and staff a professional police department," Klein wrote. Chief Dean Muchow was placed back on duty Jan. 9 in a 4-1 vote of the new council. Wolf, who voted against Muchow's return, said the police department remains a source of liability. The department is fast running out of funds, and a police levy failed in November. Researching a recent offer of police coverage by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department deserves consideration, he said. "They urged us not to have a police department," said Wolf. "Are we just going to sweep this under the rug?" Councilwoman Kathleen Price disagreed with Wolf. "In my humble opinion the citizens want the police force," she said. In spite of Morris' efforts to bring the council together, tension remains. Councilwomen Kathleen Price and Judith Holdeman, former Councilman Tom Daily and former Mayor Sherry Young (and others) filed a complaint with the state against Wolf, Councilwoman Jan Fish and former Councilwoman Donna Silva. The complaint alleges the three colluded to hold an illegal meeting on Oct. 24 to place Muchow on leave, Wolf said. Wolf said he does not understand the basis for the complaint, since City Attorney Steve Rich attended the meeting and oversaw the council's actions, he said. "I don't know what to say," said Wolf. "If people keep turning each other in to government agencies, that's pretty contentious." A dispute resolution meeting will be held Feb. 7. Fighting over the police department "has divided this council for months, and I suspect, years," said Morris. But CIS cannot force the city to disband its own police department, he added. "CIS is not the city," Morris said. "That is such a far-reaching move for the city. It deserves (to be researched by) a committee with resident involvement." The regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help