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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 8, 2003 Charges dismissed in RVTD case By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — The state Elections Division on Thursday dismissed a complaint alleging that the former general manager of the Rogue Valley Transportation District violated election law in an unsuccessful campaign to recall five members of the district board. In a letter to Sherrin Coleman, the division dismissed allegations that she asked a former employee, Andreas Paulsen, to prepare campaign posters on company time promoting the recall. The complaint was filed by Carol Bennett, a member of the board and one of the targets of the recall. In dismissing the charges, the division said there was insufficient evidence that Coleman was guilty of violating ORS 260.432. Advertisement "I'm very, very happy, I can't tell you," Coleman said after learning of the decision. "I'm greatly relieved that the truth was revealed. "It's been a horrendous year." The former general manager, who was dismissed in October, vigorously denied the charge in a letter to the division. She said that after learning employees were involved in the recall, she circulated a memo warning against taking part in a recall on company time. "I made it absolutely clear to the district's employees, including Andreas Paulsen, that under no circumstances were they to participate in a recall election ... while on duty," Coleman wrote. She also warned that district materials and resources could not be used for political purposes. Paulsen, a planning technician, was terminated Oct. 2 by Coleman after working for the district for two years. Coleman was placed on paid administrative leave shortly thereafter; her contract expired Dec. 31 and was not renewed. Two attempts to get the board, including then chairwoman Eva Avery, failed. The Elections Division dismissed another charge that Coleman and district employees held a closed-door meeting at a state transportation district convention in Seaside to consider recall strategy. Don Jepsen is a free-lance writer living in Salem. GM job will be offered to Texan Rogue Valley Transportation District has narrowed its search for a new general manager down to one man. Peter Jacobson of Texas will be offered the job, which pays $57,500 to $67,500 annually. Another candidate, Tom Quigley of San Francisco, backed out after negotiations over salary and benefits faltered. The RVTD board at its Wednesday meeting decided that if there are problems in negotiations with Jacobson, it would offer the job to another candidate, John Diers of Wisconsin. The two men met with employees of RVTD and the board this week as part of the interviewing process. Acting general manager Yvonne Fletes said both men appeared qualified for the position. Fletes said if she were making the decision, "I would have had to flip a coin to choose. They are both excellent candidates." The decision came a year after the RVTD board threatened to fire its former general manager, Sherrin Coleman. However, the board waited until last October before dismissing her. Controversy over the decision led to two failed recall efforts against a majority of the board. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times