Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... Police say Grants Pass man admits to 50 vehicle thefts in Rogue Valley ... Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... Police say Grants Pass man admits to 50 vehicle thefts in Rogue Valley ... MEDFORD Councilor sorry for how Medford manager was fired; another says council wasn't 'Christ-like' Another says council wasn't 'Christ-like' Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 18, 2015 at 5:34 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 18, 2015 at 5:34 PM » Social News The Medford City Council’s abrupt firing of the city manager two weeks ago prompted an apology Thursday from one councilor over his abrasive manner and a rebuke from another councilor for the meeting's hostile tone. On June 4, Councilor Chris Corcoran demanded former City Manager Eric Swanson leave the council chambers after he was fired rather than waiting until the council had finished its meeting. “I regret my choice of terminology when I asked him to remove himself from the dais,” Councilor Chris Corcoran said Thursday at the council meeting. “I’m sorry.” Councilors said they felt Swanson was trying to manage the council rather than the council managing him. They also cited ongoing issues between Swanson and Travel Medford as a reason for his termination. Councilor Clay Bearnson, who voted against firing Swanson, criticized his fellow councilors as hypocritical. At the beginning of the council meetings, a local pastor recites an invocation that usually has a theme of wisdom, discernment and helping guide the community with “God’s unconditional love and eternal compassion,” he said. “Where was the Christ-like behavior?” Bearnson asked. “Where was the sense of compassion?” During the council meeting when Swanson was fired, Councilor Dick Gordon said, "I do not feel Eric is honest, I do not trust Eric. I have found him very disrespectful." Bearnson said he was disappointed at the way the council dealt with Swanson. He said Swanson was visibly shaken as he walked out of the room. “Having been raised in a religious family, I do give respect to that higher power that we pray to,” he said. Bearnson said the council’s actions against Swanson were clearly about ego rather than compassion. “Completely upending a man’s livelihood does not bode well in the eyes of the creator,” he said. “This was a man with a wife and family, a man who fought for our country, a man who puts on his pants one leg at a time like the rest of us." Quoting Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, Bearnson said, “'I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 18, 2015 at 5:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501