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P/CLOUDY Temp: 63 °F Wind: NNW at 14 mph Saturday, June 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate 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 Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 29, 2003 Ruling nears for RVTD recall case By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — The Secretary of State’s office may rule soon on a complaint filed by five Rogue Valley Transportation District members against the former general manager, Sherrin Coleman. Collette Burghart, a spokeswoman for the state Elections Division, said she is waiting for a response to a set of questions from a former employee, Andreas Paulsen. A recall effort was launched against five members of the RVTD board after Coleman was put on paid administrative leave last October. Her contract expired on Dec. 31 and was not renewed. Paulsen in a letter to board chairwoman Eva Avery alleged that Coleman asked him to "take my expertise in media ... and assist the Recall Committee." He said he was told to make sure "there was no reflection or ‘trail’ to RVTD time and materials." Advertisement Coleman denied asking Paulsen to provide support to the recall committee. Burghart said the division has asked Paulsen to respond to some questions about himself and his relationship with Coleman. Five board members who were the subject of two recall efforts filed the complaint against Coleman, alleging she violated election law by holding closed-door meetings with recall committee members during regular working hours. The five are Eva Avery, Kay Harrison, Carol Bennett, Mary Wooding and Susan McKenzie. Recall backers failed on two occasions to collect enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. Avery was defeated for re-election in May by Connie Skillman, who coordinated the recall effort. Also filing a complaint against Coleman was Gary Hathaway of Medford, who is employed by RVTD. In a letter dated May 14, he alleged that he witnessed Paulsen designing and printing recall posters in his office. Hathaway, who said he participated in the first recall effort, also alleged staffers participated in a meeting at the annual Oregon Transit Association Conference in Seaside. He said he was told the purpose of the meeting was to "find more effective ways" to recall board members in a second unsuccessful recall. The latter allegation is moot, according to Burghart, because it was not made within 90 days of the meeting. Roger Martin, executive director of the Oregon Transit Association, said the meeting which he attended had nothing to do with the ongoing recall. "That’s utter nonsense," said Martin. "The meeting was held to discuss the future on the state’s fourth largest transit system." Of particular concern was red flags being raised by the Oregon Department of Transportation over the district’s fiscal situation. Burghart said once she receives the additional information, the division could make a final determination "probably within a couple of weeks." Maximum penalty for violation of ORS 260.432 restricting political campaigning by public employees during working hours is $25 per incident. 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