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M/SUNNY Temp: 53 °F Wind: NW at 12 mph Saturday, April 26, 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 April 5, 2003 Election complaint filed on petition John Pearson says three Medford officials violated state election law by opposing his petition By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune A complaint has been filed with the State Elections Office charging three Medford city officials with violating a law prohibiting public employees from opposing an initiative petition. John Pearson of the Eastside Neighborhood Coalition charged that Public Works Director Cory Crebbin and councilmen Bob Strosser and Bill Moore violated state election law by opposing Pearson’s initiative petition, which would require voter approval for city participation in state road projects. Pearson complained that Crebbin spoke against the initiative at a Ward 4 town hall meeting in May and in three newspaper articles. Pearson cited a state statute: "No public employee shall � promote or oppose � the gathering of signatures on an initiative � while on the job during working hours." Pearson also charged the council members, who presided at the ward meeting, with violating a state law that says, "No person shall � require a public employee to � promote or oppose � the gathering of signatures on an initiative." Pearson charged in a March 27 letter to the state elections office that Strosser and Moore violated the law by inviting Crebbin to speak at the town hall, when "both were well aware of what Mr. Crebbin would say" and that he would represent the initiative in a "negative light." Crebbin denied he violated election law, adding, "All I’ve done is answer people’s questions as factually as I could and answer calls from reporters. I don’t see that as supporting or opposing it." Parts of Pearson’s complaint are based on quotes in three Mail Tribune stories, some of which lack the complete context of Crebbin’s comments or are inaccurate, Crebbin said. Strosser said, "What they’re doing to Crebbin is unconscionable and a manipulation. He’s an expert in his field and it’s a shame that a hard-working public servant is subjected to this for simply giving factual information and telling the truth." Crebbin’s comments at the ward meeting neither supported nor opposed the initiative, but simply outlined what would happen if the initiative passed, Strosser said. In a March 19 e-mail to Pearson, Norma Buckno of the Elections Division said public employees are not prohibited from speaking publicly on pending initiatives in "the performance of duties normally expected or required of a public employee as part of his or her job ... . A spokesperson � may respond with factual information on possible effects of a petition (but) must be cautious not to imply � (that they) support or oppose the petition." Crebbin said it’s always been his intent to address this or any initiative within those bounds. The city officials also believed at the time that the statutory ban on speaking for or against an initiative didn’t kick in until valid signatures had been submitted for ballot qualification. Pearson said a set of Election Division guidelines stated that, but the Oregon Revised Statutes say it becomes an initiative petition when filed — and before the signatures are collected. Buckno acknowledged her agency’s guidelines were unclear and confirmed the ban begins with filing. The initiative was filed April 12. The ward meeting was May 6. Backers of the initiative have gathered 3,800 valid signatures (of 3,600 needed) to qualify it for either the September or November ballot, said Pearson. The elections division will review the complaint as soon as possible, Buckno said. John Darling is a free-lance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected] 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