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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 Multimedia 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 March 2, 2007 Gold Hill leaders accused of breaking rules By sanne specht Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — City leaders are under investigation by a state regulatory agency for allegedly violating public meetings laws. The accused say they are being politically targeted for speaking out against the city's police chief. The Oregon Government Standards and Practices Commission determined in an executive hearing on Feb. 16 it will investigate complaints filed by Council Member Judith Holdeman and signed by 11 Gold Hill residents, including former and current city officials. The complaints allege Council Members Gus Wolf, Jan Fish and former Council President Donna Silva colluded to keep the public from attending a special council meeting on Oct. 24, 2006, during which Police Chief Dean Muchow was placed on paid administrative leave. "This is retaliatory politics in Gold Hill," said Wolf. "If you disagree with Dean, they come after you." Holdeman's complaint also alleges the October meeting was not properly publicized and was strategically timed to ensure the trio would get an affirmative vote against Muchow. The chief was not informed he would be a topic of discussion at the meeting and was thereby denied his opportunity to request an open hearing, Holdeman alleges. Advertisement She did not return calls seeking comment Thursday. "I unequivocally deny all the complaints made by Judith L. Holdeman," said Wolf in a written response to Ronald Bersin, GSPC executive director. Public notice for the disputed meeting was received by the Mail Tribune on Oct. 23. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a possible lawsuit and Council Member Kathleen Price's actions against a union employee, Wolf said. Price, who is currently facing a recall effort supported by Wolf, Fish and Silva, has called the meeting "an illegal kangaroo court." City Attorney Steve Rich attended the special meeting. Rich told the council which topics were allowable under Oregon statutes for executive sessions. The council reconvened in public session and the motion was made to place Muchow on paid administrative leave pending further investigation, Wolf said. "There was no conspiracy to keep citizens out of the open proceedings or to deny city officials or staff their rights," said Wolf. The council was attempting to respond to a series of late-breaking issues, Fish said. They had received word that afternoon the city's auditor had voiced concern over Muchow's cell phone records. Moments before the council convened, the city attorney received a tort claim from a citizen alleging police harassment, she added. These types of sensitive topics are generally discussed in executive session which are not open to the public, Fish said. Doors were not locked during the special meeting's brief open session, she added. The GSPC complaint is another red herring to deflect scrutiny from the police department and degrade the reputation of those who have taken the auditors' concerns seriously, Silva says. "If (Price and Daily) were so worried about an illegal meeting, why didn't they get up and leave? Why did they participate?" Silva said. Wolf, Fish and Silva did not attend the Feb. 16 GSPC executive session hearing. They depended on the advice of the city attorney and are disappointed the agency voted to continue the investigation, they said. The onus is on council members to understand public meeting laws, Bersin said. The agency will continue to investigate the allegations for the next 120 days. There will be another hearing on June 22 in which the seven-member commission could vote to dismiss the allegations or make a preliminary finding of a violation. If the three are found guilty, they could each face civil penalties of up to $1,000, Bersin said. 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. 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