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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup Tripp Street closure planned for today, Thursday 10 things to know for Wednesday Emergency services, May 11 Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, May 11 Police reports Medford police use anti-overdose nasal spray to revive heroin victim Emergency Services, March 10 Medford man arrested for growing marijuana Politics and Elections Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Education St. Mary's reaches out to China Work your body to save your braaaaains Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Environment Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides State News Oregon lawmakers grapple over daylight saving time Japan releases Oregonian held for 18 days over prescription Feds ban new commercial fishing for forage fish Firefighting plan aims to protect Western habitat Wyoming Legislature aims to support Northwest coal terminals with $1 billion in bonds Nation - World Obituaries Norma Catherine Morgan Marlene Milliron (Smock) Monica Louise Revel William F. Christofferson Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Raiders romp to victory in NAIA start North Medford downs Klamath Argentina probes copter wreck as France mourns Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders romp to victory in NAIA start Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title Beaver QB race down to three players Ducks prep for multiple foes Raiders out to end drought in NAIA tourney Pro Sports James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Blair plays four tours to earn PGA card Race safety measures become hot topic Wheeler-dealer Kelly trades Foles for Bradford Trades steal spotlight from free agents Community Sports Business Latest Stories Jackson County jobless rate falls to 7.7 percent Blog: Manufacturing leads Oregon's export expansion Disruptive forces: Coming to a business near you Four Rogue Valley companies make business magazine's top-100 list Blog: Cash deals for homes remains in decline Real Estate News Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Kent Bush: The Internet is governed by people who have never sent an email Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor, March 11 Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Landgren cartoon: Farewell to circus elephants Editorials Our View: Atkins a safe choice for secretary of state Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Letters to the Editor Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor, March 11 Letters to the Editor, March 10 Letters to the Editor, March 9 Letters to the Editor, March 8 Columns Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Kent Bush: Things will never change unless we change them Michael Gerson: Viewing Ferguson from Selma — and fixing it Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Kathleen Parker: 'Just look at him' Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Fewer and fewer of us eschew brilliant beets The Pacific Crest Trail in 30 Years Season Stepp: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish recipes Derek Kelly: Putting the pieces back together Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Food Community blog: Fewer and fewer of us eschew brilliant beets Season Stepp: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish recipes Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Page H. Onorato: Try out this hot stuff in your kitchen on a cold night Serra storms Seattle Home and Garden Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Paul Rogers: Daylight Saving, full moon hopeful signs for spring Home Help: 4 ways to redefine your outdoor space Health Community blog: The Future is Now Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Warren G. performs at the Historic Ashland Armory Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Theater Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' Music Warren G. performs at the Historic Ashland Armory Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... What you'll find at the growers markets this week ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... What you'll find at the growers markets this week ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... State ethics panel drops case against Talent city manager Complaint alleged Tom Corrigan benefited financially TALENT — Oregon's Government Ethics Commission has voted to drop an investigation into allegations that City Manager Tom Corrigan improperly benefited when city workers installed panels on the side of a personal trailer he was using to haul trees to a city nursery. By Tony Boom MailTribune.com By Tony Boom Posted Jul. 16, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated Jul 16, 2013 at 2:40 AM By Tony Boom Posted Jul. 16, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated Jul 16, 2013 at 2:40 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> TALENT — Oregon's Government Ethics Commission has voted to drop an investigation into allegations that City Manager Tom Corrigan improperly benefited when city workers installed panels on the side of a personal trailer he was using to haul trees to a city nursery. Commissioners voted 5-1 in Salem Friday to drop the case despite a staff recommendation to move to investigation. There appeared to be a "substantial objective basis to believe that violation of Oregon Government Ethic laws may have occurred," a staff report said. Joe Strahl, who oversees city engineering under a contract, filed the complaint on April 8. Public Works Superintendent Lester Naught and employees Bret Marshall and Chance Metcalf also signed the complaint. "I wished they had gone forward," Strahl said Monday. "I'm disappointed. I think a lot of misinformation that was out there could have been resolved by doing an investigation." Corrigan and attorney Lauren Sommers of the Local Government Law Group, which represents the city, attended the session in Salem. The Talent City Council had earlier agreed to supply legal counsel for Corrigan in the matter. "I would compliment the ethics commission on their work," said Corrigan. "It is a very difficult job. They are very diligent in their pursuits. I appreciate the job they have to do and the conclusion that they reached." Commissioners felt they had enough information to decide against going forward, said commission Executive Director Ron Bersin. The meeting was a closed executive session and Bersin would not discuss the reasoning behind the commission's action. "There are times that the staff here will recommend to move (an investigation) forward. We may want to know more information," said Bersin. "I believe (the commissioners) got all the information they needed to get their decision." According to the complaint, Corrigan benefited financially when wooden panels were fitted to his trailer by Metcalf and Marshall. Corrigan was bringing trees on the trailer from his property in Sams Valley to a tree nursery established by the city's Together for Talent Committee. Corrigan paid for the panels, but Metcalf and Marshall spent an estimated 51/2 hours on procurement and installation in late February. According to information cited in the report: Corrigan donated more than 100 trees to the project. Larger ones that had to be hauled on the trailer about 40 miles arrived wind-buffeted and defoliated. City staff recommended the panels and offered to install them using scrap metal brackets, the report notes. The brackets have been returned to the city. When contacted by the ethics commission in mid-April, both Metcalf and Marshall indicated they felt pressured to sign the complaint and, given more time for consideration, might not have signed. They felt Strahl had a "personal vendetta" against Corrigan. The employees also said the work was performed to protect the trees while in transit. But Strahl said he did not regret pursuing the case. "I had to do what I did. I did the right thing. My obligation to the city of Talent and those employees is satisfied," said Strahl. "It was up to the commission and they chose not to pursue it further." Strahl's complaint also indicated that Corrigan advised Strahl during a meeting before the installation that he was "the sole person in charge at the city and that his authority was not to be questioned." Corrigan would not discuss specifics in the report. Strahl had not seen the report and also declined to talk further about details. Naught declined to comment on the commission ruling. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom MailTribune.com By Tony Boom Posted Jul. 16, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated Jul 16, 2013 at 2:40 AM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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